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Biomedical subjects

A Ventura

Publications and source records attributed to A Ventura.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Coeliac disease, epilepsy, and cerebral calcifications. The Italian Working Group on Coeliac Disease and Epilepsy.

There have been anecdotal reports of an association between coeliac disease and epilepsy with cerebral calcifications that resemble those of the Sturge-Weber syndrome. A series of patients who had epilepsy with calcifications, in whom coeliac disease (CD) was incidentally observed, prompted us to study this association. 43 patients (15 male, age range 4.6-30.7 years) were selected from two series. 31 patients with cerebral calcifications of unexplained origin and epilepsy (series A) underwent intestinal biopsy. 12 patients with CD and epilepsy (series B) underwent computed tomography. Antibodies to gluten, folic acid serum concentrations, were measured, and HLA typing was done in most patients. 24 of the series A patients were identified as having CD on the basis of a flat intestinal mucosa (15/22 with a high concentration of serum antigluten), and 5 series B patients showed cerebral calcifications, giving a total of 29 cases with the combination of CD, epilepsy, and cerebral calcifications (CEC). In 27 of these CEC patients, calcifications were located in the parieto-occipital regions. Only 2 of the series A patients had gastrointestinal symptoms at the time of intestinal biopsy; most patients had recurrent diarrhoea, anaemia, and other symptoms suggestive of CD in the first 3 years of life. The epilepsy in CEC patients was poorly responsive to antiepileptic drugs. Gluten-free diet beneficially affected the course of epilepsy only when started soon after epilepsy onset. Cases of "atypical Sturge-Weber syndrome" (characterised by serpiginous cerebral calcifications and epilepsy without facial port-wine naevus) should be reviewed, and CD should be ruled out in all cases of epilepsy and cerebral calcifications of unexplained origin.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Myocardial glutathione depletion impairs recovery of isolated blood-perfused hearts after global ischaemia.

This study was performed to determine whether depletion of myocardial glutathione would impair recovery of left ventricular function of blood-perfused, isolated hearts after reversible ischaemic injury. Cats were treated with either vehicle or buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of glutathione. The feline isolated hearts were perfused with the blood of normal donor cats before and after 40 min of global myocardial ischaemia. The myocardial concentration of glutathione of the BSO group, 178 +/- 38 ng/mg tissue, was significantly less than that of the control group, 292 +/- 38 ng/mg tissue (P < 0.05). The peak left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) 1 h after reperfusion, expressed as a fraction of the peak LVDP before ischaemia, was 0.87 +/- 0.10 for the control group and 0.64 +/- 0.08 for the BSO group (P = 0.05 vs. control). The peak left ventricular dP/dt after reperfusion, expressed as a fraction of the peak dP/dt before ischaemia, was 1.08 +/- 0.14 for the control group and 0.78 +/- 0.09 for the BSO group (P = 0.05 vs. control). The myocardial creatine kinase activity of the BSO group, 1046 +/- 46 U/g tissue, was not significantly different from that of the control group, 1038 +/- 17 U/g tissue (P = 0.87). Thus, depletion of myocardial glutathione resulted in impaired post-ischaemic contractile function that cannot be attributed to a greater extent of irreversible cell injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Primary hyperparathyroidism].

Primary hyperparathyroidism due to a solitary adenoma of the right inferior parathyroid gland was diagnosed in a 60 year old female, presenting a 4 year complaint of progressive disabling bone and joint pain. The diagnostic follow-up used in this case, including the imaging techniques, the clinical features and the medical and surgical management are presented and discussed.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1991

Autologous low-density lipoprotein labelling allows characterization of human atherosclerotic lesions in vivo as to presence of foam cells and endothelial coverage.

The monitoring of local vascular kinetics after injection of autologous radiolabelled low-density lipoprotein (LDL) allows characterization of human atherosclerotic lesions as to the presence of foam cells and the quality of endothelial coverage. The following evidence exists: (1) dynamic imaging reveals two types of visual LDL accumulation in the vascular bed, one increasing, becoming visible sometimes only as late as after 24 h, and the other one appearing very early on, but decreasing with time; (2) the accumulation of iodine-123 LDL or iodine-131 LDL in the vascular bed shows three major types of local kinetic curves, which correlate with scintigraphic findings; (3) the accumulation of radiolabelled LDL in the vascular bed of humans in vivo is similar to its uptake in de- and re-endothelialized vessels of experimental animals using 125I-LDL; (4) morphological control in endarteriectomy samples confirms the hypothesis that this promising new approach may for the first time allow the in vivo monitoring of preclinical lesions in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Coeliac disease, folic acid deficiency and epilepsy with cerebral calcifications.

