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Biomedical subjects

L Lepore

Publications and source records attributed to L Lepore.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

One case of rotational subluxation of the carpal scaphoid.

The authors describe one case of perilunate dislocation. After reduction of the dislocation, there was a residual rotational subluxation of the scaphoid due to dorsal tearing of the scapho-triquetral and radio-scaphoid ligaments. The subluxation results in post-traumatic dorsal instability of the carpus. The authors report their clinical experience and conclude that clinical and radiographic diagnosis is not always easy and treatment, which is always surgical, must aim at joint stabilization and ligament reconstruction.

Bone Wires↗
PubMed1990

Traumatic lesions of some accessory bones of the foot in sports activity.

Six athletes suffering from different lesions of some accessory bones of the foot are reported. Four of them were treated surgically, with removal of the os trigonum, the os tibiale externum, and the os subfibulare, while in the other two cases, conservative treatment was effective. In caring for athletes suffering from these kinds of disorders, their degree of involvement in sports, the level at which they are playing, and their desire to take the shortest possible length of time off must be taken into account in planning a therapeutic program.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Distal radio-ulnar joint dislocation, ulna volar in a female body builder.

A 23-yr-old female body builder injured her right wrist while training. A correct diagnosis of pure distal radio-ulnar dislocation, ulnar volar, was made, and reduction was successfully carried out. After removal of plaster, the patient complained of wrist pain and clicking. Surgical exploration revealed a ruptured triangular fibro-cartilage complex, which was partially excised. The need for proper physical examination and accurate radiographic positioning is stressed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Salivary IgA in a group of children with recurrent respiratory infections].

Salivary IgA were examined in a group of children with recurring respiratory infections (RRI) in order to complete research into the immunological profile of such children. IgA assays were performed in 21 children suffering from RRI both in the remission period (Summer) and during infections (Winter). No children revealed any real disorder in basic salivary IgA. Salivary IgA levels were however about ten times higher in the Winter (the infection period). In a control group of 15 healthy children in the same age range, IgA levels were also high in the winter but still lower than those found in the RRI group. It is therefore concluded that children with RRI do not, as has often been suggested, present any basic disorder in salivary IgA, but that the response of secretory IgA is far more sensitive to infection than the system as a whole.

Child↗
PubMed1986

Intravenous immunoglobulin in immune neutropenia.

Three patients with immune neutropenia successfully treated with high dose intravenous IgG (IV IgG) are described. In the first case, the neutropenia had not responded to standard steroid therapy; in the second case, very high doses of steroids were required in order to obtain and maintain remission. In the last case, the steroids were contraindicated because of an underlying immunologic disorder. We suggest that these 3 forms of immune neutropenia might be a good indication for IV IgG treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Bilateral follicular basal cell nevus with comedo-like lesions.

A 12-year-old white boy presented with symmetrically appearing papular, nodular, comedo-like, highly itching lesions involving the skin on his ankles. They had first appeared 3 years earlier. Numerous cutaneous biopsies showed tumoral buds of basalioma cells associated with follicular structures, infundibular cysts and also hypertrophy and hyperplasia of sebaceous glands. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reported cases with the same clinical and histopathological findings as in those reported here. We believe the lesions represent a "bilateral follicular basal cell nevus with comedones".

Ankle↗
PubMed1980

Chemical studies on the silver staining of nucleoli.

The uptake of Ag-ions by isolated nucleoli of rat liver cells was studied. Nucleolar proteins separated by electrophoresis were examined for selective silver-staining. A mechanism for preferential Ag-staining of the nucleoli is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

[Aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons in plants using bituminous materials].

In recent years bituminous materials have been frequently used in several industrial works for waterproofing, protection and insulation of many amterials such as paper, (asphalted) cardboard, wood, etc. Constant components of these materials are the polyciclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), of which we know the biological activity and, for some of them, the cancerogenic effects. The aim of this work is to evaluated the possible risk from exposure to polycicilic aromatic hydrocarbons for workers in operations with bituminous materials. By an analytical method for the determination of PAH, we have examined the polycicilic aromatic hydrocarbons in asphalt, air-blown asphalt, tars and, then, in fumes from hot treatments of those materials. After analysing the fumes developed under controlled conditions, in laboratory, and those taken from work-environment, we have reported the results of our search.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Anti-alpha-gliadin antibodies are not predictive of celiac disease in juvenile chronic arthritis.

Some authors have recently reported an increased level of antigluten antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis, both in the adult and juvenile form. The real meaning of these antibodies is still unclear. We ascertained the levels of antigluten antibodies in a group of children with juvenile chronic arthritis to determine if these antibodies were linked with celiac disease and/or to increased intestinal permeability. In 18 of 53 patients (33.9%), the levels of antigluten antibodies (IgA or IgG) were higher than normal. No correlation was found between the increase in antigluten antibodies and the positive lactulose/mannitol test, used for determining increased intestinal permeability. In all eight patients undergoing intestinal biopsy due to abnormal levels of antigluten antibodies (IgA class), intestinal mucosa was normal. In conclusion, our study shows that in patients with juvenile chronic arthritis, immunological response to gluten is neither related to celiac disease nor to increased intestinal permeability.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Thalidomide effectiveness for bilateral chronic idiopathic anterior uveitis in a three-year-old child.

The authors report their experience with thalidomide in the treatment of a bilateral chronic idiopathic uveitis, in a 3-year-old female. This case was complicated by the presence of a cataract and an iris neovascularization in the right eye; furthermore it was partially unresponsive to a conventional anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapy. Oral thalidomide induced slow but dramatic regression of the inflammation, and a significant reabsorption of neovascular tufts, both in slitlamp examination and on iris fluorescein angiography. The authors emphasize the efficacy of thalidomide as anti-inflammatory agent and as inhibitor of neoangiogenesis, reporting the recent literature about the use of this drug in ophthalmology.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Italian version of the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) and the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ).

