Biomedical subjects

D de Marco

Publications and source records attributed to D de Marco.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Release kinetics of ampicillin, characterization and bioactivity of TiO2/PCL hybrid materials synthesized by sol-gel processing.

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL 6, 12, and 24 wt %) and titanium (TiO2) organic-inorganic hybrid materials have been synthesized by the sol-gel method from a multicomponent solution containing titanium butoxide, poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), water, and chloroform (CHCl3). Sodium ampicillin was incorporated in the hybrid material to verify the effect as local controlled drug delivery system. The structure of a hybrid materials interpenetrating network is realized by hydrogen bonds between Ti-OH group (H-donator) in the sol-gel intermediate species and carboxylic group (H-acceptor) in the repeating units of the polymer. The presence of hydrogen bonds between organic/inorganic components of the hybrid materials was proved by FTIR analysis. The morphology of the hybrid materials was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The structure of a molecular level dispersion has been disclosed by atomic force microscope (AFM), pore size distribution and surface measurements. The bioactivity of the synthesized hybrid materials has been showed by the formation of a layer of hydroxyapatite on the surface of TiO2/PCL samples soaked in a fluid simulating the composition of the human blood plasma. The amount of sodium ampicillin released has been detected by UV-vis spectroscopy and SEM. The release kinetics seems to occur in more than one stage. HPLC analysis has also been taken to ensure the integrity of ampicillin after the synthetic treatment.

Ampicillin↗

PubMed2002

Intermediate results of health related quality of life after vertical banded gastroplasty.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate (a) health-related quality of life (HRQL) after vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) (Mason) and (b) predictors of HRQL. SUBJECTS: Eighty-two consecutive patients were assessed preoperatively and then after 6, 12 and 24 months. Patients filled out questionnaires for subjective appraisal of HRQL (physical well-being, mood, physical performance, perceived health, social support and coping/adjustment). RESULTS: The greatest improvement in weight and HRQL was seen within 6 months of surgery. Twenty-four months after VBG weight reduction (P<0.05), perceived health (P<0.05), physical well-being (P<0.05), physical performance (P<0.05), mood (P<0.05), coping/adjustment (P<0.05) continued to be better than before surgery. Preoperative binge eating was the most important predictor of HRQL. CONCLUSION: Two years after VBG weight loss and a significant improvement of HRQL can be found. HRQL and weight loss are not associated in terms of outcome, indicating that weight loss alone may not be enough to improve HRQL.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2000

[Mason vertical gastroplasty in treatment of morbid obesity. Results of a prospective clinical study].

Morbid obesity (body mass index > 40 kg/m2) is a risk factor for cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, neoplastic, and psychologic sequelae. In the present prospective clinical study 65 patients (11 men, 54 women) underwent vertical banded gastroplasty (Mason procedure) from June 1994 to October 1997. The median age was 41 +/- 5.3 years (range 18-69; n = 65). Preoperative body weight was 135 +/- 23 kg (96-229; n = 65), excess body weight in kg was 75 +/- 6.9 (44-155; n = 65) or in % 126 +/- 10 (78-223; n = 65) and BMI was 49 +/- 7.4 kg/m2 (39-69; n = 65). Mean hospital stay was 9.7 +/- 2.4 days (6-18; n = 65). Hospital mortality was 0% (0/65). Early complications were vomiting (30%) and problems in wound healing (15%; n = 65). Late complications (> 30 days) were incisional hernias (13.8%) and staple-line disruptions (12.3%; n = 65) with a reoperation rate of 23% (15/65). Median follow-up was 15.0 +/- 5.2 months (2-42) with a follow up rate of 100%. Mean weight loss after 12 months was 38.5 +/- 17 kg (30-98; n = 34) (P < 0.0001) and loss of excessive body weight 65 +/- 10% (57-86; n = 34), respectively (P < 0.0001). Cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia) were significantly improved within 12 months (n = 34). Vertical banded gastroplasty (Mason procedure)--well established for 20 years--is a good, safe therapy for morbid obesity if strict indications for operation are observed and if there is multidisciplinary long-term follow-up. Comorbid risk factors are considerably reduced and a long-term weight loss of more than 50% can be achieved without the risk of pathological metabolic changes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

[What is the value of determining immunoreactive GHRH in acromegaly?].

