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Biomedical subjects

G Airoldi

Publications and source records attributed to G Airoldi.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Heart involvement in anorexia nervosa: an electrocardiographic, functional and morphological study].

Mental anorexia (MA) is the most frequent condition of malnutrition in industrialized countries. Sudden death in MA is not infrequent. Furthermore, the role of nutritional state as an important determinant of myocardial function is known. Cardiovascular function was studied in 9 patients with MA. Blood electrolytes and thyroid function were assessed, basal and dynamic ECG, chest roentgenogram, M-mode echocardiography, ergometric test, cardiac output measurement and, in two cases, magnetic nuclear resonance (MNR) were performed. Our data confirm the ECG changes which were preeminent in the clinical context, as predictors of possible major, life-threatening arrhythmic events. The correct QT interval was normal in all patients. In 4 cases with heart rate less than 40 b/min, Holter ECG showed ventricular and atrial extrasystolic beats. In one case S-A blocks with idioventricular substitutive beats were recorded; the normal performance under maximal strain stands for a normal functional reserve. Blood electrolytes were in the normal range. The hypothalamic-pituitary axis can be considered as a cocausal factor by means of autonomic nervous system modulations. Echocardiography revealed only a mild reduction of ventricular wall thickness. Scattered degenerative myocardial involvement as shown by MNR imaging, could be the anatomical counterpart of a clinically emerging cardiomyopathy with potentially severe arrhythmias.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Variability of the response to recombinant human erythropoietin in patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment].

The paper assesses the existence of possible interference between dialysis and the response to human recombinant erythropoietin administered i.v. in a group of patients undergoing regular dialysis. The results obtained show that the time taken to reach the set hemoglobin target (Hb 10 g%) was shorter in hemodiafiltered (HDF) patients compared to those receiving bicarbonate dialysis (BD). A plausible explantation may be the different depurative characteristics and the greater degree of biocompatibility of alternative dialysis which is able to achieve a more rapid cellular response to pharmacological stimulation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Lipoprotein (a)].

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a high molecular weight plasma protein structurally related to low density lipoprotein (LDL), but with distinct metabolic and biologic features. Six different isotypes may be found among the general population; they are inherited as a codominant autosomic monogenic trait. Lp(a) levels in the blood are strictly conditioned by the isotype and much less, if at all, by other environmental or metabolic factors. The Lp(a) catabolic rate is very similar among different individuals and comes from the balance of two complementary pathways: uptake from blood by tissue cells via LDL-receptors, and non-receptor macrophagic internalization at the level of the reticulo-endothelial system. Its high content in lysolecithins and cholesterol, and the close structural similarity of its peptidic component to plasminogen, make Lp(a) a crucial "meeting point" of two main physiopathologic elements of atherogenesis:lipoprotein metabolism and fibrinolysis. This particular role would seem to explain the experimental finding of a close relation between Lp(a) plasmatic levels and the severity of atheromatous processes. Deep understanding of Lp(a) physiopathology is therefore expected to be a powerful tool for the creation of a comprehensive and practical model of atherogenesis and to enable us to deal with prognostic, preventive and therapeutic problems in this field from a new view point.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[High-efficiency membranes and the dialysis solution].

During this work through the total bacterial count and of the pseudomonas and the determination of the positive substances to Limulus Amebocyte Lysate test, bacterial pollution of the liquid bicarbonate concentrate has been determined together with the influence that preparation conditions and the entity of interval between the said preparation and utilization of concentrates have on it. Through the evaluation of the cardiac rate and the systemic arterial pressure, we have studied the influence of the bacterial pollution on the clinical of the patient. Analysing the obtained data we can point out that the liquid bicarbonate concentrate present an elevated degree of contamination which feels the effects of the production and storage procedures. The remark of inverse correlation between systemic arterial pressure and endotoxin level of the dialysate seems to reconfirm the importance of the bacterial contamination on the clinical of the patient.

Bacteria↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reliability of immunoassays for anti-HCV antibodies (ELISA and RIBA II) in patients with essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC).

The recent reports of a very high frequency of signs of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients with essential mixed cryoglobulins (EMC) suggest new hypotheses for the pathogenesis of this disease. However, most of these studies have been seriously criticized. The serologic test designed for detection of anti-HCV antibodies (ELISA, RIBA I and II) may yield a significant rate of false-positive results when performed on cryoglobulinemic sera, and the detection of the HCV genome by PCR is still heavily conditioned by practical problems. Indirect, but possibly more reliable, evidence of HCV infection in cryoglobulinemic patients might come from the demonstration of anti-HCV antibodies by a conventional technique (ELISA or RIBA) in the purified polyclonal non-rheumatoid immunoglobulinemic fraction excreted in the urine by glomerular filtration. Fifty-two patients whose serum had tested positive for HCV antibodies (by ELISA and RIBA) on multiple occasions were enrolled in this study. They were diagnosed as having either EMC or HCV chronic hepatitis without cryoglobulinemia at least one year ago. The urine samples of these patients were tested for anti-HCV antibodies by ELISA and RIBA. In patients with chronic C hepatitis the antibodies most frequently found in the serum were anti-C33c and anti-C22-3. The results of the RIBA were substantially confirmed by ELISA, with a positive test in the urine of 30 of 32 seropositive patients. Similar results were obtained in patients with EMC II. We conclude that the specificity of the RIBA and ELISA tests for HCV antibodies in patients with EMC appears to be as high as in HCV+ patients without serum cryoglobulins. EMC patients have a high incidence of HCV infection and active chronic liver disease.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of plasma exchange in a patient with prolonged deep coma from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

The clinical, laboratory and instrumental data of a patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are reported in detail, with reference to an articulated therapeutic regimen including plasma exchange, high-dose methylprednisolone and dipiridamole. Particular emphasis is placed on the dramatic improvement obtained with this treatment despite a very delayed diagnosis and prolonged, severe neurological involvement. A short discussion and review of the literature concerning the role of plasma-exchange in the treatment of TTP is reported.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Parenchymal renal involvement in three cases of non-Hodgkin lymphomas: clinical and pathological features.

Parenchymal neoplastic invasion of the kidneys is a common postmortem finding in patients who have died from advanced non Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). However, it rarely causes major clinical consequences, such as impairment of glomerular and tubular function, acute or rapidly progressive renal failure. Renal involvement is even less frequent as a first manifestation of NHL, the so-called "primary" renal lymphoma. A review of the main clinical, diagnostic and pathological aspects of three cases observed in our division is presented here.

Acute Kidney Injury↗