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1.
Climacteric ; 26(6): 605-612, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37650754

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate histological modifications of the vaginal mucosa after repeated microablative fractional CO2 laser treatments. As secondary objectives we evaluated the clinical effects associated with repeated microablative fractional CO2 laser treatments using validated questionnaires. METHODS: A prospective intervention study was performed in the Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Urogynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute with 15 postmenopausal women complaining of genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms. The cohort of patients was submitted to at least two previous laser treatment cycles in the past years. The Vaginal Health Index (VHI), visual analog scale (VAS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Urinary Incontinence (ICIQ-UI) and 5-point Likert scale were used. Moreover, histological examinations were carried out on all samples. RESULTS: At 4 weeks after the last treatment, the VHI score and all FSFI items were significantly increased compared with baseline. We observed a statistically significant decrease in both frequency and severity for all urinary symptoms after the follow-up. We observed a statistically significant increase in the number of epithelial cell layers with a consequent increase in epithelial thickness, in the number of glycogen-filled cells and in the number of papillae after the laser treatment. No signs of fibrosis were observed as neovascularization was observed in each woman. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study demonstrating the histological persistency of efficacy in repeated annually laser treatment cycles, with tissue changes always leading to regenerative results without any sign of fibrosis. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04868812 (release date: 27 April 2021).


Subject(s)
Lasers, Gas , Urinary Incontinence , Female , Humans , Carbon Dioxide , Prospective Studies , Menopause , Vagina/surgery , Lasers, Gas/adverse effects , Syndrome , Fibrosis , Treatment Outcome , Atrophy
3.
Clin Chim Acta ; 485: 74-78, 2018 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29953850

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There seems to be a clear correlation between antibodies against domain I (anti-DI) of ß2Glycoprotein I and severe clinical profiles in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) patients. We investigated the clinical significance of anti-DI antibodies in a cohort of aPL carriers. METHODS: One hundred and five carriers persistently positive for IgG anti-ß2Glycoprotein 1 antibodies (a-ß2GPI) and/or IgG anticardiolipin (aCL) and/or lupus anticoagulants (LAC) were tested for the presence of anti-DI antibodies using the QUANTA Flash® Beta2GPI-Domain I chemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS: Anti-DI antibodies were detected in 44 aPL carriers (41.9%) and they were significantly associated to triple aPL positivity (LAC plus IgG a-ß2GPI plus IgG aCL antibodies). Isolated LAC and a-ß2GPI antibodies were significantly associated to anti-DI negative aPL carriers. During a 82.2 month mean follow-up, ten aPL carriers (9.5%) developed a first thrombotic event so becoming APS patients. Anti-DI antibodies, triple aPL positivity, thromboembolic risk factors and autoimmune disorders significantly prevailed in carriers becoming APS. Logistic regression analysis showed that anti-DI positivity was an independent risk factor for thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-DI antibody positivity can be considered a new risk factor predictive of the first thrombotic event in aPL carriers, instead, negative anti-DI may be useful to identify low-risk aPL carriers.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Antiphospholipid/immunology , Antiphospholipid Syndrome/immunology , beta 2-Glycoprotein I/analysis , Adult , Aged , Antibodies, Antiphospholipid/analysis , Cohort Studies , Female , Humans , Immunoassay , Logistic Models , Luminescence , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , beta 2-Glycoprotein I/immunology
4.
J Thromb Haemost ; 16(3): 529-532, 2018 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29316193

