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Biomedical subjects

C Costantini

Publications and source records attributed to C Costantini.

71 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Effects of chronic metoprolol and sulphinpyrazone on human lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptors.

Multiple (100 mg twice daily for 21 days) but not single (100 mg) oral doses of metoprolol significantly reduced the number (Bmax) and the KD of beta-adrenoceptors on intact lymphocytes from nine healthy volunteers. Sulphinpyrazone (400 mg twice daily for 21 days) did not change lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptors and did not modify their reaction to chronic metoprolol. In vitro sulphinpyrazone (10-4M) increased [3H]-DHA specific binding on intact lymphocytes. This effect was not modified by metoprolol, sulphinpyrazone or the two combined. Metoprolol and sulphinpyrazone did not interact in the experimental model of beta-adrenoceptors on intact lymphocytes in conditions mimicking long-term treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Sulfinpyrazone increases the number of beta-adrenoceptors on intact human lymphocytes.

Sulfinpyrazone increased the number of beta-adrenoceptors (+ 17-40%) on intact human lymphocytes at concentrations ranging from 10(-5) to 2 X 10(-4) M. It affected the Bmax (187 +/- 6 and 142 +/- 5 fmol mg-1 protein respectively with and without sulfinpyrazone, P less than 0.001) but did not influence KD (4.4 +/- 0.3 and 4.6 +/- 0.7 nM with and without the drug). This effect was observed on either washed or unwashed lymphocyte membrane preparations. These findings have several pharmacological and therapeutic implications.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1983

[Comparison of the anti-arrhythmic effects of propafenone and aprindine in the treatment of refractory chronic ventricular arrhythmias. A randomized double-blind crossover study controlled with placebo].

A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, crossover study was performed in 14 patients with chronic, resistant, ventricular arrhythmias in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two new antiarrhythmic agents, propafenone and aprindine. After an initial placebo phase, patients received orally either propafenone (600 mg daily) or aprindine (150 mg daily for the first two days and 50 mg every 12 hours successively) for five days. This treatment was followed by a drug-free period (placebo II); patients were then crossed over to the alternative drug. A 24-hour Holter recording was performed during the last 48 hours of the initial placebo phase and on the final day of each phase of the crossover period. Analysis of Holter recordings revealed that the mean hourly PVCs frequency, for the group, was similar during the two control periods. Significant reduction in the mean hourly frequency of PVCs from control levels was observed in 78% of the patients during propafenone therapy and in 42% during aprindine therapy. For the whole group, propafenone induced a significant reduction of the average PVCs/h frequency (p less than 0.05), whereas the aprindine was ineffective. Finally no patient experienced side effects with propafenone, whereas aprindine caused side effects in three patients (dizziness, tremor, ataxy).

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Emergency surgical treatment of infectious endocarditis. Experience developed on 19 consecutive cases].

Our experience with the emergency surgical treatment of 19 consecutive cases of infective endocarditis (IE) is reported. The aortic valve was always affected, either alone (n = 16) or together with the mitral valve (n = 3). All patients were male. In 10 cases it was possible to identify the infecting agent (a staphylococcus was found in 6). Congestive heart failure (CHF) was the principal indication for surgery in 14 cases (in 6 active IE was associated). Five patients (1 with CHF) underwent operative treatment because of systemic emboli. Fifteen patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class IV, 3 in class III and 1 was in class II. Two patients (10.5%), both operated on for CHF, died in the early postoperative period. Early prosthetic valve dehiscence occurred in 2 cases, reoperation was successful in both. Follow-up of operative survivors ranges between 7 and 108 months (mean = 53.24 +/- 41.89). One patients died 10 months after operation with CHF following late prosthetic dehiscence. Out of 16 currently surviving patients 14 are in NHYA functional class I, 1 is in class II and 1 in class III. No one of them has had relapse of IE.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Consequences of coronary arterial occlusion on remote myocardium: effects of occlusion and reperfusion.

Focal necrosis (microinfarcts) and regional lactate derangements were observed in closed chest dogs in the nonoccluded (remote) posterior segments of the left and right ventricles after acute occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. Focal infarcts in the remote areas were observed in five of the six dogs with 7 days of occlusion of the left anterior descending artery and in six of seven dogs with 7 days of reperfusion after 3 hours of occlusion. There was a good correlation between the finding of microinfarcts and myocardial lactate derangements in the corresponding remote myocardium. No significant lactate derangements or microinfarcts were found in sham experiments. These findings suggest that ischemia of the remote myocardium frequently accompanies an acute coronary occlusion and may result in irreversible focal lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Regional myocardial metabolism following acute coronary artery occlusion.

