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Biomedical subjects

E Conti

Publications and source records attributed to E Conti.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Flux ratios and pump stoichiometries at sites II and III in liver mitochondria. Effect of slips and leaks.

Addition of bovine serum albumin to state 4 mitochondria results in a depression of the proton leak and of the resting respiration of 70 and 25%, respectively. The conductance membrane potential diagram, both in the ohmic and in the non-ohmic region, shows that in the presence of bovine serum albumin the level of ohmic conductance is lowered while that of non-ohmic conductance is increased toward higher delta psi values. The same effect is observed during operation of the different proton pumps. Addition of chloroform affects the conductance membrane potential diagram in the following manner: there is no effect in the ohmic region with all pumps, while there is an effect in the non-ohmic region either at site III or at sites II plus III but not at site II. This suggests a possible effect of chloroform at the level of the cytochrome oxidase proton pump. During titration with oligomycin of the ATPase proton pump the conductance potential diagram shows a region of non-ohmicity only in the presence but not in the absence of an ATP-regenerating system. Protonophoric uncouplers such as carbonyl cyanide p(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone and intrinsic uncouplers such as chloroform have different effects on the relationship between rates of charge translocation and of oxygen consumption, and thus on the pump stoichiometries, in that the slope of the diagram is modified by the latter but not by the former. The differential effects of protonophores and of intrinsic uncouplers on the stoichiometries have been analyzed by computer simulations and represent an additional criterion to distinguish between extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms of uncoupling.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1988

Endometriosis and infertility: our experience over five years.

During a 5-year period, we diagnosed endometriosis by laparoscopy in 163 infertile patients (7.9% of the infertile population). Seventy-one women presented with minimal endometriosis, 32 women a mild form, 38 women a moderate form and 22 women a severe form. Only 40 patients (24.5%) were found to have endometriosis as the only abnormality in a complete fertility work-up. One hundred and twenty patients were treated with Danazol (600 mg daily for 4-6 months) and 33 of them conceived (27.5%). Twenty-eight patients received conservative surgical treatment associated with Danazol therapy and 11 of them conceived (39.2%). In the 15 patients with minimal endometriosis, who had no therapy but expectant management, there were two conceptions within one year (13.3%). The anticipation of minimal disease in patients with endometriosis as the only abnormality produced about the same results as achieved by active treatment (pregnancy rate of 33.3% after expectant management and 36.3% after treatment). These results suggest that minimal endometriosis can be anticipated only when there are no co-existing factors of infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Secondary sclerosing cholangitis: an experimental study.

An experimental study on rabbit sclerosing cholangitis (SC) secondary to direct injection into the biliary tract of the chemical substances commonly employed for intraoperative sterilization of the hydatid cyst content is reported. Among the various substances utilized, 10% formalin and 30% hypertonic solution caused gross and microscopic lesions compatible with less advanced forms of sclerosing cholangitis. The authors present their hypothesis on the development of SC in operated hydatid cysts of the liver.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1986

Pregnancy in women with different types of von Willebrand disease.

The course and outcome of pregnancy in women with different types of von Willebrand disease (3 type I, 1 subtype IIA, and 1 subtype IIB) are described. In all patients, factor VIII increased and reached normal levels before delivery, whereas the bleeding time remained prolonged; in subtypes IIA and IIB the abnormal multimeric structure of von Willebrand factor remained unchanged. Deliveries were uneventful in all patients, with two spontaneous vaginal deliveries and three cesarean sections, despite the fact that no replacement therapy was given. Hence, the most important determinant of abnormal hemorrhage during delivery is low factor VIII; the prolonged bleeding time can be compensated for by meticulous surgical hemostasis and efficient contraction of the uterus. Replacement therapy with plasma derivatives can usually be avoided providing that normal factor VIII levels have been attained at delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Biliary cystadenoma: an uncommon cause of recurrent cholestatic jaundice.