ABSTRACT

Essentials The prevalence of thrombocytopenia in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome is not well defined. We studied triple positive patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and its catastrophic variant. Prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 6% and 100% in patients who developed the catastrophic form. In triple positive patients thrombocytopenia is low and platelets drop during the catastrophic form. SUMMARY: Background Thrombocytopenia is the most common non-criteria hematological feature in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This condition is more common in patients with catastrophic APS (CAPS). Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in a large series of high-risk patients with APS, and to assess the behavior of the platelet count during CAPS. Methods/Patients This was a cross-sectional study in which we analyzed the platelet counts of a homogeneous group of high-risk APS patients (triple-positive). Six of these patients developed a catastrophic phase of the disease, and the platelet count was recorded before the acute phase, during the acute phase, and at recovery. Results The mean platelet count in 119 high-risk triple-positive patients was 210 × 109 L-1 . With a cut-off value for thrombocytopenia of 100 × 109 L-1 , the prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 6% (seven patients). No difference between primary APS and secondary APS was found. In patients who suffered from CAPS, a significant decrease from the basal count (212 ± 51 × 109 L-1 ) to that at the time of diagnosis (60 ± 33 × 109 L-1 ) was observed. The platelet count became normal again at the time of complete remission (220 ± 57 × 109 L-1 ). A decrease in platelet count always preceded the full clinical picture. Conclusions This study shows that, in high-risk APS patients, the prevalence of thrombocytopenia is low. A decrease in platelet count was observed in all of the patients who developed the catastrophic form of the disease. A decrease in platelet count in high-risk APS patients should be considered a warning signal for disease progression to CAPS.


Subject(s)
Antiphospholipid Syndrome/complications , Thrombocytopenia/complications , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antibodies, Antiphospholipid/blood , Antiphospholipid Syndrome/blood , Blood Platelets , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Leukopenia/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Platelet Count , Prevalence , Remission Induction , Risk , Thrombocytopenia/blood , Young Adult
5.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 31(2 Suppl. 2): 79-85, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28702967

ABSTRACT

In this study, microscopic, histochemical and ultrastructural observations in human skin are presented, 8 months after an injection of a novel PEGylated filler. Morphological features demonstrated an excellent integration of the filler with the connective tissue components and an effective interpenetration with the ground substance. The filler appears uniformly distributed inside the hypodermis. No segregation or encapsulation of cells and other structures was observed nor evidence of immunological adverse reaction. Furthermore, observed ultrastructural modifications of fibroblasts supports a stimulatory effect of molecular components production of the extracellular matrix, contributing to the cutaneous connective tissue renewal.

6.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 31(2 Suppl. 2): 87-90, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28702968

ABSTRACT

Neauvia Stimulate® is a biocompatible, injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) filler (26 mg/ml) PEG cross-linked with 1% of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) for facial soft-tissue augmentation that provides volume to tissues, followed by a process of neocollagenesis for improving skin quality. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the possible modulation of collagen synthesis after treating human fibroblasts cultured in vitro with the product (Lot. 160517-26-1/2 PEG). The experimental model proposed, despite being an in vitro system, allows the derivation of useful information to predict the possible activity of the product in further in vivo application. Human fibroblasts (PEU cells) were treated with the product for 24 h at increasing concentrations of compared to control (untreated cells). The modulation of collagen synthesis was evaluated using a specific colorimetric kit (Sircol, Soluble Collagen Assay Kit). Increment of collagen production, 37.62% and 97.39% at concentrations of 1.25 mg/ml and 2.5 mg/ml of product, respectively, was considered to be statistically significant (*p values≤0.05 and **p values≤0.01) when compared with control (untreated cells). In conclusion, Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel 26 mg/ml PEG cross-linked with calcium hydroxyapatite in low concentrations (1%) determines a statistical increment in neocollagenesis.

7.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 31(2 Suppl. 2): 131-140, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28702973

ABSTRACT

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is recently attracting much attention and awareness, often because it is misdiagnosed for years, restricting the therapeutic options. Moreover, this pathology arises in areas such as the inguinal region, that may cause embarrassment in young patients. Wrong diagnosis and delay in appropriate treatments lead to an exacerbation of the symptoms and a progression of the disease, which at the last stage can only be managed through extensive surgical excisions, ablation and vaporization of nodules with CO2 laser systems or aggressive chemotherapies such as anti-TNF-alpha like adalimumab (Humira®-AbbVie Inc. North Chicago, Illinois USA). In our study, we present an alternative low-invasive treatment that presents a successful outcome, supported by clinical and histological evaluation, limited however only for early stages of HS, highlighting the importance of raising awareness among physicians and patients by stressing the importance of an early diagnosis.

