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Biomedical subjects

C Parente

Publications and source records attributed to C Parente.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-3 in patients with Ewing sarcoma family of tumors.

BACKGROUND: Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFTs) are the second most common bone tumor, that most often affects persons ages 3-40 years. The ESFTs rely on signaling through the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) for growth and transformation. The current studies were performed to determine the levels of IGF-1 and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in patients with ESFT. The authors then performed an exploratory analysis to evaluate whether IGF parameters could differentiate event free or overall survival in ESFT patients. METHODS: The authors measured serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 by using a radioimmunoassay from 111 patients with ESFT with a median follow-up of 13 years from diagnosis. RESULTS: The IGF-1 levels were lower among patients with metastatic disease to the bones or the bone marrow compared with patients without metastasis to these sites (p2 = 0.021 and 0.0038, respectively). IGFBP-3 is known to sequester IGF-1; the ratios of IGFBP-3 to IGF-1 were evaluated. Patients with metastatic disease to any site had higher IGFBP-3 to IGF-1 ratios than patients with localized disease (p2 = 0.0067). There was a trend toward increased survival in patients with localized disease who had high IGFBP-3 to IGF-1 levels. Metastatic patients showed a similar trend. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in ESFT patients can identify patients with the most widespread disease. The IGFBP-3 to IGF-1 ratio in patients with either localized or metastatic disease identified patients with a trend toward increased survival. Further prospective evaluation with higher patient numbers might show a prognostic role for the IGFBP-3 to IGF-1 ratio in patients with ESFT.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1998

Combination drug therapy for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in children.

BACKGROUND: Sequential administration of a beta-agonist and cromolyn or nedocromil before exercise is recommended for patients whose symptoms are not controlled by beta-agonists alone; however, this practice reduces compliance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a new pre-combined aerosol formulation (salbutamol and nedocromil) in preventing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and to compare it to salbutamol alone. METHODS: Twelve children with asthma were studied in a double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled design to compare the protective effect of salbutamol and a new pre-combined salbutamol/nedocromil formulation against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. The drugs were delivered by a metered-dose inhaler (salbutamol, 200 microg; salbutamol/nedocromil, 200 microg/4 mg; placebo, 2 puffs) 20 minutes before exercise. RESULTS: Both active drugs were significantly more protective than placebo but there was no difference between them. Complete protection was obtained in 12/12, 10/12, and 1/12 subjects for the salbutamol/nedocromil combination, salbutamol alone and placebo, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although inhaled beta-agonists alone are highly efficacious in preventing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, a minority of patients exists for whom a combined treatment with salbutamol and nedocromil is advantageous. This group may represent a subpopulation of subjects who release more, or different, mediators in response to exercise.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Soluble CD30 antigen in human colostrum.

It is now well established that the CD30 glycoprotein is a surface antigen expressed by activated T cells producing T-helper (Th)-2-type lymphokines. Mounting laboratory evidence, however, suggests that CD30 expression is not confined to a functionally restricted subset of T cells, but also identifies activated cells with a Th-1 and Th-0 pattern of cytokine secretion. CD30-bearing T lymphocytes release a soluble form of the molecule (sCD30), which can be detected both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, very high levels of sCD30 were found in colostrum from 20 puerperal women, but not in autologous and heterologous (nonpregnant women) blood samples. These data strongly support an involvement of CD30+ T cells in the immune processes which take place at the level of the mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation. Passively transferred immune components such as immunoglobulins, cytokines, macrophages, natural killer cells, granulocytes and memory/activated T cells, all of which may help the baby to fight off infections, have been revealed in human breast milk. However, how Th-2-type cytokine-secreting T cells or other T-cell types help to endow the congenitally immunocompromised newborn infant with extrinsic immunological support remains an open question.

Colostrum↗
PubMed1994

[Jarcho-Levin syndrome. Description of a clinical case with familial 14;21 translocation].

The authors report the case of a child born at the Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Benevento with spondylo-costal dysplasia (SCD). SCD ia a rare association of vertebral and costal anomalies which was first described in 1938 by Jarcho and Levin. The fundamental characteristic of SCD is the anomalous nature of the vertebrae and ribs and, for this reason, subjects affected by SCD are above all short stature and present major physical malformations. In genetic terms, the pathology can be subdivided into three sub-groups based on the type of transmission: a) a dominant autosomic form, benign evolution; b) a recessive autosomic form, very severe; c) a recessive autosomic version with a relatively benign evolution. The case in question concerned a newborn suffering from severe bodily disharmony with dysmorphic features. Family medical history only showed diabetes mellitus and kyphoscoliosis in the paternal grandfather. The physiological anamnesis was completely negative (born at term, elective cesarean section) except for the fact that the mother had received estroprogestin therapy between the 2nd and 5th month of pregnancy due to partial placenta previa. The radiographic examination of the skeleton showed profound alterations of the vertebral column due to the presence of numerous hemispondyls, multiple costal malformations with segmentary synostosis and brachycephaly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1993

Laparoscopic tubal anastomosis.

We conducted a retrospective chart review of 22 laparoscopic tubal anastomoses performed between May 1987 and May 1991. The procedures were modeled after the two-stitch technique of Swolin. Overall fertility rates were disappointing in this small series, although the first live birth has occurred. The two-stitch method and available laparoscopic suture needles and needle holders limited the surgical results. Modifications of technique and instrumentation should improve fertility outcome.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CD3+/CD30+ circulating T lymphocytes are markedly increased in older subjects with Down's syndrome (Trisomy 21).

CD3+/CD30+ circulating T lymphocytes were found to be increased in the blood of individuals with Down's syndrome (DS; trisomy 21). This finding appears to be related to age as the numbers of CD3+/CD30+ T cells were dramatically enhanced in the circulation of older DS subjects. Since CD30 antigen expression is considered to be a marker of T-helper-2 (Th-2) activation, and Th-2+ cells are associated with certain human pathologies, our data may in some way explain the enhanced susceptibility of DS patients to infections, malignant diseases and autoimmunity.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Femoral hernia in childhood: a rare entity].

The Authors present 4 cases of femoral hernia treated in their pediatric surgery department during the last 11 years. Childhood femoral hernia is rare and often missed clinically because of difficulty in eliciting their clinical signs. During an operation for inguinal hernia it is essential to think of femoral hernia when a non obliterated processus vaginalis is not found.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Is there a correlation between osteoclastic activity and the action of calcitonin on macrophagic activity?

The formation of granulomas from a foreign body was studied by means of the subcutaneous implantation of cotton fragments in rats treated with salmon calcitonin or with just the diluent. The formation of granulomas was evaluated in optical microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM, respectively). The cellular populations of the granuloma were immunophenotyped and flow analyzed in cytofluorometry (FACS = fluorescence-activated cell sorter). In the group treated with calcitonin, a lesser inflammatory effect of the cotton fragments was found compared to the group treated with only the diluent. These results indicate that, in addition to inhibiting bone resorption, salmon calcitonin has several important anti-inflammatory effects.

Animals↗