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P Torre

Publications and source records attributed to P Torre.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Functional MRI in the assessment of cortical activation in subjects with Parkinson's disease.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate cortical activation patterns in patients with Parkinson's disease during a relatively complex motor task. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients (six men and one woman) with lateralised akinetic-rigid Parkinson's disease underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain with a 1.5-T magnet. Finger tapping was chosen as a motor task. The control group included 11 volunteers (six men and five women) with no neurological disease. RESULTS: Patients showed hyperactivity of the ipsilateral and contralateral motor cortex associated with bilateral over-activation of the parietal cortex during movement of the affected hand. In some cases, there was a lack of activation of the pre-motor and supplementary motor areas whereas, when present, activation in these areas was greater during movement of the healthy hand. Finally, activation of the occipital cortex was found in all patients as a result of their tendency to control movement visually. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study confirm a re-organisation of cortical circuits due to subcortical damage in patient's with Parkinson's disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Effect of lactobacillus adjunct cultures on the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of Roncal-type ewes'-milk cheese.

The effect of two different experimental adjunct cultures composed of native facultatively heterofermentative lactobacilli (FHL) on the development of various groups of micro-organisms in Roncal-type ewes' milk cheese was studied. Four cheese batches were manufactured from raw milk (C), pasteurized milk (P), pasteurized milk and an adjunct culture of Lactobacillus paracasei (PP); and pasteurized milk and adjunct culture of Lactobacillus paracasei plus Lactobacillus plantarum (PPP). Retention of the two adjunct cultures in the cheeses was good, and population levels remained constant at around 10(7) cfu g(-1) of cheese throughout ripening. Levels of Enterobacteriaceae and enterococci fell off more abruptly in the batches made with the Lactobacillus adjunct cultures, suggesting competition between the added lactobacilli and those groups of micro-organisms. The inhibitory effect was greater for the adjunct culture composed of L. paracasei plus L. plantarum. Lactococcal levels were higher in the batches made with added FHL, which may be indicative of a synergistic effect between these two groups.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Copper removal by dry and re-hydrated biomass of Spirulina platensis.

Dried and re-hydrated biomass of Spirulina platensis was employed as a sorbent in tests of copper removal from water. Biomass re-hydrated for 24 h before use exhibited a shorter adsorption time as well as an increased percentage removal when compared with simply dried biomass. The combined effects of the concentrations of re-hydrated biomass (from 1.0 to 4.0 g l-1) and copper (from 0.1 to 0.4 g l-1) were then investigated. Copper was almost entirely removed (91% removal) at relatively high biomass levels (X0>or=2.0 gDM l-1), while 1.0 gDM l-1 removed only 81% of copper present initially, suggesting a situation of excess metal with respect to the adsorption capacity of biomass. Additional tests performed with biomass re-hydrated for variable time demonstrated that no less than 48 h of this treatment are needed to ensure a satisfactory copper removal, while no significant improvement was detected using biomass re-hydrated for longer times.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2004

Rivastigmine superior to aspirin plus nimodipine in subcortical vascular dementia: an open, 16-month, comparative study.

Recent data indicate that patients with vascular dementia (VaD) show a cholinergic deficit. Having obtained good results in a previous study comparing rivastigmine, an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholine-sterase (BuChE), vs. aspirin, we aimed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of rivastigmine vs. aspirin plus nimodipine. Patients with a diagnosis of dementia and probable VaD received rivastigmine 3-6 mg/day (n = 32) or aspirin plus nimodipine (n = 32) in an open study for 16 months. Patients treated with rivastigmine showed superior benefits, compared with those receiving aspirin plus nimodipine, in attention, executive function, instrumental activities of daily living, and behavioural and psychotic disturbances. Side-effects in both groups were tolerable and there were no study withdrawals. The benefits observed with rivastigmine may reflect its inhibitory effects on AChE and BuChE, and the drug's affinity for frontal brain areas.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Corticobasal degeneration: structural and functional MRI and single-photon emission computed tomography.

We studied seven patients with corticobasal degeneration (CBD) from a clinical and imaging perspective. We describe the main morphological features of CBD and, using functional MRI, try to define the possible role of the parietal lobe in simple and complex learned motor sequences. We showed decreased activation of the parietal lobe contralateral to the more affected arm, when movements, simple or complex, are performed with that hand. Moreover we found that functional imaging can demonstrate parietal and motor cortex dysfunction before structural, and even single-photon emission computed tomography changes become evident.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Immune response of the coeliac nasal mucosa to locally-instilled gliadin.

