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Biomedical subjects

P Piras

Publications and source records attributed to P Piras.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Practice parameters for sublingual immunotherapy.

The efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) are currently supported by clinical trials, meta-analysis and post-marketing surveys. Practice parameters for clinical use of SLIT are proposed here by a panel of Italian specialists, with reference to evidence based criteria. Indications to SLIT include allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, and isolated conjunctivitis (strength of recommendation: grade A). As to severity of the disease, SLIT is indicated in moderate/severe intermittent rhinitis, persistent rhinitis and mild to moderate asthma (grade D). SLIT may be safely prescribed also in children aged three to five years (grade B), and its use in subjects aged more than 60 years is not prevented when the indications and contraindication are ascertained (grade D). The choice of the allergen to be employed for SLIT should be made in accordance with the combination of clinical history and results of skin prick tests (grade D). Polysensitisation, i.e. the occurrence of multiple positive response does not exclude SLIT, which may be done with the clinically most important allergens (grade D). As to practical administration, co-seasonal, pre co-seasonal, and continuous schedules are available, being the latter recommended for perennial allergens or for pollens with particularly prolonged pollination, such as Parietaria (grade D). For pollens with relatively short pollination, such as grasses and trees (cypress, birch, alder, hazelnut, olive) the pre co-seasonal and perennial schedules are preferred (grade C). The build-up phases suggested by manufacturers can be safely used (grade A), but they can be modified according to the patient's tolerance (grade C). A duration of SLIT of 3-5 years is recommended to ensure a long-lasting clinical effect after the treatment has been terminated (grade C).

Administration, Sublingual↗
PubMed2001

Reviewing mobile phases used on Chiralcel OD through an application of data mining tools to CHIRBASE database.

During the past decade, thousands of compounds have been resolved on Chiralcel OD (a cellulose-based chiral stationary phase) under diverse eluting conditions. Many researches have documented the effects of mobile phase on enantioselectivity for a given family of samples but today no comprehensive study aimed at identifying the associations between the structural features present on solute and appropriate mobile phase conditions has yet been proposed. In this review of mobile phases used on Chiralcel OD, we try to go far beyond a simple enumeration of eluting conditions and an effort is made to explore the utility of data mining tools for assessing the knowledge contained in CHIRBASE database. We have extracted from CHIRBASE the chemical features of 2363 chiral compounds separated on Chiralcel OD and their corresponding mobile phases. This data set was submitted to data mining programs for molecular pattern recognition and mobile phase predictions for new cases. Some substructural characteristics of solutes were related to the efficient use of some specific mobile phases. For example, the application of CH3CN/salt buffer at pH 6-7 was found convenient for reversed-phase separation of compounds bearing a tertiary amine functional group. Furthermore, a cluster analysis allowed the arrangement of the mobile phases according to similarity found in molecular patterns of solutes. A decision tree, which may lead to a more rational choice of the mobile phase under reversed-phase conditions, is also proposed.

Carbamates↗
PubMed2000

[Doppler color ultrasonography in patients with erectile dysfunction].

The introduction of new oral therapy doesn't change the rule of color Doppler US in the screening modality of the diagnosis of vasculogenic impotence. The hemodynamic changes can be non invasively evaluated with color and energy Doppler US and with spectral analysis following injection of a vaso-active pharmacological agent. The new high sensitive US equipment allows an easy detection of the cavernous artery. Duplex Doppler can quantify the systolic-diastolic flow changes after the intra-cavernous vaso-active drugs injection. It is then possible to establish the diagnosis of arterial or venous vasculogenic impotence. The organic cause can also be excluded. The pick systolic velocity less than 0.30 m/sec is indicative of arterial origin. The absence of flow-reversal in the diastolic phase, 30 minutes after the injection, is significant for a venous type problem. Elicine arteries can be visualised and analysed using high sensitive color Doppler energy US equipment.

Erectile Dysfunction↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of IgA deficiency in Sardinians indicates a susceptibility gene is encoded within the HLA class III region.

