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Biomedical subjects

D Montanaro

Publications and source records attributed to D Montanaro.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

[Comparison of anti-influenza vaccines: whole adsorbed trivalent, trivalent subunit and tetravalent subunit].

Two different sub-unit polyvalent vaccines have been compared with the trivalent whole virus adsorbed vaccine, in two different groups of people, including both sexes, aging between 20 and 60 yrs. and between 65 and 85 yrs. respectively. Our findings show that all the three vaccines induced high seroconversion rates against the subtypes A/Mississippi/1/85 and A/Chile/1/83. As to the strain B/Ann Arbor/1/86 the sub-unit vaccine induced significantly higher seroconversion rates then the whole virus vaccine; the geometric mean titer has been higher in the groups given the vaccine than in the remaining group; in the latter group the GMTs of antibody against the A strains were consistently above the protective level, whereas the GMT of antibody against the B strain was fairly low. The authors consider useless including into the vaccine the strains A/Mississippi/1/85 and A/Chile/1/83, whereas it seems to be essential the incorporation of the strains A/Singapore/1/86 like and B/Ann Arbor/1/86. Moreover it turns out that the sub-unit vaccines, because of their better effectiveness, should substitute the whole virus adsorbed vaccine.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Epidemiological and bacteriological investigation of Serratia marcescens epidemic in a nursery and in a neonatal intensive care unit.

An epidemic caused by Serratia marcescens that involved 26 infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and 82 infants admitted to the Nursery of the 2nd Medical School of Naples is reported. Two different biotypes of S. marcescens with two completely different epidemiological patterns were identified. The prevalent biotype (A8b trigonelline-) was isolated in the delivery room, in the operating room, in the Nursery and in the NICU from items, healthy infant excreters and affected infants; the second biotype (A3a) was isolated only in the NICU from staff, two healthy infant excreters and two affected infants. Colonization of the throat and the gastrointestinal tract was frequent. Infected and colonized infants were the most important reservoir for serratia in the Nursery and in the NICU particularly for the type strain A3a. A mucus aspiration apparatus contaminated in the delivery room and the contamination of several instruments and items probably had a major role in the initiation and maintenance of the spread of the A8b strain. Mass contamination of the nursery has been related to overcrowding and a lack of the control measures; the transfer of high-risk colonized infants caused spread in the NICU. In the NICU the attack rate 26%; 69% of infants became ill; the case fatality ratio was 19%. Epidemiological investigation of the infants at risk showed some factors predisposing to infection with serratia. The hygienic measures failed to control the spread of serratia and it was necessary to refuse new admissions to pregnant women in order to decontaminate and re-organize the wards.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1983

Viruses associated with acute respiratory infections in children admitted to hospital in Naples, 1979-82.

A survey of the virological and epidemiological features of acute respiratory diseases in children admitted to hospital in Naples has been carried out; the results of three years of research are reported.Between April 1979 and March 1982, 787 nasopharyngeal swabs were examined. There were 287 (36.5%) positive samples, with the highest isolation rate being found in children with bronchiolitis (39.5%).Among the different viruses isolated, adenovirus was the most common (161 positive samples, 56%); this agent appeared regularly in the different age and disease groups, with a marked increase in prevalence during the winter of 1980. Isolations of herpesvirus, respiratory syncytial virus and enterovirus were less frequent; however, echovirus 3 caused an epidemic in the summer of 1980. Influenza and parainfluenza viruses were seen fairly infrequently; two cases of Reye's syndrome yielded strains of influenza B.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1980

Serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity and secondary hyperparathyroidism in renal failure.

UNLABELLED: In 46 kidney patients aged from 30 to 71 years, after an overnight fast, serum levels of trypsin (TLI), gastrin (Gas), parathromone (PTH), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphate (iP), amylase, were evaluated. Ten patients had a normal renal function; in 18 patients glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ranged from 5 to 70 ml/m'; 18 patients with GFR below 2 ml/m' were treated with 4 hours hemodialysis. In dialysed patients TLI was evaluated before and after dialysis. In patients with FGR ranging from 120 to 5 ml/m' a significant inverse correlation (p < 0.001) appeared between TLI and GFR values. In the same group a significant direct correlation (p < 0.001) was found between PTH and TLI. The study showed also a significant direct correlation between amylase and TLI (p < 0.001); likewise TLI, amylase was inversely correlated to GFR (p < 0.01) and directly to PTH (p < 0.001). No correlation was found between TLI and Gas, Ca, Mg, iP. A significant inverse correlation was found between PTH and GFR (p < 0.01). Because serum level of PTH, amylase and TLI were related to GFR values, we calculated partial correlation between these parameters. The partial correlation coefficients of the relation between PTH and TLI, PTH amylase, holding GFR constant, were higly significant (p < 0.001). On the contrary, holding a constant PTH, the correlations between pancreatic enzymes and GFR were not confirmed. Pre-dialysis TLI levels were significantly higher than post-dialysis (p < 0.05). IN CONCLUSION: 1) TLI and amylase have the same behaviour in renal failure; 2) the levels of both enzymes are high in renal insufficiency; their values seem to be correlated to secondary byperparathyroidism.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Effects of digoxin on plasma renin activity in hypertensive patients.

The effects of digoxin have been studied on PRA of 11 hypertensive patients treated with a single oral administration of the glycoside or submitted to a prolonged treatment. The experiments performed with a single oral administration (0,5 mg) showed that digoxin induces a significant decrease of the hyperreninemic response induced by furosemide. This effect of digoxin develops very quickly and is well evident when plasma levels of the glycoside are still low. However, in the patients pretreated with a beta blocker, digoxin was completely ineffective in preventing the response to furosemide. In view of the results, the hypothesis is put forward that digoxin mainly acts at renal level through an antiadrenergic activity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cryopreserved human hepatocytes from cell bank: in vitro function and clinical application.

UNLABELLED: We Aimed to analyze the in vitro function of isolated and cryopreserved human hepatocytes (CHH) from a cell bank and to define their potential clinical application in a bioartificial liver (BAL) device. METHODS: Over 24 months, 103 not transplantable livers were utilized for human hepatocytes isolation and cryopreservation. Hepatocytes isolated by collagenase were analyzed for yield, viability, diazepam metabolism, and production of human albumin after isolation and cryopreservation in LN(2). RESULTS: The causes for refusal for transplantation were macrosteatosis >60%, ischemic damage due to donor hypotension, and nonviral cirrhosis in 60%, 11%, and 8%, respectively. Cell yields averaged 7 million hepatocytes per gram of liver of mean viability of 80% +/- 13%. The viability of CHH after thawing averaged 50%. Thawed hepatocytes showed diazepam metabolism, and human albumin synthesis comparable to fresh cells. CHH were utilized as the biological component of a BAL for temporary support as three applications of two patients affected by fulminant hepatic failure awaiting urgent transplant. Ten to 13 billion viable CHH were loaded into each BAL. Liver function showed bilirubin and ammonia reduction at the end of each treatment. One patient was successfully bridged to emergency OLTx after one BAL; in the second case there was spontaneous recovery of liver function after two BAL. CONCLUSIONS: Recovery of donor human livers unwanted for transplantation allowed isolation and cryopreservation of viable and functionally active human hepatocytes, which have been banked and successfully used for clinical applications of a BAL device.

Cryopreservation↗