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Biomedical subjects

P Ferrari

Publications and source records attributed to P Ferrari.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Acute post-streptococcal polymyalgia: two new cases with a review of the literature.

UNLABELLED: Two patients with acute post-streptococcal polymyalgia are described with a review of the seven cases previously reported cases. The common features are sudden onset of muscular pain with fever usually after an acute upper respiratory tract infection. Antistreptolysin O titre and inflammatory indexes are increased and muscle enzymes are normal. CONCLUSION: Acute post-streptococcal polymyalgia should be considered as a possible diagnosis in every child complaining acute polymyalgia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Plasma androgens in autism.

Plasma levels of testosterone and the adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) were measured in male autistic subjects (31 prepubertal, 8 postpubertal), mentally retarded/cognitively impaired subjects (MR, 12 prepubertal), and normal control subjects (NC, 10 prepubertal, 11 postpubertal). Mean levels of plasma testosterone were similar in the postpubertal autistic (4.54 +/- 1.12 ng/ml) and postpubertal NC (5.02 +/- 1.87 ng/ml) groups. Plasma DHEA-S levels in postpubertal autistic (2170 +/- 1020 ng/ml) and postpubertal NC (1850 +/- 777 ng/ml) groups also were not significantly different. Similarly, no significant group differences were seen for testosterone or DHEA-S in the prepubertal autistic, MR, or NC individuals, although prepubertal MR individuals with cerebral palsy did have increased plasma DHEA-S levels compared to age-matched MR or NC individuals. Significant negative correlations were found between testosterone and whole blood serotonin (5-HT) levels in the combined (all subjects, all ages) groups and in the autistic group, suggesting that the effect of puberty on whole blood 5-HT may deserve further study. Data indicate that altered secretion of the androgens is not a common feature of autism. However, abnormalities of adrenal androgen secretion may be present in individuals with cerebral palsy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Alterations in energy metabolism of hypertrophied rat cardiomyocytes: influence of propionyl-L-carnitine.

Alterations in energy metabolism, reduced fatty acid oxidation, and cardiac carnitine content have been implicated in the evolution from compensated to decompensated cardiac hypertrophy. We determined high-energy nucleotide levels in hypertrophied quiescent cardiomyocytes isolated from rat hearts 4 weeks after banding of abdominal aorta. In hypertrophied quiescent cardiomyocytes, a decrease in ATP content (p = 0.03), and ratios of ATP/total adenine nucleotides and of ATP/ADP were observed, together with an increase in ADP. In addition, palmitate, but not glucose oxidation, was markedly reduced in hypertrophied myocytes. In the presence of 25 microM propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) or L-carnitine (LC), palmitate oxidation was significantly stimulated in hypertrophied myocytes. The ATP/ADP ratio was significantly increased only with PLC. This effect was not due to an enhanced PLC uptake, since total PLC uptake was 50% lower than that of LC. Changes in the energy generating system of quiescent myocytes occur early in pressure overload hypertrophy, and these alterations can be attenuated by PLC.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1995

The R337C mutation generates a high Km 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II enzyme in a family with apparent mineralocorticoid excess.

The 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II enzyme (11 beta HSD2) inactivates glucocorticoids in the kidney and thus permits aldosterone to occupy the non-selective mineralocorticoid receptor in epithelial tissues. We have recently described a C to T transition in the HSD11B2 gene which results in an arginine to cysteine mutation (R337C) in the 11 beta HSD2 enzyme in a consanguineous family with three siblings suffering from Apparent Mineralocorticoid Excess (AME). In the present study we have examined the metabolism of cortisol in mammalian cells transfected with plasmids expressing the wild type and mutant enzymes. In whole cells the Km of the normal enzyme was 110nM, while the enzyme containing the R337C mutation displayed a Km of 1010nM. Further experiments revealed that the mutant was totally inactive in cell free preparations, suggesting that it has additional properties which may compromise its activity in whole cells.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1995

Antibiotic GE37468 A: a novel inhibitor of bacterial protein synthesis. II. Structure elucidation.

GE37468 A is a novel antibiotic produced by Streptomyces sp. ATCC 55365. It has molecular mass 1309.48 and formula C59H52O12N14S5 and belongs to the thiazolyl peptide group of antibiotics. The structure was elucidated by 1H and 13C NMR and MS studies on intact molecule and its hydrolysis products. The antibiotic is a highly modified peptide containing a macrocycle and a side chain composed of a thiazole ring and two dehydroalanine units.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1995

Antibiotic GE37468 A: a new inhibitor of bacterial protein synthesis. I. Isolation and characterization.

GE37468 A is a new thiazolyl peptide antibiotic obtained by fermentation of Streptomyces sp. strain ATCC 55365. It inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by acting on elongation factor Tu and is structurally and functionally related to the GE2270 class of EF-Tu inhibitors. It is active in vitro against Gram-positive bacteria and Bacteroides fragilis, and protects mice against Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

New semisynthetic glycopeptides MDL 63,246 and MDL 63,042, and other amide derivatives of antibiotic A-40,926 active against highly glycopeptide-resistant VanA enterococci.