We report herein the results of the cross-cultural adaptation and validation into the Italian language of the parent's version of two health related quality of life instruments. The Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) is a disease specific health instrument that measures functional ability in daily living activities in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) is a generic health instrument designed to capture the physical and psychosocial well-being of children independently from the underlying disease. The Italian CHAQ was already published in the literature and was therefore revalidated while the Italian CHQ was fully cross culturally adapted with 3 forward and 3 backward translations, and than validated. A total of 1,192 subjects were enrolled: 404 patients with JIA (16% systemic onset, 31% polyarticular onset, 21% extended oligoarticular subtype, and 32% persistent oligoarticular subtype) and 788 healthy children. The CHAQ clinically discriminated between healthy subjects and JIA patients, with the systemic, polyarticular and extended oligoarticular subtypes having a higher degree of disability, pain, and a lower overall well-being when compared to their healthy peers. Also the CHQ clinically discriminated between healthy subjects and JIA patients, with the systemic onset, polyarticular onset and extended oligoarticular subtypes having a lower physical and psychosocial well-being when compared to their healthy peers. In conclusion the Italian version of the CHAQ-CHQ are reliable, and valid tools for the functional, physical and psychosocial assessment of children with JIA.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis with intra-articular triamcinolone hexacetonide: evaluation of clinical effectiveness correlated with circulating ANA and T gamma/delta + and B CD5+ lymphocyte populations of synovial fluid.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were to assess the effect of intra-articular treatment with triamcinolone hexacetonide (TH) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and to investigate whether treatment response correlates with the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in the serum and/or B CD5+ and T gamma/delta + lymphocytes in the synovial fluid. METHODS: A total of 37 patients (81% females, 56% ANA+) with oligoarticular JIA involving knees were treated with intra-articular injections of TH after failing to respond to NSAIDs for two months. Eighteen patients were treated within 6 months of onset, 19 were treated more than 6 months after onset. RESULT: Mean duration of remission was 13.9 months. Twelve patients (7 ANA+) had stable remission after a single injection; 13 patients (3 ANA+) experienced more than 6 months' remission but subsequently had a relapse; 12 patients (11 ANA+) had a relapse within six months of injection. Of 20 patients treated within 6 months of onset, 17 had stable remission whereas only 8 out of 17 who were treated during relapse attained stable remission (p = 0.03). The mean percentage of T gamma/delta + and of B CD5+ lymphocytes in synovial fluid was the same as in peripheral blood of normal subjects. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that local treatment with slow-release steroids is very effective in oligoarticular JIA. Prolonged remission was less likely in the presence of ANA positivity, probably because the disease is immunologically more active. Finally, our data suggest that the earlier the treatment, the easier it is to obtain a protracted, and possibly permanent, response.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Treatment with low-dose methotrexate in intractable juvenile chronic arthritis].

14 patients suffering from Juvenile Chronic Arthritis unresponsive to NSAIDS were enrolled in this open study. There were two patients with a systemic form, nine patients with polyarticular form. All patients received methotrexate administered orally in one or two divided doses; the dose was 0.3-0.5 mg/kg/week. Clinical improvement occurred in most of the cases; remission was achieved in 5 out of 9 polyarticular form, in one out of the two systemic form and in two out of the three pauciarticular form. All patients showed a significant improvement in the clinical parameters except one with a pauciarticular form (duration of morning stiffness, number of swollen joints and number of painful joints). The effects on laboratory indexes were a decrease in ESR and CRP in about 50% of the cases, an increase up to the normal value of hemoglobin in about 30% of the cases. Two patients experienced a transient gastrointestinal discomfort and 3 had a mild elevation of serum aminotransferase levels which were restored after a reduction of the drug. In conclusion our data confirm that methotrexate at low dosage is more effective than other second-line agents and has fewer side effects. In our opinion methotrexate can today be considered the first choice for Juvenile Chronic Arthritis unresponsive to NSAIDS.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cyclosporine A in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Results of the PRCSG/PRINTO phase IV post marketing surveillance study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical use patterns, clinical effect and safety of cyclosporine A (CSA) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in the setting of routine clinical care. METHODS: An open-ended, phase IV post marketing surveillance study was conducted among members of the Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group (PRCSG) and of the Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation (PRINTO) to identify patients with polyarticular course JIA who had received CSA during the course of their disease. RESULTS: A total of 329 patients, half of whom had systemic JIA, were collected in 21 countries. Data were collected during 1240 routine clinic visits. CSA was started at a mean of 5.8 years after disease onset and was given at a mean dose of 3.4 mg/kg/day. The drug was administered in combination with MTX in 61% and along with prednisone in 65% of the patients who were still receiving CSA. Among patients who were still receiving CSA therapy at the last reported visit, remission was documented in 9% of the patients, whereas in 61% of the patients the disease activity was rated as moderate or severe. The most frequent reason for discontinuation of CSA was insufficient therapeutic effect (61% of the patients); only 10% of the patients stopped CSA because of remission. In 17% of the patients, side effects of therapy was given as the primary reason for discontinuation. CONCLUSION: This survey suggests that CSA may have a less favourable efficacy profile than MTX and etanercept, whereas the frequency of side effects may be similar. The exact place of CSA in the treatment of JIA can only be established via controlled clinical trial.

Antirheumatic Agents↗