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A De Pasquale

Publications and source records attributed to A De Pasquale.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Late paternity and stillbirth risk.

BACKGROUND: The role of paternal ageing on the incidence of some genetic diseases in offspring depends on the hypothesis that spontaneous mutations accumulate due to continuous cell divisions during spermatogenesis. We examined the effect of paternal age on the complex multifactorial character, stillbirth. METHODS: In 3,619,647 Italian singletons born in 1990-1996 we evaluated stillbirth risk as a function of paternal ageing by means of multiple logistic regression models, which included maternal age and family education, as categorical covariates and interactions. The categorical risk was estimated for mothers and fathers beyond threshold ages of 35 and 40 years, respectively. RESULTS: Stillbirth risk increases with paternal ageing in mothers > or =30 years old, and maternal age and family education modify the impact. In families with low education, the risk accounts for odds ratio (OR) 1.015 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.02] in mothers aged 30-34 years, and for OR 1.032 (95% CI 1.02-1.04) in mothers aged > or =35 years; in families with higher education the risk accounts for OR 1.008 (95% CI 1.00-1.02) and OR 1.025 (95% CI 1.01-1.04), respectively, in mothers aged 30-34 and > or =35 years. In these latter families, for mothers aged <35 and fathers > or =40 years the risk accounts for OR 1.12 (95% CI 1.00-1.25). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of paternal ageing on stillbirth risk is revealed in mothers aged > or =30 years and is modified by family education. In mothers aged 30-34 years from families with high education, the increase imputable to paternal ageing might be indicative of a genetic component.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of caffeic and ferulic acids as topical photoprotective agents.

Topically-applied antioxidant drugs represent a successful strategy for protecting the skin against UV-mediated oxidative damage. However, they can afford to the skin a satisfactory photoprotection only if able to permeate through the stratum corneum and thus to reach deeper cutaneous layers. Caffeic and ferulic acids, dissolved in saturated aqueous solutions at pH 3 or 7.2, have been tested for their capability to permeate through excised human skin mounted in Franz cells. At both pH values, ferulic and, at a lower degree, caffeic acids appeared able to permeate through the stratum corneum. The known higher lipophilicity of ferulic acid may explain the fact that it permeates through the stratum corneum better than caffeic acid. However, vehicle pH values proved to have no influence on biophenol skin permeation profile; this observed lack of pH effect may reflect the drug higher concentration attainable in saturated solutions at high pH. On the basis of the findings obtained in these in vitro experiments, we designed the schedule of a series of in vivo experiments, carried out to evaluate the ability of caffeic and ferulic acids to reduce, in healthy human volunteers, UVB-induced skin erythema, monitored by means of reflectance spectrophotometry. Caffeic and ferulic acids, dissolved in saturated aqueous solution pH 7.2, proved to afford a significant protection to the skin against UVB-induced erythema. To conclude, we have confirmed, by means of in vitro and in vivo experiments, that caffeic and ferulic acids may be successfully employed as topical protective agents against UV radiation-induced skin damage; however their skin absorption is not influenced by the pH of the formulation.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

Antioxidant effectiveness as influenced by phenolic content of fresh orange juices.

Several fresh orange juices, obtained from five different Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck varieties (three pigmented varieties, Moro, Sanguinello, and Tarocco, and two blond varieties, Valencia late and Washington navel), were subjected to antioxidant profile determination (including total polyphenols, flavanones, anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and ascorbic acid). The antioxidant activity of these juices was then assessed by means of different "in vitro" tests (bleaching of the stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical; peroxidation, induced by the water-soluble radical initiator 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride, on mixed dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine/linoleic acid unilamellar vesicles; scavenging activity against nitric oxide; total antioxidant status). All orange juices tested showed an evident antioxidant effect. Our findings indicate the following: (1) the antioxidant efficiency of orange juices may be attributed, in a significant part at least, to their content of total phenols, (2) while ascorbic acid seems to play a minor role; (3) the antioxidant activity of orange juices is related not only to structural features of phytochemicals contained in them, but also to their capability to interact with biomembranes; (4) finally, as to pigmented juices, their antioxidant efficiency appears to be widely influenced by the anthocyanin level. One could speculate that the supply of natural antioxidant phenols through daily consumption of orange juice might provide additional protection against in vivo oxidation of cellular biomolecules.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1999

[Biological and clinical characteristics of granular lymphocyte proliferation. Review of the literature and personal experience].

