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Biomedical subjects

F Franchi

Publications and source records attributed to F Franchi.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

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↗
PubMed1984

Multicentre study of effects of Org OD 14 on endometrium, vaginal cytology and cervical mucus in post-menopausal and oophorectomized women.

A multicentre study covering 69 post-menopausal or oophorectomized women was performed to determine whether Org OD 14 [7 alpha, 17 alpha)-17-hydroxy-7-methyl-19-norpregn-5(10)-en-20-yn-3-one) administered orally in a daily dose of 2.5 mg for 90 consecutive days induces endometrial proliferation. The treatment with Org OD 14 was continued in combination with 1 mg/day of lynestrenol from day 91 for 10 days to ascertain whether secretory transformation of the endometrium and subsequent withdrawal bleeding would occur. Endometrial biopsies were obtained before treatment and on day 91. The effects of Org OD 14 on vaginal mucosa and cervical mucus were also evaluated. Org OD 14 did not display any effect on the endometrium in 56 of the study subjects (83.5%). Weak stimulation (initial proliferation) was seen in 11 of the subjects (16.4%) and withdrawal bleeding occurred in only 5 of these after cessation of the combined treatment with lynestrenol. However, moderate 'oestrogenic' effects on vaginal mucosa and cervical mucus were induced in all study subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Increased production of platelet thromboxane B2 in non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Relationship to vascular complications.

Platelet thromboxane B2 production was studied in forty-seven non-insulin-dependent diabetics by incubating platelets with increasing concentrations of arachidonic acid. In comparison with thirty-two healthy subjects, diabetics showed increased thromboxane B2 production at 0.7 mmol/l (mean: 236 pmol/10(8) platelets, SEM 201-277; v. 135, 105-174; P less than 0.05) and at 1.0 mmol/l (673, 613-739; v. 405, 377-486, P less than 0.01) but not at 0.5 mmol/l. Patients were subdivided according to the presence or absence of vascular complications. Patients without microangiopathy showed significantly greater thromboxane B2 production than healthy subjects at all the arachidonic-acid concentrations (P less than 0.02 or less). Patients with microangiopathy had platelet thromboxane production similar to that observed in healthy subjects at all the arachidonic-acid concentrations (P greater than 0.30) but significantly lower than that of non-microangiopathic patients at 0.5 (P less than 0.01) and at 0.7 mmol/l arachidonic acid (P less than 0.05). These results indicate that non-insulin-dependent diabetics have increased production of platelet thromboxane B2 only when they do not have microvascular complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Hemodynamics in borderline hypertension: acute effect of furosemide.

In order to identify the hemodynamics of borderline essential hypertension, radionuclide angiography was performed before and after bolus injection of furosemide (40 mg i.v.) both at 3 min (i.e. before diuretic effect) and at 30 min (i.e. after diuretic effect) in 16 borderline (B) patients and in 14 age-matched WHO classification I-II essential hypertensives (H) patients. 14 age-matched normotensive (N) subjects were used as controls. B patients were further subdivided into two subgroups according to a cardiac index under or above 3 liter/min/m2 in basal conditions. Baseline hemodynamic characteristics showed higher values of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) in both H and B patients when compared with N subjects (p less than 0.001). Furthermore, B and H patients exhibited lower values of left ventricular peak filling rate (PFR) than seen in N subjects (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.05, respectively). H patients demonstrated higher peak systolic blood pressure/endsystolic volume ratio (PSP/ESV) than seen in N subjects (p less than 0.05). PFR positively correlated with peak emptying rate (PER) only in N and B patients (p less than 0.05). After furosemide administration, even though differences were observed in the absolute values, B and H patients showed similar hemodynamic patterns. Only the B subgroup with cardiac index (CI) greater than 3 liter ('volume-dependent' patients) showed a decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI) at 30 min associated with a lowering of stroke index (SI; p less than 0.005 for both), when compared with pre-drug values. In B patients with CI less than 3 liter ('afterload-dependent' patients) no differences were observed either at 3 min or at 30 min in comparison with values obtained prior to drug administration. Moreover, in this subgroup, like in H patients, there was a negative correlation (p less than 0.01) between 3-min percent change of SVRI and 3-min percent change of SI. Our data suggest that in 'borderline' hypertension: (a) there may be an increase in peripheral resistance, as in established hypertension, especially when age-matched groups are considered; (b) the earliest sign of compromised left ventricular function is the reduction in diastolic PFR but, unlike established hypertension, this index is still correlated with systolic function; (c) cardiac output might be even somewhat reduced and also negatively correlated with vascular resistance ('afterload-dependent' hearts); (d) furosemide (acute administration) might contribute to a better definition of hemodynamic behavior.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Hypereosinophilic syndrome and plasmocytoma. Report of a case and review of the literature.

