Biomedical subjects

F Bassi

Publications and source records attributed to F Bassi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Elite system: recording of condylar movements using a modified computerized technique.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to develop a method to measure condylar movements using a computerized system. The Elite system is a computerized device for the graphic recording of mandibular movements by processing images of marks recorded with two video cameras. The Elite system has traditionally been used to measure mandibular movements; it was modified to record condylar movements as well. METHODS: The position of the markers was altered to enable 3-D recording not only of mandibular movements but also of condylar movements. New software was developed. Ten subjects (young adults; good complete dentition; no temporo-mandibular disorders; no orthodontic treatment) underwent recording with traditional and then with modified Elite system. The subjects were asked to perform the following movements: maximum opening and closing; protrusive and retrusive movements; border movements on the frontal plane. The sequence of movements was repeated three times on three different days. Data processing was effected using the Spline-smoothing method. RESULTS: The modified Elite system technique records condylar movements with extreme reliability, reproducibility and the resulting graphics are comparable. CONCLUSIONS: This method provides the chance to obtain more information about condylar movements in healthy subjects with good dentition, but also in patients with joint dysfunction.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Bond between gold alloy and ceramic in relation to the thickness of the oxide layer.

BACKGROUND: The chemical bonding between metal and ceramic is aided by non-precious metal atoms and their oxides present on the metal surface. Aim of the study was to correlate metal-ceramic bonding with thickness oxide layer on a new gold alloy. METHODS: Thirty-two specimens were constructed in gold alloy and ceramic, with the aim of evaluating the degree (using shear test) and quality (using optical microscope) of bonding resistance between these materials, in relation to the thicknesses of the oxide layer produced on the metallic parts by means of different thermal procedures. RESULTS: Bond strength was practically the same with different thicknesses of the oxide layer. A slight reduction in the degree of bonding was observed in the non-oxidised models. CONCLUSIONS: For the gold-alloy here tested, the oxide layer seems to be not influent in the chemical metal-ceramic bond strength.

Ceramics↗

PubMed1998

Clinical and surgical relevance of the progressive phases of intrathoracic migration of the gastroesophageal junction in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVE: The pathophysiologic influence of progressive intrathoracic migration of the gastroesophageal junction axial to the esophagus on gastroesophageal reflux disease was investigated. METHODS: A radiologic-manometric study was performed on hiatal insufficiency, concentric hiatus hernia, and short esophagus, the three radiologic steps of intrathoracic gastroesophageal junction migration, and on healthy volunteers. The distances between inferior and superior margins of the lower esophageal sphincter and the diaphragm were measured. Endoscopic, manometric, and pH-metric evaluations were performed after barium swallow in 38 patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease and sliding hiatus hernia with intraabdominally reducible gastroesophageal junction, in 35 patients with hiatal insufficiency, in 40 with concentric hiatus hernia, and in 19 with short esophagus. RESULTS: The distance from the lower esophageal sphincter inferior margin to the diaphragm was different in healthy volunteers (-2.6 +/- 0.9 cm [standard deviation]) versus that in patients with hiatal insufficiency (-1.0 +/- 0.7 cm; p = 0.02), concentric hiatus hernia (-0.8 +/- 1.0 cm; p = 0.02), and short esophagus (4.0 +/- 2.5 cm; p = 0.0002), and in patients with short esophagus versus hiatal insufficiency (p = 0.0002) and concentric hiatus hernia (p = 0.0002). Lower esophageal sphincter tone was reduced between healthy volunteers (19 +/- 9.1 mm Hg [standard deviation]) and patients with sliding hiatus hernia (12 +/- 7.2 mm Hg;p = 0.02), hiatal insufficiency (10 +/- 5.9 mm Hg; p = 0.0001), concentric hiatus hernia (7 +/- 3.1 mm Hg; p = 0.00002), and short esophagus (7 +/- 3.7 mm Hg; p = 0.00003) and between concentric hiatus hernia versus sliding hiatus hernia (p = 0.007). Acid gastroesophageal reflux total time percent was increased between healthy volunteers (2.4% +/- 1.8% [standard deviation]) and patients with sliding hiatus hernia (12.8% +/- 7.8%;p = 0.02), hiatal insufficiency (17.2% +/- 15.8%; p = 0.0001), concentric hiatus hernia (24.0% +/- 19.6%;p = 0.00002), and short esophagus (26.1% +/- 19.6%;p = 0.00002) and between sliding hiatus hernia versus concentric hiatus hernia (p = 0.002) and short esophagus (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Permanent gastroesophageal junction orad migration axial to the esophagus has greater pathophysiologic relevance on gastroesophageal reflux disease than sliding hiatus hernia with an intraabdominally reducible gastroesophgeal junction. Hiatal insufficiency, concentric hiatus hernia, and short esophagus are markers of progressively increasing irreversible cardial incontinence and therefore indications for surgical therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Oral stereognosis in edentulous subjects rehabilitated with complete removable dentures.

