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Biomedical subjects

R Rondinone

Publications and source records attributed to R Rondinone.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Clinical implications of autoantibody screening in patients with autoimmune myositis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of serum autoantibody profiling in patients with autoimmune myositis. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 74 consecutive patients: 68 had definite or probable myositis according to Bohan-Peter criteria, six suffered from antisynthetase syndrome with subclinical myopathy. Myositis specific antibodies (MSA) (anti-ARS, -SRP, -Mi-2) were determined by RNA immunoprecipitation or immunoblot, myositis associated antibodies (MAA) (anti-RoRNP, -U1RNP, -PM/Scl, -Ku) by immunoblot. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (58%) were positive for MSA: anti-Jo-1 in 15/27 polymyositis (PM) (55%), 4/33 dermatomyositis (DM) (12%), 1/8 overlap (12%) and 2/6 antisynthetase syndrome (33%); anti-ARS non-Jo-1 in 1/27 PM (4%), 2/33 DM (6%) and 4/6 antisynthetase syndrome (67%); anti-Mi-2 in 1/27 PM (4%) and 11/33 DM (33%); anti-SRP in 3/27 PM (11%) and 1/33 DM (3%). One patient was anti-Jo-1/Mi-2 positive, one anti-Jo-1/SRP positive. Moreover, 27 patients (36%) were positive for MAA: anti-Ro/SSA in 8/27 PM (30%), 7/33 DM (21%), 1/8 overlap (12%), and 3/6 antisynthetase syndrome (50%); anti-U1RNP in 1/27 PM (3.7%), 1/33 DM (3%), and 2/8 overlap (25%); anti-PM/Scl in 2/8 overlap (25%), anti-Ku in 2/8 overlap (25%). Anti-Jo-1 was predominantly associated with PM, anti-Mi-2 was almost exclusively found in DM patients. Anti-ARS antibodies were closely associated with interstitial lung disease and polyarthritis; notably, anti-ARS non-Jo-1 was more frequent in patients without overt muscle alterations. Anti-Ro/SSA antibody was not associated with any disease subset, but significantly more frequent in antisynthetase syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Searching for MSA and MAA in patients with autoimmmune myositis is recommended because of its diagnostic and clinical value. Anti-ARS non-Jo-1 antibodies seem to preferentially target patients with pulmonary fibrosis without overt myopathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Eating behaviour: research in Liguria on young, adult and elderly subjects.

Eating behaviour was studied, between 1985 and 2000, in three groups of volunteers, homogeneous in age and sex. Groups comprised 320 young, 450 adult and 230 elderly University students. Frequency of meals, food portion consumption and preferences, nutritional status, anthropometric indices and physical activity were assessed by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Dietary data included food and beverages, as well as the ingredients used to prepare the dishes, thus reflecting regional habits. Nutritional data record the eating pattern of the subjects, as related to macro- and micro-nutrient intake. Results of this study show that the eating behaviour of the Ligurian population is in accordance with the recommendations in favour of the choice of the "Mediterranean Diet", which allows preferences of "orexigenic" foods, but also of satiating and high dietary fibre foods, while intakes of animal fats were acceptable.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Tumour necrosis factor alpha is expressed in refractory skin lesions from patients with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is expressed in subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) skin lesions. METHODS: The in situ expression of TNFalpha in refractory lesional and non-lesional skin biopsy specimens from patients with SCLE was analysed using an immunohistochemical approach. At the time of biopsy these patients were receiving treatment with systemic medications such as antimalarial agents, immunosuppressive drugs, and thalidomide. Expression of TNFalpha was also evaluated in cutaneous lesions of patients with other inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases as controls. RESULTS: The data showed that refractory lesional skin tissue from patients with SCLE displays a strongly positive distribution of TNFalpha, particularly within the epidermis. No prominent staining was seen in non-lesional skin from the same group of patients or in cutaneous lesions from the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that TNFalpha is localised and produced by epidermal cells within SCLE skin lesions and support its potential role in the pathogenesis of SCLE. The tissue localisation of TNFalpha may represent a potential therapeutic target providing a new perspective in the treatment of refractory skin lesions in patients with SCLE.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Positive and negative effects of thalidomide on refractory cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Thalidomide is used in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) refractory to conventional therapies. Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is the most severe side effect, but the incidence of PN and its relation to thalidomide dose are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the efficacy as well as the occurrence of PN in CLE patients treated with thalidomide, and to assess whether PN, when occurs, correlates with thalidomide dose and/or length of treatment. METHODS: Fourteen female patients with CLE in low-dose thalidomide therapy were followed for up to 24 months. Prior to, and regularly during treatment patients underwent rheumatological, dermatological, neurological and electrophysiological evaluations. A decline in sural SNAP of 50% or more from baseline value was considered as criterion of sensory axonal PN. RESULTS: All patients showed a dramatic improvement of skin manifestations. Ten patients (71.4%) developed a sensory axonal PN. The median time free from this complication was 14 months. No correlations were found between age of the patients nor thalidomide cumulative dose and occurrence of PN (Mann-Whitney U Test; p>0.16). Other adverse effects were: tremor, paresthesias, somnolence, amenhorrea, constipation and thoracic pain. CONCLUSIONS: Low does thalidomide is efficacious in treating CLE, but PN is a common complication whose occurrence does not seem to correlate with total thalidomide dose, whereas with the duration of therapy. A closer electrophysiological follow-up is therefore recommended in the long-term treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Thalidomide neurotoxicity: prospective study in patients with lupus erythematosus.

