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Biomedical subjects

A Ferrari

Publications and source records attributed to A Ferrari.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Peritalar release in the treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus clubfoot.

It is the purpose of this retrospective study to evaluate the results of the surgical treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus clubfoot. Seven patients affected with congenital talipes equinovarus clubfoot, 2 of which bilateral, treated surgically using peritalar release according to Simons were re-examined. The long-term follow-up results obtained after an average of 4 years were evaluated from clinical, morphofunctional, and radiographic points of view, and with the help of a photopodogram and computed baropodometry. The subjective satisfaction of the patients was also evaluated. Results were considered to be good in all of the cases. In conclusion, surgery involving peritalar release allows for correction of abduction of the forefoot, and restores physiological calcaneal valgus, re-balancing standing on the plantar surface; the persistence of an area of hypostanding in the forefoot operated on and of mild, residual cavus of the plantar arch do not, thus, seem to influence the good results obtained.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Studies on enzymes (transaminases, OCT) and Au Antigen in infectious hepatitis].

The Authors, after reviewing the problem of Au antigen, recalling the numerous theories thereabout, making reference to the sure datum that the blood containing Au antigen is infecting, and that the Au antigen is synthesized in liver, report the data of laboratory remarked in some epidemic episodes of infectious hepatitis. Besides the Au antigen, 2 enzymes were compared (transaminase and OCT), as liver is particulary rich in enzymes in comparison to other organs: the glutamico-oxalacetic and glutamico-piruvic transaminase in cytoplasmic seat and ornithine-carbamyl-transferase in mitocondrial seat; such enzymes shoud also have a specific meaning and indicate precociousness. From the study of the different episodes, and particularly from the 82 cases resulting positive with one, two or three parameters, they draw the conclusions that the research of the three parameters proved useful from the epidemiologic standpoint, as well as for prevention and timely diagnosis according to the conception of investigations in theme of public health.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[New aspects of therapy in hemicrania].

Within the pharmacological treatment of migraine it is possible to distinguish treatment of attacks and prevention therapy. The aim of attack treatment is to stop pain and accompanying symptoms, or at least to make them more tolerable, whereas the aim of prophylaxis is to reduce the frequency and possibly the severity and duration of the residual episodes. The choice to initiate either treatment, or both, is based on quantitative criteria, such as attack frequency (if greater than 2-3 per month, prophylaxis treatment is recommendable) and on qualitative features, like the degree of disability, the response and the tolerance of the patient to attack treatment. Prophylaxis treatment has not achieved any improvement since 1981, when propranolol was first utilized. The knowledge of the mechanisms of action of drugs used in prophylaxis, as well as their results, are at a standstill. Even with the newer calcium channel antagonists and beta-blockers we achieve a 50% reduction of attacks in less than half of subjects treated. On the other hand, we had important news in the treatment of migraine attacks. Sumatriptan, a selective agonist of serotonin receptors, represents a therapeutic novelty due both to the results obtained and to the studies that have been stimulated on the pathogenesis of migraine. New therapeutic perspectives are now opening and hopefully thanks to the cooperation of basic and clinical scientists, they might become a reality in a short time.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lactobacilli for prevention of urogenital infections: a review.

Urogenital infections are a worldwide shared problem that represent the most common reason for a woman to decide to visit to gynaecologist or urologist. The origin of the uropathogens in uncomplicated urinary tract infection and bacterial vaginosis is the fecal flora. Key element of pathogenesis namely the ability of the pathogens to survive exposure to the microflora that exists on the external urogenitalia, in which lactobacilli predominate. Some health food appear to contain > or = 1 common Lactobacillus strain; L. rhamnosus GR-1 was found to be the best of a group of 34 Lactobacillus strains isolated from dairy, poultry, health food. Recently has been reported the first clinical evidence that probiotic lactobacilli can be delivered to the vagina following oral intake. These L. strains possess the ability to adhere to and colonize tissues and the capacity to inhibit the pathogenesis of disease-causing organisms that make them effective probiotic agents. In particularly, two strains, Lactobacillus GG and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 appear to be effective at colonizing and protecting the intestine and urogenital tract, respectively, against microbial infection. Treating and preventing urogenital infection by instillating probiotic organisms has great appeal to patients and caregivers. The ability to administer orally L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14, which colonize the intestine and vagina, provides a major step in the right direction for patients as it potentially allows for the self administration of therapy.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Monitoring occupational exposure to volatile anaesthetics in the operating theatre: environmental and biological measurements].

Concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O) and isoflurane were measured in environmental and urinary samples from subjects occupationally exposed to volatile anaesthetics in operating theatres in a hospital in northern Italy. The aim was to establish whether: an automatic analyzer (Brüel & Kjaer 1302 spectrometer) can be used for fixed position sampling ("anaesthetist zone" and "surgeon/instrument nurse zone"); periodic monitoring of anaesthetics will reduce exposure; exposure to N2O and isoflurane is within legal limits; exposure differs between anaesthetists and surgeons/instrument nurses. Exposure to anaesthetics was monitored twice at six-month intervals. In the first test time spent in the operating theatre was noted and exposure levels were measured automatically. In the second test levels were monitored with passive personal sampling devices. Environmental concentrations of N2O determined by the spectrometer were correlated to urinary levels. Urinary levels of N2O calculated from the regression line were the same as those obtained with the personal samplers. Environmental and urinary levels of N2O decreased significantly from the first to second test. In the second sampling 70% of subjects had levels of exposure to N2O and isoflurane within prescribed environmental limits (50 ppm for N2O and 0.5 ppm for isoflurane). At the first test anaesthetists had significantly higher levels of exposure to N2O than surgeons/instrument nurses. The survey demonstrated that: fixed position sampling data related to time spent in the operating theatre can be used to gauge individual exposure levels; exposure levels decrease after tests following implementation of preventive measures; monitoring needs to be repeated because exposure levels often exceed legal limits; occupational exposure decreases when pollution in the anaesthetic zone is reduced.

Anesthetics↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Polyhexamethylene biguanide for treatment of external genital warts: a prospective, double-blind, randomized study.

Genital human papillomavirus infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Polyhexamethylene biguanide is a new agent, that has been demonstrated to have potent in vivo antiviral effects in animal and in human models. The present prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo (vehicle-controlled) trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of daily patient-applied polyhexamethylene biguanide for up to 16-weeks for the treatment of external genital warts. Wart recurrence was investigated during a 12-week treatment-free follow-up period. In the intent-to-treat analysis, baseline warts cleared from 49 of 94 (52%) patients treated with polyhexamethylene biguanide cream versus and 3 of 95 (4%) placebo patients; the differences between the groups treated with placebo and polyhexamethylene biguanide were significant (P < 0.0001). For subjects who completed the follow-up period, recurrence rates after a complete response were 19% (9 of 48 patients) in the polyhexamethylene biguanide cream group, 17% cream group, and 0% (0 of 3) in the placebo group. There were no systemic reactions, although local skin reactions (generally of mild or moderate severity) were common in the polyhexamethylene biguanide cream group. Local reactions caused two patients to discontinue treatment. The most frequently reported local skin reactions were erythema, excoriation or flaking, and erosion. Patient-applied polyhexamethylene biguanide cream is effective for the treatment of external genital warts and has a favorable safety profile.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Spinocellular carcinoma of the vulva. Critical review of the surgical case histories from 1967-1989].

A critical review of the surgical treatments performed during the years 1967 to 1989 in cases of squamous cell vulvar cancer at the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Milan has been carried out. Two hundred and seventy cases of primary squamous cell vulvar carcinoma have been studied after a restaging according to recent FIGO recommendations. Depending on the type of surgical approach the early and late complications and the 5 year-cancer-related survival have been analyzed. The present investigation supports the importance of a complete and accurate surgical staging of vulvar carcinoma, particularly as far as it concerns the lymph nodes status. Thus, performing a node dissection in case of an invasive neoplasia is extremely important, not only for a precise staging but mainly for a prognosis formulation. In fact, 5 year cancer related survival dramatically falls from almost 90% to 25% in case of pelvic node metastasis.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Endoscopic therapy of giant choledochal calculosis].

The paper reports the results of conventional endoscopic treatment in 100 consecutive cases of giant lithiasis of the common bile duct. A giant calculus is one whose dimensions exceed 2 cm. Endoscopic therapy proved successful in 73% of cases, with an 8% incidence of complications. The success of endoscopic treatment is related to the anatomical conditions of the biliary tract and the diameter of calculi. Mechanical lithotripsy has proved efficacious in all cases where it was used, whereas poor results were obtained using MTBE infusion through a naso-biliary tube. ESWL provided encouraging results. Cases which were not resolved using endoscopic methods were treated using intervention radiology or surgery, or both.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prednisone versus deflazacort in the treatment of autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura: evaluation of clinical response and immunological modifications.

We report the results of a randomized clinical trial of two different coricosteroids (prednisone versus deflazacort) in patients affected by autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP). We have evaluated the efficacy of the two steroids on platelet count, antiplatelet antibodies, lymphocyte subsets and the occurrence of side effects. Twenty-seven patients were evaluable: 13 were treated with PDN and 14 with DFC. After 24 weeks of treatment, 4/12 (33%), subjects treated with PDN were refractory while complete responses were obtained in 2/12 (17%) and partial responses in 6/12 (50%). Among patients treated with DFC, 4/11 (36%) were considered as refractory, 2/11 (18%) had a complete response and 5/11 (46%) a partial response. A statistically significant decrease of antiplatelet antibodies was recorded in both groups after 4 weeks of therapy, but only in subjects receiving PDN did the reduction last until the 24th week. We observed an increase of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD2, CD4, CD8) in absolute number, due to an increase in circulating lymphocytes, after 4 weeks. No substantial modifications were observed in these populations regarding the percentage or the CD4/CD8 ratio. After 24 weeks, 91% (10/11) of patients treated with PDN presented an increase of body weight and 1 had a stable increase in blood pressure. Among the subjects treated with DFC, 64% (7/11) showed an increase of body weight after the same follow-up. In conclusion, no difference was observed the two steroids studied.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ablative cesarean section and post-partum hysterectomy: review of 11 years of obstetric practice].