Oral stereognosis was analysed in a group of edentulous subjects rehabilitated with complete removable dentures. Stereognosis was evaluated with and without the denture in place. The results showed that the older subjects had poorer stereognostic ability than the younger ones, whereas the duration of edentulism appeared not to influence this ability. The presence of a correct prosthetic rehabilitation appeared to improve stereognostic ability. Subjects with poorer stereognostic ability appeared more satisfied with their rehabilitation than did those with better stereognostic ability.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1998

Implant anchored complete mandibular denture: evaluation of masticatory efficiency, oral function and degree of satisfaction.

Masticatory efficiency, oral function and degree of satisfaction with the treatment received were analysed in a group of fully edentulous patients with severe atrophy of the mandibular bone, rehabilitated with complete removable dentures, before and after anchoring the dentures to osseointegrated implants. Masticatory efficiency increased significantly and chewing cycles increased in amplitude after anchoring the denture. The component of the chewing cycle that most influenced the increase in functional area was the lateral one. A correlation was found between the increase in the lateral component of the chewing cycle and the increased masticatory efficiency achieved with implant-anchored dentures. The degree of satisfaction with their rehabilitation reported by the subjects was correlated neither to increased masticatory efficiency nor to improved oral function.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

All-ceramic restorations: an overview.

Advantages and disadvantages of metal-ceramic and all-ceramic restorations are reviewed particularly from the aesthetic point of view. All-ceramic restorations offer the best results because they let the light through optimally. In constructing all-ceramic crowns on teeth which have been endodontically treated, the material used to rebuild the pin-abutments must be taken into consideration if the best aesthetic results are to be achieved. Materials which, because of their translucent characteristics, are the most aesthetic alternatives to metal alloy pin-abutments in rebuilding teeth which have been endodontically treated, are then described.

Aluminum Silicates↗

PubMed1997

Respiratory muscle function and control of breathing in patients with acromegaly.

Increase in lung size has been described in acromegalic patients, but data on respiratory muscle function and control of breathing are relatively scarce. Lung volumes, arterial blood gas tensions, and respiratory muscle strength and activation during chemical stimulation were investigated in a group of 10 patients with acromegaly, and compared with age- and sex-matched normal controls. Inspiratory muscle force was evaluated by measuring pleural (Ppl,sn) and transdiaphragmatic (Pdi,sn) pressures during maximal sniffs. Dynamic pleural pressure swing (Ppl,sw) was expressed both as absolute value and as percentage of Ppl,sn. Expiratory muscle force was assessed in terms of maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). In 8 of the 10 patients, ventilatory and respiratory muscle responses to hyperoxic progressive hypercapnia and to isocapnic progressive hypoxia were also evaluated. Large lungs, defined as total lung capacity (TLC) greater than predicted (above 95% confidence limits), were found in five patients. Inspiratory or expiratory muscle force was below normal limits in all but three patients. During unstimulated tidal breathing, respiratory frequency (fR) and mean inspiratory flow (tidal volume/inspiratory time (VT/tI)) were greater, while inspiratory time (tI) was shorter than in controls. Minute ventilation (V'E) and mean inspiratory flow response slopes to hypercapnia were normal In contrast, four patients had reduced delta(VT/tI)/arterial oxygen saturation (Sa,O2) and three had reduced deltaV'E/Sa,O2. Ppl,sw(%Ppl,sn) response slopes to increasing end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (PET,CO2) and decreasing Sa,O2 did not differ from the responses of the normal subjects, suggesting normal central chemoresponsiveness. At a PET,CO2 of 8 kPa or an Sa,O2 of 80%, patients had greater fR and lower tI compared with controls. Pdi,sn and Ppl,sn related both to deltaV'E/deltaSa,O2 (r=0.729 and r=0.776, respectively) and delta(VT/tI)/deltaSa,O2 (r=0.860 and r=0.90, respectively). Pdi,sn also related both to deltaV'E/deltaPET,CO2 (r=0.8) and delta(VT/tI)/deltaPET,CO2 (r=0.76). In conclusion, the data suggest the relative independence of pneumomegaly and respiratory muscle strength. Peripheral (muscular) factors appear to modulate a normal central motor output to give a more rapid pattern of breathing.

