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S Mazza

Publications and source records attributed to S Mazza.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Mario Gozzano: the work of an EEG pioneer.

The study of the early history of electroencephalography can yield fascinating insights and surprises. A revisit to the work of Mario Gozzano (1898-1986) has proved to be particularly stimulating. His EEG study of 1935 is a classic and should be resurrected from the graveyard of history. Gozzano was an eminent clinical neurologist-epileptologist and chairman of the neurological-psychiatric university departments in Cagliari, Pisa, Bologna and, from 1951 to his retirement, in Rome. He quickly recognized the significance of EEG and produced his major experimental EEG work in the wake of a stay at the Berlin-Buch Brain Institute. His prolonged corticograms of various regions in the rabbit demonstrated striking differences between various cortical areas. Topical cortical strychnine produced spikes (a barely known phenomenon at that time) and the evolution from interictal to ictal spiking. Spikes induced by visual stimuli may be regarded as precursors of evoked potentials. While Hans Berger was a holist ("the brain working as a whole"), Gozzano (influenced by Vogt and Kornmueller) provided EEG support for the localizationists.

Electroencephalography↗
PubMed2001

Serum protein profiles of patients with pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis: searching for a diagnostic protein pattern.

In this study, 13 sera from patients with pancreatic cancer, 9 from chronic pancreatitis and 10 from healthy subjects were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. The MALDI mass spectra revealed the presence of several low molecular weight peptides, among which some were detected only in the sera from both pathological conditions. On the other hand many peptides were observed only in control sera, and were absent in the sera from the two diseases. Therefore, MALDI analysis of the low molecular weight fraction (<10 000 Da) of sera from patients with pancreatic diseases enabled us to identify the presence of some disease-related signals and also some signals characteristic of normal subjects.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Health-related quality of life in patients with myasthenia gravis and the relationship between patient-oriented assessment and conventional measurements.

We assessed the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and correlated it with the physician's measurements of MG. Patients with MG were evaluated by means of (1) self-administered questionnaires, (2) clinical examination, (3) Osserman classification, (4) anti-AChR antibody, and (5) neurophysiology. Relationships between patient-oriented assessment and conventional clinical-neurophysiological and serological findings were evaluated. A total of 46 patients, inpatients and outpatients (mean age 50.7 years, range 11-77 years, 17 males, 29 females) with MG diagnosis were studied. The Osserman scale and clinical examination findings were significantly related to the physical aspects of HRQoL. Mental aspects of the quality of life were not progressively involved as muscle deficit progressed, but even in a mild clinical picture, the mental aspects were deteriorated. Patient-oriented measures proved that the patient's quality of life was impaired especially with regard to physical aspects. Our data demonstrated that clinical measurements are related to the HRQoL. The results may be useful in developing a disease-specific patient-oriented tool.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2001

Colorectal cancer metastatic phenotype stimulates production by fibroblasts of N-terminal peptide of type III collagen: clinical implications for prognosis.

In this study we assessed whether the serum levels of the N-terminal peptide of type III collagen (PIIIP), an index of type III collagen synthesis, are influenced by colorectal cancer stage, and whether "in vitro" fibroblast growth and PIIIP production could be altered by tumor tissues obtained from metastatic and nonmetastatic colorectal cancer. 208 colorectal cancer patients (115 colon and 93 rectum) were studied; 54 were stage I, 62 stage II, 37 stage III and 55 stage IV. PIIIP serum levels were significantly higher in stage IV as compared to all other patient groups. The 5-year survival of stage I, stage II, stage III and stage IV patients were 87%, 88%, 32% and 20%, respectively. In the subgroup of stage I and stage II patients considered together, PIIIP (> 0.5 U/ml), but not CEA (> 5 microg/l) serum levels, were predictive for survival. Fibroblast growth was significantly inhibited, while PIIIP production was significantly enhanced, when these cells were conditioned with colorectal cancer homogenates obtained from patients with distant metastases, than from those without distant metastases. In conclusion, colorectal tumors, when metastatic, stimulate fibroblasts' PIIIP synthesis and the serum levels of this peptide might predict patients' outcome after radical surgery.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen↗
PubMed2001

The MHC class II transactivator: prey and hunter in infectious diseases.

