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S Tognella

Publications and source records attributed to S Tognella.

84 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

[Effects of Hodgkin cytotoxic serum on electrophoretic mobility of normal and Hodgkin peripheral blood lymphocytes. (author's transl)].

The effect of Hodgkin patient cytotoxic sera on the electrophoretic mobility of normal and Hodgkin peripheral blood allo-lymphocytes has been studied. Contact with cytotoxic serum determined a significant decrease in the electrophoretic mobility of lymphocytes, due to the presence of cytotoxic antibody on the lymphocyte surface. The antibody seems to be directed against T-lymphocytes. The results are discussed in the light of the preceding data by the authors on the role of anti-T-autoantibodies in Hodgkin's disease.

Antilymphocyte Serum↗

[Effects of Hodgkin cytotoxic serum on blast transformation of normal and Hodgkin human peripheral blood lymphocytes].

The PHA-resposiveness of normal and Hodgkin patient human peripheral blood lymphocytes has been studied before and after incubation with Hodgkin cytotoxic sera. The following conclusions have been reached: (a) Hodgkin cytotoxic serum is capable of decreasing the PHA-responsiveness of normal lymphocytes and of furtherly impairing the already defective PHA-responsiveness of Hodgkin lymphocytes. (b) The impaired PHA-responsiveness can be restored to the original levels by eluting the cytotoxic antibody. Control experiments in which normal and Hodgkin lymphocytes were put in contact with normal and Hodgkin non-cytotoxic serum showed no decrease of PHA-responsiveness. These data are in agreement with the hypothesis that the presence of serum cytotoxin is at least partly responsible for the immuno-incompetence of T-lymphocytes characteristic of Hodgkin's disease.

Antilymphocyte Serum↗

Prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux in asthmatics: an Italian study.

BACKGROUND: Gastro-oesophageal reflux is regarded as an asthma trigger, its prevalence, in asthma, still being uncertain. AIM: Purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux in adult asthma patients. PATIENTS: A series of 37 asthmatics were recruited consecutively over 6 months. Subjects were: 19 atopic (5 males; 38.0 years +/- 4.1 SE), and 18 non-atopic asthmatics (5 males; 53.2 years +/- 4.3 SE). They were well matched for sex and basal lung function, whilst mean age was appreciably higher (p < 0.007) in non-atopic asthmatics. METHODS: Gastro-oesophageal reflux was detected by X-barium-oesophagram, endoscopy, and 24 h oesophago-gastric pH-monitoring. RESULTS: Gastro-oesophageal reflux was assessed in 78.9% of atopic, and in 83.3% of non-atopic asthmatics; the 24 h pH-monitoring was confirmed as the most sensitive method for gastro-oesophageal reflux detection. Hiatal hernia was found in 15.8% of atopic, and in 38.9% of non-atopic subjects. Respiratory symptoms always started long before gastro-oesophageal signs in atopic patients, while digestive symptoms came first (about 6 years) in 44.4% of non-atopic asthmatics. Oral theophylline was taken daily by 10.5% of atopic, and by 22.2% of non-atopic asthmatics. CONCLUSIONS: When non-atopic asthma starts at a later age without any family history of asthma, and/or after a long history of digestive symptoms, the role of gastro-oesophageal reflux can be strongly suspected.

Asthma↗

Effect of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate and budesonide dry powder on pulmonary function and serum eosinophil cationic protein in adult asthmatics.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the effects of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate and budesonide dry powder on pulmonary function correlate with those on measurement of serum eosinophil cationic protein (sECP). Thirty-two asthmatic adults in a stable phase, treated daily with 1,000 micrograms beclomethasone dipropionate metered-dose inhaler, completed a 2-week wash-out period and were then randomized to receive a 200 micrograms/dose q.i.d. of either drug, over an 8-week period. Pulmonary function tests (FEV1, FVC, PEFR, FEF25-75% and MEF50) were measured at study entry, before and after every 2 weeks of treatment, while PEFR (morning and evening), symptom scores and salbutamol use PRN were recorded daily on a dairy card. sECP was measured at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Safety variables included adverse reactions, morning serum cortisol and vital signs (heart rate and blood pressure). FEV1, FVC, PEFR, FEF25-75%, MEF50 and morning PEFR significantly increased (p < 0.05) over baseline in the beclomethasone group, while only FEV1 at week 6 and evening PEFR significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the budesonide group; no significant differences between groups were reported. sECP significantly decreased (p < 0.01) in the beclomethasone group at week 4 and 8 (p < 0.05 between groups). Evidence of statistically significant negative correlation between the FEV1 percent predicted and sECP was assessed at baseline (correlation coefficient r = -0.60, p < 0.05) in the total patient sample, and in the results, expressed as percent change over baseline, obtained at both week 4 and 8 (p < 0.01). A significant decrease in salbutamol use PRN, symptom score and number of daily bronchospasm attacks was also reported in the beclomethasone group (p < 0.05). No adverse reactions or relevant changes in morning cortisol and vital signs were reported in either group. It was concluded that sECP proved to be a reliable marker for monitoring inflammatory events in asthma; inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate dry powder was at least as effective as budesonide in improving lung function and the underlying asthma inflammation.

