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Biomedical subjects

G Scalia

Publications and source records attributed to G Scalia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Improvement in establishing the period of rubella virus primary infection using a mild protein denaturant.

A more precise determination of the date of primary rubella infection in pregnancy is obtained by application of the urea denaturation method. Two denaturation buffers containing 6 and 8 M urea were compared for the detection of rubella IgG avidity by enzyme immunoassay. The results demonstrate that IgG avidity detected by 6M urea increases more rapidly, from 16% on the third day to 51% on the 46th day after the rash, than that obtained by 8 M urea, from 13 to 36%. The specific rubella IgG avidity detected by 6 M urea denaturation buffer increased significantly in paired sera obtained at an interval of 15 days. The same samples did not show any significant increase of IgG avidity when an 8 M urea denaturation buffer was used. The use of a mild denaturant such as 6 M urea indicates the presumptive date of primary rubella infection in pregnancy within 2 months of sampling.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Detection of immunoglobulin G to a Sindbis-related virus by a membrane antigen enzyme immunoassay.

We determined the seroprevalence of a Sindbis-related virus isolated for the first time in 1975 from ticks in south-east Sicily and typed by Gresikova et al. in 1978. An indirect enzyme immunoassay based on viral membrane antigen for coating microtiter strips was used for the detection of immunoglobulin G to the Sindbis-related virus. The method appeared more sensitive than a similar enzyme immunoassay based on crude lysate antigen. Comparison of the results obtained from sera tested both by membrane antigen enzyme immunoassay and microneutralization test showed 92% agreement, while the agreement between microneutralization test and crude antigen enzyme immunoassay was 76%. An overall elevated seroprevalence (63.66%) was found in a population group living in and around the area of first isolation and seroprevalence in different age groups was also studied.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Anti-HCMV serologic response in patients with acute viral hepatitis.

The authors point out a high serological incidence of HCMV infection in the course of HCV hepatitis compared to a low incidence detected in HBV and HAV hepatitis. Three immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgM, and IgA) specific to HCMV were investigated. Antibody titers of each immunoglobulin class are reported for all the cases of HCMV infection.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Detection of immunoglobulin G to measles virus, rubella virus, and mumps virus in serum samples and in microquantities of whole blood dried on filter paper.

Immunity to measles virus, rubella virus, and mumps virus was determined by EIA in serum samples and in dried whole blood specimens spotted on Whatman filter paper (5 mm in diameter). Both specimens were obtained from each patient by venepuncture and finger prick. Ten microliters of whole blood is enough to detect antibodies to these three different viruses. The comparison of the results obtained by EIA from 227 serum and whole blood samples have demonstrated close agreement: 98.6% for measles virus, 99.1% for rubella virus, and 96.0% for mumps virus. Moreover, 96 whole blood samples can be tested in a microtiter plate and can be stored at room temperature for 15 days or at +4 degrees C for several months. Therefore, whole blood dried on filter paper is a convenient alternative method for collecting and transporting specimens, it is easier and safer than venepuncture, and could be used for large-scale epidemiological studies, especially in newborns. This method could solve the problem of sampling, especially in young children, and could simplify studies of vaccine efficacy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Exercise induced vasodepressor syncope.

Five cases of exercise induced pure vasodepressor syncope in patients without significant structural heart disease are reported. Hypotension and symptoms of syncope or pre-syncope were induced by treadmill exercise testing and in each case limited exercise performance. Evidence of inappropriate peripheral vasodilation, probably as a consequence of ventricular mechanoreceptor stimulation, was shown in all five patients. Head up tilt testing resulted in hypotension in four patients and isoprenaline infusion in the supine position resulted in hypotension in the fifth. These patients had a new condition of exercise induced neurally mediated (vasodepressor) syncope without appreciable structural cardiac abnormalities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Mechanism of exercise hypotension in patients with ischemic heart disease. Role of neurocardiogenically mediated vasodilation.

BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced hypotension in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) has been considered to be due to an inability to achieve an adequate increase in cardiac output to match the demands of exercise. We investigated 10 consecutive patients (9 men and 1 woman; age, 38 to 71 years; mean, 52 years) with angiographically documented CAD and exercise-induced hypotension (EIH) (BPPeak < BPRest). Ten approximately age- and sex-matched patients with documented CAD and normal exercise blood pressure response (NBP) served as control subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nine patients with EIH and all 10 control subjects underwent forearm plethysmography and radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) during semierect cycle exercise. Forearm vascular resistance (FVR) fell by 35 +/- 21% in exercise-induced hypotension patients versus an increase of 78 +/- 65% in patients with an NBP response (P < .0001). Left ventricular ejection fraction increased by 5.1 +/- 7.5% in the group with EIH versus a fall of 4.1 +/- 6.2% in the control group (P = .004). Cardiac output at peak exercise (RNV) increased by 2.2 +/- 0.89-fold in the group with EIH versus 1.49 +/- 0.47-fold in the control group (P = .04). The tenth patient in the group with EIH underwent invasive hemodynamic evaluation during erect exercise. Systolic blood pressure fell (136/80Rest to 50/40Peak) and cardiac output (Fick) tripled, whereas calculated systemic vascular resistance decreased by a factor of 10. Successful angioplasty to an isolated circumflex lesion resulted in resolution of symptoms and abnormal hemodynamic responses during exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal vasodilation associated with a normal or even increased rather than decreased cardiac output response appears to be an important mechanism underlying EIH in some patients with CAD. In the present study, this appears to have been the dominant mechanism in 8 and contributory in 2 of the consecutive patients studied.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Correlation between islet cell antibodies and anti-cytomegalovirus IgM and IgG antibodies in healthy first-degree relatives of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients.

