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Biomedical subjects

F Perini

Publications and source records attributed to F Perini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Acute myocardial infarction after sumatriptan administration for cluster headache.

The pain of cluster headache attacks is severe, excruciating and selectively responsive to subcutaneous sumatriptan. Serious cardiovascular events attributed to sumatriptan are extremely rare and have most often been reported in patients at significant cardiovascular risk, or in overt cardiovascular disease. They also have occurred, however, in patients without evidence of cardiovascular disease. We describe a 42-year-old man with episodic cluster headache without history of coronary artery disease who was admitted to our coronary care unit for acute myocardial infarction after 3 h of subcutaneous injection of sumatriptan. During hospitalisation cluster headache attacks were successfully treated with e.v. indomethacin.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Abnormal platelet trace amine profiles in migraine with and without aura.

Trace amines, including tyramine, octopamine and synephrine, are closely related to classic biogenic amines. In one study, where these substances were found elevated in plasma of migraineurs, it was hypothesized that trace amine metabolism is deranged in migraine. To confirm these findings, we studied, using a multichannel electrochemical high-performance liquid chromatography system, the concentrations of trace amines in platelets of migraine without aura (MoA) and migraine with aura (MA) patients in headache-free period, compared with controls. Platelet concentrations of trace amines, although elevated in both migraine types, showed a different profile in MoA and MA. Octopamine was significantly higher in MoA sufferers (0.69 +/- 0.43 ng/10(8) platelets) compared with both control subjects (0.22 +/- 0.16 ng/10(8) platelets) and MA patients (0.39 +/- 0.37 ng/10(8) platelets). Synephrine was significantly higher in MA patients (0.72 +/- 0.44 ng/10(8) platelets) with respect to both controls (0.33 +/- 0.25 ng/10(8) platelets) and MoA sufferers (0.37 +/- 0.29 ng/10(8) platelets). These results strengthen the hypothesis that tyrosine metabolism is deranged in migraine and may participate in its pathophysiology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Elevated plasma homocysteine in acute stroke was not associated with severity and outcome: stronger association with small artery disease.

Homocysteine increases in the acute phase of ischaemic stroke and from the acute to the convalescent phase, suggesting that hyper-homocysteinaemia may be a consequence rather than a causal factor. Therefore we measured homocysteine plasma levels in stroke patients in order to investigate possible correlations of homocysteine with stroke severity and clinical outcome. Further we looked for eventual differences in stroke subtypes. We prospectively studied plasma homocysteine levels in acute stroke patients admitted to the stroke unit of our department. Seven hundred and seventy-five ischaemic stroke patients, 39 cerebral haemorrhages and 421 healthy control subjects have been enrolled. Stroke severity and clinical outcome were measured with the Scandinavian Stroke Scale, the Rankin Scale and the Barthel Index. Stroke severity by linear stepwise regression analysis was not an independent determinant of plasma homocysteine levels. Homocysteine was not correlated with outcome measured by the Barthel Index. Mean plasma homocysteine of both ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke was significantly higher than controls (p<0.05). Homocysteine had an adjusted odds ratios (OR) of 4.2 (95% CI 2.77-6.54) for ischaemic stroke and of 3.69 (95% CI 1.90-7.17) for haemorrhagic stroke. Compared with the lowest quartile, the upper quartile was associated with an adjusted OR of ischaemic stroke due to small artery disease of 17.4 (95% CI 6.8-44.3). Homocysteine in the acute phase of stroke was not associated with stroke severity or outcome. Elevated plasma homocysteine in the acute phase of stroke was associated with both ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Higher levels are associated with higher risk of small artery disease subtype of stroke.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Occupational differences in exposure to hazardous work conditions].

