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Biomedical subjects

C Masala

Publications and source records attributed to C Masala.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Allopurinol add-on treatment in intractable seizures.

Recent reports in clinical literature have suggested an antiepileptic effect of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor Allopurinol (ALL) when added to traditional drugs. However, other reports have failed to confirm beneficial effects of this drug. In view of these conflicting results, we have carried out a study aimed at evaluate the effects of ALL in different forms of epilepsy. The result that ALL possesses some antiepileptic effects in Lennox-Gastaut syndromes, characterized by numerous and severe fits, while it is scarcely effective in other forms of epilepsy, suggests that ALL might be involved in the purinergic-mediated inhibition similar to that described in experimental "status epilepticus" studies in animal models.

Allopurinol↗
PubMed1989

Fahr's disease in postthyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism. A case report.

The onset of Fahr's disease in a patient with postoperative hypoparathyroidism is described. The genesis of this rare pathological occurrence could be ascribed, in our opinion, to the combined action of "local" (precedent encephalic circulation disorders) and "general" factors (Ca and P metabolism disorders following postoperative hypoparathyroidism).

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[A new technic for esophago-enteral anastomosis with a mechanical stapler without purse-string sutures].

Staplers have improved the results of esophageal surgery, in our experience and in others experience, as esophago-enteric anastomoses have become safer and faster than when manual suturing is used. Probably one of the last problems in the stapler technique, especially in the thoracic area, is the performance of on adequate esophageal purse-string suture: an improper performance of this suture can cause a dangerous leak of the anastomosis. So, many surgeons, to reduce the risk of esophageal dehiscence connected with the esophageal purse-string, use either purse-string devices or alternative methods such as a second handsewn purse-string, U stitches of the esophagus, etc. We think that the risk of improper anastomoses after esophageal resection can be reduced if the need for the esophageal purse-string can be eliminated. This work shows our personal technique for performing esophagoenterostomy, especially in the thoracic area, using the new CEEA stapler (Autosuture) without esophageal purse-string sutures. According to the modified procedure the stapler anvil and the mini rod are introduced in the esophagectomy and a 2-0 thread is knotted around the CEEA mini rod. Then the esophageal mutilated part is closed by a linear stapler keeping a syringe needle, which contains the thread, through the linear suture. Then, using the thread as a pulling system, the surgeon makes the needle and the tip of the mini rod slide out of the esophageal suture. Now the surgeon can reassemble the CEEA and perform the anastomosis. There are many clinical reports that cite no leaks following circular stapled anastomoses across linear stapled closures.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1986

HBV infection in Italian family groups.

Intrafamilial spread of HBV infection was evaluated in 85 Italian family groups. Secondary infected cases were observed in 43% of these families, of which 73% showed clusters of HBs positive members, with a prevalence among the family members (children-siblings) of the mother/wife index cases, and no strict relation to their "e" system. The presence of the delta agent in the index case was correlated to a higher percentage of secondary HBs-positive cases, but the intrafamilial spread of delta agent was a rare event. A similar higher incidence of HBV markers was observed among the relatives of the index cases positive for auto-antibodies. The evidence presented suggests the importance of genetic factors in the acquisition and clearance of HBV and delta infections.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Sleep pattern alterations by naloxone. Partial prevention by haloperidol.

A continuous intravenous infusion of the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone, at doses ranging from 0.7 to 1.0 micrograms/kg/min (total dose 8.8-13.2 mg), was performed in eight normal subjects during the first 240 min of night sleep. A significant reduction in stage REM and in stage 4 percent duration was observed. Pretreatment with the dopamine receptor blocking agent haloperidol (2 mg intramuscularly before sleep onset) partially prevented the naloxone effect, suggesting that it is due, at least in part, to the stimulation of dopamine receptors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Epidemiologic study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Sardinia, Italy.

From 1957 to 1980 in Sardinia, 182 cases of ALS with a mean annual incidence of 0.51 per 100,000 inhabitants and a prevalence rate of 3.65 per 100,000 inhabitants (prevalence day 21.10.1971) were observed. The disease was found to be more common in males, in subjects aged 50 to 70 years and in farmers and shepherds. Incidence in various areas of the island was found to be different. The common form was more frequent, had earlier onset and greater median survival rate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

The Trypanosoma lewisi immunofluorescence test: a new simple technique for simultaneous determination of total antinuclear antibodies and the detection of antibodies to double-stranded DNA.

