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Biomedical subjects

P Pasqualetti

Publications and source records attributed to P Pasqualetti.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Somatosensory evoked potentials during the ideation and execution of individual finger movements.

Scalp somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were recorded in 10 volunteers after median nerve stimulation, in four experimental conditions of hand movements performance/ideation, and compared with the baseline condition of full relaxation. The experimental conditions were (a) self-improvised hand-finger sequential movements; (b) the same movements according to a read sequence of numbers; (c) mental ideation of finger movements; and (d) passive displacement of fingers in complete relaxation. Latencies and amplitudes of the parietal (N20, P25, N33, and P45) and frontal peaks (P20-22, N30, and P40) were analyzed. Latencies did not vary in any of the paradigms. Among the parietal complexes, only the P25-N33 amplitude was significantly reduced in (a), (b), (c), and (d) and the N20-P25 was reduced in (a) and (d); among frontal waves, N30 and P40 were significantly reduced (20-75%) in (a) and (b). Coronal electrodes showed amplitude decrements maximal at the frontal-rolandic positions contralateral to the stimulated side.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The role of cutaneous inputs during magnetic transcranial stimulation.

Latency and amplitude characteristics of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) from abductor digiti minimi (ADM) and first dorsal interosseus (FDI) muscles were evaluated in 7 healthy volunteers via magnetic transcranial stimulation of the hemiscalp overlying contralateral motor areas. MEPs in complete relaxation and during contraction were recorded in two different experimental conditions: before and following anesthesia of median (sensory + motor) and radial (sensory) nerve fibers at wrist. This procedure induced a complete loss of skin sensation from dorsal and palmar aspects of the hand area "enveloping" the FDI muscle. On the other hand, the skin overlying the ADM muscle, as well as the strength of ulnar nerve supplied muscles were spared. This selective sensory deprivation lead to the following short-term changes: the physiological latency "jump" toward shorter values in contracted MEPs vs. relaxation was partially lost in the FDI (3.0 +/- 1.4 ms in basal condition, 1.8 +/- 1.1 ms after anesthesia, P = 0.028), while it was still clearly evident in the ADM (3.7 +/- 0.9 ms and 3.3 +/- 1.0 ms, respectively). Moreover, minor amplitude changes of MEPs during active contraction in the two muscles were detected: MEPs recorded from the FDI muscle were less potentiated during voluntary contraction than those recorded from the ADM muscle. The role of the cutaneous input in governing latency/amplitude characteristics of MEPs is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Prognostic factors in multiple myeloma: selection using Cox's proportional hazard model.

The pretreatment characteristics of 210 patients with multiple myeloma, observed between 1980 and 1994, were evaluated as potential prognostic factors for survival. Multivariate analysis according to Cox's proportional hazard model identified in the 160 dead patients with myeloma, among 26 different single prognostic variables, the following factors in order of importance: beta 2-microglobulin; bone marrow plasma cell percentage, hemoglobinemia, degree of lytic bone lesions, serum creatinine, and serum albumin. By analysis of these variables a prognostic index (PI), that considers the regression coefficients derived by Cox's model of all significant factors, was obtained. Using this it was possible to separate the whole patient group into three stages: stage I (PI < 1.485, 67 patients), stage II (PI: 1.485-2.090, 76 patients), and stage III (PI > 2.090, 67 patients), with a median survivals of 68, 36 and 13 months (P < 0.0001), respectively. Also the responses to therapy (P < 0.0001) and the survival curves (P < 0.00001) presented significant differences among the three subgroups. Knowledge of these factors could be of value in predicting prognosis and in planning therapy in patients with multiple myeloma.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Maternal expectations and experiences of labour pain and analgesia: a multicentre study of nulliparous women.

Six hospitals with large maternity units in five different European countries were involved in this multicentre study. At least 100 primiparae for each country were examined. All mothers received two standardized interviews, one during the last month of pregnancy, and one 24 h after delivery. Maternal expectations and experiences of pain, pain relief, and satisfaction with analgesia and childbirth were assessed by a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Almost all mothers were seen regularly by an obstetrician or a midwife during pregnancy, had prepared childbirth classes and received antenatal information on labor analgesia techniques. Differences between the five groups were noted in the level of education and socio-economic status. Maternal expectations of labor pain and the answers to the pre-delivery interview varied significantly between the centers, as did maternal knowledge, expectation and ultimate choice of analgesic technique. Generally speaking the level of maternal satisfaction with analgesia and childbirth experience was high; however, epidural analgesia was more effective than other methods of pain relief (P<0.0001). The most satisfied mothers were those who expected more pain, were satisfied with the analgesia received and had good pain relief after analgesia (P<0.001).

