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Biomedical subjects

Daniela Giordano

Publications and source records attributed to Daniela Giordano.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Systemic reactions to allergen immunotherapy: a review of the literature.

Since its introduction the safety of specific immunotherapy (SIT) was assessed by many well-designed studies. SIT is accepted as an effective treatment of allergic diseases despite the occurrence of side-effects, among which systemic reactions (SRs) are the most dangerous. The reported frequency of SRs after SIT varies among the studies and several factors influence it. Asthma is a particular risk factor for systemic side-effects. Furthermore, SRs occur more often in patients with high allergen sensitivity as determined by skin testing or RAST. Making dosage errors is also considered to be a high risk. It is reported that reactions are more common during rush and clustered induction treatment, whereas a significantly lower incidence of SRs occurred with the use of standardized modified allergen vaccines than with aqueous extracts. On the basis of valuable guidelines, precautions to minimize the risk of SRs from SIT were recommended. Injections should be given or supervised by doctors well-trained in this form of treatment in a clinic where there is the immediate availability of a resuscitative equipment. Consideration should be given to evaluate the patient's conditions and to monitor subjects for a minimum of 30 minutes after the injections. Therefore, if appropriately done, the risk of SIT is negligible.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗
PubMed2002

Decrease of specific and total IgE levels in allergic patients after BCG vaccination: preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: A systemic reaction to mycobacteria biases the balance of T helper cell types 1 and 2 toward T helper cell type 1. BCG vaccination mimics some characteristics of mycobacterial infection. Children who have undergone tuberculin conversion after BCG vaccination seem to be more likely to lose their atopic symptoms. Inhibition of both allergic response and airway hyperreactivity after vaccination for mycobacteria has been observed in animal experiments. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects that BCG vaccination has on the serological status of allergic people. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This study included 20 volunteers with a history of allergic rhinitis who were required to undergo BCG vaccination by Italian law. Epicutaneous allergy testing with a panel of common seasonal and perennial inhalational allergens and 2 blood withdrawals were performed. The serum total IgE levels and the serum allergen-specific IgE levels of each individual were measured just before BCG vaccination and again 4 months later. Total IgE levels were determined using the paper radioimmunosorbent test, and allergen-specific IgE levels were determined using the radioallergosorbent test. RESULTS: Total IgE and allergen-specific IgE levels were significantly decreased after BCG vaccination (P =.004 and P<.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: BCG, an effective stimulus for cell-mediated immunity, deserves further study to evaluate its ability to modulate the immune response associated with allergic rhinitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Type 5 phosphodiesterase expression in the human vagina.

OBJECTIVES: It has been demonstrated that clitoral and vaginal tissues express nitric oxide synthase isoforms in a way that parallels that of the penile corpus cavernosum. Considering the role of the vagina in the female sexual response and the anatomic connection between the clitoris and the anterosuperior vaginal wall, our aim was to study the distribution of type 5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5) in the anterosuperior wall of the human vagina. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed on the vaginal tissue of 14 women obtained at autopsy and on exfoliated cells of the vaginal epithelium obtained from 5 healthy female donors. Specific antibodies against PDE5 were tested on both paraffin sections and cytologic smears. Immunoblotting experiments were performed in parallel with the same antibodies. RESULTS: The histologic analysis of human cadaveric vaginal tissue revealed that PDE5 immunoreactivity was mostly localized in the smooth muscle of vessels, forming a pseudocavernous tissue in the vaginal wall and endothelium. The Skene periurethral glands and vaginal epithelium were also positive for the antibody. The latter finding was confirmed using exfoliated cells of the vaginal epithelium harvested in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The presence and tissue distribution of PDE5 in the human vagina suggest that the integrated system of nitric oxide synthase-PDE5 may play a physiologic role not only in the male sexual response but also in female sexual arousal.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed2002

Differential expression and localization of calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase genes during ontogenesis of chick dorsal root ganglion.

The level and characteristics of 3'-5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in chick dorsal root ganglion (DRG) extracts of 5-day posthatching chicken (P5) and E10 and E18 embryos were studied. At all stages, PDE activity is stimulated by calcium and calmodulin. A 5-fold increase in basal cAMP and cGMP PDE activity is evident from E10 to E18, while from E18 to P5 basal PDE activity remains constant. Ion exchange chromatography elution profile indicates that PDE1 isoforms represent the bulk of the PDE activity present. Inhibition studies were performed in order to distinguish the activity due to PDE1A, B and C. Western blot analysis using anti-mammalian PDE1A, B and C specific antibodies was also performed. Densitometric analysis of the stained bands reveals that PDE1B and PDE1C display a prominent increase between day 10 and day 18 of development (eight- and 3.6 fold, respectively) while a more limited increase (1.6- and 1.5-fold) is observed between E18 and P5; on the other hand PDE1A shows continuously increasing levels throughout development. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with isoform specific antibodies used for western blot analysis. PDE1A immunoreactivity is found in the cytoplasm and fibers of several neurons differing in size and distributed throughout the ganglion. PDE1B staining is evident on all neurons, however, fibers appear very faintly labelled. All neurons appear stained by PDE1C antibody, although the intensity of immunostaining is always heterogeneous in different neuronal populations: no staining was evident on fibers or in non-neural cells. The distinct spatial and temporal expression patterns of PDE1 isoforms may indicate their different physiological roles in developing and mature chick DRG.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