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Biomedical subjects

S Murgia

Publications and source records attributed to S Murgia.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Biocompatible lipidic formulations: phase behavior and microstructure.

Biocompatible systems formulated for use in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical fields are characterized. Ternary phase diagrams of mixtures of natural lipids (glycerol trioleate, glycerol monooleate, diglycerol monooleate, and lecithin) and water were investigated by means of optical microscopy in polarized light and by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. All systems showed a microemulsion region at high oil content and a large area of coexistence of two liquid crystalline (hexagonal and lamellar) phases. 1H and 13C NMR self-diffusion measurements were used to characterize microstructural features of the microemulsions. On water dilution, the two-phase liquid crystalline region transforms into a creamy emulsion area where the droplets of water are stabilized by both the lamellar and the hexagonal phases, as indicated by 2H NMR measurements. Due to the very effective dispersing action of the two liquid crystalline phases, these emulsions show a high stability toward phase separation.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed2002

Psychiatric disorders in Sardinian immigrants to Paris: a comparison with Parisians and Sardinians resident in Sardinia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to compare the prevalence of ICD-10 psychiatric disorders in a community sample of subjects of Sardinian origin resident in Paris (here "immigrants"), of the general Parisian population ("Parisians") and of Sardinians resident in Sardinia ("Sardinians"). METHODS: The sample of immigrants was obtained by contacting a fifth of all households with a Sardinian surname in Paris telephone directories. The other samples have already been partially described in previous studies. All subjects were interviewed using the CIDIS, a shortened version of the structured WHO interview CIDI. RESULTS: High or very high response rates were achieved in all studies. The final sample sizes were: 153 immigrants, 2,260 Parisians and 1,040 Sardinians. Immigrants showed high rates of depressive disorders, as did Parisians, and high rates of anxiety disorders, as did Sardinians. The immigrants' offspring (second-generation immigrants) seemed to be particularly at risk for depression, drug-abuse and bulimia. Elderly Sardinians who had returned to Sardinia after a long period of emigration showed an increased risk of dysthymia. The presence of a confidential relationship had a protective effect. CONCLUSIONS: The results are consistent with previous findings which suggest a greater risk of anxiety disorders in Southern Europe and of depression in Northern European countries. Immigrants in this study seem to present a particularly unfavourable pattern of mental disorders compared to both origin and host populations. The role of social support, use of mental health services and social conditions of second-generation immigrants should be analysed in greater depth.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Addition of hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds of biological relevance to the monoolein/water system II - 13C NMR relaxation study.

The addition of hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules to the 1-monooleoyl glycerol (MO)/water (W) system has been investigated at a molecular level by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation. Depending on the nature of the additive, the liquid crystalline phases of the MO/W binary system are modified. The 13C NMR spin lattice relaxation rates of the various MO carbons were determined in the presence of the additives for different types of L(2) and liquid crystalline phases. Data revealed that local dynamics are independent of type and amount of additive (within 5 wt.%), and also of the type of the structural arrangement. The curvature of the interface does not affect the local mobility of MO carbons, with the exception of the glycerol G3 and the carboxylic C1 carbons. Moreover, the presence of the double bond in the mid part of the hydrocarbon chain induces a levelling in the relaxation rates on the neighboring carbons. The 13C NMR spin lattice relaxation rates at two magnetic field strengths and the Overhauser enhancement were measured in the L(2) phase of the MO/W/sodium decanoate system. The use of a two-step model of relaxation allowed to estimate order parameters, and slow and fast motions of MO in the structured aggregate.

Gels↗
PubMed2001

Fine mapping of the PSORS4 psoriasis susceptibility region on chromosome 1q21.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder affecting approximately 2% of the Caucasian population. Family clustering of the disease is well established and nonparametric linkage analyzes have mapped disease susceptibility loci on chromosomes 6p (PSORS1) and 17q (PSORS2). Nonconfirmed evidence for linkage is also available for chromosomes 2q 3q, 4q (PSORS3), 8q, 16q, and 20p. We mapped an additional susceptibility locus on chromosome 1q21 (PSORS4). In this study, we have carried out a linkage disequilibrium analysis, in order to achieve a finer localization. We recruited 79 triads from continental Italy and typed them at five loci spanning the 1.6 Mb region generating the highest multipoint LOD scores in our previous linkage study. We observed significant evidence for association with D1S2346 marker (p = 0.004). Results consistent with this data were obtained by typing an independent sample that included 28 patients and 56 controls, originating from Sardinia. In fact, p values of 0.02 were observed with both D1S2346 and D1S2715 markers. We sought further confirmation of our results by typing both samples with two novel markers (140J1C and 140J1D) flanking D1S2346. Marker 140J1D generated a p value of 0.003 in the continental Italy sample where a D1S2346/140J1D haplotype was found with a higher frequency among patients' chromosomes. Altogether our data indicate that the 1q21 susceptibility gene may be localized in the genomic interval spanned by D1S2346 and 140J1D. This report provides evidence supporting the refinement of a non-HLA psoriasis susceptibility locus.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed2000

ACTH- and alpha-MSH-induced grooming, stretching, yawning and penile erection in male rats: site of action in the brain and role of melanocortin receptors.

