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Biomedical subjects

M Rubino

Publications and source records attributed to M Rubino.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Live-cell immunofluorescence for detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-related antigens in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-1 seropositive individuals.

Live-cell indirect immunofluorescence was used to detect HIV-associated antigens in fresh uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 29 HIV-seropositive subjects. Conventional fixed-cell immunofluorescence and live-cell immunofluorescence were run in parallel on each sample using monoclonal antibodies directed against HIV gag and env gene products. Sera from the same patients were also tested for HIV antigen by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Results strongly indicate that nondenaturing live-cell immunofluorescence is much more sensitive for detection of HIV-associated antigens and may be useful in the diagnosis of HIV infection as well as in the study of pathogenesis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1988

Ontogeny of mitogen responsive lymphocytes in the bovine fetus.

Bovine fetal lymphocytes were examined for their ability to respond to the mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA), Concanavalin A (ConA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in the lymphocyte blastogenesis test (LBT). PHA-, Con A- and PWM-responsive lymphocytes appeared simultaneously at 75-80 days of gestation. The response increased with age of the fetus until, by 120 days of gestation, the response to PHA, Con A and PWM of many fetuses was in the range of values obtained with lymphocytes from normal adult cattle.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Early and late determinants of survival after surgery of left ventricular aneurysm.

The fate of 103 patients consecutively operated upon for chronic left ventricular aneurysm between 1978 and 1986 was examined with a multivariate statistical approach to verify the operative indications and results. In the early risk phase, up to 39 days after operation, 15 patients (15%) died. Mortality was mostly due to a low output syndrome and was significantly related to older age and to functional (NYHA) and anginal (CCS) class. In the late risk phase, starting 1.9 years after surgery, 9 patients died (10%) and the significant risk factors were anterior aneurysm and older age at operation. Actuarial survival curves showed 82% survival at 5 years and 61% at 9.5 years. In 25 patients older than 50 years and with an anterior aneurysm, these rates were 51% and 34%, respectively. Improved functional class was observed in 87% of the patients interviewed, but 30% complained of angina or new infarctions. Survival free of ischemia was 64% at 5 years and 13% at 9.5 years. This development of ischemic recurrences was significantly related to older age and to incomplete revascularization despite multiple grafts. These results suggest modification of the grafting policy and of the techniques of repair in identified high-risk subsets.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1987

Nuclear and cytosolic estrogen receptors in human colon carcinoma and in surrounding noncancerous colonic tissue.

The measurement of estrogen as well as progesterone receptors has been applied clinically to predict the effectiveness of endocrine therapy in patients with breast or endometrial carcinoma. The presence of cytosolic estrogen receptors in human colorectal carcinomas has been reported by several different groups during the past 10 yr. The aim of our current study was to evaluate the estrogen binding activity in the nuclear and cytosolic fractions of these carcinomas, as well as in surrounding noncancerous colonic tissue. Twenty-six patients, operated on for colorectal carcinoma, were studied: 16 were men and 10 were postmenopausal women, mean age 61 yr (range 43-78 yr). In neoplastic tissue, cytosolic estradiol receptors were detected in 42.3% of the patients (women 40%, men 43.7%). The values for cytosolic estrogen receptor ranged from 118 to 1214 fmol/g wet colon. Nuclear estrogen receptors were detectable in 46.1% of the patients (women 40%, men 50%) and their values displayed a range from 3.4 to 2554 fmol/g wet colon. In 30.7% of the patients, both nuclear and cytosolic receptors were demonstrated. In 38.4% of the patients, receptors were found in neither cytosol nor nuclei. Receptor positivity in men was most frequently associated with tumors removed from the rectum, and those with Dukes' classification of C1. In the surrounding noncancerous tissue cytosolic estrogen receptors were also detected (range 133-1105 fmol/g wet colon) and were present in 34.6% of the patients (women 30%, men 37.5%). Nuclear estrogen receptors (range 225-1105 fmol/g wet colon) were detected in 57.6% of the patients (women 40%, men 68.7%). In 23% of the patients, both nuclear and cytosolic receptors were demonstrated. In 30.7% of the patients, no receptors were found in either cytosol or nucleus. Therefore, the presence of cytosolic or nuclear estrogen receptors, or both, in 61.6% of human colorectal cancer specimens emphasizes the need to evaluate both forms of these receptors for studies of potential hormone dependence in these tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1987

T-wave changes in patients with hemodynamic evidence of systolic or diastolic overload of the left ventricle: a retrospective study on 168 patients with isolated chronic aortic valve disease.

