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Biomedical subjects

F Martino

Publications and source records attributed to F Martino.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Child with manifestations of dermotrichic syndrome and ichthyosis follicularis-alopecia-photophobia (IFAP) syndrome.

We report on a boy with short stature, mental retardation, seizures, follicular ichthyosis, generalized alopecia, hypohydrosis, enamel dysplasia, photophobia, congenital aganglionic megacolon, inguinal hernia, vertebral, renal and other anomalies, and a normal chromosome constitution. The clinical findings include all the features that dermotrichic and ichthyosis follicularis-alopecia-photophobia (IFAP) syndrome have in common and in addition those that characterize IFAP syndrome (photophobia, recurrent respiratory infections, etc.), those that are present only in dermotrichic syndrome (nail anomalies, hypohydrosis, megacolon, vertebral defects, etc.) and additional ones (enamel dysplasia, renal anomalies, inguinal hernia, etc.). Two maternal uncles were referred as being affected by alopecia and ichthyosis suggesting X-linked recessive transmission. Various hypotheses concerning the relationship between the 2 syndromes and the present case are discussed.

Alopecia↗
PubMed1992

Effects of the mode of delivery on ANP and renin-aldosterone system in the fetus and the neonate.

Plasma ANP and aldosterone levels, plasma renin activity (PRA), haematocrit, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), were evaluated in 15 full-term infants delivered by elective Caesarean section (CS group) and in 15 full-term infants delivered vaginally (vaginal group). The mode of delivery did not influence the cord blood levels of ANP and their increase at the 24th hour of life. Instead, PRA was lower and plasma aldosterone levels were higher in the CS group than in the vaginal group. Also haematocrit and BP were influenced by mode of delivery. The haematocrit values were lower in the CS group than in the vaginal group at birth as well at the 24th hour of life. The values of systolic and diastolic BP were the same in both groups, at birth, but at the 24th hour of life increases were observed only in the vaginal group. On the fourth day of life weight loss was the same in both groups. Our findings suggest that the mode of delivery has more influence on neonatal BP adaptation than on neonatal volume homeostasis.

Aldosterone↗
PubMed1992

Diagnostic value of growth hormone-releasing hormone test in children and adolescents with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency.

Average growth hormone (GH) peaks following an i.v. growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) 1-29 stimulation test were significantly lower in 48 children and adolescents with GH deficiency (GHD) than in 20 age-matched controls (15.2 + 12.7 vs 37.5 + 28.1 ng/ml, 2 P less than 0.001). Twelve patients exhibited a low GH peak (less than 5 ng/ml), 27 demonstrated a normal response (greater than 10 ng/ml) and 9 showed an intermediate rise in plasma GH (5-10 ng/ml). Six of the 12 patients with low GH response to the first GHRH stimulation failed to respond to two other tests immediately before and after a 1 week priming with s.c. GHRH. These subjects with subnormal GH increase at repeat testing had total GHD (TGHD) and multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) and had suffered from perinatal distress. On the contrary, 26 of 27 patients with normal GH response to the first test had isolated GHD and only a minority (8/27) had signs of perinatal distress. It is concluded that perinatal injuries primarily damage pituitary structures and that a pituitary defect more probably underlies more severe forms (TGHD and MPHD) of GHD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Comparative study of echography and conventional radiology in the evaluation of the Insall-Salvati index].

For the study of painful patello-femoral syndromes, the authors suggest the use of US for the evaluation of the so-called Insall-Salvati ratio--i.e., length of patellar ligament/patellar length--whose alteration is suggestive of vertical patello-femoral malalignement (patella alta and patella infera). Ten normal volunteers (20 knees) were examined by means of both US and conventional radiology, and the Insall-Salvati ratio was calculated for each knee. US and radiologic measurements were statistically compared by the correlation-coefficient method: the result was 0.802. US measurements were repeated twice with 0.778 interobserver variability according to the Spearman correlation index. Based on their results, the authors conclude that, in the evaluation of the Insall-Salvati ratio, the diagnostic accuracy of US is almost the same as that of conventional radiology; the former method may even be preferred for it is a simple, quick and repeatable technique not needing ionizing radiations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Muscle-tendon echography in acute cervical sprain traumas. Preliminary results].

