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Biomedical subjects

A Garibaldi

Publications and source records attributed to A Garibaldi.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Life without methyl bromide: the Italian experience in replacing the fumigant.

Methyl bromide (MB) has been the most widely used chemical for the fumigation of soil, commodities, buildings and furniture for over seventy years. Since January 1st 2005, it has been phased-out in industrialized countries, where only critical uses are allowed, because of international regulatory measures designed to reduce substances that potentially deplete the stratospheric ozone layer. Italy ranked second in the world, after USA, in MB consumption, due to the importance of horticultural crop production. In order to replace the use of MB, research in Italy was aimed at: a) reducing the use of MB and its emission (short-term goal); b) developing alternative pest control methods, based on available technologies (mid-term goal); c) developing new MB alternatives (mid- and long-term goal). Italian growers switched to other fumigants, applied at reduced dosages, lowering their environmental impact and risk of worker exposure. Moreover, the adoption of non-chemical alternatives slowly but steadily increased as a result of the many activities (demonstration trials, seminars, etc.) carried out in the country. The gradual shift to MB alternatives over a 10 year period, as well as the use of half rates of MB under virtually impermeable plastic films (VIFs), has generally prevented the feared loss of competitiveness of Italian horticulture. Extension in cooperation with the fumigation companies was able to provide growers with a range of methods for soil disinfestation. The experience gained in Italy and how it can help developing countries to define strategies and training programmes needed to comply with the Montreal Protocol is discussed.

Crops, Agricultural↗
PubMed2004

New Fusarium wilts on vegetable crops in Italy.

Three Fusarium wilts recently observed in Italy on lettuce (Lactuca sativa), wild (Diplo taxis spp.) and cultivated (Eruca sativa) rocket and lamb's lettuce (Valerianella olitoria) emerged as major production problems in Lumbardy (north-western Italy). Aspects of biology and epidemiology of the three diseases and some possibilities of disease management are discussed.

Crops, Agricultural↗
PubMed2003

Efficacy of different fungicides against Rhizoctonia brown patch and Pythium blight on turfgrass in Italy.

Brown patch, incited by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn, and Pythium blight, caused by Pythium spp. are two of the diseases most frequently observed on turfgrass in high maintenance stands, as on golf courses. In such conditions the control strategies, based on chemicals, are particularly difficult due to the scarcity of fungicides registered for turf in Italy. The results obtained in experimental trials carried out to evaluate the efficacy of chemical and biological products against brown patch and Pythium blight are reported. On mature turfgrass, maintained under fairway conditions, azoxystrobin, and trifoxystrobin, not yet registered on turf, were very effective against brown patch. Tebuconazole, applied in three different formulations, was very effective against R. solani, while Trichoderma spp. and azadiractine did not control the pathogen. In greenhouse conditions on Agrostis stolonifera, in the presence of severe disease incidence, due to artificial inoculation, benalaxyl-M satisfactorily controlled Pythium blight; Trichoderma spp. as well as a commercial formulation of T. harzianum, applied one week before the inoculation, were not effective. Among the fungicides not yet registered for use on turfgrass in Italy, metalaxyl-M + mancozeb was effective against Pythium blight.

Fungicides, Industrial↗
PubMed1996

Effect of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron on plasma AVP secretion: a study in cancer patients.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a serotonin subtype 3 receptor antagonist, ondansetron, on arginine vasopressin secretion in humans. Plasma vasopressin concentrations were determined in 24 breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy, before and after ondansetron intravenous (i.v.) administration. Ondansetron (8 mg i.v. at time 0 and 8 mg po at time 240 min) was administered alone in 12 patients and afterwards in combination with chemotherapy in all patients. No changes in hormone levels were found after ondansetron alone and in 17 patients who did not claim nausea and/or emesis after chemotherapy. In seven patients who experienced nausea and /or emesis, vasopressin levels significantly (P < 0.01) increased (from 6.3 +/- 0.9 ng/L in basal conditions to 15.1 +/- 3.3 ng/L at 10 h; P < 0.05 vs baseline). The results suggest the possibility that in humans, serotoninergic mechanisms, which modulate vasopressin secretion, may involve the activation of the serotonin receptors recognised by ondansetron.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Plasma beta-endorphin levels and glucose tolerance in patients with chronic renal failure.

