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R Conte

Publications and source records attributed to R Conte.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Heterogeneous immunophenotype of granular lymphocyte expansions: differential expression of the CD8 alpha and CD8 beta chains.

In this study, we have evaluated 14 large granular lymphocyte (LGL) expansions, 11 of which were CD8+. Analysis of the membrane expression of the alpha and beta chains of the CD8 antigen, using specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), has shown that LGL expansions with the CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD57+ T-cell receptor (TcR) alpha beta phenotype bear the CD8 alpha/alpha isoform, while the CD3+, CD4-, CD8+, CD57+ TcR alpha beta samples were positive for both the CD8 alpha and CD8 beta chains. These data were confirmed also by messenger RNA analysis. One additional case, with a peculiar phenotype (CD3-, CD2-, CD4-, CD8+, CD57-) and a germline configuration of the TcR beta and gamma chain genes, expressed only the CD8 alpha chain. After additional phenotypic analysis with a wider panel of MoAbs, it was found that the beta chain of the interleukin-2 receptor was constitutively expressed on the majority of the samples tested, and that most of the monoclonal samples coexpressed CD45RA/R0 antigens. Using MoAbs directed against the variable regions of the TcR beta chain, we could show a preferential V beta region restriction in the CD8+ monoclonal cases. This more extensive characterization of CD8+ LGL expansions has further documented the marked heterogeneity within this rare condition and allowed a better phenotypic dissection between the monoclonal and polyclonal cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Serum markers of immune activation and liver allograft rejection.

We monitored the immune response after liver transplantation in 20 patients by measuring the serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), soluble CD8 (sCD8), serum amyloid-A protein (SAA), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In six patients data were available to extend the follow-up period to one year. In all patients mean sIL-2R levels increased in the first month after liver transplantation, and subsequently decreased to values similar to pre-OLT ones, while SAA mean levels rose in the first week after OLT only in patients with rejection. sCD8 levels did not significantly rise after OLT, and TNF-alpha was undetectable in most cases. During episodes of rejection, rejector patients had significantly higher levels of sIL-2R, sCD8, and SAA than stable (without complications) patients. Conversely, no significant difference between rejectors and patients with other complications existed for any of the markers studied. These results diminish the importance of these serum markers of immune activation as laboratory tools in the differential diagnosis of acute rejection from other complications. However, sIL-2R, SAA, and sCD8 levels correlated with the histological grade of rejection and therefore can be utilized to monitor patients with an established diagnosis of acute rejection.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1992

The incidence of ethanol-induced hypoglycemia.

The purpose of the study was to determine the incidence of ethanol-induced hypoglycemia. All nondiabetic patients who had blood alcohol levels above 0.10% and a random serum chemistry drawn (including glucose) were included. Over a 6-month study period, 378 patients were included in the study. Fifteen patients (4%) presented with hypoglycemia (glucose less than 67 mg%). Of these, four (1%) were profoundly hypoglycemic (glucose less than 50 mg%). Two hundred and fifty three patients (67%) patients were normoglycemic (glucose 67-106 mg%) and 110 patients (29%) were hyperglycemic (glucose greater than 106 mg%). Nonfasting glucose measurements from a control group of 96 nondiabetic, nonintoxicated patients were compared with those of the study group. Two patients (2%) presented with hypoglycemia and none (0%) presented with profound hypoglycemia. Forty-five patients (47%) presented with normoglycemia, and 49 (51%) with hyperglycemia. There were no statistically significant differences found in the hypoglycemia rate between the intoxicated patients and nonintoxicated control population (odds ratio of 0.75; P greater than .05). Four of 378 intoxicated patients (1%) had profound hypoglycemia (less than 50 mg/dL) compared with none (0%) of the 96 nonintoxicated patients. Intoxicated patients had a statistically significant lower rate of hyperglycemia in comparison with the nonintoxicated control group (29% versus 51%; P less than .0001). Age, sex, race, ethanol level, and serum electrolyte measurement had no predictive value for hypoglycemia in intoxicated patients. The anion gap was consistently elevated in hypoglycemic patients in comparison with normoglycemic patients (P less than .05). Hypoglycemia appears to occur as frequently in an ethanol-intoxicated population as in a population without elevated ethanol levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1992

B-B10 (anti-CD25)-saporin immunotoxin--a possible tool in graft-versus-host disease treatment.

