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Biomedical subjects

A Zanini

Publications and source records attributed to A Zanini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Use of reflexology foot massage to reduce anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients in chemotherapy treatment: methodology and outcomes.

AIM: To examine the effectiveness of reflexology foot massage in hospitalized cancer patients undergoing second or third chemotherapy cycles. BACKGROUND: Since the late-1970s, studies have been conducted to assess the efficacy of behavioural and relaxation approaches in controlling nausea/vomiting, anxiety and other side-effects associated with chemotherapy. METHODS: The study consisted of 30 patients being admitted to the oncology unit at a Scientific Research Hospital in Italy. Only 15 of the 30 participants received therapeutic massage. The subjects' self-reports of anxiety (measured by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) were recorded before, after and 24 hours after the intervention. RESULTS: There was an average decrease of 7.9 points on the state-anxiety scale in the treatment group and of 0.8 points in the control group (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Reflexology foot massage can be considered a support treatment used in combination with traditional medical treatments and executed by an expert, qualified person to help cancer patients receiving chemotherapy feel better and also cope better with their disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Test of a bubble passive spectrometer for neutron dosimetry.

A passive system for neutron spectrometry has been tested in view of neutron dose evaluation in mixed radiation fields. This system, based on bubble detectors (Bubble Technology Industries, Ontario, Canada), is suitable to evaluate the neutron energy distribution in the range 10 keV-20 MeV even in the presence of intense gamma radiation, as required in various fields: medical x-ray accelerators, nuclear reactors, cosmic ray exposures on commercial high-altitude flights and space missions. A new unfolding code BUNTO has been especially developed for this application. In the present work, the results of two experimental tests are summarized. In the first one, the device has been exposed to a standard AmBe neutron source (Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Varese, Italy). In the second one, measurements have been carried out at the MAX-Lab photonuclear facility in Sweden, with a bremsstrahlung photon beam impinging on thick targets of different materials and generating a giant dipole resonance neutron spectrum. Simulations of the experimental apparatus have been performed with MCNP4B (AmBe source) and with MCNP4B-GN (MAX-Lab). Results of the comparison between experimental and calculated spectra are shown and discussed. A good agreement between measurements and simulation data is obtained in both the experiments.

Models, Statistical↗
PubMed2005

Vascular endothelial growth factor up-regulation and bronchial wall remodelling in asthma.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing in vitro evidence to support a role for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major regulator of angiogenesis, as a mediator of fibrosis associated with neovascularization. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that VEGF is involved both in increased airway mucosal vascularity and in the subepithelial fibrosis of asthmatic patients. METHODS: Bronchial biopsies were performed in 24 asthmatic patients and eight healthy controls. Immunostaining, using computerized image analysis, was performed using monoclonal antibodies against VEGF(+) cells, type IV collagen, to outline the basement membrane thickness, and tryptase and EG2, to identify mast cells and eosinophils, respectively. RESULTS: The counts of VEGF(+) cells (P<0.05), mast cells and EG2(+) cells (both P<0.01) were higher in asthmatics than in controls. The number of vessels, the vascular area in the lamina propria, and the basement membrane thickness were significantly higher in asthmatics than in healthy volunteers (P<0.01). Moreover, in asthmatic patients, the number of VEGF(+) cells was significantly related to the number of vessels (P<0.01), to mast cells (P<0.01) and to basement membrane thickness (P<0.01). A colocalization study also revealed that mast cells were a relevant cellular source of VEGF. High doses of inhaled fluticasone propionate significantly reduced VEGF(+) cells (P<0.05), vessel number (P<0.05), vascular area (P<0.05) and basement membrane thickness (P<0.05) in a subgroup of asthmatic patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that VEGF, in addition to being involved in the vascular component of airway remodelling, may play a role in the thickening of the basement membrane in asthma.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2004

Monte Carlo simulation of the photoneutron field in linac radiotherapy treatments with different collimation systems.

Bremsstrahlung photon beams produced by linac accelerators are currently the most commonly used method of radiotherapy for tumour treatments. When the photon energy exceeds 10 MeV the patient receives an undesired dose due to photoneutron production in the accelerator head. In the last few decades, new sophisticated techniques such as multileaf collimators have been used for a better definition of the target volume. In this case it is crucial to evaluate the photoneutron dose produced after giant dipole resonance (GDR) excitation of the high Z materials (mainly tungsten and lead) constituting the collimator leaves in view of the optimization of the radiotherapy treatment. A Monte Carlo approach has been used to calculate the photoneutron dose arising from the GDR reaction during radiotherapy with energetic photon beams. The simulation has been performed using the code MCNP4B-GN which is based on MCNP4B, but includes a new routine GAMMAN to model photoneutron production. Results for the facility at IRCC (Istituto per la Ricerca e la Cura del Cancro) Candiolo (Turin), which is based on 18 MV x-rays from a Varian Clinac 2300 C/D, are presented for a variety of different collimator configurations.

