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Biomedical subjects

G Carli

Publications and source records attributed to G Carli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Imagery of different sensory modalities: hypnotizability and body sway.

Postural control in subjects with high (Highs) and low (Lows) susceptibility to hypnosis is differentially affected by changes in visual and neck tactile/proprioceptive input. The aim of the present experiment was to investigate whether imagery of the visual and tactile sensory modalities also induces different modulation of postural control in Highs and Lows. Fourteen Highs and 16 Lows were included in the study; they were recorded while standing upright with eyes closed during visual and tactile imagery tasks and during mental computation. Their posture and movement were recorded with an Elite System and their experience was assessed after each task in a structured interview. Visual imagery was judged "easier" than tactile imagery by Lows, while Highs performed both tasks easily and judged the tactile imagery less effortful and more vivid than Lows. No difference was observed for the mental computation. The Highs' body sway was not affected by the cognitive tasks, while Lows showed a task-related modulation of body sway. The results are in line with the hypothesis of lower vulnerability of Highs to the effects of tasks interfering with postural control and of different sensory-motor integration in Highs and Lows.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

One-year neurodevelopmental outcome after moderate newborn hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVES: To define the 1-year neurodevelopmental outcome for survivors of moderate (Sarnat stage 2) neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) to facilitate appropriate parental counselling. METHODS: Hospital-based retrospective review of admissions to a tertiary newborn intensive care unit between 1988 and 2000. All babies admitted for seizures were reviewed and those in whom the probable diagnosis was moderate HIE were identified from chart review. Perinatal variables, number of anticonvulsants, duration of hospital stay and 1-year neurodevelopmental outcome was recorded in survivors. RESULTS: Fifty-three babies who survived probable moderate HIE were identified. Forty-two of these were seen at 1 year of age. Of these, 22 (52%) had normal development and neurological examination and four (9.5%) had mild developmental delay with normal neurological examination. Thirteen babies (31%) had cerebral palsy, 11 of whom also had developmental delay. Two infants (5%) who had been severely impaired at 6 months died before 1 year of age. Overall, 36% of survivors of the neonatal period had significant disability and or had died by 1 year of age. Duration of anticonvulsant treatment and length of hospital stay were significantly related to adverse outcome. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest morbidity rates after moderate HIE in the upper end of the range previously described in the literature. Systematic longer-term follow up of this high-risk group of infants is needed.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed2004

Does hypnotizability affect human upright stance?

Subjects highly (Highs) and low susceptible to hypnosis (Lows) show different imagery and attentional capabilities and also peculiar somatomotor, vegetative and electroencephalographic differences in basal and task conditions. Since attention is one of the main component of hypnotic susceptibility and also a relevant factor for postural control, the aim of the experiment was to study actual differences between Highs and Lows at the eyes closure during upright stance. Visual and motor imagery as well as attentional/disattentional capabilities were evaluated through psychological tests. Posture was monitored though Elite systems during upright stance with open and closed eyes. At the eyes closure, Highs and Lows exhibited a different body sway modulation. Possible different compensation mechanisms are suggested for the two groups and interactions between attentional/arousal systems responsible of hypnotic phenomenology and postural control are underlined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood.

Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood (BPV) is a paroxysmal, non-epileptic, recurrent event characterized by subjective or objective vertigo that occurs in neurologically intact children. We recorded the history and the clinical aspects of 19 cases presenting with neurological problems to the outpatient clinic at the Pediatrics Department of Padova University between 1987 and 1998 and re-examined in 1999. Details were collected on the characteristics of their vertigo: age at onset, mode of onset, trigger factors, duration, frequency and recurrence of episodes, duration of symptoms in time and age at disappearance. An attempt was also made to establish any family history of migraine and kinetosis and the most important data were compared, when possible, with those reported in the literature. Differential diagnosis and pathogenetic hypothesis were also reported. It is worth emphasizing that it is important for pediatricians to be aware of these benign events to ensure a correct diagnostic approach, avoiding the child and family any pointless anxiety or costly and sometimes invasive diagnostic procedures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Hair analysis by using radioimmunoassay, high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis to investigate chronic exposure to heroin, cocaine and/or ecstasy in applicants for driving licences.

