PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Bucci

Publications and source records attributed to G Bucci.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

[Esculin hydrolysis, a confirmation test for fecal streptococci detected on Slanetz-Bartley medium].

Samples of marine waters have been analyzed for recovering faecal streptococci applying the membrane filtration technique on Slanatez-Bartley medium. It has been pointed out that this medium can yield high proportions of non-group D streptococci: in fact its selectivity seems to be rather low at least for certain samples. This study aims to test and to overcome the disadvantage of the high counts of faecal streptococci due to background microrganisms. The hydrolysis of esculin may be used as a confirmatory test for increasing the selectivity. Membranes showing high numbers of streptococci-like colonies have been transferred from Slanetz-Bartley (MEA) medium to an esculin iron agar (EIA) plate. After 20 min at 41 degrees C small black spots appeared on the backside of the membrane where the colonies had hydrolyzed esculin were resident. The number of positive colonies may be recorded as the real number of faecal streptococci.

Esculin↗
PubMed1985

Immunologic follow-up of infants treated with granulocyte transfusion for neonatal sepsis.

The immunologic status and the occurrence of alloimmunization against granulocytes, platelets, lymphocytes, and red cells was evaluated in 33 babies who received granulocyte transfusion because of neonatal sepsis. Nine age-matched babies were examined as control. A first group of 19 infants was examined only once between 6 and 23 months of age. Alloantibodies were searched by the following serologic methods: standard techniques for red cell antibodies; lymphocytotoxicity test; agglutination and immunofluorescence tests on granulocytes and platelets. No antibodies were demonstrated. The immunologic profile was investigated by determining the Ig levels, the percentage of E rosette-forming cells, and the lymphocyte blastic response to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A. Granulocyte function was studied by phagocytosis and killing of Candida. No significant differences were observed between treated and control babies. In a second group of 14 infants the occurrence of early immunization within 3 to 9 weeks after the last transfusion was investigated. No evidence of early immunization was found. The present data suggest that following neonatal granulocyte transfusion the risk of adverse immune reactions should be low.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1982

Evaluation of an automatic oscillometric method and of various cuffs for the measurement of arterial pressure in the neonate.

We compared simultaneous measurement of aortic, direct (Dir) and of indirect (Ind) systolic (S), mean (M) and diastolic (D) arterial pressure (AP) determined by an automatic oscillometric instrument (DINAMAP) in neonates with birthweight of 1000-3680 g. DINAMAP measurements were performed with cuffs of increasing width and length, recommended by the manufacturer for increasing arm circumference, and with a Standard sized cuff (2.5 X 15 cm), previously considered as suitable for neonates of any body size. In addition, we compared simultaneous measurements of Dir SAP and of Ind SAP determined by a Doppler technique and the Standard cuff. In DINAMAP SAP measurements with the Standard cuff, a statistically significant correlation between arm circumference and delta Ind-Dir SAP values (i.e. the difference between simultaneous Ind and Dir SAP measurements) was found. In DINAMAP MAP measurements with the cuff recommended for arm circumference, a statistically significant difference of the mean delta Ind-Dir MAP values was observed in infants whose arm was or was not completely encircled by the bladder of the cuff. In SAP as well as in MAP DINAMAP determinations, the overall error of measurement with the Standard cuff was smaller than with the recommended cuff. The Doppler method was found considerably more accurate than the DINAMAP method for the determination of SAP. In spite of these limitations, the DINAMAP method with the Standard cuff was considered to be reasonably accurate for the clinical determination of SAP and MAP, provided that several consecutive measurements are performed and averaged in order to minimize the error of measurement. When considering DAP measurements the error was so unacceptably high that the DINAMAP method cannot be recommended for clinical use. The need for a careful consideration of the cuff characteristics when evaluating new methods for the indirect measurement of AP in the neonate is emphasized.

Blood Pressure Determination↗
PubMed1981

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte transfusion for the treatment of sepsis in the newborn infant.

A therapeutic trial of transfusions with polymorphonuclear leukocyte concentrates was performed in newborn infants with bacterial sepsis proven by blood culture. With each transfusion, 20 ml/kg of a preparation obtained by continuous flow filtration leukapheresis, and containing 0.5 to 1 x 10(9) WBC, with less than 6% lymphocytes, was administered. Twenty newborn infants with sepsis received from 2 to 15 PMN transfusions. Results were compared with findings in 18 newborn infants with sepsis admitted during the trial period, and not treated because of unavailability of the PMN preparation (Group B). Infants with fulminant illness were excluded from both groups. Groups A and B were similar with respect to clinical characteristics and to etiology (in the majority cases a highly antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella). The mortality rate was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B in the whole series (10% vs 72%, P < 0.001), and also in the subgroups with birth weight equal or below 1,500 gm (10% vs 91%, P < 0.001). Major complications and associated conditions (i.e., necrotizing enterocolitis, meningitis, pneumonia, peritonitis, osteoarthritis, disseminated intravascular coagulation) were observed in 12 patients of Group B, and in only three infants of Group A. Untoward effects attributable to PMN transfusions were never observed. PMN transfusion was a highly effective therapeutic tool in our population of infected newborn infants.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1981

Prolonged intermittent positive pressure ventilation by nasal prongs in intractable apnea of prematurity.

In order to avoid endotracheal intubation in very small newborn infants requiring prolonged intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV), a method was developed allowing delivery of IPPV by means of nasal prongs (nasal IPPV). A series of 10 newborn infants weighing 1 200 g or less, and requiring nasal IPPV for 5 to 14 days because of intractable apnea has been reported. Five infants survived. With the exception of hearing defects in two survivors, no lesions possibly due to the ventilation procedure were observed. Follow-up examination showed severe mental and motor handicap in one infant, and apparently normal mental and motor development in 3 infants examined at the age of 12-27 months. It is suggested that nasal IPPV is an effective and safe method for prolonged ventilation of very small newborn infants with normal or not severely affected lungs, whereas it appears of very limited use in patients with stiff lungs, such as in severe HMD.

Apnea↗