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Biomedical subjects

C Corona

Publications and source records attributed to C Corona.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Atypical BSE in Germany--proof of transmissibility and biochemical characterization.

Intensive active surveillance has uncovered two atypical German BSE cases in older cattle which resemble the two different atypical BSE phenotypes that have recently been described in France (designated H-type) and Italy (designated L-type or BASE). The H-type is characterized by a significantly higher molecular size, but a conventional glycopattern of the proteinase K treated abnormal prion protein (PrP(Sc)), while the L-type PrP(Sc) has only a slightly lower molecular size and a distinctly different glycopattern. In this paper we describe the successful transmission of both German atypical BSE cases to transgenic mice overexpressing bovine PrP(C). Upon challenge with the L-type, these mice developed BSE after a substantially shorter incubation period than any classical BSE transmission using these mice to date. In contrast, the incubation period was distinctly prolonged when these mice were challenged with the H-type. PrP(Sc) accumulated in the brains of these mice were of the same atypical BSE type that had been used for the transmission. These atypical cases suggest the possible existence of sporadic BSE cases in bovines. It is thus feasible that the BSE epidemic in the UK could have also been initiated by an intraspecies transmission from a sporadic BSE case.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A case of scrapie in a sheep carrying the lysine-171 allele of the prion protein gene.

Susceptibility to scrapie in sheep depends on the host PrP genotype. No data about the linkage of the rare ARK allele to differential scrapie susceptibility are currently available. Several tissues isolated from sheep from an Italian scrapie outbreak and carrying the ARK allele were examined for the presence of the pathological prion protein. A weak positivity was detected only by Western blot in the brainstem of one ARK/ARH sheep. This result shows that the ARK allele does not confer full resistance against scrapie and that the allele needs to be studied further before it can be considered for breeding purposes.

Alleles↗

Persistent fixed torticollis due to Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation: report of 4 pediatric cases.

Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation (AARF) is a rare cause of childhood torticollis that may occur spontaneously or in association with trauma and upper respiratory infections. We describe the clinical findings, as well as the effectiveness of imaging in the diagnosis and the treatment of 4 children with AARF, in whom acute fixed non-dystonic torticollis was the presenting symptom. Onset of torticollis was spontaneous in Case 1, after general anesthesia for cholesteatoma surgery in Case 2, after a trauma in Case 3, and during hypersomnia in Case 4. Duration of torticollis prior to diagnosis was 3 months in the first two patients and 20 days in the other two. All the patients underwent cervical X-rays examinations, which were not contributory to the diagnosis, followed by CT, which demonstrated C1-C2 rotatory fixation. One patient had a spontaneous resolution; treatment with Gardner's tongs and soft collar permitted restoration of the normal alignment in the other 3 patients. AARF must be considered in all the patients with persistent painful torticollis.

Adolescent↗

Congenital basilar impression: correlated neurological syndromes.

A series of 8 cases operated on for symptomatic basilar impression associated with occipitalization of the atlas is reported (with or without atlantoaxial dislocation). Symptoms of onset (such as the frequent association between nuchal pain and vertigo) are emphasized and analyzed in relation to the pathogenetic mechanism that underlies the multiform symptomatology of the basilar impression. The diagnostic workup for basilar impression foresees X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. The most important diagnostic problem is that of considering the possible existence of such a pathology in the presence of very common symptoms such as nuchal pain and vertigo. The surgical treatment has certainly been useful both to improve and to stabilize the symptomatology mainly when there is atlantoaxial dislocation. In fact in these cases the symptomatology is more severe and progressive for the alteration of the transverse ligament of the atlas secondary to abnormal mechanical stimuli.

Adult↗

Palliative surgery of metastatic bone disease: a review of 83 cases.

Of a total of 83 patients with metastatic bone disease, surgery was performed in 17 cases at the prefracture stage, in 54 cases after complete fracture and in 10 cases to decompress the spinal cord. Positive short-term results were obtained in 75% of cases. 7 patients presented mild complications. In 2 cases, the patients had to be reoperated. 55% of the patients were still alive after 6 months, 31% after 12 months and 10% after 2 years.

Adult↗

Picotamide protects mice from death in a pulmonary embolism model by a mechanism independent from thromboxane suppression.

We have previously characterized the new antiplatelet agent picotamide as a dual thromboxane synthase inhibitor/thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist in human platelets. We have now studied the antithrombotic activity of this drug in a simple animal model of lung platelet thromboembolism in the mouse. Picotamide, given i.p. 1 hr before the thrombotic challenge, protected mice from death caused by the i.v. injection of collagen plus epinephrine in a dose-dependent way; the dose reducing mortality by 50% was 277 mg/kg while for aspirin it was 300 mg/kg. Picotamide was also able to reduce the mortality provoked by the i.v. injection of the stable TxA2 mimetic U46619; BM 13.505, a pure TxA2-receptor blocker, was also effective while aspirin was totally inactive. Picotamide, finally, reduced the lethal consequences of the i.v. injection of a 12.5% suspension of hardened rat red blood cells, a model in which platelets are not involved; aspirin was totally ineffective in this model while nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, was active. Picotamide did not inhibit the formation of TxB2 in serum at any of the doses tested (100 to 750 mg/kg i.p.) while it did enhance significantly PGI2-synthesis from mice aortae and, even more, from mice lungs. The i.v. administration of picotamide (250 mg/kg 2 min before the thrombotic challenge) lead to a strong inhibition of serum TxB2 (-84.6%) and was associated with a higher antithrombotic effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Chronic encapsulated intracerebral haematoma: pathogenetic and diagnostic considerations.

Two cases of chronic encapsulated intracerebral haematoma are reported. The patients presented with progressive neurological deficits. Computed tomography scan showed a roundish, intracerebral lesion, that revealed ring blush after contrast infusion, with mass effect. At operation a thick, fibrous, brownish capsule, containing clots in different states of formation, was removed. The hypothesis of capsule formation due to an exuberant proliferation of arachnoidal fibroblasts, is discussed. Differentiation between encapsulated intracerebral haematoma and other chronic intracerebral blood collections is considered mandatory for appropriate treatment.

Adult↗

[Hypotension caused by effort].

Authors report cases of blood hypotension during ergometer testing (inadequate or non-increase, reduction of blood-pressure values during effort, symptomatic hypotension after effort), observed to the re-examination of 3238 bicycle ergometer testing. His usefulness in diagnosis, prognosis and therapy is described.

Electrocardiography↗

[Intracavitary electric stimulation in atrioventricular blocks complicating the acute phase of myocardial infarct. Usefulness and indications].

Admissions to our Coronary Care Unit between 1975 and 1978 were studied. During this period 234 patients with myocardial infarction were admitted and complete A/V block in 50 (21,37%) of them. From our study, 7 patients with transient first degree heart block were excluded. In 23 (53,49%) patients a complete heart block developed within 24 hours of admission. Of the 8 patients with infarction and block who died (16%) 5 patients had an anterior wall myocardial infarction, of which had a PMK treatment; the others 3 cases had an inferior or posterior location and did not need a PMK treatment. We Confirm that high mortality in patients with anterior all myocardial infarction complicated by block is essentially due to the haemodynamic complications and we discuss the indication and the utility of the precautionary stimulation.

Acute Disease↗