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Biomedical subjects

M Capurro

Publications and source records attributed to M Capurro.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Use of alpha-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) as powders and as an aqueous dispersion to modify processing, microstructure, and mechanical properties of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cements and to produce bone-substitute compounds.

Addition of tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) powders as an aqueous dispersion to a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is shown to produce a class of composites that due to their microstructure and mechanical properties may be suitable for application as bone substitutes. The PMMA forms a solid cellular matrix with open cells about 100 micrometer in size and incorporating TCP clusters. The TCP aggregates inside the cells form a porous network, with average mesopore diameters of about 0.1 micrometer, that is accessible from the outer surface. If TCP is added to PMMA in the form of dried powders, the composites are not applicable as bone substitutes. The dynamic elastic modulus (DEM) and compressive and tensile strengths were measured and discussed for both classes of composites. The mechanical properties of the bone-substitute composites, although lower than the other class of composites, are still competitive with those properties of a porous ceramic matrix of hydroxyapatite and with those of natural bones.

Bone Cements↗
PubMed2000

[Study of association between the magnitude of sphincter hypotonia and esophageal motor disorders].

BACKGROUND: One of the most important factors involved in the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the lower esophageal sphincter rest pressure (LESRP), but these patients can have esophageal motor disorders (EMD). AIM: To assess an association between LESRP and the appearance of EMD in patients with GERD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 229 patients with GERD and 49 healthy controls. Forty five patients with LESRP < 6 mmHg and a mean age of 49 years were assigned to group 1, 128 patients with a LESRP between 6 and 12 mmHg and mean age of 47 years were assigned to group 2, 56 patients with a a LESRP > 12 mmHg and a mean age of 47 years were assigned to group 3 and group 4 was conformed by 49 healthy subjects aged 40 years old. Esophageal manometry was performed using previously published techniques. RESULTS: There was a significant association between LESRP, waves amplitude and the frequency of tertiary waves. CONCLUSIONS: Resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure is inversely proportional to the presence of esophageal motor disorders in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Salivary gland-specific gene expression in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae.

Molecular studies on the tissue-specific gene expression in the salivary glands of Anopheles gambiae may provide useful tools for the development of new strategies for the control of the most efficient malaria vector in the sub-Saharan Africa. We summarize here the results of a recent investigation focused on the isolation of secreted factors and putative receptors from the salivary glands of An. gambiae. Using the Signal Sequence Trap technique we have identified the first cDNAs specifically expressed in the An. gambiae salivary glands. Among these, four are exclusively expressed in female glands and encode factors presumably involved in blood-feeding, whereas two other cDNAs seem to be expressed both in male and in female glands and are likely implicated in sugar-feeding. Homologues of genes previously identified in the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti, like the apyrase and D7, as well as novel salivary gland-specific cDNAs, were identified. The isolation and characterization of promoter sequences from the corresponding genes may prove useful for the expression of anti parasitic agents in the salivary glands of transgenic mosquitoes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

FC-2.15, a monoclonal antibody active against human breast cancer, specifically recognizes Lewis(x) hapten.

FC-2.15 is a murine IgM monoclonal antibody that recognizes breast and colon human carcinomas, chronic myeloid leukemias, Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's lymphoma and some normal cells, such as peripheral polymorphonuclear granulocytes. It has been previously demonstrated that FC-2.15 recognizes the carbohydrate moiety of different glycoproteins. FC-2.15 is able to mediate the in vitro lysis of Ag-2.15+ cells by human complement. In a phase I clinical trial, FC-2.15 induced antitumor responses and reversible neutropenia was its main toxicity. In this work, analysis of epitope specificity has demonstrated that FC-2.15 specifically recognizes terminally exposed Lewis(x) trisaccharide but not sialyl-Lewis(x), Lewis(a), trifucosylated Lewis(y), blood-group antigens A and B, globo H and gangliosides. In polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN), myeloid leukemic cells and colon carcinoma T84 cells, Lewis(x) was found to be almost exclusively N-linked to the protein core, whereas in breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells, Lewis(x) appeared to be mostly O-linked. Treatment with neuraminidase increased detection by FC-2.15 in normal PMN, myeloid leukemia cells and T84 cells but not in MCF-7 cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A case of severe vestibular root angulation.

In this article, we describe the appearance and management of an impacted permanent tooth with severe vestibular root angulation. In addition, the possible origin of this type of root malformation as well as some of their epidemiologic aspects are discussed.

Child↗
PubMed1994

[Primary ciliary dyskinesia. Electron microscopy study of ciliary ultrastructure].

A 75 year old patient with respiratory infections since childhood, bronchiectasis and situs inversus is presented. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed obtaining samples of bronchial mucosa which allowed the observation of the existence of ultrastructural lesions such as ciliary fusion, changes in the form of the cilia, microtubular changes and changes of the dynein arms by electronic microscopic study. Diagnosis of Kartagener's syndrome was established. In the case presented moderate clinical involvement was present which allowed the survival of the patient despite his advanced age.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Massive hemoptysis in a patient with an aortic pseudoaneurysm].

We present a case of non-fistulated, non-fissured arteriosclerotic pseudoaneurysm of the aorta in a patient with massive hemoptysis. The condition was resolved by resection, with the breach repaired with a Dacron patch. The diagnosis of thrombotic false aneurysm of the aorta was suspected after inspection of the digital angiograph and aortograph obtained by computed axial tomography. A review of the literature revealed 89 cases of non-surgically removable thoracic aortic aneurysm with hemoptysis; 72 of these cases involved aortobronchial fistulas. In only 1 case was the wall of the aneurysm intact, showing no fissures in spite of hemoptysis. The absence of fissuring or tearing in our patient may be accounted for by the delay of 10 days between the last bout of hemoptysis and surgical resection.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

[Oxygen therapy at a hospital. A routine treatment?].

