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Biomedical subjects

M Galli

Publications and source records attributed to M Galli.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

[Transitory increase of OKT4+ lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with lymphadenopathy syndrome treated with beta-interferon].

A therapeutic trial with IFN-beta (Hu. Interferon beta lyophilized, Sclavo S.p.A., Siena, Italy), administered thrice weekly but once monthly in six courses was performed for immune-modulating purposes in five parenteral drug addicts affected with lymphadenopathy syndrome. Each dose consisted of 12 X 10(6) international units I.V. Preliminary observations evidenced a significant increase of OKT4+ cells after the first course of therapy. No significant differences from the basal values, though, were found after the following courses, while in a control group of untreated LAS patients, a significant decrease of OKT4+ lymphocytes was observed. Partial remission of symptoms and/or reduction in size of the lymphatic masses were also achieved in all treated patients, although so far none of them can be considered as actually cured.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1985

Attempt to treat acute type B hepatitis with an orally administered thymic extract (thymomodulin): preliminary results.

A double-blind trial with thymomodulin (TM) was performed in a consecutive series of 50 inpatients affected with acute type B hepatitis. Twenty-six randomly selected patients received TM (Leucotrofina, Ellem), 1 ampoule b.i.d. per os for 30 days, and 24 patients received the same amount of placebo for the same period. TM-treated patients showed accelerated AST and ALT decrease and an earlier HBsAg clearance. However, only the difference in ALT decrease was statistically significant in comparison with the controls (p less than 0.02). Before the treatment was started, lymphocyte subsets, as determined by monoclonal antibodies, showed a different pattern in the two groups despite strict randomization. Nevertheless, by the end of the trial, mean T4+/T8+ ratios were increased in the treated group, but remained unchanged in the control group. The trends in the two groups were significantly different (p less than 0.005). Further information is expected from a long-term follow-up.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Mixed Schistosoma infection in an asymptomatic patient.

We report a case of a male, 26 years old Egyptian patient, who was investigated for a long-lasting hepatomegaly and altered transaminase levels. No symptom was reported. Liver biopsy and intestinal biopsy were positive for S. mansoni ova. Urine test initially showed negativity for S. haematobium ova, which only appeared with subsequent investigation, in spite of lack of urinary symptomatology.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Defect of leukocyte functions and circulating immune complexes in visceral leishmaniasis.

Seven patients affected with visceral leishmaniasis have been tested for polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions and for presence of circulating immune complexes during the course of the disease and on recovery. These parameters have been correlated with clinical features; phagocytic and killing defects observed during acute stages of the disease seem to be dependent from high levels of circulating immune complexes observed in same period. Reduction of CIC levels observed after a first course of therapy are probably related to the gradual improvement of phagocytic functions which are almost complete in all patients at recovery.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Osteocalcin].

Among the vitamin K-dependent proteins, characterized by a high content of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla), one has been identified in bone tissue which has been referred to as osteocalcin (BGP): it has been found in fish, birds, mammalians, primates and in man without significant changes in structure. "In vitro" and "in vivo" studies in the experimental animal and in man have shown that BGP: 1) binds to hydroxyapatite crystals in bone tissue at the maturation of the mineral phase; 2) is probably synthesized by the osteoblasts; 3) circulates as a newly synthesized molecule before binding to bone; 4) shows a rapid turnover rate and is subjected to renal clearance. In conclusion osteocalcin seems to represent a very good index of osteoblast activity. BGP ca be measured in biological fluids by radioimmunoassay. Plasma levels in man range 4-7 ng/ml, they increase in malignant or metabolic disorders (Paget's disease of bone, bone metastases, hyperparathyroidism) and decrease in hypoparathyroidism. In this paper we report the results obtained using a new radioimmunoassay for osteocalcin; the plasma levels were measured in 72 normal adults aged 18-84 years (37 males, 35 females) and in three normal adolescents. The normal range (M +/- SD) was found to be 4,1-7,84 ng/ml. No significant differences were found between males and females, whereas adolescents showed significantly higher values than adults. A positive correlation was found between plasma BGP level and age of subjects in males as well as in females (r = 0,613, p less than 0,001). Fifteen patients with Paget's disease and two with primary hyperparathyroidism showed very high values which fell dramatically in the latter group after surgical removal of parathyroid adenoma. Six cases of secondary hyperparathyroidism were also found to have higher values than normal. The significance of the progressive increase in BGP with increasing age is still to be interpreted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Immune response in a symptomatic case of Tetrapetalonema perstans infection.

