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Biomedical subjects

G Zamboni

Publications and source records attributed to G Zamboni.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Immunocompetence and dietary protein intake in early infancy.

Forty-one normal full-term infants were fed from birth, during the first 4.5 months of life, different diets based on two formulas similar in rough composition but basically different, the one being constituted only of cow milk protein and the other of soy protein. From each of the two formulas two different dilutions were prepared so that all diets supplied about 100 kcal/kg/day, but, respectively, 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg/day of cow milk protein and 2.0 and 5.0 g/kg/day of soy protein. After 4.5 months, growth in weight, length, and head circumference was normal and very similar in all infants. Gammaglobulin, immunoglobulin, transferrin, and some complement fractions (particularly C'3, C'1 INA, C'3 PA) were lower in infants receiving soy protein diets than in those receiving cow milk protein diets, and, within each type of diet, in those infants receiving lower amounts of protein. In particular, values of infants receiving 5.0 g/kg/day of soy protein were roughly comparable to those of infants receiving 2.0 g/kg/day of cow milk protein. B lymphocyte markers and reactivity did not show significant differences among the various groups. T lymphocyte markers and reactivity showed an impairment in soy protein diets (and in particular in 2.0 g/kg/day protein diets) with respect to cow milk diets. It was also observed that morbidity (mainly infections of upper respiratory tract) was higher in those infants who took soybean protein and in those who took lesser amount of protein.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Preferential maternal derivation in inv dup(15): analysis of eight new cases.

Eight patients are reported with a de novo extra inverted duplicated chromosome 15. The abnormal chromosome was considered to be the same in all cases, but its precise delineation remained uncertain and was defined as either 15pter leads to 15q12::15q12 leads to 15pter or 15pter leads to 15q11::15q13 leads to 15pter. Analysis with various techniques of the satellite regions of the bisatellited chromosomes demonstrated maternal derivation in six and paternal derivation in one of the seven families. A non-sister chromatid exchange between the two homologous chromosomes 15 is considered a likely origin of the inv dup(15) in the cases with maternal derivation; in the only case of paternal derivation, however, the abnormal chromosome originated from one single chromosome 15. The clinical findings confirm that patients with inv dup(15) have mental and developmental retardation and are frequently affected by seizures, while severe physical malformations are absent.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Photoperiodic rhythm of cAMP concentration in the rat's preoptic region.

Photoperiodic influences on cAMP concentrations in the preoptic region and parietal cortex of the rat were studied at different ambient temperatures. In the preoptic region a photoperiodic rhythm is present at control Ta (22 degrees C) and is strongly attenuated at low Ta (-10 degrees C). In the parietal cortex no statistically significant photoperiodic changes were observed either at control or low T(a)s.

Animals↗

[Changes in cyclic AMP concentration of the rat preoptic region as a result of long term exposure to cold].

The cAMP concentration in the preoptic region was studied in rats during exposure to low ambient temperature (Ta: -10 degrees C) and after return to control Ta (22 degrees C). With respect to control cAMP concentration, changes were observed consisting of a decrease (delta cAMP: 4.19 /+- 0.15 pM/mg Pr; p < 0.001) at low Ta and an increase (delta cAMP: 1.40 /+- 0.13 pM/mg Pr; P < 0.05) after return to control Ta. In contrast, cortical cAMP concentration decreased both at low Ta (delta cAMP: 2.94 /+- 0.09 pM/mg Pr; P < 0.005) and after return to control Ta (delta cAMP: 3.21 /+- 0.09 pM/mg Pr; P < 0.001). such cAMP changes in the preoptic region may be related to different activation levels of thermoregulatory and sleep mechanisms.

Animals↗

Parathyroid hormone and calcitonin in glucose regulation.

Blood glucose, insulin, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT) were evaluated in 8 normal children, aged 17-41 months, during an oral glucose load; in 7 normal children, aged 15-42 months, during i.v. glucose infusion; and in 6 normal children, aged 19-40 months, during glucagon administration. During the oral glucose tolerance tests the mean maximum decline of Ca (8.63%) and p (12.66%) was at 120 min, while PTH and CT significantly increased from basal values of 1.36 ng/ml +/- 0.21 and 97 pg/ml +/- 14 to 2.20 ng/ml +/- 0.22 and 140 pg/ml +/- 13, respectively, at 45 min. During i.v. glucagon administration the mean maximum decline of Ca (9.64%) and P (12.28%) was at 30 min. PTH levels rose significantly from basal values of 1.2 mg/ml +/- 0.22 to 2.1 ng/ml +/- 0.32 at 45 min, while CT increased rapidly from basal levels of 90 pg/ml +/- 14 to 127 pg/ml at 15 min. In conclusion, increases in glucose and insulin due to ingestion or infusion of glucose, or to glucagon injection, are therefore not only associated with a fall in serum Ca and P but also with rises in PTH and CT.

