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S Mancinelli

Publications and source records attributed to S Mancinelli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Safety of nevirapine-containing antiretroviral triple therapy regimens to prevent vertical transmission in an African cohort of HIV-1-infected pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence and consequences of adverse reactions among African HIV-positive pregnant women treated with fixed-dose combinations of a nevirapine-containing antiretroviral (ARV) triple therapy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the clinical files of 703 HIV-1-positive pregnant women treated with a nevirapine-containing regimen between May 2002 and July 2004 was conducted. Selection criteria for inclusion in the analysis were: (a) taking ARV for more than 14 days; (b) baseline values of transaminases below the threshold of 2.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN). The women were on a nevirapine-containing regimen for a median of 127 days [interquartile range (IQR) 86-190 days], starting on average at the 27th week of gestation (standard deviation+/-9.5) and continuing up to a maximum of 6 months after delivery. All women were offered formula milk to feed the babies. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was continued beyond 6 months only if the patient qualified on the first visit. The main outcome measures were incidence of hepatotoxicity, skin rashes and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Multivariate analysis to assess the impact of several factors on the adverse reaction rate was performed. RESULTS: As of 1 August 2004, 554 pregnancies reached term, 96 women were still pregnant, and 53 women dropped out of the programme before giving birth. After 2 months of therapy the percentage of patients with a viral load less than 1000 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL increased to 78.6%; average CD4 cell counts increased from 490 cells/microL before therapy to 630 after therapy. The incidence of grade 3-4 adverse reactions (hepatotoxicity, skin rashes and Stevens-Johnson syndrome) was 6.5, 2.4 and 1.1%, respectively. Five women died during pregnancy (0.88%). Only one of the deaths could be associated with ARV treatment. CONCLUSION: Nevirapine-containing regimens in pregnant woman, at all CD4 cell count levels, appear to be safe in African settings.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Improving adherence to highly active anti-retroviral therapy in Africa: the DREAM programme in Mozambique.

Ensuring high levels of adherence to highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) is a priority in treating people living with AIDS. This study reports the rates of adherence of patients served by DREAM (Drug Resource Enhancement against AIDS and Malnutrition) in the city of Matola, Mozambique. DREAM, an innovative programme tailored for Africa, was implemented by the Community of Sant'Egidio in August 2001. DREAM provides patients with anti-retroviral drugs and laboratory tests at no charge, and is based on a particular strategy of health education and organization of services designed for a population that is predominantly poor and has a low level of formal education. This study analyzes the adherence of 154 patients over a period of 6 months. In evaluating adherence, two indicators were used: (1) the percentage of appointments kept for check-ups, tests and the collection of medicine, and (2) the overall change in the patients' blood chemistry over the 6-month period. Of the 154 patients, 127 (82.5%) kept more than 90% of their appointments. Adherence to the programme was further confirmed by a relevant increase of hemoglobin levels and CD4 counts, and a significant decrease in the viral loads among the 154 patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Oxidation of aromatic sulfides by lignin peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

The reaction of H2O2 with 4-substituted aryl alkyl sulfides (4-XC6H4SR), catalysed by lignin peroxidase (LiP) from Phanerochaete chrysosporium, leads to the formation of sulfoxides, accompanied by diaryl disulfides. The yields of sulfoxide are greater than 95% when X = OMe, but decrease significantly as the electron donating power of the substituent decreases. No reaction is observed for X = CN. The bulkiness of the R group has very little influence on the efficiency of the reaction, except for R = tBu. The reaction exhibits enantioselectivity (up to 62% enantiomeric excess with X = Br, with preferential formation of the sulfoxide with S configuration). Enantioselectivity decreases with increasing electron density of the sulfide. Experiments in H218O show partial or no incorporation of the labelled oxygen into the sulfoxide, with the extent of incorporation decreasing as the ring substituents become more electron-withdrawing. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that LiP compound I (formed by reaction between the native enzyme and H2O2), reacts with the sulfide to form a sulfide radical cation and LiP compound II. The radical cation is then converted to sulfoxide either by reaction with the medium or by a reaction with compound II, the competition between these two pathways depending on the stability of the radical cation.

