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Biomedical subjects

D Mari

Publications and source records attributed to D Mari.

65 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationships between metabolic and hemostatic variables in uncomplicated diabetes.

Several metabolic (HbA1, HDL-C, triglycerides) and hemostatic (VIIIR: Ag, VIII:C, B-TG variables were investigated in 35 non-obese, insulin-dependent diabetics without clinically evident vascular complications. B-TG was high but did not correlate with other metabolic and hemostatic parameters, suggesting that elevated B-TG in diabetes might be an expression of in vitro platelet activation. VIIIR: Ag and the ratio of VIIIR: Ag to VIII: C were markedly increased. There was a significant correlation of the HbA1 and HDL-C levels with VIIIR: Ag, indicating that VIIIR:Ag is another reflection of metabolic control in diabetes. Additional pathogenic mechanisms, however, appear to be involved in causing the changes in VIIIR: Ag in diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Anti-LAV/HTLV-III antibodies in groups of individuals at high risk for infection in Italy.

We have studied anti-LAV/HTLV-III antibody prevalence in individuals at high risk for infection, such as intravenous drug addicts, hemophiliacs and homosexual men. Among intravenous drug addicts, LAV/HTLV-III infection was first recognized in 1981 and positive serum reactions for anti-LAV/HTLV-III antibody rose in successive years to 53%. Anti-LAV/HTLV-III antibody prevalence was 13.5% in the group of homosexual men, while in hemophiliacs treated with commercial concentrates it was 37% in 1984 and had increased to 45% in 1985. There was a significant correlation between antibody status and concentrate consumption in these patients. Results of studies of anti-LAV/HTLV-III antibody patterns with the Western blot technique suggest that antibodies against core proteins (mainly p25 and p18) and the envelope protein gp40 are always present in asymptomatic individuals and in patients with the lymphadenopathy syndrome, but usually not in patients with full-blown AIDS. These last patients have typical positive reactions only against the envelope proteins gp110 and gp40.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An improved method for measuring red blood cell filterability.

A new simple method for measuring red blood cell (RBC) filterability by weighing the amount of RBC filtered through micropore membranes is described. Red cell filterability by weighing (RCFW) is determined on washed RBC resuspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at low (5%) hematocrit. The filtration step is performed using gravity alone and the amount of the filtered suspension is referred to the filtration of PBS alone through the same membrane. The new method shows a reproducibility better than that of the widely used Dormandy technique, with a lower coefficient of variation (5.3 vs. 7.2%) and a higher sensitivity to artificially hardened RBC.

Blood Viscosity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gene/longevity association studies at four autosomal loci (REN, THO, PARP, SOD2).

The possibility that four loci (REN, THO, PARP, SOD2) are associated with longevity was explored by comparing the genotypic pools of subjects older than 100 years with those of younger subjects matched for sex and geographic area (northern and southern Italy). The markers (all located within the respective gene) were HUMREN4; HUMTHO1; HUMPARP (gt)845nt; SOD2(C/T)401nt. In order to reduce the number of genotypes, multiallelic polymorphisms were recoded as diallelic according to allele size and frequency patterns (small: S, and large: L, alleles). A significant loss of LL homozygous genotypes was found at the THO locus in male but not in female centenarians with respect to matched controls. On the other hand no significant difference was found between case/control genotypic frequencies at REN, PARP, SOD2 loci. The latter loci therefore do not affect inter-individual variability in life expectancy (at least in terms of qualitative variants associated with the tested markers). However, the data is consistent with an association between the THO locus and longevity.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Metabolic gene polymorphisms and p53 mutations in healthy centenarians and younger controls.

To obtain insights into the genetic mechanisms of ageing, we studied the frequency of the simultaneous presence of polymorphisms in phase I and phase II genes and of several p53 germline mutations in a group of 66 nonagenarians and centenarians in good health, selected from a larger sample of a multicentre Italian study in Northern Italy, and in a sample of 150 young healthy volunteers of the same ethnic group. We found a statistically significant difference in the frequency of 1the GSTT1 deletion and the p53 genotypes: the absence of any p53 polymorphisms and of GSTT1 deletion, and the simultaneous presence of the three p53 polymorphisms and of GSTT1 deletion, were much more frequent in young subjects than in centenarians (41.5% versus 26.9% and 8.8% versus 3.8%, respectively). One hypothesis to explain this difference is that subjects with both GSTT1 deletion and p53 polymorphisms may accumulate carcinogens and may have reduced DNA repair ability, and thus are more at risk for cancer. Another possible explanation is that both metabolic genes and p53 act on pathways related to cell ageing and death, and therefore certain composite genetic patterns could represent a generic mechanism of protection against ageing, not just against the development of chronic diseases. It is likely that longevity is related to a complex genetic trait as well as to certain environmental exposures.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

First line chemotherapy in patients with brain metastases from non-small and small cell lung cancer.

