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Biomedical subjects

G Conte

Publications and source records attributed to G Conte.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Glomerular dynamics and salt balance in pregnant rats with renal hypertension.

These studies were aimed at investigating whether chronic hypertension in pregnancy causes changes both in salt excretion (NaE) and in glomerular hemodynamics. Metabolic and renal micropuncture studies were performed in pregnant (P) and Virgin (V) Munich-Wistar rats with normal blood pressure (N) and two-kidney Goldblatt hypertension (H). Mean NaE was higher in PN than VN (2.7 vs. 1.7 meq/day, P less than 0.01). Hypertension raised NaE both in P and V rats: in P and V rats with "benign" hypertension (blood pressure less than 180 mmHg) NaE averaged 3.2 and 2.6 meq/day, respectively (P less than 0.05); mean NaE was 5.9 and 3.8 meq/day, respectively (P less than 0.01), in P and V rats with "malignant" hypertension (blood pressure greater than or equal to 180 mmHg). Afferent arteriole resistance (Ra) averaged 1.73 and 3.50 10 dyn.s-1.cm5 in PN and VN, respectively (P less than 0.01). Hypertension raised Ra in V, but not in P rats (4.47 vs. 2.14 10 dyn.s-1.cm5, P less than 0.01). Thus glomerular plasma flow, glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure, and single-nephron glomerular filtration rate were markedly higher in PH than VH rats: in PH rats single-nephron filtration fraction was significantly lower than in VH. These results show that in PH rats a marked rise in NaE is associated with glomerular vasodilation.

Animals↗

Effects of uremia, acetate and bicarbonate dialysis on beta-adrenergic responsiveness as assessed by epinephrine-stimulated adenylate cyclase.

This study was designed to evaluate beta-adrenergic responsiveness as assessed by the generation of cyclic AMP after the subcutaneous administration of epinephrine in 31 subjects: normal controls, patients with chronic renal insufficiency, hemodynamically stable patients on chronic acetate dialysis and hemodynamically unstable patients with acetate intolerance on chronic bicarbonate dialysis. As compared with controls, only unstable patients on bicarbonate dialysis presented impaired beta-responsiveness, which, in turn, was acutely reduced only after acetate but not bicarbonate dialysis. Our results show that acetate dialysis impairs the beta-adrenergic responsiveness and that the observed beta-hyporesponsiveness in unstable patients with acetate intolerance may represent part of a broader spectrum of autonomic dysfunction which may develop in some patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Acetates↗

[Cytogenetic study of acute and chronic leukemias].

From 1983 to 1987 we studied 30 patients with leukemia searching for chromosomal alterations. Cytogenetic studies of bone marrow showed an abnormal karyotype in 19 (67%). Seven out of 14 cases of acute leukemia presented different chromosomic alterations. The Philadelphia chromosome was found in 11 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and 3 patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia; a Pseudo-Philadelphia chromosome was present in one patient, this being the first such finding in Chile. Thus, the karyotype is a valuable complementary study not only in chronic myeloid leukemia but also in chronic lymphatic leukemia and the acute lymphoblastic and non-lymphoblastic varieties.

Adolescent↗

Effectiveness of single daily intraperitoneal administration of aztreonam and cefuroxime in the treatment of peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

To discover if the management of peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) may be effectively simplified by single daily i.p. administration of aztreonam (A) and cefuroxime (C), 10 adult CAPD patients (pts) with peritonitis were trained to start the following treatment procedure: a) sterile collection of dialysate effluent for cultures; b) 4 rapid in-and-out exchanges with antibiotic free dialysate; c) addition of 2 g C and 2 g A to a 2-L exchange for 6-h dwell time (the same dosage was repeated once a day in the overnight exchange); d) routine CAPD exchanges. Concentrations of C and A were measured in dialysate and serum of the patients 2, 12, 18, and 21-23 h after the i.p. administration: C remained within therapeutic range in all samples, while serum and dialysate A levels fell below such range 16 h after the i.p. administration. Seventeen peritonitis episodes occurred during the observation period (12 months): initial dialysate cultures grew Staph. aureus in 6 episodes, Staph epidermidis in 6, Pseudomonas aer. in 2, Streptococcus faecalis in 1, Citrobacter in 1, and Candida in 1. All patients but 1 (with Candida-positive culture) responded to this treatment with no relapse in 2 months. We conclude that once a day i.p. administration of 2 g aztreonam plus 2 g of cefuroxime is an effective and simple way of treating CAPD pts with gram-positive and gram-negative peritonitis.

Aztreonam↗

Evaluation in terms of annual incidence rate of lung cancer within the ULSSs of the Veneto region (Italy) from hospital discharge data (years 1980-1982).

