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Biomedical subjects

Gaetano Chirico

Publications and source records attributed to Gaetano Chirico.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Anticardiolipin and anti-beta2 glycoprotein I antibodies in infants born to mothers with antiphospholipid antibody-positive autoimmune disease: a follow-up study.

Infants born from mothers with antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) -positive autoimmune disease were prospectively evaluated for anticardiolipin and anti-beta2 glycoprotein I antibodies (group 1) and for growth and neurological development. The results were compared with those obtained from two age-matched control groups (group 2 and 3). All infants were negative for anticardiolipin at 12 months of life, whereas 14 (63.6%), eight (33.3%), and 10 (55.5%) of infants from group 1, 2, and 3, respectively, were positive for anti-beta2 glycoprotein I. At follow-up, all infants had normal growth and neurological development. No thrombotic complication was observed. The negativity of anticardiolipin in all infants at 12 months suggests that anticardiolipin detection is the best assay to evaluate the disappearance of maternal aPL and to estimate the potential risk of thrombosis associated with these antibodies. The high rate of anti-beta2 glycoprotein I positivity in all three groups of infants may indicate that the synthesis of this antibody is stimulated by aspecific factors.

Antibodies, Anticardiolipin↗
PubMed2005

Nasal bilevel vs. continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants.

Our aim was to compare the effects of nasal bilevel positive airway pressure (N-BiPAP) and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (N-CPAP) on gas exchange in preterm babies. Twenty preterm infants (mean gestational age, 26.3 weeks; mean weight at study, 1,033 g) were evaluated. Patients received two repeated cycles of N-CPAP alternated with N-BiPAP, for a total of four alternated phases, each phase lasting 1 hr. Transcutaneous PO2 (TcPO2), transcutaneous PCO2 (tcPCO2), pulsoximetry, and respiratory rate were recorded every 15 min. Arterial blood gases and acid-base balance were measured at the beginning of the first study period on baseline CPAP and at the end of the last study period on bilevel positive airway pressure. During the two N-BiPAP phases, a statistically significant (P < 0.001) increase of peripheral oxygen saturation and tcPO2, and a significant (P < 0.001) reduction of tcPCO2 and respiratory rate, were noted as compared to the two N-CPAP periods. In addition, a significant improvement of PO2 (P < 0.003) and a reduction of PCO2 were noted at the end of the test (P < 0.02). In conclusion, N-BiPAP, as compared to N-CPAP, improved gas exchange in preterm infants.

Blood Gas Analysis↗
PubMed2005

Follow-up of infants exposed to hydroxychloroquine given to mothers during pregnancy and lactation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of hydroxychloroquine treatment during pregnancy and lactation on babies of mothers affected by rheumatic diseases. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 40 infants born from mothers affected by rheumatic diseases and treated with hydroxychloroquine during pregnancy were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Main outcome measures at birth were incidence of prematurity, congenital malformations and neonatal infections. Of these babies, including 13 who were breast-fed, 24 were followed up during early infancy for visual function and neurodevelopmental outcome. RESULTS: Preterm delivery was the main complication (20.5%). No significant congenital malformations or neonatal infections were detected. All infants, including those who were breast-fed, had normal visual function and neurodevelopmental outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Hydroxychloroquine treatment during gestation and lactation appeared to be safe. The relatively high incidence of preterm deliveries may reflect the maternal disease state.

Antirheumatic Agents↗
PubMed2005

Fetal hydrops in GM(1) gangliosidosis: a case report.

UNLABELLED: GM(1) gangliosidosis is a rare disorder characterized by deficiency of the ss-galactosidase enzyme, with the resulting accumulation of glycolipids, oligosaccharides and especially GM(1) ganglioside. It can be classified into three clinical types according to the time of onset: infantile, juvenile and adult form. We report a case of GM(1) gangliosidosis presenting with fetal hydrops at 24 wk of gestation. The parents were consanguineous; the baby, born at 35 wk of gestation, was dysmorphic and presented severe generalized oedema. The most common cause of fetal hydrops was excluded. A lysosomal storage disease was suspected, and GM(1) gangliosidosis was diagnosed. The child developed severe growth and mental retardation and died when she was 21 mo old. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the possible association between inborn errors of metabolism and antenatal ascites should be considered, in order to offer genetic counselling due to the high recurrence risk and the availability of early antenatal diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

High-frequency partial liquid ventilation in two infants.

