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Biomedical subjects

A Izzo

Publications and source records attributed to A Izzo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Prevalence of NIDDM and impaired glucose tolerance in Italy: an OGTT-based population study.

To provide complete prevalence data on diabetes mellitus in Italy (diagnosed and undiagnosed), a population survey was performed in the Health District of Cremona, a representative area of the Po river (north Italy). The survey is characterised by particular attention being paid to methodology, non-responders being investigated for possible selection biases affecting diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes prevalence estimations. Out of a population aged 44 years or older from three municipalities, a random sample of 3097 subjects was selected to undergo an oral glucose tolerance test. In addition, past medical history, clinical and laboratory data were collected. A total of 1797 subjects participated (58%), and information on known diabetes status was obtained for 2618 persons (85%), also including 826 interviewed non-participating subjects. Overall rates were age-standardised according to the 1991 Italian census. Overall prevalence and 95% confidence interval of diagnosed diabetes was 8.5% (6.9-10.1) in males and 7.9% (6.7-9.3) in females over the age of 44 years; previously undiagnosed diabetes was 2.5% (1.4-3.6) in males and 3.4% (2.1-4.7) in females; glucose intolerance was 7.7% (5.7-9-7) in males and 8.9% (7.0-10.8) in females. Total diabetes prevalence above age 44 years, developed-world age, and sex standardised, was 10.7%. This study provides the first reliable prevalence estimation of impaired glucose tolerance, diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes in Italy, according to World Health Organization criteria, and one of the few figures for Southern Europe. The role of body mass index on both prevalence of diabetes and cluster of cardiovascular risk factors is considered, with implications for prevention.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Intraluminal excretion of PAF, lysoPAF, and acetylhydrolase in patients with ulcerative colitis.

PAF-acether (PAF) is a phospholipid synthesized by numerous inflammatory cells. PAF can produce several pathological changes in various organs, especially in the colon. In animals PAF causes colonic ulceration and inflammation, which are similar to the anatomic lesions seen in human ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to measure in vivo colonic production of PAF in active ulcerative colitis using a modified colonic perfusion method. Ten patients with active ulcerative colitis and six control patients were investigated. A colonic segment was continuously perfused with a buffer and the liquid was recovered 20 cm distally, after a 45-min period of equilibration, at 20-min intervals. PAF, lysoPAF, and acetylhydrolase were measured in the colonic samples. PAF and lysoPAF outputs were significantly higher in patients with active ulcerative colitis compared to controls patients. There was a significant correlation between colonic PAF output and, respectively, macroscopic mucosal lesions and myeloperoxidase colonic output. We thus conclude: (1) the colonic perfusion method allows in vivo study of the metabolism of PAF during ulcerative colitis and could also be used to study the efficiency of PAF antagonists in UC; and (2) colonic production of PAF is increased during ulcerative colitis and correlated to local injury and inflammation. Whether or not PAF plays a role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis remains open for further investigations.

1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase↗
PubMed1995

A paradoxical inhibition of androgenic hyperproduction by a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour ovary.

A 17 year old woman was evaluated for amenorrhoea and severe hirsutism (Ferriman-Gallway index = 31). Pelvic ultrasound demonstrated a right unilateral ovarian mass (6 x 5 cm), whereas the computed tomography for the adrenal gland was normal. Endocrinological findings revealed normal concentrations of oestradiol, progesterone, dihydroepiandrosterone sulphate, cortisol, prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). Total testosterone, free testosterone, androstenedione and 17-hydroxy-progesterone concentrations, already elevated at basal conditions, did not increase after an ACTH test, whereas they decreased significantly after dexamethasone administration and increased after a human chorionic gonadotrophin test. Of all the tumour markers investigated, tissue polypeptide antigen and alpha 1-fetoprotein showed an increase in concentration. Selective venous ovarian catheterization indicated the presence of an androgen-producing tumour in the right ovary. The histopathological diagnosis was consistent with a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour ranking between an intermediate and a poor grade of differentiation, with heterologous elements characterized by mucinous epithelium of the gastro-intestinal type. An endocrine evaluation performed postoperatively showed a normalization of all serum pathological hormones and tumour markers studied. Some particular aspects were focused on and discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Predictive value of various echocardiographic parameters of systolic and diastolic function in the development of congestive heart failure after infarction].