The present paper describes an integrated diagnostic strategy to check the physical fitness of subjects, formerly users of illicit drugs, to obtain a driving license, after having quit their addiction. According to the Italian law, applicants for a driving license with a history of drug abuse must give evidence to have quit this behaviour and to show no risk of relapse in the future. To prove this, at our institute, they undergo medical examination, hair analysis and a urinalysis program on eight seriate samples, collected over about 40 days. About 700 subjects per year are investigated with this strategy. The hair samples are screened for opiates (morphine), cocaine and ecstasy, the most abused illicit substances in our region, by using commercial radioimmunoassays adopting cut-off levels of 0.1 ng/mg. All positive samples and about 10% of negatives are confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Further confirmation of results can be carried out by capillary electrophoresis (and/or GC/MS or MS/MS). In 1998, the prevalence of positives for morphine, cocaine and ecstasy was 4.8, 11.3 and 2.6%, respectively. In this year, for the first time, the percentage of hair samples positive for cocaine was greater than that for opiates. The results of this integrated diagnostic strategy are presented and discussed, with particular emphasis on the comparison between hair analysis on a single sample and seriate urinalyses (on eight samples).

Automobile Driving↗
PubMed2000

Benign paroxysmal torticollis of infancy.

Benign paroxysmal torticollis is an episodic functional disorder of unknown etiology that occurs in the early months of life in healthy individuals. The child's head tilts to one side for a few hours or days, usually without any associated symptoms. The disorder, which disappears within the first few years of life, is often misinterpreted and the patient pointlessly undergoes numerous tests. We present our series of 22 patients observed at the pediatric neurology outpatients clinic in Padova with a view to refreshing the pediatrician's memory on this frequent, benign pathology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Oxotremorine-induced modifications of the behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to formalin pain in male rats.

In the present investigation, the antinociceptive effects of the muscarinic cholinergic agonist, oxotremorine, were evaluated in rats using the formalin test. In Expt. 1, two oxotremorine concentrations (0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg) and two administration times (15 and 1 min before formalin injection) were chosen. All spontaneous and formalin-evoked behavioral responses were considered. In Expt. 2, only the higher concentration of oxotremorine (0.2 mg/kg) was administered 15 or 1 min before the formalin test. The animals were killed 15, 30 or 60 min after formalin treatment. Blood was collected from the trunk to determine corticosterone plasma levels. Some brain areas (hypothalamus, septum and periaqueductal gray matter) were dissected for determination of the beta-endorphin content. Oxotremorine induced a dose- and time-dependent reduction of all formalin-evoked responses: licking was decreased during both the first and second phases of the formalin test, flexing was decreased during the second phase by the higher concentration only and paw-jerk was decreased during the first phase by both concentrations. Rearing and line-crossing were significantly decreased by oxotremorine while exploratory activity was only partially reduced; self-grooming was increased. These effects on exploratory activity and self-grooming were abolished by formalin treatment. beta-endorphin content in the septum was increased by oxotremorine administered 15 min, but not 1 min, before formalin-treatment. beta-endorphin in the hypothalamus increased in all formalin-treated groups independently of oxotremorine administration. These results confirm, and extend to tonic pain, the analgesic effect exerted by oxotremorine on phasic responses. Because of the different effects on each formalin-induced response, they also indicate both spinal and supraspinal CNS sites of action.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

Influence of training on the response to exercise of adrenocorticotropin and growth hormone plasma concentrations in human swimmers.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the response of adrenocorticotropin ([ACTH]) and growth hormone ([GH]) concentrations to a typical aerobic swimming set during a training season. Nine top-level male endurance swimmers (age range 17-23 years) were tested during three training sessions occurring 6, 12 and 18 weeks after the beginning of the season. During each session, after a standard warm-up, the swimmers performed a training set of 15 x 200-m freestyle, with 20 s of rest between repetitions, at a predetermined individual speed. Blood samples were collected before warm-up and at the end of the training set. A few days before each session, the individual swimming velocity corresponding to the 4 mmol x 1(-1) blood lactate concentration (nu4) was assessed as a standard of aerobic performance. Aerobic training affected nu4 levels, which were highest 18 weeks after the beginning of the season; at the same time, while [ACTH] response was attenuated, [GH] response was enhanced. These results could be considered as adaptations to the exercise intensity. In our training programme, these adaptations seemed to have occurred between the 12th and 18th weeks of the training season.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1998

Pain management of arteriovenous fistula cannulation in haemodialysis children: efficacy of EMLA anaesthetic cream.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of EMLA cream (containing a eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics) in controlling pain due to arteriovenous fistula cannulation in teenagers undergoing chronic haemodialysis. The study was conducted in two phases, one prospective, the other a blind randomized trial, at the Paediatric Haemodialysis service of the Paediatrics Department of Padua University, Italy. It involved six teenagers, aged 12-18 years. Pain was measured using the visual analogue scale, indirect evaluation by nurses and a four-category verbal rating scale. Results showed that: (1) the visual analogue scale calls for an adequate training period; and (2) the EMLA cream might be effective in controlling cannulation-related pain but emotional factors, such as uncontrolled fear and stress, can interfere with the global efficacy of the analgesic approach. Copyright 1998 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Effects of novelty, pain and stress on hippocampal extracellular acetylcholine levels in male rats.

