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Biomedical subjects

E Rinaldi

Publications and source records attributed to E Rinaldi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Reliability of visual and quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy in the follow-up of patients who have undergone cholecystectomy and transduodenal sphincteroplasty.

A noninvasive scintigraphic technique to assess the efficacy of a surgical procedure (e.g., cholecystectomy and transduodenal sphincteroplasty) depends on the development of reliable and accurate qualitative or quantitative diagnostic criteria that allow early recognition of the occurrence and site of complications. For this purpose, the authors divided biliary flow into a four-step progression process and analyzed transit times from the peripheral vein to the gallbladder, common bile duct, and duodenum and the transit time from the common bile duct to the duodenum. These quantitative parameters were assessed in nine healthy volunteers and 31 asymptomatic patients who had previous cholecystectomy to validate their reliability. The results indicate that the four-step Tc-99m HIDA progression analysis provides a reliable, noninvasive evaluation of biliary flow, so that it can be applied to patients who have had cholecystectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Autosomal recessive familial exudative vitreoretinopathy: evidence for genetic heterogeneity.

Two unrelated families with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) show apparent autosomal recessive inheritance rather than the previously reported autosomal dominant or X-linked recessive mode of inheritance. Compared with the other modes of inheritance, the inherited clinical features here include earlier onset (at birth) and a more severe progressive course.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Relevance of age on survival of 341 patients with multiple myeloma treated with conventional chemotherapy: updated results of the MM87 prospective randomized protocol. Cooperative Group of Study and Treatment of Multiple Myeloma.

Age could influence the prognosis of multiple myeloma patients treated with conventional chemotherapy. Between January 1987 and March 1990, 341 consecutive previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma received chemotherapy within the prospective, multicentre, randomized Protocol MM87. Survival was evaluated in patients aged > or < or = 66 years (the median age for the whole series) and in a subgroup of patients aged < 55 years. These groups were similar for main clinical characteristics, including results of cytostatic treatment. As of May 1996, 271 (79%) of the 341 patients had died, and median follow-up of the 70 (21%) living patients was 82 months. Overall, younger patients survived longer than older ones. In fact, in patients > and < or = 66 years, median survival was 31 and 44 months (P < 0.00095) and the percentage of patients surviving over 72 months was 17% and 32% (P = 0.0018) respectively; in patients < 55 years, these figures were 57 months and 35% respectively (P = 0.02 and 0.01, with respect to patients aged > 55 years). In all groups, about 50% of the patients surviving over 72 months had stage I disease. For multiple myeloma patients treated with chemotherapy, survival is favourably affected by relatively young age and early stage of disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

99mTc SESTAMIBI scintigraphic evaluation of skeletal muscle disease in patients with systemic sclerosis: diagnostic reliability and comparison with cardiac function and perfusion.

The diagnosis of skeletal muscle involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) is usually based on clinical, laboratory, electromyographic, and bioptic evidence of muscle disorder, whereas SSc cardiac disease is well established by nuclear medicine techniques (radionuclide ventriculography and myocardial scintigraphy). Previous reports have retrospectively hypothesized a possible relationship between cardiac and muscle involvement in scleroderma patients. In order to improve overall diagnostic accuracy in the qualitative/quantitative assessment of skeletal muscle involvement in these patients and to compare these results with those obtained at the cardiac level, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-99mTc radionuclide ventriculography and 99mTc SESTAMIBI myocardial and muscular scintigraphic examinations were performed in 10 SSc patients and in five healthy subjects. Muscular radioactivity, as assessed at thigh and calf levels by means of a segmental score, was significantly decreased in SSc patients in comparison with healthy subjects (global score value 15.6+/-2.2 vs 22.7+/-1.6, p<0.001), as well as right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF, 34.3%+/-5.3 vs 53.6%+/-4.2, p<0.001) and myocardial segmental perfusion (global score value, 19.6+/-2 vs 25.9+/-1.1, p<0.01). The results show a high frequency of skeletal muscle involvement in patients with SSc. Moreover, scleroderma patients with muscle disorders, as evidenced by scintigraphy, show a comparable occurrence of cardiac involvement, even in the absence of clinical signs of cardiac dysfunction.

Cardiomyopathies↗
PubMed1996

Experience with poorly myelosuppressive chemotherapy schedules for advanced myeloma. The Cooperative Group of Study and Treatment of Multiple Myeloma.