Two cases of focal occipital epilepsy with cerebral calcifications poorly responsive to antiepileptic treatment are described. In both cases coeliac disease was diagnosed and folic acid deficiency documented. A gluten-free diet and a brief supplementation with folic acid lead to a complete EEG and clinical normalization in one case and to a significant improvement of EEG and seizure control in the other.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Xanthine oxidase inhibition does not limit canine infarct size.

BACKGROUND: Evidence supporting the role of xanthine oxidase in myocardial reperfusion injury is based on studies with pharmacological interventions used to inhibit enzyme function. Controversy exists, however, regarding the true role of xanthine oxidase in reperfusion injury. This study was performed to determine whether xanthine oxidase inhibition limits myocardial injury due to coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Anesthetized dogs underwent coronary artery occlusion (90 minutes) and reperfusion (6 hours). Oxypurinol (28 mg/kg) or amflutizole (30 mg/kg), chemically unrelated inhibitors of xanthine oxidase, or vehicle was infused intravenously 15 minutes before and 3 hours after reperfusion. Regional myocardial blood flow was determined with radiolabeled microspheres. Infarct size was determined with the tetrazolium method. Myocardial infarct size (percent of risk region) was less in oxypurinol-treated dogs, 32 +/- 16%, compared with that of the control group, 46 +/- 15%. Infarct size for the amflutizole-treated dogs, 40 +/- 21%, was not significantly different from that of the control group. There were no differences in rate-pressure product or collateral blood flow to account for differences in infarct size. Uric acid concentration in the coronary venous plasma increased after reperfusion in the dogs treated with vehicle but not in the drug-treated dogs. Xanthine oxidase inhibition was demonstrated in each of the drug treatment groups, but only oxypurinol limited the extent of myocardial injury. CONCLUSIONS: Previously reported cardioprotective effects of allopurinol, noted to occur only when the drug was administered chronically, may be related to a property of oxypurinol, a major metabolite of allopurinol. The beneficial effect of oxypurinol is unrelated to inhibition of superoxide formation during xanthine oxidase-catalyzed oxidation of xanthine and hypoxanthine.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Combination auto-heteroplasty in ligament repair in chronic anterior laxity of the knee].

From September 85 to September 88, 130 patients were treated by our own technique for chronic laxity of the knee. All the patients were examined at regular intervals (6, 12 and 24 months) both clinically and by arthroscopy. Neuromorphological studies, an experimental approach with the "Pivot" and evaluation of the results, show that surgery is indicated, especially in young patients, before intraarticular lesions appear.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Congenital factor XIII deficiency associated with von Willebrand disease.

A boy with umbilical bleeding and severe hemorrhages after minor trauma, without family bleeding history, was studied. Coagulation tests showed abnormalities in FXIII subunits and FVIII/vWF complex. Both parents presented results compatible with a heterozygote state for FXIII deficiency and the father had abnormalities of FVIII/vWF. The propositus was diagnosed as congenital FXIII deficiency associated with vWD. No severe hemorrhagic complication was observed after a prophylactic regimen with cryoprecipitates.

Factor XIII Deficiency↗
PubMed1990

Double-blind multicenter trial on a new medium molecular weight glycosaminoglycan. Current therapeutic effects and perspectives for clinical use.

The ability of glycosaminoglycans to bind to a wide number of biologically active macromolecules has already been investigated. Recent clinical trials on the possible therapeutic benefits of glycosaminoglycans must be placed in perspective, even if they appear to be particularly encouraging, especially as regards the glycosaminoglycan effects on certain coagulation factors. A multicenter, medium-term, double-blind, crossover trial was performed by several Italian Lipid Clinics to determine whether administration of a medium molecular weight glycosaminoglycan (Sulodexide) has a significant clinical effect. Patients affected by peripheral vascular disease and/or hyperlipidemia (type IIa, IIb and IV) were submitted to a 4-week wash-out period, followed by parenteral Sulodexide (S) or placebo (P) administration for 2 weeks, another 2 week wash-out period, parenteral crossover drug or P administration for 2 weeks and, finally, oral S administration for 6 months. Sulodexide lowered plasma viscosity and plasma fibrinogen in all patients. There was also a drop in triglycerides together with a rise in apo A-I and HDL-C in type IV hyperlipoproteinemics, whereas there was no significant effect on total or LDL-plasma cholesterol in type IIa and IIb patients. Moreover, there was a percent increase in peak flow and rest flow in the lower limbs of peripheral vascular disease patients. No side effects or intolerance phenomena were detected. The results indicate that Sulodexide administration may be useful in long-term treatment of patients with peripheral vascular disease and a concomitant increase in plasma triglycerides and/or fibrinogen and/or viscosity.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Stable angina pectoris and controlled ischemia: what causes the abnormalities in whole blood filterability?

