Biomedical subjects

L Finelli

Publications and source records attributed to L Finelli.

58 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[Levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in lymphocyte cultures of subjects with HIV-1 infection].

The authors report IL-4 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), stimulated with MoAb anti-CD3, in subjects with HIV-1 infection, classified according to the criteria of Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in various stages. The results "in vitro" have indicate that PBMC IL-4 levels were in normal range also in advanced stages of retroviral infection, and were correlated to low levels of CD4+ lymphocytes and, sometimes, to high levels of IgE immunoglobulins. The normality of IL-4 levels in advanced stages or in presence of decreased CD4+ cells, suggests that the production of this cytokine is also present in other subsets of mononuclear cells not involved in this infection. Moreover the presence of significant correlation between high levels of Ig E and IL-4 suggests a possible pathogenetic role of IL-4 in the determination of isotypic switch of this immunoglobulin.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Possible significance of seminal zinc on human spermatozoa functions.

This study has been performed to investigate the possible role of seminal zinc in the regulation of human spermatozoa functions. Sperm cells from fertile men were washed and pooled, and in each cellular suspension we determined: a) spermatozoal uptake of zinc, b) effects of different albumin concentrations on cellular zinc content, c) effects of zinc and albumin on spermatozoal O2 consumption, d) effects of different zinc concentrations on albumin induced acrosome reaction. We observed that increases of extracellular zinc cause corresponding increases of spermatozoal zinc and that albumin exerts an important chelating effect, even at very low concentrations, on cellular zinc content. Zinc also possesses a reversible inhibitory effect on spermatozoa O2 consumption in a dose-related way, and albumin is able to reverse this effect. Albumin-induced acrosome reaction was also significantly reduced by addition of different zinc concentrations. Our findings reveal that zinc exerts an important influence on human spermatozoa functions and suggest that zinc may be involved in the mechanisms that maintain spermatozoa in the transitory quiescent state until penetration in the female reproductive tract.

Acrosome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hürthle cell neoplasm.

Hürthle cell neoplasms (HNC) of the thyroid gland are uncommon, but potentially malignant lesions. Opinion is divided as to their most suitable surgical treatment. In the ten-year period between 1976 and 1986, 46 patients with Hürthle cell tumor underwent surgery in our Department. Preoperative diagnosis was made by fine needle biopsy. In all cases but six, total lobectomy plus isthmusectomy was performed. In our experience HCC can be differentiated from benign forms by careful evaluation of invasive malignancy criteria performed by an experienced thyroid pathologist and by electron microscopy. In agreement with Bondeson et al. we found that lesions larger than 2 cm should not be considered potentially malignant, and do not warrant aggressive surgical treatment. Therefore, on the basis of our experience, we initially treat Hürthle cell tumors with hemithyroidectomy and isthmusectomy, and only if biopsy tissue shows histologic and electron microscopic signs of malignancy, do we resort to total thyroidectomy.

Adenoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Early syphilis. Relationship to sex, drugs, and changes in high-risk behavior from 1987-1990.

A case-control study was conducted to evaluate two main questions: 1) which specific sex- and drug-use behaviors are associated with the acquisition of early syphilis; and 2) whether changes in sex- and drug-use behaviors from 1987-1990 associated with acquisition of early syphilis. Risk factors associated with significant odds ratio were greater than four sex partners and lack of condom use in the past 3 months. Crack use within the past 3 months was the only specific drug-related risk factor with a significantly elevated odds ratio. However, a number of risk factors associated with both sex and drugs had significantly elevated odds ratios: number of drug-using partners, number of partners exchanging sex for drugs and money, and number of partners with whom the respondent shares sex and drugs. Risk estimates for early syphilis were uniformly higher for women as compared with men. Women appeared to be at higher risk of syphilis than men when engaged in the same high-risk activities. From 1987-1990, there was a significant change from lower-risk to higher-risk behaviors among patients. Patients showed an increase in their number of sex partners, in drug use, and in other high-risk activities. Increasing rates of syphilis can be attributed to a particular set of sex- and drug-related behaviors, and an increase in the adoption of these behaviors has probably contributed significantly to the increased rate of early syphilis in Trenton, NJ, during the period from 1987-1990.

Adult↗