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Biomedical subjects

A Gallo

Publications and source records attributed to A Gallo.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Caring for individuals using home ventilators: an appraisal by family caregivers.

This article describes a study of the effects of caregiving on family members who assumed primary responsibility for managing the care of ventilator-assisted individuals in the home. Thirteen caregivers were interviewed and five variables associated with their role were assessed: caregiving tasks, burden of caregiving, impact of caregiving, mastery of the caregiving role, and satisfaction with caregiving. Data were collected using the Caregiving Appraisal Scale (CAS), a list of caregiving tasks, and a semistructured interview. Caregivers assumed multiple responsibilities for individuals who were completely ventilator-dependent (n = 5), partially ventilator-dependent (n = 3), or nocturnally ventilated (n = 5). Caregivers reported feeling moderate levels of both the burden and the negative impact of caregiving but a positive sense of mastery and satisfaction. They described problems with home healthcare nurses, insurance coverage, and equipment suppliers. Lack of preparation, in terms of education provided by healthcare professionals, limited their ability to manage these problems quickly and effectively. Caregivers suggested that healthcare providers expand discharge planning to include provision of problem-solving strategies.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fatigue in early pregnancy. An exploratory study.

The experience of fatigue in early pregnancy was studied, using a general model of fatigue as the conceptual framework. A convenience sample of 30 women, age 20-35 years, who were at less than 20 weeks' gestation and without health problems were included in the study. Physiologic, psychological, and environmental factors were measured and related to the occurrence and intensity of fatigue. Pearson correlations and content analysis were used to analyze the data. Results showed that a large portion of the sample (90%) experienced fatigue and that this fatigue had a significant impact on their ability to maintain personal and social activities. Significant correlations were observed between fatigue and the physiologic variables of nausea and feeling tired upon awakening from sleep. There was no significant relationship between fatigue and environmental variables such as number of hours worked or the number of children living in the home. In addition, significant correlations were observed between fatigue and psychological variables that included depression, anger, anxiety, and confusion. These data suggest that fatigue is a significant problem for pregnant women and is not relieved by rest. These data further suggest that the fatigue may be related to other physiologic changes, perhaps hormonal, that mediate physiologic and psychological variables, including fatigue.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recovery of erection after pelvic urologic surgery: our experience.

The incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients undergoing pelvic urologic surgery, the efficacy and tolerability of vardenafil-based rehabilitative treatment as first option in these patients, the role of spontaneous erection (SE) as a possible positive predictive factor to erection recovery after such treatment, and the role of second-line therapies in those nonresponders are evaluated. All the patients undergoing pelvic urologic surgery at our Institution between November 2002 and December 2003 were considered. Preoperative erectile function (EF) was evaluated by using the abridged five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF5) questionnaire. Study population was divided into separate groups considering grade of preoperative EF, nerve sparing (NS) surgery and type of procedure (radical prostatectomy, radical cystectomy (RC) or nerve and seminal sparing cystectomy). In total, 86 patients were evaluated. After 6 months, an increase in mean IIEF5 score of 12.9 points was found in those who had undergone a bilateral NSRP after vardenafil therapy, of 8.0 points in those who had undergone unilateral NSRP, of 11.3 in those who had undergone NSRC and of 11.5 in nerve and seminal sparing cistectomies. A better vardenafil response was found in patients with SE+(P<0.001). Among those vardenafil notresponders, 13 were treated by using intracavernous injections, one by vacuum device and three with penile prosthesis implant. In conclusion, in our experience, vardenafil showed to be well tolerated and effective for recovery of EF in patients undergoing pelvic urologic surgery. This drug was particularly effective for those with a normal preoperative EF undergoing an NS procedure. Of course, it should be recognized that the absence of a control group in the study represents an important limitation. However, based on the data from the literature, there is a strong belief that such an approach will lead to an earlier recovery of EF than without rehabilitative treatment.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary aspergillosis of the larynx in a patient with Felty's syndrome.

Herein we report the first case of primary aspergillosis of the larynx in a patient with Felty's syndrome. A 53-year-old man, a florist by profession, with a 12-year history of rheumatoid arthritis and on treatment with steroids, was admitted because of hoarseness, and intermittent fever of 2 weeks' duration. On admission, physical examination and laboratory data showed, among other findings, splenomegalia and neutropenia. At bone marrow examination, normal cellularity with mild dyserythropoiesis was observed. A fiberoptic laryngoscopy showed white plaques on both the true vocal cords. Both culture and microscopic examination of these lesions provided the diagnosis of invasive process by Aspergillus flavus. A computed tomography of the middle ears, paranasal sinuses, and chest was normal. Thus, primary aspergillosis of the larynx and Felty's syndrome was diagnosed, and the patient was successfully treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and systemic antifungal agents. Felty's syndrome, corticosteroid use, and occupational risk probably rendered our patient susceptible to Aspergillus infection.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Single asymptomatic splenic metastasis of breast carcinoma: report of a clinical case].

