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Biomedical subjects

F Pinto

Publications and source records attributed to F Pinto.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

A synthetic glycopeptide of human myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein to detect antibody responses in multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases.

Glycopeptides of hMOG(30-50) containing a glucosyl moiety on the side-chains of Asn, Ser or Hyp at position 31 were synthesised. Antibody titres to hMOG(30-50) and to its glucoderivatives were measured by ELISA in sera of patients affected by different neurological diseases. Anti-hMOG(30-50) antibodies were detected only using the glycopeptide [Asn31(N-Glc)]hMOG(30-50).

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1999

A simple pressure microinjecting system for delivery of small substance volumes to the brain: application to the developmental study of thalamo-cortical projections in foetal and neonatal rats.

We describe a reliable and inexpensive method for placing injections of anatomical tracers into the brain of lower mammals. The pressure microinjecting system we developed is specifically designed to deliver very small amount of substances. The injecting portion of the system is relatively easy to assemble and can be repeatedly used for multiple experimental sessions. The system has been validated with experiments of multiple fluorescent retrograde tracing. In these experiments the populations of thalamo-cortical neurons were consistently labeled by the tracers injected bilaterally and symmetrically in the cortex of foetal and neonatal rats.

Amidines↗
PubMed1999

Phylogeographic patterns of mtDNA reflecting the colonization of the Canary Islands.

Although the Canary Islands were settled by humans, possibly of Berber origin, as late as 2500 years ago, the precise course and numbers of early migrations to the archipelago remain controversial. We have therefore analysed mtDNA variation (HVS-I as well as selected RFLP sites) in 300 individuals from the seven Canary Islands. The distribution and variation across the islands in a specific mtDNA clade of Northwest African ancestry suggest that there was one dominant initial settlement process that affected all the islands, from east to west. This indicates that a certain genetic affinity of present-day Canary Islanders to Northwest African Berbers mainly stems from the autochthonous population rather than slaves captured on the neighbouring African coast. The slave trade after the European conquest left measurable, though minor, traces in the mtDNA pool of the Canary Islands, which in its majority testifies to the European immigration.

Africa↗
PubMed1999

In vivo enalapril-induced acantholysis.

Enalapril is a widely used antihypertensive drug with a very powerful in vitro acantholytic effect. It has been known to potentially induce pemphigus in genetically predisposed subjects. The action mechanism is complex and still only partially understood. We describe the case of a 66-year-old man, affected with intermediary basal cell carcinoma, in whom the histological examination showed suprabasal acantholytic clefts in the perilesional epidermis. Surprisingly a second biopsy taken from the apparently healthy skin of his back confirmed the presence of acantholytic changes. Clinical signs of pemphigus were absent. The patient's history did not reveal any relevant data but a mild arterial hypertension that had been treated for 1 year with 10 mg enalapril. Taking into account the patient's history (enalapril long-term administration), the absence of any bullous or erosive lesions and the histological findings, a diagnosis was made of in vivo enalapril-induced acantholysis.

Acantholysis↗
PubMed1999

Multiple sclerosis is associated with enhanced B cell responses to the ganglioside GD1a.

The occurrence and role of autoantibodies to gangliosides and other lipid-containing components of the central nervous system in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are unsettled. Using sensitive ELISAs, we measured IgG and IgM antibody titers and absorbances to the three major gangliosides GD1a, GD1b and GM1, and to sulfatides, cardiolipin and myelin proteins in paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with untreated MS, optic neuritis (ON), acute aseptic meningo-encephalitis (AM) and other neurological diseases (OND). Twenty-three per cent of 30 MS (P<0.04) and 18% of 32 ON patients (P<0.05) presented elevated IgG antibody titers to GD1a in serum compared to 9% of patients with OND. Six (40%) of the patients with malignant MS had elevated serum IgG antibody titers to GD1a compared to one (6%) of the patients with benign MS (P<0.04). In CSF, elevated IgG antibody titers to GD1a were measured in 13% of MS and 20% of ON patients compared to 4% of patients with OND (P<0. 03 and P<0.02, respectively). The augmented IgG response to GD1a in serum also separated MS from Guillain-Barré syndrome. Compared to OND increased IgM absorbances to sulfatides and cardiolipin were observed in CSF of patients with MS, but also in AM. Elevated IgG antibody titers to myelin proteins were found more often in MS patients' serum and MS, ON and AM patients' CSF compared to OND. The data implicate that among the multitude of enhanced B-cell responses occurring in MS and ON, that directed to GD1a is common and more discriminative, and should be evaluated in future MS treatment studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Anti-GM1, anti-central myelin proteins, and anti-cardiolipin autoantibodies during plasma-exchange in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

