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S Venturi

Publications and source records attributed to S Venturi.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Humoral thyroid autoimmunity is not involved in the pathogenesis of myxedematous endemic cretinism.

A role of thyroid autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of myxedematous endemic cretinism was suggested by reports indicating the presence of thyroid growth-blocking antibodies in the sera of these patients. To check this hypothesis, we searched for TSH receptor antibodies with thyroid growth-blocking or adenylate cyclase (AC)-inhibiting (TSH-blocking) activity in immunoglobulin G (IgG) from 18 euthyroid and 21 hypothyroid endemic cretins living in Italy and Peru. Among hypothyroid cretins, 12 had no palpable goiter. Stages I-III goiters were present in 12 of 18 euthyroid cretins. Controls included 25 euthyroid nongoitrous subjects living in the same endemic regions as cretins, and 10 normal subjects from an iodine-sufficient area. IgG from 4 selected patients with autoimmune atrophic thyroiditis and from 2 neonates with sporadic transient congenital hypothyroidism due to maternal TSH-blocking antibodies were included in the study. The blocking effect of the IgG was assessed in FRTL-5 cells by measuring TSH-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation, DNA accumulation, and AC activation. A radioreceptor assay was used to detect TSH-binding inhibiting antibodies (TBIAb). No IgG from hypothyroid endemic cretins without goiter contained TBIAb or inhibited TSH-stimulated cell growth or AC activation. The effect of IgG from hypothyroid nongoitrous cretins did not differ from that produced by IgG from hypothyroid cretins with goiter, euthyroid cretins with or without goiter, or normal controls. In contrast to these results, IgG from patients with autoimmune atrophic thyroiditis and from neonates with sporadic transient congenital hypothyroidism contained TBIAb that inhibited both TSH-stimulated cell growth and AC activation. In conclusion, our results indicate that, similar to other types of endemic cretinism, hypothyroid endemic cretins without goiter do not have TSH receptor antibodies able to inhibit TSH-stimulated thyroid cell growth or function. These observations argue against a role of humoral thyroid autoimmunity in the development of myxedematous endemic cretinism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

A specific monoclonal antibody (PG-B6) detects expression of the BCL-6 protein in germinal center B cells.

The BCL-6 gene is frequently involved in translocations occurring at the 3q27 locus and is rearranged in approximately 30% of diffuse large cell lymphomas and in a small fraction of follicular lymphomas. The BCL-6 gene encodes for a Kruppel-type zinc-finger protein, the cell/tissue expression and function of which is unknown. In this study, we describe a new monoclonal antibody (PG-B6) that is specifically directed against a fixative-sensitive epitope on the amino-terminal region of the BCL-6 protein. By immunocytochemical analysis, BCL-6 localizes in the nucleus where PG-B6 staining gives a microgranular/diffuse pattern with exclusion of the nucleoli. The main reactivity of PG-B6 in tonsil and spleen is with the nuclei of germinal center B cells, whereas B cells within the mantle and marginal zones do not express BCL-6. No other lymphoid cells in the tonsil express BCL-6 except for a subset of CD3+/CD4+ intrafollicular and interfollicular T cells. A few lymphoid cells of unknown phenotype express BCL-6 in the thymus. Extra-lymphoid BCL-6 expression includes a weak nuclear positivity of epithelia. In non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, BCL-6 expression parallels that observed in normal lymphoid compartments, eg, expression in germinal center-derived tumors (follicular and diffuse large cell lymphomas), but not in mantle cell and marginal zone lymphomas. In most diffuse large cell lymphomas, the BCL-6 protein is expressed at high levels in cases with or without BCL-6 gene rearrangements. These findings indicate that BCL-6 expression is specifically regulated during B lymphocyte development and suggest that BCL-6 may play a role during B cell differentiation in the germinal center.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

A new hypothesis: iodine and gastric cancer.

