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L Urso

Publications and source records attributed to L Urso.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Differential functions of PKC-delta and PKC-zeta in cisplatin response of normal and transformed thyroid cells.

We investigated the effects of cisplatin (cisPt) in normal PC Cl3 and in transformed and tumourigenic PC E1Araf cells. cisPt cytotoxicity was higher in PC Cl3 than in PC E1Araf cells. In both cell lines, cisPt provoked the ERK1/2 phosphorylation; this was unaltered by Gö6976, a conventional PKC inhibitor, whilst it was blocked by low doses (0.1 microM) or high doses (10 microM) of GF109203X, an inhibitor of all PKC isozymes, in PC Cl3 and in PC E1Araf cells, respectively. In PC E1Araf, the cisPt-provoked ERK phosphorylation was also blocked by the use of a myristoylated PKC-zeta pseudosubstrate peptide. Conversely, in PC Cl3 the cisPt-provoked ERK phosphorylation was blocked by the use of rottlerin, a PKC-delta inhibitor. Results show that cisPt activates both PKC (the -delta and the -zeta isozymes in PC Cl3 and in PC E1Araf cells, respectively) and ERK in association with prolonged survival of thyroid cell lines.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Treatment with deferiprone (L1) in a thalassemic patient with bone lesions due to desferrioxamine.

A male thalassemia major patient who developed bone and cartilage abnormalities with a standard dose of desferrioxamine (DFX) given subcutaneously from the age of 4 years was treated with the oral iron chelator deferiprone (L1). During L1 treatment an improvement of genu valgum, evidence of healing and filling in of bone at the periphery of knee metaphysis and improvement in growth velocity were observed. However, the sitting height had decreased further, confirming the irreversibility of platyspondylosis, so affecting the near final standing height (156.8 cm) which was below the mid-parental height (168 cm). Prospective studies are warranted to determine the effect of different iron chelators on the bone metabolism of patients with thalassemia.

Body Height↗
PubMed2000

Etiology of central precocious puberty in males: the results of the Italian Study Group for Physiopathology of Puberty.

We reviewed the hospital records of 45 boys, followed in 13 pediatric departments throughout Italy, who had undergone computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging for central precocious puberty (CPP). Twenty-seven patients (60%) had idiopathic CPP and 18 (40%) neurogenic CPP. A hamartoma of the tuber cinereum was found in six patients (33%). All patients with hypothalamic hamartoma had earlier onset of symptoms than patients with idiopathic CPP. Five patients (27%) were affected by type 1 neurofibromatosis, two had ependymoma and five patients had an intracranial anomaly. Basal LH and basal and peak LH/FSH ratio were greater, but not significantly, in boys with neurogenic CPP than in boys with idiopathic CPP. The highest LH peak levels were observed in patients with hamartoma; however, no correlation was observed between LH peak and the size of the hamartomas. In addition, bone age at diagnosis was more advanced in patients with hamartoma than in patients with other conditions. In conclusion, gonadotrophin-dependent precocious puberty may be of idiopathic origin or may occur in association with any CNS disorder. Further studies are needed in order to evaluate the effects of nutritional, environmental and psychosocial factors on the timing of sexual maturation, to explain the high incidence of idiopathic CPP in our male patients.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed2000

[Long-term follow-up and bone imaging in acquired osteochondrodysplasia in a female patient with thalassemia and desferrioxamine hypersensitivity].

We report a female thalassaemia major patient who developed short stature and osteochondrodystrophic lesions during therapy with desferrioxamine (DFX). Healing was noted after the dose of DFX was decreased for 3 years. Unfortunately the spinal cartilage abnormalities did not change suggesting an irreversibility of the ossification process.

Deferoxamine↗
PubMed1998

Clinical experience using the Androderm testosterone transdermal system in hypogonadal adolescents and young men with beta-thalassemia major.

beta-Thalassemia major is associated with a high prevalence of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism affecting adolescents and young men with this disease. The pharmacokinetics of Androderm, a non-scrotal permeation-enhanced testosterone transdermal system, was previously studied in this population using three application regimens designed to mimic the nocturnal secretion and circadian patterns of testosterone production characteristics of puberty and young adulthood. In regimen I, designed for prepubertal 14 to 16 year-olds, a single Androderm patch (2.5 mg/day nominal delivery rate) is applied at night and removed 12 hours later in the morning. In regimen II, designed for partially virilized 17 to 19 year-olds, a single Androderm patch is applied nightly for 24 hours. In regimen III, intended for virilized men aged 20 years and older, two Androderm patches (total dose of 5 mg/day) are applied nightly for 24 hours. This report presents the results of a 12-month open label study using these three Androderm regimens to treat nine hypogonadal males with beta-thalassemia (ages 16.8 to 31.8 yr). Our data show that Androderm produced physiologically appropriate testosterone levels, lowered SHBG levels, promoted growth and virilization, increased bone mineral density, and was generally well tolerated in this population of hypogonadal adolescents and young men with beta-thalassemia.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1988

Ergometric evaluation of the effects of enalapril maleate in normotensive patients with stable angina.

The anti-ischemic effect of a single oral dose of 10 mg of enalapril maleate (E) was investigated in 14 normotensive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and stable effort-induced angina pectoris. An exercise stress test was performed three times in each patient at the same clock hour on three successive days: with no treatment (baseline), 6 h after administration of placebo (P), and 6 h after oral administration of a single 10 mg dose of E. The multistage nonstop effort tests were performed in the sitting position. Workload started at 25 W and was increased by 25 W every 2 min until an ischemic ST depression of more than 1.5 mm was observed. The following parameters were measured: heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (BP), rate-pressure product (RPP), workload sustained (WS), elapsed time of effort (ET), and millimeters of ischemic ST depression. The values of the parameters observed with baseline, P, and E were compared at the moment of appearance of chest pain or ischemic ST depression, at the moment of maximal effort, maximal common WS (MCWS), and maximal common RPP (MCRPP). Enalapril delayed the appearance of the ischemic ST depression. At the MCWS, the RPP was significantly lower under E and the ST depression was less marked; this effect was the result of a lower BP level, in the absence of any significant change in HR response. The acute effects of E observed in normotensive patients with effort-induced angina pectoris seems to be related to the inhibition of angiotensin at the coronary level and to its antiadrenergic action.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1987

Effects of captopril on the physical work capacity of normotensive patients with stable-effort angina pectoris.

Twelve normotensive patients with coronary artery disease and stable effort-induced angina pectoris were selected: the antiischemic effect of captopril was studied. A maximal cycloergometer effort test was obtained before (base) and after administration of placebo or captopril (50 mg p.o.). The following parameters were measured: heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), maximal rate/pressure product (MRPP), maximal workload sustained, (MWS), maximal working time (MWT), and S-T depression at MRPP. The base and placebo were similar. Compared to them captopril augmented the MWT, increased the MWS, reduced S-T depression at MRPP, and decreased the number of patients with effort-induced angina pectoris. The antiischemic effect of captopril seems related both to its effect on HR and BP, and to a local enhancement of coronary blood flow.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1985

Ergometric evaluation of the effects of captopril in hypertensive patients with stable angina.

The antihypertensive and anti-ischaemic effects of methyldopa and captopril were compared in 12 hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease. The antihypertensive effect of alpha-methyldopa (A) and captopril (C) were significant and similar. On the other hand, while methyldopa did not increase the product of systolic pressure and heart rate and did decrease the effort-induced S-T segment depression, C increased the double product (DP) and decreased the ischaemic S-T changes. Captopril might be useful in the treatment of hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease.

Aged↗