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Biomedical subjects

A Lamanna

Publications and source records attributed to A Lamanna.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Cornstarch powder on latex products is an allergen carrier.

Allergic reactions of the upper respiratory tract during use of powdered latex rubber gloves have been recently associated with sensitivity to latex. We have studied the ability of cornstarch powder to bind latex proteins and evaluated allergenic properties of the bound protein. Allergenicity was determined by competitive inhibition of human anti-latex IgE binding to solid-phase latex antigen. Cornstarch extracted from powdered latex products and clean cornstarch exposed to latex protein extracts were evaluated in comparison with clean unexposed cornstarch. Both exposed cornstarch preparations inhibited specific binding of anti-latex IgE antibodies to latex proteins in a dose-response manner. Latex-exposed cornstarch diluted 50% vol/vol produced complete inhibition, whereas greater dilutions exhibited variable levels of inhibition, depending on the source of cornstarch-bound proteins, insolubilized latex proteins, and IgE antibody-containing human serum used. Cornstarch not exposed to latex had no inhibitory activity. The study demonstrates that cornstarch indeed binds allergenic latex proteins and supports the causative relationship between allergic reactions in individuals with latex sensitivity and the exposure to airborne particles from powdered latex products.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1991

Interaction of copper with DNA and antagonism by other metals.

Copper [Cu(II)] has been shown to enhance DNA damage in several biological systems. Binding of copper to DNA may be a key step in producing these lesions. The results of this study indicate that the DNA double helix contains at least two kinds of binding sites for copper. One site is present once every four nucleotides, has high affinity, and shows a cooperative effect. The other is an intercalating site for copper that is present in every base pair. This site is saturable, has a dissociation constant (Kd) for Cu(II) of 41 microM. In single-stranded DNA, we found an average copper binding site every three nucleotides with lower affinity than in dsDNA. The binding of copper to DNA shows an unexpected high specificity when studied in the presence of other metallic ions. The relative efficacy of several divalent cations to antagonize Cu(II) binding was: Ni = Cd = Mg much much greater than Zn = Hg greater than Ca greater than Pb much much greater than Mn, while Cr(VI) enhanced Cu(II) binding to DNA. We hope this study will broaden the understanding of copper-DNA interactions, particularly as they relate to treatment modalities for diseases associated with disruption of copper homeostasis and potential development of copper antitumor agents.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1987

A waterborne tularemia outbreak.

A waterborne tularemia outbreak is described. Forty nine cases were identified in Sansepolcro, a small Medioeval town in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy. All cases had laterocervical or sub-mandibular adenitis, and occurred within a period of three weeks during March and April 1982. The study showed association between cases and the consumption of water from an unchlorinated water system. Francisella tularensis type 1 was isolated from wild hares captured in the area.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Frequency of isolation and drug resistance of bacterial strains from urine samples tested in the Bacteriology and Virology Laboratory of the U.S.L. 10/D in Florence].

Two thousand five hundred and sixty-eight positive monomicrobic urine samples (from general practice and hospital wards) were examined and isolated strains were tested against various antimicrobial drugs. Our findings showed that urinary-tract infections caused by Escherichia coli were the most common in females, whereas those by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus rettgeri, Enterobacter species, other difficult Gram-negative rods and Streptococcus faecalis were in total the most common in males. If we compare the strains isolated from general practice with those from the hospital, no significant differences were observed. E. coli strains were the most susceptible to the tested drugs; cefotaxime, amikacin, cefuroxime and ceftazidime were the most effective drugs against Enterobacter species, Ps. aeruginosa, P. rettgeri and Proteus mirabilis. P. mirabilis and Str. faecalis strains isolated in the hospital were more chemo-resistant than those isolated in general practice. Ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole were less active against E. coli strains isolated from children's departments in comparison with the others.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1984

In vitro activity of rifaximin and rifampicin against some anaerobic bacteria.

Activity of rifampicin and of a new rifamycin, rifaximin, was tested in strains of anaerobic bacteria belonging to the Bacteroides genus (75 B. fragilis group and 17 Bacteroides non-fragilis group) and in Clostridium perfringens (15 strains). It turned out that the bactericidal activity of both rifamycins could be overlapped and that it equalled 100% in the case of the non-fragilis Bacteroides and Clostridium species.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗
PubMed1979

[Bacteriological sensitivity "in vitro" and therapeutic response (author's transl)].

After some general considerations on the validity of antibiograms as a therapeutic guide, three methods are described and analyzed. Bacterial chemosensitivity to antimicrobic drugs were tested by the following methods: diffusion, dilution and automized methods. Only when transferred into routine laboratory methods that would reveal the results of chemosensitivity in quantitative values will a valid guide to antimicrobic chemotherapy be possible. Expressing chemosensitive bacteria directly in values of minimum inhibiting concentrations would evaluate the pharmokinetic action of single chemotherapeutical agents in relation to infective organ or apparatus pathologies which limits the practical significance of posology. Unfortunately, the collaboration between the clinical bacteriologist and the chemoterapist is still a long way off because of technical and laboratory difficulties delineating the pharmokinetic aspects in the use of the many chemoterapeutical agents in man.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1975

[Comparison of the streptozyme test with titration of antistreptolysin, antistreptokinase and antistreptohyaluronidase].

Streptozyme is a new serologic assay which is able to evidentiate 5 antistreptococcal antibodies at the same time (TAS, ASHA, ASK, DNase, NADase). This test has been carried out on 355 samples together with TAS, ASK and ASHA methods in order to value this method comparatively. The results showed that Streptozyme is a poorly reliable technique, looking at the false-positive or negative results obtained, but principally looking at the phenomena of no good reproducibility. We feel that at present it cannot be used in substitution of the classic serologic methods.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1975

[Comparative evaluation of methods for research on Australia antigen].

490 blood samples have been examined for the comparison of the various methods concerned with the detection of the Australia Antigen (Au). The following methods have been comparatively examined: immunodiffusion (ID) counterelectrophoresis (CEP), complement fixation (CF) passive hemoagglutination (HA) and solid phase radioimmunoassay RIA. On the basis of the results so far obtained the RIA appears the most sensitive and specific method, followed by the HA. In order to obtain reproducible results for diagnostic purposes we suggest to carry out routinely two different techniques together (possibly RIA and HA), while for screening purposes just one technique, choosed between the two most indicative ones, shall be employed.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sensitivity to chemoantibiotic therapy of new isolated Salmonellae strains (author's transl)].

The results of chemoantibiotic sensitivity tests carried out on 626 Salmonellae strains, isolated in 1973, 1974 and 1975 at the Bacteriol. Laboratory of S. Maria Nuova Hospital, Florence (Italy), are here related. The lowest percentages of antibiotic resistance have been noted to gentamycin and colimycin. Significant differences of antibiotic resistances were observed in single tested strains: the Salmonella wien strains were polyresistant, while the Salmonella panama strains showed a very high sensitivity to all the antibiotics. The conclusion is that in order to conduct a correct and useful antibiotic therapy, the microbic sensitivity test on isolated Salmonellae strains should be always performed.

Adult↗