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Biomedical subjects

P Grosso

Publications and source records attributed to P Grosso.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Acute urinary retention in a child with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis].

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating encephalomyelitis with often monosymptomatic abrupt onset, followed by multifocal neurologic symptomatology depending on lesion-site. Diagnosis is made on the basis of characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal alterations. ADEM is sensitive to steroid therapy, immunoglobulins and plasmapheresis, presents usually a monophasic course and disappears completely after 2 or 3 weeks. Resolution of MRI lesions appears usually within 6 months of presentation. We report on a 14-year-old male, admitted to our Emergency Unit because of fever and acute urinary retention with a normal neurological examination. Urinary tract ultrasonography and mictional cystography were normal; electrophysiology showed a mild involvement of the peripheral nervous system and brain and spine MRI revealed disseminated areas of increased signal on T2-weighted sequences suggestive of ADEM. Steroid therapy brought about clinical recovery in a few days. Resolution of lesions on MRI after 4 months and absence of relapses during four-year clinical follow-up confirmed definitive diagnosis. Our case is interesting because, to our knowledge, this is the first literature report with acute urinary retention as predominant symptom in monosymptomatic forms. Another peculiar feature is the absence of associated neurologic symptomatology despite MRI evidence of important brain and spine alterations.

Acute Disease↗

Osteonecrosis and resorption of the patella after total knee replacement: a case report.

A 54-year-old woman with a history of right total knee replacement had right knee pain and swelling for 6 months. Radiographs of the knee showed significant fragmentation and resorption of the patella consistent with osteonecrosis. Evidence of increased anteroposterior laxity was noted on physical examination. Revision surgery to a posterior stabilized prosthesis with excision of the patellar fragments resulted in a marked improvement in her symptoms and functional capabilities 2 years after surgery. The authors review the blood supply to the patella and how it may be disturbed by knee surgery and speculate that this patient's symptoms may have been worsened by the anteroposterior instability of her prosthesis.

Bone Resorption↗

Serum levels of 2',5 oligoadenylate synthetase during interferon therapy in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

We assayed 2',5 oligoadenylate synthetase (2'5-AS) activity in the serum of eight patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) who were undergoing therapy with alpha interferon (IFN). Mean pretreatment levels of 2'5-AS were normal, but upon treatment the levels rose to higher than normal values. Moreover, the degree of enzyme induction in serum was significantly higher in CLL responders (P < 0.003) whereas no difference was found in non-responders. The lack of serum 2'5-AS induction in non-responder patients might be related to unresponsiveness to treatment with IFN. These results seem to show that the measurement of serum levels of 2'5-AS activity may be a useful tool in monitoring IFN treatment.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗

E rosette formation in B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

We describe a patient with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia whose B lymphocytes showed the capacity to form rosettes with sheep red blood cells during prolymphocytoid transformation of the disease. In this case, rosette formation was found to be related to the presence of the classic E rosette receptor since the leukemic cells were recognized by the OKT11 monoclonal antibody. This feature was not shown at diagnosis. Evaluation of this phenomenon is discussed.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

[Post-anesthesia rhabdomyolysis syndrome following muscular stress. 2 case reports].

Effort rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome which takes the form of a pathology with different etiopathogenetic stages. General anesthesia may trigger off acute muscular cytolysis which is probably influenced by the inflammatory surgical pathology itself. The observation of two cases of post-anesthetic rhabdomyolysis following muscular stress suggest that the exhaustion of muscle energy reserves and the consequent alteration of the ATP/ADP ratio may act as a trigger mechanism for this syndrome. Its close relationship with malignant hyperthermia makes a precise anamnesis vitally important, especially in relation to recent intense physical effort in patients undergoing emergency surgery for acute pathologies.

Adolescent↗

Intracellular and serum levels of aldolase activity in B chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Intracellular and serum activities of aldolase (ALS) were biochemically determined in lymphocyte subpopulations from normal subjects and patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). Aldolase activity was significantly lower in T cells of CLL than in normal T cells (2.9 +/- 1.5 vs. 4.7 +/- 2.1 Sigma Units (SU)/6 x 10(6) cells, p < 0.05). The aldolase activity also was significantly (p < 0.001) lower (3.1 +/- 1.9 SU/6 x 10(6) cells) in CLL B lymphocytes than in normal B lymphocytes (18.1 +/- 6.5 SU/6 x 10(6) cells). Moreover, the serum levels of ALS in all patients with B-CLL were higher than that in normal subjects (8.1 +/- 5.8 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.8 SU/ml, p < 0.02). Our findings demonstrate that T lymphocytes from patients with B-CLL display enzyme activity different from that of normal T cells. This may reflect the abnormal maturity of the residual T cell population in B-CLL.

