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Biomedical subjects

M Galli

Publications and source records attributed to M Galli.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Energy consumption and gait analysis in children with myelomeningocele.

The aim of this study was to determine, in children with different levels of myelomeningocele (MMC), the gait pattern and energy cost of walking with and without ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs). We found that each MMC level was characterised by recognisable gait patterns and that the abnormalities closely reflected the muscle deficits present. Furthermore, the study also introduces new indices for evaluating the energy cost of locomotion and demonstrates that the energy required for walking is increased in children with MMC compared with non disabled children. With respect to barefoot conditions, the use of AFOs leads to an improvement in gait and reduced energy consumption.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Role of CCR5, CCR2 and SDF-1 gene polymorphisms in a population of HIV-1 infected individuals.

The finding that in addition to CD4 molecule HIV-1 uses, CCR5 or CXCR4 receptors to enter target cells prompted the research to identify polymorphisms in coreceptor genes affecting disease progression. In this study we analyzed the prevalence of CCR5-delta32, CCR2-641 and SDF1-3'A alleles in a highly selected group of 42 Long-Term Nonprogressors (LTNPs) compared to 112 subjects with a typical course of HIV-1 infection (TPs) and 117 healthy controls (HCs). In addition, we correlated CCR5, CCR2 and SDF-1 genotypes with molecular indexes of HIV-1 replication, cell-free RNA and both unspliced (US) and multiply spliced (MS) intracellular transcripts, to investigate the role of the mutant alleles in determining a long-term nonprogressive course of HIV-1 disease. Our results indicate a significantly higher prevalence of CCR5-delta32 allele in LTNPs compared to TPs (p=0.0434), while the proportions of CCR2-64I and SDF1-3'A alleles were comparable between the two groups. However, SDF-1 wild type LTNP subjects showed significantly lower levels of HIV-1 genomic RNA, US and MS transcripts than SDF1-3'A heterozygous ones (p=0.0021, 0.016, 0.0031, respectively), whereas both CCR5 and CCR2 wild type individuals had similar rates of viral replication compared to CCR5-delta32 and CCR2-64I heterozygous ones. CCR5, CCR2 and SDF-1 combined genotypes were also studied and this analysis did not identify a specific protective cluster of alleles in LTNPs. Taken together, our results indicate that genetic background involving CCR5, CCR2 and SDF-1 alleles may play a limited role in the natural history of HIV-1 infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Short-term effects of "botulinum toxin a" as treatment for children with cerebral palsy: kinematic and kinetic aspects at the ankle joint.

Botulinum toxin A (BTA) therapy plays several roles in the management of paediatric cerebral palsy (CP). However, few studies contain objective documentation of gait changes. The main aim of this study was to provide objective information on the outcome of the treatment. Gait analysis data from 20 normal subjects and 23 CP children were collected before and after BTA injections into the gastrocnemius-soleus complex. The follow up was performed 1 month after the first injection. The kinematic and kinetic data revealed significant improvements in dynamic ankle dorsiflexion, both in stance and in the swing phase, an improvement of equinus foot upon initial contact and better support in stance. The results of this study are promising, but studies of other joints involved in gait, such as the knee, are also needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis B virus-related markers in secondary and in essential mixed cryoglobulinemias: a multicentric study of 596 cases. The Italian Group for the Study of Cryoglobulinemias (GISC).

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HBV-related markers in cryoglobulinemias and the possible association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC). A retrospective survey of the prevalence of HBV infection in cryoglobulinemic patients was carried out in 596 cases of cryoglobulinemia. On the basis of clinical and laboratory criteria the cases were grouped as secondary to connective tissue disease, to lymphoproliferative disorders, to chronic liver diseases or to chronic infectious diseases. The cases in which an associated disease was not evidenced were considered as essential mixed cryogobulinemias. Subjects in which liver dysfunction was first diagnosed simultaneously with cryoglobulinemia, were considered as a separate group. A greater prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBc antibodies was found in cryoglobulinemias secondary to chronic liver disease (p < 0.0001) and in those associated with liver involvement at diagnosis (p < 0.05) than that found in EMCs. The prevalence of anti-HBs antibodies did not differ significantly among the groups. Proven contact with the virus, documented by at least one positive marker, was evidenced more frequently in cryoglobulinemias secondary to liver disease than in the other groups (p < 0.01). The prevalence of HBV related markers in EMCs and in hospitalized patients not suffering from diseases associated with cryoglobulin production were similar, and seems to reflect the epidemiological situation of HBV infection in Italy. In conclusion, our findings do not support an association of HBV with EMC.

Biomarkers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The incidence of cerebrovascular accidents in the town of Rivera, Uruguay].

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge about the epidemiology of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), or stroke, in the town of Rivera, Uruguay, would be useful as the basis on which to apply health care strategies both in the prevention of risk factors and in early diagnosis and treatment. AIMS: To determine the incidence of CVA in the town of Rivera and to study the association between certain risk factors and the pathological type of CVA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study, which spanned the period between 1st March 2000 and 28th February 2001, was conducted in the town of Rivera, which has a population of 62,859 and is located in the north of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay. The sample consisted of 114 patients with CVA, of whom 79 had no previous history of CVA -first CVA in lifetime (FCVAL)-. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CVA was 181.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year. The incidence of FCVAL was 125.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year. 73.4% of the FCVAL were ischaemic and 26.6% were haemorrhagic. A high percentage of arterial hypertension was found in patients with CVA (84%) and with FCVAL (80.7%), and a statistically significant association was observed between congestive heart failure and ischaemic CVA.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[In vivo interferon-inducing capacity of a multibacterial extract: prospective new use].

We studied IFN inducing ability on syngenic C3H mice of a multibacterial antigenic extract consisting of different strains of following species: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Aerobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris. A dose-dependent IFN production was demonstrated and two peaks of circulating IFN were observed few hours and two days after i.v. inoculation. Per os administration only at high doses induced evaluable levels of IFN in the circulation.

Animals↗