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Biomedical subjects

R Mattioli

Publications and source records attributed to R Mattioli.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Effects of low-dose diltiazem on isovolumetric relaxation and contraction].

Calcium entry blockers are commonly believed to have a direct negative inotropic effect, but systolic function of the left ventricle (LV) can be improved when the peripheral vasodilator activity of the drug is present. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of diltiazem (D) on isovolumic contraction (IC) and relaxation (IR) at a dosage which is not effective on the peripheral vascular bed. We infused 10 micrograms/Kg/min i.v. of D for a 30 min period in to 12 pigs, anesthetized with ethyl urethane (1250 mg/Kg) and under artificial ventilation. The following variables were evaluated: left ventricular systolic (LVSP) and end-diastolic (LVEDP) pressure, peak - and + dP/dt, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and double product. The recordings were obtained in the control condition and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes after beginning the infusion. The statistical analysis was performed using the one-way ANOVA test. Our results show: 1) a maximal increase in the peak + dP/dt from 2228 +/- 501 to 2448 +/- 576 mmHg/sec (p less than or equal to 0.01) and of the peak . dP/dt from 1262 +/- 260 to 1348 +/- 272 mmHg/sec (p less than or equal to 0.05); 2) and increase in LVSP from 86 +/- 13 to 90 +/- 10 mmHg (p less than or equal to 0.01) and 3) no changes in HR, PAM, LVEDP and double product. As the indices representing afterload and preload (PAM and LVEDP) remained unchanged during the infusion, we suggest that the increase in dP/dt + and - are due to a direct effect of diltiazem on myocardial function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1988

Conditioned turning and functional recovery after unilateral substantia nigra lesion in rats.

In order to investigate whether conditioned circling interferes with recovery from turning induced by unilateral substantia nigra (SN) lesion, rats were trained to turn either ipsi- or contralateral to the lesioned side before and after the lesion was made. Two yoked groups served as controls. The number of turns contralateral to the trained side was significantly lower in relation to the pre-lesion value for the ipsilateral trained group and remained so until the end of the experiment. A partial recovery was observed on the 19th post-lesion day for the contralateral trained group. The results are discussed in terms of additive effects from training and the lesion symptoms.

Amphetamines↗
PubMed1988

[First seconds after acute experimental ischemic: changes in isovolumic contraction and relaxation].

The purpose of this study was to answer the following questions: 1) are isovolumic contraction and relaxation affected in a different way by LAD occlusion? 2) Does proximal and distal LAD coronary occlusion induce different changes in isovolumic contraction and relaxation? In 22 pigs, LAD coronary artery was dissected free right after the first or third diagonal branch and occluded by ligation. The following variables were evaluated: left ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressure; peak - and + dP/dt, mean arterial and pulmonary pressure. All our data were obtained in the first minute following the occlusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Complications following the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The complications following the surgical treatment of 328 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm are reported. In some cases such complications are predictable and their knowledge is useful to reduce the operative mortality. Cardiac and renal complications were more frequent in emergency, while surgical complications were mostly observed in patients with large aneurysms involving the iliac arteries. Duodenal lesions were caused in patients affected by inflammatory aneurysms. The late complications observed were: ureteral stenosis, infections, pseudoaneurysms and occlusion of a branch of the bifurcated graft.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1984

A long-term clinical experience with Lonidamine.

Lonidamine (LNA) has been investigated both alone and in combination with different chemotherapeutic agents in various types of tumors at an advanced stage. Acute and long-term treatments were studied. LNA has been shown to be devoid of the most typical side effects of currently used chemotherapeutic agents. It has revealed a characteristic profile of side effects, comprising myalgia, photosensitivity and altered hearing. LNA alone, tested in a limited number of patients, produced a partial remission in one ovary adenocarcinoma and a stabilization in two breast carcinomas and one microcytoma. When used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, it potentiated them, particularly in brain metastases and lung adenocarcinomas.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Morphological damage induced in vivo by Lonidamine on human metastatic cancer cells.