We previously demonstrated a specific gluten-induced response in the rectal mucosa of coeliac patients. In the present study, we have evaluated the immune response to local gliadin challenge in the nasal mucosa of coeliac patients preliminary to exploring the feasibility of immune modulation by the nasal route. The local response to gliadin was evaluated on non-invasive scrapings of nasal mucosa. Cells harvested from the nasal scrapings of 21 coeliac patients and 12 healthy controls were counted after immunohistochemical staining. Six hours after gliadin challenge, the total number of cells was increased in coeliacs but not in controls. The increase was due principally to lymphoid cells and granulocytes. CD3+ cells doubled after gliadin challenge, but not after albumin control challenge. There was a similar rise in CD25+ cells, whereas the number of ICAM-expressing cells did not increase significantly. In control subjects, both gliadin and albumin induced a moderate but not significant increase in total cell number. In conclusion, the gliadin antigen provokes a mild inflammatory response in coeliac nasal mucosa.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed2002

Learned movements in a left-handed pianist: an f-MRI evaluation.

The spatial arrangement of neuronal sources for digit movement is non somatotopic, and is structured as extensively arranged through different regional cortex. We have functionally examined the cerebro-cortical activation during simple and complex motor sequences, before and after learning sessions, in healthy volunteers, both considering left- and right-dominant hand use, and left non dominant hand use, skillfulness and educational level. We discuss the results with a review on the topic.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Chronic bilateral electrical stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus for the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease.

Preliminary reports in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) showed that subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation was able to reverse parkinsonian state. Since 1998 we evaluated the safety and the efficacy of STN stimulation in 7 patients affected by advanced PD. All patients were included using CAPIT protocol. Motor functions and quality of life were evaluated, before and after surgery, with UPDRS and PDQ38, respectively. At the 6-month follow-up, the off medication/on stimulation UPDRS motor score improved by 50.6% and the on medication/on stimulation by 20.3%. Motor fluctuations were reduced by 57.2% and dyskinesias by 73.5%. The total L-dopa equivalent daily dose was reduced by 40.7%. PDQ38 ameliorated by 49.9%. We did not observe any perioperatory complication and only mild and tolerable side effects after stimulation.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Chemoprevention trials in men with prostate-specific antigen failure or at high risk for recurrence after radical prostatectomy: Application to efficacy assessment of soy protein.

This article discusses the basic elements of chemoprevention trial designs using cohorts of men following radical prostatectomy who either have prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure indicative of recurrence or are at high risk for recurrence (positive surgical margins, extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, positive lymph nodes, Gleason score of greater than or equal to 8, preoperative serum PSA less than 20 ng/mL). Two ongoing randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials with soy protein as intervention in these 2 populations are described. In the trial with men at high risk for recurrence, participants started intervention within 4 months after surgery and were followed for up to 2 years; primary endpoints were PSA failure rate and time-to-PSA failure. In the trial with men with PSA failure (PSA 0.1 to 2.0 ng/mL), participants received treatment for 8 months and the primary endpoint is rise in PSA over time. The strengths and limitations of these designs are discussed and interim experience using studies with soy protein as the intervention agent are summarized.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed2001

Is repeat prostate biopsy for high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia necessary after routine 12-core sampling?

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether repeat biopsy is necessary when the diagnosis of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) is made with a 12-core biopsy. Repeated biopsy has been recommended for individuals with HGPIN noted on sextant prostate biopsy because of the high likelihood of cancer detection. Recently, we have recommended the routine use of 12 cores, rather than 6, to improve cancer detection. METHODS: The charts of all patients undergoing prostate biopsy during a 2-year period at the Manhattan Veterans Administration Medical Center were reviewed. Patients diagnosed with HGPIN on a 12-core biopsy were identified, and those undergoing a repeat 12-core biopsy within 1 year of the initial biopsy were evaluated to determine the rate of cancer detection. RESULTS: A total of 619 men underwent biopsy during the study period. Of 103 men diagnosed with HGPIN, 43 underwent a repeat biopsy within 1 year at the discretion of the managing urologist. The mean age and median prostate-specific antigen level of those undergoing a repeat biopsy was 65.5 years and 5.37 ng/mL, respectively. At the time of the repeat biopsy, 1 patient was found to have cancer (2.3%), 20 had HGPIN (46.5%), 20 had benign pathologic findings (46.5%), and 1 patient (2.3%) had atypical small acinar proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: A repeat biopsy after the diagnosis of HGPIN on 12-core prostate biopsy rarely results in cancer detection. In the absence of other factors increasing the suspicion of cancer, immediate repeat biopsy for HGPIN diagnosed on a 12-core biopsy is unnecessary.

Aged↗