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Biomedical subjects

B Canesi

Publications and source records attributed to B Canesi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease using a grid implementation of statistical parametric mapping analysis.

A quantitative statistical analysis of perfusional medical images may provide powerful support to the early diagnosis for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). A Statistical Parametric Mapping algorithm (SPM), based on the comparison of the candidate with normal cases, has been validated by the neurological research community to quantify ipometabolic patterns in brain PET/SPECT studies. Since suitable "normal patient" PET/SPECT images are rare and usually sparse and scattered across hospitals and research institutions, the Data Grid distributed analysis paradigm ("move code rather than input data") is well suited for implementing a remote statistical analysis use case, described in the present paper. Different Grid environments (LCG, AliEn) and their services have been used to implement the above-described use case and tackle the challenging problems related to the SPM-based early AD diagnosis.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

Clinical characteristics and factors predicting evolution of asymptomatic IgM monoclonal gammopathies and IgM-related disorders.

We evaluated the prognostic features of 384 asymptomatic IgM-monoclonal gammopathies (aIgM-MGs) and 74 IgM-related disorders (IgM-RDs), two clinically distinct groups as proposed by the Second International Workshop on Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia (WM). The cumulative probability of evolution to lymphoid malignancy at 5 and 10 years was 8% (95% CI, 5-13%) and 29% (95% CI, 21-38%), respectively, in aIgM-MGs; it was 9% (95% CI, 4-20%) and 16% (95% CI, 7-31%), respectively, in IgM-RDs (P=0.26). At a median follow-up of 45 months (12-233), 45 aIgM-MGs (11.7%) evolved to symptomatic WM (n=41), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (n=2), IgM multiple myeloma (n=1), and primary amyloidosis (n=1). At a median follow-up of 60 months (13-195), seven IgM-RDs (9.5%) evolved to symptomatic WM (n=6), and B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (n=1). At univariate analysis, in aIgM-MGs bone marrow lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), haemoglobin level, IgM size, and lymphocytosis significantly correlated with evolution probability. At multivariate analysis, the latter two parameters strongly correlated with prognosis, haemoglobin being associated with a trend for a higher progression risk. In IgM-RDs IgM size, neutropenia, lymphocytosis, detectable Bence Jones proteinuria, and high ESR were associated with evolution probability. In conclusion, asymptomatic IgM-MGs and IgM-RDs are distinct clinical entities with similar probability of transformation to lymphoid malignancy.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Reliability and validity of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index in Italian patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

OBJECTIVE: The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis (OA) Index is a tested questionnaire to assess symptoms and physical functional disability in patients with OA of the knee and the hip. We adapted the WOMAC for the Italian language and tested its metric properties in 304 patients with symptomatic OA of the knee. METHODS: Three hundred and four consecutive patients, attending 29 rheumatologic outpatient clinic in northern, central, and southern Italy, were asked to answer two disease-specific questionnaires (WOMAC and Lequesne algofunctional index) and one generic instrument (Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 Health Survey-MOS SF-36). A sample of 258 patients was readministered the WOMAC 7-10 days after the first visit and the structured interview, which also assessed demographic and other characteristics. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and construct and discriminant validity using Spearman's correlations, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: All WOMAC subscales (pain, stiffness, and physical function) were internally consistent with Cronbach's coefficient alpha of 0.91, 0.81, and 0.84, respectively. Test-retest reliability was satisfactory with ICCs of 0.86, 0.68, and 0.89, respectively. In comparison with the SF-36, the expected correlations were found when comparing items measuring similar constructs, supporting the concepts of convergent construct validity. Very high correlations were also obtained between WOMAC scores and Lequesne OA algofunctional index. WOMAC physical function, but not WOMAC stiffness and pain subscales, was weakly associated with radiological OA severity (P=0.03). Also, WOMAC pain score was inversely correlated (P=0.01) with years of formal education. Examination of discriminant validity showed that the scores on the WOMAC and SF-36 followed hypothesized patterns: the WOMAC discriminated better among subjects with varying severity of knee problems, whereas the SF-36 discriminated better among subjects with varying levels of self-reported health status and comorbidity. CONCLUSION: The Italian version of WOMAC is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating the severity of OA of the knee, with metric properties in agreement with the original, widely used version.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Pregnancy outcome in 100 women with autoimmune diseases and anti-Ro/SSA antibodies: a prospective controlled study.

