Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Ricci

Publications and source records attributed to G Ricci.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Effects of the recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) administration on hematologic parameters, red cell creatine and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate contents, in patients affected by end-stage renal disease.

Twenty patients with renal failure and severe anemia (hemoglobin range 6.6-8.7 g/dl) on thrice-weekly maintenance hemodialysis were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). After three months of intravenous (iv) therapy the hemoglobin increase averaged 2 g/dl, and was steadily maintained even after two months of subcutaneous (sc) therapy. The significant increase of macrocyte counts, determined by an automated red blood cell counter after both steps of therapy, suggested the release of young red cells (large cells) into blood circulation. This assumption may be supported by the significant increase of the red cell creatine contents. 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) levels of the erythrocytes did not significantly change after rHuEPO administration.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Management of childhood obesity through a school-based programme of general health and nutrition education.

A school-based nutrition education programme aimed at the control of coronary risk factor rise during childhood was started in 1983 for 150 boys and girls aged 6-7 years. The study was performed in a rural area of central Italy, where adult obesity represents a major health problem. Preventive treatment was based on general health education in schools towards healthy lifestyles. Nutritional intervention was mainly focused on the adoption of the 'prudent diet'. School-teachers received specific training on how to teach 'good nutrition'. The nutrition curriculum was taught by teachers throughout the school year. Several meetings were organised to actively involve the children's parents. Practical recommendations for changes in food selection and preparation were also given. After a five-year follow up, a strong 'tracking phenomenon' for body mass index was observed, suggesting a great stability over time of lifestyles and dietary habits leading to the development of obesity during childhood. We conclude that a school-delivered programme of general nutrition education for the control of risk factors does not appear to be able to control child obesity.

Child↗
PubMed1991

The utility of ambulatory EEG monitoring in typical absence seizures.

In this study 8 hours ambulatory EEG monitoring (A/EEG) was performed in 25 outpatients with electroclinical evidence of absence attacks, in order to evaluate the possibility of objective quantification of the epileptic discharges, their distribution during the daytime and their relationship with evident behavioral correlates. A comparison between data obtained by A/EEG and standard EEG (S/EEG) was also made. The results have shown that: 1) it was possible to perform real quantification of the epileptic discharges only through the A/EEG test; 2) the two peaks of a greater incidence of the epileptic discharges corresponded to the execution of relaxing activities and ones requiring a low level of attentiveness; 3) a large number of epileptic generalized discharges did not exhibit a signal pattern like that of a "seizure", although they were of long duration; and 4) in six patients who showed the normalization of S/EEG and the disappearance of the absences after one month of valproate therapy, A/EEG revealed the persistence of epileptic discharges. These data demonstrate that A/EEG is a very useful technique for the quantification of paroxysmal discharges and that it may be of importance in the management of this kind of epileptic disorder.

Behavior↗
PubMed1991

Effects of carbamazepine on bicuculline- and pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in developing rats.

The anticonvulsant effect of carbamazepine (CBZ) was examined in 10-, 18- and 25-day-old Wistar albino rats into which bicuculline or pentylenetetrazol had been systemically injected to induce generalized epileptic manifestations typical for the specific age of the animals. The results showed that: a) in developing rats, CBZ appears to be more effective in the pentylenetetrazol than the bicuculline model of epilepsy; b) in both models of epilepsy the efficacy of CBZ increases with the age of the animals; and c) among the various epileptic manifestations, the tonic phase is the most sensitive to the anticonvulsant effect of CBZ. These conclusions are correlated with the different levels of cerebral maturation of the animals, and are discussed with reference to the mechanisms of action of CBZ and bicuculline or pentylenetetrazol.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Evoked oto-acoustic emissions (EOE) as screening method in infants].

The authors consider the problems of the early diagnosis of paediatric hypoacusis, presenting a study done on twenty audiological high risk children that were subjected to audiometric screening by delayed cochlear otoacoustic emissions (EOE) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BEAPs). Eighteen of twenty children that were examined were normal, while two had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. EOE were evoked in all patients that presented normal BAEP thresholds, while they were absent in deaf subjects. Evoked otoacoustic emissions research allows us to identify two groups of subjects: those with normal EOE who can be considered normal hearing subjects, and those without EOE who may present a disturbed auditory system. Nevertheless, EOE testing does not allow us to judge the type of hearing loss. The time for EOE testing is approximately five minutes for each subject. On the grounds of their experience, the authors conclude that EOE testing represents a useful and reliable test which differentiates normal auditory function subjects from hypoacoustic ones. Compared to other techniques used in audiological paediatric diagnosis, such as reactometry, BOEL test and Crib. O. Gram, which present the possibility of false positive and false negative results, and BSERA, which even if reliable, must be limited to few selected audiological high-risk subjects, EOE is easy to implement and readily available. Major limitations of this technique seem to be the possibility of false positives, and the impossibility to specify localisation and type of the hearing loss by EOE only.

