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Biomedical subjects

M Galli

Publications and source records attributed to M Galli.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

The syndrome of acquired glucocorticoid resistance in HIV infection.

A certain number of HIV-infected patients (about 17% in our series) manifest symptoms of cortisol resistance--weakness, weight loss, hypertension, chronic fatigue and intense mucocutaneous melanosis--symptoms which are also typical of Addison's disease. The diagnosis of cortisol resistance is determined through the increased plasma and urinary cortisol values and limited increases in ACTH values. Compared with patients with primary glucocorticoid resistance, AIDS patients have no symptoms of mineral-corticoid or androgen excess, only of glucocorticoid deficiency at target tissues. Mononuclear leukocytes from these patients show receptor changes which consist of an increased receptor number and decreased receptor affinity for glucocorticoids. They also show defective glucocorticoid-induced inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation. Glucocorticoid-resistant AIDS patients have a characteristic persistent increase in interferon-alpha production. The inverse correlation between plasma values of interferon-alpha and the receptor affinity for glucocorticoids clearly suggests that interferon production is regulated by the glucocorticoid receptor: the smaller the glucocorticoid effect on lymphocyte cells is, the greater interferon production is. Owing to the antiviral effect of interferon-alpha, it is possible that glucocorticoid-resistant AIDS patients have greater defences against viral infection than other AIDS patients. As interferon-alpha is melanogenetic, its increased production may also explain the intense skin pigmentation found in patients with the glucocorticoid-resistance syndrome.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Serum 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase levels and clinical response to interferon-beta therapy in women with genital human papillomavirus infection.

To investigate the activity of parenterally administered interferon-beta (IFN-beta) in women with genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, serum 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2'-5'OAS), an enzyme induced by IFNs, was measured before, during, and after therapy. Serum levels of 2'-5'OAS significantly increased during therapy (P = .005). The patients classified as not responding to treatment at 3 months of follow-up had baseline levels of 2'-5'OAS significantly higher than those who responded to treatment (P = .0011). Differences between the IFN-beta-treated group and untreated controls appeared at day 6 (P = .0019). 2'-5'OAS is a useful parameter in monitoring parenterally administered IFN-beta. The data suggest that women with genital HPV infection and elevated baseline levels of 2'-5'OAS are unlikely to respond to therapy with IFN-beta.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1994

Mortality of intravenous drug users living in Milan, Italy: role of HIV-1 infection. COMCAT Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: To study the trend in mortality from 1980 to 1991 in a cohort of 2432 intravenous drug users (IVDU) enrolled between 1 November 1980 and 31 December 1988. In addition, to evaluate the impact of HIV-1 infection on mortality. DESIGN: The vital status of people enrolled in the cohort was ascertained at registry offices of the municipalities of residence. Cause of death was determined by reviewing death certificates, clinical records and autopsy reports. Within the cohort, the causes of death of HIV-1-infected subjects were compared with those of subjects of undetermined serologic status. SETTING: Municipalities of the metropolitan area of Milan. RESULTS: The cohort was followed-up for 16415 person-years (PY) and 413 deaths were observed up to 30 June 1991. Mortality was 25.2 per 1000 PY, 20.5 times greater than that of the general population of the same age and sex. The leading cause of death was drug overdose, followed by AIDS (death rates 9.2 and 8.8 per 1000 PY, respectively). Mortality remained under 16 per 1000 PY from 1981 to 1986, and then increased rapidly to 63.8 per 1000 PY in the first half of 1991. AIDS and overdose accounted for most of this increase, with AIDS becoming the leading cause of death from 1989. Mortality in HIV-1-infected IVDU was higher than in IVDU as a whole (48.0 versus 19.9 per 1000 PY), and the difference was entirely due to AIDS and infectious diseases. CONCLUSION: The overall mortality rate and the mortality for AIDS and overdose were markedly higher than in other European countries in the same risk group. HIV-1 infection does not appear to affect the mortality for causes other than AIDS and infectious diseases.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Spontaneous delayed recovery of perfusion and contraction after the first 5 weeks after anterior infarction. Evidence for the presence of hibernating myocardium in the infarcted area.

