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Biomedical subjects

P Grossi

Publications and source records attributed to P Grossi.

70 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Effects of hypoxia and recovery on brain eicosanoids and carbohydrate metabolites in rat brain cortex.

The effects of hypoxia (respiration of 5% O2 for 30 min) and recovery (respiration of air up to 30 min) on brain levels of carbohydrate metabolites, of free arachidonate (FAA) and of several eicosanoids (E) were studied in the rat. Animals were sacrificed before or after 30 min of hypoxia, and during recovery, by microwave radiation (MW). At the end of the hypoxic period, arterial pO2 was reduced to 28 mm Hg and glycemia was elevated. Brain lactate and glucose levels were also elevated, whereas glycogen was unchanged. Levels of free FAA and of E were practically unchanged. During recovery, arterial pO2 values were raised above prehypoxic levels at 5 min and returned to normal within 30 min. The elevated serum glucose declined at 5 min and values returned to normal at 30. Brain glucose was still elevated at 5 min and returned to normal, together with lactate, at 30 min. Brain FAA did not change during recovery, but levels of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), prostaglandin E2 (PGF2) and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) were raised, at 5 min, and those of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were reduced with respect to pre-hypoxia. At the end of recovery, all E were lower than during hypoxia. The results indicate that changes of brain E occur only during recovery from hypoxia. At 5 min of recovery, at high arterial pO2 values, concentrations of all E were elevated, with the exception of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha which was reduced. At 30 min a marked reduction of E levels was observed, possibly resulting from increased clearance following elevation of cerebral blood flow.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

[Bactericidal activity of beta-lactams and aminoglucosides: comparative evaluations].

In this study we have evaluated the bactericidal activity kinetics of some cephalosporins, ureidopenicillins and aminoglycosides against 41 gram negative clinical isolates. Aminoglycosides, particularly gentamicin, showed the better bactericidal activity which appeared already at the second-third hour after the addition of the antibiotic. The bactericidal activity of cefotaxime, ceftazidime and cefotetan was remarkable but it appeared only at the sixth-eight hour. This difference was statistically significant. Carbenicillin and piperacillin showed a low bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We noted a wide variability of the antibiotic bactericidal activity against the isolates of the same bacterial species. Therefore we can argue that in serious infections the determination of the antibiotic and serum bactericidal activity is necessary.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed1986

[Direct immune response against hepatic antigens in patients with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency].

We have investigated the possible role of cell-mediated immunity in the pathogenesis of liver disease associated with alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency in 16 children with PiZZ phenotype, who presented with liver disease in infancy. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 13 patients were incubated with autologous hepatocytes in a microcytotoxicity assay. There was a clear trend for cytotoxicity to increase with age and thus significantly increased cytotoxicity was found in four cases older than 2 years, while intermediate values were recorded in three children between 6 months and 2 years and normal values in children younger than 6 months. Fractionation of PBL into T and non-T-enriched subsets showed that both were involved in the cytotoxic reaction. A purified liver membrane lipoprotein preparation (LSP) inhibited both T and non-T-cell cytotoxicity suggesting that LSP is a major target antigen in this system. Sensitization to LSP was also present in 2 of the 3 children studied using a recently developed T-lymphocyte migration inhibitory factor (T-LIF) test. Control experiments performed in infants with neonatal hepatitis syndrome, but with normal Pi phenotype showed consistently increased cytotoxicity values. Cell-mediated immune reactions directed against autologous hepatocytes develop late in the course of the liver disease associated with AAT deficiency. While this reaction cannot be involved in the pathogenesis of the initial liver lesion, it may contribute to perpetuation of liver damage.

Antigens↗
PubMed1984

Effect of epidural morphine on the Hoffman-reflex in man.

Four healthy, young subjects undergoing knee surgery with epidural anaesthesia were given epidural morphine for the relief of post-surgical pain. The Hoffman (H)-reflex was tested before and after the injection of morphine in the epidural space. The reflex was chosen as a monitor of the function of monosynaptic pathways in the spinal cord. Analogue scales for the measurement of pain revealed a satisfactory decrease of nociception after morphine injection, while the H-reflex was not significantly affected. This study may confirm that monosynaptic reflexes are not affected by epidural administration of morphine and that they are probably not involved in pain transmission.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Radiographic and xeroradiographic case finding in asbestosis].

