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S Carta

Publications and source records attributed to S Carta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Dose-response of X-irradiated human and equine lymphocytes.

We have investigated and compared DNA damage and cell killing induced in human and equine lymphocytes after in vitro X-irradiation. Our data show that the cytogenetic and the lethality effects are both greater in equine lymphocytes, but that the difference is wider for lethality. The ratios between doses inducing the same effect are 1.3, 1.7 and 9.4 for the number of binucleated cells with micronuclei, micronucleus frequency in binucleated cells and DNA synthesis inhibition, respectively. The very different radiosensitivity observed for the two mammalian species encourages us to use their lymphocytes in cell radiobiology studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Leucocyte rheological properties are altered in patients with diffuse atherosclerosis.

To evaluate whether atherosclerosis may be associated with altered leucocyte rheology, we assessed leucocyte count (by Coulter counter), aggregation (by means of the leukergy test) and expression of adhesion molecules integrin LFA-1 and CD 44 (by means of immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry) in 9 patients with carotid plus lower limb artery atherosclerosis (group A), 14 patients with carotid atherosclerosis only (group B) and 23 controls without atherosclerosis (group C). The level of LFA-1 (calculated as mean fluorescence channels-MFCs) on neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in group A and B patients than in controls (group A-mean +/- SE: 383.77 +/- 9.42 vs 295.45 +/- 5.76; 474.22 +/- 8.86 vs 388.35 +/- 7.84; 457.66 +/- 12.03 vs 396.25 +/- 4.37. Group B: 322.42 +/- 6.36 vs 295.45 +/- 5.76; 421.42 +/- 7.21 vs 388.35 +/- 7.84; 415.71 +/- 7.73 vs 396.25 +/- 4.37, respectively); furthermore, the MFC of LFA-1 on neutrophils was significantly different (p < 0.05) between group A and B patients. The percentage of aggregated leucocytes was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in group A patients (4.46 +/- 1.07) than those in groups B (1.75 +/- 0.38) and C (1.43 +/- 0.25), whereas no significant difference was detected between groups B and C. Leucocyte number and expression of CD44 were not significantly different among the 3 groups. In conclusion, changes in leucocyte rheology are present in patients with atherosclerosis and may contribute to chronic ischaemia.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Timing and course of leucocyte aggregation in myocardial infarction.

In order to evaluate the pathophysiological relevance and clinical implications of leukocyte rheology in myocardial ischaemia we measured the percentage of aggregated leukocytes in 43 subjects with acute substernal pain before diagnosis. The percentage of aggregated leukocytes was significantly higher in 16 patients with subsequent diagnosis of myocardial infarction with respect to 11 with angina and 16 with non ischaemic chest pain (4.75 +/- 0.88, 3.43 +/- 0.65 and 1.52 +/- 0.32 respectively p < 0.01). The percentage of aggregated leukocytes was also evaluated in another group of 46 patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction. Among these, aggregated leukocytes were significantly higher in those with residual ischaemia, with respect to those without residual ischaemia (7.4 +/- 1.1 vs 3.5 +/- 0.6, p < 0.01). In conclusion, leukocyte aggregation is precociously increased after myocardial ischaemia. It may be a marker of residual ischaemia in patients with myocardial infarction.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Early detection of nephrotoxic effects in thalassemic patients receiving desferrioxamine therapy.

Nineteen transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major patients were included in the study. Six of these patients underwent chelation therapy with desferrioxamine by subcutaneous infusion (50 mg/kg/12 hr) and 13 received intravenous infusion (50 mg/kg/6 hr or 100 mg/kg/24 hr). BUN, creatinine, creatinine clearance, beta 2-microglobulin, urinary beta 2-microglobulin and urinary growth hormone excretion were evaluated during desferrioxamine treatment. Thirteen out of nineteen patients presented tubular damage indicated by increased excretion of urinary beta 2-microglobulin. 85% (11 of 13) of these patients showed more serious tubular damage, as demonstrated by concurrent increased urinary growth hormone excretion. Moreover, a positive correlation between urinary growth hormone excretion and urinary beta 2-microglobulin was observed (P < 0.05).

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1994

Leukocyte aggregation in patients with a previous cerebral ischemic event.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The role of leukocyte aggregation in ischemic stroke is controversial. In this study we investigated this hemorheologic alteration in patients at risk for stroke. METHODS: Leukocyte aggregation was evaluated with the leukergy test in 61 patients with a recent cerebral ischemic event and in 61 control subjects. RESULTS: In patients leukocyte aggregation was significantly higher than in control subjects (3.8 +/- 3.4% versus 2.5 +/- 2.2%; P = .01). In control subjects, the presence of vascular risk factors was associated with values of aggregation similar to those observed in patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest an association between altered leukocyte aggregation and cerebrovascular disease. Further investigations are needed to evaluate whether this hemorheologic alteration can be considered a marker of increased risk for stroke.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Subarachnoid hemorrhage of unknown origin. A 44 cases study.