BACKGROUND: Few studies have been aimed at describing organizational and psychosocial conditions of the Italian workforce by occupational group, and they have been mainly conducted within specific occupations. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed at identifying specific groups of occupations which have unfavourable profiles from the point of view of exposure to specific organizational factors and psychosocial risks, and to physical, chemical and ergonomic risks, and analyzing their distribution by worker age. METHODS: The analysis was conducted on a sample of 4,195 workers in the Piedmont Region who were members of the CGIL Trade Union (Italian General Confederation of Labour), who answered a self-administered questionnaire in 2000, aimed at assessing chemical, physical, and ergonomic risks, accidents, and psychosocial factors connected with work organization and work tasks. Psychosocial risks were assessed via three scales aimed at measuring the degree of control, psychophysical demands, and worker satisfaction. The proportion of workers exposed to the above mentioned risks was analysed according to occupational group. This group was then compared with all other groups taken together, according to prevalence of high strain condition (combination of high demand and low control) and HSUR condition (High Strain Unfairly Rewarded; combination of high strain and low satisfaction). RESULTS: Among males aged 25-44 years, restricted to the occupation groups with more than ten workers in high strain condition, significantly higher proportions of stress were observed in leather workers and shoemakers, paper factory workers, rubber workers, crane and bridge crane operators, plastic workers, painters, transport drivers and carpenters. For many of these groups, excesses were confirmed for the HSUR condition. Among subjects aged over 44 years, a higher risk for high strain was confirmed in rubber workers, transport drivers and carpenters. In addition, machine tool operators, assembly line and mechanical workers in this age group were exposed to higher risk of stress. In younger women there was a significantly higher risk of both high strain and HSUR conditions in workers employed in the rubber, plastic and the food industries, and in machine tool workers. Such excess risk was confirmed in the latter three categories also among older women. In general, the proportion of male workers classified as working in high strain conditions decreased as age increased, while in women it remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: The study allowed evaluation of the differential impact of exposure to physical, chemical, and psychosocial risk factors among occupational groups, thus contributing to the identification and classification of exhausting jobs. The results further showed, particularly among men, a smaller proportion of older workers, compared to younger ones, exposed to harmful physical, chemical, ergonomic and psychosocial conditions, indicating a possible propensity of companies to adapt workplace conditions, organization and internal mobility to worker age.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2004

Elevated levels of circulating trace amines in primary headaches.

BACKGROUND: Trace amines, including tyramine, octopamine, and synephrine, are closely related to classic biogenic amines. They have been hypothesized to promote migraines and other types of primary headaches, but there is no direct evidence supporting this hypothesis. METHODS: Using a multichannel electrochemical high-performance liquid chromatography system, the authors evaluated whether changes in circulating trace amines occur in subjects with migraine (with or without aura) during headache-free periods as well as in patients with cluster headache (CH) during the remission and active phases as compared with healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Plasma levels of all trace amines were significantly higher in CH patients, in both the remission and the active phases, when compared with control subjects or subjects with migraine. In addition, intraplatelet levels of octopamine, synephrine, and tyramine were higher in CH patients than in control subjects. In migraine patients, plasma levels of octopamine and synephrine were higher compared with controls, although in migraine with aura, the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the elevation of plasma trace amine levels in both migraine and CH supports the hypothesis that disorders of biogenic amine metabolism may be a characteristic biochemical trait in primary headache sufferers, the observation that such alterations are more prominent in patients with CH than migraine patients suggests that they may reflect sympathetic or hypothalamic dysfunction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Contributions of biochemistry to the pathogenesis of primary headaches.

We briefly summarise biochemical anomalies of serotonin, norepinephrine, glutamic and aspartic acids, the main neurotransmitters of inhibitory and excitatory neuronal circuitries, found in primary headaches and their relationship with pathogenesis of migraine and cluster headache (CH). In addition, the high levels of circulating tyramine, octopamine and synephrine (elusive amines), recently reported in both migraine types and CH, are discussed in relation to the other "classic" amines findings. In particular it is suggested how abnormal levels of elusive amines may participate in the pathophysiology of migraine and CH acting through their specific trace amine receptors and alpha and beta receptors. The possible hypothesis that emerges from the analysis of these biochemical findings is that an imbalance of systems, with opposite neurophysiological functions related to the pain and other yet unknown functions, may constitute the biochemical phenotype of migraine with and without aura, and CH.

Brain Chemistry↗
PubMed2004

Workplace disability in migraine: an Italian experience.