We measured the autoantibodies to GM1, central myelin proteins, and cardiolipin in 30 GBS patients using sensitive ELISA and Western blot techniques. The sequential modifications of titers during plasma-exchange (PE) and at follow-up were investigated in 15 patients. In pretreatment sera, we found significantly increased antibody titers to GM1 (37% of the patients), central myelin proteins (28%), and cardiolipin (21%). Seventeen patients out of 29 (58%) presented increased IgG or IgM antibody to at least one of the antigens considered as compared to 10 out of 70 controls (14%, P = 0.00001). By Western blot, IgG or IgM antibodies reactive with the triton insoluble fraction of central myelin were observed in 19 out of 28 GBS patients (67%). The follow-up measurements during and after PE showed a declining autoantibody titer in 10 out of 15 patients. However, in the remaining 5 GBS patients, we observed a persistently elevated titer or an increase from baseline values occurring during or after PE and reaching a peak. In 2 of the 5 patients, the titer peak preceded a clinical re-exacerbation. The presence of a persistently elevated or an increasing autoantibody titer during treatment with PE merits further investigation and may help to clarify the pathogenesis of GBS and improve its treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and percutaneous ethanol injection for the treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma: local therapeutic effect and long-term survival rate.

The aim of our study was to investigate local therapeutic effects and long-term results of combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Eight-six patients (67 males and 19 females, age range 48-75 years, mean age 65.1 years) with Child-Pugh class A (n = 48) or B (n = 38) liver cirrhosis and a large HCC (main tumor 3.1-8 cm in diameter with no more than two daughter nodules) were enrolled in a prospective study. All patients underwent a single TACE session followed by PEI. Follow-up ranged from 4 to 65 months (mean 27.8 months, median 26 months). No major complication occurred. The local therapeutic effect, as assessed on the basis of findings at CT and MR imaging, was complete response in 71 of 86 patients (82 %) and partial response in 15 of 86. Overall survival rates by the Kaplan-Meier method were 92 % at 1 year, 83 % at 2 years, 69 % at 3 years, 58 % at 4 years, and 47 % at 5 years. Survival of Child-Pugh A patients (75 % at 3 years and 59 % at 5 years) was significantly longer (p < 0.01) than that of Child-Pugh B patients (61 % at 3 years and 35 % at 5 years). Combined TACE and PEI is an effective treatment for large HCC.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1998

Current uses of diagnostic high-frequency US in dermatology.

OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of most skin diseases, both focal and diffuse, has long relied mainly on physical examination findings. The recent introduction of technologically advanced ultrasound equipment using 20 MHz probes has permitted the specific application of ultrasound to dermatology. Accordingly, we investigated whether the findings at very high frequencies can represent a valid adjunct to clinical assessment in many skin conditions, including neoplasms, inflammatory states and diseases of unknown origin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Skin lesions are studied using high frequency probes, which very clearly detail the three layers (epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissues) forming the normal skin. The choice of the probes frequency should depend mainly on the lesion diameters and site. Electronic 7.5-13 MHz linear probes depict flat and regular surfaces effectively and provide a wider field of surface vision and, therefore, a wider view than sectorial probes. Water bath sectorial mechanical probes with 10-20 MHz frequency have very superficial focusing and are excellent to study irregular surfaces. RESULTS: High frequency ultrasound can be usefully correlated with clinical tests to study focal skin lesions. The diagnosis of most benign skin cancers is usually made on clinical bases. Ultrasound examinations are performed preoperatively in questionable cases. Malignant neoplasms appear at ultrasound as hypoechoic focal lesions, generally with no specific features in relation to the histologic type; nevertheless, preoperative ultrasound may play an important role in that it measures the thickness of cutaneous melanoma, which is a very important prognostic factor. In particular, 20 MHz probes permit to assess the depth of melanoma invasion. The sonographic evaluation of melanoma thickness is usually in agreement with histologic findings. 'Satellite' neoplastic lesions growing near the main tumor can also be revealed. Color and power Doppler studies may be combined with gray-scale imaging: the identification of abnormal intra- or peritumoral low-resistance pulsatile flow signals suggests the malignant nature of the cutaneous lesion. High frequency ultrasound can also be used to study diffuse cutaneous conditions. Among them, ultrasound can provide a valid morphologic representation of psoriatic skin lesions and it is also a noninvasive and accurate method for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of antipsoriatic drugs. In scleroderma, sonographic findings vary depending on disease activity and the patterns vary; therefore, 20 MHz probes may also prove useful over the other instrumental tools to monitor the disease course and treatment efficacy in focal scleroderma. Other potential applications include allergic dermatitis, nodular erythema, dermatomyosis, sarcoidosis, lymphedema of the limbs and allergologic conditions. Ultrasound can also be used in monitoring the response to or complications of topic drugs administration, and in the follow-up of focal burns. CONCLUSION: High frequency ultrasound can provide a reliable morphologic representation of skin lesions but it is also an accurate noninvasive tool for monitoring the therapeutic efficacy of drugs administration in focal or diffuse diseases. The application of high frequency studies to dermatology is very challenging. Indeed, the very high frequency probes up to 20 MHz currently available are particularly useful for reliable studies. Contrast-enhanced color and power doppler are very promising techniques. Advancements in technology will improve the correlation of clinical with high frequency ultrasound findings in the assessment of several skin diseases.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of northwest African populations reveals genetic exchanges with European, near-eastern, and sub-Saharan populations.

Genetic studies have emphasized the contrast between North African and sub-Saharan populations, but the particular affinities of the North African mtDNA pool to that of Europe, the Near East, and sub-Saharan Africa have not previously been investigated. We have analysed 268 mtDNA control-region sequences from various Northwest African populations including several Senegalese groups and compared these with the mtDNA database. We have identified a few mitochondrial motifs that are geographically specific and likely predate the distribution and diversification of modern language families in North and West Africa. A certain mtDNA motif (16172C, 16219G), previously found in Algerian Berbers at high frequency, is apparently omnipresent in Northwest Africa and may reflect regional continuity of more than 20,000 years. The majority of the maternal ancestors of the Berbers must have come from Europe and the Near East since the Neolithic. The Mauritanians and West-Saharans, in contrast, bear substantial though not dominant mtDNA affinity with sub-Saharans.

Africa↗
PubMed1998

[Gallbladder blunt trauma: comparison between radiologic and anatomo-surgical findings].

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic accuracy and the possible role of ultrasonography (US) and Computed Tomography (CT) in a small group of patients who had a blunt abdominal trauma involving the gallbladder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the US and CT findings of five patients with surgically confirmed post-traumatic gallbladder injury. The whole series consisted of 196 consecutive patients submitted to laparotomy for blunt abdominal trauma in the past 7 years. The following US and CT findings were considered at least suggestive of a possible post-traumatic gallbladder injury: pericholecystic fluid collection, ill-defined wall margin, collapsed lumen, high intraluminal density. RESULTS: At surgery, the following findings were observed: gallbladder hematoma (1 case), acute colecystitis (1 cases), gallbladder tear (3 cases), gallbladder tear associated with post-traumatic hepatic injuries (2 cases), duodenal tear (2 cases), hemoperitoneum alone (2 cases), hemoperitoneum associated with choleperitoneum (1 case), choleperitoneum alone (1 case). The US and CT findings were pericholecystic fluid collections (4 cases), ill-defined gallbladder wall margins (3 cases), collapsed lumen with intraluminal high density (1 case) and free intraperitoneal fluid collections (4 cases). They were suggestive of a possible post-traumatic gallbladder injury in all the five patients. CONCLUSIONS: The radiologic findings of our five patients were suggestive of a gallbladder damage but did not permit to distinguish minor from major injuries, the latter requiring surgical treatment. US proves to be a useful screening tool which can also help timing surgery in these patients. CT confirmed the US suspicions and also permitted accurate assessment of associated post-traumatic injuries to the liver and duodenum. Nevertheless, the clinical presentation was the most important factor as to the therapeutic management of these blunt abdominal trauma patients.

