Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Rosati

Publications and source records attributed to G Rosati.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Genetic susceptibility to multiple sclerosis in Sardinians: an immunological study.

OBJECTIVES: We studied the in vitro production of variably MS-related cytokines from Sardinian MS and healthy donors bearing the two "Sardinian" MS-associated HLA-DR alleles: DR3 and DR4, with the purpose to evidentiate possible differences in their immune response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ELISA were used for detection of cellular products by mitogen-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: PHA-activated HLA-DR4+/DR3- mononuclear cells produce significantly higher amounts of TNF-alpha compared with the DR3+/DR4-. In addition, homozygous HLA-DR3+ mononuclear cells from MS patients produce significantly lower amounts of IL-10 than those from homozygous HLA-DR3+ healthy donors. CONCLUSION: The abnormal production of detrimental or regulatory cytokines may account for the genetic susceptibility to MS in different HLA-subgroups of Sardinian MS patients.

Cytokines↗
PubMed1997

Co-variation of free amino acids in brain interstitial fluid during pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsive status epilepticus.

Effects of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsive status epilepticus on free amino acids changes in venous blood, CSF and interstitial fluid (IF) of the brain were examined in dogs. A volume of brain IF sufficient for analysis was obtained by chronically implanted tissue cages. The onset of PTZ-induced convulsive seizures seemed mainly related to a marked increase of glutamate, aspartate, taurine, glycine and phosphoserine while, the maintenance and frequency of seizures seemed related to a marked increase of serine and glycine, in combination with a moderate rise of glutamate. L-alpha-Aminoadipate was recovered in moderate amount in epileptic brain IF, while, in controls, this compound was present in minimal amount. The observed complex temporal variation of the amino acidic pattern may play a role in PTZ-induced seizures and, possibly, in pharmacological kindling and brain structural alterations induced by PTZ.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1997

Pudendal nerve somatosensory evoked potentials in probable multiple sclerosis.

Bladder dysfunctions are often observed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In order to evaluate their sensitivity in detecting abnormalities in bladder central control pathways, pudendal nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (pSEPs) were recorded in 16 patients with clinically probable MS: six were affected by retention or urge incontinence, and ten were asymptomatic. Conventional visual, auditory and somatosensory evoked potentials were also recorded, and all of the patients underwent a urodynamic examination. Prolonged latency or the absence of pSEP cortical responses was found in eight of the ten asymptomatic patients, and in all of the symptomatic cases (87.5%). The urodynamic evaluation revealed abnormalities in 12 patients (75%). Our findings seem to indicate an early and frequent involvement of bladder control pathways in MS patients, as well as a high rate of subclinical disorders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Epidemiology of myasthenia gravis in northwestern Sardinia.

A previous epidemiological study on myasthenia gravis (MG) in Sardinia indicated a prevalence rate of 4.5 per 100,000 population and an incidence of 0.25 per 100,000 population in the period 1958-1986. This study, however, investigated the entire Sardinian population (about 1,500,000) and the reported rates are likely to be underestimated. Because the use of a very large population has been found to cause major bias in case finding, the present study was designed to overcome this bias by determining the prevalence and incidence of MG in a well-defined area of Northwestern Sardinia, with a population of about 270,000 (1991 census). Potential MG cases were ascertained using all possible medical sources. The diagnosis of MG was based on the clinical, neurophysiological and conventional pharmacological findings (Tensilon test, response to anticholinesterases). On prevalence day (December 31, 1994) 29 MG patients were living in the study area (17 women and 12 men). Since the total population on prevalence day was 268,926 (137,284 women and 131,642 men), the calculated prevalence was 11.1 per 100,000 population (12.4 women and 9.9 men). The present study shows that the risk of MG in Sardinia is higher than previously suggested. The risk, however, is not significantly different from that found in other comparable Italian and European areas. It contrasts with what has been found for other autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Sardinians, both showing frequencies up to 3-5 times higher than in the rest of Italy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Neurology and the new health care policies.

The Author discusses some aspects of the Health Care systems in developed countries, and analyzes the reasons for the failure of recent reform programs to provide good quality service at a reasonable price. While not condemning business-style management completely, the Author points out how, in the neurological field too, under the control of physicians, biomedical research and innovation with inter-departmental collaboration can be managed according to specific aims, so as to prevent much costly and wasteful diagnostic and therapeutic practice, thus improving service quality while reducing hospital running costs.

Health Policy↗
PubMed1996

Acute hyponatremia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome in Parkinson's disease.

1. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) may occur, occasionally, in Parkinson's disease (PD) after withdrawal of antiparkinsonian drugs. However, the circumstances in which the NMS occurs and the pathophysiologic mechanisms remain uncertain. 2. The authors studied a woman with PD, who developed hyperthermia, increased muscular tone, tremor, signs of autonomic dysfunction and stupor as symptoms of acute hyponatremia due to gastrointestinal loss of sodium in excess of water. 3. The correction of hyponatremia led to a complete recovery after about 6 hours. During this period the antiparkinsonian therapy was not modified. 4. An acute imbalance of sodium in the central nervous system may play a role in the pathophysiology of NMS.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Reduced intravenous glutathione in the treatment of early Parkinson's disease.

