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Biomedical subjects

M Nardi

Publications and source records attributed to M Nardi.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Divergence pseudoparalysis: a case report.

Divergence paralysis is a clinical syndrome that is characterized by esotropia and diplopia at distance fixation and fusion at near fixation. This syndrome is thought to result from a lesion in the brain stem, probably in the midbrain or in the pontine region. This paper reports a case in which ocular motility disturbances, simulating divergence paralysis, were caused by a bilateral and symmetrical restrictive syndrome involving the medial rectus muscles.

Esotropia↗
PubMed1986

An epidemic of maternal thrombocytopenia associated with elevated antiplatelet antibody. Platelet count and antiplatelet antibody in 116 consecutive pregnancies: relationship to neonatal platelet count.

Twenty-eight (24%) of 116 pregnant women studied prospectively during an 8-month period in 1983 had platelet counts of less than 150,000/mm3 at least once during pregnancy. Thirteen of these were thrombocytopenic in both the prenatal and the peripartum period. Eighteen were restudied 3 to 12 months after delivery. One woman, who was pregnant again, had a platelet count of 140,000/mm3. In the others, platelet counts were in the normal range. Platelet-associated immunoglobulin G and serum antiplatelet antibody levels were elevated in 79% and 61%, respectively, of these 28 women on at least one occasion. However, 59% of 73 pregnant nonthrombocytopenic women had increased platelet-associated immunoglobulin G levels and 59% had positive serum antiplatelet antibody test results. Twenty women who had increased platelet-associated immunoglobulin G levels and positive serum antiplatelet antibody test results were normal 6 to 10 months after delivery. Of 105 infants studied, 10 were thrombocytopenic. Neonatal thrombocytopenia was not predicted by maternal platelet count, platelet-associated immunoglobulin G, or serum antiplatelet antibody. By the fall of 1984, the incidence of thrombocytopenia had dropped to two in 280 consecutive pregnancies. We conclude that (1) epidemics of thrombocytopenia can occur in pregnant women and (2) if a women is found to be thrombocytopenic for the first time during pregnancy, she should not be subjected to the measures advocated for the management of pregnancy in women with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Low protein C in the neonatal period.

Protein C was measured by electroimmunoassay in 47 infants within 24 h of delivery. Gestational age ranged from 28 to 43 weeks. The mean level was 27% (range less than 10-67%) of the normal adult mean. In the 22 infants who had no clinical problems, protein C levels correlated significantly with gestational age. In the 25 who were sick there was no correlation, and the mean level was significantly lower than that of the healthy infants. Postnatal rise was slow; on day 7 the mean was 32% and on day 28, 31%. Levels of protein C correlated significantly with prothrombin in both the healthy and sick infants. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis in the presence of calcium ions gave one protein C peak of the same electrophoretic mobility as is seen in plasma of healthy adults, indicating that the infants' protein C is gamma carboxylated. It is concluded that: (1) Protein C in neonates is in or below the range associated with thromboembolism in patients congenitally deficient in this protein; (2) protein C levels correlate with gestational age; and (3) the low levels during the neonatal period are not due to decreased gamma carboxylation but may reflect decreased synthesis when compared to the older child or the adult.

Gestational Age↗
PubMed1986

Effect of dose formulation on isoniazid absorption in two young children.

In an 8-month-old infant with tuberculous meningitis treatment with isoniazid was unsuccessful and was associated with lower than expected plasma concentrations of isoniazid (measured concentration 0.1 microgram/mL). The infant had received isoniazid as a crushed tablet admixed with apple sauce. Oral administration of the parenteral solution of isoniazid (Nydrazid, Squibb) mixed in apple juice produced a higher isoniazid concentration (2.9 micrograms/mL) and the child improved clinically. Pharmacokinetic studies in two subjects were performed following intramuscular injection of isoniazid and oral administration of (1) an isoniazid tablet crushed and mixed with apple sauce, (2) parenteral isoniazid solution mixed with apple juice, and (3) a commercially available syrup containing isoniazid and pyridoxine (P-I-N Forte, Lannett). Of the three oral preparations, the syrup produced the highest peak concentrations (8.3 and 6.9 micrograms/mL). The crushed tablets in apple sauce produced the lowest peak concentrations (1.4 and 2.4 micrograms/mL). Administration of crushed isoniazid tablets with food may be associated with impaired gastrointestinal absorption, lower than expected isoniazid concentrations, and treatment failure.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1986

Comparative study of two methods for spinhaler-specific bronchoprovocation challenges. II.

Two different methods of performing specific bronchial challenge using a micronized freeze-dried extract of D. pteronyssinus administered as a powder by a spinhaler have been evaluated in 11 children with chronic asthma and skin test RAST positive for house dust mite D. pteronyssinus. In the first method, "Cumulative Dose Method" (CDM), the test doses of antigen [0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1,000 Allergenic Units (A.U.)] were successively administered in 30-minute intervals. With the other method, "Daily Increasing Dose Method" (DIDM), a single antigen challenge (only one cup) was performed every day successively. The tests were considered positive when FEV1 values dropped below 20% of the value obtained immediately before the inhalation of the antigen. The early FEV1 fall was 36.6% +/- 10.8% with CDM and 29.1% +/- 11.5% with DIDM. There was a mean late fall of FEV1 52% +/- 17% and 35.3% +/- 12.2%, respectively, after a mean antigen administration of 270 +/- 149 A.U. with CDM and of 290 +/- 202 A.U. with DIDM. An increase in non-specific bronchial reactivity was observed after specific challenge performed with both methods. The CDM offers the advantage of obtaining information more quickly. The DIDM offers the advantage of administering a lower daily dose of antigen. Our results indicate that a modification of CDM with a shorter interval of administration may further improve this method of antigen administration.