The effect of systolic and diastolic overload of the left ventricle on the T wave was studied in 86 patients with pure aortic stenosis and in 82 patients with pure aortic insufficiency documented by hemodynamic investigation. All patients had hemodynamically significant, chronic isolated aortic valve disease with electrocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (Sokolow index greater than or equal to 45 mm). All had undergone selective coronary angiography. Flattened or negative T waves were present in 44 patients with aortic stenosis (51%) and in 66 (80%) with aortic incompetence. Inversion of the T wave in left ventricular leads was unrelated to the presence of ventricular conduction disturbances or to coronary artery disease or to low cardiac index. It was significantly related to older age (P = 0.0001) and, in patients with aortic incompetence, to the end-diastolic volume (P = 0.04). Digitalis intake was a nonsignificant (P = 0.10) independent variable. These findings suggest that patients with aortic stenosis cannot be distinguished from patients with aortic incompetence by the electrocardiogram and that the theory of Cabrera and Monroy is not valid in this set of patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The use of intraluminal prosthesis in the surgical management of aortic dissection.

The treatment of acute aortic dissection requires expeditions and reproducible operations aimed at avoiding rupture of the dissection or its antegrade or retrograde progression. In 12 type A and 11 type B dissections the aorta was repaired using an intraluminal prosthesis to reduce the risk of hemorrhage and its related complications. Overall mortality rates were 33% in type A and 36% in type B patients, similar to that observed in patients operated with other techniques, but the incidence of intraoperative bleeding was possibly reduced and the cross-clamping time was significantly shorter. This method of repair is a sound alternative to conventional anastomotic suturing, particularly in clinically compromised patients and in the hands of surgeons on call, who may lack the experience of dealing with a particularly fragile aortic wall.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

[Viral hepatitis. Epidemiologic evaluation of a personal case load in the area of Casale Monferrato in the years 1981-1982].

The results are reported of an epidemiological assessment of 94 patients hospitalised with diagnosed acute viral hepatitis in the Infectious Disease Division of the S. Spirito Hospital, Casale Monferrato in the period march 1 1981, april 30 1982. Hepatitis was found to occur most frequently among young (under 30) males. There were more positive than negative HBsAg cases, most of the latter arising in heroin addicts.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Epidemiologico-clinical considerations on a case file of acute hepatitis observed 1980-1983].

Between January 1980 and December 1983, 332 consecutive cases of acute hepatitis were observed in adult patients admitted to the Department of Infectious Disease and Gastroenterology of Siena. Sex and age of the patients, the presence of jaundice, the maximum value of the serum-glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (SGPT) were considered. Serum specimens were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) of the IgM class, antibody against hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) of the IgM class, antibody against cytomegalovirus (CMV) of the IgM class, Paul Bunnel Davidshon reaction. Hepatitis A was diagnosed in 25 cases (7.5%). Hepatitis B in 167 (50.3%). Hepatitis due to CMV in 2 cases (0.6%). And, by exclusion, hepatitis non A, non B in 138 cases (41.6%). Male patients were affected with significantly higher frequency than female (p less than 0.01); the same was seen for young patients (14-30 years) compared to the older ones (31-50 years, and over 50 years) (p less than 0.01 in both). Biochemical investigation showed that hepatitis A and B had a significantly higher, maximum SGPT value than hepatitis non A non B (p less than 0.01 in both). Icteric patients were significantly more frequently observed among hepatitis A and B cases than hepatitis non A non B cases (p less than 0.01 in both).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Increased in vitro and in vivo generation of procoagulant activity (tissue factor) by mononuclear phagocytes after intralipid infusion in rabbits.

Intralipid, a fat emulsion widely used in parenteral nutrition, can produce marked functional changes of the mononuclear phagocyte system. We investigated the effect of Intralipid administration on the generation of procoagulant activity by rabbit mononuclear phagocytes. Two groups of ten rabbits given either a single infusion of Intralipid 10% or a similar volume of sterile saline were studied before and after infusion. Procoagulant activity was measured on isolated blood mononuclear cells after incubation with and without endotoxin, using a one-stage clotting assay. Cells from animals infused with Intralipid produced significantly more procoagulant activity than controls (P less than .01). Results were similar when freshly collected whole blood was incubated with and without endotoxin, and procoagulant activity was measured on subsequently isolated mononuclear cells (P less than .01). In addition, when rabbits were given a single injection of endotoxin, blood and spleen mononuclear cells harvested 50 to 60 minutes after the injection from animals pretreated with Intralipid expressed five to seven times more procoagulant activity than did cells from animals pretreated with saline. In all instances, procoagulant activity was identified as tissue factor. These findings suggest that Intralipid may cause functional changes in mononuclear phagocytes, resulting in increased production of tissue factor on incubation in short-term culture in vitro and in response to endotoxin in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Dehiscence of aortic valve prostheses: analysis of a ten-year experience.