The authors have hypothesized that iodine-deficiency (I-def) or in some cases iodine-excess (I-excess) is associated with the development of gastric cancer. They report a short review of their own work and general literature on this subject in three fields: (1) epidemiology, where geographical and temporal correlations between territories with I-def (or I-excess) endemic goitre and high GC-death rate are reported; (2) immunology, where the possible correlations between I-def, immune-deficiency and GC are reported; and (3) thyroid gland and stomach correlations, both being embryologically derived from primitive gut and able to concentrate iodine. This ability is impaired by nitrates, thiocyanate, salt and by I-excess, which in fact can cause goitre. In our study I-def goitrous people have shown more atrophic gastritis than normal subjects. These data enable us to hypothesize that I-def or I-excess might constitute a new risk factor for gastric cancer, both by regulating gastric trophism and by antagonizing the action of those I-inhibitors (such as nitrates, thiocyanate and salt) previously studied as risk factors for gastric cancer.

Female↗
PubMed1992

Clinical picture of endemic cretinism in central Apennines (Montefeltro).

Endemic cretinism is still present in an endemic goiter area of the central Apennines (Montefeltro) (goiter prevalence 55%; mean urinary iodine level 39 micrograms/g creatinine). Clinical and biochemical features of patients with myxedematous, neurologic, and mixed cretinism were studied. Also, in this area, as in most other, neurologic cretinism is more prevalent than myxedematous and mixed forms. The hormonal profiles of the three types of cretinism were clearly different. Nevertheless, all myxedematous cretins had some neurologic disorders (hyperreflexia, increased muscle tone, disorder of gait, Babinski sign, hypoacusia) that were similar to those present in neurologic cretins. These findings suggest that neurologic damage is very similar in all forms of endemic cretinism, reflecting a diffuse insult to the developing fetal nervous system. Furthermore, these data support the hypothesis that the primary pathophysiologic event in the different types of endemic cretinism is represented by maternal and fetal hypothyroidism, while differences may be explained by the extent and duration of postnatal hypothyroidism. All the cretins were over 35 of age, suggesting a severe iodine deficiency in the past decades, and a progressive improvement of nutritional status resulted in "silent iodine prophylaxis." However, recent studies have revealed the persistence of a moderate iodine deficiency, a high prevalence of neurologic hypoacusia, and reduction of mental performance in normal schoolchildren of this area. These findings constitute strong evidence in favor of adequate iodine prophylaxis.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

In vivo targeting of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease with monoclonal antibody Ber-H2 (CD30): immunohistological evidence.

The ability of the Ber-H2 (CD30) monoclonal antibody (mAb) to target in vivo Hodgkin (H) and Reed-Sternberg (R-S) cells was investigated in six patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease (HD). The patients were injected with scaled-up quantities of 'cold' Ber-H2 mixed-up to a small dose of 131I-labelled Ber-H2, and in vivo binding of the antibody to H and R-S cells was assessed by immunohistological analysis of tumour biopsies and immunoscintigraphy. Only 50% of tumour sites were imaged at scintigraphy by the 131I-labelled Ber-H2. In contrast, immunohistological studies on tissue biopsies, taken 24-72 h following the mAb injection, showed that H and R-S cells in all tumour sites, including those that were not imaged by immunoscintigraphy, were specifically and strongly labelled in vivo by the injected Ber-H2, at a dose as low as 30-50 mg of antibody. In vivo binding of a single dose of Ber-H2 mAb to H and R-S cells did not result in any anti-tumour effect. The excellent in vivo targeting of H and R-S cells with the Ber-H2 mAb may have been the result of multiple favourable factors, including: (a) the restricted expression of the CD30 antigen in normal human tissues; (b) the low level of soluble CD30 in the serum of our patients; and (c) the high affinity of the Ber-H2 mAb for the CD30 molecule. The immunohistological results presented in this study provide a strong argument for using the Ber-H2 mAb as a carrier for delivering cytotoxic agents (isotopes or toxins) to neoplastic cells of HD refractory to conventional therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Aphasic status epilepticus.

We studied a case of focal status epilepticus with aphasia as the sole manifestation, lasting 21 days. A 77-year-old woman developed aphasic seizures followed by aphasic status epilepticus 10 months after a left temporo-occipital hemorrhage. The diagnosis was made only after EEG, and seizures were stopped by anticonvulsant medication. Aphasic status epilepticus may be only a reflection of cerebral irritability, suggesting the possibility of a functional etiology for prolonged language disorders also in adults.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

[Iodine and delayed immunity].

