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Biomedical subjects

M Bruno

Publications and source records attributed to M Bruno.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

A comparison of methods for diarrhoeic shellfish poison detection.

Samples of diarrhoeic shellfish poison (DSP) mussels from several parts of the Italian Adriatic coastline were extracted and tested according to a number of different methods presently available, i.e. Yasumoto's mouse biotest, Kat's biotest, the ELISA test and the HPLC method. Results were compared for toxic levels detected in each sample. While a common qualitative result (toxic/non-toxic) was given by all the methods, no clear quantitative agreement was found. The differences between methods and consequent lack of agreement in results are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Bartter's syndrome in children and adults. Study of 6 cases].

Six patients (3 children and 3 adults) with the clinical and biochemical features of Bartter's syndrome are presented. Pediatric cases included a more severe form, in one patient, with physical and mental retardation, hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis, and a less severe one, including two patients, with milder clinical features, low calcium and high magnesium excretion and hypomagnesiemia. Adult patients were affected by either the mild congenital form (case n. 4) or the acquired variety (cases n.5 and 6). Tubular function was investigated in the 3 adults by assessing clearance measurements during maximal diuresis. There was a defective fractional distal solute reabsorption (FDR) ranging between 0.52 and 0.60. This was well below the results obtained in one patient with psychogenous vomiting (FDR 0.94) and comparable to those in two patients with interstitial nephropathies caused by vesico-ureteral reflux (FDR 0.63 and 0.67 respectively). We concluded that: 1) the etiopathogenetic spectrum of Bartter's syndrome corresponds to different clinical presentation (mild, heavy, congenital or acquired varieties), and alterations in mineral and electrolyte renal handling; 2) reduction in FDR is a feature neither essential nor exclusive of this syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[A case of meconium peritonitis].

A case of meconium peritonitis that was diagnosed ultrasonographically in the second trimester is presented. Fetal ascites, intra-abdominal calcification and polyhydramnios were detected on antenatal ultrasonography.

Ascites↗
PubMed1994

[Renal damage in rheumatoid arthritis].

Renal damage is not uncommon in rheumatoid arthritis, but the causative role of the disease per se is not well defined yet. In this paper the updated literature data are reported and our own experience as well. In particular, we describe renal syndromes associated with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, remission-inducing agents (gold and penicillamine) and cytotoxic drugs, secondary amyloidosis, systemic rheumatoid vasculitis, glomerular and tubulo-interstitial nephritis not related to drug therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Determinants of oxalate balance in patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis.

We assessed plasma levels and removal rates of oxalate in 24 patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) for oxalosis-unrelated renal failure. The ion-chromatographic (IC) measurements of oxalate in plasma, dialysate, and urine (in seven patients with residual renal function) were used to calculate peritoneal and renal clearances of oxalate. The serum state of saturation with calcium oxalate was calculated by means of a computer-based model system. Patient data were compared with those from 19 healthy individuals. Peritoneal clearance of oxalate was 6.3 +/- 4.7 mL/min, ie, 8% of the normal renal clearance. As a result, both plasma oxalate and calcium oxalate saturation were higher than in controls and did not overlap. Plasma was supersaturated with calcium oxalate in only two of 24 patients (8%). Removal of oxalate by dialysis was related to the amount of fluid infused. Overall removal of oxalate (dialysate plus urine) was similar to 24-hour excretion of normal subjects and was taken as a measure of its generation. Oxalate generation rate was dependent on protein (whole and animal) intake, but not on caloric intake or pyridoxine status. Pyridoxine supplementation, 75 and 300 mg daily for 1 months, was not effective in reducing plasma levels or generation rates of oxalate. Residual renal function had a minor influence on oxalate patterns. We conclude that current programs are adequate to maintain oxalate balance in patients on CPD under basic conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Safe minor surgery in patients taking anticoagulants].

