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Biomedical subjects

G Agostini

Publications and source records attributed to G Agostini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Correlation between the chemical and genetic relationships among commercial thyme cultivars.

The essential oil composition and genetic variability of six commercial cultivars of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), a Mediterranean medicinal and aromatic plant, were analyzed by GC-MS and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), respectively. All evaluated cultivars belong to the thymol chemotype, with differences in the concentrations of thymol, gamma-terpinene, p-cymene, and other minor components. The comparison of the oil components concentration by multivariate analysis allowed separation of the cultivars into two groups. All of the cultivars exhibited characteristic RAPD patterns that allowed their identification. On the basis of the RAPD patterns, the cultivars could be divided into two clusters, which coincides with results obtained by oil GS-MS analysis, with a correlation coefficient of -0.779.

DNA, Plant↗
PubMed1999

Persisting obesity starting before puberty is associated with stable intraabdominal fat during adolescence.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the evolution of intraabdominal adipose tissue (IAT) in obese prepubertal children, who did not change their degree of obesity during adolescence and to evaluate its relationship with metabolic risk indexes (RI). DESIGN: Longitudinal study of 16 obese adolescents (eight male and eight female) in whom relative body weight (RBW) did not change significantly and pubertal development was completed during the study period. MEASUREMENTS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan at lumbar level (L4) three times during a 4 y period. At basal and at four years biochemical assays for metabolic indexes. RESULTS: IAT did not differ significantly over the three measurement times and showed significant correlations between first and second (r = 0.66, P < 0.005), first and third (r = 0.61, P < 0.01) and second and third values (r = 0.84, P < 0.0001). Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) increased significantly from basal to third evaluation (P < 0.002). At baseline, IAT correlated significantly with lipids (total and LDL cholesterol r = 0.72, P < 0.004), while at the end of the study, IAT correlated positively with insulin (fasting insulin r = 0.55, P < 0.008, insulin area after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) r = 0.60, P < 0.03, fasting insulin/glucose r = 0.67 P < 0.006) and negatively with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (r = -0.55, P < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity achieved before puberty, and stable during adolescence, showed a relatively stable amount of IAT. In post pubertal children the relationship of IAT to clinically significant risk factors resemble the pattern in obese adults.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1996

[Active properties and therapeutic effects of San Giovanni Spa mud (Portoferraio, Elba Island)].

The authors describe the most important chemical-physical characteristics of the slime of the Terme San Giovanni in Elba Island, both with reference to the inorganic component, and especially to the organic one. The latter principally comes from the presence in the extraction basin of green algae of Caulerpa genus and of two sea plants, Zoostera marina and Posidonia oceanica. The presence of sulphur, in the organic components of slime, and of iron, in the inorganic one, provide the peloid peculiar properties which are very interesting in the treatment of dermatological diseases.

Chlorophyta↗
PubMed1995

Insulin regulation of glucose turnover and lipid levels in obese children with fasting normoinsulinaemia.

To evaluate the early metabolic alterations induced by obesity, we studied glucose turnover and lipid levels in obese children with fasting normoinsulinaemia. Two experimental protocols were carried out. Protocol I consisted of a euglycaemic glucose clamp at two rates of insulin infusion. Protocol II was similar to protocol I except for a variable lipid infusion used to maintain basal non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels. During protocol I, the glucose disappearance rates were lower in obese children, while no differences were found in hepatic glucose release. NEFA response to insulin was not substantially altered in obese children either at low or high insulin infusion. During protocol II, the NEFA clamp induced a 25% reduction in peripheral insulin sensitivity in control children whereas no changes were observed in obese children. Interestingly, lipid infusion in control children was not sufficient to reproduce the same degree of insulin resistance observed in obese children, suggesting that NEFA are only one of the determinants of insulin resistance at this stage of obesity. In conclusion, the present study provides a portrait of glucose metabolism and lipid levels in normoinsulinaemic obese children. Our results document that peripheral insulin resistance is the first alteration at this stage of obesity, whereas an increase in insulin secretion and a defect in the inhibition of hepatic glucose release by insulin may develop at a later stage. In addition, primarily receptor and post-receptor defects and some alterations of NEFA metabolism are likely to coexist in the induction of insulin resistance at this stage of obesity.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
PubMed1995

[Universal dermatophytosis (tinea incognito) caused by Trichophyton rubrum].