Up to the end of 1982, reoperation for dehiscence of an aortic prosthesis was necessary in 5% of patients operated on for primary aortic valve replacement in the previous decade at the University of Padova Cardiac Surgery Center. This complication occurred early (median time to diagnosis 4 months) and was associated with an elevated 30-day operative mortality (27%, 70% CL 19-37%). This is probably (P = 0.09) related to preoperative heart failure. The follow-up of the traced surviving patients (92%) indicates a continuing poor prognosis with a 6-year survival rate of only 13.5% (70% CL 5.0-30%). All the events were cardiac related and directly or indirectly connected with the persistence or recurrence of dehiscence that was observed in 72% of the cases. In the face of these results, a retrospective study has been performed to identify, on the basis of the available data, the subsets of patients more prone to develop this complication. Our results suggest that a significant increased risk (P less than 0.001) can be identified in patients presenting with bacterial endocarditis (12.2% rate), in patients with concomitant aneurysm of the ascending aorta (10.9%) and in patients with degenerative regurgitation or severe calcifications of their native valve, with rates of 7.0 and 6.0 respectively. In these situations particular care is required to avoid undue stress on the annular tissue. We also suggest the use of buttressed interrupted sutures.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Operative risk of correction of atrioventricular septal defects.

Between 1 January 1975 and 31 December 1982, 111 patients with atrioventricular septal defect underwent surgical repair. Of these, 43 had the complete, 11 the intermediate, and 57 the partial form. The postoperative mortality rate was 37%, 9%, and 6% respectively. To determine which factors were independently responsible for the operative risk multivariate analysis of the surgical mortality was applied simultaneously to all three forms of the malformation. The form of defect, although strongly influencing the natural history and clinical presentation, was not by itself an operative risk factor. The risk was related primarily to failure to obtain a well functioning atrioventricular valve, to the presence of left ventricular dominance, to the degree of pulmonary vascular resistance, and, finally, to the technique of reconstructing a two leaflet left atrioventricular valve. The small size of the patient was also a significant incremental risk factor, but if the other factors were not unfavorable good results could be achieved in small infants with mortality rates less than 10%. Multivariate analysis showed that severe postoperative left atrioventricular valve malfunction was related to the technique used to reconstruct a "normal" two leaflet left atrioventricular valve. These findings support the policy of reconstructing the left atrioventricular valve as a three leaflet valve. Nevertheless, the implicit beneficial effect of this technique has not as yet proved to be statistically significant.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1983

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: a burnt-out case.

A patient with Hodgkin's disease developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), documented by brain biopsy to be associated with JC virus infection. His disease progressed over several months, resulting in severe neurological deficit, but then stabilized with little or no further clinical progression during the remaining year of his life. Histopathological evaluation of the brain at autopsy supported the clinical impression that brain infection was arrested. Whereas the brain biopsy exhibited the histological features of active PML including giant bizarre astrocytes, at postmortem examination brain lesions appeared inactive, with regression of astrocytic changes and elimination of oligodendroglial inclusions. Similarly, JC virus antigen, present in the brain biopsy, was not detected in the autopsied brain. This case provides further evidence that PML is not invariably fatal and that clinical and cytological remission can occur.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Progress in the surgical treatment of ventricular septal defect: an analysis of a twelve years' experience.

Two hundred sixty-seven patients underwent surgical closure of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) over a 12-year period between January 1, 1970 and December 31, 1982. In 152 patients (57%) an associated lesion was present complicating the treatment of the primary lesion: 7 patients had multiple VSDs and among those with single defects, 189 were large (unrestrictive). The median age was 5.2 years ranging from 1 month to 46 years. Sixty-nine were infants under 10 kg of weight. The 30-day operative mortality was 8.6% (23 cases). The main cause of death was a low output syndrome in 16 cases. Thirty-two variables have been collected and their relationship with the death of the patients has been analyzed with univariate and multivariate methods. Logistic analysis has identified the independent significant incremental effect on hospital mortality of low weight (P greater than 0.00001), early operative date (P greater than 0.00001), multiplicity of defects (P = 0.0008), presence of major associated lesions (P = 0.019); the large size of the defect was only probably significant (P = 0.18). Inspection of the nomograms, relating the probability of operative death to weight and age in patients with a large defect, shows that the risk is significantly higher in the 3 kg baby (median age 3.3 months), particularly if major associated lesions are present. In infants with multiple VSDs the risk of operation remains, at the end of 1982, significantly higher than in single defects. However, our data suggest that the risk of open correction in patients over 12 kg of weight approaches that of single VSD if concomitant lesions do not complicate the surgical treatment.

Adolescent↗