Biomedical subjects

A Costa

Publications and source records attributed to A Costa.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

POEMS syndrome with IgA lambda monoclonal gammopathy.

The various association of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein and skin changes has been called the POEMS syndrome. Herein we report a case in which all the typical clinical and laboratory findings of the POEMS syndrome were present. We emphasize as the most striking features of our case the following: the similarity with scleroderma, the peripheral nerve demyelination without the presence of antibodies against nerve components, the occurrence of an IgA lambda monoclonal gammopathy and Castleman-like features at a single enlarged lymph node. To our knowledge, this is the first such case reported in Italy.

Endocrine System Diseases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Erythropoietin: biological aspects and clinical usefulness.

In the eighties there has been an enormous increase in our knowledge about erythropoietin, previously defined as "an elusive hormone". In this review we summarize the structural and molecular features, the mechanisms of production and of metabolism, the more important methods of assay, the mechanism of action and the biological effects, the main pathophysiological aspects and the therapeutic usefulness of the hormone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

["Goiters and the associated idiocy in several countries. Attempts of Vincenzo Malacarne from Saluzzo". Current interpretation of endemic cretinism].

Two hundred years ago V. Malacarne pathologist and surgeon, born in Saluzzo, a town on the foot of the Cottian Alps, published a booklet about goiter and endemic cretinism being diseases prevalent at that time in the countryside. In 1940-45 goiter epidemics spread through these still endemic regions. On the basis of his own observations on autoptic specimens he suggested that the main cause of cretinism was brain damage due to impeded blood circulation by the neck swelling, and invited the pathologists of the Po and Aosta Valleys to send him "il capo ed il collo (the head and the neck)" of these goitrous idiots for a control. Also today we believe the thyroid and the brain to contain crucial factors of cretinism, both sporadic and endemic, and we assume that iodine deficiency is the causal link between the two diseases. Yet we do not know either the factors which damage and prevent, in the myxedematous cretin, postnatal thyroid growth, or the aetiopathogenesis of the deaf-mutism, spastic paraplegia and severe mental deficiency of the neurological non hypothyroid cretin. While these questions remain unanswered, ample evidence has matured during the last two centuries regarding the practical importance of iodine prophylaxis to prevent these scourges, today referred to as "iodine deficiency disorders". Some recent findings on diencephalon inflammation in human and canine goitre are quoted.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

On goiters and the stupidity which in some countries accompanies them. Endeavours of Vincenzo Malacarne, from Saluzzo.

Two hundred years ago, V. Malacarne, pathologist and surgeon, published a booklet entitled "Su i gozzi e sulla stupidità che in alcuni paesi gli accompagna". Malacarne was born at Saluzzo, a town at the foot of the Cottian Alps, in Western Piedmont. Goiter and endemic cretinism were prevalent at the time (1789) in the countryside. In 1940-45 goiter epidemics spread through these still endemic regions. On the basis of his own observations on autoptic material, he suggested that the main cause of cretinism was brain damage due to impeding of the blood circulation by the neck swelling, and invited the pathologists of the Po and Aosta valleys to send him the head and the neck of these goitrous idiots for his researches. Today, too, we believe the thyroid and the brain to contain crucial factors of cretinism and assume that iodine deficiency is the main cause of the disease. Yet we do not know either the factor which damages and prevents in the myxoedematous cretin postnatal thyroid growth, or the pathogenesis of deaf-mutism, spastic paraplegia and severe mental deficiency of the neurological, non-hypothyroid cretin. While these questions remain unanswered, ample evidence has been gathered during the last two centuries regarding the practical importance of iodine prophylaxis to prevent these scourges, today referred to as "iodine deficiency disorders".

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied