Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Ducci

Publications and source records attributed to M Ducci.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in children.

The authors present a report of 280 cases of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (U.H.L.) in children, observed from 1979 to 1986 in the Bambino Gesu' Hospital in Rome. Only 23.2% of these hearing impairments were due to a known etiology (mainly mumps infection). In the majority of the cases (79.3%) the hearing loss was profound. The authors discuss the methods for the etiological diagnosis and the possibility of prophylaxis both of U.H.L. and of communication difficulties.

Child↗
PubMed1988

Plasma pharmacokinetics of cinmetacin following oral administration in healthy volunteers.

The pharmacokinetics of a single 600 mg oral dose of 1-cinnamoyl-2-methyl-5-methoxy-3-indolylacetic acid (cinmetacin, Cindomet) was studied in 8 healthy volunteers of both sexes. Plasma levels of the drug were assayed by using an HPLC technique ad hoc devised. Following administration, the Cmax was reached at the 2nd h in 7 out of 8 subjects with an average value of 18.19 micrograms/ml; 12 h after the dose (last sampling time) appreciable plasma levels of cinmetacin were measured, corresponding to 17.2% of the maximum average concentration. The mean values +/- S.E. concerning the elimination half-life, the total volume of distribution, the total plasma clearance and the total area under the curve were 3.80 +/- 0.21 h, 0.28 +/- 0.03 l/kg, 0.051 +/- 0.005 l/kg/h, and 125.64 +/- 15.97 micrograms.h/ml, respectively. The plasma decay of cinmetacin was monophasic and the data were interpreted according to a one-compartment open model. Overall results indicate that cinmetacin is well and rapidly absorbed orally and widely distributed in body fluids.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Postsynaptic effects of alpha agonists on adrenoceptors of the reserpinized rat vas deferens.

The activities of the alpha-1 antagonist prazosin and alpha-2 antagonist yohimbine were evaluated against noradrenaline (NA), methoxamine (Me) and clonidine (Clo) on the reserpinized rat vas deferens. Prazosin antagonized competitively Me but not NA and Clo. On the other hand yohimbine showed a low and not competitive antagonism towards all the three agonists. Similar results were obtained when the antagonistic activities were tested in the presence of the alternative antagonist, in the attempt to isolate a single receptor population. We can conclude that the smooth musculature of the rat vas deferens contains prevalently alpha-1 adrenoceptors and a small population of NA activated receptors resistant to alpha-2 antagonists.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1987

Role of the (acyloxy)methyl moiety in eliciting the adrenergic beta-blocking activity of 3-(acyloxy)propanolamines.

Some totally aliphatic 3-(acyloxy)propanolamines were synthesized with the aim of testing whether beta-blocking activity could be obtained from this class of drugs, even in the absence of an aromatic group. The significant and, in most cases, competitive beta-blocking activity shown by the compounds under examination, together with the results of a theoretical study in which their reactivity was compared with that of other adrenergic beta-blocking drugs, seems to confirm a hypothesis previously advanced on the basis of knowledge about the action mechanism of adrenergic beta-blocking drugs and of the results of structural studies. It was also possible to suggest some considerations about the role played by the (acyloxy)methyl portion of 3-(acyloxy)propanolamines in eliciting their adrenergic beta-blocking activity.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1986

The pharmacokinetic profile of clofoctol in rat plasma and tissues after oral and rectal administration.

The pharmacokinetics of clofoctol was investigated in rat plasma and tissues after both oral and rectal treatment at a single dose of 300 mg/kg. After oral administration the plasmatic peak was 2.12 +/- 0.92 microgram/ml, occurring at the 90th min, with T/2 of 121.45 +/- 23.41 min. After rectal administration a plasmatic peak of 1.97 +/- 0.61 microgram/ml was reached at the 20th min with T/2 of 41.07 +/- 12.30 min. The kinetic profile of the drug in tissues exhibited a pattern similar to that in the plasma, since the maximal peak of clofoctol in tissues following rectal administration occurred before that obtained after oral administration. Tissue concentrations significantly higher than plasmatic ones were obtained through both administration routes. The present results indicate that clofoctol is well absorbed after both oral and rectal administration; however rectal treatment produces more rapid absorption and elimination compared with oral treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Might adriamycinol contribute to adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity?