Humans↗
PubMed2004

Characterisation of the TAPIRO BNCT thermal facility.

Dosimetry and spectrometry measurements have been carried out in the thermal column of the research fast reactor RSV-TAPIRO (ENEA-Casaccia, Rome) in order to investigate its suitability for irradiation of cells or mice, with a view to research in the interests of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). The thermal column consists of a graphite moderator (40 cm thick) containing a lead shield (13 cm thick) in order to shield reactor background. The irradiation volume, inside this structure, has cubic shape (18 x 18 x 18 cm3). Besides measurements of fluence and dose rates in air or in phantom performed with thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs) and using the activation technique, dose and fluence profiles have been generated using a method based on gel dosemeters analysed with optical imaging. To check the consistency of the results, spectrometry measurements in the same irradiation volume have been performed by means of bubble detectors.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Neutron spectra in a tissue equivalent phantom during photon radiotherapy treatment by LINACS.

Bremsstrahlung photon beams produced by LINAC accelerators are currently the most used radiotherapy method for tumour treatments. When the photon energy exceeds the (gamma,n) reaction threshold energy, the patient receives an undesired dose due to photoneutron production both in the accelerator head and in the human body. In this paper, a method is presented for the assessment of the photoneutron spectra produced by Giant Dipole Resonance (GDR) during cancer radiotherapy with energetic photon beams. Experimental and numerical results have been obtained for the facility at Onkologik Klinik, Lund (Sweden), which is based on an ELEKTA 18 MV LINAC. Neutron spectra are evaluated both at the patient plane and inside an anthropomorphic phantom.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2003

Photoneutron yields from tungsten in the energy range of the giant dipole resonance.

Photoneutron production on the nuclei of high-Z components of medical accelerator heads can lead to a significant secondary dose during a course of bremsstrahlung radiotherapy. However, a quantitative evaluation of secondary neutron dose requires improved data on the photoreaction yields. These have been measured as a function of photon energy, neutron energy and neutron angle for natW, using tagged photons at the MAX-Lab photonuclear facility in Sweden. This work presents neutron yields for natW(gamma, n) and compares these with the predictions of the Monte Carlo code MCNP-GN, developed specifically to simulate photoneutron production at medical accelerators.

Monte Carlo Method↗
PubMed2001

Six-minute walking test in cystic fibrosis adults with mild to moderate lung disease: comparison to healthy subjects.