In order to examine the role of endogenous opioid peptides on glucose metabolism in uraemic patients, plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin, glucose, insulin and C-peptide were determined before and during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in nine non-dialysed patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). The results are compared with those obtained in a group of age-matched normal subjects. In CRF patients, plasma beta-endorphin fasting values (16.0 +/- 1.9 pmol/l) were significantly higher than those of the controls (6.6 +/- 0.6 pmol/l) and significantly correlated with the degree of renal function impairment. After glucose load, plasma beta-endorphin in CRF patients tended to decline, whereas in normal subjects increased. The fasting and the mean OGTT plasma beta-endorphin values negatively correlated with insulin initial response to glucose, insulin and C-peptide mean OGTT values, but not with glucose OGTT mean values. Data indicate that chronic uraemia induces a significant increase in circulating plasma beta-endorphin levels, with a loss of opioid system responsiveness to glucose. The possibility that this hyper-endorphinism may have a biological importance at least as a contributory factor of impaired glucose tolerance in uraemia may be suggested.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Lichen planus induced by interferon-alpha-2a therapy for chronic active hepatitis C.

OBJECTIVE: To report the development of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive chronic active hepatitis with lichen planus in a patient during interferon treatment. DESIGN: Case report and literature review. PATIENT: A 64-year-old anti-HCV and HCV-RNA-positive woman. INTERVENTIONS: The patient received interferon-alpha-2a treatment for histologically proven chronic active hepatitis. RESULTS: Four months after the start of treatment the patient developed multiple cutaneous lesions on her hands, feet and back. A skin biopsy led to the diagnosis of lichen planus. The withdrawal of interferon was followed by a marked improvement in the cutaneous lesions, but not complete regression. CONCLUSION: This case shows that HCV-positive patients with chronic active hepatitis may develop lichen planus during interferon therapy.

Female↗
PubMed1994

The effects of sumatriptan on pituitary secretion in man.

Sumatriptan, a new antimigraine drug with high affinity and selectivity for certain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT1D) receptor subtypes, was administered to 12 normal subjects, in order to investigate the effects of 5-HT receptor activation on anterior pituitary secretion. Sumatriptan increased plasma growth hormone (GH) levels from 2.5 +/- 0.5 mIU/l in basal conditions to 17.3 +/- 2.6 mIU/l 30 min after administration of the drug. After pre-treatment with cyproheptadine, an anti-serotoninergic drug known to inhibit GH secretion, the mean integrated sumatriptan-induced GH response decreased from 14.8 +/- 3.9 muI/l*hr to 3.7 +/- 1.7 mIU/l*hr. Sumatriptan administration did not have any effect on the secretion of the other anterior pituitary hormones. It is concluded that sumatriptan selectively increases GH secretion in man, but the exact nature of the receptors involved is not yet known.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Calcitonin and beta-endorphin secretion.

Calcitonin is a peptide hormone secreted by the C-cells of the thyroid gland. This hormone mainly acts in preventing bone resorption. Furthermore, calcitonin is involved in other biological actions, and in particular it is able to relieve pain independently of its peripheral effects on bone. Here, we examine the possible mechanisms of calcitonin-induced analgesia, with particular regard to the opioid system involvement. Several studies in animals and in humans demonstrate that calcitonin increases plasma beta-endorphin levels, acting at the hypothalamic and/or at the pituitary level, either directly or indirectly, through monoaminergic neurotransmitters. However, this calcitonin-induced beta-endorphin release has not always been observed. These different results are discussed, and a possible implication of sex and/or calcitonin dose employed has been examined. We conclude that the analgesic effects of calcitonin are multifactorial, and beta-endorphin plays its own specific role.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1993

Sex hormones and sex hormone-binding globulin in males with chronic viral hepatitis during recombinant interferon-alpha 2b therapy.

