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Biomedical subjects

A Reggiani

Publications and source records attributed to A Reggiani.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Prevalence of infections of the ascitic fluid in 81 consecutive cirrhotic patients].

During a period of 30 months the ascites of 81 patients with liver cirrhosis (65 males and 16 females; 25 in Child B class and 56 in Child C class) consecutively admitted to an Internal Medicine Department have been examined. The number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and the protein content of ascites were evaluated, and cultures for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were performed. In 46 patients ascites were sterile (SA); bacteriascites (BA) was observed in 3 patients; neutrocytic ascites (NA) in 18 patients; spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in the remaining 14 patients. The number of PMNs and total protein content turned out to be significantly higher and lower respectively in SBP compared to the other groups (p < 0.02). In 10 out of the 17 patients with BA and SBP bacteria of enteric origin were isolated. Total mortality was 23.5% (4 cases).

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Presence and physical state of HPV DNA in prostate and urinary-tract tissues.

Neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissues from the urinary tract and the prostate were analyzed for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. The analysis was performed by PCR using primers specific for HPV 6/11 and 16. HPV DNA was present in bladder, ureter, kidney and prostate, with percentages ranging between 46% and 87%. Benign and oncogenic HPV types were detected with similar frequencies both in non-neoplastic and in neoplastic biopsies, and HPV 16 was not preferentially associated with malignant lesions. In all instances, small amounts of HPV DNA were present in the tissues, suggesting the absence of productive infection. Analysis of the physical state of HPV DNA performed by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and Southern blot hybridization revealed that HPV 16 DNA harbored in the urinary tract can be integrated also in non-neoplastic tissues. The results indicate that HPV 16 does not seem to be associated with urinary-tract and prostate oncogenesis, but that these tissues may represent an important reservoir for the transmission of HPV types normally infecting the genital tract.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed1992

Activation of metabotropic receptors has a neuroprotective effect in a rodent model of focal ischaemia.

The role of the glutamate 'metabotropic' receptor was investigated in an experimental model of focal ischaemia-induced neurodegeneration. The metabotropic agonist, trans-1-amino cyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (t-ACPD, 20 mg/kg i.p.), was administered to mice immediately after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), which causes cerebral infarct. Seven days after MCAO, the mean infarct volume value of the t-ACPD-treated group (mean +/- S.E. = 4.57 +/- 0.73 mm3) was significantly reduced, by 34.3%, compared to the vehicle-treated group (mean +/- S.E. = 6.95 +/- 0.59 mm3, P less than 0.01). This suggests that metabotropic receptor activation in the adult brain reduces excitotoxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Domoic acid toxicity in rats and mice after intracerebroventricular administration: comparison with excitatory amino acid agonists.

A behavioural study of the domoic acid (DOM)-induced convulsive behaviour after intracerebroventricular administration was carried out in rats and mice. DOM-induced behaviours were compared to those elicited by other excitatory amino acid (EAA) agonists N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), alpha-amino-3- hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) and kainic acid (KA), in such a way as to assess the possible similarities between DOM-induced effects and EAA subtype receptor activation in vivo. In rat, DOM (0.03-3 nmol/rat) caused a complex pattern of convulsive behaviour, quantified by means of a 15-point rating scale. DOM-induced behavioural profile was characterized at the lower doses by "preconvulsive" behaviours as wet dog shakes, hypermotility, mild facial clonus. At higher doses, DOM caused clonic convulsions followed by the "status epilepticus" syndrome (wet dog shakes, forelimb clonus, rearing, salivation). Rats treated with KA (0.3-10 nmol/rat) showed an almost identical behavioural profile. AMPA (1-10 nmol/rat)-induced convulsive behaviour was similar to DOM and KA only at the higher doses. NMDA (0.25-10 nmol/rat) caused clonic convulsions but not "status epilepticus". In mice, similar results were obtained: all the tested drugs induced generalized seizures, but only animals treated with DOM, KA and AMPA showed a prolonged sequence of seizures with forelimb clonus. Our results confirm the findings reported in the literature and support the hypothesis that DOM and KA act at the same EAA receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Preliminary experience with the Storz Modulith SL 20 lithotriptor in reno-ureteral lithiasis].

