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Biomedical subjects

A Covino

Publications and source records attributed to A Covino.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Albumin synthesis is diminished in men consuming a predominantly vegetarian diet.

Albumin synthesis was calculated in healthy male volunteers consuming diets differing in the relative contribution of protein from animal or vegetable sources. In one study (Study 1, n = 4) two isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets were consumed for a period of 10 d each. One diet (diet A) was animal protein rich (74%), the other one (diet V) contained 67% of vegetable protein. Albumin synthesis rate was measured from L-[(2)H(5)]phenylalanine incorporation (43 mg/kg) at the end of each dietary period. Both albumin fractional synthesis rate (FSR) (5.7 +/- 0.6 vs. 6.7 +/- 0. 8%/d, P = 0.04) and absolute synthesis rate (ASR) (123 +/- 6 vs. 143 +/- 8 mg. kg(-1). d(-1), P = 0.05) were reduced after diet V. In a second study (Study 2, n = 8) a third dietary treatment was added (Diet VS). This was similar to diet V but supplemented with soy protein (18g/d). The results of study 2 confirmed that albumin synthesis was reduced after diet V (FSR: 5.9 +/- 0.3 vs. 6.7 +/- 0. 5%/d, P = 0.015; ASR: 126 +/- 7 vs. 146 +/- 9 mg. kg(-1). d(-1), P = 0.007), but it also showed that the drop could be prevented by adding supplemental protein to the predominantly vegetarian diet (Diet VS) (FSR: 6.4 +/- 0.3%/d, P = 0.08; ASR: 140 +/- 7 mg. kg(-1). d(-1), P = 0.03). Albumin synthesis appears to be modulated by changes in the proportion of animal vs. vegetable protein occurring in the diet. The mechanism might be related to differences in digestibility and consequently in net amino acid availability between diets.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Fasting respiratory quotient as a predictor of weight changes in non-obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To detect predictive variables of weight changes in non-obese women. DESIGN: Three year follow-up study. SUBJECTS: Fifty-eight women (age 40.0+/-12.8 y, height 159+/-7 cm, weight 62.5+/-9.6 kg and body mass index ((BMI) 24.7+/-3.7 kg/m2). MEASUREMENTS: At baseline, basal metabolic rate (BMR) and respiratory quotient (RQ) by indirect calorimetry. Weight and BMI at baseline and after 3 y. RESULTS: In both univariate and multivariate analyses, age and RQ at baseline were significant predictors (P<0.05) of subsequent changes in weight and BMI. CONCLUSION: In non-obese women, RQ and age are independent predictors of subsequent weight changes.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Relative bioavailability and plasma paracetamol profiles of Panadol suppositories in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative bioavailability and plasma paracetamol concentration profiles following administration of a proprietary formulation of paracetamol suppositories to postoperative children. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS: Study A-eight children undergoing minor surgery had blood samples collected following the rectal administration of either a 250 mg or 500 mg paracetamol suppository on one day and an equivalent oral dose on the following day. A mean dose of 13 mg/kg gave a mean Cmax (Tmax) of 7.7 mg/L (1.6 h) and 4.9 mg/L (2.0 h) following oral and rectal administration, respectively. The mean relative rectal bioavailability was 78% (95% confidence interval of 55-101%). Study B-20 children undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy were randomly assigned to receive a postoperative dose of 500 mg of paracetamol either as 2 x 250 mg liquid filled or 1 x 500 mg hard wax Panadol suppository. A mean dose of 25 mg/kg produced mean maximum plasma paracetamol concentrations of 13.2 mg/L and 14.5 mg/L at 2.1 and 1.9 h for the hard and liquid filled suppository, respectively. The absorption rate constants and areas under the curves suggested no difference in the rate or extent of absorption between the two formulations. CONCLUSION: Absorption of paracetamol following rectal administration of Panadol suppositories to postoperative children is slower and reduced as compared to oral therapy. The hard wax and liquid filled products have similar absorption characteristics. The usually quoted antipyretic therapeutic range for paracetamol is 10-20 mg/L, although 5 mg/L may be effective. A single rectal dose of 25 mg/kg will obtain this lower concentration within 1 h of administration and maintain it for up to 6 h. When given in an appropriate dose for analgesia, maximum plasma paracetamol concentrations would be available in the immediate postoperative period if the rectal dose was given 2 h before the planned end of the procedure.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1995

[The use of hearing aids in children with profound deafness. Methodology and results].

The early application of hearing aids in children with severe and profound hearing loss is rather an hard problem that has to be solved, according to the Authors, by taking care of several factors. Usually, as far as these patients concern, two kinds of hearings aids are used. The first one emphasizes all the frequencies in the same way, including low tones that, in the early ages, are very important for improving prosodic pattern, occlusive and liquid phonemas, primary words and sentences. The second type, emphasizing only medium and high frequencies, is useful for discrimination processes. The Authors suggest to applicate the hearing aids in these patients, following a behavior be themselves named "dynamic application". In the first phase the Authors use hearing aids emphasizing also low tones; in the second one they modify the device, according more precise data turning out form audiometric evaluation and speech therapy. The results concerning a research on 27 children with profound hearing loss are debated; the application of hearing aids occurred in early age and the speech therapy followed the same criteria for all patients. The subjects were divided in two groups, homogeneous for age, degree of hearing loss and social environment. For the 12 children of groups A the "dynamic application" was used. For the 15 patients of group B the traditional strategy, using only devices for the amplification of medium and high tones, was applied. The best results concerning voice intonation and learning occlusive phonemas were obtained in group A subjects. The Authors, introducing their results and discussion, compare them with references data. In conclusion, the "dynamic application" is effective because of the better results in speech therapy and also because its ratio permits the application of hearing aids in children with hearing loss of different degrees, especially in the most difficult cases.

Child↗