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Biomedical subjects

G Delogu

Publications and source records attributed to G Delogu.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

[Peptidase activity and toxicity of strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa].

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a microorganism of the terrestrial and aquatic environment which may cause pulmonary, urinary and corneal infections. The pathogenesis of Pseudomonas-induced diseases seems to be linked to the production of extracellular substances such as exotoxins, hemolysins, leukocidins and hydrolytic enzymes, including various peptidases. Anyway there is not a clear view on the role other proteases have in the mechanism of pathogenesis, and even if their activity may always be associated to the toxicity of the microorganism. We have therefore determined the activity of a number of eso- and endopeptidases in 17 strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from patients with urinary pathologies. Four of these peptidase activities, namely elastase, neutral protease, aminopeptidase I and leucine aminopeptidase show a positive correlation with three parameters selected as indices of toxicity, i.e. the mucoid appearance, the gentamicin resistance and the adhesivity of colonies.

Aminopeptidases

Intravenous immunoglobulins in association with antibiotics: a therapeutic trial in septic intensive care unit patients.

The therapeutic use of iv immunoglobulins of the G class in association with antibiotics in patients with severe sepsis is reported. As compared to the randomized control group of patients treated with antibiotics alone, patient survival was only slightly improved (from 25% to 42%; NS); however, the defervescence time was significantly shorter (10 vs. 16 days), and a greater percentage of microbiologically positive cultures became negative (40% vs. 8%; p less than .01). The percentage of days on antibiotic treatment during ICU hospitalization was consequently reduced (38% vs. 95%; p less than .01). The therapeutic use of iv immunoglobulin G is discussed in terms of antibody substitution and modulation of the immune system.

Adult

Anti-ischaemic and anti-anginal activity of atenolol, nifedipine and their combination in stable, chronic effort angina.

To assess the anti-anginal and anti-ischaemic activity of the beta-blocker atenolol (ATN) and the calcium antagonist nifedipine (NIFE) and their combination in coronary patients, a double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled study was performed. Ten male patients (mean age: 58 +/- 2.9 years) suffering from a stable effort angina were studied. The study lasted 14 weeks: after 2 weeks of wash-out, patients were randomly assigned to ATN (100 mg/day) and placebo-NIFE, or placebo-ATN and NIFE (10 mg three times/day), or ATN (100 mg) plus NIFE (10 mg three times/day) for 4 weeks. Maximal symptom-limited stress tests on a bicycle (10 watt/min) during the wash-out period (on days 10 and 14) and at the end of each treatment period were performed. All treatments significantly increased the work load at 1 mm ST depression, the angina threshold and the total work, and reduced ST depression at the maximal common work and at the maximal work. Also the atenolol-nifedipine combination significantly reduced ST depression at maximal common work and maximal work as compared to ATN and NIFE alone. In conclusion, this study confirms the anti-ischaemic and anti-anginal activity of both atenolol and nifedipine in stable effort angina and shows that their combination is able to increase anti-ischaemic activity.

Angina Pectoris

[Neopterin and interleukin 2 soluble receptors as biochemical markers of cellular immune response to surgical trauma].

In 67 patients submitted to surgical procedures serum neopterin (NPT) and Interleukin 2 soluble receptors (IL2R) were evaluated at the end of the operation as well as 24, 48, 72 hours later. Thirty seven of the subjects (Group B) had undergone minor surgery (average time of operation: 40 +/- 10 min.), thirty (Group A) had undergone major surgery (average time: 180 +/- 30 min.). The results showed elevated NPT and IL2R levels in the latter cases and, in particular, 48 and 72 h after surgery. Neopterin levels were positively correlated with IL2R (r = 0.548 p < 0.01). These data suggest an activation of the cellular immune response which parallels the magnitude and length of surgical trauma. Thus NPT and IL2R levels could represent biochemical markers of postoperative disorders of the immune homeostasis.

Aged