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Biomedical subjects

A Grassi

Publications and source records attributed to A Grassi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Ketanserin and hydrochlorothiazide in the treatment of arterial hypertension.

The chronic antihypertensive effect of the combination of ketanserin (KET) 40 mg + hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5 mg was evaluated in 20 patients with arterial hypertension of mild to moderate degree. After a 2-week wash-out period, patients were prescribed a single oral dose of KET 40 mg or HCTZ 25 mg in a randomized order at 2-day intervals and blood pressure and heart rate were measured during the following 24 hrs by an automatic recorder. Thereafter patients were given the combination of KET 40 mg + HCTZ 12.5 mg for 6 weeks and 24 hrs blood pressure was recorded after the first dose of the combination and at the end of treatment. Ketanserin induced a significant fall in systolic and diastolic pressures for up to 8 hrs; thiazide did not induce any change in these parameters. The combination of KET + HCTZ in the acute study reduced significantly systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures for up to 10 hrs. After 6 weeks of treatment with KET + HCTZ, blood pressure showed a further fall at each time period and was normalized (BP greater than 160/80 mmHg) for 8 hrs after dosing. The results of this study indicate that once daily oral administration of the combination of KET 40 mg + HCTZ 12.5 mg in mild to moderate primary hypertensives significantly reduces blood pressure over 24 hrs. Fairly good control of BP, i.e. BP less than 160/90 mmHg, was, however, achieved only up to 8 hrs after drug administration, indicating that this combination given once daily is not able to normalize BP over the following 24 hrs.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1989

[Genital condylomatosis in women].

Twenty-six women with genital condylomatosis are treated with electrocoagulation and local interferon cream. The results show that there is a good answer.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1987

Intragastric nitrosation and precancerous lesions of the gastrointestinal tract: testing of an etiological hypothesis.

The N-nitrosoproline (NPRO) test was used to study whether subjects with precancerous conditions of the stomach have an elevated potential for endogenous nitrosation. The highest yield of NPRO after ingestion of beetroot juice (as a source of nitrate) and proline was seen in subjects whose pH of fasting gastric juice was about 1.5-2. No increased level of NPRO was detected in subjects with more advanced lesions, compared to those with a normal stomach. Counts of total and nitrate-reducing bacteria were positively correlated with the pH of gastric juice but did not correlate with the urinary level of NPRO in the same individuals. Bacteria and intragastric nitrosation are discussed as possible etiological factors in human stomach cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Proliferative abnormalities of the oesophageal epithelium of Chinese populations at high and low risk for oesophageal cancer.

Studies on the pattern of proliferation of epithelial cells from the oesophagus of 33 individuals from Linxian, a high-risk area for oesophageal cancer in China, and of 22 subjects from Jiaoxian, a low-risk area for the same cancer in China, were performed using thymidine labelling. Oesophageal biopsies were obtained during endoscopic surveys carried out in these 2 populations. A clear difference was observed between the 2 groups; the high-risk group showed cell proliferation in the upper layers of the epithelium more often than the low-risk group. No difference was found in the cell proliferation patterns of subjects with oesophagitis and those without oesophagitis in the high-risk area. This finding could suggest that the tritiated thymidine assay may be a more sensitive method to characterize the precancerous lesions of the oesophagus in high- and low-risk populations than simple histological evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

No effect of riboflavine, retinol, and zinc on prevalence of precancerous lesions of oesophagus. Randomised double-blind intervention study in high-risk population of China.

A randomised double-blind intervention trial was carried out in Huixian, Henan Province, People's Republic of China, to determine whether combined treatment with retinol, riboflavine, and zinc could lower the prevalence of precancerous lesions of the oesophagus. 610 subjects in the age group 35-64 were randomised to receive once a week the active treatment (15 mg [50 000 IU] retinol, 200 mg riboflavine, and 50 mg zinc) or placebo. Both at entry to the study and at the end of the treatment, 13.5 months later, the subjects were examined, with an emphasis on signs of vitamin A and riboflavine deficiences, and riboflavine, retinol, beta-carotene, and zinc levels were measured. Compliance was excellent. The final examination, on 567 (93%) subjects, included oesophagoscopy and at least two biopsies. The intervention did not affect the prevalence of oesophageal lesions: after one year, the prevalence of oesophagitis with or without atrophy or dysplasia was 45.3% in the placebo group and 48.9% in the vitamin/zinc treated group.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Comparison of riboflavin, vitamin A, and zinc status of Chinese populations at high and low risk for esophageal cancer.

