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Biomedical subjects

F Pozzi

Publications and source records attributed to F Pozzi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Determining global population distribution: methods, applications and data.

Evaluating the total numbers of people at risk from infectious disease in the world requires not just tabular population data, but data that are spatially explicit and global in extent at a moderate resolution. This review describes the basic methods for constructing estimates of global population distribution with attention to recent advances in improving both spatial and temporal resolution. To evaluate the optimal resolution for the study of disease, the native resolution of the data inputs as well as that of the resulting outputs are discussed. Assumptions used to produce different population data sets are also described, with their implications for the study of infectious disease. Lastly, the application of these population data sets in studies to assess disease distribution and health impacts is reviewed. The data described in this review are distributed in the accompanying DVD.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMed2005

Analysis of 10B antitumoral compounds by means of flow-injection into ESI-MS/MS.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a promising binary treatment for cancer. BNCT is based on the ability of the nonradioactive isotope (10)B to capture, with a very high probability, thermal neutrons. This nuclear reaction results in two particles (an alpha and a lithium nucleus). The particles have a high biological effectiveness, which is limited in tissue to approximately the diameter of one cell. If the reaction can be limited to a tumor cell, the physical characteristic opens up the possibility to selectively destroy cancer cells, while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. Quality control of (10)B-containing compounds and their distribution at present are very important, and different analytical methods have been developed, such as time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), electron energy loss spectrometry (EELS), prompt gamma analysis and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). These methods allow the analyses of (10)B, but it is not possible to characterize the specific molecular compounds containing (10)B. For this reason, we propose a fast and quantitative method that permits the determination of closo-undecahydro-1-mercaptododecaborate (BSH) and (10)boron-phenylalanine (BPA) and their eventual metabolites. In particular, (10)B-containing compounds are detected by means of flow-injection electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (FI/ESI-MS/MS). This approach allows the identification of Boron compounds, BSH and BPA, using tandem mass spectrometry, and quantitative analysis is also possible (c.v. +/-4.7%; n = 5; linear range 10-10,000 ng/ml). Furthermore, (10)B-containing compounds were detected in actual biological sample (urine and plasma, diluted 10,000- and 1,000-fold, respectively) injecting a small volume (1 microl) of diluted samples.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

New achievement and novel therapeutic applications of PDE5 inhibithors in older males.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) increases in prevalence and severity because of aging processes and related organic, iatrogenic and social problems. Decline of testosterone (T) levels is observed with age and also in illnesses with a common basis of endothelial damage. The T deficiency may lead to decreased energy, mood depression, reduction of sexual desire, but no correlation has been reported between T level and severity of ED, which is mainly a neurovascular disease. In facts, inhibition of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) isoenzyme with sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil enhances vasodilatation in the corpus cavernosum and subsequent penile erection. Absolute pharmacological potency of PDE5 inhibitors is similar and non-selectivity defines the side-effects profile, while their elimination half-life explains not only the different duration of action, but also short and long-term tolerability. Efficacy of PDE5 inhibitors in younger patients is greater in respect to older subjects because of associated pathologies and the decline in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function. T is essential in erectile function, controlling the expression and activity of PDE5 and therefore, androgen supplementation improves therapeutic response to PDE5 inhibitors in hypogonadal subjects. Since sexual behavior is a complex interplay of physical, psychological, and social factors, the possible effect of these drugs on androgen levels and brain function need to be deeply investigated. The ubiquitarious distribution of PDE5 and the availability of selective inhibitory molecules foster newer studies in the treatment of heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, inflammation, and depression. This new progress is certainly contributing to a better medical approach to sexuality and quality of life in aging people.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed2005

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibithors in older males.

Although erectile dysfunction (ED) in older subjects needs a holistic approach, the pathophysiology consists mainly in chronic ischemia with deterioration of cavernous smooth muscles followed by development of corporeal fibrosis. Therefore, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibition, enhancing vasodilatation in corpora cavernosa, represents a first-line therapy for ED. PDE5 is in fact the major cGMP hydrolizing enzyme in penile corpus cavernosum. The mechanisms of action, the pharmacokinetics and the contraindications of selective PDE5 inhibitors, are described in details. Furthermore, attention is focused on the interaction of PDE5 inhibitors on hypothalamus-pituitary gonadol (HPG) function. Finally, considering that androgens may influence sexual behavior by modifying the central nervous system neurotransmitter targeted system, the potentiation of PDE5 inhibitors with testosterone supplementation may be considered to improve erectile function and quality of life in older males.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1997

Risperidone, negative symptoms and cognitive deficit in schizophrenia: an open study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a new antipsychotic compound on negative symptoms and cognitive deficit in schizophrenia. Psychiatric symptoms and cognition were assessed in 25 patients with schizophrenia, at baseline and after they had taken risperidone for 4 weeks. The Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and two WAIS sub-tests were used to assess the patients. After the study period, both negative and positive symptoms and also measures of cognitive performance improved significantly. The WCST results correlated with negative symptom scores before and after treatment. This suggests that negative symptoms and cognitive deficit have a common underlying substrate which is the target of the risperidone treatment. Our data show that risperidone may have a substantial effect on complex cognitive functions in schizophrenia, and they suggest that certain cognitive deficits are relatively dependent on the negative symptoms of this disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in patients with different degrees of chronic arterial obstructive disease.

