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Biomedical subjects

A Giacosa

Publications and source records attributed to A Giacosa.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Serodiagnosis of Helicobacter pylori: evaluation of a rapid, miniaturized immunochromatographic test.

Diagnosis and successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection has been shown to be significantly related to symptom improvement in patients affected by chronic gastritis, duodenal and gastric ulcer. There is, therefore, an increasing need for the development of new, easy to use, reliable and non-invasive techniques to detect this organism. One such test is Flex-Sure (SmithKline Diagnostics Inc., United States), a new, rapid immunochromatographic test which requires a drop of the patient's serum to be placed on the absorbent pad of a strip. If specific antibodies to H. pylori are present a red colour line appears. The present study compared Flex-Sure with a homologous quantitative immunoenzymatic test (HM-CAP, EPI, US) using the same antigen (high molecular weight protein), the second generation GAP test (Bio-Rad, USA), a rapid urease test, culture and histology in a cohort of dyspeptic patients. We produced a semiquantitative visual scale with which to perform this comparison. Our results show that Flex-Sure possesses a sensitivity of 96.1%, a specificity of 73.9%, an overall accuracy of 78.8%, a positive predictive value of 72% and a negative predictive value of 91.6%. It showed a highly significant correlation with histological and cultural results (P < 0.001), and with the other serological tests (P < 0.0001). Based on our data we conclude that Flex-Sure may yield quick (within 4 min), simply readable, qualitative, and according to our colourimetric scale, even semiquantitative results. Furthermore, it does not require any sample dilution, any particular equipment, or any specialized training for the operator.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Reproducibility of an Italian food frequency questionnaire for cancer studies: results for specific food items.

To evaluate the reproducibility of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) used in a case-control study on cancer of the breast, ovary and digestive tract, we compared the result of a 98-item questionnaire administered twice at an interval of 3-10 months (median = 5.4 months) to 452 volunteers (144 males and 308 females, median age = 50 years) from three Italian provinces (Pordenone, Genoa and Forlí). Spearman correlation coefficients (r) for intake frequency of 87 dietary items ranged from 0.35 ("chicken or turkey, boiled") to 0.84 ("wine"). Most coefficients were between 0.60 and 0.80, only two being below 0.40 and five equal or above 0.80 (mean r = 0.59). The concordance of the two measurements tended to be somewhat better for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, bread, cereals and first courses, fruits and summary questions at the end of each section of the questionnaire than for side dishes, sweets and desserts. Also, the reproducibility of 11 subjective questions, such as those concerning the amount of fat in seasoning and the intake of garlic or salt, seemed to be high. Age, sex, educational level of the volunteers and interval between the two FFQ did not have a large or systematic impact on the concordance of the two measurements. In conclusion, the present study has shown a good level of reproducibility of our questionnaire and has provided a few important hints on ways of improving the description of various food items.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A case-control study of gastric cancer and diet in Italy. III. Risk patterns by histologic type.

In a case-control study of gastric cancer (GC) in high-risk and low-risk areas of Italy, 923 GCs were systematically categorized by one pathologist according to the Lauren classification distinguishing 2 main histologic types, intestinal (55%) and diffuse (23%). Intestinal types outnumbered diffuse types by a 3 to 1 margin in high-risk regions in the north-central part of the country, while both types occurred at nearly equal rates in low-risk areas. Intestinal types also occurred relatively more frequently at older ages and among males. Relative risks of each type of GC were evaluated in relation to dietary and other data obtained from interviews with the cancer patients and controls. The risk patterns for intestinal and diffuse types were remarkably similar. Increased risks of both types were associated with high intake of meat, salted/dried fish, seasoned cheeses and traditional soups, while decreased risks of both types were found among heavy consumers of fresh vegetables and fruits. Correspondingly similar patterns were seen with indices of nutrients, with risks of both intestinal and diffuse GC rising with animal protein intake and declining with consumption of vitamins C and E. Both types were inversely related to socio-economic status, and neither was associated with cigarette smoking. A familial history of GC was reported more frequently by patients with each type than by controls, although the highest risk was for unclassified GC, a group of poorly differentiated and medullary carcinomas accounting for 15% of all GCs in this study. The findings suggest that, despite differences in geographic and demographic patterns, the intestinal and diffuse types of GC have etiologic factors in common.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

A case-control study of gastric cancer and diet in Italy: II. Association with nutrients.

A case-control study involving interviews with 1,016 gastric cancer (GC) patients and 1,159 population-based controls in high- and low-risk areas was conducted to evaluate dietary factors and their contribution to the marked geographic variation in mortality from this cancer within Italy. Risks of GC were found to vary significantly with estimated nutrient intake. Risk rose with increasing consumption of nitrites and protein, and decreased in proportion to intake of ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, and vegetable fat. The associations with nitrite and beta-carotene tended to fade, however, in multivariate analyses adjusting for intake of other nutrients. Ascorbic acid showed the strongest geographic gradient, with highest consumption in low-risk areas. The findings suggest that the protective effects we previously reported for consumption of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and olive oil may be linked to the vitamins C and E contained in these foods. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that N-nitroso compounds are involved in GC risks, since elevated risks were apparent for agents (nitrites, protein) that promote nitrosation, while decreased risks were found for nutrients (ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol) which inhibit the process.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1989

A case-control study of gastric cancer and diet in Italy.

