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Biomedical subjects

G Grasso

Publications and source records attributed to G Grasso.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

From the oxygen to the organ protection: erythropoietin as protagonist in internal medicine.

Erythropoietin (EPO), already known as the stimulating hormone for erythropoiesis, has shown different and interesting pleiotropic actions. It does not only affect erythroid cells, but also myeloid cells, lymphocytes and megakaryocytes. This hormone can also enhance phagocytic function of the polymorphonuclear cells and reduce the activation of macrophages, thus modulating the inflammatory process.Moreover, hematopoietic and endothelial cells probably have the same cellular origin, and the discovery of erythropoietin receptors (EPO-R) also on mesangial and myocardial cells, smooth muscle fibrocells and neurons has prompted the study of the non-erythropoietic functions of this hormone.The interaction between EPO and VEGF may be of particular importance in neovascularization and wound healing. Different studies have demonstrated that EPO has an important direct hemodynamic and vasoactive action, which does not depend exclusively on any increase in hematocrit and viscosity. Moreover EPO showed protective effects on myocardial cells against apoptosis induced by ischemia/repefusion injury, but it could negatively affect pulmonary hypertension in patient with chronic cor pulmonale.This review aims to stress the importance of the increasing interest in EPO applications and the necessity of further studies to gain a deeper knowledge of this hormone and its pleiotropic and complex actions.

Anemia↗
PubMed2005

Prediction by quantitative histology of pathological stage in prostate cancer.

AIMS: To find a predictor of extraprostatic extension in clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa), pre-operative ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsies and clinico-pathological data were reviewed. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-three consecutive patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy for clinical T1-T2 PCa and serum PSA <10 ng/ml were reviewed. Pre-operative biopsy was performed according to an extended protocol and whole-mount prostatectomy specimens were processed. The following biopsy variables were categorized to this analysis: Gleason score (< or =6, >6), TPC (< or =20%; >20%), GPC (< or =50%; >50%), cancer-positive cores (< or =2; >2), cancer-positive cores in both lateral portions (yes; no), PCa (monolateral; bilateral). RESULTS: Only 60/183 specimens showed an organ-confined PCa; the remaining ones showed pT3a in 57 cases, pT3b in 11 and pT3 with positive surgical margins in 55. A locally advanced PCa was found in 60.2 and 76.8% of T1c and T2 clinical stage, respectively. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value of biopsy findings to predict a locally advanced PCa was 89.9 and 75%, respectively. All biopsy variables associations were statistically significant; however, among these variables (non-categorized), in multivariate logistic regression analysis, only GPC was significantly associated with pathologic stage (odds ratio estimate was 1.075, 95% CI: 1.053-1.098). CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative histology, especially GPC, seems to be helpful for pre-operative staging of PCa in patients with T1c-T2 clinical stage and PSA < 10 ng/ml.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

The Biagram vector: a graphical relation between reactance and phase angle measured by bioelectrical analysis in infants.

BACKGROUND: Biagram vector is derived by plotting direct measurements of reactance and phase angle from the analyzer, which are not dependent on anthropometric characteristics of the subject and it can be considered an emerging method for evaluating the nutritional status in clinical practice. AIM: To calculate and plot the Biagram vector in a sample of healthy infants in their first year of life. METHODS: 174 healthy infants (99 male, 75 female) aged under 1 year, born at full term and adequate for gestational age, were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. The sample was divided into three age groups: 0-3.99 months (group A), 4-7.99 months (group B), and 8-11.99 months (group C). Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) was performed by a tetrapolar single frequence phase-sensitive impedance analyzer (STA/BIA; Akern Srl, Firenze, Italy). RESULTS: Biagram vector showed an increasing trend (p < 0.05) in the first year of life (group A: 27.9 +/- 12.6; group B: 32.1 +/- 9.7; group C: 37.2 +/- 9.5). Females showed Biagram vector values significantly higher than males in group A (34.7 +/- 15.0 vs. 24.0 +/- 9.1; p < 0.05). 95% confidence ellipses of Biagram vector for each age group were calculated and plotted and a comparison of our results with published data calculated in older children was conducted. CONCLUSION: The bivariate analysis of BIA measurements, plotted as a vector in relation to the age, showed an increasing trend with a higher gain rate under 1 year with respect to the following age periods. These data could reflect the variation of body composition in the first years of life and could be of interest to assess the nutritional status for clinical practice.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2002

Erythropoietin and the brain: from neurodevelopment to neuroprotection.

