PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Tucci

Publications and source records attributed to A Tucci.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Are cord blood B cells functionally mature?

Very low immunoglobulin secretion occurs in pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulated cord blood mononuclear cells (MNC) and has been attributed to an 'immaturity' of both T and B cells of the newborn. The cord blood T cells are phenotypically 'naive' cells, in which suppressor activity for B cell function appears to dominate over helper activity. The cord blood B cells, in spite of their expression of different membrane immunoglobulin isotypes, secrete almost no IgG and IgA in the various B cell assays so far compared. We found that cord blood B cells are as competent as B cells from adults to generate clonal IgM, IgG and IgA responses in a culture system in which a cell contact with mutant EL-4 thymoma cells in conjunction with T cell supernatant leads to strong B cell activity. As regarding the possible causes of the low cord blood PWM response, we studied the role of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), a potent inhibitor of lymphocyte functions. TGF-beta 1 sensitivity of B cells and TGF-beta 1 mRNA levels in MNC were found to be similar for adult and cord blood cells. A neutralizing anti-TGF-beta 1 antibody enhance the adult PWM response, but the immunoglobulin secretion in cord MNC remained very low. We conclude that suppression by endogenous TGF-beta 1 occurs in the PWM system but is not responsible for the low immunoglobulin response of cord blood MNC and that the newborn's B cell 'immaturity' can be overcome with potent T cell signals in vitro. This is consistent with the newborn's capacity to generate a T-dependent B cell response in vivo.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1989

Antibodies to Campylobacter pylori in patients with idiopathic dyspepsia.

We used Western Blotting analysis to determine the immune profile to Campylobacter pylori polypeptides in: A) sera from patients with idiopathic dyspepsia and bacteriological evidence of C. pylori gastric colonization, B) sera from patients with the same symptoms but no bacteriological evidence of C. pylori infection and C) healthy subjects. To avoid interference of aspecific reactions due to antigenic cross reactivity with other thermophilic Campylobacter species, antisera were raised in rabbits against C. pylori as well as against C. coli and C. jejuni. Some bands (with an approximate molecular weight of 118, 85, 40, 34, 28, 18 and 12 Kd) which can be considered specific for C. pylori were identified and the IgG reaction to some of them (40, 34, 28 Kd) was shown to be significantly higher in patients with bacteriological evidence of C. pylori infection than in the other two groups. IgM reactivity to two bacterial proteins of molecular weight 118 and 40 Kd was particularly evident in the second group of patients suggesting a possible diagnostic tool to identify C. pylori infection at a very early stage.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Morphologic evaluation of the liver in hereditary angioedema patients on long-term treatment with androgen derivatives.

17 alpha-Alkylated androgens are highly effective in preventing attacks in HAE patients. These drugs, however, seem to be implicated in the development of cholestatic jaundice, peliosis hepatis, and liver tumors. In order to assess the risk-benefit balance of the long-term therapy with androgen derivatives, a follow-up investigation was performed in 13 HAE patients. The results of this study indicate that long-term treatment (15 to 47 mo) with low doses of danazol or stanozolol does not induce significant hepatic damage detectable by laboratory tests or liver biopsy. However, the limited number of patients, although in a rather long period of observation, still suggests a careful control and the use of minimal effective doses.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Biosynthesis and postsynthetic processing of human C-reactive protein.

Human C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of several plasma proteins that increase after tissue injury or inflammation. The magnitude of the increase in CRP (100 to 1000-fold over the resting state) makes this an excellent model for studies of eukaryotic gene control. Accordingly, the biosynthesis and postsynthetic processing of human CRP was examined under cellfree conditions and in Xenopus oocytes injected with liver mRNA. The primary translation product is larger than native serum CRP by an 18-amino acid amino terminal extension. The sequence of this signal peptide was derived from nucleotide sequencing of a 1.8-kilobase (Kb) CRP-specific cDNA clone. Northern blot analysis revealed a CRP mRNA of approximately 2.2 Kb, a size more than three times that required (615 bases) to code for the primary translation product. These data form the basis for study of molecular control of the acute phase response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1982

Effect of treatment with 17 alpha-alkylated androgens on C4 conversion products in hereditary angioedema studied by crossed immunoelectrophoresis.

During agarose electrophoresis C4 in the normal human serum is converted into cleavage products of Beta 1 and Beta 2 mobility. By contrast in the serum of untreated patients with hereditary angiodema C4 gives only one Beta 2 peak on crossed immunoelectrophoresis. The normal C4 electrophoretic pattern is restored in serum of patients treated with stanazolol but not with danazol despite the same C1-esterase inhibitor (C1 INH) activities and C4 serum concentration. We suggest that stanazolol besides having specific effect on C1 INH activity can interfere with other protease inhibitors affecting C1 activation.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Pathological effects of recently isolated complement derived peptides].