1. Several studies have demonstrated a deficiency in reduced glutathione (GSH) in the nigra of patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). In particular, the magnitude of reduction in GSH seems to parallel the severity of the disease. This finding may indicate a means by which the nigra cells could be therapeutically supported. 2. The authors studied the effects of GSH in nine patients with early, untreated PD. GSH was administered intravenous, 600 mg twice daily, for 30 days, in an open label fashion. Then, the drug was discontinued and a follow-up examination carried-out at 1-month interval for 2-4 months. Thereafter, the patients were treated with carbidopa-levodopa. 3. The clinical disability was assessed by using two different rating scale and the Webster Step-Second Test at baseline and at 1-month interval for 4-6 months. All patients improved significantly after GSH therapy, with a 42% decline in disability. Once GSH was stopped the therapeutic effect lasted for 2-4 months. 4. Our data indicate that in untreated PD patients GSH has symptomatic efficacy and possibly retards the progression of the disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Transanal ultrasonography in the study of fistulas of perianal abscess].

The fistulous tracks and abscesses may be related anatomically to the anal sphincters and levator ani muscles. Defining the anatomical relationship between the fistulous lesion and the anal sphincters and/or adjacent organs is essential for correct management. Clinical examination can suggest possible sepsis or the direction of the fistulous track. We report the results of anal endosonography in the evaluation of 54 patients affected by perianal sepsis and fistula in ano. Anal endosonography has correctly identified 22 of 22 internal openings seen at the surgery, 14 of 16 intersphincteric tracts while only 7 of the 9 trans-sphincteric tracks described by anal endosonography were present at the surgery. All the abscesses were correctly identified. Anal endosonography provides a high-resolution image of the anatomy of anal canal and defines the anatomy of tracks and abscesses in relation to the sphincters, determines if there has been trans-sphincteric extension of the sepsis and assesses the state of the sphincters. We have observed a good correlation between the preoperative AES findings and those at surgery. We conclude that anal endosonography is a useful diagnostic procedure in patients with perianal sepsis.

Abscess↗
PubMed1995

Transanal local resection for benign and malignant rectal tumours.

Local therapy has been widely reported and accepted for benign tumours and carefully selected cancers of the rectum. Thirty-three patients with benign or malignant low rectal tumors have undergone a prospective evaluation after local resection with transanal electroresection as described by Faivre. Patients were divided in three groups: 1) local excision of benign tumours (12 patients), 2) curative resection for localised malignant tumours (7 patients) and 3) palliative local resection for malignant tumours (14 patients). The complications included transient incontinence and rectal bleeding. Patients have been followed for a mean period of 18 months (1-54). In group 3 there were four (28%) recurrences. The remainder of the patients with malignant tumours have been free of disease on follow-up. Although it is ideal for benign neoplasms, further follow-up is needed to determine its true indication in malignant lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cerebral and cerebellar diaschisis following carbamazepine therapy.

1. The regional cerebral blood flow was studied by SPECT in patients with partial epilepsy before and after 30 days of monotherapy with carbamazepine (CBZ). 2. Both a qualitative visual interpretation and a semiquantitative analysis of SPECT was performed. All patients underwent EEG, CT scan, and MRI studies. The CBZ serum concentrations were assayed. 3. After therapy, in three patients with focal epilepsy, both a crossed cerebral and cerebellar diaschisis were observed, with respect to the side of the epileptic focus in the opposite hemisphere. No morphologic changes were detected at MRI in the cerebral or cerebellar remote hypometabolic areas found at SPECT. 4. CBZ may have a depressant action on the corticopontocerebellar pathways and on the corticocallosal connections.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Descriptive epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Europe in the 1980s: a critical overview.

The oversimplified but commonly accepted belief, based on the comparison of the prevalence studies conducted until 1980, that the distribution of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Europe is related to latitude has been contradicted by a great number of prevalence and incidence studies carried out since 1980. The most recent studies, based on more appropriate methods, clearly indicate that the MS distribution in Europe is much more complex than supposed in the past. The MS distribution in Europe now appears to be very uneven, with great variations not only between areas at the same latitude, but also within the countries themselves. However, even the most recent European studies cannot be reliably compared because of differences in the denominator characteristics, case ascertainment accuracy, diagnostic criteria, and definitions of prevalence and incidence. Despite these problems, descriptive data since 1980 indicate that ethnicity plays an important role in determining the European MS distribution. Furthermore, variations in both prevalence and incidence rates in ethnically homogeneous populations confirm the i importance of environmental factors in determining the primary acquisition of the disease. Further descriptive studies based on more comparable methods and better control for ethnicity would more precisely define the role of genetic susceptibility as well as suggest more valuable clues regarding environmental factors affecting the primary acquisition of MS.

Europe↗