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Biomedical subjects

A Romano

Publications and source records attributed to A Romano.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

[Changes in the erythrocyte in liver cirrhosis: role of cholesterol and plasma phospholipids].

To investigate the role played by plasmatic lipids in the altered erythrocyte deformability observed in cirrhotic patients we studied 15 patients with liver cirrhosis (histologically diagnosed) and 10 healthy volunteers. Erythrocyte filtration time, plasmatic free and esterified cholesterol and phospholipids were measured in all subjects. The erythrocyte filtration time resulted to be significantly increased in cirrhotic patients (35'' +/- 3, 35 M +/- SEM) when compared to control subjects (26'' +/- 2, 53: M +/- SEM) (t = 2,078 p less than 0,05). This increase correlated in cirrhotic patients (but not in control subjects) with free/esterified cholesterol ratio (p less than 0,01) as well as free cholesterol/phospholipid ratio (p less than 0,001). Our results confirm that decreased erythrocyte deformability in cirrhotic patients which is accompanied by altered erythrocyte morphology is due, at least in part, to the altered lipids blood levels.

Cholesterol↗

Haemodynamic effects of indenolol at rest and after a submaximal workload in essential hypertension.

The effect of indenolol on heart rate and blood pressure at rest and after submaximal workload has been studied in 19 patients with established essential hypertension. A stepwise increase from moderate to submaximal exercise was chosen to mimic challenges normally occurring in daily life. After 4 weeks of once a day indenolol therapy a significant, gradual reduction in the following cardiovascular parameters was observed: heart rate at rest fell by 20%, 30% after exercise and 31% after recovery; systolic blood pressure showed a fall of 15% at rest, 19% after workload and 14% after recovery; the reduction in diastolic blood pressure was 15% at rest, 11% after exercise and 12% after recovery. The rate-pressure product was decreased by 32% at rest, 43% after exercise and 42% after recovery. It is concluded that the most important pharmacological effect of indenolol is the significant decrease in myocardial oxygen demand. In patients with essential hypertension indenolol not only produces a definite antihypertensive effect, but it also increases workload tolerance and decreases subjective symptoms during physical activity. Compliance was good and no severe side effects were observed.

Adult↗

Mechanism of action of indomethacin in tubular defects.

Indomethacin, a potent prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, has been proven to be effective in a number of tubular defects characterized by enhanced prostaglandin (namely, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, but its mechanism of action is poorly understood. To elucidate further the mechanism(s) by which indomethacin reverses the abnormal tubular functions, five children with different tubular defects (nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, three cases; Fanconi syndrome, one case; and pseudohypoaldosteronism, one case) were treated with indomethacin. Indomethacin, 1 mg/kg every eight hours, was given for 1 week to all children and then was given chronically to four of the children who responded to the drug. Its use was suspended in a 10 year-old-boy with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus because it proved ineffective. To assess the site along the nephron where indomethacin affects the solute and water excretion, an acute water load study was performed in three responsive children before and during the treatment. Indomethacin did not significantly alter the glomerular filtration rate but was effective in reducing diuresis and levels of urinary sodium and potassium excretion. In the child with Fanconi syndrome, indomethacin was also effective in controlling the urinary loss of phosphate, urate, glucose, and bicarbonate. Results of the water load studies show that indomethacin decreases the delivery of solute from the proximal tubule, reduces the fractional free water clearance, and increases the urine-plasma osmolar ratio.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Osteogenesis imperfecta. A study of 10 cases.

From a retrospective study of 10 cases of osteogenesis imperfecta the authors have verified the usefulness of the classification proposed by Sillence. This has particular advantages in relation to correct prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling.

Child↗

[Beta-cell activity during the oral glucose tolerance test in subjects with hepatic cirrhosis].