Adult↗

Serum levels of CD8 antigen and soluble interleukin 2 receptors in patients with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

We assayed the plasma levels of CD8 antigen (CD8Ag) and soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) in 34 subjects with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and in 15 controls using an immunoenzymatic method. The results showed higher average levels of soluble CD8 (sCD8) and sIL-2R in the leukemic patients compared to the controls (sCD8 = 860 vs. 306 U/ml; sIL-2R = 4,131 vs. 311 U/ml). The two antigen levels were significantly higher in patients with progressive disease than in those with indolent disease, and they also correlated with Rai's stage. sIL-2R levels correlated with lymphocyte count (p less than 0.001), while there was no correlation between sCD8 levels and total number of lymphocytes. These results seem to show that the measurement of serum levels of CD8Ag and sIL-2R may be a useful tool in the prognostic evaluation of patients with B-CLL.

Adult↗

[Prevention of vena cava thrombosis during catheterization. Comparison of calciheparin and defibrotide].

Total intraparenteral nutrition therapy using an endocaval catheter is subject to complications due to the catheter itself and to the onset of phlebothrombosis of the venous district involved. Two groups of patients suffering from abdominal surgical pathologies requiring prolonged postoperative parenteral treatment were subjected to antithrombotic prophylaxis. In the first group of 20 patients, calciheparin u.s. was used and in the second defibrotide in the doses recommended in the literature. Serial lab screening of certain clotting parameters was carried of the brachio-subclavio-caval district. In the calciheparin group, the trend of certain examinations shows, as usual, a change in parameters in agreement with the drug's anticlotting action; in the group treated with defibrotide, the haemostatic balance is respected: the angiographies never showed intimal lesion or phlebothrombosis in either group. The usefulness of correct antithrombotic prophylaxis in these patients is confirmed and it is pointed out that defibrotide is more flexible and handy and that it can be used in patients in whom calciheparin is potentially risk.

Aged↗

Measurement by radioimmunoassay of unconjugated estriol in pregnancy serum.

Antisera to estriol 6--onjugates were tested for suitability in the direct radioimmunoassay of unconjugated estriol in extracts of pregnancy serum. Assessment of specificity through titration with competing steroids allowed a selection to be made within the group of antisera. The measurement was then standardized by checking the absence of analytical blank (solvent and sample blank) and the extent of binding variability associated with the use of charcoal-dextran as a separating agent. Validation was made by means of the usual recovery and dilution tests, and by a cross-comparison of analytical data obtained with different antisera; reproducibility of calibration curve and within-and between-assay variability was evaluated under routine conditions. The validity of the clinical information was assessed by assaying 202 samples randomly collected throughout normal pregnancy from the 16th week to term: both trend and levels of unconjugated estriol concentration were found to be in good agreement with the literature data.

Animals↗

Prognostic value of serum thymidine kinase and beta 2 microglobulin in subjects affected by multiple myeloma.

The authors, using a radio-enzymatic and a radio-immunological method, investigated the serum levels of Thymidine Kinase (TK) and Beta 2 Microglobulin (Beta 2M) in 24 subjects affected by Multiple Myeloma (MM) and in 10 controls. The data obtained confirm the good prognostical significance already reported for TK and Beta 2M in subjects with MM. First of all, the results indicate higher levels of TK compared to the controls (9.31 U/l vs 2.9 U/l - p less than 0.005). Similarly, also the levels of Beta 2M indicate a significant increase compared to the healthy subjects. Both TK and Beta 2M levels increased with the progression of the stage of the disease (6.69 mg/ml vs 1.67 mg/ml - p less than 0.005). After therapy there was a significant decrease of TK and Beta 2M levels in responders. Finally, TK demonstrated to be able to detect during the follow-up a possible relapse of the disease.

Adult↗