Lonidamine was given to several patients affected with different types of neoplasias growing as metastases both in ascites and pleural effusion, and solid cutaneous metastases. The patients with tumor cells in ascites and pleural effusion were treated with Lonidamine per os or in loco injections. In cutaneous metastases, Lonidamine was administered by different routes: (1) per os; (2) local endoarterial; and (3) in association with hyperthermic perfusion with or without antiblastic drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Prostacyclin effect on heart rate in the pig.

The purpose of this study was to assess the hemodynamic response after prostacyclin infusion into the venous system and into the carotid artery in the pig. During the study the following circulatory variables were studied: mean systemic arterial pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, wedge pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, systolic and diastolic left ventricular pressure, stroke volume, total systemic resistance, total pulmonary resistance, left ventricular stroke work. Our results confirm that prostacyclin is a powerful hypotensive agent. The hypotensive effect seems to be due to a peripheral vasodilatation of arterial and venous vessels. Venous infusion caused only 19% tachycardia, as opposed to 36% caused by arterial infusion for the same percentage of blood pressure reduction. This suggests that prostacyclin probably stimulates cardiopulmonary vagal receptors. The effect of prostacyclin on heart rate, therefore, may be twofold and in opposite directions: one action causing tachycardia secondary to hypotension, and the other inviting bradycardia through direct vagal stimulation.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

ACTH 1-17 effects in oncology.

Since November 1981, 90 cancer patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy (CMF, FAC, FAM) have been studied to evaluate whether the administration of Synchrodyn 1-17, 100 micrograms i.m. a day for 15 consecutive days, could reduce some side effects caused by the cytotoxic drugs. Nausea, vomiting and weakness which are the most frequent side effects generally found to be very upsetting to patients, were less pronounced in the treated patients than in patients treated with a placebo. The performance status was not modified by the treatment. Skin pigmentation was noted in the majority of cases and it appeared to be related to the sustained treatment with high dosages of the peptide. Some side effects were observed in the treated patients such as sodium retention and hypertension, hyperglycemia. Successively we have begun to study the circadian rhythm of the cortisol, which often changes during the advanced stages of the illness and which chemotherapy does not seem to alter.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A phase II study of mitomycin C, vindesine and cisplatin combined with alpha interferon in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: MVP chemotherapy (mitomycin C, vindesine or vinblastine, cisplatin) is one of the most commonly used regimens for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSLCLC). Experimental data suggest a synergistic cytotoxic activity of alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) when combined with cisplatin, mitomycin C and vinca alkaloids. In an effort to improve MVP chemotherapy activity, we have combined this regimen with alpha-IFN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with advanced NSCLC (19 stage IV) were treated with the MVP regimen (mitomycin C, 8 mg/m2; vindesine, 3 mg/m2, cisplatin, 75 mg/m2, all on day 1) plus alpha-2a-IFN, 3x10(6) U from day 1 to 7. The cycles were repeated every 28 days. RESULTS: There were no complete responses and 18 partial responses, for an overall response rate of 51%. Median time to treatment failure was 6 months (range, 1-18), and the median survival was 9.5 months (range, 1-32). WHO grade 3 toxicity was recorded in up to 8% of patients, flu-like syndrome was a common complaint; one toxic death occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The combination yielded a level of response comparable to that of other cisplatin-based regimens. Larger randomized trials are needed to assess the role of alpha-IFN combined with chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computerized system for static and kinetic automatic perimetry.

