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Biomedical subjects

M Vignini

Publications and source records attributed to M Vignini.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Recombinant birch allergens (Bet v 1 and Bet v 2) and the oral allergy syndrome in patients allergic to birch pollen.

BACKGROUND: IgE cross-reactivity between pollen and food allergens represents the molecular basis for oral allergy syndrome (OAS). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate specific IgE for Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 in the serum of patients sensitized to birch pollen and to identify whether IgE antibodies to Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 were predictors of OAS. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with skin prick test results and radioallergosorbent assay test results positive to birch pollen, 12 (36%) of whom had OAS symptoms, were enrolled in the study. Serum levels of specific IgE were determined by the fluoroenzyme immunoassay technique. RESULTS: The t test revealed significantly higher serum IgE levels against Bet v 1, Bet v 2, and birch pollen in the 12 symptomatic patients with respect to those without OAS (32.4 vs 12.4 kU/L, 7.6 vs 1.3 kU/L, and 42.3 vs 17.3 kU/L, respectively). Attempts to establish a threshold value of serum IgE antibirch pollen and the appearance of OAS revealed that a level of 20 kU/L or more yields an efficiency of the test equal to 70%. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, quantitative birch specific IgE level proved useful in predicting clinical allergy symptoms with birch exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Non-invasive evaluation of topical calcipotriol versus clobetasol in the treatment of psoriasis.

Topical treatment of psoriasis with calcipotriol has been proven effective. The efficacy of calcipotriol has been compared to that of topical corticoids in a number of studies using subjective visual scoring systems such as the PASI index. The purpose of this study was to compare, with objective data, the efficacy of calcipotriol and clobetasol propionate 0.05% in the treatment of plaque type psoriasis. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) were used to monitor restoration of water barrier and normalization of blood flow, respectively, in psoriatic plaques of the limbs of 24 male patients during 3 weeks of treatment. Data were compared to subjective evaluation using the PASI index of the same areas. Significant differences were recorded during treatment in both groups. The results correlated well with the PASI score. Clobetasol was faster in restoring barrier function than calcipotriol. However, no significant differences were detected between the two groups. The use of vitamin analogues may be effective in the topical treatment of psoriasis by normalizing skin biophysical parameters and minimizing the risks of side-effects induced by potent topical corticoids.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1993

Morphometric computerized analysis as a method to assess skin atrophy caused by corticosteroids.

We have employed morphometric computerized analysis to quantify changes in atrophic skin. Atrophy was induced on volunteers by means of the Duhring chamber assay, using two commercial corticosteroids with a steroid-free base as control. After 20 days, atrophy was assessed by subjective examination and rated on a five-point scale. After 10 and 20 days, positive replicas of the areas under test were obtained. Photographic reproductions of these replicas were stored in the image memory of an interactive automatic computerized image analysis system, Kontron Zeiss Ibas 2, and processed with a suitable program. After selection of the measurement area by means of a circular measurement window, the 'continuous tone' image was converted to a 'binary' one by means of a dynamic discrimination function, in order to perform an automatic evaluation of the percentage area corresponding to the shadows cast by the surface markings. Morphometric computerized analysis proved to be a sensitive method for quantifying skin atrophy. A high degree of correspondence with subjective examination was shown. The method allows an objective differentiation between a mid-potency and a high-potency topical corticosteroid.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1990

Flagellate dermatitis after bleomycin. A histological and immunohistochemical study.

A case of flagellate dermatitis after administration of bleomycin is reported in a patient with Hodgkin's disease. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis revealed a drug-induced skin toxic reaction rather than a lymphomatous infiltrate. Pigmentary changes observed after the early erythematous eruption were due to a postinflammatory effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Low-dose isotretinoin in severe acne.

A selected group of 60 patients who had been resistant to previous systemic antibiotic therapy was treated with low-dose isotretinoin (0.5 mg/kg/day in two doses) for 12 to 20 weeks. The results confirmed the efficacy of the drug on pustular, nodular and cystic acne even with low-dose treatment. In only one case was it necessary to suspend the treatment because of an increase in serum cholesterol and triglycerides. The authors therefore advise the use of low dosage and that treatment should be restricted to cases of severe acne.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1977

Psoriasis and insulin secretion. Preliminary results.

We have studied psoriatic subjects with normal weight and with overweight without inherited diabetic familiarity. The results seem to indicate the existence in psoriasis of an endogenous insulin-resistence. In this prospective the hypothesis that psoriasis carries a diabetogen risk is suggested.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Predicting visual assessment of allergic patch test reactions by non-invasive measurements.

The quantification of allergic patch test reactions to several compounds was evaluated on patients using laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV), transepidermal water loss and colorimetry. The correlation between visual scores and instrumental measurements was investigated by the implementation of a modern statistical method: a classification tree. The LDV showed the highest correlation with the severity of the reaction. The best prediction model was obtained when the data of the three instruments were considered together. Using the classification tree methodology, a model of classification, independent of human observation, was developed. The technique can not only predict an allergic reaction for a new patient, but can also give a measure of how reliable its predictions are. This new method, when entirely standardised and approved, could help in the harmonisation of patch test reactions in different laboratories, thus allowing a more homogenous interpretation of these reactions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Psoriasis-pemphigoid association. Description of a case].

The paper describes a case of an 85-year-old woman affected by psoriasis for 30 years who developed bullous pemphigoid after UVB treatment. Immunological and histological findings were typical of bullous pemphigoid cell-poor type. Bullous eruptions cleared following combined therapy with betamethasone and azathioprine. The literature on the subject and pathogenetic hypotheses for this unusual association are discussed.

Aged↗