BACKGROUND: In patients with ventricular dysfunction caused by stunning or hibernation, it is not clear when complete recovery of the salvaged myocardium occurs after acute myocardial infarction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a delayed recovery of perfusion and contraction continues even after the subacute phase. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively studied 71 consecutive male patients with first uncomplicated Q-wave anterior infarction. Resting regional blood flow distribution and contraction were assessed quantitatively 5 weeks and 7 months after the acute phase by serial sestamibi tomography and two-dimensional echocardiography. Coronary angiography also was performed in 52 patients. Overall, at 7 months there was an improvement in the perfusion defect severity (1019 +/- 811 versus 1365 +/- 821 at 5 weeks, P < .001) as well as in the extent of abnormal wall motion (28 +/- 19% versus 32 +/- 15%, P < .001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (53 +/- 14% versus 50 +/- 13%, P < .01). Among the 68 of 71 patients showing resting perfusion defects at 5 weeks, two groups were identified: 47 (group 1) who showed a significant (beyond the reproducibility limits) 7-month reduction of the resting perfusion defect, and 21 patients (group 2) in whom the perfusion defect remained unchanged. Ejection fraction and the extent of abnormal wall motion significantly (P < .01) improved in group 1 but not in group 2. Despite the presence of a comparable perfusion defect size between the two groups at 5 weeks after infarction, group 1 already showed a better regional and global ventricular function (P < .05). No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding age, medical therapy, the extent of underlying coronary disease, thrombolysis in the acute phase, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction grade of the infarct-related vessel, and presence of collaterals on angiography. CONCLUSIONS: After anterior Q-wave infarction, the recovery of perfusion and wall motion may continue well after the subacute phase. Several patients exhibit relative hypoperfusion in viable tissue as late as 5 weeks after infarction, and a significant improvement of perfusion in the infarcted area commonly is observed between 5 weeks and 7 months. This delayed improvement of perfusion is associated with a delayed improvement of contractile function in the infarcted area after the first 5 weeks, which may continue for up to 7 months, suggesting the presence of hibernating myocardium in the infarcted area. Despite similar perfusion defect sizes, the level of regional function can be different at 5 weeks, and measurements taken around this time may not accurately estimate the eventual recovery of function.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Tracheoesophageal fistula in an HIV-1-positive man due to dual infection of Candida albicans and cytomegalovirus.

We report a 35-year-old HIV-1-positive man who presented with severe dyspnea and a nonproductive cough. Three fiberoptic bronchoscopic examination revealed an infiltrating and vegetating tracheal mass that was diagnosed as necrotizing candidiasis of the trachea. The lesion resulted in the formation of a tracheoesophageal fistula that eventually led to the death of the patient. Postmortem examination showed cytomegalovirus vasculitis in the esophageal wall.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1994

Evidence of residual ischaemia: real danger or myth?

The extent and severity of residual myocardial ischaemia are well-known as major determinants of mortality after myocardial infarction, and non-invasive assessment of these parameters still plays a critical role in the management of patients. Most of the published data on this topic derive from observations collected before the widespread use of thrombolysis. The results of large multicentre trials assessing the most appropriate therapies after thrombolysis have shown that the more conservative strategy of reserving catheterization and revascularization for patients with recurrent spontaneous or induced ischaemia may be the best approach. Sophisticated techniques to detect more accurately the residual ischaemic burden after infarction have been suggested that would have a major impact on clinical decision making and on the cost of health care. The relative influence of residual ischaemic on the prognosis after myocardial infarction, however, has recently been questioned. The relative risk associated with residual ischaemia seems to be low compared with other predictors of mortality. The progression of coronary artery disease is variable and highly unpredictable, and this may be a major limitation of our ability to predict further ischaemic events.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1994

Recombinant versus high-sensitivity conventional thromboplastin: a randomized clinical study in patients on oral anticoagulation.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial was carried out in a single center to compare the clinical and laboratory quality of oral anticoagulant therapy monitored with recombinant tissue factor (RTF) or with a sensitive, human-derived, conventional thromboplastin (CT) in the PT test. Seven hundred and fifty-seven consecutive patients receiving oral anticoagulation for various indications were randomized to RTF (n = 379) or CT (n = 368) for 6 months. Total follow-up was 167 and 153 patient-years for RTF and TP groups respectively. Fifty-six bleeding events were observed: 31 in the RTF group and 25 in the TP group. The incidence of bleeding was 18.5 and 16.5% pt-yrs for RTF and TP patients respectively (n.s.). The event-free follow-up curves were not significantly different between the two groups. The laboratory quality of oral anticoagulation was evaluated with the "last check in file" method: therapeutic INR was found in the same proportion of RTF and TP patients (70.2% vs 68.8%). Our study shows that RTF is as effective as a sensitive, conventional thromboplastin for monitoring oral anticoagulation.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1994

Maldistribution of regional myocardial perfusion at rest in patients with coronary artery disease and no previous myocardial infarction, evidenced by 99mTc-Sestamibi scintigraphy.

