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Biomedical subjects

C Farina

Publications and source records attributed to C Farina.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Synthesis and pharmacological activity of a series of dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazole-2,5(3H,6H)-diones, a novel class of potent cognition enhancers.

A series of dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazole-2,5(3H,6H)-diones were synthesized. These bicylic derivatives contain both the 2-pyrrolidinone and 4-imidazolidinone nuclei, already recognized as important for cognition enhancing activity. In addition, these structures maintain the backbone of piracetam and oxiracetam with the acetamide side chain restricted in a folded conformation. Their ability to reverse scopolamine-induced amnesia was assessed in a one trial, step-through, passive avoidance paradigm. The main features observed are a potent antiamnestic activity after ip administration (minimal effective dose being between 0.3 and 1 mg/kg ip for most compounds), the presence of a bell-shaped dose-response curve and, generally, a reduction of biological activity after po administration. However, the unsubstituted compound (15, dimiracetam) shows no evidence of a bell-shaped dose-response curve and completely retains activity when given orally, being 10-30 times more potent than the reference drug oxiracetam.

Amnesia↗
PubMed1993

Cognitive decline in the elderly: a double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study on efficacy of phosphatidylserine administration.

This double-blind study assesses the therapeutic efficacy and the safety of oral treatment with phosphatidylserine (BC-PS) vs placebo (300 mg/day for 6 months) in a group of geriatric patients with cognitive impairment. A total of 494 elderly patients (age between 65 and 93 years), with moderate to severe cognitive decline, according to the Mini Mental State Examination and Global Deterioration Scale, were recruited in 23 Geriatric or General Medicine Units in Northeastern Italy. Sixty-nine patients dropped out within the 6-month trial period. Patients were examined just before starting therapy, and 3 and 6 months thereafter. The efficacy of treatment compared to placebo was measured on the basis of changes occurring in behavior and cognitive performance using the Plutchik Geriatric Rating Scale and the Buschke Selective Reminding Test. Statistically significant improvements in the phosphatidylserine-treated group compared to placebo were observed both in terms of behavioral and cognitive parameters. In addition, clinical evaluation and laboratory tests demonstrated that BC-PS was well tolerated. These results are clinically important since the patients were representative of the geriatric population commonly met in clinical practice.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1993

Disposition of a new heparan sulfate with fibrinolytic activity in the rat.

A fluoresceinated derivative of a new heparan sulfate fraction (HS) was administered by intravenous route to rats. The compound was similar to the unlabelled compound and biologically active. After i.v. injection, pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed and discussed according to a two-compartment open model. In addition, experiments performed with the unlabelled compound indicate that the HS is absorbed through the intestinal mucosa, reaches the highest plasmatic concentration after 90 min and is partially recovered, unmodified, in urine. Other sets of experiments, in vitro, show that the compound is degraded in the presence of hepatic microsomal preparation while it is not metabolized by plasma, confirming that the liver plays an important role in the metabolism and consequently on the activity of the compound. The overall results are in accordance with the fibrinolytic and antithrombotic activity of HS administered orally to animals and man.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

[Local recurrence after gastrectomy for cancer. Presentation of 2 clinical cases].

The Authors report two cases with local recurrence after partial gastrectomy for advanced gastric carcinoma. The Authors suggest that chemo and/or radiotherapy associated with surgical treatment can improve the prognosis in some patients with recurrence. Response to chemotherapy and time elapsing before recurrence appears may select this group of patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

Comparative results of carotid-subclavian bypass and axillo-axillary bypass in patients with symptomatic subclavian disease.

