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Biomedical subjects

M Moro

Publications and source records attributed to M Moro.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Body mass is the primary determinant of midfemoral bone acquisition during adolescent growth.

To study the determinants of bone mass and structure during adolescence, we analyzed the femoral mid-diaphysis of 375 healthy adolescents and young adults, ages 9-26 years, from four ethnic cohorts (African-American, Asian-American, Caucasian, and Hispanic). Whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were used to determine diaphyseal length and mid-diaphyseal diameter of the left femur, as well as linear bone mineral content (BMCL) of a region at the mid-diaphysis. Cross-sectional geometric properties were estimated and used to calculate two structural strength indicators: the section modulus and the whole bone strength index. When the relationships between the bone measurements and age, pubertal group, height, or body mass were evaluated, all cross-sectional femoral measures correlated most strongly with body mass. Multiple regressions accounting for gender and ethnicity provided little additional predictive value over the simple regressions with body mass alone. Furthermore, accounting for all developmental parameters (age, pubertal group, body mass, lean body mass, calcium intake, physical activity level) as well as ethnicity and gender in a single saturated model also did not generally significantly improve the predictive results achieved using only body mass. Our results indicate that increases in midfemoral bone mass and cross-sectional properties during adolescence are primarily related to increases in mechanical loading as reflected by body mass.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

In vitro effects of magnesium sulfate in isolated intrapulmonary and mesenteric arteries of piglets.

Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) has been proposed to be an efficient treatment in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. We compared the ability of MgSO4 to inhibit the responses to several vasoconstrictors in isolated intrapulmonary and mesenteric arteries from 10-17-d-old piglets. MgSO4 (3-100 mM) produced a slight vasodilator effect in pulmonary arteries precontracted with the thromboxane A2 mimetic U46619 (10(-6) M), noradrenaline (10(-5) M), and KCl (80 mM) (15.1 +/- 3.7%; 20 +/- 3.33%; 10.4 +/- 0.9% at 100 mM MgSO4 respectively). In contrast, in mesenteric arteries MgSO4, produced a marked vasodilation (80.4 +/- 4.0%, 93.1 +/- 3.46%, and 87.5 +/- 1.93% at 100 mM MgSO4, respectively, p < 0.01 versus pulmonary arteries). The vasodilator effect of MgSO4 was endothelium-independent and reversed by increasing the extracellular Ca2+ concentration. After incubation for 1 h of pulmonary arteries with three different MgSO4 concentrations (0, 1.2, and 4.8 mM) there were no differences in the contractile responses to U46619 nor in the vasodilator effects of acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside. Rapid removal of Mg2+ from bath medium produced a transient vasodilation which was more marked in pulmonary than in mesenteric arteries and was greatly reduced by the removal of endothelium or by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME (10(-4) M). We conclude that MgSO4 is a poor vasodilator of pulmonary arteries in vitro and at physiologic concentrations appears to inhibit nitric oxide release from the pulmonary endothelium. Thus, the possible beneficial clinical effects of MgSO4 in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn do not seem to be related to a direct effect on pulmonary vascular smooth muscle.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed1996

Effects of group B Streptococcus on the responses to U46619, endothelin-1, and noradrenaline in isolated pulmonary and mesenteric arteries of piglets.

