PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Criscuolo

Publications and source records attributed to M Criscuolo.

71 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Multinucleated giant cells in AIDS encephalopathy: an immunohistochemical study.

We report the neuropathological findings of 5 post-mortem cases of AIDS. The most common causes of the death were multiple opportunistic infections associated with cutaneous and/or visceral Kaposi sarcoma in two cases. Cerebral edema, demyelination and spongiosis of the white matter were present but the most remarkable finding was the presence of multinucleated giant cell (MGC) within and nearby microglial nodules. On immunohistochemical investigation MGC and microglial cells exhibit positive stain only for RCA I and Ferritin, while immunohistochemical markers for astrocytes, neurons, macrophages, histiocytes, lymphocytes and endothelial cells were negative. No microrganism, nor viral inclusions were detected. These results support the hypothesis that MGC may be derived from microglial cells.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Serotonin and melatonin synthesis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells: stimulation by interferon-gamma as part of an immunomodulatory pathway.

Serotonin and melatonin inhibit phytohemagglutinin- (PHA) induced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by lymphocytes. In this paper, it is shown that IFN-gamma-increased tryptophan uptake by lymphocytes and macrophages led to an enhanced production of serotonin. When IFN-gamma and serotonin were added together to a lymphocyte culture, N-acetyl serotonin and melatonin production was increased, whereas the path to 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid remained unchanged. Therefore, the stimulated IFN-gamma production of serotonin and melatonin by lymphocytes and macrophages and the inhibition of IFN-gamma synthesis by these indoleamines suggest a hypothesis for an immunoregulatory circuit.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1988

[Therapeutic use of human leukocyte interferon in dermatologic disorders caused by herpes simplex virus. Multicenter study].

A multi-institutional double blind study was performed in 66 patients in order to evaluate the action of human leukocyte interferon, type alpha (IFN) in lesions produced by herpes simplex virus. Lesions were localized in genital area in 34 cases and in facial area in 32 of them. From the total, 38 patients were treated with 7,000 Ul/gm. of interferon ointment and 28 with carbowax 4,000 as placebo. The symptoms pain, ardor, itching and paresthesia were evaluated asking to patients. Erythema, vesicles, crust, scale adenopathy were objectivated. Signs and symptoms were controlled on days 3 and 7 of treatment. In 42 patients, lesions specimens were taken for virus isolation. In 23 of them, cytopathic effect was detected (54.76%). Results showed a rapid relief from pain (p less than 0.05), ardor (p less than 0.01) and paresthesia (p less than 0.001) and also accelerated healing of vesicles in patients treated with interferon. Tendency to reduce the total time of the disease in those patients treated with IFN was observed.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1985

[Benign solitary ulcer and acute diverticulitis of the cecum].

The report of diverticulosis of right colon in a patient formerly operated on for perforation of caecum single ulcer appeared to the authors as a confirmation of a common etiology between both lesions. The single ulcer would probably represent a form of manifestation for the acute phlogosis of a diverticulum.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Melanotic schwannoma: a case report.

A case of melanotic schwannoma of the sacral region, studied with electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry, is reported. Melanosomes in all stages of formation were ultrastructurally demonstrable in neoplastic cells, which showed prominent basal lamina and interdigitating cytoplasmic processes. These findings support the Schwann cell origin of the tumor and indicate that Schwann cells are capable of melanin production. The immunohistologic examination showed the absence of neoplastic cells for all antigens tested (S-100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein, lysozyme, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-antichimotrypsin, keratin). Apart from questioning the nature of the tumor, S-100 protein absence could raise doubts on its benign course. In the reported case, no local recurrence or distant metastases have been recorded 2 years after surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

