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Biomedical subjects

C Guglielmini

Publications and source records attributed to C Guglielmini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Echocardiographic and Doppler echocardiographic findings in 11 wolves (Canis lupus).

Two-dimensional real-time, M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic measurements were made in 11 adult wolves (Canis lupus) anaesthetised with an intramuscular combination of medetomidine, ketamine, butorphanol and acepromazine followed by isoflurane in oxygen. M-mode measurements of the left ventricle, B-mode measurements of the left atrium and aorta, systolic indices, and Doppler measurements of aortic and pulmonary blood outflow, and of mitral and tricuspid blood inflow, were recorded. The values obtained were compared with those reported for dogs of similar bodyweight and body type. The diastolic measurements of the cardiac chambers and walls were similar to those reported for healthy, conscious dogs, but the use of anaesthesia probably resulted in the markedly different systolic cardiac measurements, systolic indices and Doppler blood flow velocities observed in the wolves. Mild mitral regurgitation, probably due to mitral endocardiosis, was observed in one wolf, and trivial functional mitral insufficiency was observed in five others.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Hypertrophy of intestinal smooth muscle in cats.

Pathological findings of four cats with severe and diffuse smooth muscle hypertrophy of the small intestine (MHSI) are reported and compared to those of five cats with segmental MHSI secondary to neoplastic obstruction and four controls. Histology demonstrated a constant association between idiopathic MHSI and submucosal fibrosis and chronic lymphoplasmacytic enteritis. Morphometry (gut diameter, thickness and area of muscular layers, number and density of smooth muscle nuclei) and MIB-1-immunolabelling showed that the thickness increase was mostly due to hypertrophy, but hyperplasia was also evident. Microbiology from ileal content samples was performed in two cats with primary MHSI, and Campylobacter spp. were isolated, which were also demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure. The association of chronic enteritis with idiopathic MHSI suggests that factors released in intestinal inflammation may also act as hypertrophy stimuli for smooth muscle cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Atrial septal defect in five dogs.

The clinical, electrocardiographic, radiographic, and two-dimensional, M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic findings of five cases of canine ostium secundum type atrial septal defect (ASD) are described. The atrial septal anomaly was associated with other congenital cardiac abnormalities in two dogs: ventricular septal defect in one case and tricuspid dysplasia in the other. ASD was found in addition to dilated cardiomyopathy and suspected atrial thrombosis in one geriatric dog, but was the only cardiac abnormality detected in the remaining two dogs. Colour Doppler imaging facilitated the diagnosis of ASD in all subjects. The long-term prognosis for dogs with isolated and small-sized ASD is usually good, but can be compromised by the presence of concurrent congenital or acquired cardiac diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

In vitro mucolytic activity of recombinant human deoxyribonuclease on equine tracheobronchial mucus.

The viscosity of the mucus, its DNA concentration and the size range of the DNA were determined on tracheobronchial samples from 11 horses with lower airway diseases before and after incubation with recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase). The horses were divided into two groups on the basis of the cytology of the samples: group A (five horses) with more than 60 per cent neutrophils and group B (six horses) with fewer than 50 per cent neutrophils. The mean mucus viscosity and DNA concentration in the preincubation samples were significantly higher in group A than in group B, and there was a correlation between DNA concentration and mucus viscosity in the preincubation samples from group A. Incubation with rhDNase significantly reduced the viscosity of the samples only in group A.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Influence of left atrial enlargement and body weight on the development of atrial fibrillation: retrospective study on 205 dogs.

We studied 205 dogs with cardiac diseases associated with left atrial enlargement (LAE). On the basis of electrocardiogram results, they were divided into: Group A, 50 dogs with atrial fibrillation (AF) and Group B, 155 dogs without AF. Group B was further subdivided in Group BI (123 dogs with sinus rhythm) and Group BII (32 dogs with cardiac arrhythmias other than AF). Bodyweight (BW) and left atrial diameter (LA) of Group A dogs were significantly greater (P< 0.05) than dogs in all other groups. The left atrium/aorta (LA/Ao) ratio of Group A dogs was significantly higher (P< 0.05) than that of dogs of Group B and BI. Using the couple of variables BW and LA, the logistic regression models were able to predict "non-development of AF" (with 92.3% probability) vs. "development of AF" (with 74% probability), and "maintaining sinus rhythm" (with 95.1% probability) vs."development of AF" (with 86% probability).

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The Conconi test: methodology after 12 years of application.

