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G Masera

Publications and source records attributed to G Masera.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional defects in beta0-thalassaemia.

Complementary DNA enriched in sequences hybridizing to beta-globin mRNA was prepared with viral RNA-dependent DNA polymerase and used as a probe for the presence of beta-globin mRNA in nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA from two Italian patients with beta0-thalassaemia. In both cases the beta-globin gene was present and cytoplasmic mRNAbeta was absent; however, one case appeared to transcribe mRNAbeta and to fail to process it, while the other appeared transcriptionally defective. Evidence is also presented that the low levels of hybridization usually found at high RNA/cDNAbeta ratios in beta0-thalassaemia are due to delta-globin mRNA; the melting profile of the hybrid formed has been determined and a low melting temperature relative to mRNAbeta - cDNAbeta demonstrated.

Cell Nucleus↗

Prognostic significance of radiological bone involvement in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

In 98 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, aged 1 to 12 years, the prognostic significance of radiological bone involvement was studied. The mean duration of remission and of survival was much shorter in cases with multiple bone involvement (3 or more bones) than in those where bone involvement was absent. In those cases presenting with 1 or 2 bone lesions no statement of prognostic significance can be made at this stage. A radiological skeletal survey should be made in all children presenting with leukaemia to identify those (about 15%) having multiple bone lesions and therefore a poor prognosis, in order that they can be given more intensive therapy.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Presence of gene for beta globin in homozygous beta0 thalassaemia.

In one southern Italian and one Pakistani patient with homozygous beta0 thalassaemia in which no detectable beta-globin synthesis occurs and no beta-globin messenger RNA is found, the gene for beta globin has been shown to be present using complementary DNA. This demonstrates that for these patients the imbalance in chain synthesis is not attributable to a gene deletion.

DNA↗

Role of chronic hepatitis in development of thalassaemic liver disease.

Liver function and the presence of HBsAg and anti-HBsAg were studied in 90 hypertransfused thalassaemic children. Increased serum transaminases were found in 62 patients, and persisted from more than 6 months in 45 cases. Liver biopsy in this latter group led to a diagnosis of 14 cases of chronic persistent hepatitis, 9 cases of aggressive hepatitis, and 3 cases of hepatic fibrosis. In Italy thalassaemic children undergoing hypertransfusion therapy frequently encounter SH virus infection, with a consequent hepatitis that is generally anicteric and unrecognized unless systematically sought. In a liver already stressed by the concomitant iron overload, hepatitis infection might thus play a key role in the evolution of cirrhosis which frequently affects thalassaemics.

Adolescent↗