8.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 31(2 Suppl. 2): 153-161, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28702976

ABSTRACT

Aesthetic surgery of female external genitalia has gained increasing popularity over the past decade, with reduction of the labia minora (labiaplasty) being the procedure most commonly requested and performed. Female external genitalia lose elasticity and volume with age, but few studies describe the techniques for labia majora augmentation. Currently, very few studies have investigated the effectiveness and safety of labia majora augmentation with hyaluronic acid (HA) injection. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of labia majora augmentation with hyaluronic acid filler injection. We retrospectively analyzed 37 patients affected by hypotrophy of the labia majora, treated with HA dermal filler 28mg/ml PEG crosslinked (Neauvia® Intense Rose, Matex Lab, Switzerland) between May 2015 and July 2016. Global evaluation of the aesthetics of the intimate area and clinical data were investigated with VAS (Visual Analogic Scale) ad hoc. Adverse events and complications were recorded. A total of 37 women affected by labia majora hypotrophy were treated with 28mg/ml HA dermal filler. A significant clinical improvement was observed in the score provided by both patients and doctor. Only mild adverse events and complications were recorded. HA hydrogel with a novel crosslinking agent is able to provide a considerable rejuvenation with a simple outpatient procedure and to bring a significant clinical improvement. HA-based filler infiltration treatment in labia majora is repeatable, has virtually no complications, and is reversible.

9.
Reumatismo ; 66(4): 304-17, 2015 Mar 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25829190

ABSTRACT

The introduction of biological therapies has significantly improved the outcome of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. As most of these diseases affect women and men in childbearing age, some concerns have been voiced as to the safety of these drugs in relation to reproduction and pregnancy. Data from many hundreds of pregnancies in patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease and inflammatory arthritis have suggested that exposure to anti-TNF therapies at conception and/or during pregnancy is not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes or any increase in congenital abnormalities. However, the exposure to anti-TNFα agents, particularly to monoclonal antibodies, in late pregnancy is associated with high drug levels in the newborn and their long-term effects on children remain unknown. Therefore, limiting the use of anti-TNFα to the first 30 weeks of pregnancy is recommended to reduce fetal exposure. Live-virus vaccines should be given only when levels of anti-TNFα drugs are undetectable in the serum of infants. Studies suggest that many of these drugs do enter breast milk in small amounts, but the extent to which the infant absorbs them is less clear. Limited reports have not suggested adverse pregnancy outcomes in women whose partners were exposed to anti-TNF therapies at the time of conception. Pregnancy data for rituximab, abatacept, anakinra, tocilizumab and belimumab are limited and their use in pregnancy cannot currently be recommended.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use , Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/drug therapy , Pregnancy Complications/drug therapy , Rheumatic Diseases/drug therapy , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/antagonists & inhibitors , Evidence-Based Medicine , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Treatment Outcome
10.
Climacteric ; 17(4): 363-9, 2014 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24605832

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aimed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: VVA symptoms were assessed before and after three applications of laser over 12 weeks in 50 women (age 59.6 ± 5.8 years) dissatisfied with previous local estrogen therapies. Subjective (visual analog scale) and objective (Vaginal Health Index Score, VHIS) measures were used during the study period to assess VVA. Quality of life was measured by using the SF-12. A subjective scale to evaluate the degree of pain related to the laser application and the degree of difficulty to perform the laser procedure was used. RESULTS: Fractional CO2 laser treatment was effective to improve VVA symptoms (vaginal dryness, vaginal burning, vaginal itching, dyspareunia, dysuria; p < 0.001) at 12-week follow-up, as well as the VHIS (13.1 ± 2.5 at baseline vs. 23.1 ± 1.9; p < 0.001). Both physical and mental scores of quality of life were significantly improved in comparison with baseline (p < 0.001). Satisfaction with the laser procedure was reported by 42 women (84%) and a minimal discomfort was experienced at the first laser application, mainly because of the insertion and the movements of the probe. Finally, the technique was very easy to perform in all women starting from the second application at week 4 and no adverse events were recorded during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week treatment with the fractional CO2 laser was feasible and induced a significant improvement of VVA symptoms by ameliorating vaginal health in postmenopausal women. Further controlled studies should be performed to confirm the present data and to assess the long-term effects of the laser procedure on vaginal tissues.


