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Biomedical subjects

R Romano

Publications and source records attributed to R Romano.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

[Assessment of the consumption of alcoholic beverages by the secondary-school student population of Trieste].

The results are reported of an epidemiological survey aimed at assessing alcohol consumption among the secondary school population of Trieste in three different age groups (13-14, 15-16, 18-19). The data obtained on a representative sample of Trieste students reveal an alarming situation as regards alcohol consumption especially among the younger elements, possibly due to peer pressure. Primary prevention involving health education in schools is advocated as a way of halting a worrying trend towards alcoholism even among the very young.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Circadian variations of autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions and endogenous cortisol.

The degree of proliferation of human T cells stimulated with autologous PHA-T cells and with autologous non-T cells displays circadian variations. The highest proliferation occurs with cells isolated from blood drawn at 8 a.m. in mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) with autologous PHA-T cells and from blood drawn at 8 p.m. in MLR with autologous non-T cells. The circadian variations of autologous MLRs appear to reflect changes in the proliferative response of T cells. In autologous MLRs with non-T cells as stimulators the extent of proliferation was inversely correlated with the level of endogenous cortisol. The circadian variations of autologous MLRs do not reflect non-specific changes in the proliferative and stimulatory properties of T and non-T cells, since circadian variations were not observed in the proliferative response of T cells to mitogens and in allogeneic MLRs. Circadian variations of autologous MLRs must be taken into account when analyzing abnormalities of these reactions in pathological conditions.

Circadian Rhythm↗
PubMed1982

[Not Available].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Americas↗
PubMed1975

The prevention of Ehrlich ascites tumor using intraperitoneal colloidal 198Au. Dose vs. size of inoculum.

Previous work has shown that radioactive colloids can cure Ehrlich ascites tumor. In this experiment, the dose of colloidal 198Au needed has been correlated with the number of tumor cells inoculated. On Day 1, varying numbers of Ehrlich cells (10(2), 10(3), 10(4), 10(5), 10(6)) were injected intraperitoneally into 310 BALB/c male mice. Two hours later, varying doses (10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 muCi) of 198Au were injected intraperitoneally. Controls were injected with normal saline. Generally, the lower cell inoculums and higher doses of 198Au yielded better survival rates.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Symptomatology and comorbidity of generalized anxiety disorder in children and adolescents.

This study investigated the symptomatology and comorbidity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in a clinically referred sample of Italian children and adolescents as a function of age and gender. The sample consisted of 58 subjects (19 children and 39 adolescents), 23 males and 35 females screened from consecutively referred children and adolescents. This sample was divided into two groups of younger children (19 subjects, eight males and 11 females aged 7 to 12 years; mean age, 9.6) and adolescents (39 subjects, 15 males and 24 females aged 12 to 18 years; mean age, 14.9). Feelings of tension, apprehension, the need for reassurance, irritability, negative self-image, and physical complaints were reported in more than 70% of the subjects. Differences in the symptomatic profile between males and females were not significant. Children and adolescents did not show significant differences in the number of symptoms. The need for reassurance was significantly more frequent in children, and brooding was more frequent in adolescents. Other anxiety disorders were commonly comorbid with GAD. More than half of the patients with GAD showed a concurrent depressive disorder; no differences were found for comorbidity between children and adolescents, except for higher rates of separation anxiety disorder in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Modification of the slide agglutination test for the detection of sperm-agglutinins.

We have modified the slide agglutination test (SAT) in order to make it available for the routine detection and titration of sperm agglutinins. Serum and seminal plasma samples of 156 subfertile patients were tested by the modified slide agglutination test (MSAT) in two trials. Fifteen per cent of serum and 7.5% of siminal plasma samples gave positive results and MSAT showed excellent reproducibility: a highly significant statistical correlation between the positive titres in the two determinations was observed. One hundred and ten samples were tested simultaneously by the MSAT and the tray agglutination test (TAT). The two tests showed a similar sensitivity with a significant statistical correlation between the positive titres. Using the MSAT the reading of results was easier and more precise. Therefore we propose the MSAT for the routine detection and titration of sperm-agglutinins.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunological screening of a male population with infertile marriages.

Four hundred not preselected male partners of infertile marriages were screened for the presence of anti-sperm antibodies. Serum and seminal plasma specimens from each patient were tested by the modified slide agglutination test (MSAT) and by the sperm-immobilization test. In addition, the IgG MAR test was performed on fresh ejaculates. Thirteen per cent of patients showed sperm agglutinating activity in serum and 5.7% also in seminal plasma. Sperm-immobilizing activity was found in 4.7% of serum and 1% of seminal plasma specimens, always associated with a high titre of sperm agglutinating activity. A highly significant linear correlation was found between the results of the MAR test and serum sperm-agglutinating activity; the presence of sperm-agglutinating activity in seminal plasma was always associated with MAR test positivity greater than 50%. The incidence of anti-sperm antibodies was not significantly different in patients with normo-, oligo- and azoospermia. The effectiveness and the easiness of both the MAR test and the MSAT do not justify, in our opinion, the utilization of more complex and expensive techniques for the detection of anti-sperm antibodies.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Detection of sperm surface related antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence test on sperm suspensions. Indirect IFT on sperm suspensions.

An indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT) using sperm suspensions was carried out on 20 sera with sperm agglutinins (SA) and on 25 negative controls. IIFT gave results highly correlated with the occurrence of sperm agglutinating activity. Moreover, a relation was found among class of Ig involved in IF reactivity, fluorescent stain pattern and type of sperm agglutinations. In all sera with "mixed" or "tail-tail" sperm agglutinating activity, IgG were involved in IF reactivity; the fluorescent stain constantly appeared in a granular pattern along the sperm tail and most often on the head surface too. In relation to high titres of "head-head" sperm agglutinating activity, IgM were involved in IF reactivity; here the fluorescent stain appeared to be localized on acrosomal surface. The results indicate that indirect IFT on sperm suspensions specifically detects sperm surface related antibodies.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A direct immunofluorescence test for the detection of sperm surface bound antibodies. Comparison with sperm agglutination test, indirect IF test and MAR test.

A direct immunofluorescence (DIF) test using sperm suspensions and F (ab')2 antisera was carried out on 30 patients with sperm-agglutinating (SA) activity and on 25 negative controls. Its results were related with the occurrence of SA activity in serum and seminal plasma, with the results of the indirect IF test and those of the direct IgG-MAR test. DIF test gave positive results in all patients with significant serum SA activity, even when it was undetectable in seminal plasma, except in 2 cases with serum IF-reactivity for IgM, and negative results in all controls. IgG were involved in IF-reactivity in 88.4% of positive cases and IgA in 42.3%. IgA were always found in association with sustained SA activity in seminal plasma. In these cases the IgG-MAR test might not result strongly positive, in spite of the high titre of SA activity in semen.

Antibodies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

BMI centile as an indicator of degree of obesity in childhood.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate body mass index (BMI centile) as an indicator of degree of obesity in childhood. DESIGN: Random. SETTING: Obese and nonobese healthy children were recruited in the Verona University Department of Pediatrics and Division of Pediatrics of the Verona City Hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 70 males aged 9.7 +/- 2.75 years and 55 females aged 9.9 +/- 3 years. Percentage fat mass was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis using Kushner's equation, and Italian BMI charts (A. Luciano et al. 1997) were used to calculate the BMI centile (BMI > 90 degrees in 76 subjects and BMI < 90 degrees in 59 subjects). RESULTS: Linear regression analysis and correlations between percentage fat mass and BMI centile were significant in males (P = 0.000, r = 0.6) and females (P = 0.000, r = 0.7) in both obese and nonobese subjects. CONCLUSIONS: BMI is a reliable, easy-to-use indicator of degree of obesity in childhood. Pediatricians should be encouraged to use BMI centiles to assess childhood obesity and particularly the onset of overweight, its evolution and its response to different types of management.

Body Mass Index↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Levobupivacaine versus racemic bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia in orthopaedic major surgery.

AIM: Levobupivacaine, a new local anaesthetic, has been recently introduced into clinical practice because of its lower toxic effects for heart and central nervous system. It has been already investigated in epidural and loco-regional techniques, but more has to be known regarding its characteristics in spinal anaesthesia. The aim of our study was to compare clinical and anaesthetic features of levobupivacaine and racemic bupivacaine when intrathecally administered in 60 patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgical procedures. METHODS: Three ml of glucose-free levobupivacaine 0.5% (group L) or 3 ml of isobaric bupivacaine 0.5% (group B) were administered in 30 patients each. Sensory and motor blockades were evaluated by the pinprick test and a modified Bromage score, respectively. Vital parameters, postoperative VAS and rescue analgesia were recorded as well. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences between groups were observed either in anaesthetic potencies or postoperative pain. Either heart rate or mean arterial pressure slightly decreased in both groups, with no preoperative significant differences. Nevertheless, spinal puncture was accompanied by severe hypotension and bradycardia in 2 patients of group B. In both cases, hemodynamics were promptly and successfully treated, with no sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, levobupivacaine results a valid alternative to racemic bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia, the latter remaining a cheap and effective local anaesthetic yet. Notwithstanding the complete absence of any significant hemodynamic complications in the patients of group L, further and larger studies are needed in order to assess if levobupivacaine is preferable to bupivacaine for minimizing the possible cardiovascular impact of spinal anaesthesia.

Adult↗