Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Leonardi.
The literature on the possible implications of the Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP) in the digestive processes is widely and critically reviewed. Special attention is directed to the likely function of the polypeptide as a neurotransmitter in the gastroenteropancreatic system.
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In previous paper, the role of somatostatin in diabetes was examined. Here, the inhibitive action of somatostatin on growth hormone and its physiopathological and therapeutic implications in acromegaly and diabetes mellitus are reanalysed. The effect of the polypeptide on the C.N.S. is looked at from the viewpoint of its role as neurotransmitter at encephalic level and of its therapeutic use.
The Authors have evaluated the hypophysis gonadotropic reserve after stimulation by synthetic GnRH (100 ng) in women affected by functional hyperprolactinemia and by prolactin-secreting adenoma. The LH response was significatively higher in women affected by functional hyperprolactinemia. The PRL values seem to have no influence on the gonadotropic reserve except for the cases in which The PRL levels were higher than 200 ng/ml. In all these cases a prolactinoma was present. The FSH response was similar in the two groups considered.
The AA., in a comparative study of the nephelometric and electrophoretic methods in the typification of hyperlipoidemia in diabetics, demonstrate close concordance between the two methods as regards Type IV and Type V hyperlipoidemia, with the difference that the nephelometric method often reveals in increase in chylomicrons with an individuation in excess. The nephelometric technique also reveals an increase in M particles in hypertriglyceridemic patients even in cases in which the electrophoretic prebetalipoproteins appear normal. This method, thanks to its simplicity and reliability, therefore appears useful in mass screening for prebeta-VLDL hyperlipoidemia in diabetics.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Buschke Scleredema is a rare connective tissue disorder of unknown aetiology, characterized by thickening of the dermis whose characteristics may mainly to mime systemic sclerosis, eosinophilic fasciitis and cutaneous amyloidosis. Scleredema may be associated with a history of an antecedent febrile illness, diabetes mellitus, or blood dyscrasia. Scleredema can be classified into three clinical groups; each has a different history, course, and prognosis. Each one of these share reduction in chest articular movements and limitation of limbs movements. The skin histology is characterised by thickened dermis and increased spaces between large collagen bundles due to increased deposition of mucopolysaccharide in the dermis. Differential diagnosis can be made considering the typical clinical features and the histologic peculiarity. No therapy has been found effective. The authors describe a case of Buschke Scleredema successfully treated by steroids and colchicine. Clinical evaluation of skin induration and thickness as well as ultrasonography were performed at baseline and after treatment.
AIMS: In craniofacial development, both morphogenesis and cell differentiation are governed by inductive tissue reactions, which mostly take place between epithelial and mesenchymal tissue. Studies in molecular biology have shown that cell interactions with cell adhesion molecules contribute to cell migration and differentiation. The aim of this study was to investigate E-cadherin expression during normal craniofacial development in human fetuses. METHODS: The study was performed on 7 human fetuses aged between the 9th and the 16th week. Histological sections were subjected to immunohistochemical treatment with anti E-cadherin monoclonal antibodies (diluted 1:100 in PBS). RESULTS: Immunohistochemical methods evidenced E-cadherin expression in the cells of the developing tooth at all stages investigated. Expression was particularly evident in the dental lamina, at the junction between cells of the oral epithelium and those of the enamel organ, in cells of the stellate reticulum and in those of the dental follicle. Reactivity to E-cadherin was also observed in the oral, nasal and lingual epithelium and in the myoblast and osteoprogenitor cells. E-cadherin did not always stain to the same intensity, indicating greater expression in the epithelium and dental lamina. CONCLUSIONS: E-cadherin plays a role in craniofacial development in man, and is present in different morphogenetic processes such as odontogenesis, ossification, mandibular skeletogenesis and myogenesis of the tongue muscles.
