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L Oliva

Publications and source records attributed to L Oliva.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Treatment of acute a steroid-resistant ulcerative colitis with continuous venous infusion of cyclosporine].

UNLABELLED: Aim of this open study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a low-dose treatment of continuous intravenous infusion of cyclosporine. We treated twelve patients with severe active ulcerative colitis, that did not respond to high doses of intravenous steroid for at least ten days. We used a dose of 2 mg/kg/day for 15 days. After this period, if patients improved, cyclosporine was administered orally at the dose of 6 mg/kg/day for six months. The response rate to acute phase therapy was 92.8%. The mean response time was 5.8 days. Sixty-nine percent of patients responded within the first week. No adverse reaction was observed. The first five patients responding to acute phase therapy relapsed during or at the end of maintenance phase. Because of that, azathioprine was associated in the successive patients. Only 4 out of 12 patients (33%) were operated on. CONCLUSIONS: continuous intravenous infusion of cyclosporine at dosage of 2 mg/kg/day is a highly effective and safe therapy that may avoid or defer colectomy to eligible conditions.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Expression of neuronal acetylcholine receptor genes in vertebrate skeletal muscle during development.

Of the 15 nicotinic ACh receptor genes identified in vertebrates, only four (alpha 1, beta 1, gamma, and delta) have been shown to be expressed in embryonic skeletal muscle at early times. In mammalian muscle a fifth gene (epsilon) replaces the gamma gene in expression at later times. The remaining 10 nicotinic receptor genes identified to date (alpha 2-alpha 8, beta 2-beta 4) are expressed in the nervous system and are considered neuronal genes. Using RNase protection assays, we show here that four of the neuronal-type genes (alpha 4, alpha 5, alpha 7, and beta 4) are expressed in developing chick skeletal muscle. Two of them (alpha 4 and alpha 7) decline substantially in transcript abundance between embryonic days 11 and 17, as does alpha 1, while the other two (alpha 5 and beta 4) show only moderate decreases over the same time period. At embryonic day 8, alpha 7 transcripts are nearly 20% as abundant as alpha 1 transcripts. In situ hybridizations confirm the presence of alpha 7 transcripts in muscle cells both in cell culture and in embryonic tissue. No evidence was found for expression of the alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 8, or beta 3 genes in muscle. Immunoprecipitations and immunoblot analysis using subunit-specific monoclonal antibodies reveal alpha 7 protein in muscle, and the amount of protein rises and declines with the amount of alpha 7 mRNA during development. Sucrose gradient analysis demonstrates that the alpha 7 protein is present in muscle as a species of 10S, the size expected for a nicotinic receptor. The alpha 7 species in muscle binds alpha-bungarotoxin but does not contain alpha 1 subunits, indicating that the two kinds of alpha-type gene products segregate during assembly. The results suggest that neuronal AChRs may play a role in early muscle development.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Smoking habits and recurrence in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Smoking may be a risk factor for surgical recurrence of Crohn's disease. However, other variables associated with recurrence could be confounding factors for smoking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of smoking as an independent predictor of clinical, surgical, and endoscopic recurrence. METHODS: In a series of 182 patients who underwent surgery for Crohn's disease, a multivariate analysis was performed that included all of the significant variables associated with recurrence: sex, age at diagnosis, time between onset of symptoms and surgery, site of disease, indication for surgery, extent of disease, extraintestinal manifestation, and smoking habit. RESULTS: Independent predictors of clinical recurrence by the Cox proportional hazard model were smoking (hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-1.8), extraintestinal manifestations (hazard ratio, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.0-2.5), and extent of disease (hazard ratio, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.0-2.4). Smoking was the only significant predictor of surgical recurrence (hazard ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-2.3). For endoscopic recurrence, logistic regression showed that smoking (odds ratio, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2-3.8) and extent of disease (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.0-6.7) were predictive factors of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is an independent risk factor for clinical, surgical, and endoscopic recurrence in Crohn's disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Increased densities of binding sites for the "peripheral-type" benzodiazepine receptor ligand [3H]PK11195 in vulnerable regions of the rat brain in thiamine deficiency encephalopathy.