The release of endogenous vasoconstrictors together with changes in the vascular responses are central to the pathophysiology of sepsis. The effects of in vitro incubation for 20 h with heat-killed group B Streptococcus (GBS, 3 x 10(7) colony-forming units mL-1) on the vasoconstrictor responses to noradrenaline (NA, 10(-8) to 10(-4) M), the thromboxane A2 analog 9,11-dideoxy-11 alpha, 9 alpha-epoxymethanoprostaglandin F2 alpha (U46619; 10(-10) M to 10(-6) M) and endothelin-1 (ET-1, 10(-11) to 3 x 10(-9) M) were evaluated on isolated intrapulmonary and mesenteric arteries from 10-17-d-old piglets. The incubation with GBS reduced the maximal contractile response to NA and ET-1 (p < 0.01) in both arteries. The nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10(-4) M) completely reversed this hyporesponsiveness. GBS-treated mesenteric arteries also showed a significant reduction of the maximal contractions induced by U46619 (p < 0.05) and this effect was inhibited by 10(-4) M L-NAME. In contrast, the maximal contractile responses to U46619 were similar in control and in GBS-treated pulmonary arteries. Addition of L-NAME did not modify the contractile responses to U46619 in GBS-treated pulmonary arteries. In conclusion, GBS-treated systemic arteries from neonatal piglets showed decreased responses to NA, U46619, and ET-1 due to enhanced NO release. GBS-treated pulmonary arteries also exhibited decreased responses to NA and ET-1 but not to U46619. Induction of NOS in vascular smooth muscle may play a key role in the hypotension and loss of systemic vascular responsiveness that occurs in GBS sepsis. The absence of pulmonary hyporesponsiveness to U46619 may partially explain the coexistence during sepsis of pulmonary hypertension and lung NOS induction.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed1996

No difference between micro- and macroprolactinomas in the prolactin responsiveness to metoclopramide and dopamine administration.

Differences between micro- and macroprolactinomas, as regards the prolactin secretory pattern in response to pharmacological challenges, have been reported in in vivo and in vitro models, and interpreted as being due to different dopaminergic regulation of prolactin release. In 32 patients with prolactin-secreting tumors, 19 with microprolactinomas and 13 with macroprolactinomas, and ten healthy volunteers, we evaluated the prolactin secretion in response to pharmacological manipulations of central dopaminergic tone. To this end, three tests were performed, in random order: (1) 4-h saline infusion; (2) 10 mg metoclopramide as i.v. bolus; (3) 4-h dopamine infusion (0.01 microgram/kg/min) with a 10-mg metoclopramide bolus given after the second hour of infusion. Dopamine infusion, compared to saline, caused a significant prolactin decrease in all the three groups of subjects, without significant difference between micro- and macroprolactinoma patients. In prolactinoma patients, administration of metoclopramide induced a significant rise in plasma prolactin which, however, was significantly lower than the one displayed by controls. Again, no difference was observed between the two groups of hyperprolactinemic patients. Dopamine infusion induced a significant and comparable increase in the prolactin response to metoclopramide in micro- and macroprolactinoma patients, while it was ineffective in control subjects. In conclusion, no differences appear to exist between micro- and macroprolactinoma patients as regards the prolactin secretory pattern during pharmacological modifications of the dopaminergic tone. A central dopaminergic defect and an increased prolactin turnover with attendant reduction of the intracellular hormone pool may both be involved in the reduced prolactin release following provocative stimuli in patients with prolactinoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Failure load of thoracic vertebrae correlates with lumbar bone mineral density measured by DXA.

Fractures of the thoracic spine account for a large portion of vertebral fractures in the elderly, yet noninvasive measurements of bone mineral properties are limited to the L2-L4 vertebral bodies. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether bone mineral properties of the lumbar spine correlate with the failure properties of thoracic vertebrae. Cadaveric lumbar segments were scanned using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) from both the lateral and anteroposterior projections. Three-body segments L1-L3 and T10-T12 were then compressed to create crush fractures in the L2 and T11 vertebral bodies, and linear correlation analyses were performed to compare each DXA measure with the failure properties of L2 and T11. Lumbar BMD from the lateral view correlated significantly with T11 ultimate load (r = 0.94, P < 0.001), as did lumbar BMD from the anteroposterior projection (r = 0.83, P = 0.001). Significant correlations were also found between both lumbar BMD and BMC and the stiffness and energy to failure of T11. Furthermore, BMD and BMC measured at L2 correlated significantly with L2 ultimate load, stiffness, and energy to failure. We conclude that bone mineral properties measured at the lumbar spine provide a valid assessment of the compressive strength of both thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Lumbar BMD may therefore be used to derive an index for the prediction of thoracolumbar fractures to aid in the early intervention of vertebral fractures.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1995

Group B Streptococcus and E. coli LPS-induced NO-dependent hyporesponsiveness to noradrenaline in isolated intrapulmonary arteries of neonatal piglets.