The effect of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)(1-24) and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) on grooming, stretching, yawning and penile erection was studied after injection into different brain areas. Both peptides induce the above responses when injected into the hypothalamic periventricular region of the third ventricle. This region includes the paraventricular nucleus, the dorsomedial nucleus, the ventromedial nucleus and the anterior hypothalamic area. The minimal effective dose of both peptides was 0.5 microg and the maximal effect was seen with 2 microg, the highest dose tested. Irrespective of the injection site, grooming started 5-7 min after injection of either peptide, while stretching, yawning and penile erection started only after 15-35 min and lasted for 90-120 min. In contrast both peptides were ineffective when injected into the preoptic area, the caudate nucleus or the CA1 field of the hippocampus. Grooming, stretching and yawning, but not penile erection, were prevented by cyclic[AcCys(11), D-Nal(14), Cys(18), AspNH(2)(22)]-beta-MSH (11-22) (HS014), a selective melanocortin 4 receptor antagonist, injected into the same periventricular area 10 min before of ACTH(1-24) or alpha-MSH. The results show that ACTH(1-24) and alpha-MSH act in the hypothalamic periventricular region to induce the above responses and that grooming, stretching and yawning, but not penile erection, are mediated by melanocortin 4 receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[The early high-dose immunoglobulin treatment of neonatal autoimmune thrombocytopenia].

The paper reports the case of a neonate suffering from autoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia whose mother had suffered from previous idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura. Although asymptomatic, the baby received early treatment with high doses of immunoglobulin G (1 g/kg) in a single dose. Treatment was repeated on day 12 using the same method. No other treatment was associated with IgG. The Authors confirm the good level of tolerability and efficacy of IgG in the treatment of autoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia without complications.

Autoimmunity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Survey of five years psychiatric consultations in a university general hospital].

A survey of 5 year period activity (1995-99) of a university consultation-liaison service is reported, concerning 1556 psychiatric consultations. The majority of referrals (68%) came from internal medicine units; the reason of referral was prevalently due (approx. 50%) to the presence of psychiatric symptoms; moreover, the majority of patients (approx. 51%) for which the consultation has been requested were already under psychiatric treatment and 32% of them took psychoactive drugs. In 75% of cases a psychiatric diagnosis according to ICD-10 was formulated after consultation: "Affective syndromes" were diagnosed in 25% of cases and "Neurotic, somatoformand stress-related syndromes" in 36.6% of cases. Approx. 60% of patients were prescribed psychoactive drugs; 50% received psychological support.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Benign intracranial hypertension caused by sulfenazone].

Case report of a iatrogenic benign intracranial hypertension in a 7 months old infant. Unlike in the child and the adult, this syndrome has a peculiar non specific clinical pattern in the infant. Having ruled out other specific acute diseases of the central nervous system, it seems reasonable not to start any treatment since the outcome of this condition is always benign.

Analgesics↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Transient idiopathic hyperphosphatasemia in infancy. Presentation of a case].

One case of a 13-months-old-female infant with transient idiopathic hyperphosphatasemia is described. This syndrome is characterized by: 1) increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity not associate with an organic disease; 2) normalization of the enzyme activity within 12 weeks. Familial hyperphosphatasemia, a permanens disease, is also excluded because of ALP normal values in both parents. Rickets, hepatic and biliary diseases are excluded by clinical, radiologic and laboratory data.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cerebellar syndrome in a case of Kawasaki disease].

Kawasaky's disease is a multisystem widespread vasculitis. Besides the mucocutaneous patterns, symptoms related to various organs have been observed in the medical literature. Lethargy, irritability, meningism and cranial nerves paralysis occur in the acute phase of central nervous system involvement. The A.A. report a rare cerebellar syndrome caused by vasculitis in a seven years old girl's cerebellum. Surveillance of tardive complications must be undertaken in patients affected by Kawasaky's disease.

Cerebellar Diseases↗