The effect of long-term treatment with recombinant interferon-alpha 2b (IFN-alpha 2b) on luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, free testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was evaluated in 7 male patients suffering from chronic viral hepatitis. The drug was given three times a week for 6 months in a single standard dose of 3 x 10(6) units. Hormone evaluations were performed in basal conditions and every 2 months for 12 months. Serum testosterone values decreased after IFN treatment, reaching the lowest levels at the 6th month. However, testosterone values did not fall below the normal range. Serum SHBG concentrations, which were above the normal range in basal conditions, also decreased after IFN. Serum-free testosterone and LH concentrations did not change during IFN therapy. IFN-alpha 2b at the dose and schedule employed was not responsible for any measurable imbalance in male sex hormones.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Sumatriptan does not affect vasopressin secretion in humans.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a new serotoninergic drug, sumatriptan, on arginine vasopressin secretion in humans. Plasma vasopressin concentrations were determined in eight healthy volunteers, before and after administration of 6 mg of sumatriptan, or placebo. No changes in hormone levels were found after sumatriptan or placebo administration. The results suggest that in humans serotoninergic mechanisms, which modulate vasopressin secretion, do not involve the serotonin receptor activated by sumatriptan.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Twenty-four-hour beta-endorphin secretory pattern in Alzheimer's disease.

A chronobiological study was carried out in 6 male patients (67-71 years), suffering from Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD) and 6 male patients (52-74 years) suffering from multi-infarct dementia (MID), to evaluate their 24-hour beta-endorphin and cortisol secretory patterns. Six healthy male adults (28-37 years) and 6 healthy elderly male subjects (78-84 years) constituted the control groups. Blood samples were drawn every 4 h from 8.00 to 20.00 h and every 2 h from 24.00 to 6.00 h. Mean 24-hour beta-endorphin levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the ATD patients (39.2 +/- 1.5 ng/l) than in the other groups (33.8 +/- 1.1, 30.1 +/- 1.6 and 33.2 +/- 1.1 ng/l in the elderly subjects, the adults and the MID patients, respectively). The circadian rhythm was absent in the ATP patients, in the elderly subjects and the MID patients. No differences in plasma cortisol circadian rhythm were observed among the four groups. Our data indicate that changes in circulating beta-endorphin concentrations and circadian pattern may be due to the aging process.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Coronary artery bypass grafting within thirty days of acute myocardial infarction. Early and late results in 406 patients.

Between 1981 and 1987, 1726 coronary artery bypass operations were performed by a single group of surgeons at a community hospital. Overall hospital mortality in this group was 2.4% (41/1726). Of these patients 406 were operated on within 30 days of an acute myocardial infarction. The hospital mortality rate in this group was 6.7% (27/406) versus 1.1% (14/1320) in patients operated on without evidence of recent acute myocardial infarction (p less than 0.0001). In these 406 patients, sex, location of acute myocardial infarction, type of infarction, coronary anatomy, presence of postinfarction angina, technique of myocardial preservation, and the time from infarction to operation were not associated with hospital mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that three factors were significantly associated with increased hospital death: poor ejection fraction, less than 30% (p less than 0.0001), preoperative shock (p = 0.0005), and age greater than 70 years (p = 0.004). Follow-up was 90% complete (365/406 patients) at a mean time of 35 +/- 21 months. Of these patients 80% (292/365) were in New York Heart Association functional class I, and 10% (36/365) were in functional class II. Of all patients 88% were alive at 3 years, and 84% were alive at 5 years after operation. Multivariate comparison of survival curves showed that ejection fraction less than 30% was associated with decreased survival (p = 0.0002), followed by age (p = 0.0009). Patients younger than 70 years with an ejection fraction greater than 30% and not in cardiogenic shock can be operated on at any time after acute myocardial infarction without increased risk. Long-term survival and freedom from symptoms can be expected in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Acute coronary artery occlusion secondary to blunt chest trauma.

