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Biomedical subjects

F Longo

Publications and source records attributed to F Longo.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Acute hepatitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and erythroblastocytopenia induced by ceftriaxone.

An 80-yr-old man developed acute hepatitis shortly after ingesting oral ceftriaxone. Although the transaminases gradually returned to baseline after withholding the beta lactam antibiotic, there was a gradual increase in serum bilirubin and a decrease in hemoglobin concentration caused by an autoimmune hemolytic anemia and erythroblastocytopenia. These responded to systemic steroids and immunoglobulins. Despite the widespread use of these agents this triad of side effects has not previously been reported in connection with beta lactam antibiotics.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

[Benign maxillofacial mucormycosis. Report of a case and review of the literature].

Mucormycosis is a rare and often lethal infection caused by an opportunistic fungus of the Phycomycetes class. This microorganism is a saprophytic aerobial fungus common in nature and in oral mucosae, nose, paranasal sinus and throat. Mucormycosis has been described in various clinical forms: rhinocerebral, pulmonary, systemic, cerebral and cutaneous, always in immunodepressed patients, with rapid evolution and high rate of mortality. However, rare cases involving maxillofacial area are described in healthy patients with benign evolution and good prognosis as in a case observed at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the University of Naples "Federico II".

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Detection of latero-cervical metastases from oral cancer.

In squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, the presence of nodal metastases greatly influences prognosis. The evaluation of regional lymph nodal involvement is crucial in the correct management of these neoplasms. The records of 45 patients with oral cancer were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate the accuracy and prognostic value of the techniques used to detect lymph node metastasis in the neck (clinical examination, echo-colour-Doppler, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging). Echo-colour-Doppler was the most accurate procedure with a predictive positive value of 95.6% and the lowest false-negative rate. Therefore, a diagnostic preoperative study must include echo-colour-Doppler preferably associated with computed tomography to achieve the greatest diagnostic accuracy.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Pancreatitis induced by codeine: a case report with positive rechallenge.

A woman who developed acute pancreatitis following ingestion of low dose codeine, with positive rechallenge, is described. As this is the first case report of pancreatitis being induced solely by codeine, this side effect must be rare in view of the widespread consumption of this drug.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

[Pathological fractures of the mandible caused by cancer of the oral cavity].

The pathological fracture of the mandible is a rare and undesirable consequence of cancerous bone invasion. This study investigates the retrospective incidence of this phenomenon in diagnosed cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the mandibular region, and reviews the methods of treatment used. A total of 194 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the mandibular region were observed. Only six cases of pathological fractures were found. The treatment was conditioned by the need to eliminate the tumor, and was carried out in different methods according to the individual cases. This study underlines the importance of both knowing various techniques and collaborating with other specialists in treating the fracture.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Interactions among the bHLH domains of the proteins encoded by the Enhancer of split and achaete-scute gene complexes of Drosophila.

The Enhancer of split and achaete-scute gene complexes [E(spl)-C and AS-C] encode helix-loop-helix proteins required for neurogenesis in Drosophila. Using a heterologous bacterial system, we show that (i) the bHLH domains of the proteins encoded by the two gene complexes differ in their ability to form homo- and/or heterodimers; (ii) the bHLH domains of the E(spl)-C proteins m5, m7 and m8 interact with the bHLH domains of the Ac and Sc proteins. These bHLH domains form an interaction network which may represent the molecular mechanism whereby the competent state of the proneural cells is maintained until the terminal determination to neuroblast occurs. Also, the pattern of interactions of the bHLH domains of certain proteins encoded by the two gene complexes may explain their functional redundancy.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Accuracy in the diagnosis of mandibular involvement by oral cancer.

Cancer of the mandibular region usually has a poor prognosis; this is particularly correlated to invasion of the mandible. To reduce the consequences of poor therapeutic planning, careful preoperative assessment of bone infiltration is necessary. We have examined the records of 50 patients evaluated by clinical examination, conventional radiography, computed tomography (CT), bone scintigraphy with 99mTc and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The highest sensitivity (100%) was attained by scintigraphy; the highest values of specificity (96.3%) were reached by CT scan and MRI. A CT scan showed the highest predictive positive value (95.4%) and efficiency (94%), this plus MRI have good values and the associated sensitivity and efficiency are higher than when these techniques are used alone.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Distribution of the anthelmintic drug albendazole and its major metabolites in ovine milk and milk products after a single oral dose.

The distribution of albendazole (ABZ) and its main metabolites albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO), albendazole sulphone (ABZSO2) and albendazole 2-aminosulphone (NH2ABZSO2) were investigated in bulk milk and milk products after administration of a single oral dose of the drug (12.5 mg/kg) to 80 Laticauda sheep. An analytical method was developed for this investigation from an existing procedure used for the determination of these compounds in plasma and digesta samples. No traces of the parent compound or NH2ABZSO2 were found in milk or milk products, with the exception of the milk collected 36 h after treatment in which 89 micrograms NH2ABZSO2/kg was detected. Results indicated that ABZ was rapidly oxidized to ABZSO and then to ABZSO2. These metabolites were found at high levels (1-4 mg/kg) in milk collected within 24 h after treatment. Products derived from such milk also contained high concentrations of the two oxidized metabolites, including up to 5 mg ABZSO/kg in Pecorino cheese. Only small quantities of these two metabolites were found in milk collected during the second day after treatment (range 50-500 micrograms/kg). They were no longer detectable in milk collected during the third day after dosing, nor were they found in products made from such milk. These findings confirm that the two polar metabolites ABZSO and ABZSO2 were efficiently excreted from the body. Considering that the established maximum residue limit for ovine milk is 100 micrograms/kg for ABZ plus its metabolites, our results confirmed the appropriateness of the currently prescribed withdrawal time (3 d) after the use of ABZ in lactating sheep. However, considerable levels of ABZSO were detected in milk collected within 24 h after treatment as well as in products and by-products derived from such milk. Owing to the known toxicity of the ABZSO, we stress the need for careful control to ensure adherence to the prescribed withdrawal time.

