Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Ferrari

Publications and source records attributed to A Ferrari.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Transformation of sulfated bile acids by human intestinal microflora.

The in vitro transformation, under anaerobic conditions, of 3- and 7-monosulfated and unsulfated bile acids, was studied in incubates of fecal flora from three healthy subjects. Chenodeoxycholic acid 7 alpha-sulfate and ursodeoxycholic acid 7 beta-sulfate were recovered unchanged, in all cultures, at the end of the incubation time. 3-Sulfated bile acids were metabolized in a different way by the three stool specimens. During the transformation of chenodeoxycholic acid 3-sulfate, desulfation, 7-dehydroxylation and 3-epimerization were observed. In contrast, 3-epimerization was not noticed when ursodeoxycholic acid 3-sulfate and lithocholic acid 3-sulfate were metabolized, the latter being principally transformed into delta 3-cholenic acid, probably by a bacterially mediated trans-elimination of sulfate group. The results obtained seem to prove that the presence of a SO3H group in 7-position usually hinders microbial transformations, which are not affected by a sulfate group in 3-position. Moreover, the 3-sulfated bile acids proved to be less sensitive to the microbial action than the corresponding unsulfated acids, with exception of lithocholic 3-sulfate.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

A grading model for stress urinary incontinence.

A classification of stress incontinence is described. The stress test makes it possible to diagnose sphinctero-urethral incompetence and to identify the cases that are objectively negligible. Thus, surgical treatment can be limited to those who require it.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1986

Pipobroman therapy of essential thrombocythemia.

We report our results with pipobroman (PB) therapy in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET). 21 consecutive untreated patients were treated with PB from 1975 to 1984. PB was given at a dose of 1 mg/kg/d until platelet count dropped below 600 X 10(9)/l. In 18 patients (86%) a hematological remission was obtained. Median duration of induction phase was 49 d. In all cases a maintenance regimen was required at a dose ranging from 0.2 mg/kg/d to 0.5 mg/kg/d, according to platelet number. Follow-up of responder patients ranged from 6 to 108 months (median 17 months). Treatment was well tolerated and we observed only a very moderate and transient hematological toxicity. No patient had relapsed or developed secondary neoplasms at the time of writing. Median survival time of all patients was 24 months (range 10-115).

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Double-blind study of a new antimuscarinic, cimetropium bromide, in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Forty patients with irritable bowel syndrome were randomly allocated to treatment with octylonium bromide (20 mg TID) or cimetropium bromide (50 mg BID) in a double-blind trial lasting for six weeks. Drugs were taken before meals, according to a double-blind schedule. Clinical evaluations were made of digestive and other symptoms, objective findings (pain at palpation, contracted colon, tympanites), and overall effectiveness of treatment. Statistically significant decreases in severity of abdominal pain and subjective scores for bowel habits were obtained in both groups. The only statistically significant differences between treatments were in nondigestive symptoms (asthenia, palpitations, tremor, headache, etc.), which improved more in the cimetropium bromide group. No severe side effects were observed in either treatment group.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Cyclotrons in medicine. A survey of commercial models and their biomedical applications].

At present in Italy there is a great interest in the use of cyclotrons for medical applications: according to a plan of CNR (National Research Council), accelerators of this kind are going to be installed in some hospitals. After the explanation of the cyclotron operation principles, an outline is given of the possible applications with particular care for the clinical ones. An up-to-date review of commercial models so far developed is reported and finally, after a short note concerning installation problems, some suggestions are given about criteria to be followed in the choice of a model, according to the foreseen scientific program.

Equipment and Supplies, Hospital↗
PubMed1986

[The electronystagmographic examination in the study of migraine].