The pharmacokinetics of adriamycin (ADR) and its 13-hydroxylated-metabolite adriamycinol (ADR-ol) was investigated during treatment with ADR in rats at a dose of 2 mg/kg i.v., once a week for 3 weeks. At various times, samples of blood and cardiac and pulmonary tissues were collected to measure the amount of ADR and ADR-ol by an HPLC procedure. Periodical ECG monitoring was performed during the study; the severity of cardiac lesions was histologically evaluated at the end of treatment. During the first 180 min after ADR administration, plasma levels of ADR and ADR-ol rapidly decreased; ADR levels in cardiac and in pulmonary tissues increased between the 15th and 30th min and than decreased between the 60th and 180th min; on the contrary, ADR-ol was undetectable in either cardiac or pulmonary tissues during the first 3 hours following ADR administration. Between the 1st and 3rd weeks of treatment, plasmatic levels of ADR and ADR-ol were unchanged; in a similar way, both cardiac and pulmonary tissue levels of ADR were constant during the period of treatment. By contrast, the cardiac tissue level of ADR-ol significantly increased between the 2nd and 3rd weeks. ECG tracings showed maximal enlargement of both QRS and S alpha T at the end of the 3rd week. The histological examination of cardiac tissue indicated the occurrence of degenerative changes in 20% of rats at the end of the experiment. Overall results seem to indicate that ADR-ol is produced and stored in cardiac tissue during repeated ADR administration; as a consequence the cytotoxic metabolite might contribute to the cardiotoxic effect of ADR.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

A rapid and sensitive high-pressure liquid chromatographic method for monitoring josamycin levels in plasma.

In this study a new high-pressure liquid chromatographic method for monitoring plasma levels of josamycin is described. Josamycin propionate was used as the internal standard. After being extracted from plasma by chloroform at an alkaline pH, the compounds were easily separated on a reversed-phase column C8. The mobile phase was methanol: citrate-phosphate buffer 0.01 M pH 2.8 (85:15 v/v); and the wavelength 232 nm. The retention time was 2.2 min for josamycin and 2.7 min for josamycin propionate; the chromatogram lasted about 3.5 min. Using this method, concentrations of josamycin up to 0.3 microgram/ml were determined.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1983

The pharmacokinetics of clofoctol in healthy neonates and adults studied by an original HPLC technique.

The pharmacokinetics of clofoctol [(tetramethyl-1,1,3,3,butyl)-4-(dichloro-2,4-benzyl)-2-hydroxy-1-benzene ] was investigated in six healthy newborns and compared with the kinetic parameters of the drug in six healthy adults. The concentration of the drug in plasma was measured by means of an original sensitive HPLC technique. In both neonates and adults treated rectally with clofoctol, the plasmatic peak occurred at the 30th min, although the maximal peak of adults was significantly lower. Kel and T1/2 exhibited a similar pattern, whereas the AUC was about 5 times higher in newborns. The present findings suggest that clofoctol is well absorbed rectally. The higher plasmatic levels of clofoctol in neonates may result from their lower degree of hepatic metabolic activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

A modification of the soxhlet apparatus for drug extraction from biological fluids.

The authors suggest a method to isolate drugs and toxic substances from biological fluids which appears to be of easier and better applicability than other systems, because it allows the extraction by means of a hot solvent, reduces manual operations and the waste of solvent, and shortens the time of execution for the researchers. A mathematical formula is proposed in order to evaluate the recovery-time curves of any drug shortly and with better accuracy.

Amitriptyline↗
PubMed1981

The pharmacokinetics of two erythromycin esters in plasma and in saliva following oral administration in humans.

An improved highly sensitive fluorimetric methods has been employed to measure plasma and saliva levels of erythromycin propionate and stearate in eight healthy volunteers following a single oral dose of 7.5 mg/kg. The plasma curves exhibited a mean half-life of 5.22 +/- s. e. m., 0.86 h-1 for the propionate and 2.97 +/- 0.22 h-1 for the stearate. Peak levels were reached at the 2nd h (4.07 +/- 0.29 microgram/ml for the propionate; 2.15 +/- 0.14 microgram/ml for the stearate). The area under the total plasma concentration curve was about 3-fold higher in the case of propionate. The concentration in saliva was about 20% of the corresponding concentration in plasma for the propionate and about 25% for the stearate. A significant positive correlation was observed between plasma and saliva levels for both macrolides.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1977

Distribution and fate of alpha-naphthl-isothiocyanate (ANIT) in the organs and body fluids of the rat.

alpha-Naphthyl-isothiocyanate (ANIT) is a well known toxic substance which induces characteristic hepatic lesions. Its distribution in some organs and body fluids was investigated by using spectrophotometry, gas-chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. The results indicate that ANIT concentrates in the liver, kidneys and blood but not in the brain, urine and bile. Another five ANIT-like substances have also been examined, but no trace of them has been found in these organs and body fluids. The authors suppose that ANIT is metabolized to an unknown metabolite which is responsible for the toxic action of ANIT. None of the ANIT-like substances examined by us can be indentified with this metabolite.

1-Naphthylisothiocyanate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, nimesulide, in the treatment of abacterial prostatovesiculitis.

