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L Crippa

Publications and source records attributed to L Crippa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Pixantrone (BBR2778) reduces the severity of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

Pixantrone is less cardiotoxic and is similarly effective to mitoxantrone (MTX) as an antineoplastic drug. In our study, pixantrone reduced the severity of acute and decreased the relapse rate of chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rats. A marked and long-lasting decrease in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD45RA+ blood cells and reduced anti-MBP titers were observed with both pixantrone and MTX. In vitro mitogen- and antigen-induced T-cell proliferation tests of human and rodents cells evidenced that pixantrone was effective at concentrations which can be effectively obtained after i.v. administration in humans. Cardiotoxicity was present only in MTX-treated rats. The effectiveness and the favorable safety profile makes pixantrone a most promising immunosuppressant agent for clinical use in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Clinicopathological findings in five cats with paw calcification.

This retrospective study describes the clinicopathological findings in five cats with soft tissue mineralisation of interdigital spaces and footpads. Paw disease was the reason for veterinary consultation in three out of five cats. All cats had laboratory findings suggestive of renal failure and high solubility product [calciumxphosphorus]. In all cases, cytological examination of paw lesions was suggestive of calcinosis. The results of our study agree with two previous case reports of paw calcification in the cat, suggesting a metastatic pathogenesis and a correlation between paw mineralisation and renal failure.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A new alternative synthesis of 5-cyanophthalide, a versatile intermediate in the preparation of the antidepressant drug citalopram.

An alternative versatile synthesis of 5-cyanophthalide, a key synthetic intermediate in the preparation of the antidepressant drug Citalopram, is presented. The synthesis reported here allows the preparation of this important intermediate in three steps, avoiding the manipulation of environmentally detrimental cyanides.

Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation↗
PubMed2001

Cilia-Associated Respiratory (CAR) bacillus infection in veal calves and adult cattle.

Cilia-Associated Respiratory (CAR) bacillus is a filamentous bacterium that colonizes the ciliated epithelium of the respiratory tract of many animal species and that has been associated with chronic inflammatory lesions in naturally and experimentally infected rats, mice and rabbits. In the present study, the prevalence of CAR bacillus infection and histological lesions of the trachea in veal calf and adult cattle were investigated. Forty five healthy veal calves and 45 adult cattle, raised in 18 different herds were selected at slaughter. From each animal, a tracheal sample was processed for histology, stain-ed with the Warthin-Starry method to evaluate the presence of CAR bacillus, and with haematoxylin and eosin to evaluate the presence of inflammatory lesions. CAR bacillus was identified in 17 veal calves (37.7%) and in 7 adult cattle (15.5%). Inflammatory lesions were found in 42 veal calves (93.3%) and in 41 adult cattle (91.1%). Statistical analysis pointed out a significant correlation between the presence and number of CAR bacilli and the presence and number of lymphoid follicles (P = 0.0071) and the presence and severity of neutrophilic infiltrates (P = 0.0428). These results indicate that CAR bacillus infection is common in cattle and is correlated with tracheal inflammatory lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Ringtail in suckling Munich Wistar Fromter rats: a histopathologic study.

Ringtail is a pathologic condition of the tail of rats and other rodents that is traditionally attributed to low environmental humidity, although dietary deficiencies, genetic susceptibility, environmental temperature, and degree of hydration of the animal also have been suggested as possible causes. To the authors' knowledge, a detailed histopathologic study that may serve to shed light on the etiopathogenesis of this disease has not yet been published. We describe the histologic findings of ringtail observed in 12 suckling Munich Wistar Fromter (MWF) rats from two litters. Epidermal hyperplasia characterized by orthokeratotic and parakeratotic hyperkeratosis and acanthosis was observed in all affected rats. Numerous often dilated vessels were present in the dermis of tails that appeared of red/brown color at gross examination. In severe cases, the dilated vascular structures were thrombotic and accompanied by dermal hemorrhages and focal coagulative necrosis of the overlying epidermis. These findings suggest that epidermal acanthosis and hyperkeratosis are the main and primary events in the development of ringtail. To clarify the cause of this disease, future studies should be focused on the numerous factors that can induce such epidermal changes.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