The association of dizziness and headache is quite frequent and it has been known for a long time. The visual and auditory evoked potentials and EEG had already shown a damage of CNS in migrainous. The vestibular tests with ENG, which is enclosed in the routine study of the patients of the Headache Centre of Modena University (Italy), has shown a high percentage of alterations in different tests. Out of crisis a decrease of VOR and troubles of OKN and pursuit are noted. During crisis the reflectivity increases above all in the same part of the pain and a further alteration of smooth pursuit is observed. The Nomiphensine test suggest that these alterations of CNS are caused by changes in biochemistry of CNS, above all in the monoamines.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Clinico-pathological features of collagenous colitis: case report and literature review.

Collagenous colitis is a newly identified condition, with clinical features of chronic watery diarrhea and abdominal pain. Histologically the main characteristic is the presence of a thick collagen band below the surface epithelium. Collagenous colitis occurs in adults, especially women. Endoscopy reveals no particular changes in the intestinal mucosa. Symptoms may persist for years with periods of remission and recurring acute attacks. The cause of this condition is still unknown, and because of no real knowledge only symptoms can be treated, usually with little success.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Effectiveness of flunarizine in altering electronystagmographic patterns in migraine patients: a preliminary report.

In this double-blind study versus placebo, the anti-migraine efficacy of flunarizine 20 mg/per os/day for 14 days, followed by 10 mg/per os/day up to 120 days has been evaluated in 30 patients suffering from common and classical migraine. During the trial the vestibular function (slow phase velocity (SPV) and number of spikes) was also studied. To date 18 patients have completed the study. The results show a significant difference before and after the treatment with flunarizine, while no difference was observed in the placebo group, with regard to headache unit indices. Flunarizine seems to increase SPV max, which is reduced between attacks in migraine patients; the number of spikes does not change significantly.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

A study on the mechanism of the epimerization at C-3 of chenodeoxycholic acid by Clostridium perfringens.

The mechanism of 3-hydroxy epimerization of chenodeoxycholic acid by Clostridium perfringens was investigated in 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-[2,2,4,4-2H4]-, 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-[3 beta-2H]- and 3 beta, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-[3 alpha-2H]-5 beta-cholanoic acid transformations. Our findings rule out a dehydration-rehydration pathway and agree with a redox mechanism involving 3-oxochenodeoxycholic acid as intermediate.

Bile Acids and Salts↗
PubMed1985

Carotid sinus reflexes during postural changes, naturally elicited fighting behaviour, and phases of sleep in the cat.

Reflex responses of mean blood pressure and of heart rate to either bilateral common carotid occlusion (CO) or unilateral carotid sinus dilatation (CSD) during rest and different behaviours have been compared in conscious cats. Unloading and loading the carotid sinus receptors elicited equal reflex responses both of mean blood pressure and of heart rate during control immobile behaviour (CO: +34 +/- 6 mmHg and +35 +/- 6 beats . min-1; CSD: -37 +/- 4 mmHg and -52 +/- 11 beats . min-1), standing on the hindlimbs (CO: +36 +/- 5 mmHg and +29 +/- 5 5 beats . min-1; CSD: -40 +/- 6 mmHg and -61 +/- 10 beats . min-1), fighting against an attacking animal (CO: +34 +/- 5 mmHg and +31 +/- 5 beats . min-1; CSD: -37 +/- 5 mmHg and -56 +/- 10 beats . min-1), quiet wakefulness (CO: +37 +/- 5 mmHg and +38 +/- 4 beats . min-1; CSD: -34 +/- 4 mmHg and -53 +/- 8 beats . min-1) and synchronised sleep (CO: +36 +/- 5 mmHg and +37 +/- 4 beats . min-1; CSD: -36 +/- 4 mmHg and -52 +/- 6 beats . min-1). Desynchronised sleep was associated with an identical response to CSD (-30 +/- 4 mmHg and -51 +/- 7 beats . min-1) but with a reduced (p less than 0.01) reflex response to CO (+18 +/- 3 mmHg These data indicate that carotid sinus baroreflexes largely maintain their ability to modulate pressure upwards and downwards when blood pressure has been reset at somewhat higher levels by standing and fighting and at somewhat lower levels by synchronised sleep. The selective depression of carotid occlusion responses during desynchronised sleep suggests a central or peripheral shift of the baroreflex stimulus-response curve or a selective central inhibition of the reflex response to baroreceptor unloading.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Reflex cardiovascular regulation in humans.

