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Biomedical subjects

G Ricci

Publications and source records attributed to G Ricci.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Low-dose interleukin-2 subcutaneous immunotherapy in association with the pineal hormone melatonin as a first-line therapy in locally advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.

Experimental studies have showed that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells are susceptible to cytolysis of interleukin (IL)-2-activated lymphocytes. Moreover, our previous studies demonstrated that the pineal neurohormone melatonin (MLT) may enhance IL-2 efficacy. On this basis, a study was started with low-dose IL-2 (3 million U/day subcutaneously for 6 days/week for 4 weeks) plus MLT (50 mg/day orally every day given in the evening) as a first-line therapy of unresectable HCC. The study included 14 patients. Objective tumour regressions were obtained in 5/14 (36%) patients (one complete response, four partial responses), with a median duration of 7+ months. 6 patients had stable disease, while the other 3 progressed. Toxicity was low in all cases. This study shows that the neuroimmunotherapy with low-dose IL-2 plus MLT is a new well-tolerated and effective therapy of advanced HCC.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

A randomised study with subcutaneous low-dose interleukin 2 alone vs interleukin 2 plus the pineal neurohormone melatonin in advanced solid neoplasms other than renal cancer and melanoma.

Our previous experimental studies have shown that the best approach to increase the biological anti-tumour activity of interleukin 2 (IL-2) is not co-administration of another cytokine, but the association with immunomodulating neurohormones, in an attempt to reproduce the physiological links between psychoendocrine and immune systems, which play a fundamental role in the regulation of the immune responses. In particular, the association with the pineal neurohormone melatonin (MLT) has been shown to cause tumour regressions in neoplasms that are generally non-responsive to IL-2 alone. To confirm these preliminary results, a clinical trial was performed in locally advanced or metastatic patients with solid tumours other than renal cell cancer and melanoma. The study included 80 consecutive patients, who were randomised to be treated with IL-2 alone subcutaneously (3 million IU day-1 at 8.00 p.m. 6 days a week for 4 weeks) or IL-2 plus MLT (40 mg day-1 orally at 8.00 p.m. every day starting 7 days before IL-2). A complete response was obtained in 3/41 patients treated with IL-2 plus MLT and in none of the patients receiving IL-2 alone. A partial response was achieved in 8/41 patients treated with IL-2 plus MLT and in only 1/39 patients treated with IL-2 alone. Tumour objective regression rate was significantly higher in patients treated with IL-2 and MLT than in those receiving IL-2 alone (11/41 vs 1/39, P < 0.001). The survival at 1 year was significantly higher in patients treated with IL-2 and MLT than in the IL-2 group (19/41 vs 6/39, P < 0.05). Finally, the mean increase in lymphocyte and eosinophil number was significantly higher in the IL-2 plus MLT group than in patients treated with IL-2 alone; on the contrary, the mean increase in the specific marker of macrophage activation neopterin was significantly higher in patients treated with IL-2 alone. The treatment was well tolerated in both groups of patients. This study shows that the concomitant administration of the pineal hormone MLT may increase the efficacy of low-dose IL-2 subcutaneous therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Soft tissue response to surgical and nonsurgical periodontal treatment.

The appearance of the soft tissues is important, especially in the anterior aesthetic area. Gingival recessions, uneven margins, large interproximal spaces, and loss of papillae height are some of the consequences of periodontal disease or undesirable results of therapy. These problems can be corrected with various treatment modalities--surgical, nonsurgical, prosthetic, or a combined therapy. Before any treatment, it is important to understand the behavior of the soft tissue of the particular patient. The objective of this article is to present an analysis of soft tissue response to nonsurgical therapy at buccal and interproximal sites, using several cases to illustrate.

Esthetics, Dental↗
PubMed1994

[Short-term reproducibility of acoustic oto-emissions induced by clicks in adults].

Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) are sounds emitted by the cochlea and recordable in the external ear canal by a miniature microphone. The OAE reflect the existence of an active mechanism within the cochlea. Development of the OAE has spurred much interest because they may used as a valid test for screening and monitoring cochlear changes. The OAE were recorded in 8 normal hearing subjects (15 ears) during nine test sessions under similar conditions. The aim of this work was to study the short-term variability in the amplitude of the emissions. Results of the study indicate that response levels are stable over time in the same ear therefore changes in the response level can be associated with changes in the cochlea.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1994

[The use of ultrasonography in the prediction of first-trimester abortion].