Acromegaly is usually due to autonomous, excessive secretion of growth hormone from a pituitary adenoma. One would expect growth hormone-releasing factor (GHRH) in these patients to be suppressed. In the available literature referring to acromegaly, immunoreactive GHRH levels were determined in 259 acromegalic patients. When growth hormone was measured simultaneously, no correlation was found between serum growth hormone and plasma GHRH concentrations, irrespective of whether the acromegalic patients were treated or not. A possible explanation for this finding might be the lack of a feedback regulation between plasma growth hormone and GHRH. Also, since growth hormone is secreted in a pulsatile fashion the interpretation of single growth hormone values can be difficult. IGF I, which correlates well with mean growth hormone production, may therefore represent a more valuable criterion for the assessment of activity and GHRH plasma levels in acromegalics. However, no study has yet been performed to elucidate the relationship between GHRH and IGF I in acromegaly. To examine this relationship we measured the concentration of plasma GHRH and IGF I in 18 treated patients with acromegaly (age range 32-64 years median 50.5 years; median follow-up 6.5 years, range 3 months to 33 years). All immunoreactive GHRH levels were within the limits described as normal in the literature (mean +/- SD 22.89 +/- 2.72 pg/ml, range 19-28 pg/ml). The IGFI level was 396.78 +/- 224.26 ng/ml (mean +/- SD, range 71-876 ng/ml; reference ranges, age group 25-39 years: 114-492 ng/ml; 40-54 years: 90-360 ng/ml; > 55 years: 71-290 ng/ml). We found no correlation between IGF I and GHRH concentrations (r = 0.17). We therefore conclude that measuring plasma GHRH is not useful in the evaluation of the activity or therapy of acromegaly but may be helpful in its differential diagnosis since a massive elevation of GHRH is typically associated with the ectopic GHRH syndrome, a rare cause of acromegaly.

Acromegaly↗

PubMed1999

[Acromegaly].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acromegaly↗

PubMed1999

[Monitoring of treatment in thyroid diseases].

The effectiveness of antithyroid drug treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism is documented by measuring initially free T4 and free T3 and later free T4, free T3 and TSH. An elevated titer of the Graves'-specific thyroid stimulating antibodies is not usually rechecked before the end of the antithyroid drug therapy. Thyroxine treatment of primary hypothyroidism is controlled by TSH measurements. In patients in whom TSH levels might be affected by drugs or nonthyroid diseases, free T4 is measured in addition to TSH. The assessment of the treatment of Hashimoto's chronic thyroiditis consists of the control of the therapy of its associated hypothyroidism. In subacute thyroiditis de Quervain control of the effectiveness of the analgesic therapy is most important. To check the effect of thyroid hormone treatment given with the intent to reduce goiter size, serial sonographies are of great value. In the follow-up of patients with thyroid carcinomas, measurements of thyroglobulin (for papillary and follicular thyroid cancers) and of calcitonin (for medullary thyroid cancers) in the serum as well as thyroid scans and other imaging procedures play an important role.

Calcitonin↗

PubMed1991

[Autologous blood transfusion in elective orthopedic surgery].

Despite extensive testing, blood transfusions still involve a minor risk of transmitting infections. Autologous blood transfusions (ABT) are safe in this respect. Within 31 months 145 of 149 patients were enrolled in this hospital's ABT program, the majority with planned total hip replacement. The mean age of the patients was 68.5 years. 72 patients donated 3 and 52 patients 2 units of blood, while 21 patients donated 1 unit. In 70 of the 145 patients (48%) the blood losses were covered by autologous blood. Of the 72 patients who donated 3 units, 50 (69%) did not depend on homologous blood. We observed only minor side effects in patients enrolled in the program. The establishment of an ABT program does not require complicated logistics, and almost every patient awaiting elective surgery is eligible for ABT.

Adolescent↗