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Biomedical subjects

M P Scolari

Publications and source records attributed to M P Scolari.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Mismatch-specific anti-HLA antibody production following aorta transplants.

In this study, we have investigated the nature and magnitude of the immunological response after implantation of human aortic segments. Five recipients of aortic segment replacement were studied for anti-HLA antibody production (specificity and Ig class), CD3, CD4, and CD8 T cell subpopulation dynamics, and aortic wall thickness. Mismatch-specific IgG antibodies to HLA class I and HLA class II antigens were first detected 1-3 months after implantation and persisted in high concentrations for at least 1 year. Computer tomography scanning showed a progressive thickness of the aortic wall. Also the absolute number of CD3, CD4, and CD8 positive lymphocytes increased progressively after implantation. In conclusion, as was observed earlier for heart valve allografts, human implanted aortic segments induce a strong anti-HLA antibody response in recipients. We speculate that these antibodies have the potential to harm the implant, for example, by having an impact on luminal narrowing.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1998

Aorta transplantation in man: clinical and immunological studies.

Aortic transplantation has progressively gained interest over the last few years and it is becoming a first choice indication in the substitution of infected prostheses. The most frequent complication in long-term vascular outcome (wall thickening, aneurysmatic dilation, stenosis), may occur through an immunological mechanism. In this study we investigated nine recipients, aged 48 to 65 years, of aorta segment replacement for anti-HLA antibody production (specificity and Ig class), CD3-CD4-CD8 T cell subpopulation dynamics and aorta wall thickness. Mismatch-specific IgG antibodies to HLA class I and HLA class II antigens were detected 1, 3 and 6 months after transplantation and persisted at a high concentration for at least 1 year. Furthermore, the absolute number of CD3, CD4 and CD8 positive lymphocytes increased progressively after aorta allograft. Tomography scanning showed a progressive thickness of the aorta wall. We can speculate that these anti-HLA antibodies in the recipients have the potential to harm the implant; therefore, aorta allograft should involve the induction of immunological tolerance by appropriate immunosuppressants.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

The presence of posttransplant HLA-specific IgG antibodies detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay correlates with specific rejection pathologies.

Posttransplant monitoring of anti-HLA antibodies with routine techniques gives unsatisfactory results due to a variety of technical limitations. We investigated how a new alternative technique correlates with posttransplant clinical events. A total of 313 nonselected serum samples from 136 patients were screened by an ELISA utilizing captured soluble HLA class I antigens. We observed the absence of anti-HLA antibody production in acute rejection cases responding to standard antirejection therapy. On the other hand, we showed a clear presence of these antibodies in acute rejection episodes not responding to standard therapy (P<0.0001) and in chronic rejection (P<0.001). We conclude that routine posttransplant monitoring by ELISA offers early risk assessment that is crucial for proper immunosuppression and for antirejection therapy choice.

Cytotoxicity, Immunologic↗
PubMed1996

Biotechnology in profiled dialysis.

Profiled dialysis is a new conceptual approach to patient intradialytic vascular instability. It is based on the continuous modulation of dialysis operative parameters, such as dialysate sodium and UF rate, according to pre-established profiles. The points to be defined for profiled dialysis are: (a) the patient's individual sodium and masses already stated; (b) the patient's individual algorithms to fit the clinically effective intradialytic variations in plasma sodium and sodium mass; (c) a mathematical model from which sodium and UF profiles are automatically worked out at the beginning of each session. The basic concept of profiled dialysis should evolve towards an ongoing "profiling' programme. This is based on the continuous on-line intradialytic adjustment of profiles according to the patient's emerging clinical requirements.

Biotechnology↗
PubMed1996

ELISA anti-HLA antibody screening identifies non-complement-fixing antibodies responsible for acute graft rejection. A case report.