The 4th case of plasma cell neoplasm associated with a hypereosinophilic syndrome is described and compared with the previous reports. Hypereosinophilia in the present patient displayed some borderline traits with eosinophilic leukemia. Myeloproliferative disorders of the eosinophilic line often present as a precancerous state, but sometimes they seem to acquire malignant independence. In our patient the occurrence of a plasmocytoma with a dramatic course leads to suspect an underlying complex genetic aberration.

Eosinophilia↗
PubMed1983

[Various aspects of dopaminergic function in patients with prolactin-secreting hypophyseal adenoma].

Controversial data have been published in these last years on the dopaminergic tonus of tubero infundibular (TIDA) neurons in hyperprolactinemic subjects. Some authors retain that L-Dopa (LD) stimulation test after pretreatment with Carbidopa (CD), a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor substance, may reveal the presence of a central Dopamine (DA) defect in patient with prolactinoma. To elucidate the reason of so different activity of DA central tonus in subjects with prolactinoma, the effects of Nomifensine (NOM), an indirect DA agonist, DOM, Carbidopa/L-Dopa (CD/LD) and LD, were studied in 26 prolactinoma patients, (basal Prl levels 50 to 280 ng/ml). The patients (24-39 years) were characterized by secondary amenorrhea with sella turcica enlargement at hypocicloidal polytomography. The NOM administration resulted unable to reduce Prl plasma levels in all the patients. On the basis of Prl response to CD/LD administration the patients were subdivided in two groups: group A, which showed a significant decrease of Prl plasma levels and group B, who did not show any significant change. LD test induced a significant Prl decrease in all patients with more evident response in these of group A. DOM administration induced a Prl rise in patients of group A, but failed to change significantly Prl levels in group B subjects. These results confirming the high validity of NOM inhibiting test in the diagnosis of tumoural hyperprolactinemic states, reveal contradictory responses to CD/LD, LD and DOM, with sustain the existence of 2 sub-group of Prolactinomas: with or without a maintained DA central tonus supporting the possibility of different etiopathogenetical factors in inducing a tumoural hyperprolactinemic states.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1983

[Hyperprolactinemia in chronic renal insufficiency: an interesting model of hypothalamo-hypophyseal dysfunction].

It is note that hyperprolactinemia is frequently associated to chronic renal failure (CRF). The etiopathogenesis of this endocrine disorder is not clearly understood, trying to evaluate the possible hypothalamic-pituitary cause we have evaluated the Prl levels under some pharmacological tests: TRH (200 mcg i.v.),Domperidone (DOM)(10 mg i.v.),Nomifensine (NOM)(200 mg p.o.)and Bromocriptine (BRC)(2.5 mg p.o.) in 3 groups of patients: CRF(8 cases), dysfunctional (8 cases) and tumoral (9 cases) hyperPrl. Prl plasma levels have been evaluated by RIA (kits,Biodata,Roma). In patients affected by CRF either direct (BRC) than indirect (NOM) agonist acting dopaminergic drugs failed to induce a reduction in Prl plasma levels, like to tumoral patients for NOM, and in contrast to the significant decrease after BRC (-70%) in tumoral and (-74%) in dysfunctional and NOM (-50%) observed in dysfunctional patients. CRF and dysfunctional patients showed significant response to TRH and DOM, being prolactinoma bearing patients unresponsive to these tests. These results show an hyporesponsivity of pituitary Prl secreting cells to dopaminergic control suggesting the existence of central etiopathological factor in inducing hyperprolactinemia in CRF patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Effects of sulpiride induced hyperprolactinemia on testosterone secretion and metabolism before and after HCG in normal men.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia on testicular functions, as assessed by evaluation of plasma testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 17 beta-estradiol (E2) levels. An HCG test (5000 IU on three consecutive days) was performed in basal conditions and after 12 and 26 days of sulpiride treatment (150 mg daily) in 7 male volunteers, 19 to 32 years of age, as well as in 6 sulpiride-free controls. The results show that after 12 days of induced hyperprolactinemia (mean increase 400%) the T response to HCG was similar to basal test; after 26 days however, the increase of T mean plasma levels was significantly greater. The increase in E2 significantly correlated to that of T during the first and second HCG tests, but no longer after 26 days of hyperprolactinemia, resulting in an imbalance of the E2/T ratio of plasma increments. The response of DHT to HCG was significant in basal conditions and after 26 days of sulpiride and always correlated with T behavior. Data obtained in our experimental conditions suggest that PRL might enhance T secretion. 5 alpha-reductase activity seemed to be partially affected after 12 days of treatment, while a significant inhibition seemed to be exerted on aromatase activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Clinical staging and therapeutic results in multiple myeloma.

