Biomedical subjects

M Albertini

Publications and source records attributed to M Albertini.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Inspiratory timing regulation of PGF2 alpha in newborn pigs.

In intact and vagotomized anesthetized, spontaneously breathing piglets, we investigated the regulation of inspiratory timing evoked by i.v. administration of prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha. The inspiratory time was evaluated from the flow trace as an index of mechanical inspiratory time (Ti) and from costal and crural diaphragmatic EMG (TiEMG) as an index of neural inspiratory time. Our results under control conditions showed that TiEMG was shorter than Ti. Vagotomy abolished the difference, inducing a change in the power spectrum without modifying the centroid frequency (Cf). PGF2 alpha lengthened TiEMG, causing a postinspiratory diaphragmatic discharge to appear, while mechanical inspiratory time decreased significantly. Postvagotomy i.v. administration of PGF2 alpha did not cause any significant changes in inspiratory time and did not evoke the postinspiratory discharge. The i.v. administration of PGF2 alpha before and after vagotomy did not change the centroid frequency in spite of recruitment of new motor units synchronized with those that are active under control conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[Post-traumatic lung pneumatocele. A case in an infant].

Traumatic lung pseudocyst is a lung injury due to closed chest trauma. The authors report one case in a 20 month-old boy. This cavitary lesion is underestimated since associated lesions often mask the pneumatocele. Its frequency is higher in children and young adults. Diagnosis can be assessed early when chest film shows the characteristic cavitary lesion. Computed tomography may be helpful in the recognition of paramediastinal traumatic lung pseudocyst. Since the lung pseudocyst usually involves, no aggressive therapy is justified.

Humans↗

PubMed1992

[Inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of childhood asthma].

During the last fifteen years, inhaled corticosteroids were increasingly used for prophylaxis in childhood asthma. The development of inhaled corticosteroids with a high ratio of topical vs systemic potency, now makes possible their use in large doses which are needed to control the most severe forms of the disease, in order to avoid long term oral corticosteroid treatment for these patients. The efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids depends on an optimal pulmonary deposition of the drug which is obtained with children by inhaling the drug via a large volume spacer. Beyond their beneficial effects on the clinical condition of the patients and on pulmonary function, inhaled corticosteroids should improve the long term prognosis of asthma, by reducing chronic inflammation in the airways and the associated bronchial hyperreactivity. At usual dosages, inhaled corticosteroids are free of harmful side effects. However, caution and close observation of adrenal function and growth development are required when prescribing inhaled corticosteroids at high dosages for a long period. Nevertheless, inhaled corticosteroids present very few serious side effects compared with those induced by long term oral corticosteroid treatment.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1992

[Mediastinal extension of retropharyngeal abscess].

Retropharyngeal abscesses in children are unusual and the involvement of the mediastinum is exceptional since the era of the antibiotics. It can be explained by the anatomic continuity between the retropharyngeal space and the retrooesophageal space. We report a case where the CT Scanner allows a complete evaluation of the disease in the mediastinum and a good follow-up.

Abscess↗

PubMed1991

Continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil with escalating doses of intermittent cisplatin and etoposide. A phase I study.

Continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (CI 5-FU) and the combination of cisplatin (CDDP) plus etoposide (VP-16) have emerged as salvage regimens for metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC). In this study, 18 patients (15 with MBC) were entered into a Phase I study to determine the maximum intermittent doses of CDDP and VP-16 that could be added to 200 mg/m2/d CI 5-FU. The maximum tolerated dose of the combination was 40 mg/m2 of CDDP and 60 mg/m2 of VP-16 weekly for the first 8 weeks and every other week thereafter. The dose-limiting toxicities of the regimen were myelosuppression and thrombocytopenia. Two complete responses (both patients had received no previous chemotherapy) and one partial response were noticed. This regimen at the doses described here is appropriate for Phase II trials as an alternative to doxorubicin-based regimens for MBC.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Effects of PGF2 alpha on the EMG of costal and crural parts of the diaphragm of the newborn pig.

We investigated the effects of PGF2 alpha on the breathing patterns and electric activity of costal and crural parts of the diaphragm in 9 anesthetized newborn pigs. The change in diaphragmatic tension was evaluated as the change in transdiaphragmatic pressure. Because PGF2 alpha induces bronchoconstriction and an increase in respiratory resistances, the changes induced by prostaglandin were evaluated as differences between bronchoconstriction after PGF2 alpha and resistive load obtained by applying gradual occlusion to the inspiratory line of the breathing circuit. Our results show that PGF2 alpha decreased respiratory frequency with lengthening of expiratory time, while the resistive load increased both respiratory phases. The changes in breathing pattern were associated with different electrical activities of the diaphragm. While resistive load did not significantly change the EMG power spectrum, PGF2 alpha recruited new motor units. Furthermore, resistive load induced synchronization of the inspiratory time discharge of the costal and crural parts of the diaphragm, while after PGF2 alpha infusion there was an early inspiratory discharge of the crural part.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

The effect of level of contraction on the electromyographic power spectrum of the diaphragm in pigs.