Quantitative receptor autoradiography was used to evaluate the density of high-affinity binding sites for the "peripheral-type" benzodiazepine receptor (PTBR) ligand [3H]PK11195 in brain regions of the rat at different stages of pyrithiamine-induced thiamine deficiency encephalopathy, an experimental model of the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS). Assessment of the density of [3H]PK11195 binding sites in thiamine-deficient animals showing no neurologic signs of thiamine deficiency encephalopathy, and revealed no significant alterations compared with pair-fed control animals in any brain region studied. Densities of [3H]PK11195 binding sites were, however, significantly increased in brain regions of the rat at the symptomatic stage, where increased densities were seen in the inferior colliculus (233% increase, p < 0.001), inferior olivary nucleus (154% increase, p < 0.001) and thalamus (up to 107% increase, p < 0.001). Histologic studies of these same brain regions revealed evidence of neuronal cell loss and concomitant gliosis. Densities of [3H]PK11195 binding sites in nonvulnerable brain regions that showed no histologic evidence of neuronal loss, such as the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and caudate-putamen, were not significantly different from those in control animals. Increased densities of binding sites for the PTBR ligand probably reflect glial proliferation and are consistent with an excitotoxic mechanism in the pathogenesis of neuronal cell loss in thiamine deficiency encephalopathy. Positron emission tomography (PET) using [11C]PK11195 could offer a potentially useful diagnostic tool in WKS in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The results of strictureplasty in pediatric patients with multifocal Crohn's disease.

This study is a retrospective review of eight pediatric patients with multifocal intestinal Crohn's disease who underwent strictureplasty with or without concomitant bowel resection between January 1978 and April 1992. The patients ranged in age from 9.9 years to 18.5 years. Indications for surgery were partial intestinal obstruction (n = 6), failure of medial therapy or steroid dependence (n = 4), growth failure (n = 2), and enterocutaneous fistula (n = 2). Thirty-six strictureplasties were performed in the eight patients (median, 4.5 strictureplasties per patient; range, 1-12). Bowel resection was performed in six of the eight patients in areas where strictureplasty was not feasible. The mean length of resection was 40 cm (range, 15-82 cm). The only complication was intestinal hemorrhage, which was conservatively managed in two patients. The patients were followed for a mean of 19 months (range, 3-55 months). Five patients had a weight below the fifth percentile prior to surgery. Postoperatively, there was a weight gain in seven patients, including all five patients who were originally below the fifth percentile. A statistically significant weight gain was found when a paired t test analysis was applied to the entire group (p = 0.04). Five of six patients who were on steroid medication at the time of surgery were successfully weaned within 1.5-3 months (mean, 2.3 months) from the time of surgery. Seven of eight patients had relief of their intestinal symptoms. Strictureplasty with small-bowel resection, or perhaps strictureplasty alone, in pediatric patients with multifocal intestinal Crohn's disease can improve gastrointestinal symptoms, promote weight gain, and allow discontinuation of steroid medications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis. Report of 4 cases with study by rectal histochemistry, conjunctiva electron microscopy and necropsy].

The authors present the neuropathological and clinical findings of four cases of ceroid lipofuscinosis or Batten's disease. In two cases the autopsy findings showed brain atrophy and nerve cells packed with cytoplasmic granules compatible with lipofuscin. One case was diagnosed by histochemical techniques in frozen sections of rectal biopsy which showed myoenteric ganglion cells with cytoplasmic acid phosphatase positive material as well as numerous macrophages filled with lipofuscin in the mucosae. The fourth case diagnosed by electron microscopy of conjunctival biopsy which showed cytoplasmic inclusions of membranous, curvilinear and fingerprint types.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Is undirected liver biopsy a safe procedure?].

In the authors' group of 976 umaimed liver biopsies (ULB) 10 complications were recorded. The authors described them and compared them with reports from the world literature. Two patients from the group died after ULB. One as a result of biopsy from haemoperitoneum, the other patient died with delirium tremens after surgery called for by persisting peritoneal syndrome. In eight patients mild complications were involved. In five patients complications receded spontaneously, in three after administration of an analgetic. From the submitted paper ensues that ULB is not quite safe, even when used by an experienced physician and when all contraindications are respected. A smooth course is not ensured by a risk-free diagnosis, previous uncomplicated biopsies normal prebioptic haemocoagulation tests. It is essential to realize this with regard to every patient where we indicate ULB. It is better to omit it unless we are unequivocally convinced of its asset. The question thus is: What will be the benefit of ULB for the patient?

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Mental therapy of headache].

In a group of patients with headache the authors found that mental therapy was very effective. It produced a better effect than previous therapeutic procedures. The authors discuss contemporary views of mechanisms of modern pharmacotherapy of headache and draw attention to its hazards, economic pretentiousness and frequently low availability. The authors mention also non-pharmacological methods used nowadays in the therapy of headache and their relationship to the endogenous opioid system. They explain mental therapy as the interaction and energy exchange between the aura of the emitor and percipient of the mental energy. The authors expressed the hypothetical idea on the basis of analgetic action of mental therapy. They recommend to extend research of mental energy in medical disciplines--theoretical and clinical--and to introduce mental therapy into practice on a professional level. Based on their own experience the authors decided to apply it already now where it gives hope of recovery or mitigation of the patients' suffering. They consider it their duty.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Artifacts in echo-Doppler and color-Doppler].