44 cases (20 men and 24 women) of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) of unknown origin were studied: the mean age was 54.1 yrs. Highest frequency of the disease was observed in 51-70 years old patients. There was only a slight involvement of consciousness (I-II grade of HESS and HUNT). Vascular hypertension was noticed in 45.5% of patients, but outcome did not differ in hypertensive and normotensive subjects. The CT findings showed a typical picture of SAH. 4 cases of perimesencephalic and peripontine hemorrhage were noticed. 24 patients underwent lumbar puncture. The angiographic study was normal in all patients. 14 subjects repeated four-vessel angiography. Transient hydrocephalus was found in 22.7% of patients. Approximately 70% of patients received antifibrinolytic therapy, either with or without calcium entry-blockers (nimodipine). Neither ischemic complications nor rebleeding were observed. Follow-up showed that all patients had survived 7-88 months after SAH. All subjects made a complete recovery and have since been able to resume work.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Neonatal screening in congenital hypothyroidism in Italy. The National Registry].

Neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) began in Italy in 1977 and then progressively developed covering 97% of live births in 1992. The National Register of infants with congenital hypothyroidism was established in 1987 as a project of the Health Ministry and is coordinated by the Italian Institute of Health. The aim of the Register is to provide disease surveillance, to monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of neonatal screening and to allow the identification of possible etiological risk factors in congenital hypothyroidism. The results of the Register provided valuable epidemiological informations about congenital hypothyroidism in Italy and evidenced several areas in whom an increased incidence probably caused by iodine deficiency was observed. Discussion of Register data during annual national meetings has allowed an improvement of the screening program with particular regard to the beginning of therapy with L-thyroxine and its dose. Because of the wide spectrum of collected information, the National Register represents a useful tool for developing of collaborative studies concerning some aspects of CH not yet completely elucidated.

Congenital Hypothyroidism↗
PubMed1993

The National Register of infants with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening in Italy.

Neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism began in Italy in 1977 and then progressively developed covering 94% of live births in 1991. The National Register of infants with congenital hypothyroidism was established in 1987 as a project of the Health Ministry. The results of the Register provided valuable epidemiological information about congenital hypothyroidism in Italy and evidenced some aspects in the screening organization which had to be improved. Discussion of Register data during annual national meetings has recently allowed an improvement of the screening program with particular regard to the beginning of therapy with L-thyroxine and its dose.

Congenital Hypothyroidism↗
PubMed1993

Endocrine response to HIV infection. Involvement of thyroid gland.

Endocrine dysfunctions were associated at different stages of infection, including those early in the course of HIV infection. In fact adrenal insufficiency, hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism, hyponatremia, reduced gonadotropins levels, gonadal abnormalities and changes in hormone-binding proteins were reported in HIV infection. Also a thyroid involvement with autoimmune phenomena was observed in HIV infection by several studies giving different explanations of altered thyroid conditions. These findings suggest an effect of HIV on endocrine system. Recognition of endocrine manifestations in these patients may contribute to better characterize different stages of the infection and improve the management of HIV patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1993

Influence of acute and chronic smoking on leukocyte aggregation.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether alterations of leukocyte aggregation are present before the development of smoking-associated diseases. Leukocyte aggregation, studied by means of the leukergy test, was significantly higher in 24 healthy smokers as compared to 18 healthy non-smokers (mean + SE) 4.4 +/- 2.2 vs 1.5 +/- 1.3; P < 0.02. Intermediate values were found in ex-smokers. A significant increase was observed in smokers who underwent the acute smoking of three cigarettes in 20 minutes (mean +/- SE) 3.5 +/- 1.9 vs 7.5 +/- 2.6; P < 0.02. These data indicate that changes of leukocyte aggregation induced by smoking are present in healthy subjects before the development of clinically evident diseases associated with smoking.

Cell Aggregation↗
PubMed1992

Proposal of a new method to avoid misinterpretations in the evaluation of the leukergy test.

The leukergy test has been widely used in recent years to detect the phenomenon of leucocyte aggregation in various clinical conditions. It is performed by processing some drops of blood on a slide. According to the authors proposing this test, the leucocyte aggregation is expressed as the mean of the number of aggregates detected among 300 cells of a randomly chosen tract of two slides. We noted, however, that significant differences in the percentage of leucocyte aggregates were sometimes detected between two different slides prepared from the same patient, and hypothesized that an unequal distribution of aggregates along the slide could explain this finding. To test this hypothesis we analysed separately the leucocyte aggregates of three tracts of equal size of blood smears taken from 20 patients. Three slides, numbered 1, 2 and 3, were prepared from each patient. The first tract run by the drops when placing them in the slide showed a significantly lower percentage of aggregates than the remaining tracts (p less than 0.01 post hoc Tukey test). We conclude that the distribution of aggregated leucocytes is unequal along the slide and that the evaluation of the phenomenon of leukergy should always include the count of aggregates of the proximal, intermediate and distal tract of each slide.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1991

Isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting analysis of thyroglobulin from different thyroid diseases.