Regional measurements of the consequences of coronary artery occlusions indicate myocardial derangements in both the coronary occluded and nonoccluded myocardium. The proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was acutely occluded in 34 closed-chest anesthetized dogs through inflation of an intracoronary balloon. Temporary seperation of venous compartments was achieved by means of a balloon catheter placed within the great cardiac vein, and simultaneous blood sampling from both occluded and nonoccluded segments was carried out. Acute coronary occlusion resulted in early cardiac dysfunction which persisted during the subsequent 3 hours of LAD occlusion. Oxygen extraction increased 6-8% in both occluded and nonoccluded zones. Lactate extraction in the nonoccluded segment decreased significantly from 34.4 to 23.7% (P less than 0.05). In the occluded zone, lactate extraction dropped from 35.0 to 7.8% (P less than 0.05). Of the 34 dogs studied, 17 exhibited lactate production in the occluded segment, while 7 dogs also had lactate production in the nonoccluded region. Significant postocclusion myocardial potassium efflux was noted in both zones.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1975

Consequences of reperfusion following acute coronary occlusion.

The sequential effects of reperfusion following acute intracoronary balloon occlusion were investigated in closed-chest anesthetized dogs by simultaneous measurement of hemodynamics and regional metabolism and histopathologic study. Simultaneous regional determinations of myocardial metabolic function were carried out in coronary-occluded and nonoccluded segments of the left ventricle. A 3-hour occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) resulted in significant decrease in cardiac function. Intitial reperfusion was marked by major washout of metabolites and development of frequently serious arrhythmias. Reperfusion following 3 hours of LAD occlusion led to futher deterioration in hemodynamics and metabolism: 30% of the dogs developed shock. Lactate extraction decreased further in the nonoccluded region and reached production levels in the occluded zone. Potassium loss increased in both zones. Oxygen extraction remained unchanged. Pathophysiologic examination of tissue specimens from the reperfused zone revealed microthrombi, patchy necrosis, fragmentation of myofibrils, vascular congestions, and hemorrhages.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A microsatellite map of the African human malaria vector Anopheles funestus.

Microsatellite markers and chromosomal inversion polymorphisms are useful genetic markers for determining population structure in Anopheline mosquitoes. In Anopheles funestus (2N = 6), only chromosome arms 2R, 3R, and 3L are known to carry polymorphic inversions. The physical location of microsatellite markers with respect to polymorphic inversions is potentially important information for interpreting population genetic structure, yet none of the available marker sets have been physically mapped in this species. Accordingly, we mapped 32 polymorphic A. funestus microsatellite markers to the polytene chromosomes using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and identified 16 markers outside of known polymorphic inversions. Here we provide an integrated polytene chromosome map for A. funestus that includes the breakpoints of all known polymorphic inversions as well as the physical locations of microsatellite loci developed to date. Based on this map, we suggest a standard set of 16 polymorphic microsatellite markers that are distributed evenly across the chromosome complement, occur predominantly outside of inversions, and amplify reliably. Adoption of this set by researchers working in different regions of Africa will facilitate metapopulation analyses of this primary malaria vector.

Africa↗
PubMedDate not supplied

ACTH receptor mRNA in human adrenocortical tumors: overexpression in aldosteronomas.

We previously reported that ACTH receptor (ACTH-R) mRNA is expressed in cortisol-secreting adrenal tumors, with significant differences between adenomas and carcinomas. In order to complete the study we have now evaluated 11 aldosteronomas (APA), 14 non-hypersecreting adenomas, 2 androgen-secreting adenomas and 8 normal adrenal glands. The level of ACTH-R mRNA was evaluated by competitive RT-PCR using a non-homologous competitor. ACTH-R gene was expressed in all tissues. All APA showed highest ACTH-R mRNA levels. Despite signs of individual heterogeneity, the level of ACTH-R transcripts was reduced in carcinomas. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed among cortisol-secreting adenomas, non hypersecreting adenomas and controls. The results show that ACTH-R mRNA is expressed in all adrenocortical tumors. The overexpression of ACTH-R in APA supports the role of ACTH on aldosterone secretion in these tumors, as also suggested by the presence of a diurnal rhythm, the lack of response to Angiotensin II, upright posture and captopril administration. The low abundance of ACTH-R in carcinomas might be a useful molecular marker of malignancy even if some overlap between carcinomas and adenomas does exist.

Adenoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute coronary syndromes without ST segment elevation. Why should we take an interventionist approach?].

The incidence of unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction has increased dramatically. Risk of death and infarction is greatest in the first 6-8 weeks after admission. Risk stratification should be performed in patients with acute coronary syndromes at the earliest opportunity. The VANQWISH trial and TIMI-III B suggested that most patients do not benefit from routine, early invasive management. In the FRISC II trial, the rates of death/myocardial infarction at 6 months were 9.4% in patients treated with an early invasive strategy vs 12.1% with a more conservative approach. The previously reported superiority of the invasive strategy was also confirmed by the TACTICS-TIMI 18. The trial's primary composite end point at 6 months was significantly reduced in the invasive group: 15.9% vs 19.4% of the conservative group. The early invasive strategy was more beneficial the higher the patient's risk. We do not know whether we have reached the limits in terms of improving outcome with available strategies. What we do know is that all patients discharged following an acute coronary syndromes need to be treated aggressively in order to neutralize vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques and to manage cardiovascular risk factors.

Acute Disease↗