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Biomedical subjects

V Bellia

Publications and source records attributed to V Bellia.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Continuous positive airway pressure improves the quality of sleep and oxygenation in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

We tested the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in 8 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The comparison of a nocturnal polygraphic study performed during spontaneous breathing with a study during CPAP administration performed the following night showed a significant reduction in stage 1 and increase in REM, the abolition of obstructive apneas and a significant increase in mean oxyhemoglobin saturation. Most patients reported marked relief of symptoms after the first night of treatment. However 3 patients, though confirming the improvement refused further CPAP. We conclude that CPAP is an effective measure for prevention of apneas in OSAS and that in compliant patients it may be regarded as a short-term measure when a permanent correction of the causes is planned, or as a long-term treatment when the latter is not feasible.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Diagnosis of a case of lipoid pneumonia by bronchoalveolar lavage.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) was diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in a 57-year-old woman with a long history of using oily nose drops. Since clinical and roentgenological presentations are nonspecific, BAL, along with specific staining of recovered alveolar macrophages, represents a safe alternative to more invasive diagnostic procedures whenever a diagnosis of ELP is suspected.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗
PubMed1986

The combination of fenoterol and ipratropium bromide in bronchial asthma: comparison of the acute effects of two different dosages.

Combinations of beta-stimulant and anticholinergic drugs have been advocated as a potentially useful tool in the treatment of reversible airway obstruction. We investigated the effectiveness and safety of a metered aerosol preparation delivering fenoterol 100 micrograms and ipratropium bromide 40 micrograms per puff: two dosages (2 puffs and 4 puffs) were used in 16 asthmatic patients, and their acute effects (up to 420 min) were investigated in a double-blind randomized trial. The results point out a reasonably good response to both dosages, with no notable difference between them as far as vital capacity, FEV 1, MMEF and Vmax75 are concerned. This finding indicates the possibility of achieving a satisfactory bronchodilation at beta-stimulant dosages far lower than the standard ones commonly used and therefore minimizing the risk of untoward cardiovascular effects.

Asthma↗
PubMed1985

Characteristics and prognostic value of morning dipping of peak expiratory flow rate in stable asthmatic subjects.

Characteristics and prognostic relevance of morning dip of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were evaluated in stable asthmatic subjects. Among 246 outpatients monitored four times daily for two weeks, 38 (group A) showed a significant difference between morning reading of PEFR and each of the others; they were compared to 38 randomly selected patients (group B) not showing morning dip in PEFR. Less frequent seasonal course, extrinsic pathogenesis, and sensitization to mites characterized group A; starting airflow limitation was more severe in those with morning dip, but no significant difference between mean PEFR measured throughout two weeks was found. At 6 to 12 weeks, morning dip was not found in 19 of 38 subjects in group A and appeared in seven of 38 subjects in group B, with no clearcut relationship to treatment being evident. At 25 to 104 weeks, no significant difference between therapeutic requirements and the forced expiratory volume in one second was detected; therefore, unlike the short-term, morning dip is not a risk factor for worse long-term prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Ultrasounds examination during polychemotherapy for ovarian cancer.

The usefulness of ultrasound diagnosis during polychemotherapy for ovarian cancer is valued. Between September 1980 and March 1983, 32 patients with ovarian cancer underwent polychemotherapy, had an ultrasound follow-up. Ultrasounds are very important for selecting the patients who must undergo second look.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1984

Applicability of a simple nasal provocation test in etiologic diagnosis of bronchial asthma.

The applicability of nasal challenge for etiologic diagnosis of extrinsic asthma was evaluated by assessing easiness of performance, precision, and cost of a standardized test by metered nebulizer in 20 asthmatics with and without concurrent rhinitis submitted also to skin prick tests and RAST. Although less sensitive than in the group with rhinitis (where precision was 90.4%), the nasal provocation test proved to be an easy, inexpensive, and specific (82.3%) means for contributing to the identification of allergic sensitization in patients affected by asthma alone.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1984

Variability of peak expiratory flow rate as a prognostic index in asymptomatic asthma.