To evaluate the predictive value of systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) function parameters, in the development of congestive heart failure (CHF) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 48 patients (mean age 56.2 +/- 10.4 years) were studied with two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography (2D echo) in the acute phase (36 +/- 12 hours) and after 6 months of follow-up. The following parameters have been evaluated: LV wall motion score-index; peak velocity of early diastolic filling (E); peak velocity of filling during atrial systole (A); the ratio A/E; percent of LV filling contributed by atrial systole (A%). During follow-up 10 patients (Group B; 21%) developed symptoms and/or signs of CHF, while 38 patients (Group A; 79%) did not. In the patients who developed CHF 2D echo showed a depressed contractile function (mean value of wall motion score-index 3.08 +/- 0.45 versus 3.53 +/- 0.32 of Group A; p < 0.001) and a marked impairment of filling during atrial systole: A/E = 1.89 +/- 0.80 versus 1.07 +/- 0.35 (p < 0.001); A% = 52.2 +/- 9.9 versus 39.1 +/- 8.4 (p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed that the ratio A/E, A% and the wall motion score-index are the only variables that may predict the development of CHF. This capacity has been confirmed also considering the cut-point as conditional variables (A/E > 1.4; A% > 45%; score-index < 3.1). Our results demonstrate that a combined evaluation by 2D echo of systolic and diastolic LV function parameters allowed a better stratification of patients at risk of developing CHF after an AMI.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

An Italian population-based study of the prevalence of diabetes: some methodological aspects.

The aim of the present study, which is part of a larger population survey, is to provide an Italian estimate of the total prevalence of diabetes taking into account the fraction of known diabetes among the non-responders. The study consists of a population survey. Out of the population aged over 40 ys. of two municipalities, Casalbuttano and Vescovato, in the Health District of Cremona, a random sample of 2,229 subjects was selected to undergo an OGTT. In addition, a series of anamnestic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected for each individual. Overall response rate was 63%. Prevalence of known diabetes was 7.8% (6.5%-9.1%, 95% CI), (F = 7.9%, M = 7.6%). The comparison between responders and the telephone-interviewed non-responders showed an unpredictable and age- and sex-dependently varying frequency of known diabetes, even if the overall differences were not statistically significant. This suggests that, to avoid biases, many efforts should be spent to collect information about diabetes also for non-responders. Prevalence of unknown diabetes was 3.2% (2.2%-4.2%, 95% CI), (F = 4.0%, M = 1.8%) and total diabetes was 10.9% (9.3%-12.5%, 95% CI) (F = 11.9%, M = 9.4%). In contrast to other countries, the relationship between unknown and known diabetes was less than 1 to 2, and the proportion of unknown diabetes was almost negligible below the age of 70. A positive family history and a lower level of triglycerides were associated with awareness of the disease (p = 0.0005 and p = 0.006, respectively), thus suggesting different behaviour towards one's own health between known and unknown diabetic subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Use of triptorelin in the medical treatment of uterine myoma].

Following the introduction of GnRH analogue drugs the medical treatment of uterine myomatosis has been proposed. The use of these compounds in fact causes a reduction in mean plasma levels of 17-beta-estradiol which is reflected in the target tissue of myomas. Using this hormone-dependence as a starting Tryptoreline point, the study examined the volumetric changes induced by LH-RH agonist analogue, Tryptoreline, administered to a group of 15 selected patients. The results are encouraging: in all cases there was a marked reduction of tumour volume ranging between 30 and 40%. The therapeutic effect, however, gradually wore off following the suspension of treatment. For this reason, the use of this analogue should be reserved for premenopausal or younger patients for the treatment of menometrorrhagic episodes, or as a preoperative therapy in order to limit blood loss during surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Dysmenorrhoea and sports activities in adolescents.