An immunotoxin containing the B-B10 MoAb, directed against the CD25 determinant, and the ribosome-inactivating protein saporin, inhibits 3H-TdR incorporation in phytohemagglutin, allogeneic-stimulated lymphocytes (primary and secondary mixed-lymphocyte reaction), and in an alloreactive T cell clone. A lower degree of inhibition was obtained with the B-B10 MoAb, which is known to inhibit IL-2 activity, as well as with the unconjugated compounds. These results suggest that the in vivo administration of the conjugate might be a more effective tool in the treatment of patients affected by graft-versus-host disease than B-B10 alone, by inducing an efficient killing of allogeneic-reacting T lymphocytes.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1992

Recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): preliminary report in patients with lymphoma associated with HIV infection.

In an ongoing phase II study, 12 patients with lymphoma and HIV infection were treated with zidovudine (ZDV) and recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) to evaluate if this association may produce beneficial effect on the immunologic status and the outcome of lymphoma. The protocol included daily doses of rIL-2 at 6 MIU/m2 over 5 days in c.i. per week for a total 4 courses; ZDV was associated at 600 mg/d in the period under study. An improved CD4 count, exceeding 2- to 4-fold the basal count, was obtained in patients with a basal CD4 number greater than 100/microliters accompanied by a significant increase of NK and LAK activity (p less than 0.001). From the clinical point of view the reduction of tumor manifestation was proportional to CD4 basal number; 2 patients from those with CD4 greater than 100/microliters obtained a complete remission after rIL-2 and ZVD. The p24 antigen, taken as parameter of viral replication, remained invariably negative after rIL-2 and ZDV in patients already negative and became negative in 1 patient previously positive. Our conclusion is that the association of rIL-2 and AZT is safe and useful in patients with lymphoma and HIV infection.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1991

Grading colposcopic appearance: paired comparison between two methods for differentiating benign papillomaviral infection from high-grade dysplasia of the uterine cervix.

Histologic features of 134 cases of human papilloma virus (HPV) cervical infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) were reviewed and correlated with colposcopic diagnosis on the basis of two different grading methods: International Nomenclature for Colposcopy showed 79.1% predictive accuracy and Reid's improved colposcopic index 86.6% of accurate predictions (significant difference at P less than 0.05). Overestimation difference was the most significant, with 23 overestimates in International Classification and 11 in Reid's score (P less than 0.01).

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1991

HLA complement markers in Italian narcoleptic patients with special emphasis on BfF subtyping.

Thirty narcoleptic patients (29 out of 30 of Mediterranean origin) were studied for HLA polymorphisms (only 24 were investigated for HLA class III). We found that these patients are characterized by DR2, DQW2 phenotype (p less than 0.0001) as those of Anglo-Saxon origin so far studied and by the complotype: BfS, C4A3, C4B1. Just 1 of 7 BfF patients has the Fb subtype detected by isoelectric focusing technique (p = 0.007). The only patient of Black origin (his mother is Eritrean) is completely different from other patients (DR3,5; DQW2,W3; C4A4,4; C4B1,2), supporting the hypothesis that it is not the DR2, DQW1 phenotype per se involved in this syndrome. Subdividing the subjects according to different clinical features, we cannot demonstrate genetic heterogeneity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Repeated readings using audiotaped material enhances oral reading in children with reading difficulties.