The results of 26 carotid-subclavian bypass (CSB) and 17 axillo-axillary bypass (AAB) procedures, performed to treat symptomatic lesions of the proximal subclavian artery, were reviewed. Nine graft failures (seven CSB and two AAB) occurred (mean follow-up: CSB = 60.5 +/- 41 months; AAB = 67.8 +/- 48 months). All CSB graft thromboses were observed in patients with an associated ipsilateral carotid lesion, surgically treated or not (p less than 0.05). Cumulative 5- and 10-year patency rates were 78.3 and 62.9% for the CSB group and 87.9% for the AAB group (N.S.). In patients with an associated ipsilateral carotid lesion, 5- and 10-year patency rates were 66.0% and 40.8% for the CSB group and 100% for the AAB group (p less than 0.05). Both the surgical procedures were safe and effective with excellent results in terms of operative mortality, major morbidity and long-term patency. CSB is the procedure of choice for the treatment of proximal subclavian artery disease for its physiological characteristics and for graft shortness. However AAB must be considered a suitable alternative and preferred when a concomitant ipsilateral carotid lesion is present. Recurrence of carotid stenosis or carotid lesion progression may cause the carotid-subclavian failure.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Verotoxin glycolipid receptors determine the localization of microangiopathic process in rabbits given verotoxin-1.

Infection with verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli has been implicated in the cause of hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Cases of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and verotoxin infections have been also described. In this study we sought to determine the following: (1) whether verotoxin induces microvascular lesions in the rabbit, (2) the organ distribution of such lesions, and (3) the distribution of verotoxin glycolipid receptors in the various organs. Rabbits challenged with verotoxin-1 purified from E. coli O157:H7 had anorexia, lethargia, and limb paralysis; renal function, however, was normal. Central nervous system lesions found included pericellular and perivascular edema, focal hemorrhage, vascular lesions, and severe alterations of Purkinje cells. Histologic changes were also seen in the colon, with mucosal and submucosal edema and hemorrhage, and in the lung, with interstitial fibrosis and focal lymphohistiocitic infiltration. No lesions were detected in kidney, heart, liver, and spleen. Screening of various tissues for the presence of the verotoxin receptors revealed galabiosyl ceramide in the central nervous system and globotriosyl ceramide in the gastrointestinal tract, lung, and spleen. No receptors for verotoxin were found in the heart, liver, and kidney. These results indicate that organ localization of the disease in rabbits is dependent on the distribution of verotoxin receptors.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Healing of high-porosity polytetrafluoroethylene arterial grafts is influenced by the nature of the surrounding tissue.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the nature of the perigraft tissue in the healing pattern of high-porosity polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular grafts. Nine-centimeter long segments of unreinforced experimental high-porosity (60 microns) PTFE grafts were placed as abdominal aortic interposition in mongrel dogs. Three grafts served as controls (group A); in five dogs (group B) a 25 x 25 cm piece of devascularized omentum was wrapped around the graft. In five dogs (group C) the omentum with its own vascular supply was completely wrapped around the graft. Animals were killed 4 weeks after surgery. The percentage of thrombus-free area was 31% in group A grafts, 39% in group B grafts, and 79% in group C grafts (p less than 0.01). Scanning electron microscopy showed many confluent areas of endothelium-like cells in the midportion of group C grafts, corresponding to capillary ingrowth. Transmural endothelial migration was more evident in group C grafts. We conclude that the nature of the perigraft tissue influences transmural capillary migration and the endothelialization rate of high-porosity PTFE grafts in dogs. Agents able to increase capillary formation in the perigraft tissue might improve endothelialization of vascular grafts.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Some chemical and biological properties of the low molecular weight heparan sulfate alpha-idosane.

A low molecular weight heparan sulfate derivative, alpha-idosane was separated from a mixture of glycosaminoglycans extracted from porcine mucosa. Its molecular weight, sulfur, uronic acid and hexosamine contents, C-NMR spectrum and electrophoretic properties are reported in this paper. The pharmacological effects of a-idosane were investigated "ex vivo" in dogs and rats. At doses of 10-50 mg/kg p.o., a-idosane shows fibrinolytic activity but it is devoid of anticoagulant action. At the dose of 100 mg/kg p.o. a-idosane exertes a significant anti-inflammatory effect but is unable to protect the rats against arachidonate-induced sudden death.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effects of a new aldose reductase inhibitor on diabetic complications in rats.

