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Biomedical subjects

I Giorgi

Publications and source records attributed to I Giorgi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Studies on 1,2,3-triazole derivatives as in vitro inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis.

This paper reports some new structural modifications (branching and lengthening of alkanoic substituent, increase of heterocycle-carboxylate distance) on 1,2,3-triazole derivative 1, a potent in vitro inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, and their influence on enzyme activity. Regarding the structural relationship between 1 and Dazoxiben, a selective thromboxane-synthetase inhibitor, the preparation and activity of some Dazoxiben analogs bearing different heterocycles, are also described.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Effects of intravenous high dose co-dergocrine mesylate ('Hydergine') in elderly patients with severe multi-infarct dementia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out in 40 patients affected by multi-infarct dementia to see if a daily intravenous infusion of 3 mg co-dergocrine mesylate ('Hydergine') over 14 days would improve severely deteriorated elderly patients and shorten the latent period (3 months) which is observed when the drug is given orally. All the patients had severe mental impairment, psychological deficit or altered consciousness. A Hachinski score of 7 or more, and a cumulative score of at least 12 points on SCAG scale Items 1, 2 and 4 (anxiety/depression) and/or Items 5, 6 and 8 (alertness/confusion) were required for admission. After 1 week of intravenous infusion of placebo, patients were randomly allocated to treatment with co-dergocrine mesylate or placebo, from Day 1 to Day 14. The solutions were infused over a period of 2 hours. During the follow-up period from Day 15 to Day 21, the patients did not receive any treatment. Thirty-six patients (17 on co-dergocrine mesylate, 19 on placebo) completed the study. The results, as rated on the SCAG scale, indicated significant improvements, in favour of co-dergocrine mesylate, in cognitive dysfunction, mood depression, withdrawal and overall impression. Furthermore, the factor fatigue on the Nowlis scale and clinical global assessments by physicians also showed significant advantages of the co-dergocrine mesylate group over placebo. Nine out of 17 co-dergocrine mesylate patients complained of side-effects, usually experienced during infusion; they consisted mainly of nausea (6 patients), gastric discomfort (2 patients), and tremor, nasal congestion, flushing, hypotension and hypertension (1 patient each). Despite the appearance of side-effects, general tolerability was rated as 'good' by both physicians and patients. It is concluded, therefore, that intravenous high dose co-dergocrine mesylate treatment has a fast and clinically relevant effect on the key clinical symptoms of multi-infarct dementia.

Aged↗

Modification of the 1,2,3-triazole ring present in an effective in vitro inhibitor of the prostaglandin synthesis.

This paper describes some modifications of the heterocyclic ring of 1-N-benzylsubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles, which are effective inhibitors of the arachidonic acid-induced malondialdehyde production in human platelets. The corresponding 1-N-imidazole- or 1-N-1,2,4-triazole-derivatives, with basic properties, preserve the inhibitory enzymatic activity, whilst the C-substituted tetrazole or 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives, with a neutral character, show no activity. A close structural relationship between our active compounds and Dazoxiben, a potent selective tromboxane-synthetase inhibitor, was observed.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Xanthine oxidase inhibition: effect of an N-alkyl substituent on C-2 of the nucleus of 8-azahypoxanthine.

Several new 2-n-alkyl-8-azahypoxanthines were synthesized and tested. The compounds were obtained from 4(5)-amino-5(4)-carbamoyl-1,2, 3-triazole and the suitable ethyl alkanoate in the presence of sodium ethoxide. The inhibitory activity of these compounds against xanthine oxidase was dependent on the length of the alkyl chain of the substituent: 2-n-hexyl-8-azahypoxanthine was the most active product. This fact pointed out the great importance of the weak interaction between the substituent and the adjacent region of the active site of the enzyme.

Chemical Phenomena↗

3-[(2-ethoxyphenoxy)methyl]piperidine derivatives. Synthesis and antidepressant activity.

The 3-[(2-ethoxyphenoxy)methyl]piperidine derivatives 3-5 were synthesized and screened as potential antidepressant agents by the reserpine interaction test in mice and the evaluation of reuptake inhibition of biogenic amines in pig brain synaptosomal fractions. In addition, their anticonvulsant activity, tested by pentyleneetrazole antagonism, and approximate acute toxicity were evaluated. In vivo and in vitro tests showed that compounds 3 and 5 possess a biological activity comparable to that of the antidepressant drug viloxazine.

Animals↗

Evaluation of the effect of vincamine teprosilate on behavioural performances of patients affected with chronic cerebrovascular disease.