IgG reactivity to phospholipid-bound beta(2)-glycoprotein I is the main determinant of the fraction of lupus anticoagulant activity quenched by addition of hexagonal (II) phase phospholipid in patients with the clinical suspicion of antiphospholipid-antibody syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Autoantibodies to beta(2)-glycoprotein I (beta(2)-GPI) and/or prothrombin (FII) have been involved in the expression of lupus anticoagulant (LA) activity, an in vitro phenomenon associated with an increased risk of arterial and/or venous thromboembolic events. However, LA activity sustained by anti-FII antibodies has a much weaker association with thrombosis than LA activity sustained by anti-beta(2)-GPI antibodies. Because assays aimed at detecting LA activity are now commercially available, we evaluated the relative sensitivity to anti-FII and anti-beta(2)-GPI antibodies of a commercial LA assay in a consecutive series of patients with the clinical suspicion of anti-phospholipid antibody (APA) syndrome. DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred and ten consecutive patients with the clinical suspicion of APA syndrome (primary in 39) and 36 healthy controls were evaluated for the presence of LA activity (LA, Staclot, Stago), anticardiolipin antibodies (Quanta Lite aCL IgG, IgM, Inova Diagnostics), and IgG binding to solid-phase and/or phospholipid (PL)-bound beta(2)-GPI and FII by ELISA assays developed an optimized in our laboratory. Odds ratios for the association of IgG binding activity with LA and the aCL IgG status were calculated. In LA patients, dependency of LA potency (as assessed by clotting time prolongation in absence or presence of hexagonal phospholipid) on autoantibody titers was analyzed by the generalized linear model. Total IgG fractions were purified from selected patients to evaluate their ability to inhibit prothrombin activation at low FII concentration. RESULTS: Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) of the IgG or IgM type were found in 64 and 23 patients and LA activity in 49 patients. Anti-beta(2)-GPI and anti-FII (solid-phase and PL-bound) IgG titers exceeding by more than 3 standard deviations the mean values observed in control subjects were found in 46 and 47 patients and in 56 and 30 patients respectively, with the highest titers detected in the subgroup of patients with both LA and aCL IgG. The relative risk of LA for patients free of anti-FII and/or anti-beta(2)-GPI IgG was 0.03 after stratification for the aCL IgG status. Anti-beta(2)-GPI (solid-phase and PL-bound) IgG (RR 34.4 and 12.6) and anti-FII (solid-phase) IgG (RR 6.33) were all associated with LA activity. However, when taking into account co-existence of anti-FII and anti-beta(2)-GPI IgG in the same patients, the relative risk of LA for patients with isolated anti-FII IgG (solid-phase and/or PL-bound) was 0.50, whereas it ranged from 4.24 to 8.70 for all the antibody combinations including anti-beta(2)-GPI IgG. Anti-beta(2)-GPI (PL-bound) and aCL IgG titers were the only significant predictors of LA potency determined in absence phospholipid (anti-beta(2)-GPI IgG) or in presence of hexagonal phospholipid (aCL IgG). Total IgG fractions purified from 12 patients (6 with anti-FII IgG) did not significantly inhibit factor II activity up to a 150-fold molar excess. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the high prevalence of anti-FII and anti-beta(2)-GPI IgG in patients with the clinical suspicion of APA syndrome and particularly in the subgroup of patients with LA activity. The fraction of LA activity which can be quenched by addition of hexagonal phospholipid is, however, only dependent on IgG directed to PL-bound beta(2)-GPI. Other antibodies associated with anticardiolipin IgG may explain residual clotting time prolongation observed in the presence of hexagonal phospholipid.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Interference of lupus anticoagulants in prothrombin time assays: implications for selection of adequate methods to optimize the management of thrombosis in the antiphospholipid-antibody syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prolonged anticoagulation aiming at International Normalized Ratio (INR) values > 3.0 has been recommended for patients with thrombosis and the antiphospholipid-antibody syndrome. We evaluated the influence of anticoagulant antibodies in two different prothrombin time (PT) assays carried out on plasma from lupus anticoagulant patients on oral anticoagulation. DESIGN AND METHODS: INR values obtained with a combined (final test plasma dilution 1:20) and a recombinant (final test plasma dilution 1:3) thromboplastin were compared in 17 patients with persistent lupus anticoagulants (LA) receiving oral anticoagulant treatment and monitored for 69.8 patient-years. Doses of anticoagulant drugs were always assigned based on the results obtained with the combined thromboplastin, aiming at a target INR of 2.5 or 3.0 for patients with venous or arterial thromboembolic disease. Paired determinations with both reagents were also obtained throughout the study period in 150 patients on stable oral anticoagulation but free of antiphospholipid antibodies. Total IgG fractions were purified from selected patients to evaluate effect in the two PT assay systems. RESULTS: No patient experienced recurrence of thrombosis or major bleeding complications (95% confidence interval: 0.1-6.5 per 100 patient-years). INR values with the recombinant reagent were significantly higher than with the combined reagent in 8 LA patients (mean DINR ranging from 0.17 to 0.54) of the degree of anticoagulation was overestimated in all but one LA patients with the recombinant reagent when compared to the DINR observed in non-LA patients (-0.64 +/- 0.42). The anti-cardiolipin IgG titer (r(2) = 0.43, p = 0.004) and the anti-b(2)GPI IgG titer (r(2) = 0.30, p = 0.023) were positively associated with the mean deltaINR observed in LA patients. When added to plasmas with different levels of vitamin K-dependent factors, total IgG fractions from 6 LA patients with significant overestimation of the INR with the recombinant reagent (mean DINR ranging from 0.17 to 0.54, group 1) and from 7 LA patients with mean deltaINR < or = 0.0 (ranging from -0.25 to 0.04, group 2) reproduced the effects observed ex vivo in the two assay systems. However, when total IgG fractions were tested at the same final concentration in the two PT assay systems, there was no difference in the clotting times determined with total IgG fractions from group 1 and group 2 LA patients. Addition of negatively charged liposomes (0.4 and 0.8 mg/mL final concentrations) to platelet free plasma from LA-free patients on stable oral anticoagulation caused a 20% to 48% prolongation of the prothrombin time determined with the recombinant reagent. In contrast, no significant prolongation of the prothrombin time determined with the recombinant reagent was observed upon addition of negatively charged liposomes to plasma from group 1 LA patients. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm previous suggestions of assay-dependency of INR values in LA patients on oral anticoagulation. For these patients, accurate INR values may be obtained using combined thromboplastin reagents that permit testing at high plasma dilution.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the coryneform bacterium associated with hyperkeratotic dermatitis of athymic nude mice and development of a PCR-based detection assay.

