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Biomedical subjects

M Monti

Publications and source records attributed to M Monti.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Ceramide composition of the psoriatic scale.

This paper investigates the ceramide composition of the psoriatic scale compared with that of normal human SC. A method was optimalized, based on TLC separation followed by densitometry, allowing the provision of good resolution and quantification of ceramide fractions from both normal and pathological specimens. Seven ceramide fractions were isolated and submitted to compositional analysis. The obtained results suggested a revisitation of previous ceramide designation. Therefore a simple classification is suggested, based on grouping ceramides carrying structural similarities under common codes. According to these rules, ceramides were grouped into five classes designated as: (1) Cer[EOS], which contains ester-linked fatty acids, omega-OH fatty acids and sphingosines; (2) Cer[NS], which contains non-OH fatty acids and sphingosines; (3) Cer[NP], which contains non-OH fatty acids and phytosphingosines; (4) Cer[AS], which contains alpha-OH fatty acids and sphingosines; (5) Cer[AP], which contains alpha-OH fatty acids and phytosphingosines. Analysis of ceramides from the psoriatic scale, compared to those from normal human SC, resulted in an impairment of the Cer[EOS] content as well as of the ceramides containing phytosphingosine, with concurrent increase in ceramides containing sphingosine, being the total amount maintained identical. Since one of the suggested pathways for phytosphingosine biosynthesis involves the water addition to the corresponding sphingosine double bond, we can speculate that the observed alteration is due to a deranged water bioavailability, associated with psoriasis.

Ceramides↗
PubMed1993

Interferon-alpha in mixed cryoglobulinemia patients: a randomized, crossover-controlled trial.

The effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on clinical and serologic manifestations of mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) were investigated by randomized, crossover-controlled trial in 26 patients. The trial alternated 6 months with and 6 months without IFN-alpha therapy (2 x 10(6) IU daily for a month, then every other day for 5 months). In 22 patients, pretreatment steroid dosage remained unchanged during the study. Six patients dropped out (three because of side effects), whereas another 20 patients experienced a significant improvement of purpura (P < .02) and serum transaminases (P < .005) during IFN-alpha treatment. The presence of clinical improvement was supported by the outcome measurements of several immunologic parameters. In particular, serum cryoglobulins were significantly reduced (P < .04) during IFN-alpha therapy. A rebound phenomenon of clinical and serologic parameters was observed after IFN-alpha discontinuation. In addition, no variations were recorded during 6 months without therapy. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was detected in 91% (20/22) of our MC patients; in 2/13 cases HCV RNA was no longer detectable in serum samples after IFN-alpha therapy. Thus, IFN-alpha could be considered as treatment for MC in patients with HCV seropositivity.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1993

Lack of influence of short-term treatment with propranolol and terbutaline on metabolism and energy expenditure of the Na-K pump in human erythrocytes evaluated by microcalorimetry.

A double blind placebo-controlled study was conducted of the effects of oral propranolol (beta 1 beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist) and terbutaline (beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist) on erythrocyte heat production, measured by direct microcalorimetry under static conditions at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4. Propranolol 80 mg and terbutaline slow-release 7.5 mg were randomly administered twice daily for one week to 15 healthy males, using a cross-over design. No thermogenic difference was detected. Serum potassium was significantly decreased by terbutaline but was only slightly increased by propranolol, but no relationship was found between changes in the extra- and intracellular levels. In the placebo group, 10% of total cell energy was consumed by the Na-K pump, as assessed by ouabain inhibition, and this value was not significantly affected by the treatments. Thus, it seems unlikely that there is a clinically relevant influence on the Na-K pump in erythrocytes during continuous terbutaline or propranolol medication. It is concluded that short term medication with propranolol and terbutaline in therapeutic doses has almost no thermal or metabolic effect on human erythrocytes. The results indirectly imply that no clinically relevant beta-adrenoceptor effects are mediated in erythrocytes and this may also be true with regard to the 'membrane effect' of propranolol.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate↗
PubMed1993

Effects of terbutaline on basal thermogenesis of human skeletal muscle and Na-K pump after 1 week of oral use--a placebo controlled comparison with propranolol.

