PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Antonini

Publications and source records attributed to M Antonini.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Pyrrolidone carboxylic acid in acute and chronic alcoholism. Preclinical and clinical studies.

2-Pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid (PCA) is a cyclic derivative of glutamic acid, physiologically present in mammalian tissues. We herein report preclinical pharmacology experiments showing that PCA releases GABA from the cerebral cortex of freely-moving guinea-pigs and displays anti-anxiety effects in a simple approach-avoidance conflict situation in the rat. In clinical pharmacology experiments, PCA significantly shortens the plasma half-life of ethanol during acute intoxication. In chronic alcoholics a treatment with PCA (2g/day per 30 days) significantly hastens the recovery to physiological values of plasma gamma-glutamyl transferase activity and of the urinary excretion of glucaric acid, which are considered suitable markers of the trend of the alcoholic disease. The evidence emerging from preclinical and clinical studies strongly suggests that, by combining central anxiolytic actions with the peripheral recovery of the antioxidant defense system in the liver, PCA should be further investigated as an interesting endogenous molecule possibly helpful in the therapy of alcoholism.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗

[Considerations on myocardial scintigraphy with 201thallium after stress].

An heterogeneous group of 12 patients has been studied with 201thallium myocardial scintigraphy after stress (MSS); has been used an electronic calculator which made it possible to increase the reliability of the method. Eight patients were males, 4 females; the average age were 52.6 years. The 201thallium (1.7-2 mCi) is injected (through a Teflon cannula inserted in the forearm) 1' before the interruption of the stress test on the cycloergometer. After 10' tests are made in AP-LAO and LL view; a second test is carried out after an hour, and, if necessary, after 4-6 hours time. The results are interpreted as: a) positive: absence (++) or obvious defect in perfusion (+); b) negative: normal perfusion (-); c) questionable: activity not significantly reduced (+/-). In some cases, the authors studied correlations and discordances between MSS and clinical, coronarographic and echocardiographic data. It has been considered moreover, the uptake's and release's variations of the radio-isotope in relation with experimental knowledge of myocardial extraction and clearance. We conclude by emphasizing the interest of this method and suggesting some practical considerations: 1) Patients with negative MSS don't need coronarography. 2) Positive MSS, but restricted deficit, good delayed reperfusion, good clinical pharmacological control would permit a delay of coronarography. 3) Clear multiple deficit need coronarography. 4) Usefulness of the MSS for long-term control of the evolution of coronary disease and of patients operated of aortocoronary bypass.

Coronary Disease↗

Morphological characteristics of male germ cells of rats in contact with Sertoli cells in vitro.

Fragments of seminiferous epithelium were prepared from 3-week-old rats. Although the Sertoli cells formed a monolayer, germ cells (spermatogonia and early spermatocytes) remained in association with them and were of normal ultrastructural appearance. Germ cells became completely separated from Sertoli cells after 3 weeks of culture in a chemically defined medium. The contact areas between Sertoli and germ cells were characterized by desmosome-like junctions while those between germ cells appeared to be pentalaminar.

Animals↗

[Considerations on myocardial scintigraphy with 201thallium after stress (author's transl)].

An heterogeneous group of 24 patients has been studied with 201Thallium myocardial scintigraphy after stress (MSS); has been used an electronic calculator which made it possible to increase the reliability of the method. Nineteen patients were males, 5 females; the average age were 51.7 years S.D. = +/- 7.9. The 201Thallium (2 mCi) is iniected through a Teflon cannula inserted in the forearm l' before the interruption of the stress test on the cycloergometer. After 10' tests are made in AP-LAO and LL view; a second test is carried out after an hour, and, if necessary, after 4-6 hours time. The results are interpreted as: a) positive: absence (++) or obvious defect in perfusione (+); b) negative: normal perfusion (-); c) questionable: activity not significantly reduced (+/-). In some cases, the Authors studied correlations and discordances between MSS and clinical, coronarographic and echocardiographic data. Has been considered moreover, the uptake's and release's variations of the radio-isotope in relation with experimental knowledge of myocardial extration and clearance. We conclude by emphasising the interest of this method and suggesting some practical consideration: 1) patients with negative MSS don't need coronarography; 2) positive MSS, but restricted deficit, good delayed reperfusion, good clinical pharmacological control would permit a delay of coronarography. 3) clear multiple deficit need coronarography; 4) usefulness of the MSS for long-term control of the evolution of coronary disease and of patients operated of aorto-coronary bypass.

