Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Morelli

Publications and source records attributed to S Morelli.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Characterization of a monoclonal antibody to L1210 leukaemia.

A mouse of monoclonal cell line (L1) was produced by fusing the mouse myeloma P3X63/Ag8 with CD2F1 spleen cells immunized with a highly immunogenic subline of L1210 leukaemia (L1210/DTIC). A very few positive clones (1%) were isolated and one of these was chosen for detailed study. The monoclonal antibody L1 is an IgM immunoglobulin strongly reacting in a complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay against L1210/Cr leukaemia and its more or less immunogenic sublines. The specificity of the L1 antibody against L1210 leukaemia was studied by extensive screening with normal adult and foetal tissues, lymphoid tissues from several independent strains and a panel of the most common experimental tumours, to all of which it was unreactive. Attempts at immunotherapy were carried out in DBA/2 mice challenged with L1210 leukaemia and treated with L1 (ascites) and complement. Although the in vitro cytotoxic titre of ascites fluid from mice bearing hybridoma was very high (10(-7)), no therapeutic effect was obtained in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Diurnal variations in plasma aminoacid concentrations. I) Effect of dietary protein intake on rhythm of neutral aminoacids.

The effect of dietary protein content on the diurnal variations in plasma neutral amino acid levels was studied in normal human subjects. For 3 consecutive 5-day periods, subjects consumed diet containing 0-or 75 or 150 g of protein per day. Blood samples were drawn at 4-hr intervals on the 4th and 5th days of each period. Consumption of the protein-free diet caused plasma concentration of all amino acids in the late morning and afternoon, while the 150 g protein diet elicited increases in these levels during the daytime. Ingestion of the diet containing 75 g protein tended to diminish the amplitude the daily rhythms.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Diurnal variations in plasma concentrations of neutral amino acids. 2) Effect of dietary protein intake on amino acid ratios.

The ratios of plasma tryptophan, tyrosine and phenilanine levels to the sum of other large neutral amino acids are reported. They tended to fall as the protein content of the diet was increased. The isoleucine ratios were not correlated with dietary protein content. Since diet-induced changes in plasma tryptophan and tyrosine ratios in animal are known to cause parallel alterations in brain tryptophan and tyrosine and levels, and thus in the rates of brain serotonin and catecholamines synthesis, out data suggest that the ingestion of carbohydrates and protein may also normally affect brain monoamine synthesis in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Plasma 1,25 hydroxycholecalciferol concentrations and net intestinal calcium, phosphate and magnesium absorption in man.

We evaluated the relationship between plasma concentrations of the renal hormone (I,25(OH)2 vitamin D and net intestinal CA,PO4 and Mg absorption in healthy volunteers eating similar diets. Net intestinal CA absorption was positively correlated to plasma I,25(OH)2D concentrations. By contrast, there was no significant correlation between PO4 and Mg absorption and plasma I,25(OH)2D concentrations. We conclude that net intestinal Ca absorption is critically dependent upon the availability of renal homone, while other factors must play a dominant role in regulating net intestinal PO4 and MG absorption.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Lysine deficiency and carnitine biosynthesis in the rat].

Male rats weanling fed 20% gluten diet for 90 days of demonstrate to have about one-third lower level of carnitine per gram of skeletal muscle and heart muscle than the group which received the same diet supplemented with 1% of lysine. The carnitine level of the liver, however, was significantly higher in the unsupplemented versus the lysine supplemented groups.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

[Basal metabolism and dynamic activity of food in obesity].

Metabolic rate of obese patients is reported, recorded to cellular active mass. The metabolic rate is higher in obese patients and the value is diucthy related to individual actual weight. The dinamic-specific action of proteins is normal.

Basal Metabolism↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The influence of polymeric membrane surface free energy on cell metabolic functions.

In membrane bioartificial organs using isolated cells, polymeric semipermeable membranes are used as immunoselective barriers, means for cell oxygenation and also as substrata for adhesion of anchorage-dependent cells. The selection of cytocompatible membranes that promote in vitro cell adhesion and function could be dependent on its membrane properties. In this study we investigated the physicochemical aspects of the interaction between the membrane and mammalian cells in order to provide guidelines to the selection of cytocompatible membranes. We evaluated the metabolic behavior of isolated liver cells cultured on various polymeric membranes such as the ones modified by protein adsorption. The physico-chemical properties of the membranes were characterized by contact angle measurements. The surface free energy of membranes and their different parameters acid (gamma+), base (gamma-) and Lifshitz-van der Waals (gammaLW) were calculated according to Good-van Oss's model. The adsorption of protein modified markedly both contact angle and membrane surface tension. In particular, membrane surface free energy decreased drastically with increased water contact angle. For each investigated membrane we observed that liver specific functions of cells improve on hydrophilic membrane surfaces. For all investigated membranes the rate of ammonia elimination increased with increasing of membrane surface free energy.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cardiac involvement in Behçet's disease.

To assess the prevalence and the extent of cardiac involvement in patients with Behçet's disease and to investigate the possible causes that may predispose to this involvement, 30 patients affected by Behçet's disease and 30 normal control subjects were submitted to M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiographic evaluation. Moreover, antinuclear and anticardiolipin autoantibodies were determined in the sera of both patients and control subjects. Finally, HLA-B51 positivity was assessed in the patients and in a historical control group. Mitral valve prolapse was observed in 50% and proximal aorta dilatation in 30% of the patients. There was a significant difference in the rate of these abnormalities in comparison with the control group. Left ventricular function parameters were similar between the two groups. The positivity rate of antinuclear and anticardiolipin autoantibodies was very low (7%), without differences between the groups. HLA-B51 was detected in 82.7% of the patients versus 21.7% in the control group (p < 0.00001). In conclusion, this study demonstrates a high rate of cardiac abnormalities in patients with Behçet's disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibition of cellular DNA synthesis and lack of antileukemic activity by non-photoactivated hematoporphyrin derivative.

