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S Sensi

Publications and source records attributed to S Sensi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in evaluating the relationship between obesity and blood pressure.

The relationship of body mass index, body fat, waist to hip ratio, fasting blood glucose and sum of blood glucose levels during oral glucose tolerance test with casual blood pressure (BP) and BP parameters obtained by 24h ambulatory BP monitoring in 97 out-patients moderately obese (66 with android type obesity), normal glucose tolerance and mild hypertension at entry study, has been evaluated. A negative correlation between body mass index and systolic ambulatory BP levels as the 24h mean, daytime and nighttime, has been documented in all of the obese subjects; no correlations between body mass index and casual BP were shown. Only in the group of android type obese was the body mass index correlated positively with the casual DBP. Systolic 24h and nighttime BP values correlated positively with waist to hip ratio; the correlation coefficients improved in the subgroup of android type obese. By using 24h ambulatory BP monitoring, it may be possible to show that waist to hip ratio is a better predictor of systolic hypertension than other parameters such as those derived from weight and height measurements and body fat percentage.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

[Teaching merit should be valued? Reflections and proposals].

UNLABELLED: Can intellectual performance be evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively, and can it be useful to evaluate competence and pedagogic capacity? Experts and laws attempted to answer these questions in the last years. A recent law establishes that the Board of examiners should formulate the evaluation criteria of maximum before the examination of titles to proceed with a fair evaluation of didactic and scientific titles of the candidates. A clear and unequivocal position on the importance of teaching in Medical Schools comes from the Consensus Conference of the World Federation for Medical Education in 1988 and more recently from the World Summit on Medical Education (1993). Proposals: a task-force has recently been constituted with the following objectives: identify of evaluation criteria on teaching competence and formulate strategies of co-optation. Action: teaching and pedagogic capacities should be evaluated in a quantitative and qualitative manner. The Faculty and/or other institutional organisms could certify teaching activity within the Faculty (quantitative indicators) through the "credit system" and the quality of teaching could be evaluated by the students and/or by institutional organisms. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of teaching competence in equally important as the evaluation of biomedical research.

Education, Medical↗
PubMed1993

Chronobiology in endocrinology.

Temporal endocrine structure (TES). It can be defined as a combination of predictable hormonal changes that are time-related. Regarding their frequency, endocrine rhythms may be circadian, ultradian and infradian. In this context, the endocrine circadian time structure (ECTS), that is closely dependent of some areas of the hypothalamus, is of particular interest. Long and short loop feedback link together the various components: central nervous system (CNS), hypothalamus and anterior pituitary with target glands and tissues. The hypothalamic neuropeptides (releasing hormones or factors - RH or RF - or inhibiting hormones or factors IH or IF) presently known are: thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH); luteinizing releasing hormone (LH RH); prolactin releasing factor (PRF); Prolactin Inhibiting Factor (PIF); Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF); Growth Releasing hormone (GH RH). Some general remarks on endocrine rhythms should be noted: the circadian changes in hormones may depend on each other; even an apparently subordinate rhythm should be considered a true independent rhythm; accurate studies have shown that hormonal secretion occurs in all cases according to a rhythmic organization at many levels; these rhythms may not be evident at a first analysis. The hormone secretion is basically pulsating which makes it difficult to draw standard reference values. Although an ECTS is present at the cell level, in organs etc., it is evident that a rhythm hierarchy exists. Hormonal secretion and sleep-wake cycle. Although several reports state that no rhythm is totally dependent on the sleep-wake cycle, from a general point of view the hormone secretion rhythms can be divided in: sleep-dependent rhythms and sleep-independent rhythms. Meal-timing and hormonal secretion. In animals, meal-timing is a powerful synchronizer; however, there are no definitive and conclusive data to prove that meal-timing is a true synchronizer also in humans, although there have been some reports suggesting it. Endocrine rhythms. Data regarding the endocrine rhythms (circadian-ultradian-infradian) of the numerous hormones as GH; prolactin; aspects of temporal pattern of CRF-ACTH-corticosteroid and of hypothalamic - pituitary - thyroids axis; hypothalamic - pituitary - ovaric steroid and testosterone axis are reported. The study of a possible rhythmic pattern of insulin has been approached from many points of view as the basal rhythmicity of insulin; the diurnal variation of efficacy of injected insulin and of insulin responsiveness to insulinogenic stimuli.

Chronobiology Phenomena↗
PubMed1993

Ultrasound therapy of chronic arm lymphedema after surgical treatment of breast cancer.

