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Biomedical subjects

F Giugliano

Publications and source records attributed to F Giugliano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Endothelial microparticles correlate with erectile dysfunction in diabetic men.

Cell-derived microparticles are supposed to be involved in endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate circulating microparticles in diabetic subjects with erectile dysfunction (ED) and their relation with endothelial dysfunction. Thirty diabetic men with ED and 20 age-matched control subjects without ED were assessed for circulating microparticles and endothelial dysfunction. Flow cytometry was used to assess microparticles by quantification of circulating endothelial (EMP, CD31(+)/CD42b(-)) and platelet (PMP, CD31(+)/CD42b(+)) microparticles in peripheral blood. Endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was evaluated in the right brachial artery after reactive hyperemia. Compared with non-diabetic subjects, diabetic men presented significantly higher numbers of EMP (P=0.001), and reduced FMD (P=0.01), with a significant inverse correlation between the number of circulating EMP and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score (r=-0.457, P=0.01). Multivariate analysis correcting for age, anthropometric indices, glucose and lipid parameters, FMD and PMP identified EMP as the only independent predictor for IIEF score (P=0.03). EMP are elevated in impotent diabetic subjects and independently involved in the pathogenesis of ED.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed2006

Dietary factors in erectile dysfunction.

The role of dietary factors in erectile dysfunction (ED) has never been addressed. In the present case-control study, we investigated the relation of the Mediterranean diet with ED. A total of 100 men with ED were compared with 100 age-matched men without ED. A scale indicating the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was constructed: the total Mediterranean diet score ranged from 0 (minimal adherence to the Mediterranean diet) to 9 (maximal adherence). The percentage of physical inactivity was greater in the ED group (35 vs 19%, P=0.04), whereas the diet score was lower (4.7+/-0.5 vs 5.4+/-0.5, P<0.01), indicating a reduced adherence to the Mediterranean diet. In analyses adjusted for the prevalence of associated risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia), body mass index, waist, physical inactivity and total energy intake, the intake of fruits and nuts, and the ratio of monounsaturated lipids to saturated lipids remained the only individual measures associated with ED. In conclusion, the results of the present study show that dietary factors may be important in the development of ED: adoption of healthy diets would hopefully help preventing ED.

Body Weight↗
PubMed2006

Mediterranean diet improves erectile function in subjects with the metabolic syndrome.

Men with the metabolic syndrome demonstrate an increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED). In the present study, we tested the effect of a Mediterranean-style diet on ED in men with the metabolic syndrome. Men were identified in our database of subjects participating in controlled trials evaluating the effect of lifestyle changes and were included if they had a diagnosis of ED associated with a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, complete follow-up in the study trial, and intervention focused mainly on dietary changes. Sixty-five men with the metabolic syndrome met the inclusion/exclusion criteria; 35 out of them were assigned to the Mediterranean-style diet and 30 to the control diet. After 2 years, men on the Mediterranean diet consumed more fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grain, and olive oil as compared with men on the control diet. Endothelial function score and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein) improved in the intervention group, but remained stable in the control group. There were 13 men in the intervention group and two in the control group (P=0.015) that reported an IIEF score of 22 or higher. Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole grain, fruits, vegetables, legumes, walnut, and olive oil might be effective per se in reducing the prevalence of ED in men with the metabolic syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Effect of liposuction on insulin resistance and vascular inflammatory markers in obese women.