The effect of melatonin and other indole derivatives in maintaining ovulation in rats kept in continuous light and the influence of these indoles on HIOMT activity in the pineal gland.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the ovulation-maintaining effect of melatonin in rats, exposed to continuous light (LL), was also exerted by other pineal indoles which have been reported to influence the reproductive processes of mammals. The effect of 10 micrograms melatonin was compared with that of similar amounts of either N-acetylserotonin, 5-methoxytryptophol, 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid, 5-hydroxytryptophol, 5-methoxytryptamine or 5-methoxytryptophan. All these compounds appeared to be significantly less effective than melatonin in preventing the effect of LL, ovulation being preserved in only 20--33% of the rats investigated, with melatonin this percentage being 60--75%. Investigations were also carried out to assess the effect of these indole derivatives on HIOMT (hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase) activity in synthesizing different 5-methoxyindoles in the abnormally influenced pineal gland due to LL. Melatonin, the compound the effect of which on ovarian cyclicity is strongest, stimulates 5-methoxytryptophol synthesis; while other less active compounds stimulate the synthesis of melatonin and inhibit that of O-acetyl-5-methoxytryptophol. The possibility that the effect of other indoles than melatonin on ovarian cyclicity might be due to stimulation of melatonin synthesis was considered. A possible functional relationship of the different indoles cannot be excluded.

Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antibodies to the HIV-1 Tat protein correlated with nonprogression to AIDS: a rationale for the use of Tat toxoid as an HIV-1 vaccine.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate which immune parameters, such as antibodies against HIV-1 specificities, or viral parameters, such as p24 antigenemia, are predictive of disease progression. STUDY DESIGN: We performed studies on serum collected from individuals exhibiting two extremes of disease evolution--67 fast progressors (FP) and 182 nonprogressors (NP)--at their enrollment. After a 1- to 2-year clinical follow-up of 104 nonprogressors after their enrollment, we could determine the best serologic predictors for disease progression. METHODS: We investigated levels of antibodies to tetanus toxoid and to HIV antigens including Env, Gag, Nef, and Tat proteins, as well as p24 antigenemia, viremia, CD4 cell count, and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) titers in FPs and NPs, and we correlated these data with clinical and biologic signs of progression. RESULTS: p24 Antigenemia, a marker of viral replication, and anti-Tat antibodies were highly and inversely correlated in both groups (P < .001). Furthermore, anti-p24 antibodies and low serum IFN-alpha levels were correlated to the NP versus the FP cohort. Finally, among NPs, only antibodies to Tat and not to the other HIV specificities (Env, Nef, Gag) were significantly predictive of clinical stability during their follow-up. CONCLUSION: Antibodies toward HIV-1 Tat, which are inversely correlated to p24 antigenemia, appear as a critical marker for a lack of disease progression. This study strongly suggests that rising anti-Tat antibodies through active immunization may be beneficial in AIDS vaccine development to control viral replication.

AIDS Vaccines↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Safety and immunogenicity of HIV-1 Tat toxoid in immunocompromised HIV-1-infected patients.

OBJECTIVES: To antagonize the deleterious effects of the HIV-1 toxin extracellular Tat on uninfected immune cells, we developed a new strategy of anti-HIV-1 vaccine using an inactivated but immunogenic Tat (Tat toxoid). Tat toxoid has been assayed for safety and immunogenicity in seropositive patients. METHOD: The phase I vaccine clinical trial testing Tat toxoid preparation in Seppic Isa 51 oil adjuvant was performed on 14 HIV-1-infected asymptomatic although biologically immunocompromised individuals (500-200 CD4+ cells/mm3). RESULTS: Following as many as 8 injections, no clinical defects were observed. All patients exhibited an antibody (Ab) response to Tat, and some had cell-mediated immunity (CMI) as evaluated by skin test in vivo and T-cell proliferation in vitro. CONCLUSION: These results provide initial evidence of safety and potency of Tat toxoid vaccination in HIV-1-infected individuals.

AIDS Vaccines↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nucleolar protein p120 expression in oral carcinoma.

Nucleolar protein p120 is a proliferation-associated antigen expressed by cells in early G1 phase, identified by the monoclonal antibody FB-2. Its expression has been evaluated in breast and prostate cancer, and proved to be significantly correlated with other prognostic parameters. In oral pathology, p120 protein content is able to distinguish between non-neoplastic and malignant lesions. In the present study, the immunohistochemical expression of p120 protein was evaluated in fifty cases of oral squamous carcinoma and compared with histological grading, pTNM staging, DNA ploidy status and follow-up of the patients, in order to establish its prognostic value, p120 mean area was significantly correlated to all these parameters, apart from lymph node involvement, indicating the strong predictive potential of this marker. In conclusion, quantitative immunohistochemical analysis of p120 protein represents an easy and reliable method for the assessment of clinical outcome and the definition of risk groups in oral carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ex vivo expansion of bone marrow stromal cells by platelet-rich plasma: a promising strategy in maxillo-facial surgery.