BACKGROUND: Vimentin (57 Kda) is a cytoskeletal protein. Odontoblasts contain vimentin and it seems that this protein may function to keep the organelles and the nucleus in a definite place. However little is known about vimentin in the cytoskeleton of odontoblast processes. The purpose of the present study was, therefore to immunolocalize vimentin intermediate filament in odontoblast body and process in order to clarify the distribution of this cytoskeletal element. METHODS: 12 extracted intact premolars, from children, were used in the present study. Each specimen was decalcified in EDTA. Each tissue portion was embedded in paraffin. On sections a monoclonal anti-vimentin antibody was applied. The immunoreaction was visualized by ABC technique. RESULTS: Vimentin was expressed in the cell body and cell process of odontoblasts, however with a different immunolabeling pattern related to the topographical area of observations. In odontoblast cell bodies vimentin showed a perinuclear and cytoplasmatic staining. In the very initial portion of odontoblast process immunoreaction products for vimentin were observed in the core of the process. In the middle zone of dentin vimentin immunoreactions products also showed a granular and cross-bridge arrangements, and also, vimentin was also detected under the plasma membrane, at the periphery of the odontoblast process. Nearby the dentino-enamel junction vimentin immunolabeling was appreciated, mainly under the plasma membrane. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of vimentin distribution in the odontoblast process it seems plausible to assume that this IF vimentin is important in forming a flexible scaffold essential for structuring cytoplasm.
Expression of human involucrin (hINV) a protein of the cornified cell envelope, was studied in the skin of gasoline storage workers, in order to evaluate the effects of the exposure to petroleum derivatives. A total of 25 forearm skin punch biopsies were carried out. Twenty of which were performed on exposed subjects and five on controls. The specimens were processed for immunohistochemistry and hINV expression was evaluated using an anti-hINV monoclonal antibody and the ABC technique. Percentage of immunolabeled keratinocytes was significantly higher in subjects exposed to gasoline with respect to the control sample. A premature hINV expression was detected both in suprapapillary and interpapillary keratinocytes. Such overexpression of hINV seems to be related to an attempt of increasing skin defence mechanism. Therefore it was concluded that also in absence of clinical skin manifestation the exposure to gasoline determines an involvement of keratinocytes on molecular basis.
Although patients admitted to Internal Medicine Departments are often older than 65 years, the "new geriatric culture" comes into conflict with the traditional goals of Medicine (diagnosis-therapy-recovery). Multidimensional assessment permits global evaluation of the needs and problems of the elderly patient and consequently guarantees an adequate and complete therapeutic plan. This approach is particularly valid if applied in a Medical Division because acute illnesses can compromise a functional state that is already in precarious equilibrium due to frequent multiple pathologies. Moreover, thanks to an accurate evaluation of this type, it is possible to recognize patients with cognitive deficits and diagnose dementia early. In the present study, we utilized a geriatric multidimensional assessment in our Department of Internal Medicine to search for cognitive impairment. Dementia was found in 20% of the geriatric patients: 29% were affected by Alzheimer's disease and 44% had vascular dementia. We evaluated the physical health, functional ability, psychological and socio-economical status together with behavioral syndromes.
This report was performed to study the biological role of c-Met in oral tumorigenesis by analyzing its expression in relation to clinicopathological features. Seventy-three cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma and 10 of normal mucosa were analysed for c-Met expression by immunohistochemistry. Normal oral squamous epithelium showed absent or low membranous positivity in the intermediate (malpighian-spinous) layer. Fifty-seven cases (78%) of carcinoma showed immunopositivity, with a prevalently membranous positivity and scattered areas also showing a cytoplasmic localization. Sixteen cases of carcinoma (22%) showed no positivity for c-Met. Among positive tumours, well-differentiated areas showed low or absent cytoplasmic positivity, while low-differentiated areas showed both membranous and cytoplasmic positivity. There was no statistically significant correlation between c-Met expression and sex, recurrence, staging or grading. The frequency of lymph node metastases was higher in c-Met-positive tumours (17/57, 29%) than in c-Met-negative ones (4/16, 25%). When analysed for prognostic significance, patients with negative/reduced c-Met expression had better survival rates than patients with high expression. The difference between survival rates was statistically significant (p<0.05). These data suggest that c-Met expression may be useful to identify cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma with a more aggressive and invasive phenotype.
Salivary glands development has been studied by optical microscopy in 8 fetuses aged from 8 to 20 weeks of fetal life. From the observation of the sections obtained we can assume that submandibular gland is the first gland to be detectable, later the parotid gland and then the sublingual gland. In tight connection with the parotid gland Chievitz organ has been demonstrated. It is not known whether this organ may or may not contribute to parotid gland.