Cochlear Microphonic Potentials↗
PubMed1991

Prevalence and correlates of angina pectoris in the Italian nine communities study. Research Group ATS-RF2 of the Italian National Research Council.

We investigated the prevalence and correlates of angina pectoris in 6573 men and women aged 20-59 participating in the Italian National Multicenter Study on Risk Factors for Arteriosclerosis. In both sexes, the prevalence of angina pectoris, as assessed by the Rose questionnaire, increased sharply with age (from 0.8% to 5.1% for men and from 1.7% to 6.9% for women). In all age groups, there was a higher prevalence of angina pectoris for women than for men. In men, a strong positive association was found between angina pectoris and myocardial infarction (both by self-report and electrocardiographic documentation) and self-reported dyspnea. In women, myocardial infarction (self-reported), electrocardiographic-documented myocardial ischemia, intermittent claudication, and dyspnea were all associated with angina pectoris. In both sexes, angina pectoris was positively associated with body mass index. Males with diabetes had two times the prevalence of angina pectoris as males without diabetes; in females, diabetes was only weakly associated with angina pectoris. None of other major ischemic heart disease risk factors (blood pressure, serum lipids, or smoking) was associated with angina pectoris.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A form of familial hypobetalipoproteinaemia not due to a mutation in the apolipoprotein B gene.

Familial hypobetalipoproteinaemia (FHBL) is a dominant disorder of lipoprotein metabolism characterized by levels of apolipoprotein B-carrying lipoproteins (VLDL, IDL and LDL) which are 50% of the normal levels in the heterozygotes and almost absent in the homozygotes. Several reports have recently shown that the underlying defect in FHBL involves different mutations in the apo B gene which lead to reduced levels of apo B mRNA or to the production of truncated forms of apo B having either a lower synthetic rate or a higher catabolic rate than normal apo B. We here present a three-generation family with several FHBL members in which the linkage analysis shows absence of co-segregation between apo B gene alleles and the hypocholesterolaemic phenotype. We conclude that a dominantly transmitted mutation in a gene other than that for apo B is responsible for the low plasma cholesterol levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Prediction of EPH gestosis by means of the roll-over test. Clinical contribution].

Roll-over test (ROT) was performed on 128 selected nulliparous women between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation. Considering the high frequency of true-positive (81.5%) and true-negative results (88.1%), ROT seems to show, in clinical practice, a good sensitivity (64.7%) and an excellent specificity (94.7%). The and an excellent specificity (94.7%). The results of this study confirm that ROT is a true predictor of pregnant women at risk for future development of EPH gestosis.

Female↗
PubMed1991

[Monitoring of protracted pregnancy. Comparison of two methods].

Antepartum cardiotocographic patterns (NsT:Nonstress Test) and echographic assessments of amniotic fluid pockets were retrospectively analysed in 63 postdate pregnancies. The results of NsT (Fisher-score) and ecographic examinations were correlated with obstetric outcome (5 minutes Apgar-score). Ecographic assessments of amniotic volumes seem more effective than NsT for the lower frequency of false-positive results. Anyhow, considering the low sensibility of NsT and Echography separatedly considered, the Authors suggest a simultaneous valuation of the two tests.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed1991

[Oligoamnios in protracted pregnancy. Cardiotocographic aspects].

Ecographic assessments of amniotic fluid volumes and their relationship to ante-partum cardiotocographic patterns were retrospectively analyzed in 59 postdate pregnancies. Sonographic evidence of oligoamnios is significantly related with absence of sporadic accelerations and rarity of fetal movements.

Cardiotocography↗
PubMed1990

[35S]Lanthionine ketimine binding to bovine brain membranes.

