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Biomedical subjects

G Porro

Publications and source records attributed to G Porro.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Prognosis of partial epilepsy.

The prognosis of partial epilepsy in childhood (excluding cases of benign partial epilepsy) was studied; the average follow up period was 7.4 years. Improvement rate of seizure status was 82.3%. We studied favourable prognostic factors and found that those most often associated with seizure improvement were familial convulsions and idiopathic forms, no generalised seizures before partial onset, low frequency of seizures after 12 months of treatment, short duration of epilepsy, and no background activity abnormalities on electroencephalography. We also observed such factors as mental retardation, neurological abnormalities, and behaviour and cognitive disorders. Factors that determined the prognosis for social adjustment were similar to those for seizure improvement. We discuss the favourable prognosis of partial seizures in childhood and the predictive factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Characterization of human ovarian carcinoma-associated antigens defined by novel monoclonal antibodies with tumor-restricted specificity.

Three new monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) (MOv16, MOv18 and MOv19) were raised against human ovarian carcinoma. To obtain more specific reagents than those produced so far, we adopted the following experimental approach which consisted of: the selection of a poorly differentiated ovarian carcinoma which was unreactive with all the MAb previously selected in our laboratory; and the application of a particular immunization protocol. The reactivity of the selected MAbs was studied by solid-phase RIA on live and fixed cells from tumor cell lines and by immunofluorescence on frozen sections from surgical specimens. The MAb MOv16 reacted with 60% of ovarian carcinomas as well as with a high percentage of other carcinomas and with some normal tissues. In contrast, MOv18 and MOv19 appeared to have restricted specificities for ovarian carcinomas and cystadenomas. Reactivity on other carcinomas was only observed in a few cases and no reactivity was found on non-epithelial tumors or normal tissues. Immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that MOv16 recognizes a 48-50-kDA protein, whereas MOv18 and MOv19 both identify a 38-40 kDA glycoprotein band. Cross-competition experiments, together with a double-determinant immunoradiometric assay which uses MOv18 as catcher and MOv19 as tracer, suggested that they recognize different epitopes carried by the same molecule. The affinity constants of MOv18 and MOv19 were estimated to be in the range of 10(8)-10(9) M-1. Taken together, the properties of these antibodies, their restricted ovarian tumor specificities and relative high affinity constants, suggest that they could represent promising tools for in vivo applications.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

Muscle acetylcholinesterase in a familial myopathic disease.

Three sisters with myopathy characterized by different degrees of weakness, hypotonia, cramps and a significant hypertrophy of the calves underwent clinical tests. Laboratory examinations (nerve conduction velocity, electromyography and serum enzymes), serial histochemical analyses of muscle specimens and tests for muscular acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and its molecular forms were performed. AChE activities did not differ significantly from those of controls, while sedimentation patterns evidenced the disappearance of 16 S, 13 S and 10 S molecular forms in the elder sisters. The genealogical tree of the patients is described and their cases compared to those of others with calf hypertrophy reported in the literature.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1986

Influence of in vitro culture conditions on tumor cell differentiation.

We studied the influence of different in vitro culture conditions on the growth characteristics of certain human and murine tumor cell lines maintained in either conventional medium supplemented with FCS or in serum-free synthetic medium. A lower growth rate was observed for all of the cell lines maintained in serum-free conditions. Three human melanoma cell lines which were Ia-positive and showed an absence of pigmentation in the presence of FCS, without it produced melanin and lost their Ia antigens. In serum-free conditions, a murine hybridoma lost its membrane IgM and two human carcinoma cell lines expressed and secreted an increased amount of several tumor markers identified by monoclonal antibodies. The results of the study are in keeping with the hypothesis that tumor cell lines cultured in serum-free medium acquire differentiation characteristics.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Improvement of tumor cell detection using a pool of monoclonal antibodies.