Thyroglobulins (Tgs) have been obtained from macro-microfollicular goiter, toxic adenomas, papillary carcinomas and metastatic lympho-node and chromatographed by gel filtration. The 19S Tgs so obtained have been characterized by isoelectric focusing (IEF) and immunoblotting. IEF showed microheterogeneity pattern of Tgs from normal tissue, macro-microfollicular goiter and toxic adenomas to be within pH range from 4.2 to 4.5, while that from papillary carcinomas and metastatic lympho-node showed a wider microheterogeneity. Passive blotting of focused Tgs and immunoreaction with rabbit anti-Tg peroxidase conjugated antibody have been carried out and a positive reaction for all examined samples have been evidenced. Also two bands, focused at more cathodic pH value (pH 4.7), observed in IEF patterns of Tgs from carcinomas and metastatic lympho-node, gave a positive reaction with anti-Tg conjugated antibody. These differences observed in IEF and immunoblotting patterns of Tgs from papillary carcinomas and metastatic lympho-node are discussed in this report.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1991

[Congenital hypothyroidism: organization and coordination of neonatal screening in Italy].

Congenital hypothyroidism (IC) is the most frequent endocrine disease of the infancy and it is caused by primary deficiency of thyroid hormones. The damages derived by protracted hormone deficiency are diffused to all organs and systems and particularly severe for the development of central nervous system. Mental retardation can be prevented by early diagnosis and therapy. Early diagnosis is assured by neonatal thyroid screening performed on all newborns in the first days of life. The progress report on the screening situation in Italy as well as the national coordination realized in this field are presented.

Congenital Hypothyroidism↗
PubMed1990

Three years of experience of the congenital hypothyroidism National Register.

Mental retardation caused by congenital deficiency of thyroid hormones can be prevented by early diagnosis and therapy which are assured by neonatal thyroid screening. Congenital hypothyroidism screening is performed in Italy by regional centres which in 1989 have screened more than 82% of neonatal population. Since 1987 a National Register of children affected by CH has been instituted. The results of the analysis of data collected in the first three years are reported.

Congenital Hypothyroidism↗
PubMed1988

Influence of environmental iodine deficiency on neonatal thyroid screening results.

During a multicentric pilot screening program for congenital hypothyroidism a comparison between the results obtained from Urbino, an area characterized by low iodine supply and endemic goiter, and Rome, a non-endemic area, has been made. The evaluation of neonatal urinary iodine excretion in the two areas showed significantly lower iodine urinary excretion levels in Urbino than in Rome. A shift of TSH at screening toward higher values as well as a higher percentage of recall in Urbino area than in Rome was observed. This finding, which well correlates with a low environmental iodine supply, emphasizes the importance of screening for congenital hypothyroidism as a suitable index of the presence and action of goitrogenic factors in the environment.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1988

Relationship between maternal parity, basal prolactin levels and neonatal breast milk intake.

Basal serum levels of prolactin (PRL) in 21 nursing mothers were measured by radioimmunoassay on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th days of the puerperium. The quantity of breast milk suckled during the 4th day of life was also evaluated by calculating the difference in the baby's weight before and after each feeding. During the first postpartum days, mean basal levels of PRL did not change. However these levels were noted to be significantly lower in the multiparas (p less than 0.05) than in the primiparas. In addition, the milk intake in neonates of multiparous mothers was significantly greater (p less than 0.05) than that in neonates of primiparous mothers. The author's hypothesis, based on the results of animal experimentation described in the literature, is that initiation of breast-feeding is facilitated in multiparas by the increased number of occupied PRL receptors in the mammary glands reflected by the lowered serum levels of the hormone.

Female↗
PubMed1986

Nonrandom distribution of coated pits and vesicles in the connective tissue cells of the trabecular meshwork of rabbit.

Coated pits (CPs) and coated vesicles (CVs) are distributed nonrandomly along the surface of the connective tissue cells of the rabbit trabecular meshwork. Morphometric and statistical analyses of the distances between consecutive structures reveal a tendency to cluster, which is apparently higher among CVs than among CPs. The spatial relationship between CVs and CPs is also demonstrated by the analysis of their association (presence/absence) in each cell. The data suggest the hypothesis that each cluster is formed by structures in the same stage of maturation. In addition to the recent demonstration of the clustering of CPs in transformed cells in vitro (Pfeiffer et al. 1980), our findings indicate that: (a) clustering is characteristic of both CVs and CPs; (b) it also occurs in normal tissue cells; (c) it represents a further peculiarity, which confirms the specific nature of receptor-mediated endocytosis; (d) it reflects, at a higher level, the clustering of the receptor molecules, which are responsible for the high selectivity of the endocytic process.

Animals↗