A series of amide derivatives of natural glycopeptide A-40,926 (A), its 6B-methyl ester (MA) and 6B-decarboxy-6B-hydroxymethyl derivative (RA) were prepared with the aim of obtaining activity against glycopeptide-resistant enterococci. These compounds are structurally related to a class of amides of 34-de(acetylglucosaminyl)-34-deoxy teicoplanin which showed interesting activity against strains of Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium highly resistant to both vancomycin and teicoplanin. Among them, RA-amides MDL 63,246 and MDL 63,042 were the most active derivatives against several Gram-positive bacteria, including VanB and VanC enterococci, and were moderately active (MIC range 0.5 approximately 64 micrograms/ml) against strains of Enterococcus for which vancomycin and teicoplanin MICs were > or = 128 micrograms/ml. The chemical rationale and the synthesis of these new series of glycopeptide derivatives are described. Preliminary in vitro data are reported and structure-activity relationships are discussed.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1995

A genetic approach to the pathogenesis of primary hypertension and to its treatment.

1. High blood pressure is a complex phenotype that involves many body control systems operating at each level of the biological organization. 2. One possible approach to try to identify the major genes involved in the development of hypertension is to dissect the sequence of events that go from a primary protein abnormality that is responsible for organ and cellular dysfunction to arterial hypertension and, then, to go back to the gene coding the protein of interest. 3. Using this approach, our group has been able to identify a candidate protein, adducin, and two point mutations within the two genes coding for the subunits of this protein that are involved in blood pressure variation both in an animal model of primary hypertension and in essential hypertension patients. 4. In the present paper we review the results obtained in the Milan hypertensive rat strain (MHS) and in its appropriate normotensive controls (MNS) to define, at each level of the biological organization, the intermediate phenotypes associated with the development of hypertension. 5. We also demonstrate that this model has many similarities with human hypertension and, in particular, that the same genetic mechanisms linked to a mutation in the adducin gene can explain some of the blood pressure variation in both rats and, at least, in a subgroup of patients. 6. This portion of the increase in blood pressure seems to be able to be selectively inhibited by compounds that interfere with the sequence of events that are triggered by the adducin gene abnormality.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Age-dependency and dietary influence on the hypothalamic ouabain-like factor in Milan hypertensive rats.

AIM: Previous studies have demonstrated that the hypothalamus of the adult Milan hypertensive rat strain (MHS) contains a higher proportion of ouabain-like factor than Milan normotensive (MNS) controls. The present study was designed to demonstrate that the rat standard diet contains a ouabain-like factor similar to that extracted from rat tissue and to investigate the influence of low or high dietary ouabain-like factor content on tissue ouabain-like factor levels at different ages in MHS and MNS rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MHS and MNS rats were reared on two controlled batches of standard rat diet containing low (batch A 0.09 mu g/kg) and high (batch B 0.7 mu g/kg) concentrations of ouabain-like factor. The mothers of these rats had also been fed with the diet throughout pregnancy and lactation. The hypothalamic content of ouabain-like factor was measured in both strains at 21, 30 and 90 days of age by high performance liquid chromatography fractionation. RESULTS: (1) The dietary ouabain-like factor content did not influence either the hypothalamic ouabain-like factor yield or systolic blood pressure, either in MHS or MNS rats. (2) As a function of age, the hypothalamic ouabain-like factor content was constant between 21 and 30 days of age in MHS rats, and then decreased by 60% at 90 days. In MNS rats, ouabain-like factor was decreased by 80 and 90%, respectively, at 30 and 90 days, compared to the age of 21 days. (3) At the age of 21 days, MHS rats had 30% lower levels of ouabain-like factor than MNS rats, but 60% higher levels at 30 and 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: Hypothalamic ouabain-like factor and systolic blood pressure are not influenced by dietary ouabain-like factor, thus excluding a process of passive tissue accumulation. Different mechanisms regulate the age-dependent endogenous ouabain-like factor production and accumulation in MHS and MNS rats, suggesting that the maintenance of higher ouabain-like factor levels in MHS than in MNS at the age of 30 and 90 days contributes to the development and maintenance of hypertension in this strain.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Multicenter study of childhood headache.

This multicenter study reports the results obtained between 1990 and 1991 by the Study Group for Childhood Headache of the Italian Neuropediatric Society. Standardized computerized case sheets were used in order to increase the number of young patients studied and obtain more homogeneous results. A clinical diagnosis of headache was made in 600 patients (314 female and 286 male) between 4 and 12 years of age, in accordance with the classification set down by the International Headache Society. Clinical symptoms and follow-up were more severe in children with migraine as opposed to headache. No sequence of associated neurological and neurovegetative symptoms was observed at onset of headache, and some (phono-photophobia, pallor, drowsiness, abdominal pains) were much more prevalent than others. Because of the patient's age we studied only the treatment of acute attack and did not take account of chronic treatment. In childhood the clinical course of primary headache tends to improve spontaneously, and we believe that prevention of headache attacks should be carried out only in very rare individual cases.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