The prediction of spontaneous abortion in the first trimester is made possible owing to the use of two diagnostic procedures: maternal assay of some biochemical parameters and ultrasonography. However, the diagnostic value of ultrasound is greater than the former procedure since it enables the embryo to be visualized directly, measuring crown-rump length (CRL), together with the gestational sac whose diameter can also be measured (DSG). The present study aimed to verify the prediction of abortion given by the ratio between DSG and CRL measured using ultrasound in the first trimester of pregnancy, namely with signs of embryonic vitality already present. A prospective longitudinal study was performed in a population of 59 pregnant women attending the Obstetric and Gynecology Clinic of Trieste University during the period between April 1990 and April 1991. On enrollment in the study all patients had a gestational age of 8 +/- 2 weeks of amenorrhea. A preliminary measurement of DSG and CRL (t0) was then obtained and these measurements were repeated after four weeks (t1). The data obtained were first compared to each other for the same time (DSG0/CRL0 and DSG1/CRL1) and the relationship between the two ratios was then calculated ((DSG1/CRL1)/(DSG0/CRL0)). This method provides a sensitive method of analysing variations in the ratio between the two measurements taken at different moments. Inferential statistical principles were then applied. At the end of the first trimester the evolution or otherwise of pregnancy was assessed by examining and separating two groups of women: those who had had spontaneous abortions and those who had continued their pregnancies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1994

[The donation of autologous blood in pregnancy. Observations on its safety and the cost-benefit relationship].

Experience with the collection of autologous blood during the last part of pregnancy in 57 women is reported. The authors confirm the safety of the autologous transfusion program but come to the conclusion that, with current entrance criteria, the cost-benefit ratio seems unfavourable. Therefore they suggest: a) the sole involvement of women with real potential hemorrhagic complications (placenta previa, multiple pregnancy); b) the collection, when possible, of at least 2 units of autologous blood.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Inhibition of human placenta glutathione transferase P1-1 by calvatic acid.

The inhibition mechanism of the dimeric human placenta glutathione transferase (GST P1-1) by the antibiotic p-carboxyphenylazoxycyanide (calvatic acid) has been investigated at pH 7.0 and 30.0 degrees C. Experiments performed at different calvatic acid/GST P1-1 molar ratios indicate that one mole of calvatic acid inactivates one mole of the homodimeric enzyme molecule, containing two catalytically equivalent active sites. The apparent second order rate constant for GST P1-1 inactivation is 2.4 +/- 0.3 M-1 s-1. The recovery of all the 5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitro-benzoic acid)-titratable thiol groups as well as the original catalytic activity of GST P1-1 after treatment of the inhibited enzyme with dithiothreitol indicates that two disulfide bridges per dimer, likely between Cys47 and Cys101, have been formed during the reaction with calvatic acid. To the best of the authors knowledge, calvatic acid represents a unique case of enzyme inhibitor acting also throughout its reaction product(s).

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1993

Characterization of [35S]lanthionine ketimine specific binding to bovine brain membranes.

[35S]Lanthionine ketimine binds specifically and with high affinity to bovine brain membranes. This binding has been studied in detail. It is reversible, not occurring at an uptake site or at a metabolizing enzyme and depending only weakly from ionic strength; it is affected by thiol reagents. [35S]Lanthionine ketimine specific binding is displaced only by other ketimines and by catecholamines, but not by more selective adrenergic ligands; binding parameters are reported. [3H]Adrenaline but not [3H]dihydroalprenolol is partially displaced by lanthionine ketimine. With bovine brain preparations a significant stimulation of basal adenylate cyclase activity by lanthionine ketimine is observed.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1993

Peculiar spectroscopic and kinetic properties of Cys-47 in human placental glutathione transferase. Evidence for an atypical thiolate ion pair near the active site.

Cys-47, the most reactive cysteine in the homodimeric glutathione transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) from human placenta (class Pi), displays peculiar acid base and spectroscopic properties. The thiolate form of this residue is characterized by a sharp UV absorption spectrum centered at 229 nm with an epsilon = 7,500 M-1 cm-1. The dependence of the apparent extinction coefficient on pH indicates that the sulfhydryl group of Cys-47 has a pKa value of 4.2. Moreover the dependence of the reactivity of Cys-47 toward bromopyruvate and iodoacetamide with pH resembles that found for the functional sulfhydryls of thiol proteases, which have very low pKa values and exist mainly as a mercaptide-imidazole ion pair. The apparent pKa value for Cys-47, calculated by this kinetic approach, is in good agreement with that determined spectroscopically. X-ray crystallographic data indicate that the protonated amino group of Lys-54, 4.9 A from the sulfur atom, is probably involved in the deprotonation of Cys-47. Calculation of the electrostatic potential on the sulfur atom of Cys-47 gives a theoretical pKa value of 3.5 for the sulfhydryl group. The simulated neutralization of Lys-54 shifts the pKa value of Cys-47 to a normal value of 9.5. These findings suggest that at physiological pH values, Cys-47 exists as the thiolate ion stabilized by an ion pair formation with the protonated amino group of Lys-54, and this probably accounts for its high reactivity.

Alkylation↗
PubMed1993

Conformational states of human placental glutathione transferase as probed by limited proteolysis.

