Risperidone-associated hyperprolactinemia: evaluation in twenty psychiatric outpatients.

Despite the lack of extrapyramidal side effects, some atypical antipsychotics can induce an increase in prolactinemia, as the conventional neuroleptics do. We decided to evaluate the effects of risperidone on serum prolactin levels and prolactin-related adverse effects in 20 outpatients of an Italian community psychiatric service. Patients enrolled in this study were on risperidone (2-8 mg per day; mean dose=4.

Modified S-plasty: an alternative to the elliptical excision to reduce the length of suture.

Background: When the tension obtainable with an elliptical excision of a skin lesion would be excessive, instead of resorting to skin grafts or flaps, it is possible to apply an alternative plastic that reduces the length of the suture by approximately one third and assumes a curved lazy-S profile, also improving aesthetic result.

Methods: This is obtained with a modified shortened S-plasty, which distributes the vectors of tension in two different directions at the apices and in the central part. The traction on the suture line is reduced, facilitating wound healing.

Receptor tyrosine kinases as target for anti-cancer therapy.

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are cell surface transmembrane proteins responsible for intracellular signal transduction. They are expressed in several cell types and, after activation by growth factor binding, trigger a series of intracellular pathways, leading to a wide variety of cell responses (e.g.

Mechanisms of abnormal puberty in coeliac disease.

Coeliac disease (CD) is one of the most frequent chronic diseases in childhood. The clinical spectrum has changed; in addition to the classical gastrointestinal form, other clinical manifestations have been described, such as hypogonadism and the consequent delay in onset of puberty. Recent studies reported not only a significantly retarded menarche in untreated CD girls as compared with girls following a gluten-free diet, but also in treated CD a negative effect on pregnancy, resulting in lower birth weight and shorter duration of pregnancy.

Cytochemical localization and quantification of plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase activity in mollusc digestive gland cells.

A cytochemical method allowing the localization and quantification of plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) in frozen sections obtained from digestive gland cells of Mytilus galloprovincialis, Tapes tapes and Chamelea gallina, is presented. The method utilizes lead as a trapping agent of PO4(2-) ions released by Ca2+-ATPase activity. The amount of lead sulphide precipitate proportionally related to PMCA activity was quantified by a light microscopy digital imaging analysis system.

The presence of simian-virus 40 sequences in mesothelioma and mesothelial cells is associated with high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the presence of simian virus-40 (SV40) is associated with increased release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human malignant mesothelioma (MM) cells. We studied nine cell lines derived from pleural effusion (PE) of patients with MM, and three different cultures of normal human mesothelial cells (NHMC) derived from pleural fluid of patients with congestive heart failure. NHMC were transfected with full length SV40 (NHMC-FL) or large T antigen (NHMC Tag) DNAs.

Macrophage stimulating protein (MSP) evokes superoxide anion production by human macrophages of different origin.

1. Macrophage Stimulating Protein (MSP), a serum factor related to Hepatocyte Growth Factor, was originally discovered to stimulate chemotaxis of murine resident peritoneal macrophages. MSP is the ligand for Ron, a member of the Met subfamily of tyrosine kinase receptors.

SV40 replication in human mesothelial cells induces HGF/Met receptor activation: a model for viral-related carcinogenesis of human malignant mesothelioma.

Recent studies suggested that simian virus 40 (SV40) may cause malignant mesothelioma, although the pathogenic mechanism is unclear. We found that in SV40-positive malignant mesothelioma cells, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor (Met) was activated. In human mesothelial cells (HMC) transfected with full-length SV40 DNA (SV40-HMC), Met receptor activation was associated with S-phase entry, acquisition of a fibroblastoid morphology, and the assembly of viral particles.

Tachykinin activation of human monocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis: in vitro and ex-vivo effects of cyclosporin A.

Three types of tachykinin receptors, namely NK1, NK2 and NK3, are known to preferentially interact with substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB), respectively. We previously demonstrated that NK1 and NK2 receptors are present on human monocytes, SP and NKA inducing superoxide anion production and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA expression. NK2 receptor stimulation also triggered an enhanced respiratory burst in monocytes isolated from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Chronic hepatitis C treated with phlebotomy alone: biochemical and histological outcome.

Background: In patients with chronic hepatitis C, the histological outcome of long term phlebotomy is unknown.

Aim: To investigate biochemical and histological findings before and after phlebotomy in chronic hepatitis C.

Patients: Twenty-four non-haemochromatotic patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with long-term phlebotomy alone.

[New techniques in childbirth assistance. Experience and results of theoretical and practical training].

In 1995, the Course on Integrated Obstetrical and Gynaecological Techniques was added to the training program of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic and to the Midwife Diploma School, at the Faculty of Medicine of the A. Avogadro University of East Piemonte. This addition was due to the demand to create a service to train young medical doctors and student midwives on the basis of the requirements of the World Health Organisation, concerning a more natural way of giving birth.

Precocious puberty in immigrant children: indications for treatment.

Immigration from developing countries to Europe has greatly increased during the last few years. Very little information is available on children who immigrated with their biological family, thus this paper deals only with children immigrating by adoption. In recent years some studies have shown an increased incidence of precocious puberty among adopted children, but information on this issue is scanty.

Optimization of the cyclodextrin-assisted capillary electrophoresis separation of the enantiomers of phenoxyacid herbicides.

