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Biomedical subjects

D Passali

Publications and source records attributed to D Passali.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Action of an anti-inflammatory agent on the nasal mucosa].

The histological integrity of the nasal mucosa assures full efficacy of the respiratory, conditioning and defense functions. Together with ciliated and goblet cells, the respiratory epithelium not only carries out mucociliary clearance but it is also responsible for correct assembly of secretory IgA, the foundation of the mucosal defense system. The secretory component stabilizing the immunoglobulin molecule is indeed, an epithelial glycoprotein which begins to fail when the mucous trophism is altered through inflammatory processes of various natures. The efficacy of an anti-inflammatory drug (tiaprofenic acid) can thus be proven not only because the respiratory and mucociliary transport functions are normalized but, histologically speaking, through an accumulation of IgA in the epithelial cells and nasal secretions as well. In the present experiment the effect of tiaprofenic acid on the local production of antibodies appears prompt and long lasting. On the contrary, respiratory function and mucocillary transport are more deeply affected by structural alterations of the epithelium, most likely because the histological integrity-demonstrated by the increase of IgA in the secretion and accumulation of the secretory component in the epithelium-is the starting point for a perfect coordination according to fixed biological rhythms of all nasal functions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sobrerol in the treatment of secretory otitis media in childhood.

The therapeutic activity and tolerability of sobrerol, a muco-active agent, were evaluated in 30 children (aged 5-10 years) with secretory otitis media. The drug was administered once daily by inhalation for 10 days consecutively at a dose of 40 mg/3 ml. Clinical assessments showed a significant improvement in the objective measures together with good tolerability. Moreover, sobrerol was shown to improve impedance values; this is an important aspect of the modifications induced by this drug in diseases involving the ear.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Diurnal activity of the nasal mucosa. Relationship between mucociliary transport and local production of secretory immunoglobulins.

Within the ambit of the cyclic activity of the nasal mucosa the purpose of this study was to verify the existence of possible correlation between the rate of mucociliary transport (MCT) during the day and the circadian changes of the SIgA concentrations already found in a previous study. In the present work, a daily fluctuation of the SIgA concentrations was confirmed and it was shown that the values decrease from the greatest limit at 4.00 a.m. to the lowest at 10.00 a.m. Circadian changes of the MCT times are also shown. Moreover, the comparison of the data pertaining to these two parameters showed opposite patterns: when the mucociliary transport velocity decreases, the secretory immunoglubulins reach the highest levels. The phase-displacement of the two examined functions thus makes it possible to compensate cyclic impairments of one activity with contemporary improvement of the other.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Histomorphological changes induced by recurrent tonsillitis].

Palatine tonsils are lymphoepithelial mucosal structures whose particular role as a defense mechanism in the human immune system makes them fundamental in protecting organs of much greater importance. If follows, therefore, that dealing with recurrent tonsillar phlogosis--diagnosis as well as therapy choice, surgical or medical--is today problematic and shrouded in doubt. The authors examined tonsillar tissue specimens of 65 patients (age range 4-30 years) who had previously undergone tonsillectomy. Light microscopy and immunocytochemistry were used to study subepithelial tissue while scanning electronic microscope was employed to observe epithelial ultrastructure in order to determine which alterations were most meaningfully correlated to the history and clinical picture of the subjects. In 100% of the cases the cryptic reticular epithelium was hyperplastic while in 44% a squamous metaplasia was observed. Epithelial alteration in various forms was also revealed with scanning electronic microscope: cellular disjunction ridging of the cryptic floor, conrifying squamous epithelial cells, plasma cells and infiltrated lymphocytes. The authors suggest that it is precisely epithelial alteration which, due to inadequate antigen uptake, triggers the series of events which leads from tonsillar disorders to systemic metafocal manifestation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cyclic activity of the nasal mucosa: relationship between muco-ciliary transport and local production of secretory immunoglobulin].

The aim of the present work has been to study the existence, presumed on the basis of recollection, of a correlation between circadian changes in SIgA concentrations in nasal secretum and the M.C.T. rate throughout the day. In order to reconfirm previously obtained data, again in this case a fluctuation in SIgA concentration was studied, finding peak values at 4 a.m. and the lowest at 10 a.m. Circadian changes were also witnessed between M.C.T. times, thus making it possible to reveal further information regarding cyclic activity of the nasal mucosa. Comparison of these two parameters showed an inverse rate; in fact, when the SIgA concentration increases the muco-ciliary transport rate decreases and vice versa. In other words, the muco-ciliary transport time is more efficient when the production of secretory immunoglobulins by the nasal mucosa is lower, as though a temporary lack in nasal defense is made up for by simultaneous improvement of the other activity.

Adult↗