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Biomedical subjects

M Fantoni

Publications and source records attributed to M Fantoni.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

The pharmacokinetics of clofoctol in healthy neonates and adults studied by an original HPLC technique.

The pharmacokinetics of clofoctol [(tetramethyl-1,1,3,3,butyl)-4-(dichloro-2,4-benzyl)-2-hydroxy-1-benzene ] was investigated in six healthy newborns and compared with the kinetic parameters of the drug in six healthy adults. The concentration of the drug in plasma was measured by means of an original sensitive HPLC technique. In both neonates and adults treated rectally with clofoctol, the plasmatic peak occurred at the 30th min, although the maximal peak of adults was significantly lower. Kel and T1/2 exhibited a similar pattern, whereas the AUC was about 5 times higher in newborns. The present findings suggest that clofoctol is well absorbed rectally. The higher plasmatic levels of clofoctol in neonates may result from their lower degree of hepatic metabolic activity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

SIM 6080, a new calcium antagonist, reduces aortic atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

SIM 6080 is a new calcium antagonist, structurally related to diphenylalkylamines, which combines transmembrane and intracellular calcium antagonist activities. In the present study we investigated the effect of SIM 6080 on atherogenesis in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Subcutaneous administration of the compound at 0.33, 1, and 3 mg kg-1/bid for 60 days neither affected plasma lipids nor blood pressure. However at 1 and 3 mg kg-1/bid SIM 6080 reduced in a dose-dependent manner both the area of the aorta covered by plaques and aortic cholesterol content. Determination of SIM 6080 plasma and aortic content indicated that the compound could concentrate up to 10 times in the arterial tissue. In vitro studies demonstrated that at concentrations similar to those observed in the aorta this compound may stimulate rabbit beta VLDL catabolism by smooth muscle cells in an homologous system suggesting that the up-regulation of LDL-receptors in the aorta may contribute to the antiatherosclerotic properties of SIM 6080.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro inhibition of arterial myocyte growth and stimulation of low density lipoprotein metabolism by SIM 6080, a new calcium antagonist.

We have investigated the in vitro effect of the new calcium antagonist SIM 6080 on proliferation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells and on LDL receptor-mediated catabolism in human fibroblasts. Verapamil was used as the reference compound. SIM 6080 inhibited the proliferation of rat aortic myocytes in concentrations ranging between 1 and 20 microM. The inhibition, evaluated as cell number and nuclear incorporation of [3H]thymidine, was dose and time dependent; the cell doubling time increased with drug concentrations up to 69 h versus 20 h for controls. Similar results on both LDL pathway and smooth muscle cell proliferation were achieved with verapamil, but higher concentrations were needed. The specific uptake and degradation of 125I-LDL was evaluated in human fibroblasts after 48 h incubation with SIM 6080 (1-10 microM). The compound dose dependently enhanced the receptor-mediated 125I-LDL uptake, with a fourfold increase as a maximal effect (10 microM); LDL degradation was less sensitive to the drug. The present results provide evidence that the new calcium antagonist SIM 6080 interferes in vitro with processes involved in atherogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Atypical isolated epiglottic tuberculosis: a case report and a review of the literature.