An ethylcarbonate derivative of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) with three substituents per molecule, hydroxypropyl-beta-CD and native alpha-CD have been tested as resolving agents in the capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) separation of the four enantiomers of the herbicides mecoprop and dichlorprop. The performances of the three compounds have been quantified by means of two-levels full factorial design and the inclusion constants were calculated from CZE migration time data. Possible structure of inclusion complexes have been proposed, on the basis of molecular mechanics simulations.

DISTRIBUTION OF LIPID-SOLUBLE ANTIOXIDANTS IN LIPOPROTEINS FROM HEALTHY SUBJECTS. II. EFFECTS OF IN VIVO SUPPLEMENTATION WITH alpha-TOCOPHEROL.

The effects of orally supplemented dl -alpha-tocopherol on the plasma concentration of lipid-soluble antioxidants and their distribution in very-low-density, low-density and high-density lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL and HDL) was investigated in a cohort of control normocholesterolemic adult subjects receiving 600 mg alpha-tocopherol daily for 2 weeks. This regimen did not modify the plasma lipid profile (total, LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) and chemical composition of VLDL, LDL and HDL. Plasma concentration of alpha-tocopherol increased from 19.

DISTRIBUTION OF LIPID-SOLUBLE ANTIOXIDANTS IN LIPOPROTEINS FROM HEALTHY SUBJECTS. I. CORRELATION WITH PLASMA ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS AND COMPOSITION OF LIPOPROTEINS.

The concentration of five lipid-soluble antioxidants (gamma- and alpha-tocopherol, lycopene, beta-carotene and ubiquinol-10) was measured in plasma and very low-density, low-density and high-density lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL and HDL) isolated from young healthy normo- cholesterolemic subjects. Alpha-tocopherol was the exclusive antioxidant whose plasma concentration significantly correlated with the absolute concentration of total cholesterol (r =0.541, P<0.

Distribution of lipid-soluble antioxidants in lipoproteins from healthy subjects. II. Effects of in vivo supplementation with alpha-tocopherol.

The effects of orally supplemented dl -alpha-tocopherol on the plasma concentration of lipid-soluble antioxidants and their distribution in very-low-density, low-density and high-density lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL and HDL) was investigated in a cohort of control normocholesterolemic adult subjects receiving 600 mg alpha-tocopherol daily for 2 weeks. This regimen did not modify the plasma lipid profile (total, LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) and chemical composition of VLDL, LDL and HDL. Plasma concentration of alpha-tocopherol increased from 19.

Distribution of lipid-soluble antioxidants in lipoproteins from healthy subjects. I. Correlation with plasma antioxidant levels and composition of lipoproteins.

The concentration of five lipid-soluble antioxidants (gamma- and alpha-tocopherol, lycopene, beta-carotene and ubiquinol-10) was measured in plasma and very low-density, low-density and high-density lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL and HDL) isolated from young healthy normo- cholesterolemic subjects. Alpha-tocopherol was the exclusive antioxidant whose plasma concentration significantly correlated with the absolute concentration of total cholesterol (r =0.541, P<0.

Demonstration of multiple HPV types in laryngeal premalignant lesions using polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.

Recent evidence has shown that human papillomavirus (HPV) is involved in both the development of carcinoma and in premalignant mucosal lesions of the oral cavity. This study examined the relationship of HPV infection to some pathological features in precancerous lesions of the larynx, not examined extensively so far. Fifty formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections containing human laryngeal precancerous lesions were screened for the presence of HPV infection by polymerase chain reaction, and for capsid protein expression by immunohistochemistry with polyclonal antibody directed against the L1 protein.

Linkage analysis of multiple sclerosis with candidate region markers in Sardinian and Continental Italian families.

Previous genome screens in multiple sclerosis have shown some evidence of linkage in scattered chromosomal regions. Although in no case the evidence of each single study was compelling and although in general the linkage 'peaks' of the different studies did not coincide, some regions can be considered likely candidates for the presence of MS risk genes because of the clustering of MLS scores and homology with eae loci. We performed a linkage analysis of markers in these regions and of intragenic markers of some individual candidate genes (HLA-DRB1, CTLA-4, IL9, APOE, BCL2, TNFR2).

When and why a water-soluble antioxidant becomes pro-oxidant during copper-induced low-density lipoprotein oxidation: a study using uric acid.

The inclusion of uric acid in the incubation medium during copper-induced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation exerted either an antioxidant or pro-oxidant effect. The pro-oxidant effect, as mirrored by an enhanced formation of conjugated dienes, lipid peroxides, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and increase in negative charge, occurred when uric acid was added late during the inhibitory or lag phase and during the subsequent extensive propagation phase of copper-stimulated LDL oxidation. The pro-oxidant effect of uric acid was specific for copper-induced LDL oxidation and required the presence of copper as either Cu(I) or Cu(II).

Cu(I) availability paradoxically antagonizes antioxidant consumption and lipid peroxidation during the initiation phase of copper-induced LDL oxidation.

The incubation of isolated human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) with Cu(II) promoted extensive oxidation of both the lipid and protein moieties of the lipoprotein particle. When the Cu(II) to LDL molar ratio was equal or higher than 50, the removal of Cu(I) formed by the contemporary presence of the Cu(I) chelator bathocuproine disulphonate (BC) markedly accelerated the formation of end-products of lipid peroxidation. Moreover, the initial rate of Cu(II)-induced consumption of either endogenous antioxidants in LDL or free alpha-tocopherol in suspension was increased in the presence of BC, thus indicating that the continuous removal of Cu(I) enhanced both antioxidant consumption and LDL oxidation promoted by copper.