Since myocardial 99mTc-Sestamibi uptake is closely related to coronary blood flow and the tracer does not redistribute, resting perfusion defects may be observed even in viable regions supplied by vessels with severe stenosis. The incidence and the clinical significance of 99mTc-Sestamibi uptake defects at rest were investigated in 60 men with suspected coronary artery disease and no previous myocardial infarction, in a multicenter study. Of 60 patients, 12 showed normal coronary arteries and 48 significant coronary artery disease (> 50% luminal narrowing). Based on the presence or absence of tracer uptake defects at resting planar scans, the patients were divided into Group 1 (27 patients) and Group 2 (33 patients), respectively. A greater incidence of coronary artery disease (100% versus 64%, p < 0.01) and of multivessel disease (70% versus 36%, p < 0.05) was observed in patients of Group 1. All patients underwent dipyridamole (up to 0.84 mg/kg in 10 min) 99mTc-Sestamibi scintigraphy, which more frequently induced transient 99mTc-Sestamibi uptake defects in Group 1 than in Group 2 (85% versus 42%, p < 0.001). A high incidence of resting 99mTc-Sestamibi uptake defects was observed in patients without previous myocardial infarction; this identified a subset of patients with a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease and multivessel involvement and with a greater impairment of the coronary reserve, as evidenced by a dipyridamole test.

Coronary Circulation↗
PubMed1994

5-Aminosalicylic acid in pregnancy: clinical report.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease condition which typically affects young people; pregnancy is therefore frequent in women with this disease. 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is known to be efficacious in maintaining remission of UC, but its safety in pregnancy has not yet been established. In the present study, the safety of 5-ASA was assessed in 16 women with UC (mean age: 31 years, range 25-35) who had a total of 19 pregnancies over the period from 1988 to 1992. All the patients were in clinical remission of UC at the beginning of pregnancy and were receiving a regular maintenance therapy with 5-ASA (ASACOL tablets, 1.2 g/day). During pregnancy, 4 women had a clinical relapse requiring treatment with higher doses of 5-ASA and, in some cases, with steroids. Our observations confirm that the treatment with 5-ASA does not affect the course of pregnancy nor does it damage the fetus, but it can protect from recurrences of UC.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[The use of myoglobin for the early diagnosis of reperfusion in acute myocardial infarct].

Myoglobin (Mb) is an intracardiac protein known to be rapidly released after onset of reperfusion. The new automated latex-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay is an interesting fast alternative to the other methods. Therefore we sought to assess the accuracy of rapid rise of Mb concentration to predict the success of reperfusion. Thirty consecutive patients, admitted to the coronary care unit for first acute Q-wave myocardial infarction, were prospectively studied. They underwent thrombolysis 126 +/- 45 min (range 30-180) after onset of symptoms. Mb determinations were obtained before starting therapy and, thereafter, hourly for 5 hours, and after 8 and 12 hours. The usual non invasive markers of reperfusion were considered, and coronary arteriography was performed in all patients at 5.5 +/- 0.9 days (range 1-6). In 23 patients (77%) patent infarct-related artery (IRA) (TIMI II-III) and in 7 (23%) occluded IRA (TIMI 0-I) was observed at coronary arteriography. We modified the judgment in 3 cases (10%) with occluded IRA. All reperfused patients (Group A) showed a rapid rise of Mb concentration with a mean time to peak occurring 133 +/- 80 min (range 60-180) after therapy. Mean value of unreperfused patients (Group B) was 330 +/- 173 min (range 180-420). We retrospectively stated a time to peak of Mb concentration within 180 min as diagnostic threshold for reperfusion. Sensitivity was 100%, specificity 50%, positive predictive value 93%, negative predictive value 100%. The results of this study confirm that Mb release kinetics may play an interesting role in the early prediction of patency of IRA in acute myocardial infarction after thrombolysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Anti-glycoprotein Ib/IX and IIb/IIIa antibodies in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies.

