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Biomedical subjects

G Melillo

Publications and source records attributed to G Melillo.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Urinary neopterin and immunological features in patients with Kaposi's sarcoma.

We studied neopterin excretion levels and immunological features of 20 patients affected by Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), compared to 30 normal controls. Eighteen patients had the classic form of Kaposi's sarcoma (CKS), while two patients were anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive and affected by the epidemic form associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In CKS patients, a trend of an increase of neopterin levels with more advanced stages appeared from our data whereas a significant reduction in CD3+ and CD4+ lymphocytes subsets was observed already at early stages (P less than 0.01). CD8+ cells did not show significant variations. A significant increase in serum IgA immunoglobulins (P less than 0.05) was also observed. Comparative analysis of the two patients affected by AIDS/KS showed the profound deficit in T-cell immunity but also the prognostic value of neopterin monitoring. Furthermore these findings seem to confirm Kaposi's sarcoma as an 'opportunistic neoplasia' and indicate neopterin as a useful prognostic marker.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Synthesis and pharmacological screening of new phenylpiperazinepropane derivatives and their enantiomers.

Enantiomers of phenylpiperazinepropane-1,2-diol derivatives were synthesized with the purpose to obtain a better antitussive activity/sedative effect ratio. (S)-isomers showed better pharmacological profiles than (R)-isomers and corresponding racemates. Among the (S)-isomers, the unsubstituted compound, levodropropizine (S(-)-3-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propane-1,2-diol, DF 526), has the most favourable antitussive activity/sedative effect ratio and was selected for pharmaco-toxicological evaluation.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Antitussive properties of levodropropizine.

The antitussive activity of levodropropizine (S(-)-3-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propane-1,2-diol, DF 526), was evaluated in anaesthetized guinea-pigs and rabbits and in unanaesthetized guinea-pigs. Levodropropizine was shown to have good antitussive activity. Intravenously, it was 1/10 to 1/20 as active as codeine and comparable to dropropizine, from which it is derived, on mechanically and electrically induced coughing in rabbits and guinea-pigs. After oral administration to the guinea-pig the antitussive activity of levodropropizine was comparable with those of both dropropizine and codeine against coughing induced by irritant aerosols.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1988

General pharmacology of the new antitussive levodropropizine.

The general pharmacological profile of levodropropizine (S(-)3-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propane-1,2-diol, DF 526), a new antitussive drug, was compared with that of dropropizine racemate. Levodropropizine had weaker central sedative effects than the racemate and it did not induce physical dependence in rats. When given intravenously or intraperitoneally, levodropropizine did not exert any significant effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Receptor binding data excluded interaction with beta-adrenergic, muscarinic and opiate receptors. On the contrary, levodropropizine has affinity for H1-histaminic and alpha-adrenergic receptors. The affinity was also confirmed with isolated organ preparations. On the basis of this study, levodropropizine appears to have a better tolerability index than the racemate.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1988

Safety and toxicological profile of the new antitussive levodropropizine.

Levodropropizine (S(-)-3-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propane-1,2-diol, DF 526), a new antitussive drug, was submitted to toxicological studies. Acute toxicity, both oral and intraperitoneal, in rats and mice and oral toxicity in guinea-pigs was low. Subchronic and chronic toxicity studies were performed in rats and dogs. For both species the maximum tolerated oral dosage was 24 mg/kg/d. Dose-related clinical signs were observed, consisting mainly in salivation in rats and sedation, peripheral vasodilatation and increased heart rate in dogs. Liver toxicity was found in both species at higher dosages. In rats, food intake and body weight gain were reduced. There were no effects on fertility, nor any teratogenic effects. Foetal and peri- and post-natal toxic effects were observed in rats only at 150 mg/kg/d. A set of mutagenicity tests yielded negative results. Therefore, levodropropizine is safe up to dosages 10 times greater than the one intended for clinical use and only slight adverse reactions were recorded at a dosage 30 times greater.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1986

Evaluation of non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity in different respiratory diseases.

Bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) has been observed in respiratory disorders other than asthma but asthmatics usually show BHR to differing degrees. The presence and degree of BHR in asthma was evaluated and compared with that in other respiratory disorders. High BHR was observed in asthma (84%, with no difference between atopics and non-atopics), recurrent or persistent cough (36%), laryngeal spasm (50%), Kartagener's syndrome (66%) and cystic fibrosis. BHR was low in patients with allergic rhinitis but no asthma and was absent in patients with unexplained dyspnoea (100%) and in healthy controls (91%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Ambroxol decreases bronchial hyperreactivity.

Ambroxol is a new compound which increases secretion of phosphatidylcholine by type II pneumocytes. The secretion of phosphatidylcholine could affect bronchial hyperreactivity in two ways: by increasing lysophosphatidylcholine turnover and/or by modifying the layer of bronchial secretion that covers airway receptors. To see whether ambroxol affects bronchial hyperreactivity, we carried out a double-blind cross-over study, evaluating the efficacy of this drug vs placebo in modifying methacholine PD20 in 11 asthmatic patients, 4 atopics and 7 non-atopics. 90 mg of ambroxol or placebo were randomly administered orally for one of two 14-day periods. Methacholine PD20 was evaluated before and after each treatment. A highly significant difference was demonstrated in the direct comparison between ambroxol and placebo as to their ability to modify mean metacholine PD20, which with ambroxol was more than double that with placebo. It was also seen that ambroxol induced a significant increase in baseline values of PD20, i.e. a significant decrease in bronchial hyperreactivity. Placebo did not do this.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Radiotherapy and combination chemotherapy with carmustine, vincristine, and procarbazine (BVP) in primary brain tumors.