The validity of the Durie and Salmon's clinical staging system for multiple myeloma has been tested in 81 consecutive patients studied at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan from January 1970 to June 1982. Median survival from diagnosis was 48 months for stage I, 41 months for stage II and 23 months for stage III (P = 0.02). Median survival of patients with normal renal function (A) was 35 months and of those with abnormal kidney function (B) 7 months. Almost all early deaths were observed in patients with stage III disease associated with renal failure. No statistically significant difference was found in the median survival in patients with kappa and those with lambda light chains. The analysis of survival according to the three main combinations of chemotherapy used in this study (melphalan-prednisone vs melphalan-procarbazine-prednisone vs adriamycin-prednisone) could not disclose any significant difference. Prognosis was, however, closely related to the response to combination chemotherapy: median survival was 72 months in responders, 36 months in patients with improvement and 25 months in non-responders (P less than 0.01). A lower incidence of response was obtained in patients with stage III myeloma compared to patients with stage I-II. The myeloma staging system used in this study is simple to employ and allows identification of truly comparable patient groups in the evaluation of therapeutic results. Our therapeutic results confirm the effectiveness of melphalan plus prednisone and fail to demonstrate any advantage in the administration of adriamycin as first-line therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

An unusual PR interval alternans during 2:1 atrio-ventricular block.

In a case of a 2:1 second degree A-V block during sinus rhythm, PR intervals of two different durations occur, either separately or alternating beat-by-beat. The longer intervals are not caused by concealed conduction in the A-V junction of the preceding blocked impulses and the shorter ones are not due to supernormal conduction induced by the blocked impulses. This primary PR interval alternans is alternating from a pathophysiological point of view; it only concerns every other impulse alternately traveling along the faster and slower A-V junctional pathway.

Electrocardiography↗
PubMed1983

Tetrasomy 9p confirmed by GALT.

We report a boy aged 12 years 7 months with mental retardation, hydrocephalus, dysmorphic facial features, congenital heart disease, and skeletal and renal anomalies. The karyotype showed a mosaic tetrasomy 9p involving the secondary constriction. This result was confirmed by tetraplex gene dosage effect for galactose-1-P-uridyltransferase (GALT). Comparing the clinical features of our case with those of previously reported patients, tetrasomy 9p appears to be a distinctive and clinically recognisable malformation syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1983

Cardiac effects of clomipramine treatment. ECG and left ventricular systolic time intervals.

ECGs and left ventricular systolic time intervals were studied in 26 patients suffering from major depressive disorder treated with clomipramine. ECGs did not show, with one exception, drug-induced changes. The ratio of pre-ejection period to left ventricular ejection time, both corrected for heart rate (PEPc/LVETc), presented no significant changes, as compared with initial findings, in the group of patients considered as a whole. 27% of patients, however, showed individual percent changes greater than 8%, both increases and decreases having been observed. Cardiac findings were in no way related to clomipramine plasma levels.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Effects of calcitonin on limb blood vessels in human obstructive arterial disease.

To check the possibility of a vasoactive effect of calcitonin in man, the authors treated ten hospitalized patients (seven males and three females, mean age 66.3 +/- 3.24), suffering from obstructive arterial disease in the lower extremities, with 100 units M.R.C. i.m. daily, for a period of 15 days. Five patients presented Raynaud's phenomenon. Treatment (B) led to an improvement of subjective symptomatology and to the disappearance of Raynaud's phenomenon in comparison with symptoms before treatment (A) and after a placebo period of 15 days (C). With respect to instrumental parameters, calcitonin induced: a) a slight increase of segmental plethysmography values (height/width ratio of curves) if compared with A (p less than 0.05) and more significantly if compared with C (p less than 0.01 and less than 0.0125, from right and left sides, respectively); b) a small change in venous-occlusion plethysmography values, if compared with A and C, both in basal conditions and after the "ischaemic test"; c) a significantly lesser reduction of digital photoelectric plethysmography values (height/width ratio of curves) after the "cold test" in comparison with A (p less than 0.01, both on the second and on the third fingers of the right hand), as well as with C (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.025, on the second and on the third fingers, respectively). The present investigation points out the vasoactive influence of calcitonin in human obstructive disease. Results show the improvement in collateral limb circulation and, above all, in the amount of cutaneous flow. Little information is available on the mechanism of this effect, for which only hypotheses can at present be advanced.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

Applicability of salivary testosterone measurements for the follow-up of therapy of idiopathic hirsutism.

Preliminary data on the applicability of salivary evaluations of testosterone (T), in comparison to plasma evaluations, in monitoring the effects of prednisone treatment in hirsutism are shown by the authors. 7.5 mg daily were administered p.o. to 4 volunteers affected by idiopathic hirsutism and to a fifth case in whom later surgery demonstrated the presence of adrenal virilizing tumour. While in the latter no modification either in plasma or salivary levels of the hormone was shown, in the four cases of idiopathic hirsutism a striking decrease of T levels was observed both in plasma (P less than 0.02) and in saliva (P less than 0.01). The two variations were moreover highly correlated (r = 0.80; P less than 0.001). Data obtained, although from a limited number of cases, seem then to confirm the validity of salivary T determination in this clinical condition, in whom the need of repeated evaluations, if performed on plasma, may become particularly stressful for the patient.

Adolescent↗