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Biomedical subjects

G Martini

Publications and source records attributed to G Martini.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[An autopsy study of patients who died at the Medical Clinic of the University of Siena from 1986 to 1989].

In the past twenty years autopsies are performed much less frequently in the elderly than in younger patients. The clinical diagnostic error rate documented by autopsy studies ranges from 6% to 68%. We analyzed the clinical and autopsy records of 214 patients who died from 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1989 at our Institute to determine the accuracy of clinical cause of death with respect to the pathologic cause of death. The most common cause of death were bronchopneumonia (25.2%) followed by gastroenteric and lung cancer (20%), cerebrovascular accident (15.8%), myocardial infarction (8%) and pulmonary embolism (7.4%). Pulmonary embolism was correctly classified only in 25% of patients. The most accurately diagnosed condition were neoplastic diseases (88%) and cerebrovascular accident (84.8%) while bronchopneumonia were correctly diagnosed antemortem in 72.2% of the patients studied. Our data suggest that advances in diagnostic technology have not reduced the value of the autopsy and that a goal-directed autopsy remains a vital component in the assurance of good medical care.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

The CpG island in the 5' region of the G6PD gene of man and mouse.

The nucleotide (nt) sequence of the entire CpG island in the 5' region of the human glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-encoding gene (G6PD) and of the corresponding region in mouse was determined. In comparison to the human gene, the 5' region of the mouse G6PD gene has highly reduced G + C and CpG dinucleotide content, but maintains the functional features of a CpG island, as it is differentially methylated on the active vs. the inactive X chromosome. In addition to the expected conservation of exons, nt sequence comparison showed that several boxes are highly conserved between the two species in the 5' flanking DNA and in the first intron. Moreover, the conservation of the position of most CpG dinucleotides in the promoter region and in one of the upstream boxes, at about -900, gives support to the hypothesis that, in each island, specific CpGs play a major role in the regulation of gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Comparison of total-body measurements by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and dual-photon absorptiometry.

Both dual-photon absorptiometry (DPA) using 153Gd and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) can be used for measurement of bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the total skeleton and its seven major regions. The short-term precision (coefficient of variation, CV) of DEXA for total-body BMD using the medium (20 minute) and fast (10 minute) speeds was 0.34 and 0.68% in 5 normal subjects; the corresponding CV in 5 osteoporotic females were 0.70 and 1.04%. The CV for BMD using DPA was 0.82% in 8 normal subjects and 0.70% in 12 osteoporotic patients. The CV for regional BMD using DPA was similar to fast-speed DEXA, without significant differences (p NS); precision with medium-speed DEXA was superior to DPA, and the differences were statistically significant (p less than 0.05) for head, spine, trunk, ribs, and pelvis. Total-body measurements using both DPA and DEXA were done on 99 subjects (84 females and 15 males). Significant correlations (r = 0.98; p less than 0.001) were found between DEXA and DPA measurements of both BMC and BMD. There were also significant correlations (r = 0.94-0.98; p less than 0.001) between DEXA and DPA measurements of anatomic regions (head, trunk, spine, pelvis, ribs, arms, and legs). DPA and DEXA results for BMD of total skeleton, ribs, pelvis, and legs were similar (p NS), and statistically significant differences were found in head, spine, and arm measurements (p less than 0.01, p less than 0.01, and p less than 0.05, respectively); regression equations allowed adjustment of DEXA values in patients already measured with the earlier DPA method.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1991

Antisecretory agents, peptic secretion and serum pepsinogen in man.

Less attention has been devoted to the effects of antisecretory agents on pepsin secretion than to those on gastric acid secretion, particularly in human subjects. Moreover, comparison of the various trials is far from being simple and straightforward owing to the fact that the studies available present substantial variability in terms of types of subjects (controls, DU patients), gastric secretion (basal, stimulated), type of stimulation (pentagastrin, histamine, insulin, meals, sham feeding) antisecretory drug administration route (oral, i.v.) and considered parameters (concentration, output). This review of the published data reveals that all antisecretory agents reduce pepsin output, regardless of their sometimes very different mechanism of action. Despite this, there are differences in antisecretory effects according to the agent used to stimulate gastric secretion. Even within a single drug class (H2-antagonists, prostaglandins) there may be differences depending on the potency of the compound used.

Anti-Ulcer Agents↗
PubMed1990

High levels of transcription driven by a 400 bp segment of the human G6PD promoter.

