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Biomedical subjects

A Merlo

Publications and source records attributed to A Merlo.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Lymphographic findings in prostatic carcinoma with distant metastases.

From January 1976 to December 1981, 25 patients with prostatic carcinoma and distant metastases had lymphangiography (LAG) in their initial workup either to obtain a more precise definition of tumor extension or because at the time of LAG asymptomatic metastases had not yet been detected. In 18 patients extensive bone metastases were present while in seven the only indicator of bone metastases was bone scan (limited bone disease). Positivity rate was 48% (20% in T2 cases, 53% in T3-T4; 29% in limited bone disease, 53% in extensive bone metastases). No correlation was found between LAG positivity and degree of differentiation. Patients with N0 survived longer than patients with N2-N4; however, the difference in survival is not significant and seems to be linked to the extent of bone metastases. Our data substantiate that LAG is of no value in the staging of metastatic prostatic carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Combination chemotherapy with fluorouracil, adriamycin, cis-platinum and VM-26 in advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract.

From October 1981 to October 1984, 42 consecutive patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract were treated with cis-Platinum 50 mg/m2 i.v. and Adriamycin 50 mg/m2 i.v. day 1, and Fluorouracil 500 mg/m2 i.v. and VM26 100 mg/m2 days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks. In the 36 evaluable patients, 4 complete remissions and 15 partial remissions were noted (52.7% response rate). Of the 12 patients with previously untreated, locally advanced bladder carcinoma, 8 responded, with 3 pathologically confirmed complete remissions. Toxicity was moderate. Median survival was 44 weeks. This 4-drug combination had significant palliative activity in our patient population. Its role in the preoperative setting deserves further evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Redistribution of renal blood flow in patients with liver cirrhosis. The role of renal PGE2.

Cirrhotic patients frequently show a decrease in renal blood flow and redistribution of the flow from the outer cortex to the juxtamedullary cortex. The cause of the maintenance of juxtamedullary perfusion is not presently known. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has its vasodilating effect on medullary and juxtamedullary vessels where it is synthesized. Therefore, its increased production, frequently shown in cirrhotics, could be responsible for the relative preservation of juxtamedullary blood flow. To verify this hypothesis we examined 13 cirrhotic patients. In these patients we determined mean renal blood flow (MRBF), blood flow in the 1st compartment (ICBF) and in the 2nd compartment (IICBF) with the 133-Xenon washout technique and PGE2 plasma levels in the renal veins (PGE2V). MRBF and ICBF were significantly reduced as compared to control subjects (P less than 0.01); IICBF resulted unaltered. Significant correlation was found between IICBF and PGE2V (P less than 0.01). Our data confirm the decrease in renal blood flow and the redistribution of intrarenal blood flow in cirrhotic patients. The maintenance of IICBF is likely to be a consequence of PGE2 renal production.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Estramustine phosphate (Estracyt) treatment of T3-T4 prostatic carcinoma.

From September, 1978, to November, 1980, 69 consecutive patients with locally advanced (T3-T4) prostatic adenocarcinoma, with or without distant metastases, were treated with oral estramustine phosphate. Dosage was 15 mg/kg/day for 2 months, followed by 5 mg/kg/day until progression. In the 48 evaluable patients with progressive disease that entry in the study, 1 complete response, 7 partial responses, 31 disease stabilizations, and 9 progressions were encountered (81.2% NPCP response rate). Karnofsky performance status equal to or less than 50 was predictive of poor response to estramustine phosphate. In the 10 evaluable patients with stabilized disease at entry in the study after orchiectomy, 2 complete responses, 4 partial responses, 3 disease stabilization, and 1 progression were noted. The major side effects observed were gynecomastia, nausea, and vomiting.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1982

Psychological distress in duodenal ulcer and acute gastroduodenitis. A controlled study.