In a multicentre study, 83 patients with advanced and previously uniformly treated multiple myeloma (MM) were randomised between cyclophosphamide (600 mg m-2) and epirubicin (70 mg m-2), administered every 3 weeks for three courses and both associated with prednisone and interferon-alpha2b. Both regimens were administered on an outpatient basis and had low haematological toxicity. Clinical results were similar. Overall response rate (43%) and median response and survival (5.9 and 14.1 months respectively) compare well with those obtained with more aggressive chemotherapy schedules.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Evaluation of fatty acids in membrane phospholipids of erythrocytes in retinitis pigmentosa patients.

Several investigators have observed abnormalities of plasma DHA in various common forms of retinitis pigmentosa. Erythrocyte membranes are an accessible tissue which may more closely reflect neural membrane fatty acid levels, but little data is yet available on their fatty acid composition in retinitis pigmentosa patients. We have evaluated the DHA levels in red blood cells membrane phospholipids in various genetic forms of retinitis pigmentosa and relative controls. The results obtained indicate significantly lower DHA levels in red blood cell membrane phospholipids in retinitis pigmentosa patients with respect to controls (p < 0.01). This data is significant for autosomal dominant forms only (p < 0.01). Fatty acid content alterations in membrane phospholipids of red blood cells may be considered as markers for abnormalities in the lipid metabolism which disturb the retina integrity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids of cataractous human lenses.

The effect of lipid peroxidation on fatty acid composition in membrane phospholipids of transparent and cataractous lens nuclei was investigated. The preliminary results demonstrate a trend toward an increase in the content of palmitic acid with a decrease in the content of oleic acid, linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the opaque nuclei as compared to the transparent ones of senile cataractous lenses.

Cataract↗
PubMed1994

ArF 193 nm excimer laser corneal surgery as a possible risk factor in cataractogenesis.

It was evaluated whether ArF 193 nm excimer laser corneal surgery represents a risk factor in cataractogenesis. For this purpose, 20 male albino rabbits underwent a photorefractive keratectomy and biochemical analyses on aqueous humour (hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid, and reduced and oxidized glutathione) and on lens (malondialdehyde, reduced and oxidized glutathione) were performed. In the aqueous humour of all treated animals a significant increase in hydrogen peroxide and in oxidized glutathione and a concomitant decrease in ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione concentration were observed. Moreover, all these variations were significantly correlated with the cumulative UV dose used. In the lens, after excimer laser corneal surgery, there was a dramatic loss of reduced glutathione and a parallel increase in oxidized glutathione levels. Malondialdehyde concentration was also increased, but only at the highest UV exposure. Moreover, all these variations were significantly correlated with the cumulative UV dose used. These findings demonstrate that the exposure of aqueous humour and lens to the secondary radiation generated after ArF 193 nm excimer laser corneal photoablative keratectomy induces biochemical modifications which are known to be markers of cataractogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Prospective study of oral teicoplanin versus oral vancomycin for therapy of pseudomembranous colitis and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.

A prospective, randomized study comparing oral teicoplanin with oral vancomycin in the treatment of pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) was performed. Teicoplanin was administered at a dosage of 100 mg twice a day for 10 days, and vancomycin was administered at a dosage of 500 mg four times a day for 10 days. CDAD was diagnosed by demonstrating both C. difficile and cytotoxin in the feces of symptomatic patients (more than three loose stools per day). The diagnosis of PMC was also based on colonoscopy. Cytotoxin assay and cultures were checked in all patients 7 to 10 days after discontinuation of therapy and 25 to 30 days thereafter. Of the 51 patients enrolled, 46 were judged to be assessable. Among these, 26 received teicoplanin and 20 received vancomycin. At enrollment, both groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, occurrence of PMC or CDAD, and previous antibiotic treatment. Eighteen of the 20 patients in the vancomycin group and 10 of the 26 patients in the teicoplanin group had previously undergone surgery (P = 0.0004). Treatment resulted in the clinical cure of 20 (100%) vancomycin and 25 (96.2%) teicoplanin patients (P = 0.56). After discontinuation of therapy, clinical symptoms recurred in four (20%) vancomycin patients and two (7.7%) teicoplanin patients (P = 0.21). Posttherapy asymptomatic C. difficile carriage (positive follow-up cultures without any clinical symptoms) occurred in five (25%) vancomycin patients and two (7.7%) teicoplanin patients (P = 0.11).Overall, 9 of 20 (45%) vancomycin patients and 5 of 26 (19.2%) teicoplanin patients (P=0.059) appeared not to be cleared of C. difficile after treatment. No adverse effects related to vancomycin or teicoplanin therapy were observed.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Galactokinase activity in patients with idiopathic presenile and senile cataract.