26 patients with astrocytoma grade II-III, and 36 with malignant glioma (astrocytoma grade IV or glioblastoma) were submitted three days after surgery to a cycle of combination chemotherapy, including BCNU, VCR, PCZ (BVP). Eighteen days after surgery, patients received 40 Gy (astrocytoma grade II-III) or 45 Gy (malignant glioma) of megavoltage whole-brain irradiation, with an additional boost to the 'tumor' bed of 20 Gy, delivered in 6 weeks. Vincristine was injected weekly during radiotherapy. At the end of radiotherapy, patients received BVP every 6 weeks for at least 8 cycles or until a recurrence or progressive disease. Performance status of grade 1 or 2 was achieved in 15 (60%) and in 5 (20%), respectively, of patients with astrocytoma grade II-III after 6 months, and in 6 ps. (29%) and in 9 ps. (42%) after 12 months of follow-up. Only 2 (5.5%) and 18 (64%) patients with malignant glioma achieved a performance status of grade 1 or 2 after 6 months, and these proportions are 6% and 35%, respectively, after 12 months. After a 5-year follow-up, 59% of patients with astrocytoma are still alive, with a median survival time of 60+ months, whereas only 4% of patients with malignant glioma are alive, with a median of 11.2 months.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1984

Double-blind crossover study on the protective effect of fenoterol--administered by pressurized aerosol and in powder form--in allergen-induced asthma.

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of protection afforded by fenoterol (200 microgram), administered by pressurized aerosol, in allergen-induced bronchospasm and to compare its effect with that of the same drug administered at the same dosage in powder form. It was a double-blind crossover study on 14 patients with atopic asthma. The administration of the drug took place at weekly intervals according to an appropriate randomized schedule. The sensitizing allergen was inhaled 30 min after the administration of the drug. Parameters of the respiratory function were controlled at fixed intervals over a 2-hour period. The study showed that both fenoterol formulations possess a protective effect in allergen-induced bronchospasm. No statistically significant difference between the two types of drug preparation (pressurized aerosol and powder form) was observed regarding the individual measuring times. In an overall evaluation, statistically significant differences between dry powder and pressurized aerosol have been observed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Mold allergy: a three year investigation (1980-1982) of the airborne fungal spores in Naples, Italy.

The purpose of the study was to examine the seasonal changes of the most important anemophilous species of molds, mainly those of allergenic interest. A spore-mold calendar for Naples, Italy was developed by continuous sampling over a 3-year period (January 1980-December 1982). The results reveal the climatic conditions are favorable for the growth of some fungi with dry spores in Naples and very high atmospheric concentrations of mold spores are to be found in summer months, particularly those of Cladosporium. Allergic sensitization with skin test reactivity and clinical signs of sensitivity to inhaled fungal spores is nevertheless found infrequently and generally not correlated with the seasonal patterns of presence of the spore molds in the atmosphere.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1983

A study on airborne allergenic pollen content of the atmosphere of Naples.

In this paper we describe the results of volumetric sampling of the airborne allergenic pollen content of the Naples atmosphere. These studies have been carried out continuously since 1 May 1979 until 31 December 1981 utilizing a Burkard volumetric spore trap. We found that the most important allergenic pollen in Naples air is Parietaria, with a very long-lasting period of pollination occurring from March to November. After Parietaria, Gramineae play an allergenic role frequently in association with the pollen of Olea, which is the most important pollen of all the trees in this area. In the summer/autumn seasons we observed in this area the pollination of mugwort (the unique plant of the Compositae) which was found to be of allergenic importance in Naples.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Evaluation of protective effect of fenoterol in allergen-induced bronchospasm.

The purpose of this study was to determine the intensity and duration of the protective effect of fenoterol (200 micrograms) in allergen-induced bronchospasm and to compare its effect with that of DSCG (20 mg). Twelve atopic-asthmatic patients, with ages ranging from 10 to 41 years, participated in the study. At the time of the study their symptoms were well controlled without the use of anti-asthmatic drugs and their FEV1 was greater than 80% of predicted and did not vary by more than 10% on each study day. The study was a double-blind cross over trial. Each drug was given separately at 1 week intervals according to an appropriate random plan. During the treatment the patients were given two puffs of metered dose aerosol and a capsule of inhalation powder. Each patient was given aerosol with test drug and placebo aerosol alternately, according to the double-blind method. The allergen was given 90 min after the administration of the drugs, and parameters of the respiratory function were controlled over a period of 6 h. Subsequently, the protective effect of 200 micrograms fenoterol administered 4 h before the allergen was studied openly, and showed that fenoterol possesses a protective effect in allergen-induced bronchospasm. This effect, although slightly reduced, persists even when the allergen is administered 4 h later.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Immunological effects induced by biological natural aerosols (pollen and spores).

Pollen and spores are natural biological aerosols, mostly wind transported. Most of them are deposited within the upper respiratory tract. Only such particles with a diameter from 0,5-5 mu are believed to reach the alveoli. Most pollen do not deposit into the lower airways because their diameter is larger than 10 mu. Therefore, the mechanism of pollen induced asthma seems to be obscure. This phenomenon might be explained by some hypotheses. It could be possible that particles produced as natural biological aerosols with a size distribution smaller than pollens cause the asthma. Another version explaining the pollen induced asthma may arise from the fact, that pollen grains pass the digestive tract and involve the lung via bloodstream. In view of the fact that reflex action releases a bronchoconstriction has led to the conclusion that pollen grains contracted the mucosa of the upper airways induce the obstruction of the bronchi.

Aerosols↗