The MHC class II transcriptional activator (CIITA) is the major regulator of expression of MHC class II genes. Thus, CIITA plays a fundamental role in the regulation of the immune response. Here, we discuss our findings on the dual role of CIITA during infections, as the target (prey) for certain pathogens but the host effector (hunter) against other pathogens, including HIV-1. This dual role is placed in an evolutionary context as a rather peculiar example of a strategy used by pathogens to evade host defenses and a counteraction of the host to minimize the survival and spread of the pathogen.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Highly stable oligomerization forms of HIV-1 Tat detected by monoclonal antibodies and requirement of monomeric forms for the transactivating function on the HIV-1 LTR.

The use of newly generated murine monoclonal antibodies directed against distinct epitopes of a functionally active, chemically synthesized HIV-1 Tat protein has permitted the identification of several molecular forms including monomers, dimers and trimers. Dimers and trimers are particularly stable and resistant to strong reducing conditions. Through epitope mapping it has been possible to demonstrate that the major immunodominant epitope is contained within the basic region of the Tat protein and is lost after oligomerization of the molecule. In contrast, N-terminal, C-terminal and conformation-dependent epitopes are still accessible to mAb specific recognition after Tat oligomerization. Moreover, by using a quantitative HIV-LTR transactivation assay depending upon exogenous Tat, we could extrapolate the amount of functional Tat produced by cell lines stably transfected with the viral transactivator. More importantly, we could show that only the monomeric form of exogenous Tat is the relevant functional form acting in cells harbouring the HIV-1 LTR promoter.

Alkylation↗
PubMed2000

Total PSA, free PSA/total PSA ratio, and molecular PSA detection in prostate cancer: which is clinically effective and when?

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain when the serum determination of the free prostate-specific antigen (PSA)/total PSA (fPSA/tPSA) ratio is clinically useful, and whether the identification of PSA or prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSM) mRNA in circulating cells has diagnostic advantages over the determination of their protein product. METHODS: fPSA, tPSA, and the fPSA/tPSA ratio were determined in the sera of 50 men with benign nonprostatic urologic diseases (EPD), 112 patients with prostate cancer (PCa), and 218 with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). mRNA was extracted from the circulating mononuclear cells of 13 EPD samples, 25 PCa samples, and 38 BPH samples. PSA and PSM mRNA signals were identified in these samples by means of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Overall, at a fixed specificity of 95%, the sensitivity of tPSA was 19% and that of the fPSA/tPSA ratio was 40% in distinguishing PCa from BPH. The fPSA/tPSA ratio allowed the discrimination of PCa from BPH with satisfactory sensitivity and specificity when considering patients less than 60 years of age (100% and 95%, respectively). PSA and PSM mRNA were positive in 1 and 7 of 13 EPD samples, 6 and 13 of 25 PCa samples, and 6 and 17 of 38 BPH samples. The Gleason score did not correlate with tPSA, the fPSA/tPSA ratio, PSA mRNA, or PSM mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: The serum determination of the fPSA/tPSA ratio is an excellent index of PCa for subjects younger than 60 years of age; the clinical utility of PSA mRNA identification in circulating cells needs to be validated by large follow-up studies, and the analysis of PSM mRNA seems to be of no clinical interest.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Is ESES/CSWS a strictly age-related disorder?

