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Biomedical subjects

L Galli

Publications and source records attributed to L Galli.

216 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Different kinetics of immunologic recovery using nelfinavir or lopinavir/ritonavir-based regimens in children with perinatal HIV-1 infection.

The choice to include the optimal protease inhibitor (PI) in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens in children with perinatal HIV-1 infection is still under debate. Virologic and immunologic outcomes of three different regimens in an observational paediatric cohort were compared. Data from 12 saquinavir-, 18 nelfinavir-, and 10 lopinavir/ritonavir-treated children were analyzed after 4 and 24 weeks of therapy. Immunologic and virologic outcomes were compared using multivariate analysis adjusting the results for age, baseline CD4+ T-lymphocyte count and baseline viral load. Saquinavir-treated children displayed significant reduction in viral load at week 24 (but not at week 4) and no increase in CD4+ T-lymphocyte count, indicating a poor advantage in using this drug. Lopinavir/ritonavir-treated children presented lower viral loads than nelfinavir-treated children at week 4 (P=0.020) and week 24 (P<0.0001). Virologic failure occurred in 6/18 (33.3%) nelfinavir-treated children but in no child receiving lopinavir/ritonavir (P=0.013). An undetectable viral load was achieved in 9/10 (90.0%) lopinavir/ritonavir- vs. 3/18 (16.6%) nelfinavir-treated children (P<0.0001). No significant difference in CD4+ T-lymphocyte count was observed between lopinavir/ritonavir- and nelfinavir-treated children at weeks 4 and 24. However, a different kinetic of the immunologic recovery was observed. Lopinavir/ritonavir-treated children displayed higher CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts than saquinavir-treated children since the first month of therapy (week 4: P=0.042; week 24: P= 0.029) while nelfinavir-treated children took 24 weeks to reach such an outcome (P=0.034). Since lopinavir/ritonavir-based regimen controls viral replication more efficiently and restores CD4+ T-lymphocyte count more quickly than saquinavir- or nelfinavir-based HAART, it may be considered when a salvage therapy or a rapid increase in CD4+ T-lymphocytes is necessary.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immune recovery following antineoplastic chemotherapy and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in a child with HIV-1 infection previously unresponsive to HAART.

We report the case of a perinatally HIV-1-infected child, previously immunologically unresponsive to antiretroviral treatments (including the highly active antiretroviral therapy), who instead developed a vigorous and long-lasting immune response after the highly active antiretroviral therapy was associated with antineoplastic chemotherapy undertaken for a B-cell non-Hodgkin bone lymphoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Changed levels of substance P and somatostatin in HIV-positive children].

Substance P (sP) and Somatostatin (SOM), so as other neuropeptides can modulate neurologic and immunologic functions. sP has been described to enhance both in vitro and in vivo immunoglobulin synthesis. On the contrary, SOM has an inhibitory effect on the same activity. The modulating effect is more evident on IgA isotype. Hypergammaglobulinemia and in particular high levels of IgA is a common finding in pediatric AIDS and an imbalance among regulatory effects of neuropeptides might be suggested. In order to evaluate the plasma levels of sP in pediatric AIDS we studied 15 children with HIV infection (status P2), 10 seronegative children born to HIV positive mothers and 10 healthy children of the same age. All the HIV positive children had high plasma levels of IgG and IgA. The plasma level of sP was extremely higher in HIV positive children while no significant difference was found between seronegative children born to HIV positive mothers and healthy children. SOM was decreased in HIV positive children when compared to control groups but a significant difference was not reached. It might be supposed that HIV infection, through a dysregulation among neuropeptides interferes on immune functions and in particular on IgA synthesis. On the other hand it might be suggested that the imbalance between sP and SOM depends on the viral infection of immune cells since it has been demonstrated that SOM and other neuropeptide are synthesized by lymphoid tissue. Further studied relevance of neuropeptide disorders in pediatric AIDS.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Genetic heterogeneity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in clinical strains of HIV positive and HIV negative patients chronically infected with HCV genotype 3a.

