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Biomedical subjects

P Russo

Publications and source records attributed to P Russo.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

[Evaluation of intra-erythrocyte Na+ activity in persons at high risk for essential arterial hypertension and as an aid in differential diagnosis from secondary forms of hypertension].

The intracellular "Na+ activity" was measured in erythrocytes of normotensive subjects (46), in essential hypertensive patients (18), in their children (20) and in patients with secondary hypertension (8). In normotensive subjects without a genetic trait of hypertension intracellular "Na+ activity" was 7.3 +/- 0.8 mmol/l, in secondary hypertensive patients was 7.5 +/- 0.6 mmol/l, in essential hypertensive patients was 10.9 +/- 1.1 mmol/l and in their children was 8.6 +/- 2.1 mmol/l. In this group (children) it was possible to differentiate between 2 population, the 1 degree with height intracellular "Na+ activity" (8); the 2 degrees with normal intracellular "Na+ activity".

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1985

Assay of phenacetin genotoxicity using in vitro and in vivo test systems.

Phenacetin was assayed in a battery of five short-term tests. (1) In a DNA-repair test using various Escherichia coli strains, the drug was not directly genotoxic nor did it induce nonreparable DNA damage in the presence of rat liver S9 fractions, while it was weakly active following activation with hamster liver S9. (2) In the Ames reversion test (strains TA97, TA98, TA100, and TA102 of Salmonella typhimurium, phenacetin reverted only TA100, and only in the presence of hamster liver S9. Mutagenicity was related to the concentration both of the drug and of the above metabolic system. There was no activation with hamster kidney S9, uninduced chicken liver S9, or with a variety of liver S9 preparations from rats treated with enzyme inducers (Aroclor 1254, phenobarbital, or 3-methylcholanthrene) and/or glutathione depletors (diethyl maleate or buthionine sulfoximine). Hamster liver S9 compared favorably to rat and even more to chicken liver S9 fractions also in activating various promutagens [3-amino-1-methyl-SH-pyrido (4,3-b)-indole, 2-aminofluorene, aflatoxin B1, benzo[a]pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene-trans-7,8-diol] and in decreasing the mutagenicity of direct-acting compounds (4-nitroquinoline N-oxide and sodium dichromate). (3) Phenacetin was borderline positive in a forward mutation test (6-thioguanine resistance) in V79 cells, only in the presence of hamster liver S9, and gave negative results in the presence of rat liver S9 or without any metabolic system. (4) Following in vivo treatment, the alkaline elution assay did not reveal any DNA fragmentation in bone-marrow cells of ip-treated mice or in liver cells of rats treated by gavage. Apparent DNA damage was instead observed in the kidneys of rats receiving the drug by gavage or in the liver following ip administration. However, the effect was prevented (liver) or reduced (kidney) by preliminary perfusion of the organs, which discards (liver) or makes uncertain (kidney) the hypothesis of a true in vivo DNA damage. (5) Phenacetin ip induced in mouse bone-marrow cells a poor yet statistically significant increase in sister chromatid exchanges.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Effect of intraventricular putrescine on adenosylmethionine decarboxylase in rat hypothalamus and caudate nucleus.

Effects of intracerebroventricularly injected putrescine on adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity in rat hypothalamus and caudate nucleus were studied. Doses that lacked the capacity to produce behavioral and electrocortical epileptogenic disorder caused a significant activation of enzyme occurring between 10 and 15 min after injection. The changes in hypothalamic and caudate nucleus enzyme activity after putrescine administration were dose-dependent, and they supported the assumption that limiting putrescine concentration in vivo may play a role in adenosylmethionine decarboxylase regulation.

Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase↗
PubMed1985

Aortic coarctation in the first three months of life. An anatomopathological study with respect to treatment.