The six-minute walking test (6MWT) has been widely utilized to evaluate global exercise capacity in patients with cystic fibrosis. The aim of this study was to assess the exercise capacity by 6MWT, measuring four outcome measures: walk distance, oxygensaturation and pulse rate during the walk, and breathlessness perception after the walk, in a group of cystic fibrosis adults with mild to moderate lung disease, and in healthy volunteers, as the control group. Moreover, the study examined the relationship between 6MWT outcome measures and pulmonary function in patients. Twenty-five adults (15 females, age range 18-39 years) with cystic fibrosis and 22 healthy volunteers (14 females, age range 20-45 years) performed a 6MWT following a standard protocol. Walk distance, oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate at rest and during walk, and breathlessness perception after walk assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) were measured. Cystic fibrosis patients did notdiffer from healthy volunteers in walk distance (626 +/- 49 m vs. 652 +/- 46 m) and pulse rate. Patients significantly differed from healthy volunteers in SPO2 during the walk (mean SpO2) (P < 0.0001) and VAS (P < 0.0001). In patients, SPO2 during the walk significantly correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) (P < 0.0001), residual volume (RV) (P < 0.001), resting SPO2 (base SpO2) (P < 0.001), and inspiratory capacity (IC) (P < 0.01). In addition, VAS significantly correlated with resting SPO2 (P < 0.01) and IC (P < 0.01). On the basis of regression equations by stepwise multiple regression analysis, SpO2 during walk was predicted by FEV1 (r2 = 0.60) and VAS by IC (r2 = 0.31), whereas walk distance was not reliably predicted by any assessed variables. This study showed that cystic fibrosis adults with mild to moderate lung disease covered a normal walk distance with unimpaired cardiac adaptation, but experienced a significant fall in oxygen saturation and an increased breathlessness perception during exercise. Resting pulmonary function was related to oxygen saturation and breathlessness perception during walk, but contributed significantly only tothe prediction of oxygen saturation. We suggest that 6MWT could be valuable for identifying patients who might experience oxygen desaturation and dyspnoea during demanding daily activities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Dendritic cell number is related to IL-4 expression in the airways of atopic asthmatic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Airway dendritic cells are essential for stimulating naive T cells in response to inhaled antigen and for the development of allergic sensitization. IL-4 in vitro can distinguish dendritic cell lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our study had the following aims: 1) to compare the distribution of CD1a+ dendritic cells and IL-4+ cells, in the bronchial mucosa of asthmatics and controls 2) to determine the relationship between the numbers of CD1a+ dendritic cells and IL-4+ cells in the bronchial mucosa of asthmatics 3) to determine whether CD1a+ cells express the IL-4 receptor. METHODS: Twenty atopic asthmatic and eight normal subjects were studied. In each subject, bronchoscopy with bronchial biopsies was performed. CD1a, IL-4, and IL-4 receptor expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The number of CD1a+ and IL-4+ cells was significantly higher in asthmatics than controls. The number of CD1a+ cells was positively correlated to the number of IL-4 + cells. Bronchial biopsy serial section studies showed that CD1a+ cells express the receptor for IL-4. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that an increased amount of IL-4 may play a physiopathologic role in maintaining the dendritic cell pool in vivo. Therefore, because of possible IL-4 activity on antigen-presenting cells in T-cell immune responses to allergens, an important new role of IL-4 in asthma inflammation can be envisaged.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Analysis of photoneutron spectra produced in medical accelerators.

A complete method is presented for the evaluation of photoneutron spectra produced in linear accelerators for cancer radiotherapy. It consists of a computer simulation code based on the MCNP4B Monte Carlo code, in which the new routine GAMMAN was implemented, allowing the accurate study of photoneutron production in high Z elements. In addition an experimental method based on a passive bubble spectrometer allows direct measurements of the photoneutron spectrum at the patient plane, also under the photon beam. The results are presented both for a 15 MeV linac with a traditional collimator system and for an 18 MeV linac equipped with a multileaf collimator, used in conformational radiotherapy.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2000

[Risk factors and neonatal outcomes in shoulder dystocia].

BACKGROUND: Shoulder dystocia (SD) is a rare obstetrical complication but linked with a high perinatal morbidity and mortality rate. SD has been associated to a series of maternal and fetal risk factors due to a multifactorial etiology. This study analyzes the incidence of SD, its morbidity and associated risk factors. METHODS: Cases of SD occurred at the St. Gerardo Hospital (Monza) between January 1992 trough December 1997 have been retrospectively reviewed. Obstetrical and feto-neonatal data regarding cases of SD were compared to data regarding all the cephalic vaginal deliveries occurred in the same period in our Center. RESULTS: A total of 14,157 cephalic vaginal deliveries were included in this study, of these 21 infants (0.15%) had SD. A significantly higher incidence of SD cases was found in fetal macrosomia, maternal diabetes, induction of labor by PGE2, use of obstetrical vacuum, length of first stage of labor > 4 hours in multiparas and > 8 hours in nulliparas, and length of second stage > 60 minutes, regardless of parity. A closed association was also observed between SD and birth trauma as brachial plexus injury and humerus fracture. CONCLUSION: The incidence of SD in our population (0.15%) is below the average reported in the literature (0.37-1.1%). The well-known risk factors, whose low positive predictive value can nevertheless modify obstetrical management, are confirmed.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1998

A randomized comparison of vaginal prostaglandin E2 with oxytocin plus amniotomy for induction of labour in women with intermediately ripe cervices.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of oxytocin and amniotomy or vaginal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) for induction of labour. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a randomized clinical trial. Eligible for the trial were women with normal pregnancy, parity 0-3, with intact membranes, >40 weeks of gestation documented by ultrasound examination before 20 weeks gestation, observed in a network of 13 general and teaching hospitals in Italy. Inclusion criteria were cervical Bishop's score 5-7, less than six uterine contractions per hour, single pregnancy, cephalic presentation, no history of cesarean section and uterine surgery. Eligible women were randomly assigned by phone to oxytocin plus amniotomy (163 women) or vaginal PGE2 2 mg, two doses at 6-h intervals (157 women). RESULTS: Overall, 50 women (15.6%) delivered by cesarean section, 22 (13.5%) randomized to oxytocin, and 28 (17.8%) randomized to PGE2 (not significant). Twelve hours after randomization, induction had failed in 26 women of the 163 randomized to oxytocin plus amniotomy (21.6%) and 34 out of the 157 randomized to PGE2 (15.9%): the difference was not significant. Neonatal outcome was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not find marked differences in labour and neonatal outcome between women randomized to oxytocin plus amniotomy or vaginal PGE2. A shorter induction delivery interval in the group receiving amniotomy and oxytocin after PGE2 priming was observed.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed1995