An 84-year-old male presented with a dermatophyte infection that had spread over nearly the entire body surface. The first signs had developed 48 years before. After treatment with galenic and corticosteroid preparations for diagnoses of "eczema" and "psoriasis", the lesions gradually extended over the body and to the nails. The cutaneous symptoms had worsened in recent year after the patient had started systemic cortisone treatment for bronchial asthma. He also developed diabetes mellitus, papulonodular lesions on the face and limbs, thinning of his hair and eyebrows and hyperkeratosis of the soles and palms.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

A well resolved ODMR triplet minus singlet spectrum of P680 from PSII particles.

An ADMR T-S spectrum of the primary donor (P680) of photosystem II (PSII) was obtained from anaerobically photoreduced particles. The spectrum is the best resolved obtained so far having a main bleaching band at 684 nm with a linewidth of only 100 cm-1. The view that this spectrum is produced by native homogeneous P680 unlike those obtained before is defended. A small bleaching observed at 678 nm is discussed in terms of the reaction center structure. One possible interpretation of the observations is that P680 is a very loose dimer with an exciton splitting of only 144 cm-1 corresponding to a dimer center-to-center distance of roughly 11.5 A.

Chlorophyll↗
PubMed1993

Epidemiology of the dermatophytoses in the Florence area of Italy: 1985-1990. Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsporum gypseum infections.

Between 1985 and 1990 we observed 2085 cases of dermatophytoses in the Florence area of Italy. Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis were the major etiological agents. 126 cases of dermatophytoses observed during this period were caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Most of the patients came from rural areas or they kept pets. Epidermophyton floccosum ranked fourth in frequency (95 cases). The patients were adults and mainly males, most of whom engaged in sports or lived in group environments. Microsporum gypseum was isolated in 31 cases. Infections occurred directly from contact with soil or domestic animals. We report the principal clinical data concerning these last three dermatophyte infections.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Immunoglobulins in the treatment of herpes zoster].

We have treated 20 patients with Herpes Zoster with "hyperimmune anti-Zoster immunoglobulins" (Uman-VZIG) by intralesional administration, 20 patients with Uman-VZIG by intramuscular administration and 23 patients with acyclovir by intravenous administration. The results of treatment in both groups of patients treated with Uman-VZIG were clinically satisfactory with disappearance of fever, local pain and amelioration of cutaneous lesions after two days from the start of treatment and with a mean duration of disease of five days. In patients treated with acyclovir, signs and symptomatology of disease ameliorated slowly and we have observed a longer mean duration of disease (about 8 days). We concluded that Uman-VZIG, both by intralesional and intramuscular administration, is effective and safe in Herpes Zoster treatment.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1992

[Intravenous immunoglobulins. General features and the main clinical applications].

Intravenous immunoglobulins are stable pooled human IgG preparations for therapeutic use. Intravenous immunoglobulins are used for replacement therapy for patients with primary or secondary antibody immunodeficiency, and they are also beneficial in the prevention and treatment of certain viral infections, such as cytomegalovirus pneumonia and Varicella-Zoster; they may also have a synergistic effect with antibiotics in some bacterial diseases. Intravenous immunoglobulins have also been used successfully in the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Kawasaki disease and other autoimmune diseases such as Graves ophthalmopathy. Disadvantages of intravenous immunoglobulins include some frequent (10%) but usually not serious side effects and high cost; rarely has transmission of viral infections been reported.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMed1992

[Preliminary results of intravenous immunoglobulins in treating patients with vasculitis].

