Biomedical subjects

E Ferrante

Publications and source records attributed to E Ferrante.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Effects of a filter at the mouth on pulmonary function tests.

The aim of this study was to verify whether the increase of resistance to airflow using a filter at the mouth could determine significant systematic errors of measurement or change the diagnostic performance in a respiratory physiology laboratory. The effect of the new filter Spirobac (DAR Spa, Italy) was assessed on out-patients referred to our laboratory for routine functional evaluation. The following tests were performed: maximal expiratory flow-volume curve, plethysmographic lung volume and airway resistance, bronchodilator test, and methacholine challenge test. Each test was performed randomly, twice with the filter and twice without. Significant differences between measurements with and without filter were found for forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, airway resistance, and specific airway conductance (sGaw). These differences were unrelated to the average values of the measurements, except for sGaw. The limits of agreement were within the range of intraindividual short-term repeatability for almost all of the function indices. The overall concordance between tests performed with and without filter was 78% for bronchodilator test and 53% for methacholine test. However, in all the cases but one, the concordance of the methacholine test was inside the short-term repeatability. We conclude that the filter Spirobac has a statistically significant effect on the results of some pulmonary function tests. However, this is not considered to be clinically significant, since the changes due to the filter were within the intraindividual variability of repeated measurements for almost all the function indices and no appreciable classification error was found in diagnostic tests.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Nutritional epidemiology during school age.

Nutritional research covers different fields, two of which are of particular interest: evaluation of the nutritional status, and epidemiology of food consumption. For many years, studies in these fields have been promoted by our research group, which bases its methodology on anthropometric measurements, bioelectrical impedance measurements, and check of nutritional habits. Our studies involve more than 2500 subjects from pre-school age to adolescence. This work represents the basis for an educational approach with the ultimate aim of improving life styles. One of our first studies on school meals during nursery period and composition and application of "dietary tables" showed inadequacies of energy intakes and macronutrients distribution. In another study, aimed to evaluate the intake of soluble sugars, more than 2/3 of participating school children were found to consume more than 70 g of soluble sugars per day, while 10% of them exceeded 150 g/day. Results of the following study, in which special attention was given to salted and sweet snacks, showed that snacks can account for 34% of the total daily energy intake; although its adequacy, the energy distribution per macronutrients showed a clear imbalance. As for adolescence, a very critical age, the evaluation of weight self-perception revealed that only 62% of them had a correct perception of their weight. This research also devoted special attention to home prepared breakfast, which is consumed by the vast majority of enrolled subjects, although only rarely it is nutritionally adequate. A double age-related trend could thus be drawn: on one side, there is the tendency of the "overweight status" to decrease (from a starting-point of about 20%); on the other side, this tendency is unfortunately compensated by the increasing trend of "obesity" (which almost reaches 30%).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

A dosage sensitive locus at chromosome Xp21 is involved in male to female sex reversal.

Male to female sex reversal has been observed in individuals with duplications of the short arm of the X chromosome. Here we demonstrate that sex reversal results from the presence of two active copies of an Xp locus rather than from its rearrangement and that alterations at this locus constitute one of the causes of sex reversal in individuals with a normal 46,XY karyotype. We have named this locus DSS (Dosage Sensitive Sex reversal) and localized it to a 160 kilobase region of chromosome Xp21, adjacent to the adrenal hypoplasia congenita locus. The identification of male individuals deleted for DSS suggests that this locus is not required for testis differentiation. We propose that DSS has a role in ovarian development and/or functions as a link between ovary and testis formation.

Chromosome Mapping↗

PubMed1994

Coeliac disease, enamel defects and HLA typing.

The presence of dental enamel defects in coeliac disease and their relation to hypocalcaemia or a particular HLA class in 82 Italian children with coeliac disease was studied. Demarcated opacities or hypoplasia were detected in 23 subjects (group 1) while minimal or no dental lesions were found in the remaining 59 patients (group 2); in 189 normal controls, enamel lesions were significantly less frequent than in patients with coeliac disease (14.8% versus 28.0%; p < 0.005). No statistically significant differences were found for age at diagnosis and calcium concentrations between groups 1 and 2. Regression analysis showed a correlation between age at diagnosis and number of teeth with enamel defects. In our patients, the presence of HLA DR3 antigen significantly increased the risk of dental lesions, while genotype DR5,7 seemed to protect against enamel defects. A logistic regression analysis of the variables age, serum calcium concentrations, number of affected teeth, type of enamel defect and DR antigens showed that only DR antigens discriminated coeliac disease patients with from those without enamel defects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Bronchial asthma: still an inadequately assessed and improperly treated disease.