Two infants on high-frequency oscillatory ventilation for chronic lung disease and severe respiratory failure, received a bolus of warmed and oxygenated perfluorodecalin up to residual functional capacity, followed by a continuous infusion of 6 ml/kg/hour. Our aim was to improve gas exchange without increasing ventilatory-induced lung injury. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and TcPO(2)/TcPCO(2) were continuously monitored during treatment. Arterial blood gas was evaluated every 3 hours. Both patients showed improvement of gas exchange with a 13.6 and 12.5% reduction of oxygenation index, respectively. High-frequency partial liquid ventilation is an experimental ventilation technique that could be considered as rescue treatment, to improve oxygenation in subjects with critical respiratory failure. This method could probably produce less damage, than other ventilation modes, to severely injured lungs.

Female↗
PubMed2003

Effect on respiratory function of pressure support ventilation versus synchronised intermittent mandatory ventilation in preterm infants.

Our objective was to compare the effects of pressure support ventilation and synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation on respiratory function in preterm babies. Twenty preterm infants (mean gestational age, 29 weeks; mean weight at study, 1,354 g) were evaluated. Patients received two repeated cycles of synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation, alternated with pressure support ventilation, for a total of four alternated phases, each phase lasting 4 hr. Spontaneous respiratory rate, tidal volume, minute volume, and mean airway pressure were recorded hourly. The tidal volume released by the ventilator was limited to 6 ml/kg. During the two pressure support ventilation phases, a statistically significant reduction of respiratory rate and a significant increase of tidal and minute volume were noted, as compared to the two synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation periods. Mean airway pressure significantly increased only after the first shift from synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation to pressure support ventilation. The changes of minute volume and respiratory rate observed during pressure support ventilation did not persist after the return to synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation. In conclusion, pressure support ventilation, as compared to synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation, seemed to improve respiratory function in preterm infants.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed2003

Age-related changes in intracellular TH1/TH2 cytokine production, immunoproliferative T lymphocyte response and natural killer cell activity in newborns, children and adults.

To evaluate the development of the neonatal immune system, we measured T lymphocyte response to Con A, intracellular IL-2, IL-4, IFN-gamma and IL-10 production, and natural killer cell (NKC) activity in 12 very preterm, 12 preterm and 20 term neonates, 10 children and 10 adults. Immunoproliferation to Con A was significantly lower in cord blood than in children or adults. The percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes was significantly higher in newborns while CD8+ cells were higher at older ages, with a resulting gradual decline of the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. The percentage of IL-2-producing CD4+ and CD8+ cells was higher in all newborn groups than in children and adults, while the percentage of IL-4-producing cells was higher for CD8+ and lower for CD4+ cells in cord blood than in children and adults. Neonates had substantially lower percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ IFN-gamma-producing cells. A significant negative correlation was observed between gestational age and IFN-gamma-CD4+-, IL-2-CD8+-, and IL-10- CD4+-producing cells. In addition, a positive correlation was found between gestational age and IL-10-CD8+-producing cells. Percentages of CD4+/CD45RA+ cells were higher and CD4+/CD45RO+ percentages were lower in newborns than in children and adults. NKC activity in infants was significantly correlated with gestational age and significantly impaired compared to children and adults. On the whole, these results suggest a gradual development of immunity during gestation and show significant immaturity of cellular immune response at birth. The reduction of NKC activity, the lower proliferative response of T cells, the reduced cytotoxic response and a dysregulated cytokine production may contribute to the neonatal increased risk of infection and to the low incidence of graft-versus-host disease after cord blood transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Immunogenicity of a three-component acellular pertussis vaccine administered at birth.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate within the first 6 months of birth the immunogenicity of a 3-component acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine containing filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pertactine (PRN), and genetically detoxified pertussis toxin (PT) in infants who received a dose of vaccine at birth, in addition to the recommended schedule administered at 3, 5, and 11 months. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of maternal antibodies on aP vaccine response. METHODS: We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate immunoglobulin G antibody levels in 45 infants immunized at birth and at 3, 5, and 11 months (group 1) and in 46 infants immunized at the ages of 3, 5, and 11 months (group 2). All mothers were also tested at delivery. RESULTS: At the age of 5 months the geometric mean titer of anti-PT, anti-FHA, and anti-PRN was significantly greater in group 1 (who had received 2 doses) than in group 2 (1 dose). At 6 months geometric mean titers were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 for anti-PRN and anti-FHA, whereas no significant differences were observed for anti-PT. CONCLUSIONS: Immunization at birth may be important for an earlier prevention of the pertussis disease in infants under 6 months, especially in Italy, where the recommended ages for aP vaccine administration are 3, 5, and 11 months.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary sphenoid esthesioneuroblastoma studied with MR.

Esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB) is an uncommon tumor type of neural crest origin, which, in the majority of cases, arises in the nasal cavity. We present a rare primary presentation of ENB in the sphenoidal area studied with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR). To our knowledge, this is the first case in which MR findings are available.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