The authors prospectively followed 14 patients treated with thalidomide for cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), in order to evaluate the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) and to assess whether PN correlates with thalidomide dose. The patients were followed for up to 24 months with neurologic and electrophysiologic evaluations. Seven patients (50%) developed sensory axonal PN. The median time free from PN was 14 months. PN occurred after 10 months in the majority of patients. No correlations were found between thalidomide cumulative dose and occurrence of PN (Mann-Whitney U test; p > 0.16).

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Post-traumatic arthritis in a patient with Jadassohn's anetoderma].

We describe the emergence of arthritis following a physical trauma, in a young man with clinical and histopathologic features of primary anetoderma (Jadassohn type) of 13 years' duration. Diagnosis of post-traumatic arthritis in a young patient with genetic predisposition was assumed. Indeed septic arthritis and other possible cause of arthritis were ruled out.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Intravenous immunoglobulins control scleromyxoedema.

BACKGROUND: Scleromyxoedema is a variant of papular mucinosis affecting the skin and internal organs. The different therapeutic approaches proposed for scleromyxoedema are still unsatisfactory. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been successfully employed in the treatment of connective tissue diseases and vasculitides. PATIENTS: The successful treatment of three cases of scleromyxoedema with IVIg is reported here. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively low risk of the drug and the high effectiveness seen in three patients suggest that IVIg is a new treatment potentially useful in scleromyxoedema.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Photosensitivity in systemic lupus erythematosus: laboratory testing of ARA/ACR definition.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of photosensitivity in SLE as defined by either clinical or laboratory assessment, the concordance of findings obtained by two methods, and the relationship between photosensitivity and clinical and immunological parameters. METHODS: Forty-four SLE patients and 31 healthy subjects were included. Patients and controls underwent a standard questionnaire testing and the minimal erythemal dose (MED) measurement performed by Dermalight-Blue Point. The standard questionnaire was designed in order to meet, as near as possible, the definition of photosensitivity included in the ARA/ACR criteria for classification of SLE. RESULTS: The prevalence of photosensitivity was (patients vs controls): 57% vs 45% according to questionnaire; 79.5% vs 51.6% (P = 0.02) according to MED. The agreement between questionnaire and phototest was absent in SLE (kappa 0.01) and poor in controls (kappa 0.36). Discoid rash was significantly associated with questionnaire positive (P = 0.01) and renal involvement with questionnaire negative results (P = 0.02), serositis with MED abnormality (P = 0.03), malar rash and anti-Sm antibody with MED normal values (P = 0.03 and P = 0.01), respectively). Moreover, by multivariate analysis, malar rash and anti-Sm antibody significantly predicted MED-defined photosensitivity, with probability ranging from 42% (presence of both) to 92% (lack of both). CONCLUSIONS: Photosensitivity is frequently observed in SLE patients as well as in healthy subjects. Its prevalence is significantly higher in SLE than in controls only when it is detected using the laboratory method. However, due to the difficulty in objectively defining such manifestation, the disagreement between questionnaire and MED results was high and its clinical meaning appears ambiguous. Thus, the use of photosensitivity as a classification criterion for SLE remains questionable, at least when it is assessed according to the ARA/ACR definition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Prevalence and characteristics of anti-single-stranded DNA antibodies in localized scleroderma. Comparison with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Prevalence, levels, and immunoglobulin classes of anti-single-stranded DNA antibodies were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 52 patients with localized scleroderma (33 with morphea, four with generalized morphea, and 15 with linear scleroderma), in 60 healthy controls, and, for comparison, in 31 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Localized scleroderma revealed a significant prevalence of anti-single-stranded DNA antibodies, mainly characterized by high levels and IgM and IgA isotypes. Comparison of antibody characteristics in different clinical forms of localized scleroderma showed some significant differences (levels and immunoglobulin isotypes). Comparison with systemic lupus erythematosus showed that frequency, high levels, and IgG isotype of anti-single-stranded DNA antibodies significantly prevailed in systemic lupus erythematosus, while the IgM isotype significantly prevailed in localized scleroderma. However, generalized morphea and linear scleroderma did not significantly differ from systemic lupus erythematosus as regards antibody frequency and prevalence of high antibody levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Essential polyunsaturated nutrients in the development of rat striated muscle].

