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Biomedical subjects

M Govoni

Publications and source records attributed to M Govoni.

72 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Rat antibodies to spectrin, the principal inner component of erythrocyte membrane. Immunochemical studies after SDS-gel electrophoresis.

In previous studies it was observed that red blood cell membranes (RBC-M) induce in rats the formation of antibodies against RBC-M components extracted with detergents. The same reaction was observed by employing sera from rats treated with RBC-M extract prepared with a low ionic strength saline solution and containing especially spectrin. This and the lack of significant changes in the hematologic picture suggested that the antibodies were directed against an inner RBC-M component, namely spectrin. In the present research we tried to verify if the spectrin would be involved in the immune reaction. For this, gel filtered serum fraction containing IgG from rats treated with entire RBC membranes or with spectrin extract, in adjuvant, has been employed in immune reactions against RBC membrane components separated by means of SDS-PAGE. Immunoblotting and two-dimensional electroimmunodiffusion techniques have been used. With both the techniques the IgG fractions from sera of rats treated with RBC-M and of rats treated with RBC-M extract reacted with two bands of spectrin, especially with band 1. A very mild reaction appeared employing IgG of rats treated with only adjuvant. The results demonstrate the immunogenicity and antigenicity of homologous spectrin; they are supported by results of other Authors which demonstrated the presence of natural antibodies against spectrin. It is suggested that the precipitating antibodies represent an enhancement of a natural, normally operating immune reaction against inner RBC-M components. At present its rôle remains to be defined.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Separation of N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase isoenzymes. Methological note].

We examined the activity of total N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase and of its isoenzyme forms, that represent different stages of the maturation of the lysosomal hydrolase. In both methods the enzyme catalyzes the separation of 4-methylumbelliferone, a fluorescent substance, from 4-methylumelliferyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside. We used Leaback's method for the fluorimetric assay of total enzyme, and Ellis's DEAE-cellulose microcolum chromatography for the assay of its components. We obtained a clear separation of each fraction. We will apply these methods in our further studies of children with renal damage, because hexosaminidase seems to be one of the most sensitive markers of tubular damage.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Humeral head osteonecrosis caused by electrical injury: a case report.

Various musculoskeletal abnormalities caused by electrical injury are described. Such abnormalities usually include fractures or dislocation of adjacent bones and joints. Osteonecrosis is a noteworthy, but less common, consequence of electric shock. The case is discussed of a 52-year-old woman who had received an electric shock (220-V alternating household current) to the right hand and developed osteonecrosis in the ipsilateral humeral head, most likely caused by bone "melting." An osteonecrotic lesion may therefore develop in a joint at a distance from the point of electrical contact, and this must always be kept in mind in diagnosis and treatment.

Electric Injuries↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides in children receiving antiepileptic drugs.

The influence of antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy on total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides was studied in 208 epileptic children compared with 175 normal children. A significant increase in TC plasma levels was observed with carbamazepine (CBZ), phenobarbital (PB), and phenytoin (PHT). The patients receiving valproate (VPA) showed levels very similar to those of the control population. The results may be explainable by the different biotransformation pathway of these drugs. HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were not altered by any of the AEDs. We recommend monitoring TC level in patients receiving CBZ, PB, and PHT and prescription of diet treatment, at least during the time of AED treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The evaluation of neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus by functional neuroimaging. Preliminary results].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of functional neuro-imaging for describe neurological involvement in Lupus Erithematosus Systemicus. METHODS: 20 SLE patients were included into this study (18 females / 2 males). Median age was 40.5 years (range 16 -66 ys), 9 patients with a clear neurological involvement, 7 with aspecific neurological symptoms and 4 were asymptomatics, according to 1999 ACR Classification. All patients were underwent to conventional resonance imaging (RM-FLAIR), RM perfusion ( RM-PWI), RM diffusion (RM-DWI) and cerebral SPECT. The RM techniques was performed using a 1 Tesla "Signa-Horizon" Tomograph by General Electric: The data analysis was performed from two independent neuroradiologist and than trough coordinated evaluation after coregistration of acquired volumes. RESULTS: In 11/20 patients (55%) lesions were demonstrated in RM-FLAIR evaluation, more frequent in cases with focal symptoms than in diffuse. RM-PWI was positive in 50% of cases. SPECT analysis was altered in 85 % of patients. In all patients RM-DWI evaluation was negative. 5 of 29 lesional areas (3 patients) showed by SPECT analysis were positive in RM-PWI. None of them was positive in RM-FLAIR study. After coordinated evaluation of RM-FLAIR, SPECT and RM-PWI, 7 findings were considered false positive. 6 Of patients with negative RM-FLAIR were positive in SPECT and 3 in RM-PWI. Only 1 patient was positive in SPECT and RM-PWI. CONCLUSIONS: According to the literature, the RM-FLAIR is a very sensitive procedure to describe the lesional charge, especially in patients with focal symptoms. All lesions was considered as stable outcomes due to negativity of RM-DWI analysis. The SPECT is a sensitive technique to individuate cerebral areas of altered perfusion. The coregistration seems to be an helpful method to improve the explanation of uncertain cases. e the sections are prepared for the microscopic analysis of the various histomorphometric parameters.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (D.I.S.H.)].

