The research investigated the effects of acute ACTH 1-17 administration on plasma cortisol, short-term memory, anxiety state, blood pressure and heart rate. In a double blind crossover design, healthy volunteers were serially evaluated at 5 min, 20 min, 40 min, 60 min after injection of ACTH 1-17 or placebo in separate sessions. Results show that ACTH 1-17 produced, in addition to an increase in plasma cortisol (5 min - 60 min), significant improvements in short-term memory (5 min), a reduction in anxiety (20 min and 40 min), and an increase in systolic (5 min and 20 min) and diastolic blood pressure (5 min). If confirmed by other studies, the short-term memory effect of ACTH 1-17 at 5 min after i.v. could suggest a central action of the peptide, and confirm the role of HPA axis as a modulator of performance and emotional arousal during acute environmental changes.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMedDate not supplied

4-Hexylresorcinol as inhibitor of shrimp melanosis: efficacy and residues studies; evaluation of possible toxic effect in a human intestinal in vitro model (Caco-2); preliminary safety assessment.

Studies were performed on the efficacy, residues and in vitro enterocyte toxicity of 4-hexylresorcinol (4-HR), which could be utilized as an inhibitor of shrimp melanosis (black spot). Mediterranean sea shrimp (Parapaeneus longirostris) were treated with solutions of 4-HR in sea-water, at three different concentrations, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg of shrimp, to test its antioxidative property. As a comparison a group of shrimp was treated with sodium metabisulphite (1 g/kg), while another group was left untreated. 4-HR showed a marked ability to inhibit or slow down melanosis (black spot) in shrimp; the most effective concentration was 100 mg/kg within an optimum period of 7 days but with effects up to the tenth day. During the first 5 days, 4-HR residues in the edible part of the shrimp showed a fast decrease in all three groups, going from initial average values of 20 mg/kg at 0 time, to 0.9 in the group treated at 25 mg/kg; from 42 to 1.8 mg/kg in the group at 50 mg/kg and from 85 to 1.9 mg/kg in the group at 100 mg/kg. In vitro studies on enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells did not indicate any cytotoxic effect up to a concentration of 50 micrograms/ml. Moreover, no inhibition of protein synthesis was observed, which lends further support to the absence of significant damage to the intestinal mucosa induced by 4-HR. The available database on 4-HR pharmacology and toxicology is inadequate to determine even a provisional ADI. There is negative evidence of carcinogenesis and no significant untoward effects were observed in humans when it was used as an anthelmintic. However, it is not possible to determine a NOEL for non-genotoxic effects. 4-HR could become an interesting alternative to the use of sulphites to prevent black spot. However, a more complete database is needed to achieve a regulatory evaluation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Restoration of digestive continuity after subtotal gastrectomy: comparison of the methods of Billroth I, Billroth II and roux en Y. Randomized prospective study].

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate functional results after Billroth I, Billroth II and Roux en Y reconstruction in subtotal gastrectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 45 patients were randomised between 1990 and 1995 and stratified in 3 different groups: 15 BI, 15 BII and 15 Roux. They were investigated by EGDS with multiple biopsies and upper gastro-intestinal scintiscanning, to evaluate gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) and dynamics of gastric emptying. Besides they answered a questionnaire: "Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index" (GIQLI). RESULTS: A reflux esophagitis was found in 5 BI, in 7 BII and in 2 Roux (p < 0.001). No gastric lesions were found in 6 BI, in 5 BII and in 12 Roux, (BI vs. Y, p < 0.05; BII vs. Y, p < 0.001). Chronic superficial gastritis was present in 9 BI, in 4 BII and in 3 Roux (BI vs. Y, p < 0.05). Dynamic scintiscan demonstrated the presence of GER in 5 BI and gastric emptying was fast (37' < T 1/2 < 86'), but incomplete (60' residual activity: 49-62%). GER was evident in 7 BII with slow (28' < T 1/2 < 143') and incomplete (60' residual activity: 48-72%) gastric emptying. GER was detected in 2 Roux and radioactive bolus progression in the Roux limb was fast (24' < T 1/2 < 53') and complete (60 residual activity: 42-52%) (BI vs. Y; BII vs. Y, p < 0,001). There was not statistical significance between GIQLI score in the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: The authors affirm the Roux en Y is the technique of choice in subtotal gastrectomy, if compared with BI and BII.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Total thyroidectomy with identification of parathyroid glands. Functional implications].

UNLABELLED: Several factors have been involved in the pathogenesis of postoperative hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy (TT). The real cause is yet unclear, but postoperative (p.o), hypoparathyroidism seem s to be the most important factor. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 337 patients underwent TT; a systematic and accurate identification and preservation of parathyroid glands was always performed. In all patients calcemia was evaluated before and after surgery (1St, 2nd, 4th, 15th, and 30th day), moreover in 90 patients was also evaluated phosphorus, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins, PTH, calcitonin serum levels and urinary levels of calcium and phosphorus. RESULTS: No permanent hypocalcemia was observed and transient hypocalcemia was present in 13.6% of patients. Among 90 patients, 84 showed normal calcium serum levels like the others parameters; the other 6 showed a post-operative hypocalcemia associated with clinical symptoms, an increase of phosphoremia and a decrease of PTH and phosphaturia in early p.o days; in these patients calcemia and PTH levels reached normal values within 30 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: The surgical manipulation of parathyroid glands should be the cause of lowering of PTH serum concentration and transient hypocalcemia.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The HLA system and insulin dependent diabetes: recent findings and prospects for disease prediction.

