Biomedical subjects

R Scicchitano

Publications and source records attributed to R Scicchitano.

58 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1983

Nebulized fenoterol in severe asthma: determinants of the dose response.

We assessed the bronchodilator response to cumulative doses of nebulised fenoterol in 16 patients with severe asthma to determine (1) the magnitude of the bronchodilator response, (2) the factors determining this response, and (3) the dose producing maximum bronchodilation. To reflect the degree to which ventilatory function returned to normal, individual bronchodilator responses were assessed as the change in FEV1 (post-fenoterol FEV1 - initial FEV1) and expressed as a percentage of the predicted maximum response (predicted FEV1 - initial FEV1). The bronchodilator response was extremely varied (about 55% of predicted maximum in six patients, 40% in three patients, and 20% in seven patients), as was the dose producing maximal bronchodilation (1 mg in three patients, 2 mg in six patients, and 2.5 or 3 mg in seven patients). In individual patients the maximum response could be predicted by the response to the initial dose of fenoterol and by the duration of the episode of severe asthma. The maximum response was not predicted by the initial severity of obstruction or the patient's usual treatment.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed1981

Antigen of Haemophilus influenzae in bronchial tissue.

Haemophilus influenzae antigen was detected in five of seven bronchial biopsies obtained from patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy. Antibody against H influenzae antigens was obtained from a patient with bronchiectasis. Immunofluorescent techniques were used. This provides further evidence to support the pathogenicity of H influenzae in lower respiratory tract disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed1978

Metformin associated lactic acidosis.

A case of lactic acidosis occurring in association with inappropriate and excessive metformin therapy and a high serum metformin concentration is described. In the other 23 cases of metformin associated lactic acidosis reported to December 1977, renal, cardiovascular and liver disease were common. Although metformin is less likely to cause lactic acidosis than phenformin, neither drug should be prescribed in the presence of renal, hepatic or cardiovascular disease.

Acidosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Role of tachykinins in bronchial hyper-responsiveness.

1. Sensory afferent fibres mediate important protective reflexes in the lung. Small, unmyelinated C-fibre nerves have both sensory afferent and effector functions. C-fibres contain a number of neuropeptides, including the tachykinins, which have pro-inflammatory effects in the airways. Following stimulation with capsaicin and other stimuli, neuropeptides are released from the nerve endings, either directly or by axonal reflexes. 2. Important tachykinin effects include smooth muscle contraction, vasodilatation and oedema, mucus secretion and inflammatory cell activation. There are also trophic effects, including proliferation of fibroblasts, smooth muscle and epithelial cells. 3. Tachykinins mediate their effects by binding to G-proteinlinked receptors. Receptor-specific agonists and antagonists are available, which have helped clarify the effects of tachykinins. These agents may have therapeutic potential. 4. Tachykinins are degraded by the enzyme neutral endo-peptidase. 5. Studies in humans in vivo show an increase in airways resistance following challenge with tachykinins. There is some evidence for an increase in tachykinins and their receptors in airway inflammation, but this has not been found in all studies. A reduction in neutral endopeptidase has been seen in some animal models of airway inflammation, but this has not been shown in human disease. 6. Trials of tachykinin receptor antagonists in human asthma have begun, but it is too early to say what their therapeutic impact will be.

Airway Obstruction↗