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Biomedical subjects

M Grassi

Publications and source records attributed to M Grassi.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

The microbiology of HIV-associated periodontal lesions.

2 intraoral lesions associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have recently been described: an atypical gingivitis and a rapidly progressive periodontitis. The microbiota associated with these gingival and periodontal lesions was investigated. Subgingival plaque samples were taken from 45 HIV-seropositive homosexual men and from 44 HIV-seronegative control subjects. Each sampled site was clinically and radiographically classified as HIV-associated gingivitis, HIV-associated periodontitis, healthy in an HIV-seropositive subject, or healthy, conventional gingivitis or classical periodontitis in a control subject. Plaque samples were examined by indirect immunofluorescence with polyclonal antisera to detect Bacteroides gingivalis, B. intermedius, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Anaerobic culturing was used to detect black-pigmented Bacteroides species, Fusobacterium species, and A. actinomycetemcomitans to confirm the immunofluorescence findings. We detected B. gingivalis, B. intermedius, F. nucleatum, and A. actinomycetemcomitans in significantly more HIV-periodontitis sites (80, 65, 59 and 61% of sites, respectively) and HIV-gingivitis sites (61, 70, 52 and 52%, respectively) than in HIV-seropositive healthy and control sites (p less than 0.05). The results indicate that the microbiota found in HIV-periodontitis is similar to that of classical periodontitis. In contrast, however, the microbiota associated with HIV-gingivitis is strikingly different from that of conventional gingivitis. The similarity in the prevalence of periodontopathic organisms in both HIV-gingivitis and HIV-periodontitis suggests that the HIV-gingivitis lesion may be a precursor to the tissue destruction observed in HIV-periodontitis. Hence, early detection and treatment of the HIV-gingivitis lesion may prevent the rapid and extensive breakdown of periodontal tissues associated with HIV-periodontitis.

Actinobacillus↗
PubMed1989

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determination of antibodies to the envelope glycoprotein of rabies virus.

The envelope glycoprotein G of rabies virus induces neutralizing antibodies, which are important in protection against rabies. This protein was solubilized from purified virus and isolated by differential and sucrose density gradient centrifugation followed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Conditions for solubilization and purification of G were optimized by using immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. The reaction with conventional antisera and monoclonal antibodies indicated that purified G protein was essentially devoid of internal viral proteins. Microdilution plates were coated with purified G protein, and sera from humans vaccinated against rabies were tested for the presence of antibodies. Results were compared with those of the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition assay, which is the standard neutralization assay for antibodies to rabies virus. The results of this comparison indicate that the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for G is a reliable and simple alternative to the neutralization test.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Smoking habit and bronchial reactivity in normal subjects. A population-based study.

The relationship between smoking habits and airway responsiveness has been studied in a cross-sectional sample of subjects in a small Lombardy (Italy) town. The subjects were between 15 and 64 yr of age; they were representative of the general population. There were 295 normal nonsmokers, 70 normal smokers, and 50 past smokers. All clinically asymptomatic and functionally normal subjects underwent methacholine challenge. The distribution of responsiveness to methacholine (as expressed by LnPD15FEV1) was found to be significantly different between these normal smokers and nonsmokers. A multinomial logistic regression model showed a statistically significant difference in the response to the challenge on the basis of pack-years. When the number of years of smoking and the daily number of cigarettes were separately considered, the current amount had the significant correlation with LnPD15FEV1. Bronchial reactivity for past smokers was found not to be different from that for normal nonsmokers. We conclude that smoking habits, especially current habits, affect bronchial reactivity even in the absence of airway obstruction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Bronchial responsiveness to inhaled methacholine in epidemiological studies: comparison of different indices.

We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of different indices drawn from the forced expiratory curve in order to detect the best one for evaluating bronchial reactivity in the general population, and particularly, for distinguishing between normal and asthmatic subjects. 654 subjects, between 15 and 64 years of age, who were representative for age and sex of the general population of a small Lombardy town (Italy), were studied. Of the total sample, 448 subjects were clinically normal and asymptomatic, 87 were symptomatic or with acute upper respiratory disease within 30 days before the challenge with methacholine, 43 with allergic rhinitis, 26 asthmatics and 50 chronic bronchitics. All the subjects who had a baseline FEV1 greater than 85% predicted underwent methacholine challenge. Provocative LnDoses of a 6, 10, 15% fall in FEV1 (LnPD6, LnPD10, LnPD15) and provocative LnDose causing FEV1 to fall more than 2 SD below the mean of 5 FEV1 measurements following buffer inhalation (LnTD) were evaluated. Furthermore we calculated the "Dose-Response slope" (SL) proposed by O'Connor. The cut-off value of each index to define a responder was calculated by discriminant analysis of the response to the challenge in normal and in the asthmatic group. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of LnPD6, LnTD and SL were 79, 74, 14%; 71, 74, 13% and 46, 97, 48% respectively. LnPD10 had the best sensitivity (83%) with a high specificity (83%), but, as compared to LnPD15, whose sensitivity was 79% and specificity 89%, a lower predictive value (21% vs 27%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Particulate matter test in small volume parenterals: critical aspects in sampling methodology.

