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Biomedical subjects

R Ferro

Publications and source records attributed to R Ferro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Dental caries experience in preschool children in Veneto region (Italy).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the dental caries experience in deciduous dentition among preschool children attending nursery-schools in the area of Ulss n.15 of Veneto Region (Italy). BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross sectional survey in maternal schools in an area of North-East of Italy was carried out between October 2002 to May 2003 enrolling 1,006 2-6 year-old children randomly selected. WHO diagnostic criteria for dental caries were adopted; dmft and SiC indices were used to measure the severity of the disease. In this paper the "umbrella" term ECC to define caries in primary dentition prior to eruption of permanent teeth (Horowitz, 1998) was used as well. RESULTS: ECC prevalence and mean dmft by age were: 3 years: 13.28% and 0.53 (SD +/- 1.83); 4 years: 18.95 % and 0.83 (SD +/- 2.24) ; 5 years: 26.9% and 1.34 ( SD +/- 2.8). SIC index values were 1.6 at 3 years, 2.4 at 4 years and 4 at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental caries increased with age: the mean dmft increased 2 1/2 times (0.53 to 1.34) and the percentage of children affected by caries doubled (13.28% to 26.9%) between ages 3 and 5 years. Comparing the data for 4 year-old children with those of two surveys carried out in the same area in the last two decades, it is concluded that as in the other industrialised countries, dental caries in preschool children of this area of North-East of Italy has declined.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

A comparison of a reformulated potassium citrate desensitising toothpaste with the original proprietary product.

OBJECTIVES: The recent tendency for toothpaste manufacturers to combine active ingredients for benefits to a number of oral problems requires that such combinations do not vitiate the action of any one agent. The aim of this study was to compare the desensitising effects of a modified formulation with the established product. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a randomised, double blind, two treatment parallel design comparing an existing potassium citrate toothpaste product (Positive Control) with the same formulation to which triclosan and zinc citrate had been added (Test). A total of 56 subjects with dentine hypersensitivity (DH) completed the 8 week study period. At baseline, days 14 and 56 visual analogue scale scores were recorded by the subjects in response to air evaporative and cold water stimuli. RESULTS: Both groups showed improvements, mostly statistically significant, from baseline to day 14 and through to day 56. Most data favoured the Test paste but differences were, for the most part, not significant. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the addition of known anti-plaque agents to an established potassium salt based desensitising toothpaste did not adversely affect the activity of the product in the treatment of DH.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed2004

Vitamin E in early stages of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) development.

This study reports titration of vitamin E levels in the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) using high-pressure liquid chromatography. The first part of the work is devoted to vitamin E detection in: (1) plasma of maturing females and males characterized by different body sizes; (2) seminal fluid and eggs; and (3) developing embryos of sea bass fed with vitamin E. In the second part of the study, variations of vitamin E levels during larval development are analyzed. The results show a direct correlation between plasma vitamin E content and body size for both adult male and female sea bass. High vitamin E levels were found in seminal fluid, in eggs before and after fertilization, and in embryos during development and at hatching, whereas vitamin E level was low in dead embryos and in embryos with limited survival. During larval development, the vitamin E content decreased slowly but steadily during the first four days of larval growth; subsequently, it progressively increased from day 9 to day 40. In teratogenic larvae, vitamin E content was significantly higher than in normal larvae. This study provides evidence on how vitamin E exerts an antioxidant defense in sea bass reproduction.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Comparison of data on Early Childhood Caries (ECC) with previous data for Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD) in an Italian kindergarten population.