Workplace disability due to migraine has not been extensively researched in non-English speaking countries. We assessed the repercussions of headache, and particularly of migraine, on work in a sample of employees from an Italian company (Bulgari). Information was obtained through a self-answering questionnaire in "all headaches" sufferers, and through direct interview in migraine sufferers (diagnosis according to IHS criteria). Headache frequency, pain intensity and headache-related disability were higher in migraineurs than in "all headaches" sufferers. About a quarter of migraineurs missed at least one day in the three months prior to the interview due to headache, and around 10% lost two or more days over the same period. Moore than 50% of migraineurs reported 1-7 days per month at work with headache, with reduction in productivity level by 50% or more in 15% of respondents. Our data confirmed that headaches, and particularly migraine, cause a considerable reduction in workplace productivity. Workplace interventions to effectively manage migraine are needed.

Disability Evaluation↗
PubMed2004

Does headache represent a clinical marker in early diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis? A prospective multicentric study.

The main aim of this study is to look for early clinical markers of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). As headache represents the major clinical manifestation at presentation we focused our attention on this symptom. We present the preliminary results of a prospective multicentric study that includes cases diagnosed as CVT in the participating centres. We have so far studied 35 patients (5 males and 30 females) from the ages of 18 to 78. The most frequent manifestation was headache (77.1%). It was more frequently localised (66.7%) and continuous (77.8%). The onset of pain was mostly acute-subacute (38.5%-50.0%) and the intensity moderate-severe (37.0%-51.9%). On univariate analysis, we found a positive correlation between CVT, acute headache onset (p=0.001) and severe headache (p=0.004). These preliminary results seem in accordance with our previous findings in the retrospective study, suggesting that CVT is more often associated with acute-onset headache of severe intensity.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Temporal profile of serum anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory interleukins in acute ischemic stroke patients.

The presence of an inflammatory response in the pathophysiology of acute brain ischemia is relatively well established, but less is known about the anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate part of the immune response in acute stroke patients and to analyze a possible correlation with other hematological parameters, clinical outcome, size of infarct and subtypes of strokes. We prospectively studied 42 stroke patients, without signs of infections or inflammatory diseases, at days 0, 1, 3, 7 and 14, and 39 healthy control subjects. We measured serum levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) and the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) by ELISA method. We observed a highly inverse correlation between these two molecules in control subjects (r=-0.78, p=0.0000001), and this correlation was lost in stroke patients. Patients had significantly lowered IL-10 serum levels soon after the acute event (p=0.00005), with a slight increase at the seventh day. On the other hand, patients had increased IL-6 serum levels compared with controls after day one until day 14 (p<0.04), with a maximum increase at day 3. Interleukin-6 correlated with clinical outcome whereas interleukin-10 did not. Low levels of interleukin-10 indicate that the antiinflammatory response is down-regulated in acute stroke patients. The pro-inflammatory response begins 24 hours after the onset of acute cerebral ischemia, as indicated by the increased serum levels of interleukin-6. The physiological balance between these two molecules is altered in acute stroke patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

A 7-kDa prion protein (PrP) fragment, an integral component of the PrP region required for infectivity, is the major amyloid protein in Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease A117V.

Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease (GSS) is a cerebral amyloidosis associated with mutations in the prion protein (PrP) gene (PRNP). The aim of this study was to characterize amyloid peptides purified from brain tissue of a patient with the A117V mutation who was Met/Val heterozygous at codon 129, Val(129) being in coupling phase with mutant Val117. The major peptide extracted from amyloid fibrils was a approximately 7-kDa PrP fragment. Sequence analysis and mass spectrometry showed that this fragment had ragged N and C termini, starting mainly at Gly88 and Gly90 and ending with Arg148, Glu152, or Asn153. Only Val was present at positions 117 and 129, indicating that the amyloid protein originated from mutant PrP molecules. In addition to the approximately 7-kDa peptides, the amyloid fraction contained N- and C-terminal PrP fragments corresponding to residues 23-41, 191-205, and 217-228. Fibrillogenesis in vitro with synthetic peptides corresponding to PrP fragments extracted from brain tissue showed that peptide PrP-(85-148) readily assembled into amyloid fibrils. Peptide PrP-(191-205) also formed fibrillary structures although with different morphology, whereas peptides PrP-(23-41) and PrP-(217-228) did not. These findings suggest that the processing of mutant PrP isoforms associated with Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease may occur extracellularly. It is conceivable that full-length PrP and/or large PrP peptides are deposited in the extracellular compartment, partially degraded by proteases and further digested by tissue endopeptidases, originating a approximately 7-kDa protease-resistant core that is similar in patients with different mutations. Furthermore, the present data suggest that C-terminal fragments of PrP may participate in amyloid formation.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Cystine knot mutations affect the folding of the glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit. Differential secretion and assembly of partially folded intermediates.