Four patients affected with vasculitis syndrome (1 systemic vasculitis, 3 cutaneous vasculitis) were treated with "intravenous immunoglobulin" (IVIG). Two patients (1 systemic vasculitis, 1 cutaneous vasculitis) presented an improvement of clinical syndrome, while the other 2 patients presented a stable remission; in all patients biochemical amelioration or normalization was observed too. These data confirm that IVIG may be useful in treatment of systemic vasculitis and, for the first time to our knowledge, suggest that IVIG may be an effective treatment in cutaneous vasculitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The protective action of a water poor in calcium on the liver and digestive apparatus of guinea-pigs chronically treated with 9-alpha-fluoro-16-beta-methylprednisolone.

An evaluation was made of the possibility of exerting a protective action by administering natural water with a very low saline content, equal to 22 mg/l (oligomineral water), during the course of prolonged treatment with 9-alpha-fluoro-16-beta-methylprednisolone. The study was carried out using guinea-pigs (66 animals in all, of both sexes, clinically healthy, and of standard weight), which were divided into four groups which received, respectively: 9-alpha-fluoro-16-beta-methylprednisolone and aqua fontis, 9-alpha-fluoro-16-beta-methylprednisolone and oligomineral water, aqua fontis by itself, and oligomineral water by itself. Examinations carried out after thirty-four days of experimentation showed that the histomorphological damage to the liver and the digestive apparatus caused by the cortisonic therapy appeared to be considerably reduced and possibly eliminated when this therapy was combined with adequate administration of oligomineral water, such as the one considered in the present experiment.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The protective action of a water poor in calcium on the kidney of guinea-pigs treated with 9-alpha-fluoro-16-beta-methylprednisolone.

A series of experiments was conducted on guinea-pigs treated with 9-alpha-fluoro-16-beta-methylprednisolone in order to evaluate the histomorphological damage to the renal parenchyma. Animals that were subjected at the same time to hydropinic therapy based on a mineral water with a very low saline content (oligomineral waters) exhibited far less damage than the control group which received aqua fontis.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The use of waters with a low saline content (oligomineral waters) in the feeding of babies.

The problem of the dilution of foodstuffs for early infancy is discussed, with particular reference to artificial milks. The authors briefly consider the influence of calcium salts in the course of curdling, both for milks enriched with such salts and in diluted milks, as well as the importance of a correct well-dosed saline content in the diet for the early stages of infancy. They then control experimentally, using scalar dilutions (1:100; 1:1000; 1:5000) of pepsin at a known titre, the coagulation of commercial powdered milk and of fresh cow's milk, diluted with various types of mineral waters (chlorinated-sodic oligomineral water; bicarbonate-calcic oligomineral water; bicarbonate-alkaline-terrous mineral water).

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Bacterial species detected in some bottled mineral waters sold in Italy.

A total of 51 samples from 32 different kinds of mineral water were examined to investigate their microbial facies in view of a possible relationship with ionic composition. No difference was found between mineral and oligomineral waters. The genera most represented were Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium and Alcaligenes; only rarely could members of these genera be assigned precisely to a defined species, because many strains showed intermediate patterns. The authors suggest widening the microbiological examination of mineral waters and improving ecological and taxonomic knowledge of the autochthonous species in all processing phases in order to evaluate not only their compliance with the law, but also the variations imposed on microflora by different conditions related to container materials, time and temperature of storage.

Alcaligenes↗
PubMed1986

[Clinical experience with the use of Amorosa, a low-mineral water, in athletes].

Nine semi-professional football players have been studied during a pre-championship retreat in a hilly area with their team. The nine athletes drank "Amorosa" oligo mineral water for three weeks and various haematochemical parameters (such as uricaemia, creatinemia, azotemia, sodium content) both before and after the retreat, have been evaluated. Furthermore, LDH and CPK were monitored before and after an exertion test on an exercise bicycle after hydropinic ingestion. The results obtained fully confirm the diuretic and cathartic properties of the water and its property of mobilization of hydroelectrolytic system which are even more useful in subjects needing a rapid elimination of metabolic wastes accumulated during muscle fatigue.

Adolescent↗