Tuberculosis is a systemic disease and its occurrence in the larynx and in the oral cavity is well-documented in the literature. Tuberculosis of the larynx involves mainly the vocal folds and the ventricular band and is associated with pulmonary tuberculosis in 80% of cases. Isolated epiglottic tuberculosis has rarely been described, and it is always associated with pulmonary lesions. The authors report a case of isolated epiglottic tuberculosis in a 72-year-old woman that presented as a laryngeal carcinoma and discuss the diagnostic problems related to its atypical clinical, endoscopic, and radiologic presentation.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Short-term adverse effects from and discontinuation of antiretroviral post-exposure prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate short-term toxicity from and discontinuation of antiretroviral combination prophylaxis in HIV-exposed individuals in Italy. DESIGN: Longitudinal, open study conducted by prospective collection of data in the National Registry of PEP. SETTING: All the Italian centres dedicated to HIV related care and licensed by the Ministry of Health to dispense antiretroviral drugs. STUDY POPULATION: Health care workers and other persons consenting to be treated with post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after exposures to HIV. RESULTS: Until October, 2000, 207 individuals receiving two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and 354 receiving two NRTIs plus a protease inhibitor (PI) were enrolled. More individuals experienced side-effects in the 3-drug group (53% and 62%, respectively; OR 0.68, (95% CI 0.48-0.98), p < 0.03). However, the proportion of individuals discontinuing prophylaxis because of side-effects did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (21% and 25% respectively; OR 0.82 (95% CI 0.53-1.26); p=0.4). The 43 individuals in the 2 NRTI group discontinued PEP after a mean of 10.4 days of treatment (median 8, range 1-27), similarly to the 88 discontinuations observed in the 3-drug group (mean duration 10.5 days, median 7.5, range 1-26). Type and incidence of specific adverse effects were similar to those reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that the difference in the proportion of individuals developing side effects and discontinuing PEP is not significant. The rate of discontinuation because of protease inhibitor side-effects does not justify per se the initial use of a less potent PEP regimen. We suggest initiating PEP with a three-drug regimen and discontinuing the protease inhibitor in the case of adverse effects.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Home care for persons with AIds: a case-control study to identify determinants of referral to a hospital-based scheme.

We conducted a multicenter, hospital-based case-control study to identify specific characteristics of AIDS patients which determine referral to hospital care at home. The cases were patients referred to a hospital-based home care scheme, in the metropolitan area of Rome, during 1997. Each case was matched with two controls. Social, demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at referral. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. In the study period, 119 cases and 238 controls were recruited. In logistic regression analysis, social characteristics were not found to affect referral to the hospital-at-home scheme. A severely impaired functional status--assessed by the Functional Independent Measure--identified by a score below 100 (Odds Ratio [OR]=15.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.8-82.7), and the need for prolonged intravenous therapy (OR=12.4, 95% CI=3.3-46.3) were the only two independent predictors of home-care referral. We conclude that home care, even in a period when new potent combination antiretroviral therapies are widely available, is an important integrated service component for persons with AIDS with severe functional impairment or requiring intravenous therapy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Invasive nasosinusal aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient].

The authors describe a case of invasive nasosinusal aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient. After a careful bibliographic review, they emphasize that in the present case the diagnosis was made by means of fungal culture as the clinical picture, imaging techniques and histopathological findings were aspecific. The pathogenetic agent resulted Aspergillus tamarii which belongs to the Aspergillus flavus group and is one of the most unusual agents in literature. The treatment of choice, in the invasive form, is surgery that should be as radical as possible followed by a medical therapy. In the present case, after two-phase radical surgery on all the paranasal sinuses, medical treatment with traconazole was employed with excellent local results at a follow-up of one year.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tuberculin skin test and chemoprophylaxis of tuberculosis.

The tuberculin reaction following the intradermal injection of PPD appears 48-72 hours after injection. The positivity is shown by an > 5 mm area of induration of the skin. Tuberculin reaction is an invaluable instrument of epidemiologic investigation. Clinically, the value of tuberculin test, though remarkable, is limited by the fact that its positivity is not necessarily a sign of active tuberculosis. The three control strategies of tuberculosis are: prompt identification and correct management of cases, vaccination, prophylaxis. The latter, that in most cases is performed with isoniazid (300 mg/daily for 12 months) is indicated in the following situations: subjects with > 5 mm tuberculin test; recent contacts with patients with infective tuberculosis; chest X-ray indicative for old fibrotic lesions, HIV infection; subjects with > 10 mm tuberculin test: HIV-negative drug-addicts; clinical conditions at high risk for tuberculosis (e.g. silicosis, hematologic malignancy, iatrogenic immunosuppression).

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