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Biomedical subjects

M Battaglia

Publications and source records attributed to M Battaglia.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Attenuation of cholinergic analgesia by nifedipine.

Nociception was tested in mice receiving oxotremorine or physostigmine either after the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker nifedipine or the non-calcium antagonist vasodilator hydralazine. Nifedipine did not change the reaction time to thermal stimulation (tail-flick test), but attenuated the prolonging action on tail-flick latencies exerted by the two cholinomimetic agents. Hydralazine had no effect alone nor modified the action of cholinomimetics. The results suggest that attenuation of cholinergic analgesia by nifedipine might be related to not yet defined neuronal changes produced by calcium channel blockade, but changes in the pharmacokinetics of oxotremorine and physostigmine cannot be ruled out.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1993

Ambulatory polysomnography of never-depressed borderline subjects: a high-risk approach to rapid eye movement latency.

The sleep parameters of never-depressed borderline subjects and age- and sex-matched normal controls were compared by continuous 48-hr ambulatory electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring. Borderline subjects had a significantly shorter rapid eye movement latency, normal architecture of rapid eye movements sleep, and had familial risks for mood disorders four times greater than in the families of controls. Reduced latency of rapid eye movement can be a trait indicator of liability to depression, present before the clinical appearance of the disorder, and demonstrable in a putative high-risk population.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Susceptibility of human liver cell cultures to hepatitis C virus infection.

To develop a cell culture system susceptible to infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV), human fetal hepatocytes, grown in serum-free medium, were inoculated with serum samples from two HCV-infected patients. Viral RNA sequences were detected by polymerase chain reaction, using primers specific for the 5' noncoding region of HCV, in extracts prepared from the hepatocyte cultures as early as 5 days after inoculation. Virus was also released from the infected cells into the medium. The HCV strains could be serially passaged three times into fresh liver cell cultures using intracellular virus as inoculum. Evidence that HCV replication really took place in primary human fetal hepatocytes was also obtained by detection of minus-strand viral RNA (replication intermediate) in cell extracts and of viral antigens in the infected cells.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Failed back surgery syndrome. Part II: Surgical techniques, implant choice, and operative results in 171 patients with instability of the lumbar spine.

171 patients with an instability-related failed back surgery syndrome underwent internal fixation. The operative indication was based on specific diagnostic procedures such as anaesthesia of articular nerves and the trial external immobilization in a plaster jacket. Taking account of the different types of hypermobility/instability of the lumbar spine, different spinal implants were used leading to excellent, good, satisfactory, moderate and poor results in 87 (53%), 42 (26%), 23 (14%), 9 (6%) and 2 (1%) patients, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Failed back surgery syndrome. Part I: Analysis of the clinical presentation and results of testing procedures for instability of the lumbar spine in 171 patients.

The clinical presentation and diagnostic approach in 171 patients with a failed back surgery syndrome is presented and analyzed with respect to the mode of the primary discectomy-approach and type of resulting instability as well as results of internal fixation. The clinical picture and physical signs are quite distinct but the indication for internal fixation is only obvious in the presence of positive results of additional testing procedures such as the anaesthesia of articular nerves and trial immobilisation in a plaster jacket. Different types of instability of the lumbar spine occur in relation to the mode of the primary and/or secondary discectomy-approach(es). By application of this diagnostic protocol excellent, good, satisfactory, moderate and poor results were obtained in 87 (53%), 42 (26%), 23 (14%), 9 (6%), and 2 (1%) patients, respectively (final evaluation was possible in 163 patients).

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Facilitation of shuttle-box avoidance behaviour in mice treated with nifedipine in combination with amphetamine.

The dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist nifedipine, tested in mice of CD-1, C57BL/6 and DBA/2 strains, at doses of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg IP, had no significant effect on shuttle-box avoidance acquisition. Nifedipine also failed to affect performance retention in CD-1 mice subjected to a one-trial passive avoidance task (step-through). While ineffective alone, nifedipine strongly enhanced the shuttle-box avoidance facilitating action of amphetamine (1 and 2 mg/kg IP) in low performing CD-1 mice. The results indicate that although calcium channel blockers do not affect learning in avoidance paradigms in normal animals, they can interfere with the effects of other centrally acting drugs. Calcium antagonists might interfere with neuronal changes induced by amphetamine, but at present it is difficult to explain the strong avoidance facilitation produced by combinations of nifedipine and amphetamine. A possibility that the action of nifedipine on cerebral circulation is involved in the amphetamine-nifedipine interaction cannot be excluded.

Amphetamine↗
PubMed1993

Effects of oxiracetam, physostigmine, and their combination on active and passive avoidance learning in mice.

The nootropic drug oxiracetam (50 and 100 mg/kg) had no effect on one-trial passive avoidance acquisition in CD-1 mice, while the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine improved passive avoidance performance at doses of 0.025 and 0.05 mg/kg given either pre- or posttraining. In a multitrial avoidance task (shuttle-box), a consistent tendency to better performance was displayed by mice receiving oxiracetam (50 and 100 mg/kg) or physostigmine (0.01 and 0.025 mg/kg, but not 0.05 mg/kg). Combinations of the two drugs never improved active or passive avoidance performance more than drugs given separately. This indicates no advantage in combining nootropics and anticholinesterase inhibitors to improve learning and memory.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Goserelin acetate with or without flutamide in the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. The Italian Prostatic Cancer Project (PONCAP) Study Group.

From March 1987 to December 1990, 373 patients with stage C and D prostate cancer were randomized to receive either goserelin acetate alone or goserelin acetate plus flutamide. At a median follow-up time of 24 months, there was no significant difference in the response rate, progression-free and overall survival between the two treatment groups. In particular, median time to progression was 18 months in the goserelin arm and 24 months in the combined treatment arm (P = 0.09). However, median time to progression in stage D patients was 12 months in both treatment groups. Median time to death was 32 and 34 months, respectively. The combination regimen produced a more rapid normalisation of prostatic acid phosphatase levels and a prompt relief of bone pain. However, significantly more patients in the combination arm experienced treatment-related side-effects such as diarrhoea and increases in transaminase levels. The concurrent use of goserelin acetate and flutamide does not seem to significantly improve the results that can be achieved with goserelin acetate alone.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1993

Endourological treatment of ureteric injuries.

Over the last 8 years, 30 patients with ureteric injuries underwent endoscopic treatment. There were 14 failures, 5 because of blockage or diversion of the catheter in the fistulous gap and 9 because it was impossible to penetrate the stenotic tract. All failures occurred when treatment was attempted more than 3 weeks after the trauma. Sixteen lesions were successfully treated by placing a 6 to 10 F double pigtail catheter in the damaged ureter and leaving it for at least 3 months. Patients were followed up for 24 months. No recurrences were seen and good long-term results were achieved in all cases. In our experience, endourological treatment can be recommended for recent strictures < 2 cm in length, or for small fistulas in which continuity of the ureteric wall is still partially preserved. Despite the risk of failure, especially following late treatment of an injury, it should be considered a safe and effective procedure that is accepted well by the patients and that avoids the need for open surgery and its possible complications.

Cutaneous Fistula↗
PubMed1993

Management of bilateral ureteric injuries after gynaecological and obstetric procedures.

The outcome of 24 patients affected by bilateral injuries of the ureter after gynaecological and obstetric procedures was analyzed. Five patients were not treated because they were asymptomatic, while 19 patients underwent different kinds of surgical procedures. Ureteric stenting was performed in 4 patients, reconstructive procedures in 9, internal diversions in 2 and external diversions in 4. Good results were achieved in 14 (74%) of the 19 treated patients. The success rate, however, was remarkably higher (85%) in the group of patients treated with ureteric stenting or reconstructive procedures than in those treated with diversions (50%). Ureteric stenting and bilateral reconstructive procedures, when feasible, constitute the simplest and safest way to repair short ureteric injuries. In the management of extensive injuries nephrostomy represents a safe and valid alternative to open surgical diversions which do not improve the quality of life and may even be life-threatening.

