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Biomedical subjects

M L Pacor

Publications and source records attributed to M L Pacor.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Nedocromil sodium is effective in the treatment of mild and moderate allergic asthma caused by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus].

We have evaluated the efficacy of nedocromil sodium in 38 patients (18 males and 20 females, mean age 37.2 yrs) suffering from mild or moderate allergic asthma due to Dermatophagoides pteronissinus. Nedocromil sodium was given twice a day at the dosage of 4 mg each time for two months. On a daily diary card patients had to record the severity and the number of asthmatic attacks, the usage of bronchodilators and the values of peak respiratory flow measured in 1/min in the morning and at night. The improvement of the parameters considered was statistically significant, and no side effects have been observed. Nedocromil sodium is therefore an efficacious and safe drug in the treatment of mild and moderate asthma induced by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Efficacy of topical azelastine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis caused by Parietaria officinalis].

We have evaluated the efficacy of azelastine, a new long acting antihistamine, in the topic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis to Parietaria officinalis. Forty five patients have been considered, 20 males and 25 females, mean age 28.5 years, suffering from seasonal rhinitis to Parietaria officinalis for at least 4 years. Azelastine was administered twice a day for 4 weeks in the pollen season. On a daily diary-card, patients had to record the severity of the symptoms considered: runny nose, sneeze, itching nose, nasal obstruction, following an arbitrary score from 0 to 3. At the end of the study, patients obtained a significant improvement of the symptoms considered without the addition of any other topical or systemic therapy. No side effects have been reported. Therefore azelastine is an effective drug in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis to Parietaria officinalis.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1998

[Topical cyclosporine in the treatment of oral pemphigus].

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus vulgaris presents the typical blistering lesions at the level of oral mucosa in nearly all patients. The main drugs used in the treatment of the disease are steroids and immunosuppressive agents. Among the latter, cyclosporine A plays a pivotal role. METHODS: In this study the effects of topical cyclosporine have been evaluated in 12 patients (4 males and 8 females, mean age 65 years) suffering from oral pemphigus for at least 4 years non responsive to the previous treatments. Five ml of oral suspension (500 mg) were divided into three times a day; cyclosporine had to be kept in the oral cavity for 15 mins and no food nor drinks were allowed for 30 mins before and after the oral wash. The treatment lasted for 2 months. RESULTS: At the end of the study a significant beneficial effect on erythema, oral lesions and pain was noticed. No side effects have been reported and the monitoring of full blood count, of renal and hepatic function and of blood pressure has not shown any variation from the baseline. Serum cyclosporine level has always been undetectable. CONCLUSIONS: These encouraging results in the treatment of oral pemphigus need to be confirmed in controlled studies.

Cyclosporine↗
PubMed1998

[Efficacy of nedocromil sodium in perennial allergic conjunctivitis].

We have evaluated the efficacy of nedocromil sodium 2% eye drops in 35 patients (18 males and 17 females, mean age 32.8 yrs) suffering from perennial allergic conjunctivitis due to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus diagnosed on the basis of anamnesis, Skin Prick Test and RAST. Patients were treated for 8 weeks with nedocromil sodium one drop each eye, four times daily and had to report the severity of the symptoms considered (photophobia, lacrimation, hyperaemia and itching) on a daily card. During the study no other medication was allowed. After 4 weeks symptoms were statistically improved and this beneficial effect increased at the end of the treatment. No side effects were reported. Nedocromil sodium eye drops is therefore a useful treatment in perennial allergic conjunctivitis due to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Iloprost as cyclic five-day infusions in the treatment of scleroderma. An open pilot study in 20 patients treated for one year.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cyclic intravenous iloprost therapy in diffuse or limited scleroderma. METHODS: Twenty patients, 14 women and 6 men with a mean age of 47.8 +/- 8.2 years, were given iloprost infusions for six hours a day during five consecutive days, at a rate of 0.5 to 2 ng/kg/min. The course was repeated every three months for one year. Efficacy was evaluated based on a scleroderma skin lesion score, an ischemic lesion score, a well-being self-assessment score, and lung function tests including measurement of the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. Safety was assessed based on adverse event collection. RESULTS: The scleroderma skin lesion and ischemic lesion scores decreased significantly over the one-year treatment period, from 37.1 +/- 16.5 to 10.2 +/- 6.9 (P < 0.001) and from 31.8 +/- 19.1 to 2.2 +/- 2.0 (P < 0.05), respectively. The well-being self-assessment score also showed a significant improvement, from 71.4 +/- 16.5 to 15.0 +/- 6.6 (P < 0.001). The diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was decreased in 11 patients at baseline and showed a slight, non significant increase in these patients after the treatment period. No serious or persistent side effects were recorded. CONCLUSION: Cyclic intravenous iloprost therapy was associated with improvements in skin changes and in general health, as well as with a slight increase in the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. Our data suggest that iloprost may act on some of the pathogenetic mechanisms of scleroderma in a way that improves the course of the disease.