Administration, Inhalation↗

A feasibility study of cisplatin administration with low-volume hydration and glutathione protection in the treatment of ovarian carcinoma.

Glutathione (GSH) is a sulfur-containing nucleophile that protects against cisplatin-induced renal toxicity without reducing the antitumor activity of the cytotoxic agent. To document further the clinical role of GSH in improving the outcome of cisplatin-containing regimens, the feasibility of the GSH/cisplatin combination using a low-volume hydration protocol was evaluated in untreated ovarian cancer patients. Twelve patients at stage III (minimal residual disease) and 23 with localized disease at high risk for recurrence were treated with cisplatin (90 mg/m2, i.v. in 250 ml of normal saline over 30 min) and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2 i.v.) every 3 weeks. GSH (5 g in 200 ml of normal saline) was administered by a short-term infusion (15 min) prior to cisplatin. The hydration protocol consisted of 1 liter of fluids without diuretics. The treatment was well tolerated; no nephrotoxic or neurotoxic manifestations were observed. The renal excretion of cisplatin (23%) at 24 hours following infusion was lower than expected using a standard i.v. hydration protocol. No reduction of renal elimination of cisplatin could be detected in subsequent courses, thus suggesting a minimal degree of impairment in renal function. In the series of evaluable patients (11) with stage III disease, 9 had complete pathological response. In the series of patients with no clinically detectable disease initially, all were disease-free at treatment completion. Taken together with previous observations, these results support the view that the use of GSH is a successful approach in the attempt to optimize cisplatin treatment, providing a new modality of drug administration for out-patient treatment.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Serum eosinophil cationic protein and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to hypoosmolar challenge in naive atopic asthmatics.

Inhaled nonisotonic solutions (e.g., ultrasonically nebulized distilled water, UNDW) are sensitive bronchoconstrictive agents in asthmatics, their suggested mechanism of action being the release of mediators from some inflammatory cells. Studies assessing the relationship between degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness to UNDW and plasma levels of eosinophilic markers are not available to date. Fourteen asymptomatic, nonsmoking, naive asthmatics (8 males, aged 18 to 45; mean basal FEV1 = 93.8% predicted +/- 1.7 SE), monosensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and twelve normal subjects (9 males, aged 19 to 40, mean basal FEV1 = 93.3% predicted +/- 1.4 SE) entered the study after informed consent. Each subject performed the UNDW challenge while the transcutaneous pO2 (PtcO2) was monitored. Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) was measured together with blood eosinophils 60 min before UNDW. The bronchial response was expressed as FEV1 and PtcO2% drop from baseline, as assessed 10 min following UNDW. Mean blood eosinophils were 3.4% total leukocytes +/- 0.3 SE in normal subjects and 7.9% total leukocytes +/- 0.4 SE in asthmatics (p < 0.001). Mean serum ECP was 4.6 micrograms/l +/- 0.6 SE in normal subjects and 22.4 micrograms/l +/- 1.3 SE in asthmatics (p < 0.001). Mean FEV1 drop was 2.1% +/- 1.1 SE in normal subjects and 24.2% +/- 1.1 SE in asthmatics; the corresponding mean PtcO2% drop was 3.6 +/- 0.7 SE in normal subjects and 28.6 +/- 1.4 SE in asthmatics. Serum ECP was found to be related to blood eosinophils (r = 0.7, p = 0.003); despite the eosinophils, serum ECP proved to be related to a drop in both FEV1 and PtcO2, atr = 0.6 (p = 0.024) and r = 0.7 (p = 0.006), respectively. In conclusion, serum ECP, but not eosinophils per se, can differentiate normal subjects from naive asthmatics hyperresponsive to UNDW. Serum ECP was also proven to be directly related to both the UNDW-induced bronchoconstriction and hypoxemia, thus confirming that proximal, but also the more peripheral airways, are actively involved. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness to UNDW can then be considered an effective reflection of the existence of underlying inflammation of the airways.

Administration, Inhalation↗