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Biomedical subjects

S Romeo

Publications and source records attributed to S Romeo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Edema and skin ulcers of the lower limbs as a collateral effect of nifedipine. A clinical case report].

Nifedipine, as most calcium-antagonist drugs, is widely used for the treatment of angina pectoris and primary hypertension. Among its side effects, edema of lower limbs may expose patients to traumatic ulcers which become chronic. A case with painful ulcers and remarkable swelling of the ankles is reported. In this case, misdiagnosed as chronic venous insufficiency, good results were obtained with topical treatment and discontinuation of nifedipine. Leg ulcers and edema resolved in four months after ten years of disease history.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Cortical excitability in patients with essential tremor.

We used transcranial magnetic stimulation in 10 patients with essential tremor and 8 matched healthy subjects. A round stimulating coil was placed over the vertex and electromyographic activity was recorded from the first dorsal interosseous muscle. Paired transcranial stimuli were delivered at interstimulus intervals of 3, 5, 20, 100, 150, and 200 ms. The intensity of the conditioning stimulus was 80% of motor threshold at short and 150% at long interstimulus intervals (ISIs). We also measured the silent period obtained after a single magnetic pulse delivered at 150% of motor threshold during a submaximal muscle contraction. Patients and controls had similar motor threshold and similar latencies. Paired magnetic stimuli given at short and long ISIs at rest, and during a voluntary muscle contraction, elicited similar responses in both groups. The silent period evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation had a similar duration in patients with ET and controls. In conclusion, these findings suggest that patients with essential tremor have normal cortical motor area excitability.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Facilitation of muscle evoked responses after repetitive cortical stimulation in man.

The technique of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) allows cortical motor areas to be activated by trains of magnetic stimuli at different frequencies and intensities. In this paper, we studied long-term neurophysiological effects of rTMS delivered to the motor cortex at 5 Hz with an intensity of 120% of motor threshold. Each stimulus of the train produced muscle-evoked potentials (MEPs) in hand and forearm muscles, which gradually increased in size from the first to the last shock. After the end of the train, the response to a single-test stimulus remained enhanced for 600-900 ms. In contrast, the train had no effect on the size of the MEPs evoked by transcranial electrical stimulation, while it suppressed H-reflexes in forearm muscles for 900 ms. We conclude that rTMS of these parameters increases the excitability of the motor cortex and that this effect outlasts the train for almost 1 s. At the spinal level, rTMS may increase presynaptic inhibition of Ia afferent fibers responsible for the H-reflex.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

beta-Endorphin enhances polyamine transport in human lymphocytes.

Opioid peptides, such as beta-endorphin (beta-end), are capable of modulating in vitro proliferative response of lymphocytes. We attempted to determine the role of extracellular polyamines in the regulation of immune responses to opioid peptides by measuring the extent of polyamine uptake as adaptional response to cell activation. beta-end dose-dependently enhanced the incorporation of radioactive spermidine and spermine. When the cells were depleted of spermidine, with addition of specific inhibitors of both biosynthesis and interconversion pathway, a large increase in the incorporation of radioactive spermidine was observed. This effect appeares to be specific for beta-end, although a non-opiate-specific receptor could be involved, since beta-end-enhanced incorporation of radioactive spermidine is not blocked by naloxone. We conclude that the enhancement of polyamine incorporation may be considered as an integral component of lymphocyte activation by beta-end.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1997

[The role of transdermal anesthesia with EMLA in urologic surgery].

The review of 50 cases of urologic diseases has allowed us to show the utility of EMLA; even if it has been limited by some practical factors, it has permitted alone or as a first step in local and loco-regional anesthesia, to carry out surgical urologic procedures, with good surgical conditions, both for the surgeon and for the patient.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1996

Bovine hemoglobin cross-linked through the beta chains: functional and structural aspects.