Anti-Ro/SSA antibodies are associated with neonatal lupus but are also considered a possible cause for unexplained pregnancy loss and adverse pregnancy outcome. In a large multicentres cohort study we have prospectively followed 100 anti-Ro/SSA positive women (53 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)) during their 122 pregnancies and 107 anti-Ro/SSA negative women (58 SLE) (140 pregnancies). Anti-Ro/SSA antibodies were tested by immunoblot and counterimunoelectrophoresis. Mean gestational age at delivery (38 vs 37.9 weeks), prevalence of pregnancy loss (9.9 vs 18.6%), preterm birth (21.3 vs 13.9%), cesarean sections (49.2 vs 53.4%), premature rupture of membranes (4.9 vs 8.1%), preeclampsia (6.6 vs 8%), intrauterine growth retardation (0 vs 2.3%)and newborns small for gestational age (11.5 vs 5.8%) were similar in anti-Ro/SSA positive and negative SLE mothers; findings were similar in non-SLE women. Two cases of congenital heart block were observed out of 100 anti-Ro/SSA positive women. In conclusion, anti-Ro/SSA antibodies are responsible for congenital heart block but do not affect other pregnancy outcomes, both in SLE and in non-SLE women. The general outcome of these pregnancies is now very good, ifprospectively followed by multidisciplinary teams with ample experience in this field.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with rheumatism-like presentation and multiple cystic and nodular lesions in the liver.

We report the case of a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in an isolated and not previously diagnosed "adult polycystic liver disease". In this case, a rheumatism-like presentation was associated with the discovery of multiple nodular and cystic lesions in the liver. Of these, the former were related to lymphoma involvement, the latter to pre-existent liver disease. The singularity of the case, not previously reported, and some difficulties met in diagnosing the two pathologies, justify the report.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1997

Efficacy and tolerability of ketoprofen 200 mg controlled-release cps vs indomethacin 50 mg cps in patients with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis. A multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: An open-label, randomised, multicentre study was carried out to compare the efficacy and tolerability of indomethacin capsules and ketoprofen controlled-release capsules in the symptomatic treatment of coxarthrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 113 out-patients were enrolled: 57 were assigned to receive indomethacin 50 mg twice daily and 56 ketoprofen 200 mg once daily for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Indomethacin and ketoprofen proved equally effective in relieving osteoarticular pain and stiffness and in improving the quality of life of patients. There was essentially no difference as to gastrointestinal adverse events which occurred in 25% of patients on indomethacin and in 27% of those on ketoprofen. Indomethacin caused more non-gastrointestinal untoward effects, especially CNS effects (headache and dizziness: 11%) which were not observed with ketoprofen. Indomethacin was discontinued because of adverse events in a larger proportion of patients (20%) than ketoprofen (11%).

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Fluorocytometric analysis of anti-HLA class 2 autoantibodies in patients with lupus nephritis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are known to produce a variety of autoantibodies (AAb), some of which may be directed against immunocompetent cells. Anti-B cell autoimmunity may encompass reactivity against HLA-class 2 molecules, which are also expressed on kidney tissue. We studied 15 patients with moderate to severe renal involvement and 5 lupus patients with no clinical renal disease, in order to detect the presence of anti-HLA class 2 AAb. Flow cytometry was employed in an inhibitory assay using patient sera, autologous cells and two anti-class 2 monoclonals, to establish the specificity of anti-B cell AAb. Seven out of 15 nephritis patients had detectable anti-class 2 AAb with an epitopic heterogeneity, as demonstrated by different degrees of inhibition on the binding of non-overlapping monoclonals. The specificity of the reaction was confirmed by the lack of inhibition of non-class 2 antibody binding. The presence of such AAb was not correlated with disease activity but with the presence of a diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis on renal biopsy. Anti-class 2 AAb may be a marker of SLE diffuse proliferative nephritis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

[Latent neuropathy in rheumatoid arthritis. Electrophysiological study of 45 cases].

Thirty (88.2%) of thirty four patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed evidence of latent neuropathy, as judged by the following tests: measurements of motor and sensory conduction velocity; analysis of single motor units at various sites and under different conditions. All patients demonstrating electrophysiological signs of involvement of nervous functions showed no clinical signs of peripheral neuropathy. On the basis of the present results it is proposed that neurophysiological alterations could depend on a widespread (immunologically mediated?) injury of the axonic membrane.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Platelet function in rheumatoid arthritis.

Platelet function tests were evaluated in 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 9 of whom displayed thrombocytosis (greater than 400,000 platelets/microliter). Most patients had an enhanced sensitivity to collagen and epinephrine induced aggregation, as compared with a reference group. In contrast, malondialdehyde (MDA) production, an index of platelet arachidonic acid metabolism, was in the normal range for all the patients except 3, who were LE phenomenon positive. The hypersensitivity of platelets to aggregating stimuli was particularly marked in thrombocytotic patients, who also showed the most striking biochemical and clinical abnormality. These findings indicate the crucial role of platelets in the development and self-sustaining of RA.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

The association between HL-A antigens ankylosing spondylitis and sacro-iliitis.

The second series antigen W27 has been found to have an increased frequency in ankylosing spondylitis (82 per cent of 17 patients) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (Still's disease) (29 per cent of 24 patients). Three family studies are presented, including one in which the antigen W27 occurs both in the absence and the presence of ankylosing spondylitis. It is suggested that this family illustrates that the relationship between W27 and sacro-iliitis is affected by non-HL-A genes. The development of clinical disease depends upon the coincidence of several factors in one individual, some of which are genetically controlled by two or more loci which are not necessarily linked.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Central nervous system involvement in patients with HCV-related cryoglobulinemia: literature review and a case report].