A 2850-base-pair-long DNA segment containing the transcriptional start site of the human X-linked gene coding for the housekeeping enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase has been fused to the reporter chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene. This fusion was introduced into three different mammalian cell lines (HepG2, CVI and HeLa). Strong expression was detected and transcription initiated at the natural start site. By deletion analysis, we determined that a 436 base pair region of this promoter is sufficient for full expression of the chimaeric construct and therefore the remainder of the CpC island surrounding the transcriptional start site and differentially methylated in the active and inactive X chromosome is not necessary for transcriptional activity in this assay. Further sequence deletions from -436 to -116 base pairs decrease the promoter-directed chloramphenicol acetyl transferase activity. Site-directed mutagenesis of a TATA-like sequence present in the G6PD promoter shows that this site is required for a correct start of transcription but not for determining the level of gene expression.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Magnetic fields in physical medicine. General and special criteria of application].

The influence of magnetic fields on living creatures has been studied, and the physical characteristics, biological effects (stimulating and analgesic) as well as therapeutic applications are described. In particular, the authors discuss: traumatic bone lesions, bone grafting and internal prostheses in orthopedic surgery, neurodystrophic lesions, painful musculo-articular syndromes, osteomyelitis, sluggish wounds, and peripheral nerve lesions.

Electromagnetic Fields↗
PubMed1990

[Problems and techniques of functional rehabilitation of upper limb stump].

The authors discuss problems and techniques of rehabilitation in subjects who have undergone upper limb amputation, as well as the requirements for good application of a prosthesis. Various types of prostheses are described: passive ones, those moved by the body and externally operated ones. The amputee undergoes three stages of rehabilitation: a general preparatory phase for maintenance of good joint function and muscle efficiency; a phase of specific rehabilitation with the help of electromyometry and an electronic training device for the use of the prosthesis, and finally individual and group exercises in laboratories with special facilities.

Amputation Stumps↗
PubMed1990

[Dynamic balance in the prevention of growth disorders].

The authors examine the characteristic of the standing position and the successive developmental phases of proprioceptive afferent stimuli which lead to the coordination of muscles responsible for the control of static and dynamic balance. Subsequently, they analyze pathological changes due to intrinsic factors which are likely to be involved in dysmorphisms of the spine, and to extrinsic factors such as those brought about by orthotic or surgical intervention on the spine. The authors conclude stressing the clinical and prognostic importance of global evaluation of kinetic alterations resulting from zonal changes in the entire complex of the locomotor system.

Growth Disorders↗
PubMed1990

[Sports in functional rehabilitation of the lumbar spine].

Having analyzed the biomechanics of the spine, especially of the lumbar spine, the authors describe postural lumbalgia, a very topical problem As a matter of fact, standing is not always actively maintained by the alpha-tonic system but by capsulo-ligamentous resistance. For the latter type of pathologic or "passive" orthostatic position, postural gymnastics according to Mézière's technique after thorough objective examination of the patient is the ideal treatment. But sports after postural reeducation are a valid means for the maintenance of muscular tonicity and trophism. The sports to be recommended should be non competitive and non traumatic such as walking, swimming, rowing, and other activities involving the muscles of the trunk and all four limbs.

Back Pain↗
PubMed1990

[Ofloxacin in prophylactic therapy of oral infections].

86 patients (46 females, 40 males; mean age 37 years) were divided into 2 groups: one group of 40 patients with acute infectious odontostomatitis, and another group of 46 patients going to have their oral cavity surgically operated. The first group was treated with 300 mg oral tablets of ofloxacin 12 hourly for 5 days, the second group with the same posology for 3 days, for prophylactic purposes. 54 cases (24 in the first group and 30 in the second one) had Fans drugs integrating antibiotic therapy. At the end of the antibiotic treatment the first group showed a complete abatement of symptoms in 16 cases, a significant improvement in 19 cases, and better clinical conditions in 5 cases. The second group, examined again 4 and 7 days after surgical intervention, showed the prophylactic antibiotic treatment beneficial in 30 cases after 4 days, and in 14 cases after 7 days; for 2 cases it was necessary to replace the antibiotic drug by other. Side effects in both groups (14 cases) were slight and did not cause any treatment interruption. Given these results and the good tolerability of the drug, we conclude that orally administered ofloxacin is a valid alternative to the parenteral drug for the treatment of infectious odontostomatitis and for prophylaxis after oral surgery.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

Long-term treatment with calcitriol in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