AIM: This was to assess the prevalence of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) among preschool children attending nursery schools and to compare the results with those of a previous survey where the investigators used the term and diagnosis for Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD) syndrome. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 1006 children aged 1-6 years was carried out. WHO recommendations for oral health surveys were used for caries diagnosis (non cavitated lesions were excluded). In addition, a comparison was made for prevalence of ECC between immigrant and native born children. Data were compared for ECC in the present survey with BBTD data in a previous study (1994) in the same area with a sample of 401 children aged 4 years. All examinations were by one examiner (Cohen's Kappa=0.96). RESULTS: Of the 1006 children originally selected 52 children aged more than 71 months were excluded according to published ECC definition and diagnostic criteria. The overall sample was 29 children aged <36 months; 271 aged 3 years; 364 aged 4 years and 290 aged 5 years. ECC was diagnosed in 19.7% of the overall sample. The prevalence of ECC (and S-ECC) were respectively by age: <36 months S-ECC=17.2%; at 3 years: 13.28% (6.64%); at 4 years: 18.95% (9.34%); at 5 years: 26.9% (12.75%). In the native born children (916) the ECC was 18.34%, while in immigrants (38) it was 52.63% (p<0.001). In 1994 the prevalence of BBTD syndrome was 11.9% and in the present study 6.5%. CONCLUSION: The ECC prevalence, as, ECC and severe (S-ECC),increased with age. In immigrant children ECC was 3 times (S-ECC 6 times) more frequent than in native born. Using the BBTD diagnosis the prevalence had dropped from 11.9% in 1994 to 6.5% in the present survey.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2002

Effects of water management and herbicide treatments on red rice control.

Two field experiments were conducted in 1999 and 2000 at Zeme (Pavia, Italy) to determine the effects of water managements and herbicide treatments on red rice control. In the first experiment, all plots were flooded 10-13 cm deep from April 1 to May 17 in 1999 and from April 3 to May 6 in 2000. At the same time, in the second experiment, the plots were alternately drained-flooded. At the end of water management, all plots of both experiments were drained and sprayed with herbicides to control the emerged red rice plants. In both years were applied: Propaquizafop 78 g a.i.ha-1, Cycloxydim at 300 and 400 g a.i. ha-1; Dalapon at 15.300 Kg a.i. ha-1; Quizalofop-ethyl at 100 g a.i. ha-1. Six days after the chemical treatments, all field plots were flooded 10 cm deep and three days later, an early variety of rice (Loto) was sown at 150 Kg ha-1. Seedling emergence was reduced by lack of oxygen (especially from seeds covered with soil in flooded condition). In alternately drained-flooded soil, the red rice emerged and developed from seeds located in the top 4-5 cm. In flooded condition, no red rice plants emerged from seeds at more than 1 cm depth. In both experiments, the density of red rice plants increased during the season in the untreated check and in the plots where treatments were ineffective or performed poorly. The best red rice control, both in submerged and in alternately drained-flooded soil, was obtained with Quizalofop-ethyl (100 g a.i./ha), Cycloxydim (300 and 400 g a.i.ha-1) and Propaquizafop (78 g a.i.ha-1). These herbicides controlled 90-99% of red rice. Partial control of red rice resulted with the other chemical treatments. The shattered grains of red rice were reduced in both experiments by the herbicide treatments. Grain yield reflected the level of red rice control. In fact, the highest commercial grain yields were obtained with Quizalofop-ethyl, Propaquizafop, and Cycloxydim (400 g a.i.ha-1), in both years and experiments. The red rice percentages of the total yields resulted about 3.6-5.7% with all chemical treatments except Dalapon, which was not much effective.

Cyclohexanes↗
PubMed1998

The effect of distension of the uterus on plasma renin activity (PRA) in anaesthetized pigs.

It has recently been shown that distension of the uterus in anaesthetized pigs causes reflex haemodynamic responses through efferent sympathetic mechanisms. The present study was undertaken to determine whether these mechanisms include activation of the renin-angiotensin system. The same methods were used in 14 pigs which were anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose and artificially ventilated. Balloons positioned within the uterus were distended for periods of 30 min by injecting 20 ml of warm Ringer solution. The responses of arterial blood pressure and heart rate were respectively prevented by blockade of alpha-adrenergic receptors with phentolamine and atrial pacing. Changes in plasma renin activity (PRA) were assessed during the last minute of distension by radioimmunoassay of angiotensin I. In each of 10 pigs, distension of the uterus (mean uterine transmural pressure of 17 mmHg) caused an increase in PRA in the absence of changes of interfering haemodynamic variables. In the remaining four pigs, this response was graded by step increments of the distension. The increase in PRA caused by uterine distension was abolished by bilateral section of the renal nerves (five pigs) or by blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors with propranolol. The present study showed that distension of the uterus in anaesthetized pigs primarily caused a reflex increase in PRA. This reflex response was mediated by renal nerves and involved beta-adrenergic receptors.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1993

[Pulmonary sequestration. Report of a clinical case].