In this paper we present data on the assessment and treatment of asthma in a large sample (13,899 subjects) representative of the population of young males living in four districts of the Tuscany region (Italy). In this group, 404 asthmatics (2.9%) were identified and 365 of the eligible patients were included in the study. A total of 323 asthmatics (88.5%) reported respiratory symptoms during the preceding year. A total of 162 asthmatics (44%) had previously had lung function tests to assess asthma, whereas in 89% of the patients the atopic component of asthma had been previously evaluated by prick tests. Fifty-seven percent of the patients in whom bronchial obstruction was observed and 38% of the asthmatics with severe bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BH) were receiving either no medication or treatment with only one drug. The drugs prescribed most frequently during the preceding year were beta agonists (56%) as opposed to sodium cromoglycate (22%) and inhaled steroids (17%); the latter two drugs were included in the therapy of 143 asthmatics (39%) and represented the treatment of choice in 16% of the subjects with bronchial obstruction and in 38% of the subjects with severe BH. We conclude that in our sample of young asthmatics the pulmonary function tests and the inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs were insufficiently utilized.

Asthma↗

PubMed1994

[Retrospective study on weaning in Rome and its province. Results and critical considerations].

The authors report and comment on the results of an epidemiological retrospective study on weaning. The study was performed in Rome and its province through the administration of a structured interview to the parents of 851 children, aged between 6 months and 3 years. Data show that most children are correctly weaned, in terms of both timing and quality of foods. In some cases, however, incorrect dietary habits were found, such as: too early (usually together with too early administration of gluten-containing foods) or too late weaning, and use of cow's milk instead of follow-up formulae during the second semester of life. Data presented here show that the early weaning significantly correlates with a maternal low degree of education and short period of breast-feeding. On the basis of their data and according to the international literature, the authors present some new weaning suggestions: these could help decrease the present gap between recommended dietary allowances and real consumption in this age group.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1993

The relationship between sporting activity and smoking habits in young adults.

The authors investigated the relationship between sporting activity and smoking habits in young Italian men. One thousand, one hundred fifty-three men, age 20 years, completed a self-administered questionnaire on their smoking habits and sporting activity patterns. Five hundred sixty subjects (53%) were found to be smokers, with a high prevalence of heavy smokers (33.6%). Four hundred sixty-four (44%) of the examined subjects were sportsmen. In the group of young men not engaged in sports, the rate of smokers was significantly higher. Non-sportsmen started smoking earlier than sportsmen, and the prevalence of heavy smokers was significantly higher in the non-sportsmen group than in the sportsmen group. Finally, the young men not engaged in sports were more likely to be habitual smoke inhalers than sportsmen. These results suggest that sporting activity may indirectly influence smoking habits.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Associations between atopy, asthma history, respiratory function and non-specific bronchial hyperresponsiveness in unselected young asthmatics.

We evaluated the relationship between bronchial hyperresponsiveness and atopic status, clinical symptoms and airway calibre in a group of Italian conscripts who reported having bronchial asthma. 126 subjects were studied. Bronchial responsiveness was measured by the methacholine test, and atopic status was assessed by skin tests. A measurable PC20 was detected in 106 subjects. On the basis of the methacholine threshold concentration the sample was divided into four categories. Subjects with a low threshold response had an earlier onset of the disease and tended to take more drugs. The four categories also differed in lung function and skin reactivity towards Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus whereas no difference was found in skin reactivity towards grasses or the overall panel of tested allergen extracts. In conclusion, we found that bronchial hyperresponsiveness is related to both clinical history and lung function, whereas the relationship with atopic status seems to be allergen specific.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

The relationship between allergy, clinical symptoms and bronchial responsiveness in atopic dermatitis.

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) and asthma are closely associated with respect to epidemiology, hereditary factors and occurrence in the same individuals. Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness (BH), the hallmark of asthma, can also be a physiopathological feature of AD, even in the absence of clinical asthma. We studied 78 subjects with AD. A follow-up study was performed in 27 of these. Data on respiratory and dermatologic symptoms were collected by means of a standardized questionnaire. Skin reactivity was evaluated by prick testing, and in 57 subjects BH was assessed with a methacholine test (Mch). Twenty-one subjects had asthma and 36 showed a positive skin reaction. A PC20 FEV1 was measurable in 38 subjects. Males were found more likely to be Mch responders than females (p < 0.05). Mch responders also showed an earlier age at onset of AD than nonresponders (2.1 yrs vs. 6.2, p = 0.03). Determinants of the degree of BH were evaluated by a stepwise multiple regression analysis, taking the log of the slope of the concentration response curve as dependent variable. In the final model we found that the degree of BH was directly related to wheezing (p = 0.0017) and coughing (p = 0.04) and inversely related to lung function (p = 0.0082) and age (p = 0.0008). Neither skin reactivity nor grading of AD were statistically significant. The longitudinal study demonstrated that the courses of AD and BH seem to run parallel only in skin-negative subjects, whereas an increase in BH was observed in skin-positive subjects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

[The nonspecific bronchial stimulation test with methacholine and an ultrasonic mist of distilled water: which is to be preferred in the military sphere?].