IgA deficiency (IgA-D) has been associated with the HLA region, in particular with the North European haplotype HLA-A1, -B8, -DR3, but the exact location of the susceptibility gene(s) is unknown. Some reports suggest that a susceptibility gene is encoded in the class II region, while others implicate the class III region. We exploited differences between the common Sardinian and North European HLA-DR3 haplotypes to help localize the IgA-D susceptibility gene(s). With the knowledge that approximately 13% of HLA-DR3 homozygous individuals of North European origin are IgA-D, we examined 43 HLA-DR3 homozygous Sardinians to find that all had normal serum IgA, IgG and IgM levels. A detailed analysis of their MHC haplotypes indicated a common Sardinian HLA-DR3 haplotype TAP1A, TAP2A, HLA-DQB1*0201, -DQA1*0501, -DRB1*0301, LH1-(Z + 2), D3A-(Z + 2), C4B-0, C4A-L, G11-15, Bf-0-4, C2-a, HSP70-7.5, 9N3-(Z + 10), 82I-(Z - 2), TNFalpha-9, 62-(Z - 20), HLA-B18, -Cw5, -A30 which diverges from the common North European HLA-DR3 haplotype telomeric to the HLA-DR region. In parallel studies of five Sardinians with IgA-D, two of the 10 HLA haplotypes (20%) contained HLA-DR3, a frequency similar to that observed in the background population. One of these was the HLA-DR3- B8 North European haplotype, which occurs rarely in Sardinia. Our data favour the hypothesis that a class III region allele, present on the common North European but not on the Sardinian HLA-DR3 haplotype, confers susceptibility to IgA-D.

Disease Susceptibility↗
PubMed1996

[Partial cystectomy versus TUR in T1G3 tumors].

Authors report their experience in conservative treatment of 41 patients with bladder cancer and they compare partial cytectomy with turv. They hold that partial cystectomy can represent a good therapeutical option in treatment of bladder cancer T1G3.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗
PubMed1996

[Report of a case of traumatic avulsion of the penile skin with amputation of the glans].

OBJECTIVES: A case of traumatic avulsion of penile skin with amputation of the penis and sectioning of the urethra is described. METHODS/RESULTS: Surgical management included embedding the penis without scrotal skin and subsequent reconstruction utilizing scrotal skin. The patient has recovered sexual activity, although sensitivity has been reduced as a consequence of penile amputation. Six months postoperatively, the patient has reported orgasm during intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical technique of embedding the penis is safe and preserves elasticity for subsequent reconstruction of the urethral meatus.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

CHIRBASE, a molecular database for the separation of enantiomers by chromatography.

A selected review on the separation of the stereoisomers of menthol by gas chromatography serves to demonstrate a new approach to tackle the increasing number of publications on enantiomer separation. The graphical molecular database CHIRBASE covers information (structural, bibliographic and chromatographic data) on liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography and gas chromatography. CHIRBASE is based on standard database software, thus meeting the requirements of "state of the art" information management in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and academia. The scrutiny required to create and maintain a factual database revealed that the information content of the contemporary literature with respect to chromatographic data requires improvement.

Chromatography↗
PubMed1994

[Usefulness of echography in the diagnosis of urachal cancer].

Authors report a case of urachal carcinoma diagnosed with ultrasonography linear probe 7.5 mhz. With this work they want underline the importance to use a superficial probe in all those situation in which the sonography shows a neoformation in the posterior wall of the bladder; it should be the spy of a urachal neoformation.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

CHIRBASE, a graphical molecular database on the separation of enantiomers by liquid-, supercritical fluid-, and gas chromatography.

In order to cope with the increasing number of publications on the separation of enantiomers by chromatography on a chiral stationary phase, the graphical molecular database CHIRBASE was created. In the present state, the database package covers information (structural, bibliographic, and chromatographic data) on liquid-, supercritical fluid-, and gas chromatography; other methods will follow. CHIRBASE, running on the MDL software Chembase, meets the requirements of contemporary information management in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. (Detailed information including a demo-version of each part of CHIRBASE can be obtained from the authors on request).

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed1991

[Use of a double-J endoprosthesis in the treatment of tuberculous stenosis of the pelvic ureter: clinical case].

The Authors illustrate a case of tubercular stricture of the pelvic ureter, successfully treated, with the insertion of endo-ureteral prosthesis (double J) and with anti-mycobacterial therapy. They underline the increasing of incidence of the urinary t.b.c. (compared with the pulmonary) particularly at ureteral level. They confirm the efficiency of the ureteral catheterisation as therapy of the strictures, especially in the initial stages of the disease. They explain that this treatment can have only a temporary effect but can give time for a successive restoring surgical therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin in the management of autoimmune hemolytic anemia complicating thalassemia major.