A case-control study was conducted in high- and low-risk areas of Italy to evaluate reasons for the striking geographic variation in gastric cancer (GC) mortality within the country. Personal interviews with 1,016 histologically confirmed GC cases and 1,159 population controls of similar age and sex revealed that the patients were more often of lower social class and resident in rural areas and more frequently reported a familial history of gastric (but not other) cancer. After adjusting for these effects, case-control differences were found for several dietary variables, assessed by asking about the usual frequency of consumption of 146 food items and beverages. A significant trend of increasing GC risk was found with increasing consumption of traditional soups, meat, salted/dried fish and a combination of cold cuts and seasoned cheeses. The habit of adding salt and the preference for salty foods were associated with elevated GC risk, while more frequently storing foods in the refrigerator, the availability of a freezer and use of frozen foods lowered risk. Reduced GC risk were associated with increasing intake of raw vegetables, fresh fruit and citrus fruits. Lowered risk was also related to consumption of spices, olive oil and garlic. Neither cigarette smoking nor alcoholic beverage drinking were significantly related to GC risk. The case-control differences tended to be consistent across geographic areas, despite marked regional variations in intake levels of certain foods. The high-risk areas tended to show higher consumption of food associated with elevated risk (traditional soups, cold cuts) and lower consumption of foods associated with reduced risks (raw vegetables, citrus fruits, garlic). Our findings indicate that dietary factors contribute to the regional variation of stomach cancer occurrence in Italy, and offer clues for further etiologic and prevention research.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Morphometry of normal duodenal mucosa.

The morphometric variability of normal duodenal mucosa was assessed in bioptic specimens obtained from bulb, second and third duodenum. Biopsies were obtained from 82 cases ranging in age from 18 to 67 years. The results demonstrate a great variability in villous shape and height without mean height differences in relation with age of subjects or site of biopsies. Subvillous thickness of lamina propria, intraepithelial lymphocyte count, inflammatory cell count in lamina propria and goblet cell number did not show significant differences. Superficial gastric metaplasia was seen in 8.5% of bulbar biopsies, 3.6% of biopsies taken in the second duodenum but it was constantly absent in the third duodenum. Brunner's glands above the muscularis mucosa were seen in 45% of bulbar biopsies, 23% of biopsies of second duodenum and in 4.6% of biopsies of third duodenum.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Epidemiology of duodenal erosions.

The epidemiological characters of 142 patients, 121 males and 21 females, with duodenal erosions were evaluated. They were predominantly between 30 and 60 years old. During the observation time, 125 of them were complaining of dyspeptic symptoms while the remaining 17 had haematemesis and/or melena. Duodenal erosions were single in 9 cases, zonally distributed in 51 and disseminated in 82. Erosions were associated with duodenal ulcer in 25% of cases, with ulcer scar in 4%, and with gastric ulcer in 2%. The intake of alcohol, coffee, anti-inflammatory drugs and the smoking habit were similar in patients with duodenal erosions and the general population subjected to endoscopy. These results suggest a relationship between duodenal erosions and peptic ulcer.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Anatomic-functional profiles in duodenal ulcer.

Gastric acid secretion, gastrinemia, the type of gastritis of the fundic mucosa and the parietal cell mass, expressed by means of a 'parietal index', were considered in 70 patients with active duodenal ulcer. Hypersecretion was found in 60% of cases, normosecretion in 35.7% and hyposecretion in 4.3%, while achlorhydria was absent. Chronic fundic gastritis of the superficial or follicular type occurred at a similar rate in normosecretors (22%) and in hypersecretors (26%), being constantly of the preatrophic type in the 3 cases of hyposecretion. The parietal index was strictly correlated with maximal acid output but there was no correlation between gastrinemia and the secretory state or with the histological picture of the fundic mucosa. The results outline the prevalence of hypersecretion-hyperparietalism in duodenal ulcer but indicate also the frequent occurrence of normosecretion and normoparietalism and the rare finding of hypersecretion and hypoparietalism.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The distribution of duodenal G cells in duodenal ulcer patients.

The number of G cells is evaluated in biopsy specimens of fundic, antral and duodenal mucosa from the bulb, second and third parts in 10 patients with duodenal ulcer, and compared with that observed in 6 normal controls. G cells are absent in fundic mucosa but in the antrum their number in duodenal ulcer patients does not differ from that of controls and is strictly related to the histological pattern of the mucosa. In the second and third duodenum of duodenal ulcer patients the number of G cells is significantly higher in comparison with controls, while in the bulb the two groups do not differ significantly. Moreover, when different duodenal portions are compared no differences in the number of G cells are observed in the duodenal ulcer group; while in controls the bulbar number of G cells is higher in comparison with second and third duodenum.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Dyspepsia among young conscripts: correlations with psychoemotional state and eating habits.

The prevalence of dyspepsia was evaluated in 83 young conscripted soldiers: 38 of them were normally resident in the town where the barracks was sited (Genoa) while 45 came from different districts. Dyspepsia was observed in 49.4% of total cases, and there were significant differences in the incidence between the two groups. In 40 out of 41 cases, dyspepsia was of the functional type. Psychoneurotic reactions were found in 69.8% of total cases and these reactions were closely correlated with the occurrence of dyspepsia both in soldiers who were local residents and those who were not. Dyspepsia could not however be correlated with eating habits, or with the consumption of alcohol, coffee or tobacco.

Adult↗