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Biomedical subjects

M Pau

Publications and source records attributed to M Pau.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

A novel carbonic anhydrase II mRNA isolated from mature chicken testis displays a TATA box and other promoter sequences in a leader 5' untranslated region not present in somatic tissues.

The primary structure of a novel carbonic anhydrase II-encoding cDNA clone (CAII) isolated from a chicken testis cDNA library is presented. The size of the CAII mRNA obtained from meiotic and haploid chicken testis cells is larger than the corresponding mRNA from immature testis and somatic tissues. The nucleotide sequence of the chicken testis CAII clone revealed a protein-coding region identical to the published sequence of CAII mRNA from erythroid cells. However, the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the testis CAII mRNA is larger than the corresponding somatic sequence. The 5' UTR contains a leader sequence not present in the CAII mRNA isolated from erythroid cells or chick retina. The additional 5' UTR of the mRNA displays a TATA box, located 23-30 bp upstream from the cap site of the CAII mRNA transcribed in erythroid cells, and several G+C-rich boxes. Our results suggest that the use of a testis-specific promoter would result in the incorporation of somatic promoter sequences into the 5' UTR of the testis message.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Intron and intronless transcription of the chicken polyubiquitin gene UbII.

We have previously reported that the chicken polyubiquitin gene UbII is preferentially expressed during spermatogenesis and we show here that UbII is the predominant polyubiquitin gene expressed in early embryogenesis. Two main initiation sites were detected. Transcription from the initiation site used in early embryos results in the presence of an intron in the 5'-untranslated region of the transcripts as has been reported for other polyubiquitin messages. In mature testis, however, the use of a different initiation site, located within the intron, produces intronless transcripts. Distinct promoter sequences, present in each initiation site, may regulate the differential expression observed in this gene.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Leishmaniasis in Sardinia. IV. Epidemiological appraisal of cutaneous leishmaniasis and biochemical characterization of isolates.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in Sardinia where 250 cases were reported from 1922 to 1988. The province of Sassari, in the north of the island, shows the highest number of cases. The vertical distribution of localities where cases had occurred is analysed and the age distribution of cases is given. Isolation of parasites was attempted in 12 cases, but successful growth of Leishmania was obtained from three cultures only. The stocks belonged to two different zymodemes of L. infantum: zymodeme Montpellier (ZMON) 24 and ZMON 24 MPI variant. The distribution of dermotropic L. infantum zymodemes in the Mediterranean area is discussed and the presence of a possible parasite reservoir is suggested.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Blood lead levels in children of S.W. Sardinia.

The purpose of the present study was to make a preliminary evaluation of blood lead levels in school-aged children from three towns of southwestern Sardinia, Portoscuso, S. Antioco and Calasetta, the first of which is very close to a large industrial complex. Blood lead concentration was determined in venous blood samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The survey revealed that children residing in the town of Portoscuso had higher mean blood lead levels (12.7 micrograms/dl) than children of the same age residing in S. Antioco and Calasetta (8.3 and 8.4 micrograms/dl respectively) and that levels were slightly higher in males than in females. This difference is suggested to be a result of the greater fallout of industrial pollutants in the area of Portoscuso.

Child↗
PubMed1988

Double-blind study with fenticonazole or bifonazole lotions in pityriasis versicolor.

The efficacy of fenticonazole 2% lotion was studied in patients suffering from pityriasis versicolor in a double-blind comparison with bifonazole 1% lotion, both applied once daily for three weeks. Forty-six patients were recruited and randomly allocated to one or other treatment group. Clinical and mycological examinations, performed at baseline and at weekly intervals, have shown an excellent response to both treatments. Two cases of mild transient desquamation were reported in the fenticonazole group. Fenticonazole 2% lotion appears active in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor and its efficacy is comparable to that of bifonazole.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Clinical experience with fenticonazole 2% formulation in the treatment of dermatomycoses and pityriasis versicolor.

Clinical efficacy of fenticonazole 2% cream has been tested on 30 patients with dermatomycoses and the 2% nebulized lotion on 10 patients with pityriasis versicolor. Treatment consisted of two topical applications of the drug for up to 5 weeks and clinical improvement and mycology were assessed at one-week intervals. Thirty-six patients (90%) were cured at the end of the 5-week period; 26 were cured from dermatomycoses and 10 from pityriasis versicolor. No recurrency/reinfection nor side-effects were encountered. The success attained by fenticonazole treatment indicates that it is a first choice drug in the therapy of superficial dermatomycoses.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical efficacy and tolerability of terbinafine in patients with pityriasis versicolor.