In situ echoguided extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of ureteric stones with the Dornier MPL 9000: a multicentric study group.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of the Dornier MPL 9000 lithotripter with a real time ultrasound transducer in the localization and treatment of upper and prevesical ureteric stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two-hundred and eighty-five patients with pre-vesical ureteric stones and 247 patients with upper ureteric stones underwent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using ultrasound targeting, under no regional or general anaesthesia. RESULTS: At follow-up after 3 months 97% of patients with pre-vesical stones and 96% with upper ureteric stones were stone free. Ninety-nine patients were treated more than once. The average number of sessions of ESWL for all patients was 1.19 (1.17 for patients with prevesical stones and 1.22 for those with upper ureteric stones). Ureteric stenting was employed in 6% of cases. The infrequent use of ureteric stenting did not reduce ESWL efficacy, nor increase either the complication or the retreatment rates. In many cases upper urinary tract dilatation was provoked by administering intravenous fluid and a diuretic. CONCLUSION: In situ echoguided ESWL is a simple, safe and effective technique for treating ureteric stones which can be detected on ultrasound.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Amides of de-acetylglucosaminyl-deoxy teicoplanin active against highly glycopeptide-resistant enterococci. Synthesis and antibacterial activity.

Removal, by selective reduction, of the acetylglucosamine from teicoplanin A2-2 (CTA/2) produced the 34-de(acetylglucosaminyl)-34-deoxy pseudoaglycone (II). This compound was more active in vitro than CTA/2 against coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). Amide derivatives obtained by condensation of the carboxyl group of II with primary amines were particularly active against Streptococcus pyogenes and had some in vitro activity against VanA enterococci highly resistant to both teicoplanin and vancomycin. Among them, a carboxamide (VII) with a branched tetramine also had better activity than the corresponding amide of teicoplanin against CNS. In contrast, the dimethylamide (VIII) of II had little activity against VanA enterococci. While the overall structure of the heptapeptide backbone of the secondary carboxamides of II is the same as in CTA/2 and its amide derivatives, in deoxy pseudoaglycone II and its tertiary amide VIII the 51,52-peptide bond undergoes a conformational change from the original cisoid to the transoid orientation. This difference between the secondary amides of II and dimethylamide VIII is reflected in their different antibacterial spectrum. The direct synthesis of the amides of deoxy pseudoaglycone II from parent CTA/2-amides by reaction with sodium borohydride is also described.

Amides↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of the efficacy of three dose levels of moexipril versus placebo as add-on therapy to hydrochlorothiazide in patients with moderate hypertension.

This parallel, double-blind trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of three dose levels of moexipril versus placebo as add-on therapy to hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in patients with uncomplicated moderate to severe hypertension. Two hundred patients (aged 25-74 years) with sitting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between 95 and 114 mm Hg after 4 week treatment with HCTZ 25 mg once daily were randomized to placebo, or moexipril 3.75, 7.5 mg, or 15 mg. BP was measured at 22-26 h postdose at biweekly visits and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 h postdose after the first dose of double-blind medication. At endpoint, adjusted mean reductions from baseline sitting DBP were 8.4, 8.8, and 8.9 mm Hg in the moexipril 3.75-, 7.5-, and 15-mg groups, respectively, as compared with a reduction of 4.6 mm Hg in the placebo group (p = 0.003). The differences in systolic BP (SBP) reductions were statistically significant in favor of each of the moexipril groups over the placebo group at all trough time-points. Adjusted mean changes in sitting SBP were 10.9, 12.0, and 11.7 mm Hg, respectively, as compared with a reduction of 0.6 mm Hg in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Our results indicate that moexipril and HCTZ constitute a clinically valuable combination in treatment of patients with moderate to severe hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Study of mdm2 gene amplification in primary breast tumors].

mdm2 (mouse double minute) protein seems lead to p53 inactivation and therefore might potentially play a role in carcinogenesis. We have studied mdm2 gene amplification from 239 primary breast cancer tissues. mdm2 gene was amplified in 10% of cases (25/239). mdm2 amplification was associated with c-erbB2 amplification (P < 10(-3)). No other correlation was found. However there was inverse correlation between c-erbB2 gene amplification and hormonal receptors (P < 10(-4)), only from patients without mdm2 gene amplification.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Anomalous uterine bleeding in the perimenopause: fibromatosis, hyperplastic endometriopathy and GnRH analogs].

In the light of recent reports, the authors used GnRH analogues to treat 18 perimenopausal women with anomalous uterine bleeding, fibromatosis and endometrial hyperplasia. The aim of the study was to avoid the recurrence of anomalous bleeding, reduce hyperplastic endometriopathy and, having attained stable amenorrhea, avoid resorting to traditional surgical treatment. At the end of the study 9 women had reached the pre-established objective, 4 recommended regular menstruation, 2 reported an episode of metrorrhagia due to endometrial atrophy, and a further 2 suffered a recurrence of the initial problem and underwent hystero-annexiectomy. One patient interrupted the therapy due to the onset of arterial hypertension.

Drug Evaluation↗