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Biomedical subjects

M Papa

Publications and source records attributed to M Papa.

83 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Tissue-transglutaminase in rat and human brain: light and electron immunocytochemical analysis and in situ hybridization study.

Tissue-type transglutaminases constitute a family of enzymes having a dual role. They catalyze the post-translational modification of proteins and play a role in signal transduction pathways, several isoforms have been cloned in the brain. Many in vitro experiments and post-mortem studies have claimed that the enzyme plays a central role in the development of neurodegenerative disorders, especially in CAG-triplet diseases. In the present investigation, we conducted an immunocytochemical study using two different antibodies raised against tissue-type transglutaminase. To confirm the enzyme expression, non-radioactive in situ hybridization was performed on adjacent sections. The study was completed by analyzing the ultrastructural localization of the enzyme by electron microscopy. Tissue-type transglutaminase was widely expressed in both the human and rat brain. Many positive cells exhibiting neuronal features were found in the brain and cerebellum. There was a preferential expression in elements of pyramidal and extrapyramidal pathways with less expression in the somatosensory system. The mRNA detection confirmed the distribution of the enzyme. The ultrastructural approach revealed the presence of the enzyme in all neuronal compartments. Light and electron microscopy studies showed the ubiquitous nature of the enzyme and its putative role in functional as well as putative pathological processes.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Feeding gastrostomy in neurologically impaired children: is an antireflux procedure necessary?

Some authors recommend a routine "protective" antireflux procedure (ARP) in neurologically impaired children undergoing feeding gastrostomy (FG). Over 4 years, we performed FG in 107 neurologically impaired children aged 1 month to 16 years. Ninety-eight had preoperative radiological assessment for gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which was documented in 44, of whom 33 had FG plus ARP and 11 had FG alone. Seven of the 11 subsequently developed symptomatic GER and 5 of them had a secondary ARP. Of the 54 children with no demonstrable GER preoperatively, 3 children underwent FG plus ARP. The remaining 51 had FG alone. There was one postoperative death. Of the 50 surviving patients, 22 developed symptomatic GER and 17 of these had a subsequent ARP. Mean follow-up of 20.0 months showed that the risk of developing GER after FG alone was not influenced by age, sex, indication for FG, underlying diagnosis, or method of gastrostomy. There was no significant difference in mortality and early morbidity between patients undergoing FG alone and those having FG with simultaneous or subsequent ARP. Only 44% of our patients in whom GER was not demonstrated initially developed symptomatic GER followed FG alone. This incidence does not justify a routine "protective" ARP.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evolution of left ventricular diseasein the fetus. Case report.

A fetal case is described that showed a rapid progression from the features of initial left ventricular fibroelastosis at 20 weeks of gestation to a more marked dilation at 22 weeks and finally to a hypoplastic left ventricle with aortic stenosis at 24 weeks of gestation. This case confirms the evolutive character of left ventricular disease during fetal life.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatocyte-derived soluble factors regulate proliferation and autocrine growth factor expression in colon cancer cell lines of varying liver-colonizing capability.

We investigated the role of hepatocyte-derived soluble growth factors on cell proliferation and expression of growth factors and their receptors in four colon cancer cell lines of varying liver-colonizing ability. Cocultures of hepatocytes and colon cells and cultures of colon cells with hepatocyte-conditioned medium resulted in growth inhibition of both weakly and strongly metastatic cell lines. Growth inhibition was accompanied by a reduced expression of erb-B2 in the colon cells after 4 days in the presence of hepatocytes. In LS174T and LiM6 cells, there was a dramatic reduction in heregulin-alpha levels in the presence of hepatocytes. Interestingly, after 2 days in culture, hepatocyte-derived soluble factors increased the mRNA levels for the EGF family members amphiregulin and cripto. These studies show an inhibitory effect of hepatocyte-derived soluble factors on the proliferation of colon cell lines, mediated in part by changes in the expression of autocrine growth factors and receptors of the EGF and heregulin family.

Amphiregulin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The condyle-fossa relationship in temporomandibular disorders. Considerations on the pathogenetic role of the disc.

AIM: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the condylar position and its variation in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders before and after therapy with occlusal gnathologic devices. METHODS: Twenty-five TMJ of 25 patients with temporomandibular joint disorder were examined by linear measurement of the anterior, posterior and superior joint space between the condyle and glenoid fossa through cephalometric analysis on X-ray tomography of the TMJ and by calculating the condylar position with the Pullinger and Hollender method. RESULTS: The average condylar position in the TMJ with DTM was posterior with a mean value of 22.2% and a range from 14.3% to 36%. The condylar position of 25 TMJs was: anterior 0(0%); centric 8(32%) and posterior 17(68%). After therapy with occlusal gnathologic devices the average condylar position was centric with a mean value of 0.6% and a range from 5.3% to 6.6%. The condylar position of 25 TMJs was: anterior 2(8%); centric 22(88%) and posterior 1 (14%). CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis can be advanced that joint pathology is the consequence of the alteration of the condyle position and therefore of the mandibular movement and vice versa. Therapy with occlusal devices makes it possible to modify the condylar position by increasing the condylar capability to recapture the joint disc.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinico-radiological observations on pulmonary manifestations of leptospirosis during the Montefeltro epidemic].

During the summer of 1984, in the Montefeltro area an epidemic of leptospirosis took place from a common source. In 15% of the people affected, the disease involved the lungs. In 3 patients the disease had a deadly course; one decrease was due to ARDS. The clinical, anatomopathological, and radiological features are described of the patients who presented with lung involvement. Such an outcome proved to be more likely than we thought. X-ray pattern of the chest was a polymorphous appearance, in spite of the same anatomopathological substratum, characterized by lung edema and endoalveolar hemorrhages.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Renal oncocytoma. A diagnostic and therapeutic problem].

Renal oncocytoma is a more common entity as one may believe. Five cases and their sonographic features observed in six months are reported; in none of these cases was possible a secure diagnosis before the operation.

Adenoma↗