Subject(s)
Low-Level Light Therapy , Postmenopause , Vagina , Vaginal Diseases/radiotherapy , Vulva , Vulvar Diseases/radiotherapy , Atrophy/complications , Atrophy/etiology , Atrophy/physiopathology , Atrophy/radiotherapy , Dyspareunia/etiology , Dyspareunia/pathology , Dyspareunia/prevention & control , Dyspareunia/psychology , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Lasers, Gas/therapeutic use , Low-Level Light Therapy/instrumentation , Low-Level Light Therapy/methods , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Postmenopause/physiology , Postmenopause/psychology , Quality of Life , Treatment Outcome , Vagina/pathology , Vagina/radiation effects , Vaginal Diseases/complications , Vaginal Diseases/diagnosis , Vaginal Diseases/physiopathology , Vulva/pathology , Vulva/radiation effects , Vulvar Diseases/complications , Vulvar Diseases/diagnosis , Vulvar Diseases/physiopathology
11.
Lupus ; 21(7): 741-3, 2012 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22635219

ABSTRACT

Treatment of pregnant women with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) should be set apart from that from thrombotic APS patients. Patients with a history of pregnancy morbidity but no vascular thrombosis are usually treated with a prophylactic dose of heparin plus low-dose aspirin; whereas, those with previous vascular thrombosis alone or associated with previous pregnancy morbidity, are commonly treated with a therapeutic dose of heparin generally combined with low-dose aspirin. However, in about 20% of pregnant APS women these regimens fail. In this context, we conducted a case-control study on a large multicentre cohort of conventionally treated pregnancies to verify whether specific laboratory profiles and/or clinical characteristics are predictive of unsuccessful pregnancy outcome during conventional treatments. Multivariate analysis showed that pregnancy failure during conventional therapies was independently associated with a history of both thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity, the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other systemic autoimmune diseases and triple antiphospholipid antibody positivity. With the aim to discover the most effective and safe treatments in high-risk pregnant APS women a large-scale multicentre study focusing on the effect of treatments on pregnancy outcome in women with APS and further risk factors for pregnancy failure has been designed.


Subject(s)
Antiphospholipid Syndrome/prevention & control , Pregnancy Complications/prevention & control , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Risk Factors , Secondary Prevention
12.
Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) ; 62(3): 302-7, 2010 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20391475

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the antiphospholipid profile and clinical characteristics of pregnant women with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and neonatal outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively considered 109 treated pregnancies of 93 patients with primary APS and reviewed the medical records of their 111 infants. Neonatal outcome was assessed using the following variables: weeks of gestational age at delivery, percentiles of birth weight, Apgar score at 5 minutes, need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the delivery room, time in the neonatal intensive care unit, infections, and other neonatal complications. Univariate statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between APS maternal features and neonatal outcome parameters. RESULTS: When maternal APS features and variables of infant outcome were analyzed, it was evident that lupus anticoagulant (LAC), triple antiphospholipid positivity, and history of vascular thrombosis were significantly associated with some parameters of a poor infant outcome. History of pregnancy morbidity alone was, instead, significantly correlated to the variables of favorable neonatal outcome. CONCLUSION: There seems to be more than one kind of pregnant woman with APS. Even when treated with a second-line therapy plan, mothers with LAC and/or triple antiphospholipid positivity and/or previous thromboembolism seem to have a high probability of poor neonatal outcome, whereas those with pregnancy morbidity alone, treated with conventional drugs, seem to have a high probability of favorable outcome.