Platelet activation and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Evidence has been accumulating that in the evolution of chronic arterial obstructive disease (CAOD) platelets are also crucially important. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to assess plasma levels of PDGF in patients with different degrees of CAOD according to Fontaine. Twenty patients (17 men, 3 women, mean age sixty-eight +/- seven years) with intermittent claudication (Fontaine stage II) entered the study and their PDGF levels were assessed by radioimmunoassay. Ten additional patients (7 men, 3 women, mean age seventy-three +/- seven years) with more severe CAOD (leg pain at rest/skin ulcers) were also studied. Ten healthy subjects (6 men, 4 women, mean age fifty-four +/- six years) comprised the control group. Patients in stage II were reinvestigated after sixty days of a "training" procedure. Patients with both intermittent claudication and more severe disease had higher levels of PDGF than controls (controls 165.9 +/- 119.1 pg/mL; Fontaine stage II 403.5 +/- 218.4; Fontaine stage III/IV 578.1 +/- 637.2: ANOVA P = 0.04) with no difference between the two groups of patients. After the training period, PDGF levels were significantly higher than at baseline (863.7 +/- 819.6 pg/mL vs 403.5 +/- 218.4) but without significant improvement of physical performance. The elevation of PDGF levels in blood from CAOD patients could be the result of marked platelet activation due to interaction with a widely damaged peripheral vasculature. The same was not true for coronary heart disease, in which normal values of PDGF in venous blood were found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Platelet and endothelial response with trapidil in patients with peripheral obliterative arteriopathy.

The activity of trapidil, an antiaggregating agent with PDGF antagonist properties, was investigated in order to verify its possible modulating effect in the endothelial and platelet activation. PDGF, t-PA, PAI-1 and ET-1 plasma levels were measured before and after a 2 month treatment period with trapidil 200 mg tablets bid or placebo in 30 patients affected by POA in Fontaine stage II. PDGF and PAI-1 significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the placebo group, and PDGF also in the comparison between treatments (p < 0.05). Aggregation data demonstrate an absence of Ca++ antagonist action of trapidil. The results of this study suggest that trapidil can interfere with the combined vascular and platelet response in atherogenesis.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Treatment of proteinuric patients with a vegetarian soy diet and fish oil.

Our aim was to determine whether a longer period of treatment with a vegetarian soy diet with addition of fish oil supplements would accentuate the beneficial effects on hyperlipidemia and proteinuria of nephrotic patients we found in a previous study. After an 8-week baseline period on free diet, patients were randomly allocated either on soy diet alone (SD) or to SD plus 5 g/day of fish oil (SD + FO) orally for two months. Then they crossed over to the other treatment for two additional months. They finally resumed eating the free diet for 3 months. We selected 20 outpatients with chronic glomerulonephritis, proteinuria in the nephrotic range, fasting serum cholesterol > 250 mg/dl, mean serum creatinine concentrations 1.75 +/- 0.23 mg/dl. Serum lipid profile, urinary protein loss and nutritional parameters were monitored. With the soy diet, we obtained a significant decrease both of hyperlipidemia and of proteinuria. The effect of the soy diet on proteinuria increased over the 4 months. The addition of a moderate amount (5 g/day) of fish oil in a randomized cross-over design had no further beneficial effect. Stability of serum albumin, transferrin and the body mass index documented good nutritional status. In conclusion, the dietary manipulation with our vegetarian soy diet confirmed the beneficial effects on hyperlipidemia and proteinuria of nephrotic patients. Such effects persisted and even ameliorated after 4 months of diet. The addition of moderate oral supplements of fish oil did not potentiate the beneficial effect.

Diet, Vegetarian↗
PubMed1991

5-HT2 receptor antagonism in dysthymic disorder: a double-blind placebo-controlled study with ritanserin.

Thirty patients suffering from dysthymic disorder participated in a 6-week double-blind trial comparing ritanserin 10 mg and placebo. After a single-blind placebo wash-out period of one week, the test medication was administered during 5 weeks on a double-blind basis. Twenty-three patients completed the study. At the end of the trial, ritanserin was significantly superior to placebo in its effect as manifested on the 19-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory X-1 and X-2. At the end of the study, the therapeutic effect was rated marked or moderate in 75% of the ritanserin-treated patients, but only in 18% of the controls. These data are consistent with the hypothesis of serotonin abnormalities in dysthymic disorder and suggest a therapeutic role of 5-HT2 antagonists. Ritanserin treatment was very well tolerated; no serious adverse experiences were reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Increased frequency of antibodies to ubiquitous viruses in essential mixed cryoglobulinaemia.

Antibodies to ubiquitous Herpes viruses have been studied in 13 patients with type II essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC), and in two different control groups. All the EMC patients had monoclonal IgM kappa in their cryoprecipitates. IgM antibodies to the viral capsid antigen (VCA) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were found in the sera of 11 EMC patients but all the cryoprecipitates were negative. IgG antibodies were also present in the sera of all and in the cryoprecipitates of some patients. In contrast, the number of subjects with antibodies to Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) was not higher than in controls. Possible correlations between EMC and EBV infection are discussed.

Adult↗