Iodine was and is sometimes used therapeutically in various pathologies where the immune mechanism is known to play a dominant role. It has in fact been administered to patients with tubercular granulomatous, lepromatous, syphilitic and mycotic lesions where it facilitates cure. This effect does not depend on iodine's action on the micro-organism responsible. Iodine may also be used in Villanova-Panol Panniculitis, in erythema nodosum, in nodular vasculitis, erythema multiforme and Sweet's syndrome. Oral iodine is also very effective in the lymphatic-cutaneous form of sporotrichosis. In order to establish a relationship between dietary iodine and immune response, 607 infants residing in an area of endemic goitre were studied: 215 were given Lugol solution (2 drops a week for about 8 months) and 392 not. The immune response was assessed by the skin test method using tetanic toxoid and a clear correlation was shown between this and lymphocyte stimulation and monocytic chemotaxis tests. The test was considered positive when an infiltration of at least 5 mm in diameter was shown after 48 hours (in the U.S. 80% of paediatric cases aged 2-10 years old were positive). A significant difference was noted in the average diameter of the infiltrations after the tetanic toxoid skin test in the two groups considered (P less than 0.001). The results appear to indicate that an adequate iodine intake is necessary for normal retarded immune response. The molecular mechanism by which iodine increases immune response is still to be decided.

Chemotaxis, Leukocyte↗
PubMed1982

Adrenergic modulation of gastric inhibitory polypeptide secretion in man.

In order to examine the effect of adrenergic influences on gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) secretion, a series of glucose tolerance tests was carried out in seven healthy volunteers during intravenous infusion of epinephrine (6 microgram/min), epinephrine plus phentolamine (5 mg stat + 0.5 mg/min), epinephrine plus propranolol (5 mg stat + 0.08 mg/min), and saline. No drug infusion modified fasting GIP levels. Alpha-adrenergic stimulation (epinephrine + propranolol) significantly reduced the GIP response (P less than 0.02) and completely inhibited the insulin response (P less than 0.005) to oral glucose, compared with control experiments. Epinephrine alone and epinephrine + phentolamine did not influence glucose-stimulated GIP. These results suggest the possibility that the adrenergic nervous system may have a role in the regulation of GIP secretion in man.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Effect of somatostatin on fasting and glucose-stimulated gastric inhibitory polypeptide release in man.

The effect of intravenous somatostatin infusion on circulating gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), insulin, glucagon and on blood glucose was investigated in 7 healthy volunteers in the fasting state and during the oral ingestion of 75 g glucose. Somatostatin (1.1 microgram/kg/h) infused 30 min before and continued 60 min after the ingestion of glucose did not affect fasting levels of any of the above parameters while it significantly suppressed the GIP and insulin response to glucose. The same somatostatin dose infused 30 min after the ingestion of glucose decreased significantly the raised levels of GIP and insulin and further increased blood glucose levels. It is concluded that somatostatin inhibits GIP release mainly at the level of the GIP-producing cells.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Airborne pollens and prevalence of pollenosis in western Liguria: a 10-year study.

During the last 15 years aerobiology has become a relevant branch of allergy, making possible the partial clarification of the relationships between clinical diseases and environment. We performed a 10-year survey of pollen counts and pollen sensitization in a confined area on the western Ligurian coast of Italy in order to evaluate possible changes in aerobiological pattern and to correlate them with the prevalence of sensitization. Pollen counts for the area surrounding Bordighera in the period from 1988-1997 were analyzed; the occurrence of skin sensitization in outpatients were also studied during the same period. We considered the following allergens: Parietaria, grasses, Compositae, Cupressaceae, olive and birch. We also examined the possible differences between patients living on the seaside and those living inland. Over the 10-year period a significant increase in the pollen counts was seen for birch and Compositae (p = 0.001); this was accompanied by a parallel significant increase in the rate of sensitization (p = 0.004 and p = 0.01, respectively). Conversely, an increase in sensitization to Cupressaceae (p = 0.001) and olive (p = 0.03) was also seen, although no change in the pollen counts was detectable. Finally, the prevalence of sensitization to Cupressaceae and Compositae was higher in the patients living in the coastal region than those residing inland. These data suggest that a positive correlation between the pollen counts and the rate of sensitization exists for certain pollens. Nevertheless, for other species such a correlation was not apparent, and additional environmental factors maybe involved in the increased prevalence of sensitization.

