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Biomedical subjects

A Oliva

Publications and source records attributed to A Oliva.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

[Electrogustometric threshold in diabete and chronic ethylism. Survey on 230 patients (author's transl)].

This study completes a previous one in which the authors tested the electrogustometric threshold in 300 normal subjects used as controls. The collected datas has been computerized on a programable calculator according to a lognormal model. Comparison between the electrogustometric threshold in diabetic patients, ethylic ones and controls demonstrate that they are statistically different. More than a half of the diabetics and ethylics have abnormaly high electrogustometric thresholds. The responses have been studied as a function of the evolution of the disease, of the clinical form and of gravity. Diabete and chronic ethylism do not disturb the gustatic function at the same speed and with the same intensity: one year evolution is at least necessary for diabetics, and ten years for ethylics in order to detect abnormal electrogustometric thresholds. But if the action of ethylic intoxication is slower, it determines the most important gustometric deteriorations.

Alcoholism↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The contributions of microvascular surgery to emergency hand surgery.

Microvascular surgery has revolutionized the field of emergency hand surgery in the areas of replantation and microvascular transplantation. Amputated parts from as small as a distal phalanx to the entire extremity can now be successfully replanted and unreplanted, or missing parts can be restored and reconstructed with immediate microvascular transplants (MVTs). MVTs can be used to cover exposed vital structures and replace missing complex parts. Part or whole digits can be reconstructed, with up to 4 toe transplants. Joints, bones, and muscles can be replaced with osteocutaneous and neuromyovascular transplants. Using the same approach for multiple replants, teams of 4 to 6 surgeons operating simulatneously and sequentially around the clock can accomplish multiple microvascular transplants in the acute setting. The classical principle of hand surgery, "preserve length and function", can now be modified to "restore length and function."

Amputation, Traumatic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Decreased myelotoxicity of gemcitabine and cisplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with cisplatin infusion on day 15.

In a multicenter phase II Italian trial that used a 28-day dosing schedule of gemcitabine on days 1, 8, and 15 and cisplatin on day 2, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia were the main dose-limiting toxicities observed. The aim of the present study was to determine whether using 15-day cisplatin in lieu of the standard 2-day schedule in combination with weekly gemcitabine would decrease expected myelotoxicities, particularly thrombocytopenia. Fifty-one patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a median age of 62 years (range 31-76) and baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status scores of 0-1, were enrolled. Twenty-four patients had stage IIIA-B disease and 27 had stage IV. Patients received gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, 15, and cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) on day-15, every 28 days for a total of 151 cycles. All patients were evaluable for toxicity. Grades 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia was observed in 16% of patients, grades 3 and 4 neutropenia in 35% of patients, and grade 3 anemia in 4% of patients (no grade 4 anemia). Nonhematologic toxicity was mild. Two patients had grade 3 vomiting, and another had grade 4 hepatic toxicity only after gemcitabine administration. The dose intensity of gemcitabine and cisplatin was well maintained. Of the 45 patients evaluable for response, there were 22 (49%) partial responders, 7 (15.5%) minimal responders, 9 (20%) with stable disease, and 7 (15.5%) progressions. Compared with the schedule used in a multicenter phase II Italian trial (day 2 cisplatin), day-15 cisplatin decreases incidences of thrombocytopenia (16 vs. 52%) and anemia (4 vs. 25%); the occurrence of neutropenia is similar (35 vs. 36%). Response rates are also similar (49 vs. 54%).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sperm motility analysis using multi-exposure photography (MEP) before and after in vitro-treatment of the semen.

Different methods and culture media were used on the same semen samples. Ejaculated and treated samples were evaluated by means of multiple exposure photography (MEP) in order to study changes in sperm motility. A statistical analysis of the normal sperm population distribution curve was done with two objectives: (1) evaluating semen improvement after treatment; and (2) finding out whether the post-treatment sample differed from the original one. When variables were analysed in the individual subject, a significant percentage improvement of mean velocity was observed. Only two methods improved the percentage of motile sperm. The influence of treatment and of culture media on sperm responses was also tested and a significant influence of the media was found (Ham F10 showed the best responses). No significant differences between the ejaculated and treated samples were found when mean velocity, percentage of motile sperm, variance population, and kurtosis were analysed, as grouped treatment variables.

Culture Media↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sperm motility analysis using multi-exposure photography (MEP): validity of the method with normal and abnormal patterns.