The following critical steps of the particulate matter test sampling methodology for small volume parenteral products (SVPs), conduct by light blockage method, were considered: 1) reliability of the small volume aspirator sampler for different sample volumes; 2) particulate matter distribution inside each ampoule in liquid products (8 liquid SVPs tested); 3) influence of the sample preparation method on the evaluation of the final contamination of the sample. Nine liquid SVPs were tested by preparing samples following the three U.S.P. XXI methods: 1) unit as it is (direct analysis), II) unit diluted, III) sample obtained by combining several units. Particles counts were performed by a HIAC/ROYCO model 3000 counter fitted with a small volume sampler. The validation of the sampler shows that it should be improved. A more accurate and strict validation than the one stated by U.S.P. XXI is suggested. The particulate matter distribution in liquid products is found to be uniform inside the ampoule in the size range greater than or equal to 2 microns-greater than or equal to 10 microns; the analysis can be performed examining only a portion of the whole content. The three sample preparation methods lead to significantly different contamination results. The particulate control test should be conduct by direct analysis, as it is carried out under the same conditions as for product use. The combining method (III) is suggested for products of less than 2 ml volume that cannot be examined by direct analysis.

Drug Contamination↗
PubMed1988

The use of lympho-venous anastomoses to prevent complications from ilio-inguinal dissection.

Lympho-venous anastomoses (LVA) were performed in 30 patients, immediately after the completion of ilio-inguinal dissection for metastatic nodal involvement. This surgical procedure, originally devised to treat post-mastectomy lymphedema from radical mastectomy, was intended in this series of cases to prevent complications from ilio-inguinal nodal dissection. Actually, when compared to another group of 84 patients previously operated on by ilio-inguinal nodal dissection without lympho-venous anastomoses, the series showed a lower rate of local-regional complications (38% vs 65.9%). The mean duration of hospital stay was also reduced (18.5 vs 34.7 days). Distant lymphedema of the lower limb was observed in 7 of 23 patients who had received LVA, whereas in the control group, lymphedema was recorded in 39 of 52 patients who were regularly followed-up (30% vs 75%). LVA should be routinely used, as a useful surgical procedure, to prevent or reduce the occurrence of local-regional complications following ilio-inguinal nodal dissections.

Female↗
PubMed1988

Distribution of bronchial nonspecific reactivity in the general population.

We investigated 654 subjects of a small Lombardy (Italy) town between 15 and 64 years of age who were representative of the general population. By clinical examination, the sample included 535 normal subjects (164 normal smokers, 341 normal nonsmokers, 30 normal subjects with acute upper respiratory illness within 30 days before the challenge), 50 with chronic bronchitis, 26 with asthma, and 43 with allergic rhinitis. Subjects whose FEV1 was 75 percent or more than the predicted value (654) underwent methacholine bronchial challenge by means of 1 percent metered-dose solution. The test result was considered positive at a drop of more than 15 percent in FEV1 (compared with buffer). Normal smokers and all of the groups with disease had a significantly different distribution of reactivity compared with normal nonsmokers. The difference between asthmatic and these "normal" subjects was highly significant; nevertheless, a clear cut-off between the two groups does not appear to exist.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Periodontal conditions of teeth adjacent to extraction sites.

The purpose of the present clinical study was to evaluate the effect of tooth extractions on the periodontal conditions of adjacent teeth. 40 patients were selected for the study. Prior to the extractions, baseline data of the adjacent teeth were obtained. Plaque (PII) and gingival indices (GI), pocket probing depths and probing attachment levels were scored. In addition, the alveolar bone height was determined radiographically in relation to the CEJ adjacent to the extraction sites. The contralateral side of the jaw, where no tooth had to be removed, was examined as a control. A limited hygienic phase (scaling and root planing of all surfaces examined) was performed immediately prior to the extractions. Using the same parameters, all sites were reexamined 2-4 months and 6-9 months following the extractions. After the hygienic phase, the teeth adjacent to the extraction sites indicated a decrease in the pocket probing depths by 0.5 to 1.5 mm. In shallow pockets (1-3 mm), this decrease was less pronounced than in moderate to deep pockets (4-9 mm), where it was composed of shrinkage of the gingival tissues and gain of probing attachment. The radiographic level of the bony alveolar crest in relation to the CEJ of the adjacent teeth was not altered by the extraction procedure. The oral hygiene performances of the patients were not influenced during the 9-month observation period. Therefore, neither PII nor GI scores showed relevant improvements.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dental Plaque Index↗
PubMed1987

P300 and CT scan in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Twenty chronic male schizophrenic subjects aged 30-50 years were examined by an auditory event-related potential procedure for the evaluation of the P300 component, a CT scan and a neuropsychological test battery. The P300 latency was increased and its amplitude was reduced. CT scan measures showed lateral and third ventricle enlargement, and there was a global neuropsychological impairment. Poor neuropsychological performances were consistently associated with delayed P300 latencies, but not with CT scan measures. Ventricular enlargement was more pronounced among subjects with a negative family history for major psychiatric disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

In vivo studies of pathogenic, immunogenic and protective properties of Roma strain rabies virus recovered from a persistently infected BHK21 cell line.

Rabies virus strain Roma was adapted to grow in BHK21 cells and a persistently infected cell line was established. The cell line released infectious virus only irregularly and at low titers. We report in this work experiments carried out in mice on pathogenicity, immunogenicity and protective properties of the virus recovered at different phases of the persistent infection. The adapted virus strain was only weakly pathogenic when injected intracerebrally and apathogenic when given intramuscularly. Dose-response curves in mice of virus produced by the persistently infected cell line were irregular, often with deaths occurring at low but not at high virus doses. Moreover, the symptoms of rabies differed from the course of disease induced by unadapted Roma strain rabies virus. Sera of survivors of a first non lethal inoculation were tested for the presence of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies and these mice were challenged with virulent CVS rabies virus. Animals having survived the highest viral doses had the highest antibody titers and resisted a challenge with the standard challenge virus.

Animals↗