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Biomedical subjects

C Ferrari

Publications and source records attributed to C Ferrari.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Clonal analysis of intrahepatic T lymphocytes in chronic active hepatitis. Isolation of a T-cell line specific for hepatitis B core antigen from a patient with serological evidence of exposure to HBV.

We have evaluated whether peripheral blood and hepatic lymphocytes from a patient with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and antibodies to HBV in serum were specifically sensitized to HBV envelope antigens (HBsAg and pre-S Ag) or to HBcAg. No proliferation to HBV antigens was demonstrated upon stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells either unfractionated or enriched in CD4+ (helper/inducer) T cells. Of 15 T-cell cloned lines (7 CD8+ and 8 CD4+) obtained by limiting dilution in the presence of PHA and recombinant IL2 from liver-infiltrating lymphocytes, one, designated H2, showed specific sensitization to HBcAg, whereas none demonstrated sensitization to viral envelope antigens. The H2 line displayed the CD8+ phenotype, suppressor activity on polyclonal immunoglobulin production and IL2-dependent, HBcAg-specific proliferation. These results suggest that in patients with CAH and serological evidence of previous exposure to HBV, it is possible to obtain lymphocytes specifically sensitized to HBcAg from liver biopsy.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Medical treatment of hyperprolactinaemic disorders.

The current status of treatments designed to treat prolactinoma and other hyperprolactinaemic disorders is reviewed. The use of ergoline derivatives is described to correct prolactin levels, restore reproductive dysfunctions and reduce the size of prolactinomas. Side effects are minimal but withdrawal is almost always followed by a recurrence of the original condition. Radiation therapy is less effective and surgical resection of prolactinomas is effective, but the condition may recur. The authors recommend that dopaminergic drugs should be the primary therapies for prolactin-secreting adenomas and idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia, and surgery should be reserved for dopamine-resistant conditions.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1986

Langerhans cells are not damaged in contact allergic reactions in humans.

Fifteen biopsies from contact allergic reactions in sensitized patients were taken at different time intervals after application of simple chemicals. Two different procedures for electron microscopy were done. No signs of damage were ever seen in Langerhans cells. The authors are therefore of the opinion that there is still no proof for a target role of Langerhans cells in contact allergic reactions in humans.

Cobalt↗
PubMed1986

An in situ immunogold method applied to the identification of plasma membrane-associated antigens of skin-infiltrating cells.

This report concerns a pre-embedding in situ double-step immunogold technique to detect cell surface antigens of skin infiltrating cells. Reliable immunogold labeling of cell surface antigens, as well as good ultrastructural preservation of cell and tissue details, were achieved. In comparison with the commonly used method of in situ immunoperoxidase labeling, the present in situ immunogold labeling has some advantages, such as higher specificity, higher sensitivity, and the possibility of estimating the density of the labeling. However, a drawback in the present technique is the compulsory high-magnification analysis of the specimens at the electron microscope, due to the small size of the gold particles.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1986

Immunogold labelling of epidermal Langerhans cells on tissue sections of normal human skin.

A colloidal gold staining procedure was developed for immuno-electron microscopy, which allowed the demonstration of T6 surface antigens of epidermal Langerhans cells on sections of normal human skin with consistent ultrastructural preservation of subcellular structures. All the observed Birbeck granule-bearing Langerhans cells revealed immunogold labelling along the plasma membrane. The penetration of the tissue by the gold particles was adequate, as was the sensitivity and the specificity of the reaction. A major advantage of the present method in comparison with immunoperoxidase techniques is the absence of non-specific staining of the membranes of keratinocytes facing the labelled plasma membrane of the Langerhans cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1986

Characterization of two morphologically distinct Leu-7+ cell subsets with respect to Leu-15 antigen. Evaluation of Leu-15 determinant distribution on both E rosetting and non-adherent non-E rosetting cell populations.

