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Biomedical subjects

A Oliaro

Publications and source records attributed to A Oliaro.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

[Ca 19-9 and Ca 50 in the diagnosis of bronchial carcinoma: comparison with CEA].

The search for early tumour markers has brought to light CA 19-9 and CA 50, glycoproteins recognised by monoclonal antibodies. Since these markers are mainly used on the digestive tract it was thought useful to investigate their value in the diagnosis of lung cancer which is only rarely identified by markers in its early stages. The two markers were compared with the better known CEA on 43 healthy volunteers, 42 patients with chronic lung conditions, 26 people with localised non-neoplastic lung shadows and 255 patients with staged and histologically identified lung tumours. The results obtained reveal the two markers to be of little use in lung cancer since though satisfactorily specific they are not at all sensitive even in the advanced stages of the disease. They could however be used to advise against surgery if positive.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Determination of serum neuron-specific enolase in bronchial tumors of neuroendocrine origin].

Neurone-specific enolase, a serum marker of neuroendocrine tumours has been determined in small-cell anaplastic bronchial carcinomas, in typical and atypical carcinoid. The marker presents good sensitivity in small-cell tumours and in atypical carcinoids, while blood levels are within normal limits in cases of typical carcinoid. The low serum levels of neurone-specific enolase found in typical carcinoid suggest a failure of the enzyme to express itself in the circulation owing to the poor or lack of cellular necrosis.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

[Comparison of protective effects induced by the ultrasonic mist of nicardipine + fenoterol versus nicardipine + fenoterol + ipratropium bromide].

A comparison is presented of the protective effect of ultrasound mist induced by nicardipine + fenoterol and nicardipine + fenoterol + ipratropium bromide in a group of 11 patients with chronic bronchial asthma in a phase of relative clinical stability. The data collected show that the three-drug combination was more effective than the use of nicardipine and fenoterol.

Aerosols↗

[Blood copper levels in a group of patients with asbestosis].

Colorimetry was used to assay blood copper levels in 13 asbestosis patients (mean age 55.5) selected by excluding all cases with an evident clinical anamnesis of dietary imbalances or other significant pathologies. The results show increased blood copper in 11 out of 13 patients, the mean level in this group being significantly higher than that in a control group (p less than 0.01). The phenomenon, already described in other interstitial lung diseases, may well be attributable to enhanced reabsorption of the metal due to the intensified activity of a copper enzyme lysyl oxidase that is involved in collagen synthesis.

Asbestosis↗

[Respiratory function evaluation in esophageal surgery. Predictive value of tests].

In the context of major surgery the predictive significance of respiratory function tests in relation to postoperative pleuro-pulmonary complications is assessed. A statistical analysis is performed on a series of 85 oesophagectomy after thoracotomy and laparotomy. The most significant respiratory function indices are found to be those relating to volume restriction and the Mottley index.

Adult↗

[Skin reactions with ubiquitous multiple antigens as a test of survival in patients with inoperable bronchogenic carcinoma].

Fifty-three patients suffering from inoperable, non-microcytoma, bronchogenic carcinoma in which a skin reaction with ubiquitous antigens (tetanus, diphtheria, streptococcus, tuberculin, proteus, tricophyton, candida) had been carried out were followed up to check on the possible relationship between skin reactivity and survival period. A significant correlation was found between the degree of positivity and duration of survival, with mean survival values greater than 69.1 weeks being observed in patients positive to five or more antigens. Among preliminary tests, it would therefore appear that skin reaction with ubiquitous may provide indications for predicting survival.

Aged↗

[Post-actinic pulmonary fibrosis. Longitudinal study of 279 cases].

The incidence and extent of postactinic pulmonary fibrosis was investigated in relation to the different types of radiation therapy. For this purpose, 131 patients treated with fast electron (for breast cancer) and 148 patients treated with TCT (for breast cancer and cancer of other nature) observed in the period 1976-1987 were followed up (from 13 months to 7 years). The frequency of postactinic fibrosis was much less in the first group of patients than the second (6.61% vs 18.99%); further, the functional damage in these patients proved less and developed in a less unfavourable way.

Breast Neoplasms↗

[Respiratory functional decline after 5 years in patients with silicosis and asbestosis].

