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Manfredi Rizzo

Publications and source records attributed to Manfredi Rizzo.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Differential apolipoprotein(a) isoform expression in heterozygosity is an independent contributor to lipoprotein(a) levels variability.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels represent an independent risk factor for cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. Since lipoprotein(a) levels show a wide variability even in subjects with similar apolipoprotein(a) isoforms, we investigated the contribution of apolipoprotein(a) heterozygosity to lipoprotein(a) variance. Lipoprotein(a) levels, apolipoprotein(a) isoforms identification and expression, and the correlation with other lipo-apolipoprotein parameters have been investigated in 628 subjects >18 years of age. RESULTS: In our study, 246 subjects were found heterozygous for apolipoprotein(a) isoforms. Lipoprotein(a) levels were higher in females. About 40% of the subjects expressed the larger isoform more intensely than the dominant isoform. Lipoprotein(a) was correlated with apolipoprotein(a) dominant isoform size, HDL-cholesterol and smaller apolipoprotein(a) isoform expression rate. Lipoprotein(a) was independently correlated with the smaller apolipoprotein(a) isoform, with its expression rate and with LDL-cholesterol. The inclusion of the smaller apolipoprotein(a) expression rate in a multiple regression model explained at least an additional 4% of the lipoprotein(a) variance after correction for apolipoprotein(a) size. CONCLUSIONS: The smaller isoforms are not always effectively dominant in heterozygosis since 40% of the subjects expressed more the larger isoform. The individual variability of apolipoprotein(a) isoform expression in heterozygosis could explain part of the lipoprotein(a) levels variability.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Bartonellosis].

In the last years the number of Bartonella species significantly raised, often with an epidemiological profile of emergent disease. B. bacilliformis is the etiological agent of Carrion's disease. B. clarridgeiae has been associated, together with B. henselae, to Cat-Scratch Disease (CSD), whereas B. elizabethae to endocarditis and B. grahamii to neuroretinitis. B. henselae has been associated to CSD and, in patients with immunodeficiency, together with B. quintana, to bacillary angiomatosis, to peliosis and to endocarditis. B. quintana is the etiological agent of "trench fever", in its "classical" and "urban" form. B. vinsonii subsp. arupensis and subsp. berkhoffii have been associated to bacteremia and endocarditis. The diagnosis foresees pathological examination of the lesions, germ isolation and use of specific serological test and of polymerase chain reaction. Prognosis is, generally, favourable. Therapy foresees the use of numerous antibacterial agents, like: penicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides, quinolones, trimethoprim-sulfomethoxazole and rifampicin.

Angiomatosis, Bacillary↗
PubMed2002

Nutritional characteristics of a rural Southern Italy population: the Ventimiglia di Sicilia Project.

OBJECTIVE: Knowledge of alimentary habits among populations permits a better definition of appropriate public health interventions. We designed the epidemiological project "Ventimiglia di Sicilia" to characterize the risk profile in a rural village with low total cholesterol levels and low early cardiovascular mortality but with a large prevalence of overweight and obesity, which previously have been significantly associated with total mortality. METHODS: 488 individuals of age 20 to 69 years were included in the dietary survey conducted by a seven-day food record. RESULTS: Alimentary habits were characterized by high consumption of total and complex carbohydrates (respectively 52.5 +/- 7.6% and 46.6 +/- 8.2% of daily energy) and by a low cholesterol intake (92.5 +/- 35.0 mg/1000 kcal/day). Fat intake was 34.7 +/- 7.7% of daily energy due to a higher consumption of monounsaturated fats in respect to saturated fats (respectively 20.5 +/- 5.1% and 10.2 +/- 2.9% of daily energy). In particular, in this population there was a large consumption of bread, pasta, fresh vegetables, olive oil and fruits. We also observed an excess of total calories (about 2900 kcal/day in men and 2100 kcal/day in women) not balanced by a high degree of physical activity levels. Furthermore we found a significant higher total and saturated fat consumption in the youngest individuals and in people with higher educational levels. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary habits of Ventimiglia di Sicilia still follow the nutritional characteristics typical of the Mediterranean diet. The high total calorie intake indicates a quantitative more than qualitative problem, which may account the large prevalence of overweight and obesity and may represent a public health issue that needs to be corrected in such a rural population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Three cases of bartonellosis (cat scratch disease)].

In the last years the number of Bartonella species has conspicuously increased, with better clinical and diagnostic definitions of the different related illnesses. We report, in the present article, 3 cases of cat-scratch disease, a particular bartonellosis mainly caused by Bartonella henselae which is transmitted by the cat. After an incubation period, cat-scratch disease clinically manifests as a regional lymphoadenitis, with the appearance of a small cutaneous lesion at the site of inoculation of the germ. The pathogenetic agent is susceptible to a number of antibacterial agents, such as penicillin, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides, quinolones, trimethoprim combined with sulphamethoxazole and rifampicin. The prognosis is usually favorable.

Adolescent↗