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Biomedical subjects

G Longo

Publications and source records attributed to G Longo.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Individualization of Factor VIII dosage.

The usefulness of a calculator programme that enables individualization of the dosage of Factor VIII, based on the concentration-time data measured after a test-dose, was assessed. The programme was tested in 12 haemophiliacs who required multiple-dose treatment with Factor VIII. Individual kinetic parameters were estimated in each patient from the plasma level data following the test-dose. Then, each patient received the multiple dose treatment with Factor VIII according to the dosage regimen suggested by the calculator programme. The time-curve of Factor VIII plasma levels at steady state was predicted by using the kinetic variables previously estimated. The plasma levels of Factor VIII were measured in all patients at steady state. As a result, good agreement between predicted and measured steady state concentrations was observed (r2 = 0.9797; P less than 0.001). The calculator programme tested in the present study appears to be a useful tool for individualizing the dosage regimen of Factor VIII in haemophiliacs.

Adolescent↗

Delta agent infection in acute hepatitis and chronic HBsAg carriers with and without liver disease.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease in southern Italy. In the same area superinfection with the delta agent is endemic. To assess the prevalence of delta infection in a large population of patients with acute and chronic HBV related liver disease and to look for differential features among delta infected and uninfected subjects sera from 592 consecutive HBsAg positive patients were tested for the delta/anti-delta system by RIA. In no case was delta Ag found in serum. The prevalence of anti-delta was low in acute hepatitis (6.6%) and in asymptomatic carriers (6.4%) but raised in chronic active hepatitis with or without cirrhosis (52.3%). A decrease in frequency of anti-delta was seen in inactive cirrhosis (38.8%) and in hepatocellular carcinoma (11.9%). A younger mean age of delta-infected subjects was observed in each type of chronic liver disease. Our data confirm that delta agent superinfection is definitely associated with severe chronic active liver disease. The difference in age between anti-delta positive and negative patients suggests that delta infection accelerates the natural history of HBV related liver disease.

Acute Disease↗

A calculator program for individualizing factor VIII dosage.

We developed a calculator program to individualize Factor VIII dosage on the basis of the concentration-time data obtained after a single test-dose. The program is designed for the Hewlett-Packard 41-CV calculator. The calculation procedure is the 1977 version of the Sawchuk and Zaske method. The program performs model parameter estimation through a nonlinear iterative least-squares technique (the modified Gauss-Newton method). We tested our program in three patients with classic hemophilia who required multiple-dose treatment with Factor VIII. In each patient, individual kinetic parameters were estimated from the serial plasma levels measured after the test-dose. The predicted concentration-time curve resulting from all the administered doses was calculated based on the estimated kinetic parameters. Good agreement between predicted and measured levels during the multiple-dose regimen was observed in all patients.

Computers↗

[Proglumetacin: a simple and practical anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of hospitalized orthopedic patients].

Forty-six in-patients with osteoarticular and tendon inflammatory, traumatic, degenerative and neoplastic diseases were treated with 600 mg/day of proglumetacin for variable periods ranging between 16 and 60 days. Therapeutic efficacy was considerable, with a significant improvement of all symptoms, regardless of the disease condition the patients were suffering from. Tolerance resulted more than satisfactory, as in no case it was rated less than "good".

Adolescent↗

Circulating immune complexes in haemophilia and von Willebrand's disease.

Sera from 63 patients with haemophilia A, 21 with haemophilia B and 29 with von Willebrand's disease were screened for the presence of circulating immune complexes (CICs), serological markers of hepatitis A and B virus, autoantibodies and factor VIII or factor IX inhibitors. CICs were detected by the 125J Clq binding assay (ClqBA), the solid phase conglutinin assay (KgBSP) and the solid phase Clq assay (ClqSP). The incidence of CICs detected by the ClqBA and the ClqSP methods in haemophiliacs and in von Willebrand patients was higher than that observed in normal subjects, while the prevalence of CICs detected by the KgBSP method was not. The presence of CICs was not correlated with patient age, severity of disease, presence of hepatitis B virus serological markers, abnormal liver function tests or factor VIII inhibitors. A significant connection was demonstrated between CICs detected by the ClqBA method and replacement therapy when the dose administered over 1 year was over 20 000 U of factor VIII or IX concentrates. The high proportion of CICs in von Willebrand's disease, not connected with the replacement therapy or the presence of serological markers of hepatitis virus, is in agreement with the possibility that immune complexes may be related to the disease itself and independent, at least in part, of exogenous agents.

Adolescent↗

[Nipple discharge].

The Authors examine the various types of breast discharge concentrating in particular on the secretions due to inherent pathology. After having studied origin, they concentrate on the diagnostic significance and the limits of exfoliative cytology and contrast mammography. The Authors conclude by presenting an original protocol of treatment of the afflicted breast illustrating in addition, the various surgical techniques proposed for the cure of the sicknesses of intramammary origin that cause abnormal discharge.

Adult↗

Reaginic hypersensitivity to cow's milk proteins.

Seven cases of infants presenting an anaphylactic reaction at their first cow's milk or formula feeding after a period of exclusive breast feeding are reported. Laboratory data are consistent in all cases with an IgE-mediated pathogenetic mechanism. All infants received cow's milk at nursery. The importance of avoiding this practice, by the nursery teams is emphasized, and the unusual close correspondence of clinical and laboratory data is discussed.

Anaphylaxis↗