1. The effects of endotoxin (E. coli lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and heat inactivated group B Streptococcus (GBS) were studied on the contractile responses to noradrenaline (NA) in isolated pulmonary arteries and on the activity of the constitutive and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in lung fragments of neonatal piglets. 2. Short-term (< or = 5 h) incubation with LPS (1 micrograms ml-1) or GBS (3 x 10(7) colonies forming units ml-1) did not modify the vascular responsiveness to NA (10(-8) M-10(-4) M) in isolated intrapulmonary arteries. However, long-term incubation (20 h) with LPS or GBS produced a significant reduction in the maximal contractile responses and shifted the concentration-response curve for NA downwards. 3. Endothelium removal or the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor meclofenamate (10(-5) M) did not affect the GBS- and LPS-induced hyporesponsiveness to NA. 4. The presence of the nitric oxide (NO) precursor, L-arginine (10(-5) M), 30 min prior to the contractility challenge increased the LPS- and GBS-induced pulmonary vascular hyporesponsiveness to NA. In contrast, the addition, prior to the challenge with NA, of the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10(-4) M) or coincubation with dexamethasone (3 x 10(-6) M), a potent inhibitor of the induction of NOS, or with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (10(-5) M) completely restored the reactivity to NA in LPS- and GBS-treated pulmonary arteries. 5. The incubation for 20 h of lung fragments with LPS and GBS produced a significant increase in the Ca2+-independent (inducible) NOS activity determined by the conversion of radiolabelled L-arginine to citrulline, but did not modify the constitutive NOS activity. This NOS induction was abolished by coincubation with dexamethasone (3 X 10-6 M).6. These results demonstrated that prolonged incubation with GBS and LPS causes an induction of NOS activity which results in a reduced vascular responsiveness to NA in pulmonary arteries of neonatal piglets. Thus, induction of NOS seems to be responsible for the delayed pulmonary vascular hyporesponsiveness induced by GBS (a Gram-positive) and E. coli (a Gram-negative), the most common causal agents of neonatal sepsis.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1994

Spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma.

A case of spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma is reported. Clinical signs at onset, laboratory investigations and bloody CSF at lumbar punction were suggesting of subarachnoid hemorrhage. MRI was fully diagnostic. Surgery was ruled out and spinal compression cleared spontaneously over one week. Etiological factors, possible diagnostic pittfalls and the indication surgical decompression are discussed.

Back Pain↗
PubMed1993

The CSF myelin basic protein: a reliable marker of actual cerebral damage in hydrocephalus.

Raised ventricular CSF myelin basic protein (MBP) concentration has been evidenced in 17 shunted hydrocephalic patients. Contemporary evaluation both from ventricular and lumbar CSF samples showed a concentration ratio of 20:1. In all cases the raised values of ventricular CSF concentration of MBP demonstrated a significant decrease after shunt operation. This preliminary report suggests that this marker is an important index of actual brain damage in hydrocephalus and could be taken in account for the indication of shunt operation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Distribution of SP1, immunoreactivity among different plasma proteins: real molecular heterogeneity or adsorption of SP1-beta to other plasma proteins?

Three SP1-containing factors from pooled term pregnancy sera were subjected to crossed immunoelectrophoresis. New patterns as far as electrophoretic mobilities and shapes of the immunoprecipitates were revealed. The appearance of an additional anodic radioimmunoassayable activity in agarose electrophoresis of mixed SP1-alpha and SP1-beta suggested a binding capacity of SP1-alpha for SP1-beta determinants. In the serum of a single patient at the third trimester of pregnancy we also found two SP1 variants, possessing little radioimmunological reactivity and with crossed immunoelectrophoretic characteristics quite different from those of the 'usual' alpha and beta SP1 forms. These results suggest that, in this particular case, the overall SP1 production cannot be evaluated by competitive binding assay and, that in general, SP1 is a complex antigen the heterogeneity of which can be determined following adsorption of some beta epitopes to another serum protein.

Female↗
PubMed1991

Comparison between a slow-release oral preparation of bromocriptine and regular bromocriptine in patients with hyperprolactinemia: a double blind, double dummy study.

