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Biomedical subjects

G C Morandini

Publications and source records attributed to G C Morandini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Intrapleural administration of recombinant interleukin-2 in non-small cell lung cancer with neoplastic pleural effusion.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of intrapleural administration of recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) for treatment of malignant pleural effusions. From May 1993 to May 1995, 21 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and cytologically documented malignant pleural effusion entered the study. After complete needle drainage of the effusion, a dose of 9 x 10(6) international units (IU) rhIL-2 was injected intracavitarily. The drug was injected on the first and second day each week for 3 weeks, in relation to the presence of effusion. Complete response (according to the criteria reported by Paladine st al.) was achieved in 7 of the 21 patients (33%), and partial response in 6 of the 21 patients (29%), with a median duration of 8 months (range 4-10 months). The treatment was well tolerated by all patients. Intracavitary administration of low-dose recombinant human interleukin-2 in malignant pleural effusion due to non-small cell lung cancer is an effective and well tolerated therapeutic strategy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Clinical and bronchoscopic features of endobronchial tuberculosis.

Clinical and bronchoscopic features of endobronchial tuberculosis were retrospectively investigated in 24 patients. A barking cough was the most frequent chief complaint in 50% of patients. The typical apico-subclavian localization of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults was found in only 50% of patients; in one patient the lung fields were clear. Bronchoscopic features consisted of exudative lesions in 38% of cases, ulcerative lesions in 25%, granulomatous lesions in 25%, and ulcerative-granulomatous tumour-like lesions in 12%. In 12% of patients, a residual fibrotic stenosis was seen. It was concluded from our data that patients whose cough is barking and resistant to antitussive agents should be evaluated for endobronchial tuberculosis, and, therefore, the use of fibreoptic bronchoscopy is mandatory. We also conclude that diagnosis of endobronchial tuberculosis demands the use of corticosteroid therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Vinorelbine monochemotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer: experience in patients with low performance status.

The aim of this study was to investigate the activity and safety of vinorelbine in patients with low performance status. From March 1992 to June 1993 we studied 14 untreated patients with Stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and a "performance status" lower than 70% of the Karnofsky score. Treatment was by means of an intravenous administration of vinorelbine (30 mg.m-2) repeated weekly. On the whole, the toxicity was mild. Of 150 cycles administered, we observed 10 cases of Grade 3 leucopenia and 4 cases of Grade 4 leucopenia. A peripheral neurotoxicity (Grade 2-3) was reported in two patients. The objective response rate was 36% partial response. Our data suggest that vinorelbine could be an active and safe treatment for those patients who cannot receive polychemotherapy because of low performance status, and justify further larger studies comparing vinorelbine, either as a single agent or in combination, to other analogues or to assess its efficacy in supportive care.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

COPD patients and mechanical ventilation with positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP).

Application of positive and expiratory pressure (PEEP) is widely used in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) due to adult respiratory distress syndrome. Recent studies have suggested that application of PEEP can be useful in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to reduce the mechanical inspiratory load due to intrinsic positive and expiratory pressure (PEEPi). In any ventilatory mode (controlled mechanical ventilation, assisted mechanical ventilation) and during weaning, application of moderate levels of PEEP replace in part PEEPi without adding to it and without significantly increasing lung volume.

Humans↗
PubMed1986

Recent advances of knowledge on the mechanism of action of drugs modifying the bronchial secretions.

In order to explain the mechanism of action of drugs modifying the bronchial secretions, their subdivision into agents with a direct or an indirect action seems justified: the former primarily modify already formed secretions, whilst the latter act on the bronchial structures originating mucus. In hypersecretive states with increased viscoelasticity of mucus, a widespread therapy is represented by the use of direct reducing drugs, which act by breaking the mucofibrillar network. Among them the most important are those with free sulphydryl groups (-SH), which can break the disulphide bonds of the bronchial secretions. The mechanism of action of substances such as acetylcysteine and tiopronin, that are included in those with a direct reducing action, was already verified by researches with the modified thrombo-elastograph (MTE) and has been recently confirmed by the present authors by employing a simple biochemical method, by which the action of such drugs on the structure of serum IgM can be studied in vitro. The same method permits the classification of carbocisteine and letosteine as amongst the drugs with indirect action. From the results obtained by such in vitro experiences, the necessity to examine more closely the consequences of secondary effects which direct mucolytic agents may cause by modifying the rheological, biochemical and immunological properties of bronchial secretions has been demonstrated.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1981

[Treatment of bronchial inflammatory disorders with guacetisal].

A comparative trial conducted on 48 male and 9 female patients suitably selected in terms of indication consisted of a first stage in which a completely random, doubleblind comparison was made between acetylsalicylic acid, guacetisal and guaiacol carbonate (preparations A, B, and C) while in the second stage an association of bromexine, acetylsalicylic acid and codeine phosphate (preparation D) was examined in terms of activity and tolerance in an open trial. Statistical analysis showed the superiority of preparation B with respect to most of the parameters taken into consideration.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1977

Use of a modified thromboelastograph to evaluate effects of acetylcysteine on sputum.

This work deals with a modification of a thromboelastograph which enables to measure both in vitro and in vivo effectiveness of mucolytic substances. A simple method is described for building up a comparative diagram of the effectiveness of several drugs; a diagram which is of interest from both a pharmacological and a clinical point of view.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed1976

A controlled trial of intermittent oral acetylcysteine in the long-term treatment of chronic bronchitis.

In 69 out-patients with chronic bronchitis in 6 centres the effects of acetylcysteine 600 mg daily, 3 days a week for 6 months, and a placebo have been compared in a double-blind controlled trial. Thirty-five patients were treated with the mucolytic and 34 with the dummy preparation. In the former the clinical course of the chronic bronchitis improved to a greater extent and a significantly lower number of exacerbations was observed. The advantages of long-term oral treatment with the mucolytic in chronic bronchitis suggest that it may be useful as an alternative to long-term antibiotic prophylaxis, or to complement brief courses of antibiotics, in addition to the usual physiotherapy.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed1976

Normal and pathological respiratory sounds analyzed by means of a new phonopneumographic apparatus.

A technique and an original apparatus for recording and displaying the sound levels emitted by human lungs during respiratory movements are described. By means of it a graphic recording of chest acoustics can be obtained. An analysis of the phonopneumographic findings shows clear differences between normal pathological readings, both in the level of the sounds and in their frequency content. Evidence is given of cases in which the physician can directly recognize the presence of special diseases. Beside this, FPGraphic representations are also useful for retaining evidence of findings which cannot be recorded by other methods, and for checking the natural evolution of a disease or its response to clinical treatments.

Humans↗