Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Costa

Publications and source records attributed to C Costa.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Influence of the time of administration of dexamethasone 0.25 mg on cortisol secretion in normal humans.

Single low doses (0.25 mg) of dexamethasone were given at 11 p.m., 2, 5 and 8 a.m. on separate days to five normal subjects. The concentrations of cortisol in plasma on the next day were significantly decreased compared to results after placebo administration, and cortisol suppression was maximal after dexamethasone had been given at 8 a.m. Our findings suggests that the postulated phase-advance of circadian rhythms is not a major cause of cortisol non-suppression in depressives given dexamethasone.

Adult↗

alpha alpha alpha anti-4.2 Haplotype and heterozygous beta null thalassemia in a Sicilian family.

The presence of the alpha alpha alpha anti-4.2 haplotype and heterozygous beta null thalassemia in a Sicilian family is described. These findings confirm the presence in Italy of a leftward deletion (-alpha 4.2) and indicate that this may not be rare. Furthermore, although the beta thalassemia determinant in this family has a severe expression, the interaction with the triplicated alpha gene does not necessarily express itself as thalassemia intermedia.

Adult↗

Levels of total and free tryptophan in maternal and in umbilical blood of infants born by vaginal delivery and by elective cesarean section.

The variations of total and free tryptophan levels in samples of maternal and umbilical blood obtained on the occasion of elective cesarean section have been compared with similar samples taken from vaginal deliveries. In the neonates studied the umbilical blood levels of total and free tryptophan have been found to be higher than in the blood of the respective mothers, while the percentage of free tryptophan is comparable. In addition, the umbilical blood levels of both fractions of tryptophan appeared to be higher in newborn infants after spontaneous delivery than in those after elective cesarean section. These data show an active transport of tryptophan through the placental barrier that seems to be favored by spontaneous delivery.

Cesarean Section↗

[Tryptophan metabolism in syphilis infections].

Tryptophan metabolism "via kynurenine" is altered in lues: after a load of 50 mg/Kg b.w. of L-tryptophan the urinary excretion of kynurenine, 3-hydroxykynurenine and xanthurenic acid is increased, suggesting a deficiency of vitamin B6.

Adult↗

DSIP in the treatment of withdrawal syndromes from alcohol and opiates.

The hypothesis for this therapeutic use of delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) was based on several animal studies conducted by Tissot. He showed that morphine, alcohol, pentobarbital as well as DSIP, when injected directly into the bulbo-mesencephalo-thalamic recruiting system, induced slow-wave sleep with numerous spindles. In all cases, this effect was reversed by Naloxone. Thus, it has been postulated that DSIP possesses an agonistic activity on opiate receptors and might be of value in the treatment of withdrawal syndromes. Therefore, DSIP was administered intravenously to 107 inpatients presenting with symptoms of alcohol (n = 47) or opiate (n = 60) withdrawal. The assessment of effect was based on the clinical evaluation by the physician and the nursing staff. Approximately 13% of the patients from the first and 22% from the second group did not fulfil the requirements for the evaluation of treatment. In, respectively, 97 and 87% of opiate and alcohol addicts, the clinical symptoms and signs disappeared after DSIP administration or improved markedly and rapidly. Anxiety, however, was slower to decrease. On the average, the clinical symptomatology had a more prolonged course and a higher number of DSIP injections were required for opiate addicts than for alcoholics. Tolerance to the DSIP treatment was good, aside from headaches reported by a few patients.

Adult↗