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Biomedical subjects

R Betti

Publications and source records attributed to R Betti.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Skin diseases and primarily dermatologic cutaneous manifestations of venous disorders. Clinical elements and differential diagnosis].

The paper describes the most common dermatoses having a venous pathogenesis, with particular reference, because of their incidence, to the cutaneous manifestations of varicose syndrome. The pathophysiological basis, clinical picture and diagnostic investigations of dermatoses in venous diseases are discussed and compared with other cutaneous manifestations of non-venous diseases with which they are easily confused. The great importance of a specialised multidisciplinary approach for the correct management of a patient with these dermatological problems is emphasised.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1987

A comparative study on peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in different kinds of warts.

Peripheral blood T-cell subpopulations were evaluated in 36 patients with clinically different types of warts, subdivided in 4 groups (common, genital, flat and plantar warts). A significant decrease was found in OKT3 and OKT4 subsets total count and in OKT4/OKT8 ratio in patients with common and genital warts as compared with controls. Only in common and genital warts did we also observe a significant decrease of percentage of OKT4 subset. No significant difference of considered parameters was observed in flat and plantar warts as compared to controls, apart from a significant increase in number of OKT8 subset in flat warts. We then discuss this different status of C.M.I. in patients with different clinical warts, stressing the importance of various types of HPV.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Evaluation of efficacy and tolerability of K-FA fluocinolone acetonide tape.

In order to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a fluocinolone acetonide tape (8 micrograms/cm2), 30 volunteer out-patients, 11 females and 19 males, mean age 43.4 years, affected by different kinds of dermatoses were treated. The tape was applied once or twice daily for an average period of 9.3 days. At the beginning and the end of the treatment, detailed dermatological and blood chemistry examinations were performed in all the patients. The clinical results were excellent for all the dermatoses treated. Itching at the site of application was reported by two patients and slight atrophy was observed in one patient. The patients' compliance was excellent. The blood chemistry tests showed no significant variation.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1986

[Psoriasis and day hospital. Clinical and therapeutic considerations concerning 104 cases].

One hundred and four patients with psoriasis, treated in regimen of Day Hospital, have been examined. The diagnosis was widespread plaque type psoriasis (67.3%), guttate psoriasis (18.3%) and nail psoriasis (1.0%). Furthermore psoriatic erythroderma has been observed in 2.9% and pustular psoriasis of Barber in 1.9%. 10% of the patients showed psoriatic arthritis. 71.2% of the patients have been successfully treated with UVB and PUVA irradiation therapy (respectively 86.6% and 70.0% of complete clearing or marked improvement). Etretinate and topical therapy were successful (respectively 67.0% and 70.0% of complete clearing or marked improvement). Day Hospital has proved to be the ideal regimen for the treatment and control of psoriatic patients.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1986

[Sexually transmitted infections in patients with condylomata acuminata].

42 patients (26 males, 16 females) with genital and perianal warts were submitted to serological testing for HBV markers, anti HSV antibodies and syphilis. Specimens were also collected for microscopic and cultural examination for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia Trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida albicans and other pathogenic bacteria from urethra in men and from urethra, vagina and cervix in women. Women had also cytologic examination from cervix with Papanicolau method. We have found an high incidence of urethral and vaginal asymptomatic infections, of positivity for HBV markers and some positivities of tests for syphilis. Importance of these screening examinations in the management of patients with genital warts is then discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with viral warts.

Peripheral blood T-cell subpopulations were evaluated in 32 patients affected by viral warts and in 32 unaffected individuals belonging to a control group. A significant decrease was found in total lymphocytes as well as OKT3 and OKT4 subsets among affected patients. A significant negative correlation was also found between OKT3 and OKT4 numbers as well as OKT4/OKT8 ratio and duration and extent of lesions. A significant positive correlation was found between the duration and the extent of lesions and the percentage of OKT8 subsets, but not the total number of OKT8. These data confirm that a cell-mediated immune deficiency is present in patients with viral warts. We then discuss whether the decrease of cellular immunity in these patients is a primary event or, rather, the result of persistent verrucosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

[Skin pathology caused by drugs].

175 patients suffering from acute drug-induced skin pathologies were examined with particular reference to age of onset, clinical type and causative agent. The most common pathology was urticaria, followed by eczematous and exanthematic eruptions. The drugs most frequently responsible for such reactions were the analgesic-antipyretic-anti-inflammatory group, topical products and antibiotics. These data are discussed in detail.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Activation of the cholinergic system and growth hormone release in the dog: functional interactions with other neurotransmitters.

In unanaesthetized dogs iv administration of the cholinesterase inhibitor eserine (0.5 mg) induced a clear-cut rise in plasma canine growth hormone (cGH) levels. Diphenhydramine and meclastine, two antagonists of histamine (H) H1 receptors completely suppressed the GH-releasing effect of eserine, while cimetidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, only blunted and delayed it. Two long-lasting serotonin (5-HT) receptor antagonists, metergoline and pizotifen, partially or completely suppressed, respectively, GH release evoked by eserine, whereas fenfluramine, a releaser of neuronal stores of 5-HT and hence a functional activator of 5-HT neurotransmission, was ineffective in this context. Pimozide, a long-acting dopamine receptor antagonist, abolished the effect of eserine, whereas domperidone, which has the same pharmacological properties but does not cross the blood brain barrier, failed to do so. Finally, phentolamine, an antagonist of alpha-adrenoceptors, and propranolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist, were completely ineffective in preventing the rise in plasma cGH levels induced by eserine, as was naloxone, an antagonist of opiate receptors. All these data demonstrate that, although cholinergic mechanisms are involved in the mechanism(s) underlying cGH release, the final common pathway for GH secretion is not cholinergic. Preservation of dopaminergic and H1 neurotransmission, probably within the blood barrier, is needed to allow the neuroendocrine transduction of cholinergic inputs, whereas the role of 5-HT neurotransmission remains uncertain.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Effect of agonists and antagonists of cholinergic neurotransmission on growth hormone release in the dog.

