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Biomedical subjects

G Canfora

Publications and source records attributed to G Canfora.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Natural killer cell function in atopic dermatitis.

The natural killer cell activity was studied in 41 children with mild, moderate and severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and in 37 controls. The natural killer cell function of lymphocytes was reduced in atopic children (mean +/- SD 21.92 +/- 6.18% vs. 43.87 +/- 5.80%; p less than 0.0001). This decrease was not related to the IgE serum level. A negative correlation was found between natural killer cell activity and the clinical severity of AD (r = 0.73; p less than 0.001). Natural killer cell function was re-evaluated after 9 months in 27 children during a quiescent phase of AD; it was still low, but to a lesser degree (27.66 +/- 5.42%, in the quiescent phase, vs. 43.87 +/- 5.80, controls; p less than 0.0001). The reduced natural killer cell activity seems related to the disease activity.

Child↗
PubMed1987

Humoral and cellular immunity in children with active and quiescent atopic dermatitis.

Serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE), C3, and C4, T lymphocyte subsets, neutrophil chemotaxis and natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxic activity were measured in 34 children with atopic dermatitis and 31 healthy controls. Twenty-four patients were re-evaluated when their dermatitis was quiescent. Serum levels of IgG, IgM and IgE were significantly higher in the patients with atopic dermatitis than in the controls, while levels of serum IgA did not differ significantly between the two groups. C3 levels were lower in the patients than in the controls and correlated inversely with clinical disease severity. C4 levels were not significantly altered. Numbers of suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis were significantly reduced in the atopic patients. There was a significant inverse correlation between the natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxic activity and the severity and extent of the dermatitis. These results support the hypothesis that atopic dermatitis is connected with a defect in cellular immunity.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1981

Pituitary testicular axis function and sex hormone binding globulin binding capacity in thalassaemia major.

Pituitary testicular function was investigated in 19 prepubertal and in 5 pubertal male thalassaemic patients. Total plasma testosterone in prepubertal and in pubertal patients was significantly lower than in controls. In the prepubertal thalassaemics, the lower total testosterone concentration correlated with the diminished sex hormone binding globulin binding capacity (SHBGcap), and the free testosterone levels were normal. The lower testosterone is probably due to the damaged liver function rather than to a diminished testicular function. In the pubertal patients, the testosterone reduction is equally due to the SHBG bound testosterone fraction and the free testosterone fraction. Basal and LHRH stimulated plasma gonadotrophin levels were also significantly decreased in the pubertal subjects. The observed hypotestosteronemia in the pubertal thalassaemics seems to depend on the impaired pituitary gonadotrophin secretion probably due to the chronic iron overload.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Thyroid function in thalassaemia major.

Serum concentrations of T4, T3, rT3, and TSH were measured by radioimmunoassay in 45 patients suffering from beta-thalassaemia. A TRH stimulation test was performed and the binding capacity of TBG and TBPA for T3 and T4 measured by reverse flow zone electrophoresis in a group of these patients. Mean T4 serum concentration was lower in thalassaemic patients than controls; T3, rT3, TSH levels, and the pituitary response to TRH were normal. TBPA binding capacity for thyroxine was greatly decreased, probably due to iron overload impairing the liver function. The decreased circulating total thyroxine might be explained by the reduced TBPA capacity, serum free thyroid hormone concentration total thyroxine might be explained by the reduced TBPA capacity, serum free thyroid hormone concentration values being normal. It is concluded that thalassaemic children are euthyroid, despite often having low-normal or subnormal thyroxine levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A case of discordance between genotype and phenotype in a malignant hyperthermia family.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an inherited autosomal dominant pharmacogenetic disorder and is the major cause of anaesthesia-induced death. Malignant hyperthermia susceptibility is usually diagnosed by the in vitro contracture test (IVCT) performed on fresh muscle biopsies exposed to caffeine and halothane, respectively. Around 50% of affected families are linked to the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) gene. The human RYR1 gene maps to chromosome 19q13.1 and encodes a protein that associates as a homotetramer and acts as a calcium-release channel from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. To date, 17 mutations have been identified in the coding region of the RYR1 gene and appear to be associated to the MH-susceptible phenotype. Here we describe a rare case of discordance between genotype (characterised by the presence of the Arg614Cys mutation in the RYR1 gene) and MH-normal typed phenotype. Although the IVCT remains a very reliable procedure for the assessment of MH status, genetic data can provide in some cases an additional aid to clinical diagnosis.

Caffeine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Minimal flow and half-closed system ventilation in lung surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at determining the applicability of minimal flow anaesthesia in lung surgery. METHODS: The standards anaesthesiological technique was modified to perform minimal flow half-closed system ventilation. For procedures on left lung orobronchial intubation was performed by a White no. 41 and no. 39 orotracheal tube, respectively in male and in female patients, in order to achieve a perfect tight of bronchial cuff and prevent gas loss from the circuit, because of the greater calibre of the right stem bronchus. The metal double lumen connector was replaced by a plastic tube that is clamped to exclude the lung from ventilation, whenever necessary. Fibrin glue was systematically applied on the bronchial stump or resected lung tissue before restoring ventilation. RESULTS: No significant changes were recorded in heart rate, arterial systolic and diastolic pressure, end-expiratoy CO2 concentration, oxygen saturation, airways maximum and minimum pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal flow half-closed system ventilation can be easily performed also in pulmonary surgery provided that gas loss from the circuit is 50 ml/min by means of specific technical adjustments.

Aged↗