OBJECTIVES: We report on a case of ESES/CSWS observed in a patient of 21 years and still persisting at the age of 25. Cases of ESES/CSWS have never been previously described in adult patients. ESES/CSWS is considered to be related to the degree of maturation of the central nervous system, and therefore strictly age-related. METHODS: Our case of ESES/CSWS was observed in a 2 1 year old woman referred for cognitive and behavioral disorders. She had previously had epileptic fits, but was seizure free at that time. The patient underwent a full-night polygraphic recording , which showed typical ESES/CSWS pattern, with a Spike-and-Wave Index >8 5%. Polysomnography was repeated 9 times in a 4 year follow-up, during which the ESES/CSWS condition persisted, despite the pharmacological treatments. The patient also underwent cerebral magnetic resonance imaging and fludeoxyglucose F 18 positron emission tomography (PET). RESULTS: The PET study revealed reduced metabolic activity within the lower gyrus of the right parietal lobe, but no significant difference between subcortical structures and cortical mantle was seen. MRI scans were normal. CONCLUSIONS: This observation suggests that ESES/CSWS might not always be an age-related condition. Sleep EEG recordings should always be performed in patients with behavioral disorders and a history of epileptic fits.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Cytokines modulate MIA PaCa 2 and CAPAN-1 adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins.

Variations in cancer cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins might underlie an enhanced metastatic potential. ECM binding is mediated by cell-adhesion molecules, the membrane expression of which might be influenced by soluble mediators, such as cytokines. The aims of our study were to ascertain whether epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), interleukin 1alpha (IL-1alpha), or interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) can modify MIA PaCa 2 (pancreatic cancer cell line) and CAPAN-1 (metastatic pancreatic cancer cell line) adhesion to fibronectin, laminin, or type I collagen, and whether these cytokines can shift the membrane expression of the hyaluronic acid receptor (CD44). EGF significantly enhanced MIA PaCa 2, but not CAPAN-1, adhesion to fibronectin, laminin, and type I collagen. TGF-beta1 reduced MIA PaCa 2 adhesion to type I collagen, but enhanced CAPAN-1 adhesion to fibronectin and laminin. IL-1alpha was found to enhance MIA PaCa 2 adhesion to fibronectin, while reducing adhesion to type I collagen, whereas IL-1beta reduced the adhesion to laminin. IL-1alpha enhanced CAPAN-1 adhesion to laminin in a dose-dependent manner; IL-1beta slightly increased the adhesion of these cells to laminin at low dosage, and to type I collagen at high dosage. Both IL-1alpha and IL-1beta reduced CD44 membrane expression of MIA PaCa 2, while TGF-beta1 increased the percentage of CD44-positive CAPAN-1 cells. We suggest that the effects on cell adhesion induced by different cytokines depend on the status of the target pancreatic cancer cell. EGF and, in part, IL-1alpha can favor nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer cell adhesion to ECM, possibly favoring tumor spread. Metastatic cells seem to lose the responsiveness to EGF, while becoming hyperresponsive to IL-1alpha. TGF-beta1 might exert an antidiffusive effect on primary, and a prodiffusive effect on metastatic pancreatic cancer cells. Only IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and TGF-beta1 seem to influence CD44 membrane expression. All the results presented in this study were obtained in vitro, and in vivo studies are needed to verify whether the studied cytokines can favor or counteract pancreatic cancer spread.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1999

[Pregnancy cholestasis. Clinical aspects and neonatal outcome].

AIM: Gravidic cholestasis is a syndrome that is usually manifested during the third trimester of pregnancy and regresses in puerperium. It is characterized by the onset of itch, with or without associated jaundice and alterations of hepatic functional parameters. Its incidence varies according to geographical area. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made regarding the frequency of this pathology in pregnant patients attending the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic of Trieste from 1-1-1980 to 31-7-1997. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics were studied relating to the course of pregnancy and neonatal outcome. Patients were identified on the basis of diagnosis on admittance and anamnestic and laboratory data, generalised itch and increased transaminase, biliary salts and alkaline phosphatase. Patients suffering form active-phase viral hepatitis were excluded, as were those in whom symptoms appeared after the start of alpha methyldopa administration. RESULTS: The frequency of gravidic cholestasis in this series was 0.36%. No significant differences were recorded in terms of age, parity and weight increase in these patients compared to the general population of pregnant women. Birth was spontaneous in 66% and by cesarean section in 34%. The frequency of premature births was 12%. The Apgar score at 5 min was satisfactory in all neonates. CONCLUSIONS: Careful monitoring of pregnancy associated with suitable obstetric care enabled a zero rate neonatal and maternal mortality to be achieved.

