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Biomedical subjects

L Foti

Publications and source records attributed to L Foti.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in an area of hyperendemicity in southern Italy: a population-based study.

In a cohort of subjects from Italy, anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HCV RNA [HCV(+) subgroup] prevalences were 24.6 and 79.6%, respectively. HCV types 1b and 2a/c accounted for 95% of infections. Adjusted alanine aminotransferase levels were higher in males than in females and in RNA-positive subjects than in RNA-negative subjects regardless of HCV type. Genotype distribution was unrelated to demographic variables.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1990

Fetal antigens as tumor growth enhancing factors in Yoshida's tumor rats.

Malignant neoplastic cells have been shown to have some antigenic features identical to those of embryonic cells. Since several antigens are likely to be shared by both embryonic cells and neoplastic tissue, we tried to understand the meaning of the appearance of such antigens and the type of effect that the immunization with embryonic antigens would have on the survival of Yoshida's tumor rats. Wistar rats were immunized with fetal antigens by fetal cells (1.5 x 10(6)) suspended in 0.5 ml of Hanks solution plus an equal volume of Freund adjuvant, were injected in hind footpads, i.p. and i.m., respectively, for active immunization. Rabbit antigen sera were used for passive immunization. All animals presented ascites and tumor growth. Animals immunized by means of fetal cell antigens showed a mean survival rate after neoplastic transplant of 14 days. Animals that received rabbit immune serum showed a mean survival rate after neoplastic transplant of 17 days. The immunization by means of fetal antigens elicited a scanty effect on the survival of Yoshida's tumor transplanted rats. It can be concluded that antibodies, which are able to cross react with neoplastic cells, do not have cytotoxic effect and do not interfere with the survival of the neoplastic transplanted animals. Therefore, fetal antigens are likely able to carry out an immunosuppressive action. The fact that they appear on neoplastic cells could be seen as a metabolic modification effect or as a growth enhancing factor.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Modification of the complement induced by PGE2 and gonadotropins.

The Complement is one of the major effectors of the humoral aspecific immune system building up a defence mechanism of the organism. As it is known that some hormonal substances like gonadotropin (hCG) and some hormone-like substances (PGE2) influence the entire immunitary system, we wanted to see if they had specific action on the Complement. The measurement of CH50 was carried out using Mayer's method, derived by Ferrazzi and modified by us. Fractions C3 and C4 were measured by means of immunochemistry using Beckman nephelometer. The treatment with hCG (1,000 U + 10 Lf tetanus toxoid) caused an increase in the CH50 and in the fraction C3, while the fraction C4 was not modified. The treatment with PGE2 (0.25 microgram/rat/die) caused a higher increase of CH50 and C3 fraction. It seems possible to acknowledge C3 involvement in the variation of the Complement's haemolytic activity and this could confirm the intervention of the "alternative pathway". The notable increase in the activity of the Complement induced by hCG and PGE2 could indicate an alternative mechanism of activation of the aspecific humoral immunity in the defence of the organism in all those physio-pathological situations where these substances cause a state of depression of cellular mediated activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Pre-, intra- and postoperative somatosensory evoked potentials in cervical vertebral and spinal cord injuries].

Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SEPs) to upper limb nerves stimulation, are able to detect cervical medullary dysfunction in case of cervical spine trauma. We have monitored cervical spinal cord functionality in 13 subjects with severe cervical spine trauma. In most of subjects, a prolonged P11onset-P13onset interval was found. Postoperatory a reduced P11onset-P13onset interval well correlates with clinical improving of medullary function. Intraoperatory, a transitory impairment of spinal cord function was found during medullary distraction and vertebral body fusion.

Cervical Vertebrae↗
PubMed1983

Properties and sidedness of 5'-nucleotidase in rat red cell ghosts.

The occurrence of a Mg++-activated 5'-AMPase activity in rat ghosts is demonstrated. This activity is inhibited by the alpha, beta-methyleneadenosine 5'-diphosphate, a specific inhibitor of 5'-nucleotidase. The enzyme has an apparent Km of approximately 90 microM, and is located on the exterior side of the plasma membrane.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed1980

[Influence of thyroid condition on 5'-nucleotidase activity of the plasma membrane in the rat liver].

The effect of thyroid hormones on the Kinetic properties of plasmatic membrane 5'-nucleotidase in rat liver is studied. The Vmax and Km which increased significatively a week after thyroidectomy were reported to the normal values by the chronic administration of T3. The decrease in Vmax and Km observed five weeks after thyroid ablation may be attributed to secondary effects occurring with time.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

[Influence of age on the 5'-nucleotidase activity of the plasma membrane of rat liver: note II].

The effect of age on the kinetic properties of the plasma membrane 5'-nucleotidase in liver cells is studied. Vmax and Km and the discontinuity temperature are lower in the 230 +/- 15 days old rats. It appears that lipids do not affect the isotermic kinetic of the enzyme, while the decrease in the discontinuity temperature in the 230 +/- 15 days old animals might be related to the higher percent of insaturated fatty acids.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1980

Influence of age on 5'-nucleotidase in plasma membranes isolated from rat liver.

Studies were carried out to determine the kinetic properties of 5'-nucleotidase from liver plasma membranes in rats of different ages; four groups were examined, namely rats 25 +/- 2, 60 +/- 5, 230 +/- 15 and 525 +/- 20 days old. The 5'-nucleotidase showed minimum Vmax values in young rats; differences in this kinetic parameter were not detected among the other groups. However, the Km values increased during growth and development, declined in young animals and increased again in the middle-aged. Arrhenius plots of the 5'-nucleotidase activity showed a single break at aroung 22 degrees C in developing the middle-aged animals; the break temperature decreased to 17 degrees C in the rats 230 +/- 15 days old. The pH-Vmax and pH-Km curves showed a maximum at pH 7.6 at all ages. Lipid analysis of membrane preparations was carried out. Phospholipid composition did not change markedly with age. The cholesterol level decreased between 25 +/- 2 and 60 +/- 5 days. The degree of saturation of fatty acids seemed to increase in the same period, but reached the lowest value in the young rats. The results indicate that either sphingomyelin or other phospholipids do not affect the isothermal kinetics of 5'-nucleotidase during development and aging. Furthermore, phospholipid polar groups as well as the cholesterol and fatty acids of the bulk lipid phase modulate the membrane fluidity in the same way at different ages. Finally, the modifications of the Km with age cannot be correlated with changes in the surface charge.

5'-Nucleotidase↗