Statistical researches were carried out on subject samples exposed to asbestosis risk with the aim of investigating the advantages of xeroradiographic methods when applied to the early diagnosis of this occupational disease. In the initial phase of the research, the aim was to quantify the statistical incidence of minimum asbestosis. Thus the frequency of initial forms was compared with developed forms in 750 subjects working with amianthus cement. These subjects had been homogeneously exposed to asbestosis risk (as research on the environment in the factory confirmed), and over a period of 10 years had been checked radiographically at the Clinica del Lavoro of the University of Pavia. This first phase of the research confirmed the remarkable incidence of the disease. In the subsequent phase, the radiographs of 200 subjects with asbestosis were studied. The aim was to quantify the frequency of the different radiological symptoms of the disease. In the final phase of the research, both traditional radiographs and xeroradiographs were obtained on 51 subjects exposed to asbestosis risk with pulmonary alterations, although with no (or not significant) radiographic techniques in the early diagnosis of asbestosis would thus become clear. For protective reasons, the use of xeroradiography is proposed not for mass screening but only for controlled investigations. Xeroradiography can evidence plaques or pleural fibrous alterations, which would not be shown on traditional radiographs. It also allows more satisfactory examination of the small fibrous parenchymal opacities at the base of the lungs. On the other hand, additional controlled examinations of the same subjects, even when use was made of projections for pleural backgrounds and lordotic projections for the parietal pleurae, reduced earlier favorable statistics by half. However, the wide range of xeroradiography can evidence nearly all radiographic symptoms in a single xeroradiograph. This greatly facilitates routine examination while providing more satisfactory iconographic data for subsequent medico-legal discussion.

Asbestosis↗
PubMed1981

[Transcutaneous electrostimulation in the treatment of benign somatic chronic pain: evaluation of a new stimulator].

40 patients affected by chronic orthopaedic syndromes, outlasting 6 months, have been treated by transcutaneous electrical stimulation. Has beem employed a new commercial stimulator with these impulse parametres: 50 Hz, 0,2 msec of length, 30 mA. Rubber electrodes on trigger points or myalgic areas were used. Authors obtained the following results: in 14 patients any change, in 10 patients mild improvement but of short effect, in 16 patients a good and long term improvment. skin lesions were not observed during electrical stimulation treatment.

Bone Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in heart transplant recipients.

Seven cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) (two in 1988, three in 1989, one in 1990 and one in 1991) have been observed in a group of 241 heart transplant recipients transplanted in Pavia, Italy, from November 1985 through December 1991. Median time to onset of symptoms was 100 days after transplantation (range 59-333 days). Diagnosis was achieved in all patients by cytological examination of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and/or transbronchial biopsy. Clinical and roentgenographic features were remarkably similar in all PCP-affected heart transplant recipients. A dry, persistent hacking cough associated with dyspnoea was consistently observed. Fever ranged from 37.6 to 39.4 degrees C, median leukocyte count and median arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) values were 7,300/mm3 (range 3,000-16,000/mm3) and 61% (range 49.3-93%), respectively. Median CD4+ count at the onset of symptoms was 211/mm3 (range 28-739/mm3). The only patient experiencing a recurrence of PCP had a CD4+ cell count of 28/mm3 at the end of treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). In all patients human cytomegalovirus was isolated from BAL fluids; however, treatment with TMP-SMX alone (20 mg/kg/day of TMP) was consistently followed by a complete recovery.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro metabolism of GV150013X by using liver microsomes and liver tissue slices from different species.

The metabolism of GV150013X was studied in vitro using washed liver microsomes and liver tissue slices from different species. This work was carried out in order to compare the metabolite profiles resulting from incubation of GV150013X with human, rat, dog and rabbit liver microsomes and those from rat, rabbit and human liver tissue slices. This compound was found to be converted to at least 8 metabolites by rat and human liver microsomes. In rabbit liver microsomes, the three metabolites M4, M7 and M8, and in dog liver microsomes metabolite M1, were not detected. The main metabolites, M2, M5 and M6, were present in human, rat and rabbit liver tissue slices, while the three metabolites M3, M4 and M8 and metabolite M1 were not detected in rabbit and rat liver tissue slices, respectively. In rat liver tissue slices, the major metabolites plus five minor metabolites, one sulphate conjugate of a monohydroxylated, three trihydroxylated and one dihydroxylated were identified based on HPLC retention time and thermospray-mass spectrometry data. Quantitative species differences among rat, dog, rabbit and human were observed, while qualitative differences only between rabbit and other species were detected.

Adamantane↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical detection of the p27 capsid protein of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) in bone-marrow cells of seropositive goats.

Bone-marrow samples were collected from 48 CAEV-seropositive, symptomless goats (30 kids, 18 adults). The samples were formalin-fixed and processed for histological examination. In addition, all samples were examined immunohistochemically with a monoclonal antibody (1A7) against the p27 capsid protein of maedi-visna virus, an antibody which cross-reacts with the Ca-p27 of CAEV. Samples from 16 goats (10/30 kids, 6/18 adults) showed positive immunolabelling of bone-marrow stromal cells (fibrocytes, endothelial cells and adipocytes) and of scattered macrophages, whereas haematopoietic cells were negative. The detection of viral Ca-p27 protein in bone-marrow fibrocytes was consistent with previous in-vitro studies which indicated that such cells are semi-permissive for CAEV infection. It is speculated that bone-marrow stromal cells represent a viral reservoir in symptomless animals.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Infections in heart transplant recipients: the experience of the Italian heart transplantation program. Italian Study Group on Infections in Heart Transplantation.