The immune response in a 49-year-old Italian nun affected by Tetrapetalomena (Dipetalonema) perstans following an eight-year stay in Cameroon is reported. On admission the patient presented with polyarthralgia, conjunctival pruritus and irritation, oedema of the limbs, generalized itching, hypereosinophilia and low total IgE titre. During diethylcarbamazine treatment and, subsequently, during mebendazole administration, an exacerbation of her symptoms was observed. At the same time, activation of the alternative complement pathway and the appearance of circulating immune complexes were noted, suggesting a type III hypersensitivity reaction. Circulating immune complexes and diethylcarbamazine-induced release of parasitic antigens may also be considered responsible for the decrease of OKT3 and OKT4 positive lymphocytes.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1984

Immunological status in heroin addicts: effects of methadone maintenance treatment.

In opiate addicts specific and unspecific immune responses were examined, before and after methadone treatment. Anomalous immune responses were characterized by compromised cellular immunity (functional deficits of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and T-lymphocytes) in association with efficient production of antibodies. After methadone treatment an elevation of leukocyte functions was noted. The presence of elevated titres of circulating immune complexes observed in all the patients tested could bring about a functional exhaustion of neutrophils. The defects of cellular immunity can be considered important risk factors in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases in addicts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Transient predominant right ventricular ischemia caused by coronary vasospasm.

This study describes the clinical experience with four patients with variant angina caused by spasm of the right coronary artery who were assessed for evidence of right ventricular involvement. The patients were suspected of having predominant right ventricular ischemia on the basis of normal thallium-201 scans, left ventricular ejection fraction, regional wall motion assessed by equilibrium radionuclide angiography (RNA), two-dimensional echocardiographic findings, and left ventricular hemodynamics; all procedures were performed during transient ST segment elevation in the inferior leads. Right ventricular ischemia was documented in four patients by first-pass radionuclide studies and phase analysis of RNA, and in three patients by simultaneous right and left hemodynamic monitoring. The clinical findings from these four patients are compared with those from four other patients with similar electrocardiographic changes, coronary anatomic distribution, and documented right coronary spasm but with evidence of left ventricular involvement as documented by abnormal thallium-201 scintigraphy, RNA, two-dimensional echocardiography, and left hemodynamics during ischemic episodes. Although preliminary, these data indicate the existence of prevalent right ventricular ischemia during variant angina caused by right coronary vasospasm. This condition should be suspected whenever typical anginal symptoms and/or ischemic electrocardiographic changes are accompanied by normal thallium-201 scintigraphic findings and/or normal left ventricular function as assessed by RNA, echocardiography, and left hemodynamic monitoring. Among noninvasive procedures, first-pass radionuclide study and phase analysis of RNA represent suitable techniques for detecting transient right ventricular dysfunction.

Angina Pectoris, Variant↗
PubMed1984

Polymorphonuclear leucocyte function during acute viral hepatitis.

Polymorphonuclear (PMN) phagocytosis was tested in three groups of 12 patients (non drug-addicts) hospitalized for acute A, B and non-A, non-B hepatitis. The same test was performed in 12 parenteral drug-addicts (P.D.A.) with non-A, non-B hepatitis, in 12 P.D.A. with type B hepatitis and in 30 P.D.A. without evidence of acute hepatitis. Percent of phagocytosis was evaluated at time of admission to hospital, at discharge and three months after the acute episode. A statistically significant reduction of phagocytosis was present in each of the non-addicts group at time of admission to hospital. At the discharge this reduction was confirmed for type B and non-A, non-B hepatitis, whereas an improvement was noted for type A hepatitis. Control tests carried out 3 months later evidenced that also in patients affected with type B and non-A, non-B hepatitis the percentages of phagocytosis had reached almost normal values. An increased percent of phagocytosis resulted from incubation of patients' PMN with normal human serum. Among drug-addicts the percentages of phagocytosis do not differ from the data recorded in non-addicts patients during the acute stage of the disease. However, three months after the acute episode, a deficit of phagocytic activity was still present in drug-addicts. These data would support the hypothesis that a serum factor impairing the PMN phagocytosis in acute hepatitis is present. Circulating immune complexes were found in the same sera. They might play an important role in inhibitory effect on neutrophils phagocytic activity.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Brachial paresis complicating acute non-A, non-B hepatitis.

We report a case of right arm paresis in a parenteral drug addict suffering from acute non-A, non-B hepatitis. His hepatic and neurological symptoms developed together with high level of circulating immune complexes, complement activation, and false VDRL positivity. Immunological abnormalities normalized with the resolution of acute hepatitis and improvement of paresis. These results suggest that neurological dysfunctions may complicate non-A, non-B hepatitis. Moreover, we postulate an immune-mediated mechanism for neuropathy, via a neuropathic activity of circulating immune complexes.

Acute Disease↗