The Authors, on the basis of reports from the literature and their personal experience, describe the morphological, immunophenotypic, genotypic and functional features of Large Granular Lymphocytes (LGL). An increased number of the these particular types of lymphocytes may be observed in different pathological conditions and may be interpreted as a reactive process to a possible underlying antigenic stimulation. However, a significant and prolonged increase in LGL's may also identify the existence of a true definite Lymphoproliferative disorder (LGL-PD). It is now well known that phenotypically LGL-PD may be present in two different variants: a CD3+ form, which is more frequent, and a CD3-variant. The former usually is characterized by T-cell receptor monoclonal rearrangement, while CD3- NK cells are frequently polyclonal. However also this latter variant may express clonality and in this case the clinical course is particularly aggressive. Although LGL-PD is a distinct clinical disorder, the Authors underline the extreme variability of the clinical course and the need therefore to adopt a policy of "wait and see" before taking into consideration the choice of different therapeutic options, which are often disappointing and provide remission of only brief duration.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Changes in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier following sodium dodecyl sulphate administration in the rat.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) arises from epithelial-like tight junctions that virtually cement adjoining capillary endothelium together in the brain microvasculature. Several experimental manipulations have been shown able to increase the permeability of brain capillaries, by altering endothelial cell membrane integrity or activating specific biochemical pathways involved in regulation of BBB functionality. Because of its amphiphilic nature, sodium dodecyl sulphate (an anionic surfactant widely used as solubilizer or stabilizer in several pharmaceutical preparations; SDS) may enter into interactions with the major membrane components, which are lipids and proteins. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of an intracarotid infusion of SDS (25, 50 and 100 microg/kg; infusion rate: 3 ml/min for 30 s) on the functionality of the BBB in the rat. An extensive, dose-dependent Evans blue extravasation was observed, in the ipsilateral brain hemisphere, 15 min following SDS infusion. These results were confirmed by the significant increase in [14C]alpha-aminoisobutyric acid ([14C]AIB) transport (evaluated by calculating a unidirectional transfer constant, Ki, for the tracer from blood to brain) measured in several ipsilateral brain regions 2 min after SDS infusion; this SDS-elicited BBB opening to [14C]AIB proved to be reversible. Since the BBB is created by the plasma membrane and tight junctions of the endothelial cells, the change in BBB permeability caused by SDS might be explained as a nonspecific surfactant-membrane interaction. Furthermore, SDS might affect the functional characteristics of brain vascular endothelial cells by an interaction with specific BBB proteins and/or biochemical pathways. In conclusion, one can suggest that intracarotid infusion of SDS might provide a useful clinical approach for the intentional introduction of different substances into the brain. On the other hand, these findings should call attention to possible dangerous consequences of using SDS as solubilizer in drug excipients.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Recommended procedures for the classification of acute leukaemias.

The classification of acute leukaemias is now widely based on a combined morphological, cytochemical and immunophenotyping approach. Difficulties are frequently encountered however in reaching an acceptable degree of diagnostic concordance between different laboratories because of variations in the techniques used (in terms of methodologies, reagents and equipment) and diagnostic interpretation. The International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) convened an expert panel to consider currently available diagnostic techniques with the aim of defining a minimum cytochemical and immunological diagnostic panel that could be used as core components for the classification of acute leukaemia. The proposed ICSH scheme, which attempts to balance the basic requirement for providing precise and informative diagnostic information without limiting its use to only those laboratories with sophisticated facilities, is based on three sequential levels of investigation; primary cytochemistry, intracellular phenotyping and membrane immunophenotyping. The minimum ICSH recommended cytochemistries comprise myeloperoxidase (MPO), chloroacetate esterase (ChlorE) and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE), and standardised methods for these cytochemistries are detailed in this communication. For cases of acute leukaemia that remain unclassified by primary cytochemistry, subsequent immunological analyses for cytoplasmic CD3, CD22, MPO and nuclear TdT are recommended. The ICSH panel considers that the use of these minimum primary cytochemical and intracellular phenotyping procedures will lead to the consistent classification of most acute leukaemias, and that the third level of investigation (membrane immunophenotyping) should be used for the purposes of confirmation, diagnostic clarification of atypical leukaemias, and the subtyping of acute lymphoblastic leukaemias (ALL). The ICSH panel also recognised that there are a number of additional technologies which can provide definitive diagnostic information, such as cytogenetics and DNA genotyping, but these were excluded from the minimum panel because of their restricted availability. While many specialised laboratories, particularly in the areas of diagnostic research, will continue to use individual investigatory protocols, it is considered that the inclusion of the ICSH scheme as core components would lead to greater consistency when comparing independent studies of acute leukaemia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Epididymal lymphoma. A case report.

Primary epididymal lymphoma is an unusual observation. Only 2 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the epididymis have been previously reported. We describe the clinical and pathologic features and management of a primary high-grade malignant lymphoma of the epididymis in which a tentative diagnosis of lymphoma was made on the basis of cytologic examination and immunochemical staining of the material obtained from an aspiration needle biopsy.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Selective involvement of monocytes by acquired myeloperoxidase deficiency in a case of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.

The authors describe a case of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia in which a myeloperoxidase (MPO) deficiency of circulating monocytes was first detected by automated differential cell counting, and subsequently confirmed by cytochemical and immunocytochemical investigations. MPO activity in neutrophil granulocytes from the same case was found to be normal. MPO deficiency in monocytes appeared to be associated with impaired phagocytic capacity and, based on the results of immunophenotypic and ultrastructural studies, was most likely attributable to a partial maturation arrest of monocytes. The present case suggests that MPO deficiency in myelodysplastic syndromes may have its origin in a number of different pathogenetic mechanisms.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Cytogenetic findings in terminal large cell transformation in a case of Sézary syndrome.

