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Biomedical subjects

S Basso

Publications and source records attributed to S Basso.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Characteristics of nonsmoking women exposed to spouses who smoke: epidemiologic study on environment and health in women from four Italian areas.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether risk factors associated with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases and lung cancer occur differently among nonsmoking women in Italy with and without exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) from husbands that smoke. We performed a cross-sectional study of 1,938 nonsmoking women in four areas of Italy. Data on respiratory and cardiovascular risk factors and on diet were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Medical examinations and blood tests were administered; urine cotinine levels were measured. Nonsmoking women ever exposed to husbands' smoking were compared with unexposed women for several factors: education, husband's education, household crowding, number of children, current or past occupation, exposure to toxic substances at work, parental diseases, self-perceived health status, physician-diagnosed hypertension, hypercholesterol, diabetes, osteoporosis, chronic respiratory diseases, blood pressure medications, lifestyle and preventive behaviors, dietary variables, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, triceps skin folds, plasma antioxidant (pro-) vitamins (- and ss-carotene, retinol, l-ascorbic acid, -tocopherol, lycopene), serum total and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Women married to smokers were more likely to be less educated, to be married to a less educated husband, and to live in more crowded dwellings than women married to nonsmokers. Women married to smokers were significantly less likely to eat cooked [odds ratio (OR) = 0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.55-0.93] or fresh vegetables (OR = 0.63; CI, 0.49-0.82) more than once a day than women not exposed to ETS. Exposed women had significantly higher urinary cotinine than unexposed subjects (difference: 2.94 ng/mg creatinine). All the other variables were not more prevalent among exposed compared to unexposed subjects. The results regarding demographic factors are easily explained by the social class distribution of smoking in Italy. A lower intake of vegetables among exposed women in our study is consistent with the available literature. Overall, our results do not support previous claims of more frequent risk factors for cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases among ETS-exposed subjects. In Italy, as elsewhere in Europe and North America, women who have never smoked but are married to smokers are likely to be of lower social class than those married to never-smokers. However, once socioeconomic differences are considered, the possibility of confounding in studies on the health effects of ETS is minimal.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Current practice in assessment and treatment of bronchial asthma in young males in Italy.

The aim of the study was to evaluate, in a sample of young asthmatics in Italy, the current practice in assessment and treatment of asthma after the publication of guidelines. Young soldiers who declared bronchial asthma at the beginning of the compulsory military service were evaluated. One-hundred and thirty-eight subjects with confirmed asthma were selected. Sixty-seven subjects (48.5%) had had at last one spirometry, and only one subject had underwent peak flow monitoring at home; most of the subjects (96.8%) had had prick tests. More of the 50% of the subjects with bronchial obstruction or with severe bronchial hyperresponsiveness, with clinical moderate or severe asthma, had used only bronchodilators or no therapy at all in the preceding year. In this sample of young asthmatics, the lung function tests were still underutilized for the diagnosis and follow-up of bronchial asthma; moreover, the inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs were still underutilized.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Electrocardiographic signs of chronic cor pulmonale: A negative prognostic finding in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cor pulmonale (CCP) is a strong predictor of death in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aims of this study were to assess the prognostic role of individual ECG signs of CCP and of the interaction between these signs and abnormal arterial blood gases. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-three patients (217 men) with COPD, mean age 67+/-9 years, were grouped according to whether they had no ECG signs (group 1, n=100) or >/=1 ECG signs (group 2, n=163) of CCP and were followed up for 13 years after an exacerbation of respiratory failure. The median survival was significantly shorter in group 2 than in group 1 (2.58 versus 3. 45 years, respectively; Mantel-Cox test, 9.58; P=0.002). The Cox regression analysis identified S1S2S3 pattern, right atrial overload (RAO), and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (PAO2-PaO2) >48 mm Hg during oxygen therapy as the strongest predictors of death, with hazard rate (HR)=1.81 (95% CI, 1.22 to 2.69), HR=1.58 (95% CI, 1.15 to 2.18), and HR=1.96 (95% CI, 1.19 to 3.25), respectively. The median survivals of patients having both S1S2S3 pattern and RAO (n=14) and of patients having either S1S2S3 pattern or RAO (n=77) were 1.33 and 2.70 years, respectively (P=0.022). Group 2 patients had a 3-year survival of 18% or 53%, depending on whether their PAO2-PaO2 during oxygen therapy was or was not >48 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: Some ECG signs of CCP and PAO2-PaO2 >48 mm Hg during oxygen therapy qualified as a simple and inexpensive tool for targeting subsets of COPD patients with severe or very severe short-term prognosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Interleukin (IL)-15 induces survival and proliferation of the growth factor-dependent acute myeloid leukemia M-07e through the IL-2 receptor beta/gamma.