2H-1,4-Thiazine-5,6-dihydro-3,5-dicarboxylic acid (trivial name: lanthionine ketimine) is a cyclic sulfur-containing imino acid detected in bovine brain extracts. This compound has been synthesized in a heavily labeled form starting from L-[35S]cysteine and purified by high performance liquid chromatography. We demonstrate the existence of a saturable and reversible binding of [35S]lanthionine ketimine to bovine brain membranes. A single population of binding sites with a concentration of 260 +/- 12 fmol/mg protein and a dissociation constant of 58 +/- 14 nM is present. Specific binding is competitively inhibited by other structurally similar imino acids, namely S-aminoethyl-L-cysteine ketimine and cystathionine ketimine. These results suggest a possible functional role for these ketimines in nervous system.

Amino Acids, Sulfur↗
PubMed1990

Detection of 2H-1,4-thiazine-5,6-dihydro-3-carboxylic acid (aminoethylcysteine ketimine) in the bovine brain.

2H-1,4-Thiazine-5,6-dihydro-3-carboxylic acid (trivial name: aminoethylcysteine ketimine) is a cyclic sulfur-containing imino acid detected in bovine brain extracts by means of three different procedures. Gas liquid chromatography of protein-free extracts of five bovine brains revealed the presence of this compound at concentrations ranging from 2 to 3 nmol/g wet weight of tissue. The enzymatic method based on the inhibition of D-amino acid oxidase activity by aminoethylcysteine ketimine together with an high-performance liquid chromatography procedure confirm the identification and quantitations obtained with gas liquid chromatography. The discovery of this compound structurally similar to pipecolic acid opens the question of its physiological role in the central nervous system.

Amino Acids, Sulfur↗
PubMed1990

Consumption of olive oil, butter, and vegetable oils and coronary heart disease risk factors. The Research Group ATS-RF2 of the Italian National Research Council.

The cross-sectional association between consumption of various fats (eg, butter, olive oil, and vegetable oil) and risk factors for coronary heart disease was analyzed in a sample of 4903 Italian men and women 20 to 59 years of age. The intake of fats was ascertained by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Increased consumption of butter was associated with significantly higher blood pressure and serum cholesterol and glucose levels for men; in women only the association with glucose reached statistical significance. In both sexes consumption of olive oil and vegetable oil was inversely associated with serum cholesterol and glucose levels and systolic blood pressure. These findings were adjusted for confounding effects of other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These cross-sectional findings from a large population sample suggest that consumption of butter may detrimentally affect coronary risk factors, while polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats may be associated with a lower coronary risk profile.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Aortic antioxidant defence mechanisms: time-related changes in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

In 24 rabbits fed a hyperlipidic diet (0.5% cholesterol, 5% lard and 5% peanut oil) for 10 (group A1), 30 group B1) and 60 days, (Group C1), compared to 24 control rabbits fed a standard diet for the same periods, antioxidant defence system (total superoxide dismutase, catalase, total thiol compounds selenium-dependent and selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione transferase) and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) in the aortic wall were tested. The percent of intima with grossly apparent atherosclerosis, is assessed by staining with the lipophilic dye Sudan IV, was negligible in group A1, but increased progressively in groups B1 (22.7-6.7%) and C1 (56.8-8.8%). Compared to the controls, a significant rise in superoxide dismutase activity was observed after 30 days of hyperlipidic diet, with a further marked increase at 60 days. Total thiol compounds and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity rose progressively from 10 to 30 and 60 days in cholesterol-fed rabbits. On the contrary, catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione transferase activities significantly decreased in all experimental groups. Selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase activity was not detectable. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances increased about 3 times in hyperlipidemic rabbits. In conclusion, the changes in aortic antioxidant defence mechanisms and lipid peroxidation precede the massive vascular lipid infiltration in cholesterol-fed rabbits; some antioxidant mechanisms are stressed (superoxide, dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, total thiol compounds), whereas others are depressed (catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione transferase), thus potentially reducing or increasing vascular susceptibility to oxidative injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Diet and coronary heart disease risk factors in a population with varied intake. The Research Group ATS-RF2 of The Italian National Research Council.

The relationship between consumption of foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol and a number of coronary heart disease risk factors (blood pressure, serum glucose, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides) was analyzed in a large sample (4,917) of Italian men and women, ages 20-59 years. The dietary habits of the participants were ascertained with a food frequency questionnaire. Intake of atherogenic foods (foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats) was evaluated for each participant. In both sexes, systolic blood pressure, serum glucose, and serum cholesterol increased with higher consumption of atherogenic foods. These findings were independent of any possible confounding effect of age, adiposity, alcohol intake, and cigarette smoking. The present article confirms previous findings that consumption of foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol is associated with an increased risk for atherosclerosis.

Adult↗