The aim of our study is to evaluate in vitro the response of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) to platelet-rich plasma (PRP), in order to clarify the potential role of their combined use in a preclinical phase preceding BMSCs transplantation for bone repair and regeneration procedures. The incubation of BMSCs with PRP promoted a remarkable, dose- and time- dependent, growth stimulation, that was paralleled to a strong increase in the quantity of type I collagen and to a significant decrease in the activity of the early osteoblastic differentiation marker, alkaline phosphatase (AP). Once PRP was removed and osteogenic inducers were added, AP returned to levels comparable to the control, while the late phenotypic markers, osteocalcin and matrix calcification, were enhanced to higher levels than in controls. Our data demonstrate that PRP induces a remarkable ex vivo enrichment of BMSCs maintaining their differentiative potential. Thus PRP represents a valid preclinical tool for obtaining an effective, rapid and safe ex vivo expansion of BMSCs prior to their clinical utilization in bone engineering.

Bone Marrow Cells↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The clinical picture of pseudomyxoma peritonei].

The authors describe two cases of pseudomyxoma peritonei, one of which with a lengthy clinical course and the other with a rapidly fatal outcome. The clinical picture in pseudomyxoma peritonei is associated with a variety of benign or malignant mucus-secreting tumours, mainly originating in the appendix or ovaries. Survival is generally long owing to the lack of visceral invasion or metastases. An accurate prognostic assessment can only be achieved on the basis of identification of the primary tumours and its degree of malignancy.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bone pulsating metastasis due to hypernephroma.

Bone pulsating metastasis due to hypernephroma is an exceptional occurrence. The authors present one case of bone pulsating metastasis due to hypernephroma localized in the proximal tibia. The primary renal lesion was located by ultrasonography and confirmed by CT scan.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of recurrent common warts with one low dose of intralesional natural human leukocyte interferon alpha.

Nine patients with recurrent and long lasting common warts were treated with intralesional Hu-IFN-alpha. The schedule was a single dose per wart, ranged between 10(5) and 2 x 10(5) IU. Placebo was also administered in 3 of these patients. Complete remission was observed in 7 of the 9 patients. The pattern of warts involution and the possible interferon mechanism of action are discussed. A significant pain relief, produced by interferon injection was observed in the patients with plantar warts and in one patient with subungueal wart.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[An experimental study of a new ultrasonic scalpel. Observations on the quality of the ultrasonic effect and the prospects for its clinical use on different parenchyma and tissues].

The ultrasonic scalpel has been used for some time in surgery in tissue with a predominantly cellular component since it can be used selectively on the parenchymatous component while respecting the vasculo-stromal component. On the basis of their earlier experience and using a versatile ultrasonic device currently utilised in plastic surgery, the authors subjected a series of animal organs to ultrasonic action at a frequency of 19800 Hz and with an output of 65 Watt. The aim of the study was to evaluate the widest potential in terms of efficiency and safety for the use of a ultrasonic scalpel on a vast range of animal parenchyma (batches of Sprague-Dawley rats). The authors' comments and histological results highlight the striking efficiency of this form of energy in the dissolution of parenchyma while respecting the organ's vascular and stromal components.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ultrasonic lipoemulsification: a working definition and ex-vivo study on human adipose tissue].

On the basis of previous reports by other authors which have become increasingly numerous over the past years, we have focused our attention on the use of ultrasonic energy in the medical field to resolve medical and cosmetic problems, such as lipodystrophy and diffuse subcutaneous adiposity. In order to standardise the dissolution times of human subcutaneous adipose tissue we used a ultrasonic generator operating at a constant frequency of 19800 Hz, but which was able to emit a range of power from 0 to 100 Watt. The ultrasounds were applied (according to a scale of power) using a titanium probe to fat samples with a volume of 1 cm until each sample had fully dissolved. This allowed the levels of greatest working efficiency to be established for the most commonly used probes.

Adipose Tissue↗