In this study we evaluated the role of systemic chemotherapy in 23 previously untreated patients with brain metastases from both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In NSCLC group, 2 patients out of 14 had a brain response after treatment (1 complete and 1 partial response). In the group of 9 patients with SCLC, we observed 5 brain responses (3 complete and 2 partial responses). Brain responses were in accordance with extracranial responses although this appeared more clearly in SCLC than in NSCLC patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevention of hemoperitoneum during ovulation by oral contraceptives in women with type III von Willebrand disease and afibrinogenemia. Case reports.

The follicle ruptures at the time of ovulation and fills with blood, forming a corpus hemorrhagicum. Minor bleeding from the follicle into the abdominal cavity may cause peritoneal irritation and, when it occurs in a patient with a defect of primary hemostasis, hemoperitoneum can occur. Von Willebrand disease and afibrinogenemia are two important bleeding disorders in which both primary hemostasis and coagulation are involved. Bleeding during ovulation is one major clinical complication in women with these disease. We have studied three patients with this hemorrhagic complication. Our data show that oral contraceptives are an effective way to avoid hemoperitoneum.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Centenarians in Milan].

Demographic analysis of the populations in Italy has confirmed that the number of old people, particularly the very old, is progressively increasing. At present, 92% of the women and 85% of the men reach the age of 60 years, and in 1990, there were 1660 centanarians in Italy. In this study we evaluated the demographic profile of the very old living in Milan. Data were collected by use of the Milan General Registry updated to January 1992. At that time there were 159 centenarians and 166 persons over 100 years (range 101-106 years). Seventy-seven percent of the centenarians were females born in northern Italy who had been living in Milan for over 50 years. Of the subjects aged 101-106 years, 79% were women. One hundred twenty-five subjects were either widows or widowers, 82% had lived in Milan for over 50 years. Only 9% of the centenarians were institutionalized. Our survey confirms previous nationwide data obtained on centenarians indicating growth of the very old population.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): a randomized trial of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine plus etoposide (CAV-E) or teniposide (CAV-T) as induction treatment, followed in complete responders by alpha-interferon or no treatment, as maintenance therapy.

In this phase III, double-random study, we compared CAV-E to CAV-T combination as induction treatment (1st randomization) for SCLC. Subsequently, patients achieving a complete response (CR) were randomized again (2nd randomization) to receive maintenance treatment with alpha-IFN or no treatment. From June 1990 to June 1992, 75 untreated patients were enrolled in this trial. After stratification according to limited disease (LD) or extensive disease (ED), patients were randomized to receive the following treatment: cyclophosphamide 1000 mg/m2, adriamycin 50 mg/m2, vincristine 2 mg, day 1 i.v., plus etoposide (E) 100 mg/m2 (CAV-E: arm-A) or teniposide (T) 60 mg/m2 on day 2, 3, 4 i.v., every 3 weeks (CAV-T: arm-B). LD patients after 3 cycles of treatment received chest radiotherapy and 2 further cycles, whereas ED patients received 5 consecutive cycles. Patients who achieved a CR entered the 2nd randomization receiving a-IFN (3 x 10(6) I.U., i.m. daily x 9 months) or no treatment. A second-line treatment with carboplatin 300 mg/m2 plus E (if T was initially used) or T (if E was initially used) was also scheduled for patients achieving less than CR to induction treatment. Preliminary results are as follows: 75 patients were randomized, 72 were eligible for survival (arm-A = 37 and arm-B = 35) and 60 were fully evaluable for response (arm-A = 34 and arm-B = 26). In patients with LD the overall response rate was 79% (CR 21%) in arm-A vs 92% (CR 50%) in arm-B. In patients with ED, the overall response rate was 80% (CR 33%) in arm-A vs 84% (CR 7%) in arm-B. At a mean observation time of about 1 year (range 1-25 months), median survival of LD patients was 15 months in arm-A and 13 months in arm-B (Chi-square = 1.55; p > 0.05); in ED patients survival was 10.8 months and 8 months respectively (Chi-square = 2.88; p > 0.05). Cumulative survival probability was identical (12 months) in all patients of both arms. Toxicity was mainly haematologic and gastrointestinal: WHO grade 3-4 myelosuppression and vomiting were observed in 20% and 11% respectively, of cycles delivered in arm-A, compared to 19% and 8%, respectively, of cycles in arm-B. Two septic deaths occurred with CAV-T, while 1 patient discontinued treatment due to persistent myelosuppression with CAV-E. After the first and second-line treatment 20 patients showed a CR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