1. A double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted on the effects of oral terbutaline (beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist) and propranolol (beta 1 beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist) on basal heat production of skeletal muscle, measured ex vivo by direct microcalorimetry. Terbutaline slow-release 7.5 mg, propranolol 80 mg, and matching placebo were randomly administered twice daily for 1 week to 15 healthy males, using a cross-over design. 2. Resting heat production in biopsied vastus lateralis was lowered by median 27% (P < 0.01) after terbutaline medication as compared with placebo. The cause of this hypometabolism at the cellular level is obscure but may possibly be explained by desensitization of beta 2-receptors. 3. Propranolol decreased the metabolic rate by 17% (P > 0.3); this might imply that the sympathetic nervous system is playing only a minor role in the regulation of basal metabolic rate in muscle, or that up-regulation of beta-receptors had influenced the decline. 4. The muscle utilized about 6% of its total energy for the Na-K pump as assessed after inhibition by ouabain. 5. Serum potassium was significantly lowered by terbutaline and slightly increased by propranolol with no relationship between changes in extracellular levels and muscle content of potassium under resting conditions. Energy values for the Na-K pump in muscle after 1 week of terbutaline or propranolol medication were similar to placebo. The results are not consistent with the hypothesis that decreased serum potassium during continuous beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist treatment is due to a chronically activated Na-K pump, at least not in resting muscle.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A comparison of nimesulide vs paracetamol in the treatment of pyrexia in the elderly.

The efficacy and safety of rectally administered nimesulide 200mg and paracetamol 500mg were assessed in a double-blind study. The study was conducted in 39 elderly inpatients with infections of the upper or lower respiratory tract associated with fever; 18 patients received nimesulide and 21 received paracetamol. Both treatments were given for 2 consecutive days and provided adequate therapy for pyrexia, with significant reductions in body temperature being observed. Both drugs were well tolerated. Only 1 patient in the nimesulide-treated group could not complete the study because cutaneous erythema occurred with itching; this resolved spontaneously upon treatment withdrawal. It is concluded that nimesulide is as active and safe as paracetamol for the treatment of pyrexia in the elderly.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1993

Nimesulide in the treatment of hyperpyrexia in the aged. Double-blind comparison with paracetamol.

The efficacy and safety of nimesulide (Aulin, CAS 51803-78-2) in a new pharmaceutical suppository form (200 mg) were assessed in a double-blind study versus paracetamol suppositories (500 mg). The study was conducted in a sample of aged in-patients suffering from viral or bacterial infections of upper and lower respiratory tract with fever. Thirty-nine patients were randomly assigned to treatment with nimesulide or paracetamol (18 nimesulide, 21 paracetamol). Both drugs, administered t.i.d. for 2 consecutive days followed by observation without therapy on the 3rd day, showed an adequate control of hyperpyrexia with significant reduction of body temperature from baseline. Tolerability was good for both drugs. Only one patient of the nimesulide group could not complete the study because of an adverse reaction consisting in cutaneous erythema with itching that regressed spontaneously. It is concluded that nimesulide is as active and safe as paracetamol in treating hyperpyrexia of the aged.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1993

[PTFEe in the treatment of facial wrinkles].

The first signs of skin aging appear quite early, around 30 years of age, and show as glabella and facial wrinkles particularly pronounced around the eye, lips and nasolabial area. None of these imperfections can be expressively modified through a cervicofacial rhytidectomy (facelift). The use of PTFEe in reconstructive surgery has been established by years of positive experience; therefore, the well known characteristics of such material suggested the idea of extending its use to aesthetic surgery. The corrections performed with this material are carried out mostly as day hospital surgery in local anaesthesia, requiring, however, technical skill to obtain satisfying results.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Prognostic significance of nailfold capillary microscopy in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon and scleroderma-pattern abnormalities. A six-year follow-up study.

