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Biomedical subjects

F Dalmasso

Publications and source records attributed to F Dalmasso.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Snoring: analysis, measurement, clinical implications and applications.

Snoring was described in literature even before medicine. Common definitions do not consider acoustic measurements of snoring. In this paper we discuss the main pathophysiological aspects of snoring and the snoring-sleep relationship as the generating mechanisms. Snoring can be analysed and measured by the following methods: 1) Leq-Equivalent Continuous Sound Level, which only quantifies noisiness, annoyance, and damage to the partner's and snorer's hearing; 2) Power Spectrum, with frequency values, formantic structure data and typical shape, which can help to distinguish simple snoring from heavy snoring with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS); 3) Linear Prediction Code (LPC) method, which can define the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the upper airways and which locates sites of obstruction. Simulated snoring analysis with LPC and with simultaneous fluoroscopy permits the definition of CSA and the identification of three snoring patterns: nasal, oral and oronasal. Snoring is an important sign of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD), of the upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS), and of the OSAS. Snoring is a symptom of nasal obstruction and is associated with cardiovascular diseases and nocturnal asthma as a trigger or causative factor; however, its acoustic features in these disorders are not well-defined. Home monitoring of snoring is very useful for epidemiology and is mandatory, together with heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation (Sa,O2), to screen SRBD.

Asthma↗

[Action of heparin on pulmonary lipids and alveolar surfactant in rabbits].

The effect of subcutaneous 1000 IU/kg calcic heparin every 12 hr for 7 days on lung lipids and pulmonary surfactant was examined in 10 male rabbits weighing 2.5-3.5 kg. Comparison with an identical control group showed a decrease in phospholipids and lecithins in the lung homogenate extract and in the alveolar liquid bubble stability index. The difference in the means was highly significant (P less than 0.001) for all three parameters.

Animals↗

RDT with acetate-free bicarbonate buffered dialysis fluid: long-term effects on lipid pattern, acid-base balance and oxygen delivery.

Thirteen uraemic patients with hypertriglyceridaemia were treated for 9 months with acetate-free, bicarbonate containing dialysis fluid. With this treatment more physiological correction of acid-base balance and better tissue oxygenation were obtained. This fact can explain the better tolerance to treatment we have seen. In 9 of these patients triglyceride levels fell significantly on bicarbonate treatment; they shifted back to higher values after return to acetate dialysis. No changes were found in the other 4 patients.

Acetates↗

[Allergological findings in rhinitis-asthmatic subjects].

A comparison was made between skin-positive and skin-negative subjects in an allergological study of 404 patients with rhinitis and asthma. The two diseases had appeared simultaneously in 52.72% of cases, while rhinitis had appeared first in 35.14%. Respiratory disturbances had occurred more frequently before the age of 30 yr in allergic subjects and between 20 and 50 yr in skin-negative subjects. Familial allergy was noted in 34% and a personal history of skin allergy in 21%. Associations with conjunctivitis, chronic bronchitis and nasal polyposis were noted in about 50%, 13% and 4% respectively. Nearly all skin-negative subjects had disturbances the whole year round, as did 47.67% of the skin-positives, while 36.53% of the latter had disturbances in spring and summer only. A positive reaction to at least one allergen was noted in 79.95%. Pollens were positive in 70.58%, dusts, vegetables fibres and skin derivatives in 66.25%, and moulds in 33.12%. The allergens used and the number of positives obtained with each are listed. It is felt that reaction to pollen should be investigated in such subjects, even when their symptoms are not sea sonal.

Adolescent↗

[Allergological study of subjects with chronic rhinitis].

The following parameters were considered in an allergological study of 362 subjects with chronic rhinitis unaccompanied by bronchial asthma: sex, age at onset, residence, familial allergy, personal history, season in which distrubances occurred, nasal polyps, concomitance of conjunctivitis, appear of chronic bronchitis, skin tests for dusts, vegetable fibres, skin derivatives, pollens and moulds. A positive allergometric response was noted in 60.77% and familial allergy in 30.93%. Skin manifestations were observed in 20.99%. Conjunctivitis was present in 55.24%, most of whom were skin-positive; nasal polyps were present in 4.69%, most of whom were skin-negative. 1.65% had chronic bronchitis. 79.54% of the skin-positive subjects were sensitive to pollens, 47.72% to "inhalants" (28.18% to household dust), and 30% to moulds.

Adolescent↗

[Alpha 1-antitrypsin in the blood and pleural effusion fluid].

Alpha-1 antitrypsin levels were determined in 27 pleural effusion liquids classified as transudates and exudates in accordance with the clinical and laboratory data, and in their respective blood samples. Absolute values proved insufficient to distinguish transudates from exudates, though they were capable of signifying and replacing the relative protein value. The relation between liquid: serum alpha-1 AT ratio and the liquid: serum proteins ratio was direct and highly significant. Along with the liquid: serum LAD and liquid: serum proteins ratios, the liquid: serum alpha-1 AT ratio enables transudates and exudates to be differentiated with certainty.

Adult↗

[Significance of lactate dehydrogenase levels in the fluid and serum in the diagnosis of pleural effusions].

Lactic acid dehydrogenase (LAD) levels were determined in 82 pleural effusion liquids and the respective blood samples from 58 patients. Effusions were classed as transudates and exudates on the basis of clinical and laboratory data. The 16 transudates had absolute protein levels of less than 3 g/100 ml and a liquid: serum protein ratio below 0.5. LAD values were below 100 mU/ml and the liquid: serum ratio was less than 0.33, whereas both these levels were exceeded in the case of the 66 exudates. The liquid: serum LAD ratio is better suited for the differentiation of transudates and exudates, particularly if it is related to the liquid: serum protein ratio. Neoplastic effusions have the highest absolute LAD values and liquid: serum LAD ratios. Slighter lower values are noted in TB. Taken in conjunction with other parameters, liquid and serum LAD levels enable a transudate to be distinguished from an exudate and assist in aetiological diagnosis.

Adult↗

[Corticoids and alveolar surfactant. Experimental study].

The effect of cortisone on the production of surfactant was studied by measuring the tensioactive property of the alveolar fluid, evaluated with Pattle's method. The stability ratio (R.S.) values obtained in 12 guinea-pigs following cortisone administration were all within normal limits. In rabbits treated with prednisolone during a number of fast days, S.R. values were lower than normal in 9 cases out of 10. The results of this study would seem to exclude any influence of the administration of cortisone on the activity of the alveolar surfactant.

Animals↗