Acromegaly↗

PubMed1996

Onset timing of delayed complications and criteria of follow-up after operation for esophageal achalasia.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to define the length of follow-up necessary to obtain definitive results of the Heller myotomy for the therapy of esophageal achalasia and the modalities of long-term follow-up. Insufficient myotomy, periesophageal scarring, and gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis are the most common late complications of operation for achalasia. Columnar-lined esophagus with or without dysplasia and cancer can further complicate postoperative reflux esophagitis. Because progressive worsening of results with time has been reported, we assessed the timing of appearance of these complications. METHODS: Since 1973, 129 patients submitted to Heller myotomy were clinically and objectively followed up. Mean follow-up was 97.4 months (range, 12 to 268 months). Of 129 patients, 42 were followed up for less than 5 years (17 voluntary drop outs, 10 reoperations, 3 deaths, 12 in follow-up), 47 more than 5 years, 26 more than 10 years, 12 more than 15 years, and 2 more than 20 years. The timing of onset of symptoms and complications related to the myotomy were evaluated as was the development of dysplasia and cancer. RESULTS: In 11 patients, severe dysphagia due to insufficient myotomy reappeared a mean of 12.4 months after the operation (range, 3 to 30 months). In 7 patients with periesophageal scarring, dysphagia recurred a mean of 18.8 months (range, 6 to 28 months) after the operation. Postoperative reflux esophagitis appeared in 22 patients a mean of 76.5 months (range 21 to 168 months) after the operation. Columnar-lined esophagus was detected in 8 patients a mean of 143.1 months (range, 85 to 230 months) after the operation. Mild to moderate dysplasia was found in 5 of 8 patients with columnar-lined esophagus a mean of 191.6 months after the operation (range, 152 to 287 months), and intramucosal adenocarcinoma was found in 1 patient with columnar-lined esophagus after 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Dysphagia secondary to insufficient myotomy and periesophageal scarring recurs early, not later than 3 years. Conversely, abnormal gastroesophageal reflux with related complications can appear more than 10 years postoperatively. Five years after the operation the follow-up should be primarily endoscopic and histologic. Results should withstand a follow-up of at least 10 years.

Actuarial Analysis↗

PubMed1996

Histological changes in edentulous oral mucosa under implant-supported overdentures.

The microscopic characteristics of the mucosa covering the alveolar ridge that supports a complete denture have long been studied. In this paper, any histological changes in mucosa loaded by a denture before and after a denture has been anchored by implant onto the bone were followed. The results suggest that mechanical loads improve trophism of mucosa, and that fixing a denture to implants leads to a more uniform distribution of loads.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Oral conditions and aptitude to receive implants in patients with removable partial dentures: a cross-sectional study. part I. oral conditions.

The relationship between a removable partial denture (RPD) and damage caused to residual oral structures is the subject of on-going research. A group of patients wearing RPD, treated in the same way in the same department, were recalled to evaluate their oral hygiene and to compare the clinical condition of abutment teeth with that of non-abutment teeth. The study shows that most patients were unable to maintain high standards of oral hygiene. In the group of patients with non-optimal hygiene the clinical condition of abutment teeth was worse than that of non-abutment teeth. In the group of patients with optimal oral hygiene the condition of abutment teeth and non-abutment teeth was almost identical. To increase the standards of oral hygiene it is strongly advisable to recall and follow up patients on a regular basis.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Oral conditions and aptitude to receive implants in patients with removable partial denture: a cross-sectional study. Part II Aptitude.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of replacing removable partial denture (RPD) with fixed partial dentures on osseointegrated implants in a selective group of patients with partially edentulous lower jaws. Forty patients were evaluated to receive implants. Twenty-three patients showed a precarious oral hygiene, five patients refused the treatment (being satisfied with their RPD), six refused for economic reasons, three patients refused for fear and scepticism, one for long duration of therapy, and one was not treated because of a very marked atrophy of the alveolar crest. Finally, one patient was treated with implants. For these reasons, at the present time implants are not an appropriate treatment for introduction into large-scale public health programmes and RPD must still be considered a valid therapeutic procedure.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Usefulness of early morning urine estrone-3-glucuronide assay in the monitoring ovarian secretory function in precocious puberty.