The antifungal efficacy and tolerability of 1% terbinafine cream vs. 1% bifonazole cream were assessed in a single blind randomized trial in patients with pityriasis versicolor. Terbinafine, a drug of the allylamines group, a new class of anti-mycotic agents, blocks sterol biosynthesis in the pathogen through inhibition of squalene epoxidase and consequent squalene accumulation, a primarily fungicidal process. Forty pityriasis versicolor patients, (18 M, 22 F; mean age 32.4 years; min. 16, max. 65), used 1% terbinafine cream or 1% bifonazole cream for a maximum of 4 weeks. All patients were followed-up weekly both clinically and mycologically. Clinical cures, defined as negativization of each clinical parameter, were recorded for 20 terbinafine patients (100%) and 19 bifonazole patients (95%), with routine microscopy and Wood's light tests both negative. By the 2nd week of treatment, 2 terbinafine patients were mycologically cured (10%). By the 3rd week, 14 terbinafine patients (70%) and 5 bifonazole patients (25%) were mycologically cured. The present controlled clinical trial consequently demonstrates that terbinafine is rapidly effective and well tolerated for treatment of pityriasis versicolor.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tinea capitis in adults.

Between 1973 and 1994, 17 cases of tinea capitis in adults were observed in the Dermatology Clinic of the University of Cagliari (Italy). The patients were all women (age range 17-76 years) and came from the district of Cagliari. At the time of referral, they presented with a disease duration varying from 8 to 10 months. The main clinical feature was scalp lesions, but in two cases mycotic lesions on the face were also present. The following dermatophytes were isolated: Microsporum canis (eight cases), Trichophyton violaceum (four cases), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (four cases) and Trichophyton verrucosum (one case). Systemic treatment with griseofulvin or terbinafine led to complete recovery in 40-50 days. In discussing the pathogenesis and transmission mode of the disease, the authors hypothesize that endocrine disorders influencing the secretion and composition of sebum may facilitate dermatophyte invasion of the scalp in the adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Kerion Celsi: a clinical epidemiological study.

We present a case record of patients with kerion Celsi observed in the Clinic of Dermatology, University of Cagliari (Italy) from 1981 to 1995. Altogether, 31 children (18 male and 13 female) with an age range of 40 days to 12 years were studied. In all cases the lesions were confined to the scalp. In 10 cases the disease developed as such, while in 21 patients it represented the inflammatory evolution of tinea capitis secondary to incongruous topical treatment. Microsporum canis was isolated in 22 cases and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in nine cases. Systemic treatment was carried out in 20 patients with griseofulvin, in six with ketoconazole and in five with terbinafine. Complete recovery was obtained in 25-30 days. No cases of relapse were observed. The authors stress the importance of an early diagnosis followed by timely and effective treatment to prevent scarring and permanent hair loss.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lichen planus in a child requiring circumcision.

Lichen planus is a rare disorder in infants and children where it usually has the classical cutaneous pattern and only exceptionally involves the mucosa and skin appendages. A 9-year-old boy was referred to our department with a 4-month history of erythematous keratotic papules on the trunk and the upper and lower limbs. There were no signs of mucosal involvement. Subsequently white papules and striae, occasionally forming a lace like pattern, appeared on the penis and prepuce which quickly led to phimosis necessitating circumcision. Histologic examination of skin biopsy specimens and genital mucosa fragments confirmed the clinical diagnosis of lichen planus.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mortality in workers of a primary aluminum foundry in Portovesme in Sardinia].

The standard mortality rates (SMRs) were calculated for 1148 workers of a primary aluminium plant in Portovesme, Sardinia, hired between 1971, when production started, and 1980. Status (living or decreased) was ascertained as at 31 December 1990 and the relationship between observed and expected deaths with respective 95% confidence limits were calculated on the basis of age-specific regional rates for each calendar year of the follow-up. The SMR for all causes was 81 with confidence limits between 61 and 108 based on a total of 48 deaths. Mortality due to malignant neoplasms did not differ from the expected rate. The observed deaths due to lung cancer were decidedly less than the expected number (3 observed versus 4.7 expected). A significant excess of cancer of the pancreas was observed with special reference to anode production, based, however, on only 3 observed cases against 0.8 expected. In the absence of a more precise definition of the causes of death, of the environmental exposure levels and of the non-occupational confounding factors, and considering the young age of the cohort under study, it is at present doubtful whether the excess of cancer of the pancreas can be associated with work in the primary aluminium industry. The results should therefore be taken as preliminary, indicating that further studies are required.

Aluminum↗