Subject(s)
Antiphospholipid Syndrome/complications , Antiphospholipid Syndrome/immunology , Apgar Score , Length of Stay , Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic/immunology , Abortion, Habitual , Adult , Antibodies, Antiphospholipid/analysis , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/analysis , Immunoglobulin M/analysis , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Newborn, Diseases , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal , Pregnancy , Premature Birth , Retrospective Studies , Young Adult
13.
Autoimmun Rev ; 8(2): 121-3, 2008 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18573354

ABSTRACT

The relationship between infections and antiphospholipid antibodies or antiphospholipid syndrome is an intriguing question. A two and a half year old child with trisomy 21, who suffered three severe episodes of thrombosis each taking place after an infection, is described here. As high titres of IgG anticardiolipin (ACL) antibodies was registered during the second and third episodes, the antiphospholipid syndrome was suspected. IgM as well as IgG and IgA ACL antibodies have been described at different titres in a wide variety of infections, although they are not usually associated with thrombosis. In this particular case the timing of events and their association with high IgG ACL antibody titres seemed to implicate infection in the pathogenesis of the antiphospholipid syndrome. It can be hypothesized that some infections not only "trigger" antiphospholipid antibody production, but--in genetically predisposed subjects--can induce the clinical manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Anticardiolipin/immunology , Antibodies, Antiphospholipid/immunology , Antiphospholipid Syndrome/diagnosis , Down Syndrome/complications , Infections/complications , Antiphospholipid Syndrome/etiology , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infections/immunology , Male , Thrombosis/immunology
14.
Eur J Histochem ; 51 Suppl 1: 93-9, 2007.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17703599

ABSTRACT

Epithelial tissues emerge from coordinated sequences of cell renewal, specialization and assembly. Like corresponding immature tissues, adult epithelial tissues are provided by stem cells which are responsible for tissue homeostasis. Advances in epithelial histogenesis has permitted to clarify several aspects related to stem cell identification and dynamics and to understand how stem cells interact with their environment, the so-called stem cell niche. The development and maintenance of epithelial tissues involves epithelial-mesenchymal signalling pathways and cell-matrix interactions which control target nuclear factors and genes. The tooth germ is a prototype for such inductive tissue interactions and provides a powerful experimental system for the study of genetic pathways during development. Clonogenic epithelial cells isolated from developing as well mature epithelial tissues has been used to engineer epithelial tissue-equivalents, e.g. epidermal constructs, that are used in clinical practise and biomedical research. Information on molecular mechanisms which regulate epithelial histogenesis, including the role of specific growth/differentiation factors and cognate receptors, is essential to improve epithelial tissue engineering.


Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation , Epithelial Cells/physiology , Models, Biological , Tooth Germ/cytology , Animals , Epithelial Cells/ultrastructure , Humans , Tooth Germ/physiology
15.
Reumatismo ; 58(4): 283-7, 2006.
Article in Italian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17216017

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: In order to investigate the potential role of hyperhomocysteinemia as an additional risk factor for thrombotic events, we studied its prevalence in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and evaluated its association with different clinical features. METHODS: We enrolled 29 patients without any current evidence of underlying connective tissue disorder and fulfilling the Sapporo preliminary classification criteria for APS. RESULTS: Ten (34,4%) patients showed mild hyperhomocysteinemia (18,34 micromol/L +/- 2,04 DS). Nine had history of cerebrovascular disease, isolated (3 cases) or more often (6 cases) in association with other APS features. All patients, but one, showed multiple ischemic cerebral lesions. Seven of the 10 patients with hyperhomocysteinemia had multiple antiphospholipid antibody positivity and presented more frequently (6 cases) multi-site vascular involvement. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with primary APS is not negligible and appears to be associated with cerebral microangiopathic disease, multiple antiphospholipid antibody positivity and the simultaneous involvement of different vascular districts. For this reason and because hyperhomocysteinemia can be easily corrected with safe and relatively inexpensive therapeutic interventions, we advocate the measurement of homocysteinemia in every patient affected by APS and possibly in subjects with positive antiphospholipid antibody without a history of thrombosis.


