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Biomedical subjects

A Ferretti

Publications and source records attributed to A Ferretti.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Knee injuries in volleyball.

The knee is the most frequent site of injury in volleyball players. More than 40% of high level players suffer overuse injuries during this activity; this particularly painful syndrome is caused by the amount of jumping typical in volleyball play, and in its training which aims at strengthening the quadriceps muscle. In volleyball players the extensor apparatus is subject to continuously high stress and the bone tendon junction, being the weakest point, is susceptible to lesion. The prevention and treatment of 'jumper's knee' requires a high degree of cooperation among trainers, doctors and athletes. Although volleyball is a sport without contact between players, traumatic acute injuries are more frequent and more serious than would be expected. It is therefore important to emphasise that volleyball must be considered among the high risk sports that expose the knee not only to twisting, but also to contact with other players. Generally, the lesions are caused by frequent jumps with loss of balance and a consequent 'one-footed' landing. There is no specific method of preventing knee instability. Accurate diagnoses, rest and rapid surgical treatment after the first injury are recommended in order to avoid chronic knee instability with subsequent meniscal lesions and post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed1990

Results of reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with the tendons of semitendinosus and gracilis in acute capsulo-ligamentous lesions of the knee.

This report presents the mid-term results of 55 cases of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) lesions surgically treated in "acute phase" using intra-articular transfer of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons, performed at the First Orthopedic Clinic of "La Sapienza" University in Rome since 1979. The follow-up is based on clinical (point system comprising subjective and objective criteria), instrumental (KT-1000 arthrometer), and radiographic (comparative AP view radiographic exam of the knees under load) data. On the basis of the results obtained, ACL reconstruction with the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons in the treatment of acute lesions can provide the patient with a good possibility of complete functional recovery of the knee.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament↗
PubMed1989

Interleukin-1 beta induces tumor necrosis and early morphologic and metabolic changes in transplantable mouse tumors. Similarities with the anti-tumor effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha or beta.

Peri-tumoral injection of recombinant human interleukin-1 beta in mice transplanted s.c. with Friend erythroleukemia cells (FLC) resulted in marked inhibition of tumor growth and increased survival. However, in vitro treatment of FLC (745 or 3Cl-8) with IL-1 beta barely inhibited cell multiplication. IL-1 beta, injected into established solid tumors, induced marked morphologic changes. Vascular congestion and focal extravasation of erythrocytes were observed as early as 6 hr after injection with IL-1 beta of FLC and L1210 tumors and HeJ16 fibrosarcomas. Focal areas of disaggregation of tumor cells and tumor necrosis were observed 6 and 24 hr after IL-1 injection. These morphologic changes were similar to those observed in FLC tumors or HeJ16 fibrosarcomas treated with TNF-alpha or beta. These cytokines determined morphological changes in tumor blood vessels of FLC tumors within 1 hr of injection. Freshly dissected FLC tumors and their tissue extracts were studied by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, shortly after peri-tumoral injection of IL-1 beta or TNF-beta. After 6 hr, both cytokines induced a 3-fold reduction in the levels of two catabolites, glycerophosphorylcholine and glycerophosphorylethanolamine, an accumulation of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate and a more than 10-fold increase in the choline/phosphorylcholine ratio. These results are similar to those reported for TNF-alpha, and can be interpreted on the basis of an activation of glycerophosphorylcholine phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.2) and partial inhibition of choline kinase (EC 2.7.1.32). IL-1 beta and TNF-beta (like TNF-alpha) also induced alkaline shifts (0.10-0.25 units) in the average intratumoral pH value. We suggest that alterations of tumor blood vessels may be the primary events in solid tumors treated with IL-1 beta or TNF. Such alterations lead to early changes in tumor metabolism and subsequent tumor cell degeneration.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Modulating influence of dietary lipid intake on the prostaglandin system in adult men.

