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Biomedical subjects

V Bonomini

Publications and source records attributed to V Bonomini.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The age-old spirit of nephrology from the oldest university in the world.

The University of Bologna began teaching in 1088, and the Faculty of Medicine was granted the same rights as lawyers in 1288, largely due to the reputation and teaching skills of Taddeo Alderotti. Among the other famous names associated through the ages with the Bologna School of Medicine are Malpighi, Valsalva and Murri. From the earliest times in Bologna, nephrologists attempted to show an interaction of the kidney with the outer environment (astronomy and astrology) and with other organs (anatomy) and an integration of the sophisticated structures within the kidney itself (microscopy). At the turn of the 19th century, the biochemical frontier was reached, and a new teaching methodology emphasizing careful consideration of all possible differential diagnoses was developed.

History, 15th Century↗

Long-term comparative evaluation of synthetic and cellulosic membranes in dialysis.

A long-term retrospective evaluation (5 years) compares two groups of RDT patients (group 1 on continuous treatment with cellulosic membranes and group 2 with synthetic membranes) regarding survival, general clinical morbidity, and beta 2M-related morbidity. The results showed no significant long-term differences between the groups either for survival or general morbidity despite some differences in biocompatibility. The higher intradialytic removal of beta 2M by synthetic membranes did not lead to a reduction in either pre-dialysis beta 2M values or beta 2M related morbidity. The higher cost of synthetic over cellulosic membranes and the disappointing of many clinical expectations suggest that the use of such membranes, in association with alternative techniques, should take place only according to certain "elective" indications such as old age, diabetes, vascular instability or intradialytic disequilibrium syndrome.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗

Immunologic changes in circulating leukocytes in the presence of atherosclerotic disease.

To assess the numeric and functional changes in circulating white blood cells in the presence of severe atherosclerosis, 25 subjects with marked, angiographically assessed, atherosclerotic lesions and 29 selected controls were studied. Of the differential leukocyte counts, only monocyte count was significantly higher in the atherosclerotic than in the control subjects (449.0 +/- 115.6 (1 S.D.) vs. 344.1 +/- 138.8/mmc; P = 0.0016). By flow-cytometry no significant differences concerning monocyte surface antigens were found, except a feeble decrease in beta 2-microglobulin in the atherosclerotic subjects. As to lymphocytes, an increase in the CD8 population (33.4 +/- 6.8 vs 28.6 +/- 6.5%; P = 0.0144) and decreases in class I HLA antigen (96.6 +/- 7.3 vs 99.4 +/- 0.7%; P = 0.0049), beta 2-microglobulin (97.9 +/- 2.1 vs 99.3 +/- 1.0%; P = 0.0055) and especially in vivo DNA synthesis (3.8 +/- 1.2 vs 5.3 +/- 2.1%; P = 0.0102) percent expressions were found in the atherosclerotic patients with respect to the controls. This study shows that circulating monocytes are increased in atherosclerotic disease, possibly due to their participation in the phagocytosis of lipids in the arterial wall, with no further immunologic involvement. Conversely, the replicative activity of T lymphocytes is decreased, which might be a consequence of or a factor predisposing to atherosclerosis.

Acute Disease↗

Strategies in renal failure and the impact of lipids.

The main points to note in terms of strategies in renal failure and the impact of lipids are: 1) Timing and typing of dyslipidemia; 2) Occurrence of dyslipidemia in the course of strategies (conservative, dialysis and transplantation); 3) How the strategies can handle the impact of lipids. Analysis of point 1 confirms what a complex profile uremic dyslipidemia presents, involving the type, class, composition and enzyme systems involved in lipid metabolism. In conservative and dialysis, type IV (triglycerides) predominates; in transplantation, type II (cholesterol). Examination of point 2 shows the non obligatory relationship between dyslipidemia and the various strategies of treatment. Lipid abnormalities, type IV or II, occur in 50-60% of patients. Uremic factors for dyslipidemia include: 1) enhanced hepatic stimulation or altered removal in conservative strategies; 2) the same causes plus "specific" promotors in dialysis (dialysis fluid, plasticizer leaching; bioincompatibility, etc.); 3) steroid therapy and other "accessories" in transplantation. A genetic predisposition is very likely present in all patients. Point 3, finally, analyzes the various "supplements" that each strategy requires to cope with the lipid impact. Generic rules (ranging from doing nothing, to diet, drugs, etc.) are of value in all strategies when dyslipidemia occurs. More specific rules include: a) Conservative strategies: appropriate dietetic optimization and modulation (protein-lipid-carbohydrate ratio in terms of calories); b) Dialysis: timing treatment and improving biocompatibility; c) Transplantation: reducing steroids as much as possible.