A long-lasting case of Sézary syndrome, whose chromosomal pattern had been repeatedly investigated during a follow-up period of several years, was studied in the terminal transforming phase, which took place more than 5 years after the initial diagnosis. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this appears to be the first instance of cytogenetic studies carried out in a large cell transformation of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The results clearly indicate that the atypical large cells seen in the transforming phase were clonally derived from the pre-existing cerebriform cells. Newly detected relevant cytogenetic findings were: a) drop of tumor cell ploidy from hypotetraploid to hypotriploid, with striking chromosomal imbalance; b) additional structural aberrations of chromosomes 2 and 7, which had been already preferentially involved in the earlier phases, and involvement of the previously unaffected chromosomes 1, 3, and X; and c) presence in 100% of the abnormal metaphases of a large HSR on the long arm of chromosome 17.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

High-performance liquid chromatography and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy of flavonoids in Crataegus oxyacantha L. III--Analysis of 2-phenyl-chroman derivatives and caffeic acid.

High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) and diffuse infrared reflectance spectroscopic techniques for qualitative and quantitative analysis of naturally occurring phenolic compounds in Crataegus oxyacantha L. have been applied. (+)-Catechin, (-)-epicatechin and a phenolic acid, the caffeic acid, were investigated in various extractives of Crataegus oxyacantha L. The reversed-phase chromatographic separation was achieved by a combination of isocratic and gradient elution.

Caffeic Acids↗
PubMed1989

Dipeptidyl amino peptidase IV cytochemistry in circulating lymphocytes from HIV-I-seropositive subjects.

In order to assess whether changes in the relative proportions of cells pertaining to different T-lymphocyte subsets correlate with dipeptidyl amino peptidase IV (DAP IV) activity, the enzyme was cytochemically investigated in circulating lymphocytes from 20 HIV-I-seropositive drug addicts. Although on the average, a significant reduction of lymphocyte DAP IV activity was found in comparison with healthy control subjects, wide variations between individual cases were observed, and no obvious relationship emerged between DAP IV staining on one hand, immunocytological findings and Walter Reed staging on the other. Therefore, in view of the preliminary results reported, the variations of lymphocyte DAP IV activity in the course of HIV I infection seem to deserve further investigation, in order to clarify both the biological significance of this reaction and its possible clinical relevance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Computerized tridimensional reconstruction of vegetable structures.

By means of a "Personal Computer", a technique has been worked out for the acquisition and processing of data, for the tridimensional reconstruction of vegetable structures starting out from information, in the form of photographic images, obtained by optical or electronic microscope. Examples of the application of this program to vegetable drugs (corolla of Lavandula angustifolia Mill flowers) are given.

Image Processing, Computer-Assisted↗
PubMed1987

Burkitt-like lymphoid malignancy presenting as a breast tumor.

The authors describe a case of a female patient, who presented with a rapidly expanding mass of the right breast as the first clinical sign of a Burkitt-like lymphoproliferative disorder. Massive bone marrow infiltration with leukemic spillover and limited lymph node involvement were subsequently detected. The difficulties encountered in classifying, according to current schemes, the observed lymphoid neoplasm are emphasized. Moreover, an evaluation of the true rarity of mammary localizations at the onset of lymphoid malignancies, based on a review of the literature, suggests, especially for the most malignant varieties, a higher frequency than supposed.

Bone Marrow↗
PubMed1987

Relationships between different cytobiological aspects of myeloid leukaemias.

The present survey deals with the various cytobiological techniques, including the classical morphological and cytochemical approach, as well as the more recently introduced methods of study which may be employed for the characterization of malignant myeloid cells and the identification of particular leukaemic variants. The authors discuss in turn the advantages and limitations of the various approaches and draw attention to the possible relationships which may be detected using combined techniques between different cytobiological aspects, such as the expression of surface markers on the one hand and different degrees of proliferative activity on the other, and the presence of specific cytogenetic alterations as well as the existence of peculiar morphological and cytochemical patterns.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1986

Follicular lymphomas with predominant splenic involvement: report of two cases.

The authors describe the results of histological, cytomorphological, cytochemical and immunological studies carried out in two cases of follicular lymphoma characterized at onset by an exceptional degree of splenomegaly. Although several different histological types seem to be capable of giving rise to prominent splenic involvement, the authors, on the basis of the reported findings, suggest the possibility that some cases of follicular lymphoma presenting with conspicuous splenomegaly and which at present are classified in the group of the so-called intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma, might be an expression of proliferation of a cell type normally recognizable in the marginal zone of the splenic follicles.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Fibronectin distribution during lymph node development in guinea pig: an immunohistochemical study.

We carried out an immunohistochemical study on mesenteric guinea pig lymph nodes, from the 10th day prepartum till the 26th day postpartum, to assess the role of fibronectin in their organization during development. This glycoprotein is diffusely distributed in embryonic lymph nodes, suggesting a primer function during organogenesis. After birth, in fact, it is less widespread and is mainly localized around sinuses and vessels. Our data, supporting the important role of this glycoprotein during lymph node organization, are in agreement with the results obtained in other tissues and organs.

Animals↗