Oxidation-Reduction↗
PubMed1994

Care requirements of people with ARC/AIDS in Rome: non-hospital services.

In Italy, care for people with AIDS (PWA) is centred on hospital services. However, other services are beginning to develop, both in the form of residential facilities and of home care. It seems, therefore, important to define the type of non-hospital services that should be supplied on the basis of AIDS patients' real needs. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the definition of care requirements by administration to 92 persons with ARC/AIDS of a questionnaire on Functional Multidimensional Evaluation to assess the demand for services in relation to the state of health and socio-economic situation of those interviewed. The pattern that emerged was one of severe socio-economic difficulties (most of the patients were drug addicts) and of major functional impairment (about 60% of those interviewed were not self-sufficient as far as Instrumental Activities of Daily Living were concerned). Among the main problems: difficulties of finding accommodation (almost 9% of those interviewed have no fixed abode) and economic difficulties; the demand for services was characterized by a lack of self-sufficiency. The most frequently required social services were help with preparation of meals, household chores and assistance with transport; the most frequently required health service was physiotherapy, which is also the least available. The study supplies useful information for the planning of non-hospital services in Italy and in other western countries with similar epidemiological situations.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1994

The use of nifedipine as first-line hypotensive therapy in gestational hypertension.

Nifedipine was administered to 49 pregnant women with gestational hypertension as first-line therapy, and were longitudinally studied as paired observations for 3 or 10 day intervals of treatment with nifedipine until delivery. All the patients assumed a slow release formulation of nifedipine at the dose of 40-80 mg/24 hr in 2-3 administrations. Blood pressure was taken at least 4 times a day. The patients were divided in two groups: 32 women with non proteinuric gestational hypertension (NPGH) and 17 women with proteinuric preeclampsia (PP). No statistically significant modification of blood pressure was observed in both groups under treatment. However, NPGH showed a trend to reducing, while PP demonstrated a tendency to worsening both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. After treatment with nifedipine the platelet count of both groups was found unchanged. No adverse fetal or newborn effects imputable to the drug were observed. The present study demonstrates that nifedipine alone, at the doses used, is not effective in reducing blood pressure in long-term treatment. However the treatment could concur to avoid sharp and dangerous increases of blood pressure.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[An evaluation of body adiposity in Roman schoolchildren].

The purpose of this study is to assess the body fat content of 871 Roman children, aged 7-14 years, by a simple method based on measurement of body density from skinfold thickness. Weight, height, triceps, biceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold were measured for every child and calculated body mass index and percentage of body fat. Girls tended to have more fat than boys and an increase of values with age; boys presented an increase of fat until 11 years, than a decrease more considerable at 14 years. Body fat percentage has a higher correlation with age than BMI and therefore is added to other body mass indices, based on weight and height, for a careful assessment of body composition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Vitamin C and nutritional status of institutionalized and noninstitutionalized elderly women in Rome.

A cross-sectional study on 64 institutionalized and 65 noninstitutionalized elderly women has been undertaken. The age range was 60 through 90 years. Vitamin C status was assessed by serum ascorbic acid measurement and the nutritional status was evaluated by a three-day dietary record and main anthropometric measurements. Mean concentration of ascorbic acid was 1.03 mg/dl in the noninstitutionalized and 0.67 mg/dl in the institutionalized group (p less than 0.001). A serum ascorbic acid level less than 0.2 mg/dl was found in one (1.5%) and seven (10.9%) subjects respectively (p less than 0.03). Mean intake of vitamin C was 104.1 mg/d in the former and 87.3 mg/d in the latter group (p = NS), being less than 45 mg/d in 16 living at home and 11 institutionalized women. Serum ascorbic acid level did not correlate significantly to dietary nutrient intake but correlated to activity of daily living level (r = 0.29), vitamin C intake (r = 0.23), ideal body weight (r = -0.15), relative body weight (r = 0.15) and body mass index (r = 0.14). Suggestions are made concerning a higher intake of vitamin C and a more careful catering to improve the health status of the elderly people living in large institutions. The authors also suggest to include the serum ascorbic level determination in the assessment of the general health status of the elderly.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[The etiopathogenesis of the acute stress ulcer. The role of oxygen free radicals].

