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Biomedical subjects

E Ricci

Publications and source records attributed to E Ricci.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

TA 4-SCC versus CEA sensitivity for lung cancer.

The sensitivity of a new tumor marker, TA 4-SCC, for lung tumors is examined and compared with the performance of the already established CEA. TA 4-SCC sensitivity is only moderate (30%), and it presents no significant differences among the various histologic types of lung cancer. In addition, unlike CEA, TA 4-SCC is present in large amounts in the serum of many stage I and II patients. In fact, its sensitivity in still curatively operable tumors reaches 30% compared to 10% with CEA.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1988

Direct methods of obtaining information on cigarette smoking in occupational studies.

Many occupational epidemiology studies require complete and accurate information on tobacco use to control for confounding by smoking and to assess interactions of smoking with workplace exposures. This paper reviews and evaluates the availability, reliability, validity, and efficiency of the various data sources and techniques for obtaining individual smoking data, including existing records, biological markers, and surveys. Emphasis is placed on the highly problematic issue of obtaining retrospective smoking histories. In general, the survey technique is currently deemed the most feasible approach for obtaining lifetime smoking histories. Both theoretical and practical aspects of smoking surveys are discussed in detail and are illustrated with a review of the recent literature and with data from two recent retrospective cohort studies conducted at the University of Pittsburgh. Several recommendations involving both the use of smoking data and areas for future methodologic research are presented. These include (1) justification for collecting smoking data in occupational studies based primarily on the potential for smoking to act as an effect modifier rather than solely as a confounder, (2) checks for reliability and validity in all studies which involve the collection of smoking data, (3) more methodologic research to better understand the impact that missing, unreliable, and invalid smoking data may have on the ability to detect and quantify important smoking-exposure interactions, and (4) an assessment of the correlation between biological markers and cigarette carcinogen exposure.

Epidemiologic Methods↗
PubMed1988

Late onset scleroatonic familial myopathy (Ullrich disease): a study of two sibs.

We report on sibs with scleroatonic familial myopathy (Ullrich disease). Muscular weakness was of relatively late onset in relation to other cases reported in the literature. Short stature and moderate growth hormone deficiency were noted during follow-up. Differential diagnosis with other neuromuscular disorders, particularly rigid spine syndrome, is discussed.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1988

Thymectomy in the treatment of myasthenia gravis: report of 247 patients.

We made a retrospective assessment of the long-term outcome in 247 consecutive patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) who underwent thymectomy in the period January 1971-December 1985. In 84 cases a thymoma was found at surgery, while 163 patients had a non-neoplastic thymus. The duration of symptoms before surgery, the age at onset of the disease and the presence of germinal centres in the thymus did not appear to influence the prognosis. Patients with a non-neoplastic thymus showed a better response to thymectomy. Thymoma was associated with more severe disease and with a higher mortality; moreover, more thymoma patients required corticosteroid treatment in order to achieve good therapeutic results. In our opinion, thymectomy is indicated in the treatment of generalized MG, while ocular myasthenia seems not to be improved by the removal of the thymus.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Relations between markers and immunological status in surgical patients. Tumor markers and immunity in surgery].

The correlation between the immunological status of surgical patients and cancer is examined. 52 patients with gastric and colonic cancer were studied. On the basis of the immunological results of skin tests these were subdivided into non-reactive and reactive. The two groups were statistically compared in relation to cancer stage and blood concentrations of 4 markers: CEA, Ca 19-9, Ca-50, T.A.T.I. The first data show that anergic patients are older to a statistically significant degree; the second that there are no significant differences between the two groups as regards cancer stage. The third data show a difference between the two groups in relation to two of the four markers; anergic patients have a statistically significant higher blood concentration of CEA and T.A.T.I. This is rather interesting, since the literature offers no specific studies on the correlation between the patient's immunological status and tumour marker concentration. Therefore, in clinical practice, the high concentrations of these markers, could reveal, as well as the presence of cancer an endangered immunologic status.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1987

[CA-50: evaluation of a new tumor marker in the diagnosis of neoplastic pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract].

In order to assess the diagnostic value of CA-50, a new tumour marker, a series of 226 patients with gastroenteric tumours, 152 healthy controls and 175 patients with benign gastrointestinal pathologies, was examined. CEA, CA 19-9, Alphafetoprotein and CA-50 were assayed in all subjects and the results subjected to statistical analysis in order to discover the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic value of the new marker. Studies conducted to date indicate that CA-50 assays may be of some value in the diagnosis of pancreatic and liver tumours but are no improvement on existing markers in clinical use, for the diagnosis of gastroenteric tumours. Indeed CA-50 gives a very large number of false positive especially in cirrhosis and to a lesser extent in chronic pancreatitis.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1987

Nasobiliary drainage following endoscopic sphincterotomy. A useful method of preventing and treating early complications.

The authors analyze a retrospective study of 850 patients who underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES). One group of patients (705) routinely had nasobiliary drainage following ES as a prophylactic measure to prevent complications, while 145 patients were not drained. Complications, mortality and the need for emergency surgery were compared in both groups. In the drained group, the complication rate was 2% vs 10.3% in the nondrained group (P less than 0.001), and mortality was 0.4% vs 2.7% (P = 0.03). Emergency surgery was required in 0.1% in the drained patients versus 3.4% in the nondrained group (P = 0.01). Based on these data within the limits of a retrospective study, the authors strongly support the routine use of nasobiliary drainage to prevent complications, which usually occur within the first 24 h, and also to facilitate the immediate treatment of the complications. This procedure is also highly recommended when ES is performed by inexperienced endoscopists and with a technically demanding ES, which is frequently followed by complications.

Bile↗
PubMed1987

Characteristics of nurse anesthetists working with and without anesthesiologists.

All professionally active certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in four geographically representative states were surveyed by mail and telephone in 1981, and response rate of greater than or equal to 70% was obtained for each state. CRNAs who worked with anesthesiologists (Group I) were compared with those who worked in hospitals with no anesthesiologists (Group II). More than 75% of both groups were employed by hospitals, but Group II CRNAs (15.5% of respondents) were nearly five times as likely to practice on an independent, fee-for-service basis. Members of Group II worked predominantly in hospitals in small or rural communities and, compared with those in Group I, were more likely to be male and older, less likely to hold a baccalaureate degree, and less likely to use invasive monitoring techniques. Nearly 50% of Group II had no standing consulting relationship with an anesthesiologist. A consultation network supported by telecommunications deserves consideration as a means of providing CRNAs who work independently in small rural hospitals with a cost-effective team approach to anesthesia care.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Usefulness of the determination of CA 19-9 in the follow-up of patients with gastroenteric neoplasms in comparison to CEA].

28 cases of carcinoma of the digestive tract were studied in order to assess the value of assaying a new tumour marker (CA 19-9) on monitoring the postoperative course of neoplasia. CEA, a tumour antigen of more certain dependability was assayed at the same time. In the case series examined it was found useful to monitor both antigens since although CA 19-9 is less sensitive then CEA in cancers of the large intestine, it is more sensitive in carcinomas of the stomach and pancreas. These early data will have to be confirmed on larger samples but in general terms they do indicate the value of the combined monitoring of this new antigen and CEA in the follow-up of patients given surgery for carcinoma of the digestive tract.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