In two surveys in The Peoples Republic of China, blood samples were collected for nutritional studies in two counties where the risks of esophageal cancer are very different. The first survey was done in May 1980 in Linxian County (Henan Province) where the risk of esophageal cancer is very high. Blood samples were obtained from 111 persons (58 men, 53 women) who were selected randomly from 528 subjects that underwent endoscopical examination. The second survey was done in May 1981 in Jiaoxian County (Shandong Province) where the risk of esophageal cancer is reported to be relatively low. Blood samples were obtained from 120 persons (66 men, 54 women) who were selected randomly from 252 subjects that had also had undergone endoscopy. The blood samples were used to measure the nutritional status of riboflavin (erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient), vitamin A (retinol and carotene concentrations), and zinc (plasma and hair zinc concentrations). Only riboflavin status was significantly different in the two communities. The distribution of erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient values suggested that riboflavin status was much better in the low-risk community. Also in May 1981, a few more blood samples were obtained from some of the participants of the previous year's study in Linxian. A slight improvement in riboflavin and zinc status was detected. We considered the possibility that these changes may have been linked to the socioeconomic changes currently taking place in rural areas. Data were also collected from food allocation records in 15 production brigades in Linxian and 13 production brigades in Jiaoxian in the same years. The records used represented the food consumption of 3,491 and 2,552 persons, respectively, and were used to calculate daily food and nutrient intakes in the two communities. Dietary analyses highlighted the vegetarian nature of the diet, the low consumption of riboflavin, and the virtual dependence on carotene for vitamin A. Both communities consumed very little in the way of animal products or fruit, but intake of these items was higher in Jiaoxian.

China↗
PubMed1984

Precursor lesions of oesophageal cancer in a low-risk population in China: comparison with high-risk populations.

An endoscopic survey was undertaken in Jiaoxian, People's Republic of China, a population at low risk for oesophageal cancer, to determine the prevalence of precancerous lesions of the oesophagus, and this rate was compared with the prevalence observed previously in high-risk populations in Iran and Linxian, China. The study involved 252 subjects whose exposure to suspected risk factors was determined by a questionnaire and all of whom underwent physical examination and oesophagoscopy, including cytology and biopsy. Chronic oesophagitis, with endoscopic and histologic characteristics similar to those observed in the high-risk populations of Iran and Linxian, was found in 28% of the study subjects compared to 80% in Iran and 65% in Linxian. Oesophagitis accompanied by atrophy of the epithelium was found in 0.4% compared to 10.5% in Iran and 10.8% in Linxian. No case of dysplasia was diagnosed in Jiaoxian while this condition was diagnosed in 4% of the subjects examined in Iran and in 8% of those in Linxian. The findings suggest that these lesions are in fact precancerous. Vitamin analysis showed that riboflavin deficiency was widespread in Jiaoxian, as in Iran and Linxian, but was more severe in Linxian than in Jiaoxian. No significant difference was found in the mean levels of retinol, beta-carotene and zinc between the two populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Endoscopic features of suspected precancerous lesions in high-risk areas for esophageal cancer.

A high prevalence of a chronic form of esophagitis was found during two endoscopic surveys carried out in high-incidence areas of esophageal cancer in 430 subjects from Iran, and in 527 individuals from Linxian, Peoples Republic of China, selected from the general population. This high prevalence was present even in the younger age groups. The lesion does not seem to be related to gastro-histological correlation, available for all cases examined, confirmed the chronic nature of the lesion. dysplasia was found in 3 to 8 per cent of the cases. Overall, 21 esophageal cancers were diagnosed, most in a very early phase, and some only at histology. A follow-up of 20 cases after one year, showed the progression of this chronic lesion to cancer in 4 cases. The data available suggest the precancerous nature of the lesion in these high-risk populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Antagonistic activity of verapamil and diltiazem against different intestinal smooth muscle stimuli.

