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Biomedical subjects

C Conti

Publications and source records attributed to C Conti.

143 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Electrostatic interactions in the early events of VSV infection.

The importance of electrostatic interactions in the early phases of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection has been investigated in susceptible cells of different origin, human (HeLa) and avian (CER), by using some polyanions (heparin, polygalacturonic acid and mucin) and polycations (polymyxin B sulphate, poly-L-lysine, protamine, histone and polybrene). In HeLa cells, the attachment of VSV was enhanced by polymers having a positive charge and inhibited by those having a negative charge. In CER cells, all the polyanions tested reduced virus infection. Among the polycations, histone, polymyxin B sulphate and poly-L-lysine enhanced virus plaque formation while protamine and polybrene reduced virus attachment. The effect of polyions on VSV particles and on cell membrane receptors has also been investigated. The analysis of the results obtained suggest that, although electrostatic interactions play an essential role in the binding of VSV to the cell membrane, more specific structural features appear to be required for viral attachment to occur.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Plant metabolites. Structure and in vitro antiviral activity of quinovic acid glycosides from Uncaria tomentosa and Guettarda platypoda.

A reinvestigation of the bark of Uncaria tomentosa afforded, in addition to the major quinovic acid glycosides 1-3, three further glycosides 4-6. The structures were elucidated by spectral and chemical studies. Furthermore, a series of antiviral tests were performed on all these glycosides and on the related glycosides 7-9, previously isolated from Guettarda platypoda.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Structure and in vitro antiviral activity of sesquiterpene glycosides from Calendula arvensis.

Previous research on the aerial parts of Calendula arvensis led to the isolation of the epicubebol glycoside 1 and of the sesquiterpene glycosides 2-5 based on the alloaromadendrane skeleton. A further investigation has revealed two new glycosides, 6 and 7, derived from the same sesquiterpene, the structures of which were elucidated by spectral studies. Furthermore a series of antiviral tests has been performed on glycosides 1-7 by examining their ability to interfere with rhinovirus 1B and vesicular stomatitis virus infection in vitro. Only glycoside 1 slightly reduced rhinovirus multiplication. All the compounds were able to inhibit vesicular stomatitis virus infection, 1 and 2 being the most effective.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inorganic particles in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from nonoccupationally exposed subjects.

This study comprised 30 patients who had not been exposed occupationally to dusts, but for whom a diagnosis of suspected pulmonary carcinoma had been made. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from these patients were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and by energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis in an effort to study the mineral particulate present in the alveolar region. Particles of silica, silicates, oxides, sulphates, and metal alloys were detected in various percentages in each subject. The smoking habits of two groups of patients that were defined by their bronchoalveolar lavage particulate concentrations (i.e., lower or higher than the median of the distribution) differed significantly.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Anaesthesia for shock wave therapy in musculoskeletal disorders: a preliminary report.

The potential for using external applied energy to rectify or ameliorate musculoskeletal disorders has been explored for decades. A shock wave is a pressure disturbance: tissue effect is cavitation, producing microtrauma or microfracture and haematoma formation, inducing, as to date is thought, increase in vascularization, increased soft callus and faster enchondral ossification. Anaesthesiological interest in this field is focused in non-union or delayed osseous union, joint stiffness or osteochondrosis and femoral head necrosis in adults. Actually, because of the pain associated with high energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy on bones, anaesthesia is necessary, but, since almost all patients have no complaint after treatment, there is no need of postoperative analgesia. Therefore, short duration anaesthetic techniques and agents should be preferred. Loco-regional anaesthesia or general anaesthesia are both suitable to the purpose. Fifty patients have been treated nowadays in our Institution with shock wave therapy needing anaesthesia. 18 patients (36%) received general anaesthesia. Since patient's stay in hospital was expected to be short, short duration agents have been used, avoiding those causing unpleasent side effects, first emesis. We used Propofol or Remifentanil by continuous infusion, titrated to maintain stable haemodynamics and an appropriate level of anaesthesia. The short duration of action of Propofol depends on its rapid elimination, whereas Remifentanil undergoes rapid biotransformation to minimally active metabolites. 32 patients (64%) received regional anaesthesia. We avoided long acting agents or high concentration drugs. Spinal blocks have been performed with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine; brachial plexus blocks, sciatic-femoral blocks and an epidural block have been performed with 0.5-1% xylocaine or 1% mepivacaine. Shock Wave Therapy has been done during a 3-day hospital stay. With suitable anaesthesiological treatment and preparation, almost all patients could be treated as outpatients or with an overnight hospital stay.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

GABA-ergic system in brain regions of glutamate-lesioned rats.