Concerning a clinical situation of intralobar pulmonary sequestration, in a seventeen year old young man, the authors review this nosological entity. They emphasize the importance of the complementary examens of diagnosis, namely of thoracic scan and aortography, for the establishment of the said diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Quantitation of melphalan in plasma of patients by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

An analytical procedure for the separation and determination of melphalan in human plasma was carried out. A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection was developed taking advantage of the high sensitivity of the electrode redox reaction. The sample pretreatment consisted of a direct extraction of the interferents rather than of melphalan, owing to the difficulty of extraction of the drug, and was very simple, rapid and reproducible.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1991

[The evaluation of and comments on a regional experience of dental prophylaxis. The relations between school, local health screening units and the Veneto region].

The paper analyses the opinion and proposals which emerged from a series of meetings held between the local health units, school representatives and the Department of Health of the Veneto Regional Government in the context of a regional plan for oral and dental hygiene aimed at kindergarten and primary school children. In addition to the traditional sensitivity of schools with regard to health-related problems, in the future in would be advantageous to involve families directly at the level of pediatric outpatient clinics (in order to create an adequate clinical back-up), thus removing dental care from a strictly educational context.

Child↗
PubMed1990

[The quadrilateral of prevention. Comments and reflections on the operative methodology in dental prophylaxis in Italy].

The authors have evaluated their experience in the field of dental prevention accumulated over the course of the past few years. It is apparent that there is considerable interest in projects aimed at restricted target groups, in this case children between 6-7 years old. Attention is also focused on synergies deriving from the collaboration between doctors (dentists and non-dentists), teachers, parents and public officials.

Child↗
PubMed1990

[Empathy and prevention: from the child's viewpoint. Comments on a school diary developed from dental prophylaxis messages].

The paper presents, explains and comments on the theoretical, practical and applied aspects of a collaborative enterprise between Health Services and a primary school in the context of a dental hygiene and preventive project organised by the USSL no. 19 in Mediobrenta. The enterprise in question concerned the experimental writing, by the children themselves, of a school diary, based on messages regarding dental health and hygiene formulated by the Odontostomatological Service in line with learning processes and communication models used during infancy. The experiment formed part of the general active approach of modern psychological pedagogy, and proved particularly efficacious in introducing medical concepts to an infantile population which would otherwise have met with much greater resistance.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Excretion of aminoglycosides in a rat kidney model.

Dactimicin is a new aminoglycoside antibiotic with an interesting low nephrotoxicity in animal experimental models. In order to establish if a correlation exists between the nephrotoxic effect and renal pharmacokinetic behaviour of aminoglycosides, tobramycin, sisomicin and dactimicin were studied in a model of isolated and perfused rat kidney. Concentrations in venous and urinary effluent during a continuous perfusion of a constant concentration of drugs were evaluated. The influence of active transport was studied comparing excretion data obtained with perfusion buffer with or without glucose. In the present experimental model the renal excretions of the aminoglycosides tested are quite similar and cannot account for the different nephrotoxicity observed in animals.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed1986

Another Italian family with mandibuloacral dysplasia: why does it seem more frequent in Italy?

We describe three patients (one female and two males in a sibship of 11) with mandibuloacral dysplasia. Only eight families have been reported previously, and of these, four were of Italian origin. The phenotypic spectrum of the condition is delineated and its variability is stressed. The observation of three affected members of both sexes with normal parents supports the hypothesis of autosomal recessive inheritance. The reasons for the high frequency of the condition in Italy are discussed; a local selective advantage for heterozygotes and founder effect might be involved.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