Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Negri

Publications and source records attributed to L Negri.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Chemotherapy and thymostimulin in the treatment of advanced-stage breast neoplasms].

In this study, we have evaluated certain haematologic and immunologic parameters in two advanced disease patient groups treated with chemotherapy (CMF schedule)+thymostimulin or chemotherapy alone, respectively. Statistical analysis of the data does not reveal any significant difference between the two patient groups. In our opinion, however, the administration of thymic hormone seems to protect the marrow crasis and, as a consequence, to obtain a lower incidence of side effects and respect of chemotherapeutic schedule.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1991

Leukocyte adherence inhibition test: cell-mediated reactivity to tumor antigens in colorectal and lung tumor long survivors.

Cell-mediated immunity versus tumor antigens (cytosols) of the same histotype and site was evaluated by means of the leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) test in 44 colorectal adenocarcinoma and 17 lung squamous-cell carcinoma patients 3-10 years after surgical resection. LAI-positivity was observed in 17/44 (38.6%) and 13/17 (76.5%) patients, respectively, together with serum blocking factors in 7/17 (41.2%) compared to 0/13. These results indicate that a high percentage of long survivors retain an immunologic memory of the tumor antigen to which they have been exposed. The prognostic significance of serum blocking factors is less clear.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Behavioural effects of deltorphins in rats.

When given i.c.v. in rats deltorphins induced a syndrome of behavioural stimulation consisting of increased locomotion rearing and sniffing. The increased locomotor activity and rearing were dose-related over the range of 0.13 to 3.8 nmol/rat for [D-Ala2]deltorphin II (DADELT II) and 1.04 to 20.8 nmol/rat for deltorphin. The delta-selective antagonist, naltrindole (10 mg/kg i.p.), completely abolished the behavioural stimulation induced by 1.3 nmol/rat of DADELT II and shifted the dose-response curve to the right, without decreasing the maximum effect. The mu-preferring antagonist, naloxone, was able to antagonize the DADELT II-induced locomotor activity but only at very high doses (10 and 20 mg/kg i.p.). The i.v. administration of a large dose (10 mg/kg) of the mu 1-selective antagonist, naloxonazine, did not affect the DADELT II response. At doses up to 38 nmol/rat, the i.c.v. injection of DADELT II never induced analgesia. At doses over 20.8 nmol/rat, deltorphin always induced spontaneous controlateral barrel rotations and circling, responses which were not blocked by prior administration of naloxone or haloperidol. In studies performed on the social behaviour of rats, i.c.v. administration of 0.38 nmol/rat of DADELT II was ineffective, while 1.3 nmol/rat increased the number of social contacts. Regression analysis showed that the increase in social contacts was a primary effect of the peptide, not correlated with the increased locomotor activity.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1991

Structure-activity relationships of the delta-opioid-selective agonists, deltorphins.

Deltorphins are naturally occurring peptides with high affinity and selectivity for delta-opioid receptors. They share with dermorphin, another mu-selective opioid agonist, the same N-terminal tripeptide Tyr-D-Xaa-Phe, where D-Xaa is a D-Ala or a D-Met residue. This common sequence appears to be essential for the best fitting of the peptides to both mu- or delta-opioid sites. We studied the changes in receptor affinity and selectivity and in biological potency of deltorphins due to shortening of the sequence, C-terminal deamidation or single amino acid substitutions. The results support the view that a code addressing the molecule towards delta-opioid sites is expressed in the C-terminal region of these peptides. This addressing domain confers high delta-selectivity to the ligand in the following two ways: (i) increased affinity for delta-sites; (ii) decreased affinity for mu-sites. The sequence of the C-terminal tripeptide appears to be responsible for the high delta-affinity of the molecules. Negatively charged side chains inhibit mu-binding and enhance delta-selectivity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

[The use of pulse oximetry in the compartment syndrome].

After conservative therapy of a left-sided radius fracture a 14-year-old patient developed a compartment syndrome; within 24 h, that required immediate surgical intervention. Despite palpable peripheral pulsation of the radial and ulnar arteries, it was not possible to measure the arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry on the forefinger and fifth finger of the left hand, so that a compartment syndrome due to a disorder of perfusion could be diagnosed. After fasciotomy, it became possible to measure the oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry as well as plethysmographic visualization of the pulse curve. In this case pulse oximetry confirmed the indication for surgical intervention and immediately demonstrated its success.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

cDNAs encoding [D-Ala2]deltorphin precursors from skin of Phyllomedusa bicolor also contain genetic information for three dermorphin-related opioid peptides.

We present the structure of four precursors for [D-Ala2]deltorphins I and II as deduced from cDNAs cloned from skin of the frog Phyllomedusa bicolor. These contain the genetic information for one copy of [D-Ala2]deltorphin II and zero, one, or three copies of [D-Ala2]deltorphin I. In each case, the D-alanine of the end product is encoded by a normal GCG codon for L-alanine. In addition, the existence of three peptides related to dermorphin was predicted from the amino acid sequence of the precursors. These peptides were synthesized with a D-alanine in position 2 and their pharmacological properties were tested. Two of them, [Lys7]dermorphin-OH and [Trp4,Asn7]dermorphin-OH, were found to have roughly the same affinity and selectivity for mu-type opioid receptors as dermorphin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Semen anomalies due to voiding defects of the ampullo-vesicular tract. Infertility due to ampullo-vesicular voiding defects.