Albendazole↗
PubMed1996

Swelling of the floor of the mouth: a clinical dilemma.

Swelling of the floor of the mouth is sometime difficult to diagnose clinically. Lithiasis and neoplasm are the most frequent causes of intraoral swelling. Also after plain radiology and computed tomography the diagnosis is often dubious. A case of swelling of the floor of the mouth due to an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the sublingual gland is reported.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1995

A novel approach to protein-protein interaction: complex formation between the p53 tumor suppressor and the HIV Tat proteins.

By using a novel genetic approach, based on the properties of lambda cl repressor, we demonstrate that the HIV-1 Tat protein specifically interacts with the human p53 protein via the p53 O2 dimerization domain. By random and site-specific mutagenesis, we also identify the residues in Tat and O2 peptides which are involved in this interaction. Two alternative biological consequences are expected to result from Tat-p53 interaction: (i) Tat-O2 interaction inactivates p53 regulation function, thus producing cell transformation; (ii) Tat-O2 interaction favours the formation of p53 dimers, thus leading the cell towards apoptosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Thrombocytopenia in HIV infected patients. Prevalence and clinical spectrum.

We studied the prevalence, clinical spectrum and epidemiologic features of thrombocytopenia among 442 (333 male, 109 female) HIV infected patients. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count < 100,000/mmc and severe if platelet count was < or = 30,000/mmc. Intravenous drug abusers were 83% (369/442). At the first clinical evaluation according to Walter-Reed (WR) classification, 90% (396/442) of patients were in stage 1-5 and 10% (45/442) in stage 6. Severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count < or = 30,000/mmc) was present in 24% (11/45) of the entire thrombocytopenic population. Forty percent (18/45) of the thrombocytopenic patients were positive to: HBV (6), HCV (7), HBV+HCV (5). Mild bleeding was present in 16% (7/45) of the patients but one case, with severe thrombocytopenia, died of intracranial hemorrhage. Major hemorrhagic sequelae with even fatal events are possible, especially when a low platelet count is associated with other hemostatic abnormalities (e.g. haemophilia, liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation). Zidovudine therapy (range 500-1250 mg/day) is effective in normalizing the platelet count (platelets > 100,000/mmc) only in 29% (9/31) of the patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Genetic tests to reveal TAT homodimer formation and select TAT homodimer inhibitor.

The HIV Tat protein is essential for productive infection and is a potent activator of viral gene expression. By constructing a genetic fusion between the amino-terminal DNA-binding domain of the lambda repressor (as a reporter for dimerization) and Tat, we show that Tat forms dimers in vivo. By deletion analysis and site-directed mutagenesis, we show that (i) the peptide encoded by exon-1 of Tat is sufficient to promote dimerization and (ii) cys37 is essential for homo-dimerization of Tat protein. Furthermore, by using a new E. coli strain in which the expression of beta-galactosidase is under the negative control of the cl::Tat repressor, we select a protein (CD10/Nep) expressed by human Jurkat T-cells which inhibits Tat dimerization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Anti-inflammatory ketoprofen in the treatment of field cases of bovine mastitis.

The efficacy of ketoprofen in the treatment of acute clinical mastitis was evaluated in a clinical trial comprising a non-blind controlled study and a blind, placebo-controlled study. All the cows were treated with 20 g sulphadiazine and 4 g trimethoprim intramuscularly upon diagnosis, and half the dosage was given once daily thereafter. In addition, the ketoprofen treatment groups received 2 g ketoprofen intramuscularly once daily for the duration of the antimicrobial therapy. Recovery rates for the non-blind contemporary controls and the blind placebo-controls were 83.7 per cent and 70.7 per cent, respectively. In the non-blind controlled ketoprofen and the placebo-controlled ketoprofen treatment groups, recovery rates were 94.7 per cent and 92.3 per cent, respectively. The odds ratio (OR) of recovery was significantly (P < or = 0.01) high in the placebo-controlled study (OR = 6.75, confidence interval [CI] = 1.45 to 31.4), and high but not significant in the non-blind controlled study (OR = 2.64, CI = 0.53 to 13.10). It was concluded that ketoprofen significantly improved recovery in clinical mastitis in dairy cows.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Caldesmon: a bifunctional (calmodulin and actin) binding protein which regulates stimulated gonadotropin release.

Calmodulin (CaM) serves as an intracellular Ca2+ receptor in the gonadotrope and appears to mediate GnRH-stimulated gonadotropin release. Recently we have specifically identified three CaM binding proteins of the gonadotrope as calcineurin, caldesmon, and spectrin. Caldesmon (identified by seven polyclonal and a monoclonal antibody, as well as by functional characteristics) appears to be a CaM-regulated, F-actin binding, protein. This 84,000 mol wt component (CaD84) is heat stable and cosediments with F-actin in the absence of Ca2+. In the presence of Ca2+ (greater than 1 microM) this protein disassociates from F-actin and reassociates with calmodulin. We have prepared an antibody which blocks the caldesmon-actin interaction. In the present study, we have loaded this antibody into cells to prevent the (re-)association of caldesmon with F-actin. This treatment synergistically augments the ability of GnRH and other secretogogues (maitotoxin, phorbol myristyl acetate) to stimulate gonadotropin release from the pituitary. This finding, along with the previous observations that GnRH provokes a sufficient rise in intracellular Ca2+ to allow CaM to redistribute and bind proteins which it regulates, suggests a role for caldesmon in GnRH-stimulated gonadotropin release from the pituitary.

Actins↗