The determinants of the altered whole blood filterability observed during coronary ischemia are still under discussion. Since no studies have been carried out to date on what exactly causes these alterations during the early stages of controlled ischemia in coronary heart disease, a model was set up using a bicycle ergometer test (with a 25 W increase every 2 minutes). Blood samples were taken from 48 stable angina pectoris patients and from a group of 28 matched controls before and immediately after exercise and 8 minutes later. Plasma viscosity, the filterability (through 5 microns diameter pore filters) of whole blood, erythrocytes, and polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocytes (separated by density gradient) were monitored. Alterations in whole blood filterability could be linked only to an impairment in polymorphonuclear cell filterability in those stable angina pectoris patients who reported chest pain and/or whose ST segment depression was greater than or equal to 2 mm.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1990

[Loratadine and dexchlorpheniramine in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis in pediatric patients].

The use of loratadine was compared to dexchlorpheniramine in the treatment of children affected by perennial allergic rhinitis in order to assess its clinical efficacy and tolerability. Children were randomly assigned to two groups: 15 were treated with loratadine and 16 with dexchlorpheniramine. Loratadine was administered in a single daily dose of 5 mg (2.5 mg for children under 20 kg) and dexchlorpheniramine at a dose of 1 mg every 8 hours (0.5 mg for the youngest children). Clinical symptoms were recorded before and during the study using a score of 0.3 (from absent to severe). Symptoms were markedly reduced by both drugs. Eye burning was reduced more by loratadine (p less than 0.05) than the control drug. Rhinoscopic investigations revealed that both groups reacted favourably to the drugs used. Overall clinical assessment showed similar and revealed the good efficacy of both drugs. Tolerability was satisfactory and there were no signs of drowsiness. Hematological and hematochemical parameters showed no clinically significant changes and body weight remained constant. On the basis of these results, loratadine is preferable to dexchlorpheniramine thanks to its once-a-day dosing.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1988

The mechanism for the clonidine-induced coronary artery dilatation in the canine heart.

Clonidine-induced coronary vasodilation was studied in anesthetized dogs pretreated with propranolol to achieve beta-adrenoceptor blockade. The left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) was perfused with arterial blood from a reservoir maintained under a constant pressure of 100 mm Hg. Clonidine when administered directly into the coronary vascular bed in doses of 30, 100, and 300 micrograms induced a dose dependent coronary vasodilation, which was inhibited by cimetidine, but not by idazoxan, methysergide, methylscopolamine, yohimbine, diphenhydramine, ketanserin, or theophylline. A coronary artery vasoconstrictor effect was not observed at higher or lower doses of clonidine. Two other alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists, UK-14304 and BHT-920, or the mixed alpha-adrenoceptor agonist norepinephrine produced neither consistent vasodilation nor vasoconstriction. Animals made thrombocytopenic by the administration of canine antiplatelet antibodies showed the same vasodilator response to clonidine as animals with normal circulating platelet counts. These observations suggest that clonidine acts directly on the canine coronary H2 receptors and that alpha 2, H1, serotonergic, muscarinic, purinergic, and platelet dependent mechanisms are not involved in the clonidine-induced coronary vasodilation.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1977

[Prognostic value of echography in threatened abortion].

After a short description of the most important echographic pictures for diagnosis of spontaneous abortion in the first trimester, the clinical development in 89 patients with threatened abortion symptoms, is examined. The interruption of pregnancy has been predicted in 97,05% of the cases resulted in abortion and normal prosecution of pregnancy in 98,18% with regular outcome. These results are very reassuring and no doubt more reliable than pregnancy-test, which for its prompt applicability, may be compared with echographic examination.

Abortion, Threatened↗
PubMed1975

Clinical evaluation of a new measles-mumps-rubella trivalent vaccine.

In a series of clinical studies of a combined measles (Schwarz strain), mumps (Jeryl Lynn strain), and rubella (Cendehill strain) vaccine, 1,481 children received the vaccine or a placebo. The vaccine did not cause any significant reactions. The frequencies of mild, transient fever or rash or both in triple-susceptible vaccinees were similar to those that follow use of Schwarz strain measles vaccine alone. Measles, mumps, and rubella seroconversion rates in triple-susceptible vaccinees ranged from 95% to 100%. Geometric mean antibody titers were as high as those that usually result from use of these same virus strains as monovalent vaccines.

Antibodies, Viral↗