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Biomedical subjects

L Marinelli

Publications and source records attributed to L Marinelli.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Sudden hearing loss in a patient hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive on therapy with alpha-interferon: a possible autoimmune-microvascular pathogenesis.

Alpha interferon (alpha-IFN) is used for the treatment of various systemic disorders. Side-effects of alpha-IFN therapy can involve numerous organ systems, but sudden hearing loss has only once been recorded. We report a case of sudden hearing loss occurring in a patient with chronic hepatitis C treated with alpha-IFN and recovered five days after the discontinuation of this agent. This is the first record of anti-endothelial cell antibodies detection in a patient with sudden hearing loss. The finding of anti-endothelial cell antibodies suggests an association between sudden hearing loss and microvascular damage during interferon therapy.

Antiviral Agents↗

Comparison of MicroScan WalkAway system and Vitek system for identification of gram-negative bacteria.

In a prospective side-by-side comparison conducted from September through November 1994, we compared the MicroScan WalkAway system, a conventional biochemical identification system (Dade MicroScan, Inc., Sacramento, Calif.), with the Vitek system (bioMerieux Vitek, Hazelwood, Mo. [analysis software version AMS-RO8.2] for the identification of gram-negative bacteria. Three-hundred thirty-one nonurine isolates and 493 urine isolates were tested. For nonurinary isolates, there was 91.5% agreement between the two methods. For urinary isolates, there was 97.4% agreement between the two methods. Overall, there was 95% agreement between the two systems. The results suggest that the current version of the MicroScan WalkAway system with conventional panels is essentially comparable to the current Vitek system.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

Selective inhibition of HIV replication by adriamycin in macrophages but not in lymphocytes.

Adriamycin (ADR) is an anticancer drug commonly used in the treatment of HIV-related cancers. Due to its effect on DNA metabolism, ADR might be able to modulate HIV replication in monocyte-macrophages (M/M), resting cells potentially less sensitive to the toxic effect of this drug. Thus, we assessed the efficacy of ADR against HIV replication in both lymphocytes and M/M. We further investigated the mechanism(s) of action of ADR and its potential synergistic activity with zidovudine (AZT) or alpha-interferon (IFN alpha). ADR consistently inhibited viral replication in M/M: 50% viral inhibition was obtained with 0.005 micrograms/ml ADR, while greater 90% viral inhibition was obtained with 0.05 micrograms/ml ADR. No cell toxicity was seen in M/M at concentrations up to 0.5 micrograms/ml. No anti-HIV activity was shown by ADR in lymphocytes at concentrations up to 0.05 micrograms/ml, that is also the toxic dose 50% (TCID50 for these cells). ADR neither inactivates HIV virions nor affects HIV binding with CD4 receptors. No inhibition of HIV reverse transcriptase by ADR was found at concentrations at least 2,000-fold greater than the 50% HIV inhibitory concentration in M/M. Molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) suggests that ADR substantially affects virus DNA production at concentrations that inhibit viral replication. Finally, late stages of HIV replication were not affected by ADR. At least additive effects of the association ADR + AZT and ADR + IFN alpha were obtained against de novo HIV infection of M/M.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antiviral Agents↗

[Comparison of crystalloids and hydroxyethyl starch during normovolemic hemodilution. A study of hemodynamics and saturation measurement].

Normovolemic hemodilution at two different hematocrit values was performed in ten patients undergoing major surgery to evaluate changes of DO2, VO2 and CI. A Hct of 38% (low hemodilution) was reached by plasma replacement with ringer lactate infusion. A further hemodilution, a Hct of 30% (high hemodilution), was obtained by hydroxyethyl starch plus ringer lactate (1:2 ratio) infusion. A significant VO2 increase (p less than 0.01) occurred when hydroxyethyl starch plus ringer lactate infusions were employed as compared to ringer lactate alone. No changes in DO2 and CI were observed, the increase in VO2 measured during colloid infusion could suggest a better tissue perfusion and metabolic activity.

Aged↗

Autobiographical memory. Sensitivity to age and education of a standardized enquiry.

A structured enquiry for assessing autobiographical memory is proposed. It is made up of three standardized time-cued sets of questions focusing on three life periods: adolescence, early and late adulthood, with five questions for each life period. Standardized testing procedure, checking for veracity and scoring methods are described. Normative data from 157 healthy individuals aged over 55 are converted into 'equivalent scores' for use with the enquiry and for diagnostic purposes. Education and ageing, but not sex, appear to be significant factors in the efficiency of retrieval from the autobiographic repertoire.

Aged↗