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Biomedical subjects

A Macri

Publications and source records attributed to A Macri.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

Inhibition of amylases from different origins by albumins from the wheat kernel.

The amylase activity of water extracts from 18 insect species, from 23 marine species and from 17 different species of birds and mammals was determined quantitatively. The inhibition of amylase in these extracts by three albumin fractions from the mature wheat kernel, which had been separated according to their molecular weights (60 000, 24 000 and 12 500 D), was determined as well. The inhibition activity of the three albumin fractions toward amylases extracted from a number of cereal species or from immature and germinating wheat kernel was also tested. The extracts from insects that are destructive of wheat grain and stored wheat products showed much higher amylase activities as compared to the other insect species that do not attack wheat and wheat products. On the basis of the effectiveness with which the three albumin fractions inhibit their activities, the amylase preparations tested were divided into susceptible, partially susceptible and resistent. Susceptible amylases, inhibited by any of the three albumin fractions, were found mainly in insects that attack wheat and in marine species. Partially susceptible amylases, inhibited by only one or two of the three albumin fractions, were present in a few avain and mammalian species including man. Resistent amylases were largely distributed in cereal, avian and mammalian species as well as in insect species that do not usually attack wheat grain or wheat flour products. At no stage of development, wheat alpha-amylase was inhibited by the albumin fractions from the mature kernel. The 12 500 dalton albumin fraction was the most effective in inhibiting insect amylases, but it was inactive toward avian and mammalian amylases. The 24 000 dalton albumin fraction was the most effective in inhibiting amylases from marine avian and mammalian species and inhibited as much as 33 amylases over 66 different amylases tested. It is suggested that protein inhibitors of amylase contributed to natural selection of polyploid wheats by giving some insect resistence to such wheats, even though some insect species were able to overcome this biochemical defense toa large degree by producing higher amylase activities.

Albumins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Morphometric analysis of the optic disc surface. The level of smoothness as a diagnostic parameter for glaucoma.

PURPOSE: Since the glaucomatous loss of nerve fibers changes the appearance of the optic disc, we evaluated the morphology of the surface of the optic disc in normal and glaucomatous eyes by using a computerized system to provide the reciprocal position of a large number of points placed on its surface in order to study the clinical significance of differences in the 'smoothness' of optic disc surface. METHODS: The morphology of the optic disc surface was evaluated by means of simultaneous stereoscopic videographic pictures (IMAGEnet X Rev-3.51b-Topcon Europe, The Netherlands): the reciprocal distribution of a large number of points located on the surface of one eye of 100 subjects randomly chosen (45 normal and 55 glaucoma patients) was studied. In order to define the level of 'smoothness' of the optic disc surface, the differences of the relative position of each surface point were studied by measuring the standard deviation (SD) from the average heights of the points (n. ranging from 623 to 1916 depending on the size of the disc area) that identify the optic disc surface. RESULTS: The coefficient of variation of the reciprocal location of the points, placed on the optic disc surface at the different measurements performed by a single operator was 10.4%. The differences in Optic Disc Surface Smoothness (ODSS) between glaucoma and normal group were statistically significant (p < 0.0001 using Mann-Whitney U test). No correlation was detectable between age and standard deviation. The best threshold value, calculated using ROC methodology, able to separate the two groups was: normal group: SD < or = 17.79 (-1 x 10(-2) mm); glaucoma group: SD > -17.79 (-1 x 10(-2) mm). Such threshold value had a sensitivity of 82.1%, a specificity of 92.2% and a diagnostic precision (DP) of 86.5% in dividing the glaucoma group from the normal group. CONCLUSION: ODSS is a global index of optic disc conditions based on quantitative measurements of the morphology of the optic disc surface. As such it does not provide information about the location and the characteristics of optic disc damage. Nevertheless, ODSS measurement is able to separate normal from glaucomatous optic disc with a rather interesting sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic precision (DP). As such it could be useful both for research and clinical applications.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnostic possibilities and clinical indications of policlonal labeled Ig in the bowel inflammatory disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) represent the more common forms of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. They have a peculiar course, which is characterized by exacerbation and submissions, and a symptomatology that changes in relation to severity and extension of the lesions. The aim of this study is to establish the diagnostic usefulness of 99m Tc human policlonal immunoglobulin (HIG) imaging in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODOLOGY: During the period between September 1995 and September 1997 we submitted a group of 32 patients affected by UC (n = 22) and CD (n = 10), to Human Immunoglobulin labeled with Technetium 99m (99m Tc-HIG) scintigraphy. The diagnosis of IBD was obtained in all cases by endoscopy with biopsy. RESULTS: Scintigraphic examination with labeled HIG showed an abnormal intestinal fixation (ileal or colic) of the marked immunoglobulins in 17 patients (77.2%) affected by UC and in 8 patients (80%) affected by CD. In 5 (22.7%) and 2 (20%) patients, respectively, the scintigraphic examination revealed a normal distribution of the immunoglobulins without appreciable focal accumulation. Among the patients with a negative scintigraphic examination, only one presented an endoscopic and histologic report that documented UC in an active stage. The histologic and endoscopic findings observed in all cases of CD were similar to that of HIG scintigraphy in 7 of the 8 scintigraphic-positive cases and in 1 of the 2 scintigraphic-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: The authors, on the basis of their results, suggest that this diagnostic strategy may have a significant role in the diagnostic protocol and in the follow-up of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation in COPD exacerbations].

Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation (NIMV) is often considered as first indication of ventilatory support in COPD exacerbations. Controlled studies with NIMV performed in specialized centers report avoidance of endotracheal intubation in more than 70% of patients with COPD and ventilatory support, a reduction of time spent in ICU and a mortality of less than 10%. These good results are obtained with a proper selection of patients needing NIMV a well trained personnel, familiarized with the technique of NIMV and the availability of the necessary equipment. The most frequent techniques of NIMV are with facial or nasal masks. For hypoxemic patients oxygen-therapy with helmet can be a good option. The most popular modes of ventilation are those with pressure or volume support. The initial settings of the ventilator (pressure, tidal volume, respiratory rate, PEEP) are dependent on the patients' respiratory pattern, the type of ventilator and the skills of the respiratory therapist.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Congenital transdiaphragmatic hernia with a late manifestation].

A case of diaphragmatic pathology is presented consisting in transdiaphragmatic penetration of abdominal viscera. It raised problems of differential diagnosis with other intrapleural pathology. X-ray aspects should not be interpreted without including them into the general clinical and laboratory data in order to avoid errors of diagnosis and treatment.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effectiveness of salbutamol powder (Ventodisk Glaxo) compared to dosed aerosols (sultanol)].

The study deals with the effect of salbutamol powder (Ventodisk) administered with Diskhaler device comparatively to salbutamol dosed aerosols. The analysis of PEF variations on morning and evening in a group of patients unable to use correctly the dosed aerosols leads to the conclusion that salbutamol powder succeeds in a higher effect since the administration by Diskhaler is far easier.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The role of ultrasonographic percutaneous cholecystostomy in treatment of acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Authors propose ultrasonographic percutaneous cholecystostomy in the treatment of acute cholecystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the period between July 1991-December 1993, 26 patients with acute cholecystitis (18 calculous and 8 acalculous) were observed. The cholecystostomy was performed in principle on patients aged over 70 years and in those with acalculous acute cholecystitis. To rationalize the indication for cholecystostomy in patients aged under 70 years with calculous acute cholecystitis, the Authors elaborated a Risk Score. RESULTS: The cholecystostomy was performed in 23 patients, 15 with calculous and 8 with acalculous acute cholecystitis, and was successful in 22 patients (95.7%). In the group with acalculous acute cholecystitis, the cholecystostomy was the resolutive treatment, while in that with calculous acute cholecystitis was associated, when indicated, to the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The cholecystostomy interrupted the natural history of the disease and has a low morbidity and mortality. It is an effective and rationale contribution to the treatment of the acute cholecystitis.

Acute Disease↗