Adult↗

A virtual instrument (VI) for haemodynamic management in ICU and during surgery.

Systolic pressure variations (SPV) during mechanical ventilation and its single components, related to short apnea, reflect changes of the volemic condition of the patient. To introduce their determination during clinical monitoring for different fluid states and for different tidal volumes, they must be computed on-line without introducing interference with standard activities. A system computing on-line systolic pressure variation during mechanical ventilation, connected to standard monitoring devices, has been proposed. It is based on a notebook PC implemented with graphical software comprising a user panel in the form of a virtual instrument and is able to acquire, process and present signals from different instruments utilized in ICU and during surgery. It can be used as a base to assess the ability of computed parameters helpful in clinical decision. The use of a notebook PC and open software allows operators, even if non-expert in computer science, to test and implement this, as well as other innovative tools in clinical practice.

Blood Pressure Determination↗

[The modified "hanging maneuver" during orthotopic liver transplantation using a technique for conserving the inferior vena cava].

We describe a modification of Belghiti's "liver hanging maneuver" applied to the last phase of hepatectomy during OLT with IVC preservation. The proposed maneuver provides a better exposition of the suprahepatic veins allowing an ortogonal clamping of the suprahepatic confluence and avoiding caval clamping. It allows, moreover, an increase of venous surface available for the anastomosis that results wider and easier to perform. This provides a large outflow anastomotic cloaca and prevents outflow problems of the graft.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

[Acute liver toxicity of antiretroviral therapy (HAART) after liver transplantation in a patient with HIV-HCV coinfection and associated hepatocarcinoma (HCC)].

OLT in HIV infected patients still remains a challenging option requiring a careful monitoring of patients for HCV reinfection, drug interactions and antiretroviral toxicity. Severe adverse events due to HAART have been already reported for post exposure prophylaxis in HIV infected patients. Here we report a case of liver graft toxicity related to HAART in a HIV-HCV co-infected patient (46 yrs-male) with associated a small HCC transplanted with a marginal liver graft. The patient had pre-OLT plasma HIV 1-RNA levels undetectable and CD4+ T-cell count of > 200 cells/microL for 6 months. At day 2 a severe graft dysfunction was observed (AST 1570 U/L, ALT 2180 U/L, BIL tot 8.3 mg/dL, BIL Dir 6.6 mg/dL and PT 35%--INR 2.5). Doppler scan showed hepatic artery always patient. Later the postoperative in-hospital course was complicated by tense ascites and severe cholestasis. Serum bilirubin reached 42 mg/dL in day 12. Hypertransaminasemia ended at day 15 while cholestasis ended after 46 days. Tacrolimus was reintroduced at day 7. A liver biopsy 10 after OLT showed severe intrahepatic cholestasis, centrolobular necrosis and macrovesicular steatosis (30%). The patient was discharged 48 days after OLT with good liver function. After seven months HIV-RNA is still undetectable and HAART has not been restarted. We believe that the early complications we observed may be attributed to a sudden increase in plasma concentration of antiretroviral drugs secondary to drug redistribution from peripheral tissues and hepatic clearance deficiency after OLT. Although a pre-OLT withdrawal of HAART seems unjustified a delayed re-introduction of HAART or the use of less hepatotoxic drugs may be advisable.

Adult↗

[Multicentre observational study on peristomal skin disorders. A proposal classification].

Disorders regarding peristomal skin have been more and more investigated in order to establish the impact on quality of life of ostomy patients. The aim of this classification is to provide an objective, standardized tool for the assessment of peristomal skin complication specifically designed on the description and localization of the lesion.

Colostomy↗