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Biomedical subjects

R Conte

Publications and source records attributed to R Conte.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): preliminary report in patients with lymphoma associated with HIV infection.

In an ongoing phase II study, 12 patients with lymphoma and HIV infection were treated with zidovudine (ZDV) and recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) to evaluate if this association may produce beneficial effect on the immunologic status and the outcome of lymphoma. The protocol included daily doses of rIL-2 at 6 MIU/m2 over 5 days in c.i. per week for a total 4 courses; ZDV was associated at 600 mg/d in the period under study. An improved CD4 count, exceeding 2- to 4-fold the basal count, was obtained in patients with a basal CD4 number greater than 100/microliters accompanied by a significant increase of NK and LAK activity (p less than 0.001). From the clinical point of view the reduction of tumor manifestation was proportional to CD4 basal number; 2 patients from those with CD4 greater than 100/microliters obtained a complete remission after rIL-2 and ZVD. The p24 antigen, taken as parameter of viral replication, remained invariably negative after rIL-2 and ZDV in patients already negative and became negative in 1 patient previously positive. Our conclusion is that the association of rIL-2 and AZT is safe and useful in patients with lymphoma and HIV infection.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Grading colposcopic appearance: paired comparison between two methods for differentiating benign papillomaviral infection from high-grade dysplasia of the uterine cervix.

Histologic features of 134 cases of human papilloma virus (HPV) cervical infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) were reviewed and correlated with colposcopic diagnosis on the basis of two different grading methods: International Nomenclature for Colposcopy showed 79.1% predictive accuracy and Reid's improved colposcopic index 86.6% of accurate predictions (significant difference at P less than 0.05). Overestimation difference was the most significant, with 23 overestimates in International Classification and 11 in Reid's score (P less than 0.01).

Cervix Uteri↗

Comparison between the erythrocyte and urinary Sda antigen distribution in a large number of individuals from Emilia-Romagna, a region of northern Italy.

In this study we found that the frequencies of Sda antigen on erythrocytes and urine of a large number of individuals from Emilia-Romagna (a region of northern Italy) are 0.89 and 0.93, respectively. The hypothesis that the infection by pyelonephritogenic Escherichia coli strains with specific adhesins for the alpha 2,3sialyl-galactosyl structure might operate as selective agents for the high frequency of Sda antigen in distal renal cells is discussed.

Blood Group Antigens↗

HLA complement markers in Italian narcoleptic patients with special emphasis on BfF subtyping.

Thirty narcoleptic patients (29 out of 30 of Mediterranean origin) were studied for HLA polymorphisms (only 24 were investigated for HLA class III). We found that these patients are characterized by DR2, DQW2 phenotype (p less than 0.0001) as those of Anglo-Saxon origin so far studied and by the complotype: BfS, C4A3, C4B1. Just 1 of 7 BfF patients has the Fb subtype detected by isoelectric focusing technique (p = 0.007). The only patient of Black origin (his mother is Eritrean) is completely different from other patients (DR3,5; DQW2,W3; C4A4,4; C4B1,2), supporting the hypothesis that it is not the DR2, DQW1 phenotype per se involved in this syndrome. Subdividing the subjects according to different clinical features, we cannot demonstrate genetic heterogeneity.

Adolescent↗

Repeated readings using audiotaped material enhances oral reading in children with reading difficulties.

The method of repeated readings using audiotaped material was implemented in the present study by having poor readers aged 9-13 years listen to and read audiotaped stories until the passages could be read fluently without the tape. A same-age control group with similar reading difficulties was given an alternative reading program that was similar to that received by the experimental group (with respect to creative writing, spelling, phonics, and vocabulary development), but which differed in terms of passage reading exercises (controls read from basal readers, whereas the experimental group did repeated readings of audiotaped material). Only students in the repeated readings of audiotaped material group showed a significant effect of treatment on oral reading, whereas controls showed significantly larger gains in word attack skills. There were no between-group differences in silent reading, a close comprehension test, or isolated word recognition. The pattern of findings suggested that repeated readings of audiotaped material enhances oral reading ability of students with reading difficulties, but the effects of treatment do not generalize to a wide range of reading measures.

Adolescent↗

Analysis of natural killer cells in patients with idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

A functional and phenotypic analysis of the circulating natural killer (NK) cell population was carried out in 9 patients with idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia (IAHA). The NK-cell activity, assessed by a sensitive method based on the inhibition of target clone growth in plasma semisolid medium, was markedly decreased in all patients as compared with normal controls and was not restored by stimulation of the cells with recombinant alpha interferon (alpha-IFN). Analysis of peripheral blood phenotypic markers showed that cells bearing Leu7 and CD16 antigens numbered in the normal range. These findings suggest that IAHA patients exhibit a functional impairment of the NK compartment.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune↗

Morphological changes of the ovarian surface epithelium in women with ovarian polycystic disease or endometrial carcinoma and a control group.