The effectiveness of a commercial drug containing fibrinogen, thrombin and factor XIL (Tissucol, Immuno) was assessed in 127 patients receiving oral anticoagulant treatment with acenocoumarin who were subjected to 183 minor surgical procedures: 107 exodontia, 53 periodontal procedures, 17 combinations of the former, 4 liver biopsies and 2 skin biopsies. All but the liver biopsies were performed in the outpatient clinic. Mild haemorrhage appeared in 21 instances. None of the patients required systemic administration of coagulation factors, and the maneuvers did not take any longer than in patients with integrity of the coagulation mechanisms. The outstanding benefits of this technique are: less discomfort for patients, who can be subjected to a single procedure while otherwise requiring several sessions; anticoagulation needs not be discontinued, subcutaneous heparin being otherwise necessary; low risk of complications and avoidance of substitutive therapy; lesser economic burden, as no hospital admission is needed.

Acenocoumarol↗
PubMed1992

Stimulation of NADH oxidase activity from rat liver plasma membranes by growth factors and hormones is decreased or absent with hepatoma plasma membranes.

Plasma membranes of rat liver isolated by aqueous two-phase partition exhibited basal levels of NADH oxidase activity that were increased approx. 2-fold by addition of hormones and growth factors to which liver cells were known to respond. In contrast, hepatoma plasma membranes demonstrated an intrinsically increased level of NADH oxidase, which was not stimulated further by addition of growth factors. The results suggest that the NADH oxidase of the hepatoma plasma membrane is no longer correctly coupled to hormone and growth-factor receptors. This biochemical defect may parallel the loss of growth control that is characteristic of neoplastic transformation in hepatocarcinogenesis and other transformation systems.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Microcystin-like toxins in different freshwater species of Oscillatoria.

In January and September of 1989 and March 1990 blooms of Oscillatoria rubescens, Oscillatoria tenuis and Oscillatoria mougetii were found in Lake Simbirizzi and Lake Flumendosa in Sardinia, and in Lake San Puoto in the Lazio region of Italy. By using different extraction methods and HPLC analysis, two microcystin-like toxins (RR-like and YR-like), similar to some of the toxic compounds produced by the Cyanophycea Microcystis aeruginosa, were detected in these blooms.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1992

Do IgA antigliadin and IgA antiendomysium antibodies show there is latent coeliac disease in primary IgA nephropathy?

The finding in primary IgA nephropathy of increased levels of IgA to food antigens and particularly to gliadin prompted the hypothesis that a subgroup of these patients may have latent coeliac disease. The observation that gliadin may experimentally induce IgA mesangial deposits supported this hypothesis. We evaluated specific immunological markers of coeliac disease (antiendomysium antibodies) which parallel histological changes of gluten sensitive enteropathy, and an IgA immunofluorescent test for antigliadin antibodies in 18 patients with IgA nephropathy, in 56 untreated coeliac disease patients, in 254 controls (58 healthy and 196 disease controls). Antiendomysium antibodies were positive in 89.28% of coeliac patients, but negative in all IgA nephropathies and controls. IgA immunofluorescent test for antigliadin antibodies, negative in all IgA nephropathy patients, was positive in 76.78% of coeliac patients and in 4.91% of controls. ELISA IgA antigliadin antibodies were negative in controls, but positive in 22.22% of IgA nephropathy patients and in 60.71% of coeliac patients. Our data would suggest that in most patients with IgA nephropathy there is no evidence of latent coeliac disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

BAY P 1455, a thiazolylaminobenzimidazole derivative with gastroprotective properties in the rat.

The antiulcer activity of BAY P 14551 a thiazolylaminobenzimidazole derivative, was evaluated in different experimental ulcer models and its antiulcer activity was compared to that of different reference drugs. The overall activity of the compound was equal to or more potent than that of reference antiulcer drugs, such as pirenzepine, cimetidine and carbenoxolone, but it was not as potent as rioprostil. The ED50 values (expressed as mumol/kg p.o.) were 68 (confidence limits: 51-91) for indomethacin-induced ulcers, 21 (confidence limits: 13-31) for stress-induced ulcers and 1260 mumol/kg p.o. (confidence limits: 412-3800) for ulcers induced by absolute ethanol. The compound had no activity against cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers and lost its cytoprotective activity in adrenalectomised rats. Since inhibition of gastric acid secretion was seen, if at all, only with the higher doses, the gastro-protective action of BAY P 1455 seemed not to be due to an antisecretory effect, but more likely to a gastroprotective action as hypothesised for prostaglandins.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1990

[Anabolic steroids and their abuse in sports].