It is now widely known that erythropoietin (Epo) does not only affect the haematopoietic system, but it can be considered a multifunctional trophic factor with an effect on the general homoeostasis of the entire organism. The recent discovery of a specific Epo/Epo-receptor system in the central nervous system (CNS) and cerebrospinal fluid, independently of the haematopoietic system, has further paved the way for new studies aimed at investigating the different sites of cerebral expression of Epo and its receptor, the regulation of their expression and, finally, the effects that this hormone has on the development and maturation of the brain. A further aim has been to investigate how it influences CNS homoeostasis and neurotransmission in adult brain. Attention has also been focused on the neurotrophic and neuroprotective function of Epo in different conditions of neuronal damage, such as hypoxia, cerebral ischaemia and subarachnoid haemorrhage, and therefore on the possibility that human recombinant Epo therapy could soon be used in clinical practice, also to limit neuronal damage induced by these diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Gene expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and release of mature peptide by activated human neutrophils.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are only regarded as being involved in the cleavage of exogenous big endothelin-1 (ET-1) to the active peptide. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether PMNs may themselves express mRNA for prepro-ET-1 (pp-ET-1, a long precursor of 212 amino acids) and to determine the capacity of several PMN stimulants to modulate mRNA expression and the release of ET-1 in culture medium. PMNs, isolated from seven healthy adult volunteers, were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.25-10 microg/ml), or LPS (1 microg/ml) + phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 10 ng/ml) or N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (f-MLP, 10(-5) M) or tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha, 50 IU/ml). They were found to express pp-ET-1 mRNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) revealed low levels of ET-1 in the culture supernatants of PMNs stimulated for 3 h with LPS (10 microg/ml) and with LPS + PMA. Control unstimulated PMNs did not express pp-ET-1 mRNA. The local production of ET-1 by PMNs in vivo has significant implications in inflammatory diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Hemispherodextrins, a new class of cyclodextrin derivatives, in capillary electrophoresis.

A capped cyclodextrin derivative (THCMH), called hemispherodextrin, was observed to behave as a very efficient chiral selector for a variety of phenoxyacid enantiomeric pairs, both at pH 6 and pH 9. The very low concentration necessary to obtain separation was particularly impressive. The behaviour of THCMH was compared with that of other hemispherodextrins and cyclodextrin derivatives and the conclusions are reported. Some interesting conclusions are drawn by comparing the behaviour of THCMH with that of other hemispherodextrins reported elsewhere.

Cyclodextrins↗
PubMed2001

New cyclodextrin derivatives as chiral selectors in capillary electrophoresis.

The separation of three pairs of enantiomeric herbicides has been successfully achieved by capillary electrophoresis at two different pH values in the presence of cyclodextrin derivatives previously synthesized in our laboratory. Two of these derivatives constitute a new class of receptor, the hemispherodextrins, in which a trehalose capping moiety is bonded to beta-cyclodextrin. Because of their peculiar structure hemispherodextrins have very promising characteristics and the low receptor concentration required to achieve separation deserves particular interest.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2001

Plasma antiviral activity and interferon-gamma production by superantigen-stimulated lymphocytes during normal human pregnancy.

