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S Solinas

Publications and source records attributed to S Solinas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

An estimate of the current risk of transmitting blood-borne infections through blood transfusion in Italy.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to estimate the incidence of major blood-borne agents among Italian blood donors and calculated the risk of infection among blood recipients using the 'incidence/window period model'. The study was conducted among 46 180 blood donors enrolled in six blood centres between 1994 and 1999. During follow-up, seven new infections were confirmed: three donors seroconverted for anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); two for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV); and two showed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) reactivity; no cases of syphilis were observed. The incidence rates per 100 000 person/years were: 4.06 (95% CI: 0.82-11.85) for HIV; 2.41 (95% CI: 0.29-8.70) for HCV; and 2.70 (95% CI: 0.32-9.77) for HBsAg; the incidence for total hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was 9.77 per 100 000 person/years (95% CI: 1.16-35.36). The estimated risk of an infectious blood unit not being detected was: 2.45 (95% CI: 0.13-12.33) per 1 million units for HIV; 4.35 (95% CI: 0.30-22.39) for HCV; and 15.78 (95% CI: 1.16-84.23) for HBV. Overall, an estimated 22.58 per 1 million units are infected. In Italy, the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections is low and is similar to that in other western countries. The introduction of new more sensitive screening tests could reduce the residual risk of transfusion-transmitted infection by 40-80%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The role of hepatitis C and B virus infections as risk factors for severe liver complications following allogeneic BMT: a prospective study by the Infectious Disease Working Party of the European Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group.

BACKGROUND: Severe liver disease, including fulminant hepatic failure and venoocclusive disease can occur after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The aim of our study was to assess risk factors for veno occlusive disease and severe liver disease occurring within 6 months from BMT. METHODS: A total of 193 consecutive patients from 15 BMT Centers were prospectively enrolled between January and June 1995. Data on donors and recipients before and after transplant were collected and included age, gender, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers, hematological disease, status and type of BMT, conditioning regimen and graft versus host disease prophylaxis. Statistical analysis included univariate descriptive and multivariate analysis based on logistic regression on major end-points. RESULTS: Forty-three of 193 patients died during the study period, and liver disease was the main cause of death (13 of 43, 30%). Incidence of severe veno occlusive disease was 8%, fulminant hepatic failure 0.5% and 12% of cases had ALT >500 U/L (normal < or =42 U/L). A de novo HBV or HCV infection occurred in 3.2 and 7% of patients respectively. Predictive risk factors for life-threatening liver disease were: unrelated donors (relative risk=5.8, confidence interval=1.7-19.8) and abnormal BMT donor ALT (relative risk=6.3, confidence interval=1. 5- 25.5). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that ongoing or previous infection with HBV or HCV in donor or recipient is not an absolute contraindication for BMT. However, abnormal ALT levels in BMT donors were a significant predictor of potentially lethal liver complications. The occurrence of de novo HBV or HCV infection did not correlate with severity of liver disease observed in the first 6 months posttransplant. These findings should be carefully evaluated before disregarding HBV or HCV positive siblings with normal transaminase levels in favor of unrelated donors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

A Burkitt lymphoma cell line with integrated Epstein-Barr virus at a stable chromosome modification site.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), Southern, and slot blotting were used to detect Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA and RNA sequences in a Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell line derived from a North American patient (NAB-2). FISH analysis after hybridization with a BamHI "V" region of EBV showed that NAB-2 cells have EBV genome integrated at a single site on the short arm of chromosome 2(p13). Single hybridization signals were detected at homologous sites on both chromatoids and nuclei. Furthermore, hybridization of intact nuclei without formamide denaturation and heat allowed the detection of single specific viral RNA transcripts visible as "tracks" or "traces." Southern blot analysis confirmed the integration of EBV genome into the host DNA. Quantification of slot blot hybridization revealed that NAB-2 cells have on average one copy of EBV per cell. Virus insertion into chromosomal DNA caused a stable modification site expressed as a distinctive achromatic region adjacent to the band 2p13. The chromatid lesion at the site of EBV integration involving a recombinogenic and fragile site may have contributed to the development of the NAB-2 BL.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1992

Assignment of the porcine tumour necrosis factor alpha and beta genes to the chromosome region 7p11-q11 by in situ hybridization.