By 16S rDNA sequencing the authors have characterized the coryneform bacteria associated with hyperkeratotic dermatitis (HD) of athymic nude mice isolated from six different outbreaks of the disease in Northern Italy. This analysis has allowed the authors to confirm the classification of the bacteria as Corynebacterium bovis and to develop a 16S rDNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection assay. The test was performed directly on the DNA extracted from epidermal swabs. The PCR primers were chosen to match the 16S rDNA sequence fragments which differ most from the other Corynebacterium spp. The test was shown to be both sensitive and specific for C. bovis. Detection of as few as three viable bacterial cells was possible with the use of an oligonucleotide probe in a liquid hybridization assay.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Complications of internal jugular vein retrograde catheterization.

We report on the incidence of complications of 172 internal jugular vein retrograde catheterizations (IJVRCs) performed on 126 patients. Standard cannulation and X-ray control of the catheter tip placement were performed. Difficulties encountered during the manouvre were registered. Patients with a jugular catheter in place for more than one day had neck echography on catheter removal and one week later. Carotid artery puncture occurred in 20 (12%) cases and lymphatic vessel puncture in one. In 13 (8%) cases IJVRC failed due to difficulties in advancing the guide. X-ray films documented catheter misplacement in 39 (23%) cases: loop into the internal jugular vein in 11 (6%); paravertebral venous plexus cannulated in one; other extracranial jugular afferent cannulated in 4 (2%); catheter tip into the jugular lumen in 10 (6%); catheter tip beyond the jugular bulb in 13 (8%). First neck echography documented: one perivascular hematoma (absent one week later); 3 (4%) jugular vein thrombosis (2 asymptomatic and absent one week later; one symptomatic and still evident one week later). Positive neck echography was not associated with difficulties, length of catheterization, diameter of the catheter. IJVRC is a simple and safe procedure with a low incidence of serious complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Antithrombin III (ATIII) replacement therapy in patients with sepsis and/or postsurgical complications: a controlled double-blind, randomized, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: ATIII is decreased in sepsis and/or shock and its baseline value correlates with mortality. The efficacy of ATIII therapy on mortality was assessed in a selected group of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in a double-blind, randomized, multicenter study. METHODS: 120 patients admitted to the ICU with an ATIII concentration < 70% were randomized to receive ATIII (total dose 24000 units) or placebo treatment for 5 days; 56 patients had septic shock. RESULTS: ATIII concentrations in the treated group remained constant throughout the treatment period (range 97-102%). The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no difference in overall survival between the two groups: 50 and 46% for ATIII and placebo, respectively. Septic shock and hemodynamic support were unbalanced in the two groups at admission. Therefore the Cox analysis was carried out after adjusting for these two variables. Treatment with ATIII decreases the risk of death with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.56. Of the covariates analyzed, septic shock and the baseline multiple organ failure score were negatively associated with survival and plasma activity level was positively associated with survival with an OR of 0.97 for each 1% increase in the ATIII plasma concentration at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The results of ATIII treatment in this population of patients suggests that replacement therapy reduces mortality in the subgroup of septic shock patients only.