Cesarean Section↗
PubMed1998

Essential mixed type II cryoglobulinemia in a HCV positive pregnant woman: case report.

Cryoglobulins are a group of proteins with the common property of precipitating from cooled serum. Cooled cryoglobulinemia is a classic disease caused by immune complexes which subside on vessel walls and produce a clinical picture represented by recurrent purpura, asthenia, arthralgias, Raynaud's phenomenon, glomerulonephritis and sensorimotor neuropathy. The authors describe a case of a patient C.M., 37 years old, with cryoglobulinemia, chronic hepatitis C and gravidic cholestasis at 28 weeks' gestation. The clinical picture worsened with the appearance of mild hypertension with proteinuria and hypochromic anaemia. At 31 weeks' the arthralgic symptomatology and pruritus revealed degeneration with an alteration of glycemic profile values and treatment with rapid human insuline was started. The cardiotocography began to be pathologic and a cesarean section was performed; the newborn weighted 1570 g. Cooled cryoglobulinemia is a pathology which worsens in a gravidic state and can impair the outcome of pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sexual behavior and hemispheric laterality of the focus in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Various studies have described an unusually common incidence of sexual and reproductive dysfunction in patients affected by temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The purpose of the present study was to further investigate, by means of an ad hoc questionnaire, the relationship between sexual disorders and the hemispheric laterality of the epileptic focus in men and women with right (R) TLE and left (L) TLE. The results suggest a reduction of sexual interest in patients with R-TLE as compared with L-TLE in both men and women. This effect was fundamentally observed when sexual interest was implicitly explored. No significant difference was found between R-TLE and L-TLE groups concerning most aspects of sexual performance. Various hypotheses are discussed to interpret this effect of hemispheric lateralization on sexual interest.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The inv dup(15) syndrome: a clinically recognizable syndrome with altered behavior, mental retardation, and epilepsy.

The most common of the heterogeneous group of the extra structurally abnormal chromosomes (ESACs) is the inv dup(15), whose presence results in tetrasomy 15p and partial tetrasomy 15q. Inv dup(15), containing the Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome (PWS/AS) region, are constantly associated with phenotypic abnormalities and mental retardation. We report on four additional patients with inv dup(15), whose behavioral pattern, and neurologic and physical findings further delineate the phenotype of this neurogenetic syndrome. We also provide FISH analyses on chromosomes of the observed ESACs and discuss the role of a number of genes located within the tetrasomic region.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Eligibility criteria for labor induction with prostaglandins.

Particular conditions exist at the end of some pregnancies which cause an increase in maternal and fetal risk. A valid alternative for these pregnancies is represented by the administration of prostaglandins, in order to obtain labor induction. The goal of our study was to define the eligibility criteria and the epidemiological characteristics that correlate most with a favorable obstetrical outcome. The study was conducted on 133 informed, consenting patients subjected to labor-induced delivery with prostaglandins E2. The mode of delivery in relationship to parity demonstrated that the pluriparous patients had fewer difficulties in labor and in its induction: of the 43 pluriparous cases, none had a cesarean section for failed induction and 95.3% delivered vaginally. One hundred percent of the patients with a Bishop score of more than 4 went into labor, as opposed to 81% of the patients with a score of less than 4. Therefore, taking into consideration the cost of the method, we retain that choosing an active position is valid, respecting the eligibility criteria for the induction of labor described above.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Estrogen and progesterone receptors in human meningiomas: biochemical and immunocytochemical evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The observation that human meningiomas are rich in steroid hormone receptors has led to the hypothesis that their growth may be hormonally dependent. This study aims to correlate the biochemical expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PgR) with their nuclear immunoreactivity in a large series of meningiomas. METHODS: The occurrence of ER and PgR in patients with primary untreated meningiomas was studied with a dextrancoated charcoal method (DCC) and the results were compared with those of an immunocytochemical assay (ICA). Progesterone and estrogen receptor determinations were performed on 103 and 99 meningiomas respectively using the DCC assay. Forty-six and 44 of these samples were immunocytochemically evaluated for the presence of PgR and ER respectively. RESULTS: Of the 46 samples evaluated by both the methods, 89% were found PgR positive by DCC and 70% by ICA. The overall concordance between PgR-DCC and PgR-ICA was 80%. Whereas low concentrations of ER were found in 8/44 samples (18%) assayed by DCC, specific staining was never observed in any of the samples tested by ICA. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that the majority of meningiomas are devoid of ER and that the biochemical evidence of PgR correlates well with the nuclear localization of progesterone receptors determined by immunocytochemistry.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Changes in insulin and lipid metabolism in males with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia.