In order to assess the long-term effects of calcitriol treatment in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients, 1.0 micrograms/d of calcitriol was administered in two divided doses for 1 to 8 years to 270 women with symptomatic, histologically proven postmenopausal osteoporosis. No calcium supplementation was given. Clinically, the treatment resulted in substantial relief from pain, with improvement of ambulancy. Intestinal calcium absorption, which was lower than normal at baseline, increased significantly and remained higher than the baseline value as long as calcitriol was administered. Urinary calcium absorption also increased, but hypercalcemia occurred, exceptionally and transiently, in only a few patients. Urinary hydroxyproline excretion did not increase, indicating that hypercalciuria was not of resorptive origin. Total-body density, determined by dual-photon total-body absorptiometry in 56 patients, showed an increase after 18 to 24 months of therapy in most cases. The occurrence of nontraumatic, clinically relevant fractures decreased noticeably as compared with the period preceding calcitriol treatment. No change occurred in renal function, and no renal stones developed. Calcitriol was an effective and safe treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Diagnostic screening of varicocele: role of echography and Doppler examination in our experience with 216 cases of primary varicocele].

We compared two non-invasive methods to evaluate primary varicoceles: ultrasonography and Doppler examination. We submitted to ultrasonography and Doppler 216 patients, 147 of them were treated by sclerotherapy and 69 by surgery. All ultrasonographic studies were performed by means of a real-time equipment (7.5 Mhz transducer), while Doppler examination was performed with continuous wave equipment. Ultrasonographic findings are reliable for testicular morphology. Doppler examination is useful to evaluate reversed flow. In 4.1% of cases ultrasonography did not agree with the Doppler examination.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

[Dilated cardiomyopathy secondary to idiopathic hypoparathyroidism in adults. Description of a case].

The authors report the clinical history of a 56-year-old man with cardiomyopathy due to undiagnosed hypocalcemia. Heart dilation and hypokinesia were assessed by echocardiography. Cardiac failure was refractory to digitalis preparations and to diuretics. The restoration of serum calcium to normal levels obtained with adequate therapy dramatically improved the motion of ventricular walls and decreased the size of the left ventricle. The pathogenetic mechanisms of hypocalcemic cardiomyopathy are discussed and the importance of considering the possibility of hypocalcemia when dealing with the differential diagnosis of cardiomyopathies is underlined. In the presence of hypocalcemic cardiomyopathy, the correction of calcium deficiency with calcitriol is the treatment of choice.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗
PubMed1989

Functional expression of human glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in Escherichia coli.

The complete coding sequence for human glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) was inserted downstream from the tac promoter of a plasmid, pJF118EH, which also carries the lacIq repressor gene. When Escherichia coli strains (that are unable to grow on glucose due to the absence of functional zwf (G6PD-) and pgi genes) were transformed with this plasmid (pAC1), they were able to grow on glucose as sole carbon source. The rate of growth on glucose was faster in the presence of the inducer of the tac promoter, isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). Extracts of the transformed cells contained a G6PD activity that was not detectable in the parental strains and that was inducible by IPTG. The G6PD activities from normal E. coli and from pAC1-transformed cells comigrated with human G6PD when subjected to electrophoresis on agarose gels. However, when denatured, the G6PD produced by pAC1 was, like the human enzyme, distinguishable from the E. coli-encoded enzyme on the basis of its immunoreactivity with antibody specific for human G6PD. Therefore, human G6PD can be expressed in E. coli and can function to complement the bacterial enzyme deficiency.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Utilization of the superficial temporoparietal fascia in reconstructive plastic surgery. A clinical case.

Reconstruction of the orbit can at times be difficult when tumors of this region are resected. We describe a new surgical procedure to reconstruct the outer canthus of the orbital region, including lateral portions of the upper and lower lids. The techniques that were used until now are often limited in repairing this anatomical area, and the results we obtained with this case encourage us to utilize the superficial temporal fascia.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1988

Antimicrobial properties of peptides from Xenopus granular gland secretions.

Previously, we described a family of novel broad spectrum antimicrobial peptides, magainins, from the skin of Xenopus laevis. In this report we show that at least two other Xenopus peptides, present in the skin and its secretions, PGLa and a peptide released from the xenopsin precursor, exhibit antimicrobial properties comparable to the magainins. The identification of these newer members provides insight into the structural diversity of vertebrate antimicrobial peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Expression of the G6PD locus on the human X chromosome is associated with demethylation of three CpG islands within 100 kb of DNA.

We have previously reported that expression of the G6PD locus is correlated with the methylation status of two islands of CpG dinucleotides which are 3' to the locus and in the 5' region of two adjacent genes of unknown function, P3 and GdX. We have now examined the methylation of a third CpG island in the promoter region of the G6PD gene itself in DNA from males, females and reactivants that express G6PD on the inactive X chromosome. Our results show that expression of the G6PD gene is associated with concordant demethylation of all three CpG islands in this 100-kb region of DNA.

Animals↗