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Biomedical subjects

G Barbera

Publications and source records attributed to G Barbera.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Urinary composition and lithogenic risk in normal subjects following oligomineral versus bicarbonate-alkaline high calcium mineral water intake.

OBJECTIVE: A normal dietary calcium intake to reduce intestinal oxalate absorption is essential to avoid recurrence of calcium oxalate stone formation. It is also important in the prevention of osteopenia in idiopathic hypercalciuria. The calcium content of waters used for hydration may vary from very low to relatively high and is an important factor in prevention or additional risk of stone formation. Therefore, the effect of drinking mineral waters of different calcium concentrations on lithogenic risk factors was studied in normal volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Normal subjects were divided into two groups of 11 and 10 individuals each. All followed a prescribed diet with an average calcium content of 800 mg/day. The water intake for hydration consisted of 2 liters of an oligomineral water with a low calcium content, <20 mg/l (group A) or of a bicarbonate alkaline water with a high calcium content, 370 mg/l (group B). RESULTS: Diuresis increased similarly in both groups; urine calcium increased by about 80 mg/day in group B. A rise in urine oxalate was observed in both groups, along with the increased urine volume. Osmolar excretion increased in group B; urine osmolality decreased significantly only in group A. In spite of the increase in calciuria in group B, Ca/citrate ratio was constant, due to an increase in citrate excretion. Inter-group differences in terms of activity products of calcium phosphate, calculated according with Tiselius's methods, were found. The differences in AP(CaP) index 1 and AP(CaP) index 2 were significant, with higher values in group B, who drank the bicarbonate alkaline mineral water. CONCLUSIONS: Increased water intake between meals to prevent renal stone recurrence should preferably be achieved with a relatively low calcium water and calcium-rich mineral waters should be avoided.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Platelet function in patients with hypercholesterolaemia.

Platelets and plasma lipoproteins, particularly low density lipoprotein, have important roles in atherogenesis. Evidence from several sources suggests that important interactions occur between these individual components of the atherogeneic process. Here we review work from our own laboratory on platelet function in normal individuals and patients heterozygous for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). Data is presented on the role of platelet noradrenaline and also on altered cellular signalling in platelets from FH individuals who have plasma low density lipoprotein concentrations which are approximately double those seen in normal subjects.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1992

Semi-selective immunoadsorption treatment in myasthenia gravis.

We treated some patients with severe generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) with semi-selective adsorption by plasma perfusion(PP) on IM-T350 column. We studied efficiency and undesired effects of the employed material to verify the safety and effectiveness of methodology. Thus a treatment protocol has been prepared: 6 PP per treatment cycle; 3-7 days between PP sessions; plasma to treat per session 1,2 lt; only one adsorbent column for every cycle. Our experience, on 13 cycles of treatment, showed that PP in autoimmune MG has provided good clinical results without any improvement in genetic MG.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Myasthenia gravis (MG) treatment with immunoadsorbent columns.

We performed ten plasma perfusion (PP) treatments on eight patients affected by Myasthenia Gravis (MG) with high serum levels of autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptors (anti AChR-AB), and one PP treatment on a patient with MG of probable genetic origin and without specific antibodies. All patients (Osserman group III-IV) had undergone thymectomy and immunosuppressive therapy. Each patient received a treatment cycle of six PP sessions. Clinical conditions were assessed before and after the treatment with evaluation of muscular strength, ventilatory function, and electromyographic testing. Immunologic markers were tested before and after each PP. The patient without specific antibodies showed no improvement with PP and was excluded from our study. All the other patients showed continued improvement, with increased muscle strength and improved respiratory function. Four patients (follow-up 16-24 months) still maintain the clinical improvement; two, unexpectedly relapsed 11-12 months after PP, received a new treatment successfully (follow-up 9-10 month).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Computerised monitoring of sodium and fluid during haemodialysis.

Four stable chronic haemodialysis patients were studied during two periods of 3 weeks: at first a 'standard' haemodialysis (S/HD) was used, followed by 'computer-modulated' haemodialysis (CM/HD). We used a monitor Hospal Monitral-S with Hospal DPM (Display Programmer Module) that allows the programming of 'weight loss rate' and 'dialysate osmolality'. During standard haemodialysis fluid was removed at a constant rate of 1 kg/h with constant sodium dialysate of 143 mmol/l. During computer-modulated haemodialysis the dialysate sodium concentration and the fluid removal of 4 kg per session was modulated by display programmer module.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Detection of blocking antibodies after hyposensitization.

We have studied two techniques and developed another to detect blocking antibodies in allergic asthmatic children who have been exposed to seven months of hyposensitization to house dust. These techniques were: RAST Neutralization test (RAST-N), RAST Interference test (RAST-I) and RAST Previous Adsorption test (RAST-PA). We have also determined the specific IgE values, by radioallergosorbent test (RAST), before and after the treatment and have not found a significant decrease in these levels. The percentages of positive development of blocking antibodies obtained were: 28% by RAST-N, 80% by RAST-I and 28% by RAST-PA. Thus, RAST Interference test seems to be more sensitive concerning the qualitative determination of blocking antibodies.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1983

[A sporadic case of vitamin D-resistant rickets in an adult].

A case of probably sporadic vitamin D-resistant rickets is reported. The patient had suffered from rickets of average intensity in childhood, and the signs had persisted into his adult life. Serious symptoms due to phosphate depletion and marked osteomalacia, however, did not appear until he was 56. A brief description of the differential diagnosis and a summary of the literature on this uncommon form are followed by an account of the gradual biochemical and clinical improvement observed after treatment with phosphates and vitamin D.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1981

Urinary excretion of cyclic-AMP and cyclic-GMP in allergic children throughout seven months of hyposensitization treatment.

The authors studied urine excretion of cyclic-AMP and cyclic-GMP in normal and allergic children before and after hyposensitization to house dust. The cyclic-AMP excretion was found to b diminished in the asthmatic group before the treatment. The hyposensitization did not modify these low levels. No significant variation of cyclic-GMP excretion was found among the normal, ante or post-hyposensitization asthmatic groups.

Asthma↗