The clinical correlation between the degree of HCV variability and the response to anti-HCV treatment in HIV positive patients infected with HCV genotype 3a is unknown. In this study, 27 HIV positive and 5 HIV negative patients with HCV genotype 3a infection were treated with interferon-alpha-2b with or without ribavirin. Nine patients (5 HIV positive) achieved a sustained virological response (SR) and 23 (only one HIV negative) were non-responders (NR). Sequence analyses of the partial E2 domain and the non-structural 5A protein were performed at baseline in all patients, and before and during treatment in the HIV positive NRs. There was no difference in the mean number of amino acid mutations from HCV 3a prototype, within E2 region, between the HIV positive and HIV negative patients: 17 (range 11-25) vs 16 (range 14-17). The mean baseline number of mutations in E2 region, was similar in HIV positive SRs and NRs: 18 (range 14-25) vs 16 (range 11-19). Phylogenetic analysis of HCV paired serum samples at baseline and during treatment revealed identical E2 sequence in 5/21 HIV positive NR patients, whereas 6 other sequences were strictly related to baseline E2 domain and the remaining 10 were divergent. The mean number of amino acid mutations in the NS5A protein at baseline, was 1 (range 0-3) in HIV negative patients and 2 (range 0-4) in HIV positive ones. This region was highly conserved in all isolates of HIV positive NRs analysed during treatment. These results suggest that genetic variability at baseline within the E2 region and NS5A protein of HCV 3a strain obtained from HIV positive and HIV negative patients is not associated with treatment response. Furthermore, the anti-HCV treatment did not influence HCV heterogeneity within the E2 and NS5A domains in HIV positive patients infected with HCV genotype 3a.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of HAART on liver histology of HIV/HCV coinfected patients.

The impact of HAART on the progression of HCV related liver disease is controversial. This retrospective study compares the grading and staging of chronic viral hepatitis in HIV/HCV coinfected subjects treated or not with antiretroviral therapy (ART) including protease inibithors (PI). The liver histology of 44 HIV/HCV coinfected patients on ART for more than 12 months, 26 coinfected patients naïve for ART and 31 HCV monoinfected patients were analysed by the Ishak score. None of the multivariate models calculated to test if liver histopathology (Ishak grading or staging) between HIV/HCV coinfected patients versus HCV monoinfected or antiretroviral-treated versus untreated HIV+ subjects showed any statistical difference. No significant difference between grading and staging was evidenced either in PI treated subjects versus patients on ART without PI.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography for identifying occult choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To assess whether fluorescein angiography (FA) alone without indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) can identify and localize occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: Seventy-nine eyes of 77 consecutive patients with occult CNV were evaluated independently by two skilled physicians at first with FA alone and then with FA combined with ICGA by fundus camera. RESULTS: The agreement between FA and ICGA was 73% and 68% for the two physicians (K=0.585 and 0.512, respectively). The first operator correctly identified 20/27 as plaque CNV; six had different sizes and locations. The second operator identified 25/30, with one mistaken for size and location. For focal CNV the first operator identified 34/39, and the second one 23/35. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing the FA results with ICGA, CNV was correctly identified in about 60% of cases. Therefore, ICGA should be considered an indispensable diagnostic test to identify the presence, the type, and the location of occult CNV.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical demonstration of papillomavirus structural antigen in urinary bladder papillary tumors.

Clear cells with characteristic features of koilocytotic atypia (perinuclear clear zone, peripheral cytoplasmic condensation and hyperchromatic nuclei), were found in 35 out of 744 urothelial papillary tumors (UPT) of the human bladder. Using a peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining technique, papillomavirus common structural antigen was detected in six of the samples studied. The results suggests that urinary bladder tumors like some other genital cancer, may be linked to papillomavirus infection.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome: description of a clinical case].

A case of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is reported. At 2 months of age the infant was hospitalized because of petechiae, and a low platelet count was noted (range 30.000/90.000/mmc). During his stay in the Hospital he developed pneumonia, which lasted several weeks in spite of therapy. Subsequently he presented eczema and a defect of cell-mediated immunity, and the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome was diagnosed. A short review of clinical and functional findings in this syndrome is reported.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Preventive effect of thymomodulin in recurrent respiratory infections in children].

Recurrent respiratory infections (RRI) are a common occurrence in early childhood. Several investigations report the primary role of environmental factors (as early social mixing and passive smoking) in inducing RRI. In RRI children immunological defects, transient and not typical, have been often observed, but it is reasonable to suppose that they are essentially secondary to infections. Since immune modifications involve essentially cell-mediated immunity, several therapeutical attempts with thymic hormones have been carried out. In the present study the efficacy of thymomodulin was evaluated in a clinical trial in a group of children with RRI. Forty-six children suffering from RRI were enrolled on the basis of RI number in the previous year. Twenty-three children were treated with thymomodulin, twenty-three were not treated and were studied as control group. A significant reduction in the frequency of RI was noted only in treated children. Interleukin-2 production was assayed in all children before and after the trial, but not significant modification was observed in this immunological parameter. This study confirms the effectiveness of treatment with thymomodulin in RRI children, even though immunological background of clinical improvement remains to be elucidated.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Biology of human immunodeficiency virus infection].