The common glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit (GPH-alpha) contains five intramolecular disulfide bonds, three of which form a cystine knot motif (10-60, 28-82, and 32-84). By converting each pair of cysteine residues of a given disulfide bond to alanine, we have studied the role of individual disulfide bonds in GPH-alpha folding and have related folding ability to secretion and assembly with the human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit (hCG-beta). Mutation of non-cystine knot disulfide bond 7-31, bond 59-87, or both (leaving only the cystine knot) resulted in an efficiently secreted folding form that was indistinguishable from wild type. Conversely, the cystine knot mutants were inefficiently secreted (<25%). Furthermore, mutation of the cystine knot disulfide bonds resulted in multiple folding intermediates containing 1, 2, or 4 disulfide bonds. High performance liquid chromatographic separation of intracellular and secreted forms of the folding intermediates demonstrated that the most folded forms were preferentially secreted and combined with hCG-beta. From these studies we conclude that: (i) the cystine knot of GPH-alpha is necessary and sufficient for folding and (ii) there is a direct correlation between the extent of GPH-alpha folding, its ability to be secreted, and its ability to heterodimerize with hCG-beta.

Alanine↗
PubMed1998

Wheat cultivar discrimination by capillary electrophoresis of gliadins in isoelectric buffers.

A modified method is reported for screening of wheat cultivars: capillary zone electrophoresis of gliadins in isoelectric buffers. Previously published procedures recommended a 100 mM phosphate buffer, supplemented with 0.05% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and 20% acetonitrile, in uncoated capillaries. Due to the very high conductivity of such a buffer (4.7 mmhos at 25 degrees C) high speed separations (10-12 min analysis time at 800 V/cm) could only be elicited in 20 microm internal diameter (ID) capillaries, at the expense of sensitivity. In the present report, we optimized the background electrolyte as follows: 40 mM aspartic acid (pH=pI=2.77) in the presence of 7 M urea and 0.5% short-chain hydroxyethylcellulose (Mn 27000 Da; apparent pH 3.9 in 7 M urea). As an alternative recipe, the same isoelectric buffer can be supplemented with a mixed organic solvent composed of 4 M urea and 20% acetonitrile (apparent pH 3.66). Due to the much lower conductivity (0.7 mmhos), separations can be carried out at 1000 V/cm in only 10 min, but in larger bore capillaries (50 microm ID), ensuring a five-times higher sensitivity. The gliadin patterns thus obtained are species-specific and allow easy identification of all cultivars tested of both durum and bread wheat. No adsorption of proteins to the silica wall seems to occur and high reproducibility in peak areas and transit times is obtained.

Buffers↗
PubMed1998

Altered expression of sialylated carbohydrate antigens in HT29 colonic carcinoma cells.

To determine whether cell growth conditions impacted carbohydrate expression, HT29 cells were gradually transferred from a conventional glucose-containing media to a glucose-free galactose containing media. Indirect immunofluorescence on acetone fixed cells showed increased expression of sialyl Lewis A antigen (CA19-9), sialyl Lewis C (DUPAN2) and Tn/sialyl-Tn on the surface of HT29 cells grown in the glucose-free galactose containing media compared to those grown in the glucose containing media. Sialyltransferases responsible for the synthesis for these sialylated epitopes were Increased in the galactose-fed HT29 cells. Media overlying the cells was subjected to isopycnic ultracentrifugation in cesium chloride and the fractions derived from both glucose and galactose media with equivalent buoyant densities of 1.56 g/L, which are predicted to contain mucin glycoforms, were further separated by HPLC using a Mono-Q anion exchange column. The chromatograph of eluent from the sample derived from the cells growing in the galactose containing media showed an increased peak that reacted with the anti-sialyl Lewis A antibody, CA19-9. These results show that alteration of in vitro culture conditions may cause HT29 colonic carcinoma cells to alter the expression of sialylated carbohydrates.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Benign cough "cluster" headache.