Obstetric hysterectomy is often performed as an emergency life-saving procedure. This retrospective report reviews the 11 years experience (1-1 1980 through 31-12-1990) at Mangiagalli Hospital, Milan. During this time 50 obstetric hysterectomies (incidence rate = 0.12%) were performed; cesarean hysterectomies were 30 (60%), hysterectomies after cesarean section 14 (28%) and after vaginal delivery 6 (12%). Its rate during or after cesarean section was 0.44% and after vaginal delivery was 0.02%. Thirty-six per cent of patients were nulliparous. Main indications were placental disorders, uterine atony with uncontrollable bleeding, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In 7 cases was performed an elective operation, in 4 cases for neoplasia and in 3 cases for myomata uteri. Maternal mortality rate was 2.04%, five patients (10%) developed hematomas and required further interventions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Incidence and complications of the aspiration of gastric contents syndrome during cesarean section in general anesthesia].

Maternal mortality attributed to anaesthesia, decreased in the last twenty years, has in inhalation of gastric contents one of its principal causes. Pregnant women are considered "high risk". In this retrospective investigation we studied 12,380 patients undergoing caesarean section in general anaesthesia between January 1977 and December 1991. During this period of obstetric activity the frequency of aspiration syndrome is 1:1,547 general anaesthesias (0.064%), being the 61.5% of all anaesthetic complications. In the 8 patients we had no maternal and neonatal mortality. Aspiration pneumonitis occurred in three patients. All patients were admitted at our recovery room for less than 5 days. The emergency procedure (8 cases) and a difficult tracheal intubation (4 cases) are the more important risk factors. In our clinical practice we used prevention in few cases (3.1%). Our results suggest the utility in obstetric anaesthesia of high doses of thiopental (5-6 mg/kg); these doses didn't change the principal neonatal parameters, while give in pregnant woman a light anaesthesia.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis in haemophilia A and B.

Sixty probable carriers of haemophilia from 25 families were studied by using coagulation phenotype and DNA analysis: 33 with haemophilia A and 27 with haemophilia B. Coagulation phenotype was based on factor VIII/IX assay and DNA analysis on the examination of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) within and closely linked to factor VIII or IX: 3 RFLP for factor VIII and 3 for factor IX. The comparison between the coagulation phenotype and RFLP analysis showed the misclassification of 15 females (6 for haemophilia A and 9 for haemophilia B). Four prenatal haemophilia A diagnosis were made by DNA analysis of chorionic villi, taken with a transcervical trophoblastic biopsy, between the 18th and the 11th week.

Chorionic Villi Sampling↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinical results of the modified Marshall-Marchetti procedure in female urinary incontinence].

We considered 49 patients suffering from urinary stress incontinence, operated from January 1984 to December 1989 by Marshall-Marchetti modified after Symmonds procedure. 13 patients had one or more previous surgical procedures. We made urodynamic preoperative tests and a stress test (after Ferrari) in all our cases. We obtained: complete recovery in 80% of our cases, improvement in 14% and failure in 6%; particularly the recovery percentage in our patients operated for the first time was the 97.2%; in the recurrences we had complete success in 46%, an improvement in 38.5% and surgical failure in 15.5%. Complications were observed in 1 patient affected by pubic osteitis, treated with medical therapy. Only 3 patients had an incomplete bladder emptying one year after the surgical operation, with value of the post micturitional residual volume of about 1/3 of the maximal cystometric capacity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiological analysis of the incidence of varicose pathology in pregnancy].

One thousand and fourteen women who were delivered in the Obst. Gynec. Clinic "L. Mangiagalli" were investigated to evaluate the real incidence of varicose disease, its correlation with some factors and the development of complication. The observation period was comprised between the 1st and the 4th day of puerperium in which women were investigated by obstetricians through a detailed questionnaire and underwent an angiological visit. The mean age of the puerperae was 29.6 years (range 15-47 yrs); 587 women were primiparas (57.9%). The prevalence of varicose disease's different aspects resulted 57.9%, while the incidence related to pregnancy was 26.1%. The prevalence and the incidence resulted to be respectively 26.8% and 14.4% for varicosities, 5.6% and 3.1% for saphenous varicosis. Complications were observed in 10 patients (0.99%). 45.3% of patients reported family positivity for varicose disease; this group has shown a statistically significant difference (p less than 0.01) for the onset of different aspects of varicose syndrome.

Adolescent↗