2-Nor-2-formylpyridoxal (NFPLP) has been synthesized and coupled to bovine Hb according to the procedure developed by Benesch and Benesch. The reaction of bovine Hb with NFPLP leads to a cross-linkage between the beta subunits, which greatly stabilizes the low affinity T state of the molecule and simultaneously abolishes the tendency of the tetramer to dissociate into alpha beta dimers. The functional properties, examined from both the equilibrium and kinetic points of view, indicate that the chemical modification affects the O2 affinity, abolishes cooperativity, and induces a slight decrease of the Bohr effect. From modeling studies we are confronted with two different structural alternatives; the cross-link of beta chains may be formed between lysine 82 of beta2 and the N terminus of methionine 2 of beta1 or between the two lysine 82 residues of both beta2 chains. Digestion of modified beta globin chains and isolation of the cross-linked peptide have showed that NFPLP cross-links Met-beta2 and Lys-beta82. This allowed discussion in some detail of the molecular basis of the Bohr effect of the modified bovine hemoglobin. On the whole, NFPLP-modified bovine Hb could be considered as a first step toward the synthesis of a potential blood substitute.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Tolerability and clinical efficacy of desmin in the treatment of superficial thrombovaricophlebitis.

Fifty-six patients with superficial thrombovaricophlebitis of the lower limbs were enrolled in an open and multicenter (4 centers) trial for a period of thirty days. Patients were randomly allocated to three treatment groups to receive a new low-molecular-weight dermatan sulfate (Desmin) at the dose, respectively, of 100 mg once daily by subcutaneous (SC) route, 100 mg twice a day SC, and 200 mg once daily by intramuscular (IM) route. The general and local tolerability and the clinical efficacy of the drug were evaluated by means of clinical, instrumental, and laboratory parameters. Desmin proved capable of effectively improving the symptoms of patients affected by thrombovaricophlebitis, inducing rapid regression by the tenth day of treatment. The daily dose of 200 mg (either SC or IM) was more effective than the 100 mg dose. The systemic tolerability of the drug, administered for the first time for one month, was extremely good, without significant variations in the relevant laboratory tests. Local tolerance (at the site of injection) of the drug was also good.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Relationships between conformational behaviour and binding affinity towards beta 1 and beta 2 adrenoceptors of some chiral phenoxypropanolamines with bulky N-substituents.

The optical isomers of a series of phenoxypropanolamine compounds with N-substituents bulkier than isopropyl have been synthesized, and their binding affinity towards beta 1 and beta 2-adrenoceptors has been determined. A computational study, including a Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation and quenching in water and a GRID analysis provided some useful suggestions for possible interpretation patterns for the different affinity exhibited by the compounds studied.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1991

[A controlled clinical experiment "within subjects" with heparan sulfate in intermittent claudication].

An experimental clinical trial was carried out using heparan sulphate in order to assess its antithrombophilic, profibrinolytic and possibly hemorheological characteristics. Twenty patients with stage 2 obliterating arteriopathy of the lower limbs were enrolled in the study. Patients were fully informed regarding the experimental protocol: a controlled, crossover and double-blind study. The population sample included 20 subjects, male and female, mean age 60.9 years who received heparan sulphate at a dose of 200 mg/die (one 100 mg tablet twice a day): treatment continued for 120 days (60 days of treatment with heparan sulphate and 60 days with placebo). The results obtained were in favour of medical therapy which was significantly more effective than placebo in relation to a number of parameters: compared to basal values, walking parameters were improved, recovery times were more rapid and gait was longer. Significant changes in hemocoagulative and hemorheological parameters were also observed (euglobulin lysis time, fibrin degradation products, erythrocytic filtration, hematic viscosity) and their positive trend may account for peripheral hematic perfusion, as shown by photoplethysmographic tests, velocimetric tests and the modification of the Windsor index. Therapeutic efficacy and the good tolerance (one case of gastralgia, two of pyrosis) as well as broad safety margins offered by the drug justify the use of heparan sulphate in all clinical conditions characterized by thrombophilia and local ischemia, above all those which require long-term treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Effects of different proportions of carbohydrates, polysaccharides/monosaccharides, and different fibers on the metabolic control in diabetic rats.