Operation for coarctation in infancy is a lifesaving procedure, but it still carries a high mortality and is followed frequently by recurrence of stenosis. This is especially true when the procedure is performed in the first 3 months of life. To determine a correlation, if any, between anatomy of coarctation and surgical procedures, we have studied a series of 42 autopsy specimens from patients younger than 3 months who had aortic coarctation. We found that concepts of coarctation based solely on a discrete lesion or isthmic hypoplasia were simplistic. The anatomy was much more complex, the findings being relevant to surgical techniques currently in use (resection and end-to-end anastomosis, subclavian flap aortoplasty). Of equal significance in the cases we studied to the presence of a shelf of ductal tissue within the aortic lumen or hypoplasia of a segment of the arch was the finding of "waist" lesions. In these cases the wall of the aorta was constricted to form the obstruction. Such "waists" coexisted with discrete shelves or with shelves and isthmic narrowing. While we recognize the danger of extrapolating from autopsy findings to predict clinical results, our observations suggest that surgical procedures might best be tailored to the precise anatomy present. It seemed that in may cases a subclavian flap procedure offered the best chance of success. Cases with anatomy suitable for resection and end-to-end anastomosis were less frequent. Percutaneous angioplasty seemed at best to offer only palliative options in limited cases.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

[The electrical discharge of Torpedo marmorata under normal conditions and during hypoxia and anoxia. I].

The electric discharge of Torpedo M. can be considered as an index of the metabolic activity of the electric lobe of C.N.S. In groups of 10 Torpedoes the electric charge was measured: the mechanical stimulus was obtained by the falling of different weights from a determinate height. The experiment was then repeated in conditions of hypoxia: a fall of the electric discharge values was observed. The experiment was also carried out considering the time: after 14 hours the condition of anoxia occurred.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Effects of dihydrodinoreburnameninol on the electrical discharge of Torpedo marmorata under normal conditions and during hypoxia and anoxia. I].

The electric discharge of Torpedo M. can be considered as an index of the metabolic activity of the electric lobe of C.N.S. in groups of 10 torpedo the electric discharge was measured: the mechanical stimulus was obtained by the falling of different weights from a determinate height. Other 10 animals, to which the substance was administered, showed an increase of the electric discharge. The experiment was then repeated in conditions of hypoxia: a fall of the values of the electric discharge was observed. Finally the experiment was carried out considering the time: after 14 hours the condition of anoxia occurred.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Protection furnished by dihydrodinoreburnameninol on the electrical activity of Torpedo marmorata kept in water polluted by copper. I].

Studies carried out on neurons of Torpedo M. showed that copper creates an action of cellular damage inducing the synthesis of free radicals. Two groups of Torpedo, one for the control and the other one treated with dihydrodinoreburnameninol, were kept in sea water containing CuCl2. Then the measurement of the electric discharge was made: it was observed a clear dicrease in the Torpedo kept in conditions of pollution from copper, while the administration of dihydrodinoreburnameninol showed a protective action on the damaging effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Phenolic and tyrosyl ring deiodination in thyroxine from rat retina during postnatal development.

To elucidate tetraiodothyronine (T4) metabolism in developing rat retina 5-monodeiodinating and 5'-monodeiodinating activities were studied. T4 was incubated with aliquots of homogenate or crude primary subcellular fractions, and the 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) or 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) produced were measured by radioimmunoassay. Reaction rates were dependent on incubation time, tissue amount, temperature and pH. The optimum pH values were 7.8 and 7.2 respectively for rT3-forming and T3-forming systems. Conversion of T4 to either T3 or rT3 was dependent on dithiothreitol concentration, and the T4-5'-deiodinating activity was inhibited by propylthiouracil. Deiodinase activities were mainly found in the crude microsomes. The retinal 5'-monodeiodination rate of T4 was immeasurably low by the 2nd day and the highest values were reached on 15th day of postnatal development. On the other hand deiodination of the T4 tyrosyl ring shows a progressive decline from birth, and adult values were reached on the 15th day. Data support the hypothesis that, in developing rat thyroxine, phenolic and tyrosyl-ring deiodinase activities are present in the retina and their reciprocal changes may regulate morphological and biochemical cell maturation.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Tear and rupture of elastomeric dental impression materials.