The loci of the porcine tumour necrosis factor genes, alpha (TNFA) and beta (TNFB), have been chromosomally assigned by radioactive in situ hybridization. The genomic probes for TNFA and TNFB yielded signals above 7p11-q11, a region that has been shown earlier to carry the porcine major histocompatibility locus (SLA). These mapping data along with preliminary molecular studies suggest a genomic organization of the SLA that is similar to that of human and murine major histocompatibility complexes.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Assignment of the pig apolipoprotein B locus (APOB) to chromosome region 3q24-qter.

The locus for apolipoprotein-B (APOB) has been chromosomally assigned in swine by in situ hybridization of a genomic probe to metaphase chromosomes. As expected based on the observation of extensive linkage conservation and based on the previous assignment of the malate dehydrogenase locus (MDH1) in swine, APOB maps to chromosome 3, specifically to region 3q24-qter. Variations at APOB may represent both in humans and in swine risk factors for hypercholesterolaemia and atherosclerosis. Evidence presented here that the human and porcine APOB occupy evolutionarily conserved chromosome regions provides a basis for using the pig as an animal model to study the APOB associated atherosclerosis risk.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Studies of von Willebrand factor in essential thrombocythemia patients treated with alpha-2b recombinant interferon.

The crucial role of the von Willebrand Factor (vWF) and its interaction with platelets in myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) have emerged in recent years. Recently, many authors have reported the therapeutical efficacy of interferon (IFN) in MPD with thrombocytosis in decreasing platelet number. The purpose of our report is to study the modifications of vWF in a series of 20 patients affected by essential thrombocythemia (ET) or MPD with thrombocytosis, treated with alpha 2b recombinant IFN (alpha 2b-rIFN). Patients were studied before treatment and after complete or partial response: vWF-related properties, bleeding time (BT) and ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation (RIPA) were evaluated. Before treatment, we found prolonged BT in 5 patients (25%), abnormal RIPA in 8 (40%), reduced factor VIII coagulant activity (VIII:C) in 2 (10%), reduced vWF-related antigen (vWF:Ag) in 5 (25%) and low vWF:ristocetin cofactor (vWF:Ricof) in 5 (25%). Twelve subjects were evaluated after hematologic remission: in all patients, BT, VIII:C, vWF:Ag and vWF:Ricof were within normal range or upper normal limits. RIPA was abnormal in 7 subjects. Multimer patterns of vWF were performed in 3 patients before and after treatment: 2 of them showed loss of high-molecular-weight multimers that seemed to recover at remission. IFN seems to induce improvement of platelet number and their functions in MPD with thrombocytosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Production of the mouse whey acidic protein in transgenic pigs during lactation.

The mouse whey acidic protein (WAP) gene was introduced into the genome of pigs and its expression was analyzed in the mammary gland. Mouse WAP was detected in milk of lactating females from five lines at levels between .5 and 1.5 g/liter, thereby representing as much as 2% of the total milk proteins. The corresponding mRNA was expressed in mammary tissue at levels similar to those of pig beta-lactoglobulin and beta-casein. The pattern of WAP secretion in three pigs over a period of 6 wk was quantitatively similar to that of pig beta-lactoglobulin. From the eight transgenic pigs analyzed, three successfully completed one lactational period, but five pigs stopped lactating a few days after parturition. Our results show that it is possible to produce large quantities of a foreign protein in milk of pigs over a full lactational period. However, expression of WAP can compromise the mammary gland and render it nonfunctional.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Induction of immunotolerance in hemophilia for high titre inhibitor eradication: a long-term follow-up.

Three hemophiliacs with high titre inhibitor were treated with a medium-high FVIII dose schedule (100 IU/kg bw daily) with the aim of inducing the immunotolerance. These patients were followed-up extensively concerning their immunological status and HIV serology. In all of them the inhibitor disappeared and normal FVIII kinetics were obtained after 22, 15 and 29 months. After eradication of the inhibitor, no recurrence took place in any of the patients. All the patients were HIV Ab positive before the beginning of the treatment. In one of them CD4+ cells fell progressively 32 months after the treatment was started, a full-blown AIDS showed up, and the patient died 5 1/2 years after the beginning of the treatment. In the second and third patient the CD4+ cells varied widely but remained greater than 400/microliter during the whole immunotolerance treatment. The latter two patients are AIDS and ARC free so far, but patient No. 2 developed a mild-to-severe thrombocytopenia. Considering the high cost of the treatment and the possibility that such an intensive administration of FVIII concentrates might worsen the immunological status of patients, this therapeutic procedure should only be applied with caution.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Consumption coagulopathy and low-dose heparin in the surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm: a study of fifteen cases.

Surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is frequently associated with DIC. 15 patients affected by AAA were studied to evaluate the risk of consumption coagulopathy and the efficacy of daily low-dose calcium heparin prophylaxis. The coagulation parameters investigated showed a postoperative decrease of AT III activity levels and platelet count the other laboratory tests did not show any significant modifications. Low dose heparin was effective in preventing coagulation activity or thrombotic episodes. No thromboembolic complications were observed, except nonfatal myocardial infarction.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Concentrated DDAVP: further improvement in the management of mild factor VIII deficiencies.

This study was carried out to evaluate the pharmacological efficacy of a new concentrated 1 Deamino - (8-D-arginine)-vasopressin (DDAVP) preparation. Concentrated DDAVP (C-DDAVP), (40 micrograms/mL) was given subcutaneously (s.c.) in hemophilia and von Willebrand Disease (vWD), and the response was evaluated in terms of factor VIII/vWF (VIII/von Willebrand Factor) complex response. This response was also compared to that obtained using the currently available commercial preparation (4 micrograms/mL) given either s.c. or intravenously (i.v.). The maximal f. VIII response after s.c. C-DDAVP was reached one hour after the injection (means:3.5 times the resting values) with an average decline of 15% at two hours. The response to s.c. C-DDAVP in patients with hemophilia was slightly better than that obtained with the diluted brand, but the difference did not reach any statistical significance even when the schedules were compared in the same patients. In type I (platelet normal subtype) vWD, a higher response in terms of factor VIII:C increase in comparison with hemophiliacs was obtained. Both Ristocetin co-factor activity (RiCof) and bleeding time responded to this vasopressin analogue, when administered subcutaneously.

Deamino Arginine Vasopressin↗
PubMed1985

Heterogeneity of type I von Willebrand disease: evidence for a subgroup with an abnormal von Willebrand factor.

Type I von Willebrand disease (vWD) is characterized by equally low plasma concentrations of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag) and ristocetin cofactor (RiCof) and by the presence of all vWF multimers in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-agarose gel electrophoresis. For 17 patients (13 kindreds) diagnosed with these criteria, we have studied the platelet contents of vWF:Ag and RiCof and the changes of these in plasma after DDAVP infusion. Platelet vWF:Ag and RiCof were normal in four kindreds (called "platelet normal" subgroup); following 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin; plasma vWF:Ag, RiCof and the bleeding time (BT) became normal. In six kindreds, platelet vWF:Ag and RiCof were equally low (platelet low); after DDAVP, plasma vWF:Ag and RiCof remained low, and the BT was prolonged. In three additional kindreds, platelets contained normal concentrations of vWF:Ag, but RiCof was very low (platelet discordant); even though a complete set of multimers was found in plasma and platelets, there was a relatively small amount of large multimers. After DDAVP, plasma vWF:Ag became normal, but RiCof remained low and the BT was very prolonged. These findings demonstrated that there can be an abnormal vWF (RiCof less than vWF:Ag) even in type I vWD, coexisting with a complete set of vWF multimers (platelet discordant); that the abnormal vWF can be shown more clearly in platelets than in plasma or else in plasma after DDAVP infusion; and that DDAVP normalizes the BT only in those patients with normal platelet levels of both vWF:Ag and RiCof (platelet normal).

Autoradiography↗
PubMed1985

Inhibitor to factor V in severe factor V congenital deficiency. A case report.

A case of severe factor V deficiency that developed an inhibitor to factor V following the treatment with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is described. The patient had a CRM-negative form of factor V congenital deficiency: no factor V antigen could be assayed in her plasma. A sister who supposedly had a severe factor V deficiency died as a result of a severe posttransfusional hepatitis. Two other members of the family were found to be heterozygotes. After several exposures to FFP, the propositus became refractory to the treatment with the appearance of a low titre inhibitor (5 units) which, nevertheless, could not be overcome by plasma infusions.