The activity of galactokinase in red blood cells of 30 patients affected by idiophatic presenile and senile cataract, and of 20 age-matched controls with perfectly transparent lenses, was investigated. The results obtained show a partial deficiency of the galactokinase activity in the patients affected by presenile idiopathic cataract. There is, moreover, a significant relationship between the cortical form of cataract and enzymatic reduction.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The trans-femoral approach in prosthesis replacements: results after two years.

The Authors relate their experience in 14 cases of prosthesis revision using a long stem implant by H. Wagner, performed in 12 cases with transfemoral approach. Notwithstanding the aggressive procedure, that consists of splitting the proximal extremity of the femur for a length of 16 cm to 25 cm, to perform the complete removal of the first implant and of all the cement, after a 2 year check-up, the Authors observed: the complete mechanical stability of the new implant, the rapid process of ossification replacing the surgical fractures and bone loss.

Bone Resorption↗
PubMed1991

Cataract risk factors: blood level of antioxidative vitamins, reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde in cataractous patients.

Since many years experimental evidences have suggested an association between nutrition and lens opacities. A dietary deficiency of antioxidants and reactive oxygen scavengers may be involved in the pathogenesis of the "idiopathic" human senile cataract, as it has been demonstrated in some experimental cataracts. We tested the levels of ascorbic acid (vit. C), alpha-tocopherol (vit. E), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the plasma or in the red blood cells (RBC) of 42 patients who were affected by surgically significant cataract and of 40 age-matched controls. Plasma vit. C mean level was 4.46 gamma/ml in cataracts and 4.62 gamma/ml in controls, while vit. E level was 7.70 and 7.09 gamma/ml respectively. RBC GSH was found to be 342 gamma/ml in cataracts and 346 in controls, while the MDA content was 4.06 picoMol/ml and 4.08 picoMol/ml respectively. The level of each tested nutrient or metabolite was not found to be statistically different between cataractous patients and controls, nor any significant trend was found to be present when the nutrients and metabolites were correlated to each other. Our results do not support the hypothesis of a nutritional deficiency in human senile cataracts. However, a defect in the antioxidative metabolism pathways could be present either systemically or at lens level.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1990

Systemic human diseases as oxidative risk factors in cataractogenesis. II. Chronic renal failure.

In this study we have investigated the oxidative metabolism of red cells (RBC), plasma, serum and aqueous humour of healthy subjects and of age-matched cataractous patients with and without chronic renal failure (CRF). Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in RBC were lower in CRF patients than in the other groups. Oxidized glutathione (GSSG) plasma levels in CRF patients were higher than those of controls and cataractous subjects. The activity of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in RBC was significantly reduced in CRF patients with respect to the other two groups. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in RBC and in lens were about twice in CRF patients compared with the other two groups. The plasma levels of vitamin E were diminished in CRF patients; on the contrary, the biological liquid oxidant activity (BLOA) of serum in CRF patients was significantly higher than in controls and in cataractous patients without CRF. Cataractous patients with and without CRF showed similar levels of GSH in aqueous humour; on the contrary, the content of GSSG was significantly higher in CRF patients. Our findings seem to demonstrate that CRF patients are exposed to oxidative stresses that could probably act synergistically with uraemia and carbamylation of lens proteins. This synergism could explain why CRF represents a relatively high risk factor for cataract.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

The decrease of free epsilon-amino groups in senile and diabetic cataracts.

Free epsilon-amino groups in soluble and insoluble proteins were measured in clear human lenses and in diabetic and nondiabetic senile cataractous lenses. The free epsilon-amino group content of soluble and insoluble proteins was significantly lower in diabetic cataracts than in clear lenses and nondiabetic senile cataracts. Our results seem to demonstrate that nonenzymatic glycosylation of lens proteins could play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Hydrogen peroxide in the aqueous humor and cataract formation in human diabetes].

Hydrogen peroxide in the aqueous humor was measured in cataractous eyes from normal subjects and in cataractous eyes from diabetic subjects. The level of H2O2 in the aqueous humor was significantly higher in diabetes than in the idiopathic forms. It is likely that in the eye, impaired enzymic defenses lead to the accumulation of reactive species of O2, such as H2O2, which induces lipid peroxidation. This mechanism may be involved, as a direct consequence of retinal damage, in the pathogenesis of cataract in diabetes.

Aqueous Humor↗