We investigated the relationship between the frequency components of myoelectric power spectra of the diaphragm and the level of diaphragmatic contraction in seven anaesthetized spontaneously breathing pigs. Electromyographic activity of the costal and crural portions of the diaphragm were recorded with fish-hook electrodes and the frequency-power spectra during inspiration were computed and expressed in terms of centroid frequency (fc). Diaphragmatic force was indirectly assessed as transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) which was measured with balloon-catheter systems placed in the abdomen and oesophagus. The relationships between Pdi and costal and crural fc were assessed during brief (2 min) and incremental increases in diaphragmatic contraction, achieved by gradual occlusion of the inspiratory line of the breathing circuit. When Pdi was increased to 128, 191, 287 and 421% of the value measured during unobstructed breathing, costal and crural fc rose significantly in all animals because of an increase in the power of high-frequency components and a decline in the power of low-frequency components. Both costal and crural fc returned to control values within 5 min of the release of inspiratory occlusion. Our results indicate that the level of contraction is an important determinant of the diaphragmatic myoelectric power spectrum and should be taken into consideration when using power spectral analysis to diagnose diaphragmatic mechanical failure.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

PGF2 alpha and breathing pattern in newborn pigs.

The effect of PGF2 alpha has been evaluated in 11 unanaesthetized unrestrained piglets and in 3 anaesthetized piglets (2-3 days old) using a barometric-plethysmographic technique. PGF2 alpha (mg 0.25/pig) was administered as aerosol for 5 min. In 3 of the unanaesthetized newborn pigs the effect of PGF2 alpha aerosol has been evaluated after indomethacin (mg 1/Kg i.v.). The vagal dependent activity of the prostaglandin was also evaluated after atropine (mg 0.08/Kg i.m.). Our results show that PGF2 alpha in newborn pigs causes hypoventilation due to a decrease in respiratory rate and to a lengthening in TE. The changes in TE are due to an increase in the incidence and duration of apneic events characterizing the respiratory activity at birth. After indomethacin PGF2 alpha does not change the breathing pattern. Atropine only partially reduces the effects of PGF2 alpha while, after anaesthesia, prostaglandin does not change the breathing pattern. Consequently our results show that PGF2 alpha in newborn animals similar to other prostaglandins acts as a depressant of respiratory activity.

Aerosols↗

PubMed1990

[Broncho-alveolar lavage in HIV-1 seropositive children].

Sixteen bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) were performed in 15 children with HIV1 seropositivity, 12 of them being infected by HIV1. BAL was performed during episodes of acute pneumonitis with respiratory distress (group I: three cases) or without severity (group II: five cases), or in the presence of asymptomatic radiological pulmonary abnormalities (group III: seven cases). A specific diagnosis of infection was obtained in five cases of acute pneumonitis and 12 micro-organisms were identified by BAL: three cytomegaloviruses, three respiratory syncytial viruses, two Pneumocytis carinii, one Haemophilus influenzae, one Herpes simplex virus type 1, one Escherichia coli and one group A streptococcus. In three cases two micro-organisms were simultaneously identified. Cytological examination showed a high proportion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in cases of acute pneumonitis (group II) and alveolar lymphocytosis in clinically asymptomatic children with radiological pulmonary abnormalities (group III). BAL appears to be a reliable tool for the investigation of pulmonary infections in children with HIV1 seropositivity. In addition it has the advantage of revealing latent cytological abnormalities in these patients.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗

PubMed1990

[Neonatal aspects of 29 triplet pregnancies].

Ovulation induction and in vitro fecundation have increased the incidence of multiple pregnancies. We report the neonatal aspects of 29 triplet pregnancies. The presence of neonatologists at every delivery and during all the transfers to the neonatal unit probably accounts for the low morbidity and the absence of an early and late neonatal mortality of our study.

Female↗

PubMed1989

Variation in peak expiratory flow of normal and asymptomatic asthmatic children.

Peak expiratory flow (PEF) variation was measured in 18 healthy children (Group I) aged 9.25 to 13.3 years (mean, 11 years) and in 17 asymptomatic asthmatic children (Group II) aged 8.75 to 14.25 years (mean, 11.9 years) receiving no bronchodilators. PEF was measured four times a day for a period of 10-14 days. There were no differences between Group I and Group II regarding age, height, weight, sex, duration of the study, and overall mean PEF values. Mean daily PEF variation amplitude (difference between the highest and the lowest daily values as a percent of the mean) was significantly higher in Group II than in Group I subjects (15.2 vs. 9.9%), and so was cosinor amplitude (9.6 vs. 5.9%). Significant circadian rhythm in PEF was detected by cosinor analysis in nine subjects of Group I and in eight subjects of Group II. Mean PEF bathyphase calculated by cosinor analysis (trough time in a 24 h scale) was similar in the two groups (0503 h, in Group I and 0434 h in Group II). The results of this study show that the amplitude of circadian variation in PEF tends to be higher in asymptomatic asthmatic children than in normal children, but there is too much overlap to use PEF monitoring to identify an individual asymptomatic asthmatic child. Therefore, diurnal variation of PEF is not suitable for diagnosing mild asthmatics.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

[Variability of blood pressure measured using an oscillometric method in children 4 to 48 months of age].