The efficacy and tolerability of a slow-release preparation of bromocriptine (Parlodel SRO) were compared to those of conventional bromocriptine (Parlodel R) in a double blind, double dummy study of 12 hyperprolactinemic women (plasma PRL 81.3 +/- 4.73, ng/ml mean +/- SEM). For 2 weeks, the patients received 2.5 mg b.i.d. Parlodel R or 5 mg once daily Parlodel SRO; for the following 2 weeks, the dose of the drugs was doubled. The patients were then treated, in an open study, with 2.5-10 mg daily Parlodel SRO for 6 months. Both preparations caused a prompt and sharp PRL fall. Hormone levels remained inhibited over the whole month of observation with both preparations. Daily PRL profiles were very close with either drug although morning PRl levels were slightly higher during Parlodel SRO than during Parlodel R administration. Doubling the doses of the two drugs did not result in further significant lowering of PRL values. During the 6-month study with Parlodel SRO, plasma PRL further decreased and normalized in 11 of 12 patients. Clinical improvement occurred in the majority of cases. Tolerability of Parlodel SRO appeared to be better, though without statistically significant differences, than that of Parlodel R. Side effects were less important with the former compound in their number, severity and duration. In conclusion, thanks to its favourable pharmacological profile, Parlodel SRO appears to be a valuable alternative to regular bromocriptine in the management of hyperprolactinemia.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1991

Chronic treatment with parlodel LAR of patients with prolactin-secreting tumours. Different responsiveness of micro- and macroprolactinomas.

UNLABELLED: Forty-one patients with prolactinoma (25 micro-, 16 macroprolactinomas) were treated with a long-acting injectable preparation of bromocriptine (Parlodel LAR, Sandoz), 25-100 mg (mostly 50 mg) in every 4-8 weeks for as long as 43 months (median 19 months). The first injection caused a prompt fall of plasma PRL which reached its nadir value after 3 days. Thereafter, hormone levels remained well below initial values for 4 weeks or longer, though with the tendency, more pronounced in microprolactinoma patients, to rise again toward baseline. The prevalence of PRL normalization was greater in the macro- than in the microprolactinoma group. By repeated injections plasma PRL could be kept close to or within the normal limits in most of the patients. However, the extent of PRL inhibition was significantly greater in macro- than in microprolactinoma patients (p less than 0.01). Clinical improvement occurred in the majority of the patients, shrinkage of the tumour in 50% of them. Adverse reactions were generally mild or of moderate severity and subsided spontaneously in 24 h. They were less frequent (NS) and less severe (p less than 0.05) in macro- than in microprolactinoma patients. IN CONCLUSION: a. injectable bromocriptine (Parlodel LAR) is a highly effective preparation particularly suitable for the long-term treatment of tumourous hyperprolactinemia; b. patients with macroprolactinoma exhibit, compared with microprolactinoma patients, better responsiveness and better tolerability to injectable bromocriptine.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Classical microangiopathic diabetic complications in the absence of overt diabetes mellitus.

A 47-year-old Arab male presented with a nephrotic syndrome and renal failure. Proliferative retinopathy was documented on fundoscopy. There was no history of symptomatic hyperglycemia, and biochemically, there was impaired glucose tolerance. This patient had classical microangiopathic complications that are closely related to the severity and duration of diabetes mellitus in the absence of overt hyperglycemia.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1989

Comparative functional study of colostral macrophages from mothers delivering preterm and at term.

Number and function of milk macrophages (MM) from 30 healthy mothers delivering preterm (mean gestational age 33 weeks) were compared with those obtained from 92 mothers with term delivery. The average concentration of MM in colostrum did not differ in the two groups: 0.55 x 10(6)/ml (preterm) and 0.42 x 10(6)/ml (term). Preterm MM showed the same activity as term MM in all three assayed functions (phagocytosis, chemotaxis and IL-1 secretion). Phagocytic activity, and impaired migratory motility and IL-1 secretion were significantly increased both in preterm and term MM in comparison with the activity in less mature blood monocytes. Thus it appears that preterm MM are, like term MM, a fully mature tissue macrophage population and therefore we suggest that with regard to MM both preterm and term colostrum are comparable, at least in the gestational age tested.

Cell Count↗