Female↗
PubMed1993

[Echographic evaluation of kidney transplant "en bloc"].

Kidney transplants from infant donors are associated in the literature with poor results as regards both functionality and the survival of the transplant. Hence the increasing frequency, for kidneys obtained from donors under 5 years of age, of a surgical technique defined as "en bloc", involving the transplant of both kidneys into a single receiver and using the donor aorta and vena cava for vascular anastomosis. This technique seems to provide results comparable with those obtained using adult organs. Ultrasound and Doppler investigations are routinely performed in patients undergoing such a transplant. This study presents ultrasound and Doppler images of "en bloc" transplants, with particular reference to one case of pseudoaneurysm of the donor aorta and one of stenosis of the renal artery, revealed by Echo-Color-Doppler. The importance of ultrasound in this kind of transplant is emphasized, as it enables post-operative monitoring of the physiological growth in volume of the two transplanted infant kidneys.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Transrectal echography in the evaluation of the effects of endocavitary laser therapy in patients with bacterial prostatitis].

104 patients with acute bacterial prostatitis were randomized to an antibiotic therapy group (group I) and an antibiotic plus laser therapy group (group II). Laser therapy was applied ever other day through a trans-rectally inserted fiberoptic probe. Resolution of the symptoms occurred in 87% of the patients in group I and 92% in group II (p < 0.001). Transrectal ultrasound resulted in resolution of the peri-prostatic venous plexus congestion in 43.7% of the patients in group I and 89.7% in group II. In conclusion, the combination of laser therapy and antibiotics in bacterial prostatitis provides both a better resolution of the symptoms and a reduction or disappearance of the peri-prostatic venous congestion.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

Oral prophylaxis with fosfomycin trometamol in transurethral prostatectomy and urological maneuvers: literature review and personal experience.

In the literature there are three comparative and two open studies in which 1,395 patients received 3 g of fosfomycin trometamol per os 12 or three hours before and 24 hours after surgery: 625 patients received control substances or placebo. In the comparative studies the incidence of postoperative bacteriuria in patients treated with fosfomycin trometamol ranged from 2.9 to 7.6% at one week and from 1.2 to 3.2% at two to four weeks follow-up, and was lower than in patients treated with reference drugs or placebo. In the open study, postoperative bacteriuria ranged from 2.9 to 6.0% at one week follow-up. In our open study, 70 patients were evaluable. Four out of 70 (5.7%) developed fever > or = 38 degrees C, with positive urine culture, during the first three postoperative days. At two weeks follow-up another 5.7% showed a symptomatic urinary tract infection with a cumulative infection rate of 11.4%. In all cases, the bacteria were resistant to fosfomycin trometamol. A low incidence, 4.2%, of side effects, mainly related to the gastrointestinal tract, was observed. Fosfomycin trometamol proved to be effective with the advantage of no risk of cross resistance, practical pharmaceutical formulation with good patient compliance, good safety profile with few side effects and a satisfactory cost/benefit ratio.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Oxiracetam prevents haloperidol-induced passive avoidance impairment in mice.

The nootropic drug oxiracetam (50 mg/kg) prevented passive avoidance impairment induced by posttraining administration of haloperidol (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg). Conversely, oxiracetam did not antagonize either locomotor depression or suppression of active avoidance responses induced by the dopamine receptor blocking agent. The results indicate that prevention of haloperidol-induced retention impairment, by oxiracetam, may be due to a not yet defined protective action, common to other nootropic agents, on different types of experimental amnesias, rather than to a specific interaction with dopaminergic mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Similar effects of nifedipine and hydralazine on anaesthesia and hypermotility induced by pentobarbitone in mice.

Nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, and hydralazine, a non-calcium channel antagonist vasodilatator, enhanced pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time and reversed locomotor hyperactivity induced by a subhypnotic dose of the barbiturate in mice. The similarity of the behavioural effects, exerted by nifedipine and hydralazine, suggest that haemodynamic factors may play an important role in the interaction of calcium channel antagonists with barbiturates.

Anesthesia↗