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G Lauria

Publications and source records attributed to G Lauria.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Hypokaliemic rhabdomyolysis associated with liquorice ingestion: report of an atypical case.

We here present an unusual case of hypokaliemic rhabdomyolysis, characterised by a sthenic deficit exclusively involving the distal muscles of the upper limbs and secondary to chronic glycyrrhizic acid intoxication, and by the absence of even ictal arterial hypertension. We discuss the etiopathogenetic bases and the risks related to the development of this secondary hypokaliemic syndrome, also in relation to other concomitant risk factors such as prolonged physical exercise and exposure to low temperatures.

Arm↗
PubMed1997

Incidence of transient global amnesia in the Belluno province, Italy: 1985 through 1995. Results of a community-based study.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to determine the incidence rate of all the new cases of first-ever-in-a-lifetime transient global amnesia in the Belluno province, Italy. Only two prospective epidemiological studies on TGA incidence have been performed to date, non in Italy. Our study aimed to provide reliable and comparable information on TGA incidence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We undertook a prospective population-based study in the territory of the province of Bulluno, Italy, between June 1, 1992 and December 31, 1995. We also retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of all the patients with a diagnosis of amnesia seen in the hospitals of the study area from January 1, 1985 through May 31, 1992. RESULTS: During the prospective study period we identified 77 patients who experienced a first-ever TGA. The crude annual incidence rate was 10.4/100,000 (9.35/100,000 for men and 11.37/100,000 for women). After adjustment to the European population, the incidence rate decreased to 8.60/100,000 per year. The crude annual incidence rate during the retrospective study period was 5.81/100,000. The demographic and clinical features of the two groups did not differ one to the other. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rate of first-ever TGA registered in the province of Belluno, Italy, was closely similar to that reported in Turku, Finland and confirms that TGA is more common than has been usually proposed. We emphasize the usefulness of prospective, rather than retrospective, epidemiological studies for research on TGA.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Organization and sequence of the human gene for the mitochondrial citrate transport protein.

The citrate (tricarboxylate) carrier transports citrate (or other tricarboxylates) across the inner membranes of mitochondria in an electroneutral exchange for malate (or other dicarboxylic acids). We have determined the sequence of the human citrate transporter gene from overlapping genomic clones generated by polymerase chain reactions by use of primers and probes based on the rat cDNA sequence and on emerging sequences. The gene is spread over 2.8 kb of human DNA and is divided into eight exons. All the introns are located at the level of the sequences coding for the extramembranous loops (and not for the transmembrane segments) of the mature protein. The open reading frame of the human gene encodes the mature protein consisting of 298 amino acids, preceded by a presequence of 13 amino acids to help to target it into mitochondria. 84 identities and 106 highly conservative substitutions are present in CTPs from man to yeast. In addition, we have determined the sequences of two human pseudogenes related to the citrate carrier gene encompassing the coding sequence of the gene between nucleotides 260 and 720.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Incidence of transient ischemic attacks in the Belluno Province, Italy. First-year results of a community-based study.

OBJECTIVES: This study formed part of a larger prospective population-based survey on cerebrovascular diseases and aimed to provide reliable and comparable results on TIA incidence and on related risk factors, which could supply investigation objectives and support information for primary and secondary prevention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We undertook a prospective population-based study in the province of Belluno, an area located in the North-East of Italy where 211,389 people live, utilizing all the possible case-collection sources available in the territory. RESULTS: In the first year of the study (June 1, 1992 to May 31, 1993) 271 patients with a diagnosis of transient ischemic attack were recruited. Among these, we recorded 171 cases of new TIAs. The crude annual incidence rate for new TIAs was 0.80 per 1000, 0.73 per 1000 for men and 0.87 per 1000 for women. After adjustment to the European population, the overall incidence rate decreased to 0.58 per 1000 inhabitants per year. The mean age of new TIA patients was 73.91 years and females were significantly older than males (p < 0.001). A CT scan disclosed an infarct in 21 new TIA patients. CONCLUSION: Our first-year results on new TIAs incidence did not differ from the findings reported in previous population-based studies performed throughout the world and support data as to risk factors for TIA.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Alterations in ultrasonic backscatter during exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in humans.

BACKGROUND: Experimentally induced myocardial ischemia in animals causes tissue modifications that alter characteristics of the ultrasonic beam backscattered from the myocardial muscle. Alterations of backscatter parameters have been evidenced in human subjects with acute or remote myocardial infarction and during ischemia induced by angioplasty balloon occlusion or pharmacological stimuli. The effects of transient effort ischemia in humans have not been reported. The purpose of this study is to assess ultrasonic backscatter parameter changes induced by transient effort myocardial ischemia in human subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nineteen patients with single left anterior descending coronary stenosis and 15 healthy subjects underwent ultrasonic backscatter analysis (parasternal long-axis view) at rest, immediately after a supine stress test, and 30 minutes later. Two windows were selected in each ultrasonic study: one encompassing the septum; the other, the posterior wall. Integrated backscatter was computed throughout the cardiac cycle, yielding a power curve relative to the midmyocardial region of the myocardial wall (excluding pericardial and endocardial borders). Five parameters were computed from the backscatter power curve: the maximum-minimum difference, amplitude and phase of the first harmonic Fourier fitting, phase-weighted amplitude, and time-averaged integrated backscatter difference from rest (an index of overall myocardial reflectivity). This protocol allowed comparison of the backscatter data from a region at risk of ischemia (the septum) with that from a region normally perfused (posterior wall) and a comparison with the same regions of the control group during the three ultrasonic studies. All backscatter indexes in the septum were altered significantly by exercise compared with rest values, whereas no changes were found in the normally perfused posterior wall or in the septum of the control group. All modified parameters returned to baseline values at the time of the recovery study. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that transient, exercise-induced ischemia is associated with reduction of the cardiac cycle-dependent variation of the integrated backscatter power curve, a temporal shift in the nadir of the power curve with respect to the R wave (phase increase), and a small but detectable increase of myocardial reflectivity. These changes may be detected noninvasively in humans with ultrasonic backscatter analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Synaptosomal glutamate uptake in a model of experimental cerebral ischemia.