Air↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[OCTOPUS: longitudinal study on carpal tunnel syndrome and work].

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the commonest nerve entrapment syndrome, is one of the most frequent occupational disorders related to manual work. Both occupational and personal risk factors make it difficult to recognize the true origin of its occurrence and to devise prevention strategies. Most of the information available about occupational CTS originates from cross-sectional studies on various job titles, where the prevalence of the disease has been reported to vary between 0.6% and 61%. Few longitudinal studies are available on occupational CTS. Consensus has been reached about the criteria to diagnose CTS in epidemiological studies. However, different methods are used by different investigators to assess exposure to repetition and force, the two factors which appear to be most important in originating the disease. This could help explain the difficulty in establishing a sound exposure-effect relationship (an indispensable basis for setting exposure limits). To help fill the gap in knowledge regarding occupational CTS incidence and its relationship to occupational exposure we are performing a large longitudinal multisector study, denominated OCTOPUS. OCTOPUS has been designed to assess the incidence of CTS in a large cohort of workers employed in different sectors and exposed to different level of repetitive and forceful manual work and to relate the incidence of the disease to the possible casual factors and their variation over time. Herein, the study protocol is described.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Carpal tunnel syndrome among supermarket cashiers].

We studied Carpal Tunnel Syndrome prevalence in part time and full time female supermarket cashiers and in a control group (female primary school teachers). Subjects underwent a clinical examination in which information about personal, physiological, pathological and occupational factors were collected by a physician with a questionnaire and a self-administered Katz's hand diagram. The study protocol included median nerve conduction studies (NCS) for each worker, performed bilaterally according to the palmar technique described by J. Kimura. Case definition of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome was based on the combination of typical symptoms (classic/probable or possible) and electrodiagnostic findings according to the Consensus Criteria for the Classification of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome published by Rempel et al. in 1998. Biomechanical risk for upper limb was assessed by a group of trained observer using videotape and scales of hand activity level (HAL) and normalized peak of force (PF) proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): supermarket cashier job tasks resulted on the threshold limit value line, confirming high biomechanical risk factors for CTS. Both symptoms and case prevalence resulted higher in supermarket cashiers than in control group and in full time cashiers if compared with part time ones. This difference between groups of part-/full-time cashiers could be due to total hours of exposure during the week and/or to the amount of recovery time between work sessions. Further longitudinal study could give more information about the role of different biomechanical risk factors in the onset of cumulative trauma disorders of the upper limb.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Audiological and neuropsychological development study in a sample of school children from a low-iodine area of the Central Apennines that is endemic for cretinism].

We have evaluated neuropsychic development in 70 normal schoolchildren in an area of severe endemic goitre and cretinism in the Central Apennines (Montefeltro). In each subject we have studied auxological, psychometric and audiometric parameters, together with tympanograms and stapedial reflexograms. Auxological data were in the normal range, as were the stapedial reflexograms and tympanograms. On the contrary, 54.8% of the sample performed below the 25th percentile in psychometric tests (Raven test PM-47), being also 22.8% below the 5th percentile. Audiometric data showed a neurological hearing impairment in 3.1% of the children tested, as compared with 0.28% in the area of Pisa. These data point out that an impairment of central nervous system function still persists in this area of severe endemic goitre.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Arterial hypertension caused by carbamazepine].

A 20-year-old epileptic patient developed hypertension during CBZ treatment, without any demonstrable etiological factor. After CBZ discontinuation, a gradual normalization of blood pressure values was observed. The authors discuss the possible role of ADH in the production of this unfrequent side effect.

Adult↗