It has been proven that monoclonal antibodies which are not strictly tumor specific may be useful in clinical oncology for diagnosis and in in vitro therapy. These applications, however, are hampered by the heterogeneous expression on tumor cells of the epitopes defined by the majority of monoclonal antibodies produced so far. The use of combined monoclonals could complement their antitumor specificity and solve the problem. In this perspective we selected nine monoclonal antibodies directed against different antigens of primary and metastatic breast cancer cells. The reactivity of the pool of these nine monoclonals versus a single antibody (MBr1) was determined by immunofluorescence on tumor cell lines, on frozen sections of various carcinomas, and on live cells obtained from malignant effusions. The results obtained with the pool, compared to those using MBr1 alone, showed a remarkable increase in the number of immunopositive breast and other carcinomas and the number of immunopositive cells within each positive tumor. In fact, the percentage of immunoreactive breast carcinomas increased from 79% to 100%, and the percentage of immunoreactive carcinomas of other sites from 61% to 89%. In addition, the number of positive breast carcinomas showing 100% immunoreactive cells increased from 5% with MBr1 to 71% when the pool was used.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1985

Generation of monoclonal antibodies reacting with human epithelial ovarian cancer.

Fusion of the murine myeloma line P3-X63-Ag8-U1 with spleen cells from a mouse immunized with a membrane preparations (CM) of a mucinous ovarian cystoadenocarcinoma yielded two monoclonal antibodies, MOv1 and MOv2, which reacted by solid-phase radioimmunoassay with immunizing tumor CM but were unreactive with normal kidney CM as well as with plasma proteins and peripheral blood cells from the immunizing carcinoma patient. MOv1 and MOv2 were further tested by solid-phase radioimunoassay on a panel of different CM from fresh surgical specimens of ovarian and nonovarian carcinomas, benign ovarian tumors, normal ovary and kidney tissues, and on various tumor cell lines. In addition, the antibodies were characterized by immunofluorescence on live cells from cell lines and surgical specimens, and on frozen sections of benign and malignant ovarian tumors, of nonovarian tumors, and of normal tissues. The results obtained indicate that MOv1 and MOv2 recognize two different epitopes on molecules present on malignant and benign ovarian mucinous tumors and colonic glands. In addition, the antigen recognized by MOv2 was also detected in carcinmas of lung, colon, stomach, and breast; in gastrointestinal glands; and in the glandular lumina of normal lactating breast.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1981

Congenital fiber type disproportion with fatal outcome: a case report.

A child with congenital fiber type disproportion without structural changes in muscle fibres is reported. Although this pattern suggests a favorable prognosis, the clinical worsening followed by death at the age of 17 months shows that there is as yet no predictor for a benign course for this myopathy.

Electromyography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neuropsychological correlates of subclinical paroxysmal EEG activity in children with epilepsy. 1: Qualitative features (generalized and focal abnormalities).

The cognitive deficit often associated with epilepsy is attributable to the presence and interaction of several factors but whether recurrent subclinical spike-wave discharges interfere with cognitive development is not yet clear. In the present study, the presence of subclinical discharges proved to be significantly associated with lower than average Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ), Verbal IQ and Performance IQ scores (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) in comparison with patients not presenting EEG abnormalities during test. These findings confirm the adverse effect both of generalized and focal EEG epileptiform abnormalities, even if unaccompanied by overt seizures.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neuropsychological correlates of subclinical paroxysmal EEG activity in children with epilepsy. 2: Quantitative aspects.

Altered cognitive functioning has often been reported in patients with epilepsy. In our study we looked for quantitative correlation between the recurrence of Subclinical Spike-and-Wave Discharges (SSWD) during EEG recording, the scores on the intelligence test (WISC) and the electro-clinical characteristics of 29 epileptic children with subclinical discharges of generalized spike-and-wave complexes. In our sample we found a below-normal mean IQ, with greater impairment on performance than on verbal tasks. No clear quantitative correlation was found between the weighted scores on the various subtests and the "time density" of the spike-and-wave complexes. These findings suggest that the SSWD interfere with cognitive development (mainly with visuo-spatial and sensorimotor coordination abilities) and selectively impair some of the functions involved in the cognitive processes.

Adolescent↗