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Biomedical subjects

F F Rubaltelli

Publications and source records attributed to F F Rubaltelli.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Structural and functional differences between fetal and adult serum albumin.

The binding of bilirubin with adult of fetal human serum albumin has been studied by steady-state fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The 1:1 complex between bilirubin and the two albumin samples shows very similar fluorescence properties, as well as essentially identical accessibility of the protein-bound bilirubin to fluorescence quenchers added to the aqueous medium. The intramolecular distance between bilirubin and the single tryptophyl residue can be estimated to be 2.4 +/- 0.2 nm for both proteins by singlet-singlet energy transfer. These findings suggest that fetal and adult human serum albumin have a very similar three-dimensional structure; the different binding capacity for bilirubin displayed by the two proteins is likely to be the consequence of small differences in the physico-chemical properties of some amino acid residues close to the bilirubin binding site, as indicated by pH-titration experiments of the intrinsic albumin fluorescence.

Bilirubin↗
PubMed1988

Unconjugated bilirubin and the bile from light exposed Gunn rats inhibit intestinal water and electrolyte absorption.

Jaundiced babies undergoing phototherapy often develop diarrhoea. The cause of it is still uncertain. Increasing evidence supports a role of a secretory mechanism for the diarrhoea. We therefore studied the effects of bile from congenitally jaundiced rats undergoing phototherapy and of unconjugated bilirubin on rat small intestine in vivo and in vitro. Results suggest that: (1) the bile from homozygous Gunn rats under phototherapy has an anti-absorptive effect when tested in the perfused jejunum of normal Wistar rats; (2) unconjugated bilirubin has a dose dependent secretory effect on the intestinal transport of water and electrolytes, when tested in the same system. Alteration of cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP, known intracellular mediators of secretion, was not observed. We conclude that free bilirubin is an intestinal secretagogue acting by an as yet unknown mechanism, that may mediate the secretory type of diarrhoea in jaundiced neonates undergoing phototherapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Carnitine and the premature.

After birth, the main energy fuel for the newborn is constituted by fat. Carnitine is necessary for the beta-oxidation of long chain fatty acids at the mitochondrial level, and seems also to have a role in the metabolism of the branched-chain amino acids, in ammonia detoxification, and in urea production. Colostrum is particularly rich in carnitine whereas semi-elemental formulae and soy-based formulae contain little or no carnitine. Since the newborn has a low capacity for carnitine biosynthesis, it seems useful to administer L-carnitine to infants on total parenteral nutrition, soy-based or semi-elemental formulae.

Carboxylic Acids↗
PubMed1986

Results in two infants with the DiGeorge syndrome--effects of long-term TP5.

We treated two patients affected by DiGeorge syndrome with long-term administration of the synthetic thymic hormone thymopoietin (TP5). In both cases we obtained durable immunological reconstitution, starting as early as 2 weeks after beginning of TP5 treatment. High levels of circulating immature thymocytes and precursor T cells (defined by monoclonal antibodies OKT6, OKT9, and OKT10) were present prior to therapy, and they steadily decreased during the first few weeks of study. During the same time, phenotypically mature T lymphocytes (OKT3+ and OKT4+/OKT8+) markedly increased, thereafter remaining at near normal levels. OKT10+ cells appeared to rise again after 3 months of TP5 treatment. In vitro function of T cells, assessed by PHA stimulation, and in vivo cell-mediated immunity (skin tests with Candida) were normal at 3 and at 2 months, respectively, after initiation of therapy. No severe infection episodes were recorded and normal development was achieved. No side effect or adverse reaction occurred. In these two patients the other features of the DiGeorge syndrome were successfully treated by early cardiac surgery and vitamin D therapy. The immunological reconstitution, in absence of functioning thymus observed in these two cases, provides further evidence of the effectiveness of long-term treatment with thymic hormones--with maintenance of the improvement of cell-mediated immunity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1986

Unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin pigments during perinatal development. I. Studies on rat serum and intestine.