In vivo microdialysis was used to assess the effects of Novelty, persistent pain (Formalin test) and stress (Restraint) on hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh) release. Experiments were carried out during the dark phase, i.e. during the active period of the animal, and consisted of four experimental phases: Baseline (30 min), Novelty (30 min), Formalin test (90 min) and Restraint (30 min); each animal was consecutively exposed to all phases. The extracellular levels of ACh in the dorsal hippocampus were estimated by measurement of its concentration in the perfusion fluid by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The introduction to a new environment (Novelty) induced in all rats higher ACh levels than Baseline. Formalin treatment decreased ACh release only in animals considered 'Inactive' during the Novelty phase while no modification in ACh release was observed in the 'Active' ones. Restraint did not produce any modification of ACh release but increased Corticosterone plasma levels both in sham- and formalin-treated animals. Results indicate that Novelty, but not Formalin or Restraint, increases ACh release in the hippocampus and that the type of behavioral state displayed by the animal at the time of formalin injection determines the response of the septo-hippocampal cholinergic pathway.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1997

Hippocampal electrical activity and behavior in the rabbit.

Different approaches to the study of the relationship between hippocampal electrical activity and behavior have shown that hippocampal EEG varies according to different behavioral aspects. In particular, a rhythmic slow activity (RSA, Theta rhythm) can be recorded during voluntary movements and to a lesser degree during immobility. In laboratory experiments, we tried to evaluate the influence on the hippocampal EEG of external stimuli evoking emotional or cognitive responses. Similar electrical responses were observed during animal hypnosis and in the presence of threatening stimuli, while some electrical parameters, such as frequency and rhythmicity, varied according to the nature of the stimulus. In order to have greater and clearer information, we adopted a neuro-ethological approach ch. which allowed us to classify behavior into several categories and to record the hippocampal EEG during natural behavior. The influence exerted on hippocampal electrical activity by novel stimuli and the electrical profiles recorded during exploratory behavior or alert or quiet immobility allowed us to classify the hippocampal EEG on the basis of frequency and rhythmicity. Moreover, the study of social behavior showed that the variations of the electrical parameters of the hippocampal activity depended on the characteristics of the stimulus and that typical electrical profiles could be observed in immobile or motor activities caused by specific stimuli. Socially dominant and subordinate rabbits could also be distinguished on the basis of hippocampal electrical parameters.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Formalin-induced changes in adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone plasma levels and hippocampal choline acetyltransferase activity in male and female rats.

Formalin (10%) induces higher levels of licking and flexing in female than in male rats, as shown in the present study. In order to ascertain the neural and hormonal modifications that accompany these behavioural differences, we determined the activity of choline acetyltransferase in the hippocampus and the levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone in the plasma. Two concentrations of formalin were used (50 microliters; 0.1% or 10%). Formalin was injected subcutaneously in the dorsal part of the hindpaw, and the animal's behaviour was then recorded for 60 min in a familiar open-field apparatus. Hippocampal choline acetyltransferase activity did not differ between the two genders in controls, while a significant gender difference was present in both formalin-injected groups, with higher levels in females than in males. This was the result of a decrease in males but not in females. In contrast, adrenocorticotropic hormone was increased by both formalin concentrations in females; corticosterone was not affected by treatment in either gender. Results are discussed in the light of the morphological and functional differences between the two genders in the hippocampus and in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1996

High effectiveness and safety of one-week antibiotic regimen in Helicobacter pylori eradication.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is strongly associated with peptic ulcer: H. pylori eradication markedly decreases the recurrence rate of duodenal and gastric ulcer, but the optimum length of antibiotic therapy in the eradication of H. pylori is still unclear. AIM: To verify the effectiveness and side-effect profile of an eradicating regimen consisting of omeprazole 20 mg daily for 4 weeks and, during the first week, combination antimicrobial treatment with tinidazole 500 mg b.d. plus clarithromycin 250 mg b.d. in patients with active duodenal and gastric ulcer. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-six duodenal ulcer patients and 27 gastric ulcer patients with H. pylori infection were admitted into an open prospective study. Compliance was assessed by an accurate interview. RESULTS: Overall, H. pylori was successfully eradicated in 201 of 223 patients (intention-to-treat 90.1%; 95% CI = 85-94%): 176 of 196 duodenal ulcer patients became H. pylori-negative (89.8%; CI = 85-94%) as well as 25 of 27 gastric ulcer patients (92.6%; CI = 76-99%). Compliance was excellent in 221 of 223 (99.1%) patients evaluated as having taken all the medication as prescribed. Sixteen patients (7.2%) developed mild side effects during treatment. CONCLUSION: This combination treatment had excellent results with almost absolute compliance and a very low rate of minor side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Brush cytology: a reliable method to detect Helicobacter pylori.