PROBLEM: Plasma interferon (IFN)-beta levels, lymphocyte responsiveness, and evaluation of the relationship between circulating antiviral activity (AA) and IFN-gamma production were studied in pregnant women and nonpregnant age-matched controls with the objective of elucidating the downregulation of IFN-gamma production in successful pregnancy. METHOD OF STUDY: In plasma and supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures, stimulated with staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) superantigen, from 43 pregnant women with a history of normal pregnancy and 30 healthy nonpregnant age-matched controls, levels of AA were measured in a micromethod by inhibition of the cytopathic effect (CPE) caused by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in the human amnionic cell line (WISH). RESULTS: Significantly higher plasma AA (60% was IFN-gamma and residual activity was acid-labile IFN-like) was present in pregnant women than controls. On the other hand, SEA-activated PBMCs from pregnant women produced significantly lower IFN-gamma levels than those of nonpregnant women. Furthermore, maternal plasma AA levels correlated negatively with IFN-gamma production by SEA-stimulated PBMCs. CONCLUSION: The hypothesis that successful pregnancy requires downregulation of IFN-gamma is only partially sustained, suggesting that the immunology of pregnancy is more complex and that murine and human pregnancy have different cytokine profiles.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Neuroprotective effect of recombinant human erythropoietin in experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Acute cerebral vasoconstriction and subsequent brain ischemia, often occurring in the early phase of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), are critical problems in the management of patients affected by ruptured intracranial aneurysms. It is known that nitric oxide (NO) decreases during SAH with impairment of cerebrovascular relaxation, and glutamate is mainly involved in the consequent brain ischemic damage. Recently, erythropoietin (EPO) has shown to exert a neuroprotective effect during cerebral ischemia by enhancing the NO system activity. In the present study the effect of systemic administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) has been investigated in a rabbit model of SAH. METHODS: Thirty-two rabbits were assigned to four groups: 1) Control; 2) SAH; 3) SAH plus placebo; 4) SAH plus rHuEPO. Experimental SAH was induced by injecting autologous blood into the cisterna magna. rHuEPO, at a dose of 1000 IU/kg, and placebo were given 5 minutes after SAH. Administration was repeated three times during 24 hours. The animals were killed 24 hours after SAH by a perfusion-fixation method. Luminal cross-sections of the basilar artery were measured by computer-assisted morphometric analysis. Ischemic injury was histologically evaluated by analysis of the frequency of ischemia-induced damaged cortical neurons. RESULTS: Administration of rHuEPO significantly reversed the vasoconstriction of the basilar artery in Group 4 compared with the other groups (p<0.05). Histological examination showed a significant reduction in total damaged neurons count in Group 4 compared with the other groups (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that rHuEPO is effective in attenuating acute cerebral vasoconstriction and ischemic brain injury following experimental SAH.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on cerebral ischemia following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Erythropoietin exerts a neuroprotective effect during cerebral ischemia. We investigated the effect of systemic administration of recombinant human erythropoietin in a rabbit model of subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced acute cerebral ischemia. The animals were divided into three groups: group 1, subarachnoid hemorrhage; group 2, subarachnoid hemorrhage plus placebo; group 3, subarachnoid hemorrhage plus recombinant human erythropoietin (each group, n=8). Experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage was produced by injecting autologous blood into the cisterna magna. Treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin and placebo was started 5 min after subarachnoid hemorrhage and was continued every 8 h for 24 h. Before the animals were killed, erythropoietin concentration was measured in the cerebrospinal fluid. The rabbits were killed 24 h after subarachnoid hemorrhage and ischemic brain injury was histologically evaluated. In group 3, the concentration of erythropoietin in the cerebrospinal fluid was significantly increased and a significant reduction in cortical necrotic neuron count was also observed. These findings may encourage the use of erythropoietin in the treatment of cerebral ischemia that often occurs in the early stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

In vivo evidence that erythropoietin has a neuroprotective effect during subarachnoid hemorrhage.