This review will describe the current state of basic knowledge on the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which has now spread worldwide becoming an acute public health problem in western countries and in Africa. AIDS is a viral infection, due to a retrovirus designated human immune deficiency virus (HIV), which affects the immune system resulting in a wide array of secondary manifestations which include opportunistic infections, neoplasia, autoimmune phenomena, neurologic disorders, and hematologic abnormalities. AIDS has now been recognized in the pediatric population, and infection occurs by perinatal and blood-borne transmission. As a consequence, pediatricians are no more involved only by a theoretical point of view (AIDS is a perfect model of interaction of virus with the immune system), but also by an operative point of view. Knowledges on immunological modifications in AIDS and on the underlaying features of the HIV are essential for the clinical approach. This goal may be difficult, if one considers that the pace of research in AIDS and the progress attained to date are unprecedent. However, clinicians must be aware that the ultimate solution of clinical problems in AIDS exclusively depends on sound basic research.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The learning curve in myopic photorefractive keratectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the role of surgeons' skill on the final results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in the correction of myopia. METHODS: We evaluated the results of 160 consecutive unilateral treatments performed by four surgeons in a multicenter study group, with a one year follow up. Eighty-eight patients were males (55%) and 72 females (45%). Mean age was 33.7 years (median = 33, standard deviation = 10.22, range 18-65). Attempted correction ranged between -1.50 and -15.00 D. All the eyes received topical corticosteroid therapy postoperatively. At the one year follow up, we evaluated the following: uncorrected visual acuity lines gained and refractive error (spherical equivalent) as parameters of efficacy and predictability; best spectacle corrected visual acuity loss and corneal clarity as safety parameters. We also examined the centration or decentration of the ablation zone. In order to draw up a kind of learning curve, the mean values for each parameter were calculated by arbitrarily grouping the first 10 cases of each surgeon in the first group (40 patients), the second 10 cases in the second group (40 patients) and so on. RESULTS: We found that increase in uncorrected visual acuity, final refractive error and corneal clarity appeared to improve as the surgeon became more experienced, while loss of best spectacle corrected visual acuity was not significantly influenced by increased surgical experience. CONCLUSIONS: We think experience with photorefractive keratectomy in at least 40 eyes is necessary to obtain best results.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Photorefractive keratectomy for myopia: single vs double-zone treatment in 166 eyes.

We studied 58 single-zone and 58 double-zone treatments; attempted correction ranged between 6.50 and 10.00 D. There were no significant differences in the age or sex in the two groups. All the eyes received the same topical corticosteroid therapy. Refractive outcome showed a greater overcorrection in the double-zone than in the single-zone treatments, but the difference was not statistically significant (F = 3.17, p = 0.07). The refractive error shifted toward myopia significantly over time (F = 561.34, p < 0.0001). In the first-, third- and sixth-month follow up, the mean refractive error was +2.39 (+/- SD) +/- 1.94, +0.45 +/- 1.54, and -0.60 +/- 1.50 D in the single-zone treatments, while in the double-zone ones they were +1.95 +/- 2.49, +0.87 +/- 2.85 and +1.34 +/- 2.57 D, respectively. The Student's T test demonstrated a statistically significant difference of refractive outcome between the two groups only at 6 months (T = -3.788, p < 0.0001). Corneal haze decreased during follow up (F = 123.38, p < 0.0001) and was more severe in the single-zone than in the double-zone treatments (F = 9.28, p = 0.002). The Student's T test showed a significant difference at 6 months (T = 2.877, p = 0.006). The double-zone procedure appeared to be safer than the single-zone, but a longer follow up period and a greater number of treatments are required to draw final conclusions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Validation of the Italian version of the Stanford Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire for measuring functional status in children with chronic arthritis.

The Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire developed by Singh et al. to measure functional status in children with chronic arthritis (CHAQ) was translated into Italian (I-CHAQ), with minor modifications to obtain cross-cultural equivalence. This version was evaluated in a series of 96 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), both males and females ranging in age from 3 to 19 years (mean age 9.9 years). All three onset subtypes and all four classes of disability were represented in the sample. The questionnaire was filled in by the parents if the children were less than 8 years of age (23 cases), and by the children themselves in all other cases; a health professional was always present to provide assistance. As expected, JRA patients with a systemic or polyarticular disease onset had higher scores than those with a pauciarticular onset, and there were statistically significant differences in disability index values between patients from different Steinbrocker functional classes. The instrument showed good reproducibility in a test-retest over a two-week period, a high correlation between the child and parent scores, excellent internal reliability, and good convergent and discriminant validity.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prognostic factors in patients with with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with radical hysterectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of risk factors for node metastases and to estimate survival in patients with cervical cancer, stages IB and IIA. In a retrospective study of 103 patients with cervical cancer stages IB and IIA, all treated with radical hysterectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy, we estimated survival curves according to different prognostic parameters. Mean follow-up time was 97 months. A significant difference between clinical pre-operative assessment and histological determination of real extent of the disease was evidenced. Pelvic lymph node metastases (P = 0.0005) significantly correlated with survival. This study shows that only lymph node involvement is an independent prognostic factor. Stage acts through nodal status in its impact on survival. A surgical-pathological staging in early stage cervical cancers is found to be more appropriate to correctly estimate patients' survival and prognosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