The annual incidence of lung cancer in aggregated territories (ULSS and Veneto Region) was assessed by a retrospective analysis of hospital discharge data from 1980-1982. The 1982 regional age and sex-specific prevalence and incidence rates (X 100,000 inhabitants), the deaths in period and the cumulative incidence rates were determined. Also calculated were the standardized incidence ratios, distinctly for sex and a truncated age range (35-64 years) and on the total as well as the standard errors. The results obtained demonstrated that the incidence rate in the Veneto is among the highest in Italy and that there is a nonhomogeneous distribution of incidence/prevalence in the various ULSSs within the Veneto. Previously help opinions on the effects of sex and age were also confirmed. Comparison of the results with those obtained from the deaths in period showed the method used for analysis to be reasonably practical and reliable. It could provide an alternative method to the more complex and expensive system currently adopted by the Population Registries.

Adult↗

Three-field isocentric technique for breast irradiation using individualized shielding blocks.

The three-field technique is the most common method used for breast and regional node treatment after conservative surgery. Several variants of this technique, which are characterized by complex geometrical problems, have been described. A possible simplification of this technique and the use of individualized shielding blocks both for anterior and for tangential fields is proposed, thus allowing for the simultaneous shielding of the half beam and the critical areas. Advantages of isocentrical techniques are thereby maintained, but the number of mechanical movements required is minimized and collimators and couch rotations are not needed. Patient set-up time is also greatly shortened. The accuracy of this technique has been verified using both photographic methods and thermoluminescent dosimetry.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Effects of furosemide therapy on free-water excretion in uremic patients.

To assess the intrinsic effects of treatment with furosemide on free-water excretion in patients with chronic renal failure, two groups of patients with and without replacement of diuretic-induced salt losses have been studied. Furosemide therapy was administered for 1 week during constant sodium intake (100 mEq/day). In neither of the groups did furosemide cause hyponatremia, while it did decrease the urine to plasma osmolality ratio, an effect lasting even when the diuretic effect was exhausted. During water diuresis, furosemide decreased the fractional sodium reabsorption in diluting segments but not the absolute rate of the free-water generation (CH2O). Presumably the expected decrease of CH2O was masked by the increased distal delivery of tubular fluid mainly due to an additional effect of the diuretic on the proximal tubule. The hypotonicity of urine after furosemide treatment may be secondary to the dissipation of medullary hypertonicity, caused by furosemide, in the condition of decreased water permeability of the collecting duct due to uremic disease.

Furosemide↗

Treatment of severe renovascular hypertension by percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty in patients with solitary functioning kidney. Effects on blood pressure and renal function.

In this study the effects of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty on blood pressure and renal function were studied in 9 hypertensive patients with stenosis of the main artery of a solitary functioning kidney. The outcome of the percutaneous dilatation of the renal artery stenosis, and the effects on blood pressure and renal function were evaluated for a mean period of 16.4 +/- 2.13 (SE) months (ranging from 3 to 65 months). A successful dilatation of the renal artery stenosis was shown in all the patients by the aortography performed 1 h after the procedure. At the discharge (7.8 +/- 0.9 days after dilatation), blood pressure was 'cured' in 2 patients and 'improved' in the remaining patients; renal function was improved in all patients who had reduced renal function. At the last follow-up, no restenosis was found in patients who repeated the follow-up angiography; blood pressure was 'cured' in 3 patients and 'improved' in 6 patients, and renal function appeared steadly improved. In contrast with other reports, our results demonstrate that percutaneous renal angioplasty is a safe and effective procedure and should be attempted before considering surgical intervention in patients with artery stenosis of a solitary functioning kidney.

Adult↗

[Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to lung neoplasms. Departmental experience at the Mestre Hospital].

The results are reported of a multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic program applied to 381 patients with lung carcinoma from 1983 through 1985 at Mestre General Hospital. Cytologic and/or histologic diagnosis was established in 95% and staging accomplished in 96% of the patients. One-hundred-twenty-nine patients with non-small cell cancer were primarily treated by surgery (lobectomy or pneumonectomy); 3-year survival of this group was 48%. Of the 45 patients with pN1 or pN2 disease, 23 were treated with postoperative adjunctive mediastinal radiotherapy (50Gy/25 F/5Wk); however, survival showed no significant difference in the two groups. Ninety-seven inoperable patients were treated by radiotherapy alone; among those receiving doses of 50-60 Gy in 5 to 6 weeks, 3-year survival was 10%. Chemotherapy (CAMP), used in 23 cases (22 stage IV, 1 stage III), showed no improvement in survival, as compared with a similar series of patients submitted to symptomatic treatment alone. Of the 27 patients affected by small-cell carcinoma, 14 were treated with an aggressive radiochemotherapy protocol and 13 with palliative radiotherapy or low-dose chemotherapy: median survival in the two groups was respectively 45 and 60 weeks. Our study demonstrates the clinical feasibility of interdisciplinary programs routinely applied to a large population of lung cancer patients, and confirms its rationale in terms of early diagnosis, improved staging, and adequate treatment.

Adenocarcinoma↗