The treatment of chronic arm lymphedema following axillary dissection for breast cancer is still a therapeutic challenge. To examine other treatment options, we undertook a pilot study on the efficacy of ultrasound therapy (UST) in management of these patients. Fifty patients with post-surgical arm lymphedema and without regional irradiation underwent ultrasound treatment (2 cycles at 4 month intervals) and the results were compared up to 1 year with 100 other patients treated by standardized mechanical pressure therapy (MPT) using a pneumatic pump. In this report we evaluate 96 patients who have been followed after 1 year, 31 of whom belong to UST group and 65 to the MPT group. UST did not show a statistically significant difference in whole arm reduction of lymphedema although there was initially a greater reduction in size after the first 4 months of treatment. The addition of an elastic sleeve did not improve lymphedema in either group. Advantages of UST were an overall shorter length of treatment, a tendency to greater softening of the arm, patient satisfaction by avoidance of an uncomfortable and constrictive device and better relief of osteomyofascial pain, greater scapulohumeral motion, and less intercostobrachial pain-dysesthesia.

Arm↗
PubMed1993

Inhibition of the Na(+)-Ca++ exchanger enhances anoxia and glucopenia-induced [3H]aspartate release in hippocampal slices.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible role played by the Na(+)-Ca++ exchange system in the modulation of D-[3H]aspartate release induced by anoxia and glucopenia from hippocampal slices. When hippocampal slices were exposed to anoxic and glucopenic conditions (oligomycin + 2-deoxyglucose or 95% N2/5% CO2), an increase of basal D-[3H]aspartate release occurred. Two organic calcium entry blockers, verapamil and nimodipine, and the inorganic calcium entry blocker, gadolinium, did not prevent anoxia-induced D-[3H]aspartate release. In contrast, the calcium-chelator, EGTA, and lanthanum, an inorganic compound that blocks voltage-sensitive calcium channels and Na(+)-Ca++ exchanger activity, enhanced anoxia-induced D-[3H]aspartate release. In addition, the 2'-4'-dimethylbenzil amiloride derivative, a rather specific inhibitor of the Na(+)-Ca++ exchanger system, enhanced anoxia-induced D-[3H]aspartate release. Finally, tetrodotoxin, which selectively blocks the Na(+)-channels, attenuated anoxia-elicited D-[3H]aspartate release. In conclusion, the results of the present study confirmed that, under anoxic and glucopenic conditions, D-[3H]aspartate release was not dependent on the entrance of extracellular Ca++ ions through the voltage-sensitive calcium channels and demonstrated that the inhibition of the Na(+)-Ca++ antiporter enhanced excitatory amino acid release. This result seems to suggest that, when intracellular Na+ concentrations increase, because of the anoxic and glucopenic conditions, both the Na(+)-Ca++ exchanger and the Na(+)-syntransporter system of glutamate operate as Na+ ion efflux pathways. Therefore, when the antiporter is blocked, the syntransporter remains the only pathway for Na+ ion extrusion, leading to an enhancement of D-[3H]aspartate release.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1990

Circadian time structure of pituitary and adrenal response to CRF, TRH and LHRH.

In six healthy males, aged 25.3 +/- 0.66, the pituitary and adrenal simultaneous response to CRF (1 microgram/kg), TRH (200 micrograms) and LH-RH (100 micrograms) was studied at the following times of different days: 0400, 0800, 1200, 1600, 2000 and 0000. Each test was preceded by a 8-hr fast after a meal containing 600 cal (CHO 50%, lipid 30%, protein 20%). The interval between two consecutive tests was 52 hrs and the starting time was randomized. The serum cortisol was measured before and after 60, 120, 180, 240 min. Serum TSH, Prolactin, FSH and LH were measured before and after 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. The statistical analysis was reported by both mean chronograms (as absolute values and relative change or absolute difference from mesor) and mean cosinor on basal values and total (T.A.) or incremental (I.A.) areas after RH stimulus. Serum cortisol: a statistically significant circadian rhythm was found for basal values with a peak in the morning (phi at 1040; 95% C.L. 0808-1438). T.A. after RH stimulus as well appeared statistically higher again in the morning, whereas the I.A. presented an opposite phase with higher values at night (phi at 2133; 95% C.L. 2055-0312). Serum Prolactin: mean chronogram analysis showed significantly higher basal values at 0800 and lower values at 1600, whereas I.A. were significantly lower in the morning. Serum LH: basal values were statistically higher in the morning, while T.A. and I.A. showed an opposite behaviour with peaks in the night (T.A.: phi at 2015, 95% C.L. 1710-0035; I.A.: 0 2033; 95% C.L. 1736-0004).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Changes in plasma DHEAS circadian rhythm in elderly men.

