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Biomedical subjects

A Maccioni

Publications and source records attributed to A Maccioni.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

New vegetation indices for remote measurement of chlorophylls based on leaf directional reflectance spectra.

Directional reflectance (R) spectra from 380 to 780 nm for nadir illuminated leaves of four different plants (croton, Codiaeum variegatum; spotted eleagnus, Eleagnus pungens Maculata; Japanese pittosporum, Pittosporum tobira and Benjamin fig, Ficus benjamina Starlight) were acquired at a viewing angle of 30 degrees from the nadir direction. Chlorophyll-a and -b content of leaves covered a range of 1-60 and 0.5-21 microg/cm(2), respectively. In contrast with previous results from hemispherical reflectance measurements, directional reflectance data does not correlate well with chlorophyll concentration. This is mainly due to the external reflectance (R(E)) at the leaf epidermis, caused by the mismatch of the refractive index at the air-epidermis and epidermis-inner layer boundary. The external reflectance can be identified with the blue flat reflectance between 380 and 480 nm. The inner reflectance (R(I)), obtained by subtracting the external reflectance from the measured spectra, was found to be linearly related to the logarithm of the chlorophyll content. Good fitting of the log (Chl) versus R(I)(lambda) curves were obtained for R(I) in the green band (around 550 nm) and close to the inflection point in the red edge (around 700 nm). The coefficient of determination, r(2), of curve fitting improved (up to 0.97) when the normalised inner reflectance NR(I)(lambda)=R(I)(lambda)/R(I)(lambda(0)), with lambda(0)>or=750 nm, was used instead of the absolute reflectance. The best indices for Chl, Chl-a and Chl-b determination were R(I)(542)/R(I)(750), R(I)(706)/R(I)(750) and R(I)(556)/R(I)(750), respectively. However, since the content of Chl-a relative to Chl-b was almost constant for the plants investigated, the two last indices must be further validated on leaves with a high variability in the Chl-a:Chl-b ratio. The error in the determination of chlorophyll content was found to be of the order of 10%. This value was lower than those obtained by applying the vegetation indices previously suggested. Therefore, the normalised inner reflectance in the green and in the red edge represents a more suitable index for the chlorophyll determination than those up to now used.

Chlorophyll↗
PubMed1996

[Human dirofilariasis in Sardinia: 4 new cases. Review of published cases].

Four new cases of Human Dirofilariasis in Sardinia are described: I subconjunctival and 3 subcutaneous. The patients were men in 3 cases and woman in the other one. The age of the subjects varied from 35 to 58 years. The parasite, Dirofilaria repens, was in all the cases a female. From the review of the literature only 3 other cases were reported in the island. Due to the diffuse presence of both the causal agent, D. repens, in dogs and many species of Culicidae that can transmit the infection to man, it is possible that human cases are more common than reported, many cases passing undiagnosed or simply not published.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Diagnostic aspects of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in hepatic cirrhosis with ascites].

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a severe complication appearing in 8-22% of hepatic cirrhosis with ascitic decompensation. The authors describe 6 cases of SBP in hepatic cirrhosis. SBP diagnosis has been confirmed by isolation of the aetiological agents in the ascitic fluid, and PMN count above 250/ml in 12% of the studies cases. SBP diffusion and the high mortality risk justify the examine of the ascitic fluid also in asymptomatic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Characteristics of alcoholics attending "Alcoholics in treatment" clubs in northeastern Italy.

A study on the characteristics of alcoholics attending the "Alcoholics in treatment" clubs, a community and family-oriented programme against alcoholism, has been conducted in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, Northeastern Italy. A total of 598 individuals (93% of those contacted) completed the questionnaire, 431 (72%) were males and 167 (28%) were females. With respect to marital status, never married men and widows seemed to be at high risk of alcoholism. Total alcohol consumption in males significantly exceeded that in females (X2(1) trend 18.86 p < 0.001) and this excess mainly seemed to be primarily associated with wine (X2(1) trend 32.81 p < 0.001). Younger individuals (< 50 yrs) tended to begin drinking earlier and to report higher intake from alcoholic beverages other than wine as compared to older individuals (< 50 yrs) (X2(1) trend = 25.25 p < 0.001). A high percentage of males (30%) reported heavier alcohol intake in their father as compared to themselves while only 12 of females reported heavier intake in their mother as compared to themselves. Health complaints seemed to be the chief reason which prompted individuals, particularly above age 50, to attend "Alcoholics in treatment" clubs but awareness of alcohol-related health problems played a substantial role, as shown by the very common overestimation of alcohol as the primary cause of death in Italy by the individuals attending the club.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some pyrrole derivatives. III--2-(4-arylpiperazino)-3-ethoxycarbonyl-5-aryl-pyrrole derivatives.

The synthesis of 3-ethoxycarbonyl-5-aryl-pyrrole derivatives with an arylpiperazine group in position 2 is described. The in vitro biological investigation showed that compound (XVIII) had considerable antibacterial activity against gram-positive microorganisms and antifungal activity against Candida rugosa, while the other compounds did not show any significative activity.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1988

Synthesis and biological activity of some pyrrole derivatives. I.

The synthesis of some 5-substituted 2-amino-3-cyano (and 3-carboethoxy)pyrroles is described starting from the cyano- and carboethoxyacetomidines and the alpha-halogeno ketones. The compounds tested in vitro as antimicrobial agents did not show any significative activity.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1987

[Collateral effects of 9-alpha-fluor-prednisolone acetate and kanamycin, administered by nasal spray. Clinical experience and experimental data].

Iatrogenic pathology due to treatment with steroid drugs used by systemic route is well known. On the contrary iatrogenic pathology due to topical use of these drugs is rarely reported. Two cases of abuse of 9-alpha- fluor-prednisolone and kanamycin administered by endonasal route are reported. The same treatment has been carried out in patients and rabbits. Clinical and bio-humoral data in patients and anatomo-pathological findings in rabbits are reported. The risks, sometimes underestimated, of an overdose of corticosteroid and antibiotic drugs used by endonasal route are pointed out.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1986

[Pneumocystis carinii in male drug addicts: morphologic study of the parasite].

This work describes the first case of Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to be found in Sardinia. The patient was an adult male drug-addict who died following a respiratory inadequacy due to bronchial pneumonia resulting from Pneumocystis carinii (PCP). For diagnostic purposes the emphasis is laid on the importance of morphological research into the parasite, considering the lack of specific evidence regarding serological investigation. Therefore, the various techniques of coloration are examined here. That which stands out for its simplicity of performance and its thoroughness of investigation is the May-Grünwald-Giemsa coloration which also points out other micro-organisms frequently associated with this type of pathology. In conclusion, then, this work indicates the advisability, on behalf of the Services of Anatomy and Pathological Histology to adopt, as routine practice the specific colorations for Pneumocystis carinii (PC), taking into account the considerable diffusion of this parasite in patients with immuno-deficiency.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