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Biomedical subjects

F Serra

Publications and source records attributed to F Serra.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Influence of diet and obesity on placental amino acid enzyme activities in the rat.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of dietary obesity and acute starvation on the activity of placental enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism. Twenty-four hours starvation caused a significant fall (10%) in the foetal weight in rats fed standard diet, and this was associated with only modest changes in amino acid enzyme activities. In contrast, in obese rats, foetal weight was unaffected by acute starvation, and was accompanied by a reduced adenylate deaminase activity (24%) and lower ammonia concentrations (50%) in placentae of obese rats after 24h starvation. Thus obesity may confer a protective effect on the foetus growth during acute starvation of diminishing amino acid utilization.

AMP Deaminase↗
PubMed1990

[Neurogenic deformities of the foot due to congenital malformations of the lumbosacral spine. Their clinical and therapeutic characteristics].

The authors illustrate the different types of nervous disorders of the foot caused by congenital deformations of the lumbosacral spine. They classify these clinical forms according to the level of the neurological lesions, although emphasizing that more complex neurological damage may cause very atypical deformities that are difficult to classify. Today the treatment of nervous disorders of the foot caused by congenital deformations of the lumbosacral spine seems almost promising when compared to neurological and urological problems which have therapeutic priority. Possible methods of surgical correction, as well as indications that differ according to the age of the patient and the type and extent of the deformity, are discussed. These deformities of the foot evolve very quickly; treatment must be timely or reduction is difficult. Furthermore, their peculiar tendency to relapse necessitates periodic comprehensive follow-up exams and regular maintenance therapy (orthetic and physiatric). Special care must be taken before and during treatment to prevent trophic skin lesions. For this reason, solutions other than casts (external fixation, for example) may be preferable for the maintenance of the correction. The treatment of these deformities, whether conservative or surgical, should aim primarily to achieve adequate plantar support for future aided or autonomous ambulation.

Foot↗
PubMed1990

[Apert's syndrome: the clinico-radiographic picture].

Apert's syndrome is a rare malformation (dysostosis), probably of a hereditary nature. It is characterised by craniostenosis, caused by synostosis of the coronal sutures, and by bilateral and symmetrical membranous syndactyly of the hands and feet, to which metacarpal, metatarsal and phalangeal synostoses are associated. Less frequent are dysplastic modifications in other osteo-articular regions and malformations of the viscerae. The authors expose and discuss the etiopathogenetic, clinical and radiographic aspects of this syndrome, in relation to three clinical cases which came to their observation.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗
PubMed1990

[Effect of CDP-choline on senile mental deterioration. Multicenter experience on 237 cases].

The efficacy of CDP-choline (1000 mg/die) administered for two 21-day treatment cycles, with a one-week wash-out period between them, was evaluated in out and in-patients suffering from mild to moderate brain aging. The study was performed on 237 fully evaluable patients with the use of the reduced geriatric scale of Plutchik and al., for clinical evaluation of the symptomatology. The clinical data obtained demonstrate that treatment with CDP-choline is able to determine an improvement of symptomatology since the 1st cycle of therapy (p less than 0.001), and a further improvement in the 2nd cycle (p less than 0.001). Particularly, the therapeutic effect of the 1st cycle is persistent in the intermediate wash-out period (suspension of treatment) with a further decrease, of symptomatology regarding some items of Plutchik's scale (p less than 0.01). Finally, treatment with CDP-choline 1000 mg/die for two 21-day cycles in 237 patients suffering from brain aging determined a statistically significant improvement of the cognitive and behavioural parameters taken into consideration: independence/autonomous life; human relations/social life; interest and attentive capacity; individual behaviour. Therefore citicoline is confirmed as a valid therapeutic remedy for the clinical, functional and social recovery of these patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1987

Amino-acid-enzyme activities in brown and white adipose tissues and in the liver of cafeteria rats. Effects of 24 hours starving.

Moderate obesity (17% excess body weight) was induced in female rats by offering a "cafeteria" diet during 82 days. The adaptive changes in five amino-acid-metabolism enzymes were determined in liver and white- and brown adipose tissues by comparison with chow fed controls both in the fed and 24-h starved states. Plasma urea levels were lower in the obese and the changes in enzymatic activities pointed to a lower rate of amino-acid metabolism in our dietary obesity group. The levels of activity of amino-acid-metabolism enzymes in brown adipose tissue were higher than in white adipose tissue and in most cases comparable to that of liver. The importance of amino acids as a fuel source in brown adipose tissue thermogenesis cannot be ruled out.

AMP Deaminase↗
PubMed1986

Bipalpebral sliding flap in the repair of inner or outer canthal defects.

Seven patients were successfully treated with a bipalpebral sliding flap for the repair of medial or lateral canthal defects. In our experience this technique minimises the size of the associated surgical repair-a skin graft for the inner canthus or a cheek rotation flap for the outer canthus.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Surgical revision of oriental eyelids.

A modified upper eyelid blepharoplasty to convert oriental to occidental-appearing eyelids is presented. The primary goal of the procedure is the creation of an eyelid crease. The recognition of the distinct anatomic features of the oriental eyelid permits the formation of a predictable and permanent eyelid crease. Satisfactory cosmetic results were produced in 14 eyelids. No complications were encountered.

Adipose Tissue↗