The aim of the study was to assess psychological distress in duodenal ulcer (DU) and acute gastroduodenitis (AGD). Sixty-one consecutive, unselective patients (DU = 25; AGD = 36) were compared with their respective controls matched for age, sex, level of formal education, and social class. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kellner-Sheffield Symptom Rating Test. In order to reduce to the minimum the possible effects of the duration of the symptoms and awareness of the diagnosis, the study was carried out before diagnosis on subjects whose symptoms were of recent onset. The DU and AGD patients had higher mean scores than the controls for neuroticism and anxiety; moreover the mean scores for depression and somatization of the AGD patients were also higher than those of the controls. On the basis of these data, the authors discuss the possibility that gastroduodenitis might be an independent entity or part of the spectrum of acid peptic (ulcer) disease.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1979

Memory facilitation with posttrial injection of oxotremorine and physostigmine in mice.

The immediate posttrial injection of oxotremorine (0.125, 0.250 and 0.500 muMol/kg i.p.) and equimolecular doses of physostigmine can facilitate the retention of a passive avoidance response in mice. Injections given 10 min after training also significantly facilitate retention, but injections given 30 or 120 min after training do not affect retention. These findings suggest an action of oxotremorine and physostigmine on mechanisms involved in memory storage. The enhanced retention produced by oxotremorine and physostigmine was blocked by pretreatment with atropine (2 muMol/kg, 20 min, i.p.) but was not affected by methylatropine (2 muMol/kg, 20 min, i.p.). The retention was not modified by posttrial injection of metoxotremorine (0.25 muMol/kg i.p.) or neostigmine (0.250 muMol/kg i.p.), quaternary analogs of oxotremorine and physostigmine, respectively. The results suggest a central action of both cholinergic agents attributable to an activation of muscarinic brain receptors.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pulsed electromagnetic fields in experimental cutaneous wound healing in rats.

Electromagnetic fields are now being used in many diseases such as osseous, ligamental, cartilaginous, or nervous reparation, diabetes, and myocardial or cerebral ischemia. Although many publications show the usefulness of magneto-therapy, discrepancies exist about the utility of electromagnetic fields in skin wound healing. The objective of this work was to study the effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on wound healing in rats. Twenty-two male Wistar rats were used; a circular lesion was made in the back of each animal. They were divided into three groups: group C (control) with sham treatment (n = 8), group NF, treated with topical nitrofurazone solution (n = 7), and group PEMF, treated with pulsed electromagnetic fields of 20 mT (n = 7). The treatments were 35 minutes twice a day. The absolute and relative values of the area and perimeter of the wounds showed significantly lower values in the PEMF group at days 7, 14, and 21 compared with those in group C (p < 0.01, analysis of variance), whereas the PEMF group showed significantly lower values at day 21 only compared with the NF group (p < 0.01, analysis of variance). The results suggest a significant beneficial stimulation in the wound healing process in rats treated with PEMF, which could lead to the development of a practical tool for research and clinical use.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Massage in hypertrophic scars.

Various attempts have been made to intervene with the formation of hypertrophic scarring (HTS) or to ameliorate it once it has developed, but none have yet proved effective. Massage therapy is routinely used by therapists for the treatment of various conditions, and there have been reports of increased scar pliability and decreased scar banding with the use of massage. This study examines the use of friction massage over a 3-month period in a group of 30 pediatric patients with HTS. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either therapeutic massage sessions of 10 minutes per day in combination with treatment with pressure garments or they were treated with pressure garments alone. A modified Vancouver Burn Scar Assessment Scale was used to measure the characteristics of the identified scars (10 cm by 10 cm) before and after the implementation of massage therapy. The study failed to demonstrate any appreciable effects of massage therapy on the vascularity, pliability, and height of the HTS studied, although there were reports of a decrease in pruritus in some patients. Further studies, with prolonged treatment intervals, are necessary to conclusively demonstrate the ineffectiveness of this therapy for HTS.

Burns↗