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Plasma cell leukemia. A report on 11 patients and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Plasma-cell leukemia (PCL) is considered the leukemic variant of multiple myeloma. The diagnosis is based on plasmocytosis exceeding 2,000/mm3 and any evidence of clonal plasma cell proliferation. There are two forms of PCL: the primary form occurring in patients without preceding multiple myeloma or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, and the secondary form arising as a late manifestation in patients with multiple myeloma. Aim of the study was to describe our series of PCL and to report the main clinical and laboratory findings from the largest series in the literature. METHODS: Review of all cases of PCL observed from 1976 to 1994 in our Medical Divisions. Med-line research of the largest (more than 5 cases reports) series of PCL from 1969 to 1994. RESULTS: Eleven cases of PCL were identified. We diagnosed 6 cases with primary PCL out of a total of 512 patients with monoclonal gammopathy (incidence, 1.2%), 4 cases of secondary PCL as terminal phase out of 220 patients with multiple myeloma (incidence, 1.8%), and 1 case of secondary PCL as evolution of monoclonal gammopathy of undertermined significance out of 226 cases (incidence, 0.4%). From our and literature review, that identified 203 cases of primary PCL and 157 cases of secondary PCL, the clinical and the laboratory features did not significantly differ between primary and secondary forms of PCL, whereas significant differences exist between the two forms regarding response to therapy and median survival. In our series, the mean survival was 14 months for primary PCL and 6.8 months for secondary PCL. Two of the 6 patients with primary PCL obtained a complete remission, with a duration of 28 and 23 months, respectively; only 1 patient with secondary PCL had a response to chemotherapy, with a remission of 6 months. CONCLUSION: Our observation and literature data indicate that PCL, both primary and secondary, is a very poor prognosis disease, that the response rate is higher with combination chemotherapy than single agents, and that primary PCL has a relatively better survival, since secondary plasma PCL usually shows resistance to any type of chemotherapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials. Apomorphine-induced transient potentiation of frontal components in Parkinson's disease and in parkinsonism.

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) to median nerve stimulation have been recorded from parietal and frontal districts in 43 parkinsonians, 17 patients with parkinsonism and 35 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Latency/amplitude characteristics of the parietal P14-N20-P25 and of the frontal P20-N30-P40 wave complexes before and after (10, 20, 30 and 60 min) subcutaneous administration of apomorphine chloride were evaluated in all the 60 patients and in 3 controls. The frontal waves N30 and P40 were either absent or significantly smaller than normal in 31 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) (72.1%) and in 9 with parkinsonism in baseline records (56.3%). Following apomorphine, the parietal deflections did not significantly vary in amplitude. On the contrary, the frontal complex showed a significant amplitude increase in 27 PD and 8 parkinsonisms (respectively 62.8 and 47.1%); 79.1% of PD and 35.3% of parkinsonisms were improved clinically. Amplitude increase was evident at 10 min after apomorphine, in parallel with clinical improvement, and vanished nearly in coincidence with the end of the clinical effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Diagnostic value of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and the mean corpuscular volume in chronic hepatitis of alcoholic etiology].

In order to assess the diagnostic value of serum gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) as markers of alcoholism in chronic liver diseases, 107 patients with non-alcoholic chronic liver disease and 192 patients with alcoholic liver disèases have been compared. GGT and MCV values were checked two times: the day of admission to hospital and 10 days after complete withdrawal from alcohol. The patients with alcoholic liver diseases present significantly higher values of GGT and MCV in respect with patients with non-alcoholic liver diseases. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease of about 50% in serum GGT levels and of about 3% in MCV was observed after alcohol withdrawal only in the group of alcoholic liver diseases whereas no changes were found in the other group of patients: For the diagnosis of alcoholism in chronic liver diseases, while the sensitivity and the specificity of the several markers vary from 50% to 86%, the positive predictive values of GGT and MCV at admission were 92.2% and 73.4%, and the negative predictive values were 40.2% and 75.7%, respectively. Moreover, the positive predictive values of GGT and MCV after 10 days of alcohol withdrawal were 95.3% and 85.9% and the negative predictive values were 31.8% and 46.7%, respectively. The contemporary decrease in GGT and MCV values does not seem to offer better informations than GGT decrease. These data suggest that, even if GGT and MCV do appear per se as weak indicators of alcoholism during chronic liver diseases, the early decrease in their values, especially in serum GGT, are good and specific markers of alcohol abuse and, consequently, of the alcoholic etiology of liver disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Circadian rhythm of peak expiratory flow in children passively exposed and not exposed to cigarette smoke.