Liposuction is one of the more common elective surgical procedures in the US and is supposed to be on the increase. There are no reported studies specifically addressing the metabolic sequelae of liposuction in obesity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of large-volume liposuction on insulin resistance and circulating inflammatory markers in obese people. Thirty healthy premenopausal obese (body mass index (BMI) from 30 to 45) and 30 age-matched normal weight (BMI<25) women were studied. In obese women, insulin sensitivity, as measured by the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA=fasting plasma glucose x fasting serum insulin divided by 25), as well as serum adiponectin, the novel adipocytokine with insulin sensitising properties, were significantly lower, as compared with nonobese women (p<0.01), indicating insulin resistance; on the contrary, serum concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-alpha, as well as the sensitive marker of inflammation C-reactive protein, were significantly higher (p<0.01). All obese women were submitted to a single large volume liposuction (superwet technique): the mean aspirate volume was 3540 ml (range 2550-4670), corresponding to a net lipid loss of 2.7+/-0.7 kg (mean+/-SD). After six months of stable body weight after liposuction, women were less insulin resistant (p<0.05), had reduced concentrations of IL-6, IL-18, TNF-alpha and CRP (p<0.05-0.02), and increased serum levels of adiponectin (p<0.02) and HDL-cholesterol (p<0.05). There was a significant correlation between the amount of fat aspirate and changes in HOMA (r=0.28, p<0.05), TNF-alpha (r=0.31, p<0.02), and adiponectin (r=-0.34, p<0.02), as well as between the decrease in TNF-alpha and the increase in adiponectin after the surgical procedure (r=-0.45, p<0.01). Our study demonstrates that liposuction is safe and free of metabolic sequelae in obese women, pending a careful screening of the patient. Moreover, it is associated with amelioration of insulin resistance and reduced circulating markers of vascular inflammation which may help obese subjects to reduce their cardiovascular risk.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Interferometric measurement of preheating in laser shocks.

We present a preliminary study of preheating in laser shocks using an interferometric diagnostic. A low energy probe laser divided in two by a biprism produces an interference pattern on the rear side of a target. The expansion due to preheating causes a fringe shift before shock arrival. A streak camera produces time-resolved images of the target rear side, which are filtered to reduce noise and correct for instrumental effects. Results are compared with an analytical model, which assumes that preheating is due to x rays, and with results from reflectivity measurements.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Erectile and endothelial dysfunction in Type II diabetes: a possible link.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between erectile dysfunction and endothelial functions, coagulation activation, peripheral and autonomic neuropathy in men with Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. METHODS: We studied 30 Type II diabetic patients with symptomatic erectile dysfunction and 30 potent diabetic patients matched for age and disease. Endothelial functions were assessed with the L-arginine test, plasma thrombomodulin and cell adhesion molecules circulating concentrations. Haemostasis was evaluated with markers of thrombin activation and fibrinolysis. Quantitative sensory testing (vibratory, warming, and heat-pain thresholds), cardiovascular reflex tests and 24-h blood pressure monitoring were used to assess peripheral or autonomic neuropathy. RESULTS: Mean erectile score and HbA1c were 10.5+/-5.8 and 8.3+/-1.6% in patients with erectile dysfunction, and 24.0+/-0.7 and 6.8+/-1.4% in those without erectile dysfunction, respectively (p < 0.001); there was a significant relation between HbA1c and erectile function score in patients with erectile dysfunction (r = -0.45, p = 0.02). The decrease in blood pressure and platelet aggregation in response to L-arginine was lower (p < 0.05-0.02) in patients with erectile dysfunction, whereas soluble thrombomodulin, P-selectin and intercellular cell ahhesion molecule-1 concentrations were higher (p < 0.05-0.02). Indices of coagulation activation (F1 + 2 and D-dimers) and reduced fibrinolysis (PAI-1) were also found to be higher in erectile dysfunction patients. Heat-pain and warm perception thresholds. as well as cardiovascular reflex tests, were most commonly abnormal in patients with erectile dysfunction (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, HbA1c, MBP response to L-arginine, P-selectin, indices of coagulation, and quantitative sensory testing were independent predictors of erectile function score. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Erectile dysfunction in diabetic men correlates with endothelial dysfunction. A reduced nitric oxide activity might provide a unifying explanation.

Arginine↗
PubMed2001

Influenza vaccination coverage in elderly people, Campania (Italy), 1999.