Recent findings have suggested that diets with a high level of carbohydrates may impair the metabolic control of diabetes mellitus in humans. Moreover, other investigations have indicated that if the simple sugar content is increased in order to attain a proportion of polysaccharides/monosaccharides equal to 1, then neither the blood glucose nor the lipidic response show any change. We have studied the effect of increasing carbohydrates in the diet (59% v 82%), while maintaining cereal fiber levels constant (30%) and replacing cereal fiber in high carbohydrate diets by guar gum (30%) and lentil-derived leguminous fiber (30%) on the metabolic control of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A study with different diets was performed for 3 weeks. An increase of carbohydrates in the diet produces an increase in the HbA1 concentration (1.9% v 3.9%, P less than 0.01) and in serum triglyceride levels (98.75 +/- 22.09 mg/dL v 144.50 +/- 3.52 mg/dL, P less than 0.05). Total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels remained unchanged. The increase does not occur if the cereal fiber is replaced by lentil-derived leguminous fiber. In a second experiment, we substituted 50% of the complex carbohydrates in diets with 80% carbohydrates by glucose. Blood glucose, triglycerides, and HbA1 levels rose significantly in the four groups of rats that received diets containing 50% carbohydrates in glucose form. In addition, a test meal was carried out on day 19, consisting of 2.5 g of food/kg of wt. The maximum increase in blood glucose and the area below the glucose curve response was also significantly higher in the four groups of rats who received glucose in their diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Cardiopulmonary effects of oleic acid-induced pulmonary edema and mechanical ventilation.

In order to define the mechanisms whereby cardiac output and arterial oxygen transport are reduced by acute permeability pulmonary edema and by positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), hemodynamic, respiratory, and lung water changes were measured in 12 mechanically ventilated dogs prior to the injection of oleic acid and at 1, 2.5, and 4 hr after the injection. Measurements were performed at each interval before and after the addition of 20 cm H2O PEEP. Positive end-expiratory pressure was not continued between measurements. One hour after the oleic acid injection, the lung water content and the pulmonary vascular resistance had increased more than 100% while the right ventricular (RV) volume, RV stroke volume, and PaO2 had decreased more than 35%. Each application of PEEP increased the PaO2 to control levels. However, PEEP also significantly increased the lung water content and pulmonary vascular resistance, and decreased the RV volume and stroke volume by 33%. The extravasation of fluid from the intravascular to the interstitial and alveolar spaces of the lung with oleic acid pulmonary edema is associated with substantial decreases in right ventricular volume and stroke volume and significant increases in the pulmonary vascular resistance. Treatment with 20 cm H2O PEEP further increases the lung water content and pulmonary vascular resistance and substantially reduces the right ventricular volume and stroke volume.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Food glycaemic index or meal glycaemic response?

We have studied the glycaemic response to 50 g of carbohydrate (CHO) within a standard meal in order to ascertain the usefulness of the glycaemic index of food high in CHO for planning the diabetic diet. Carbohydrate was given in the form of three kinds of food: rice, potatoes and lentils, each having a different glycaemic index. Four types of standard meals were prepared with different energy distributions. A1,2,3: 60 per cent CHO, 10 per cent protein, 30 per cent fat and 1.35 MJ (322 kcal); A4,5,6: 60 per cent CHO, 30 per cent protein, 10 per cent fat and 1.37 MJ (327 kcal); B1,2,3: 40 per cent CHO, 20 per cent protein, 40; per cent fat and 2.08 MJ (498 kcal); B4,5,6: 40 per cent CHO, 40 per cent protein, 20 per cent fat and 2.08 MJ (499 kcal). The increase in postprandial blood glucose levels at 30 min was lower when lentils were given than with rice or potatoes in all four types of energy distribution used (P less than 0.01). No differences were found at the other times studied. The slope from time 0 to maximal increase of glycaemia was lower with lentils in meals B1,2,3 (P less than 0.006) and B4,5,6 (P less than 0.007) but not in A1,2,3 or A4,5,6. Areas under the curve of the glycaemic responses elicited by the foods studied were similar with all four types of energy distribution used. These similar glycaemic responses were unexpected since the three foods used have different glycaemic indices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