Patients with thalassemia major due to red blood cell autoantibodies may develop an increase in transfusional blood consumption. In this study we report the results of treatment with high intravenous immunoglobulin (Ig) in 4 patients who developed an increase in blood consumption related to the presence of autoantibodies of defined or undefined specificities. Three patients showed a normalization of the blood consumption. No adverse effects were detected. These results indicate that high-dose intravenous Ig therapy is indicated in patients with thalassemia major manifesting an increase in blood consumption following the development of red cell autoantibodies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Health in strip cartoons.

Strip cartoons are among the most vivid means of communication at our disposal, and they are particularly popular with the young. Medical matters have featured in many stories, though usually in a peripheral role. Could more be done to use this powerful medium, or would deliberate exploitation destroy it?

Cartoons as Topic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An approach to discriminating 25 commercial chiral stationary phases from structural data sets extracted from a molecular database.

We have developed a comprehensive molecular database (CHIRBASE) which contains today the results of 35,000 chiral separations by liquid chromatography, 2-D Structural searches have been used to determine at which frequency a molecular characteristic is present in a population of compounds separated on a given chiral stationary phase. To simplify the screening, we have searched 15 empirical molecular descriptors in a selection of 5000 solutes separated on 25 stationary phases. A correspondence analysis was then performed on this set of data (graphical representation of CSPs and descriptors). We then attempt to classify the behaviour of chromatographic systems with the help of hierarchical ascending classification.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anti-HLA antibodies in nephropathic patients].

BACKGROUND: The presence of anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alloantibodies in nephropathic patients is due to immunogenic stimuli such as transfusions, pregnancies, and transplantations. These stimuli can be highlighted using a classic aspecific serologic technique, such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) or using more recent and specific techniques, such as cytofluorimetrics or enzyme linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA). Because the presence of anti-HLA preformed antibodies is linked to the largest incidence of both acute and chronic rejection, it seems appropriate to re-evaluate that data obtained using aspecific classic serological analysis techniques by using the more specific cytofluorimetric technique. To aid in the possible prevention of ant-HLA antibody formation, it is also appropriate to analyze the influence of immunogenic stimuli on the development of these antibodies. METHODS: We studied 116 patients (37 women and 79 men). Anti-HLA antibodies were detected using microlymphotoxic technique after separation of B and T lymphocytes. This separation was obtained using magnetic balls. We used a 30-cell panel. We also used a recent cytofluorimetric test (Flow Pra screening; One Lambda Inc., 21001 Kittridge St., Canoga Park, California, U.S.A.) with a panel of micrograins covered with class I and class II purified antigens. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square analysis or Fischer s exact test. For each test, sensibility, specificity, and positive and negative value were measured. RESULTS: Among 33 patients testing positive using the classic CDC-PRA technique (17 positive for B-lymphocytes and 16 positive for both B and T lymphocytes), using cytometry, 25 were positive for anti-HLA-specific antibodies (10 among the B lymphocyte-positive patients and 15 among the B + T lymphocyte-positive patients). Two patients were shown positive only using the cytofluorimetric method. Of the 27 patients positive at cytometry, 18 were positive for class I and class II, 4 for class I, and 5 for class II. FLOW-PRA screening results were less sensitive and more specific. The results obtained by the two methods are comparable(p<0.0001). The immunogenic stimuli found responsible for immunization were: transfusion in 10 of 25 patients, pregnancies in 3/9 patients, transplant in 4/8 patients, and different immunogenic stimuli in 10/12 patients. The results were not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Data show that positivity for B lymphocytes obtained using CDC-PRA is not always linked to the development of anti-HLA antibodies, whereas positivity for B+T lymphocytes, obtained using CDC -PRA, is often linked to specific antibody development. Immune response is more often directed against class I and II antibodies. The specific detection of HLA antibodies using the cytofluorimetric method allows us to identify patients at risk for rejection, and it suggests that red cells should be filtrated to prevent anti-HLA immunization secondary to transfusion in transplantation candidates.

Antibodies↗