A retrospective study of 561 patients with silicosis and 234 with asbestosis was performed to assess whether lung function decline in five years is related to the type (restrictive or obstructive) and/or to the degree of initial damage. Based on lung function tests, three groups of patients were identified: NC with normal lung function tests, CR with restrictive impairment and CO with airway obstruction. The degree of impairment was classified as mild, moderate and severe. Patients were considered worse if five years later they presented a higher degree of impairment. The prevalence of CR was significantly higher in asbestosis, that of NC and CO in silicosis (p less than 0.01). Among subjects with normal starting lung function, 9% only developed CR or CO 5 years later. The prevalence of subjects with worsened lung function in the CR groups was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in asbestotics (36%) than in silicotics (14%) and was closely related to starting functional impairment. In the CO group the prevalence of worsened subjects was significantly higher than in CR (p less than 0.001), similar in the two diseases and independent of starting lung impairment.

Adult↗

[Double-blind study on the effects of famotidine on bronchial tone and on expectoration].

A double blind test using famotidine and a placebo was conducted on 14 patients with hypersecretory, chronic bronchitis. No other drug treatment was given during the test or in the ten days preceding it. VC, FEV1, Sgaw and daily excrete volume were measured before the test and 7, 14 and 21 days after it began. The data collected indicate that H2 receptors have no influence on bronchial calibre or secretions.

Adult↗

[Ultrasonic spray protection against bronchospasm. Comparison of fenoterol and a combination of salbutamol and ipratropium bromide].

Nine patients with clinically stable bronchial asthma who had received no drug treatment in the preceding 48 hours were examined. The patients were subjected to 5 minutes ultrasound spray after the double blind administration of either fenoterol or salbutamol + ipratropium bromide. Respiratory function was assessed before and 30, 60 and 90 minutes after cessation of the stimulation. The results showed no significant difference in the protection against the ultrasound spray provided by fenoterol and the combination of salbutamol + ipratropium bromide.

Adult↗

[Comparison of the bronchodilating activity of procaterol and nicardipine in chronic forms of bronchial asthma].

The bronchodilatory activity of one beta 2-stimulation (procaterol) and one calcium antagonist (nicardipine) both recently introduced was compared in a group of chronic asthmatics in the clinical remission phase. The experiment took the form of the randomised double blind administration of procaterol or nicardipine or a placebo twice a day for 15 days with spirometric tests being performed before, during and after the experiment. The results show that nicardipine does have a bronchodilatory effect though less than the beta 2-stimulant.

Adult↗

[Data on cellular subpopulations in bronchoalveolar lavage in silicosis and asbestosis patients. Case contribution].

Data on the cytology of BAL performed on 8 silicosis and 5 asbestosis patients with different degrees of radiological profusion and functional impairment are examined. The prevalently neutrophilic alveolitis reported in the literature in these forms of pneumoconiosis is confirmed, while differences were found between the percentage of lymphocyte subpopulations in the two diseases.

Aged↗

[Housedust mites: their importance in the pathogenesis of respiratory allergic diseases in Piedmont].

In this study we have considered the importance of house dust mites (Dermatophagoides farinae and pteronyssinus) in the pathogenesis of respiratory allergic diseases in Piedmont. We have identified, from 1980 to 1986, 1530 subjects with sensitization to at least one of the tested allergens; 479 of these (31.3%) were allergic to both or to one of the tested mites. Particularly 97 subjects (6.3%) were sensitized to Dermatophagoides farinae, 73 (4.8%) to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and 309 (20.2%) to both of them. This group included 258 males (53.9%) and 221 females (46.1%). Most of the examined subjects had shown the clinical symptoms before the 35th year of age (366 subjects, 76.4%). The mean age of beginning of clinical picture has come out to be of 27.377 +/- 11.527 SD year old. This result shows no significant differences with the mean age come out in allergic subjects to other allergens (26.939 +/- 10.755 SD); 196 subjects (40.9%) presented rhinitis-conjunctivitis, while 102 subjects presented bronchial asthma-rhinitis-conjunctivitis. We have found that bronchial asthma (alone or with other symptoms) was present in 186 subjects (38.8%), while in the allergic subjects sensitized to other allergens was present only in 299 out of 1051 (28.4%); 277 subjects had continuous symptoms (57.8%) while 202 subjects (42.2%) had symptoms only in some periods of the year.

Adolescent↗