Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Albani

Publications and source records attributed to M Albani.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Sleep and aminophylline treatment of apnea in preterm infants.

The influence of short-term aminophylline treatment on sleep behaviour was studied in six preterms infants with recurrent apnea. The incidence of apnea, respiratory pauses, and bradycardias which were closely related to the phases of active sleep, decreased during aminophylline treatment. However, the amount of active sleep remained unaffected. The mode of action of aminophylline is discussed in view of the previously proposed neurophysiological concept of apnea of prematurity.

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1978

An unusual case of phenytoin intoxication.

A case of a ten years old boy is reported who developed a severe intoxication after changing the phenytoin treatment from the calcium salt to the free acid. The difference in bioavailability reduced the drug requirement to 55% of the previous dose. The child was receiving also sodium valproate and clonazepam. Serial measurements revealed a significant inverse correlation between the toxic phenytoin serum concentration and the serum level of valproic acid. The measurements of phenytoin as well as of valproic acid in this case have shown again the value of routine monitoring of anticonvulsant therapy.

Acids↗
PubMed1978

On the biosynthesis of 5-methoxyuridine and uridine-5-oxyacetic acid in specific procaryotic transfer RNAs.

The uridine-5-0-derivatives, 5-methoxyuridine (mo5U) and uridine-5-oxyacetic acid (cmo5U) occupy the first position of anticondons in certain tRNA species of B. subtilis and E. coli, respectively. Here we present experimental evidence showing that both modifications are derived from a common precursor, 5-hydroxyuridine. Incompletely modified tRNASer and tRNAVal from E. coli met- rel-. All five tRNAs accepted methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine with B. subtilis extracts in vitro and mo5U was formed. In B. subtilis tRNAs the mo5U was proved to be at the specific site; in E. coli tRNAVal the mo5U was demonstrated to be present in the oligonucleotide that comprises the anticodon. In submethylated E. coli tRNAVal,5-hydroxyuridine was detected whereas considerable amounts of cmo5U were lacking.

Alanine↗
PubMed1977

An effective dose schedule for phenytoin treatment of status epilepticus in infancy and childhood.

Fifteen infants and children were treated with phenytoin for status epilepticus. They received doses 31.5 mg/kg (18--46) in the first 24 hours, 18.5 mg/kg (10--28) on the second day and 11 mg/kg (7.7--15.4) on the third day controlled by frequent serum level determinations. After reaching the upper therapeutic range (8--25 microgram/ml) within 24 hours these serum concentrations were maintained over the next days. Twelve of fifteen--including five newborns and infants below four months of age--were thus successfully treated; the remaining three in whom phenytoin had no effect, no other anticonvulsant drug or a combination of several other drugs were successful. A dose schedule based upon serial serum concentration measurements is given. It enables an efficient phenytoin treatment of status epilepticus or equivalent convulsive states in infancy and childhood.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1977

Rapid eye movement sleep, apnea, and cardiac slowing influenced by phenobarbital administration in the neonate.

Polygraphic recordings were performed in seven preterm infants who had been given phenobarbital (phenobarbitone) to evaluate its effect on neonatal sleep behavior and on the incidence of neurogenic apnea and/or bradycardia. The amount of active sleep, as well as the incidence of apnea and/or cardiac slowing occurring predominantly in active sleep, were decreased at therapeutic serum levels of phenobarbital. With declining serum drug levels, active sleep showed a rebound effect; at the same time, apnea and/or cardiac slowing relapsed. Thus, our previously proposed neurophysiologic concept that neonatal apnea is facilitated by active sleep-inhibitory brain mechanisms seems to be confirmed.

Apnea↗
PubMed1977

[The palmitic/stearic acid ratio (P/S) in amniotic fluid for the determination of fetal lung maturity. The advantages of a simplified analysis by gas-liquid chromatography (author's transl)].

The assessment of fetal lung maturity in amniotic fluid is of undisputed usefulness but still not available to all centers caring for high risk pregnancies. This is mainly due to laboratory problems. In search of a rapid and reliable method which can also be used for analysis of mailed specimens, we found the determination of the P/S ratio by gas-liquid chromatography very useful. The detailed procedure of a simplified P/S determination is presented. This method can be introduced with reasonable effort by any larger hospital. Smaller departments can send amniotic fluid specimens to an external laboratory. P/S ratios proved stable during an incubation of amniotic fluid at room temperature for two days.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1977

[Studies on pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in premature infants (author's transl)].

19 preterm and 2 newborn infants received gentamicin in dosages of 2.5 mg/kg every 12 h. Successive determinations of serum concentrations show, that the levels of gentamicin are adequate for therapy even in preterm infants with low birth weight. Concentrations 30 min after injection (c30min) and base-line-concentrations vary widely. 74% of the 30 min-serum levels are observed within the desired therapeutic range, between 3 and 10 microgram/ml. 16% of the levels measured 30 min after intravenous or intraarterial injection are higher than the known range for potential ototoxicity of 10 microgram/ml. 10% of the 30 min-levels are around 2 microgram/ml, so that the therapeutic efficacy during the following interval of application is doubtful. There is no evidence of accumulation of the drug for periods of treatment up to 7--20 days. The average serum half-life in premature infants with a gestational age of less than 32 weeks and a birth-weight of less than 2000 g is 5--6,7 h. Those with a gestational age of greater than 32 weeks and a birth-weight of greater than 2000 g, and full-term infants show a gentamicin half-life of 2.9h. To determine the actual serum concentration of gentamicin, the rapid and easy disc-agarose-diffusion test using B. subtilis is useful and suitable for routine therapy control.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1976

Cardiac slowing and respiratory arrest in preterm infants.

Changes in respiration and heart rate during sleep states have been recorded by a polygraphic device in healthy preterm infants. Cardiac slowing/bradycardia often coincide with respiratory arrest/apnea. Bradycardia starts early during apneic spells. The incidence of respiratory arrest and cardiac slowing and their simultaneous occurrence is significantly increased by the active or REM sleep state. The physiologic, inhibitory mechanisms of active sleep suggest a neurogenic etiology of episodes of cardiac slowing/bradycardia and/or respiratory arrest/apnea in prematures.

Apnea↗
PubMed1976

Apneic spells and sleep states in preterm infants.

The incidence of apneic spells during different sleep states active sleep, quiet sleep, and undifferentiated sleep was determined in eight preterm infants of 30 to 35 weeks' conceptional age, by means of a polygraphic recording technique. They were free of perinatal and postnatal complications other than apnea. During their active or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep they showed significantly more apneic episodes which were also longer lasting and they were accompanied by bradycardia of a greater severity. The organization of the immature nervous system with a preponderance of inhibitory synaptic connections and the additional inhibition of spinal motoneurons during REM sleep are likely to be the cause of apneic spells in otherwise "normal" preterm infants.

Apnea↗
PubMed1976

Transcutaneous PO2 monitoring in routine management of infants and children with cardiorespiratory problems.

Results are reported concerning the clinical application of the transcutaneous PO2 method (tc PO2 method) according to Huch et al. for monitoring arterial PO2. Thirty long-term continuous tc PO2 recordings were made in 22 ventilated children and infants with cardiorespiratory problems in four different pediatric intensive care units (Zürich, Göttingen, Kassel, and Mainz). These recordings were compared with 132 arterial PO2 determinations made during the same period of time. There was a linear relationship and a close correspondence between arterial PO2 and tc PO2 (r = .94). The continuous recordings have shown that the variability of PO2 is much greater than assumed so far by single blood gas analysis. This fact restricts greatly the value of single samples. Continuous tc PO2 monitoring has proved to be a great help in optimal respirator setting.

Child↗