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Biomedical subjects

G Santoro

Publications and source records attributed to G Santoro.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Spontaneous closure of coronary fistulas: a possible prognostic role of the site of drainage].

The case of a 34 month-old infant with cardiac murmur and echocardiographic signs of coronary artery fistula is presented. Cardiac catheterization was performed, revealing a right coronary artery-to-right ventricle fistula, and a significant left-to-right shunt. At 4.0 years of age she underwent a repeated catheterization, showing complete spontaneous closure of the fistula. Review of the literature shows that fistulas draining into the right ventricle have some chance to close spontaneously. Accordingly, clinical approach should therefore be considered.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

[Obstruction of the superior vena cava following a corrective intervention for total anomalous pulmonary venous return treated by percutaneous angioplasty].

We report a case of a patient operated on for total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage at the age of six months. Seven years later an angiographic examination showed a obstruction of superior vena cava at Juxta right atrial. The patient, asymptomatic until the age of fifteen, was then subjected to further hemodynamic and angiocardiographic examination due to the appearance of an incessant and therapy-resistant cough. After the diagnostic procedure was completed, percutaneous balloon angioplasty was performed on the obstruction, which marked the remission of the symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Psoriasis and cyclosporin: immunohistochemical aspects of the basement membrane.

We have demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro that Cyclosporin (CsA) treatment during psoriasis induced a regression of typical keratinocyte alterations and normalization of the basement membrane (BM). It is also known that the structure of BM implies cohesion between the networks formed by laminin and type IV collagen and that these components positively influence the cytomorphosis processes of keratinocytes. According to these results, we have evaluated, by immunohistochemical study, the behaviour of laminin and type IV collagen on psoriatic skin prior to the therapy and at the end of pharmacological treatment with CsA. This study was carried out on biopsies of involved skin taken from 12 patients with severe psoriasis and with PASI between 50 and 70. Our results can be summed up as follows: Untreated psoriasis: absence of laminin within BM; modest staining in basal keratinocytes; intense staining in suprabasal keratinocytes; discontinuous staining of Type IV collagen in the BM. After treatment: evident and continuous staining of laminin and Type IV collagen within the BM. The obtained results confirm the positive effect of immunomodulation determined by CsA in the regulation of the functional activity of cells implicated in BM component production. In conclusion, the authors discuss the pathogenesis of the disease.

Basement Membrane↗
PubMed1993

Evidence that mitochondrial respiration is a source of potentially toxic oxygen free radicals in intact rabbit hearts subjected to ischemia and reflow.

Previous in vitro studies have shown that isolated mitochondria can generate oxygen radicals. However, whether a similar phenomenon can also occur in intact organs is unknown. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that resumption of mitochondrial respiration upon reperfusion might be a mechanism of oxygen radical formation in postischemic hearts, and that treatment with inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration might prevent this phenomenon. Three groups of Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia at 37 degrees C, followed by reflow. Throughout ischemia and early reperfusion the hearts received, respectively: (a) 5 mM KCl (controls), (b) 5 mM sodium amobarbital (Amytal, which blocks mitochondrial respiration at Site I, at the level of NADH dehydrogenase), and (c) 5 mM potassium cyanide (to block mitochondrial respiration distally, at the level of cytochrome c oxidase). The hearts were then processed to directly evaluate oxygen radical generation by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, or to measure oxygen radical-induced membrane lipid peroxidation by malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) content of subcellular fractions. Severity of ischemia, as assessed by 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance measurements of cardiac ATP, phosphocreatine, and pH, was similar in all groups. Oxygen-centered free radical concentration averaged 3.84 +/- 0.54 microM in reperfused control hearts, and it was significantly reduced by Amytal treatment (1.98 +/- 0.26; p < 0.05), but not by KCN (2.58 +/- 0.96 microM; p = not significant (NS)), consistent with oxygen radicals being formed in the mitochondrial respiratory chain at Site I. Membrane lipid peroxidation of reperfused hearts was also reduced by treatment with Amytal, but not with KCN. MDA content of the mitochondrial fraction averaged 0.75 +/- 0.06 nM/mg protein in controls, 0.72 +/- 0.06 in KCN-treated hearts, and 0.54 +/- 0.05 in Amytal-treated hearts (p < 0.05 versus both groups). Similarly, MDA content of lysosomal membrane fraction was 0.64 +/- 0.09 nM/mg protein in controls, 0.79 +/- 0.15 in KCN-treated hearts, and 0.43 +/- 0.06 in Amytal-treated hearts (p < 0.05 versus both groups). Since the effects of Amytal are known to be reversible, in a second series of experiments we investigated whether transient mitochondrial inhibition during the initial 10 min of reperfusion was also associated with beneficial effects on subsequent recovery of cardiac function after wash-out of the drug. At the end of the experiment, recovery of left ventricular end-diastolic and of developed pressure was significantly greater in those hearts that had been treated with Amytal during ischemia and early reflow, as compared to untreated hearts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1993