Several reports focused the attention on aging that appears to exert an influence on the temporal structure in the endocrine system of man. Considering that: a) DHEAS blood levels consistently decrease as men age and b) this hormone might be involved in the early development of atherosclerosis, aim of the present work to detect: 1) the possible existence of a circadian rhythm of DHEAS in young and elderly men, 2) eventual change in parameters of other hormonal rhythms. 11 young healthy males (28 +/- 2 yrs) and 12 elderly males (73 +/- 1 yrs) were studied over a 24-hr span during spring. They were submitted to the circadian protocol for the evaluation of DHEAS, PRL and cortisol plasma levels. A significant circadian rhythm of DHEAS plasma levels was observed in the young men (mesor micrograms/dl 273.13 +/- 38.25, amplitude 41.37 +/- 9.29, acrophase at 1351 hr). In the elderly subjects no circadian rhythm was found, but amplitude and mesor appeared statistically reduced in comparison with young people (p less than 0.005 and p less than 0.001, respectively). Confirming previous results the circadian pattern of PRL and cortisol did not change in the two groups. It is suggested that both loss of rhythmicity and low levels of blood DHEAS in elderly may be involved in aging process and considered an aspect of the endocrine temporal structure of old people.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Can the chronobiological approach better evaluate the relationship between diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension?

This work evaluates by a chronobiological approach the relationship between arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Sixteen type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic hypertensive males (age 50-60 years, BMI 26 +/- 1, without nephropathy) were selected for the study. Blood pressure (BP) was considered borderline, mild or moderate, systolic and/or diastolic by a single measurement (occasional measurement) according to the Report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (1984). Then both dynamic ambulatory BP through a 24-hr span (5300 ABPS Spacelabs) and an oral glucose-tolerance test (100 gm) with serum glucose and insulin measures were carried out. Total insulin area (TIA) and total glucose area (TGA) were computed. Blood-pressure values were analyzed by the Cosinor method, and then percent time of elevation (PTE) and the hyperbaric impact (HBI) were calculated. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between TIA and the mesors of both systolic BP/diastolic BP (p less than 0.05) and HBI (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01, respectively).

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1987

Chronobiological aspects of weight loss in obesity: effects of different meal timing regimens.

A series of short- and long-lasting experimental protocols of different meal timing regimes were performed in obese subjects to assess the possible occurrence of (1) a different metabolic fate of nutrients; (2) a phase shift of circadian rhythms of metabolic and hormonal parameters strictly related to nutrition; (3) a different weight loss. (A) In a short-lasting protocol (3 days) 15 obese subjects were fed a hypocaloric diet (684 kcal/day) (a) at 10 hr only, (b) at 1800 hr only; (c) at 1000 hr, 1400 hr and 1800 hr, or (d) studied during a 36-hr fasting. Measures of calorimetry (R.Q., CHO and lipid oxidations, energy expenditure), hormones (plasma cortisol, insulin, HGH, urinary catecholamines), urinary electrolytes (Na, K) and vital parameters (body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure) were carried out at 4-hr intervals for three days. A significantly higher lipid oxidation and a lower CHO oxidation were documented with the meal at 1800 hr, in comparison with the meal at 1000 hr. CHO and lipid oxidation circadian rhythms appeared the most affected by meal timing. (B) In a long-lasting protocol (18 days) 10 obese subjects were fed the same hypocaloric diet (a) at 1000 hr only and (b) at 1800 hr only. Calorimetric measures were performed every other day for 2 hr preceding each meal. Before and after the 18-days single meal period, body temperature, plasma cortisol, PRL and TSH were recorded (delta t = 4 hr). A higher lipid oxidation and a lower CHO oxidation were again demonstrated with the meal at 18 hr. Minimal changes of hormonal circadian rhythms were documented suggesting that the hypothalamus-hypophysis network is scarcely affected by meal timing. Weight loss did not vary in both short- and long-term protocol.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Circadian time structure in the endocrine system of elderly subjects.

Six young, healthy males (mean age 27 +/- 0.8 years) and six healthy elderly men (mean age 75 +/- 2.0 years) underwent an evaluation of their circadian rhythms in cortisol, PRL, and TSH; oral body temperature and heart rate also were recorded. In the two groups no differences in the circadian patterns of cortisol, PRL, and body temperature were found. We consider it remarkable that the mesor of PRL values did not differ significantly between young and elderly subjects. A markedly advanced TSH acrophase was found in the elderly compared to the young controls. This change in acrophase could be important, because the hormone is known to be a marker of the function of the hypothalamus-hypophysis axis. In addition, an advance of the acrophase of the heart rate in the elderly compared to the younger age group was observed.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Autonomous adenoma of the thyroid].

Toxic goitre often referred to in the literature as "autonomous" adenoma or nodule actually signifies a number of different pathologies that are characterised by autonomy and hyperfunction so that it is now thought more appropriate to call it an autonomous follicle. Clinical features and the hormone profile suggest the diagnosis which is confirmed by scintiscan with curve as well as dynamic inhibition and stimulation tests using TRH, procedures that reveal both latent hyperfunction and autonomy. The most common current therapeutic approach is surgical since this provides a complete cure while leaving the surrounding thyroid tissue undisturbed.

Adenoma↗