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Biomedical subjects

F Rossi

Publications and source records attributed to F Rossi.

At least 955 records · Page 53Linked to original sources

[Metabolic imbalance during total parenteral nutrition. Experience in subjects with degenerative neurological diseases].

Various metabolic disturbances (hydroelectrolytic and basic acid imbalances, hypo- and hyper- glycaemia etc.) are among the possible complications of N.P.T. A comparative statistical study of similar patients undergoing N.P.T. and others not so treated demonstrates that far from stimulating metabolic disturbances, N.P.T. is able to reduce the incidence of such conditions.

Humans↗

[Narcosis, platelet aggregation and arousing drugs].

During pentobarbital (25 mg/kg i.v. in 2 min), pentothal (15 mg/kg i.v. in 2 min) and ketamine (10 mg/kg i.v. in 2 min) narcosis, rabbits showed reduced platelet reactivity ot the direct aggregating effect of ADP (2 X 10(-5) M) and the indirect effect of thrombin (0.1 U/ml). Certain arousal drugs, specifically those of metabolic type such as SAMe (20 mg/kg i.v. in 2 min) and Thiola (166 mg/kg i.v. in 2 min) and of haemodynamic type such as nicergoline (6.66 mg/kg i.v. in 2 min) and hexobendine (5 mg/kg i.v. in 2 min) administered 31 min after narcosis induction, impede the depression brought on by narcosis on on platelet reactivity.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

[Experimental toxicological and pharmacodynamic studies of a triple drug association (adrenaline, atropine and papaverine) with anti-bronchospastic activity].

The antibronchospastic value of the triple association adrenaline (1) + atropine (0,3) + papaverine (3) has been documented experimentally. Comparative investigations have been carried out with isoprenaline, metaproterenol, terbutaline and salbutamol. Toxicological and pharmacodynamic studies were done in the cardiovascular system and in vitro on certain muscles.

Administration, Oral↗

[Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Observations of 21 cases studied from 1977 to 1980].

We have carried out a study together with neonatologists, paediatricians, paediatric surgeons and paediatric radiologist on the etiopathogenic, clinical-statistical, therapeutical and evolutionary aspects of NEC during the period from 1977 to 1980 in the Neonatology Clinic and in the Paediatric Surgery Department University of Bologna. The most important data were as follows: a high percentage of full-term newborns, the apparently unfavourable action of artificial feeding, a little amount of infectious etiology, an absence of predisposing factors in more than half the cases, an uniform symptomatology in a lot of patients with adverse evolution in the cases of secondary colic stenosis. The mortality was 33 percent, specially among the small for gestational age infants. The surgical therapy during four years period was modified technically, i.e. there was an orientation towards conservative surgery. The final surgical operation has recently been made right after the fourth month from the acute crisis as it has recently been demonstrated that secondary stenosis always occurs during this period of time. Long - term follow - ups showed: completely satisfactory progress in patients treated only with medical therapy, particularly unfavourable evolution in patients after a more demolishing - type of operation (resectioning of the last ansa of ileum and ileum - caecum valve), considerable improvement in auxological and nutritional parameters also in the latter cases after the final surgical operation.

Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous↗

Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in rheumatoid arthritis: correlation with clinical and immunological parameters and with the response to auranofin treatment.

OBJECTIVE: 38 untreated patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied to evaluate the relationship between serum sIL-2R levels and laboratory and clinical indexes of disease activity and circulating lymphocyte subpopulations. Furthermore, we serially analyzed the correlation between the clinical response to oral gold (Auranofin) treatment and serum sIL-2R levels in 28 RA patients. METHODS: Patients received a complete rheumatological examination at entry and every 3 months during the study. A complete biochemical analysis was executed every month. Serum sIL-2R levels were evaluated before entering and at the 3rd and 6th month by ELISA: Phenotype analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed by a two-color technique using the association of specific monoclonal antibodies. Samples were analyzed by a FACS-scan 440 cytofluorimeter with a single Argonion laser. RESULTS: Serum sIL-2R were significantly higher in RA patients than in controls and had a significant negative correlation with disease duration and a positive correlation with serum IgG and C3 levels. A significant positive correlation was found between serum sIL-2R levels and circulating CD3 + HLADR+, CD3-HLADR+ and CD20 + CD5-cells. After 6 months of auranofin therapy no differences in serum sIL-2R in comparison with basal levels were found in either responders or in non-responders. CONCLUSION: Serum sIL-2R level is not a good index of activity in RA patients and is not a useful marker of response to AU therapy.

