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Biomedical subjects

A Meriggi

Publications and source records attributed to A Meriggi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Chemical modification of inulin, a valuable renewable resource, and its industrial applications.

Inulin, the polydisperse reserve polyfructose from plants such as Cichorium intybus (chicory), has been chemically modified in several ways to obtain industrially important biodegradable compounds. This review provides an insight on the different types of modification (neutral, anionic, and cationic modification as well as cross-linking and slow release applications) and describes its differences from starch and cellulose chemistry. It also highlights the applications of various compounds cited in the literature.

Absorbable Implants↗

Polymeric surfactants based on inulin, a polysaccharide extracted from chicory. 1. Synthesis and interfacial properties.

Inulin, the polydisperse reserve polysaccharide from chicory, has been modified by carbamoylation in organic solvents. The reaction of inulin with a range of alkyl isocyanates resulted, after crystalization, in a variety of carbamoylated inulins from which the interfacial properties were determined. The medium and long chain carbamoylated inulins showed a good to very good reduction of the interfacial tension which makes these biopolymers interesting in the field of biodegradable surface active agents.

Alkylation↗

Prevalence of sensitization to Alternaria in allergic patients in Italy.

BACKGROUND: The actual prevalence of sensitization to Alternaria is not known, partly due to the unreliability of diagnostic extracts. OBJECTIVE: To assess skin positivity to extracts of Alternaria in a wide population of Italian patients suffering from respiratory symptoms using a biologically standardized extract. METHODS: A total of 2942 patients were skin prick tested with Alternaria, and a panel of common inhalant allergens. Blood samples for specific IgE quantitation were taken both from patients positive and from patients negative (control group) to Alternaria extract. RESULTS: Three hundred six patients (10.4%, ranging from 1.8% in Turin to 29.3% in Cagliari) were positive to Alternaria; 37 were sensitized to only this mold, while the remaining 269 were sensitized to at least one other allergen. Of the Alternaria-positive patients, 79.7% suffered from rhinitis and 53.3% from asthma, either alone or associated with other symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that, at least in Italy and in countries with similar climatic and environmental situations, standardized Alternaria extract should be included in the panel commonly used in investigating the allergen responsible in patients suffering from respiratory allergy.

Adolescent↗

[Functional recovery in pulmonary tuberculosis].

At first Authors explain the stages of tubercular disease in which a programme of functional respiratory rehabilitation can be advised. Then they deal with the main aspects of rehabilitating treatment in some tubercular manifestations, as sero-fibrinous pleural effusion, tubercular empyema, parenchymal fibrosis and surgical reliquates. With regard to surgical reliquates, we mostly consider pulmonary resections and pleural skinning. At last Authors recall the indications to physical exercise training, that are constituted by some reliquates of tubercular pathology, and they resume the accomplishment modalities of such a programme in order to allow every patient wide possibilities of social reintroduction.

Breathing Exercises↗

[Cardiac pacing during open heart surgery (author's transl)].

Cardiac pacing by means of temporary wires inserted during open heart surgery is an established useful adjunct to post-operative care. Optimal rate can be imposed to the heart with transiently depressed function, arrhythmias can be suppressed by overdriving and atrioventricular synchronization sometimes can be reestablished, with a resulting improvement of cardiac output. We routinely insert wires on the right ventricle, and on the right atrium wherever excitable. Wires have been inserted in 383 consecutive patients, significantly contributing to the control of bradiarrhythmias, the suppression of PVCs, and the improvement of low cardiac output states.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