Nimesulide, a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was used in cases of abacterial prostato-vesiculitis. Thirty patients with a mean age of 33.7 years (range 18-58) were studied. Nimesulide was administered orally 100 mg b.i.d. for three cycles of 10 d each. Dysuric symptoms, semen analysis, and transrectal ultrasound were examined during the study. The concentration-time curves of nimesulide (NIM) and its metabolite, hydroxynimesulide (OH-NIM) in seminal fluid were also evaluated after single oral administration (100 mg) using an HPLC technique. Following administration of the drug, the Cmax was reached in seminal fluid at the second hour for NIM (with a mean value +/- SD of 0.58 +/- 0.13 micrograms ml-1) and at the fourth hour for OH-NIM (2.98 +/- 0.38 micrograms ml-1). Maximal seminal fluid concentrations compared to blood plasma levels were observed at the fourth hour for both substances (31.73 +/- 2.34% for NIM; 31.87 +/- 8.66% for OH-NIM. Dysuric symptoms were relieved in 20 (66%) patients. A clear amelioration of inflammatory signs were observed at transrectal ultrasound evaluation in 16 (54%) patients. No statistically significant changes of sperm count and motility in the whole sample were observed, while a significant reduction in the number of abnormal forms occurred. From these results, nimesulide appears to be an effective anti-inflammatory drug with a good diffusion into the genital apparatus and low side-effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mechanical microanastomosis in reconstructive surgery of the neck and face].

Aim of the study is to report our preliminar experience with MCA Coupler System in mechanical microanastomoses performed in head and neck reconstructive surgery. During almost 7 months we performed 7 end-to-end venous anastomoses: 3 of them regarding the cephalic district. We had no vascular thrombosis, vascular congestion or flap loss. Mean time of execution of anastomosis with MCA Coupler System was 10 minutes. In our experence it is essential the choice of the appropriate size of the device and a good dissection of recipient vessels. In our opinion the Coupler System is an easy applicable device, and an efficient alternative to manual micro-anastomoses.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Results of a national survey on the treatment of the facial nerve in malignant tumors of the parotid gland].

The rare diagnosis of parotid malignant tumors, the different clinico-biological behavior of each histological type and the lack of agreement concerning surgical procedures to be followed in treating the facial nerve led the Authors to carry out a national survey on malignant parotid tumors and their treatment. A questionnaire concerning problems inherent to facial nerve treatment in malignant tumors of the parotid gland was sent to 69 ENT Departments. Data on 139 patients (69 females and 70 males, mean age--59.9 years) were collected for this study. Facial nerve function deficits occurred in 25.9% of the patients, primarily in cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma. Clinical findings were not a good guide in choosing the best surgical procedure to be used with the VII nerve. In fact, in 17% of the cases with no facial deficit, a neural infiltration was found intraoperatively. Total parotidectomy with facial nerve sacrifice (PTST or PTSP) was performed in 87.6% of the patients with complete facial deficit and in 80% of the patients with partial deficit. A more conservative approach was followed when the facial nerve was compressed but not infiltrated. Only 71.7% of the patients with facial nerve infiltration underwent post-operative radiotherapy, a fact which is probably explained by the few departments of radiotherapy in existence. While the functional results reported in Literature are good, facial nerve repairs were carried out in this study in only 9% of the cases. The present study, which supplies interesting data on the treatment of the facial nerve in parotid gland malignant tumors, confirms the need of a multidisciplinary approach and a more frequent use of neural repair techniques in order to preserve the aesthetic and functional aspects of the facial nerve.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone: description of a case and review of the literature].

Only a few cases of fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone (monostotic form) have been described in the literature. The recent observation of a 15-year-old child presenting this pathology led the authors to review the literature available and to analyze the most common aspects of this disease. The clinical and radiological aspects, the differential diagnosis, histopathological features and therapeutical approaches are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pressor, renal and endocrine effects of systemic infusion of L-arginine in hypertensive patients].

In this study we compared the pressor, renal and endocrine effects of the physiological precursor of endothelial derived nitric oxide, L-arginine, with D-glucose, a substrate inactive on nitric oxide. Ten subjects with mild to moderate primary hypertension underwent infusion with either L-arginine (5 patients) or D-glucose (5 patients). The substances were infused over 25 min at equiosmolar rates, preceded and followed by a 25-min saline infusion. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were monitored at 3-min intervals; hormonal and humoral variables, inulin and para-aminohippurate clearance, and electrolyte excretion were measured at the end of each period at maximum diuresis. L-arginine and D-glucose brought about comparable increases in serum osmolality and similar hemodilution as compared with control saline. During L-arginine infusion, systolic and diastolic BP dropped by 16.6% and 11% respectively and recovered during the post-infusion period. Heart rate, plasma renin activity, and plasma norepinephrine did not change significantly. The percent BP decrease induced by L-arginine was significantly greater than that caused by D-glucose. Glomerular filtration rate remained stable, and renal plasma flow increased with both substances. However, only L-arginine stimulated markedly natriuresis, kaliuresis, and chloruresis. It also seemed to induce systemic acidosis, possibly as a consequence of hydrochloric acid generated during its metabolism. Circulating insulin, atrial natriuretic peptide, growth hormone, and glucagon levels increased, and plasma aldosterone remained unchanged during L-arginine infusion. During D-glucose infusion, insulin was stimulated and the other hormones were inhibited.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aldosterone↗