This study was conducted to verify the reliability of brush cytology in detecting Helicobacter pylori in an unselected group of patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) and nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD). Endoscopy was performed on 416 consecutive patients: group A, 94 with active DU; group B, 176 patients with DU after omeprazole (n = 78), ranitidine (n = 43), or triple anti-H. pylori therapy (n = 55); and group C, 146 patients with NUD. During endoscopy, the gastric mucosa was brushed and two biopsy samples from the antrum and body were obtained for histology. In 65 patients, culture of the brush-collected materials also was performed as was that from of biopsy samples. The overall frequency of H. pylori presence detected by brush cytology was significantly higher compared with that of histology (p < 0.001), particularly in group A (p < 0.05), group C (p < 0.05), and in patients with DU after omeprazole treatment (p < 0.01), but not in patients with DU after ranitidine or anti-H. pylori treatment. The overall frequency of H. pylori-positive cultures from the brush-collected material was higher compared with cultures from the biopsy samples (38.5% vs. 24.6%), particularly in the NUD group (32.6% vs. 16.3%). Brush cytology is more sensitive than histology, besides being faster and cheaper, for the assessment of H. pylori infection, particularly when the density of the bacteria is low.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Response of cat cortical neurons to position and movement of the femur.

The contribution of joint afferents to the response of cortical neurons in area 3a to mechanical stimulation of the contralateral hindlimb was evaluated in cats anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital and paralyzed with pancuronium bromide. The hindlimb projection to the pericruciate cortex was established by recording the evoked potentials to electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve and some of its branches, the bicepssemitendinosus and the quadratus femoris. Out of 169 neurons, 63 responded exclusively to cutaneous stimuli (superficial), whereas the others could be activated by local pressure of hindlimb muscles and/or by joint rotation (deep). Deep neurons were classified as slowly adapting (SA) or rapidly adapting (RA) units. In the neurons responding exclusively to joint rotation, the site of the receptive field could not be identified with certainty. In 13 deep neurons, their firing was affected by rotation of multiple joints of the contralateral hindlimb. In an attempt to identify the source of activation of cortical neurons, partial denervations and muscle disconnections were performed in five animals to isolate and stimulate the hip capsule. In these preparations, in 14 of 15 cortical neurons the source of activation was localized in the periarticular muscles, with no response to mechanical stimulation of the joint capsule. Only one neuron (SA) could be selectively excited by punctate pressure on the hip capsule. Our results suggest that in neurons of area 3a of the cat, the information about the position of the femur relies mainly on muscle afferents.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1995

Sex-related effects on behaviour and beta-endorphin of different intensities of formalin pain in rats.

The effects of two intensities of formalin pain on behaviour and beta-Endorphin (beta-EP) concentration in the brain and pituitary were studied in male and female rats. The animals were familiarized with the Hole-Board apparatus for 3 days, and then, after a subcutaneous injection of formalin (50 microliter, 0.1 or 10%) or Sham-injection (Control) in the hindpaw, they were tested in the Hole-Board for 60 min. Licking, Flexing and Paw-Jerk of the injected limb were recorded. beta-EP concentration was determined in the hypothalamus (HYP), the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), the anterior pituitary (AP) and the neurointermediate lobe (NIL). Licking and Flexing durations were greater in females than males only with formalin 10%. Sex differences in beta-EP concentration between the Control groups were found in all tissues except the HYP; beta-EP levels were higher in females in the PAG and NIL, but greater in the AP in males. beta-EP concentration increased in males in the HYP and NIL with formalin 10%; in females, a decrease was found in the HYP with formalin 0.1%. The present results suggest that: (a) there are differences between males and females in the responses to formalin pain, and the nature (pattern and duration) of the sex differences varies according to the pain intensity; (b) there are differences in beta-EP concentration between the two sexes in control animals, and male and female rats also exhibit differences in the modifications of beta-EP in response to formalin-induced pain.

Analysis of Variance↗