Anabolic steroids increase protein synthesis in skeletal muscles and reverse catabolic processes. Because of these properties some athletes use anabolic steroids in an attempt to improve their athletic performance. However, the latest studies indicate that limited increases in muscle mass and strength during anabolic steroid administration are observed only in athletes who already are weight-trained and who continue intensive training while consuming high-protein, high-calorie diets. Adverse effects attributed to anabolic steroid use occur frequently. Serious adverse effects include hepatic and endocrine dysfunction; cardiovascular and behavioral changes are also reported. Some of the adverse effects associated with the use of these agents are irreversible, particularly in women. The use of anabolic steroids to improve athletic performance has become prevalent; however the limited benefits reported are offset by numerous adverse reactions.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Calmodulin dependence of transferrin receptor recycling in rat reticulocytes.

Kinetic analysis of transferrin receptor properties in 6-8 day rat reticulocytes showed the existence of a single class of high-affinity receptors (Kd 3-10 nM), of which 20-25% were located at the cell surface and the remainder within an intracellular pool. Total transferrin receptor cycling time was 3.9 min. These studies examined the effects of various inhibitors on receptor-mediated transferrin iron delivery in order to define critical steps and events necessary to maintain the functional integrity of the pathway. Dansylcadaverine inhibited iron uptake by blocking exocytic release of transferrin and return of receptors to the cell surface, but did not affect transferrin endocytosis; this action served to deplete the surface pool of transferrin receptors, leading to shutdown of iron uptake. Calmidazolium and other putative calmodulin antagonists exerted an identical action on iron uptake and receptor recycling. The inhibitory effects of these agents on receptor recycling were overcome by the timely addition of Ca2+/ionomycin. From correlative analyses of the effects of these and other inhibitors, it was concluded that: (1) dansylcadaverine and calmodulin antagonists inhibit iron uptake by suppression of receptor recycling and exocytic transferrin release, (2) protein kinase C, transglutaminase, protein synthesis and release of transferrin-bound iron are not necessary for the functional integrity of the iron delivery pathway, (3) exocytic transferrin release and concomitant receptor recycling in rat reticulocytes is dependent upon Ca2+/calmodulin, (4) dansylcadaverine, dimethyldansylcadaverine and calmidazolium act on iron uptake by interfering with calmodulin function, and (5) the endocytotic and exocytotic arms of the iron delivery pathway are under separate regulatory control.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Acetaminophen toxicity to cultured rat embryos.

We tested the effects of acetaminophen on cultured rat embryo development. When added directly to culture media at 300 microM, a concentration approximately twice the human therapeutic blood level, acetaminophen caused abnormalities in the cultured embryos. Sera from both rats and monkeys following gavage with acetaminophen were also toxic to cultured embryos. The sera toxicities were related to acetaminophen concentrations, and the toxicity could be removed by serum dialysis. With regard to the metabolism of acetaminophen, glutathione levels in the yolk sac decreased in a concentration related fashion with addition of the drug. Also, buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, appeared to enhance acetaminophen embryo toxicity, and N-acetylcysteine, a glutathione precursor, appeared to protect embryos from acetaminophen toxicity. These results suggested that acetaminophen embryo toxicity resulted from direct exposure of embryos to acetaminophen and not a maternal metabolite.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1990

Presence of saxitoxin in toxic extracts from Gonyaulax polyedra.

A "red tide" bloom of Gonyaulax polyedra occurred in Italy in Autumn, 1988. Algal concentrated extracts and undiluted water samples from the bloom were tested both with the Microtox system and a mouse bioassay, revealing the presence of paralytic shellfish poison-like neurotoxins. Saxitoxin levels evaluated on the basis of toxicological and instrumental analysis showed discrepancies. Other toxins could be present in addition to paralytic shellfish poison.

Animals↗