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Biomedical subjects

G Pierangeli

Publications and source records attributed to G Pierangeli.

44 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Aortic arch aneurysm in Behçet's disease: an unusual association.

Vascular complications of Behçet's disease particularly affect the venous system. Arterial lesions include thrombosis and aneurysms. There are few reports of aortic involvement, usually of the abdominal aorta. Aortic arch involvement has not been reported previously. A patient with Behçet's disease who developed an aortic aneurysm involving the ascending aorta to the hiatus with massive incompetence of the aortic valve is described.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Testing models for genetic determination in migraine.

We collected two clinically matched samples of patients, one sample affected by migraine with aura the other by migraine without aura, to investigate the genetic determination of these conditions. A maternal and X-linked transmission for both these diseases was considered unlikely after pedigree analysis. Classical segregation analysis indicated a likely autosomal recessive kind of transmission for both. Reduced penetrance and the h2 values, however, imply the presence of additional genetic and/or environmental factors controlling the phenotypic expression of migraine.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Autonomic nervous system function in myotonic dystrophy.

Symptoms suggestive of dysautonomia are often reported in Myotonic Dystrophy (MD) patients. 12 patients with MD underwent cardiovascular function testing with assay of plasma noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) in supine rest condition and after orthostatic and cold stimulus. Statistical analysis showed no differences between MD patients and an age and sex matched control group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Abnormal brain and muscle energy metabolism shown by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy in patients affected by migraine with aura.

We studied brain and muscle energy metabolism by phosphorus 31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) in 12 patients affected by migraine with aura (classic migraine) in interictal periods. Brain 31P-MRS disclosed a low phosphocreatine content in all patients, accompanied by high adenosine diphosphate concentration, a high percentage of V/Vmax (adenosine triphosphate), and a low phosphorylation potential--features showing an unstable state of metabolism in classic migraine. Abnormal muscle mitochondrial function, in the absence of clinical signs of muscle impairment, was present in nine of the 12 patients examined.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1991

Cardiovascular dysautonomia in fatal familial insomnia.

Autonomic control of the cardiovascular system was assessed in two patients with Fatal Familial Insomnia. The diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy in patient 1. In the resting state blood pressure and heart rate were higher than controls in patient 1; plasma noradrenaline levels were elevated in both patients. Evaluation of cardiovascular reflexes indicated intact baroreflex pathways but with exaggerated blood pressure and biochemical responses to certain stimuli (postural change, Valsalva manoeuvre, isometric handgrip). There was no pressor response to intravenously infused noradrenaline, an increased response to atropine and diminished depressor and sedative effects to clonidine. Overall these results are indicative of an unbalanced autonomic control with preserved parasympathetic and higher background and stimulated sympathetic activity. These physiological, biochemical and pharmacological data, together with known neuro-pathological findings in this disorder, emphasize the possible role played by the thalamus in regulating autonomic control of cardiovascular function in man.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Autonomic nervous system function in migraine without aura.

Autonomic nervous system functions were studied in 13 females with migraine without aura during headache-free intervals, using physiological, pharmacological and biochemical methods. Heart-rate in the resting condition and blood pressure rises in the cold-face and isometric handgrip tests were higher than in controls. Normal cardiovascular responses to the Valsalva manoeuvre and to noradrenaline infusion suggest that the baroreflex arc is intact. Normal heart rate responses to the Valsalva manoeuvre, to the cold-face test and to deep breathing confirmed a normal cardiac parasympathetic function. Clonidine infusion showed a sedative and depressor effect and an inhibition of plasma NA similar to those occurring in controls, suggesting a normal central sympathetic tone. As a whole, the physiological, pharmacological and biochemical tests were consistent with a non-specific sympathetic hyperactivity, but do not confirm any impairment of the autonomic control of the cardiovascular system in migraine patients in headache-free intervals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Circadian hormonal rhythms in two new cases of fatal familial insomnia.

We used a chronobiological inferential statistical method to investigate circadian rhythms of hypophyseal hormones, cortisol, melatonin and catecholamines in two females of the same family affected by fatal familial insomnia. Case 1 (confirmed at autopsy) presented an absent or progressive loss of circadian rhythms of all hormones. In case 2 there was a loss of GH circadian rhythm and a less significant rhythm for melatonin, catecholamines and gonadotropins. These results confirm the role of the thalamus in regulating hormonal circadian rhythm.

Adult↗