To ascertain in vivo whether recombinant human erythropoietin has a neuroprotective effect on the cortex during subarachnoid hemorrhage, 56 rabbits were divided into the following groups: Group 1 control sham operated plus placebo (n=14; saline solution - NaCl 0.9%); Group 2 control sham operated plus recombinant human erythropoietin (n=14); Group 3 subarachnoid hemorrhage plus placebo (n=14); Group 4 subarachnoid hemorrhage plus recombinant human erythropoietin (n=14; intraperitoneal administration of recombinant human erythropoietin immediately after inducing subarachnoid hemorrhage). In none of the Groups 1 and 2 animals was subarachnoid hemorrhage induced. In Group 3 rabbits, an increase in locomotor activity (open field apparatus) was observed 24, 48 and 72 h after surgery, and the mortality rate was 42.9% within 72 h after surgery, and, no increase in locomotor activity was observed in Group 4 rabbits, which survived for at least 72 h. Our findings suggest that recombinant human erythropoietin may be of benefit in the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Spasmodic torticollis due to neurovascular compression of the spinal accessory nerve by the anteroinferior cerebellar artery: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Spasmodic torticollis is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by uncontrollable clonic and intermittently tonic spasm of the neck muscles. We report a case of spasmodic torticollis attributable to neurovascular compression of the right XIth cranial nerve by the right anteroinferior cerebellar artery (AICA). CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 72-year-old man with a 2-year history of right spasmodic torticollis underwent magnetic resonance imaging, which demonstrated compression of the right XIth cranial nerve by an abnormal descending loop of the right AICA. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent microvascular decompression surgery. During surgery, it was confirmed that an abnormal loop of the right AICA was compressing the right accessory nerve. Compression was released by the interposition of muscle between the artery and the nerve. CONCLUSION: The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and his symptoms were fully relieved at the 2-year follow-up examination. This is the first reported case of spasmodic torticollis attributable to compression by the AICA; usually, the blood vessels involved are the vertebral artery and the posteroinferior cerebellar artery.

Accessory Nerve Diseases↗
PubMed2000

[Characterization and prognostic value of colorectal adenomas with molecular genetic markers].

AIM: The study analyses the expression of DNA-ploidy, ki-67, PCNA and p-53 and their role as potential markers of the development of colorectal adenomas. METHODS: 34 adenomas of the large intestine were analysed using endoscopic exeresis in 15 males and 13 females with a mean age of 64 years (range 42-80). Flow cytometric analysis was carried out to calculate the DNA-index and immunohistochemical tests were used to evaluate ki-67, PCNA and p-53. Statistical analysis was based on chi 2 test and Student's "t"-test. RESULTS: The DNA index was not statistically correlated with the histotype and grading. Ki-67 was highly positive in 5 adenomas, 2 aneuploids and 3 diploids, but did not show a clear relationship with other growth parameters. On the contrary, p-53 was statistically correlated with the more advanced degenerative state of adenomas, being pathological in 6 cases (30%), all with marked aneuploidy (p < 0.02) and severe dysplasia (p < 0.004). PCNA, which was also pathological (> 40%) in 4 (23.5%) aneuploid adenomas with severe dysplasia (2 villous and 2 tubulo-villous), appeared to be significantly correlated with the DNA index (p < 0.005), showing a proliferative index of exceptional clinical importance. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that p-53 and PCNA are two parameters that contribute to the definition of the degenerative risk and allow patients to be selected for constant monitoring, although additional follow-up data are essential to enable the clinical verification of these results.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2000

Lumbosacral congenital dermal sinus presenting in a 52-year-old man. Case report.

Spinal congenital dermal sinus is a rare entity which results from failure of the neuroectoderm to separate from cutaneous ectoderm during the process of neurulation. This epithelium-lined tract forms a potential communication between the skin surface in the midline along the spine and the deeper tissues. We describe a case of an asymptomatic lumbosacral congenital dermal sinus in a 52-year-old man. Microsurgical excision of dermal tract was performed with no postoperative complications and with a satisfactory cosmetic result. The authors stress the importance of an early neuroradiological and neurosurgical management of the lesion. The embryogenesis of this pathological condition and the possible complications are also discussed.

Congenital Abnormalities↗
PubMed1999

Transsphenoidal microsurgical selective removal of multiple (triple) adenomas of the pituitary gland.

This is the first case of multiple (triple) pituitary micro-adenomas documented by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a living patient and treated by a transsphenoidal microsurgical approach. The patient, a 37-year-old woman, complained of a long history of bifrontal headache, weight gain and oligomenorrhea. Physical examination revealed moderate hirsutism and a slight fat pad overlying the vertebrae. Routine laboratory studies and endocrinological biochemical investigations were normal. A gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the pituitary region revealed three intrapituitary micro-adenomas. A transsphenoidal microsurgical approach to the pituitary gland was carried out and micro-adenomas were completely removed one at a time. One year follow-up showed complete resolution of clinical symptoms and signs and normal biochemical parameters of pituitary function.

Adenoma↗