The authors compare the methacholine (Mch) and the nebulized ultrasonic distilled water (NUDW) bronchial challenge as regard sensitivity and time required to perform them. For military service fitness, were studied 24 asthmatic patients. Each subject performed random a bronchial challenge by Mch (Yan method) and by NUDW (Allegra method) in two different days; for each bronchial challenge has been measured the time required to perform it. The atopic status has been evaluated by skin-prick test. All the subjects have shown a positive response to Mch test (PD 20 FEV1 mean: 352 mcg, range 80-850) whereas 13 subjects (54%) have shown a positive response to NUDW. The time required to evaluate all the subjects by Mch test has been 199.5 minutes whereas the total time required to evaluate all the subjects by NUDW test (127 minutes) and to evaluate by Mch test the non responders to NUDW (100 minutes) has been 227 minutes. The most of subjects were skin reactors. No difference was found as regard onset of disease, basal lung function and atopic status between responders and non responders to NUDW test. We conclude that NUDW test has shown a lack of sensitivity in this sample (50% of asthmatic patients could be misdiagnosed) and that the Mch test is preferable to determine a rapid method for measurement of bronchial responsiveness.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Antral gastrin cell hyperfunction in children. A functional and immunocytochemical report.

Antral gastrin cell hyperfunction is a rare condition, often associated with severe duodenal ulcer disease. In children, clinical and functional characteristics of this syndrome are poorly known. Two cases are described here: one child had melena and the other had moderate abdominal pain, both without peptic ulceration. Basal and postprandial increase of gastrin levels showed a response over the upper normal range, indicating gastrin cell hyperfunction. Acid hypersecretion, both basal and after pentagastrin stimulation, was also found in the two children, confirming the biological effect of their sustained hypergastrinemia. Gastrin cell counts were within the normal range, while the number of somatostatin D cells was significantly reduced. This report stresses the importance of diagnosing antral gastrin cell hyperfunction in children because this unrecognized condition may manifest with serious complications (bleeding) or nonspecific abdominal symptoms.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMed1991

Factors affecting variations in pulmonary diffusing capacity resulting from postural changes.

The relation of postural changes to the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) was investigated in 12 normal nonsmokers in order to evaluate the influence of body position on several components of lung resistance to gas diffusion. The well-known increase in CO diffusing capacity in the supine position was obtained only for data corrected for alveolar volume (KCO: 6.18 +/- 0.75 vs. 5.45 +/- 0.67 ml/min/mm Hg/l; p less than 0.005). Moreover, only the membrane component (Dm) increased significantly in supine subjects (KDm = 2.81 +/- 1.32 vs. 1.82 +/- 0.54 ml/min/mm Hg/l; p less than 0.05), the increase in capillary blood volume (Vc) being not significant (KVc = 12.54 +/- 4.22 vs. 11.17 +/- 3.79 ml/l; NS). These data could be interpreted as a demonstration of a more homogeneously distributed ventilation with respect to diffusion surface in healthy young people in a supine position. The amount of surface available for diffusion seems therefore to be a limiting factor to gas flow across the lungs in these subjects. Thus a straightforward attribution of posturally influenced changes in CO diffusing capacity exclusively to factors affecting Vc is not recommended, particularly in pathological conditions, if information about variation in distribution of ventilation is unavailable.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Marked hematic hypereosinophilia caused by Giardia Lamblia infestation in a subject with Churg-Strauss syndrome].

We report a Churg-Strauss syndrome case complicated by Giardia Lamblia infection which increased markedly the number of blood eosinophils with appearance of eosinophils able to form rosettes with unsensitized sheep red blood cells. Metronidazolo therapy reduces markedly the blood hypereosinophilia. The strong relationship between blood hypereosinophilia and Giardia Lamblia in this patient, suggests that there is an interaction between different eosinophilopoietic stimuli.

Churg-Strauss Syndrome↗

PubMed1991

[The measurement of bronchial hyperreactivity for military service fitness].

