PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Gentile

Publications and source records attributed to L Gentile.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Lymphocyte proliferative response in brown bears: cytokine role and glucocorticoid effect.

Lymphocyte stimulation and proliferation play a pivotal role in the immune response to soluble as well as to cellular, bacterial, and viral antigens. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), mainly composed of lymphocytes, were separated by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation from 50-ml jugular vein blood samples drawn from six captive and five wild-caught brown bears (Ursus arctos) (eight Apennine brown bears from the Italian population; three of undetermined origin). Stimulation of cultured bear PBMC with the two classical T lymphocyte mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and Concanavalin A (ConA) was followed by a significantly greater proliferative response than that shown by human PBMC (n = 11) (PHA: T = 4.03, d.f. = 20, P = 0.001; ConA: T = 4.25, d.f. = 20, P < 0.0005; Student's t-test, oneway ANOVA). As in humans, the PBMC proliferative response in bears was markedly (> 50%) inhibited by addition of transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) human recombinant cytokine to the culture. Further fractionation provided a cell preparation extremely rich in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) (mean +/- SD = 96.1 +/- 1.7%). Addition of interleukin 1 (IL1) or interleukin 2 (IL2) human recombinant cytokines to cultured PBL stimulated with a suboptimal concentration of mitogens resulted in a ninefold increase in the lymphocyte proliferative response. Dexamethasone (DEX, a synthetic analog of hydrocortisone) inhibited the bear PBMC proliferative response by 22.2 +/- 4.3% (mean +/- SD), compared with 46.2 +/- 6.9% and 91.8 +/- 8.1% (mean +/- SD) in humans and mice (n = 11) (Mus domesticus), respectively. Inhibition of the brown bear and human PBMC responses was markedly (> 60%) reduced by the addition of IL2. The finding that IL1 and IL2 augment and that DEX inhibits bear lymphocyte proliferative response suggests that these cytokines can be used to increase the immune response in vaccinations, and that DEX may hamper several immunologically mediated diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Serologic survey for selected viral pathogens in brown bears from Italy.

Blood samples were collected from six captive bears and nine free-ranging Marsican brown bears (Ursus arctos marsicanus) in the Abruzzo National Park, Italy, between 1991 and 1995. Sera were tested for evidence of exposure to canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus type 2, canine coronavirus, and canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2). Serologic evidence of CDV and CPV-2-exposure was found in both captive and free-ranging bears. This may be the first report of CDV exposure in free-ranging bears.

Adenoviridae Infections↗
PubMed1997

[The superior vena cava occlusion syndrome. A case of neoplastic thrombosis due to hepatocarcinoma and cirrhosis].

The authors report their experience with 11 patients, surgically treated since 1990, affected with superior vena cava syndrome. A peculiar case of neoplastic thrombosis in hepatocarcinoma is stressed. In fact a similar case hadn't been reported in the last ten-year literature, although hepatocarcinoma may spread in different organs. A subject review and a discussion are presented.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Mitochondrial DNA sequence divergence among some west European brown bear (Ursus arctos L.) populations. Lessons for conservation.

We used the polymerase chain reaction and nucleotide sequencing to study mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetic variability of brown bears (Ursus arctos) belonging to some western European populations. Demographic decline and isolation have apparently shaped genetic variability within and between populations. Small relict bear populations were apparently monomorphic and fixed for different mtDNA haplotypes. Genetic relationships among mtDNA haplotypes suggested the existence of a phylogeographic structure. We discuss the possible roles of historical and demographic factors in determining the observed genetic patterns. The low genetically effective size of the studied brown bear populations points to risks of continuing future loss of gene diversity and increase in inbreeding. Artificial gene flow through restocking could alleviate inbreeding depression in small isolated brown bear populations, and mtDNA phylogeographic relationships may provide a framework for their genetic management.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Initial treatment of thyrotoxic Graves' disease with methimazole: a randomized trial comparing different dosages.

We evaluated the efficacy of different doses of methimazole (MMI) as the initial therapy for Graves' disease. Fourteen patients were treated with 15 mg/die of the drug (group A) and 14 with 30 mg/die (group B). Blood samples for T3, T4, FT3 and FT4 were obtained before beginning therapy, every 48 h during the first 12 days and on the 45th day of treatment. All these hormonal parameters fell significantly from the 2nd day of therapy in both groups. All the patients, except for one in group B, had normal or subnormal levels of thyroidal hormones on the 45th day of treatment. The comparison between the two groups of regression coefficients over the first 12 days showed no significant differences. The absolute decrease of each examined parameter on day 12 was positively correlated with the relevant pretreatment value. These results demonstrate that doses of MMI (15 mg/die) much lower than those commonly recommended are able to rapidly control thyroidal overproduction as effectively as 30 mg/die.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Use of the thyroid 99Tcm scintiscan with lead-shield on the hot nodule in the diagnosis of autonomous adenoma.

Eighteen patients bearing a hot nodule, imaged by basal 99Tcm scintiscan and toxic in eight of them, were studied. All patients underwent 99Tcm thyroid scintiscan in basal conditions and after placing a lead-shield on the hot thyroid nodule, without other radioisotope administration. In eight cases the thyroid scintiscan after lead-shield overlapping the hot nodule, was compared to a second 99Tcm thyroid scintiscan after thyrotrophic hormone stimulation, TSH. This technique of nodule shielding was able to show the extranodular tissue in 15 patients; in the remaining three cases neither this approach nor the scintiscan after exogenous TSH were able to demonstrate any remainder thyroid parenchyma. Thus, this scintigraphic method can be considered excellent in the diagnosis of autonomous adenoma: it needs, in fact, a single radioisotope administration and does not present the adverse effects frequently induced by exogenous TSH.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1983

Comparison between adrenal steroid secretion after stimulation with two synthetic analogues of corticotropin : ACTH 1-24 and ACTH 1-17.

Chemical manipulations of the native ACTH (1-39) molecule led to the synthesis of a newly characterized compound which shows several interesting features, such as an enhanced half-life, an increased resistance against enzymic degradation and lower immunogenic activity. This study aimed at comparing the adrenal steroidogenetic response of the 1-17 analogue and of the other commercially available synthetic ACTH (1-24). Results suggest that ACTH 1-17 has a more pronounced and prolonged activity, which is confined to glico- and mineralocorticoid secretion.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Case of osteoid osteoma].

A case of osteoid osteoma is reported. The rarity of its localisation, the problems involved in its clinical identification, the radiological aspect, differential diagnostic criteria and the onset of a recurrent make the case report-worthy.

Adult↗