INTRODUCTION: Few well-documented cases of central nervous system involvement in patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia and/or HCV infection have been reported. We can distinguish between acute or subacute diffuse and focal lesions (transient ischemic attack-like syndromes and cerebrovascular accidents). METHODS: A search of two electronic databases (Medline and EMBASE) was conducted from the year of their inception (1966 for Medline and 1988 for EMBASE) to September 2000. The search strategy employed entailed combining these terms: Cryoglobulinemia, Central Nervous System, Hepatitis C, Chronic Hepatitis. Cryoglobulinemia and Central Nervous System were also used as free test words. We analysed articles with case reports and the most frequent articles on the references list. PATHOGENESIS: The main pathophysiologic mechanism of cerebral involvement is ischemia (or rarely hemorrhage) due to diffuse or segmental vasculitis of the small cerebral vessels. In these cases a brain MRI usually shows single or multiple increased T2 signals. Furthermore an occasional occlusive vasculopathy without vasculitis was documented histologically. In these patients ischemia could be started or enhanced by the engorgement of the microvasculature by clumps of red cells and by aggregates of cryoglobulins. In the same patients vasculitis and hemorheological abnormalities can affect the clinical picture of the cerebral involvement in mixed cryoglobulinemia. Finally, the detection of HCV in the lesions induces a hypothesis that, in some cases, CNS involvement could be directly related to chronic HCV infection, even in the absence of cryoglobulin production. CASE REPORT: We describe a 63 year-old woman with acute severe encephalopathy. Laboratory evaluation revealed a high positive test result for rheumatoid factor (3390 U/ml) and hypocomplementemia (C4 less than 1.67 mg/dl). Protein immunofixation electrophoresis demonstrated 5% monoclonal proteins (IgM/k and IgG/k), 3% cryoglobulins were present, HCV antibody and HCV-RNA (type 2a-2c) were positive. Cryoglobulins were never typed, because they disappeared after plasma exchanges. Liver enzymes, renal function and findings on cerebrospinal fluid were normal. Cerebral CT and MRI were also normal. Antinuclear antibodies, anti nDNA antibodies, antiphospholipid antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, ANCA, Lyme disease serology, complete tests for thrombophilia were negative. Bone aspiration was normal. The patient, in coma, was treated with two plasma exchanges. During the first treatment she recovered consciousness. Prednisone (1 mg/Kg/day) and cyclophosphamide (400 mg iv for three days) were added. After a week two plasma exchanges were performed again. Liver enzymes and rheumatoid factor were analysed monthly for six months and than every two months for another six month period up to the present. Liver enzymes were always normal, rheumatoid factor was always at a lower level than the first evaluation (now it's 311 U/ml). At present she is taking Prednisone 5 mg once a day, neurologic symptoms are absent and neurologic examination is normal. DISCUSSION: We can conclude that: central neurologic involvement may be the clinical presentation of HCV infection and mixed cryoglobulinemia. HCV serologic tests and cryoglobulins should be considered in patient with encephalopathy of non-obvious cause; plasma exchange is the treatment of choice in acute severe forms; in some patients HCV could involve directly CNS, even in the absence of cryoglobulin production.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Italian consensus on Eular 2003 recommendations for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis].

The recommendations for the management of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee firstly proposed by the EULAR in 2000, have been updated in 2003. One of the most important objectives of the expert charged to provide these recommendations was their dissemination. Thus, the information generated may be used by each individual country to produce their own set of management guidelines and algorithms for treatment in primary care. The Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR) and the Italian League against Rheumatism (LIMAR) have organised a Consensus on the EULAR recommendations 2003 with the aim to analyse their acceptability and applicability according to our own experience and local situations in the Italy. The results of this Consensus have demonstrated that a large majority of the EULAR recommendations are endorsed by the Italian experts. Furthermore, the final document of the Italian Consensus clearly indicated the need that specialists involved in the management of knee OA strongly encourage the dissemination of the EULAR 2003 recommendations also in Italy.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Italian consensus on EULAR recommendations 2005 for the management of hip osteoarthritis].

The recommendations for the management of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip were proposed by EULAR in 2005. Among the most important objectives of the expert charged to provide these recommendations were their wide dissemination and implementation. Thus, the information generated can be used by each individual country to produce their own set of management guidelines and algorithms for treatment in primary care. According with that previously executed for the EU-LAR recommendation 2003 for the knee, the Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR) has organised a Consensus on the EULAR recommendations 2005 for the management of hip OA. To obtain an acceptability as large as possible, the group of experts was composed by many physicians interested in the management of hip OA, including Orthopaedics, Rheumatologists, Physiatrists, and General Practitioners. Main aim of the Consensus was to analyse the acceptability and applicability of the recommendations according to own experience and local situations in the Italy. The results of this Consensus have demonstrated that a large majority of the EULAR recommendations are endorsed by the Italian experts. Furthermore, the final document of the Italian Consensus clearly indicated the need that the specialists involved in the management of hip OA strongly encourage the dissemination of the EULAR 2005 recommendations also in Italy.

European Union↗