Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Fabris

Publications and source records attributed to C Fabris.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Heparin tolerance in relation to age and the presence of amyloidosis].

Clotting time under basal conditions and 30', 60' and 120' after 100 I.U. heparin/kg i.v. was determined in four groups:1) 15 healthy subjects aged less than 50 yr; 2) 27 "healthy" subjects over 65 yr; 3) 20 subjects with either myeloma (7 cases), benign monoclonal gammopathy (7) or rheumatoid arthritis (6); 4) 4 subjects with amyloidosis (2 primary, 1 secondary to rheumatoid arthritis, and 1 secondary to myeloma). Rectal biopsy and a histological search for amyloid substance were carried out in all subjects from the 3rd and 4th groups. Heparin tolerance was too widely scattered to enable statistically significantly means to be deduced. Comparison between the arithmetical means of the four groups, however, showed a greater resistance in aged opposed to young subjects, and in patients with amyloidosis as opposed to those in the other three groups. This was constant and marked after 60' and 120', suggesting that this test may offer indirect evidence in support of a diagnosis of amyloidosis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The vasotocinergic system in the hypothalamus and limbic region of the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).

We report a morphological and biochemical analysis on the presence, distribution and quantification of vasotocin in the hypothalamus and limbic region of the budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus, using immunohistochemistry on serial sections and competitive enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay measurements on tissue extracts. Analysis of the sections showed large vasotocin-immunoreactive neurons in three main regions of the diencephalon, of both male and female specimens. Vasotocinergic cell bodies were located in the ventral and lateral areas of the hypothalamus, dorsal to the lateral thalamus and medial to the nucleus geniculatus lateralis. Immunoreactive neurons were placed also periventricularly, close to the walls of the third ventricle, at the level of the magnocellular paraventricular nucleus. Well evident bundles of immunoreactive fibers were placed ventral to the anterior commissure in the same regions of the hypothalamus and thalamus where vasotocinergic perikarya are localized. Fibers were identified close to the third ventricle, and in the lateral hypothalamic area along the lateral forebrain bundle. In contrast to what reported for other oscine and non-oscine avian species, we were not able to identify immunopositive neurons in any region above the anterior commissure, or detect relevant differences on the distribution of the vasotocin immmunoreactivity between sexes. Competitive enzyme linked immunoadsorption assay and image analysis of the extension of immunoreactivity in the tissue sections were consistent with the qualitative observations and indicated that there is no statistically significant dimorphism in the content of vasotocin or in the location and distribution of vasotocinergic elements in the investigated areas of male and female parrot brains.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CAR-3 and CA 19-9 serum levels in pancreatic cancer: any differences between two epitopes of the same mucin-like glycoprotein?

The aim of this study was to compare the utility of two recently identified tumour markers of pancreatic cancer, CA 19-9 and CAR-3, and to ascertain the roles of some factors influencing both antigens. CA 19-9 and CAR-3 were measured in sera of 18 control subjects, 27 patients with pancreatic cancer, 25 with chronic pancreatitis, and 29 with extra-pancreatic diseases. CA 19-9 and CAR-3 were, respectively, found to be increased in 85 per cent and 44 per cent of patients with pancreatic cancer, 28 per cent and 0 per cent with chronic pancreatitis and 72 per cent and 28 per cent with extra-pancreatic diseases. The ROC curves showed that, for any serum value considered, CA 19-9 is more effective than CAR-3 in discriminating between pancreatic cancer and control subjects and chronic pancreatitis. With the combined use of both antigens the results were no better than those given by CA 19-9 alone. Correlations were found between liver function tests and CA 19-9 levels and between cholestasis indices only and CAR-3 values. Our findings show that CAR-3 is not a sufficiently reliable marker of pancreatic cancer, due to its low sensitivity. Nor does it offer any more information than CA 19-9. Both assays are influenced, at least in part, by the extent of the neoplasia. Cholestasis which can greatly influence a serum glycoproteic marker such as CA 19-9, was found also to affect, to a lesser extent, CAR-3, an epitope on the same mucin molecule.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Magnesium concentration in the amniotic fluid].

Using a direct colorimetric method the concentration of magnesium in amniotic liquid was determined in 150 pregnant women at gestational ages ranging from 9 to 41 weeks. Results revealed a men value of 1.7 mg/dl (s = 0.39).

Amniocentesis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acute phase proteins in chronic pancreatic disease.

In order to evaluate the behaviour of some acute phase proteins in chronic pancreatic disease and to correlate these reactants with different factors, C-reactive protein, ceruloplasmin and alpha-1-antitrypsin were assayed in the sera of 24 control subjects, 26 patients with pancreatic cancer, 22 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 22 patients with a variety of diseases not of pancreatic origin. Alpha-1-antitrypsin, C-reactive protein and ceruloplasmin concentrations were found to be increased in 63%, 50% and 42% of patients with chronic pancreatic disease, respectively. In patients with pancreatic cancer no difference was found between the values of each protein considering the presence or otherwise the absence of liver metastases. Patients with chronic pancreatitis had higher C-reactive protein or alpha-1-antitrypsin values when increased serum amylase or pseudocysts were present. Significant correlations were found between the three acute-phase proteins considering the subjects as a whole; however in the single subjects they were not found to be concomitantly abnormal. Correlations were detected between these proteins and liver function test values. Alpha-1-antitrypsin is probably the most sensitive index in chronic pancreatic disease, while C-reactive protein seems better to reflect the stage of the disease. The variations of the levels of these proteins seem to be, at least in part, independent of each other; they are all partially influenced by the presence of liver damage.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Role of serum markers and or various clinical parameters in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma].

