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Biomedical subjects

A Marini

Publications and source records attributed to A Marini.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Myocardial stunning following coronary angioplasty: protective effects of calcium-channel blockers.

The beneficial effects of calcium-channel blockers against myocardial stunning have been tested in experimental studies, showing that, when added before or during ischemia, a protective effect against postischemia stunning is achieved. The present study was undertaken to test and compare the protective effect of calcium antagonists [nisoldipine (NIS) and nifedipine (NIF)] and nitrates (NIT) against myocardial stunning in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with prolonged inflation as PTCA represents a model of induced acute and severe ischemia for a brief period and might cause myocardial stunning. The study included 30 patients between the ages of 42 and 67 years, all with exercise-induced angina and single-vessel disease, with severe stenosis (80% to subtotal occlusion) localized on the left anterior descending artery and with the absence of collaterals on the coronary angiograms. Moreover, all patients had normal left ventricular (LV) overall function, as well as normal systolic thickening of the anterior wall, supplied by the diseased artery. Patients were randomized to a pre-PTCA treatment with NIT, 80-120 mg/day (10 patients), NIF, 40-60 mg/day (10 patients), and NIS, 10-20 mg/day (10 patients). Pre-PTCA treatment was initiated 7 days before the procedure and continued after. During the PTCA, at the first balloon inflation, an additional dose of 300 micrograms of NIT was injected into the left anterior descending artery through the balloon catheter in the patients in the NIT group, as well as 0.2 mg of NIF in NIF group patients and 0.05 mg of NIS in NIS group patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Radioimmunoscintigraphy of ovarian cancer with the MOv18 monoclonal antibody.

The monoclonal antibody (Mab) 131I-MOv18 was administered to 30 patients with ovarian carcinoma intravenously (n = 20) and intraperitoneally (n = 10). After intraperitoneal administration, higher tumour uptake (mean values 1.3% vs. 0.8%) and a better tumour/background ratio (mean values 2.8 vs. 1.9) than after intravenous injection were obtained. Moreover, after intraperitoneal administration the uptake in non-affected organs, such as liver and spleen, was lower. However, occasionally the favourable results of the intraperitoneal route were cancelled by persistent pelvic non-specific accumulations of 131I-MOv18. The possibility to change the biodistribution pattern in the latter cases with peritoneal washing was evaluated. 3 patients were submitted to this procedure and an improvement in the radiotracer biodistribution was obtained in 1 case. With regard to tumour detection, the average sensitivity (73%) showed a significant difference from the sensitivities for abdominal (61%) and pelvic lesions (90%). No false positive results were noted.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Human fibroblast interferon therapy alone and human fibroblast interferon combined with thymostimulin in genital papillomavirus infection associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia].

Eighteen patients suffering for HPV infections associated with CIN were treated using human fibroblast interferon, via an intramuscular route, with positive results. Five cases of recurrent HPV within nine months of treatment received thymostimulin therapy, via an intramuscular route, with positive results.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Phytohaemagglutinin-induced neutrophil aggregation in patients affected by chronic myeloproliferative diseases.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the phytohaemagglutinin-induced aggregation of circulating neutrophils isolated from 25 patients affected by chronic myeloproliferative syndromes (polycythaemia vera, chronic myeloid leukaemia in chronic phase, and essential thrombocythaemia). The results showed a lesser aggregating capacity in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and an opposite behaviour in polycythaemia vera and essential thrombocythaemia. Patients with polycythaemia vera whose neutrophils showed a greater aggregating capacity were shown to have had various vascular complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Prevalence of polycystic ovaries in women with acne.

The prevalence of polycystic ovaries was determined by pelvic ultrasound imaging in 119 women (mean age, 23.6 +/- 6.06 years; range, 14-45 years) with acne but with no menstrual disorders, obesity, or hirsutism, and in 35 healthy controls (mean age, 25 +/- 5.8 years; range, 21-40 years). Polycystic ovaries were found in 54 out of 119 patients with acne (45.37%) and in 6 out of 35 controls (17.14%). The results of this study indicate that polycystic ovaries are common in women with acne and not necessarily associated with menstrual disorders, obesity, or hirsutism.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1989

Effects of two levels of intake of chloride, potassium, and calcium on mineral and acid-base metabolism in premature infants.

Growth (weight, length, mid-upper arm circumference), acid-base status, serum electrolyte levels, and selected parameters of urine (creatinine and electrolyte levels, urine pH, renal net acid excretion, levels of metabolites of aldosterone) were determined serially from the 10th to the 32nd days for 4 weeks in 21 premature infants (birth weight, 1,100-2,000 g) fed either formula A or formula B (formula B was formula A supplemented with chloride, potassium, and calcium). Premature infants fed formula B showed a higher weight gain (31 versus 28.2 g/day), a higher increment of middle-upper arm circumference (0.31 versus 0.24 cm/week), and a decreased renal net acid excretion (1.24 versus 1.92 mEq/kg/day). Almost all premature infants fed formula A and some with a high growth rate receiving formula B showed hypochloruria corresponding to chloride deficiency. Premature infants fed unsupplemented humanized formulas may have an inadequate intake of minerals.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1989

Serum cholesterol and triglycerides in hematological malignancies.

Serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were studied in 202 patients affected by various hematological malignancies at the time of diagnosis. A hypocholesterolemia was found in 44% of patients affected by lymphoproliferative diseases and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, with an evident correlation with the clinical stage (5.7% of patients in nonadvanced stages, 67.8% in advanced stages). In acute and chronic myeloproliferative diseases, the overall incidence of hypocholesterolemia was 71%. In particular, a greater incidence of low cholesterol values was found in chronic myeloid leukemia and in idiopathic myelofibrosis than in polycythemia vera. No significant correlation was found in this group of diseases between the values of cholesterol and the main hematological parameters studied (WBC, number of circulating blasts, degree of splenomegaly, levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit). The incidence of significant alterations of triglycerides appeared negligible. It is thus possible to affirm that hypocholesterolemia constitutes an interesting biological aspect in hematological malignancies, and that total cholesterol could represent a parameter, even though secondary, in the follow-up of hematological neoplastic pathologies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Prevention of acute neonatal respiratory insufficiency. A method of conditioning the baboon lung during cesarean section].

Preterm baboons at 140 +/- 3 day gestation (term 182 +/- 7 days) have been subjected to lung conditioning, consisting of a series of prolonged inflations of the lungs at 35 cm H2O, followed by approximately 10 min of application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) equal to 15-20 cm H2O, before umbilical cord interruption. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in a primate experimental model, the safety and efficacy in the prevention of neonatal RDS of a technique so far experimented on only in ovine models. Thoraco-pulmonary compliance exceeded the value of 0.2 ml (cm H2O)-1.kg-1 in only 1 animal out of 5 (20%), which didn't develop illness, versus 69% of positive results achieved with the same technique in lambs at 128-130 day gestation, an experimental model considered in the literature as equivalent to a 140 +/- 3 day gestation baboon as far as it concerns incidence and severity of RDS. The application of lung conditioning was easy and safe (as previously reported), but its effectiveness in a primate model is still to be defined.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Modulating effects by Trichinella spiralis sensu stricto excretory/secretory antigens of human neutrophil functions.

Many parasites are able to modify the host response through different mechanisms, for example host leukocyte function modification. Since granulocytes represent the most important effector cells against Trichinella spiralis, we evaluated the effects of supernatants of T. spiralis sensu stricto muscle larvae cultured for at least 18 hours (T. Sup.) on some human neutrophil functions, i.e. chemotaxis, phagocytosis and Nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction. The cells from blood donors were tested in the presence of T. Sup. at different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 20%). The results show no effect of T. Sup. on neutrophil phagocytosis. On the contrary, random migration of cells is increased at concentrations of 10-20%, while stimulated migration is significantly decreased at concentrations of 5-10% but not at 20%. We found a significant decrease of Nitroblue tetrazolium reduction at 5-10% concentrations of T. Sup. It is concluded that T. spiralis culture supernatants contain some factors capable of modifying human neutrophil chemotaxis, oxidative metabolism, but not phagocytosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Direct visualization of aorto-coronary bypass grafts by two-dimensional echocardiography: a new clinical application.

An attempt was made to assess noninvasively the patency of aorto-coronary bypass grafts by two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D echo) in 21 patients who underwent myocardial revascularization. Fifteen patients had one graft while the other six had two grafts. All 21 patients underwent angiography 6-18 months after operation. A day before angiography a 2-D echo was performed with the aim of visualizing the bypass grafts. In 18 patients with 23 grafts (13 with 1 graft and 5 with 2 grafts) it was possible to visualize the tract of the graft by 2-D echo; 16 were judged patent on 2-D echo and confirmed by selective angiography, while 5 grafts were considered occluded both on 2-D echo and angiography. The other 2 grafts were considered to be occluded on 2-D echo but angiographic control displayed their patency. In 3 patients 2-D echo failed to visualize grafts that were patent angiographically. These data must be considered preliminary and need validation in a larger number of patients. However it is reasonable to conclude that 2-D echo has a reliable capacity to predict graft patency. Such an application may be of value in sequential control of patients with aorto-coronary bypass surgery, especially when combined with other clinical and/or technical data.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Effect of chronic morphine on plasma and brain beta endorphin and methionine enkephalin in pregnant rats and in their fetuses or newborn.

Normal or pregnant rats were treated orally for 21 days or throughout pregnancy with water or increasing doses of morphine and killed on days 7, 14, and 21 of pregnancy and 1 day post partum. At these time intervals, plasma, pituitary, and hypothalamic concentrations of beta-endorphin and methionine enkephalin were measured in normal and pregnant rats. Moreover, pituitary and hypothalamic concentrations of the two peptides were also measured in fetuses and newborn. Plasma beta-endorphin and methionine enkephalin increased significantly during pregnancy without any specific effect of morphine. Pituitary concentrations of beta-endorphin were not modified either by pregnancy or morphine treatment, while methionine enkephalin concentrations increased on days 7 and 11 of pregnancy, in both water- and morphine-treated rats. The pattern of the two peptides in the hypothalamus is completely superimposable to the one present in the pituitary with the exception of an increase of beta-endorphin on day 21 of pregnancy, which is more evident in control animals. Consistently with our observations in human newborn and the neurological dysfunctions we observed in them, the concentrations of both the peptides are significantly increased in the hypothalamus of fetuses and newborn of morphine-treated mothers, while in the pituitary only beta-endorphin concentrations are increased.

Animals↗