BACKGROUND: Because airway calibre shows a circadian rhythm and since exposure to passive smoking reduced lung function this study was undertaken to investigate whether passive smoking affects the circadian rhythm of peak expiratory flow (PEF) in schoolchildren. METHODS: Twenty schoolchildren (12 boys and 8 girls, aged 10-11 years) exposed to passive smoking were matched for sex, age, and height with 20 children who had not been exposed to cigarette smoke. Exposure to passive smoking was assessed by questionnaire and by urinary cotinine concentrations. A portable spirometer was used to measure PEF at 16:00, 20:00, 22:00, 06:00, 08:00, and 12:00 hours on a consecutive Saturday and Sunday. The circadian changes in PEF were measured by the cosinor method. RESULTS: Both groups showed diurnal fluctuation in PEF values with a noticeable circadian rhythm. PEF peaks were the same in the two groups and occurred around 15:00 hours. The cosinor mean was approximately 10% lower in children exposed to passive smoking and the amplitude was approximately 60% higher than in the unexposed children. CONCLUSION: Passive smoking in children is associated with a reduction in the cosinor mean and an increase in the amplitude of the normal circadian rhythm of airway calibre. This increased PEF rhythm amplitude may be considered as an early indication of airway obstruction.

Child↗
PubMed1992

Prognostic value of the plasma cell synthesis score in multiple myeloma.

The prognostic value of the Plasma Cell Synthesis Score (PCSS) has been tested in a group of 140 patients with multiple myeloma followed up from diagnosis to death. Calculation of PCSS, based on the regression coefficients obtained by multivariate regression analysis according to Cox's model, was performed according to the formula: [formula: see text] Substratification into three risk groups was performed as follows: low risk = PCSS more than 70; moderate risk = PCSS between 50 and 70; high risk = PCSS less than 50. Significant differences were found among the three stages regarding median survivals (p less than 0.005), survival curves (p less than 0.000000001), and response to therapy (p less than 0.00001). A positive significant relationship was demonstrated between calculated PCSS and survival in the whole group (p less than 0.000001). PCSS could be a good estimation of bone marrow plasma cell differentiation, and therefore could be a useful prognostic parameter in multiple myeloma.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Individualized treatment of duodenal ulcer disease. A pilot study.

UNLABELLED: A substantial number of duodenal ulcer (DU) patients relapse despite maintenance treatment with antisecretory drugs. The influence of certain risk factors and the heterogeneity of the disease could explain such behavior. The present prospective, open study compares the one-year clinical outcome (with upper GI endoscopy at the beginning of the study, at 6 and 12 months, and at every symptomatic relapse) of four groups of DU subjects, consecutively recruited from December 1987 to December 1988, separated in accordance with whether or not a bleeding DU episode had previously occurred, and whether or not an evaluation of gastric acid secretion had been made. Thus, Group I (17 patients; 12 males, 5 females) included heavy smokers and/or gastric acid hypersecretors; Group II (13 patients; 12 males, 1 female) non- or light smokers non-hypersecretors; Group III (34 patients; 22 males, 12 females) subjects with unknown gastric acid secretion; Group IV (33 patients; 30 males, 3 females) previously bleeding DU patients. All patients, except those in Group II (who were left untreated), were given ranitidine 150 mg at bedtime. The outcome of Groups I+II was compared with that of Group III (considered as "standard therapy") and Group IV patients, the latter presumably with a low risk of relapse because of the low prevalence of smokers. STATISTICS: Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, analysis of variance and the logrank test. During the year of follow-up, 27/97 patients withdrew from the study, while 18 had a DU relapse (remission rates 82.1% +/- 7.4% in Groups I+II, 70.5% +/- 8.4% in Group III, 87.5% +/- 5.9% in Group IV).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Occupational risk for hematological malignancies.

A case-control study was conducted in 620 cases of hematological malignancies and in 1,240 age- and sex-matched controls in order to verify the possible association between occupation, toxic substances exposure, and the risk of hematological neoplasias. The results demonstrate that farmers and industrial workers have a significant risk for hematological malignancies. Exposure to asbestos, aromatic hydrocarbons, fertilizers, mineral oils, pesticides, and radiations is associated with a significant increase in the risk for these malignant diseases. These data are in agreement with previously reported data, and require a confirmation in larger, prospective studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Short-term effects of atenolol and nifedipine on atrial natriuretic peptide, plasma renin activity, and plasma aldosterone in patients with essential hypertension.