We evaluated the role of oxygen free radicals in the induction of acute stress gastric ulcer in rats. After 12 hr of immobility, ulcers of up to 4 mm were observed in the gastric mucosa. Pretreatment with allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, produced a significant reduction in the number and size of lesions (p < 0.0001). No protection was afforded by aluminum hydroxide or ranitidine alone, but enhanced protection was observed when given in association to allopurinol. A secondary role for H ions is suggested by these findings. Our results support the hypothesis of a role of oxygen free radicals in the pathogenesis of stress gastric ulcers. Allopurinol might be used in conditions predisposing to stress in patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

[Skinfold thickness in a group of Roman schoolchildren].

Triceps, biceps, subscapular and supra-iliac skinfold measurements were taken on 871 children, aged 7-14, in three Roman schools. Girls have larger skinfolds than boys; the values at every site increase with age. Boys present an increase in skinfold measurements until 11 years, then a decrease, more marked at 14 years. Skinfold measurements are a method to assess the amount of fat in the body. Age reference curves, prepared from many Authors, in various parts of the world, show differences between different populations. Skinfold reference data for Italian population therefore are necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Campylobacter jejuni infections in slaughterhouse workers].

Complement fixing (C.F.) antibodies to Campylobacter jejuni were detected in 83 slaughterhouse workers and 83 blood donors. Workers were aged 18-65 years (mean, 41.7 +/- 12.3) and had worked in the slaughterhouse for 2-40 years (mean, 17.5 +/- 5.1). C.F. antibodies were detected according to Mosimann's method and by including five antigens: Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolitica types 03 and 09, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Brucella. Positive titers were found in 12.1% of workers and in 2.4% of control subjects (p less than 0.01); values ranged from 1:10 to 1:40. Frequent and close contact with animals or their products was significantly associated with seropositivity. No association was found with the time of employment. Sixty per cent of seropositive workers referred rheumatological symptoms. These findings confirm that slaughterhouse workers exposed to potential sources of C. jejuni have elevated titers of antibodies. Attention has, therefore, to be focused on breaking the chain of transmission as a means of control.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1988

[Factors correlated with arterial blood pressure. Follow-up of a young population in Rome].

In order to find out whether there is any relationship between blood pressure, body mass index, weight, heart rate in youth and arterial hypertension later on in life, 212 subjects (16-26 years of age) were re-examined 2 years later. Previous blood pressure level were very significantly associated with present blood pressure levels A relationship was also discovered with the other parameters measured 2 years earlier: weight, body mass index and heart rate. These findings confirm the fact that it is possible to detect future hypertensives early in life and to take effective preventive measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

[Anti-rabies prophylaxis. Experience of the Antirabies Service of Rome].

Clinical records from 4820 outpatients who required assistance after animal bites during 1986 at the "Antirabid Center" of Rome were collected and analysed. The study was carried out to investigate epidemiology of animal bites among our population and the proportion of people who received post-exposure antirabid prophylaxis. We noted a high proportion of people submitted to rabies immunization after animal bites (44% received at least one dose of HDCV vaccine), in spite of the fact that rabies is absent from Central Italy since many years in both wild and domestic animals (being present, on the contrary, in Northern Italy). These considerations suggest the opportunity of a substantial revision of the official Recommendations, and we feel that a differential policy should be adopted in rabies enzootic areas (Northern Italy) compared to those where risk is only potential.

Adolescent↗