Female↗
PubMed1998

[The efficacy of cetirizine in the treatment of mild allergic asthma due to grasses].

We have evaluated the efficacy of cetirizine in 24 patients (18 males and 6 females, mean age 25.4 years) suffering from mild or moderate allergic asthma due to grass pollen. Cetirizine was given once a day at the dosage of 10 mg for four weeks. On a daily card patients had to record the number of asthmatic attacks, the usage of bronchodilatators and the values of peak expiratory flow measured in l/min in the morning and at the evening. The improvement of the parameters considered was statistically significant, and no side effects have been observed. Cetirizine is therefore an effective and safe drug in the treatment of mild and moderate asthma induced by grass pollen.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Changes of neutrophil migration without modification of in vitro metabolism and adhesion in Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Increase of neutrophil chemotaxis in Behçet's disease (BD) has been described, but it is not clear whether there is a correlation with other variables of neutrophil function and whether these modifications correlate with disease activity. METHODS: We studied neutrophil functions in patients with BD in the acute phase in comparison with healthy control subjects and with the same patients during disease remission, with or without therapy. We investigated in vivo neutrophil migration by Senn's skin window technique and measured adhesion assay and superoxide production in circulating and migrating neutrophils after different stimuli. RESULTS: Neutrophil migration in vivo was 101.3 +/- 17.9 x 10(6) polymorphonuclear lymphocytes (PMN)/cm2/24 h in patients with BD in the acute phase and 66.1 +/- 7.8 x 10(6) PMN/cm2/24 h in controls (p < 0.001). No correlation was found between leukocyte counts and neutrophil migration. Neutrophil migration evaluated in the same patients in a phase of disease remission was 58.3 +/- 10.3 x 10(6) PMN/cm2/24 h (p < 0.001 vs acute phase, not significant vs controls). The neutrophils of the exudate were normally primed to response to the chemotactic peptide fMLP. No differences between the 2 groups were found in superoxide production, adhesion under basal conditions, or in response to different stimuli by circulating and migrating neutrophils. CONCLUSION: Abnormally high migration of neutrophils in the active phase of BD is the only consistent neutrophil dysfunction. Since this modification is reversed by therapy, the evaluation of in vivo neutrophil migration may be useful in diagnosing and monitoring disease activity. Blood neutrophils have normal responses to different stimuli, indicating they are not primed by the disease state.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Oral immunotherapy in oculorhinitis from Gramineae].

We have evaluated the efficacy of oral immunotherapy in 34 patients affected by seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to grass pollen. Diagnosis was performed on the basis of medical history, Skin Prick Test and Rast and the mean duration of the disease was 6 years. The treatment started in November and consisted of increasing daily doses of allergen; when the maximum dose was reached, it was continued twice a week till April. After two years of treatment we observed a statistically significant reduction in the severity of the symptoms considered and in the amount of oral antihistamines taken during the pollen season. The treatment was well tolerated and patients did not experienced any adverse effect. We therefore conclude that oral immunotherapy is a valid alternative to traditional subcutaneous immunotherapy in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to grass pollen.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

[Nedocromil sodium nasal spray in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis].

We have evaluated the efficacy of nedocromil sodium 1% nasal spray in 29 patients (14 males and 15 females, mean age 23 years) who had been suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis due to Parietaria for at least three years. Diagnosis was based on medical history, skin prick test and RAST. Nedocromil sodium was given for 4 weeks in May, at the dosage of 4 mg, 4 times a day in each nostril. On a daily diary card patients had to record both the severity of symptoms following an arbitrary score from 0 to 3 and the possible presence of side effects. After 4 weeks of treatment patients obtained a statistically significant improvement of the symptoms considered (p < 0.001). No side effects have been reported and no other drugs have been necessary to control the symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Nedocromil sodium as a topical treatment of allergic conjunctivitis due to grasses].

Thirty-two patients (20 males and 12 females, mean age 31 ys) with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis to grass pollen, were selected for this study. Nedocromil sodium 2% ophthalmic solution was given at the dosage of 1 drop four times a day for four weeks during the month of June. On a daily diary card each patient had to report the severity of the symptoms: itchy eyes, lacrimation, red eyes and photophobia, following an arbitrary score from 0 to 3 (0 = no symptom, 1 = mild, 2 = medium, 3 = severe). After four weeks of treatment we observed a statistically significant improvement of the symptoms considered. Patients did not take other medications and did not report any side effects. Nedocromil sodium is therefore a valid alternative in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis to grass pollen.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1996

[Efficacy of levocabastine in perennial rhinitis].