The curing time dependence of the tear energy, tensile strength and ultimate extension ratio of a range of characterized elastomeric impression materials was investigated. This variation of tensile strength and ultimate extension ratio was correlated with the development of the network structure. The tear energy showed only minor changes as the curing proceeded.

Dental Impression Materials↗
PubMed1984

Prophylactic antibiotics and Foley catheter use in transperineal needle biopsy of the prostate.

We studied retrospectively 162 patients undergoing transperineal needle biopsy of the prostate. All patients had urine cultures before biopsy. Patients were divided into 4 groups: group 1--no antibiotics (44), group 2--antibiotics before and after biopsy (69), group 3--antibiotics after biopsy only (42) and group 4--antibiotics before biopsy only (7). Groups were similar in average age (65 years) and pathologic diagnosis (prostatic cancer in 28 per cent and a benign prostate in 72 per cent). Of the 162 patients 4 (2.5 per cent) had positive urine cultures preoperatively. Post-biopsy urine cultures were obtained in 86 patients and 2 (2 per cent) were positive. Only 12 patients (11 per cent) required catheters for postoperative urinary retention. Complications occurred in 9 patients (5.5 per cent): 7 (4.3 per cent) had febrile episodes, 1(0.6 per cent) had a documented postoperative urinary tract infection and 1(0.6 per cent) sustained a large pelvic hematoma. No statistically significant difference could be found among the 4 groups in regard to complication rate. This study demonstrates no advantage to the routine use of antibiotics or Foley catheters in transperineal needle biopsy of the prostate, provided the urine is sterile before biopsy. Cost analysis of these data demonstrates a considerable savings when routine antibiotics and Foley catheters are not used.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Precocious thymic involution manifest by epithelial injury in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Thymuses from six heterosexual Haitian patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) were studied by light microscopy and the findings were compared with those from three control groups. The control groups included 1) five age-matched Haitian hospital patients; 2) ten age- and sex-matched Montreal patients who had died suddenly or had had brief illnesses; and 3) 20 middle-elderly Montreal patients who had experienced chronic, wasting illnesses or prolonged hospitalization. Thymuses from patients with AIDS demonstrated pronounced involution, effacement of the cortex and medulla, marked thymocyte depletion, variable degrees of plasma cell infiltration and fibrosis, and, above all, absence of Hassall's corpuscles. Thymuses from Haitian and Montreal control subjects who had died suddenly or had brief illnesses demonstrated minimal involution and abundant Hassall's corpuscles. Although thymuses from 12 of the chronically ill control subjects demonstrated marked involution, architectural effacement, and absence of Hassall's corpuscles, partial architectural preservation and variable numbers of Hassall's corpuscles were observed in eight of these subjects. Thus, the extent of thymic involution observed in patients with AIDS antedates that incurred with aging and supersedes that induced by sustained stress and inanition. The loss of Hassall's corpuscles in patients with AIDS suggests that the thymic epithelium either incurs a form of injury or undergoes precocious involution during the illness. Whether this lesion is central to the pathogenesis of AIDS or merely a reflection of intense, sustained stress coupled with accelerated physiologic involution is unknown. It is possible that the disappearance of Hassall's corpuscles may indicate important, although as yet cryptic events within the thymic microenvironment in this syndrome.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

Effects of vitamin E on liver DNA.

Vitamin E, both in the form of dl-alpha-tocopherol and dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, was capable of inducing an increased alkaline elution rate of liver DNA from rats treated i.p. with the vitamin. This activity was clearly both dose- and time-dependent. A statistically significant effect was observed at dosages (1.25-5.00 mg/kg) that are in the range of biological activity of the vitamin in the rat (reabsorption-gestation bioassay). Moreover, the effect was observed at dosages that are clearly not toxic. An increased alkaline elution rate of DNA is usually interpreted as suggestive of DNA damage, however recent observations seem to indicate that functional modifications of chromatin packaging can also affect the elution rate of DNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Highly lytic and persistent lentiviruses naturally present in sheep with progressive pneumonia are genetically distinct.