To investigate whether cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection may be related to islet cell antibodies (ICA) production and/or to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) development, we have analyzed the prevalence of anti-CMV, IgM, and IgG antibodies and of ICA in 80 healthy siblings of IDDM patients (HSIDDP) and in 60 control subjects with negative familiar anamnesis of IDDM. HSIDDP and controls were also typed for HLA-A-B-C and DR antigens. IgM and IgG anti-CMV were detected by an ELISA method, whereas the ICA assay was performed by standard indirect immunofluorescence on 5-microns unfixed sections of human pancreas. HLA-A-B and C antigens were studied by standard microlymphocytotoxicity; DR antigens were also studied by a standard microlymphocytotoxicity on a B-enriched lymphocyte population. Our results indicate a significant association (P less than 0.0001) between high titers of anti-CMV IgG antibodies and ICA in HSDIDDP, whereas no correlation was found between the presence of any HLA-A-B-C and DR antigens and the prevalence of anti-CMV IgM and IgG antibodies and/or ICA. Thus, these data may support the hypothesis that a chronic CMV infection may be associated with ICA production whereas other factors seem to be needed for the complete development of type 1 diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Detection of rubella virus antigen by one-step time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay and by enzyme immunoassay.

A one-step time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) and a conventional two-step enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of rubella virus antigen were developed. Two noncompetitive mouse monoclonal antibodies reactive with epitopes on the E1 polypeptide of rubella virus served as immunoreagents. One of the monoclones (7A6) was used for coating the solid phase, and the other (2C3) was labeled with either Europium chelate or with horseradish peroxidase. For TR-FIA, the specimen was incubated simultaneously with the label at 4 degrees C overnight. EIA required an overnight incubation with the specimen and after washing another 1 hr of incubation at 37 degrees C with the conjugate. The sensitivity of TR-FIA was 10 pg in an assay volume of 100 microliters, and the sensitivity of EIA was between 50 and 100 pg. Antigens could be detected by TR-FIA in supernatant of cultures of Vero cells 48 hr after inoculation with approximately 1 TCID50, while cytopathogenic effect (CPE) at that time was detected only in cultures inoculated with 10(5) TCID50 or more. Virus mixed with human amniotic fluid containing antirubella-specific IgG was detectable after an incubation at 37 degrees C for 5 days. The assays may find applications in prenatal diagnosis of intrauterine rubella infection, in early identification of viral antigens in cell culture and in monitoring production, concentration, and purification of rubella antigen for antibody assays.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1989

Steady-state pattern electroretinogram in insulin-dependent diabetics with no or minimal retinopathy.

Steady-state pattern electroretinogram (PERG) in response to sinusoidal gratings (1.7 c/deg spatial frequency; 9 x 9 deg field size) temporally modulated (sinusoidally) at 8 Hz were recorded in 40 insulin-dependent diabetics and 28 age-matched normal subjects. Visual acuity was greater than or equal to 20/20 in all 40 patients; 31 (62 eyes) showed no sign of retinopathy and nine (18 eyes) showed a few microaneurysms on fluorescein angiography. Insulin-dependent diabetics showed a significant reduction in the PERG mean amplitude as compared with age-matched control subjects (one-way analysis of variance: p less than 0.0001). Significant differences were observed between normals and diabetics without retinopathy (Scheffé test: p less than 0.0001), normals and diabetics with early retinopathy (Scheffé test: p less than 0.0001), no retinopathy and early retinopathy patients (Scheffé test: p less than 0.05). In diabetics without retinopathy multifactorial analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of age of onset of the disease (p less than 0.01) and an interaction effect between age of onset and duration (p less than 0.001) on PERG amplitude. These results suggest a possible use of the steady-state PERG to detect early macular dysfunction in insulin-dependent diabetics.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Coxsackie virus and urogenital pathology.