Carbon dioxide inhalation, stress and anxiogenic drugs reduce the function of GABAA receptor complex in the rat brain.

1. The effect of different stressful stimuli on the function of the GABAA-ionophore receptor complex was evaluated by measuring the binding of 35S-TBPS to the chloride channel associated recognition sites. 2. Foot-shock stress enhanced 35S-TBPS binding in membrane preparation from rat cerebral cortex. The effect of foot-shock on 35S-TBPS binding was mimicked by the anxiogenic and proconvulsant beta-carboline FG 7142 and antagonized by anxiolytic benzodiazepines and by the novel anxiolytic and anticonvulsant beta-carboline, abecarnil. 3. A brief exposure of rats to CO2 inhalation produced, like foot-shock and FG 7142, a marked increase of 35S-TBPS binding in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus. The effect of CO2 inhalation was maximal 10 min after treatment and return to control value in 2 hours. Previous administration of anxiolytic drugs (alprazolam and abecarnil) completely prevented the CO2 inhalation-induced increase of 35S-TBPS binding. 4. All together these data strongly suggest that carbon dioxide inhalation, like stress and anxiogenic drugs, decreases the function of the GABAA receptor complex.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1993

Effects of the repetitive administration of progesterone by nasal spray in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of 10 days of nasal spray P treatment on P serum levels and the endometrium. DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: University Medical School. PATIENTS: Eight postmenopausal women received oral conjugated estrogens at a daily dose of 0.625 mg for 4 weeks immediately before vaginal surgery for prolapse. For the first 9 of the last 10 days the patients also received a nasal spray dosage of 11.2 mg P three times a day; on the 10th day they received only one dose. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood samples were taken at 8:00 A.M. on treatment days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 11 to follow P serum concentration levels. Endometrial samples for histologic examination were collected before P administration and immediately after surgery to evaluate the end-organ effect. RESULTS: Mean P serum levels increased sixfold after 9 days of nasal spray P administration [from 0.612 +/- 0.280 ng/mL (1.958 +/- 0.896 nmol/L) to 3.925 +/- 1.553 ng/mL (12.560 +/- 4.970 nmol/L)] and declined thereafter, returning to the before treatment levels 24 hours after the last administration. In all subjects, the first histologic evaluation showed proliferative endometrium; the second showed clear secretive changes. CONCLUSIONS: Repetitive nasal spray P administration for 10 days in postmenopausal women led to increasing P serum levels and, when the estrogen stimulation was adequate, to secretory changes in the endometrium (end-organ effect).

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1993

Left ventricular performance and ultrasonic myocardial quantitative reflectivity in endurance senior athletes: an echocardiographic study.