Infectious complications are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in heart transplantation. In this report we describe their incidence in the Italian Heart Transplantation Program and their relationship to induction immunosuppressive protocols used. A total of 662 heart transplantations in 651 patients had been performed by March 1, 1990, in 10 Italian centers, with a follow-up of 12,022 patient-months. Actuarial survival at 54 months was 80%. There were 115 deaths, 28 as a result of infection (24%); 30 were perioperative. Mortality from infection was 15% in the first 30 postoperative days and 35% thereafter. During follow-up, 256 life-threatening infectious episodes occurred in 180 patients, for a mean of 1.42 infections/patient. Of these episodes, 28 (10.9%) were lethal. The rate at 54 months, excluding perioperative deaths, was 0.021 episodes/patient-month, with a mean of 0.39 infections/patient in the 651-patient series. At 6 months, 72% of patients were free from infection. This value did not change significantly during subsequent follow-up. Bacterial infections were most frequent (49.2%); fungal (10.5%) and protozoan (5.9%) infections had the worst outcome (lethality 26% and 20%, respectively). A primary cytomegalovirus infection was observed in 23 cases (12 mismatches). Lung involvement (99 episodes) and bacterial sepsis (47 episodes) were most common. Eighty episodes of infection (31.2%) were preceded by a supplementary treatment for rejection with steroid pulses (69%), prednisone boost (20%), or cytolytic therapy (11%). Treatment had preceded the infection by less than 15 days in 55% of cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Heart Transplantation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[From the Mailing List of the Italian Society of Nephrology: use of isolation rooms for HBV-positive patients in dialysis--part two].

In the course of recent months, on the mailing list of the Italian Society of Nephrology (ML-SIN), a message asking for opinions on preventative measures for HBsAg patients has stimulated an extensive debate, in particular on the use of separate dialysis rooms. The discussion evidenced significant differences in the procedures adopted, not only between dialysis units, but also in regional health systems' directives. This emphasizes the necessity in dealing carefully with this problem, taking into account the scientific evidence of the infectious risk and epidemiological profile of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in dialysis patients. Moreover, potential solutions must be considered in terms of their effective cost benefit ratio. To complete the previous article, which examined the question from the viewpoint of an expert nephrologist, this issue of the review dedicated to the ML-SIN reports the opinion of an infectious diseases specialist, identified for its scientific contribution to this specific discussion.

HIV Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Three-year experience with human cytomegalovirus infections in heart transplant recipients.

One hundred twenty-four patients underwent heart transplantation over a 3-year period. All patients were monitored for human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection if at risk for primary CMV infection or in the presence of CMV-related symptoms. Rapid diagnosis of CMV infection relied on virus isolation and identification or viral antigen detection by using monoclonal antibodies to CMV immediate early or early antigens. In addition, "in situ" hybridization was used to detect viral DNA in tissue samples. Specimens examined included peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells for CMV viremia and antigenemia determination, together with the most appropriate clinical samples when organ involvement was suspected. There was a 100% (6/6 patients) incidence of primary CMV infection in seronegative recipients of hearts from seropositive donors, whereas no CMV infection occurred in the three seronegative recipients receiving a transplant heart from CMV-negative donors. CMV hyperimmunoglobulin prophylaxis did not prevent primary CMV infection. Five of the six patients with primary CMV infection were symptomatic. In addition, 15 patients (13%) had symptomatic recurrent CMV infection. The most frequent symptoms associated with CMV infection (either primary or recurrent) were fever (19 patients) and pneumonia (eight patients). CMV viremia was detected in 17 patients either before or concomitantly with the appearance of fever. CMV was isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage in all cases with pneumonia; however, another pathogen was associated with CMV and appeared to be the major cause of pneumonia in 75% of these patients (6/8). Twelve patients (five with primary and seven with recurrent CMV infections) were treated with ganciclovir.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of ganciclovir-resistant human cytomegalovirus infection.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most frequent cause of infectious complications after whole organ transplantation. Ganciclovir is a nucleoside analogue of guanosine, and the first antiviral drug to be effective in the treatment of cytomegalovirus disease in humans. However, prolonged or repeated courses of ganciclovir predispose to the development of viral drug resistance. The isolation of a ganciclovir-resistant virus strain was first reported in 1989. Mutations in UL97 and DNA polymerase genes may induce resistance to the drug but lack of phosphorylation seems the most frequent mechanism of resistance in vivo. Most ganciclovir-resistant HCMV strains are susceptible to the pyrophosphate analogue foscarnet, which does not require activation and blocks the viral DNA polymerase by a noncompetitive mechanism. However, HCMV strains with multiple resistance to ganciclovir and other antiviral drugs have been described.

Antiviral Agents↗