The short-term effects of atenolol and nifedipine on plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), plasma renin activity (PRA), and plasma aldosterone (PA) were studied in two groups of patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension. Urinary catecholamines, and sodium and potassium excretion were also studied. A group of 20 patients with hypertension, after a wash-out period of at least 10 days, was randomly subdivided into two protocol therapy subgroups. One group (six men and four women) received atenolol (100 mg/d), and the other group (six men and four women) received nifedipine (30 mg/d). Circulating plasma levels of ANP, PRA, and PA were determined by radioimmunoassay, and other variables were determined by routine laboratory techniques before therapy and at day 3 and day 7 after the treatment began. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate were monitored during the study. Both drugs reduced arterial blood pressure (P less than .001) significantly. The atenolol therapy decreased heart rate (P less than .001), increased plasma ANP levels and urinary catecholamine excretion, and decreased PRA and circulating PA levels. Nifedipine treatment did not modify plasma ANP values, whereas it increased PRA and PA circulating levels and urinary catecholamine excretion. No differences were shown for urinary volume, urinary sodium, and potassium excretions during the two different treatments. These findings suggest that the increased plasma ANP levels could contribute to the antihypertensive effects of the beta-adrenoreceptor blockers, by a reduction in PRA and PA levels and a vasodilatative effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A possible role of atrial natriuretic peptide in ethanol-induced acute diuresis.

The acute effects of ethanol on plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels were investigated in 4 clinically healthy males, aged 24-26 years, consumed either 750 ml of water as a control study, or the same beverage with 1 ml/kg alcohol added, which increased the plasma alcohol concentration to 99.12 +/- 15.10 mg/dl at 60 min. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels were significantly higher in the alcohol study compared to the control study at each time point (10, 20, 30, 60, 120 min after drinking onset), and with a peak at 10 min. Atrial natriuretic peptide levels showed a positive significant correlation with plasma antidiuretic hormone in the control group, while no relationship was found between the two peptides in the alcohol study. Moreover, a significant correlation exists between plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels and systolic arterial blood pressure, and heart rate, and between the variations in atrial natriuretic peptide values and the variations in plasma sodium, serum ethanol, and plasma osmolality in the alcohol study. Acute ethanol intake causes an increase in urinary volume, and a decrease in urinary potassium excretion and urinary osmolality, and no change in urinary sodium excretion. These data suggest that acute ethanol administration causes a rapid increase in plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide, which could be an important factor of ethanol-induced diuresis. The main mechanisms for increased atrial natriuretic peptide release from atria after acute ethanol ingestion seem to be atrial stretch, due to the increase in arterial blood pressure, in heart rate, in sympathetic tone, and in plasma osmolality, and to a direct secretory effect by antidiuretic hormone.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Diurnal variations of serum beta 2-microglobulin in multiple myeloma.

The chronobiological circadian behaviour in serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin has been investigated in three groups of subjects: (A) 6 healthy controls; (B) 6 patients with untreated multiple myeloma; (C) 6 patients with multiple myeloma in complete remission after polychemotherapy. From all subjects, under the same standard life conditions, venous blood samples were drawn at 4-hour intervals starting from midnight during the span of a whole day. Circulating serum beta 2-microglobulin levels were determined by RIA method. The time-related data were analyzed by chronograms and the "mean-group cosinor" method. A significant circadian rhythm for serum beta 2-microglobulin was detected in the control group, with a peak in the morning hours, and in untreated patients, with a peak in the afternoon hours. No significant rhythm was found in treated patients with multiple myeloma. A significant mesor reduction was noted in patients with complete remission, correlated with the absence of circadian rhythm, in respect to untreated patients. These data suggest that serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin could be related to the neoplastic plasma cell proliferation and to the effect of therapy, and that the circadian evaluation could be used as a guide in monitoring myeloma patients.

Circadian Rhythm↗
PubMed1991

Prognostic factors in multiple myeloma: a new staging system based on clinical and morphological features.

A new staging system for multiple myeloma based on clinical and morphological features has been developed on the analysis of 190 patients. A score of "1" was assigned to each of the following clinical data, referred at the time of diagnosis, and selected by multivariate analysis: bone marrow plasma cells more than 30%, haemoglobin less than 110 milligrams, lytic bone lesions of degree 2 or 3, serum beta 2-microglobulin levels higher than 678 nmol/l, and presence of Bence-Jones proteinuria. Therefore, the score for each patient ranged from 0 to 5, and three clinical stages were provided: I = 0 or 1, II = 2 or 3 and III = 4 or 5. Substratification into A and B for each clinical stage was performed using multiple myeloma cellular score, calculated by the formula: total bone marrow myeloma cells per 500 cells x 0.752 + bone marrow plasmablasts per 500 cells x 0.709. Substage A corresponded to multiple myeloma cellular score value lower than 0.300, and substage B to a value greater than 0.300. Significant differences were found in median survivals (P less than 0.0001), in survival curves (P less than 0.0001), and in responses to treatment (P less than 0.0001) among the six staged groups. The use of this staging system for multiple myeloma could offer new prognostic information and could better quantify the picture of the disease in each patient. The substaging according to morphological criteria seems very useful in diminishing or eliminating the great prognostic variability observed within the same clinical stage. Confirmatory studies are required to validate this new staging system for multiple myeloma.

Adult↗