With a view to determining the efficacy of Teproside versus placebo in patients affected with cerebrovascular disease, 30 subjects, selected at the Montescano Medical Rehabilitation Centre, were randomly divided into two groups of 15 subjects each. After a two-week wash-out period, the first group was treated with placebo and the second with vincamine teprosilate (Teproside) at 120 mg daily, both for a period of 90 days. The assessment of each patient took place in two stages, one at the beginning and one at the end of treatment. It was performed according to both clinical criteria (including an interview with the patient and his family) and neuro-psychological criteria (memory tests, perceptive-spatial and logical functions tests). The data obtained showed a significant improvement of the behavioural performance, the mnemonic ability and the perceptive-motor activity in the Teproside group treated.

Aged↗

5-(4'-Substituted-2'-nitroanilino)-1,2,3-triazoles as new potential potassium channel activators. I.

By the hypothesised correlation with the large conductance Ca(++)-activated potassium channel (BK(Ca)) openers NS 004 and NS 1619, bearing a benzimidazolone ring, a series of new 5-(4'-substituted-2'-nitroanilino)-1,2,3-triazoles were synthesised and tested on in vitro isolated vascular preparation. The compounds were prepared starting from the appropriately substituted 2-nitro-phenylazides by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction to cyanoacetamide and following Dimroth isomerisation of the corresponding 1-arylsubstituted-5-amino-1,2,3-triazoles. The analogous 5-(4'-substituted-2'-amino-anilino)-1,2,3-triazoles were also prepared to assess the role of the nitro group in the pharmacophoric model. Almost all the nitro compounds showed a vasorelaxant activity on endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings with a potency comparable to that recorded for the reference compound NS 1619. Such a vasorelaxing activity was significantly reduced by the increase of the level of membrane depolarisation and by the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine with a pharmacodynamic behaviour consistent with a potassium channel activation.

Animals↗

Outcome variables in the evaluation of alcoholics' treatment: lessons from the Italian Assessment of Alcoholism Treatment (ASSALT) Project.

The observational evaluation of alcoholics' treatments requires a combined analysis of alcoholic behaviour during treatment and of adherence to therapeutic programmes. The application of survival analysis techniques in this setting has been explored in this study. Two hundred and seventy alcoholics admitted to 15 Italian treatment units in a 1-year period were followed-up for 2 years, recording date and length of every recurrence episode and of definitive or transitory interruption of the planned treatment. An extensive use of several survival analysis techniques was made. The length of time between the start of the treatment and the first episode of relapse did not give a reliable measure of frequency of failures. Conversely, the length of time between the start of treatment and withdrawal appeared to be unbiased. The cumulative proportions of treatment-compliant patients (and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals) were 71% (66-76%), 63% (57-69%) and 53% (47-60%) after 6 months, 1 year and 2 years respectively from the start of treatment. Cumulative abstinence duration before withdrawal was significantly and positively associated with the risk of first, of definitive, and of every episode of treatment interruption. This first application of survival analysis techniques to the combined study of alcoholic behaviour and of adherence to treatment can improve our knowledge of treatment evaluation. Our results suggest that compliance to treatment is an objective and versatile outcome measure. Long-term follow-up studies aimed to elucidate the determinants of withdrawal should be performed.

Alcoholism↗

[Work and alcohol: considerations on a caseload of patients undergoing treatment].

An enquiry into alcohol dependent subjects admitted to the clinical wards of the first section of Occupational Medicine belonging to Medicina Preventiva Occupazionale e di Comunità of University of Pavia for an alcohol disaddiction treatment has been performed through a phone interview. 289 patients have been contacted and time elapsed from admission to interview was one to three years. The questions focused alcohol abstinence, occupational position before and after admission, any improvement in the work sphere (relationship with the collegues), any feeling of empowerment of the work abilities and any increase in the responsibilities load. From our results we can conclude that alcohol disaddiction carried on during admission has positively contributed to the reinstatement of alcoholics patients.

Alcoholism↗

[A project for the occupational reintegration of impaired subjects].

In this paper we have explained the criteria for an integrated socio-medical intervention (Local Health Care Institution, Cooperation, Scientific Institute of Care and Research) within the frame of a Communitary Initiative titled "Local network for return to work of persons with social disadvantage". The goal of the Initiative is to "create and experiment new facilities to support intervention strategies for return-to-work, and to start a virtuous circle matching the demands of both the disadvantaged persons and the local labour market". In the paper we describe the functional evaluations, performed in the Medical Center of Pavia by specialists in the field of Rehabilitation, Psychology and Ergonomy, and the following return-to-work phase, performed by operators of the Cooperation.

