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Biomedical subjects

G Pallotti

Publications and source records attributed to G Pallotti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Serum levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha and other cytokines do not correlate with weight loss and anorexia in cancer patients.

Cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS), which is characterized by progressive weight loss (WL) and anorexia (A), is present in 50% of advanced cancer patients and in 80% of terminally ill cancer patients. One of the most controversial aspects of CACS is its oetiopathogenesis; experimental studies have identified certain cytokines [Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and gamma interferon (gamma-IFN)] as possible co-factors in the onset of the syndrome. The aim of our study was to investigate the correlation between serum levels of circulating cytokines and severity of CACS. The following series of parameters was identified in 61 patients with advanced and terminal cancer: stage of disease; Karnofsky performance status (KPS) and clinical symptoms; biohumoral, anthropometric and immunological situation; level of circulating cytokines. All these parameters were evaluated for a possible link with WL/A. Our data do not show any significant correlation between circulating cytokines and WL/A. A direct correlation was identified between WL/A and nausea (P = 0.03 and P < 0.001, respectively) whereas inverse correlations were observed for both factors as regards arm circumference (P < 0.001 for both), wrist circumference (P < 0.001 for both), KPS (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively) and creatinine (P = 0.005 and P = 0.03, respectively). Other biochemical factors, such as haemoglobin, haematocrit, glycaemia, prealbumin, sodium and chlorine were also correlated with at least one of two clinical parameters in question. Unexpected results were seen in the increases in CD20 and CD4 and in the CD4/CD8 ratio. Serum levels of these cytokines do not, therefore, appear to be critical in the onset of CACS. On the contrary, our findings confirmed the clinico-laboratory picture that is characteristic of CACS. If we consider the possibility that CACS is provoked by an aspecific response of the host's defence mechanisms against prolonged neoplastic attack, the increase in CD4 (helper lymphocytes) could be linked to the persistent response.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Multicentre evaluation of the Bayer DAX system.

The analytical performance of the DAX, a high-throughput random access analyser, was studied according to ECCLS guidelines (ECCLS Document Vol. 3, No. 2, Beuth Verlag, Berlin, 1986) in a multicentre evaluation involving four laboratories. The trial took about 4 months. Determinations of 12 analytes produced more than 60,000 data. The imprecision study on 3 control sera for all analytes gave a within-run CV (median of 4 laboratories) which never exceeded 3% and was below 2% in 94% of the results. The median between-day CV was less than 3% in 92% of the results, with a highest value of 5.0%. No significant drift was detected during the 5-hour work period. No relevant sample- and cuvette-related carry-over was found. The manufacturer's claims concerning linearity were fulfilled or exceeded. The recovery of the assigned values for the control sera (median of 4 laboratories) ranged from 94 to 106%. In the method comparison on patients' samples, deviations were statistically significant in some cases, due to differences either in the methods used or in the calibration of the systems used for comparison; the regression lines, as inspected visually, and the coefficients of correlation were, however, generally acceptable. Imprecision and inaccuracy were within the acceptability limits as recommended by the Société Française de Biologie Clinique (SFBC) (Biochim. Clin. 12 (1988) 284-327) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Klinische Chemie (DGKC) (Dt. Arztebl. 85 (11) (1988) A697-A712). The limits of acceptance, proposed more recently by Fraser et al. (Eur. J. Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem. 30 (1992) 311-317), were met in thirty-three of thirty-six cases. The alpha-amylase assay was significantly affected by bilirubin and haemolysis; interferences for the remaining analytes were predictable and well-known from the literature. The rate of sample throughput was found to be in agreement with that claimed by the manufacturer. The software did not present problems and was readily accepted by the operators. The practicability of the instrument was rated very good. Since the DAX is the primary chemistry analyzer in all four participating laboratories, the present experiments were necessarily intermixed with a large routine workload. Therefore, the system performance was assessed under definitely "usual" conditions. Because of its high productivity and reliability, the DAX is highly suitable for routine use in medium to large sized hospitals.

Blood Chemical Analysis↗
PubMed1988

A physical model for the cardiovascular and the respiratory systems.

We propose a two degrees of freedom oscillating system to simulate the working of both respiratory and cardiovascular apparatus and to investigate the physico-mathematical characteristics of a possible decoupling between the physiological systems. We suppose a double mathematical pendulum with forced and damped oscillations, with the first frequency equal to four times the second one; not only, does the system not give resonance or beatings, but it also simulates with reasonable approximation the ratio between natural relative frequencies. The two Langragian equations, that have form: (formula; see text) cannot be solved in an analytical way, even if we suppose an approximation for little oscillations. Now we are studying another two d-o-f mechanical system, with only one suspension point; we are also studying both the electrical equivalent circuits.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

A stochastic process approach to the development of atheroma.