Subject(s)
Antiphospholipid Syndrome/epidemiology , Hyperhomocysteinemia/complications , Adult , Aged , Antibodies, Antiphospholipid/blood , Antiphospholipid Syndrome/immunology , Cohort Studies , Female , Humans , Hyperhomocysteinemia/epidemiology , Hyperhomocysteinemia/immunology , Intracranial Thrombosis/epidemiology , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence
16.
Reumatismo ; 57(3): 180-6, 2005.
Article in Italian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16258602

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence and the features of congenital heart block (CHB) in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS: We studied 81 pregnancies of 41 women attending the Outpatients' Clinic of the Rheumatology Unit of University Hospital of Padova from July 1989 to March 2004. Twenty five of these (61%) were affected with UCTD and 16 (39%) with pSS. Serologic inclusion criteria was anti-Ro/La positivity, assessed by counterimmunoelectrophoresis and ELISA. RESULTS: CHB was found in 2 out of the 46 (4.3%) pregnancies followed by our Staff and in 2 out of the 35 (5.7%) included in the retrospective part of the study. In 3 cases CHB was a 3rd degree block, causing pregnancy termination in 2. The only 2nd degree block was identified in one patient at the 22nd week of gestation and treated with dexamethasone and plasma-exchange. All of the women were positive to 52 kd and 60 kd Ro autoantibodies. CHB mothers had higher titer antibodies to 52 kd Ro protein than did the mothers with healthy infants (P = 0.026). Electrocardiographic abnormalities at birth were found in 3 out of 29 asymptomatic infants. One presented sinus bradycardia, the second abnormalities of ventricular repolarization, both regressed spontaneously, while the third ventricular extrasystoles which continue even now at 5 months. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that in UCTD and pSS there is a higher incidence of CHB than that reported in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Electrocardiographic screening in all infants born to mothers with anti-Ro/La antibodies would seem an important measure to identify those with irreversible heart conduction abnormalities.


Subject(s)
Connective Tissue Diseases/complications , Heart Block/congenital , Heart Block/complications , Pregnancy Complications , Sjogren's Syndrome/complications , Adult , Female , Heart Block/epidemiology , Humans , Pregnancy , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Retrospective Studies
17.
J Mol Histol ; 35(4): 421-8, 2004 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15503817

ABSTRACT

Tissue-engineered skins (TES), manufactured by epidermal and dermal equivalents, are now being used in biological, pharmacotoxicological and clinical applications. It is thus interesting to know to what extent artificial organs are similar to natural counterparts. Elastic fibres are important constituents of the extracellular matrix of natural skin (NS). The aim of our study was to investigate the possible occurrence and distribution of elastic tissue in a model of human TES using different histochemical techniques, including classical Orcein and Fuchsin-Resorcin methods and immunohistochemistry, at both light and electron microscopical levels. Immunoperoxidase and high resolution immunogold methods were used. In NS, classical staining techniques and elastin-immunohistochemistry revealed a well-organized network of elastic fibres. High resolution immunocytochemistry revealed an intense labelling in the amorphous component of elastic fibres. Fibres of different diameters were immunostained. In TES, no stained elastic fibres were observed using classical staining techniques, and the interpretation of immunoperoxidase observations was not clear-cut. In contrast, immunogold staining at the electron microscopical level provided specific labelling of elastin-like immunoreactive material in the dermal equivalent. However, ultrastructural immunocytochemistry revealed that elastic tissue organization in TES was poor compared to that in NS. This study demonstrates that elastic fibres are a component of the extracellular matrix in this model of TES and suggests that fibroblasts of the dermal equivalent are engaged in matrix secretion. Nevertheless, the level of extracellular matrix organization in TES is low compared to NS. Moreover, this study also suggests that different models of bilayered TES may differ with respect to extracellular matrix organization. These aspects should be considered when TES is used in biological and pharmacotoxicological studies. A better understanding of the factors influencing extracellular matrix formation in TES is necessary to achieve further development of skin generation in vitro.