To study beta-cells response during liver cirrhosis, OGTT (0.75 g/kg b.w.) was performed in 7 cirrhotic patients (histologically diagnosed). An impaired glucose tolerance was observed in all the subjects: basal plasma glucose was 0.74 g/l +/- 0.05 (M +/- SEM); at 90 min was 1.50 g/l +/- 0.10, and at 180 min was 1.10 g/l +/- 0.17. Plasma insulin peak was delayed at 90 min (78.2 microU/ml +/- 27.7); two patients showed basal hyperinsulinemia. C peptide concentration reached the peak at 120 min (3.6 ng/ml +/- 0.5), in agreement with Gragnoli and coll. Plasma insulin concentration did not correlate with hepatic laboratory findings. All the patients had severe liver disease, including esophageal varices; in 4 patients ascites was observed. The results show that impaired glucose tolerance in patients with liver cirrhosis is not directly related to the degree of the disease and confirm the decreased insulin catabolism and peripheric resistance.

Blood Glucose↗

Optical isomers of the hepatocarcinogenic beta-blocker ZAMI 1305: influence on nucleic acids synthesis and DNA integrity.

The influence on nucleic acids synthesis and DNA integrity of the D-isomer and of the DL-racemic form of the oncogenic beta-blocker 1-(2-nitro-3-methyl-phenoxy)-3-tert-butylamino-propan-2-ol (ZAMI 1305) and of the non-oncogenic beta-blocker propranolol was tested in vitro and in vivo. Both D- and DL-ZAMI 1305, when added in vitro to nuclei isolated from rat liver, cause inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis and DNA fragmentation, as evaluated by alkaline sucrose gradient analysis, in a similar dose-dependent fashion. D- and DL-ZAMI 1305 also inhibit to a similar extent the activity of DNA polymerase alpha and beta from regenerating rat liver. When administered in vivo to female rats both D and DL-ZAMI 1305 cause a dose-dependent fragmentation of liver DNA. The D-isomer and DL-racemic form of the non-oncogenic beta-blocker propranolol inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis and cause DNA fragmentation when added in vitro to isolated liver nuclei, being instead without effect when administered in vivo.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Unexplained bilateral occipital calcification and reduced vision.

An eight year-old girl, investigated because of convulsions, was found to have isolated bilateral presumably cortical and subcortical calcification, reduced visual acuity and prolonged visual evoked response latencies. There were no clinical manifestations of a phakomatosis.

Calcinosis↗

Peliosis hepatis: diagnosis by magnification wedged hepatic venography.

Benign hepatic tumors and peliosis hepatis developed in a patient who had received androgen therapy for three years. The tumors were identified by arteriography. Peliosis hepatis was diagnosed by wedged hepatic venography: to our knowledge, this method has not been previously used to diagnose this condition. Wedged venography, performed four months after withdrawal of androgen therapy and after liver function had nearly returned to normal, demonstrated morphologic improvement as well. On the basis of this case and other histologic descriptions of peliosis hepatis, we believe that wedged hepatic venography is a simple, sensitive, and specific diagnostic modality.

Adenoma↗

[Embolization in bladder hemorrhage of neoplastic origin].

The authors report on their two years experience about hypogastric transarterial embolization in the treatment of urinary bladder intractable neoplastic hemorrhage. They discuss about materials for embolization and treatment of pain for acute ischaemia secondary to embolization.

Embolization, Therapeutic↗

Effect of hyaluronidase on cell response to the antiviral and interferon inducing activity of poly(rI) . poly(rC).

The effect of hyaluronidase on cell response to poly(rI) . poly(rC) [poly(IC)] was investigated in rabbit kidney (RK) cells. For this purpose, bovine testicular and Staphylococcal hyaluronidase preparations at various degrees of purity were used. These enzyme preparations were employed at the maximal nontoxic dose for 2 hours before poly(IC) treatment. This enzymatic pretreatment of the cells strongly inhibited the antiviral activity of poly(IC), determined by using both Herpes simplex virus type-1 and vesicular stomatitis virus. It also remarkably reduced the poly(IC)-induced interferon production. This later effect could account for the diminished antiviral activity of poly(IC) in the hyaluronidase-treated cells.

Animals↗