The C3a and C5a polypeptides release, under conditions of complement activation, causes a change in PMN shape and adhesiveness with formation of leukoemboli in microvascular districts. Those modified granulocytes produce oxygen radicals with toxic activity. This mechanism seems to play a role in different pathological situations like pulmonary distress in hemodialysis, leukapheresis, cardiopulmonary by-pass and extent of necrosis in acute myocardial infarction. The same mechanism has been largely investigated in Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (A.R.D.S.). In this condition the leukoembolization toxicity seems to be the most important pathogenetic factor of the alveolo-capillary membrane damage which is the base of the disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Pityriasis rubra pilaris and and retinol-binding protein.

Serum levels of retinol-binding protein (the specific carrier of vitamin A) were measured in eleven patients with pityriasis rubra pilaris and in some of their close relatives. The level of retinol-binding protein was markedly reduced in every patient, and in some of the relatives. It is postulated that defective synthesis of retinol-binding protein is a biochemical marker for pityriasis rubra pilaris, probably transmitted as a Mendelian dominant.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Severe acute gastritis associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.

We describe the case of a young female referred to our unit because of acute upper abdominal symptoms. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a gastric picture resembling lymphoma or acute non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug gastropathy (deep, large and irregular ulcers), but the clinical history and the histological examination of gastric biopsies were consistent only with acute gastritis Helicobacter pylori-correlated. The patient was treated with omeprazole and antibiotics with complete recovery. As the patient's cat had suffered from an acute gastrointestinal distress two weeks earlier, a case of zoonosis was hypothesized and an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed also on the cat. Unfortunately, we were not able to detect Helicobacter pylori in the cat gastric mucosa, but only urease-producing spiral microorganisms. Possible sources of infection and pathogenetic mechanisms of the severe gastritis are discussed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hereditary angioedema: an appraisal of 104 cases.

One hundred and four patients affected by hereditary angioedema belonging to 31 families have been studied. Twenty-two percent had the variant form related to the deficiency of the functional activity of serum C1 esterase inhibitor. The remaining 78% of patients had the predominant form, characterized by low antigenic levels and low functional activity of serum C1 esterase inhibitor. Attacks of swelling affected the subcutaneous tissue in 86% of patients; the upper airways in 76% of patients, and the bowel mucose in 75% of patients. Before treatment was available the mortality rate was 56%. One or more attacks a month were present in 46% of cases. The infusion of C1 inhibitor concentrate promptly reversed 14 severe attacks without any side effect. Twenty-nine patients were given long term prophylactic treatment with androgen derivatives with full success. Tranexamic acid reduced the frequency of swelling of 70% of the patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A phase II study of paclitaxel/cisplatin combination in patients with metastatic breast cancer refractory to anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: To investigate the safety and efficacy of a paclitaxel and cisplatin regimen in a selected group of metastatic breast cancer patients with primary or acquired chemo-resistance to anthracycline-based chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight consecutive women with metastatic breast cancer (PS < or =2) were entered in this phase II trial; all patients had been previously treated for metastatic disease with chemotherapy containing anthracyclines and had shown a progression of the disease during drug administration or after a clinical response lasting less than 6 months. Fifteen patients had received 2 or more chemotherapeutic regimens for advanced disease; 31 patients had > or =2 sites of metastatic disease. Paclitaxel (135 mg/m2) was administered iv by a 3-hr infusion followed by iv infusion of cisplatin (75 mg/m2) on day 1, every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. After the completion of the planned chemotherapy administration, 9 responsive patients continued to receive paclitaxel alone (175 mg/m2) iv, on day 1, every 3 weeks, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. RESULTS: A partial clinical response was recorded in 17 cases (45%; 95% CI, 30-64%). The median duration of overall response was 8 months; for the 9 responsive patients who continued treatment with paclitaxel alone, 4 had maintained the partial clinical response at the median follow-up of 24 months from the onset of therapy. The median time to progression was 6 months and median overall survival 8 months. Neurotoxicity was the most frequent adverse effect and caused treatment discontinuation in 5 cases for grade 3-4 paresthesia and/or an arthralgia/myalgia syndrome. Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 16 patients (44%). CONCLUSIONS: Paclitaxel/cisplatin is an active regimen for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer refractory to anthracycline-based chemotherapy. However, the cumulative neurotoxicity should limit the efficacy of prolonged paclitaxel monotherapy in responsive patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

OVCA (CA125) second generation: technical aspects and serum levels in controls, patients with liver disease, pregnant women and patients with ovarian disease.

An immunoradiometric method of the second generation (IR-MA II) is widely used to determine CA125 serum levels. In this study we have evaluated the performance characteristics of a commercially available IRMA CA125 II (Byk-Gulden, Sangtec Diagnostica). The CA125 serum levels were determined in several groups of patients (healthy women, pregnant women, subjects affected by benign and malignant ovarian cancer, patients with liver diseases) with two IRMAs CA125 II (Byk-Gulden, Sangtec Diagnostica and Centocor, Diagnostic Division) and IRMA CA125 I (Byk-Gulden, Sangtec Diagnostica). Our results show a good analytic performance of IRMA CA125 II (Byk-Gulden, Sangtec Diagnostica), a good correlation between IRMAs CA125 II (Byk-Gulden, Sangtec Diagnostica and Centocor, Diagnostic Division), but an unacceptable correlation between IRMAs CA125 II (Byk-Gulden, Sangtec Diagnostica and Centocor, Diagnostic Division) and IRMA CA125 I. A statistically significant difference was observed comparing the values obtained with both IRMAs CA125 II and IRMA CA125 I in the groups of patients. In contrast no statistically significant difference was observed when we compared the values obtained with IRMA CA125 II (Byk-Gulden, Sangtec Diagnostica) and IRMA CA125 II (Centocor, Diagnostic Division). CA125 serum values obtained with the second-generation kits were different from those obtained with the first-generation one; consequently, it is important, especially in the follow-up of cancer patients, that CA125 serum values be obtained with kits of the same generation. Our data seem to suggest the use of second-generation kits to determine CA125 serum levels.