We have analyzed the effects of IL-15, a growth factor with IL-2-like properties produced by dendritic and stromal cells, on 3 GM-CSF/IL-3-dependent AML cell lines: M-07e, UT-7 and TF-1. M-07e cells proliferated in response to IL-15, while UT-7 and TF-1 cells failed to respond. In addition, IL-15 supported long-term proliferation of M-07e cells, thus allowing selection of a subline (M-07SB), which displayed an enhanced sensitivity to IL-15. M-07e and M-07SB cells undergo apoptosis following 48-hr growth factor (GM-CSF or IL-15) starvation, as detected by cytofluorimetric analysis and DNA laddering. IL-15 (20 ng/ml) prevented apoptosis in both cell lines. M-07e and M-07SB expressed IL-2R beta, IL-2R gamma, Jak-1 and Jak-3 mRNA, while IL-15R alpha mRNA was undetectable. In contrast, IL-15R alpha was expressed in UT-7 and TF-1 cells, which lacked expression of IL-2R beta mRNA and, in the case of UT-7, also of Jak-3 mRNA. Accordingly, surface IL-2R beta protein was identified only in M-07e and M-07SB cells, by indirect immunofluorescence, while no expression of IL-2R alpha and IL-15R alpha was detected. Anti-IL-2R beta antibodies (10 microg/ml) efficiently blocked (90% inhibition) the proliferation and the anti-apoptotic effect induced by IL-15, while anti-GM-CSFR alpha antibodies had no effect. Anti-IL-2R gamma antibodies were less efficient at proliferation inhibition but synergized with suboptimal concentrations of anti-IL-2R beta antibodies. Our data suggest a role of IL-15 as an anti-apoptotic and mitogenic growth factor for a subset of myeloid leukemias expressing a functional IL-2R beta/gamma complex.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Expression of two interleukin-15 mRNA isoforms in human tumors does not correlate with secretion: role of different signal peptides.

Interleukin (IL)-15 is a four-helix bundle cytokine sharing several biological properties with IL-2. By reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis, human cancer cell lines of different histotypes are shown to express two IL-15 amplification products: a 524-bp band corresponding to the IL-15 mRNA found in macrophages, and another of 643 bp corresponding to an alternatively spliced mRNA including a 119-bp alternative exon. IL-15 was undetectable in the supernatant of tumor cell lines expressing either one or both of the mRNA isoforms as evaluated by a bioassay or by ELISA, indicating that IL-15 is not secreted. However, IL-15 could be detected intracellularly in some tumor cells by confocal microscopy analysis. Since the pre-proteins encoded by the two mRNA isoforms differ in the signal peptide sequence, we have analyzed the characteristics of these signal peptides and their possible role in controlling secretion. The two IL-15 cDNA isoforms, expressed in COS-7 cells, induced very low levels of IL-15 secretion. However, substitution of the sequence encoding natural signal peptide(s) with the one from IgV kappa chain in the IL-15 cDNA results in a significantly higher secretion of biologically active IL-15 (15-30-fold) upon cDNA transfection. A poor efficiency of natural signal peptides may represent one of the mechanisms involved in the control of IL-15 secretion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

IFN-gamma gene transfer restores HLA-class I expression and MAGE-3 antigen presentation to CTL in HLA-deficient small cell lung cancer.

In this study, we have analyzed the possibility of inducing T cell responses against small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a still incurable tumor, by cytokine gene transfer approaches. By RT-PCR analysis most SCLC expressed the CTL-defined tumor antigens MAGE-3 (10/11), MAGE-1 (7/11) and less frequently BAGE (4/11) and GAGE1,2 (4/11). Although the surface expression of HLA class I molecules was low on most SCLC, thus preventing CTL recognition, treatment of the cells with IFN-gamma enhanced HLA-class I levels in all cases. Two MAGE3+ SCLC cell lines displaying the A2 HLA-class I allele, involved in MAGE-3 antigen presentation to CTL, were stably transfected with the IFN-gamma gene (alone or co-transfected with IL-2). IFN-gamma-transfected cells displayed a clearcut increase in expression of HLA-class I and beta 2-microglobulin at both protein and mRNA level, and of TAP-1 and TAP-2 mRNA. Perhaps more importantly, IFN-gamma transfected cells were recognized by the MAGE-3-specific A2-restricted antimelanoma CTL clone 297/22, while unmodified cells or cells transfected with the IL-2 gene alone were not. These data indicate that IFN-gamma gene transfection into HLA-deficient SCLC cells is able to restore their ability to present endogenous tumor antigens to CTL and that IFN-gamma gene transfer approaches may be attempted to induce specific CTL responses in SCLC.