The striated muscle of the rat demonstrates, throughout the growth, an increase of the short C-chain saturated and of the mono-unsaturated fatty acids; a decrease of the saturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acids and shows a great quantity of the hyper-unsaturated (eicosapentaenoic and docosaesaenoic) fatty acids. The supplementation with linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids induces some effects of stabilization of the poly-unsaturated fatty acids in the grown-up and adult rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Fatty acids in striated muscle of the rat treated with toxic radicals].

In the striated muscle of the growing and adult rat CCl4 poisoning increases all the saturated fatty acids and decreases the mono-unsaturated and arachidonic fatty acids. The supplementation with poly-unsaturated fatty acids increases, in rat's striated muscle, mono-unsaturated acids and decreases saturated, arachidonic, docosaexahenoic acids.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Oesophageal motility and lower oesophageal sphincter competence in progressive systemic sclerosis and localized scleroderma.

Oesophageal motility and lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) competence were investigated in 13 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and in 16 patients with localized scleroderma (LS) by means of oesophageal manometry and 24-h pH monitoring of the distal oesophagus. Results were compared with those of a control group consisting of asymptomatic volunteers. Marked abnormalities in oesophageal motility and in acid exposure in the distal oesophagus were observed in PSS patients only. The mean resting pressure of the LOS was 10.1 +/- 1.5 mmHg in PSS, 21.4 +/- 1.1 mmHg in LS, and 23.8 +/- 2.0 mmHg in asymptomatic controls. Overall sphincter length was 24.1 +/- 3.4 mm in PSS, 31.1 +/- 1.6 mm in LS, and 39.0 +/- 2.0 mm in the control group. Spincter abdominal length was 12.1 +/- 2 mm, 15.4 +/- 1 mm, and 25.0 +/- 1 mm, respectively. The amplitude and duration of oesophageal waves were markedly reduced at 5, 10, and 15 cm above the LOS in PSS patients, with only the upper part of their gullet being spared. An abnormal acid exposure in the distal oesophagus was observed in 84.6% of PSS patients, whereas only 18.2% (2 of 11) of pH-tested LS patients had an abnormal 24-h pH test. These data show that a marked oesophageal involvement is present only in the systemic form of scleroderma. Oesophageal tests may be useful for a circumstantial diagnosis whenever the diagnosis of PSS is uncertain; however, their use does not seem to be justified as routine in patients with LS.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Fatty acids in the development and stabilization of the rat brain].

The development of the rat's brain demonstrates the increase of the short, medium and long C-chain saturated fatty acids and of the docosahexaenoic acids and the decrease of the mono-unsaturated fatty acids, of the linoleic-arachidonic acids, of the alpha-linolenic-eicosapentaenoic acids. The stabilization of the brain in the adult rat increases all the saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids and triene, while it decreases all the poly-unsaturated (omega-6; omega-3) fatty acids. The CCl4 poisoning cuts down the linoleic-arachidonic acids and the alpha-linolenic acid throughout the development of the rat's brain; after the growth, CCl4 increases triene, ac. eicosapentaenoic and reduces the linoleic-arachidonic and alpha-linolenic-ac. docosahexaenoic acids.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[A supplement with poly-unsaturated nutrients in the development and stabilization of the rat brain].

The supplementation with poly-unsaturated nutrients (linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids) induces in the rat's brain: -through the development, the reduction of both these nutrients and the increase of the arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids; -through the stabilization of the brain, the increase of both these nutrients and of eicosapentaenoic acid; -in consequence of the CCl4 poisoning, the increase of the eicosapentaenoic acid and the decrease of the docosahexaenoic acid: perhaps, owing to membrane-lytic effect of the toxic compound.

Animals↗