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of scleroderma capillary pattern (SD-pattern) in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon. Thirty patients with a capillaroscopy examination suggestive of scleroderma (megacapillaries and/or avascularity) but without clinical criteria of scleroderma (ARA criteria) were reevaluated 6 years after the initial clinical and capillaroscopy examinations. SD-pattern abnormalities were classified according to a semiquantitative method. Eight out of the 28 evaluated patients (28%) developed a scleroderma spectrum disorder (SDS). The presence of avascularity and/or a mean of more than two megacapillaries digit greatly enhanced the percentage of evolution toward SDS (70%/88% respectively). Most of the patients with few enlarged capillaries and no capillary rarefaction at entry had primary acrocyanosis (11/15). None of them developed SDS. The microangiopathy disappeared during the follow-up period in most of these patients (14/15). These results confirm the prognostic value of SD-pattern capillary abnormalities for SDS. Primary acrocyanosis, a benign clinical entity should be considered in presence of few megacapillaries and without capillary rarefaction.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Infection of peripheral mononuclear blood cells by hepatitis C virus.

We investigated the infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) by hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 5 patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis. The presence of HCV-RNA-positive and -negative strands was tested with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. In all subjects, HCV-RNA was shown in PBMNC. In 3 cases, HCV-RNA was shown in the T- and B-cell populations, with viral RNA also present in the monocyte-macrophage fraction of two of these. HCV-RNA-negative stranded molecules, indicative of the viral multiplication, were significantly increased in cells maintained in cultures with PHA/PMA stimulation. The results indicate that HCV infect blood mononuclear cells, thus suggesting that this cellular tropism may play a role in HCV infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Experience with tretinoin therapy in temperate regions.

In a previously reported study on the anti-photoageing effects of topical tretinoin, the following regimen produced good patient compliance: 0.01% for 1 month, 0.025% for 1 month; and 0.05% for 4 months. The majority of patients (60/89) enrolled in the initial study continued to apply the cream to the face, and a further 140 patients were enrolled for a long-term study (mean duration 2 years). The prolonged study showed that 91.4% of patients used tretinoin in an attempt to slow down skin aging, and 8.6% sought subjective skin benefits. Of the 163 patients who completed the study, 58.8% sought an improvement of wrinkles, 30.1% skin trophism and 14.7% reduced pigmentation. The product was used throughout the year by 66.9% of patients, but 8.0% stopped using it during the summer. A daytime moisturizing cream was required by 77.9% of patients, and 82.8% used a sunscreen in the summer. Tretinoin was applied to other areas of the body by 63.8% of patients.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1992

Cutaneous complications of artificial hair implantation: a pathological study.

Five patients who developed severe cutaneous complications after artificial hair implantation were subjected to a scalp biopsy. The pathology showed the presence of hyperplastic epidermal proliferations that produced infundibulum-like structures around the implanted fibers in the superficial dermis. A dense acute inflammatory infiltrate surrounded the artificial fibers in the superficial dermis. In the deep dermis a granulomatous infiltrate was present whereas in the hypodermis the inflammatory infiltrate was sparse and the fibers were embedded in fibroplasia. The pathology of a patient who did not present any skin inflammation after artificial hair implantation showed similar pathological features but the absence of acute inflammation suggesting that bacterial infections play a major role in the development of the cutaneous complications of hair implantation. Since definitive treatment of the infections is ineffective until the fibers are removed from the scalp, surgical treatment was required in 2 of our patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Increased lymphocyte thermogenesis in hyperthyroid patients. Role of Na/K pump function. Evaluation of aerobic/anaerobic metabolism.