OBJECTIVES: To define the effect of asymptomatic hyperuricaemia on various facets of glucose, insulin, and lipoprotein metabolism. DESIGN: Case control study in health volunteers. SETTING: The volunteers for this study were selected on the basis of their laboratory results from a larger population participating in a general survey in one large factory. SUBJECTS: The study population consisted of 40 healthy males: 20 with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia (serum uric acid concentration equal to or greater than 420 mmol l-1) and 20 with normal serum uric acid concentrations (180-320 mmol l-1). The two groups were similar in terms of age, general obesity (estimated by body mass index), smoking and alcohol intake, and estimate of work and leisure time activity. INTERVENTIONS: All subjects received a 75 g oral glucose challenge, with blood taken before and at frequent intervals thereafter. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fasting plasma glucose, insulin, and lipid concentrations and plasma glucose and insulin responses to the oral glucose challenge. RESULTS: By selection, mean (+/- SEM) serum uric acid concentration was higher in the hyperuricaemic individuals (454 +/- 7 vs. 274 +/- 12 mmol l-1). In addition, the plasma insulin response to oral glucose was increased in individuals with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia (P < 0.005) as were both systolic (136 +/- 3 vs. 126 +/- 3 mmHg, P < 0.05) and diastolic (91 +/- 1 vs. 82 +/- 1, P < 0.01) blood pressure. Furthermore, subjects with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia were dyslipidaemic (higher plasma TG and cholesterol and lower HDL-cholesterol concentrations) as compared to the normouricaemic control group (P < 0.07-0.005). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a possible explanation for the well-known association of hyperuricaemia with coronary heart disease, as well as suggesting that hyperuricaemia be added to the cluster of metabolic and haemodynamic abnormalities associated with insulin resistance and/or hyperinsulinaemia and designated as Syndrome X.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Pharmacodynamics of salmon calcitonin in humans: new markers of pharmacological activity.

In order to define the pharmacodynamic profile of salmon calcitonin (sCT) in humans, several markers of the biological activity of the drug have been studied, namely cAMP, adenosine and pO2 in venous blood, and the cytosolic free calcium level in circulating cells. Different dosages and routes of administration (1.5 IU.kg-1 and 0.75 IU kg-1 IM, and 1.5 IU.kg-1 via nasal spray) were compared. sCT caused an increase in cAMP, adenosine and pO2, and a decrease in cytosolic free calcium in neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelets. The peak times of all these parameters ranged between 109 and 182 min, and 101 and 168 min after IM and nasal spray administration respectively. There was greater variability in the values after IM than nasal spray of administration of sCT. It is concluded that adenosine and pO2 in venous blood, and cytosolic free calcium in circulating cells are valuable markers of the activity of sCT and that sCT decreases the cytosolic free calcium level in neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelets. Pharmacodynamic analysis of the biological effects of the drug is highly reliable and valuable in predicting its pharmacological profile. sCT administration via a nasal spray is able to produce significant biological effects, although they are less marked than after IM dosing.

Adenosine↗