Subject(s)
Elastic Tissue/metabolism , Extracellular Matrix/metabolism , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Keratinocytes/metabolism , Skin, Artificial , Skin/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Elastic Tissue/ultrastructure , Elastin/metabolism , Extracellular Matrix/ultrastructure , Fibroblasts/ultrastructure , Humans , Male , Skin/cytology , Skin/ultrastructure , Tissue Engineering
18.
Reumatismo ; 54(3): 232-7, 2002.
Article in Italian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12404031

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical significance of anti-NuMA and anti-HsEg5 antibodies in a group of patients affected with rheumatic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2000 cells at serum dilution of 1:40 was used to examine 26 sera which had previously showed a "mitotic spindle" fluoroscopic pattern type during laboratory routine. RESULTS: 21 sera (80,7%) were identified with NuMA and 5 (19,3%) with HsEg5 patterns alone or associated with other ANA patterns. However only patients with isolated positivity and that is 15 with NuMA and 4 with HsEg5 stainings were included in this study. Of the NuMA positive patients 5 were affected with arthropathies associated to different forms of thyroiditis, 2 with seronegative arthritis, 2 with antiphospholipid syndrome, 1 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 1 with rheumatoid arthritis, 1 with sicca syndrome, 1 with undifferentiated connective tissue disease, 1 with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and 1 with retinal thrombosis. Of the HsEg5 positive patients 3 were affected with SLE and 1 with seronegative arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: NuMA does not prevail in any defined rheumatic disease, while HsEg5 staining were more frequent (75%) in patients affected with SLE all of whom showing high antibody titres.


Subject(s)
Autoantibodies/blood , Autoimmune Diseases/immunology , Centrosome/immunology , Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect , Kinesins/analysis , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Nuclear Proteins/analysis , Spindle Apparatus/immunology , Xenopus Proteins/analysis , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Antibodies, Antinuclear/immunology , Antigens, Nuclear , Antiphospholipid Syndrome/blood , Antiphospholipid Syndrome/immunology , Arthritis/blood , Arthritis/immunology , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/blood , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology , Autoantibodies/immunology , Autoimmune Diseases/blood , Cell Cycle , Cell Cycle Proteins , Connective Tissue Diseases/blood , Connective Tissue Diseases/immunology , Fluorescent Dyes/analysis , Humans , Kinesins/immunology , Laryngeal Neoplasms/pathology , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/blood , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology , Nuclear Matrix-Associated Proteins , Nuclear Proteins/immunology , Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/blood , Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/immunology , Sjogren's Syndrome/blood , Sjogren's Syndrome/immunology , Thrombosis/blood , Thrombosis/immunology , Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/blood , Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/immunology , Tumor Cells, Cultured/immunology , Tumor Cells, Cultured/ultrastructure , Xenopus Proteins/immunology
19.
Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol ; 2(10): 776-81, 2001 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11584305

ABSTRACT

The Italian pathologist Giulio Bizzozero began his haematological investigations more than 130 years ago. Among his outstanding achievements was the discovery of the role of platelets in haemostasis and the identification of the bone marrow as the site of production of blood cells. One hundred years after his untimely death, the significance of these, and many more of his findings, is still recognized.


Subject(s)
Biology/history , Hematopoiesis/physiology , Blood Platelets/physiology , Bone Marrow/physiology , History, 18th Century , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , Humans , Italy , Research/history , Skin Physiological Phenomena
20.
Anat Rec ; 264(3): 261-72, 2001 11 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11596008

ABSTRACT

Recent advances in culturing technology has permitted the production of organotypic models that may be referred to as human skin equivalents (HSE). We have studied histochemical, ultrastructural, and kinetic aspects of an HSE composed by an epidermal equivalent and a dermal equivalent separated by a basement membrane. Only keratinocytes and fibroblasts were present in the epidermal and dermal equivalents, respectively; cells of other lineages were lacking. Keratinocyte stratification and differentiation seemed similar to natural skin. Evidence is shown that such an HSE may also release growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor that are believed to play a role in skin grafting. The distribution of cycling cells as well as the values of the growth fraction are comparable to those observed in natural skin. Although the absence of several cells populations that reside in natural skin is a remarkable feature of this HSE, the high levels of tissue organization and cell differentiation lead us to believe that such an HSE may be considered a candidate substitute of human skin in biological, pharmacologic, and clinical applications.


Subject(s)
Skin, Artificial , Skin/cytology , Cell Differentiation , Cell Division , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Microscopy, Electron , Organ Culture Techniques , Skin/ultrastructure
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