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Biomedical subjects

A Messori

Publications and source records attributed to A Messori.

150 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Cervical cap homologous artificial insemination (AIH): the University of Florence experience.

We report our experience with artificial insemination with husband's semen (AIH) using cervical cap. Forty-four couples were admitted to our AIH program over a two-year period. In 4 couples, AIH was performed due to impotence or hypospadia, while in the remaining 40 couples indications for AIH were abnormal semen, poor post-coital test, anti-sperm antibodies, poor cervical mucus. Overall, six pregnancies were obtained (pregnancy rate = 15%) in the latter group; in particular, AIH was able to elicit pregnancy in 5 out of the 25 cases of abnormal semen (20%). Our data emphasize the importance of female factors associated with infertility since significantly higher pregnancy rates (45.4% versus 0%) were observed in subjects in whom these factors were absent.

Adult↗

[Pharmacokinetics of oral theophylline. Comparison between asthmatic and cystic fibrosis patients].

The pharmacokinetics of oral theophylline at steady-state were comparatively investigated in 13 asthmatic patients and in 10 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). In all patients, the drug was administered twice daily as slow-release tablets. The total daily dose of theophylline ranged from 10.8 to 29.4 mg/kg/day. For each patient, the time-course of theophylline steady-state plasma levels was studied after the morning dose. Six serial plasma samples were drawn at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 h after dosing. Model-independent methods were used for calculating the pharmacokinetics parameters (area under the curve and clearance). The clearance values (mean +/- SD) calculated in the two patient groups were significantly different (asthmatic patients: clearance = 61.2 +/- 15.6 ml/h/kg; CF patients: clearance = 86.3 +/- 22.8 ml/h/kg; P = 0.007). It has previously been shown that the clearance of theophylline after single dose is increased in CF patients. Our study confirms this finding under steady-state conditions and demonstrates that higher theophylline doses are on the average required to treat patients with FC.

Administration, Oral↗

Plasma concentrations of FSH and testosterone in male infertile patients.

We studied the statistical distribution of the plasma concentrations of FSH and testosterone in patients with oligoazoospermia as compared with normospermic subjects. The plasma concentration of FSH was determined in 429 patients with oligoazoospermia and 282 normospermic subjects ("controls"). In 118 out of these 429 patients and in 47 of the 282 controls, the plasma concentration of testosterone was also measured. The plasma concentrations of FSH differed significantly depending on the patients' values of spermatic concentration. The most significant difference was observed between azoospermic patients and controls, whereas the difference between patients with mild oligospermia and controls was not significant. Conversely, the plasma concentrations of testosterone did not correlate with the values of spermatic concentration and even the difference between azoospermic patients and controls did not reach the significance level. In addition, testosterone plasma concentrations did not differ between two sub-groups of patients who were defined depending on whether the plasma concentration of FSH was normal or high. Our findings confirm the inverse relation between plasma FSH levels and spermatic concentration which had already been observed in previous studies. However, a considerable overlap in the plasma concentrations of FSH has been found between sub-groups of patients with different spermatic concentrations. This overlap limits the clinical usefulness of the measurement of FSH concentration inasmuch as normal FSH plasma levels may often be associated with any value of spermatic concentration. Also, our data confirm that the measurement of testosterone plasma levels provides little clinical usefulness in male infertile patients.

Adult↗

Chronic phospholipid liposomes administration and ovarian function.

In the past years, hypothalamic phospholipids (H-PL) have been used therapeutically for their behavioral effects. The major pharmacological effect of H-PLs is that they increase the turnover rate of biogenic amines in the brain. Previous studies have also shown that a single i.v. dose of H-PL may influence tha plasma levels of gonadotropins, prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH). Since data have not yet been published concerning the effects, if any, of chronic i.m. administration of H-PL on the ovarian function, the present study was undertaken to gain insight into this issue. Four women were studied. Each subject was given H-PLs by i.m. injection from the 5th to the 20th day of the cycle at the dose of 100 mg/day. Blood samples were repeatedly taken over this period to measure the plasma concentrations of FSH, LH, E2, PRL, and progesterone. GH administration, no side-effects were noted in any of the subjects studied. All subjects presented normal plasma levels of FSH, LH, E2, PRL, and progesterone. GH demonstrated some upward fluctuations, which always regressed rapidly. Our findings demonstrate that chronic H-PL administration at therapeutic doses does not influence the ovarian cycle in women. In the light of our data, it appears that different hormonal effects are elicited by a single i.v. high-dose administration of H-PLs as compared with those produced by chronic i.m. treatment at therapeutic doses.

Adult↗