It has been reported that cytocidal activity of light-activated hematoporphyrin (HPD) within the cells might be exploited in the therapy of experimental and human cancer. As part of a project from this laboratory aimed to study some major biologic features of HPD, it was found that [3H]thymidine incorporation in tumor cells was highly inhibited as a consequence of HPD treatment. HPD-mediated inhibition, obtained by a treatment either in vitro or in vivo, was long lasting and independent of light activation. Cellular DNA synthesis was inhibited by non toxic doses of HPD which were not influential either cell viability or cell oncogenicity. In preliminary studies, HPD-treated cells accumulated in the G1 phase of the cell cycle as detected by cytofluorometric analysis. This finding is in keeping with a likely inhibition exerted in late G1 or at the beginning of the S phase of cell the cycle and might exclude a direct damage of the DNA synthetic machinery. Definitive loss of cell viability and cellular DNA inhibition was obtained immediately after the exposure of HPD-treated cells to He-Ne laser light. HPD-mediated cell lysis was dose dependent and in the other of magnitude of cytocidal doses in different cell systems. HPD antileukemic activity or HPD interactions with chemotherapeutic drugs was ruled out in L1210 leukemic mice.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary aspergillosis of the larynx in a patient with Felty's syndrome.

Herein we report the first case of primary aspergillosis of the larynx in a patient with Felty's syndrome. A 53-year-old man, a florist by profession, with a 12-year history of rheumatoid arthritis and on treatment with steroids, was admitted because of hoarseness, and intermittent fever of 2 weeks' duration. On admission, physical examination and laboratory data showed, among other findings, splenomegalia and neutropenia. At bone marrow examination, normal cellularity with mild dyserythropoiesis was observed. A fiberoptic laryngoscopy showed white plaques on both the true vocal cords. Both culture and microscopic examination of these lesions provided the diagnosis of invasive process by Aspergillus flavus. A computed tomography of the middle ears, paranasal sinuses, and chest was normal. Thus, primary aspergillosis of the larynx and Felty's syndrome was diagnosed, and the patient was successfully treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and systemic antifungal agents. Felty's syndrome, corticosteroid use, and occupational risk probably rendered our patient susceptible to Aspergillus infection.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in the atrial natriuretic factor and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis induced by maximum exertion in subjects with a recent myocardial infarct].

To examine the effect of exercise-induced myocardial ischemia (EIMI) on atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone (PA), a maximal exercise test in 12 patients with recent acute myocardial infarction (AM) was performed. ANF, PRA and PA were measured by radioimmunoassay at baseline, peak-exercise and at 15 min after recovery. Four patients developed EIMI (group I) and 8 patients did not (group II). ANF increased in all patients from baseline to peak-exercise (27.7 +/- 9.5 pg/mL vs 92.7 +/- 26.7 pg/mL, p less than 0.0005) and it was still elevated 15 min after recovery. Baseline ANF was similar in both groups while at peak-exercise it was higher in group. I than in group II (112 +/- 15 pg/mL vs 82 +/- 26 pg/mL p less than 0.05). After 15 min of recovery, ANF was higher in group I than in group II (67 +/- 20 pg/mL vs 32 +/- 10 pg/mL, p less than 0.01), resulting higher than at baseline only in group I (p less than 0.05). PRA and PA also increased during exercise but their values rose more slowly and were the same in both groups. Thus, ANF, PRA and PA increase during exercise in patients after AMI, and EIMI is associated with higher ANF plasma levels.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effects of flecainide in patients with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and impaired left ventricular function].

Anti-arrythmia efficacy and effects on left ventricular function of flecainide have been evaluated in 9 patients with symptomatic non sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) lower than 30%, respectively detected by Holter monitoring and radionuclide angiocardiography in basal conditions. Seven to eleven days after starting flecainide therapy (100 mg b.i.d.), Holter and radionuclide angiocardiography were repeated. In 56% of patients a ventricular premature beats (VPB) reduction more than 70% was obtained and total VPB suppression was achieved in 33% of patients. Total suppression of NSVT was obtained in 67% of patients; LVEF did not show significant changes. Thus, antiarrhythmic efficacy of flecainide resulted in agreement with the previous reports, whereas no patient developed signs or symptoms of heart failure or pro-arrhythmia.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Infective endocarditis. Recent progress in its epidemiology, clinical picture and therapy. Comments on cases].

Infective endocarditis (IE) may be considered as a disease in evolution because of changes occurred in the last decades in epidemiologic and clinical aspects. M-mode, two-dimensional, Doppler and color Doppler echocardiography allowed major advances in diagnosis and management of patients with IE. More recently, transesophageal echocardiography has been introduced in clinical practice with excellent results, because of unsurpassed quality of images able to early recognize small vegetations and complications of infective process. The authors report 13 cases of IE observed from March 1991 to March 1993. Streptococcus viridans was detected in 46% of cases and enterococcus species in 23%. Culture negative endocarditis represented 31% of total cases. Mitral valve was most frequently involved (67% of cases of native valves), followed by aortic valve (22%) and tricuspid valve (11%). In 30% of cases a prosthetic valve was involved. A presumed portal of entry has been identified, in 69% of cases, in oral cavity during dental procedures; in 2 cases an asymptomatic colonic carcinoma was detected. Diagnostic sensitivity of transesophageal echocardiography was 100%. Only 1 patient died during hospitalization. Cardiac surgery was performed in 4 patients (33%). The antibiotic drug teicoplanine has been successfully employed in 54% of cases.

Adult↗