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Biomedical subjects

G Di Paola

Publications and source records attributed to G Di Paola.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Transient neonatal hypercholesterolemia. Lack of relationships with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.

In order to obtain new information about the relationship between transient neonatal hypercholesterolemia and adrenal gland function, we have studied 39 healthy babies found hypercholesterolemic at birth and 39 healthy controls with normal cholesterol levels. The results of this study have shown that levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in cord blood were not significantly different in the hypercholesterolemic subjects compared with normolipidemic controls (1.4 +/- 0.5 micrograms/dl vs 1.3 +/- 0.5 mu/dl). Moreover correlations between this hormone and levels of total and LDL-cholesterol were not only not statistically significant but even positive (respectively r = +0.207 and +0.195). These data suggest that dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate measurements in cord blood do not give any further information about transient neonatal hypercholesterolemia.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1993

Relationship between types of human papillomavirus and Langerhans' cells in cervical condyloma and intraepithelial neoplasia.

Planimetric and immunohistologic studies of Langerhans' cells were performed on epithelial sheets dissected from paired biopsy specimens removed from histopathologically normal and abnormal areas of cervices infected by the human papillomavirus. The results showed that epithelial lesions associated with human papillomavirus types classically not related to malignancy (such as types 6 and 11) showed a similar decrease in the Langerhans' cell number to that induced by types 16 and 18. This phenomenon was analyzed in condylomas and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of low degree, in which human papillomavirus DNA was detected by Southern blot. On the other hand, a significant decrease was observed in Langerhans' cell number in areas of condyloma and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia compared to normal (control) areas from the same patients. It was also confirmed that Langerhans' cell density increases along with the grade of intraepithelial neoplasia.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apoprotein B in umbilical cord blood: cross-sectional study].

The aim of the present study was to evaluate, in a large series of term newborns, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in cord blood, using as parameters, levels of plasma cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apo B higher than mean + 2 standard deviations, alone or in association. Data reported here represent the results of a transversal study. 1275 term newborns were studied. In everybody, in cord blood samples, at birth, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, apoprotein B and LDL-cholesterol have been assayed. In 3.13% of them (40 subjects), cholesterol levels > mean + 2 standard deviations were present. Moreover, only 6 subjects (0.47%) showed all three parameter levels higher than mean + 2 standard deviations, and 4 subjects (0.31%), in spite of normal cholesterol levels, presented high LDL-cholesterol and apo B levels. Integrated utilization of these parameters in the neonatal screening of familial hypercholesterolemia will have to be confirmed by follow-up studies.

Apolipoproteins B↗
PubMed1991

Lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins AI, AII, B, CII, CIII and E in newborns.

In this study lipid and apolipoprotein patterns were investigated at birth and compared with those of adults. In cord sera, cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were 38.2, 46.2, 50.5, and 31.9%, respectively, of adult values. Apolipoprotein AII, B and CIII were 48.6, 30.6 and 44.5% of adult values, while apo AI, apo CII and apo E showed values approaching those of adults (63.4, 73.3 and 89.7%, respectively). Also cholesterol/HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratios were lower in newborns. In cord sera, lipids were correlated with various apolipoproteins in a surprisingly different way from adult sera. HDL cholesterol was not inversely correlated with triglycerides, and showed a highly positive correlation with apo E, apo CII and apo CIII, which did not correlate with HDL cholesterol in adults. These data supported the presence of significant differences in plasma concentrations and composition of lipoproteins at birth. Therefore HDL, apo CII, and apo E seem to play a different and more important metabolic role in neonatal lipid metabolism.

Apolipoproteins↗
PubMed1990

Antibody response to pertussis toxin and filamentous haemagglutinin in NIH mice immunized with the International Standard for Pertussis Vaccine.

The antibody response to filamentous haemagglutinin and pertussis toxin was studied in N:NIH mice vaccinated according to the WHO recommendations for potency test with the International Standard for Pertussis Vaccine (ISPV). Some of the vaccinated animals were challenged intracerebrally on day 14. All animals, whether challenged or not, were bled on days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 after immunization. The relationship between anti-PT and anti-FHA antibodies measured by ELISA and protection from intracerebral challenge was examined. All those mice with anti-PT titres on day 14 higher than 43 EU/ml survived challenge. No relationship was found between anti-FHA antibodies and survival. Anti-PT titres on day 14 below 43 EU/ml were related to the days of survival after challenge; a linear regression curve of y = 13 + 2.4x, with a correlation coefficient r = 0.61 was found. Anti-PT antibodies seem to play an important role in protection when animals are challenged intracerebrally, as is the case in the standard potency test for pertussis vaccine.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Is subradical surgical treatment for carcinoma of the cervix uteri stage IB logical?

Twenty-eight patients with squamous carcinoma of the cervix FIGO stage Ib were treated with three courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a VBP modified scheme. Clinical responses showed that the percentage of complete and moderate responses exceeds 95% of the cases. Clinical response was also related to tumor bulk measurement by ultrasound scanning. Twenty-three of the patients were then subjected to the Wertheim-Meigs operation. Pathological findings of surgical specimens showed absence of residual lesion in 6 patients (26.1%) and carcinoma smaller than 0.5 cm in 5 patients (21.7%). Tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was excellent in NG3, MG3 tumors when lymphoplasmomonocytic infiltration was present. In accord with this result a new protocol was developed.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1983

[An experience of mental health promotion in an educational institution].

This article describes the work done by an interdisciplinary team belonging to a Mental Health Center in a secondary school situated within its area limits. The socio-political situation had developed opposition among the students towards the established school regulations provoking disturbances in communications and alliances between some of the different school groups. This situation created difficulties for the staff in connection with the specific management of the conflict. The written goals of the educational institution and those of the Mental Health Promotion team of this Mental Health Center were similar as follows: 1. Developing human being's potentialities; 2. Promoting more freedom and better communications. These facts, and the shared goals described above constituted the main reasons and explain why the Mental Health Promotion Team was able to work with the school groups in counseling during 3 1/2 years. It is important to emphasize that one of the main objectives achieved was that of transforming each staff member, such as professors and students into a mental health agent, that is to say someone who through his role is capable of influencing a significant number of people. Additional efforts were made towards turning intergroups communications more fluid breaking alliances and encouraging different groups to participate in school decisions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1969

Oral contraceptives: long-term use produces fine structural changes in liver mitochondria.

Liver biopsies from two groups of women receiving oral contraceptives from 1 to 6 months and from 12 to 30 months, respectively, were examined by electron microscopy. The fine structure of the liver cells from the first group appeared normal, except for an increase in the amount of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. In the second group, however, there were many cases with striking changes-altered shape, increase in size, and presence of paracrystalline inclusions-in the mitochondria. No significant correlation between mitochondrial changes and alterations in liver function was detected.

Adult↗