Biomedical subjects

L Vassallo

Publications and source records attributed to L Vassallo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1990

[Atracurium with halothane and isoflurane in pediatric anesthesia].

The study was carried out to assess the effects of atracurium neuromuscular blockade in children anaesthetized with N2O:O2: halothane vs N2O:O2: isoflurane. Thirty-two ASA I-II children, age 1-13 yr, undergoing elective surgery, were divided into two groups according to age and the mode of anaesthesia induction. Anaesthesia was induced in the younger children (group 1: 1-6 yr) with nitrous oxide and inspired halothane or isoflurane in oxygen via a face mask. Intravenous thiopental (6-7 mg/kg-1) was used to induce anaesthesia in older children (group 2: 7-13 yr). Each group of patients was randomly allocated to two groups each receiving halothane (group A: n = 8) or isoflurane (group I: n = 8). Halothane 0.8% end-tidal and isoflurane 1% end-tidal as anaesthesia maintenance. A bolus dose of atracurium 0.35 mg/kg-1 was administered. Premedication consisted of oral flunitrazepam (0.04 mg/kg-1) and bellafoline (0.02 mg/kg-1). Heart rate (by electrocardiography), arterial pressure (by auscultation) were monitored. Then end-expired carbon dioxide concentration was maintained at 30-40 mmHg. Neuromuscular transmission was evaluated by response to indirect stimulation (TOF) of the ulnar nerve at the wrist via surface electrodes. Conditions for endotracheal intubation were excellent in 25 of the children, good in 6 and poor in 1. The intubation was carried out within 112 s (group 1A), 130 s (group 1 I), 112 s (group 2A) and 135 s (group 2 I) following the administration of atracurium. The maximum twitch depression was recorded in the isoflurane groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

HLA associations with multiple sclerosis in Sicily and Malta.

The islands of Sicily and Malta have very different prevalence rates for multiple sclerosis (MS): at least 44 per 100,000 in Sicily and only 4 per 100,000 in Malta. In Northern Europe, MS is associated with HLA-DR2/Dw2. The other components of the commonest DR2-containing haplotype of this region, HLA-A3-B7-DR2-Dw2, also tend to be present at higher frequency in MS patients. HLA Class I and II antigen frequencies and associations in controls and MS patients from Sicily and Malta were studied to discover whether they might account for the difference in MS prevalence. In Sicilian MS patients, DR2 is increased in frequency compared with controls and four out of five DR2-positive patients also type as Dw2. In the Maltese population, DR2 is present at high frequency but approximately half of the DR2 positive individuals do not type as Dw2 so that DR2 is probably most commonly present as part of Class II haplotypes other than those commonly associated with MS. Additional differences in HLA profile of the Sicilian and Maltese populations were found when HLA-A, -B, and B-DR antigen associations were examined. Therefore, some of the difference in MS prevalence might be explained by genetic factors.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

PubMed1985

Epidemiological aspects and clinical implications of malaria as seen in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

A review is presented of 242 patients with acute malaria seen at two hospitals in Jeddah. Jeddah should be regarded as the malaria outpost of the South Western region of Saudi Arabia since nearly all of these patients contracted the disease while travelling within that area during the previous month. Plasmodium falciparum was the predominant infection (77%). There was a marked seasonal incidence with a peak during December to April; 84% of the patients were male. In contrast to the common impression that the total white cell count is low or normal in malaria, one-third of a sample of 124 patients had a total count of at least 10 000 mm-3; approximately 40% of the patients did not have a palpable spleen. Evidence is presented to show the danger of treating patients with falciparum malaria on an out-patient basis. Ideally, all such patients should be hospitalized and observed in order to ensure effective treatment. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has many medical and paramedical personnel who have little practical experience in the diagnosis of malaria. We therefore recommend that training programmes in the laboratory diagnosis of malaria should be initiated in specialized centres in the Kingdom or abroad.

Adult↗

PubMed1979

Multiple sclerosis in southern Europe. II: Prevalence in Malta in 1978.

After an intensive survey only 14 patients have been found with a diagnosis of probable multiple sclerosis (MS) in the islands of Malta. This is a low prevalence of 4.2 per 100 000. The low prevalence of MS is confirmed by the small number of deaths certified as due to MS--six in 11 years--and by the absence of Maltese MS patients resident in England among the MS patients admitted to hospital in Greater London and the West Midlands (1960-72). The low prevalence of MS found in Malta can be contrasted with the high prevalence found in Enna city in central Sicily. The genetic and environmental reasons for this difference in MS prevalence between the neighbouring islands of Sicily and Malta require further study.

England↗

PubMed1975

Immunoelectron microscopic evidence of contractile proteins in the cellular and acellular components of mouse kidney glomeruli.

Actin and/or actin-like protein have been localized in the cellular and acellular components of the glomerular walls of mouse kidney by means of immunoelectron microscopy, employing human antibodies to smooth muscle (SMA). Contractile antigens have been confirmed to be present in the cytoplasm of podocytes and mesangial cells in association with fine filaments which are considered of importance in the control of blood flow, intravascular pressure, and filtration rate within the glomerulus. The extracellular presence of contractile proteins in the mesangial matrix and glomerular basement membrane can be related to cell movement in a frictional environment. This latter phenomenon, which is strictly interdependent with cell adhesion and aggregation, is most evident in the mesangial cells in a form of luminar pseudopodia, cytoplasmic projections, and phagocytosis.

Actins↗

PubMed1974