Spermatozoon motility is an important semen parameter that can be correlated with fertilizing capacity. It can be evaluated by subjective or objective methods such as the multiple exposure photography technique (MEP). This technique was: (1) validated in terms of accuracy and sensitivity, and (2) used to investigate the possibility of differentiating patient subgroups on the basis of sperm motility. The method was shown to be accurate. The within and between assay variation coefficients were less than 6% and 17% respectively. Maximal sensitivity required 100 spermatozoa, since coefficients of variation were high when counting smaller numbers. A significant difference between fertile, normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic groups on the basis of the population pattern was found in a retrospective study. Moreover, the asthenozoospermic group could be divided into three subgroups, depending on whether one, two, or three motility variables were altered.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CD1d expression by hepatocytes is a main restriction element for intrahepatic T-cell recognition.

The liver has specific mechanisms to protect itself from infectious agents and to avoid autoimmunity, indicating an important role of the hepatic tissues in antigen presentation and tolerance induction. Since intrahepatic lymphocytes may contribute to the innate immunity and to the liver pathology, it is of interest to analyze the expression of antigen presenting molecules and of the related T cell recognition in liver, and how these change in relation to different diseases. We analyzed the expression of MHC class I, and of CD1-a, -b, -c, and -d proteins on liver tissues from patients with different hepatic diseases. Moreover, in the same patients we studied the intrahepatic and peripheral NKT cell recognition of alpha-galactosyl ceramide antigen in the context of CD1d. Unlike in other tissues, classical MHC class I molecules were poorly expressed in the hepatic compartment, suggesting that inflamed hepatocytes may trigger weak MHC-restricted T cell responses. Nevertheless, we observed a prevalent expression of HLA class I-like CD1d isoform on the hepatocyte surface, indicating that CD1d is the main restriction element in the liver. In patients with viral hepatitis, the intrahepatic CD1d expression parallels the recruitment of CD56+Valpha24Vbeta11+ NKT cells in the liver which recognize CD1d presenting glycolipids such as alpha-galactosyl ceramide, suggesting that the intrahepatic T cell immunity may focus on glycolipid antigens.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ex vivo expansion of bone marrow stromal cells by platelet-rich plasma: a promising strategy in maxillo-facial surgery.

The aim of our study is to evaluate in vitro the response of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) to platelet-rich plasma (PRP), in order to clarify the potential role of their combined use in a preclinical phase preceding BMSCs transplantation for bone repair and regeneration procedures. The incubation of BMSCs with PRP promoted a remarkable, dose- and time- dependent, growth stimulation, that was paralleled to a strong increase in the quantity of type I collagen and to a significant decrease in the activity of the early osteoblastic differentiation marker, alkaline phosphatase (AP). Once PRP was removed and osteogenic inducers were added, AP returned to levels comparable to the control, while the late phenotypic markers, osteocalcin and matrix calcification, were enhanced to higher levels than in controls. Our data demonstrate that PRP induces a remarkable ex vivo enrichment of BMSCs maintaining their differentiative potential. Thus PRP represents a valid preclinical tool for obtaining an effective, rapid and safe ex vivo expansion of BMSCs prior to their clinical utilization in bone engineering.

Bone Marrow Cells↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hormonal disregulation and catamenial epilepsy.

Six epileptic women, showing a clear increase in seizure frequency in the perimenstrual period, were studied during three consecutive menstrual cycles. At each control seizure occurrence, EEG recordings, endocrine profile and antiepileptic drug plasma levels were evaluated. The only pathological finding was the progesterone deficiency with a relative hyperestrogenism during the late luteal phase. Our data agree with other reports suggesting that catamenial epilepsy may result from a sex hormone disregulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pregnancy following administration of GNRH by means of portable pump: hormonal evaluation before and during therapy.

In a group of three patients affected by severe hypothalamic amenorrhea, gonadotropins behaviour before and during pulsatile GNRH therapy, was investigated with more accuracy for seven cycles. The treatment was administered intravenously with a dosage of 5 ug/90 min. The number of cycles for pregnancy was of 1.75 with a pregnancy rate of 57.1%. The gonadotropins response to an acute test with 100 ug of GNRH performed in the three patients at the 7th day of their first treatment cycle was compared with response to the same test done before the beginning of the pulsatile therapy. Some considerations about the results were suggested.

Adult↗