Persons with Disabilities↗

[Alcoholism at the work setting].

Alcoholism is a nation-wide problem because of the variability and severity of its associated phenomena. In Western European countries, according to the WHO, the use of alcohol is the direct or indirect cause of approximately 20% of hospital admissions of male adults of working age. In Italy, the number of lost working days due to sickness is four times greater in drinkers, as is the risk of serious accidents. In addition, alcohol accounts for 5% of disability payments. In the authors' experience, alcohol abuse is a widespread problem in the work setting, however its social and medical impact is still underestimated.

Alcoholism↗

[Evaluation of several neuropsychological parameters in subjects occupationally exposed to anesthetics].

51 workers, occupationally exposed to anaesthetic gases and vapours (nitrous oxide, halothane, and isoflurane), were studied monitoring their environmental and biological exposure. Moreover, they were tested for visual reaction times and neurobehavioural batteries. There was no evidence of important neurotoxic effects nor of neurobehavioural problems with low concentrations of anaesthetics.

Adult↗

[Mobbing: analysis of an ambulatory case load].

We present twenty outpatients (11 males; 9 females) who asked medical assistance, during the last two years, for psychopathological problems by them ascribed to "mobbing" in the work environment. Six subjects were employed in public institutions, 14 in private companies. All patients underwent occupational health specialistic visit, psychological counselling (including personality tests administration), and psychiatric evaluation. A psychopathological picture reasonably correlable to "mobbing" was diagnosed in four subjects only (20% of the cases), i.e. in a lower proportion than that reported by other investigators.

Adult↗

[The personal and familial alcohol habits in groups of young men at their first military draft exam].

In order to evaluate alcoholic consumption in a group of young men from an area in northern Italy, 834 subjects (18 years old) were examined at their first military check up. They compiled a questionnaire dealing with their own and their fathers' alcoholic consumption, social status, cultural habits, tobacco and drug abuse. 14.3% of the group examined were teetotalers. The alcoholic consumption of the youths was 31.44 +/- 48.8 DS alcohol g/a day versus their fathers' consumption of 44.52 +/- 42.12 DS alcohol g/a day. This difference is statistically significant (t = -8.1 p less than 0.001). No difference in alcoholic consumption was found between employed and unemployed subjects. Artisans and traders evidenced the highest levels of alcohol consumption (F = 2.58, p less than 0.009). The youths changed their alcoholic habits with respect to their own parents, preferring beer to wine consumption, although no change was observed in their approach to the alcoholic problems. The beer, like alcohol, remains a sociable and reassuring drink with positive connotations, even tough it is not considered a traditional Italian drink.

Adolescent↗

[A model for psychological assessment of mobbing].

The phenomenon "mobbing" has been studied scientifically for twenty years. In this period, researchers have elaborated progressively more complex explanations for it. Despite the attempts to examine mobbing closely, and to define it accurately, further investigation, aimed at quantifying the factors that characterize it, is still needed. This study proposes a method for assessing mobbing and the personality features linked to it. The model was tested on a sample of 29 outpatients (19 males, 10 females) asking medical assistance for work-related psychopathological problems. Focusing on the occupational history and work environment, a psychological diagnosis (DSM IV-axis I) was made for 27 of them: 14 cases of generalized anxiety disorder, 6 subjects with depressive disorder, 1 dysthymic disorder, 1 post-traumatic stress disorder, 2 cases of adaptation disorder, 3 patients with personality disorder. Although the number of the examined subjects is limited, the proposed model seems to be utilizable in the clinical practice.

Female↗

[Evaluation of neuropsychological parameters in a group of metal mechanics occupationally exposed to radio frequencies].

In view of the increasing interest in electromagnetic fields, the effects on behaviour were studied in a group of foundry workers following prolonged exposure to radiofrequencies. The results of behavioural tests revealed significant differences between the exposed and control groups as regards neuropsychological performance. Anxiety and depression tests, however, indicated no pathological alterations, in contrast to previous observations. Nevertheless, the results need to be confirmed by further, more detailed studies.

Adult↗

[Alcoholism and home environment].

Alcoholism is a very important social problem in our Country. Nevertheless our knowledge about the frequency and the features of alcoholism in the household environment is poor; until recently this kind of alcoholism was considered a female problem. The authors studied two homogeneous groups of male and female alcoholics. Females have a greater tendency to drink in the household. This behaviour is due to socio-cultural condition rather than to different psychological features. The authors also reported the importance of the family in the etiology, evolution and treatment of alcoholism.

Adult↗