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Biomedical subjects

G Damia

Publications and source records attributed to G Damia.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Cisplatinum and taxol induce different patterns of p53 phosphorylation.

Posttranslational modifications of p53 induced by two widely used anticancer agents, cisplatinum (DDP) and taxol were investigated in two human cancer cell lines. Although both drugs were able to induce phosphorylation at serine 20 (Ser20), only DDP treatment induced p53 phosphorylation at serine 15 (Ser15). Moreover, both drug treatments were able to increase p53 levels and consequently the transcription of waf1 and mdm-2 genes, although DDP treatment resulted in a stronger inducer of both genes. Using two ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) cell lines, the role of ATM in drug-induced p53 phosphorylations was investigated. No differences in drug-induced p53 phosphorylation could be observed, indicating that ATM is not the kinase involved in these phosphorylation events. In addition, inhibition of DNA-dependent protein kinase activity by wortmannin did not abolish p53 phosphorylation at Ser15 and Ser20, again indicating that DNA-PK is unlikely to be the kinase involved. After both taxol and DDP treatments, an activation of hCHK2 was found and this is likely to be responsible for phosphorylation at Ser20. In contrast, only DDP was able to activate ATR, which is the candidate kinase for phosphorylation of Ser15 by this drug. This data clearly suggests that differential mechanisms are involved in phosphorylation and activation of p53 depending on the drug type.

Androstadienes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Net protein utilization during total parenteral nutrition of injured critically ill patients: an original approach.

Traumatized critically ill patients with either a moderate or severe catabolic response were studied. Patients were randomly allocated to receive an intravenous solution which was either protein-free or contained protein and hypertonic glucose. The overall energy intake in both groups was equivalent to each patient's daily requirement. In both the moderately catabolic and severely catabolic patients the urinary nitrogen loss with the protein-free solution was negatively correlated to the energy intake/energy need ratio (p less than 0.01, moderate catabolism; p less than 0.001, severe catabolism). The ratio of energy intake/energy need was correlated with the nitrogen loss. From the resultant straight line, the obligatory nitrogen loss was determined for those patients receiving the protein containing solution (test diet). The net protein utilization was subsequently calculated using this value of the obligatory nitrogen loss. The net protein utilization was inversely correlated with the severity of trauma. It was significantly (p less than 0.005) greater in the patients with a moderate catabolic response. In the acute postinjury phase, the net protein utilization of infused amino acids was similar to that for protein fed orally to normal healthy subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tumour levels of O6-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase and sensitivity to BCNU of human xenografts.

Tumour levels of O6-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase (O6 AT) and glutathione content (GSH) were correlated with 1, 3-Bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) sensitivity in two human ovarian cancer xenografts (HOC8 and HOC18) and in two human glioblastoma xenografts (HG12 and HG15). HOC8 and HOC18, which were not responsive to BCNU treatment, showed O6 AT levels 14 and 23-fold higher than HG12 that was moderately sensitive to the same BCNU treatment. HG15, which was more sensitive to BCNU than HG12, showed significantly lower O6 AT levels. GSH levels were similar in all tumor xenografts. These data further stress the importance of O6 AT level as a relevant parameter for nitrosourea response in human tumours.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Single lung transplantation for emphysema. Lessons learned on the field. The Lung Transplant Group of the Ospedale Maggiore of Milan.

Emphysematous patients that were once treated with double lung transplantation can now also be treated with single lung transplantation. However, single lung transplantation in emphysematous patients presents problems in lung size matching, choice of side to transplant and post-operative assistance. Analysing their own experience of three single lung transplants performed on emphysematous patients, the Authors evaluate the effectiveness of the operation, the results and the difficulties encountered. Single lung transplantation is a good therapeutic option for end-stage emphysematous patients. In these patients right lung transplantation is preferable and the donor organ should be oversized. Positive and expiratory pressure in the native emphysematous lung should be applied with extreme caution.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pedodontic sedation as an alternative to general anesthesia in "intractable" children].

Some particular strategies to face the treatment of fearful children are discussed. The Authors show both psychological and pharmacological techniques (especially conscious sedation with N2O/O2), very useful to know the patient better and to start a good relation with the dentist, avoiding any possible negative reaction as well.

Anesthesia, Dental↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Flavone acetic acid pharmacokinetics in nude mice.

The pharmacokinetics of flavone acetic acid (FAA) were comparatively studied in Balb-c mice and in immunocompetent nude mice treated with i.v. doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg. In both strains of mice, FAA kinetics appear to be dose-dependent, since the AUC values increased disproportionally to the dose. FAA protein binding and the pattern of distribution were similar in Balb-c and nude mice, the highest drug concentrations being found in liver and small intestine and the lowest in brain. Renal excretion appears to be the major route of FAA elimination in both strains, accounting for about 75% of the total drug administered after a dose of 100 mg/kg and 50-60% after a dose of 300 mg/kg. We conclude that FAA pharmacokinetics are comparable in Balb-c and nude mice so that the previously investigated FAA dosage schedules in inbred mice can also be employed in nude mice bearing human tumors.

Animals↗