A new automatic perimeter has recently been developed under the supervision of the Perimetry Study Group of the Genoa University Eye Clinic. The main characteristics of this instrument are the following: projected targets; accurate calibration of stimulus size and shape; preliminary measurement of visual acuity and pupillary diameter; automated fixation control based on an optimized television system; static, kinetic, and mixed procedures; screening and diagnostic threshold and suprathreshold strategies; standard and non-standard parameters for stimuli, background, and procedures; user-friendly software; large disk memory for data storage and analysis.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Advanced colorectal cancer in elderly patients: tolerance and efficacy of leucovorin and fluorouracil bolus plus continuous infusion.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence increases sharply with age. In this study we assessed activity, toxicity and both the activity of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) of the De Gramont schedule in a series of advanced CRC patients aged > or = 70 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-two previously untreated advanced CRC patients entered the study. Median age was 75 (range 70-88). RESULTS: 447 courses were delivered. All of the 62 patients were evaluable for toxicity, 55 for response and ADL-IADL indexes. We recorded 2 complete and 9 partial responses, for an overall response rate of 20%. ADL and IADL indexes improved in 33%, remained stable in 49% and worsened in 18% of evaluable patients. Treatment was very well-tolerated with no serious hematological or non-hematological toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: The De Gramont schedule was very well tolerated in advanced CRC elderly patients, although our work could not confirm the original reported activity. ADL and IADL indexes improved or remained stable in 82% of evaluable patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Long-survival in responding patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with doxorubicin-docetaxel combination. A multicentre phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: The doxorubicin-docetaxel combination is active in breast cancer; the aim of the present study was to evaluate the complete response rate and safety profile of the doxorubicin and docetaxel regimen as first-line chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients entered the study. Treatment plan was: doxorubicin (50 mg/m2, i.v. bolus) followed 1 hour later by docetaxel (75 mg/m2 i.v. infusion over 1 hour), q 3 weeks, for up to six courses. The patients achieving a response or a stabilisation of disease after 6 courses were allowed to intensify the treatment with docetaxel (100 mg/m2, q 3 weeks) for up to 2 courses. G-CSF (or GM-CSF) was administered if clinically indicated. RESULTS: Patients' median age was 57years (range 32-75) and 72% of them had visceral disease. A total of 217 doxorubicin-docetaxel courses were delivered, with 70% of patients receiving all the 6 planned cycles. Among the 40 patients assessable for response (WHO criteria), 7 (16%) achieved a complete remission and 22 (51%) a partial remission, for an overall response rate (intent-to-treat) of 67% (95% C.I. =53% to 81%). In 19 patients, the treatment was intensified with two more single-agent docetaxel cycles, without ameliorating the response. Twenty-seven patients with oestrogen receptor-positive received hormonal therapy as 'maintenance' after completing chemotherapy treatment. NCIC G3-G4 neutropenia was recorded in 58% of patients, with G/GM-CSF used in 23 (53%) patients and 91 (38%) cycles. No patients experienced severe cardiac or neurological toxicity. No toxic death occurred. With a median follow-up of 41 months among alive patients, we observed in responder patients an overall median time to progression and survival of 18 and 33 months respectively, with ten long-survivors still alive. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the combination doxorubicin-docetaxel as a very active regimen for metastatic breast cancer. Remarkably long survival times were observed not only in complete responders, but also in those patients who responded partially. This might be equally attributed to first-line treatment and sequential maintenance hormonal therapy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Vaccination against hepatitis B: 3 years' experience at the Latium Operative Unit].

A campaign against hepatitis B was launched in 1985 in Latium Region, Italy, aimed at hospital workers, newborns of HBsAg positive mothers, hemodialysis patients, thalassemics and hemophiliacs. Subsequently, since the beginning of 1987 other at risk categories were included, namely households of HBsAg positive carriers, subjects with accidental exposure to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) (i.e exposure to street syringes), health care personnel working outside the hospital setting such as dentists, private clinics and laboratory workers, etc. A protocol was defined by the Regional Epidemiologic Unit (Osservatorio Epidemiologico Regionale) in order to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety af the two plasma-derived (pd) vaccines registered in Italy, MSD and Pasteur, in field conditions. Subjects belonging to these at risk categories were distributed among 21 hospital based vaccination units, to which the two vaccines were randomly allocated. Subjects were considered eligible for vaccination if they were HBsAg negative and Anti-HBs negative or Anti-HBs positive at low titer i.e. less than 20 milli-International units per milliliter. Subjects with insulin dependent diabetes, chronic liver disease or known hypersensitivity to vaccine components were also excluded. Antibody response was checked at six months since the beginning of the vaccination, i.e. after two doses of the MSD and three doses of Pasteur vaccine and expressed in miU/ml by use of Hollinger formula. Pre-vaccination screening, vaccination and post-vaccination anti-HBs testing were offered free of charge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