Investigations in the isolated guinea-pig ileum have shown an almost equal inhibitory activity of verapamil and diltiazem against contractions elicited by histamine, 5-HT, acetylcholine and BaCl2. While dicycloverine (dicyclomine) has a specific anticholinergic action, no specific action against any of the stimulating compounds including BaCl2 could be differentiated. Verapamil and diltiazem seem to have good oral "unspecific" spasmolytic properties, which might be of clinical value. The results let us assume that the site of the calcium antagonists action of verapamil and diltiazem in the intestinal smooth muscle could be at a common entrance of Ca2+ released by receptor operating compounds and of Ba2+ into the cell or at structures from which BaCl2 as well as the other agonists release Ca2+.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1982

Precursor lesions of oesophageal cancer in high-risk populations in Iran and China.

To determine the prevalence of precursor lesions of oesophageal cancer in Linxian, People's Republic of China, which has an extremely high incidence of oesophageal cancer, 527 subjects were interviewed by a questionnaire about exposure to suspected risk factors. They also underwent oesophagoscopy, cytology, and biopsy. 84% had a chronic oesophagitis which had similar endoscopic and histological characteristics to that reported in Iran. The oesophagitis was accompanied by atrophy of the epithelium in 10% of these subjects and by dysplasia in 8%. Re-examination of 20 selected subjects 1 year later showed progression of the oesophagitis to atrophy and dysplasia in 4 individuals and to cancer in 4 others. The surveys in Iran and China suggest that the natural history of oesophageal cancer starts with an oesophagitis which, in a few individuals, progresses to atrophy and dysplasia of the epithelium and finally to cancer. Thermal injury resulting from the drinking of very hot beverages, physical injury caused by ingesting very coarse food, and deficiencies of riboflavine, vitamin A, and zinc are proposed as risk factors for these precursor lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Results of screening for colorectal cancer.

Screening for colorectal cancer and its precursors was performed from '68 to '78 within the framework of a multiphasic cancer detection program on 35,700 "healthy" individuals of both sexes in the "high-risk" age groups. Fecal occult blood as determined by the benzidine test after diet was positive in 3,676 individuals (10.3%). Out of this group, 2,599 subjects were submitted to g.i. consultation and proctosigmoidoscopy, as well as 567 of the occult blood negative group selected on the basis of various clinical signs and symptoms. The lesions detected were 153 neoplastic polyps and 21 cancers, mostly in the Dukes A and B stages. Among the most significant results are the high compliance (70%) to proctosigmoidoscopy, the low sensibility (51%) and specificity (18%) of the benzidine test for occult blood, which makes it obsolete as a screening procedure, the increased (50%) diagnostic yield obtained by flexible sigmoidoscopy and the relevance of clinical signs and symptoms as selection parameters for further diagnostic work up.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Relaxing effect of pharmacologic interventions increasing cAMP in rat heart.

The relationship between cAMP and relaxation was studied in the isolated rat heart beating at constant rate and perfused at constant coronary flow. After treatment during 1 min with different positive inotropic interventions, cyclic nucleotide levels (cAMP and cGMP) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity were determined in heart homogenates. Glucagon, norepinephrine, and isoproterenol increased cAMP from 0.503 +/- 0.025 pmol/mg wet wt to 1.051 +/- 0.099, 0.900 +/- 0.064, and 0.982 +/- 0.138, respectively. Simultaneously glucagon, norepinephrine, and isoproterenol increased cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratio from 0.21 +/- 0.02 to 0.45 +/- 0.04, 0.33 +/- 0.02, and 0.34 +/- 0.02, respectively. The ratio between maximal velocities of contraction and relaxation (+T/-T) was significantly decreased by these interventions, whereas time to peak tension (TTP) was shortened by norepinephrine and isoproterenol. High calcium, ouabain, and paired stimulation did not affect cAMP levels, TTP, or +T/-T. A striking correlation was found between cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity and relaxation induces, i.e., TTP, -T, or +T/-T (r = +/- 0.7 to -0.9). Results suggest that inotropic interventions increasing cAMP levels might be primarily affecting intracellular mechanisms causing relaxation.

Animals↗