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Biomedical subjects

A Del Favero

Publications and source records attributed to A Del Favero.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

Ribosome function in livers of porphyric mice.

1. A porphyrinogenic drug, 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine, caused a decrease in the proportion of single ("run off") ribosomes, and an increase in the number of polyribosomes, in the livers of treated animals. 2. No change could be detected in the distribution of amino acid incorporation among hepatic polyribosomes.

Amino Acids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ceftriaxone versus aztreonam plus cefazolin for infections in cancer patients with adequate neutrophil counts.

In a prospective randomized trial, 154 febrile episodes in cancer patients with adequate neutrophil counts (greater than 1,000 cells/mm3) were treated with either ceftriaxone (72 episodes) or aztreonam plus cefazolin (82 episodes). Documented infections represented almost half of the febrile episodes. The overall response rates among the 144 evaluable episodes were similar for the two regimens: 76% (51/67) with ceftriaxone versus 82% (63/77) with aztreonam plus cefazolin (p = 0.41, not significant). Although not statistically significant, the response rate of the microbiologically documented infections was slightly better in patients treated with the double beta-lactam combination (85% vs. 65%, p = 0.16) and clinically documented infections showed a better response in the group of patients receiving monotherapy (87% vs. 59%, p = 0.12). No serious adverse effects were observed during this study and both regimens were well tolerated. Ceftriaxone or the combination of aztreonam plus cefazolin showed a similar efficacy as empirical therapy for infections in cancer patients with adequate neutrophil counts.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Empiric antimicrobial therapy in febrile granulocytopenic patients. Randomized prospective comparison of amikacin plus piperacillin with or without parenteral trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole.

In a prospective randomized trial parenteral trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole was added to amikacin plus piperacillin in order to compare triple-drug antibiotic combination with a standard regimen as empiric therapy of fever in patients with granulocytopenia. One hundred and sixty-one episodes were evaluated; 74 episodes with amikacin plus piperacillin and 87 episodes with amikacin plus piperacillin plus trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole. The overall response to therapy (63% vs. 84%) as well as the response of microbiologically documented infections (60% vs. 82%) was significantly better in patients treated with the triple-drug combination (p less than 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences in response to antibiotics at different infection sites or with regard to any single pathogen was found between the two groups. Trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole seemed to be responsible for additional toxicity (nausea and vomiting) when added to amikacin plus piperacillin, but these side-effects were clearly related to the rate of infusion of trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole. The findings of this study support the use of a three-drug versus a two-drug combination as empiric antibiotic regimen in febrile granulocytopenic patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro effects of meropenem and imipenem/cilastatin on some functions of human natural effector cells.

Meropenem, a new carbapenem antibiotic, was assessed to evaluate its effects on some functional parameters of human polymorphonuclear (PMN) and natural killer (NK) cells in comparison with imipenem/cilastatin. Both drugs significantly inhibited PMN phagocytosis and chemotaxis at concentrations of 2,000 and 4,000 microg/ml. They affected PMN microbicidal activity, evaluated against Candida albicans, only at 4,000 microg/ml. A study of the effects of both drugs on peripheral NK populations and the human NK line (NK-92) showed that even at 4,000 microg/ml there was no effect on antitumor activity. These data indicate that meropenem can reduce some PMN antimicrobial functions only at very high concentrations like imipenem/cilastatin, whereas no concentration influenced NK activity.

Candida↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevention of chemotherapy-induced emesis: the state of the art.

In the last decade research on antiemetic therapy has determined relevant advances in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced emesis. In fact, 70-80% of patients submitted to highly or moderately emetogenic drugs achieve complete protection against vomiting during the first cycle of chemotherapy. In the prevention of acute emesis induced by a high single dose (> or 50 mg/m2) or a low dose (20-40 mg/m2) of cisplatin repeated for 4-5 days, a combination of ondansetron plus dexamethasone was shown to be more efficacious and less toxic than the combination of high dose metoclopramide plus dexamethasone plus diphenhydramine. Few studies have been performed for the prevention of delayed emesis induced by cisplatin. At present, the combination of oral dexamethasone plus metoclopramide seems to offer the best protection and should be considered the treatment of choice. For the prevention of acute emesis induced by moderately emetogenic drugs, corticosteroids (dexamethasone and methylprednisolone) and the new 5-HT3 receptor antagonists have a similar efficacy and a low toxicity. On a cost basis, corticosteroids must be considered the drug of choice while 5-HT3 receptor antagonists should be used only in patients refractory to corticosteroids or in those who cannot tolerate them.

Antiemetics↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: seven year's experience in preparing an annual review.

Since 1980 a yearly review of the world literature on NSAID side effects has been compiled. The review looks for new information on four main topics: (1) previously unrecognized side effects of old and new drugs; (2) new information on known side effects (i.e. their frequency and the identification of "high risk" groups of patients); (3) convalidation of previously recognized side effects; and (4) comparative evaluation of the comparative side effects of NSAIDs. Our knowledge of NSAID side effects, which is improving, depends on many sources of information. Research on the mechanism of action of NSAIDs and ad hoc studies, often based on preliminary data from single case reports, have proved to be, and will probably continue to be, the most valuable sources of information. Despite the large number of articles published on this subject the information available for an appropriate comparative evaluation of the benefit/risk risk profile of NSAIDs is, at best, scanty. Many of the trials show basic design faults, the main ones being the number of patients studied, the length of treatment, the dosages employed and the subgroups of patients examined. Too much stress is laid on new "me-too" drugs and too little time and effort is dedicated to learning more about the comparative merits of old drugs. This aspect cries out urgently for appropriate research. More adequate clinical trials are required on new drugs. It is of prime importance that both available data and incoming new data be brought to the attention of all prescribing doctors to help them in the difficult task of selecting the most appropriate anti-rheumatic drug for each particular patient.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs].

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a chemically heterogenous group of organic acids which possess analgesic, antipiretic, and anti-inflammatory action. They act by inhibiting the biosynthesis of the ubiquitous chemical mediators prostaglandins, but other mechanism of action are probably important. More than one hundred NSAIDs have been studied and many of them have been marketed worldwide, in many different formulations. Pharmacokinetic characteristics are different with various compounds and some of these differences may be relevant for the efficacy/safety profile of some of these drugs. The range of clinical applications of NSAIDs has been extended remarkably as a result of the recognition of their action on ubiquitous prostaglandins. In general NSAIDs therapeutic efficacy is similar and probably not superior to that of aspirin. Although the risk of serious toxicity from the newer NSAIDs is reasonably low in individual patients, the high prevalence of usage of these drugs, especially in the elderly, gives perception of a high relative risk. A high level of vigilance for toxicity, especially that of the gastrointestinal tract and the kidney, seems wise. The basis for the selection and rational use of NSAIDs is reviewed.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