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Biomedical subjects

W Neri

Publications and source records attributed to W Neri.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Molecular assembling of DNA with amphipathic peptides.

The self-assembling of double-stranded DNA with short synthetic peptides has been analysed using the fluorescent properties of the intercalating dye, ethidium bromide. Two membrane-active peptides with appropriate sequences of lysine and leucine amino acids and a short polylysine have been probed. The results revealed that the secondary structure of the peptide decisively aimed the peptide-DNA complex formation: only the longest peptide, which is the only one to exhibit an alpha-helical structure in solution, could achieve DNA compacting before charge neutralisation. The obtained complex retained a significant membrane activity as demonstrated by calcein leakage experiments. This shows that short synthetic peptides of elementary sequence can combine both membrane activity and DNA-condensing properties. The potential of these constructs as DNA carriers will be discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

High dose intravenous immune globulins and plasma exchange in Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

We report the effects of treatment with plasma-exchange (PE) and intravenous immune globulins (IVIg) in 36 out of 50 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) recruited by an incidence study in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Comparison of the patients treated with PE and IVIg showed no significant differences in terms of effectiveness in improving the clinical course of GBS: at one month, respectively 11.1% and 25% had recovered, and 55.5% and 58.3% had improved by at least one grade. These results are in agreement with those of the Dutch GBS trial. No relapses were observed in either group. Moreover, our results showed no difference in clinical outcome at 1 and 3 months between the patients receiving only one therapy and those receiving two; a second cycle of therapy did not seem to improve the clinical course of the disease significantly. We conclude that PE and IVIg are both safe and effective therapies for GBS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Unusual case of Fahr syndrome with motoneuron disease.

After commenting briefly on the literature on Fahr syndrome, we describe a patient with an unusual association of cerebral calcifications and motoneuron disease. We discuss the possible role of brain calcifications in the clinical picture and stress the importance of the routine use of CT scanning and MRI to show further similar associations, possibly leading to a better understanding of the pathophysiology.

Brain↗
PubMed1989

Sexual dysfunction after excision of the rectum.

From January 1986 up January 1988 a series of 18 patients--age average 49--were studied. All of them had undergone the amputation of the rectum for carcinoma with the Miles resection technique (15 p.), or for ulcerous rectumcolitis (3 p.). Six months after operation the patients were given a questionnaire in order to obtain information about their sexual activity. Exams on the liverkidney functioning, the hormone dosage (FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone), penile Doppler flowmetry, and the sacral latency test were performed. The patients were also given a Jonas erectiometer to be used at home. The procedures followed have shown in most patients normal hormonal, vascular, and neurologic parameters, thus confirming the absence of relevant erectile deficits. Only one patient no longer had erections after the surgical intervention. It was reported a decrease and some sort of difficulty in the sexual intercourse owing to the presence of colostomy conditioning the physical and psychological relations with the partner. Spermatic fluid results altered after operation: absent in 8 cases, backwards in 3, diminished in 6, and normal in 4.

Adenocarcinoma↗