Blood Glucose↗

Quantitative analysis of short term deprivation and recovery of desynchronized sleep in cats.

A quantitative analysis of desynchronized sleep (DS) deprivation (exposure to low ambient temperature) and recovery was carried out in unrestrained cats. The results show that: (1) the circadian obligate quota of DS is precisely regulated by a control mechanism paying by the 24th h the DS debt induced by up to 14 h of total DS deprivation, if recovery occurs during the rest phase of circadian photoperiodicity (CP); (2) during static rebound DS hourly duration is increased by 40 +/- 4 sec/h of total deprivation (mean and S.E.) and there is a statistically significant increase in the hourly frequency and in the duration of DS episodes, with respect to control values; (3) the hourly obligate and facultative quotas of DS amount to 409 +/- 82 and 229 +/- 140 sec/h (mean and S.D.), respectively. (4) preoptic heating during deprivation at low ambient temperature decreases the DS static rebound during recovery at control ambient temperature by an amount corresponding to the cumulative duration of DS episodes elicited by the preoptic treatment; (5) preoptic temperature decreases the more markedly the shorter the duration of exposure to low ambient temperature and regains control values the sooner the smaller the DS debt incurred during deprivation; (6) DS debt cumulation is a continuous process which develops at a steady rate during day and night, whereas DS debt payment is a discontinuous process (ultradian rhythm of DS) which develops at a variable rate depending on the DS debt and on the phase of CP.

Animals↗

Agenesis of the corpus callosum with mosaicism 46,XY/47,XY, extra ring chromosome.

A case of agenesis of the corpus callosum with a chromosomal abnormality is reported. The patient was a male infant, born to phenotypically normal, non-consanguineous parents. He had an abnormal phenotype, mental retardation, and chromosome mosaicism 46,XY/47,XY,+r. Chromosomal analysis of both parents showed a normal karotype. The origin of the small ring chromosome could not be determined and it is difficult to relate the phenotype of the infant to the cytogenetic findings.

Agenesis of Corpus Callosum↗

Gammaglobulin level and soy-protein intake in early infancy.

39 normal full term infants were fed during the first four months of life with three different diets based on the same formula of heated soy-flour fortified with DL-methionine. Each diet supplied 100 kcal/kg/day and gave about 2.5 (11 infants), 4.0 (19 infants) or 5.5 (9 infants) g/kg/day or soy-protein. After four months, growth was slightly lower in infants fed 2.5 g/kg/day of protein but was similar in the other two groups. Haematological parameters were in the normal range in all three groups. Serum gammaglobulin and immunoglobulin levels increased with the increase of dietary protein. The highest levels of gammaglobulin (0.51 +/- 0.16 mg/100 ml) and IgG (463.13 +/- 210.17 mg/100 ml) were observed in infants fed 5.5 g/kg/day of soy-protein and were similar to those previously observed in infants fed 2.5 g/kg/day of cows-milk protein. Morbidity was reduced with the increase of serum gammaglobulin and immunoglobulins.

Dietary Proteins↗

Parathyroid hormone and calcitonin levels in vitamin D deficient rickets.

In six infants aged between 5 and 8 months with vitamin D deficient rickets, we have studied blood levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase, immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT), as well as urinary excretion of Ca, P, hydroxyproline and cyclic AMP, both under basal conditions and during a 4h infusion of 20 mg/kg 10% Ca gluconate in normal saline. Under basal conditions all the infants had high alkaline phosphatase (range: 470--770 U.I./1); PTH (range: 620--1200 pg Eq/ml) and CT (range: 440--750 pg/ml) but two infants had hypocalcaemia and four had normocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia. The urinary Ca excretion was low whereas the urinary P, hydroxyproline and cyclic AMP excretions were high. During Ca infusion the total serum Ca and CT levels increased, while alkaline phosphatase and PTH fell. After the end of the infusion, CT levels fell perceptibly; phosphaturia, hydroxyprolinuria and cyclic AMP decreased on the day of the infusion.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Pancreatic endocrine response to the first feed in term newborn infants.

Blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide and glucagon were evaluated in 36 newborn term infants at birth, and before and 60 min after the first feed during the first day of life. Under basal conditions glycaemia diminished during the first day of life and glucagon increased, while insulin and C-peptide did not show any variation. The C-peptide: insulin molar ratio was higher in the newborn than in adults because of the longer half-life of C-peptide, probably due to reduced renal function in the neonatal period. The subjects were divided into two groups: 18 newborn infants were given a feed of commercially available milk powder reconstituted in water at 10% (5 ml/kg); the other 18 were given a feed of 5 ml/kg 10% glucose solution. In each group 6 were given the first feed after a fast of 6 h, 6 after a fast of 12 h and 6 after a fast of 24 h from birth. After the first feed with milk, the average increase of glycaemia was 19.83 mg%, of insulin 6.06 muU/ml, and of C-peptide 1.88 ng/ml. After the first feed with glucose the average increase of glycaemia was 13.59 mg%, of insulin 2.46 muU/ml, and of C-peptide 0.59 ng/ml. Glucagon did not show significant changes after the first feed.

Blood Glucose↗

Parathyroid hormone and calcitonin secretion in uraemic infants.

In six infants aged between 4 and 8 months with chronic renal failure, we have studied blood levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase, immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (PTH), and calcitonin (CT), as well as urinary excretion of Ca, P, hydroxyproline and cyclic AMP under basal conditions and during an infusion of 20 mg/kg of 10% Ca gluconate in normal saline over 4 h. Under basal conditions four infants had normal serum Ca and P values, alkaline phosphatase levels at the upper limit of normal, and very high PTH (range: 1450--2550 pg Eq/ml) and CT (range: 700--1900 pg/ml) levels. The urinary Ca excretion was low, whereas the urinary excretion of P, hydroxyproline and cyclic AMP was high. During Ca infusion, the total serum Ca and CT levels increased, PTH fell without however reaching the normal upper limit, and urinary P and cyclic AMP excretion decreased. In two infants with osteodystrophy and the highest levels of PTH (2900 and 3500 pg Eq/ml respectively) there was no suppression of PTH during Ca infusion.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

gamma-Globulin level and dietary protein intake during the first year of life.

To investigate the possible causes of relatively low blood gamma-globulin levels (less than or equal to 0.5 gm/dl) during the first year of life, 287 patients less than 1 year of age who were suffering from mild diseases were studied retrospectively. They were divided into two groups, those with a gamma-globulin level less than 0.5 gm/dl and those with a gamma-globulin level greater than 0.5 gm/dl. By reconstructing the diets given, it was found that they had been receiving isocaloric diets that differed only in protein supply: patients with lower gamma-globulin levels received 2.9 gm/kg/day of protein and patients with higher gamma-globulin levels received 4.0 gm/kg/day. Fifty-five healthy subjects were studied prospectively during the first year of life on two isocaloric diets that differed only in their protein content: the first one supplied 2.5 gm/kg/day of protein and the second supplied 4.0 gm/kg/day. At approximately 5, 7, and 10 months of age, hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, globulins, immunoglobulins, and other common blood parameters were measured. Patients on the lower protein diet had a gamma-globulin concentration of less than or equal to 0.5 gm/dl and those on the higher protein diet had a gamma-globulin concentration of greater than or equal to 0.8 gm/dl. Immunoglobulin levels, particularly IgG, were lower in patients on the lower protein diet. The subjects with lower protein intake and lower levels of gamma-globulin and immunoglobulins showed significantly higher morbidity.

Blood Protein Electrophoresis↗

Mechanism of diet-induced uraemia and acidosis in infants.

Five patients aged between 40 and 70 days were admitted to our Clinic with an initial diagnosis of "renal failure", but the high levels of urea nitrogen, metabolic acidosis and oliguria were found to be related to a high renal solute load and to the very high protein and electrolyte content of the diet. By calculating urinary output (V/m'), clearance of osmotically-active substances (COsm), clearance of free water (CH2O), maximum tubular reabsorption of water (TcH2O) and the change in metabolic H+ production, it has been possible to demonstrate that dietary protein and electrolytes were both responsible for the high blood urea nitrogen levels and metabolic acidosis.

Acidosis↗