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Biomedical subjects

F Bagnoli

Publications and source records attributed to F Bagnoli.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Bone turnover is reduced in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) is frequently associated with osteoporosis. In order to determine if JRA osteoporosis is related to reduced formation or to increased bone resorption or both, serum levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (PO4), magnesium (Mg), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathormone (PTHi), 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D), osteocalcin (OT), carboxyterminal propeptide (P-coll-1-c), and carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) were evaluated in 47 JRA children, 33 with active disease and 14 in remission. The therapy consisted of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs in pauciarticular subset, NSAIDs and Methotrexate (MTX) in polyarticular, NSAIDs and steroids in systemic onset. OT reflects bone formation, P-coll-1-c reflects collagen production and bone formation, ICTP, marker of collagen degradation in bone, indicates bone destruction. Serum levels of Ca, PO4, Mg, ALP, PTHi 25-OHD and 1,25-(OH)2D were comparable in JRA children and in controls. OT (8.7 +/- 3.7 ng/ml vs 9.6 +/- 5.1), P-coll-1-c (301.2 +/- 118.4 ng/ml vs 264.1 +/- 100.1) and ICTP (15.7 +/- 5.7 ng/ml vs 16.1 +/- 6.1) did not differ statistically in the whole group of JRA children vs controls. OT (8.0 +/- 3.5 vs 10.4 +/- 3.8) and ICTP (14.4 +/- 5.4 vs 18.8 +/- 5.4) were significantly lower in active than inactive group. In polyarticular and systemic onset OT and ICTP were significantly lower than in pauciarticular. No difference was found in active patients treated with steroids vs active patients treated with NSAIDS and NSAIDs plus MTX. The lower serum levels of OT and ICTP in active disease support the hypothesis that both bone formation and resorption are reduced in JRA bone turnover.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Selection, mutations and codon usage in a bacterial model.

We present a statistical model of bacterial evolution based on the coupling between codon usage and tRNA abundance. Such a model interprets this aspect of the evolutionary process as a balance between the codon homogenization effect due to mutation process and the improvement of the translation phase due to natural selection. We develop a thermodynamical description of the asymptotic state of the model. The analysis of naturally occurring sequences shows that the effect of natural selection on codon bias affects genes whose products are largely required at maximal growth rate conditions or undergo rapid transient increases.

Bacteria↗

A new case of severe congenital nemaline myopathy.

The case of a neonate with a rapidly fatal course of nemaline myopathy is reported. Neonatal history and clinical findings suggested a postasphyxia syndrome, but dependence on mechanical ventilation in the absence of severe brain damage or evidence of heart and lung involvement prompted us to perform a muscle biopsy. The typical rod-shaped bodies of nemaline myopathy were observed in skeletal and heart muscle which is unusual in infantile forms. Neonatal bone fractures, which have not been reported previously, were detected. Due to the rapid evolution of the neonatal form, many of these patients may die undiagnosed in the perinatal period, the families remaining unaware of the existence of the genetic disorder. Therefore, if severe hypotonia persists in a neonate, together with dependence on assisted breathing, specific examinations, such as muscle enzyme determination, NCV, EMG and if indicated, muscle biopsy should be performed to rule out neuromuscular disease.

Female↗

[Serum T3, T4, FT3, TSH and TBG in Turner's syndrome].

Turner's syndrome was originally reported as sexual infantilism, short stature, webbed neck and cubitus valgus. Subsequent investigations, however, have disclosed many other abnormalities both in chromosomal and physical features occurring in this syndrome. An increased prevalence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in patients with Turner's syndrome has been well documented and molecular defects of the TBG have been described. In our study we examined serum T3, T4, FT3, FT4, TSH and TBG levels in 18 girls with Turner's syndrome, in 18 healthy control girls and in the parents of both groups. We reported significant elevated levels of T3 and FT3 in the Turner's group (P 0.01). We did not find any quantitative abnormalities of immunoreactive TBG in the same patients.

Adolescent↗

[Correlations between individual and familial variables in Turner's syndrome].

In 20 cases of Turner's syndrome (10 with complete X monosomy, 10 with partial X monosomy or mosaicism) aged 3.47 to 15.5 years, the stature of the individual cases and their parents were evaluated. A significant frequency of short stature in mothers (25% below--2.0 S.D.S) has been observed, with a significant difference compared to the mean female stature of the general population. No significant difference has been observed on the stature of fathers. There was a closer correlation with mother's height (r = 0.65, p = 0.001) than with father's height (p = 0.07).

Adolescent↗

Relationship between mode of delivery and neonatal calcium homeostasis.

Serum levels of calcium (Ca), calcitonin (CT) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were determined in cord blood of 229 newborns. In 136 newborns the tests were repeated 24 h later. The probands were divided into four groups according to mode of delivery: (1) spontaneous; (2) elective caesarean section without labour; (3) elective caesarean section in labour; (4) emergency caesarean section with fetal distress. Newborns in group 2 had significantly lower Ca and CT levels and significantly higher PTH concentrations in cord blood than the other three groups. In all groups Ca and PTH concentrations were negatively correlated. At 24 h, mean Ca levels had decreased and mean CT and PTH concentrations had increased in all four groups. Newborns in group 2 still had lower Ca levels but higher CT and PTH concentrations. At that time there were negative correlations between Ca and CT levels in groups 1 and 2 and between Ca and PTH concentrations in group 1. These data demonstrate that without labour, cord blood Ca and CT levels are lower and PTH concentrations are higher. The low 24 h calcium in newborns delivered without labour is explained by the lower Ca levels at birth and a tremendous increase of CT. The PTH secretion in full-term newborns is very substantial and negatively correlated with Ca levels.