Administration, Oral↗

[Posterosuperior glenoid rim impingement in athletes: the diagnostic value of traditional radiology and magnetic resonance].

First described by Walch in 1991, the posterosuperior glenoid rim impingement syndrome is a major condition in the differential diagnosis of shoulder pain occurring in the athletes engaged in repetitive and loading movements of abduction and extra-rotation of the dominant upper limb. Thirty-eight athletes with these dynamic athletic characteristics, referred for unexplained shoulder pain and with a clinical diagnosis of posterosuperior glenoid rim impingement syndrome, underwent radiography and MR examinations, with excellent final results. Radiography was capable of depicting the abnormal skeletal features of this kind of impingement, thus allowing a preliminary diagnosis to be made. MRI excelled in diagnosing the lesions in the deep surface of the supraspinatus tendon and in the posterior labrum secondary to impingement. The static and the kinematic sequences with the arm in abduction and extrarotation proved to be the best ones to define the physiopathologic phases of impingement. Thus, we conclude that invasive diagnostic procedures are not necessary for the correct and unquestionable diagnosis of posterosuperior glenoid rim impingement syndrome.

Adolescent↗

[A case of multiple intestinal perforations due to TBC in a female patient with HIV-1 infection].

The authors report a case of HIV-1 infection, primary miliary tuberculosis of the lung and secondary intestinal tuberculosis complicated with multiple intestinal perforations. The surgical emergency therapy, supported by specific antitubercular drugs, antibiotics, and total parenteral nutrition, consisted in suturing seven perforative sites of the small and large intestine. The Authors stress the possibility that in the future tubercular complications up till now considered atypical may become more and more frequent because of the HIV-1 infection association.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Further characterization of autonomic involvement in multiple system atrophy: a pupillometric study.

Pupillometry is a simple non-invasive technique which allows early detection of an altered functioning of both branches of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). In the present study, the pupillometric findings (dark and light diameters and light reflex) obtained in 14 Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) patients (5 with the striatonigral degeneration (SND) type and 9 with the olivopontocerebellar (OPCA) type were compared with those of a sex- and age-matched control group and with a group patients suffering from idiopathic parkinsonism who had never undergone treatment previously. MSA patients showed larger pupils after dark and light adaptation, high degrees of anisocoria after light adaptation and a complex impairment of pupil response to light (mainly occurring in the OPCA-type of MSA) represented by an increase in latency, contraction time and a reduction in contraction amplitude. These data point to the existence in MSA (particularly of OPCA-type) of a pupillary imbalance, mainly involving the parasympathetic branch of the ANS, which is likely to be due to an impairment of the central pathways subserving pupil response to light and is probably detectable in the early stages of the disease by means of dynamic pupillometric evaluation.

Adult↗

Reciprocal trophic interactions in the adult climbing fibre-Purkinje cell system.

This article reviews a series of experiments aimed at investigating the reciprocal trophic interactions which regulate the normal morphofunctional features and the plasticity of the adult rodent climbing fibre-Purkinje cell system. Climbing fibre deprivation induces profound functional and structural changes in the Purkinje cell. Among others, proximal Purkinje cells dendrites become studded with numerous newly formed spines some of which are innervated by parallel fibres. These structural modifications are reversed if the Purkinje cell is reinnervated by another climbing fibre. These results indicate that the olivocerebellar input inhibits spinogenesis on proximal Purkinje cell dendrites and prevents other afferents from invading its own target domain. It is proposed that the normal distribution of synapses on the Purkinje cell dendritic tree is controlled by the interplay between climbing and parallel fibre influences on Purkinje cell dendrites. Following Purkinje cell death, the distal climbing fibre branches are withdrawn. This atrophy progresses according to the time and mode of Purkinje cell degeneration and it is reversed if the climbing fibre is provided with a new target Purkinje cell. In addition, sprouting from intact climbing fibres and collateral reinnervation of Purkinje cells can be obtained by both subtotal inferior olive lesions and transplantation of embryonic cerebellar tissue on the surface of the adult cerebellum. These results indicate that specific signals produced by non-innervated Purkinje cells are responsible for inducing and guiding climbing fibre sprouting. By contrast, contact cues would be necessary for the formation and the maintenance of terminal arbour branches and synapses. It is suggested that these interactions which control the structural plasticity following lesion or transplantation also operate during the fine structural remodelling underlying the functional plasticity in the intact cerebellar cortex.