The ovarian surface epithelium and that of related inclusion cysts were studied in 50 women with ovarian polycystic disease and they were compared with our preceding observations performed on women with endometrial carcinoma (n = 50) and on women without any hyperplastic or neoplastic genital tract pathology (n = 50). In 16 women (32%) the ovarian epithelium with normal aspect was found on the surface of the ovary and in inclusion cysts. In the remaining 34 women (68%) surface papillomatosis, hyperplastic and metaplastic changes were present on the ovarian surface and/or in the inclusion cysts. These findings were similar to those observed in the group of women with endometrial adenocarcinoma, while the surface epithelium was often normal in the control group. Our observations confirm the hypothesis of a hormonal influence in the hyperplastic and metaplastic modifications of the ovarian epithelium and in the related common epithelial tumors of the ovary.

Adult↗

Non-HLA lymphocytotoxic antibodies in HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative hemophiliacs.

We tested serum samples from 11 HIV-seropositive and 32 HIV-seronegative Italian patients with hemophilia A or B for the presence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies (LCTAs). No patients had the acquired immune deficiency syndrome and all had received over many years heat-untreated commercial clotting factors. LCTAs directed mainly to B cells, were significantly present in 5/6 HIV-seropositive patients with hemophilia A and in 5/5 HIV-seropositive patients with hemophilia B. The presence of LCTAs in HIV-seronegative hemophiliacs was significantly correlated with both a decrease of T cells and an increase in serum levels of IgG and IgM.

Antilymphocyte Serum↗

Multifocal extraovarian serous carcinoma. A histochemical and immunohistochemical study.

Three cases of multifocal extraovarian serous carcinoma are presented. This rare, interesting tumor is characterized by a peritoneal carcinosis with ascites and by a histological pattern similar to one of the ovarian serous carcinoma without primary involvement of the ovaries. The pathological criteria for a differential diagnosis between this condition and a localization of ovarian carcinoma are discussed. Histochemical studies show the presence of mucins and the absence of ialuronic acid in the neoplastic cells. The positivity to the low molecular weight cytokeratins is strong in the normal mesothelial cells, and weak in the hyperplastic and neoplastic cells. The meaning of these findings in the tumoral histogenesis is discussed.

Female↗

Presentation rate effects on paired associate learning by attention deficit disordered children.

2 methods of varying presentation rate during paired associate learning were contrasted in attention deficit disordered (ADD) children. Previous studies have varied presentation rate across different (fixed rate) lists, and they have demonstrated that ADD children perform poorly at slower rates. In the present study, this method of presentation was contrasted with one in which half the items within a single list were presented at a fast rate and half at a slow rate. The debilitating effect of the slow rate was obtained in ADD children (but not in normal controls) only with the fixed list method. This finding suggests that the rate effects occur in ADD children because they are vulnerable to the experimental context created when items are presented at a slow rate over an extended time period.

Attention↗

Deficiency of autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in patients with idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Alterations in the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (autologous MLR) have been reported in many autoimmune diseases and in diseases with a derangement of T regulatory function. We have studied autologous MLR in 10 patients with idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia (IAHA). All patients had decreased autologous MLR which averaged 4,106 +/- 1,332 cpm (SEM) compared to 12,153 +/- 4,166 cpm for simultaneously studied controls. A marked decrease in phytohemagglutinin response and an imbalance of T-cell subsets were also observed. These findings suggest a possible abnormality of T immunoregulatory function in IAHA patients.

Adult↗

Behçet syndrome: report of two early-onset cases treated with transfer factor.

Report of two cases of Behçet syndrome in children, one with the features of a neuro-Behçet syndrome and the other with chiefly severe ocular changes. Both children were treated with transfer factor when previous treatment had proved ineffective. Some years after the beginning of treatment, which is still continuing, transfer factor may be said to be of value in Behçet syndrome.

Behcet Syndrome↗

HLA in familial Hodgkin's disease.

We report HLA genotypes in four familial cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD), Nodular Sclerosis (NS) histological subtype, where all patients showed B18 antigen. This finding, although statistically not supported, confirms the possible correlation between HD and B18 antigen which carries a high relative risk in international data.

Adolescent↗