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Biomedical subjects

G Fiorini

Publications and source records attributed to G Fiorini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Serum ECP and MPO are increased during exacerbations of chronic bronchitis with airway obstruction.

Many studies have demonstrated that, in asthma, serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) are related to the activity and severity of the disease and can be used to evaluate the response to steroid treatment. During exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, airway inflammation shows some features of asthmatic inflammatory processes, with recruitment of eosinophils and recovery of significant amounts of ECP in bronchial lavage fluid (BAL). Involvement of neutrophils, with high levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), is, on the contrary, typical of this latter disease, and not shared with asthma. In spite of the information collected with BAL and bronchial biopsy studies, few data still exist on serum levels of these proteins in chronic bronchitis. The objective of this study was to assess if serum levels of ECP and MPO are specifically increased in exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, as compared to other non-asthmatic acute respiratory disturbances. Serum ECP, MPO and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were measured in 17 non-atopic patients with exacerbation of chronic bronchitis with airway obstruction (COPD) and in 11 control subjects seeking emergency medical treatment for unrelated acute respiratory problems. Spirometry was performed in patients able to give the necessary collaboration. All the subjects of this study were recruited from the emergency department. Both ECP and MPO were significantly increased in serum from patients with exacerbated COPD (22.2 +/- 4.1 vs 9.5 +/- 1.4 mcg/L and 853 +/- 168 vs 375 +/- 41 mcg/L) and a strong correlation existed between these two variables (r = 0.782). A further control group was made of 11 patients with stable COPD. These subjects had levels of both ECP (13.1 +/- 2.7 mcg/L) and MPO (469 +/- 71) significantly lower than patients with exacerbated disease and higher than those without COPD. We conclude that serum ECP and MPO are increased during the exacerbations of COPD. These observations can give a basis for further studies aimed to evaluate the utility of these two proteins as markers of activity and severity of COPD.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Defecography by spiral computed tomography].

PURPOSE: We investigated the possible role of helical CT defecography in pelvic floor disorders by comparing our results with those of conventional defecography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our series consisted of 90 patients, namely 62 women and 28 men, ranging in age 24-82 years. They were all submitted to conventional defecography, and 18 questionable cases were also studied with helical CT defecography. The conventional examination was performed during the 4 standard phases of resting, squeezing, Valsalva and straining; we used a remote-control unit. The parameters for helical CT defecography were: 5 mm beam collimation, pitch 2, 120 KV, 250 mAs and 18-20 degrees gantry inclination to acquire coronal images of the pelvic floor. The rectal ampulla was distended with a bolus of 300 mL nonionic iodinated contrast agent (dilution: 3 g/cc). The patient wore a napkin and was seated on the table, except for those who could not hold the position and were thus examined supine. Twenty-second helical scans were performed at rest and during evacuation; multiplanar reconstructions were obtained especially on the sagittal plane for comparison with conventional defecographic images. RESULTS: An unquestionable diagnosis could be made in all the 18 patients submitted to helical CT defecography. The diagnosis was in agreement with proctology results and added new information in all cases. Sixteen patients had constipation and 2 fecal incontinence--one from rectal prolapse and the other from a rectovaginal fistula. In this latter case helical CT defecography permitted to confirm the fistula and suggest its course. One patient had a previously undetected ovarian cancer metastatic to the anterior rectal wall. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Coronal helical CT defecography images permitted to map the perineal floor muscles, while sagittal reconstructions provided information on the ampulla and the levator ani. To conclude, helical CT defecography performed well in the study of pelvic floor disorders and can follow conventional defecography especially in questionable cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[An echocardiographic study of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2].