Unconjugated, mono- and diconjugated bilirubin was measured in rat plasma and intestine during perinatal development. Bilirubin monoconjugates were present in the intestines of 18-day-old fetuses, while diconjugates appeared on the 20th day. The concentration of conjugates increased rapidly, reaching 312 mumol/g of intestinal tissue 1 day after birth. The absolute concentration of unconjugated bilirubin increased in parallel. On the 18th day of fetal life, about 80% of the pigment in the intestine was unconjugated, while conjugates largely predominated from the 20th day onwards. Conjugation and/or excretion of bilirubin in the intestine seems therefore to develop rapidly during the last days of life. The plasma concentration of total bilirubin in 18-day-old fetuses was about 2-3 times higher than in adult serum, and it increased slightly during the following days. 2-7% of the pigment was conjugated. Transplacental clearance of bilirubin seems therefore to be deficient in this species. On the 1st day of extrauterine life, bilirubin concentration increased sharply in plasma, reaching 14.76 mumol/l, 38% in the conjugated form. This finding suggests that, unlike humans, an excretory defect is predominant in the neonatal rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

The effect of a 'containing' position in a hammock versus the supine position on the cutaneous oxygen level in premature and term babies.

We evaluated the influence of positioning, and particularly a containing position in a hammock compared with the supine position, on the respiration of the newborn. Recordings of the transcutaneous oxygen level of 40 preterm babies and 10 full-term babies placed in their incubators alternately in the two positions have been analyzed. We found no significant differences between the means of the oxymetric indexes in the hammock and in the supine position, even when the babies had different gestational ages and birth weights. The advantages of the containing position for the neuromotor and relational development of the newborn in the first year of life in comparison with the effects of supine placement, which should be avoided as much as possible in the premature, are pointed out.

Female↗
PubMed1985

Clinical pharmacology of netilmicin in preterm and term newborn infants.

Sixty-four neonates, with gestational age ranging from 27 1/2 to 40 weeks, postnatal age from 1 to 15 days, and birth weight from 800 to 3400 gm, were given netilmicin 2.5 mg/kg intramuscularly two or three times per day according to postnatal age, for 5 to 14 days. Serum concentrations were measured before and 1 hour after a dose at least twice during treatment. The serum washout profile of the drug was observed in 22 neonates after discontinuation of therapy. Renal function was studied in 37 infants by measuring serum creatinine concentrations and in 27 by urinary excretion of N-acetyl-glucosaminidase during and up to 15 days after therapy. Behavioral and impedance audiometry, and in infants failing those, auditory brainstem evoked response tests, were performed between 6 and 12 months of age. In 23.5% of the neonates, trough serum levels were greater than 3 micrograms/ml. The serum washout followed a multiexponential decay, accounting for distributional, rapid (initial), and slow (tissue) elimination phases. Linear regression analysis performed between each kinetic parameter and gestational age or birth weight showed that initial elimination half-life, steady-state volume of distribution, and total body clearance were significantly correlated with both variables. Netilmicin did not cause detectable renal or auditory damage.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1985

Evaluation in guinea pigs of the allergenic capacity of two infant formulae based on hydrolyzed milk proteins.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potential capacity of infant formulae based, respectively, on hydrolyzed casein and on hydrolyzed whey proteins to induce sensitization in guinea pigs. This potential capacity was tested by intravenous challenges with centrifuged formulae and by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. The results showed that neither formula was sensitizing, therefore suggesting that protein hydrolyzates can be considered a suitable cow's milk substitute for infants with cow's milk protein intolerance. However, further studies are necessary in order to investigate whether these hydrolyzates are not allergenic in infants as well.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Effect of carnitine on lipid metabolism in the neonate. II. Carnitine addition to lipid infusion during prolonged total parenteral nutrition.

The effect of carnitine administration on lipid metabolism and carnitine and acylcarnitine plasma values of newborn infants, given total parenteral nutrition for the first 7 days of life, was studied during a 4-hour infusion of Intralipid. An increase in plasma concentrations of total carnitine, free carnitine, and short-chain and long-chain acylcarnitine was found, but no significant change in triglycerides, free fatty acids, glycerol, or beta-hydroxybutyrate plasma values was noted, as compared with values obtained without carnitine administration. Moreover, the low free carnitine and short-chain and long-chain acylcarnitine plasma levels found in newborn infants after 7 days of total parenteral nutrition did not seem to impair the utilization of infused lipids. The results support the concept that the relation between the carnitine pool and lipid metabolism can be influenced by intravenous glucose infusion. Low carnitine plasma concentrations do not necessarily signify a depletion of body carnitine, and sufficient tissue carnitine concentrations can probably maintain good lipid utilization for an extended period.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
PubMed1984

The premature breech presentation: outcome of newborn infants born by vaginal or abdominal delivery.