In 43 women (average age 49.6 years), and 70 men (average age 55.2 years) with pathology of the genito-urinary apparatus, seroantibodies to Coxsachie virus B were measured using the passive hemoagglutination method and the virus was isolated in the uterine. Viral isolation test was negative in all urine samples tested. Seropositivity for Coxsackie virus was reported in 26 women (60.46%) and in 51 men (72.85%). Positivity to B1 was 37.16% (42 cases), B2 in 38.05% (43 cases), and to B4 in 35.39% (40 cases). 17.69% (20 cases) of patients were seropositive to only one serotype, 17.69% (20 cases) to 5 serotypes, 14.15% (16 cases) to 3 serotypes, 9.73% (11 cases) to 2 serotypes, and 8.84% (10 cases) to 4 serotypes. B1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (25.97%; 20 cases) and B2, 3, 4, 5 (7.79%; 6 cases) were the most frequent associations. Seropositivity to Coxsackie virus was reported in 100% of patients (4 cases) with urethral caruncola, in 84.21% (16 cases out of 19) with cancer of the bladder, in 81.81% with cystitis (9 cases out of 11) and in 80% with prostatitis (8 out of 10 cases). In relation to sex, seropositivity was higher in males in cases of calculosis (75%; 9 cases out of 12 against 28.57%; 2 cases out of 7) and in cystitis (100%; 6 cases against 60%; 3 cases out of 5). Further studies are necessary to determine the clinical significance of serum Coxsackie virus antibodies in patients with urological pathology in the absence of urinary elimination of Coxsackie virus.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1989

Changes in spatial tuning of the pattern electroretinogram with age.

Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that the electroretinogram in response to periodical patterns alternating in contrast at constant mean luminance (pattern reversal ERG, P-ERG), is correlated with ganglion cell activity. Senile functional changes of these neurons might be therefore investigated by the P-ERG technique. Steady-state P-ERGs (8 Hz) in response to sinusoidal gratings of different spatial frequencies (0.6-6.8 c/d) were recorded in normal subjects ranging over 50 year age span. The P-ERG amplitude as a function of stimulus spatial frequency shows a maximum between 1.2-1.7 c/d and attenuation at higher and lower spatial frequencies (spatial tuning). The P-ERGs of the older subjects are reduced in amplitute, as compared to those of the younger ones, over the whole range of spatial frequency. This reduction is more marked at intermediate spatial frequencies resulting in a shallower tuning.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Macular electroretinogram as a function of age of subjects.

Macular and paramacular electroretinograms in response to two adjacent checks (6 deg/side), alternating at constant mean luminance, were recorded in 34 normal subjects ranging in age from 16 to 74 years. The macular electroretinogram declines progressively in amplitude with age (R = -0.42; P = 0.013). The amplitude ratio between macular and paramacular responses tends to be independent of age (R = -0.21; P = 0.22). Age-related changes in the macular electroretinogram shown in our study are consistent with previous anatomical and functional studies, which indicate a deterioration of photoreceptors beyond 20 years of age. These results suggest a possible use of this technique for future studies on macular degeneration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

The pattern electroretinogram by skin electrodes: effect of spatial frequency and age.

Steady-state (8 Hz) pattern electroretinograms in response to sinusoidal gratings were recorded from 18 elder subjects (mean age 62.7 years) and 22 young subjects (mean age 27 years) by means of skin electrodes. All subjects were free from ocular pathology and their corrected visual acuity was 1.0 or better. In young subjects the second harmonic amplitude as a function of spatial frequency is spatially tuned, with a maximum at around 1.7 c/deg. The response of elder subjects is significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced over the whole range of spatial frequency as compared with that of younger ones. This decrease is more marked (P less than 0.01) at intermediate spatial frequencies, resulting in a shallower tuning. The response phase is not significantly different between young and elder subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Some pharmacokinetic data on miocamycin. I: Serum, urinary and prostatic levels.

The pharmacokinetics of miocamycin were studied in ten healthy male volunteers after three different administrations: the first group received 600 mg in a single oral dose; the second received 1200 mg divided into two administrations of 600 mg, each one every 12 h; the third received 1200 mg in a single oral dose. Prostatic levels of miocamycin were recorded after the administration of 1200 mg, divided into two administrations of 600 mg every 12 h. The pharmacokinetic analysis was carried out by applying a single-compartment kinetic model with zero-order absorption. The apparent duration of absorption (T) was about 0.55 h for all subjects. The area under the curve was 7.5767 +/- 0.2511 mg/h/l in the first group; 6.7333 +/- 0.6058 mg/h/l in the second group; and 18.6825 +/- 15.1555 mg/h/l in the third. The prostatic levels were five times higher than those in the serum at the same time.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

The importance of gastric emptying in reflux esophagitis: an experimental research on pigs.

A study was conducted on pigs to evaluate the importance of gastric emptying rate in reflux esophagitis development. Gastric emptying was previously measured in 25 pigs. Then, the following operative procedures were carried out: Heller's cardiomyotomy, common bile duct ligature, cholecysto-gastric anastomosis, and extramucosal duodenal myotomy on 10 animals (group A); the same procedures except extramucosal duodenal myotomy on another 10 animals (group B); common bile duct ligature and cholecysto-gastric anastomosis on the last 5 animals (group C). Six months later, gastric emptying was measured again; whereas in group A a significant shortening of gastric emptying was found, the other 2 groups remained unchanged. Then, all the animals were sacrificed and the lower third of the esophagus was removed for histologic examination. In all the pigs undergoing cardiomyotomy (groups A and B) appearance of esophagitis was found. No signs of esophagitis were found in group C. The conclusions reached are cardiomyotomy is in all cases responsible for reflux esophagitis development; extramucosal duodenal myotomy is capable of shortening gastric emptying, but this does not affect reflux esophagitis development.

Animals↗