The effects of a new aldose reductase inhibitor, 7-fluoro-2-(N-methyl-N-carboxymethyl)sulfamoyl xanthone (BAL-ARI8, CAS 124066-40-6), on the diabetic complications of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were studied. The daily administration of BAL-ARI8 throughout the 8-week course of the experiment sharply decreased the sorbitol accumulation in the lens of the diabetic rats. The incidence of cataract formation was also reduced, being detected in only 45% of BAL-ARI8 treated animals, against the 100% of diabetic controls showing cataract after 8 weeks from diabetes onset. On the other hand, the serum glucose levels remained unchanged. In diabetic controls, there was about a 2.5-fold increase of the total protein urinary excretion during the 24 h. Treatment with BAL-ARI8 prevented up to 70% of this increase. Individual protein components were examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and quantitated by laser densitometric analysis. Diabetic-induced proteinuria primarily resulted from excretion of newly detected proteins with molecular weight in the range 30,000-60,000 D, together with an increase of albumin (25% of the total excretion) and the presence of new higher molecular weight proteins (greater than 66,000 D). BAL-ARI8 administration resulted in a shift of the protein profile back toward normality i.e. 73% of proteins with molecular weight below 30,000 D, 7.5% albumin and no proteins above 66,000 D. These results suggest that BAL-ARI8 may represent a therapeutic approach for the management of diabetic complications.

Aldehyde Reductase↗
PubMed1991

[Prevention of infection and improvement of cenesthesia with thymostimulin during chemotherapy following mastectomy].

Eighty-five breast cancer patients who had been operated for mastectomy and were currently undergoing adjuvant or therapeutic chemotherapy were included in the study. Patients were divided into two matching groups of 50 (A) and 35 (B) subjects; group A was treated with CT and thymostimulin Serono and group B with CT alone. The difference between the two groups in relation to first-degree (24% vs 57%) and second-degree leucopenia (8% vs 14%), in addition to the difference in relation to infections and the regularity of chemotherapy cycles confirmed the value of immunotherapy with thymostimulin during chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1991

[Visceral toxocariasis. Description of 3 cases].

Three cases of visceral toxocariasis in adult patients are here described. Toxocariasis is a not uncommon, probably underestimated infection and the diagnosis should be considered also in adults who present clinical signs and it must be confirmed by serological tests.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

"In vitro" fibrinolytic activity of a new low molecular weight heparan sulfate.

The fibrinolytic activity, effect on the fibrinolytic activity of plasmin, anticoagulant activity and anti platelet aggregation activity of a low molecular weight heparan sulfate (LMW HS Bal) were investigated "in vitro" on blood plasma obtained from rats and rabbits. LMW HS Bal at concentrations as low as 0.25-2 micrograms/ml prevented thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. At concentrations 25 to 50 times larger it showed no significant anticoagulant activity but a marked fibrinolytic effect. At still larger concentrations LMW HS Bal also potentiated the fibrinolytic activity of plasmin. Conversely, unfractionated heparan sulfate (UHS) at concentrations of 25 to 50 micrograms/ml, only showed anticoagulant activity with no fibrinolytic activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Epidemiology of digestive tract mycoses in immunocompromised patients--a review.

Systemic fungal infections are diseases of increasing incidence in immunocompromised patients. They are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with severe granulocytopenia caused by hematological malignancies or high-dose corticosteroid treatments. Systemic candidiasis is usually attributed to colonization of the patient's digestive mucosa or central venous/peritoneal catheters by endogenous Candida spp. Esophageal candidiasis can be a serious problem in predisposed individuals, and it can be the first opportunistic infection suggesting overt AIDS in HIV-seropositive patients. The aim of this review is to assess the epidemiology of alimentary tract mycoses in "at risk" groups because of iatrogenous or pathological reasons, such as in-patients undergoing solid organ and bone marrow transplantation, peritoneal dialysis and enteral/parenteral nutrition and in HIV infected patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