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Biomedical subjects

G Galasso

Publications and source records attributed to G Galasso.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Glucose control with insulin results in reduction of NF-kappaB-binding activity in mononuclear blood cells of patients with recently manifested type 1 diabetes.

AIM: Chronic elevated blood glucose levels are associated with the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Hyperglycaemia and AGEs have been shown to induce activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). To validate the hypothesis that the maintenance of normal glucose levels results in the reduction of NF-kappaB-binding activity in vivo, the redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-kappaB was used as marker of hyperglycaemia-induced mononuclear cell activation in patients who recently developed type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Twelve patients with recently manifested type 1 diabetes mellitus were examined in our study. After sampling blood for determination of baseline glucose values, the 12 patients were treated with insulin, and blood samples were taken 4 and 12 weeks later. Mononuclear cells were isolated and assayed in a tissue culture-independent electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA)-based detection system for NF-kappaB-binding activity. Western blot analysis was used to determine nuclear and cytoplasmic localization of NF-kappaB-p65 and cytoplasmic content of inhibitor of kappa B-alpha (IkappaB-alpha). In addition, we determined the concentration of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) from cytoplasmic extract as a marker of oxidative stress. RESULTS: Normalization of blood glucose levels resulted in a highly significant reduction of NF-kappaB activation in EMSA. Before and after glucose normalization, there were no differences in binding by the members of the NF-kappaB family to the NF-kappaB consensus sequence oligonucleotide. Similar data were obtained by Western blot analysis showing NF-kappaB-p65 localization in the nucleus, while p65 levels increased in the cytoplasm. IkappaB-alpha increased in the cytoplasm after glucose normalization. HO-1 antigen consistently decreased, as expected from the decrease in NF-kappaB activation. CONCLUSION: Thus, we conclude that normalization of blood glucose levels results in the reduction of NF-kappaB activation and gene products controlled by this transcription factor.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Late reopening of an occluded infarct related artery improves left ventricular function and long term clinical outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess effects on left ventricular (LV) function and on long term clinical outcome of late percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of a chronically occluded infarct related artery. METHODS: 65 patients who underwent PTCA a mean (SD) of 6.0 (1.2) months after a previous myocardial infarction were divided in two groups according to dilated artery patency status after PTCA: group 1 (35 patients with TIMI (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) grade 3 flow) and group 2 (30 patients with TIMI grade 0-2 flow). Echocardiography was performed at admission and at six months' follow up. A three year follow up was conducted with major adverse cardiac events (MACE) as end points. RESULTS: At follow up, group 1 had improved global LV ejection fraction (48.7% v 43.6%, p < 0.001) and LV indexed end diastolic and end systolic volumes (75 v 86 ml/m(2) and 40 v 53 ml/m(2), respectively, p = 0.011) compared with group 2. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a higher incidence of cardiac death (p = 0.02) and MACE (p < 0.0001) in group 2. TIMI 3 after PTCA was an independent predictor of event-free survival at follow up. CONCLUSION: Late PTCA of a chronically occluded infarct related artery improves LV function, reduces cardiac death, and improves long term clinical outcome.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed2001

[Diabetes and ischemic cardiopathy].

Diabetes represents an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), and the prognosis in terms of survival rates is worse for diabetic patients who have CAD with respect to those with CAD but no diabetes. An acute coronary event represents a cause of death in more than 30% of diabetics. Experimental studies suggested that the increased incidence of myocardial infarction in diabetics is due to an increased risk of developing atherosclerotic plaque with subsequent ulceration and intracoronary thrombus formation. Structural abnormalities of the coronary vessel wall were associated with an abnormal pattern of coronary flow and of coagulation abnormalities: all these abnormalities explain the epidemiological evidence of widespread and severe vascular atherosclerotic disease in diabetics. Due to the extreme complexity of ischemic vascular disease in patients with diabetes, an optimal therapeutic strategy is based on the correction of elevated blood glucose and lipid levels, of blood pressure, of platelet and coagulation abnormalities and of any other risk factor. Both percutaneous and surgical myocardial revascularization have been proved equally effective for CAD treatment in diabetes, even though a recent randomized trial has shown a significantly improved outcome after surgical revascularization. More recently the characterization of the advanced glycation end-product receptor opened new perspectives in the treatment of the complications of diabetes, and gave a new impact to the need of further investigations, through new randomized trials, of the best therapeutic options for diabetic patients.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1998

[Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy].

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is more difficult in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy. METHODS: Personal experience in the last 28 months with 38 ERCP regarding 33 Billroth II patients representing the 5.4% of total number of ERCP performed in the same period is reported. RESULTS: Choledochal lithiasis could be treated in all cases observed also if two observed patients necessitated of two ERCP procedure. Only one patient with biliary stenosis could not be treated because of failed sphincterotomy and deep incannulation. The most difficult step in the procedure was duodenal intubation. A final ERCP success rate was 79%. EST could be performed in most cases (16 out of 17 patients=94%). No complications are reported. The use of the lateral viewing duodenoscope is emphasized. CONCLUSIONS: Today, ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) give similar results and no higher risk in patients with regular anatomy or in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy.

English Abstract↗
PubMed1996

[Emergency ultrasonography].