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate left ventricular diastolic function by Doppler echocardiography in patients with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, without coronary artery disease. BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that the velocity curve obtained by Doppler echocardiography of the mitral inflow may reflect the filling pattern of the left ventricle. METHODS AND RESULTS: To evaluate the presence of diastolic impairment of the left ventricle in diabetic patients without evidence of coronary artery disease, 30 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and 20 normal control subjects underwent M-mode, two-dimensional (2-D) and Doppler echocardiography. In the group of diabetic patients (Diabetics), the peak E wave velocity was 0.70 +/- 0.11 m/sec, while in the control group (Controls) it was 1.1 +/- 0.23 m/sec (mean values, +SD, p < 0.001). The peak A wave velocity was 0.89 +/- 0.17 in Diabetics, versus 0.60 +/- 0.34 in Controls. Consequently, E/A ratio was 0.81 +/- 0.18 in Diabetics, versus 1.73 +/- 0.29 in Controls (p < 0.001). Isovolumic relaxation time was 0.08 +/- 0.021 sec in Diabetics, while in Controls it was 0.04 +/- 0.02 sec (p < 0.001). Left atrium diameter was 41 +/- 11 mm in Diabetics, and 37 +/- 4 mm in Controls (p = NS). Left ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, interventricular septal and posterior wall thickness were similar in both groups. No correlation was found between diabetes duration and diastolic function indexes. In Diabetics no correlation was found between age and E/A ratio (correlation coefficient +/- 0.11) while in Controls E/A ratio was lower in the older subjects (r = +/- 0.75). This ratio was 1.89 +/- 0.20 in Controls aged < 65 years, and 1.6 +/- 0.33 in Controls aged > or = 65 years. (p = 0.06). These data suggest that 1) E/A ratio and isovolumic relaxation time are significantly altered in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients without coronary artery disease; 2) Doppler echocardiography is a useful technique to detect left ventricular diastolic impairment; 3) diastolic impairment seems not to correlate with disease duration; 4) systolic function is normal in our group of type 2 diabetic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Symptoms of respiratory allergies are worse in subjects with coexisting food sensitization.

Food sensitization was evaluated in 78 subjects with respiratory allergies, both by skin tests with commercial and fresh allergens, and by specific IgE determination. On the basis of the presence or absence of the latter the population was divided into two groups. The group with food-specific IgE showed more severe features of respiratory allergy, including a greater number of positive skin tests and specific IgE determinations, more class 3 and 4 reactions, and more symptoms. The hypothesis that early food sensitization can predispose to severe inhalant allergy is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Prognostic meaning of the echo-dipyridamole test in recent non-Q myocardial infarct].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the dipyridamole-echocardiography test soon after non Q wave myocardial infarction. Forty-two consecutive patients admitted to the Coronary Care Unit for a first episode of a non Q wave myocardial infarction were enrolled. Dipyridamole-echocardiography test and exercise stress test were performed on 29/42 patients without clinical or electrocardiographic evidence of residual ischaemia, before hospital discharge (from 7 to 15 days after admission). They were followed-up for 1 to 15 months (mean 11.9) or until one of the following clinical end points occurred: recurrence of myocardial infarction, angina or cardiac death. Over a period of 4 minutes, 0.56 mg/kg of dipyridamole was infused intravenously. The test was considered positive when a new transient wall motion abnormality was confirmed by two independent observers. According to these criteria a positive test was observed in 7/29 patients (24%) and a negative one in 22/29 (76%). The exercise stress test was positive in 12/27 patients (44%). Subsequent coronary events occurred in all the patients (100%) with positive dipyridamole-echocardiography test and in 7/22 patients (32%) with negative dipyridamole-echocardiography test (p less than 0.001). Five out of the 7 patients with positive test who underwent coronary angiography showed multivessel coronary artery disease. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of dipyridamole-echocardiography test for the identification of patients at risk for subsequent coronary events were respectively 50%, 100%, 100%, while for exercise stress test these values were 83%, 86% and 75%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Clinical significance of cross-linked fibrin degradation products in essential mixed cryoglobulinemia.

Cross-linked fibrin degradation products (XDP) were measured with a highly sensitive and specific ELISA in 21 patients with essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC) and in 16 controls. Patients had significantly increased levels of XDP, together with abnormalities in routine coagulation tests. Moreover, XDP were higher in patients with more severe disease. These results support the hypothesis that EMC patients have a chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and underline the significance of XDP measurement in the evaluation of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Spontaneous and pokeweed mitogen induced production of rheumatoid factor and immunoglobulins in type II essential mixed cryoglobulinaemia.

In order to evaluate functional lymphocyte defects in type II essential mixed cryoglobulinaemia (EMC) in vitro production of immunoglobulins (Ig) and rheumatoid factor (RF) has been studied in basal conditions and under pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulation in 15 patients and in 17 control subjects. The major finding was a significantly high basal and inducible production of RF by EMC lymphocytes as compared with the RF production in controls, while synthesis of polyclonal Ig was unaffected. A good correlation existed between in vitro production and serum levels of RF. Peripheral blood SmIg+ and Ia+ cells were also significantly increased. The possibility that EMC shares some pathogenetic mechanism with rheumatoid arthritis on the one hand and with lymphoproliferative diseases on the other is considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Increased frequency of antibodies to ubiquitous viruses in essential mixed cryoglobulinaemia.

