Biomedical subjects

A Deluca

Publications and source records attributed to A Deluca.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Ultrasound extraction and thin layer chromatography-flame ionization detection analysis of the lipid fraction in marine mucilage samples.

This paper reports an analytical procedure based on ultrasound to extract lipids in marine mucilage samples. The experimental conditions of the ultrasound procedure (solvent and time) were identified by a FT-IR study performed on different standard samples of lipids and of a standard humic sample, before and after the sonication treatment. This study showed that diethyl ether was a more suitable solvent than methanol for the ultrasonic extraction of lipids from environmental samples because it allowed to minimize the possible oxidative modifications of lipids due to the acoustic cavitation phenomena. The optimized conditions were applied to the extraction of total lipid amount in marine mucilage samples and TLC-flame ionization detection analysis was used to identify the relevant lipid sub-fractions present in samples.

Chromatography, Thin Layer↗

PubMed2001

Polysubstance use among alcoholics.

Contemporary alcoholics often use multiple substances, but there is little systematic research on this. This study examines the drug use comorbidity of alcoholics (DSM diagnosis, frequency and quantity of drug use); the relationship between drinking and drug use; the relative severity of alcohol- and drug-related problems; and the validity of reports of illicit drug use. Data on substance use were collected from 248 treatment-seeking alcoholics using an expanded Time-line Follow-Back (TLFB) interview. Self-reports of substance use were validated with data from biological specimens (urine and hair). Lifetime diagnosis of joint alcohol and drug dependence/abuse was 64%. Two-thirds (68%) reported using drugs in the past 90 days: 33% powder cocaine; 29% crack cocaine; 15% heroin, and 24% cannabis. The mean proportions of exposed days on which users reported consuming a substance were 57% (alcohol), 26% (powder cocaine), 46% (crack cocaine), 47% (heroin), and 29% (cannabis). Subjects reported consuming an average of 14 standard drinks on a drinking day and $67 worth of drugs on a using day. Drug users reported drinking less than nonusers on a drinking day. Frequency of drinking and drug use were positively correlated; almost all drug users reported simultaneous drinking and drug use; and they rated drugs as the bigger problem. Considerable under-reporting of drug use occurred for the previous 3-4 days, but was more accurate for the previous month.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Stroke: Holter monitoring in 15 hypertensive patients].

The objective of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias during acute stroke in hypertensive patients: 15 hypertensive patients (9 males and 6 females; mean age 56 +/- 5) without clinical and electrocardiographic evidence of organic heart disease underwent 24 hour Holter monitoring during acute stroke. Another group of 15 uncomplicated hypertensive patients (14 males and 1 female, mean age 49 +/- 5) without clinical and electrocardiographic evidence of organic heart disease underwent 24 hours Holter monitoring as controls. The Holter monitoring was repeated in 8 patients who survived during follow-up, after a mean period of 15 months: 13/15 (86%) patients with acute stroke had ventricular arrhythmias against the 7/15 (47%) in the control group. Moreover 9/15 (60%) of patients with stroke had complex ventricular arrhythmias against the 3/15 (20%) in the control group; 6/8 patients who survived stroke, during follow-up showed complex ventricular arrhythmias but the degree of severity was lower when compared to the acute phase; 9 patients during acute stroke showed episodes of prolongation of QTc interval during Holter monitoring. The systolic blood pressure was found generally higher during the acute phase of stroke than before. Our results show higher prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias especially of the complex forms during acute stroke in hypertensive patients.

Adult↗