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Biomedical subjects

P Palumbo

Publications and source records attributed to P Palumbo.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Population-based study of measles and measles immunization in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children.

This study reports the course of measles and results of measles immunization in a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus-infected children. Six cases of measles were identified. All had typical clinical manifestations, 5 of 6 developed pneumonia and 3 of 6 died. A measles intervention program consisting of serologic screening and active immunization (measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)) was instituted in 1990. Among 127 children with data available for analysis (mean age, 6.7 years), only 35% had documentation of prior immunization with MMR. Among 80 children who had preimmunization measles serology reported, 56% were measles antibody-negative and 40% were antibody-positive; following intervention 36% remained measles antibody-negative. Six children lost measles antibody over time. MMR nonresponders had lower CD4 lymphocyte counts (303 +/- 394) compared with responders (865 +/- 677; P = 0.0058). Measles is a potentially fatal illness in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children. Prevention strategies are limited by low rates of age-appropriate MMR immunization, poor antibody responses to MMR in older human immunodeficiency virus-infected children and seroreversion.

Child↗

[The echographic characterization of pancreatic pseudocysts].

The diagnosis of pancreatic pseudocyst is still troublesome. In 95% of cases a correct diagnostic evaluation can be achieved by means of ECT or CT scan, ERCP, NMR, EE etc.. ECT and CT scan in particular are the most specific and accurate techniques. ECT scan is currently the up-to-date method for initial diagnosis and continuous monitoring of the lesion. In fact, very interesting real-time data and exact features of the wall of the cysts may be obtained by ECT scanning also suggesting the best therapeutic choice.

Acute Disease↗

[Evaluation of the splenic function in patients with abdominal injuries undergoing splenectomy with autograft].

Splenectomy, required for splenic injuries in which conservative management is unsuitable, causes a fall of the immunological defenses, increasing the risk of sepsis. Immunological functions of the spleen can be maintained by autotransplant of splenic tissue. This is confirmed in our experience by a comparative study of haematological, immunological and scintigraphic features in 14 patients. Autotransplantation was performed in 8 cases, while the remaining 6 cases were treated with simple splenectomy.

Adolescent↗

Expression from the adeno-associated virus p5 and p19 promoters is negatively regulated in trans by the rep protein.

The leftward two promoters of the adeno-associated virus (AAV) 2 genome were fused to reporter genes, and the constructs were used to transfect HeLa cells. The promoters functioned constitutively but were repressed in trans by the AAV rep gene product(s). The repression was relieved by adenovirus infection. Evidence which indicated an enhancer function for the inverted terminal repeat of the AAV-2 genome was also obtained.

Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase↗

Recurrent primary hydatidosis of sartorius muscle. Case report.

A case of recurrent primary hydatidosis of sartorius muscle is reported. Initially an intact cyst was enucleated and the cavity irrigated with hypertonic saline, but 41 months later the cyst had recurred. Cysto-pericystectomy and saline irrigation were now performed, followed by mebendazole for 21 days. The patient is recurrence-free after 19 months.

Aged↗

Excretion and metabolism of nicotinic acid by the avian kidney.

The renal tubular transport and metabolism of nicotinic acid (NA) were investigated using the Sperber technique in unanesthetized hens. Infusion of [14C]NA into the avian renal portal circulation at 10(-10) mol/kg/min revealed that the 14C label was actively transported into urine at a rate 74% that of simultaneously infused tetraethylammonium. Increases in NA infusion rates enhanced 14C label transport so that it eventually equalled the excretion rate of tetraethylammonium. At a NA infusion rate of 10(-8) mol/kg/min, this transport was not affected by probenecid, pyrazinoic acid or p-aminohippurate. Above infusion rates of 10(-7) mol/kg/min, saturation of 14C label transport was reached. Electrophoretic analysis of the 14C label excreted in urine at NA infusion rates less than 10(-7) mol/kg/min revealed a single, unidentified metabolite. At infusion rates greater than 10(-7) mol/kg/min, both the radiolabeled metabolite and [14C]NA were found in the urine. We conclude that NA is transported by a specific mechanism into the avian tubule cell where it is metabolized. As the body's load of this vitamin increases, NA is excreted first in the form of a metabolite and then as both metabolite and unutilized NA.

Animals↗

The role of cAMP and prostaglandins in gastric acid secretion after pentagastrin administration.

