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Biomedical subjects

L Gastaldi

Publications and source records attributed to L Gastaldi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Coronary vascular resistance during transitory variations in aortic pressure].

The present study was aimed at studying the interaction between elastic properties and myogenic responses of the coronary wall in regulating coronary vascular resistance (CVR) during and after sudden changes in perfusion pressure. Whilst the effects of transient reductions and recoveries of the aortic blood pressure (ABP) were previously considered, in the present study attention was paid to the changes induced in CVR by the reverse procedure, i.e., by transient increases followed by abrupt decreases of ABP. The experiments were performed in 6 anesthetized dogs after section of the vagi nerves and beta-adrenergic receptor blockade. The increase of ABP was obtained by a 10 or 20 s constriction of the descending thoracic aorta. During the experimental maneuver, coronary flow increased without any significant change in CVR. Only in the late part of the 20 s constriction a reduction of CVR was observed as a likely consequence of increased myocardial metabolism. Immediately after the release of the constriction, the fall of ABP below the control was accompanied by a significant reduction of coronary flow without any significant increase in CVR. About 10 s later, a remarkable increase in flow occurred together with a significant fall of CVR, while ABP was recovering towards the control. In each animal the exact timing of these changes was independent of the duration of the constriction. When, about 20-30 s from the end of the constriction, ABP was back to the control, the hyperemia was completely over.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Controlled trial of thymopentin in hemodialysis patients who fail to respond to hepatitis B vaccination.

Uremic patients are at high risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and, despite the availability and efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine, a high rate of non responders has been reported. Forty uremic patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis who failed to produce any measurable anti-HBs antibody response after 4 administrations of 5 micrograms of Hevac B Pasteur vaccine were admitted to a randomized controlled clinical trial. Group A (14 patients) received 3 doses of 5 micrograms s.c. each of vaccine at monthly intervals and 12 doses of 50 mg s.c. of thymopentin on alternate days between the first and the second vaccination. Group B (11 patients) received 3 doses of 5 micrograms s.c. each of vaccine at monthly intervals. Group C (15 patients) received 3 doses of 10 micrograms s.c. each of vaccine at monthly intervals. Immunization rates were 86% in group A (on both 1-month and 6-month checks), 36% on the 1-month and 27% on the 6-month check in group B, 53% on the 1-month and 47% on the 6-month check in group C. Anti-HBs antibody titers were similar in group A and C but notably lower in group B. Thymopentin seems as useful therapeutical tool for non responder patients. As it promotes T cell maturation and responsiveness, which are impaired in uremia, it could play a major part in the management of uremic immunodeficiency.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1987

Natural history and treatment of uremia secondary to Fabry's disease: an European experience.

Fabry's disease, a very unusual cause of end-stage renal disease, is actually included in the contraindications to renal transplantation. The few published studies, based on very few patients, report a high rate of life-threatening complications, mostly infectious, following kidney transplant in these patients. We have evaluated retrospectively 12 uremic patients in renal function replacement treatment for Fabry's disease. In transplanted patients (n = 8; whole observation period 241 months), no lethal complication was ever recorded. Fever and acroparesthesias ameliorated. Cardio- and cerebrovascular complications did not progress. Although no increase in serum enzymatic activity was measured, renal transplantation provided an alternative route by excretion of an amount of the metabolic product (ceramide-trihexoside). When undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (whole observation period 291 months), 3 deaths and several cardiac and cerebral complications occurred. Angiokeratomas, fever and pains were unmodified. These data disagree with what has been previously stated. The transplanted patients' survival shifts towards the all-time rate and a satisfying rehabilitation is provided. Fabry's disease should not be considered a high-risk disease; and patients suffering from it should decidedly enter a regular transplantation program.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Immune function and renal transplantation in Fabry's disease.

A deficient leucocyte immunological function could cause the reported high rate of lethal infections following renal transplantation in patients affected by Fabry's disease. We have studied humoral immunity, peripheral lymphocyte subsets, mitogenic lymphocyte response in vitro and granulocyte function in three patients with Fabry's disease. The immunological state appears to be quite similar to that of the uraemic population in general, not showing any specific impairment.

Fabry Disease↗
PubMed1983

Calcitonin in chronic renal failure.

The pattern of circulating calcitonin (CT) has been studied in relation to other humoral factors (PTH, calcium, phosphate and magnesium) in patients with chronic renal failure on either conservative or dialysis treatment. The latter group was studied before and after dialysis. In both groups, in basal conditions there was a significant increase in the circulating levels of CT, PTH, phosphate and magnesium and a significant decrease in calcemia compared to control group values. Positive correlations were found between increased CT and PTH and between CT and phosphate in uremic patients on conservative medical treatment, but not in those on hemodialysis. In the hemodialyzed group, the postdialysis increase in calcemia was significantly correlated to an increase in calcitoninemia. These data would indicate that even in severe uremia parafollicular cells are still able to increase CT secretion in response to physiological stimuli.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Blood folates in chronic uremic patients in dialysis treatment].

The authors, after having reviewed folic acid and folates chemical and biochemical characteristics and their absorption and excretion modalities, determine serum folate levels by radioassay method on 30 patients with renal failure in chronic dialysis and on 24 normal controls. Low serum folate levels concerned 14 uremic patients (46.6% of th cases): 10 in hemodialysis and 4 in peritoneal dialysis. The mean serum folate values was 3.31 ng/ml (+/- 1.93) for the uremic patients' group and 4.29 ng/ml (+/- 1.21) for the control group. The difference between the mean level of these groups was statistically significant (p less than 0.05). No significant difference was observed among the mean serum folate levels of the uremic patients in peritoneal dialysis and of those in hemodialysis. Significantly low serum folate levels were finally found for the uremic HBsAg-positive patients, but in the same subjects the dialytic treatment period had been very prolonged. The authors conclude emphasizing the usefulness of folic acid treatment in uremic patients on dialysis, also without having an evident hematologic picture of megaloblastic anemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

[Whole-body osseous scintigraphy and Ca++ kinetics in patients with renal transplants].

Bone scintigraphy with 99mTc-diophosphonate and a whole body scanner was performed on 18 subjects with good renal function who had received a kidney transplant more than six months previously. This demonstrated scintigraphyc abnormalities in 17 of the cases. The alterations were characterized in 44,5% of the cases by focal uptake of the tracer. Diffuse alterations were observed in 4 of the 18 cases studied (22%). In these patients increases of serum alkaline phosphatase and in PTH levels were present. Ca++ exchangeable pool values and accretion rate were normal in the subjects with focal lesions. In the cases where scintigraphy showed diffuse lesions both the above parameters were much increased.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

[Use of dimethothiazine in the prevention of hemicrania].

The best results in the prevention of migraine have so far been obtained with tricyclic antihistamine, anti-5HT drugs. Experimentation of dimethothiazine--already widely employed in the management of essential headache--in this field is reported. Results obtained in a double-blind trial with a placebo on randomised levels and on a large series evaluated with Pearson's scatter index showed that the drug was effective, especially in the prevention of classic migraine. It was also usuable during attacks and in the prevention of cluster headache. Good tolerance and the absence of side-effects suggest the adoption of a standard course of 60 mg/day for not less than 2 to 3-4 months. Other therapeutic courses may be alternated during the year.

Adolescent↗