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Biomedical subjects

G Nunziata

Publications and source records attributed to G Nunziata.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Retinal degeneration associated with ectopia lentis.

Two brothers had retinal degeneration, lens subluxation, and myopia since early life. There was no evidence of Marfan syndrome, homocystinuria, or other systemic disease. They had nystagmus, myopia, inferior dislocation of the lens, and posterior subcapsular opacities in both eyes. Fundus examination showed attenuated retinal vessels, macular atrophy with occasional pigment accumulation as clumps, and perivascular sleeves. Electroretinography revealed decreased photopic and scotopic responses. The visual fields were constricted. We believe this to be the first report of retinal degeneration with bilateral lens subluxation in a family. It appears to be inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion.

Adult↗

Autosomal recessive familial exudative vitreoretinopathy: evidence for genetic heterogeneity.

Two unrelated families with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) show apparent autosomal recessive inheritance rather than the previously reported autosomal dominant or X-linked recessive mode of inheritance. Compared with the other modes of inheritance, the inherited clinical features here include earlier onset (at birth) and a more severe progressive course.

Adult↗

Evaluation of fatty acids in membrane phospholipids of erythrocytes in retinitis pigmentosa patients.

Several investigators have observed abnormalities of plasma DHA in various common forms of retinitis pigmentosa. Erythrocyte membranes are an accessible tissue which may more closely reflect neural membrane fatty acid levels, but little data is yet available on their fatty acid composition in retinitis pigmentosa patients. We have evaluated the DHA levels in red blood cells membrane phospholipids in various genetic forms of retinitis pigmentosa and relative controls. The results obtained indicate significantly lower DHA levels in red blood cell membrane phospholipids in retinitis pigmentosa patients with respect to controls (p < 0.01). This data is significant for autosomal dominant forms only (p < 0.01). Fatty acid content alterations in membrane phospholipids of red blood cells may be considered as markers for abnormalities in the lipid metabolism which disturb the retina integrity.

Adolescent↗

Fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids of cataractous human lenses.

The effect of lipid peroxidation on fatty acid composition in membrane phospholipids of transparent and cataractous lens nuclei was investigated. The preliminary results demonstrate a trend toward an increase in the content of palmitic acid with a decrease in the content of oleic acid, linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the opaque nuclei as compared to the transparent ones of senile cataractous lenses.

Cataract↗

[The clinico-instrumental evaluation of the efficacy of picotamide in treating chronic obstructive arteriopathies of the lower extremities].

In 25 patients (19 males and 6 females) suffering from chronic arteriopathy of lower extremities at Fontaine stage II, the clinical efficacy of picotamide was investigated in double blind, cross over placebo-controlled study. Patients were assigned randomly to the treatment with placebo or picotamide (900 mg/die) for three months and, after 15 days of wash-out, to the treatment with picotamide or placebo for the same period. Painfree walking distance and ankle/arm systolic pressure ratio improved significantly only during picotamide treatment. Laboratory monitoring revealed a significant decrease in platelet aggregation and an increase of fibrinogen degradation products only during picotamide treatment. Three patients during picotamide treatment referred transient gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea); however in no case the treatment was suspended because of the appearance of these symptoms. These results indicate that picotamide is an effective drug in the management of chronic arteriopathy of lower extremities.

Aged↗

Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus in an Italian rural community.

To evaluate the prevalence of diabetes in a rural community, 589 subjects in Laurino, Southern Italy, were submitted to a 50 g oral glucose tolerance test. Two hours later, blood glucose levels revealed 453 normal subjects, 36 diabetics and 100 borderline subjects. The borderline subjects were re-examined with 75 g OGTT and, according to criteria recommended by the National Diabetes Data Groups (NDDG), 29 subjects were found normal, 35 with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 36 with diabetes. Final figures showed 72 diabetics (12.2%) and 35 IGT cases (5.9%). Obesity appeared strongly related to diabetes (p less than 0.05 in males and p less than 0.01 in females 40 years old and over). Diabetes was more prevalent in subjects with a positive family history (p less than 0.01). No significant difference in number was observed between male and female diabetics, nor between big babies delivered by normal women and big babies by diabetic women. The high diabetes prevalence might be partly explained by the changes created by an industrially-established dietetic influence on the rural communities in Southern Italy.

Adolescent↗

[Elastoviscosimetry in maxillo-facial pathology].

In the oro-maxillo-facial pathology it may be useful to perform hematochimical and saliva tests which can clarify the kind of the pathology and which can be used in the post-surgical follow-up because of incidental modifications. Saliva compliance and viscosity and blood hemorrheology variations always result lower than in normal population. The Authors are going to value which kind of oro-maxillo-facial pathologies shows a significant reduction of saliva elastoviscosity and blood hemorrheology. Yet, in a further study, they will try to explain that reduction and the connection with the specific pathology and the medical and/or surgical treatment.

Adult↗