Benign cough headache presents as a sudden bilateral, short-lasting pain precipitated by coughing. The diagnosis requires noninvasive brain-imaging so that secondary causes can be ruled out. We describe a man, 57 years of age, complaining of an atypical form of benign cough headache which shares some features with episodic cluster headache. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a link between these two types of idiopathic headache.

Cluster Headache↗
PubMed1996

PrP27-30 is a normal soluble prion protein fragment released by human platelets.

Prion diseases are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the accumulation of abnormal isoforms of prion protein (PrPSc) in the central nervous system. PrPSc isoforms differ from their normal homologue (PrPC), in that they possess increased beta-sheet conformation, are partially protease resistant and may be associated with amyloid deposition. Amyloid proteins are thought to derive from soluble precursors or fragments thereof, present in biological fluids, which in the disease state undergo conformational change leading to aggregation and deposition in target tissues. We report here that platelets carry PrP mRNA and release PrPC, a sialoglycoprotein bound to the cell surface by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Soluble PrPC, and a N-terminal truncated PrPC isoform starting at position 90 are secreted by resting and agonist-stimulated platelets and are detectable after partial deglycosylation of releasates. N-terminal sequence analysis of the soluble 27-30 kDa isoform, GQGGGTHSQ(W)NKP, revealed homology to scrapie PrP27-30, the protease resistant core derived from PrPSc. These findings indicate that in addition to PrPC, platelets process a soluble PrP27-30 isoform. Whether this isoform can be converted in scrapie PrP27-30 remains to be determined.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Vascular variant of prion protein cerebral amyloidosis with tau-positive neurofibrillary tangles: the phenotype of the stop codon 145 mutation in PRNP.

Deposition of PrP amyloid in cerebral vessels in conjunction with neurofibrillary lesions is the neuropathologic hallmark of the dementia associated with a stop mutation at codon 145 of PRNP, the gene encoding the prion protein (PrP). In this disorder, the vascular amyloid in tissue sections and the approximately 7.5-kDa fragment extracted from amyloid are labeled by antibodies to epitopes located in the PrP sequence including amino acids 90-147. Amyloid-laden vessels are also labeled by antibodies against the C terminus, suggesting that PrP from the normal allele is involved in the pathologic process. Abundant neurofibrillary lesions are present in the cerebral gray matter. They are composed of paired helical filaments, are labeled with antibodies that recognize multiple phosphorylation sites in tau protein, and are similar to those observed in Alzheimer disease. A PrP cerebral amyloid angiopathy has not been reported in diseases caused by PRNP mutations or in human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies; we propose to name this phenotype PrP cerebral amyloid angiopathy (PrP-CAA).

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Amino acid composition, immunoreactivity, sequence analysis, and function of bovine hippocampal metallothionein isoforms.

The high concentration of zinc in the hippocampal mossy fiber axon boutons is localized in the vesicles and is mobilized by exocytosis of the zinc-laden vesicles. Because "free" zinc in excess is a neurotoxic substance inhibiting an extensive number of sulfhydryl-containing enzymes and receptor sites, we hypothesized that low-molecular-weight zinc binding proteins must exist in the hippocampus to regulate the steady-state concentration of zinc. In this communication, we report that the bovine hippocampus synthesizes metallothionein (MT) isoforms that are similar, but not identical, to those of the rat brain MT isoforms and cross-react poorly with antibodies formed against the hepatic MT isoforms, suggesting that the immunologically dominant regions of hippocampal MT (residues 1-29) are not conserved. A comparative sequence analysis of bovine hippocampal MTs and bovine hepatic MT isoforms I and II revealed a 90% sequence identity, being mostly different in residues 1-29. The results of these studies suggest that the hippocampal MT isoforms, which are synthesized on a continuous basis, may play a role in regulating the transport, accumulation, and compartmentation of zinc in the hippocampus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