Calcitonin↗

[Induction of ovulation, with pulsatile GnRH by subcutaneous route in amenorrhea of hypothalamic origin].

Twelve patients affected by secondary amenorrhea of hypothalamic origin, resistant to Clomiphene Citrate treatment, were treated for 2 consecutive cycles with subcutaneous pulsatile administration (s.c.) of Gn-RH by computerized portable pump (Ziklomat-Ferring) at a dose of 20 mcg every 60-90 minutes for a total of 20 cycles. On the average 85% of ovulatory cycles and 30% of pregnancies per cycle were obtained with this therapy. The number of ovulatory cycles and pregnancies obtained in the second cycle of treatment were in percentage higher, with respect to the first cycle of treatment. Only one subject, not responsive to both cycles of s.c. administration, underwent an intravenous therapy with positive results.

Adult↗

Plasma opioids in the newborn in relation to the mode of delivery.

Elevated plasma concentrations of beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) are present in vaginally delivered babies in the first 24 h of life. To establish if fetal distress or different types of delivery influence the secretion of these peptides in the neonatal period, we studied 16 vaginally delivered newborns (VD), 11 neonates extracted through elective cesarean section (CS) and 8 babies suffering from acute intralabor fetal distress (FD). In all groups of newborns the plasma levels of beta-LPH and beta-EP were measured in arterial and venous cord blood, at 1 and 24 h from delivery. beta-LPH and beta-EP were determined by specific radioimmunoassays after silicic acid extraction and Sephadex G-75 column chromatography. In cord plasma, there were no differences between arterial and venous concentrations of either beta-LPH or beta-EP in any of the groups. In the 1st h after delivery the plasma levels of VD newborns were similar to umbilical cord values (beta-LPH: 19.9 +/- 5.2; beta-EP: 18.1 +/- 2.4), while those of CS (beta-LPH: 30.6 +/- 4.5; beta-EP: 30.1 +/- 5.8) and FD (beta-LPH: 64.9 +/- 11.8; beta-EP: 65.7 +/- 24.4) showed a significant increase. At the 24th h of life the plasma concentrations of both peptides decreased significantly in the three groups, but CS and FD babies showed significantly higher plasma values than VD newborns (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Glucose↗

Calcium homeostasis in the first days of life in relation to feeding.

Determinations of serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), calcitonin (CT) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were carried out in full term newborn infants during the first 168 h of life. The infants were randomly assigned to two different diets: glucose and breast feeding (BF) only or early formula feeding (F). The Ca serum levels decreased from birth to the 24th h; after that time they increased until the 72nd h. The values of serum Ca at the 48th and 72nd h were significantly lower in the F than in the BF group. In contrast, the P serum levels increased from birth to the 48th h and then they decreased; the values of serum P at the 48th h were significantly higher in F than in the BF group. The CT serum levels increased from birth to the 24th h and then they decreased. No difference between the F and BF groups was found during the first 48 h, while at the 72nd h the F group demonstrated significantly higher values of serum CT. PTH serum levels also increased from birth to the 24th h with significantly higher values at the 72nd h in the F group. The results of this investigation demonstrate that the difference in feeding in the first hours of life affects the calcium homeostasis and the secretion of hormones involved in the regulation of serum Ca levels.

Bottle Feeding↗

[Serum concentrations of calcitonin and parathormone in the cord blood of premature infants].

Determinations of serum calcium (Ca), calcitonin (CT) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were carried out in mixed cord blood of 23 preterm infants. Gestational age ranged between 25 and 37 weeks. 17 of theme were vaginally delivered while 6 were delivered by emergency Caesarean section. 4 neonates died because of respiratory distress syndrome. The serum was stored at -30 degrees C until the determinations. Serum Ca levels were determined by spectrophotometry while CT and PTH levels by RIA (Immuno Nuclear Co). In cord serum the mean (M +/- SE) Ca,CT and PTH concentrations of all neonates examined were respectively: 9,9 +/- 0,6 mg/dl; 176 +/- 44 pg/ml and 1100 +/- 446 pg/ml. Serum values of CT and PTH in preterm newborns delivered by emergency Caesarean section were significantly higher than in those neonates vaginally delivered (CT: 302 +/- 115 vs 94 +/- 9 pg/ml; p less than 0.005) (PTH:2655 +/- 1857 vs 466 +/- 59 pg/ml; p less than 0.05). No differences were observed between serum CT and PTH levels in preterm neonates of different gestational age. Both CT and PTH serum concentrations were higher in neonates who died. In conclusion, the preterm neonate is able to secrete both peptides and to maintain Ca homeostasis; the mode of delivery likely affects the CT and PTH secretion; unexplainable high CT and PTH serum levels were detected in poor outcome preterm infants.

Calcitonin↗

Calcitonin and parathyroid hormone in newborn infants with fracture of the clavicle.

Determinations of serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), calcitonin (CT), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were carried out in 36 full-term newborn infants with fracture of the clavicle (CF) and in 46 normal neonates (N). At the 6th hour of life the CF neonates demonstrated lower serum Ca and higher serum CT in comparison with normal infants. In the hours following, no significant differences between the two groups for the Ca levels were found, whereas serum CT remained significantly higher in the CF newborns at the 24th, 48th, and 72nd hour of life. Significant differences between normal and CF infants in the PTH serum levels were detected only at the 48th hour, when PTH was lower in the CF newborns. The results of this investigation indicate that the fracture of the clavicle is a significant and peculiar factor in stimulating CT secretion. Serum Ca level appeared to be controlled by CT rather than auto-regulating the secretion of the hormone.

Birth Injuries↗