Although studies of the cardiovascular control exerted by arterial baroreceptors in man are limited by technical and ethical problems, the variable-pressure neck-chamber technique has provided a considerable amount of information about this topic. This paper focuses on the carotid baroreceptor reflex as evaluated by studies using the neck-chamber technique and examines this control in a number of physiological and pathophysiological states. The results of these studies suggest that in normotensive subjects the set-point of the reflex is located eccentrically toward its saturation, which makes this homeostatic mechanism more effective in counteracting a blood-pressure fall than a blood-pressure rise. They also suggest that the concept of an impairment of the arterial baroreflex in aging, exercise, and hypertension, though valid for the baroreceptor control of heart rate, is no longer tenable for the baroreceptor control of arterial pressure. The paper also reviews in humans the effects of arterial baroreceptors on regional circulations and on the excretion of humoral substances such as renin, and compares them with those of the cardiopulmonary receptors. It is suggested that the latter predominate over the former in the reflex modulation of plasma-renin activity, and that this is part of a homeostatic mechanism for blood-volume control.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1985

Influence of flunarizine on the altered electronystagmographic (ENG) recordings in migraine.

Flunarizine, a slow-channel calcium blocker, appeared to be effective in the prophylactic treatment of common and classic migraine in 29 out-patients included in a double-blind clinical trial. After a two-month placebo period, half the patients were treated with flunarizine, 10 mg a day for up to 120 days, half with placebo. Electronystagmographic (ENG) recordings were performed at the end of the common placebo period and after two and four months of treatment, respectively. There was a significant reduction in Headache Unit Index (HUI) and Headache Unit Index Corrected (HUIC) (42% and 40.5% respectively) in the flunarizine-treated group but not in the placebo group. Analgesic intake was reduced and intensity of pain was unchanged in both groups throughout the trial. ENG data were not significantly affected by flunarizine treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Twenty-four-hour blood pressure profile and blood pressure variability in untreated hypertension and during antihypertensive treatment by once-a-day nadolol.

First, blood pressure and heart rate variability was studied in 89 normotensive and hypertensive ambulatory subjects with the use of an intra-arterial monitoring device. Short- and long-term variabilities were analyzed by computer. Absolute variabilities (standard deviations) were greatest in patients with hypertension, but relative variabilities (variation coefficients, i.e., standard deviations as percent of means) were slightly lower in the subjects with more severe hypertension. Second, the effect of nadolol on 24-hour blood pressure and heart rate values and on their variability was assessed in seven ambulatory patients with essential hypertension by means of the same intra-arterial device and computer analysis. Two recording sessions were performed (1) without treatment and (2) after 10 days' administration of nadolol once a day (dose range, 80 to 320 mg). Nadolol, given once a day, was shown to reduce blood pressure uniformly throughout the 24-hour period without loss of activity in the hours farthest from administration. The lack of alteration in relative blood pressure variability suggests that nadolol lowers blood pressure without interfering with the mechanisms involved in cardiovascular homeostasis. Reduction in heart rate variability after nadolol suggests less chance of tachycardia episodes in patients with angina and/or arrhythmias receiving nadolol.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1984

Arterial baroreceptor control of blood pressure in man.

Information on arterial baroreceptor control of circulation is much more restricted in man than in animals, largely because of the limitations in the techniques available in humans for this type of study. However, recent utilization of the neck chamber technique that addresses the primary function of an arterial baroreflex, i.e. blood pressure control, has provided a significant amount of information. This paper describes baroreceptor control of blood pressure as derived from neck chamber studies in normal people and discusses its modifications by exercise and ageing, and its participation in a phenomenon such as spontaneous blood pressure variability. The description given here is focused on aspects of this baroreceptor control that have changed the concept of the overall arterial baroreceptor function developed by means of techniques for studying only baroreceptor influences on heart rate.

Adult↗