The protocol for the determination of the speed/heart rate relationship during incremental exercise previously described (so-called Conconi test) has been refined and in part modified during 12 years of application. The new protocol calls for time-based increments in exercise intensity that are uniform up to submaximal speeds and progressively greater in the final phase. As in the original article (18), the speed/heart rate relationship is linear at low to moderate speed and curvilinear from submaximal to maximal speeds. A method is presented for the mathematical definition of this relationship, with the calculation of the straight-line equation of the linear phase and the identification of the point of transition from the linear to the curvilinear phase (deflection point or heart rate break-point). Analysis of 300 tests selected at random from those in our data base (more than 5,000 tests) has enabled us to show that the speed at which the deflection point occurs is significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that at which the acceleration of the final phase begins. This fact demonstrates that the break-point is not brought on by the final acceleration called for in the test protocol. Analysis of the speed/heart rate relationship allows for the determination of the following additional functional indices: 1) maximal heart rate (in 21 athletes the maximal heart rate attained in the test and that attained while racing were equal); 2) range of heart beats defining the linear part of the speed/heart rate relationship; 3) range of heart beats from the deflection point to maximal heart rate; and 4) maximal aerobic exercise intensity, obtained through extrapolation of the straight-line equation to maximal heart rate. Data are provided on the conditions of the test subject that modify his speed/heart rate relationship, such as incomplete recovery from previous efforts, inadequate warm-up, or inadequate test procedure with too rapid increments in exercise intensity. Finally, criteria for test acceptability are presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Reproducibility of the Conconi test: test repeatability and observer variations.

The repeatability of the the speed/heart rate (S/HR) relationship obtained with the incremental test developed by Conconi et al. (5) was examined by having 75 subjects perform the same running test twice in the course of a few days. From the data obtained, comparisons were made of four variables: 1) speed of deflection, 2) heart rate of deflection, 3) slope, and 4) intercept on the y-axis of the linear portion of the S/HR relationship. Straight-line equations, correlation coefficients (r), and technical errors of measurement (TEM) were obtained by comparing data from the two successive tests. Data analysis suggests that in two successive tests there are some variations in the linear portion of the S/HR relationship. However, the straight lines obtained from the two tests converge at the same deflection point. The problem of assigning a single value to the point of deflection, when determined by means of visual analysis of the S/HR graph, was also examined. For this part of the study, speed and heart rate data previously obtained for 65 subjects were used. The selected tests had been carried out during the course of various studies. The 65 sets of test data were plotted on graph paper and given to six observers for independent evaluation of speed and heart rate of deflection. These observers had different levels of experience in interpreting Conconi test results. The speed and heart rate of deflection values assigned by each observer were compared to the values obtained through mathematical analysis of the tests by computer. Straight-line equations, correlation coefficients (r), and technical errors of measurement (TEM) obtained by comparing visually determined data to those determined through mathematical analysis were calculated for each observer. Only for observers with little experience were some differences found between the observer-assigned and computer-determined results; these differences occurred for both speed and heart rate of deflection. We conclude that visual analysis provides information that is very similar to that obtained through computer analysis. The accuracy of the visually obtained information varies according to the observer's experience.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Long-term (over 22 years) follow-up of four familial cases of Caroli's disease.

The authors report a long-term (over 22 years) follow-up of four familial cases, 1 brother and 3 sisters, affected by classic Caroli's disease. The male patient experienced acute cholangitis at the age of 6 and 1 of the 3 sisters at 12 years. The other two sisters were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. At the last control, all the patients were alive and have remained symptom-free for more than 22 years. Nevertheless, some data suggest a slowly evolving impairment of the disease even in the absence of a clinical expression. In this paper, the ways in which Caroli's disease is inherited and managed are also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Relationship between physical activity level and bone mineral density in two groups of female athletes.

In order to evaluate the possible relationships among hormonal status, physical activity and bone density, we carried out a study on two groups of female athletes engaged in different levels of physical activity. We measured the following hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH), folliculo-stimulating hormone (FSH), 17-beta-oestradiol (E2), progesterone (PRG), prolactin (HPRL), estrone (E1), thyreo-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and the markers of phosphate-calcium metabolism: calcitonine (CT), parathormone (PTH), and osteocalcine (BGP). We also measured bone mineral density (BMD). All of these variables were related to the amount of work performed during training. The groups were defined as follows: medium workload (group M, n = 10) and heavy workload (group H, n = 20), engaged in 10 and 18 hours of weekly training at 35 and 60 average percent of VO2max, respectively. All of the hormones and the markers of calcium-phosphate metabolism studied were normal; BMD was also normal for all subjects except for two sisters in group M with reduced BMD. The group H athletes with regular menstrual cycles were found to have an upper limit normal BMD. From these data we conclude that in regularly menstruating athletes an increase in BMD induced by heavy physical activity is evident, while in dysmenorrhoeic athletes the effect of physical activity compensates, to some extent, for the hypothetical bone mineral reduction possibly caused by the hormonal imbalance.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Hematological indices of erythropoietin administration in athletes.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), commercially available since 1988, is thought to be used by athletes in aerobic sports for the purpose of increasing oxygen transport and aerobic power. In an attempt to identify EPO administration, we have studied the peripheral blood of 20 subjects practising sports at an amateur level. Automated cytometry was performed on the blood samples before and during 45 days of EPO treatment. The same hematological indices were determined for a control population that consisted of 240 elite athletes from various sports. As expected following EPO treatment, RBC, [Hb] and Hct increased significantly (increments of 8%, 6.3% and 11%, respectively). A significant increase in reticulocyte count was also observed. In addition, automated erythrocyte analysis showed a significant increase in cells with a volume > 120 fl and hemoglobin content (HC) < 28 pg (hypochromic macrocytes, or MacroHypo): 0.06 +/- 0.09% before EPO, 0.48 +/- 0.63% after EPO. The EPO-treated subjects differed from the control population having higher values for Hct, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Macro and MacroHypo. To investigate the possibility of using such variations in blood parameters to identify EPO treatment, individual values for Hct, MCV, Macro and MacroHypo for treated subjects and controls were plotted. Using the percentages of MacroHypo, a cut-off value surpassed in approximately 50% of the treated subjects and in none of the controls was established.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Serum thymidine kinase in diagnosis and follow-up of the small cell carcinoma of the lung.

