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Biomedical subjects

V Grassi

Publications and source records attributed to V Grassi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Changes in respiratory function in disorders of the thoracic cage. With special reference to the ventilatory mechanism and the regulation in scoliosis.

After describing the clinical and functional effects of pathological changes in the thoracic cage ("mechanical syndrome" and "neuromuscular syndrome"), the authors discuss the disorders of respiratory function observed in a group of patients with poliomyelitic scoliosis. The aim was to establish the type and nature of these changes with a view to clarifying certain pathogenetic aspects. Two factors suggest that the altered geometry of the thoracic cage in scoliosis is responsible for the mechanical inefficiency of the thoracopulmonary apparatus, namely: 1. changes in respiratory function, since there was a strict correlation between the severity of the scoliosis and the degree of change in certain indices of respiratory function (vital capacity, maximum expiratory volume per second, maximum ventilation per minute); 2. changes in the regulation of ventilation, indicated by: a) good correlation between the ventilatory response to CO2 and the severity of the anatomical lesion; b) a reduction in the occlusion pressure, which is regarded as the pressure available to produce ventilation.

Adolescent↗

[Bronchial mucociliary function. A new diagnostic technic].

To study mucociliary clearance of central airways we used a recently described method consisting of the inhalation of 99mTc labeled autologous spherocytes aerosol. In 3 of 8 normal non smoking subjects, an abnormally low rate of m.c.c. was observed. The m.c.c. rate was also very low in 2 of 6 patients with bronchial cr. who never smoked. These observations provide considerable evidence that those non smoking subjects presenting with low mucociliary clearance may be regarded as "high risk subjects" for broncho-pulmonary diseases. The good central deposition pattern of the inhaled spherocytes may provide, in very ill patients, a non-invasive visualization of the central airways.

Adult↗

Pulmonary function studies in adenoid hypertrophy.

Tests of pulmonary function were performed on children with severe adenoid hypertrophy, before and one month after adenoidectomy. Five types of subjects were selected: (1) normal; (2) cases with isolated increase of residual volume (RV); (3) supernormal type with increased RV; (4) obstructive type of ventilatory defect, and (5) restrictive type of ventilatory defect. Following adenoidectomy there is an objective evidence of improved pulmonary function. The data suggest that 65.7% of clinically normal children with adenoid hypertrophy show pulmonary function abnormalities.

Adenoidectomy↗

Reference values for flow-volume curves during forced vital capacity breathing in male children and young adults.

127 non-smoking males aged 8-25 years were studied to obtain normal reference values for flow-volume (FV) curves. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences for all indices (PEF; MEF 25%, 50%, 75%; PIF; MIF 25%, 50%, 75%) in the first three age-groups (8-10, 11-13 and 14-16 years); the three last groups (17-19, 20-22 and 23-25 years) did not show any significant variation of FV curve data. Male subjects older than 16 years showed a negative correlation between maximal expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity and standing height. Multiple regression equations relating FV curve indices to age and anthropometric data are calculated.

Adolescent↗

Circadian rhythms of respiratory functions in asthmatics.

35 subjects underwent pulmonary function tests, plasma cortisol and urinary catecholamine measurements at 4-hour intervals, during a period of 24 h. In healthy subjects a circadian variation was not demonstrated. In asthmatic subjects circadian variation of a large number of ventilatory variables and a normal circadian pattern for plasma cortisol were demonstrated. Asthmatic patients were divided into two groups: patients with intrinsic asthma and patients with extrinsic asthma. The former showed the most impressive circadian pattern; the most severe bronchospasm occurred between 12.00 and 00.00 h; patients with extrinsic asthma, older than 20 years became worse around 03.00 h. During this period their urinary catecholamines reached the lowest values. The younger patients with extrinsic asthma presented the highest TGV values at 12.50 h. From the clinical viewpoint, it is emphasized that chronobiologic criteria could be utilized for the chronotherapeutic management of asthmatics.

Adolescent↗