Limited proteolysis experiments have been carried out on human placental glutathione transferase in its different forms. The reduced enzyme, as well as the oxidized form and that inactivated with cystamine were all sensitive to 10% (w/w) trypsin, under nondenaturing conditions. The proteolytic cleavage was accompanied by a concomitant loss of enzymatic activity. On the contrary, the presence of glutathione or glutathione conjugates strongly protected the reduced enzyme against inactivation and from the proteolytic attack. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and peptide sequence analysis showed that only the peptide bond between Lys 44 and Ala 45 was cleaved. Since Lys 44 has been demonstrated to be involved in the glutathione binding, it is suggested that the region surrounding this amino acid residue (alpha B helix) could be more exposed to the solvent, in the absence of glutathione. Crystallographic data also indicated that this region is flexible, supporting the idea that it may be involved in the observed conformational change upon glutathione binding.

Alanine↗
PubMed1993

Chorionic DNA analysis for the prenatal diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia.

Prenatal diagnosis for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) was performed by using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of the LDL receptor gene on chorionic villi DNA taken during the 10th week of pregnancy. Both parents were FH heterozygotes and had previously had a healthy son and an FH homozygous son. Two RFLPs were informative in this family and revealed that the fetus was unaffected by FH. At birth the child was found to have an LDL cholesterol level of 30 mg/dl and a normal LDL receptor activity in cultured umbilical cord fibroblasts. RFLP analysis on chorionic villi DNA is highly recommended for all heterozygous FH couples in whom the LDL receptor gene mutation/s is/are still to be characterized.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1993

Alcohol and blood pressure. The effects of age. Findings from the Italian Nine Communities Study. The Research Group ATS-RF2 of the Italian National Research Council.

This report analyzes the role age in the association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in a large sample (n = 6165) of Italian men and women, aged 20 to 59 years, who participated in a multicenter study on risk factors for arteriosclerosis. Age-stratified analysis indicated that both men and women aged 50 to 59 years showed the strongest positive association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure. While in men the association between systolic blood pressure and alcohol consumption increased linearly with age, in women the association between systolic blood pressure and alcohol increased sharply in the oldest (50 to 59 year) age group.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Hematological indices of erythropoietin administration in athletes.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), commercially available since 1988, is thought to be used by athletes in aerobic sports for the purpose of increasing oxygen transport and aerobic power. In an attempt to identify EPO administration, we have studied the peripheral blood of 20 subjects practising sports at an amateur level. Automated cytometry was performed on the blood samples before and during 45 days of EPO treatment. The same hematological indices were determined for a control population that consisted of 240 elite athletes from various sports. As expected following EPO treatment, RBC, [Hb] and Hct increased significantly (increments of 8%, 6.3% and 11%, respectively). A significant increase in reticulocyte count was also observed. In addition, automated erythrocyte analysis showed a significant increase in cells with a volume > 120 fl and hemoglobin content (HC) < 28 pg (hypochromic macrocytes, or MacroHypo): 0.06 +/- 0.09% before EPO, 0.48 +/- 0.63% after EPO. The EPO-treated subjects differed from the control population having higher values for Hct, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Macro and MacroHypo. To investigate the possibility of using such variations in blood parameters to identify EPO treatment, individual values for Hct, MCV, Macro and MacroHypo for treated subjects and controls were plotted. Using the percentages of MacroHypo, a cut-off value surpassed in approximately 50% of the treated subjects and in none of the controls was established.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

HLA-A, B, C and DR in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver cirrhosis: a study of 851 elderly subjects.

The possible correlation between HLA system and liver cirrhosis secondary to HBV infection has been studied in 102 hospitalized elderly patients affected by liver cirrhosis (histologically proven) and 749 elderly health controls. Increased frequencies of HLA-A2, Cw4, Cw5, DR4, DR5 and DR7 have been observed in patients with liver cirrhosis and previous HBV infection, while a lower frequency of HLA-A2 and higher frequencies of HLA-A3, B35, Cw4, DR3 have been observed in patients without previous HBV infection when compared with controls.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[The importance and limits of laboratory tests for evaluating the transplacental passage of fetal erythrocytes into the maternal circulation].

The KBB acid elution test is used to assess the presence and extent of transplacental passage of fetal cells into the maternal circulation both as a diagnostic aid in detecting hemorrhage before birth and in monitoring pregnancies at risk for hemolytic disease of the newborn. However the technique is ineffective when an hereditary Hb-pathy with associated increase in HbF is present in the mother, like the HPFH, delta-beta thalassemia and other hereditary abnormal hemoglobins. A mother with HPFH and another mother with delta-beta thalassemia with false positive result of the acid-elution test are described and the need for an extension of the clinical and laboratory study in families with hereditary HbF disorder is stressed.

Adult↗