APACHE↗
PubMed1998

Cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus infection in conventionally reared rabbits.

This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of Cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus infection in rabbits reared for meat production in Italy and to correlate the presence of CAR bacillus with inflammatory lesions of the respiratory tract. Seventy health, 3-month-old, New Zealand White rabbits, raised in 10 different rabbitries in Northern Italy were randomly selected at slaughter. No gross lesions were found at necropsy in any rabbit. In each animal, the trachea and lungs were sampled, fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin and stained with the Warthin-Starry method to evaluate the presence of CAR bacillus, and with haematoxylin and eosin to evaluate the presence of inflammatory lesions. CAR bacillus was present in 50 out of 70 rabbits (71.4%) with a prevalence of the infection that varied from 30% to 100% in the seven rabbitries. CAR bacillus was present both in the trachea and bronchi in 23 cases (32.8%), only in the trachea in 24 cases (34.3%) and only in the bronchi in three cases (4.3%). Inflammatory lesions were found in the trachea (22 cases, 31.4%) and the bronchi (58 cases, 82.8). There was a strong, statically significant correlation between the presence of CAR bacillus in the bronchi and bronchial inflammatory lesions (P < 0.0001). This study indicates that CAR bacillus infection is widespread in conventionally reared rabbits in Italy and that a possible correlation exists between the presence of CAR bacillus and bronchial inflammatory lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Hyperkeratosis-associated coryneform infection in severe combined immunodeficient mice.

Hyperkeratosis-associated coryneform (HAC) is a coryneform bacterium, with a biochemical profile similar to Corynebacterium bovis, that causes hyperkeratotic dermatitis in athymic nude mice. In the present study 28 severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice coming from six different animal facilities were submitted for bacteriological and pathological examination. HAC was isolated from 10 SCID mice belonging to two of these facilities. Two of the HAC-infected mice showed macroscopical lesions consisting in large alopecic areas, with small white flakes, involving the dorsum, flanks, neck and cheeks. Histologically, the skin of these animals was characterized by diffuse acanthosis and hyperkeratosis. In the other eight HAC-infected SCID mice no macroscopical lesions were observed but focal areas of minimal to mild acanthosis were histologically detected in five cases. These results suggest that HAC can infect SCID mice inducing skin lesions similar, although generally less severe, to those observed in nude mice with hyperkeratotic dermatitis. Our results pointed out that SCID mice may play an important role in the epidemiology of hyperkeratotic dermatitis of athymic nude mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Gastric spiral bacteria in wild rats from Italy.

Forty-three wild rats (Rattus norvegicus) trapped in Milan (Italy) were examined for gastric spiral bacteria and to evaluate associated histological lesions. Spiral bacteria were histologically detected in the stomach of 10 rats (23%). The morphological features of these microorganisms, observed using both light and electron microscopy, correspond to those of Helicobacter heilmannii. Mild gastritis characterized by focal lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the lamina propria was observed in six rats with gastric spiral bacteria. Our findings suggest a causal role of these bacteria in inducing a gastric inflammatory response.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Outbreaks of hyperkeratotic dermatitis of athymic nude mice in northern Italy.

Hyperkeratotic dermatitis of athymic nude mice is an infectious disease caused by a coryneform bacterium. During the spring of 1995, outbreaks of hyperkeratotic dermatitis were observed in several nude mice facilities in northern Italy. In this report we describe the clinical, histopathological and microbiological features of the disease in two different animal facilities. Affected animals showed a typical 'scaly' appearance with small white flakes of material adherent to the skin. In one of the outbreaks (facility 2) the lesions were less severe and involved only limited areas of the body. The infection spread very quickly and the morbidity reached more than 80% in a few days, while the mortality was about 1%. The lesions resolved spontaneously within 7-10 days. Histological examination of affected skin revealed orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, acanthosis and dermal inflammatory infiltration which were more severe in mice from facility 1. In Gram-stained sections groups of rods consistent with coryneform bacteria were detectable in the keratin layers covering the epidermal surface. A coryneform bacterium, biochemically typed as Corynebacterium bovis, was isolated from 11 out of 11 mice from facility 1 and from 8 out of 11 mice from facility 2.

Animals↗