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Biomedical subjects

A Bernardo

Publications and source records attributed to A Bernardo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Primary pyomyositis in mild climates. Presentation of 2 new cases].

Pyomyositis is an acute bacterial infection which affects striated muscles. It is a relatively rare process in mild climates. Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for 90-95% of cases. Klebsiella pneumoniae pyomyositis is extremely rare with only one other case reported in a mild climate. Two new cases of pyomyositis are described one caused by K. pneumoniae, increasing thus the etiology spectrum in our country, and the other caused by S. aureus ending in fatality, with two focus of pyomyositis (one of which was chronic) and multisystemic secondary affectation. We highlight the appearance of this process in our environment and the necessity to keep it in mind when making a differential diagnosis in order to recognize it and treat it as soon as possible since its prognosis depends on the moment the diagnosis is made.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver].

Certain rare, reactive, non-neoplastic processes are defined under the term inflammatory pseudotumor, which is constituted by the proliferation of connective tissue and chronic inflammatory infiltrate of circumscribed location. Its etiopathogenesis ins unknown, although it is thought to have a possible infectious nature. It has been described various organs, but location in the liver is exceptional. We present a new case of inflammatory pseudotumor of hepatic location, related to an "hour-glass" abscess adhered to diaphragm, this being the first case of this relation. We reviewed the literature concerning etiopathogenic, histopathologic, clinical and diagnostic aspects, and our findings are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Erythrocytes parameters due to aging, smoking, alcohol consumption and occupational activity in a working population of petrochemical industry. The Pavia Study.

The main purpose of the study was to assess the red blood cell disorders in works employed in the petrochemical industry in the Lombardia region (ENI). In the analysis of the data the confounding factors such as age, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, nutritional status based on body mass index have also been taken into consideration. In total, material consisted of 1175 male workers in whom red blood cell examination of the peripheral fasting blood was carried out. The results of the study showed that clinical anemia has been found in 1.7% of subjects examined. The distribution of anemia cases was not related to job category or physical occupational activity, neither to age, smoking or alcohol consumption. However, the results of the study suggest that aging processes are associated with weakening of hemopoietic system which affect in a great extent hemoglobin production. The effect of smoking on hemopoietic system appeared to have different features from that attributed to aging. Smoking increased hemoglobin level and hematocrit significantly in comparison to nonsmokers, but had no effect on the number of erythrocytes. It was concluded that adaptation to carbon monoxide inhaled with cigarette smoke is reflected by an increased red cell mass and hemoglobin. Occupational factors measured by the type of job (manual vs nonmanual) appeared to have no harmful effect on the hemopoietic system, however, respondents who reported working physically in an intensive way, showed significantly lower mean corpuscular concentration hemoglobin level than those having a sedentary job or engaged in very small physical activity at work.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Coronary heart disease risk score and ECG abnormalities in apparently healthy workers from petrochemical industry. The Pavia Study.

The purpose of the study undertaken was to define the vulnerable fraction of the industrial population in northern Italy using the CHD risk score profile. In addition, ECG examinations were carried out in order to see whether there is a correlation between cardiovascular risk profile and the frequency of ECG abnormalities. The study covered in total 1443 male workers employed in various petrochemical plants. The calculation of the CHD risk score was based on age, relative weight, serum cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking habit, physical activity at work and at home, and heredity factors. The study demonstrated that on an average 47.3% of male workers in the petrochemical industry have high or very high risk of cardiovascular disease and this draws the attention to the urgent need to develop the better and more effective primary preventive strategy against cardiovascular diseases, specially among manual workers. The study disclosed also that the persons with elevated risk score displayed more frequently ECG repolarization disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Purification and characterization of diacetyl-reducing enzymes from Staphylococcus aureus.

A method was developed to purify diacetyl-reducing enzymes from Staphylococcus aureus. Two enzymes capable of catalysing diacetyl reduction were isolated, neither of which turned out to be a specific diacetyl reductase. One of them is a lactate dehydrogenase similar to the one from Staphylococcus epidermidis, which accepts diacetyl, although poorly. The other one uses as coenzyme beta-NAD and reduces uncharged alpha-dicarbonyls with more than three carbon atoms (especially the alpha-diketones diacetyl and pentane-2,3-dione), producing the L(+) form of the corresponding alpha-hydroxycarbonyls. This enzyme has an Mr of 68,000 and is, most probably, a monomer. Its optimum pH is 6.0. Its shows a high affinity for NADH and a rather low one for diacetyl, which, at least in vitro, does not seem to be as good a substrate as pentane-2,3-dione. We propose for it the systematic name L-alpha-hydroxyketone:NAD+ oxidoreductase and the recommended name of alpha-diketone reductase (NAD). We also suggest that the diacetyl reductase entry in the I.U.B. classification be suppressed.

Acetoin Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1988

Kinetics of the diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione reduction by diacetyl reductase (alpha-diketone reductase (NAD)) from Staphylococcus aureus.