Cholecystography↗
PubMed1998

[Computerized tomography in the study of jejuno-ileal perforations. Personal case load].

INTRODUCTION: The most frequent cause of pneumoperitoneum is gastroduodenal ulcer. Perforations of the small bowel are uncommon compared with perforations of the rest of the alimentary tract and radiological findings of jejunoileal perforation have not been frequently reported. The aim of our retrospective study was to assess the CT findings in 18 patients with jejunoileal perforation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the CT findings in 18 patients (12 men and 6 women, age ranging 14 to 84 years, mean age 42 years) operated for jejunoileal perforation at Cardarelli Hospital, Naples. CT examination was performed in all patients after i.v. injection of contrast medium and in two cases after oral contrast medium administration. Free intraperitoneal air, extravasation of ingested contrast media and visualization of a discontinuity in the bowel wall were considered direct findings of jejunoileal perforation, while intraperitoneal free fluid, thickened bowel wall and the presence of a streaky density within the mesentery were considered indirect diagnostic findings. RESULTS: The site of perforation was the jejunum in 6 cases and the ileum in 12 cases. The following CT findings were retrospectively observed: intraperitoneal free fluid (61%), free intraperitoneal air (33%), thickened bowel wall (22.2%), presence of a streaky density within the mesentery (5.5%). Visualization of a discontinuity in the bowel wall and extravasation of ingested contrast media were never seen. We observed two findings of perforation in 7 cases, and a single finding in 8 cases. CT examination was negative in 3 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Jejunoileal perforations are difficult to identify by CT. In our series, free intraperitoneal air, as a direct finding of perforation, was observed in 33% of cases, while free intraperitoneal fluid, as an indirect diagnostic finding, was the most frequent sign.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Facilitating treatment entry among out-of-treatment injection drug users.

OBJECTIVE: High risk injection practices are common among injecting drug users (IDUs), even following intervention efforts. Moreover, relapse to risk behaviors has been reported among those who initiate risk reduction. Substance abuse treatment offers the potential to reduce or eliminate injecting risk behaviors through drug cessation. We report on the effectiveness of two intervention strategies in facilitating treatment entry among out-of-treatment IDUs: motivational interviewing (MI), and intervention developed to help individuals resolve their ambivalence about behavior change, and free treatment for 90 days. These conditions were compared with an intervention focusing on a hierarchy of safer injecting practice, referred to here as risk reduction (RR), and no free treatment. METHODS: Nearly 200 out-of-treatment IDUs were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions: MI/free treatment, MI/no free treatment, RR/free treatment, and RR/no free treatment. Regardless of assignment, we assisted anyone desiring treatment by calling to schedule the appointment, providing transportation, and waiving the intake fee. RESULTS: Overall, 42% of study participants entered treatment. No significant differences were found between MI and RR; however, 52% of those assigned free treatment entered compare with 32% for those who had to pay. Other predictors of treatment entry included prior treatment experiences, perceived chance of contracting acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) greater than 50%, "determination" stage of change, greater frequency of heroin injecting, and fewer drug-using friends. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the importance of removing barriers to treatment entry.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Cytokine pattern in the cerebrospinal fluid from patients with GBS and CIDP.

Macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and, less frequently, IL-1 beta and IL-6 were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (SF) from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) patients. IL-1 alpha, IL-2, IL-10, TNF alpha, and IFN gamma were not found. Detectable cytokine levels were not observed in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) SF nor in any of the sera studied. These findings suggest a prominent intrathecal activation of cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage (Mø) in GBS, and further support the hypothesis of a crucial role for Mø in GBS immunopathology.

Cytokines↗