The method of repeated readings using audiotaped material was implemented in the present study by having poor readers aged 9-13 years listen to and read audiotaped stories until the passages could be read fluently without the tape. A same-age control group with similar reading difficulties was given an alternative reading program that was similar to that received by the experimental group (with respect to creative writing, spelling, phonics, and vocabulary development), but which differed in terms of passage reading exercises (controls read from basal readers, whereas the experimental group did repeated readings of audiotaped material). Only students in the repeated readings of audiotaped material group showed a significant effect of treatment on oral reading, whereas controls showed significantly larger gains in word attack skills. There were no between-group differences in silent reading, a close comprehension test, or isolated word recognition. The pattern of findings suggested that repeated readings of audiotaped material enhances oral reading ability of students with reading difficulties, but the effects of treatment do not generalize to a wide range of reading measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Analysis of natural killer cells in patients with idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

A functional and phenotypic analysis of the circulating natural killer (NK) cell population was carried out in 9 patients with idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia (IAHA). The NK-cell activity, assessed by a sensitive method based on the inhibition of target clone growth in plasma semisolid medium, was markedly decreased in all patients as compared with normal controls and was not restored by stimulation of the cells with recombinant alpha interferon (alpha-IFN). Analysis of peripheral blood phenotypic markers showed that cells bearing Leu7 and CD16 antigens numbered in the normal range. These findings suggest that IAHA patients exhibit a functional impairment of the NK compartment.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune↗
PubMed1989

Morphological changes of the ovarian surface epithelium in women with ovarian polycystic disease or endometrial carcinoma and a control group.

The ovarian surface epithelium and that of related inclusion cysts were studied in 50 women with ovarian polycystic disease and they were compared with our preceding observations performed on women with endometrial carcinoma (n = 50) and on women without any hyperplastic or neoplastic genital tract pathology (n = 50). In 16 women (32%) the ovarian epithelium with normal aspect was found on the surface of the ovary and in inclusion cysts. In the remaining 34 women (68%) surface papillomatosis, hyperplastic and metaplastic changes were present on the ovarian surface and/or in the inclusion cysts. These findings were similar to those observed in the group of women with endometrial adenocarcinoma, while the surface epithelium was often normal in the control group. Our observations confirm the hypothesis of a hormonal influence in the hyperplastic and metaplastic modifications of the ovarian epithelium and in the related common epithelial tumors of the ovary.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Non-HLA lymphocytotoxic antibodies in HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative hemophiliacs.

We tested serum samples from 11 HIV-seropositive and 32 HIV-seronegative Italian patients with hemophilia A or B for the presence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies (LCTAs). No patients had the acquired immune deficiency syndrome and all had received over many years heat-untreated commercial clotting factors. LCTAs directed mainly to B cells, were significantly present in 5/6 HIV-seropositive patients with hemophilia A and in 5/5 HIV-seropositive patients with hemophilia B. The presence of LCTAs in HIV-seronegative hemophiliacs was significantly correlated with both a decrease of T cells and an increase in serum levels of IgG and IgM.

Antilymphocyte Serum↗
PubMed1988

Multifocal extraovarian serous carcinoma. A histochemical and immunohistochemical study.

Three cases of multifocal extraovarian serous carcinoma are presented. This rare, interesting tumor is characterized by a peritoneal carcinosis with ascites and by a histological pattern similar to one of the ovarian serous carcinoma without primary involvement of the ovaries. The pathological criteria for a differential diagnosis between this condition and a localization of ovarian carcinoma are discussed. Histochemical studies show the presence of mucins and the absence of ialuronic acid in the neoplastic cells. The positivity to the low molecular weight cytokeratins is strong in the normal mesothelial cells, and weak in the hyperplastic and neoplastic cells. The meaning of these findings in the tumoral histogenesis is discussed.

Female↗
PubMed1986

Presentation rate effects on paired associate learning by attention deficit disordered children.

2 methods of varying presentation rate during paired associate learning were contrasted in attention deficit disordered (ADD) children. Previous studies have varied presentation rate across different (fixed rate) lists, and they have demonstrated that ADD children perform poorly at slower rates. In the present study, this method of presentation was contrasted with one in which half the items within a single list were presented at a fast rate and half at a slow rate. The debilitating effect of the slow rate was obtained in ADD children (but not in normal controls) only with the fixed list method. This finding suggests that the rate effects occur in ADD children because they are vulnerable to the experimental context created when items are presented at a slow rate over an extended time period.

Attention↗