Anatomical (congenital or postinflammatory) or functional anomalies of the uroseminal intersection can induce a voiding dysfunction of the deferential ampullae and seminal vesicles, leading to infertility. In case of azoospermia or OAT-syndrome with poor semen volume and decreased vesicular markers, some clinical history and examination data can cause suspect of one of such anomalies. The transrectal ultrasonographic findings of anechoic area(s) inside the prostate and/or seminal vesicle (even after recent ejaculation), the peculiar vasovesiculographic pictures (especially after ejaculation following the contrast medium injection into the vasa deferentia), plus the evaluation of the "deferential-ampullary sperm reserve", will permit a detailed diagnosis of the voiding dysfunction of the uroseminal crossing. A successful appropriate treatment of these pathologies can be done. Ultrasonically-guided transrectal puncture, or transurethral incision upstream of (or resection of) the ejaculatory duct orifices, or prolonged sexual abstinence, or artificial spermatocele of the vas deferens, or sperm recovering from urine for GIFT or IVF/ET after washing-out of the seminal tract by vas puncture are all methods, which can be selectively used depending on the individual case, to treat these forms of infertility. The authors present some paradigmatic clinical cases, and report that this pathology presumably occurs in up to 9% of non-selected infertile patient population.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Deltorphin, a novel amphibian skin peptide with high selectivity and affinity for delta opioid receptors.

With a cDNA library prepared from skin of Phyllomedusa sauvagei, the sequence of the precursor of dermorphin was elucidated recently. The sequence suggested the existence of another peptide, distantly related to dermorphin. Two variants of this peptide have now been synthesized containing either L- or D-methionine as the second amino acid. The peptide containing the D-methionine exhibited high-affinity and selectivity for delta opioid receptors in the mouse vas deferens and in rat brain homogenates. Moreover, using the synthetic peptide as marker, we could isolate small quantities of the corresponding natural peptide containing D-methionine as the second amino acid from skin extracts of Phyllomedusa sauvagei. The name deltorphin is proposed for this new peptide and its sequence is Tyr-D-Met-Phe-His-Leu-Met-Asp-NH2.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Sulbactam/ampicillin versus cefotetan in the treatment of obstetric and gynecologic infections.

In an open, randomized clinical study, the safety and efficacy of sulbactam/ampicillin was compared to that of cefotetan in 95 hospital patients with gynecologic or obstetric infections. Sulbactam/ampicillin (1 g:2 g), was administered intravenously every 8 h to 46 patients, and cefotetan (2 g) was administered intravenously every 12 h to 49 patients. All 23 patients with obstetric infections and 18 of the 23 patients with gynecologic infections treated with sulbactam/ampicillin were evaluated as cured. All 21 patients with obstetric infections and 23 of the 28 patients with gynecologic infections treated with cefotetan were evaluated as cured. No side effects requiring discontinuation of therapy or reduction of the dose administered, were observed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Deltorphins: a family of naturally occurring peptides with high affinity and selectivity for delta opioid binding sites.

Deltorphins are endogenous linear heptapeptides, isolated from skin extracts of frogs belonging to the genus Phyllomedusa, that have a higher affinity and selectivity for delta opioid binding sites than any other natural compound known. Two deltorphins with the sequence Tyr-Ala-Phe-Asp(or Glu)-Val-Val-Gly-NH2 have been isolated from skin extracts of Phyllomedusa bicolor. The alanine in position 2 is in the D configuration. These peptides, [D-Ala2]deltorphins I and II, show an even higher affinity for delta receptors than the previously characterized deltorphin, which contains D-methionine as the second amino acid. These peptides show some similarity to another constituent of Phyllomedusa skin, dermorphin, which is highly selective for mu-opioid receptors. These peptides all have the N-terminal sequence Tyr-D-Xaa-Phe, where D-Xaa is either D-alanine or D-methionine. While this structure seems to be capable of activating both mu and delta opioid receptors, differences in the C-terminal regions of these peptides are probably responsible for the observed high receptor selectivity of dermorphin and deltorphin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

[Opioid analgesia during extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy of gallstones].

Gallstone lithotripsy is a new and noninvasive therapeutic option for approximately 20% of patients who harbor cholesterol gallstones. Technologically advanced second-generation lithotripters such as the Dornier MPL 9000 device have greatly simplified biliary lithotripsy with a consecutive reduction in anesthetic requirements. Despite these technical improvements, patients still can experience considerable pain and discomfort during biliary ESWL. Due to its relatively predictable pharmacokinetic profile and its short duration of action, alfentanil appeared to be a suitable drug for pain relief during stone fragmentation. In order to analyze the degree and distribution of pain during gallstone lithotripsy and to evaluate pain control by alfentanil, 44 consecutive patients (ASA I-II) with no previous ESWL therapy were studied. Pain intensity and degree of opioid-induced sedation during shock wave application were evaluated according to 5-point verbal scales that ranged from 0 = no pain to 4 = unbearable pain and 0 = patient awake to 4 = patient asleep. All patients were treated while in the prone position and received oxygen at 6 l/min. After stone focusing, an alfentanil infusion at an initial rate of 2.5 micrograms/kg min was started. Single shock waves were released as test shocks after approximately 2 min. If they were well tolerated, stone fragmentation was begun. If not, more alfentanil was allowed to accumulate until continuous treatment was tolerated. Further in- or decreases of the infusion rate were titrated according to patient response. Registered variables included the required alfentanil loading dose, maintenance and total doses, and the applied shock wave energy approximated by multiplication of shock wave number and voltage squared.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cefotetan versus piperacillin in the prophylaxis of abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy: a prospective randomized study.

A prospective randomized study was carried out on a total of 686 patients who underwent vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy. Of these, 338 were given prophylactic cefotetan (2 g) and 348 piperacillin (2 g). Both drugs were administered as i.v. bolus 30 min before operation. Findings confirm the higher risk of infection with abdominal hysterectomy and the advantages of the long half-life cephalosporin, cefotetan.

Cefotetan↗