The authors discuss the efficacy of methacholine challenge to discriminate fit subjects to military service. We evaluated the relation between bronchial hyperreactivity and clinical symptoms, airways caliber and atopic status in a group of italian conscripts who reported to have bronchial asthma. Five-hundred-four subjects were studied. Bronchial hyperreactivity was measured by methacholine test, and atopic status was assessed by skin-tests. A measurable PC20 FEV1 was detected in 424 subjects. On the basis of the methacholine threshold concentration the overall sample was divided in four categories. The four categories differed as regards onset of disease, lung function and skin reactivity towards Dermatophagoides Pter, whereas no difference was found as regards skin reactivity towards Grass. In the group evaluated in spring, the four categories differed as regards skin reactivity towards Grass. In conclusion we found that bronchial hyperreactivity is related to clinical history, lung function and atopic status; the measurement of bronchial hyperreactivity is important to evaluate conscripts referring bronchial asthma.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Reference values for essential and toxic elements in human milk.

Dependable reference values (RVs) for the concentration ranges of health-related elements in human biological fluids and organs are to date of acknowledged importance for an early recognition of pathological states. On the other hand, the present lack of reliable data on levels to be considered as baseline values for elements of major concern from a toxicological, environmental and nutritional point of view demands the development of experimental procedures capable of satisfying the requirements of detection power, specificity and applicability on a large scale necessary to generate vast amounts of reliable measurements. As part of an overall monitoring program, an investigation was undertaken with the following two aims: a) the present suitability of inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) to identify and quantitate minor and trace elements in human milk with the necessary accuracy and precision; b) assessment of RV concentrations for Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Four population groups were selected (each with 9 subjects) resulting from the various combinations of smokers and non-smokers from an urban or a rural environment. Strict eligibility criteria were adopted in order to select only women in good health, no known occupational exposure and whose nutritional habits could be described in detail. A scrupolous and systematic approach was adopted to minimize every possible source of elemental contamination from the sampling step onwards. Digestion of samples was attempted both with mixtures of strong acids and by resorting to acid-assisted mineralization in a microwave oven. Both methods were satisfactory for subsequent introduction into the torch of the ICP-AES system. The outcome of this pilot study gave the following median RVs for concentration (in mg/kg): Al, 0.14; Ba, 0.013; Cd, 0.002; Cr, 0.016; Cu, 0.40; Fe, 0.72; Li, 0.004; Mg, 29.4; Mn, 0.006; Ni, 0.05; Pb, 0.016; and Zn, 3.08.

Female↗

PubMed1989

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in atopic dermatitis.

We investigated the prevalence of bronchial asthma, immediate skin reactivity and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in 40 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Eight patients reported to have asthma while 29 were found responders to methacholine test (PC20 Mch less than 64 mg/ml) and 21 were skin reactors. The prevalence of skin positive reactions did not differ in responder and non-responder (PC20 Mch greater than 64 mg/ml) groups. Males were more likely both to have bronchial asthma and be responders to methacholine test than females. Moreover, responders had an earlier age of onset of AD than the non-responders. We suggest that bronchial responsiveness should be evaluated in children with AD.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Influence of inspiratory flow rate on the bronchial response to ultrasonic mist of distilled water in asthmatic patients.

In an attempt to evaluate the influence of inspiratory flow rate on the sensitivity of the bronchial challenge with ultrasonic mist of distilled water (UMDW), we studied 8 symptom-free asthmatic patients who inhaled 60 liters of UMDW at a flow rate of either 0.35 or 1.2 1/s on two separate occasions. Tidal volume and the total duration of the respiratory cycle were kept constant during all inhalation tests. The bronchial response was assessed in terms of percent changes of baseline airway conductance. The results demonstrate that the mean bronchial response after 0.35 1/s UMDW inhalation was significantly greater than after 1.2 1/s inhalation of comparable doses of UMDW. Furthermore, 3 patients who developed a significant bronchoconstriction after 0.35 1/s UMDW inhalation showed only a mild, not significant bronchial response when the mist was inhaled at 1.2 1/s. We conclude that the sensitivity of the UMDW challenge is increased if the agent is inhaled during slow, tidal breathing.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Bilateral rhabdomyomatous tumor relapsed as typical triphasic Wilms' tumor.

The authors report on a child affected with bilateral renal tumor, which was treated with cancer chemotherapy before and after surgery. Twenty-eight months after the discontinuance of therapy, a neoplasm was disclosed in the left kidney and then removed. Histologically, the bilateral tumor excised by the first surgery could be classified as biphasic Wilms' tumor, rhabdomyomatous variant, whereas the neoplasm removed by the second surgery was the typical triphasic Wilms' tumor. The authors suggest that preoperative chemotherapy might have played a role in the histologic changes of the initial tumor. Nonetheless, it is also tempting to postulate that the two histologic variants of Wilms' tumor could have occurred in the patient in spite of any treatment.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