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Biomedical subjects

E Marchese

Publications and source records attributed to E Marchese.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Metopic craniosynostosis. Surgical results in 35 surgically treated cases under 1 year of age].

The clinical features, the diagnostic findings and the surgical results obtained on 35 children, under 1 year of age, operated on because of an early synostosis of the metopic suture are presented. In 79% of cases, the diagnosis was obvious at birth. A M/F ratio of 2.0 was observed in this series. Associated malformations were recorded in eleven patients (30.5%). The surgical procedure consisted of bilateral frontal craniectomy, opening of the roof of the orbit, advancement of the superior orbital margin, and repositioning of the frontal flaps after 180 degrees rotation. The cosmetical correction was satisfactory even in the immediate postoperative period. No mortality was recorded. The surgical correction was followed by a normal psychomotor development in 33 cases; delayed milestones were recorded in 2 children in whom the metopic synostosis was part of a complex malformative syndrome. On the grounds of our results, the young age of the patients at the operation should not be regarded as an obstacle to the immediate surgical correction; in our advice, the early correction results also in better functional and cosmetic long-term outcomes.

Craniosynostoses↗

Peripheral nerve autografts to the rat spinal cord: a study of the origin of regenerating fibres using fluorescent double labelling.

In adult Wistar rats a segment of the right sciatic nerve was grafted to the right dorsal funiculus of the spinal cord (SC). After survivals of 25-54 weeks a solution of the retrograde fluorescent cytoplasmatic tracer Fast Blue (FB) was injected into the SC and microgranules of the retrograde fluorescent nuclear tracer Diamidino Yellow (DY) were inserted into the graft. DY labelled neurones were found in the SC up to 30 mm both rostrally and caudally to the graft and were always single labelled. DY labelled cells were also found in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) for 6-7 consecutive levels caudally to the graft. Ten to 30% of the DY labelled DRG cells were double labelled and also contained the FB tracer. The present work using the multiple retrograde fluorescent tracing method demonstrates that peripheral nerve (PN) grafts implanted in the rat SC are reinnervated by axones arising from intrinsic SC neurones and DRG cells. The axones from intrinsic SC neurones seem to result only from the regrowth of damaged neurones which have lost their intraspinal projections. The regeneration from DRG cells seem to be sustained by both the regrowth of damaged axones and the preterminal and/or collateral sprouting.

Amidines↗

Characterization of recombinant glycosylated human interleukin 2 produced by a recombinant plasmid transformed CHO cell line.

A recombinant plasmid containing expression units for human pre-interleukin 2 (pre-IL-2) and the selectable marker mouse DHFR, was constructed and used to transform DHFR- CHO cells to the DHFR+ phenotype. Selected colonies were isolated and tested for IL-2 production. Twelve highly IL-2-producing clones were amplified in stepwise increasing concentrations of methotrexate. The IL-2 secreted into the culture medium by one of these clones was purified to homogeneity and partially characterized. N-terminal sequence analysis showed that pre-IL-2 was correctly processed during secretion. SDS gel electrophoresis and chromatofocusing experiments in conjunction with neuraminidase treatment indicated a posttranslational glycosylation of the secreted mature protein similar to that described for the tetrasaccharide structure of the N2 form of natural IL-2. This recombinant IL-2 has a specific activity of 2.5 x 10(7) U/mg.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Betamethasone increases the beta-adrenergic receptor density of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Prolonged incubation (18h) of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) with betamethasone (BT) (10(-7) M) increased (3H)-DHA binding to human PMN membranes, apparently causing an increase in the number of beta-adrenergic receptors. Inhibition of this effect by cycloheximide (2 micrograms/ml) suggests that it is dependent on protein synthesis. BT had no effect on basal levels of cAMP in PMNs, but synergistically potentiated the increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) induced by isoproterenol. Propranolol completely abolished the synergistic effect of BT plus isoproterenol, suggesting that the potentiating effect of BT on cAMP metabolism required the activation of beta-adrenergic receptors. Thus, BT increased the number of beta-adrenergic receptors in human PMN membranes and potentiated the cAMP changes induced by beta-agonists.

Betamethasone↗

Craniosynostosis: surgical treatment during the first year of life.

Out of 276 children with craniosynostosis operated on in a 9 year period, 231 were operated on under 1 year of age. According to the sutures involved in the process of early fusion, two groups of infants were individuated. Patients belonging to the first group were characterized by the involvement of the sagittal suture, while infants of group II presented with a synostosis of the anterior or posterior sutural complex. Two different techniques were required for the 2 groups of subjects, the first of them being mainly based on linear craniectomies, the second requiring more complex reconstructive surgical procedures. The morbidity, mortality and recurrence rates of the series were low, demonstrating that infants can tolerate the procedure as well as older children. The advantage of the early treatment consists of a better cosmetic result with a more physiological growth of faciocranial skeleton.

Craniosynostoses↗

[Infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Epidemiologic investigation and statistical clinical study of 122 children admitted to the Institute of Pediatrics of the University of Florence during the period 1 January 1977 to 31 December 1983].

We carried out an epidemiologic research about M. Pneumoniae infection from 1977 to 1983: determination of CF antibodies has been performed by the Bacteriology and Virology Laboratory (Prof. Lamanna, USL 10/D, Florence). Serum samples were collected by the laboratory itself and by hospitals and university departments of Florence and neighbouring communes. Our research confirms cyclic behaviour of M. Pneumoniae infection: we could follow up a 3 years long epidemic after a previous 2 years long endemic disease. We found a major sera-positive rate for M. Pneumoniae in children than in adults. In the same period we carried out a clinical-statistical study on 122 children (80 males and 42 females) admitted to the Pediatric Institute "A. Meyer" in Florence because of an infection due to M. Pneumoniae. The most affected age range sems to be included between 5 and 10 years. Pneumonia is the commonest clinical feature of M. Pneumoniae infection (85.2%): furthermore, we must point out some cases in 0-2 years-old subjects. In our patients, clinical features, X-ray findings and laboratory tests strictly agree with those reported by other authors. We treated all our patients with erythromycin: in three weeks we obtained thee normalization of clinical patterns and X-ray findings in all cases.

Child↗

[Acute torsion of the greater omentum].

Primary torsion of the greater omentum is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen and frequently it is misunderstood. In fact, from the analysis of the literature the authors can evict that the preoperative diagnosis is generally wrong. The authors write about the subject and they describe four cases come to their observation and all mistaken for acute appendicitis.

Acute Disease↗

[Hemangioma of the masseter: a rare location of a pathology not always accurately diagnosed].

The hemangiomas of the skeletal muscles are rare. The authors describe a case of masseter muscle hemangioma, dwelling upon the problems of differential diagnosis that are present for the straight rapport that the muscle contract with the parotid gland. Thus, the surgeon is led to confuse the malformation with a neoplasm of the parotid gland.

Diagnosis, Differential↗