In unanaesthetized dogs iv administration of the cholinesterase inhibitor eserine (0.5 mg) or the cholinergic muscarinic receptor agonist oxotremorine (0.25 mg) induced a clear-cut rise in plasma canine growth hormone (cGH) levels. Complete suppression of the GH-releasing effect of eserine and oxotremorine was induced by blockade of cholinergic muscarinic receptors by atropine (80 or 20 micrograms/kg, 30 min before) but not by scopolamine-N-butyl bromide (0.8 mg/dog, 30 min before), an anticholinergic drug which does not cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). In contrast, activation of cholinergic nicotinic receptors by nicotine (6 mg) failed to alter resting cGH concentrations, and pre-treatment with the nicotinic receptor blocker mecamylamine (5 mg, 30 min before) did not counteract the GH-releasing effect of eserine. Other cholinomimetic drugs, e.g. pilocarpine, 4-aminopyridine, carbachol and bethanechol failed to induce a rise in plasma cGH concentrations. These data indicate that: 1) cholinergic muscarinic but not nicotinic receptors located in the central nervous system (CNS) inside the BBB play a facilitatory role in tonic cGH release; 2) pharmacologically distinct muscarinic receptors may exist in the CNS.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Proof for histaminergic but not for adrenergic involvement in the growth hormone-releasing effect of an enkephalin analog in the dog.

A series of studies was performed in unanesthetized dogs to ascertain whether, in addition to cholinergic pathways, other neurotransmitter systems were involved in the GH-releasing effect of the potent enkephalin analog [D-Ala2, MePhe4, Met(o)5-ol]enkephalin (DAMME). DAMME at a dose of 8 microgram/kg iv elicited a striking rise in plasma canine GH (cGH), with peak levels at 30 min. Blockade of histaminergic H1 receptors by diphenhydramine (30 mg,iv, 15 min before) or clemastine (1 mg orally three times for 2 days and 2 mg orally 60 min before) completely suppressed the cGH release induced by DAMME without significantly altering baseline cGH levels. A slight reduction of the effect of DAMME was also induced by the histamine H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine (300 mg, iv, 15 min before). Pretreatment with the alpha-adrenergic inhibitor phentolamine (0.4 mg/min for 45 min) did not alter the neuroendocrine effect of DAMME, despite the occurrence of a rise in blood glucose (peak levels, 185 +/- 47 mg/dl). The administration of propranolol, a blocker of beta-receptors, did not potentiate the cGH release induced by a threshold dose of DAMME (4 microgram/kg, iv). An iv bolus injection of glucose (1 g/kg), which induced peak glucose levels of 296 +/- 29 mg/dl, completely suppressed the cGH release induced by DAMME or propranolol plus DAMME. These results indicate that histaminergic H1 receptors play an important role in the cGH release induced by DAMME, whereas this action occurs independently from adrenergic mediation. Based on these and previous findings, a neuromodulator role in GH-releasing mechanisms is suggested for opioid peptides.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

A role for dopamine in growth hormone regulation in the dog.

The role of dopamine (DA) in the secretion of GH in most animal species is still controversial. We examined in the dog the effect on GH release of nomifensine, a drug which activates both noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission. Nomifensine (0.4-2.8 mg/kg, iv), administered into 12 unanesthetized male and female beagles, induced short-dose-related rises in canine GH (cGH) levels. Blockade of alpha-adrenergic receptors by phentolamine prevented the GH stimulatory effect of 2.8 mg/kg nomifensine, and an iv bolus injection of haloperidol (a neuroleptic which antagonizes both norepinephrine and DA receptor function) given 45 min before was equally effective. Selective blockade of DA receptors by pimozide significantly reduced the GH-releasing effect of nomifensine. In sum, these data indicated that the effect of nomifensine was the consequence of an enhanced noradrenergic and dopaminergic-neurotransmission. Pretreatment with domperidone, a DA receptor blocker unable to cross the blood-brain barrier, failed to modify the GH-releasing effect of nomifensine, suggesting that the DA component subserving the neuroendocrine effect of the drug lies within the blood-brain barrier. Further evidence for a stimulatory role of DA on GH release was the fact that apomorphine, a direct stimulant of DA receptors, induced a rise in cGH levels when administered to dogs pretreated with domperidone. The latter drug was used to prevent emesis and distress due to activation of peripheral DA receptors by apomorphine. However, apomorphine was only active in the dog at doses (250 and 500 microgram/kg, sc) greatly exceeding those active in releasing GH in man, suggesting that the role of DA in cGH regulation is ancillary to that exerted by noradrenergic neurotransmission. In a final study, atropine, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist, abolished the neuroendocrine effect of nomifensine, a finding which suggests that cholinergic medication plays an important role in cGH regulation.

Animals↗