This study aims at formulating a dynamic model of particle sedimentation as applied to lipoprotein deposition during atheroma progression. The basic assumption is that all particles are identical and that the number of sedimented particles is relatively great. It is hypothised that sedimentation of a given particle is random; according to the theory of stochastic processes, the probability of a certain number of particles to sediment or deposit changes with time. The stochastic approach may explain some aspects of atherosclerosis development, i.e. its progression or regression.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Postmenarchal evolution of endocrine pattern and ovarian aspects in adolescents with menstrual irregularities.

Ninety-five adolescents with menstrual irregularities persisting since menarche were studied and the data analyzed in relation to gynecologic age. In each year, in the premenstrual phase, luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), and androstenedione (delta 4A) values were higher than those of adults. Estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), progesterone (P), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEAS) gradually increased up to adult values correlating with gynecologic age. By ultrasound, nearly half the ovaries were multicystic and ovarian volume was greater than that of adults in each gynecologic year. When the data were classified as ovulatory or anovulatory, ovulation appeared to be a dynamic process characterized by ovaries similar to those of adults and by increasing hormonal levels correlated to gynecologic age. By contrast, in anovulatory cycles, mean T, delta 4A, and LH values were stable in each year and constantly higher than in ovulatory cycles and adult controls. These findings suggest that, despite persistent irregular cycles, some adolescents normalize all endocrine and ovarian parameters toward maturity, while subjects with persistent irregular anovulatory cycles maintain marked hyperandrogenism, increasingly high LH values, and enlarged multicystic ovaries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Lead levels in whole blood of an adult population group from Rome.

Pb-blood levels of 801 adult non-occupationally exposed subjects from Rome are reported. The investigation was carried out according to EEC Directive No. 77/312 with acceptable quality control of analytical data. A mean Pb-blood level of 173 micrograms/l (198 micrograms/l for males and 150 micrograms/l for females) was found; good correlations were found between Pb-blood levels and age, sex and smoking habits but no correlation was found in relation to drinking habits, residence and other variables which were examined. In the present survey all the three EEC reference levels were observed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Carotid wall as an isotropic mechanical system.

The morphological organization of the structural components in the dog carotid wall is investigated by X-ray diffraction and microscopic analysis. Histological analysis confirms an anisotropic morphology of smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers in the tissue. Collagen fibers, as revealed by X-ray diffraction technique, are organized in an isotropic network in the unstretched carotid media. Collagen fibers stretch without a preferential direction of orientation when a carotid segment is deformed in the physiological range under intraluminal pressure. A mathematical model which takes into account the isotropic distribution of the collagen fibers is developed. The validity of this model has been tested by computing several mechanical parameters using Anliker's data on the axial and radial oscillation obtained for carotids of living dogs. In spite of the anisotropic morphology of the main constituents of the carotid media layer, from a mechanical point of view the tissue can be considered as an isotropic material for the random distribution of the collagen fibers which represent the component of higher tensile strength.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Total mercury levels in whole blood, hair and fingernails for a population group from Rome and its surroundings.

Whole blood, hair and fingernails of 80 representative subjects from the Province of Rome were analysed for total mercury. The mean value for whole blood was 0.020 mg/kg, for hair 0.51 mg/kg and for nails 1.08 mg/kg. Correlations were found (except for hair) between mercury levels and the number of fish meals, mercury amalgam dental fillings and residence (urban or rural) of the subjects examined. The levels found in hair appear to be influenced by external and individual pollution factors and thus unsuitable for any direct determination of the distribution in other organs of the human body.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Measurements in microscopic images: an inexpensive device for semi-automatic analysis of microscopic images.

Measurement of histological and cytological parameters can be performed much faster and more accurate by means of a semi-automatic device that is described in detail. The system consists mainly of a medium-sized computer and one or more peripheral terminals. Each terminal incorporates a special measurement table for data acquisition, a keyboard for manual data input, and an interface. The software program for the evaluation and storage of the digital data is simple to write and offers a high degree of flexibility to the user. The system can be operated in real time.

Computers↗
PubMed1975

[The contractile function of the left ventricle in pure mitral stenosis. Echocardiographic analysis].

The left ventricular performance in patients with mitral stenosis has been assessed by echocardiography, through the measurement of various parameters, such as the stroke volume, the ejection fraction (EF), the mean circumferential fiber shortening rate (VCF), the cardiac work and the left ventricular mass. Among these parameters only EF and VCF are statistically lowered in mitral disease, in comparison with their value for normal hearts: the mean value of EF is 0.62 in healthy people and 0.49 in mitralic patients; the mean value of the VCF rate is 1.05 circ/s and 0.78 circ/s respectively. The cardiac work and power in the considered patients are on the average lower than normal values by about 10%, but not significantly so. A good correlation has been obtained between the left ventricular work and mass, whereas no correlation has been found between the ventricular wall thickness and the diameter of the left cavity, both measured at end-diastole. The quotient of the ventricular thickness and intracavity radius, in diastole, is equal to 0.38 in healthy people and 0.30 in mitralic patients. Lastly, the echocardiographic results and those of angiocardiographic literature were in agreement.

Adult↗