The kinetic mechanism of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione reduction by diacetyl reductase from Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. The shape of the primary double reciprocal plots, the product inhibition pattern, and the features of the inhibition by a substrate analogue (acetone) show that diacetyl is reduced via an Ordered Bi-Bi mechanism, and 2,3-pentanedione by an Ordered Bi-Bi or Theorell-Chance mechanism. NADH is the leading substrate in both reactions. Affinity constants for the coenzyme and the substrates and inhibition constants for NAD, acetoin, and acetone were also calculated. This enzyme has a high affinity for NADH; Km (31-50 microM) and Ks (20-27 microM) for this compound are around one-tenth of the NADH intracellular concentration. Therefore, it must operate in vivo saturated with the coenzyme. This condition is not adequate to play the role, formerly proposed for diacetyl reductases, of regulating the equilibrium between oxidized and reduced forms of pyridine-nucleotides.

Acetoin Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1986

Potential of indium-111 to measure inflammatory arthritis.

Since an objective noninvasive method for measuring inflammation in arthritis is lacking, radioimaging experiments were conducted with 111indium-chloride (111InCl3) in the collagen model. A computer imaging index, reflecting uptake in the feet and ankles, was significantly greater in 16 rats immunized with collagen than in 6 nonimmunized rats (mean +/- SEM 1.18 +/- 0.04 vs 0.39 +/- 0.02, for the 2 groups, respectively, p less than 0.001). Additional analyses provided evidence that the 111InCl3 technique can be used to measure objectively progression of the arthritic response of rats of immunization with collagen, and pilot comparisons with conventional bone scintigraphy in 2 patients with rheumatoid arthritis suggested that the method is applicable to human arthritic disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Kinetics and thermodynamics of diacetyl reduction with NADPH by alpha-dicarbonyl reductase from pigeon liver.

alpha-dicarbonyl reductase from pigeon liver catalyzes diacetyl reduction with NADPH via an ordered Bi-Bi mechanism in which the coenzyme is the leading substrate, as deduced from the inhibition pattern by products and by acetone. The activation energy of the reaction has been calculated as 16.6 kcal/mol, delta H and delta F as 15.6 and 15.3 kcal/mol, respectively, and delta S as 1 cal/mol per k. Kinetic constants obtained for substrates (KmNADPH = 15 microM, KsNADPH = 10 microM; Kmdiacetyl = 0.5 mM, Ksdiacetyl = 0.35 mM) and products (KiNADP 50 microM; Kiacetoin = 100 mM) are about 10 times lower than those reported for this enzyme in the reduction of diacetyl with NADH. This confirms that NADPH is its physiological coenzyme.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1984

Further purification and characterization of diacetyl reductase from pigeon liver.

Electrophoretically pure preparation of an enzyme from pigeon liver which is classified in the I.U.B. Enzyme List as a specific diacetyl reductase (Acetoin: NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.5) have been obtained. This enzyme has been characterized as an alpha-dicarbonyl reductase (L(+)-alpha-hydroxicarbonyl: NAD(P) oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1...) similar to the one recently discovered from beef liver by the authors' group. Although differences in mol wt among these two reductases had been reported, both of them are oligomers of 25,000-26,000 dalton subunits.

Acetoin Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1981

Purification and some properties of L-glycol dehydrogenase from hen's muscle.

1. An enzyme which catalyzes the NAD(P)H-linked reversible reduction of uncharged vicinal dicarbonyls and alpha-hydroxycarbonyls to L-(+)-glycols has been purified from hen's muscle. This enzyme has not been previously described. 2. According to the rules of the I.U.P.A.C.-I.U.B. Enzymes Commission, the systematic name of L-(+)-glycol:NAD(P) oxidoreductase and the trivial name of L-glycol dehydrogenase are proposed for the enzyme. 3. Three forms of this enzyme differing in pI have been isolated; two forms, which together represent about 90% of total recovered activity, and electrophoretically pure. 4. Molecular weight, pH profiles and affinity for substrates are also described.

Acetoin↗
PubMed1981

Adolescents on a general hospital psychiatric unit: problems and remedies.

The care and treatment of adolescents on an adult acute psychiatric unit in a general hospital can pose serious problems for unit staff. Adolescents with behavior or character problems who prove violent or manipulative can disrupt treatment of both the adolescent and adult patients on the unit. Yet the demand for immediate treatment for many adolescents and the accessibility of general hospital psychiatric units often mean that adolescents may placed there inappropriately. This paper describes how an adult acute unit in a general hospital solved the problems caused by acting-out, manipulative adolescents on the unit. A committee found problems in inappropriate admissions, unworkable treatment plans, management of acting-out behaviors, case disposition, and staff attitudes. Remedies came in the form of more specific admission and discharge guidelines, strict enforcement of those guidelines, staff discussion of treatment plans, an inservice education program, and improved liaison with community facilities for adolescents.

Acting Out↗
PubMed1980

[Evaluation of the presence of warfarin-resistant rats in the city of Reggio Calabria].