Young elite athletes often show left ventricular hypertrophy, but normal values of quantitatively evaluated myocardial wall reflectivity. The aim of this study is to assess the acoustic pattern of ventricular wall reflectivity, as well as of systolic and diastolic function, in older endurance runners with increased left ventricular mass. For this purpose, 12 elite, senior isotonic athletes in full training and 11 normal, age-matched controls with sedentary life styles were studied. The following parameters were measured with a commercially available 2D echo-Doppler machine: end-diastolic diameter, diastolic septum thickness, left ventricular mass index, ejection fraction (by Teicholtz rule); peak E, peak A, E/A ratio, acceleration and deceleration time of mitral inflow velocity and isovolumic relaxation time. On-line radio frequency analysis was also performed to obtain quantitative operator-independent measurements of the integrated backscatter signal of the ventricular septum and the posterior wall. The integrated values of the radiofrequency signals were normalized for the pericardial interface and expressed in percent (% 2D-IB). In spite of the greater left ventricular mass in athletes versus normal controls (319 +/- 81 vs 225 +/- 63 g.m-2, P < 0.0005), there were no significant intergroup differences as regards end-diastolic diameter (50.7 +/- 5.1 vs 48.1 +/- 5.2 mm, P = ns), ejection fraction (75.5 +/- 9.3 vs 71.8 +/- 9.1%, P = ns), and 2D-IB of septum (22.2 +/- 6.9 vs 22.4 +/- 7.0, P = ns) and posterior wall (12.5 +/- 5.6 vs 13.1 +/- 2.8, P = ns).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with recombinant interferon alfa-2b.

In a study of 87 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 12 months' treatment with interferon alfa-2b at a dose of 6 million units (MU) three times per week seemed to be more effective than treatment with 3 MU three times a week for two months plus 1.5 MU three times a week for 10 months in increasing the percentage of long term responders. The percentage of patients in whom alanine amino-transferase activities returned to normal was highest in the 6 MU group, as was the percentage of responders who sustained this normal activity after treatment. Side effects were moderate and self-limited in most patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Microalbuminuria is a marker of left ventricular hypertrophy but not hyperinsulinemia in nondiabetic atherosclerotic patients.

Microalbuminuria predicts cardiovascular events in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. For a better understanding of the physiopathological importance of microalbuminuria in atherosclerotic disease, we evaluated the relation between urinary albumin excretion and arterial blood pressure, left ventricular mass, insulin, and lipid levels. The studies were conducted in patients with atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease. Urinary albumin excretion (studied by nephelometry; an average of triplicate collections from 8 PM to 8 AM), causal blood pressure, echocardiographic left ventricular mass index and wall thickness, plasma immunoreactive insulin and C-peptide (both basally and after a 75-g oral glucose load), blood lipids, and fibrinogen were studied in eight normal subjects and 20 nonobese, nondiabetic male patients with angiographically documented atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease and preserved renal function, 12 of whom were either hypertensive or on antihypertensive treatment. Eight patients were microalbuminuric (urinary albumin > 20 micrograms/min) and 12 were not. Ankle-arm index and calf and foot transcutaneous oxygen tension were reduced in comparison with normal control subjects but superimposable between the two patient groups to indicate a comparable clinical progression of the vascular disease. In the microalbuminuric subjects, left ventricular mass index was greater, interventricular septum was thicker, and cardiac hypertrophy was more frequent than in nonmicroalbuminuric patients. The prevalence of hypertension tended to be greater and systolic blood pressure values were higher in the presence of microalbuminuria. Overall, a highly significant relation existed between urinary albumin excretion and left ventricular mass. Systolic blood pressure was greater and a history of arterial hypertension was more frequent among microalbuminurics, whereas diastolic blood pressure values showed a statistically significant correlation with both variables.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

Neuroprotective activity of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate following transient forebrain ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil.

We examined the protective activity of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) on mortality and delayed hippocampal cell death induced by transient cerebral ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil. Forebrain ischemia was produced by bilaterally occluding the common carotid arteries for 15 min using microaneurysm clips; then the blood supply to the brain was restored. The number of survivors was counted for 8 days, and the histopathological damage in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was scored according to the semiquantitative scale of Rudolphi and colleagues. When injected 15 min before the ischemic insult, FBP (100 and 333 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly reduced the rate of mortality during the 8-day observation period. Equivalent doses of fructose and fructose monophosphate did not improve survival, and neither did low doses (33 mg/kg) of FBP. FBP also produced a significant degree of protection against the CA1 pyramidal cell loss in comparison with its vehicle (distilled water). Conversely, when we administered the compound, at the same dose, 15 min after the release of the arterial occlusion, we observed neither a significant reduction of mortality nor significant protection against hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell loss. These results suggest that FBP possesses salutary properties against the damages induced by transient cerebral ischemia, although they are evident only when the compound is administered before the resolution of the ischemic injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Multiplane transesophageal echocardiography in the study of expansive mediastinal processes compressing the right heart: a report of clinical cases].