The usual method of measuring arterial blood pressure cannot be used in children less than 4 years of age because of lack of cooperation. We investigated variations of blood pressure measured during 20 minutes by an oscillometric method (Dinamap) in 100 children aged 4 to 48 months and tried to come up with some recommendations for measuring and interpreting blood pressure. Serial blood pressure recordings showed poor reproducibility due to movements which are impossible to avoid and which account for wide variations. Because of this variability, a single measurement is inadequate and must be repeated. The average of repeated recordings does not seem to be a reliable parameter. We suggest that the lower measured value (minima) as the only parameter allowing us to track the progressive increase in blood pressure with age. The data probably explain the large discrepancies between published studies taking into account the use of different methods.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1989

[Physiologic variations in plasma osteocalcin in the child and the adolescent].

Osteocalcin, the most abundant of non-collagen proteins in bone, is produced by osteoblasts and incorporated into the bone matrix. A small amount is circulated in the bloodstream where it can be detected by radioimmunologic assay. Serum assays in 128 children and adolescents showed that serum osteocalcin levels accurately reflect the various stages of statural growth: peak levels were found at three different ages, i.e. infants (21.8 +/- 4.9 ng/ml), children over seven (19.4 +/- 5.2 ng/ml), and adolescents undergoing the early stages of puberty (22.5 +/- 4.2 ng/ml). Although significant differences were found between each age group and the preceding or following group, these results can be applied to individual patients only for longitudinal studies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

[The pure visceral form of Niemann-Pick disease in children. Review of the literature apropos of a case].

The fortuitous discovery of a pulmonary miliary pattern in a asymptomatic child led the authors to the diagnosis of Niemann-Pick disease.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1988

[Blood pressure in 6- to 45-month-old children. Apropos of a study of 264 children from nurseries].

The systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure and pulse rate were measured among 264 children aged 6 to 45 months, during routine check-up in 4 day-nurseries. We took the mean value of 3 successive measurements taken at one minute intervals on the upper arm of calm, asymptomatic children, with an automatic oscillometric monitor (Dinamap). When the mean systolic blood pressure was greater than 110 mmHg, the measurement was repeated. The results were related to weight, height and age and to personal and/or family history. The systolic pressure was steady with a 97th percentile at 110 mmHg. The diastolic pressure presented two levels: 97th percentile at 81 mmHg before 24 months and 73 mmHg afterwards. Nine children born to toxemic mothers, and 14 having required neonatal hospital care, had lower diastolic pressure. The other family or personal data were not linked to particular pressure groups.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed1987

[Atypical mycobacterial pulmonary infections. Apropos of a case in a newborn infant].

The authors report the case of an 8 month-old infant presenting with mycobacterium avium-intracellulare pulmonary infection. The etiological diagnosis relies upon isolation of the organism. The cutaneous reactions to avian tuberculin are only a guiding factor. Evolution was favorable in spite of the resistance of the bacteria to antituberculous chemotherapy. The epidemiological research carried out in a neighbouring chicken-run was negative.

Humans↗

PubMed1986

Effects of vagotomy on respiratory mechanics in newborn and adult pigs.

We have examined breathing patterns and respiratory mechanics in anesthetized tracheostomized newborn piglets and adult pigs and the changes determined by cervical bilateral vagotomy. Piglets had a respiratory system compliance and resistance, on a per kilogram basis, respectively, higher and smaller than the adults. After vagotomy neither variable changed in the newborn, but resistance dropped in the adult. This may suggest that efferent vagal control of bronchomotor tone is more pronounced in the adult. Respiratory system time constant was longer in newborns both before and after vagotomy. The distortion of the chest wall, examined as the ratio between the volume inhaled spontaneously and the passive volume for the same abdominal motion, was more marked in newborns, reflecting their higher chest wall compliance. The work per minute, computed from the pressure and volume changes, was larger in piglets. After vagotomy the external work per minute was not different; however, the larger tidal volumes were accompanied by a larger chest distortion. This may indicate that vagal control of the breathing pattern, by limiting the depth of inspiration and hence the amount of chest distortion, has implications on the energetics of breathing.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

[Spondylodiscitis in children following lumbar puncture. Apropos of a case].

We described a case of spondylodiscitis L3 L4, in a 3 year old child that appeared 3 weeks after a lumbar puncture. The infectious agent responsible wasn't found. The child recovered without sequelae with an antistaphylococcis treatment. The mecanism by inoculation has been described after surgery of the inter-vertebral disc but also after spinal anesthesis. The bone complications of the lumbar puncture are exceptionally rare but elementary aseptic precautions must not be overlooked in order minimise the infection.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