Blood Coagulation↗
PubMed1984

Evaluation of the effectiveness of DDAVP in surgery and in bleeding episodes in haemophilia and von Willebrand's disease. A study on 43 patients.

1-deamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin (DDAVP), was used in a wide spectrum of clinical situations employing two different dosages (0.3 and 0.4 microgram/kg b.w.) for the management of 43 patients with factor VIII deficiencies--mild and moderate haemophilia A and von Willebrand's disease (vWD). In most instances, the drug was given in association with antifibrinolytics. Twenty-five dental extractions were carried out with two different protocols: one based upon a single infusion and the other based upon three infusions. Bleeding occurred in three patients regardless of the protocol used. The vasopressin analogue promptly stopped bleeding in 12 'spontaneous' open bleeds (haematuria, epistaxis, menometrorrhagia, gum bleeding) and it appears to be also effective in closed bleeds. DDAVP was used to minimize blood loss during surgical interventions and to avoid haemorrhage in the postoperative period. Nine surgical procedures were carried out in six vWD patients and three haemophiliacs. Bleeding occurred late in the postoperative period on one occasion only. No difference was demonstrated between the two doses of the drug either in terms of clinical benefit or rise of factor VIII coagulant activity. The efficacy of DDAVP and the absence of side-effects make this vasopressin analogue worthy of consideration as a reliable alternative to factor VIII concentrates in a wide variety of clinical situations.

Antigens↗
PubMed1984

Studies on PIVKA VII.

In 30 subjects on stabilized oral anticoagulant treatment, factor VII activity (VII:C) and factor VII antigen (VII:Ag) were evaluated. The average VII:C and VII:Ag levels were 8.7 and 30.7, respectively. All plasma samples were treated with 1 M barium chloride: all the activity and a corresponding average amount of antigen were adsorbed by the salt. The cold-promoted activation of factor VII was found in 5/30 subjects. Corresponding amounts of VII:C and VII:Ag were also removed from the plasma of these subjects after cold activation following the addition of barium chloride. It clearly results from these studies that a portion of VII:Ag cannot be adsorbed by barium chloride because of a reduction (or a lack) of the gamma-carboxyglutamic groups. This portion of VII:Ag can therefore be identified as Pivka VII.

Acenocoumarol↗
PubMed1984

Decrease in protein C antigen and formation of an abnormal protein soon after starting oral anticoagulant therapy.

Changes in protein C antigen (PC:Ag) have been compared with those in factor II, VII, IX and X antigens (II:Ag; VII:Ag; IX:Ag and X:Ag) in 10 patients starting on oral anticoagulant therapy with warfarin, monitored with thrombotest. Between days 0 and 3 of therapy, PC:Ag decreased at the same rate as VII:Ag, whilst IX:Ag, X:Ag and II:Ag decreased at progressively slower rates. On days 15 and 21, clotting proteins and PC:Ag did not differ significantly. Before and after warfarin, PC:Ag had the same mobility on crossed immunoelectrophoresis in Ca2+-free agarose gel; with Ca2+, a protein with faster anodal mobility appeared on day 1 and became maximal 5 d after warfarin was started. These findings indicate that the rate of PC decrease is closer to that of factor VII than those of factors IX, X and II, and that an abnormal PC with poor Ca2+-binding properties appears soon after treatment is started. The early decrease in the physiological inactivator (i.e. PC) might contribute to the poor antithrombotic efficacy of anticoagulant therapy during the first days.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Characterization and treatment of the non-lymphoblastic crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Fifty-six consecutive patients affected by the non-lymphoblastic-like crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia were the subjects of this study. The cytologic and cytochemical features, together with the extension of clinical involvement, were investigated in all the patients. The most frequent cytologic variant was the "myeloid" one (60% of the patients). All the patients received a standard treatment (hydroxyurea, 6-mercaptopurine +/- prednisone). The overall median survival was 5.1 months; however, 22% of the patients survived for one year or more. The length of survival was independent of the cytologic variety and clinical conditions (previous splenectomy, organomegalies, etc.). There was no correlation between drug dosage and length of survival, whereas the disappearance of blast cells from the peripheral blood appeared to be directly correlated with a longer survival. The treatment was well tolerated (slight hematologic and hepatic toxicity) and allowed a reasonably good quality of life: most of the patients were treated on an out-patient basis.

Adolescent↗