The clinical history of a patient with intermittent jaundice is presented. The diagnostic work up, including ultrasound, laparoscopy, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, revealed a multiloculated cystic mass in the left lobe of the liver. At laparotomy, a multicystic lesion invading the left hepatic duct and protruding into the common bile duct was found. Histological examination revealed a biliary cystadenoma. Complete excision is the treatment of choice of such lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Results of screening for colorectal cancer.

Screening for colorectal cancer and its precursors was performed from '68 to '78 within the framework of a multiphasic cancer detection program on 35,700 "healthy" individuals of both sexes in the "high-risk" age groups. Fecal occult blood as determined by the benzidine test after diet was positive in 3,676 individuals (10.3%). Out of this group, 2,599 subjects were submitted to g.i. consultation and proctosigmoidoscopy, as well as 567 of the occult blood negative group selected on the basis of various clinical signs and symptoms. The lesions detected were 153 neoplastic polyps and 21 cancers, mostly in the Dukes A and B stages. Among the most significant results are the high compliance (70%) to proctosigmoidoscopy, the low sensibility (51%) and specificity (18%) of the benzidine test for occult blood, which makes it obsolete as a screening procedure, the increased (50%) diagnostic yield obtained by flexible sigmoidoscopy and the relevance of clinical signs and symptoms as selection parameters for further diagnostic work up.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparability issues within the ITACARE data base.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to describe the extent of variability among Italian cancer registries in data managing practices that may affect differences in incidence and possibly in survival estimates. METHODS: a self-administered questionnaire was sent to each participating registry. The definitions of the diseases, of the start point and of the end point of survival computation were investigated. Moreover, information on the proportion of histologic confirmation, of ill-defined sites and of DCO (death certificate only) was also considered. RESULTS: There were some differences in cancer registration techniques among Italian cancer registries. As regards disease definition, the most relevant problems arose for urinary bladder. Skin melanoma should also be considered with some caution, due to variability among registries in coding in situ cases. For the CNS and meninges, the proportion of cases that could be differently considered was so limited that no effect on survival is expected. For female breast, colorectum and cervix uteri, the effect of early diagnosis services (which are active only in some areas) may lead to better survival estimates. The variability in incidence date definition was high among registries and sites, but its effect on survival was very limited. There was a wide variability in the proportion of DCOs and of DCIs (initially known from death certificate), which should be considered in survival comparisons. All the registries stated that they carried out an active follow-up of their patients. CONCLUSIONS: In general, quality standards of the registries are good and allow comparability of survival data. The variability of rules adopted by Italian registries may affect geographic survival differences only in a limited number of cancer sites, so that results should be interpreted with caution.

Bias↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Variations in the survival of adult cancer patients in Italy.

AIMS: As part of the ITACARE project, the present study analyzed and compared population-based data on the survival of adult cancer patients in Italy, according to sex, age, period of diagnosis and geographical area. METHODS: Nine Italian population-based cancer registries provided data on all their cancer patients (total 90,431 cases) followed for at least 5 years and diagnosed during the period 1978-1989. About 10% of the Italian population is covered by these registries. The data was analyzed by means of a multivariate model. RESULTS: The major findings were that there was a general improvement in 5-year relative survival over the study period (from 33% to 39%) and that there were significant differences in survival between different areas of the country, particularly for cancer sites which respond well to treatment. In general, the area covered by the Ragusa (Sicily) registry was characterized by significantly worse survival than other registry populations. Other important findings were that for all malignant cancer sites 5-year relative survival decreased with age from 50% for the youngest age class (15-44 years) to 27% for the oldest age class (75+ years) and that women have a better prognosis for most cancer sites (overall 5-year relative survival in women 48% vs 32% in men). CONCLUSIONS: The significant regional differences in survival may reflect unequal provision of care, particularly between northern-central Italy and the south. The reasons for the general survival improvement with time are not completely understood, whereas the marked overall sex difference is related to the fact that the commonest cancer in women (breast cancer) is eminently more treatable than the commonest malignancy in men (lung cancer). The unfavorable trend with increasing age may be due to increasing difficulty in applying complete therapy protocols as general health declines, sometimes in relation to an advanced cancer stage at diagnosis.

Adolescent↗