Biomedical subjects
N Marino
Publications and source records attributed to N Marino.
Intrafamily spread of hepatitis C virus infection.
Using the second generation ELISA test, we studied the prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) among 159 household contacts of 86 anti-HCV positive subjects (index cases). Fourteen (8.8%) relatives were found anti-HCV positive, a rate higher than the corresponding figure reported among the general population in the same area. The prevalence of anti-HCV was significantly higher among sexual partners than among household contacts without sexual relations with the index case (18% vs. 3.1%; P < 0.01). These findings indicate that sexual transmission may be the main route for intrafamily HCV spread.
[Platelet aggregation inhibitory therapy in chronic arterial occlusive disease of the lower limbs: results of short-term clinico-instrumental study with indobufen].
Aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of indobufen in the treatment of II degree stage lower limb occlusive arterial disease. Forty patients were randomly assigned to the iIndobufen (400 mg/die) treatment group or the no treatment control group (20 patients each). Doppler pressure measurement (Winsor index) and subjective symptomatology were evaluated at the time of enrollment and after one month. A significant improvement (p less than 0.01) was noted only in the treated group. We conclude that indobufen may be of therapeutic value in the treatment of peripheral occlusive arterial disease.
Altered thyroidal states modulate the insulin receptor characteristics of the developing rabbit brain.
We investigated the effect of propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroidism and T4-induced hyperthyroidism on the fetal and neonatal rabbit brain insulin receptors (number and affinity) using plasma membranes. PTU administration to the pregnant mothers resulted in low serum-free T4 and normal total T3 concentrations, while T4 therapy to the mothers resulted in high serum-free T4 and high total T3 concentrations in the fetus and neonate. PTU-induced hypothyroidism did not affect the fetal brain insulin receptors, cholesterol content (brain homogenate) or protein content. On the other hand, brain insulin receptor number and total brain cholesterol content decreased in the neonate. T4 therapy at 100 micrograms/kg reversed the serum T4 to the control value and normalized the neonatal brain insulin receptor number and cholesterol content while a higher dose of T4 (200 micrograms/kg) increased the neonatal brain insulin receptor number, cholesterol and protein content. We conclude that altered thyroidal states modulate the brain insulin receptor (number and affinity) in neonatal, but not fetal brain plasma membranes.
[Current problems in infectious endocarditis].
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Quantitation of HCV viraemia by branched DNA signal amplification in patients treated with alpha-interferon--a longitudinal study.
Using bDNA, the plasma viral load trend of HCV-infected patients undergoing IFN therapy was analyzed. Nine patients were enrolled, each assigned to one of three groups, based on IFN response as determined by ALT and AST level trend. HCV was genotyped using DEIA. Each patient's clinical stage was determined by liver biopsy analysis. In nonresponding patients elevated viral loads and biochemical parameters were observed. These values were not influenced by IFN treatment. In relapsed patients the cessation of IFN treatment increased viral load; this was associated with a rise in ALT and AST values. In responders ALT and AST levels remained normal; viral load was low. Patients with elevated HCV viral load showed a worsening in their liver histology during the follow-up period. These results confirm that plasma viral load is a good marker of biochemical change and disease progression.