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Biomedical subjects

L Barberis

Publications and source records attributed to L Barberis.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[The efficacy of smectite in acute infantile diarrhea, compared to a placebo and loperamide].

Fifty-six infants (aged 2 months to two years) with moderate to severe diarrhea were entered in a comparative therapeutic trial of smectite versus placebo or loperamide. Results showed that diarrhea resolved faster under smectite than under placebo and at least as fast under smectite as under loperamide. Tolerance of smectite is excellent as a result of the lack of any effect on intestinal motility.

Dehydration↗

[Neonatal hepatic cholestasis with particular regard for the use of radioisotopes in its diagnosis].

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of hepatobiliary scintigraphy using a 99mTc-HIDA compound to differentiate intrahepatic cholestasis from extrahepatic forms during the first months of life. The tracer used was acid N-(2,6)-diethylacetanylido-iminodiacetic (diethyl-HIDA) with almost exclusively biliary excretion and a high concentration of radioactivity in the bile. Each neonate was injected with 0.5 mg/kg i.v. of the compound marked with a dose of 99mTc equivalent to 80-100 microCi/kg. Scintigraphic recordings were carried out every 10' for the first hour and further controls were performed at 2, 3, 4, 8 and 24 hours. Scintiphotos were obtained using a Polaroid scintillation camera, PHO Gamma V. Fifty-four patients were included in the study (34 males and 20 females) aged between 4 days and 3 months old. All patients were clinically suspected of pathologies involving the hepatobiliary tract. All cases were affected by persistent jaundice (total bilirubin between 1.8 and 39.6 mg%) with predominantly direct bilirubin (range 1.5-26.2 mg%), acholic feces and hyperchromic urine. Hepato-biliary scintigraphy revealed an intestinal excretion of tracer in 31 out of the 54 neonates examined, excluding the presence of an extrahepatic obstruction of the biliary tract. On the other hand, only 13 out of 23 cases in which no enteric excretion of the tracer was observed, was the final diagnosis one extrahepatic cholestasis. Scintigraphic tests therefore showed a 100% sensitivity associated with a specificity of only 56.52%. This demonstrates that the finding of tracer in the intestine is pathognomonic of the permeability of extrahepatic biliary ducts and that biliary atresia can be ruled out. On the contrary, the absence of the intestinal excretion of the tracer is nor constantly associated with biliary atresia. This study has confirmed this finding in 10 cases of intrahepatic cholestasis (4 hypoplasias of the intrahepatic biliary tract, 3 thick bile syndromes, 3 cases of hepatitis due to cytomegalovirus). In conclusion, the Authors state that hepato-biliary scintigraphy represents a straightforward and non-invasive diagnostic method which enables the permeability of the biliary tract to be assessed in subjects with jaundice.

Biliary Tract↗

[Ulcerative herpes simplex as the first manifestation of AIDS].

We present the case of an ulcerative lesion of the nasal mucous membrane and of the cutis surrounding the nose, starting six months ago, in a 26 year-old woman. From the histological picture a necrotic Herpes-virus infection was diagnosed. This suggested the existence of a deficiency of cell-mediated immunity. In fact a selective quantitative defect in the helper/inducer subset of T lymphocytes, as observed in AIDS, was noticed. HIV infection was confirmed by the ELISA test and the Western Blot test. Viral cultures grew HSV I from the skin lesion, which rapidly recovered after treatment with Acyclovir. We emphasize the absence of other signs and symptoms that could make us suspect an HIV infection and the rarity in the literature of the occurrence of HSV infections in that particular location as an initial manifestation of AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Pharmacokinetics of prednisone and its metabolite prednisolone in children with nephrotic syndrome during the active phase and in remission.

The kinetics at steady state of prednisone and its metabolite prednisolone were determined in nine nephrotic children during the active phase of the disease and in remission. There were no differences in serum prednisone levels between the two occasions. Prednisone levels were lower than prednisolone levels. Total serum prednisolone levels were significantly lower during the active phase than in remission (AUC: 2452 +/- 207 vs 3392 +/- 293 ng ml-1 h respectively). Half-life values were similar on both occasions. The binding of prednisolone to serum proteins was markedly impaired during the active phase as compared to the remission. Free fraction values correlated positively with total drug concentration. A negative correlation between free fraction and serum albumin level was found during the active phase. Free prednisolone levels during the active phase did not differ significantly from those observed during remission (AUC: 937 +/- 128 vs 847 +/- 81 ng ml-1 h respectively). These data indicate that pharmacokinetic changes are unlikely to be responsible for alterations in steroid responsiveness in nephrotic patients with hypoalbuminaemia.

Adolescent↗