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Biomedical subjects

V Balestra

Publications and source records attributed to V Balestra.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Quantitative EEG and neuropsychological effects of piracetam and of the association piracetam-lecithin in healthy volunteers.

The electroencephalographic (EEG) and neuropsychological effects of single, oral doses or piracetam (800-6,400 mg) and of its association with lecithin (4,800 mg and 25 g, respectively) were investigated in two groups of healthy volunteers in placebo-controlled studies. The EEG was quantified by power spectral analysis; both parametric and nonparametric procedures were applied to process the EEG and neuropsychological data statistically. The drug plasma concentration was assessed (gas chromatography) in concomitance with the EEG and neuropsychological measurements. Piracetam was found to elicit systematic EEG effects, namely a decrease in the low-frequency components and an increase in the power of the 8.5- to 12.0-Hz and of the fast-frequency components. The EEG modifications were restricted to the anterior scalp areas; its detection by means of parametric statistics was conditioned by the relevant individual variability and was inferred resting upon a number of criteria (indication at nonparametric tests, topography, consistency across subjects, replicability, etc). The correlation between EEG changes and drug plasma concentration was ambiguous, and the compound was not found to be effective on any of the neuropsychological variables considered. The study exemplifies some of the methodological problems in quantitative pharmaco-EEG and emphasizes the relevance of topography and replication.

Brain↗
PubMed1984

Comparison between the central effects of camazepam and temazepam. Computerized analysis of sleep recordings.

The effects of acute administration per os of 30 mg camazepam and the same dose of temazepam, were compared with placebo in 8 young male volunteers, fully adapted to the laboratory environment by 6 nights of adaptation. The study was double-blind, in a random order, 10 days separating each session. Spectral analysis was performed on the all-night records (1-min epochs), and the relative power of six frequency bands calculated. Concerning sleep parameters, temazepam induces a statistically significant reduction of: phase shifts; number of awakenings; percent duration of sleep stages I and IV. A significant increase of the percent duration of stage II and sleep efficiency was also found. Camazepam shows modification, with the same trend, but not reaching statistical significance. Concerning spectral analysis, temazepam induces a light increase of the relative power of the slowest frequencies, paralleled by an increase of the fast bands, while major effects are found on the characteristic periodicity of delta activities, which appear disrupted by the drug. These effects are not evident with camazepam, which does not seem to distort the normal sleep pattern.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Alveolaro-capillary gas exchange. Considerations on the evaluation of carbon monoxide diffusion].

This study is based on 107 male individuals aged between 20 and 73 years, all of them exempt from any disease. They were submitted to instrument examination for measuring the CO pulmonary diffusing capacity with the single breath method. The data so obtained were then statistically elaborated considering the index value of CO transfer, the Helium partition (RHe) and the CO partition and diffusion (R&DCO). The CO transfer index has shown a particularly extensive range; if we take as normality level-20%, a consistent ratio of individuals (20,56%) falls in a range of deficitary pulmonary diffusion though in absence of aèny clinical evidence of pathology. The subsequent statistical elaboration of the data after logarithmic transformation, by the means of the linear regression model, has allowed to reduce the variance of the R&D CO index improving his classificative capability.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Carbon monoxide alveolar-capillary diffusion: considerations on inter-personal variability].

Twenty three male subjects 21 to 53 aged were undergone to lung diffusion test using breath holding method. Each subject was tested three times in different days. The results were evaluated by Bartlett's Chi-square test and by Kendall's coefficient of concordance. Correlation between the CO distribution and diffusion index (R&DCO), the Helium distribution index (RHe), the time of breath holding and the volume of "single breath" was found. It seems it will be possible to improve the inter-personal estimation to 1.25% about.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[The influence of helium concentration in determining respiratory function parameters].

Before a research about normals values of lung diffusing capacity for CO in Italian people, the Authors investigate if different concentration of Helium in respiratory gases could have any influence on data. Experiments were performed by testing 8 male subjects. Each one repeated lung function tests three times using gas mixtures with different Helium percentage. Results were evaluated by meaning of t Studnt's and Bartlett's Chi-square tests. Results show no significant difference.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Laboratory culture of Palaemon elegans (Rathke, 1837). (Crustacea decapoda) (third contribution).

A certain amount of Palaemon elegans larvae is bred in the laboratory under controlled conditions (at four different salty concentration rates). They were hatched from a number of egg laying females, which had previously been gathered along the Ligurian littoral. The larval development carried on for 25 to 30 days at an average temperature of ambient of 20 degree C during the seasonal period from May 23rd to June 23rd, 1980. Two hundreds out of the five hundreds larvae hatched from the eggs have been insulated and held for an adaptation period of about ten hours at the salinity of their home environment. Thus, the resistance of these froms to the salinity variations is evident. The results are confirmed by the biostatistical control.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

[Metamorphosis of Hyla arborea and of Rana esculenta in conditions of environmental pollution: a biostatistical study].

An extention to the largest possible numbers of animal species is a basic requirement when damages induced by pollutants are studies with a specific purpose of defining the concentrations of pollutants compatible with the conservation of the biochemical system. Animals should be bred in standard conditions, and the natural habitat is to be reproduced in the laboratory. The studies should also be planned favoring these statistical elaborations which are suitable of application also in case of interruption of the experimental design. The results of two experiments are reported in example, in which the metamorphoses of Rana esculenta and Hyla arborea are compared in standard conditions and during pollution with "fanghi rossi" (containing titanium dioxide).

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Standardization vs. normalization in the power spectral analysis of the EEG signal.

Data from power analysis of the human EEG were processed statistically, and an area within the power spectrum was identified, limited by the abscissa and by an exponential curve, the parameters of which could be defined by a moving linear regression after logarithmic transform of the spectral data. The EEG signal of normal subjects and epileptics with borderline EEG tracings was studied before and after administration of neuroactive compounds. The exponential curve was found to be negative in all subjects; its parameters were symmetrical and were not modified by the drugs administered, though these were active on the spectral profile. The area limited by the curve was used as a reference for the standardization of the power values with respect to a constant to the signal. The method allowed a better definition of the spectral profile than it is obtained by normalization vs. the total power value.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[Pharmacological treatment of neurotic depressions].

Neurotic depression covers all forms triggered by exogenous factors, often in conjuction with an underlying personality disposition, and includes reactive, exhaustion and neurotic depression. A feeling of sadness and loss of affection is generally present, together with anxiety provoked by insecurity and apprehension. The complexity of the picture makes treatment of the overall situation difficult with one drug only. For this reason, a series of 25 patients aged 31 to 67 yr with syndromes classifiable as neurotic depression were treated with 2 to 6 daily administrations of an association of 25 nortryptiline and 1 mg trifluoperazine. Analysis of the behaviour of a number of target symptoms showed the effectiveness of the association. There were virtually no side-effects. Success was obtained in the management of anxiety, loss of appetite, depression, irritability, weeping, failure to adapt, and remissiveness, especially in the first week of treatment.

Adjustment Disorders↗