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Biomedical subjects

A Imperatore

Publications and source records attributed to A Imperatore.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Umbilical cord serum activin A levels are increased in pre-eclampsia with impaired blood flow in the uteroplacental and fetal circulation.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the umbilical cord serum activin A concentrations in complicated pregnancies and also to explore the relationship between activin A levels and blood flow velocity in fetal arteries. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained postpartum after a full term uneventful gestation (control group, n=40), and from pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes (n=13), preterm labour (n=18), or pre-eclampsia (n=19). Cord serum activin A levels were three-fold higher in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia (1.17+/-0.14 ng/ml, p<0.01) than in the control group (0.43+/-0.03 ng/ml), but were unaltered in the diabetes and preterm labour groups. The pre-eclampsia group had a marked increase of umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI) and also a decrease of middle cerebral artery PI (p<0.01). Furthermore, activin A concentration correlated directly with the umbilical artery PI (r=0.540, p=0.021), with the length of stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (r=0.857, p<0.001) and also with cord blood pH (r=-0.886, p<0.001). In conclusion, umbilical cord serum activin A levels are increased in the presence of pre-eclampsia and provide an indirect marker of impaired blood flow in the uteroplacental and fetal circulation.

Activins↗
PubMed2004

The measurement of maternal plasma corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF-binding protein improves the early prediction of preeclampsia.

In the present study we measured maternal plasma concentrations of two placental neurohormones, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP), in 58 at-risk pregnant women consecutively enrolled between 28 and 29 wk of pregnancy to evaluate whether their evaluation may predict third trimester-onset preeclampsia (PE). The statistical significance was assessed by t test. The cut-off points for defining altered CRF and CRF-BP levels for prediction of PE were chosen by receiving operator characteristics curve analysis, and the probability of developing PE was calculated for several combinations of hormone testing results. CRF and CRF-BP levels were significantly (both P < 0.0001) higher and lower, respectively, in the patients (n = 20) who later developed PE than in those who did not present PE at follow-up. CRF at the cut-off 425.95 pmol/liter achieved a sensitivity of 94.8% and a specificity of 96.9%, whereas CRF-BP at the cut-off 125.8 nmol/liter combined a sensitivity of 92.5% and a specificity of 82.5% as single markers for prediction of PE. The probability of PE was 34.5% in the whole study population, 93.75% when both CRF and CRF-BP levels were changed, and 0% if both hormone markers were unaltered. The measurement of CRF and CRF-BP levels may add significant prognostic information for predicting PE in at-risk pregnant women.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Cardiac effects of formoterol and salmeterol in patients suffering from COPD with preexisting cardiac arrhythmias and hypoxemia.

OBJECTIVE: There are several reports of documented adverse cardiac effects during treatment with beta-agonists. Since one should be aware that this may be a problem in patients with preexisting cardiac disorders, we have conducted a randomized, single-blind, balanced, crossover, placebo-controlled study to assess the cardiac effects of two single doses of formoterol (12 microg and 24 microg) and one single dose of salmeterol (50 microg) in 12 patients suffering from COPD with preexisting cardiac arrhythmias and hypoxemia (PaO2<60 mm Hg). DESIGN: Each patient was evaluated at a screening visit that included spirometry, blood gas analysis, plasma potassium measurement, and 12-lead ECG. In following nonconsecutive days, all patients underwent Holter monitoring 24 h during each of the four treatments. Holter monitoring was started soon before drug administration in the morning. Plasma potassium level was measured before drug inhalation, at 2-h intervals for 6 h, and at 9, 12, and 24 h following administration. None of our patients took rescue medication during the 24-h period. RESULTS: Holter monitoring showed a heart rate higher after formoterol, 24 microg, than after formoterol, 12 microg, and salmeterol, 50 microg, and supraventricular or ventricular premature beats more often after formoterol, 24 microg. Formoterol, 24 microg, significantly reduced plasma potassium level for 9 h when compared with placebo, whereas formoterol, 12 microg, was different after 2 h and salmeterol, 50 microg, from 4 to 6 h. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that if a COPD patient is suffering from preexisting cardiac arrhythmias and hypoxemia, long-acting beta-agonists may have adverse effects on the myocardium, although the recommended single dose of salmeterol and formoterol, 12 microg, allows a higher safety margin than formoterol, 24 microg.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1998

Bioavailability of timolol and aceclidine after ocular instillation in the rabbit.

The bioavailability of timolol and aceclidine after the ocular instillation of each drug (timolol 0.5% or aceclidine 2%) or both combined (timolol 0.5% + aceclidine 2%) has been evaluated in rabbits. 15 male albino rabbits were treated by the instillation of timolol and aceclidine alone or combined in the conjunctival sac of the right eye. Timolol concentrations in humor aqueous were assayed at 10 min, 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr, 4 hr and 6 hr after instillation by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Aceclidine was assayed by a pharmacodynamic method: pupillary diameter at the following time intervals 0 (basal value), 1 min, 5 min, 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr, 4 hr, 6 hr after treatment. Our results demonstrated that no differences in timolol and aceclidine bioavailability were found between simple-drug preparations and their combination.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1991

[Usefulness of a complete echographic evaluation of the atrial dimensions for the diagnosis of idiopathic atrial fibrillation].

Left atrial enlargement may occur sometimes through only the increase of the supero-inferior (S-I) diameter, with normality of the antero-posterior (A-P) and latero-medial dimensions. In this study, both the largest dimensions of the left atrium and S-I and transversal dimensions of the left atrium and S-I and transversal dimensions of the right atrium were investigated, among the 98 pts suffering from recurrent paroxysms of atrial fibrillation (FAP). On the basis of the clinical, ECGraphic and echocardiographic data, a subgroup of 78 pts has been found, with FAP reliable to heart disease, which mostly appeared as accompanying a finding of atrial enlargement--left or right or both--. The remaining 20 pts distinguished, by means of the echocardiographic findings, as following: a) "idiopathic" FAP, neither dependent on heart disease nor on atrial enlargement (no. 11 pts); b) FAP dependent on "unexplained" atrial enlargement, i.e. unreliable to definite cardiac pathology (no. 9 pts). Among the b) pts, 7 showed the only, isolated S-I dimension increased. Therefore, the determination of the all largest dimensions of the atria, in pts with recurrent FAP, appeared able to more carefully distinguish the true cases of "idiopathic" FAP.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Anesthesia, blood glucose, insulin and plasma renin. Experimental research with althesin, thiopental and ketamine].

In the rat, narcotic doses of Althesin injected intraperitoneally did not modify blood glucose concentration nor plasma insulin concentration. On the contrary a reduction of blood glucose concentration, associated with an increase of plasma insulin concentration was observed when narcotic doses of thiopental and ketamine were. Plasma renin concentration decreased after injection of Althesin and thiopental while increased after injection of ketamine.

Alfaxalone Alfadolone Mixture↗
PubMed1980

Narcosis, blood glucose, plasma insulin and renin concentrations: experimental research with Althesin, thiopental and ketamine.

In the rat, narcotic doses of Althesin injected intraperitoneally did not modify blood glucose concentration nor plasma insulin concentration. On the contrary, a reduction of blood glucose concentration, associated with an increase of plasma insulin concentration was observed when narcotic doses of thiopental and ketamine were administered. Plasma renin concentrations decreased after injection of Althesin and thiopental but increased after injection of ketamine.

Alfaxalone Alfadolone Mixture↗