In order to assess the role of multiplane transesophageal echocardiography in detecting mediastinal masses and in evaluating the manifestations of cardiac compression due to tumoral growth, 3 cases of patients with right ventricular outflow obstruction are presented. In each of these patients transesophageal echocardiography provided an accurate evaluation of the hemodynamic consequences of the tumoral process.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Anticonvulsant doses of 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine, an adenosine A1 receptor agonist, reduce GABAergic transmission in different areas of the mouse brain.

The possible relationship between A1 adenosine receptors and the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor complex was evaluated in the mouse brain. We studied the effect of in vitro addition and in vivo administration of 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA), the most selective ligand for A1 receptors, on the biochemical parameters used currently to evaluate GABAergic function. In vitro, CCPA (0.01-100 microM) failed to modify [3H] GABA binding, [3H]flunitrazepam binding, t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) binding and muscimol-stimulated 36Cl- uptake. On the contrary, in vivo, CCPA (1.4-27.6 mumol/kg i.p.) increased [35S]TBPS binding in membranes from the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum and substantia nigra, but not from the cerebellum, thalamus, hypothalamus and olfactory tubercle. The specific A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxantine (9.8 mumol/kg i.p.) abolished the effect of CCPA on [35S]TBPS binding, indicating that the action of this compound is mediated by its interaction with A1 receptors. Diazepam (1.7 mumol/kg i.p.), a positive modulator of GABAergic transmission, antagonized the increase of [35S]TBPS binding induced by CCPA. CCPA (2.8-8.3 mumol/kg i.p.) antagonized convulsions induced by isoniazid, an inhibitor of GABA synthesis, but neither antagonized nor potentiated isoniazid-induced increase of [35S]TBPS binding. CCPA (2.8-8.3 mumol/kg i.p.) antagonized the convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazol (398 mumol/kg i.p.), methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (50 mumol/kg i.p.) and bicuculline methiodide (9.8 mumol/kg i.p.). The results show that, in spite of its anticonvulsant activity, CCPA reduces the function of the GABA-coupled chloride channel function. This finding suggests that the anticonvulsant target sites are different from those involved in the action of CCPA on GABAA receptors.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1993

[Use of a new type of permanent caval filter in a case of recurrent pulmonary embolism].

We describe a case of postoperative recurrent pulmonary embolism, treated with a percutaneous caval filter ("Double hooks DF 06-Filcard"), that was useful for stemming the tide of venous thromboembolism starting from right leg deep venous thrombosis. We discuss diagnostic protocols, current indications to caval filtration, and the characteristic of an ideal caval filter.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Acquired valvular cardiopathies in Italy: the dimensions of the problem and variations in etiology].

In order to get information on the number of patients with acquired valvular heart disease in Italy and about changes in the etiology of valvular involvement, we have examined death certificates regarding chronic endocardial and rheumatic heart disease; epidemiologic data of some congenital-degenerative valve disease; the results of a survey of valvular replacements in 40 Italian cardiac surgery centres in the periods 1970-1979 and 1980-1988. Deaths due to chronic endocardial and rheumatic heart disease (ISTAT source) were 8,129 in 1958 and 3,547 in 1986. These data suggest the presence of about 70,000 patients with acquired valvular heart disease due to chronic and rheumatic heart disease in Italy. Mitral valve prolapse and bicuspid aortic valve, complicated by degenerative changes, defined as congenital-degenerative valve diseases with clinical expression in adulthood, may be included in the group of acquired valvular heart disease. By extrapolation from epidemiological data the number of patients with acquired mitral insufficiency due to mitral valve prolapse might be about 28,000 and patients with aortic valve disease about 30,000 with an incidence of 1,500 per year. The survey performed in 45 Italian cardiac surgery centres revealed that the overall number of prosthetic valvular replacements was 7,695 in the period 1970-1979 and 25,467 in the period 1980-1988; the increase was maximal for aortic valve replacement (ratio 2.5:1 between the 2 periods) and and minimum for the combined mitral and aortic valve replacement (1.1:1). These data indicate that valvular heart disease of rheumatic origin is declining in Italy while degenerative valvular disease is increasing.

Adolescent↗