In the present study the fine structures of Leu-7+-Leu-15+ and Leu-7+-Leu-15- cell subpopulations were characterized by using an immunogold-immunoperoxidase double labelling in electron microscopy. The densities of Leu-15 antigenic sites on both E rosetting (Er) and non-adherent/non-E rosetting (non-A/non-Er) Leu-15 positive cell surfaces were also evaluated by using an immunogold analysis in electron microscopy. A majority of Leu-7+ cells co-expressed the Leu-15 antigen and showed an ultrastructural pattern specific for mature natural killer (NK) cells, i.e. abundant cytoplasm with many organelles, numerous electron dense granules, and irregular outline. On the other hand, a minority of Leu-7+ cells did not express the Leu-15 antigen and showed a clearly different ultrastructural feature in comparison to Leu-7+-Leu-15+ cells. Thus, the presence of the Leu-15 antigen on Leu-7+ cell surface corresponds to ultrastructural features specific to differentiated NK cells and may represent an expression of Leu-7+ cell differentiation. An alternative hypothesis may be that Leu-7+-Leu-15+ and Leu-7+-Leu-15- cells represent distinct cell lineages within non-A/non-Er Leu-7+ cells. Finally, the results of the present study provide proof that Leu-15 antigen is more frequently represented on non-A/non-Er Leu-15+ cells than on Er Leu-15+ cells.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Argyrophil cell hyperplasia of fundic mucosa in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis.

Eighteen cases of severe hyperplasia of fundic argyrophil cells observed during routine histologic examination of endoscopic gastric biopsy specimens from unselected patients with upper gastro-intestinal symptomatology were investigated. All patients, except one, were female with a mean age of 57 years. Atrophic gastritis of fundic mucosa with severe hypo- or achlorhydria was present in all cases. Hypergastrinaemia (of antral origin) was found in 15 subjects in which circulating gastrin levels were determined. Pernicious anaemia was seen in 1 patient. At light microscopy, the hyperplastic fundic cells were stained by the Grimelius and the Sevier-Munger silver methods and, in approximately 30% of cases, by lead-haematoxylin. In addition, these cells reacted with anti chromogranin antibodies. In 8 of 9 patients studied by electron-microscopy, enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells were found to be the more frequent cell type. D1 cells prevailed in 1 case and were rare in the others. The frequency of P cells was intermediate between that of ECL cells and that of D1 cells. In conclusion, our observations indicate that: argyrophil cell hyperplasia of atrophic fundic mucosa is prevalently found in women with hypergastrinaemia, and the hyperplastic process involves mostly the ECL type of gastric endocrine cells. It is noteworthy that similar associations have been shown to be present in patients affected by fundic carcinoid tumours and atrophic gastritis.

Enterochromaffin Cells↗
PubMed1986

Long-lasting prolactin-lowering effect of cabergoline, a new dopamine agonist, in hyperprolactinemic patients.

The new long-acting ergoline derivative cabergoline was given orally in a single dose of 300 micrograms to 15 hyperprolactinemic patients (including 4 acromegalic patients, 2 of whom were dopamine responsive). Serum PRL and GH levels were determined before and 3, 4, and 6 h and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days after treatment. A control test with a single oral dose of 2.5 mg bromocriptine was also performed; serum PRL and GH levels were measured at the same time intervals for 2 days. Cabergoline induced a marked fall in serum PRL which began within 3 h and continued for 7 days. The maximal decrease ranged between -49.2% and -55.2% and occurred after 2-5 days. This maximal effect was only slightly less than that 6 h after bromocriptine treatment (-63.8%). After cabergoline treatment, serum GH levels did not change significantly in either nonacromegalic or acromegalic patients, whereas the two dopamine-responsive acromegalic patients had a marked GH fall after bromocriptine. A moderate blood pressure decrease, more evident in the standing position, occurred after both cabergoline and bromocriptine treatments. The only symptomatic side-effect was orthostatic hypotension after cabergoline in an elderly woman. These data indicate that cabergoline has potent and prolonged dopaminergic activity and may prove suitable for once weekly treatment of hyperprolactinemic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Natural killer cells expressing the Leu-11 antigen display phagocytic activity for 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide hydrobromide- treated sheep red blood cells.