This study was performed to ascertain the role of serum markers and simple clinical data in detecting pancreatic cancer and in distinguishing this malignancy from chronic pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal diseases. Serum CA 19-9, tissue polypeptide antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen were measured in 38 control subjects, 37 patients with pancreatic cancer, 39 with chronic pancreatitis and 44 with extra-pancreatic diseases mainly of gastrointestinal origin. Clinical data recorded included age, sex, presence of pancreatic calcifications, weight loss, pain, jaundice, alcohol abuse, diabetes mellitus. Serum markers gave a correct allocation of the subjects in 48.1% of the cases with pancreatic cancer patients correctly predicted in 62.2%. Clinical data correctly diagnosed 74.2% of subjects. Chronic pancreatitis was identified in 84.6% of the cases and pancreatic cancer in 64.9%. The first clinical variables selected were pain and age. The addition of serum markers to clinical data did not enhance accuracy of the results. We conclude that the diagnosis of chronic pancreatic diseases should first be suspected on the basis of accurately recorded simple clinical data; serum markers seem to be only occasionally useful. Since indicative clinical data and serum markers become positive in the advanced phases of pancreatic cancer, early diagnosis of this malignancy still remains an objective to reach.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Newborn infants from epileptic mothers: malformation and auxonologic risk].

A case-control study was performed to determine if newborns of epileptic mothers have a higher probability of having congenital malformations. Forty seven newborns of epileptic mothers and an equivalent number of controls with no history of epileptic disease and paired for mother's age, parity, type of education were examined. Thirty one mothers had been treated during the first term of pregnancy and 16 had not. A large number of anthropometric parameters were measured in each newborn to minimize the subjective component in diagnosing even minimal malformations and fetal growth abnormalities. To evaluate weight, length and head circumference the neonatal standards of Largo et al. were used. For all other measures the standards of Merlob et al. were used. Single absolute values of the parameters measured were converted into standard points to eliminate the effect of the sex and gestational age variables. The incidence of malformations was not seen to be significantly different in the newborns of epileptic mothers as a whole and divided into the two subgroups (treated and untreated) versus controls. The fetal syndromes described in literature were not observed. Of all the anthropometric measures examined only length was significantly reduced in newborns of epileptic mothers. Maternal epilepsy and its treatment do not appear to be a considerable risk factor for the newborn.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Congenital infections caused by TORCH agents].

The frequency of transplacental infections varies depending on the pathogen responsible. Of the TORCH infections this paper studies the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinics, therapy and prophylaxis of infections caused by Rubella, Varicella-Zoster, Cytomegalo and Herpes Simplex Viruses and by Toxoplasma Gondii, Treponema Pallidum.

Chickenpox↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum carcinoembryonic antigen in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: influence of tumour spread, liver impairment, and age.

In order to verify the role of CEA in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and to evaluate some influencing factors like age, tumor spread and liver dysfunction, this antigen was measured in the sera of 60 control subjects, 45 patients with pancreatic cancer, 37 with chronic pancreatitis, 67 with benign, and 28 with malignant extra-pancreatic diseases. CEA was found to be elevated in 23/45 pancreatic cancers, in 8/37 chronic pancreatitis, in 17/67 benign and in 9/28 malignant extra-pancreatic diseases. Significant correlations were documented between CEA and age in all the subjects; between CEA and immunoglobulins G in liver cirrhosis and between CEA and alkaline phosphatase in gastrointestinal extra-pancreatic malignancies. In pancreatic cancer higher CEA levels were detected in patients with metastases. We can conclude that CEA is of limited value in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cancer; it does not seem to be able to detect early pancreatic tumors. Age and liver dysfunction may contribute towards elevating this marker in serum.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The newborn infant of the drug-addicted mother. Experience relative to the period 1978-1986].

Ninety-seven newborns of drug addicted mothers observed in the period 1978-1986 were compared with the same number of controls. Pregnancies are at risk and newborns suffer a higher incidence of tainted amniotic liquid, low birth weight and preterm gestation. The withdrawal syndrome is the most commonly encountered pathology of such newborns.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Monitoring of phenobarbital use during the neonatal period by means of urinalysis].

Monitoring of blood barbiturate level was performed in 32 term newborns, who received 6 mg/Kg/die phenobarbital (PB), by assaying blood and urine samples. Cases were grouped according to duration of treatment which varied following multiples of 12 hours from 16 to 100 hours. Serum and urine PB assay was conducted through immunological percentage nephelometric inhibition. Plasma and urine PB levels within each group were significantly correlated (r = 0.8826; p less than 0.001), indicating that, if PB treatment is given without variations in dosage and if diuresis is not impaired, blood barbiturate level may be monitored through urine assays.

Humans↗