The authors report their initial results in ESWL of urinary calculi with the Storz Modulith SL 20 lithotriptor, a multipurpose device for both urinary and biliary stone treatment. During 176 sessions, a total of 144 cases (81 renal and 63 ureteral) were treated and then, followed up. The over-all rate free of stones was 86.8% (90.1% for kidney and for ureteral stones). The treatment rate was 1.23 per patient. Auxiliary procedures before ESWL were performed in 7.9% of the sessions: insertion of "double-J" stent or nephrostomy tube; all ureteral stones received "in situ" treatment. Mean number of shock waves per session was 1836.1 (range 300-3020). The maximum voltage on the average reached was 17.1 kv. Sedo-analgesia by Diazepam and Ketoprofen was given in 75% of the cases. No serious complications were observed. The experience with this machine is discussed in regard to performance; the advantages of its fluoroscopy and ultrasound guided system of focusing are stressed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Mortality from liver disease among Italian vinyl chloride monomer/polyvinyl chloride manufacturers.

The possible association in humans between nonangiosarcoma primary liver tumors (PLC-non-A), particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and exposure to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is supported by both experimental and human data. This article presents a review of the information regarding 253 deaths that occurred in seven plants manufacturing VCM/PVC and one plant extruding PVC. The retrieval of clinical and pathological data, in addition to the information from death certificate, is referred to as "best evidence" (BE). BE has been carried out for 63 deaths. A total of 14 primary liver cancer (PLC) were detected: seven were angiosarcoma (PLC-A), and two of the remaining seven were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In our series of 14 PLC cases, there was no significant difference between PLC-A and PLC-non-A as to length of exposure and latency. There was no noticeable difference in terms of job title between ASL and non-ASL cases. The list of longest held jobs shows the presence of various job titles, different from autoclave cleaner, for primary liver cancer, PLC-A and PLC-non-A. In conclusion, our observations show that VCM may have a broader carcinogenicity action on the liver and that exposure lower than that occurring in autoclave cleaning can cause primary liver cancer, both angiosarcoma and nonangiosarcoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Axillary versus peripheral blood levels of sialic acid, ferritin, and CEA in patients with breast cancer.

Serum levels of total sialic acid, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase were measured both in tumor drainage blood (axillary vein) and in peripheral blood obtained from 121 breast cancer patients during surgery. No significant differences between mean values in peripheral and tumor draining blood, between cancer patients and healthy controls, or between patients with or without axillary lymph node metastases were found for any of the markers. Both ferritin and CEA levels were higher in axillary and peripheral blood from patients with central breast cancer versus other sites but the difference was significant only for CEA (p less than 0.05). CEA levels were significantly higher (p less than 0.01) in patients with greater than 2 cm diameter carcinomas versus T1 stage patients in axillary but not in peripheral blood. When the cephalic vein was clamped before the axillary sample was taken, ferritin showed a significant increase (p less than 0.05). We conclude that measurement of sialic acid, CEA, and ferritin in axillary venous blood in breast cancer patients is not of clinical benefit, although further data are needed to clarify whether other advantages can be derived.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effect of NMDA- and strychnine-insensitive glycine site antagonists on NMDA-mediated convulsions and learning.

Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) was shown to induce generalized seizures in mice. The competitive NMDA antagonists DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleroate (DL-AP7) and 3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonate (CPP), the NMDA "channel blocker" antagonist (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro 5H-dibenzo-[a,d] cycloheptan-5,10-imine maleate (MK-801) and the strychnine-insensitive glycine antagonists kynurenic acid (KYNA) and 7-chloro-kynurenic acid (7-Cl-KYNA), when co-administered (ICV) with NMDA, antagonized NMDA-induced generalized seizures. Administration (ICV) of DL-AP7, CPP and MK-801 resulted in impared learning performance in a passive avoidance task in mice, with ED50 close to the anticonvulsant dose. The glycine antagonists KYNA and 7-Cl-KYNA at high doses significantly failed to affect performance in the same model of learning. The results indicate that compounds acting at the strychnine-insensitive glycine site may have a larger "therapeutic window" as anticonvulsants than antagonists of the NMDA receptor and channel.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗
PubMed1990

[Diagnostic screening of varicocele: role of echography and Doppler examination in our experience with 216 cases of primary varicocele].