Antigens↗
PubMed1985

[Experience in the use of the tumor markers CEA, GICA and TPA in the postoperative monitoring of colorectal neoplasms].

Current use of tumour markers in the followup to malignant digestive tract neoplasias is restricted mainly by the non optimal sensitivity levels and specificity of these markers. These aspects of CEA, GICA and TPA markers used in follow-ups for 23 patients surgically treated for Duke's stage B2 neoplasias of the colon and rectum were examined over the period 1980-1983. Each marker examined displays its own individual characteristics of sensitivity and specificity. An X-ray endoscopic confirmation is required in all cases as no single marker is sufficiently reliable to be used as a diagnostic tool on its own. It is concluded that biological markers should be used as part of a follow-up programme embracing more than one diagnostic procedure.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1985

Disposable film cover for the tip of Goldmann's tonometer.

The application of a thin, transparent, polyvinylchloride film on the double prism of Goldmann's tonometer is proposed, so as to prevent bacterial and viral infection during tonometry. This film, mounted in such a way as to facilitate its application, is supplied in disposable sterile packaging. The use of the film does not alter the calibration of the instrument and does not substantially modify readings thereby obtained.

Humans↗
PubMed1985

Bone marrow necrosis foreshadowing acute lymphoid leukemia.

Necrosis of the bone marrow is rarely observed during life. Less than 50 cases have been reported, for the most part in patients with leukemia. The finding of bone marrow necrosis in children is even more rare. Of the seven cases reported, six patients had acute lymphoid leukemia and one patient had lymphocytic lymphoma. The occurrence of marrow necrosis diagnosed by aspirate and by biopsy in a child 18 months of age is presented. The necrosis was present several months before the appearance of acute lymphoid leukemia. The reasons for the presumed rarity of this pathological finding, its relationship with bone or joint pain and fever, hypotheses concerning pathogenesis, and its prognostic value are discussed.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1985

Production of methanethiol from methionine by Brevibacterium linens CNRZ 918.

The conditions under which Brevibacterium linens CNRZ 918, a strain isolated from the surface smear flora of Gruyère de Comté cheese, produced methanethiol from methionine were studied. Demethiolation was estimated from the methanethiol production capacity of resting cells. Methionine was demethiolated mainly during the exponential growth phase of the organism during which time the cells were rod-shaped and had a generation time of 5 h, and the medium became alkaline. At the end of growth (pH 9) the cells were coccoid, and produced only very little methanethiol. The production of methanethiol required the presence of methionine in the culture medium, this reflecting the probable induction of the enzyme systems involved. Glucose favoured growth and inhibited production of methanethiol. Lactate favoured both growth and methanethiol production. Resting rod cells also produced methanethiol from structural analogues of methionine and from methionine-containing peptides. The apparent kinetic constants of the production of methanethiol for rod and coccoid cells were respectively Km = 14 mM and 46 mM, Vmax = 208 nkat g-1 and 25 nkat g-1. The optimum temperature and pH for production were 30 degrees C and pH 8. Azide or malonate favoured the production of methanethiol by resting cells, whereas chloramphenicol had no effect.

Azides↗
PubMed1984

Early observations on the administration of Lonidamine in cancer patients.

Lonidamine was studied in advanced cancer patients. The drug was given orally by single or repeated administrations. Single doses ranged from 150 to 450 mg. Repeated administrations were performed with progressively increasing doses: 450-900 mg daily. Lonidamine lacked severe toxic effects after both single and prolonged administrations. The most common side effect was myalgia; gastrointestinal discomfort was also reported. 1 patient with lung cancer experienced an episode of arrhythmia which subsided upon discontinuation of treatment and did not reoccurr++ when treatment was reinstated. 1 partial and 2 minor responses were observed in the 6 patients with breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Pathogenic factors in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Serum factors related to oxygen exposure were studied in 56 full-term cord blood samples and in 69 newborn infants of varying gestational age (GA). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), which reflects membrane lipid peroxidation, was elevated during the first 2 d of life and rose to a peak at 3-5 d of life. This peak value was unrelated to GA or to assisted ventilation. The serum antioxidant, vitamin E, showed a significant rise by 6-10 d, and came into the adult range after d 11. Vitamin E levels did not correlate with GA, assisted ventilation, or the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Serum ceruloplasmin, another antioxidant, was measured both by activity assay and by protein concentration assay. Little activity was found in cord blood. Ceruloplasmin activity increased during the first 48 h of life, and both activity and protein concentration correlated with GA at that time. Infants who subsequently developed BPD had a less active protein than infants on ventilators who did not develop BPD. In addition, activity and protein levels on 3-5 d were lower in infants on ventilators than in those not requiring assisted ventilation. Serum levels of alpha-1-AP activity and protein concentration were also correlated with GA during the first 48 h of life. The less mature infants had levels of activity and protein which were significantly less than the more mature infants and significantly less than the full-term cord values. The proportion of active protein correlated with GA at 3-5 d, indicating that the less mature infants had a lower proportion of active protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1984

[A case of chondromatous hamartoma of the lung in 2 places].

A case of chondromatous hamartoma of the lung, with a double localization (right upper and middle lobes observed in a 62-year old man and treated by bilobectomy is presented. A short review of the pertinent literature is also reported.

Hamartoma↗