Natural killer (NK) cell subpopulations, identified by anti-Leu-7 and/or anti-Leu-11 monoclonal antibodies, have been investigated in immunoelectron microscopy by using a peroxidase-colloidal gold double labeling system. More than 90% of non-E rosetting/non-adherent Leu-11+ cells and approximately 60% of E rosetting Leu-11+ cells displayed phagocytic capacity for 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide hydrobromide treated sheep red blood cells, whereas Leu-7+ -Leu-11- cells consistently failed to ingest 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide hydrobromide treated sheep red blood cells. The phagocytic activity of Leu-11+ cells was not dependent on the Leu-7 antigen coexpression. Moreover, the NK capability of Leu-11+ cells has been verified. In both E rosetting and non-E rosetting/non-adherent cell populations, Leu-11+ enriched subsets displayed significantly higher NK capability when compared with Leu-11- cells. Previous reports provided evidence for different cytotoxic capability, recombinant human interleukin 2 mediated activation, and ultrastructural features of Leu-11+ cells in comparison to Leu-7+-Leu-11- cell subset. The data from the present investigation indicate that 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide hydrobromide treated sheep red blood cells phagocyting NK cells are confined to the Leu-11+ subset and give added strength to different function capabilities of Leu-11+ and Leu-7+-Leu-11- cells.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Selective sensitization of peripheral blood T lymphocytes to hepatitis B core antigen in patients with chronic active hepatitis type B.

The proliferative response of peripheral blood T cells to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), pre-S antigen and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) has been studied in 20 patients with hepatitis B virus induced chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and in 12 control subjects. Eleven of the 20 CAH patients showed a significant T lymphocyte proliferative response to HBcAg, whereas no proliferation was detectable in response to envelope antigens (HBs and pre-S) in any patient. T cell subset fractionation revealed that HBcAg specific proliferation was limited to the CD4+ (helper/inducer) population. CD8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) T cells were unresponsive to HBcAg and did not suppress the proliferative response of autologous CD4+ cells. The HBcAg specific T cell proliferative response did not correlate with serum anti-core antibody titres or with biochemical evidence of liver disease. The present results show the selective presence of HBcAg-sensitized T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with HBsAg positive CAH and suggest that the peripheral lymphoid compartment may not reflect immunopathogenetically important cellular events operative at the site of tissue injury.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Leu-7-positive cells with monocyte phenotype show different ultrastructural features in comparison to Leu-7-positive cells with T-cell phenotype.

The ultrastructural features of the Leu-7-positive - Leu-M3-positive cell subpopulation and the Leu-7-positive - Leu-4-positive cell subpopulation were characterized and compared using immunogold-immunoperoxidase double labelling with immunoelectron microscopy. The majority of Leu-7-positive cells coexpressed a monocyte phenotype and showed an ultrastructural pattern specific for functional natural killer (NK) cells, i.e. a low nuclear/cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio, an irregular outline, many cytoplasmic organelles and electron-dense granules. In contrast, only a minority of Leu-7-positive cells coexpressed a T phenotype, and these were characterized by a high N/C ratio, an even surface and the absence of electron-dense granules. Thus, Leu-7-positive - Leu-4-positive cells may by an immature form of NK cells, and Leu-7-positive - Leu-4-positive and Leu-7-positive - Leu-M3-positive cell subpopulations may represent different stages of Leu-7-positive cell differentiation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1985

Effect of dihydroergokryptine administration on serum prolactin and growth hormone levels in normal, hyperprolactinaemic and acromegalic subjects: evidence of potent and long-lasting pituitary dopamine receptor stimulation.