We reviewed the emergency US exams carried out in the Radiology Department of the Sesto S. Giovanni Hospital on patients referred from the First Aid, Surgery and Medicine Depts in 1994. 202 of 8,400 US exams (2.7%) were emergencies in patients of both sexes aged 15 to 83 years. The exams were carried out in the daytime by 4 radiologists with different (longer/shorter) experience. The results were arranged in tables showing the referring department, the number of exams according to the anatomical district, the number of negative exams (122 cases) and of the exams where the clinical suspicion was confirmed (80 cases), as well as the frequency of the different conditions diagnosed. The conditions usually involved the abdominal organs and particularly the bile ducts (48 cases), showing gallstones which were quickly operated on. Renal colics were the second most frequent finding (10 cases). The results of many precautionary exams were poorly significant. Considering the numerous indications of emergency US, currently including also acute appendicitis and soft periskeletal tissue traumas, we conclude that more operators and technically adequate equipment are needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

A multicentre trial of live attenuated varicella vaccine in children with leukaemia in remission.

Two hundred forty children with acute leukaemia in remission for at least 1 year were immunized with live attenuated varicella vaccine. All were susceptible to varicella before immunization. There was a seroconversion to varicella-zoster virus in approximately 85% after 1 dose, and in 97% after 2 doses. The major side effect was mild to moderate rash, seen mainly in children with maintenance chemotherapy suspended for 1 week before and 1 week after vaccination. Vaccinees with rash were at some risk (10%) to transmit vaccine virus to varicella susceptibles with whom they had close contact. Twenty-nine vaccinees were subsequently exposed to varicella in their households. The attack rate of clinical varicella in these vaccinees was 21%, which is significantly lower than the 80%-90% attack rate occurring in varicella susceptibles after household exposure. All these breakthrough cases of varicella were mild, even in leukaemics receiving chemotherapy. Varicella vaccine was approximately 80% effective in preventing clinical varicella in children with leukaemia and completely effective in preventing severe varicella in this high-risk group.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Live attenuated varicella vaccine. Efficacy for children with leukemia in remission.

One hundred ninety-one varicella-susceptible children with leukemia in remission were immunized with live attenuated varicella vaccine. There was serological evidence of an immune response in approximately 80% after one dose and in more than 90% after two doses. The major side effect was mild to moderate rash, seen especially in children with maintenance chemotherapy suspended for one week before and one week after vaccination. Children with rash had higher antibody titers than those without rash, but those with rash were also at risk (10%) to transmit vaccine virus to others. Twenty-two vaccinees subsequently had household exposures to varicella or zoster. The attack rate of clinical varicella in these vaccinees was 18%, significantly lower than the attack rate of approximately 90% in varicella-susceptible persons with household exposures. All cases of clinical illness were extremely mild, with an average of about 50 vesicles. The mild character of the illness was clearly different than varicella in unimmunized children receiving chemotherapy for leukemia. Varicella vaccine was approximately 80% effective in preventing clinical varicella in children with leukemia and completely effective in preventing severe varicella in this high-risk group.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1984

Live attenuated varicella vaccine in children with leukemia in remission.

One-hundred-ninety-one children with acute leukemia in remission for at least one year were immunized with 1 or more doses of live attenuated varicella vaccine. All were susceptible to varicella prior to vaccination. The only significant side effect was mild to moderate rash, seen especially in children with maintenance chemotherapy temporarily suspended for one week before and one week after vaccination. Children with rash were at some risk (10%) to transmit vaccine virus to varicella susceptibles with whom they had close contact.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1981

Herpes simplex encephalitis: vidarabine therapy and diagnostic problems.

To learn more about the treatment of herpes simplex encephalitis with vidarabine, we conducted an uncontrolled study of 132 patients referred to 22 hospitals because of suspected disease. All had a brain biopsy and were started on vidarabine, but only 75 were diagnosed by isolation of virus from a brain-biopsy specimen. Cumulative mortality in the latter group was 39 per cent at one year. Other than therapy, levels of consciousness and age were the major variables that influenced outcome. Of 23 patients under 30 years of age who were lethargic at the initiation of therapy, two died and 16 returned to normal. Of 26 patients over 30 years of age who were lethargic at the outset, nine died and 10 returned to normal. Semicoma and coma were associated with worse outcomes, especially in older patients. Our data suggest that outcome is improved with treatment; they provide more support for the use of brain biopsy to diagnose the infection and indicate a need for better therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A survey of genetic diversity and reproductive biology of Puya raimondii (Bromeliaceae), the endangered queen of the Andes.

Puya raimondii Harms is an outstanding giant rosette bromeliad found solely around 4000 m above sea level in the Andes. It flowers at the end of an 80 - 100-year or even longer life cycle and yields an enormous (4 - 6 m tall) spike composed of from 15,000 to 20,000 flowers. It is endemic and currently endangered, with populations distributed from Peru to the north of Bolivia. A genomic DNA marker-based analysis of the genetic structure of eight populations representative of the whole distribution of P. raimondii in Peru is reported in this paper. As few as 14 genotypes out of 160 plants were detected. Only 5 and 18 of the 217 AFLP marker loci screened were polymorphic within and among these populations, respectively. Four populations were completely monomorphic, each of the others displayed only one to three polymorphic loci. Less than 4 % of the total genomic variation was within populations and genetic similarity among populations was as high as 98.3 %. Results for seven cpSSR marker loci were in agreement with the existence of a single progenitor. Flow cytometry of seed nuclear DNA content and RAPD marker segregation analysis of progeny plantlets demonstrated that the extremely uniform genome of P. raimondii populations is not compatible with agamospermy (apomixis), but consistent with an inbreeding reproductive strategy. There is an urgent need for a protection programme to save not only this precious, isolated species, but also the unique ecosystem depending on it.

Bromeliaceae↗