In the present investigation we studied the synaptosomal uptake of glutamate in brain omogenate of Mongolian gerbils submitted to bilateral common carotid occlusion, with and without subsequent return of blood flow. The results show that glutamate uptake after ischemia is reduced by about 35%. The damage appears to be persistent, since return of blood flow restores uptake only slightly. The membrane alterations occurring in ischemia could explain the persistence of glutamate transporter impairment. Besides the blockade of NMDA receptors, the stimulation and/or the protection of the uptake systems for glutamate could be of help in preventing neuronal ischemic damage.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Incidence and prognosis of stroke in the Belluno province, Italy. First-year results of a community-based study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We sought to register the incidence rate, risk factors, and case-fatality rate of all the new cases of first-ever-in-a-lifetime stroke in the province of Beluno, Italy. This study aimed to provide an epidemiological survey of cerebrovascular disease that could supply investigative objectives and support information for regional healthcare facilities planning. METHODS: We undertook a prospective population-based study in the territory of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th local health units in the province of Belluno, an area located in northeast Italy (population, 211 389). RESULTS: In the first year of the study (June 1, 1992, to May 31, 1993), 474 cases of first-ever stroke were registered. The crude annual incidence rate was 2.24/1000 (2.01/1000 for men and 2.45/1000 for women). After adjustment to the European population, the incidence rate for first stroke was 1.70/1000 per year. The pathological diagnosis was confirmed by a CT scan in 89.5% of cases. Cerebral infarction accounted for 319 cases, while 93 patients suffered a primary intracerebral hemorrhage, 12 patients a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 50 patients a stroke of unknown origin. The overall 30-day case-fatality rate was 33%, and the mortality within the first week from stroke onset was 23%. The recurrence rate after 1 month was 1.9%. After 1 month, 46% of our patients were functionally independent in activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS: Our first-year results confirm the fairly high risk for stroke in central and northern Italy and support European findings regarding risk factors for stroke.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1994

Cephalic tetanus presenting with incomplete Bell's palsy.

We present a case of cephalic tetanus in a 60-year old man, whose onset was accompanied by an unusual and incomplete palsy of the muscles supplied by the upper branch of the seventh cranial nerve. Seven days before the appearance of incomplete Bell's palsy, the patient had suffered a slight superficial wound to his forehead on the same side. Seventeen days after the injury, there was evidence of generalized tetanus.

Facial Nerve↗
PubMed1994

Extension of the mitochondrial transporter super-family: sequences of five members from the nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans.

The sequences are presented of cDNAs encoding five related proteins from the nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. Three of them can be recognised as the homologues of the ADP/ATP, phosphate and oxoglutarate/malate carrier proteins that have been found in the inner membranes of mitochondria in other species. These carrier proteins, and the uncoupling protein from the mitochondria in mammalian brown adipose tissue, have common features in their primary and secondary structures, and are members of the same protein super-family. Members of this super-family have polypeptide chains approximately 300 amino acid long that consist of three tandem related sequences of about 100 amino acids. The tandem repeats from the different proteins are inter-related, and each repeat is probably folded into a common secondary structural motif consisting of two hydrophobic stretches of amino acids with the potential to form membrane spanning alpha-helices, linked by an extensive hydrophilic region. The common characteristic features of this family of proteins are also present in sequences of two further proteins, named C1 and C2, encoded in nematode cDNAs, and in four published protein sequences from various sources. Neither the transport properties nor the subcellular locations of any of this latter group of six proteins are known. Therefore, currently the super-family of mitochondrial carrier proteins has at least ten different members.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Substrate-stimulated oxygen consumption by isolated rat brain microvessels in the presence and absence of ATP.

We report here properties of isolated brain microvessels such as the rate of oxygen consumption with different substrates; the permeabilizing effect of added ATP is studied. With the isolation procedure presented the cerebral endothelium has a metabolic activity comparable to that reported in the literature. The respiratory rate of the microvessels is not affected by the addition of ATP, whereas it is significantly increased by addition of succinate and alpha-chetoglutarate. The exposure of the isolated brain capillaries to ATP, in a Ca(2+)-free medium, increases the uptake of 6-carboxyfluorescein. This may be due to pores opened by ATP in the endothelial cell membrane in the absence of divalent cations.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