Acute cervical sprain traumas can be divided into simple and severe, depending on the presence of organic lesions which can be documented by conventional radiologic techniques. Persistent painful symptomatology of the nape and the precise localization of pain, led us to suspect the presence of organic lesions due to tearing of the neck muscles in 94 patients who had suffered a simple cervical sprain. To demonstrate these post-traumatic lesions, the patients were subjected to US examinations of both the nape and the muscles at the base of the neck. In 13 cases (13.8%) muscular tearing lesions were demonstrated, which were characterized by hypoechoic lacunae (6 cases), by hyperechoic stripes (5 cases), and by muscular hernia (1 case); in 1 case, partial disconnection of a muscular insertion was demonstrated. Thus, we believe muscle-tendon US to be a valuable technique for both diagnostic and nosologic purposes, for the method allows simple cervical sprain to be discriminated from sprains which are complicated by organic muscular lesions. We suggest that the cervical sprain traumas where a muscular lesion due to tearing can be demonstrated be defined as "complex" traumas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Antibiotic prophylaxis with aztreonam in general surgery].

Personal experience in peroperative antibiotic prophylaxis with aztreonam (Azactam) in 81 patients undergoing abdominal surgery of choice is reported. The usefulness, handiness and lack of side-effects of this parenteral drug are reiterated. The incidence of surgical wound infections was 2.5%, while that of associated infections was 6.1%. Considering these results, the use of aztreonam (Azctam) is recommended in peroperative prophylaxis as a drug of choice.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Echographic study of Tietze's syndrome.

An echographic study of Tietze's syndrome was carried out. Three patients with clinical evidence of Tietze's syndrome were examined. Ten normal volunteers were studied as controls. In Tietze's syndrome a dishomogeneous increase of the echogenicity in pathological cartilage and an increased thickness vs. the opposite normal side were observed. A moderate thickness and a decreased echogenicity of surrounding soft tissues was observed in one case.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Atrial natriuretic peptide and renin-aldosterone relationship in healthy newborn infants.

Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and aldosterone concentrations, and plasma renin activity (PRA) were measured by radioimmunoassay concurrently in 20 healthy full term infants, in cord blood, at 24 hours after birth and on the 4th day of life. ANP and aldosterone increased significantly at 24 hours and was persistently elevated on the 4th day of life. PRA remained unchanged during the first four days of life. In cord blood, ANP concentrations were correlated with aldosterone concentrations (r = 0.49, p less than 0.05) and hematocrit (r = 0.58, p less than 0.02). At the 24 hours of life, plasma ANP concentrations were correlated with weight loss observed on the 4th day of life (r = -0.70, p less than 0.005), while the percentage changes in plasma aldosterone concentrations were correlated with percentage changes in systolic blood pressure (BP) (r = 0.49, p less than 0.05). These findings suggest that during the early newborn period ANP and aldosterone act as an integrated system which has a role in regulation blood pressure and intravascular volume homeostasis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1978

Effect of hyperglycemia on the growth hormone response to L-dopa in diabetic subjects.

Plasma growth hormone (GH) levels were measured before and after oral administration of L-dopa in 8 insulin-dependent juvenile diabetic patients, and in 6 non insulin-dependent maturity-onset diabetics, while they were hyperglycemic, and values were compared with those of normal children and adult subjects. Maturity-onset diabetics failed to show an increase in serum GH levels after L-dopa administration, while serum peak GH values of juvenile diabetic patients were not significantly different from those of normal adults and children. Hyperglycemia thus failed to prevent L-dopa induced growth hormone response in insulin-dependent juvenile diabetic patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Serum lipid pattern in beta-thalassaemia.

Serum lipids, phospholipid fractions and the composition of serum lipid fatty acids were studied in 20 children presenting beta-thalassaemia major, 20 heterozygous children and 20 normal controls. Total serum phospholipids, their fractions and cholesterol were significantly lower in patients with thalassaemia major. These changes were referred to hepatic damage and to severe anaemia, respectively. Some serum lipid polyunsaturated fatty acids were significantly decreased in patients with thalassaemia major as compared to heterozygotes and normal controls. Since these alterations are a sign of lipid oxidation, the causes of this phenomenon are discussed.

Child↗
PubMed1975

[Radioimmunologic determination and analysis for saturation of the thyroid hormones: comparison and use in the practical clinic].

Reliability of a recent method of assay by saturation analysis for assessment of thyroid status, which is to be recommended for its practicability and technical improvement, has been verified. Its diagnostic efficiency in more than 3,000 assays has been evaluated. On the whole T3 Uptake (T3U) and serum Thyroxine (T4D) determination showed a quite good accuracy, that decidely improved when both the tests were carried out and the Free Thyroxine Index (Free Thyopac Index) was drown. Moreover the present availability of the radioimmunological determinations of triiodothyronine allowed to assay simultaneously both thyroid hormones in normal euthyroid subjects, in pregnancy, in hyperthyroid, hypothyroid and goitrous patients. Results obtained have been analysed and discussed and clinical conditions pointend out where determination of both hormones may be useful.

Cross Reactions↗