Humans↗

Combined treatment in Wegener's granulomatosis with crescentic glomerulonephritis--clinical course and long-term outcome.

This study reports on 9 patients suffering from Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) with crescentic GN and severe systemic manifestations. On admission the mean serum creatinine was 10.9 +/- 5.1 mg/dl (4-20 mg/dl); 8 patients were oliguric and required dialysis treatment. Renal biopsy showed crescents in all cases, involving 66 to 100% of glomeruli. Patients were treated with a protocol including: a plasma exchange (PE) course; methylprednisolone; cyclophosphamide; and an antithrombotic agent (defibrotide). Clinical picture and renal function progressively improved in all patients within the first 4 weeks of treatment. After 1 month serum creatinine was 2.7 +/- 0.8 mg/dl and dialysis was no longer needed in any patient. Five relapses occurred in 3 patients 12-26 months after the onset of the disease, while they were still receiving immunosuppressive treatment. At follow-up (22 to 112 months: mean 71) all patients were alive with no clinical signs of disease activity. One patient was on regular dialysis while the others had a serum creatinine of 1.2-2.8 mg/dl (mean 1.9). Our results confirm that crescentic GN associated with WG can be successfully treated even when associated with severe clinical picture and suggest that PE can contribute to control the disease without increasing immunosuppression.

Adult↗

Value of panel reactive antibodies (PRA) as a guide to the treatment of hyperimmunized patients in renal transplantation.

Patient presensitization represents a considerable problem in candidacy for renal transplantation. While it is well known that hyperimmunized patients--panel reactive antibody (PRA) higher than 60%--create difficulties in donor matching and have a worse outcome than non-hyperimmunized patients, less information is available on patients with an intermediate degree of sensitization (30-60%). In order to evaluate how graft outcome relates to such degrees of sensitization, 241 consecutive transplanted patients were divided into two groups on the basis of their previous year's PRA peak: group A, PRA 0-29%; group B, PRA 30-60%. Group A showed a significantly better survival both in the first year (90% vs 79%, P < 0.05) and in the third year (82% vs 64%, P < 0.01). However, detailed analysis of group B demonstrated that some parameters may significantly influence graft outcome: (1) better compatibility on locus DR; (2) a primary kidney transplant; (3) a dialysis duration of less than 6 months; and (4) the prophylactic use of antilymphocyte globulin (ALG).

Adolescent↗

Flow cytometry evaluation of urinary sediment in renal transplantation.

The value of exfoliative urinary cytology for the diagnosis of different pathological conditions in renal transplantation is widely recognized. The method, however, has not yet gained full acceptance, mainly because identification of the different cells is not always possible by means of standard staining techniques. In view of its characteristics, flow cytometry (FC) seems to represent a consistently reliable, rapid and innovative approach for differentialing the various cells present in the urinary sediment and assessing their number. This study gives the examination result of 223 urinary specimens from 127 transplanted patients selected according to pathology. Sediment cells, collected from fresh urine samples, were washed, treated with a lysing solution, resuspended in saline solution and directly analysed in a FACSCAN cytometer. Morphological evaluation showed: a small number of cells in patients with stable renal function; a larger number of cells, with predominance of lymphocytes, during acute rejection episodes; an absolute predominance of neutrophils during bacterial infection; large-sized cellular debris in cases of post-transplant tubular necrosis; and small cell debris in cases of cyclosporine cytotoxicity. Lymphocyte surface-marker evaluation made it possible to differentiate lymphocyte populations observed during acute rejection episodes (cytotoxic T-cell, CD8 and HLA class II and NK cells) from those detected during bacterial infection (T-cell CD4 positive). These results suggest that urinary FC may be a reliable diagnostic tool in clinical renal transplantation.

Antigens, CD↗

Application of flow cytometry in clinical renal transplantation.

Flow cytometry (FC) may be considered as a fundamental technique in studying cell biology and pathology. It combines the quantitative character of biochemical methods with the multiparametric capacities of microscope analysis in a high-precision process for rapid analysis of individual cell characteristics. Three original FC techniques routinely applied in the field of renal transplantation are reported in the present study. They concern the donor-recipient cross-match test, the morphological analysis of urinary sediment and the modulation of the density of various membrane antigens on the lymphocyte surface. A common factor underlies all these methods: they aim to provide the physician with a reliable diagnostic tool in clinical renal transplantation.

Antigens, Surface↗