To evaluate the usefulness of the urinary estrone-3-glucuronide (EI-3-G) in the monitoring of the ovarian function in girls, we studied 11 girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) treated with LHRH analogs (LHRHa) for 2-5 years. Plasma LH, FSH, 17-beta-Estradiol (E2) levels, early morning urine (EMU) E1-3-G concentrations, were assessed before and 3, 6, 12 months after the onset of treatment. As expected, mean basal plasma LH, FSH and E2 concentrations, as well as mean basal EMU E1-3-G levels were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in patients studied than in normal, age matched, prepubertal controls. Three out of the 11 sexually advanced girls showed undetectable (< 15 pg/ml) basal plasma E2 values. On the contrary, in each patient studied, individual basal E1-3-G levels were higher than in normal age-matched prepubertal girls. LHRHa treatment significantly suppressed both basal and peak stimulated plasma gonadotropins, plasma E2 and EMU E1-3-G. However, while serum E2 levels were below the assay detection limit, not allowing to assess the degree of gonadal suppression, E1-3-G urinary concentrations were detectable in each subject treated, in the range of the normal prepubertal values. EMU E1-3-G determination seems to be a very sensitive and reliable approach to the monitoring of the effectiveness of LHRHa treatment in sexually advanced girls, allowing to detect very low estrogen concentrations and to achieve the desired ovarian suppression.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed1994

Precocious puberty: auxological criteria discriminating different forms.

It may be possible to recognize different forms of precocious puberty at the first evaluation. In a group of 26 sexually precocious girls we used Bayley-Pinneau predicted adult height (P.A.H.) to discriminate patients with 'poor' or 'good' height prognosis. Patients with evidence of impaired height prognosis (P.A.H. < -1 SDS) (Group 1) were immediately treated with LH-RH analogs, while patients with unimpaired height prognosis (P.A.H. > -1 SDS) (Group 2) were followed without therapy. Two yr of treatment significantly improved P.A.H. in Group 1 patients, from a mean of -1.68 +/- 0.4 to a mean of -0.57 +/- 0.6 (SDS) (p < 0.01). After the 2 yr observation period, Group 2 patients showed no significant variation of P.A.H. (from a mean of 0.45 +/- 0.8 to a mean of 0.33 +/- 0.6). The retrospective analysis of the growth pattern changes in the two Groups seems to indicate that LH-RH agonist treatment improves height potential in girls with initial poor height prognosis and that girls with initial good height prognosis maintain an unimpaired growth potential.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1994

In vitro marginal adaptation of alumina porcelain ceramic crowns.

This study evaluated the dimensional stability during firing of In-Ceram alumina porcelain ceramic and examined the marginal fit for three different configurations of tooth preparation. A stereomicroscope was used to measure the space between the margin of restorations and tooth preparations. The three methods of tooth preparation were statistically compared and revealed suitable dimensional stability during the firing and glazing process. A better marginal fit was recorded for artificial crowns fabricated on a chamfer or 50-degree shoulder tooth preparation.

Aluminum Oxide↗

PubMed1994

Histiocytoid hemangioma with prominent fingernail involvement.

Only 2 cases of histiocytoid hemangioma localized in the nail apparatus have been reported in the literature. We describe here a patient affected by multiple histiocytoid hemangiomas involving the 3rd right digit and fingernail. The pathological features were typical for a diagnosis of histiocytoid hemangioma showing vascular proliferation characterized by enlarged endothelial cells associated with inflammatory cells. Phenotypic characterization of the proliferating cells confirmed their vascular origin.

Fingers↗

PubMed1994

Phalangeal osteomyelitis due to nail biting.

The authors report a 39-year-old man who developed a phalangeal osteomyelitis of the right thumb in consequence of nail biting. Cultures grew Staphylococcus aureus. Treatment with intravenous teicoplamine 400 mg/day for 3 weeks resulted in complete cure of infection.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Oxandrolone in constitutional delay of growth: analysis of the growth patterns up to final stature.

In order to evaluate the effects of low-dosage, 6-12 months course of oxandrolone treatment in constitutional delay of growth, we compared the growth responses on treatment, the pattern of sexual development and pubertal growth events, up to final stature of 11 prepubertal boys, aged 10.6-14.1 yr, with those of 11 prepubertal, age-matched untreated controls. Treatment caused a significant increase of height velocity, from 4 to 9 cm/yr, and a significant acceleration of bone maturation, without affecting the timing of onset of puberty, the progression of sexual development or the onset of pubertal growth spurt. On the other hand, oxandrolone induced an earlier skeletal growth arrest but did not affect the expected final height. Treated boys showed an adult stature not significantly different from that of control subjects. Our data suggest that 6 months-1 year, low dosage oxandrolone treatment in constitutionally delayed growth has no significant effect on the pattern of pubertal growth, nor on the rate of sexual maturation or on final height.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Carpal tunnel syndrome presenting with ischemic skin lesions, acroosteolysis, and nail changes.

A 58-year-old woman had a chronic necrotic ulceration of the fingertip of the third finger and nail plate abnormalities of the first, second, and third fingers of the right hand. Roentgenograms of the hands showed acroosteolysis of the distal phalanges of the second and third right fingers. Skin and nail lesions showed considerable improvement after surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. The authors review the clinical and radiologic features of similar cases that have previously been reported.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