Antibodies to ubiquitous Herpes viruses have been studied in 13 patients with type II essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC), and in two different control groups. All the EMC patients had monoclonal IgM kappa in their cryoprecipitates. IgM antibodies to the viral capsid antigen (VCA) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were found in the sera of 11 EMC patients but all the cryoprecipitates were negative. IgG antibodies were also present in the sera of all and in the cryoprecipitates of some patients. In contrast, the number of subjects with antibodies to Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) was not higher than in controls. Possible correlations between EMC and EBV infection are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Immunologic and immunogenetic features of primary Kaposi's sarcoma.

In order to establish if immunologic alterations seen in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated Kaposi's sarcoma are also present in the primary form of this malignancy, peripheral blood T-lymphocyte characterization and HLA A, B, C, and DR phenotyping have been carried out in 18 patients with the primary form of the disease. HLA antigen distribution was not significantly different from that of the normal population and, in particular, DR5 was only marginally increased. The T4/T8 ratio was significantly higher in the patients than in the control group, and this was due to a marked decrease in suppressor cells. The possible pathogenetic relevance of these findings is discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

AIDS-like immunologic alterations in clinically unaffected drug users.

Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations (PBLS) and HLA-DR phenotype have been evaluated in 30 IV drug users who were not affected by acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A strongly significant reduction in helper/suppressor ratio was found in these subjects as compared to the control population. When the group under study was subdivided according to the presence or absence of signs of lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS), the apparently unaffected individuals still had significant modifications in PBLS when compared with controls. These modifications were more marked in subjects within the LAS+ subgroup, who also showed a greater DR5 frequency than those belonging to the LAS- subgroup. The authors concluded that AIDS-like laboratory alterations are present in clinically unaffected IV drug users; the possible role of DR5 in conditioning different individual susceptibility is considered.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Bacillus subtilis selectively stimulates the synthesis of membrane bound and secreted IgA.

Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations and IgA production in vitro have been studied in 30 elderly subjects. Fifteen patients were treated with Bacillus subtilis (Enterogermina, Midy) and 15 with a placebo preparation. At the end of the treatment, a significant increase was noticed in lymphocytes bearing membrane IgA and Ia+ cells in the group treated with Bacillus subtilis, but not in the controls. Similarly, a significantly enhanced spontaneous production of IgA in vitro was seen in the treated subjects. The relevance of these findings to the understanding of the mode of action of Bacillus subtilis and its usefulness in different immunodeficiency states is discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Plasma exchange in the treatment of essential mixed cryoglobulinemia nephropathy. Long-term follow up.

Plasma exchange is increasingly used for management of Essential Mixed Cryoglobulinemia. However little is known about the long term effects of this treatment. Therefore we have reviewed the clinical and laboratory data of 20 patients with type II EMC who were followed for a mean of 24 months. 16 patients had renal involvement, which was characterized histologically in all of them: 9 had diffuse proliferative GN plus endoluminal "thrombi" in 6 and vasculitis in 5, 4 had lobular membranoproliferative GN and 3 had focal proliferative GN. 14 patients had renal failure and 13 had proteinuria greater than or equal to 2 g/24 hr. PE (combined with immunosuppressive drugs in 18) was performed for a mean of 18 procedures. The combined treatment induced prompt remission of extrarenal and renal involvement. Serum creatinine and proteinuria decreased significantly in all but 2 patients during the treatment (s. creatinine from 2.9 to 1.6 mg/dl; proteinuria from 3.5 to 1.6 g/24 hr). Analysis of long term follow up revealed that these effects were long lasting in all the cases. We conclude that PE should be used for EMC nephropathy whenever prompt remission is not obtained by conventional therapy especially in consideration of its long term beneficial effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Patterns of T cell subset alterations in myelo- and lymphoproliferative disorders.

Monoclonal antibody defined peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets have been evaluated in 61 patients with chronic haematologic malignancies (CLL, CML, Multiple Myeloma, Essential Thrombocythaemia and Mycosis Fungoides). Common patterns of alterations were evident in some groups of patients. Total T cells and helper T cells showed variable degrees of reduction in all of them, except the Mycosis Fungoides group. In CLL the decrease in total T cells was associated with an increase of cells expressing the Ia like antigen. Suppressor cells were reduced in all the groups studied, except in multiple myeloma. The possible clinical and pathogenetic relevance of these findings is discussed.

Blood Cell Count↗