Primary or essential dysmenorrhoea is a painful syndrome which precedes by a few hours or accompanies the menstrual flow, present above all in adolescents. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the incidence of dysmenorrhoea in adolescents who practice sports. We examined two groups of athletes who practised sport in their adolescent period: 1) first population of athletes (483 subjects): women who had begun their activity before menarche (Group A: 261 subjects) and athletes who had started some years after the menarche (222 subjects); and in this latter group before (Group B1) and after (Group B2) the beginning of sports activity. 2) Second population (281 subjects) comprising: Group C (169 adolescents) comprised women who took part in sport only now and then; Group D (112 women) whose activity was of an athletic type. Comparing the percentage of dysmenorrhoea it emerges: 1) that dysmenorrhoea is present in a lower percentage in subjects in Group A (68.19%) in respect to women in Group B; 2) that in a considerable number of girls in Group B it was observed that there was a regression or an improvement in the pain symptomatology after the beginning in athletic activity; 3) dysmenorrhoea was much less in the more intense the sports activity (Groups C and D). From these data it can therefore be seen that athletic activity of almost any type or level has a positive influence on the dysmenorrhoea symptom, while it does not produce the same effect on other characteristics of the cycle, indeed, in some cases they were worsened.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Arteriectasis: a forgotten chapter].

In 1942, Leriche described the first "dolichomégaartères" (or "arteriomegaly" according to the definition subsequently proposed by Anglo-Saxon researchers). We detected 199 cases of arteriomegaly (16.29% of cases examined) during a review of 1,221 translumbar arteriographies of the lower limbs performed from 1980 to 1985 in the vascular radiology department of our hospital. The percentage of associated aneurysms was 33.16%. The possible dysplastic pathogenesis of the affection and the differential diagnosis with atherosclerosis and other vascular affections found in connective tissue diseases is noted. Histopathology showed dystrophic lesions of the media and especially of the elastic fibers as well as occasional associated venous lesions and a familial basis. The peripheral symptomatology was acute, pseudoembolic and severe as revealed by ischemia and cyanosis. There was no collateral circulation. Medical treatment consisted especially in anti-coagulant and hypervolemic hemorrheologic therapy during ischemia. Ultrasonography enabled us to monitor the regular, systematic course of arteriomegaly, to make the diagnosis initially, to measure the exact size of the arteries, to observe the morphology of the wall and, moreover, to determine the presence or not of megaveins capable of reinforcing the dysplastic genesis of arteriomegaly.

Dilatation, Pathologic↗
PubMed1985

Sex-education needs and interests of high school students in a rural New York county.

Seventy-five boys and 88 girls from three high schools in a rural county of New York state took a sex-education quiz and were asked to describe their sexual and contraceptive experiences and sex-education interests. Consistent with most previous research, nonvirgin teenagers who earned better grades on the sex-education quiz failed to use more effective contraceptives than nonvirgins who had performed poorly on the quiz. There was a striking similarity among students' descriptions of sex-education interests, regardless of their gender, previous enrollment in a health course, or experience with sexual intercourse. Very few teenagers (9%) were completely satisfied with their high school's current sex-education program. The majority (57%) wanted to learn more about contraceptives and venereal disease prevention, either as the primary focus of their sex-education curriculum or in combination with other topics such as sexual values, the biology of reproduction, and information about the human body. Many adolescents (19%) seemed confused about their sex-education needs and described a vague interest in everything sexual. Only 2% of the students thought sex education should provide them with erotic information or techniques for increasing sexual pleasure. The remaining students wished that their sex-education courses would give them additional information solely about sexual values (5%) or the biology of reproduction and knowledge about the body (8%).

Adolescent↗