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Biomedical subjects

U Bellati

Publications and source records attributed to U Bellati.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Experience regarding the use of arginine-lysine-lactose treatment in menopausal osteoporosis].

Two matched groups of postmenopausal patients were treated respectively with calcitonin or calcitonin and an arginine-lysine-glycerophosphoric acid-lactose association. The rationale underlying this therapy took the form of data in the literature which indicated an action of these amino acids and lactose on calcium absorption and on the metabolism of protein components in the skeletal structure. The following tests were performed: mineralometric evaluation, evaluation of painful symptoms and intake of pain-relieving drugs, serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, parathormone, and calciuria and hydroxyproline. These parameters were assayed at the beginning and end of treatment which lasted six months. The results, or in other words the comparison between the two groups, basal or after treatment, and the values recorded before and after treatment in each group, enable the authors to affirm that the administration of the arginine-lysine-glycerophosphoric acid-lactose association leads to an increase in bone density and plasma osteocalcin, a reduction in painful symptoms and analgesic intake, and a reduction in the serum levels of parathromone and hydroxyproline. Data reported in the literature support the conclusion that the results obtained are the consequence of an improved intestinal absorption calcium. It is highly probable that the protein components of the association administered, arginine-lysine-glycerophosphoric acid-lactose, also exercise a direct action on osteoblasts and on the metabolism of bone matrix protein components.

Adult↗

The use of amniotic fluid viscosity measurements to establish fetal lung maturity.

A Haake viscosimeter was used to determine the viscosity of amniotic fluid and this value correlated with fetal lung maturity. The results were evaluated along the weeks of pregnancy and compared to those obtained using Gluck's method (lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio (L/S). Using 91 separate amniotic fluid samples, free of meconium and blood contamination, we found that the new method was quick and easy to perform. Thirty-one neonates were delivered within 48 h of the amniotic fluid sampling and the percentage of correct prediction of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was 71% with a mature L/S ratio and 83% with viscosity less than 1.17 cP. In cases with an immature L/S ratio (value below 2) the correct prediction of RDS was 64%; with the fluorescence polarization (FP) technique it was 91%. We conclude that the amniotic fluid FP value is a reliable index of fetal lung maturity and risk for developing RDS and has also specific technical and diagnostic advantages over the L/S ratio.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Uterine myoma in pregnancy: ultrasound study.

In many cases the presence of a myomatous formation in pregnancy begins its effect in a symptomless way and is revealed only by a regular sonographic control or at the time of delivery. In other cases, however, it could represent the cause of several complications, such as increased incidence of abortion extrauterine pregnancy premature breaking of the membranes, premature delivery distocia during delivery or it could itself be the site of necrotic processes. The attitude towards this type of pathology during pregnancy has often varied. The authors report their experiences regarding 408 cases of pregnancies complicated by myoma that were followed with accurate sonographic monitoring and they evaluate the incidence of the principal complications during pregnancy at the time of delivery and the eventual influence on the fetal weight at the time of birth.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

HLA-alloimmunization in pregnancy.

The authors analyzed the correlations between the presence of anti-HLA antibodies and fetal neonatal problems. There are specific data in the literature on the protective effect of anti-HLA antibodies against abortion. Nevertheless our study shows a significant correlation between their presence and perinatal problems.

Abortion, Habitual↗

[Assessment of uteroplacental circulation with radioisotopes].

The authors have evaluated placental blood flow using a non-invasive radioisotopic approach, with the intravenous administration of 1 mCi 113mIn. The method is evaluated in 20 normal pregnancies, in 24 patients with intrauterine growth retardation, in 8 patients with iso-Rh-immunization and in 9 patients with gestational diabetes. In the group with intrauterine growth retardation 2 pregnancies with extensive fetal malformations were included. In one case without evident histological placental alteration the index was 3.94 at 34 weeks of gestation and 5.62 at 36 weeks of gestation. In the second one with placental infarcts the index was 3.46 at 38 weeks of gestation. Normal pregnancies showed a flow index of 5.50 +/- 1.57 (1 s.d.) units compared to the pathological pregnancies value of 2.74 +/- 0.90 (1 s.d.) units. (p less than 0.001). The conclusions drawn are: The method is very well suited to clinical evaluation of placental blood flow. The evaluation of placental blood flow cannot be directly equated with fetal development as it is not its only determinant. This method is a indirect index of placental function in small for gestational age fetuses with malformations.

Congenital Abnormalities↗

Effects of intra-amniotic isoxsuprine on amino acid placental transfer in rats.

Direct administration of isoxsuprine to the rat fetus increases placental transfer of 35S-methionine and this increase is statistically significant on day 17 as compared with intraperitoneal administration and controls (p less than 0.01; p less than 0.05). In contrast, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups on day 16.

Amino Acids↗

Non-invasive radioisotopic evaluation of placental blood flow.

The authors have evaluated placental blood flow using a non-invasive radioisotopic approach. The procedure involves the intravenous administration of 113mIn and the technique is a modified version of a previously reported method for a non-diffusive tracer kinetics analysis. The method is presented in detail and its performance is evaluated in 17 normal and 32 pathologic pregnancies (19 intrauterine growth retarded patients; 7 patients with iso-Rh immunization; 5 patients with gestational diabetes, and 1 pregnancy with extensive fetal malformation which was not included in any group). The normal pregnancies showed a flow index of 5.34 +/- 1.64 (1 SD) units compared to the pathological pregnancies value of 2.73 +/- 0.73 (1 SD) units (p less than 0.001). The conclusions drawn are: (1) the method is very well suited to clinical evaluation of placental blood flow; (2) the evaluation of placental blood flow cannot be directly equated with fetal development as it is not its only determinant, and (3) no other independent test to evaluate the radioisotopic study in terms of accuracy exists.

Adult↗

[Amenorrhea in drug dependence].

Irregular menstrual cycles are fairly common in drug-addicted patients. The purpose of this research is to stablish the connection between the administration of a narcotic and the onset of amenorrhoea. After a review of the literature and aetiopathogenetic hypotheses regarding ovulatory block, 39 heroin- or morphine-addicted patients personally observed during pregnancy are studied. Even relatively low doses of narcotics can impair normal ovarian function and ovulation so there is a risk that menstrual irregularities can arise even when doses are reduced.

Amenorrhea↗

A follow-up electrophysiological study of rats with poor intrauterine fetal growth: the development of visual evoked responses (VERs).

The development of some electrophysiological activities of the visual system (VERs) was compared in control rats and in young rats with poor intrauterine fetal growth caused by an electrolytic lesion of the placenta. Treated rats showed a delayed development of the electrophysiological functions considered, thus confirming the postnatal effect of poor intrauterine fetal growth.

Animals↗

Fetal origin of amniotic fluid insulin in the human mother.

To investigate the origin of insulin in amniotic fluid amniocenteses were carried out in pregnancies with live, dead and anencephalic fetuses. Amniotic fluid insulin of pregnant women bearing live fetuses was 9.0 +/- 2.1 microU/ml; in six women with dead foetuses amniotic fluid insulin was not detected. A significant positive correlation was observed between gestational age and the amniotic fluid concentration of insulin. In the amniotic fluid of the four women bearing anencephalic fetuses, the amount of hormone was within normal limits (10.0 +/- 1.4 microU/ml). Intravenous glucose administration (0.33 g/kg body weight) to the mother doses not influence levels of insulin in amniotic fluid, but brought about changes in amniotic fluid glucose concentration. These findings support the conclusion that human amniotic fluid insulin is of fetal rather than maternal origin.

Adult↗