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (D.I.S.H.) is a common disorder of unknown aetiology characterized by exuberant hyperostosis of the antero-lateral aspect of the spinal column, that sometimes leads to bone ankilosis, and by ossification of extra-spinal entheses. This condition is often associated with the metabolic derangement of type 2 diabetes. Primary hypertension, its cardiovascular aftereffects and lithiasis are also often present in these patients. D.I.S.H. has to be distinguished from osteoarthritis, although they often coexist in the same patient. The mean difference lies in the anatomical target of the pathological process, that is represented by articular cartilage in osteoarthritis and by entheses in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. The enthesopathy leads to the ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament of the spine and causes the formation of flowing osteophytes, while intervertebral disc space is quite preserved in early phases of the disease. Symptoms of spine involvement are not typical of the disease and consist of pain and stiffness, usually worsened by inaction and damp. It has also been described the ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament which can lead to medullary canal stenosis. Appendicular skeleton is symmetrically involved in early phases of the disease, the most distinctive affected sites being feet, olecranus and patella. Hip involvement is also frequent and may lead to severe disability and represents an important cause of invalidity. The purpose of the present review is to remark on aetiopathogenetic and clinical aspects of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis: clinical aspects.

The presentation, severity and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) differ depending on the age of disease onset. Elderly onset RA (EORA: age of onset > 60 years) has been reported to differ from younger-onset RA (YORA) by a more balanced gender distribution, a higher frequency of acute onset often associated with systemic features, more frequent involvement of the shoulder girdle and higher disease activity. To add to our knowledge of this disease, 101 EORA and 88 YORA patients, not previously treated with DMDARs or steroids, were studied and compared, paying particular attention to the onset. The female to male ratio was higher in the YORA group (4.4:1 vs 1.6:1; p < 0.05). The disease duration was similar: 5.6 +/- 3.3 months in EORA and 7.9 +/- 3.8 months in YORA. EORA presented a more frequent acute onset (33.6% vs 13.6%; p < 0.05) especially if rheumatoid factor was absent. This subset also showed more frequent polymyalgic onset. Constitutional symptoms (fever, weight loss, fatigue) were more frequent in EORA patients without differences between seropositive and seronegative patients. The distribution of involved joints showed a significantly higher frequency of shoulder involvement in EORA (64% vs 38%; p < 0.05) and of feet involvement in YORA (25% vs 52%; p < 0.05). Hands and wrists were the most frequently involved joints in all patients.

Age Distribution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation with MR, perfusion MR and cerebral flowSPECT in NPSLE patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the performance of MR, cerebral flow SPECT and perfusion MRI (PWI) in NPSLE patients by using image co-registration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 SLE patients underwent MR (T2-weighted FLAIR), perfusion and diffusion MR, and SPECT (after ( 99m)Tc-HMPAO intravenous injection). Two experienced operators analysed the images both independently and jointly after multi-modal volumetric co-registration ("Statistical Parametric Mapping" software, based on the Maximization of mutual information method). RESULTS: The FLAIR examination depicted 82 small lesions in 11/20 patients. Perfusion SPECT showed 43 hypoperfused areas in 17/20 patients. PWI showed 13 hypoperfused areas in 10/20 patients. After co-registration of images, anatomical agreement between SPECT and PWI was found in 10 hypoperfused areas (8 patients). Co-registration with FLAIR showed some false positives, more frequent in SPECT (9/43 areas) than in PWI (2/13 areas). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The FLAIR examination confirmed its high sensitivity in detecting lesions. Perfusion SPECT confirmed high sensitivity for the detection of hypoperfused cerebral areas. PWI showed fewer areas of cerebral hypoperfusion than did SPECT. The disagreement between SPECT and PWI may be related to the different modalities for disease detection. The anatomical agreement of hypoperfused areas between SPECT and PWI, assessed after co-registration, can suggest the prognostic hypothesis of delayed appearance of permanent parenchymal lesions. Co-registration modality, being able to show some false positives, seems to be a valid support for the interpretation of SPECT and PWI findings; the joint analysis of SPECT and PWI highlighted the capability of PWI for the interpretation of uncertain cases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Skin pathology caused by the use of limb prostheses].

Skin problems affecting the limb stump of amputee are common but often they are observed a little. The Authors describe our experience in order of these skin pathologies caused by use of prostheses during stage at INAIL Prosthese Center in Vigorso di Budrio (Bologna). The aims of this report are to renew interest in these problems and to facilitate earlier recognition and treatment of troublesome skin disorders in the amputee.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Usefulness of the evaluation of plasma levels of primidone and phenobarbital].

We tested 187 blood samples to measure Primidone and Phenobarbital plasma levels. 63 were on monotherapy, whereas 124 on polytherapy. We founded a good relationship between PRI dosage and PB plasma levels. However, from our data, we can't find any correlation between PRI dosage and PRI level. Looking at correlations of polytherapy, BDZ and DPA do not change PRI and PB levels, whereas CBZ and DPH increase PB and decrease PRI, probably by inducing the biotransformation of the drug. In conclusion, we suggest the usefulness to measure together PRI and PB levels in order to obtain the best evaluation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Is your OSHA compliance program up to date?

OSHA safety inspections in dental offices have decreased dramatically over the past several years. But this development does not mean that compliance with safety regulations is no longer mandatory. Recent changes and some additions to the OSHA regulations should serve as a catalyst to review and update your office safety program. This article highlights the new standards and proposes a plan for such a review.

Dental Offices↗