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Biomedical subjects

A Pera

Publications and source records attributed to A Pera.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Placebo controlled studies with ranitidine in duodenal ulcer.

171 duodenal ulcer patients were treated for four weeks with either ranitidine or placebo under double-blind conditions. 40 patients (monocentre study) received ranitidine (40 mg), or placebo t.d.s. with meals and 80 mg at bedtime. 131 patients (multicentre study) received ranitidine (150 mg), or placebo b.d. In the monocentre study endoscopy after 4 weeks of treatment showed complete healing in 83.3% of the ranitidine patients and 30.4% of those on placebo (P less than 0.01%). In the multicentre study the healing percentages were 79.4% and 30.4%, respectively (P less than 0.001). In both trials pain and antacid consumption decreased in patients taking ranitidine more than in patients on placebo. After 4 weeks in the double blind studies 13 of the 15 patients with unhealed ulcer in the monocentre study and 51 of 54 patients in the multicentre study received open treatment with ranitidine for another 4 week period. The overall healing percentages by the 8th week of treatment with ranitidine were 94.4% and 93.6% respectively. No serious side effects, or haematological changes were observed during the treatment with ranitidine.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1979

Plasma trypsin in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

We have used a simple and precise radioimmunoassay to measure trypsin in human plasma. Fasting plasma trypsin concentrations were extremely low in patients with chronic pancreatitis with steatorrhoea (5 +/- 2 ng/ml) when compared to healthy controls (86 +/- 7 ng/ml, p less than 0.001). In patients with chronic pancreatitis but no steatorrhoea basal plasma trypsin levels were similar to those of the normal controls (99 +/- 25 ng/ml). A small but significant postprandial rise in plasma trypsin concentrations was observed in normal subjects (mean increment 15 +/- 4%, p less than 0.005, paired t test) but was absent in patients with chronic pancreatitis with steatorrhoea. In contrast to exocrine deficient chronic pancreatitis, other malabsorptive conditions associated with steatorrhoea (active coeliac disease and acute tropical sprue) demonstrated mean fasting trypsin concentrations similar to controls. Patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas had basal trypsin concentrations similar to healthy subjects as did patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach, colon, rectum, brochus, and breast. In some cases measurement of plasma trypsin may be of help in the differential diagnosis of steatorrhoea.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1979

Complement-mediated binding of immunoglobulins to some endocrine cells of the pancreas and gut.

Unspecific binding of immunoglobulins to gastrin, somatostain and glucagon cells of the gastrointestinal mucosa or pancreas has been found to occur through a nonantigen-antibody mechanism mediated by the C14 fraction of complement. The phenomenon represents an important drawback in hormone immunohistochemistry, which can be overcome by using complement deprived, highly dilute anti-hormone sera.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Antral G- and D-cell counts in chronic renal failure.

Antral somatostatin- and gastrin-producing cells (D and G cells) were studied in a group of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) in comparison with a control group. Gastric acid secretion and serum gastrin, phosphate, and parathormone (PTH) levels were also evaluated in every patient. The group with CRF showed a mild increase both in G- and in D-cell denisty. In this group serum phosphate and PTH levels were higher than normal, showing hyperparathyroidism in every patient. A direct correlation was found between G-cell density and parathyroid function in patients with CRF. Hyperparathyroidism, therefore, seems to play a role in the mechanism of increased serum gastrin levels in CRF.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Incidence and significance of different types of connective tissue antibodies in adult and pediatric gastroenterological disorders.

The incidence of connective tissue antibodies was assessed in 3,000 adults and in 388 pediatric patients with gastroenterological disorders. Following a previous classification, connective tissue antibodies were distinguished in 5 different types, R1 and R2 reacting with reticulin components, KC with Kupffer cells, AC and Rs with intra- and extracellular mesenchymal antigens. R1 predominated in children and was observed only in patients with malabsorption; the great majority of them had celiac disease and an abnormal small bowel mucosa. Ac was rarely seen in children and occurred in several unrelated gastrointestinal diseases of the adult; its incidence, however, was significantly higher in disorders with idiopathic and secondary malabsorption. R2, KC and Rs were seen only occasionally in unrelated gastroenterological disorders without malabsorption. R1, therefore, seems to be strongly suggestive of a malabsorption syndrome with abnormal small bowel mucosa and AC is a nonspecific reaction occuring predominantly in primary and secondary malabsorption; the other connective tissue antibodies have no clinical significance in gastroenterological disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Treatment of active duodenal ulcer with oral cimetidine: a multicenter controlled endoscopic trial.