It is well known that artifacts can be observed during US examinations; the same is true also for Doppler and color-Doppler images of blood flow. Recognizing these artifacts is important to avoid image misinterpretations and, when possible, to overcome them by modifying either techniques or unit settings, or both. This work was aimed at presenting the several artifacts which can be observed during Doppler investigations, at classifying them, and trying to understand the physical and/or technical principles underlying their origin. Doppler and color-Doppler artifacts can be divided into four large groups: 1) artifacts regarding evaluation of the presence of flow; 2) artifacts regarding evaluation of the direction of flow; 3) artifacts regarding determination of the velocity of flow; 4) artifacts affecting spatial location, on the screen, of the examined vessel. Each of the above can cause severe diagnostic misinterpretations, if not correctly recognized and interpreted. It must be kept in mind that an accurate analysis of unit settings during scanning, and the meticulous evaluation of the obtained color images are of the utmost importance for the proper use of this valuable but difficult diagnostic technique.

Artifacts↗
PubMed1991

Epidemiology of Crohn's disease in Sicily: a hospital incidence study from 1987 to 1989. "The Sicilian Study Group of Inflammatory Bowel Disease".

An epidemiologic study of Crohn's disease was carried out in the Province of Palermo, Italy, between 1987 and 1989. The incidence of first hospitalization was prospectively evaluated in this period. A total of 103 patients (59 males, 44 females) were diagnosed. The standardized annual incidence was 2.7/100,000. The incidence was quite constant during the 3 years of the study (1987: 2.9/100,000; 1988: 2.4/100,000; 1989: 2.99/100,000). Incidence rates were slightly higher in men than in women. The disease had a bimodal age distribution in female (with peaks at age 20-29 and 60-69) and males (with peaks at age 30-39, 40-49). No cases were observed at age 0-9. The incidence of Crohn's disease in southern Italy is comparable to that reported in northern Europe.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules by mucosal mononuclear phagocytes in inflammatory bowel disease.

Leukocyte adhesion molecules are important in cell-cell interactions of the immune system. Lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (cluster designation 11a) mediates interactions between T cells and mononuclear phagocytes through its ligand, the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (CD54), whereas complement receptors 3 (CD 11b) and 4 (CD11c) are involved in complement-mediated phagocytosis. Expression of CD11 molecules and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 was studied in colonic biopsy specimens from 20 patients with inflammatory bowel disease and 10 normal controls. In normal colon, few mononuclear phagocytes expressed lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 at high densities. The major adhesion molecule was CD11c. Thus, the largest population of normal colonic mononuclear phagocytes was represented by quiescent, resident macrophages with likely phagocytic function. In inflammatory bowel disease, mononuclear phagocytes showed only a slight increase in CD11a expression and no significant change in expression of CD11b and CD11c. By contrast, the percentage of mononuclear phagocytes expressing intercellular adhesion molecule 1 was increased from 6.9% +/- 3.9% in controls to 69.2% +/- 12.8% in ulcerative colitis (P less than 0.001) and to 45.7% +/- 22.8% in Crohn's disease (P less than 0.01), showing a close relationship with histological activity. The increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 in inflammatory bowel disease indicates a state of immunological activation induced by local release of inflammatory cytokines. Such induction of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 on mononuclear phagocytes may be important in the maintenance of chronic inflammation by facilitating interactions with T cells and T-cell antigen recognition.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Hospital incidence of Crohn's disease in the province of Palermo. A preliminary report.

The hospital incidence of Crohn's disease in the province of Palermo was studied from January 1987 to June 1988. A total of 51 patients (34 in 1987 and 17 in the first half of 1988) were diagnosed. The incidence rate calculated for the 1st year was 2.7/100,000. A similar figure was observed in the first 6 months of 1988, which ought to rule out an overestimation in the 1st year. These preliminary data suggest that the incidence of Crohn's disease in southern Italy is similar to that reported in northern Europe.

Crohn Disease↗
PubMed1988

[Qualitative and quantitative variations in carotenoid pigments in the ovary and hepatopancreas of Penaeus schmitti during ovarian maturation].

Carotenoid pigments of Penaeus schmitti were investigated and identified in the ovaries and hepatopancreas. Their individual variations were measured in these two organs. The relative concentrations of zeaxanthin in hepatopancreas and astaxanthin in ovaries increased during the sexual development. The role of zeaxanthin monoester in carotenoids transfer from hepatopancreas to ovaries during this sexual development is discussed.

Animals↗