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Biomedical subjects

D Catalano

Publications and source records attributed to D Catalano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Role of elevated monocyte transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) production in posttrauma immunosuppression.

We previously reported that increased production of prostaglandin E2 by monocytes is a pivotal mechanism in posttrauma immunopathology. Here we characterize monocyte levels of transforming growth factor beta and examine the effects of elevated transforming growth factor beta on prostaglandin E2 release by patients' monocytes. Trauma patients' and normals' monocyte supernates (+/- stimulation with muramyl dipeptide) were acid treated and assayed for transforming growth factor beta using the mink lung-cell bioassay. Alternatively, human transforming growth factor beta was added to patients' and normals' monocytes and prostaglandin E2 production assayed. Significantly elevated transforming growth factor beta levels (median = 181.7 pmol/10(6) monocytes) were detected in immunosuppressed patients' monocytes but not immunocompetent trauma patients' (median = 32.0 pM) or normals' (median = 20.4 pM) monocytes. Adding transforming growth factor beta to monocytes resulted in a significant elevation of prostaglandin E2 levels. Elevated monocyte transforming growth factor beta levels in trauma patients could be both suppressing T-lymphocyte functions and maintaining elevated monocyte prostaglandin E2 synthesis.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗
PubMed1991

[Association of chronic obstructive bronchitis and upper digestive pathology. A clinical study].

The association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with esophageal-gastric and duodenal disease is very common. In our experience 21.8% of patients with COPD were affected by peptic ulcer and 50.9% by inflammatory disease of upper digestive tract. This association appears independent from smoking and alcohol abuse. Dyspepsia and corticosteroid therapy were associated with endoscopic lesions (dyspepsia was present in 75.6% of patients with abnormal endoscopy vs 42.8% without endoscopic lesions, p less than 0.01 and corticosteroid therapy in 43.9% vs 0, p less than 0.001). On the contrary therapy with theophylline and beta 2-adrenoceptor-agonists is not associated with digestive disease. Spirometric parameters and blood gas analysis were not different among patients with and without endoscopic lesions. We suggest endoscopy of upper digestive tract in patients affected by COPD with dyspepsia and/or corticosteroid therapy.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1991

Uterine motility and cervical ripening in second trimester elective abortion by two different PGE analogues.

The clinical effects were studied of two different PGE analogues on the uterine motility and cervical ripening of eighty pregnant women asking for a second trimester elective abortion for fetal abnormalities. Forty women received vaginal suppositories each containing 1 milligram of 16, 16-dimethyl-trans-s2-PGE1 (Gemeprost) every 3 hours (5 mg max). Intramuscular injections of 500 micrograms of 16-phenoxy-w 17, 18, 19, 20 tetranor PGE2 methyl-sulphonylamide (Sulprostone) were administered every four hours (2000 mcg max.) to the remaining forty patients. Thirty-three Gemeprost treated patients (82.5%) and 34 Sulprostone treated patients (85%) experienced a complete abortion in the mean of 12.92 +/- 6.95 hours and 11.88 +/- 6.8 hours respectively. The histological and ultrastructural findings of cervical ripening were similar in both groups, while the tocographic patterns showed different characteristics. Side effects occurred in 16 Sulprostone (40%), but only in 9 (22.5%) Gemeprost treated patients, demonstrating that Gemeprost, although equally effective, is better tolerated.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1990

Respiratory function and liver cirrhosis.

Respiratory function was studied in 27 patients with liver cirrhosis and in a control group of 36 subjects. A significant difference in the overall comparison of the cirrhotic patients vs the control group was found only for average values of PEFR and FEF 25% (p less than 0.05); the significant reduction of PEFR was still present in ascitic subgroup. Considering other subgroups created vs control group, a restrictive alteration was observed in patients in Child's class C, with lower albumin levels and in presence of hyperbilirubinemia. An obstructive dysfunction was present in alcoholic cirrhotic patients. A significant decrease (p less than 0.05) of FEF 25-75% and FEF 75% (a specific small airways function index) was observed in patients with esophageal varices vs patients without varices, not related to ascites. The small airway functional alteration seems related to hemodynamic features of portal hypertension.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

The radiology of the right superior intercostal vein.

The right superior intercostal vein is visualised on CT examination as a circular opacity laterally at the right aspect of the vertebral body at the T4-T5 level. In venographic examination the RSIV appears to be formed by the confluence of the venous channels, the right second, third and fourth intercostal veins. In superior vena cava obstruction the RSIV is an important collateral pathway: the flow through the vein depends on the site of the obstruction, anterograde if the obstruction is superior or parallel to the level of the vena azygos, and retrograde if the obstruction is below the vena azygos.

Goiter, Substernal↗
PubMed1989

[Ultrasonic criteria for the evaluation of placentation in twin pregnancies].

Ultrasound assessment of septum thickness is useful in twin pregnancies for predicting the type of placentation. In fact, its greater or lesser acoustic resonance distinguishes monochorionic or dichorionic pregnancies. This makes adoption of therapeutic measures more secure in the event of pathology involving only one of the two fetuses.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Action of a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor on IUD associated uterine bleeding.

The Authors treated twenty-eight women using IUD, who suffered from increased menstrual blood loss and pelvic pain, with a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, Suprofen, in an attempt to reduce their symptomatology, in a double blind crossover study. The drug produced an important reduction of the menstrual blood loss and pains. These observations suggest that prostaglandins are involved in the etiology of excessive menstrual blood loss and pains, and that prostaglandin inhibitors may be useful for reducing these symptoms.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