The endocrine effects of a relatively potent dopaminergic agent, dihydroergokryptine, have been studied in normal subjects, and in hyperprolactinaemic and acromegalic patients. A single 6 mg oral dose of the drug caused a marked, long lasting fall in prolactin (PRL) plasma levels in healthy subjects, in hyperprolactinaemic patients and in normoprolactinaemic acromegalics. Growth hormone (GH) levels decreased in 1-DOPA - responder, acromegalic patients, but dihydroergokryptine did not affect GH levels in normal volunteers or in 1-DOPA non-responder, acromegalic patients. The PRL- and GH- lowering activity of 6 mg dihydroergokryptine was significantly greater than that of 6 mg dihydroergocristine, and was similar to that of an oral dose of 500 mg 1-DOPA.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1985

Hypothalamic disease presenting as amenorrhoea: value of computed tomography.

Five women presenting with amenorrhoea (three with secondary amenorrhoea and galactorrhoea, and two with primary amenorrhoea) were shown to have suprasellar abnormalities by computed tomography. Organic hypothalamic disease was confirmed at surgery (craniopharyngioma in three, intra- and suprasellar Rathke's cleft cyst in one, aqueductal stenosis and suprasellar arachnoid cyst in one). Moderate hyperprolactinaemia was present in the first four, while the last had isolated gonadotrophin deficiency of hypothalamic origin. One of the hyperprolactinaemic women had entirely normal residual pituitary function, visual fields and tomography of the sella. Two of the patients with secondary amenorrhoea and galactorrhoea had resumption of menses during bromocriptine therapy before operation. Spontaneous menarche and subsequent pregnancy occurred after ventriculoatrial shunt in the girl with aqueductal stenosis. Organic hypothalamic diseases may present with amenorrhoea (sometimes as the only symptom) more commonly than previously appreciated. Computed tomography should replace conventional tomography of the sella and should be an essential part of the clinical investigation in all patients with amenorrhoea of hypothalamo-pituitary origin.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Relationship between growth inhibition and mitochondrial function in petite-negative yeasts. I. Effects of antibiotics and dyes upon pathogenic and non-pathogenic Candida species.

Antibiotics and dyes which preclude growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in media containing oxidizable carbon sources arrested the growth of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida utilis even in glucose medium. The growth in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of the various antibiotics and dyes determined a reduction in the cell survival but with no accumulation of respiratory deficient mutants. Under these culture conditions, the total respiration declined leaving a residual antimycin A-resistant--hydroxamate-sensitive O2 uptake, and the amount of the respiratory cytochromes aa3 and b synthesized was reduced. SDS gel electrophoresis of soluble proteins prepared from the antibiotic-treated cells showed some bands in the MW range 92-100 K, which became faint after the cells were grown in the presence of some mitochondrial inhibitors. The ultrastructural analysis of these cells evidenced disappearance of the mitochondrial cristae and their replacement by unfolded membranes. The data obtained suggest that the petite negative trait of Candida could depend on the non-viability or on the very low viability of those cells which have lost their mitochondrial function.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1985

Relationship between growth inhibition and mitochondrial function in petite-negative yeasts. II. Effects of central nervous system drugs upon pathogenic and non-pathogenic Candida species.

Six nervous system drugs which inhibited vegetative reproduction of S. cerevisiae arrested also mitotic division of C. utilis, C. albicans and C. tropicalis. Chlorpromazine and chlorpheniramine which proved to be the most effective, affected respiration and cytochrome biosynthesis. Electrophoretic bands with MW congruent to 100 K were faint in silver-stained electrophoregrams of proteins from cells grown in the presence of a sub-inhibitory concentration of chlorpromazine.

Amitriptyline↗
PubMed1985

Spontaneous pregnancies in hyperprolactinemic women.

29 pregnancies occurred spontaneously in 28 women with mild to moderate hyperprolactinemia (prolactin levels up to 100 ng/ml). Only 4 of them showed tomographic evidence of microprolactinoma; 1 of the prolactinoma patients experienced a visual field defect at week 30, which was quickly controlled by bromocriptine treatment. Pregnancy was uneventful in the rest of the patients. Subjects who wished to lactate successfully breast-fed their babies. Of 22 women in whom prolactin levels were reevaluated at least 1 month after delivery and/or lactation, normal values were found in 9.

Adult↗