The prognostic relevance of an enhanced variability of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) throughout the day was evaluated in asthmatics in remission: it was expressed as the coefficient of variation (CV) of values recorded 4 times daily for 2 weeks. Outcome at 3, 6, and 12 months was assessed in 2 groups of 16 patients each, differing because of a CV respectively higher (group A) and lower (group B) than 8%. A significantly higher frequency of abnormal PEFR values during the subsequent 3 months was recorded in patients of group A, and found as correlated to the magnitude of CV; in the same group a significantly worse clinical status--scored on the basis of response to treatment--was pointed out. Therefore, a high CV of PEFR may be assumed as a reliable indicator of the risk of exacerbation--not otherwise predictable--both in a short and a longer term; on this basis home monitoring of PEFR may be recommended as a useful tool in the evaluation of all the cases of asthma in remission.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Analysis of dose-response curves in the detection of bronchial hyperreactivity.

In 12 reference subjects and 23 asthmatic patients under clinical and functional remission, dose-response curves following inhalation of nebulized carbachol solution were performed. Response was assessed both in terms of SRaw and SGaw and the best fitting mathematical function (linear, exponential, polynomial and logarithmic) was looked for. Discriminating power and day-to-day reproducibility were better when using SGaw, independently from the fitted model. For the sake of simplicity, therefore, the linear or exponential treatment of indices seem preferable.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Reproducibility of maximum flows in air and He-O2 and of delta Vmax50 in the assessment of the site of airflow limitation.

Maximum expiratory flows at 50% of vital capacity while breathing air and a He-O2 mixture and delta Vmax50 observed during three sittings (morning, noon and morning the day after) in reference subjects and in patients with bronchial hyperreactivity were submitted to statistical analysis by between sittings comparison, looking for correlation coefficients, paired "t" test and variation coefficient. Results of paired "t" test ruled out the influence of fatigue and of training in performing forced expiratory manoeuvres. Correlation coefficients relevant to absolute flows are highly significant in both groups, whereas coefficients of variation are satisfactory in reference subjects and slightly higher although still acceptable in patients with bronchial hyperreactivity. As far as delta Vmax50 is concerned, the results of statistical analysis are positively unacceptable, thus demonstrating that this arithmetic manipulation of absolute flows is the ground for a poor reproducibility of results.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Polyamine levels in human semen of unfertile patients: effect of S-adenosylmethionine.

Polyamine content has been determined in the seminal plasma of unfertile men before and after S-adenosylmethionine treatment. Spermine and spermidine levels in azoospermic patients were found very low (80 and 24 microgram/ml) with respect to normospermic (1500 and 60 microgram/ml): S-adenosylmethionine treatment enhanced polyamine content (50-300%) in oligospermic patients. Furthermore, an increase of sperm count and motility has been observed in these patients.

Humans↗
PubMed1976

[Oxygen therapy in pneumology].

Circumstances under which the use of oxygen-therapy in lung disease can be effective and harmless, depend upon a careful evaluation of its indications: they are suggested by the clinical need of correction of hypoxaemia as well as by the awareness of factors determining respiratory failure and of problems concerning O(2) transport and supply to tissues in health and disease. Blood gases monitoring enables to control the effects of treatment on arterial O2 and CO2 tensions thus giving all the useful data for oxygen administering particularly as far as components of hyperoxygenated mixtures, flow rate, duration, use of very effective low-risk devices (Venturi masks) are concerned. Correction of hypoxaemia involves the reduction of hypertension of the pulmonary circulation and hyperglobulia, improvement of tolerance of exertion, and attention to the metabolic compensation of respiratory acidosis. These results are influenced by the nature of the pathogenetic factors behind broncho-obstructive disease, which may lead to either a primarily "bronchitis" or a primarily "emphysematous" syndrome. An interesting feature relates to prognosis in the case of patients making home use of hyperoxygenated mixtures as part of a rehabilitation program, or to improve their quality of life. The cost and benifits of such treatment should be carefully weighed. Lastly, in the event of protracted treatment, attention must be paid to the possibility of toxicity and the means to be adopted for its prevention.

Acidosis, Respiratory↗
PubMed1976

[Gas exchange and acid-base equilibrium in chronic bronchitis and in emphysema].

Blood gas data for HbO2% and PaCO2 and determination of acid-base balance enable the biochemical features of bronchial obstruction to be related to primarily "intrinsic" or "extrinsic" factors. Long-term gas studies and ventilation mechanics data (lung elastic recoil pressure, maximum expiratory flow at different volumes and the corresponding recoil pressures) are also of assistance in this respect. Each type of bronchial obstruction thus has its own peculiarities, and these are also reflected in the level of metabolic compensation for respiratory acidosis.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