The aim of this work was to examine the possible presence, in the city of Reggio Calabria, of rats resistant to anticoagulant rodenticides. To carry out such an investigation trappings were effected in four sectors of the city characterized by different urban structures. The data collected were utilized, in a first phase, to obtain evaluation indexes of the state of rat infestation which turned out to be quite worrying. Applying the W.H.O. methods it resulted that 8,6% of the captured rats, all belonging to the species Rattus norvegicus, is resistant to anticoagulants. Keeping in mind the sites where these specimens were captured, this resistance phenomenon seems to be present in all the urban territory.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

An "oncometer" of clinical measurement of colloid osmotic pressure of plasma.

Measurement of colloid osmotic pressure complements measurements of pulmonary artery wedge pressure for assessing the risks of pulmonary edema and constitutes an increasingly important reference for purposes of guiding selection of colloid or crystalloid fluids in patients with acute cardiac disease. We describe a simple device for its routine clinical measurement. A membrane, selectively impermeable to molecules of relative molecular mass (Mr) greater than 30000, is rigidly mounted between a sample chamber and a reference chamber filled with isotonic saline. A pressure transducer measures the negative pressure developed in the reference chamber and displays it on a digital panel meter. The sensor chamber accommodates samples of 50 to 300 microliter. Equilibration is completed within 2 min. A control solution of human serum albumin (50 g/liter) is measured to confirm the accuracy of calibration of the system, with reproducible readings of 25.9 g/cm2 within one SD (equivalent to 0.4 g/cm2). Technical simplicity of operation and modest costs of disposables have made feasible the routine measurement of colloid osmotic pressure.

Colloids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The presence of astrocytes enhances beta amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in hippocampal cell cultures.

A characteristic feature of neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease is represented by the presence of activated astrocytes, surrounding dystrophic neurons and beta-amyloid deposition. To explore the role of astrocytes in in vitro beta-amyloid neurotoxicity, we studied the effect of beta-amyloid treatment in hippocampal neurons in two different cell models: pure cultures, where neurons were grown in absence of astrocytes and mixed cultures, where neurons were seeded on a confluent layer of astrocytes. We evaluated two characteristic aspects of in vitro beta-amyloid neurotoxicity: reduction of cell viability and degeneration of the neuritic tree. We demonstrated that neurons growing on astrocytes were more prone to the detrimental effect of the amyloid peptide, with respect to neurons grown in absence of the glial component. Our results support the hypothesis that beta-amyloid-astrocyte interaction can adversely condition neurons and contribute to neuronal damage in Alzheimer's disease.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors influencing staff hopefulness in working with people with schizophrenia.

This qualitative study identifies factors that influence staff hopefulness in their work with individuals with schizophrenia. Fifteen mental health professionals from both inpatient and community settings were interviewed via a semi-structured questionnaire. Subjects described the following as important to their hopefulness: knowing clients as people, sharing client successes, and receiving recognition for their accomplishments. Several educational, research, and system issues were also identified as influencing hopefulness. Respondents also described barriers to hopefulness arising from clients, coworkers and public attitudes. The relevance of these findings to promoting hopeful working environments is discussed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sequential docetaxel and vinorelbine for patients with advanced breast cancer previously treated with anthracyclines: a phase II study.

With respect to their association, sequential non-cross-resistant cytostatics could be better tolerated and allow a similar antitumor effect. From January, 1998 to July, 1999, 42 consecutive patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) previously treated with anthracyclines as adjuvant- or first-line therapy entered a phase II multicenter study where docetaxel (TXT, 100 mg/m2/3 weeks/4 times) was followed by vinorelbine (VNR, 25 mg/m2/10 days/8 times). Median follow-up is 21 months and 22/42 patients have died. Four patients did not complete therapy due to early death, grade 3-4 gastrointestinal mucosytis (2 patients) and grade 3 neurotoxicity during TXT therapy. Overall response rate was 57%, and 5% of patients had stable disease. There were 38% of therapy failures due to non-evaluability (10%) or progressive disease (28%). Median time to progression and survival are 10.1 and 17.1 months. Sequential TXT-VNB is a suitable strategy for MBC patients previously treated with anthracyclines. It avoids haematologic toxicity and allows a good antitumor effect. Careful monitoring of intestinal mucosytis is required.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The joint effect of overweight and familial predisposing factors on the occurrence of hypertension in the industrial population. The Pavia study.

The main purpose of the study was to assess the effect of overweight and predisposing familial factors on the occurrence of hypertension in the industrial population. The data were based on large sample (1523 males and 438 females) of workers employed in the petrochemical industry. The results of the cross-sectional study show that the prevalence of hypertension and borderline hypertension was significantly related to age, obesity and cardiovascular familial history. The effect of obesity alone was slightly stronger than the impact of family history on the occurrence of hypertension among men, but inverse relationship has been found in women Relative excess risk due to interaction between obesity and heredity was 0.60 in males and 2.75 in females. Total proportion of hypertension cases attributable to overweight and heredity together or singly in men was 71.5% and in women 79.4%. That part of the disease attributable to interaction between both factors was 17.1% in men and 56.7% in women.

Adult↗