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Biomedical subjects

C Chiarini

Publications and source records attributed to C Chiarini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Scarring alopecia in discoid lupus erythematosus: a clinical, histopathologic and immunopathologic study.

Scarring alopecia is a very frequent feature of chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). So far in the literature, only clinic-pathologic features or histopathologic-immunopathologic traits of DLE scarring alopecia (DLESA) have been reported. We describe the most significant features of clinical morphology, histopathology, serum and tissue immunopathology of 36 DLESA patients (41.9% of all our scarring alopecia patients). Clinically, 33.3% presented a single lesion and 52.7% presented multiple lesions of scarring alopecia, while 13.8% exhibited a picture resembling Pseudopelade of Brocq, with the classic 'footprints in the snow' appearance. The most frequent morphologic features were sclero-atrophy (80.5%) and erythema (63.8%). The main histopathologic aspects appeared to be fibrosis (100%), follicular hyperkeratosis (91.4%), epidermal atrophy (88.5%), lymphocytic infiltrate (88.5%), thickened basement membrane (77.1%) and basal vacuolar degeneration (74.2%). Antinuclear antibodies were present in 42.8% of patients and antigastric mucosa, antithyroid and anticardiolipin antibodies in 17-21% of patients. A positive lupus band test was demonstrated in 81.8% of cases and perivascular deposit in 30.3% of patients. Histopathology alone allowed a correct diagnosis only in 68.5% of cases; in the other cases, the diagnosis was assessed also taking into account immunopathologic findings. Our study defines the clinic, histopathologic and immunopathologic features of DLESA patients and points out that a multiparametric approach is mandatory to assess the diagnosis of DLESA.

Adolescent↗

Bifidobacterium inopinatum sp. nov. and Bifidobacterium denticolens sp. nov., two new species isolated from human dental caries.

In a previous investigation of bifidobacteria isolated from human dental caries (V. Scardovi and F. Crociani, Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 24:6-20, 1974), 40 strains were assigned to the new species Bifidobacterium dentium. In this study we examined 70 new strains of bifidobacteria isolated from dental caries. The morphological characteristics, biochemical reactions, fermentation patterns, end products from glucose metabolism, protein electrophoretic patterns, levels of DNA hybridization, and DNA G+C contents of these organisms revealed that they belong to three different taxa. One of these taxa was identified as B. dentium. The other two are described as the following new Bifidobacterium species in this paper: Bifidobacterium inopinatum (type strain, DSM 10107) and Bifidobacterium denticolens (type strain, DSM 10105). The two new species differ from other Bifidobacterium species in their morphological characteristics (especially B. inopinatum, with its very small coccoid cells), in their carbohydrate fermentation patterns (most strains ferment dextran, and B. inopinatum does not ferment galactose), and in their DNA base compositions (especially B. inopinatum).

Bacterial Proteins↗

Kelfiprim versus co-trimoxazole in recurrent and persistent urinary tract infections: multicenter double-blind trial.

Kelfiprim (KP) is a new bactericidal agent containing trimethoprim (T) and sulfametopyrazine (S), a long-acting sulfonamide (ratio 5:4). The posology is one capsule (T 250 mg + S 200 mg) daily, after a loading dose of two capsules on the first day. To evaluate the clinical value of Kelfiprim (KP) vs co-trimoxazole (CO) in urinary tract infection (UTI) a controlled multicenter double-blind trial (MDBT) was carried out in 76 patients suffering from persistent and recurrent UTIs. About 90 per cent response rate (sterile urine at the end of treatment) was obtained for KP and about 85 per cent for CO in recurrent UTI. In persistent UTI the rate of recovery was 66.8 per cent and 53 per cent for KP and CO, respectively. Safety of treatments was excellent in 97 per cent of patients treated with Kelfiprim and 87 per cent treated with co-trimoxazole. Two patients, one in each group, were dropped from the study because of adverse reactions.

Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary↗

Effect of bromocriptine treatment on prolactin, noradrenaline and blood pressure in hypertensive haemodialysis patients.