Ovine and caprine lentiviruses share the capacity to induce slowly progressive and inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (leukoencephalitis or visna), lungs (progressive pneumonia or maedi), and joints (arthritis) in their natural hosts. Studies on their replication indicated that ovine lentiviruses and caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) recently isolated in the United States establish persistent infection in ovine and caprine fibroblasts, whereas older prototype ovine lentiviruses such as Icelandic visna virus or American progressive pneumonia virus irreversibly lyse fibroblast cultures. Since all of the recent isolates were found to be persistent, Narayan et al. (J. Gen. Virol. 59:345-356, 1982) concluded that the highly lytic viruses were only tissue-culture-adapted strains. In the present report, we isolated new ovine lentiviruses from French sheep with naturally occurring progressive pneumonia which are either highly lytic (five isolates), as are the Icelandic strains of visna virus, or persistent (one isolate), as are CAEV or American persistent ovine lentiviruses. Protein and nucleic acid content analyses of these new highly lytic (type I) and persistent (type II) isolates indicated that type I and type II ovine lentiviruses were genetically distinct, type I and type II viruses being closely related to the Icelandic strains of visna virus and to CAEV, respectively. We conclude that (i) highly lytic ovine lentiviruses, such as the Icelandic prototype strains of visna virus and persistent lentiviruses more related to CAEV, are naturally present in the ovine species, and (ii) irreversible cell lysis induced by highly lytic viruses does not result from a tissue culture adaptation of field isolates that were originally persistent but is instead the consequence of a genetic content distinct from that of persistent viruses.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Lentiviruses are naturally resident in a latent form in long-term ovine fibroblast cultures.

Long-term ovine fibroblast cultures contain replicative-competent lentiviruses in a latent form. This in vitro phenomenon, never described previously for lentiviruses, was clearly demonstrated by activating the expression of latent viruses with various inducing cell treatments, some of which were efficient in inducing endogenous retroviruses or latent herpesviruses. Activated lentiviruses were highly lytic in ovine fibroblasts (type I), or they established persistent infections (type II) as described previously for field isolates from sheep with progressive pneumonia (Quérat et al., J. Virol. 52:671-678, 1984).

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV). Short review].

After a short history, this work shows frequency of the articular form of the disease in France, and isolation of the virus. Although related to retrovirus, CAEV and maedi-visna have some differences: tropism of CAEV only for goats, low replication and expression in vitro, characteristic differences in protein composition. The virus seems to be transmitted during neonatal life; aerial transmission is still unclear. Separation of affected and non-affected goats is the only eradication technique when flocks are highly infected. An intervention a non-specific parameters is necessary to limit the spreading of the disease. Medical prophylaxis is non-existent. It is important to obtain a specific antigen in ELISA test for earlier detection of affected animals. Moreover, this research work could be a good model for further investigation into the rheumatoid-like syndrome in man.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The surgical anatomy of hearts with no direct communication between the right atrium and the ventricular mass--so-called tricuspid atresia.

Seventy-six hearts were studied having no direct communication between the right atrium and the ventricular mass. The different cardiac chamber combinations producing so-called "tricuspid atresia" were considered. The nature of the atrioventricular valve atresia, the morphology of the ventricular mass, the size and position of the interventricular communication, the ventriculoarterial connection, and the presence of subarterial outflow tract obstruction were all analyzed. The majority of cases were of the "classical" type, i.e., absent right atrioventricular connection with the left atrium connected to the left ventricle. In another group there was absence of the right atrioventricular connection but the left atrium drained into the morphologically right ventricle, which was left-sided. In a third group both atrial chambers connected with the ventricular mass but some structure, an imperforate valve or muscular partition, completely blocked the flow pathway through the right side of the heart. All the hearts described are candidates for the Fontan procedure with either an atrioventricular or an atriopulmonary conduit. The surgical options would not be affected by the observed variability at the atrioventricular junction but would be dictated by the feasibility of incorporating the subpulmonary ventricle within the pulmonary circulation.

Heart Atria↗