Serum thymidine-kinase (sTK) was assayed in 48 males affected by small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL) at the time of diagnosis. On the same drawing carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and beta 2microglobulin (beta 2 microG) were assayed in 19 of these subjects. For staging, the criterion of limited (LD) and extensive (ED) disease was used. Mean sTK and CEA values were above normal range in both the LD and ED groups, while mean beta 2 microG value remained below normal range. Thirty-two patients were subsequently submitted to therapy; sTK was assayed at the end of each treatment cycle. Mean sTK concentrations differed depending on response to therapy. From the data obtained it is concluded that sTK assay is helpful for diagnosis of SCCL; CEA to a lesser extent, above all in association with sTK, and beta microG not at all. sTK assay can also be useful for prognosis and follow-up.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Changes of magnesium concentrations in endurance athletes.

Erythrocitary and serum magnesium (Mg) were determined in a group of 11 well-trained athletes before and after a 25-km running race, and in a group of 30 sedentary controls. The significant increase of mean erythrocitary Mg (EMg) concentration observed in the athletes after physical strain (2.58 +/- 0.34 mEq/l before, 3.10 +/- 0.45 mEq/l after the race: significance level = 5%) leads to the assumption that the possible Mg uptake is effected by the red blood cell to enhance some enzymatic reactions. The decrease of mean serum Mg concentration observed in the same subjects after the effort (1.70 +/- 0.14 mEq/l before, 1.64 +/- 0.15 mEq/l after the race) is not significant. The difference between mean Mg concentrations observed in the athletes' group before the race and in the sedentary group (EMg: 2.58 +/- 0.34 mEq/l in athletes, 3.67 +/- 0.38 mEq/l in sedentaries, significance level = 1%; serum Mg: 1.70 +/- 0.14 mEq/l in athletes, 1.96 +/- 0.15 mEq/l in sedentaries, significance level = 1%) suggests that athletes suffer from a Mg deficiency, partially due to physical exercise. The two hypotheses and the possible causes of the observed phenomena are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Pre- and postsurgery activation of blood coagulation in gastric and large bowel cancers: diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic hints.

In 12 patients with gastric cancer and in 14 with large bowel neoplasia, classified according to the TNM system, some major blood indices of hemostasis, platelet activation and fibrinolysis were assessed before and for 1 month after surgery, to show whether possible variations of such indices may provide useful clues to follow-up, treatment effectiveness and prognosis. The following conclusions may be drawn: (1) the assay of platelets, fibrinogen, AT III, fibrin(ogen) degradation products, fragment X, platelet factor 4 has provided useful clues in neither group of patients; (2) preoperative high beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) is a reliable index of tumor presence in both gastric and large bowel cancer; (3) postoperative high beta-TG and fibrinopeptide A (FpA) are reliable indices of (a) tumor persistence in both gastric and large bowel cancer; (b) lymph node involvement in gastric much more than in large bowel cancer; (c) metastatic spreading from gastric cancer; (4) the FpA levels are proportional to the tumor mass in gastric cancer. The finding of lower plasma heparin levels in neoplastic patients, when compared with controls (20 patients having undergone abdominal surgery for extraneoplastic affections) suggests higher than conventional doses (5,000 units every 8 h s.c.) of the drug should be given to neoplastic patients in order to prevent thromboembolic bouts and possibly reduce metastatic spreading.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Reduction of Hb levels during the racing season in nonsideropenic professional cyclists.

Hematological variables of 40 professional cyclists, all receiving intravenous iron supplementation, were followed during a 15-month period. Mean values for red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Ht) were significantly lower during the racing season (RS) than during the nonracing periods (NRP) (RBC: RS = 4.53 +/- 0.34 millions/mm3, NRP = 5.09 +/- 0.36 millions/mm3; line 7 of abstract: Hb: RS = 14.2 +/- 0.9 g/dl, MRS = 15.2 +/- 0.9 g/dl; Ht: RS = 40.7 +/- 2.7% NRP = 44.4 +/- 2.9%; P less than 0.001 for all). However, mean values for ferritin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were significantly higher during the racing season (ferritin: RS = 422 +/- 398 ng/ml, NRP = 311 +/- 321 ng/ml, P less than 0.05; MCH: RS = 31.5 +/- 1.3 pg, NRP = 30.0 +/- 1.4 pg; P less than 0.001). These results suggest that the reductions in RBC, Hb, and Ht found in professional cyclists during the racing season are not the consequence of a diminution of iron stores but rather of reduced erythropoiesis and increased RBC destruction.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