Subcutaneous administration of high doses of glutamate to rats during their first 10 days after birth produced a great reduction of GABA content and GAD activity in the adult mediobasal hypothalamus, both in male and female. In addition GABA content and GAD activity showed a slight significant decrease in female cerebellum and male striatum. Glutamate treatment was also followed by a significant increase in GABA content and GAD activity of male substantia nigra, cerebellum, hippocampus and of female olfactory bulb. No reduction in GABA-T activity was observed in different brain areas studied except in mediobasal hypothalamus. The results support the view that glutamate treatment had a direct toxic effect on GABA-ergic neurons in mediobasal hypothalamus. The changes in GAD activity observed in all areas studied may reflect the neuroendocrine changes determined by nucleus arcuate lesions.

4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Amylasemia in uremics: a complex interpretation].

Plasmatic amylase increases quite often in uremia. Hyperparathyroidism is also present in uremic patients and it is thought to be the main factor of an increased of amylase; its effect is mediated by an increase of cytosolic calcium. The authors measured the plasmatic level of amylase, lipase, calcium phosphates and parathormone before and after administration of Ca-antagonists (Verapamil and Diltiazem). The results did not shown any correlation. Hyperparathyroidism increased the pancreatic secretion but don't influences the amount of enzymes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Modulation of vascular reactivity after acute calcium antagonist administration in pregnant women moderately sensitive to angiotensin infusion.

Intracellular calcium is hypothesized to mediate vascular reactivity to infused angiotensin in pregnancy, which is increased in women at risk for subsequent development of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. We infused scalar doses of angiotensin II in pregnant women at risk for hypertension and observed the possible modulation of vascular responsiveness after the administration of a calcium antagonist, in 38 women sensitive to moderate doses (greater than 10 and lower than 64 ng/kg/min). Results were correlated to perinatal outcome. Women moderately sensitive to angiotensin, in which an enhancement of the effective pressor dose after calcium antagonist administration occurred, showed a significant increase of bad perinatal outcomes. The modulation of the pressor test to infused angiotensin by calcium antagonist administration would reveal an activation of intracellular free calcium, and may be used as a second-line screening test.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prevention of post-ERCP acute pancreatitis with octreotide].

Acute pancreatitis is one of the most serious complications in endoscopic cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EPT). Many attempts to avoid such complication have proved to be unsuccessful. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of octreotide acetate in preventing acute pancreatitis following ERCP. The study was carried out over 100 patients, randomly allocated in two groups. The first group of patients (50 pt.) received 0.1 mg of octreotide acetate s.c. 45 minutes before the ERCP, followed by another dose given 6 hours later. The second group received placebo s.c.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prediction of gestational hypertension by cosinor analysis of second trimester blood pressure.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy of cosinor analysis of blood pressure (BP) at the second trimester in predicting the subsequent development of gestational hypertension. STUDY DESIGN: We performed the cosinor analysis of BP in 313 normotensive non-proteinuric nulliparous women at the second trimester. We followed the pregnancy up to delivery and recorded the subsequent occurrence of gestational hypertension (sGH). We compared data from this group of 33 patients with those from the 280 women with uncomplicated normotensive pregnancy. We used the ANOVA to compare the means, statistical significance was assessed at p < .05. RESULTS: Diastolic MESOR of women with uncomplicated pregnancy was significantly lower than the GH patients, although both groups were definitely normotensive at the time of the recording. (Diastolic: Controls M = 62.2 +/- 1.5, A = 5.1 +/- 0.7, O = 14:07, p = .0001; sGH M = 73.5 +/- 6.2m, A = 5.9 +/- 1.1, O = 14:48, p = .003; Systolic: Controls M = 108.3 +/- 2.2, A = 5.2 +/- 0.7, O = 15:00, p = .0001; sGH M = 122.4 +/- 2.1, A = 4.1 +/- 0.8, O = 15:59, p = .01) We did not find any other significant difference among the population-mean cosinors. The most sensitive cutoff of diastolic blood pressure MESOR proved to be 68 mmHg.

Adult↗