A double-blind 4-week trial of cimetidine (1 g daily) versus placebo was conducted in 68 adult outpatients with active duodenal ulceration endoscopically confirmed. 3 of the patient admitted to the study (1 on cimetidine and 2 on placebo) did not complete the trial. After 4 weeks of treatment, 25 of 33 patients (76%) receiving cimetidine had healed their ulcers compared with 15 (47%) of 32 patients receiving placebo (p less than 0.02). Antacid consumption was also significantly decreased by cimetidine when compared with placebo. Tolerability of the drug was good.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1977

[Cimetidine in the treatment of peptic ulcer].

Cimetidine, a non-thiourea-containing histamine H2-receptor antagonist, has been employed in the treatment of peptic ulcer. We studied 50 patients, partly with double-blind method, and partly in a free trial. Duodenal ulcers were completely healed in 80% of the cases, at the control endoscopy after a 4-week period of treatment with cimetidine (1000 mg/day). Peptic ulcer in general healed in 76% of the cases. Gastric secretion was significantly reduced after cimetidine. An important improvement in subjective symptoms was noted in every patient. No toxic effect was noted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

G-cell counts in antral endoscopic biopsies by immunofluorescence.

Antral gastrin-producing cell (G-cells) were counted by an immunofluorescence technique in the antral biopsies obtained at endoscopy from 67 subjects; they included patients with duodenal ulcer, gastritis, and individuals with a normal gastric mucosa. The G-cell count was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) in patients with duodenal ulcer (142 G cells per mm2) in comparison to normal subjects (327 G cells per mm2). No statistically significant correlation was found between the G-cell number and any of the other parameters tested (pentagastrin test, basal serum gastrin and its response to a standard meal).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

[28 cases of malabsorption syndromes with villopathy].

A personal series of 28 cases of malabsorption with villopathy (22 Gee, 1 Whipple, 1 alpha-chain, 1 hypogammaglobulinaemia, 3 not yet diagnosed) is presented. The response to a gluten-free diet is the essential clue to diagnosis. Where sensitivity is not found, diagnosis becomes difficult and requires careful immunological, histopathological and parasitological investigation, which is not always conclusive. The main features of the series are indicated, along with the criteria employed in the diagnosis of some unusual forms.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Possibilities and limitations of nutritional support in Crohn disease].

Crohn's disease involves a great risk of malnutrition. Malabsorption, bacterial contamination, frequent abdominal surgery, meal-related pain, protein loss through the damaged mucosa contribute to creating nutritional problems. Malnutrition can worsen the outcome, both in medical and surgical patients, and deteriorate an often already altered immune response. Weight loss, low levels of blood protein, electrolytes, micronutrients and vitamins are usually related to the extension of the mucosal damage. Nutritional assessment can be difficult due to oedema and bleeding, who interfere with both clinical and laboratory evaluation. The exact amount of nitrogen, lipids, minerals stool loss can be useful. It is widely accepted the use of nutritional support in Crohn's disease, but many Authors do not agree concerning the route (enteral or parenteral) and the kind of nutrient to be used. Still controversial is the role of nutrition: just support or real therapy? Most recent hypothesis concerning the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease indicate food and/or bacterial antigens as involved in determining the pathology. The "bowel rest", considered for many years as a fasting period necessarily supported by parenteral nutrition, can also be obtained by the temporarily reduction or stop in presenting those antigens to the bowel mucosa. This new concept can be achieved not only by parenteral nutrition, but with an enteral elemental diet as well. The elemental diet contains all nutrients in the simplest way and thus succeeds in lowering or eliminating the antigenic power. The reported results seem to indicate an equivalence of enteral and parenteral nutrition; anyway enteral is advisable when feasible, being more physiological and less expensive and involving a lower risk of serious complications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