A randomized trial of open versus closed vaginal vault in the prevention of postoperative morbidity after abdominal hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of two surgical techniques, closed vaginal vault with two layers of continous 3-0 polyglactin suture versus open vaginal vault with a locking 3-0 polyglactin suture, after abdominal hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized trial was performed. During the hospital stay and 4 to 8 weeks after the operation patients were observed for evidence of morbidity. RESULTS: Of the 273 evaluable subjects, 141 had the vaginal vault left open whereas 132 were closed. Ten (7.1%) and eight patients (6.1%) had infections at the operative site (pelvis or abdominal wound) (p = 0.92). A urinary tract infection was diagnosed in three (2.1%) and in four subjects (3.0%) (p = 0.46). A pelvic hematoma developed in two patients of each group (p = 0.66). Vault granulations were recorded in 11% and 12% of subjects (p = 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: This study failed to show some benefit in favor of either of the two surgical policies. A careful surgical technique and antibiotic prophylaxis seem to remain the most important factors in the prevention of postoperative morbidity.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Immunolocalization of secretogranin II and insulin in a nerve growth factor-differentiated insulinoma cell line.

RINm5F, a rat insulin-secreting pancreatic cell line, responds to nerve growth factor (NGF) by extending neurite-like processes. Secretogranin II (SgII), a marker of neuroendocrine secretory organelles, has recently been found to be a good marker of neuronal differentiation in both human neuroblastoma and rat pheochromocytoma cells. The present paper reports the results obtained from immunocytochemical studies, which show that NGF increases the expression of SgII-immunolabeled organelles in RINm5F cells. We also demonstrate that NGF increases the expression of insulin and that SgII and insulin are predominantly, but not always, colocalized. These results suggest that this insulinoma cell line may be a good model for studying the role of SgII in neuroendocrine secretion mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Pre-operative cervical preparation before first trimester missed abortion: a randomized controlled comparison between single or double intracervical administration of PGE2 gel.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a single intracervical application of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel is as effective as a repeated administration with respect to the % of curettage for a missed abortion and to incidence of side effects. 32 consecutive patients with ultrasonographic diagnosis of missed abortion from 6th-13th week of gestation were randomly allocated to either single (group A) or repeated, 2 h apart (group B), intracervical application of PGE2 gel. No differences were observed in cervical dilatation before the administration of the gel between the two groups. In group B, evaluation of cervical dilatation 2 h after the first administration of PGE2 gel and before the second one did not show significant changes as compared to baseline values. The degree of cervical dilatation before surgery was significantly improved as compared to the initial dilatation in both groups; no significant difference was observed between the two study groups. A single administration of PGE2 gel followed by surgery 5 h later has the same effectiveness on cervical dilatation but fewer side effects than repeated administration of the drug 2 h apart.

Abortion, Missed↗
PubMed1993

Induction of labor with intravaginal prostaglandin E2 gel.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the optimum dose of intravaginal prostaglandin E2 gel for induction for labor in nulliparous women with a relatively ripe cervix (modified Bishop score 4 or 5). METHOD: One hundred and sixty-seven nulliparous women at term with indications for the induction of labor were treated randomly with two doses of intravaginal 2.0 (group A) or 3.0 mg (group B) of prostaglandin PGE2 gel every 12 h. Data were analyzed by chi 2-test and Student's t-test. RESULTS: Of 87 patients 64 went into labor after gel application in group A, compared with 68/80 in group B (73.5% vs. 85.0%) (P = NS). A second gel administration was needed for 9 women in group A and 6 women in group B. More side effects (both local and systemic) were noted in group B than in group A (28.7% vs. 14.9%) (P = 0.03). In particular, more local (hyperstimulation or hypertonus) side effects were noted in group B (13.7% vs. 2.3%) (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The vaginal administration of 2.0 mg of PGE2 gel seems to be equally effective as 3.0 mg in terms of labor success rate with a significant lower incidence of side effects.

Administration, Intravaginal↗