Our knowledge of the genetics of insulin dependent diabetes (IDDM), and in particular the HLA system, has gained considerable expansion thanks to the application of molecular biology. The genetic susceptibility to the disease is linked to the HLA region, particularly at DQ-alpha and DQ-beta chain genes. Particular amino acid other than aspartic acid in position 57 of the DQ beta chain and the presence of an arginine in position 52 of the DQ alpha chain and to how these markers can be used to identify subjects at risk for developing IDDM. The identification of such subjects may be useful for the development of strategies aimed to prevent the disease and in addition may offer a new insight into population screening.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Validity of the V/Q index in the monitoring of critical patients].

The Authors have controlled the validity of VQI to quantify pulmonary shunt (Qs/Qt). The survey involved (group A) patients who had undergone major surgery and (group B) patients hospitalized in ICU for cardiorespiratory failure. Four subgroups were identified in both the groups according to different values of SaO2. A good correlation, already described by Räsänen, was comproved in the groups and subgroups. However a progressive reduction of the coefficient of correlation from the lower to the higher values of SaO2 was noted. Finally the differences observed between group A and group B, are supposed to be dependent on a greater variability of haemoglobin, in the surgical group, in relation to the time of evaluation.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[ACTH of lymphocytic origin under normal and pathological conditions].

Evidence has accumulated that human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) may release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and endorphin-like peptides into the culture medium when stimulated with different substances such as Newcastle disease virus and the lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli. However, to our knowledge, no quantitative assessment of ACTH-LIR (like-immunoreactivity) in human PBMC has been reported. We thus utilized a radioimmunoassay for ACTH to find a median of 30 pg of ACTH-LIR in 10(7) PBMC of 11 normal subjects. ACTH-LIR was also detected in 7 different cell lines derived from patients with lymphoid and myeloid malignancies, two of them, JM and U937, showed values of 135 and 108 pg/10(7) cells respectively. Stimulation with IL-1 beta at the concentration of 1000 U/mL induced, after 48 h, a significant increase of intralymphocytic ACTH levels when compared to basal and 24 h values. The chromatographic characterization of this ACTH-LIR showed, at least, three molecular forms of immunoreactive ACTH; molecular weights were 31 kD POMC, 22 kD ACTH and 4.5 kD ACTH. We used northern blotting with human genomic DNA probe for POMC gene to evidence specific mRNA in PBMC; mRNA was also observed in a T lymphocyte cell line derived from a patient with lymphoma. We conclude that PBMC produce ACTH-LIR which may act as a paracrine immunomodulator similar to lymphokine and/or may signal the adrenal gland to secrete glucocorticoids.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Apoptosis-related gene expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the expressions of the bcl-2, bax, fas and c-myc apoptosis-related genes in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate carcinoma (CaP) to determine whether significant differences exist within each disease and between the two groups of patients. The correlation between gene expression and tumour diameter, stage, Gleason score and serum PSA was also investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tissue specimens from 51 cases of BPH and 27 cases of CaP were examined for bcl-2, bax, fas and c-myc expression by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS: In BPH, bcl-2 and bax gave the weakest signals (p < 0.001). In CaP, bcl-2 was the least expressed gene (p < 0.001). In both patient groups, fas and c-myc were the most highly expressed genes (p < 0.05). Both bcl-2 and bax were expressed at higher levels in CaP than in BPH (p < 0.02). The bcl-2/bax ratio was lower in CaP than in BPH (p < 0.001). Bcl-2 was more highly expressed in high Gleason grade (> 7) tumours (p < 0.05). In the BPH group, bax showed a positive relationship with fas (p < 0.01), while the bcl-2 level inversely correlated with that of c-myc (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data showed that all the apoptosis-related genes were expressed in both BPH and CaP. The stronger expression of bax and the lower bcl-2/bax ratio observed in CaP may suggest a pro-apoptotic stimulus, while the higher bcl-2 levels appear to counterbalance the tendency to cell death.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Preliminary verification of a mathematical model for evaluating the operative risk in a personal caseload].

The authors applied a mathematical model of evaluation of operative risk to a group of patients undergoing general and obstetric-gynecologic surgery. They verified that all risk factors identified by this mathematical model really influenced operative morbidity and mortality in the present study too. In this univariate analysis, anesthetic technique was found to influence patients' outcome, so it must be included in multivariate analysis protocols. Therefore, this mathematical model showed to be of value in assessing operative risk factors.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Day-time changes for pituitary-thyroid hormones denote a rhythmic structure not detectable in elderly subjects.

The day-time concentrations of TSH, T3, T4, FT3 and FT4 were investigated in clinically healthy volunteers, 20 young individuals, aged from 20 to 27 years, and 12 elderly subjects, aged from 70 to 81 years. Nocturnal sampling was purposely avoided in order to eliminate the interindividual differences in sleep patterns. The day-time series were analysed by means of cosinor analysis to interpolate the best-fitting sinusoidal wave that covers the day-night period. The reconstruction of the circadian sinusoidal wave was validated for TSH, T3, T4, FT3 and FT4 in young subjects, and, with limitation, for T4 in elderly individuals. The findings suggest that the day time patterns of TSH, T3, FT4 and FT3 in elderly subjects are characterized by a dyschronism that is not detectable in young subjects. The investigation of the day-time concentrations is suggested as a cost-effective tool for exploring the circadian cycle of the pituitary-thyroid hormones in aged people.

Adult↗