The role of cAMP and prostaglandins as specific intracellular effectors of gastrin action at the level of the parietal cells has not been sufficiently clarified. For this reason we studied the responses of the parietal cells to stimulation with pentagastrin (6 micrograms/kg i.m.) during theophylline infusion (which causes an increase in the intracellular cAMP) and during acetylsalicylic acid infusion (which inhibits the prostaglandin synthesis) in 28 healthy volunteers. Both theophylline and acetylsalicylic acid provoked a significant increase of gastric acid secretion after pentagastrin. Our results suggest that: 1. an increase in intracellular cAMP may be the basis of the stimulatory effect of gastrin on gastric acid secretion 2. a decrease in the synthesis of prostaglandins may lead to a greater gastric acid response after pentagastrin.

Adolescent↗

[Behavior of GH and prolactin during enflurane anesthesia and neuroleptoanesthesia in man].

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of neuraleptanesthesia (NLA) and enflurane (Ethane) anesthesia on plasma levels of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) in man. A total of 18 patients aged between 20 and 65 years scheduled for elective open-heart surgery were divided in two groups. In the first group (9 patients) general anaesthesia was induced with sodium thiopental (TPS) (3-5 mg/kg) and was maintained with enflurane administered with an inspired concentration of 1.5% in nitrous oxide (2 litres/min) and oxygen (2 litres/min). In the second group (9 patients) anaesthesia was induced with dihydrobenzopyridol (BPS) (0.1-0.2 mg/kg), fentanyl (5-8 gamma/kg) and TPS (3-5 mg/kg) and was maintained with fentanyl (0,65 mg in average). The patients had neither hepatic, renal or endocrine disease nor did they have a history of steroid therapy. All subjects received atropine (0.01 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.2 mg/kg) i.m. 2 hours before induction of anaesthesia. Blood samples for GH and PRL was collected before induction of anaesthesia (0) and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after induction: the 90' sample was taken immediately after sternal incision. The sampling was stopped at the start of the cardiopulmonary by-pass. A significative reduction of GH at 60' and of PRL at 30' was observed in both groups. Surgical stress at 90' does not evoke a significant increase of PRL and GH levels in both groups. In conclusion NLA and enflurane induced a decrease of GH and PRL plasma levels; in both groups the anaesthetic agents, at the dosage used during anaesthesia, blocked the response of these hormones to the surgical stress likely due to a block of the hypothalamic-pituitary response.

Adult↗

[Subphrenic adipose tissue, an infrequent cause of increased distance between the diaphragm and liver. Radiological study and echographic comparison].

Nine obese patients (4M/5F) showing on a standard chest-X-ray a right subdiaphragmatic radiolucent area were submitted to ecography. This method excluded pathologic causes and showed adipose tissue as the cause of the increased distance between diaphragm and liver. Besides, ecography showed some limits in the evaluation of adipose area, because of the difficulty in studying obese patients.

Adipose Tissue↗

[Serum bile acids in dyslipidemic patients].

The sensitivity of total serum bile acid concentration as an index of hepatic damage has long been recognised. In addition serum bile acid measurement is significantly more specific than conventional hepatic function tests. However the concentration might be affected by factors other than hepatic dysfunction. Several authors have reported variations in the synthesis of serum bile acids in dyslipidaemic patients. This might potentially reduce the value of concentration measurement in the diagnosis of hepatic diseases especially considering the relative prevalence of hyperlipidaemia. The present article reports on radioimmunological serum bile acid measurement before and after meals in 10 patients with dyslipidaemia and in 22 controls. No difference was revealed between the two groups. Therefore dyslipidaemia appears not to affect the specificity of the test nor does it invalidate the use of radioimmunological measurement of total serum bile acids in the study of hepatic function.

Aged↗

Concentration of serum bile acids as an index of hepatic damage in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The aim of this work is to evaluate the concentration of serum bile acids (SBA) as an index of impaired liver function in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients versus usual laboratory tests of hepato-biliary system diseases. In patients with SLE the mean fasting SBA concentration was 9.6 +/- 1.4 mumol/L; in normal subjects the concentration was 2.9 +/- 0.6 mumol/L (P less than 0.01). In patients with SLE, mean gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) concentration was 31.5 +/- 5.9 mU/ml versus 10.05 +/- 1.1 mU/ml in controls (P less than 0.01). The bromsulphalein (BSP) excretion test, 45 minutes after injection, was 6.8 +/- 1% in SLE patients versus 2.8 +/- 0.4% in controls (P less than 0.02). No significant difference was found between these two groups of subjects with respect to leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), alkaline phosphatase (AlPh), glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), bilirubin serum rates. SBA rate was abnormal in 50% of the SLE patients; GGTP rate and the BSP excretion test were abnormal in 38% and 27% respectively. Our findings show the presence of an actual liver impairment in SLE patients, significantly demonstrated by fasting SBA concentration, GGTP rate and BSP excretion test. Other liver function tests are less useful in evaluating hepatic damage in SLE.

Adolescent↗