We report on a kidney transplant recipient experiencing an unexpected early acute vascular graft rejection. Retrospective analysis of patient serum samples, utilizing a new ELISA HLA screening technique, revealed that the rejection crisis and the subsequent graft loss were due to a pretransplant donor-specific pre-sensitization caused by a non-complement-fixing antibody of IgG2 class. The case illustrates the clinical significance of non-complement-fixing anti-HLA antibodies. In addition it is shown that ELISA methods are suitable for detecting potentially harmful donor pre-sensitization in waiting-list patients not detectable by standard lymphocytotoxicity techniques. Hence ELISA could be an alternative to flow cytometry for this purpose. It is concluded that screening and cross-matching techniques which detect non-complement-fixing anti-HLA antibodies could improve graft outcome, and should form part of the immunological monitoring of kidney transplant waiting-list patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Structure of dialysis membranes and long-term clinical outcome.

The present comparative evaluation aims at establishing whether the basic structure of dialysis membrane is able to predict long-term clinical outcome. From a population of 1,256 patients on renal dialysis treatment, treated by the Institute of Nephrology and Dialysis of the St. Orsola University Hospital of Bologna from 1963 to 1993, 122 patients were retrospectively selected for the present study. Patients were divided into two different groups according to the kind of dialysis membrane used--cellulose-based (64 patients) and synthetic-based (58 patients) membranes. The parameters considered were: intradialytic biology, long-term biocompatibility, survival and morbidity, and cost/benefit. The results obtained demonstrate that cellulosic membranes can be said to cause a greater acute intradialytic biological response than synthetics, though not to a significant degree. There are, however, no significant differences in the biological changes from group to group. Nonsignificant differences were noted in long-term survival general morbidity. In terms of sheer cost, synthetic membrane treatment is anything up to 200% dearer than cellulosic.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Is Ace inhibitor treatment a possible cause of better cardiovascular remodelling in well functioning kidney transplant?

Diseases of the cardiovascular system are a common cause of death in renal transplanted patients. In this study we assessed the echocardiographic morphological and functional findings after renal transplantation of two homogenous groups of transplanted patients with normal renal function. The first (A) with spontaneously normotensive patients, the second (B) with moderate hypertension treated mainly with Ace inhibitors. Analysis of these data highlights two noteworthy results: the similar left ventricle hypertrophy found in both groups and the existence of better diastolic compliance among the hypertensive transplanted patients. If this is confirmed by studies currently in progress, the importance of Ace-inhibitors treatment in remodelling cardiac dysfunction after long term dialysis treatment might be seriously considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The age-old spirit of nephrology from the oldest university in the world.

The University of Bologna began teaching in 1088, and the Faculty of Medicine was granted the same rights as lawyers in 1288, largely due to the reputation and teaching skills of Taddeo Alderotti. Among the other famous names associated through the ages with the Bologna School of Medicine are Malpighi, Valsalva and Murri. From the earliest times in Bologna, nephrologists attempted to show an interaction of the kidney with the outer environment (astronomy and astrology) and with other organs (anatomy) and an integration of the sophisticated structures within the kidney itself (microscopy). At the turn of the 19th century, the biochemical frontier was reached, and a new teaching methodology emphasizing careful consideration of all possible differential diagnoses was developed.

History, 15th Century↗
PubMed1994

Long-term comparative evaluation of synthetic and cellulosic membranes in dialysis.

A long-term retrospective evaluation (5 years) compares two groups of RDT patients (group 1 on continuous treatment with cellulosic membranes and group 2 with synthetic membranes) regarding survival, general clinical morbidity, and beta 2M-related morbidity. The results showed no significant long-term differences between the groups either for survival or general morbidity despite some differences in biocompatibility. The higher intradialytic removal of beta 2M by synthetic membranes did not lead to a reduction in either pre-dialysis beta 2M values or beta 2M related morbidity. The higher cost of synthetic over cellulosic membranes and the disappointing of many clinical expectations suggest that the use of such membranes, in association with alternative techniques, should take place only according to certain "elective" indications such as old age, diabetes, vascular instability or intradialytic disequilibrium syndrome.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Acute pancreatitis associated with eclampsia: a case report.

This case report describes a 24-yr-old pregnant woman who developed acute pancreatitis while suffering from a severe eclamptic syndrome. Since she had no gallstones or other known aetiological factors of acute pancreatitis, the possibility of an aetiologic role of pancreatic ischaemic changes associated with eclampsia is discussed. From a clinical point of view, acute pancreatitis persisted longer than usual and rendered its management complex.

Acute Disease↗