We have studied the use of Oxygen (O2) in our hospital, evaluating the prescription criteria and also the control and degree of therapeutic compliance. The study was completed with an opinion survey to physicians and nurses on different aspects of oxygen-therapy at the hospital. 50 inpatients under treatment with O2 have been studied. Clinical records and therapeutic prescriptions were reviewed. 47 patients had a previous gasometry, of them 44 had Respiratory Insufficiency (RI). 26 patients were controlled during oxygen-therapy: 15 were still on RI and two had their treatment modified. The compliance of treatment was evaluated through a visit in a non regular hour, 18 patients (36%) were not following oxygen therapy. When a new gasometry was performed it was observed that 21 patients (42%) continued in RI. The survey showed that a high number of physicians and nurses consider that oxygen therapy is done inadequately, being this fact attributed to several factors. There are errors in the handling of O2 at the hospital, possible related with the routine associated to an established therapy and also because O2 is a continuous therapy which requires a permanent level of attention both from the health care personnel and from the patient.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Differential lytic and agglutinating activity of the anti-Lewis(x) monoclonal antibody FC-2.15 on human polymorphonuclear neutrophils and MCF-7 breast tumor cells. In vitro and ex vivo studies.

The Lewis(x) (Le(x)) trisaccharide (CD15) linked to proteins and glycolipids is highly expressed on the surface of normal human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and several human neoplasias, such as breast and gastrointestinal carcinomas and chronic myeloid leukemias. FC-2.15 is an IgM murine mAb that specifically recognizes Le(x) and has been previously shown to mediate the in vitro lysis of Le(x)(+) cells by human complement. In a phase I clinical trial of FC-2.15, a temporary neutropenia was the main toxicity, and antitumor responses were observed. In order to characterize FC-2.15 further and determine the physiological relevance of Le(x) binding, the reactivity of FC-2.15 on PMN was investigated under several conditions. Flow cytometry revealed a strong reactivity of FC-2.15 with almost 100% of PMN, and Scatchard analysis demonstrated an affinity constant of 5.14 x 10(9) M(-1) and 1.11 x 10(6) antigen sites/cell. In vitro, the binding of Le(x) epitopes by FC-2.15 induced PMN homotypic aggregation, only 28.4 +/- 4.1% remaining as single cells. When PMN and the Le(x)(+) MCF-7 breast cancer cells were co-incubated, FC-2.15 induced heterotypic aggregation. In 51Cr-release assays employing human complement, FC-2.15 lysed 93.4 +/- 7.9% of PMN and 87.8 +/- 10.7% of MCF-7 cells. However, when the effect of FC-2.15 was tested in ex vivo circulating blood, no lytic activity against PMN was detected, whereas MCF-7 cells were still lysed. Blood smears demonstrated that FC-2.15 induced PMN agglutination and heterotypic aggregates when MCF-7 cells were present. A pretreatment of PMN with colchicine impaired PMN agglutination both in vitro (single PMN = 81.15 +/- 4.35%) and in ex vivo circulating blood. In the latter condition, FC-2.15-lytic activity was restored, suggesting that PMN homotypic aggregation by FC-2.15, but not lysis, is dependent on microtubule integrity and that PMN agglutination hinders their lysis. Moreover, when 51Cr-release assays were performed following agglutination, FC-2.15 cytotoxicity was restricted to isolated PMN. It is suggested that crosslinking of Le(x) epitopes by FC-2.15 induces PMN to form homotypic aggregates. It is suggested that the neutropenia observed in FC-2.15-treated patients would be due to PMN agglutination and margination, rather than lysis. In addition, FC-2.15 appears to be able to lyse Le(x)(+) tumor cells in circulation.

Agglutination↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Description of a new monoclonal antibody, FC-2.15, reactive with human breast cancer and other human neoplasias.

FC-2.15 is an IgM monoclonal antibody (MAb) obtained by immunizing Balb/c mice with tumor epithelial cells from a human undifferentiated primary breast carcinoma. FC-2.15 reacts with 93.9% (31/33) of human breast primary tumors, independently of their histology and hormone receptor content. Moreover, FC-2.15 reacts with 79.6 +/- 13.8% (mean +/- SD) of total breast malignant tumor cells and with 88.7 +/- 9.9% of proliferating tumor cells. It recognizes other neoplasia such as colon cancer, squamous carcinoma and melanoma. Among the normal tissues examined, strong cross-reactivity was found with kidney proximal convolute tubules, bone marrow myeloid progeny, peripheral granulocytes and large bowel epithelium. Through Western blots, FC-2.15 recognizes three major bands of Mr 160 kDa, 130 kDa and 115 kDa in membrane extracts of MCF-7 cells grown in nude mice and of human breast carcinoma and three major bands of 250 kDa, 185 kDa and 105 kDa in membrane extracts of peripheral granulocytes. This MAb mediates complement- cytotoxicity against malignant cells, reducing the clonogenic capacity of breast primary tumor cells and MCF-7 cells to 35.6 +/- 41.2% and 11.7 +/- 4.8% of control values respectively, whereas that of normal bone marrow cells is not affected (104.7 +/- 17.4%).

Animals↗