An indirect immunofluorescence technique was developed for the detection of antibodies to dsDNA and the simultaneous assessment of antinuclear antibodies 'in toto' (ANA). This assay was based upon the use as substrate of smears of peripheral blood derived from rats infected with Trypanosoma lewisi. T. lewisi possesses a giant kinetoplast posteriorly to the nucleus. Enzyme digestion and absorption experiments provided strong evidence that T. lewisi kinetoplast contains dsDNA uncontaminated by other nuclear antigens. The T. lewisi immunofluorescent test was evaluated on a total of 130 sera (30 from patients with SLE) and compared with radioimmunoassays for antibodies to dsDNA ([125I]dsDNA-RIA) and antibodies to ssDNA ([125I]ssDNA-RIA). Excellent correlation was found between kinetoplast immunofluorescence and [125I]dsDNA-RIA, whereas no non-SLE sera showing significant ssDNA binding activity gave kinetoplast staining. With a single exception, only SLE sera reacted with T.lewisi kinetoplast. Sera containing autoantibodies other than ANA did not induce fluorescence of any part of the parasite, including the flagellum and its base. These results indicate that the T. lewisi immunofluorescence test is specific and reliable, and combines the advantages of Crithidia luciliae with those of Trypanosoma gambiense. It may be used routinely for evaluation of total ANA and simultaneous detection of antibodies against dsDNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Suppression of REM and delta sleep by apomorphine in man: a dopamine mimetic effect.

Apomorphine, a direct stimulant of dopamine receptors, was given in nonemetic doses by continuous IV infusion for 180-240 min during night sleep in normal subjects. During apomorphine infusion, a significant reduction of stage (S)4 and an abolition of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep occurred. The percent duration of S2 was significantly increased. In the 240 min following interruption of 240-min infusion of apomorphine, a significant increase of S4 and REM percent duration was observed. The effect of apomorphine infusion on sleep was prevented by the administration of haloperidol or sulpiride, two dopamine receptor blocking agents. This suggests that it is due to a dopamine mimetic action.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Gastric parietal cell antibodies: demonstration by immunofluorescence of their reactivity with surface of the gastric parietal cells.

Viable, intact gastric cells were obtained by pronase digestion of inverted rat stomach. The cell suspensions contained two main distinct cell population, i.e. 'large' cells (mean diameter 16 microns) and 'small' cells (mean diameter 8.5 microns). By indirect immunofluorescence on smears of dispersed rat gastric cells, the large cells were identified as parietal cells, since all the sera containing parietal cell antibodies (PCA) were seen to react with the cytoplasm of these cells, leaving the cytoplasm of the small cells completely unstained. Thirty-one PCA-positive sera and forty-one PCA-negative sera were tested for gastric cell surface-reactive antibodies by an indirect immunofluorescence technique on suspensions of viable gastric cells. All the PCA-containing sera yielded a membrane immunofluorescence confined to the large cells, while none of the PCA-negative sera induced this fluorescent pattern. The surface reaction persisted unmodified when F(ab')2 fragments processed from IgG PCA-positive sera and FITC-conjugated pepsin fragments of rabbit IgG directed against the F(ab')2 fragments of human IgG were employed for the membrane fluorescence studies. The absorption of PCA-positive sera with viable, intact gastric cells led to the disappearance of both the surface immunofluorescence of the viable large cells and the cytoplasmic fluorescence of the rat parietal cells. These results demonstrate that PCA invariably react with an antigen represented on the surface of parietal cells, and that this antigen is immunologically identical to the intracytoplasmic 'microsomal' antigen.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

The lymphocyte stimulation test: a sensitive technique for the detection of circulating platelet antibodies.

Platelet autoantibodies are unable to react in standard immunological reactions and this makes it difficult to detect their presence in the serum. The present work shows that peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal donors are stimulated in vitro by autologous platelets sensitized with sera from patients with different types of chronic thrombocytopenia. Comparison of the lymphocyte stimulation test with the platelet factor 3 (PF3) availability assay and the serotonin (5HT) release test demonstrated that the former method was the more sensitive one. Some sera from patients with SLE and thrombocytopenia also induced both a slight lymphocyte stimulation in the absence of platelets and a complement-dependent release of serotonin, probably due to the presence of immune complexes.

Autoantibodies↗