Bromocriptine (2.5 mg/day orally) produced a significant fall in supine mean arterial pressure in nine hypertensive haemodialysis patients with high serum prolactin levels, without causing significant changes in heart rate. On bromocriptine, there was a significant decrease in the mean value of both serum prolactin and plasma noradrenaline, without significant changes in the mean value of plasma renin activity. A significant relationship was found between the changes in supine plasma noradrenaline and the changes in supine mean arterial pressure induced by bromocriptine. The increase in mean arterial pressure in response to the tilt test was greater on bromocriptine than on placebo although the changes in plasma noradrenaline were reduced by bromocriptine. Similar results were observed during the cold pressor test. These findings suggest that the arterial pressure-lowering effect of bromocriptine is related to the reduction in sympathetic out-flow. The parallel decrease in serum prolactin raises the question of the possible involvement of dopaminergic mechanisms in the development of hypertension in our patients. Moreover, bromocriptine seems to enhance the vascular response to endogenous noradrenaline.

Adult↗

Failure of naloxone in reversal hemodialysis-induced hypotension.

In 5 uremic patients the role of opioid peptides in dialysis-induced hypotension was investigated through the administration of naloxone. An intravenous bolus injection of 1 mg of naloxone was administered immediately before starting a routine hemodialysis session and was repeated when the patients' systolic arterial pressure sank below 90 mm Hg. In our patients, naloxone had no effect on the resting arterial pressure or on dialysis-induced hypotension.

Blood Pressure↗

Plasma noradrenaline and blood pressure in uremia.

To evaluate a possible correlation between sympathetic activity and blood pressure in uremia, catecholamines and blood pressure were determined in 81 uremic patients. In 34 of these 81 patients, thyroid hormones were also measured. In 16 patients on maintenance dialysis, a longitudinal study was performed to compare long-term blood pressure and catecholamine variations. No correlation was found between mean blood pressure and noradrenaline in the 81 patients as a whole, but when male and female patients were evaluated separately, a significant correlation was found in the former group. In the 34 patients, a correlation between mean blood pressure and noradrenaline was found only when hypothyroid patients were excluded. Variations in mean blood pressure induced by chronic dialysis were related to noradrenaline changes in the 16 patients studied. In conclusion, sympathetic activity seems to be correlated to blood pressure in uremic patients.

Adolescent↗

Effect of eosinophilia on the heterogeneity of the anticoagulant response to heparin in haemodialysis patients.

The anticoagulant response to heparin was determined, during haemodialysis, in a group of seven patients with eosinophilia and in a control group. The heparin half-life was similar in the two groups, but the heparin effect index was lower in patients with eosinophilia. The dose-response curve showed a reduced sensitivity to heparin in patients with eosinophilia. In patients with eosinophilia a significant reduction in eosinophil count was observed during cuprophan dialysis, but not during polyacrylonitrile dialysis. The hyposensitivity to heparin might be related to eosinophil degranulation, during cuprophan dialysis, with release of a major basic protein that neutralises heparin.

Adult↗

Transfer of liposome-encapsulated carboxyfluorescein to isolated nuclei.

The interaction between phosphatidylcholine vesicles and isolated rat liver nuclei has been examined by studying the uptake of the fluorophore carboxyfluorescein. The kinetics of transfer of the dye, analyzed by flow cytofluorimetry with a Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS IV), indicate an efficient delivery to the nucleoplasm. The results reflect a liposome-nuclear membrane interaction which may contribute to the processes which underlie our previously described morphological and functional changes in isolated nuclei treated with phospholipids.

Animals↗

Berger's nephropathy: relationship between histological pattern, blood pressure and renin.

Vascular damage (VD), glomerular sclerosis (GS), renin (PRA) and blood pressure were assessed in 50 patients with Berger's nephropathy. GS was present in 5/15 patients without VD and affected more than 15 per cent of glomeruli in seven patients with minimal VD. Nine out of 19 patients with GS were normotensive. VD was present in 35 patients: 16 were hypertensive and 19 normotensive. Therefore hypertension is not the only mechanism responsible for VD. In the seven normotensive patients with high PRA, GS was not present while VD was absent or minimal.

Adolescent↗

Dopaminergic control of sympathetic activity and blood pressure in haemodialysis patients.

Bromocriptine was used to test the hypothesis that the abnormality of the dopaminergic system described in haemodialysis patients may cause enhanced sympathetic activity and high blood pressure. Bromocriptine significantly reduced supine mean blood pressure and plasma noradrenaline. Moreover, although the increments in plasma noradrenaline during tilt tests were reduced by bromocriptine there was a significant improvement in the response of blood pressure. These results suggest that dopaminergic control of sympathetic activity may be impaired in haemodialysis patients and may be a cause of high blood pressure. Moreover, a restoration of a normal relationship between noradrenaline and adrenergic receptors would be consistent with the present results.

Adult↗