There is ample documentation that breech full-term infants delivered vaginally have a higher perinatal morbidity and mortality rate than breech infants born via cesarean section. Until now, little emphasis has been placed on the risks to premature newborns born in breech presentation. Therefore, the authors have considered all singleton pregnancies with infants in breech presentation admitted to the Department of Obstetrics, University of Padova, from January 1978 to December 1979 and delivered before 36-weeks gestation. On the basis of obstetric management, the authors have obtained two groups: Group A comprised 36 infants born by vaginal delivery; Group B totaled 32 newborns delivered by cesarean section. Mean gestational age and birthweight were comparable. Of the neonatal events considered, the following were significantly different: Apgar score at 5 minutes less than 7 (A = 30.6%; B = 9.3%), mortality (A = 13.8%; B = 0), neurologic sequelae in the infants discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (A = 50%; B = 9.1%) and the sum of mortality and long term sequelae (A = 22.2%; B = 3.1%). The authors conclude that cesarean section performed in mothers with impending preterm breech delivery decreases the neonatal mortality rate and improves the long-term outcome.

Breech Presentation↗
PubMed1984

Efficacy and safety of the "integral" phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Results of a follow-up at 6 years of age.

One hundred and ten full-term newborns were treated with integral phototherapy (IP) in the first week of life for hyperbilirubinemia (peak bilirubin concentration, 19.5 +/- 2.8 mg/dl). IP was provided by an apparatus which irradiated the infants over the entire skin surface with four visible blue light lamps placed around the body at a mean distance of only 20 cm. The irradiance of the lamps at the skin surface was 0.350 mW/sq cm, in the wavelength range between 425 and 475 nm. The IP resulted in a 48-hour bilirubin decline rate of 0.163 mg/dl/h. After a mean exposure of 78 +/- 32 h, the mean plasma bilirubin level was 8.4 +/- 0.8 mg/dl. One hundred and ten comparable nonjaundiced infants were studied as controls. At 6 years of age, both groups of subjects were called for a follow-up concerning growth, visual, and hearing functions, and neuro-developmental status. The follow-up was completed in 81 children of the IP group (73.6%) and in 89 of the controls (80.6%). There were no significant differences in the studied parameters between the two groups. The study concludes that IP appears to be an effective and safe treatment for jaundiced infants. IP employs less radiant energy from the lamp source than the traditional apparatus, but delivers this energy to a larger skin surface area.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

The prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants: efficacy of antenatal aminophylline treatment versus prenatal glucocorticoid administration.

Antepartum administration of aminophylline (AF) to pregnant animals resulted in accelerated and increased pulmonary maturation as well as in decreased morbidity and mortality from RDS in premature offspring. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of antenatal AF treatment on the frequency of RDS among premature infants born of women who were treated (18) and to compare this group with betamethasone (GC) treated group (16 women). No statistical significant differences were noted between the AF and GC groups in the incidence of RDS (AF = 11.0%; GC = 0%) and in the frequency of perinatal deaths (AF and GC = 0%). Only a significant difference was noted between the AF group and the GC group in the incidence of neonatal signs of infection (AF = 0%; GC = 50%). The authors conclude that antenatal AF treatment may be as effective as GC in the prevention of RDS in premature infants with, for the moment, no side effects.

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1983

Effect of carnitine on lipid metabolism in the newborn. I. Carnitine supplementation during total parenteral nutrition in the first 48 hours of life.

The effect of carnitine administration on neonatal lipid metabolism was studied during endovenous loading with Intralipid (1 g/kg body weight over a 4-hour period). During a 6-hour period the plasma level of triglycerides, glycerol, free fatty acids (FFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OHB), and acetoacetate were monitored in a group of newborns infused with carnitine and compared with a control group infused only with Intralipid. Carnitine administration caused an increased plasma concentration of ketone bodies, probably consequent to an increased rate of FFA mitochondrial beta-oxidation. An increased plasma level of glycerol and FFA was also observed, whereas the triglyceride plasma levels were not different between the two groups. Carnitine administration in the neonatal period seems to act by increasing ketogenesis and lipolysis.

Carnitine↗
PubMed1983

Sites of action of light during phototherapy.

In order to investigate the main sites of action of phototherapy in the treatment of neonatal jaundice we studied (a) the in vivo and in vitro relationship between the hematocrit and the effectiveness of phototherapy, and (b) the effect of varying the skin area exposed to light. The results show that the hematocrit does not influence in vivo the efficacy of phototherapy, while they confirm that the total skin surface exposed to light is important in determining the effectiveness of light treatment. The authors have also studied the possible action of phototherapy on bilirubin solutions placed into the postmortem brain or the stomach. The results suggest that blue light does not penetrate strongly enough to photomodify the exposed pigment.

Bilirubin↗