Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Berardi.
In the last few years the findings on allergic inflammation have improved, particularly in cellular signaling. Now we know that cytokines and other mediators are a network able to regulate the allergic inflammation (and inflammation in general). The new findings are important not only for basic science but also for the development of new therapeutic approaches to allergic diseases.
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L1 is a murine multidomain glycoprotein implicated in cell aggregation, fasciculation. neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis. Laminin, a trimeric polypeptide, is implicated in neuronal survival, growth cone guidance, neurite outgrowth and cell differentiation. Laminin can also interact with the cell adhesion molecule L1. Their expressions were investigated from embryonic day 15 (E15) to adult in the rat hypophysis, and in adult neurohemal zones. Detected in the neural lobe from E17, the L1 immunoreactivity increased during prenatal development and persisted in adulthood mainly related to the neuropeptidergic fibers. Pituicytes were only labelled on the plasmalemma apposed to axons. In the intermediate lobe, L1 appeared at birth on folliculo-stellate cells extensions, constituting a network which densified during postnatal development. L1 is also expressed in all neurohemal areas on neuronal profiles. Laminin was clearly detectable in the hypophysis at E15 before the first blood vessels penetrate the Rathke pouch. At E20, all the basal membranes of the blood vessels were stained. In the intermediate lobe, a spotted laminin immunoreactivity was detected at E21. At this stage, we observed the staining of intercellular spaces and the intracellular labelling of melanotrophs, concerning reticulum or vesicles. The staining of melanotrophs seemed to maintain during adulthood. In contrast with blood vessels of the adult cerebral tissue, adult capillaries of the neural lobe and the others neuro-hemal zones were intensely labelled with the anti-laminin antibody. These results suggest that neurite outgrowth and neurite guidance could be promoted by L1 and laminin in the neurointermediate lobe. The "intercellular tunnels" could also be an important guidance cue for migrating cells in the intermediate lobe. These data also demonstrate that melanotrophic cells. secreting the laminin, have a role in the ontogenesis of the gland. Finally, we suggest that L1 and laminin can collaborate to reinforce "neurons-capillaries" interactions in neurohemal zones.
Neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAMs) can undergo post-translational modifications, such as the addition of polysialic acid chains, thus generating PSA-NCAMs, which are expressed mainly during development. Since polysialylation considerably modifies NCAM adhesivity, expression of NCAMs and PSA-NCAMs has been investigated in the developing hypophysis by immunohistochemistry. At embryonic day 13 (E13), an antibody against NCAM outlined all cellular profiles in the entire Rathke's pouch; this labelling persisted until adulthood. NCAM expression increased in all lobes during development and concerned all pituitary cell types. In contrast, at E13, PSA-NCAMs were only detected in the neural lobe, solely constituted of pituicytes at this stage, and the tuberal lobe, the only lobe expressing hormonal mRNA at the same stage. PSA-NCAMs expression increased in the neural lobe at E17 with the arrival of the neurosecretory fibres and persisted into adulthood. In the anterior lobe, PSA-NCAMs appeared at E15 where their distribution was similar to that of the differentiating corticotrophic cells; at subsequent stages, their expression extended to the whole anterior lobe. Only two cell types, corticotrophic and somatotrophic cells, remained labelled in the adult gland. In the intermediate lobe, melanotrophic cells never expressed PSA-NCAMs but these were expressed on folliculo-stellate cells at birth, preceding the onset of innervation. These results suggest that NCAMs and PSA-NCAMs play a role in pituitary histogenesis, cell differentiation and neurointermediate lobe innervation.
Current option in managing obstructive colorectal carcinoma is a one stage procedure. Between 1987 and 1991, 47 cases of obstructive colorectal cancer were managed. A statistical analysis showed no significant difference in mortality, morbidity and hospital stay when comparing elective and emergency one staged resection and reconstruction.
The pharmacokinetic profile and efficacy of nimesulide were assessed in 2 separate studies that recruited children with hypoglycaemia or upper respiratory tract infection and fever, respectively. A single dose of nimesulide 50mg (granules) administered orally to 14 hypoglycaemic children was rapidly absorbed. A mean maximum nimesulide plasma concentration of 3.5 mg/L was achieved within 2 hours of administration, which subsequently declined over the following 12 hours. Nimesulide was metabolised to its principal hydroxy metabolite, which was detectable in samples obtained 0.5 hours after giving the parent drug. Levels of this metabolite steadily increased, surpassing those of intact nimesulide at the 9-hour sampling point. In a randomised nonblind clinical investigation, 100 hospitalised children with acute upper respiratory infections and fever received nimesulide oral suspension (5 mg/kg/day) or paracetamol (26 mg/kg/day) for 3 to 9 days. The antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects of nimesulide were superior to those observed with paracetamol (p < 0.01) and both drugs were equally well tolerated.
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A series of tests was used to compare two formulations of the topical steroid beta-methasone dipropionate, Diprolene (manufactured by the innovator, Schering Corp.) and Topilene (a generic formulation, manufactured by Technilab). Cream and ointment formulations produced by both manufacturers were compared with respect to physicochemical characteristics, skin sensitivity in rabbits, and a vasconstrictor assay indicative of topical availability in man. The physicochemical tests revealed no differences between innovator and generic ointment formulations, whereas excipients varied widely for the cream products. Similarly, the ointment formulations were comparable on the skin sensitivity tests in rabbits, whereas the generic cream product was much more irritating than the innovator cream in this test. On the vasoconstrictor assay in man the ointments were comparable, while the activity of the generic cream was much lower (approximately 30%) than that of the innovator cream; this difference was highly statistically significant. The difference in vasoconstrictor activity of the two cream products is discussed in relation to the differences in their physicochemical properties. It is concluded that the generic Topilene cream is not interchangeable with the innovator Diprolene cream, and that both pharmacists and physicians should be very careful when substituting one topical steroid formulation for another.
Sixty-three carcinomas of the lower third of the rectum operated of anterior resection with low colorectal or coloanal anastomosis are presented. Handsewn anastomoses were performed in 33 patients, while staplers were used in 30 cases. The average distance of the tumor from the anal verge is 10.8 cm. in hand sutured anastomoses and 7.8 cm. in stapled ones. Dehiscences, stenosis and temporary incontinence are observed more frequently after stapled anastomosis, while the incidence of neoplastic recurrences is higher in sutured anastomosis; hospital stay and mortality are similar in the two series. Our results and literature review show that both techniques are comparable though maintaining their own specific identity and precise indication.
Epidemiology for diverticular disease of the colon is rather difficult to assess because of the almost regularly selection of the patients submitted to analysis and described in literature. Therefore data extracted from different experiences are useful only for orientative epidemiologic implications. In the meanwhile these studies have been very useful to understand the possible reasons of its insurgence and evolution. Actually for etiopathogenesis the more diffuse opinion is to give importance to low fibre diet and to intrinsic motor derangement of the colon.