Biomedical subjects
F Vesce
Publications and source records attributed to F Vesce.
Epidermal growth factor stimulation of lecithin release by human amnion.
Lecithin release from human amnion disks was assayed in basal conditions as well as under epidermal growth factor administration. The tissue responded to the peptide by increasing the phospholipid release. A significant effect was observed only after 30 min of treatment. A possible role of epidermal growth factor-induced amniotic lecithin release in fetal lung maturation as well as in the mechanism of delivery is discussed.
Modulation of amnionic adenylate cyclase and cAMP phosphodiesterase by prostaglandins E1 and F2 alpha.
The action of prostaglandins E1 and F2 alpha on adenylate cyclase and cAMP phosphodiesterase was assayed in cell membrane fractions of amnion obtained before and after labor from term physiological pregnancies. Both prostaglandins stimulate the activity of adenylate cyclase in a dose-dependent manner. After spontaneous delivery both prostaglandins stimulate the activity of phosphodiesterase at lower doses and inhibit it at higher ones while the stimulatory effect of low doses is missing before labor. Such a behavior could represent a mechanism for the preservation of the cAMP-mediated processes throughout the entire event of delivery.
Betamethasone-induced lecithin release in vitro from the fetal membranes.
Lecithin release from fetal membranes and placental tissue was assayed in basal conditions as well as under betamethasone administration. In the absence of the steroid, amnion and chorion released lecithin as a function of incubation time. Both tissues responded to betamethasone by increasing the lecithin release, the amnion exhibited a higher basal level and a greater responsiveness to the hormone than the chorion. Basal lecithin release from placental tissue was unaffected by any steroid concentration.
Contribution to the assessment of steroid therapy in the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in the neonate.
The respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a physiological manifestation of neonatal pulmonary immaturity and it is still the major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. In order to promote early fetal lung maturity when a preterm delivery is anticipated, a number of pharmacological agents have been investigated. Corticosteroids, in particular, have been extensively used and the results of several trials are reported in literature. A cohort of 246 consecutive singleton preterm infants, liveborn at the Obstetric Clinic of Ferrara University during a 5-year period, was studied to assess whether antenatal steroid therapy reduces the incidence of RDS. Respiratory distress developed in 18.6% of 102 babies who received treatment and in 15.3% of 144 controls, without difference at the statistical analysis. According to previous studies, a lower incidence of RDS was only observed in the treated females compared to non-treated controls (35% vs 46%) at the gestational age of 28-33 weeks. Since the efficacy of steroids seems to be restricted to a very small and specific group of babies, who, moreover are relatively mature by modern intensive care standards, the Authors suggest that the prevention of RDS and its related complications should rely much more on appropriate surveillance and management of the mother and infant than on specific pharmacological interventions.
Conservative management of urinary abnormalities detected in utero.
During a 5-year period, we observed 48 fetuses with urinary malformations diagnosed by antenatal sonography. Postnatal investigations confirmed the presence of a urinary tract anomaly in 44 of the 48 fetuses selected by prenatal ultrasound (91%). Accurate antenatal diagnosis was made in 35 of the 48 cases (73%). In 9 fetuses renal disease was detected, but its specific nature was not in accordance with the prenatal diagnosis. In our series the most common anomaly was hydronephrosis secondary to ureteropelvic junction obstruction. This condition was observed in 31 of the 44 patients (70.4%); 7 of the newborns who showed an obstructive pattern were submitted to early surgical repair, while the remaining 24 cases and 1 renal unit of the group undergoing early surgical repair were relegated to expectant observation, with periodic clinical and laboratory controls. A spontaneous recovery was observed in 12 cases; the dilatation remained unchanged in 10 cases, while 3 patients showed a progressive worsening of the condition which led to a surgical correction. Our findings agree with those in recent reports in providing little support for early, indiscriminate surgical repair. Moreover, our experience confirms the possibility of a spontaneous recovery in newborns with hydronephrosis and draws attention to the benefit of a conservative management in properly selected patients.
Studies on amniotic prolactin: chromatographic pattern and correlation with the lecithin content.
We have measured the concentrations of prolactin and lecithin in the amniotic fluid from 20 normal pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. Prolactin is present totally as a low-molecular-weight form, 'little' prolactin, and appears to correlate negatively with lecithin during the 2nd and positively during the 3rd trimester. On the basis of these results and of the information that prolactin is present as high-molecular-weight isohormones in maternal blood, it is argued that amniotic prolactin is synthesized 'in situ' and that different mechanisms are involved in the regulation of prolactin production.
Adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase activities of fetal membranes: effect of insulin.
Basal activity and response to insulin of adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase were measured in the fetal membranes before and after labor. Basal activity of adenylate cyclase showed only slight variations after delivery when compared to that observed before labor. Enzyme activity was significantly although weakly decreased by insulin both in the amnion and in chorion before labor, while after delivery a weaker non-significant inhibition was observed. Basal activity of cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase was lower after delivery with respect to that observed before labor. Insulin inhibited enzyme activity in all conditions. Cyclic AMP levels in intact tissue were not substantially modified by insulin.
Prenatal diagnosis of cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung.
Two cases of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung (CCAML) are described. In the light of recent literature the prenatal diagnosis and management are discussed.
Ultrasonographic diagnosis of ectasia of the umbilical vein.
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Sonographic picture of submembranous haematoma.
Two cases of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy where elevation of the membranes was found by means of echography are reported. In one case there was an accessory lobe with a marginal haematoma. No evidence of placenta praevia was found. Elevation of the membranes can represent an echographic sign of submembranous haematoma.
"In vitro" effect of progesterone on alpha-L-fucosidase activity of human endometrium.
Alpha-L-fucosidase activity was found to be increased in organ cultured normal endometrium and in endometrial adenocarcinoma compared with non cultured tissue. The enzyme activity was lowered with addition of progesterone to the medium. Non cultured adenocarcinoma showed a higher activity compared with non cultured normal endometrium.
Hemolytic disease of the newborn secondary to anti-Fya and anti-S.
One case of rare maternal-fetal immunization in a patient affected by Cooley's anemia, is reported. The opportunity for a complete characterization of the blood group and for a search for maternal antibodies in patients with a history of multiple blood transfusions is stressed.
alpha-L-fucosidase activity in endometrial, cervical and ovarian cancer.
alpha-L-fucosidase activity assayed on endometrial, cervical and ovarian tissue in benign and malignant conditions has been found to be increased in cancer tissue. Knowing that alpha-L-fucose plays a fundamental role in the process of inhibition of macrophages migration, increased activity of fucosidase in tumors can be interpreted as a possible mechanism by which cancer cells directly subvert the process of macrophages activation thus facilitating xenoplastic growth.
Amniotic fluid beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) as an index of fetal maturity.
Amniotic fluid beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2-m) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 78 pregnant women between the 14th and the 42nd week of gestation. 62 were healthy subjects, while eight were affected by EPH gestosis, seven by diabetes (cl. B-F) associated with Rh immunization in one case, one by hydramnios. There was no significant correlation either between beta 2-m and creatinine (n = 18), or between beta 2-m and lecithin sphingomyelin ratio (L/S) (n = 16), although low concentrations of beta 2-m were usually observed after the 35th week of gestation. It is noteworthy that only in one case out of seven with amniotic levels less than 5 microgram/ml L/S ratio was less than 2.
[Diagnostic value of conization].
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Effect of nitric oxide on arachidonic acid release from human amnion-like WISH cells.
In order to clarify the possible interactions between nitric oxide (NO) and arachidonic acid (AA) pathways, human amnion-like WISH cells were perifused to measure the effects of the following substances on [(3)H]arachidonic acid release: (1) sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide donor; (2) 1,1,1-trifluoromethyl-6,9,12,15-heicosatetraen-2-one, a cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) inhibitor; (3)L -arginine, the substrate of nitric oxide synthase (NOS); (4) 3-(5'-Hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzylindazole and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-alpha]quinoxalin-1-one, activator and inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase, respectively; (5) a membrane-permeable non-hydrolyzable analogue of guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). Furthermore, the effect of SNP on prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) release was tested. Exogenous and endogenous NO, as well as the guanylyl cyclase activator and cGMP analogue, significantly increased [(3)H]arachidonic acid release. Both soluble guanylyl cyclase and PLA(2) inhibitors counteracted SNP response. Exogenous NO increased PGE(2) release, although to a much lesser degree compared with arachidonic acid release. Our results indicate that NO stimulates AA release in WISH cells by activating PLA(2) through a cyclic GMP-dependent mechanism.