Antigen Presentation↗
PubMed1996

Postural variations of pulmonary diffusing capacity in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess whether posture-related changes of diffusing capacity could be considered as an early sensitive marker of pulmonary abnormalities in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and whether the postural variations of pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc) could reflect the lung capillary damage that characterizes the diabetic microangiopathy. DESIGN: Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DCO) was measured by the single-breath method. Four DCO measurements, two in sitting and two in supine position, were performed in each subject using gas mixtures containing different oxygen concentrations. Membrane and capillary volume components of the diffusion capacity were calculated and both were expressed as absolute value and corrected by alveolar volume (VA). PATIENTS: Twenty IDDM patients and 20 normal subjects matched for age and sex were studied. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The IDDM patients showed normal pulmonary volumes and flows. No significant differences between the two groups were found for DCO, coefficient of diffusion, Vc, and pulmonary capillary blood volume corrected by alveolar volume in sitting position. All these indexes significantly increased in normal subjects but not in diabetics, by changing the posture of the subject from sitting to supine position. In a multivariate analysis, the presence of diabetes mellitus and the age of the subjects were the only significant predictors of Vc postural changes. CONCLUSIONS: This postural test, adjusted for age, could be included in a screening diagnostic procedure for an early assessment of pulmonary abnormalities in diabetic patients. The lack of Vc postural increase in diabetics could reflect the presence of a microangiopathy involving the pulmonary small vessels.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Electromyographical findings in human chronic Chagas' disease.

An electromyographical investigation of 80 patients with chronic Chagas' disease was made. It was found that 79% of the studied patients had EMG manifestations of old and chronic denervation of the upper and lower limbs without clinical features of nervous system involvement.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1977

[Aortic subvalvular stenosis].

Six cases of supravalvular aortic stenosis with other abnormalities are presented. Their causes, anatomical, pathological, and clinical aspects are discussed and reference is made to the excellent results of treatment.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Predictive value of different prognostic factors in breast cancer recurrences: multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity of different pre-operative parameters in patients with breast cancer (BC) recurrence using univariate and multivariate analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a series of 387 women (median age 60 years, range 35-83 years) who underwent curative surgery for pT1-2 BC. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1: 325 (84.0%) patients with no evidence of disease during a median follow-up of 53 months (range 25-149 months) and Group 2: 62 (16.0%) patients who developed local or distant recurrences. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed significant (p<0.01) differences between the two Groups in age, size and grading of the tumor and hormone receptor rate. MIB1 proliferation rate, serum markers CEA and CA 15-3, and lymph node status were not useful in predicting relapse. Multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model showed that only age, size of the tumor and hormone receptor rate independently correlate with the onset of recurrences. CONCLUSION: There is no clear correlation between BC recurrence and the majority of the prognostic factors available. Multivariate analysis of several pre-operative parameters may help to correctly select the high risk population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Some clinical aspects of celiac disease (author's transl)].

220 jejunal biopsies have been performed in 146 children. Out of these, thirteen have been recognized as suffering from celiac disease. Furthermore, the possibility of celiac disease being associated with other gastrointestinal disorders, either of the stomach or of the sigma and rectum has been considered. Any explanation for this association can only be hypothetical, because the pathogenesis of celiac disease needs further study.

Biopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Endocrinological problems in male adolescents].

The male adolescent may present several endocrinological problems, the most frequent of which is the retardation or absence of puberty due to constitutional delay of growth and development. This form does not require therapy and must be distinguished from other forms of hypogonadism (primitive or secondary) by endocrine tests (LHRH test, nightly pulses LH secretion, plasmatic basal level of testosterone and after HCG, cerebral NMR). Hypogonadism treatment consists of replacement therapy with testosterone or testes stimulation with HCG or LHRH. Another frequent disease is gynecomastia, usually due to physiological enlargement of mammary gland during pubertal development, sometimes it may be secondary to hypogonadism, tumors, liver function abnormalities. Severe or psychologically disturbing gynecomastia can be corrected by reductive mammoplasty. Very often, adolescents may present diseases related to incorrect food habits. Obesity is common and anorexia is becoming an important problem also in males.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Endocrinologic problems of the male adolescent].

The male adolescent may present several endocrinological problems, the most frequent of which is the retardation or absence of puberty due to constitutional delay of growth and development. This form does not require therapy and must be distinguished from other forms of hypogonadism (primitive or secondary) by endocrine tests (LHRH test, nightly pulses LH secretion, plasmatic basal level of testosterone and after HCG, cerebral NMR). Hypogonadism treatment consists of replacement therapy with testosterone or testes stimulation with HCG or LHRH. Another frequent disease is gynecomastia, usually due to physiological enlargement of mammary gland during pubertal development, sometimes it may be secondary to hypogonadism, tumors, liver function abnormalities. Severe or psychologically disturbing gynecomastia can be corrected by reductive mammoplasty. Very often, adolescents may present diseases related to incorrect food habits. Obesity is common and anorexia is becoming an important problem also in males.

Adolescent↗