Two patients suffered an acute transmural MI due to complete occlusion of the proximal LAD after blunt chest trauma. One developed a rupture of the ventricular septum with a ventricular aneurysm and the other an acute ventricular aneurysm, both accompanied by congestive heart failure. Neither had a history of ischemic heart disease; both had normal right and circumflex coronary arteries by arteriography. An intimal tear or subintimal hemorrhage with luminal thrombosis, or both, are the suggested mechanisms of coronary artery occlusion. Both patients were operated upon successfully. Patient 1 underwent closure of the VSD and resection of the ventricular aneurysm. The LAD had returned to normal and required no aortocoronary bypass graft. Patient 2 underwent arteriotomy of the LAD with Fogarty catheter embolectomy and aortocoronary bypass graft, combined with resection of the ventricular aneurysm. We recommend that patients who suffer blunt chest trauma and show ECG changes should undergo cardiac catheterization and coronary arteriography, followed by the pertinent treatment.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1975

Partial purification and properties of a beta-glucosidase from Erwinia herbicola Y46.

A constitutive beta-glucosidase of Erwinia herbicola Y46 was studied as a prerequisite to an assessment of its significance in the release of bacteriotoxic aglycones from plant beta-glucosides, and the possible effects of the aglycones on the course of such plant diseases as "fire-blight". The enzyme was purified 86.5-fold from crude extracts of cells grown on yeast beef broth. Ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose fractionation, and gel filtration through Sephadex G-100 resulted in a preparation having one peak of activity on isoelectrofocussing, on gel filtration through Sephadex G-200, and on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The latter techniques demonstrated, in addition to the major protein band associated with activity, a single minor impurity. The enzyme was active against p-nitrophenyl-beta-glucoside (p-NPG) and phloridzin, but showed only very slight activity against salicin and arbutin, and no detectable activity against beta-methyl-D-glucoside, cellobiose, lactose, and esculin. The production of beta-glucosidase was maximum at the late log phase of growth on yeast beef broth medium and declined somewhat thereafter. The incorporation of inducers (carbohydrates) in defined basal medium resulted in only small variations in specific activity in the resulting cells; The activity (p-NPG substrate) was not inhibited by D-glucose, phloretin, esculin, salicin, arbutin, lactose, or cellobiose, but was slightly inhibited by 1.0 mM phloridzin. Slight inhibition was observed in the presence of sulfhydryl reagents (iodoacetamide, p-chloromercuribenzoate), but sodium azide, ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid, Cu2+, and Zn2+ ions produced no effect. The activity was stable, in both crude and purified preparations, over the pH ranges 6.0-7.5 (100% activity) and 4.5-greater than 8.5 (50% activity). The enzyme retained 80% activity after 30 min at 50 degrees C, but only 25% after 30 min at 60 degrees C. The enzyme had a mean K-m value (phloridzin) of 1.35 times 10-4 M, an isoelectric point of 4.75, a molecular weight, determined by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration, of about 122 000, and an optimum pH for activity of 6.5-7.0.

Ammonium Sulfate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Long term therapy with recombinant interferon alpha 2 b in patients with chronic hepatitis C: effects on thyroid function and autoantibodies.

Twelve anti HCV-positive patients (8 males and 4 females; 37-62 yrs) suffering from chronic active viral hepatitis have been evaluated in order to determine serum thyroid hormones and autoantibody pattern during recombinant interferon alpha 2b (IFN-alpha 2b) therapy. The interferon was given subcutaneously three times per week for six months in a single standard dose of 3 MU. For a further six months 5 patients (Group A) received the same interferon at 1MU dose three times per week and 7 (Group B) had no treatment. Serum T3, T4, FT4, TBG, TSH, TGAb and TMAb were determined on serum collected before the start of the treatment and every month for 12 months thereafter. Except for one case, in which a transient reduction in thyroid hormone values and an increase in TSH levels was recorded, none of the patients studied showed a significant variation of serum hormonal parameters or appearance of pathological TGAb and/or TMAb levels. The data indicate that the administration of recombinant IFN-alpha 2b to HCV positive chronic active hepatitis patients at the dose and schedule employed in the present study may result in a reduction in the incidence of thyroid dysfunction related to the IFN therapy.

Adult↗