We have evaluated the efficacy of topical levocabastine in 42 patients (20 males and 22 females; mean age 37.5 yrs.) affected by perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Diagnosis was performed on the basis of clinical history, Skin Prick test and RAST. The study lasted for 90 days and nasal spray levocabastine was administered at the dose of 2 puff in each nostril twice a day. Patients had to record the severity of the symptoms considered (sneezing, nasal pruritus, nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea) on a diary card according to an arbitrary score from 0 to 3. At the end of the treatment patients experienced a significant improvement of their symptoms and no side effects were recorded. On the basis of our results levocabastine can be considered a useful drug in the treatment of allergic rhinitis due to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1996

[The effect of formoterol on light or moderate bronchial asthma due to allergy to Parietaria officinalis].

We have evaluated the effect of formoterol in 28 patients (20 males and 8 females, mean age 25.4 years) affected by mild or moderate bronchial asthma due to Parietaria allergy. Inhaled formoterol was given at the dosage of 24 mg twice a day for 10 weeks during the pollen season. Patients had to record daily the peak respiratory flow, the severity and the number of asthmatic attacks and the severity of cough. Moreover they had to report the use of additional bronchodilators and the possible side effects. The treatment with formoterol obtained in increase of PEF values from 254 +/- 6.1 to 329 +/- 6.1 l/min in the morning and from 237 +/- 7.1 to 365 +/- 7.1 l/min in the evening. A significant improvement on the number of asthmatic attacks and on the cough was also obtained. No side effects have been reported. Our results show the safety and the efficacy of formoterol in the treatment of mild or moderate bronchial asthma.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1995

[Scleroderma induced by chemical agents. Description of a case and review of the literature].

The authors describe a case of a 24 years old man affected by eosinophilic fasciitis likely due to chemical exposure. The patient handled and inhaled a compound containing sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydrate and cationic surface agents. The clinical picture was characterized by sudden onset, oedema and pain on the limbs; laboratory tests revealed an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 55 mm/hour, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and eosinophilia. The histologic examination of a deep musculo-cutaneous biopsy showed an infiltrate composed of lymphocytes and macrophages localized in the fascia and in the muscle; skin and subcutaneous tissue turned out normal. Corticosteroid treatment (prednisone at the starting dosage of 30 mg/day) produced the healing of the disease in 5 months. Afterwards the authors reviewed the literature about the different expressions of scleroderma that can be caused by chemicals; the most famous example is the "Spanish toxic oil syndrome". Various compounds were associated with development of scleroderma: plastic materials, solvents, silica powder, drugs, silicone prosthesis; the list will lengthen with reference to use of new products. It was hypothesized that the generation of free radicals was the common mechanism through which different aetiological agents can provoke scleroderma in genetically predisposed individuals. In these subjects free radicals can cause either direct tissue damages (endothelial lesion, thickening of intimal layer, fibrosis) and autoimmune phenomena.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Latex allergy].

In 1979 the first case of contact urticaria to rubber gloves was reported in a patient with a positive skin prick test to latex. The use of articles containing rubber is widespread and this can explain the increasing frequency of allergic reactions to natural rubber latex. The symptoms may be localized like contact urticaria or systemic like angioedema, generalized urticaria or anaphylactic shock. In this study we have considered 12 patients who presented clinical manifestations after direct contact with objects containing rubber. Three patients had eczema and pruritus after the use of household gloves, 4 subjects had lips and tongue oedema following the contact with rubber tube during a dental treatment, 5 patients suffered from urticaria and pruritus during the use of surgical gloves. Generalized angioedema was also present in 4 out of 12 patients. All the patients had positive Skin prick test and Rast to latex. Three out of 12 patients were atopic. Our study confirms the increasing frequency of immediate hypersensitivity reactions to latex. This phenomenon must be taken into account especially before surgery, since severe clinical manifestations such as anaphylactic shock may occur.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Effectiveness of oral immunotherapy in bronchial asthma caused by Dermatophagoides pternyssinus].

We have evaluated the efficacy of oral hyposensitivization in 14 patients suffering from bronchial asthma due to allergy to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. The allergen extract was taken in increasing doses and the maximum dose was maintained for the duration of the study (two years). Oral treatment was effective in reducing the number and severity of asthma attacks (p < 0.001) and in improving the respiratory peak flow (p < 0.001). No side effects were observed and all the patients concluded the study. Our results show the efficacy and safety of oral hyposensitization in the treatment of bronchial asthma due to allergy to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Oral therapy avoids the side effects of desensitizing injections which can be serious.

Administration, Oral↗