The role of the Na/K pump for the increased cell energy expenditure in hyperthyroidism was studied by measuring total lymphocyte heat production rate in samples with and without ouabain inhibition of Na/K ATP-ase. In addition, the relative contribution of aerobic processes to lymphocyte thermogenesis was calculated from oxygen consumption measurements. In 12 patients with clinical and laboratory hyperthyroidism total lymphocyte heat production rate was 3.19 +/- 0.21 pW/cell, significantly higher than in 7 patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism (2.14 +/- 0.11 pW/cell) and in 15 euthyroid subjects (2.26 +/- 0.11 pW/cell) (p less than 0.001). The relative decrease in lymphocyte heat production rate after ouabain, giving a quantitative measure of the activity of the Na/K ATP-ase and reflecting the importance of Na/K pump function for the overall rate of lymphocyte metabolism, was not significantly different between the groups: 19.5 +/- 3.6% in hyperthyroid patients, 14.2 +/- 2.3% in subclinical hyperthyroid patients and 17.8 +/- 3.1% in euthyroid subjects. According to the rate of lymphocyte oxygen consumption, aerobic processes represented 58.4 +/- 6.7% of total lymphocyte energy expenditure in hyperthyroid patients, not significantly different from subclinical hyperthyroidism (62.6 +/- 8.4%) or from euthyroidism (66.6 +/- 2.7%). These data do not support the hypothesis of a specific role of the Na/K pump function for the increased cell thermogenesis in hyperthyroidism and indicate a parallel stimulation of aerobic and anaerobic processes by thyroid hormone excess.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Microcalorimetric studies on uraemic plasma.

The heat production by human plasma in healthy and uraemic subjects has been measured by direct isothermal microcalorimetry. The plasma from uraemic subjects displayed an increased heat production compared to that of normal plasma. The heat production by plasma from healthy subjects, but not by that from uraemic patients, was both proportional to the amount of thiol groups in the plasma and also to the oxidation of the thiol groups. The oxygen consumption of uraemic plasma was proportional to the heat production. The heat production by samples from uraemic patients was significantly correlated to the plasma concentration of creatinine, whereas no such correlation was found between the concentration of urea and heat production of such samples.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[PTFE in reconstructive surgery on the face].

The employment of synthetic materials instead of autologous tissues (cartilaginous, adipose tissue, etc.) is already well codified and widely spread: the only restraint to their use is represented by biocompatibility which is not always satisfactory. Prosthesis should be clinically inert and inalterable with time, easy to sterilize, intraoperatively mouldable, and, from the aesthetic point of view, unrecognizable at touch. Since PTFE is widely used in general surgery (vascular prosthesis, aortobifemoral bypass, ect.) we have employed it in plastic surgery obtaining good results in the correction of malar depressions, and in harmonizing the final result of a rhinoplasty or of a labial plasty. All patients showed to well tolerate the material employed without any evident inflammatory reaction and with stable results at long-term follow-up.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Assessment of acute and old deep venous thrombosis in upper extremity by venous strain gauge plethysmography.

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the efficiency of occlusion strain gauge plethysmography in the diagnosis of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis in upper extremities, to compare early (one month) and late clinical evolution (many years) to plethysmography data and, finally, to set up normal and pathological values. Four groups of patients were tested. Sixteen patients with confirmed acute thrombosis, 6 patients with unconfirmed thrombosis, 15 with an old thrombosis (mean follow-up: 7 years) as well as 15 healthy volunteers. The outflows measurements were significantly lowered (p less than 0.05) in the arms with acute thrombosis compared to the contralateral arms, to the affected arms of patients with thrombosis excluded and to both volunteers' arms. Pathological values for the different outflow parameters could be defined as follows: Maximum venous output less than 110 ml/100 ml/minute, Outflow after 3 seconds less than 1.2 ml/100 ml, Strandness index less than 0.16. On month after the acute episode we found a good correlation between the usually favourable clinical evolution and venous haemodynamics assessed by plethysmography. The mild late post-thrombotic syndrome of most patients with an old thrombosis was not well demonstrated by plethysmography.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Heterosexual transmission of HIV and a control organization model consisting of female subjects at the USL no. 36 Drug Control Service of Lugo].

Human immunodeficiency virus-HIV heterosexual transmission is going to become the main problem in controlling the spread of HIV; our experience confirms the increased risk when genital lesions are present. These data advise to attend gynaecologic control of female drug addicts, often affected by sexually transmitted diseases, in order to realize primary and secondary HIV spreading prevention.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