Antiphospholipid antibodies, namely lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin (aCL) type A and type B antibodies, are frequently associated with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. Antiphospholipid antibodies have been suggested to bind to the phospholipids of the platelet membrane, thus participating to the process of platelet destruction, which leads to thrombocytopenia. However, a clear antiphospholipid (aPL) demonstration of such a role has never been given for antibodies. Conversely, autoantibodies directed against membrane-associated glycoproteins (GP) have been shown to be pathogenetically linked to the development of thrombocytopenia in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. For this reason, we have measured anti-GPIb/IX and GPIIb/IIIa IgG in the plasma of 68 patients with aPL antibodies by ELISA. The monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of platelet antigen (MAIPA) assay was used. Twenty-seven out of 68 patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (40%) had increased plasma levels of anti-GP antibodies. In particular, 7 of them had elevated anti-GPIIb/IIIa levels only, 6 had anti-GPIb/IX antibodies only, whereas in the remaining 14 cases both types of autoantibodies were found elevated. The level of anti-GP antibodies in plasma did not correlate with age, sex, clinical associated conditions, history of thrombosis, IgG aCL titer or the presence of a phospholipid-dependent inhibitor of coagulation. In contrast, a statistically significant association between thrombocytopenia and high anti-GP antibody titer was observed (p = 0.0458). To establish whether there was cross-reactivity between antiphospholipid and anti-GP antibodies, adsorption experiments were performed using cardiolipin-containing liposomes or washed, normal, resting platelets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Prognostic significance of early ischemia after acute myocardial infarction in low-risk patients. IRES (Ischemia Residua) Study Group.

Early postinfarction angina is generally believed to imply an unfavorable prognosis. However, most of the published information devices from data collected in the prethrombolytic era, with widely differing populations and definitions of early angina, and very little data pertinent to low-risk patients are available. This collaborative study prospectively assessed the incidence of early recurrent ischemia after thrombolysis, as well as its prognostic significance, in 453 consecutive patients aged < or = 70 years with an uncomplicated course in the first 24 hours of a first myocardial infarction participating in the second Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell'Infarto Miocardico (GISSI-2) trial. Early recurrent ischemia (spontaneous, transient ST depression or elevation of > 1 mm and/or T-wave inversion), assessed in the coronary care unit with continuous clinical and electrocardiographic monitoring, was documented in 35 of 453 patients (8%) and was unrelated to sex, age, electrocardiographic location, Q-wave or non-Q-wave infarction, thrombolytic agent and time to its administration. In-hospital cardiac events (7 deaths, 19 nonfatal reinfarctions and 8 urgent revascularizations) occurred in 15 of 35 patients (43%) with versus 19 of 418 without (4.5%) recurrent ischemia (p < 0.001). At the 6-month follow-up of 352 medically treated patients who did not have in-hospital events, the incidence of death, reinfarction and recurrent angina was comparable between patients with (2 of 18, 11%) and without (62 of 334, 19%) early ischemia (p = NS). With use of stepwise multivariate analysis, early ischemia was the only significant predictor of in-hospital cardiac events (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications in patients with mechanical heart valve prosthesis attending an anticoagulation clinic.

This study evaluated the advantage of an anticoagulation clinic in terms of the improvement of the clinical quality of oral anticoagulation (i.e. prevention of thromboembolism and low rate of hemorrhagic complications). The incidence of thromboembolic events and major hemorrhagic complications was assessed in a series of 271 patients on oral anticoagulation for mechanical heart valve prosthesis before and after their enrollment in our anticoagulation clinic from January 1987 to December 1990. Risk factors for hemostatic events were also analyzed. The incidence of major hemostatic complications was significantly lower when patients attended the clinic: 1.0 vs 4.9%/pt-yr for hemorrhage and 0.6 vs 6.6%/pt-yr for thrombosis. This depended on three main factors: better dose regulation of warfarin, continuous patient education and early identification of clinical conditions potentially at risk for thrombosis and hemorrhage. Only previous hemorrhagic or thromboembolic events were recognized as major risk factors for hemostatic complications. In conclusion, our study shows that an anticoagulation clinic offers a real advantage to patients with mechanical heart valve prosthesis in terms of prevention of thromboembolic events and hemorrhagic complications.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

Osteoblastoma of the atlas.

A case of cervical spine (atlas) osteoblastoma in a 14-year-old patient is reported. Osteoblastoma is a rare primary bone tumour and in young patients it mainly occurs in the spine. Occurrence in the cervical tract is uncommon and in the atlas it is very rare. Only two other cases were found in our literature review.

Adolescent↗