A study on the coverage of influenza vaccination among elderly people was carried out. Fity-six per cent of those interviewed had been vaccinated (weighted coverage 50%), compared with the target of 75%, but higher rates were reported in those older than 74 years and those with chronic diseases.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Treatment of postoperative pain with suprofen injected by the intramuscular route.

The analgesic effect and the tolerability of alpha-methyl-4-(2-thienyl-carbonyl)phenylacetic acid (suprofen, Suprol) 200 mg/ml were compared with lysine acetylsalicylate 0.9 g/2.5 ml; the study included 60 subjects in severe to very severe pain following orthopedic surgery. The trial was performed in randomized single-blind fashion in patients who had given informed consent. The substances were injected into the upper out quadrant; maximally 4 intramuscular injections were given within 2 days. The test population was homogeneous with respect to the anamnestic data. The intensity of pain prior to treatment was comparable in both groups. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that suprofen was at the rating times (15 min to 4 h) significantly superior to the control groups. The investigator's and the patients' final appreciation indicated good to very good effect in 93% of the subjects on suprofen, and in 40 and 47%, respectively, of the patients in the control group. Here, too, suprofen was significantly superior to the reference Substance. Systemic and local tolerability of both drugs was very good. Adverse drug experience (heartburn) occurred in only 1 patient in the control group.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Evaluation of tolerance in long-term treatment of cancer pain with epidural morphine.

The effect of epidural morphine as a pain reliever was evaluated. A catheter was placed in the epidural space in 43 patients suffering from cancer pain related to dermatomeres of the thorax and lumbosacral region for an average period of 38 days (range 3-257 days). The daily dose of morphine hydrochloride varied from 1 to 5 mg with an average dose of 4.23 (+/- 2.4) mg. The treatment was divided into 10-day periods and for each of these periods the average daily dose relative to the total number of cases was calculated. The results showed no significant increase of the dose of epidural morphine in the first 10 decade periods. The authors concluded that pain relief treatment with equal doses maintains its effect for quite a long period of time in patients with often limited life expectancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Application of hemodilution and autotransfusion in elective surgery].

Following careful consideration of physiopathological modifications during haemodilution, reference is made to experience with patients submitted to major surgery, mainly chest and vascular. The technique employed is preoperative normovolaemic moderate acute haemodilution. Reference is also made to the criteria for selecting patients, and the evaluation of clinical and haematochemical parameters used in applying this technique. The experience is judged to be positive and haemodilution is regarded as a useful tool for reducing the use of homologous conserved blood and for preventing the risks connected with it.

Blood Gas Analysis↗
PubMed1981

[R-(+)-alpha-methylbenzylimidazol-5-carboxylate (etomidate), a new anesthetic of ophthalmological importance].

Data showing that a new i.v. anaesthetic, R-(+)-alphamethyl-benzyl-imidazol-5-carboxylate (Etomidate), leads to an approximately 3.3 mmHg fall in ocular pressure below the baseline are presented. The drug was also accompanied by a 14.1 mmHg and 12 beats/min decrease in A.P. and heart rate respectively. Further work on the various effects of this anaesthetic is required, since the paper is limited to its investigation in the induction stage.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[New orientations in the treatment of proclaimed tetanus: use of continuous peridural anesthesia].

Notes on the typical infectious and toxis picture associated with tetatus and the physiopathological aspects of the disease are followed by the presentation of continuous C8-L2 peridural anaesthesia, giving antalgic relief and partial motor block, as a primary form of therapeutic management. A classic two catheter technique is employed and fractioned doses are used so as to exploit the action of the local anaesthetic absorbed by the patient over several days. Sedation of the orthosympathetic leads to reduced catecholamine production, hypometabolism and cardiac sedation. Analgesia and relaxation are achieved by blocking the local and general spasms typical of the disease. Success with the method in serious cases is mentioned and its use in all forms is recommended.

Analgesia↗