Animals↗

Pooled human immunoglobulins contain anti-idiotypes with reactivity against the SLE-associated 4B4 cross-reactive idiotype.

OBJECTIVE: To identify anti-idiotype antibody activity against a regulatory anti-Sm idiotype (4B4) in pooled human IgG (IVIG). METHODS: ELISA were used to determine anti-idiotype antibody activity in IVIG. RESULTS: Anti-idiotype antibody activity to 4B4 was detected in IVIG. The anti-idiotypic activity in IVIG could be inhibited by antigen, Sm, and rabbit anti-idiotypic antiserum. The idiotypic binding activity was predominately directed against the 4B4 VH region. CONCLUSION: IVIG contains antibodies against a lupus-associated crossreactive idiotype. These antibodies represent Ab2 beta type antibodies. The anti-idiotypic activity in IVIG may be relevant to the efficacious use of IVIG in treating rheumatic diseases.

Animals↗

Lisuride and bromocryptine in L-Dopa stable-responder parkinsonian patients: a comparative, double-blind evaluation of cardiopressor and neurochemical effects.

In this study, we compared the haemodynamic and biochemical effects of bromocryptine to those of lisuride, in L-Dopa stable responder parkinsonian (PD) patients. Nineteen PD patients were admitted to the study. A double-blind, parallel group, randomized study was performed. Patients were randomly chosen to receive lisuride or bromoryptine. Both drugs were administered in increasing dosages until a maximum of either 0.6 mg lisuride or 7.5 mg bromocryptine was reached. The following tests were carried out: periprandial study, tilt table test and cardiovascular tests (sustained handgrip test, deep-breathing, lying-to-standing and Valsalva manoeuvre). During the tests, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were monitored with an automatic sphyngomanometer. Blood samples for catecholamine assay were taken during tilt table test. In basal conditions 70% of the randomly chosen men in the bromocryptine group showed significant orthostatic hypotension (OH), while only one subject in the lisuride group demonstrated comparable OH values. The deepest derangement of orthostatic regulation was observed in the lisuride group but it should not be attributed to the greater hypotensive effects of this drug. Infact, the cardiopressor effects of bromocryptine may well be "masked" by the alteration detected in baseline conditions. Only bromocryptine significantly reduced supine and orthostatic NE plasma levels on the 14th day of therapy. Neither bromocryptine nor lisuride significantly altered periprandial blood pressure values. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that lisuride and bromocryptine are well tolerated as far as the analysis of the development of hypotensive effects is concerned. Further, more sophisticated study, with other agents that block the peripheral and/or central effects of dopamine-agonists in PD patients should be conducted in order better to define the precise role of these types of agents and the potential cardiopressor risks in these subjects.

Aged↗

Hemophilus influenzae type b meningitis: pediatric overview.

The authors valued the incidence and clinical therapeutic aspects of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis in children. They report a retrospective study, in children, with diagnosis of acute purulent meningitis, from January 1982 to December 1994, aged between 1 month and 14 years. Particular attention was direct to Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis (20 cases). The incidence rate of Hib meningitis in the overall cases (89) was 22.47% (20), while among children younger than 5 years Hib was the most frequently pathogen isolated (20/58-34.47%). In 1/4 of cases, particularly in children younger than 1 years, exordium was aspecific and unclear. At admission culture and examination of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CFS) have been done. CFS was cultured on blood agar and chocolate plates. A latex agglutination test was used for rapid detection of the bacterial antigens. In some cases we looked for bacterial antigens in urine. 20% of children had complications and 10% had sequelae (1 years of follow-up). We didn't have any dead. Antibiotic treatment was principally with Ampicillin, Cephalosporin and Chloramphenicol. The results of this study confirm the Hib gravity and suggest that the administration of conjugate vaccine against Hib to all living in Italy is justified.

