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Biomedical subjects

R Nisini

Publications and source records attributed to R Nisini.

62 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Immunoglobulin deficiencies and meningococcal disease.

Five male military recruits were studied for evidence of immunologic deficiencies. Four had recovered recently from a first-episode meningococcal meningitis and one presented with recurrent meningococcemia. A selective decrease in IgG and IgA was found in one of the first-episode patients and a selective IgG2 subclass deficiency in the recurrent case. No complement abnormalities were detected, however, in any of the five cases. These results present further proof of the crucial role of immunoglobulins in the defense against N. meningitidis and they stress the necessity of a through examination of humoral immunity before military career enlistment.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

In vitro effect of ketoconazole on human neutrophil chemotaxis and Candida albicans killing.

Ketoconazole, an antifungal agent, was investigated to discover its possible enhancing role on polymorphonuclear chemotactic and Candida killing functions in vitro. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes from 10 healthy subjects and two different strains of Candida albicans were used. At concentrations of 1 microgram/ml Ketoconazole showed no distinct synergistic effect on either of the above-mentioned polymorphonuclear cellular functions, but, on the other hand it operated directly on Candida cells. In addition, this drug did not demonstrate any chemotactic activity on granulocytes. These data could suggest that host cellular defence and Ketoconazole exert parallel rather than synergistic activity.

Candida albicans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of hyperimmunization against tetanus in Italians born after the introduction of mandatory vaccination of children with tetanus toxoid in 1968.

Systematic mandatory immunization of children against tetanus was started in Italy in 1968. Prevalence of tetanus hyperimmunization (> 5 IU/ml) was assessed among 214 immune subjects born after 1968 and found to be 17.3%. This figure is significantly higher (p < 0.01) than the 10.8% found in a previous study of subjects born before 1968. This increase is statistically significant in the Center (p < 0.01) and in the South (p < 0.05) of Italy, but not in the North. Hyperimmunization is not associated with family size (odds ratio 2.16; C. I. 95% = 0.5-7.6) or the father's years of education (odds ratio 1.83; C. I. 95% = 0.6-5.3). No difference was found between urban and rural areas of residence. Indiscriminate administration of booster doses of tetanus vaccine in hyperimmune subjects in some areas could result in unnecessary vaccinations, which can cause hypersensitivity reactions.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Motility and oxidative metabolism of normal polymorphonuclear leukocytes in acute non-lymphoid leukemia in complete remission.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from 11 patients with acute non-lymphoid leukemia (ANLL) in complete remission and off therapy for at least 22 months were studied for their oxidative metabolism and motility. In all patients, PMN motility tests revealed no consistent abnormality, whereas cells from 2 patients showed a selective impairment of oxidative metabolism, as assessed by the low capacity to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium and/or to generate chemiluminescence when stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate. No morphological change was detectable in PMN from these patients. However, the functional alterations appeared related to an early tendency to relapse, as both patients developed an acute phase after 5 and 9 months from testing, respectively. This suggests that abnormal PMN may circulate in ANLL patients in complete remission in spite of a normal differential count and that functional studies may be useful for detecting such a population.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevention of atopic diseases in high risk babies (long-term follow-up).

Several studies have demonstrated that dietary and environmental manipulations in the first months of life have a protective effect on the development of allergic diseases in babies "at risk" of atopy. We have prospectively followed up 174 "high risk" infants who underwent dietary and environmental manipulations, such as exclusive breast-feeding for the first 6 months of life, supplemented if necessary with soy-protein formula (Isomil, Abbott), delayed weaning beyond the 6th month of life, and rigorous environmental manipulations for the elimination of house-dust mite and passive smoking. The low prevalence of atopic disease (10%) and the trivial course of the allergic manifestations in this "at risk" population confirm the effectiveness of this preventive program. Moreover, this study demonstrates that the incidence of atopic dermatitis peaks at 6 months, and decreases until it disappears. Food allergy appears only at 6 months and may disappear later. The incidence of asthma peaks at 6 and 36 months and decreases at low levels in the intervals. Allergic rhinitis develops not sooner than 36 months.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The prevention of allergic diseases in 174 children "at risk" for atopy].

Recent studies have demonstrated that it is possible to reduce allergic diseases in subjects "at risk" for atopy through the adoption of particular dietetic-environmental manipulations in the first few months of life. We have followed-up prospectively 174 infants, children and/or brothers of atopics, born at San Giovanni Calibita Hospital of Rome. In all cases, exclusive breast feeding for the first 6 months of life was recommended, with integration/replacement with soy milk (Isomil, Abbott), delayed weaning beyond the 6th month of life and rigorous hygienic environmental manipulation. The low prevalence of atopic disease (10%) and the absence of serious allergic manifestations in this "at risk" population confirms the advantage of such preventive programs.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cord blood mononuclear leukocytes of neonates at risk of atopy have a deficiency of arachidonic acid.

Essential fatty acids and their delta-6-desaturated derivatives are major components of cellular membrane phospholipids, contributing to their stability and functions. They are also precursors of inflammation mediators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, and are involved in cellular immunoregulation. Recent studies have stressed the importance of essential fatty acids in various diseases. Patients with atopic dermatitis have altered essential fatty acids levels in plasma and a clinical improvement has been shown after oral administration of essential fatty acids. The aim of our study was to investigate the distribution of essential fatty acids in the membranes of cord blood mononuclear leukocytes of newborns at risk of atopy, and to correlate the levels of essential fatty acids at birth with total IgE values and with the onset of atopic disease. Newborns at risk of atopic disease have a significant reduction in arachidonic acid in the membranes of cord blood mononuclear leukocytes. Our data show a significant decrease in arachidonic acid in neonates at risk of atopy, suggesting that the abnormality of essential fatty acids is a primary phenomenon associated with atopic status.

Arachidonic Acid↗