CA-125 Antigen↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of tumor markers in the management of head and neck cancer.

Serologic tumor markers have been evaluated in the diagnosis, management and follow-up of patients with head and neck cancer. However, to the authors' knowledge no tumor marker has yet been shown to be useful for monitoring the response to chemotherapy in this type of disease, in particular for undifferentiated tumors. The pretreatment levels of CEA, TPA, SCC and ferritin were evaluated in 98 patients with advanced head and neck cancer. Of this group 64 patients were studied sequentially every month during planned chemotherapy and three weeks after treatment using standard commercial kits. The results showed the following sensitivity values: TPA 50%, CEA 36%, SCC 34% and ferritin 19%. The incidence and magnitude of the marker elevations were correlated with the extent of disease. In patients with squamous cell cancer SCC and CEA were elevated (by 68% and 54%, respectively) in tumors with good differentiation (G1), but only by 13% (both markers) in tumors classified as poorly differentiated (G3). CEA, SCC and ferritin serum levels were not correlated with response to chemotherapy, while TPA values correlated with the clinical response to treatment in 100% of patients with undifferentiated cancer and in 75% of those with squamous cell cancer. Our data indicate that in patients with head and neck cancer TPA appears to be a sensitive marker, followed in decreasing order of sensitivity by CEA, SCC and ferritin. However, SCC and CEA seem to be the most suitable markers for squamous cell cancer and in particular for more differentiated tumors (G1). Finally, TPA has proved to be a useful marker for monitoring the response to chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer, in particular for undifferentiated tumors.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx) in advanced pretreated soft tissue sarcomas: a phase II study of the Italian Sarcoma Group (ISG).

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin remains one of the few drugs with consistent single agent activity in advanced Soft Tissue Sarcomas (STS), with a demonstrated dose-response relationship. Liposomal-encapsulated Doxorubicin (LED) has been shown to be at least as active as free doxorubicin in experimental models, and phase I and II human studies indicate that this novel strategy of drug delivery my have less myocardial toxicity. Few clinical trials in adult STS have been published until now, with disappointing and often contrasting results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients with measurable advanced and/or metastatic STS, previously pretreated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy, were enrolled into the trial. LED (Caelyx) was administered over 1-hour intravenous infusion at the dose of 30 mg/m2 in the first 5 patients, then at the fixed dose of 50 mg/m2 in the subsequent 20 patients. Treatment was given on ambulatory basis, at 3-week intervals. Antiemetics were generally not required and only used if indicated. RESULTS: A total of 98 courses of chemotherapy were given (median 4 per patient, range 2 to 5). Amongst the 25 evaluable patients, there were 3 partial responses (12%, 95% confidence interval 4.2% to 29.9%) lasting 3-9+ months and all occurring in patients treated at 50 mg/m2/cycle. In addition, 2 minor responses (4+ months) and 17 stable disease (2-7+ months) were observed; the remaining 3 patients progressed while on therapy. The median delivered drug dose-intensity was 13.3 mg/m2/week (range 10 to 16.6 mg/m2/week). Treatment was well tolerated, with no patient requiring dose reduction or therapy delay because of toxicity. Only 2 cases of WHO grade 3 toxicity occurred, consisting of neutropenia and scrotal skin toxicity; respectively; no cardiotoxicity was seen. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that Caelyx has some activity in advanced, anthracycline-pretreated STS, with favourable toxic profile. From the analysis of available experiences it emerges that liposomal doxorubicin has not been tested at doses adequate to exploit the antitumor effects of the drug, being the reached dose-intensity being even lower than those deemed critical for obtaining optimal responses to free doxorubicin. We suggest that further and better addressed studies be performed in STS, including patients with less advanced stages of disease, focused on attempting to delivery the drug at optimal doses.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Role of alkaline phosphatase Regan isoenzyme in prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma].

The presence of Regan isoenzyme (the heat stable fraction of alkaline phosphatase) in serum of patients with osteosarcoma has been proposed as a prognostic factor indicating the metastatic evolution of the disease. This work reports on 9 patients with osteosarcoma. In 4 of them Regan isoenzyme was present 4, 6, 12, and 16 months before clinical-instrumental evidence of lung metastases. These results further support the significance of this isoenzyme as a marker of relapse in an early subclinical stage.

Adolescent↗