Adolescent↗

Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy: research on 2295 women in Rome and its province.

The authors report the data concerning 2295 women tested for toxoplasmosis immunodiagnosis, in the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases of "La Sapienza" University of Rome in the years 1993-1994. Four hundred eleven cases (17.9%) were positive for IgG only; 2 cases (0.1%) for IgM only; 15 cases (0.6%) for both IgG and IgM while 1867 cases (81.4%) were negative. 1668 women were pregnant. In this group 260 (15.6%) were positive for IgG only, 2 (0.1%) for IgM only, and 10 (10.6%) for both IgG and IgM; in one case there was a spontaneous absorption in the 10th week of pregnancy, in another case a still-birth in the 20th week with brain lesions; a child was born with phocomelia of the right arm and one with a clubfoot. While it is possible to explain the absorption and the still-birth with the toxoplasma infection, it is difficult to understand the causes of the abnormality of the limbs.

Adult↗

Ceramide glycanase from rat mammary tissues: inhibition by PPMP(D-/L-) and its probable role in signal transduction.

A ceramide glycanase (CGase activity has been characterized from lactating rat mammary tissue which cleaves the glycosidic bond between sphingosine and the glucose chain of a glycosphingolipid (GSL) thus liberating the intact oligosaccharide chain from a GSL. The majority (65%) of the hydrolase activity was detected in the supernatant fraction when the rat mammary tissue homogenate was centrifuged at 100,000 x g. Attempts to purify the enzyme indicated that the CGase protein is of hydrophobic nature as it binds to hydrophobic columns. The enzyme has been partially purified using hydrophobic columns in tandem. The partially purified protein was found to be immunoreactive to the antibody raised against the purified clam CGase. The immunostained band corresponded to a 64 kDa protein as also found with the clam enzyme. This immuno cross-reactivity indicated probable structural similarities between CGase proteins isolated from widely separated species in the evolutionary tree. The rat CGase was found to have a specific detergent requirement for optimal activity, and the pH optimum was found to be between 5 and 6. The enzyme activity is partially heat stable. It is not a divalent cation requiring enzyme; however, the activity is totally inhibited in the presence of mercury, indicative of a sulfhydryl group in the active site of the enzyme. The rat mammary CGase activity is inhibited in the presence of both D- and L-PPMP (1-phenyl-2-hexadecanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol. HCl), homologs of PDMP (1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol. HCl), a well-known inhibitor of GlcT-1 (Ceramide: UDP-Glc Glucosyltransferase), an enzyme in the glycolipid synthetic pathway. The inhibition seems to be of a competitive nature and the same type of inhibition is also observed with clam CGase. The CGase activity was found to be highest in lactating tissue compared to the activity found in either pregnant or post-lactating rat mammary tissues. Tissue survey indicated the presence of high levels of CGase in lactating rat liver, uterus, and ovary; moderate activity was detected in kidney and spleen. Both virgin and male rat mammary tissue also indicated a basic level of CGase activity. However, newborn spleen and mammary tissue showed a comparable level of activity to that found in lactating rat tissues. This report is mainly concerned with the characterization of CGase activity from a mammalian source and its importance in cellular processes.

Animals↗

Reimplantation of the upper limb after tear lesion: long-term results.

Reimplantation revascularization of the upper limb proximal to the elbow represents an absolute indication in specific conditions. In the young subject, in good general conditions with a clean amputation (guillotine-like caused by a circular saw), the limb preserved in ideal conditions, indications for reimplantation are supported by the expectations of good functional recovery. When amputation is due to avulsion tear the possibility of anatomical and functional success is influenced by the complexity of vascular and nervous lesions. Thus, indications for reimplantation must be made by carefully evaluating each individual case.

Adolescent↗