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Biomedical subjects

G Spagnuolo

Publications and source records attributed to G Spagnuolo.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Protein balance during very-low-calorie diets for the treatment of severe obesity.

Very-low-calorie diets (less than 500 kcal/day; VLCD) are widely used for the treatment of severe obesity. We report the effects of such diets, consisting of proteins only or proteins and carbohydrates (CH), on nitrogen balance and protein nutritional status of morbidly obese patients. Cumulative nitrogen loss, serum albumin, transferrin, prealbumin (PA) and retinol-binding protein (RBP) concentrations, and plasma amino acid profile were determined in two groups of obese patients: 5 subjects (3 women, 2 men: BMI 55.3 +/- 2.2 kg/m2) subjected for 4 weeks to a protein VLCD (40 g protein + 2 g fat) and 7 others (4 women, 3 men: BMI 45.6 +/- 2.8 kg/m2) received for the same length of time a protein + CH VLCD (34 g protein + 26 g CH). Nitrogen balance was determined weekly whilst plasma and serum variables were measured on days 0, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 28 of treatment. Nitrogen balance did not significantly differ between the two groups of patients throughout the treatment. Serum PA and RBP concentrations decreased from day 5 and day 10, respectively, in both groups. Plasma amino acids showed a similar pattern in the protein and protein + CH groups. Alanine gradually decreased below baseline values; after a peak value on day 5, branched-chain amino acids (valine, leucine, isoleucine) returned to baseline values in both groups. In conclusion, in severely obese patients subjected to VLCD, nitrogen balance, labile protein concentrations and plasma amino acid profile are not significantly affected by adding CH to proteins.

Adult↗

Cloning and expression of the Escherichia coli rho gene in a plasmid vector.

In order to further elucidate the role of Rho protein on transcription termination and cells growth control, we have subcloned by two steps the rho+ structural gene of Escherichia coli from Lambda rho+524 into a plasmid vector. The resulting plasmid pEG25 contains a 2.9 kbp insert which is able to complement several different rho mutations and to express a functional Rho protein in U.V. irradiated maxicells.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Effects of total parenteral nutrition enriched with branched chain amino acid infusion on liver function and serum amino acid pattern in dogs undergoing hepatectomy.

In order to study effects of different total parenteral nutritional regimens on the recovery of liver function and on plasma amino acid pattern after major hepatectomy, twelve healthy mongrel dogs were submitted to 70% liver resection and randomly divided into three different groups: group I (control group) received only 10% glucose; group II received 10% glucose plus 8.5% Freamine; group III received 10% glucose plus 100% branched chain amino acid (BCAA) solution. Blood samples were analyzed for determining biochemical parameters, including plasma amino acid levels, before surgery and on 3rd and 7th postoperative day. The 'BCAA group', compared to other groups, showed higher values of plasma proteins (p less than 0.01) and prothrombin activity (p less than 0.05) on the 3rd postoperative day. The total concentration of plasma amino acids decreased after hepatectomy. Gluconeogenetic amino acids alanine and glutamine were markedly decreased in groups II and III, likely due to their increased consumption during gluconeogenesis. Aromatic amino acids were increased in all groups, due to the transient liver insufficiency. BCAA markedly increased in group III on 3rd postoperative day and returned to basal values on 7th postoperative day; possible explanations of such alterations are discussed. Our findings suggest that BCAA may represent a first choice substrate in the early phase after hepatectomy.

Amino Acids↗

Macroporous hydroxyapatite as alloplastic material for dental applications.

In the dentistry field, synthetic hydroxyapatite can be conveniently used as semiabsorbable alloplastic material to solve a number of clinical problems. The hydroxyapatite structure influences bone ingrowth as well as its resorption. In particular, pore size must exceed 100 microm to allow new bone ingrowth. Because of its brittleness, highly porous hydroxyapatite is difficult to handle without causing damage, and, therefore, its mechanical performance has to be improved placing the material on a dense hydroxyapatite substrate. Dense/porous hydroxyapatite laminates can be obtained by slip casting technology. The method starts with the preparation of a ceramic powder-binder-solvent system. This slurry produces, after solvent evaporation, a soft green tape, that is successively baked at 300 degrees C to remove all organic component, and finally sintered at high temperature (1200 degrees C). The material porosity cannot be significantly modified by changes in the slurry composition and sintering temperature; therefore, the macroporous hydroxyapatite layer must be obtained using a porous hydroxyapatite powder. The powder is prepared by grinding of green tape pieces and the resulting coarse material is successively baked at 300 degrees C. Such material is mixed with a polymer solution and cast on a green tape substrate. Layer fractures are not observed in both film bulks and interface, because during sintering the consolidation of two layers happens simultaneously. In the resulting material, the first layer consisted of macroporous hydroxyapatite with high osteoconductive properties, and the second layer was a dense hydroxyapatite substrate able to improve the laminate mechanical properties.

Journal Article↗

Renal handling of sodium after an oral protein load in adult humans.

This investigation was designed to study (1) renal sodium handling after an oral protein load and (2) its relationship to some known determinants of the hemodynamic response (glucagon, insulin, growth hormone, renin, aldosterone, and plasma amino acid concentration). To this end of group of 8 adult subjects was studied before (three 30-min clearances) and after a meat meal (MM; five 30-min clearances at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min). The MM provided 2 g/kg BW of protein. Within 30 min from the MM an hyperfiltration response was seen, which was paralleled by a 2-fold increase in plasma alanine concentration while total plasma amino acid concentration was not different from the baseline values. The hemodynamic response was associated with a normally operating tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism independent of renin-aldosterone activity, but possibly associated with an early increase in plasma glucagon concentration and later on with a modest increase in postmeal plasma insuling concentration.

Adult↗

[Current trends in therapy of periodontal disease].

A comprehensive literature review on biological principles guiding present research lines of Periodontal Therapy has been carried out, focusing mainly on the repair potential of the periodontal tissues.

Connective Tissue↗