The spleen is rarely involved from metastatic disease. Metastases from breast cancer are extremely rare although described in the Literature. The Authors report a case of a woman who had undergone to radical mastectomy for breast cancer nine years previously and admitted to the hospital because of a single splenic lesion shown by U.S. scan during the follow up.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Synchronous multiple gastric adenocarcinoma: a clinical case].

The Authors present a case of synchronous double gastric carcinoma in a 75-year-old man. Synchronous multiple gastric carcinoma (SMGC) constitutes 4% to 10% of all gastric cancers. It exhibits several clinicopathological characteristics that differ from those of solitary cancers: SMGC occurs in older people (men more than women); early carcinoma is observed more frequently in SMGC than in solitary cancers; the rate of intestinal type lesions is higher in multiple than in single gastric carcinoma. With regard to the pathogenesis of multiple gastric cancer, the theory proposing a multicentric or independent origin rather than the local or distant spread of one cancer (multifocality) has been favored.

Adenocarcinoma↗
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[Cystadenocarcinoma in situ of the urachus: a clinical case].

Urachal carcinoma is a rare neoplasm which represents 0.01% cancers in adults. If this neoplasm is unusual, the development of cystadenocarcinoma on a urachal cyst is still more rare. The surgical treatment of choice is en-bloc excision of umbilicus and median umbilical ligament with partial cystectomy. As the urachal cystadenocarcinoma of Authors' patient was in situ and without bladder-invasion, they performed a more conservative treatment without partial cystectomy. They believe that this treatment may be indicated in association with a close follow-up after surgery.

Carcinoma in Situ↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Duodenal villous adenoma: a case report].

Small bowel tumours are rare neoplasms representing just 1% of all the gastrointestal tract lesions. Adenomas are the benign forms which, developing in the duodenum, tend to localize in periampullary region, with high incidence of malignant degeneration. The authors report a case of a fifty-five-years old woman with a periampullary villous adenoma.

Adenoma, Villous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Role of crural inguinal lymphadenectomy and dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy in lymph node staging in squamous-cell carcinoma of the penis. Our experience].

PURPOSE: We determine the value of dynamic sentinel node biopsy for staging squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a period of 2 years 17 patients with penile cancer was performed after lymphoscintigraphy pre and intraoperatively with gamma ray detection probe at biopsy of the sentinel node with the aid of perilesional administered patent blue dye. After 20 days regional lymph node dissection was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Sentinel node metastasis was found in 5 patients; in one case lymphoscintigraphy not visualized sentinel node. All negative node biopsy was confirmed with the regional lymph node dissection. No major complication did occur after sentinel node biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Occult lymph node metastases can be detected by dynamic sentinel node biopsy including preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, vital dye and gamma ray detection probe with a sensitivity of 78%, predictive negative value of 100% and with low morbidity.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Exposure to PAHs, urinary 1-pyrenol and DNA adducts in samples from a population living at different distances from a steel plant].

This study aims at measuring association between environmental exposure to PAHs and internal or biologically effective dose biomarkers among 212 individuals living at different distance from the industrial area of Taranto, Italy. Environmental PAH exposure was determined by area monitoring. PAH levels was measured by HPLC UV/FL. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels were measured by HPLC/Fluorescence. The levels of DNA adducts were determined by 32P. post-labelling. A questionnaire was administered to gather personal data, residence, occupational history, alcohol, tobacco smoke, and diet, to control for other sources of exposure to PAH. Blood and urinary samples, drawn from the subjects studied were collected and analysed. A multivariate regression model was used to investigate the influence of several confounding factors. Housing was placed within 1 km from smokestacks in Taranto and Statte, whereas they were more far away in Locorotondo and in Alberobello. The prevalence of current smokers was 31.6%.

DNA Adducts↗
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[Semiautomatic defibrillators at the workplace health service].

Implementation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in workplace can help to revive victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the American Heart Association have all issued guidelines for medical management of AED programs. The School of Occupational Health-University of Bari--is currently involved in a programme to be developed with the regional 118 emergency team and the Health Department of Region Apulia aiming at establishing a well controlled use of AED in the workplace.

Electric Countershock↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A multiparametric brain and cord MR imaging study of a patient with Hirayama disease.

In this study, we used a multiparametric MR imaging approach to assess a patient with Hirayama disease (HD). We found that cervical cord damage extends beyond cord T2-visible lesions. We also showed an altered pattern of cortical activations during movements of clinically unaffected limbs. Whereas this study suggests a more widespread cord involvement in HD than seen on routine MR imaging, its cause remains unclear (vascular damage versus a primary lower motor neuron disease).

Brain↗
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Rationale for very high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell support in advanced ovarian cancer.

Although significant progress has been made in the management of advanced ovarian cancer, the majority of patients continue to die of this disease. Most advanced ovarian cancer patients present sub-optimal residual tumour after primary surgery and their prognosis is very poor since residual disease has been confirmed as the major factor predicting response to chemotherapy and survival. Therefore, it seems worth developing treatment modalities that can produce a longer remission period. In this short review, the authors summarize the clinical and experimental evidence supporting the usefulness of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in advanced ovarian cancer.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