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Biomedical subjects

P Castrogiovanni

Publications and source records attributed to P Castrogiovanni.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Seasonal serotonin uptake changes in healthy subjects.

Platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) uptake was measured in 12 healthy subjects in the spring, summer, and late autumn. The uptake was performed according to the method of Arora and Meltzer (1981). The maximal velocity of 5HT uptake was higher in the spring and in summer than in the autumn. In addition, a significant negative correlation between the Michaelis constant and the photoperiod was observed in spring. These findings seem to indicate the possible evidence of physiological season-related changes of platelet 5HT uptake that may be linked to the photoperiod.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Discordance of self ratings versus observer ratings in the improvement of depression: role of locus of control and aggressive behavior.

Depression is mainly a subjective experience. Its severity is not always assessed in the same way by patients and clinicians. Divergences between self- and hetero-evaluation of depressive symptoms and severity are also dependent on the cognitive style of a patient. A high proportion of patients judged improved by their physicians continue to declare that serious symptoms are present. These patients tend to use a cognitive style that has been called external locus of control. Some investigators have correlated the locus of control in depressive patients with hostile traits, pointing out that the severity of symptomatology seems to be associated with some forms of hostility, with an external cognitive mode representing particular communications from patients to their caregiver. The present clinical study shows the influence of cognitive style and aggressive behavior on the discordance seen between self- and hetero-evaluation for depression during the improvement of depression.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Platelet monoaminooxidase activity and behavioural characteristics in humans.

We investigated the possible relationship between platelet MAO activity and behavioural characteristics, measured by MMPI, in a group of 19 healthy volunteers. The results showed that high MAO activity tended to be typical of subjects with inhibitory characteristics and that low MAO activity was more typical of uninhibited subjects.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychological and physiopathological study on coronary patients.

In this paper the AA have tried to define the relationship between psychopathological characteristics or symptoms and angina attacks in coronary patients. The research plan was agreed upon and carried out as a collaborative program between psychiatrists and internists with the goal of reaching a more comprehensive approach to the psychosomatic patient. In 20 patients suffering from nocturnal angina attacks the polygraphic sleep recording was performed; 10 of them received psychodiagnostic examination (MMPI). In 8 cases during sleep recordings hemodynamic monitoring was also performed. The MMPI data were compared with 82 other individuals who had myocardial infarction (56 ss) and diurnal angina (26 ss) and 34 control subjects without cardiac disease. The results show that the sleep patterns were strongly affected and the most relevant alterations were recorded during the nights with ischemic episodes. No significant correlations were found between ischemic episodes and sleep stages. In no instance did the hemodynamic monitoring show an increase in the parameters related to myocardial oxygen consumption. The psychological data showed that the most severe symptomatology was observed in the nocturnal angina patients where the disease seems to be mostly related to a functional pathogenic mechanism.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A novel slow-release formulation of lithium carbonate (Carbolithium Once-A-Day) vs. standard Carbolithium: a comparative pharmacokinetic study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to establish if the administration of a new slow-release formula of lithium carbonate (Carbothium Once-A-Day, 600 mg) administered once-daily could deliver plasma lithium levels during the first 24 hours similar to those obtained with two standard release Carbolithium 300 mg capsules administered 12 hours apart. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen healthy subjects of both sexes aged 18 to 55 were randomized to administration of either: [a] a single capsule of Carbolithium Once-A-Day (600 mg), or [b] standard Carbolithium 300 mg b.i.d. Subjects were crossed over following a 15-day washout period. Blood samples were taken 1, 2 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 hours post-drug administration and analyzed with spectrometry and atomic absorption to detect Li+ plasma concentration. RESULTS: Data for individual subjects are reported as disjointed numerical values and as individual graphs in the paper. Mean AUC values were 3.01 mM-hours for standard Carbolithium vs. 3.53 mM-hrs for Carbolithium Once-A-Day, and respective mean levels across 96 hours were 0.214 +/- 0.107 vs. 0.252 +/- 0.097 mM. For the first 24 hours, mean AUC values were 2.64 for Carbolithium vs. 3.03 mM-hours for Carbolithium Once-A-Day, and corresponding means were 0.264 vs. 0.303 mM. CONCLUSION: Carbolithium Once-A-Day was associated with marked reduction of the peak/trough ratio compared to standard release Carbolithium. Given the low therapeutic index of lithium, the maintenance of constant therapeutic concentrations under toxic limits is an essential characteristic of any clinically useful formulation. Furthermore, from the data obtained in the present study it is predicted that, for the majority of patients, a single dose of Carbolithium Once-A-Day will be sufficient to provide therapeutic concentrations of lithium for 24-hour periods. Even the few subjects who will require a double dosage with the Once-A-Day formulation will certainly experience less variations of Li+ plasma concentration throughout the day than would patients receiving rapid release formulations of lithium.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychopathology and aggressive behaviour in cancer pain perception.

In order to investigate the relationships between psychopathology and aggressive behaviour on the one hand and cancer pain perception on the other, 11 patients who suffered from neoplasm were investigated by means of Symptomatology Check List (SCL-90) by Derogatis, Inventory for assessing different kinds of hostility (QTA) by Buss-Durkee, Scala di Autovalutazione per la Depressione (SAD) by Cassano & Castrogiovanni and Mc-Gill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ.) by Melzack. The results show that when psychopathologic symptoms are present, they lead the patient to feel pain as unbearable, thus arousing violently homicidal thoughts. Features of aggressivity once experienced, lead to an almost personified and extremely active image of pain.

Aggression↗