We compared two non-invasive methods to evaluate primary varicoceles: ultrasonography and Doppler examination. We submitted to ultrasonography and Doppler 216 patients, 147 of them were treated by sclerotherapy and 69 by surgery. All ultrasonographic studies were performed by means of a real-time equipment (7.5 Mhz transducer), while Doppler examination was performed with continuous wave equipment. Ultrasonographic findings are reliable for testicular morphology. Doppler examination is useful to evaluate reversed flow. In 4.1% of cases ultrasonography did not agree with the Doppler examination.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

[Staplers in bladder sutures].

Staplers are still little used for suturing a cystotomy. The basic reason for this reluctance is the inadvisability of using non-absorbable material in the lumen of the urinary tract, as this may be the nucleus for the formation of stones. It must be remembered, however, that a correct suture of a cystotomy should be carried out in two layers: one internal mucous layer, consisting of a continuous suture of absorbable material, and a more superficial suture of the margins of the vesical detrusor. The latter can be performed with a linear stapler, as it is completely outside the mucous layer. More recently, linear staplers with absorbable staples have appeared on the market, by which cystotomy sutures can be performed in a single layer.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1989

Effect of 7-chloro kynurenic acid on glycine modulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate response in guinea-pig myenteric plexus.

The glycine modulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) response in guinea-pig myenteric plexus was investigated by using D-serine and 7-chloro kynurenic acid as a glycine agonist and antagonist, respectively. D-serine caused a concentration-dependent enhancement of the NMDA response, an effect which was competitively inhibited by 7-chloro kynurenic acid (pA2 = 6.0). In addition, 7-chloro kynurenic acid induced a concentration-dependent, non-competitive inhibition of the NMDA response per se, even in the absence of added D-serine. This inhibition was fully reversed by exogenous D-serine, suggesting that this effect was also due to the occupancy of the glycine site. These results emphasize the usefulness of the guinea-pig myenteric plexus for studying the function of the NMDA receptor complex.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

New isoxazole derivatives provided with antihypertensive activity.

A series of diazacycloalkane-quinazoline derivatives of isoxazoles were synthesized and tested in order to identify new potent and selective alpha 1-antagonists. A preliminary screening by using in vitro tests such as binding assay (3H-prazosin and 3H-rauwolscine displacement) and analysis of antagonistic activity in isolated rat aorta (norepinephrine-induced response) and in isolated rat vas deferens (clonidine-induced response) indicated that many of these compounds exhibited a good affinity and selectivity towards alpha 1-adrenergic receptors associated with potent pharmacological activity. In particular, a 3-bromo-5-isoxazolecarbonyl derivative, selected for further in vivo investigation, was provided with as high antihypertensive action as prazosin in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) coupled to a shallow dose-response curve by oral route. Moreover, a higher ratio between oral antihypertensive doses in SHR and normotensive rats was found with respect to reference compound prazosin.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Differential hypomethylation of the c-myc protooncogene in bladder cancers at different stages and grades.

The 5-methylcytosine content of c-myc proto-oncogene DNA obtained from samples of normal bladders and of bladders with transitional cell carcinoma of different stage and grade was analyzed. Five CCGG sites (from the third coding region to the 3' flanking region of the gene) which showed different methylation in normal and neoplastic samples were identified. The overall c-myc methylation levels were significantly reduced in carcinomas. Furthermore, a significant correlation between disease invasiveness and methylation level was found. Nevertheless, in each group of patients with the same histological grade, heterogeneity has been observed. This might be suggestive of different prognosis of the disease.

5-Methylcytosine↗
PubMed1989

[Effects of digitalis on the left ventricular filling phase in the normal and ischemic heart. Angiographic study in man].