We evaluated the effect of moderate dietary changes on the prostaglandin system by measuring the urinary excretion of 7 alpha-hydroxy-5,11-dioxo-tetranorprostane-1,16-dioic acid (PGE-M). In a crossover design, twenty-four free-living male subjects in good health (24 to 54 years of age) were fed two diets: (i) Regular (R) diet, 41% energy (en%) from fat, P/S 0.59, M/S 0.96; (ii) Experimental (E) diet, 19 en% from fat, P/S 1.31, M/S 1.48. Diet R contained 13.9 g/day of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and about 600 mg/day of cholesterol per 3200 kcal; Diet E contained 35.5 g/day NDF and about 280 mg/day cholesterol. Each controlled-diet period lasted ten weeks. The menu cycle was 7 days, and all diets were calculated to provide adequate amounts of essential nutrients. The PGE-M excretion rates were determined in 24-hr urine by stable-isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the selected ion-monitoring mode. Low-fat Diet E, with an intake of 6.6 en% from polyunsaturates, was associated with an average 14.2% reduction in PGE-M daily output, compared to high-fat Diet R with a 9.3 en% from polyunsaturates (P = 0.046). These results support the view that dietary lipid changes can significantly alter the in vivo production of E-series prostaglandins. We cannot conclude, however, if this apparent diet effect was brought about by the change in linoleate intake alone or was the result of complex biochemical interactions among individual fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The results of reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with semitendinosus and gracilis tendons in chronic laxity of the knee.

The authors report the medium term results (41 months) in 88 patients submitted to surgery for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament according to the method currently in use at our Clinic which uses the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons. The results were evaluated according to a score card method and in 28 patients a KT-1000 arthrometer was also used. The method gives a probability of full success in approximately 85% of cases, with significantly better results in patients not submitted to meniscectomy. A comparison with other methods of autogenous transplant and prosthetic substitution, even on the basis of the data provided by the KT-1000, still places the semitendinosus and gracilis method at the forefront.

Consumer Behavior↗
PubMed1988

Occurrence of prostaglandin E3 in human urine as a result of marine oil ingestion: gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric evidence.

This pilot study is an effort to elucidate the metabolic fate of dietary eicosapentaenoate in vivo and its influence on arachidonate cyclooxygenation at the renal level. The ultimate objective is to shed light on the biochemical mechanisms responsible for the physiologic effects of marine oil on humans. We found prostaglandin E3 (PGE3) in urine of a female volunteer who ingested 10-50 g/day of MaxEPA fish oil concentrate for 4 years. PGE3, a cyclooxygenase metabolite of eicosapentaenoate, could not be detected in 24-h urine pools from the same subject 16 weeks after fish oil supplementation ended. The appearance of PGE3 was concurrent with a reduction of urinary PGE2. Identification of the trienoic prostaglandin was based on comparison of chromatographic behavior of three distinct derivatives of endogenous PGE3 with that of authentic material, and on selected ion monitoring mass spectrometry.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed1988

Arthroscopic arthrolysis of the knee.

The authors report their experience in the arthroscopic treatment of joint-related stiffness of the knee. Arthroscopic arthrolysis is the treatment of choice for numerous conditions (stiffness subsequent to inflammatory processes, stiffness associated with marked osteoporosis, etc.) in which open arthrolysis is contraindicated. The totally atraumatic nature of arthroscopy and the more accurate lysis of the adhesions allow for postoperative management without complications or pain. This is of particular importance as it permits passive and active kinesitherapy from the moment the patient recovers from anaesthesia, without pain and therefore with greater commitment on his part. Furthermore, arthroscopic arthrolysis can be used successfully to treat extensor muscle stiffness where endoscopic study has revealed the presence of adhesions or calcification in the anterior compartments.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament by semitendinosus transfer in chronic anterior instability of the knee.

Between 1979 and 1983, 127 chronic anteromedial or anterolateral instabilities of the knee were submitted to surgical treatment (Hughston et al., 1976; Imbert, 1984). The central pivot was reconstructed by the semitendinosus tendon, using our own modification of the original Hughston technique (Puddu et al., 1986). On the medial side we advanced the posterior oblique ligament and reflex tendon of semimembranosus in cases submitted to medial meniscectomy at the same time. Laterally, we always advanced the biceps. As this method produced excellent results very quickly, it was later improved by associating the gracilis tendon with the semitendinosus. Assessment of the results was based on an average follow-up of 5 years (minimum 4, maximum 7). Of the 127 patients we personally interviewed 108 and clinically evaluated 88 professional sportsmen. The results in the latter group were excellent or good in 76.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Stable isotope dilution assay for prostaglandin E metabolite: 24-hour urinary output in healthy male subjects.

A stable isotope dilution assay for the major urinary metabolite of prostaglandins E1 and E2 (PGE-M) was developed. After extraction and purification, the compound was converted to the dimethyl ester bis(O-methyloxime)-trimethylsilyl ether derivative and quantified with the 13C-labeled dimethyl ester analog as internal standard. The interassay coefficient of variation was 0.8%, and the intraassay coefficient of variation ranged from 0.9 to 1.7%. The recovery of authentic, underivatized PGE-M added to urine was 99.5 +/- 3.2% (mean +/- SE, N = 9). The equation of the regression curve correlating the amounts added and recovered was Y = 1.05X - 5.84, with R = 0.998. The level of excreted metabolite in healthy male subjects was 13.86 +/- 1.46 micrograms/24 h (N = 24), in good agreement with data from other sources.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Long-term assessment of negative arthroscopies.

A study of 75 patients was performed to assess the accuracy of arthroscopy carried out for clinical diagnosis of meniscal tear. In these patients, arthroscopy did not detect any intraarticular pathology that could explain the preoperative symptoms. Of the 75 patients, seven were subsequently reoperated on, but in 68 the typical symptoms of meniscal tear improved after the diagnostic arthroscopy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Isokinetic evaluation of the knee after arthroscopic meniscectomy: comparison between anterolateral and central approaches.

Twenty patients had undergone arthroscopic meniscectomy for medial bucket-handle meniscal tears. Half had undergone meniscectomy with central approach, and half had been treated by anterolateral technique. Isokinetic evaluation, with a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer, was done preoperatively and at 14 and 28 days postoperatively. Two weeks after operation, there was only a slight and insignificant decrease of quadriceps function with the central approach as compared with the anterolateral. However, at 4 weeks, no differences were shown between the two portals. The flexor muscles generally recovered more rapidly with the central technique.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Nephropathy associated with Wilms' tumor. A case of a 13-year-old girl.

The association of nephropathy with Wilms' tumor and male pseudohermaphroditism is known as Drash's syndrome. The absence of either pseudohermaphroditism or Wilms' tumor has also been reported. The nephropathy, characterized by proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome, leads rapidly and inevitably to renal failure. The renal findings are those of a chronic glomerulopathy with mesangial hypercellularity, glomerular sclerosis, interstitial infiltration and marked tubular dilation. This infrequent syndrome usually appears in early life, between 1 and 3 years of age. The case of nephropathy associated with Wilms' tumor we present here is characterized by age and onset: an abrupt onset of renal insufficiency without previous signs of nephropathy in a 13-year-old girl.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Suprascapular neuropathy in volleyball players.

We examined ninety-six top-level volleyball players from eight teams that competed during the 1985 European Championships, and twelve players were found to have asymptomatic isolated paralysis of the infraspinatus of the dominant side. Three players were studied with electromyography and Cybex-II isokinetic dynamometry. The results revealed denervation of the infraspinatus and approximately a 22 per cent loss of strength of the affected arm during external rotation. These findings were attributed to repeated stress due to stretching of the nerve during cocking of the arm and follow-through when the athlete was serving.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Mass spectrometric evidence for the conversion of exogenous adrenate to dihomo-prostaglandins by seminal vesicle cyclo-oxygenase. A comparative study of two animal species.

We present conclusive mass spectrometric evidence for the synthesis of 1a,1b-dihomoprostaglandin E2 and 1a,1b-dihomoprostaglandin F2 alpha by sheep seminal vesicle microsomes and swine whole vesicular homogenates. Swine microsomes prepared according to standard procedure were catalytically inactive, possibly due to autoinactivation of the cyclo-oxygenase caused by metabolism of endogenous substrate released during the isolation procedure. Cyclo-oxygenase activity could be demonstrated, however, when the porcine vesicles were homogenized in the presence of exogenous substrate. Chemical and mass spectrometric evidence presented here allow unequivocal structural assignments.

Animals↗