The effects of digitalis on the left ventricular diastolic phase are very scant. In order to gain a better insight into this problem, we measured the hemodynamic effects of an intravenous injection of K-strophantidin (0.005 mg/kg in a bolus given within 5-10 min) during the diastolic phase in 9 normal male subjects and in 9 male patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), maintaining a normal overall ejection fraction despite of the presence of some hypokinetic segments. Administration of K-strophantidin decreased significantly in normal controls the left ventricular volumes at 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 of the diastolic phase, whereas it did not produce significant change in CAD patients. Digitalis decreased the first and increased the second filling peak of the volumetric variable dV/dt in the normal controls, but not in the CAD patients. In the latter group the 2 peaks before digitalis administration were similar. The effects of digitalis on the dV/dt measured during the second filling peak were significantly different in the 2 groups. The increments of pressure in middle and end diastole in CAD patients were significantly greater than those observed in normal controls. Results of the present study suggest that digitalis has a negative influence on the left ventricular filling phase both in normal and CAD subjects. In fact digitalis modifies in normals the pattern of the left ventricular filling phase whereas it induces an untoward increase in the middle and end diastolic pressure in CAD patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Bis-arenoxypropanolamines as potential beta-adrenolytics: a reinvestigation.

A number of symmetrical as well as asymmetrical bis-arenoxypropanolamines have been synthesized and evaluated for their beta-adrenolytic properties. The pharmacological characterization of these compounds was performed in vitro by direct studies (3H-dihydroalprenolol was used as the specific ligand for beta-receptors), and by determining the beta-blocking capacity on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced increased heart rate (isolated guinea-pig atrium); and in vivo by evaluating the antagonism on ISO-induced hypotension and tachycardia, as well as the intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) on reserpinized and vagotomized rats. The best result was observed with the simplest derivative, i.e. the bis-phenoxypropanolamine compound, which shows in vitro and in vivo potencies almost comparable to propranolol and, moreover, significant bronchodilating activity.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1987

Influence of opioids on beta-receptors down-regulation: studies in cultured C6 glioma cells.

Opioids' modulation of beta-receptors' density and function has been investigated in a cultured cell line system. Rat C6 glioma cells do not have opioid receptors or, at least, the number of these receptors is very low, but cell exposure to desmethylimipramine (DMI) causes expression of functional opioid receptors as indicated by the increased [3H]DHM binding and by the acquired ability of opioids to inhibit ISO-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Cell exposure to DMI also causes beta-receptors' down-regulation as indicated by the decline in [3H]DHA binding coupled to a reduced ability of isoproterenol (ISO) to stimulate cAMP accumulation in intact cells. In the present paper we show that cell exposure to opioid agonists during DMI treatment counteracted DMI-induced beta-receptor loss. Similarly, opioid agonists added at the beginning of ISO exposure in DMI-pretreated cells, inhibited ISO-induced beta-receptor tachyphylaxis. These results suggest that opioids may exert a protective effect on beta-receptor function and this appears to be a common mechanism which is operant when overstimulation of beta-receptors takes place.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

A cohort study on vinyl chloride manufacturers in Italy: study design and preliminary results.

A cohort mortality study of 5000 vinyl chloride manufacturers is ongoing in 9 Italian plants. They represent the entire workforce of those ever employed in the production of the monomer and its polymerization. The objectives of the study are to investigate the mortality of the exposed population and to clear up the carcinogenic spectrum of vinyl chloride. This article gives the results for 3 out of 9 plants, Rosignano, Ferrara and Ravenna, which represent about 25% of the total cohort. The expected deaths have been calculated using the mortality rates of the Italian population. For the deceased persons information from the death certificates were used in the analysis of mortality; additional clinical and pathological data were collected (best pathological evidence, b.p.e.). In Ferrara a statistically significant excess for all malignant tumors and lung cancer was detected. In Rosignano and Ravenna the number of observed deaths were small and therefore no comments can be made on cancer mortality. The cohort study is ongoing in the 6 remaining cohorts and the future analysis will consider duration and level of exposure and latency.

Adult↗