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Biomedical subjects

F Di Gregorio

Publications and source records attributed to F Di Gregorio.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Role of arterial hypertension in plasma secretion of prostacyclin during renal failure in man.

Cardiac function and morphology in chronic hemodialyzed patients are modified in consequence of both vascular and neurohormonal factors. In the present study we investigate on the role of prostacyclin (PGI2) vasodilator agent, during hemodialytic (HD) treatment. Twenty-four patients (13 males and 11 females; 9 hypertensive and 15 normotensive) aged 58.5 +/- 14.4 years were studied; 2.5 ml of venous blood were collected before (time 0) and 15', 120', and 240' of dialytic session. The PGI2 levels were measured in plasma, after extraction in ethyl acetate by RIA method, as levels of 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha, a stable metabolite. The results have shown as increase of PGI2 levels at 15' in hypertensive HD patients (HHD) from the begin of dialysis that increased until 240'. This phenomenon was more significant in hypertensive than in normotensive group (NHD) (p < 0.05 vs NHD). These preliminary data suggest that in HHD patients the role of PGI2 is more important than in NHD patients as regards the effects on regulation of circulatory tone. The increment of PGI2 levels could be in relation with the sympathetic activation occurred during hemodialytic treatment.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neuropathy target esterase is not reduced in neural tissues of diabetic rats.

Marked (greater than 70%) reduction of the neuropathy target enzyme (NTE) shortly after exposure to organophosphorus compounds heralds the onset of delayed neuropathic damage in animals and humans. One previous study reported that lymphocyte NTE from diabetic patients was depressed by greater than 70%; such a reduction was considered to be a biological marker of diabetic polyneuropathy. To ascertain whether NTE from target tissues might be involved in diabetic neuropathy, we measured NTE activity in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. No reduction in NTE activity was detected in these neural specimens. Therefore, it is concluded that NTE is not involved in diabetic nerve damage and that the meaning of low NTE activity in peripheral lymphocytes of diabetic patients remains unclear.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Morphological and biochemical study of the lipid components of the fetal aorta].

We made a biochemical and histochemical study of the lipidic component of intima of fetal aortas on 8 autopsy cases (7 +/- 2 months aged) arrived at our observation in the Pathology's Institute of II Faculty of Naples. We made a study with freeze-sections stained with Oil-Red 0 and after dissociation of the intima by the adventitia, it is valued biochemically the lipidic peroxidation studying the levels of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) like indirect marker of peroxidation. It is known that is present a lipidic component in the intima of fetal aorta whether intracellular or extracellular (Fig. 1, 2). Sometimes this component can accumulate until to determinate true lipidic striae. The aim of this study is a detection of MDA in lipids extracted from human fetal aortas. MDA levels was measured by Thiobarbituric method (TBA): lipids were extracted both intima and adventitia by Chloroform/methanol method, after surgery immediately. The results are expressed in nMoles/mg of lipids +/- Standard Deviation. Controls of spontaneous lipid peroxidation was take at a different times. It is known that in vitro incubation of LDL with cultured endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells or macrophages leads to peroxidation of LDL phospholipids and oxidatively modified LDL become atherogenic via foam cells production. In addition lipid peroxidation was formed by the direct peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids and their esters are capable of further lipoperoxide production by oxygen free radical; chain reactions. In this context lipid peroxidation could be an important factor in the first stage of human pathophysiological development and this phenomenon may be related by an early free radical production.

Aorta, Abdominal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Connections between the phrenic arteries and various visceral arteries].

During an angiographic research carried out over more than 1100 cases, some connections between the phrenic arteries and the arteries of the hepatic, superior mesenteric and renal districts were observed. The AA. point out the presence of these connections even of thin calibre, their right prevalence (71%), and their uncertain embryologic origin.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The origin of the arteria sigmoidea ima].

The authors report the results of their observations on the lowest sigmoid artery, carried out on 92 anatomical specimens coming from surgical operations on the sigmoid and rectum. The specimens were injected and radiographed immediately after their removal . The observations were often preceded by pre-operative angiographies performed for diagnostic reasons. The AA. document all the variational patterns of this artery. They confirm the poor functional value of this artery more known by the old surgeons than by the anatomists.

Angiography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The termination of the superior hemorrhoidal artery. An anatomicoradiological study].

The author report the observations carried out on the distal part of the hemorrhoidal artery, obtained with a research on the vascularization of the large intestine, studied by the angiographic method and injection of the c.m. in the anatomical specimen immediately after surgical extirpation. The study was based on 92 anatomical specimens and reveals a variability of the terminal arterial distribution which can be summarized in few more frequent models, but cannot be given an absolute rule.

Angiography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Biliary lithiasis in thalassemia major].

The presence of cholelithiasis was diagnosed by ultrasonography in 10 patients with thalassemia major aged 16 to 33 years. Other 10 patients aged 7 to 19 years showed acalculous cholecystopathy. Serum liver enzymes and ferritin levels, as well as splenectomy do not influence significantly the production of gallstones. Significant differences were observed in the age of patients with gallstones when compared to subjects without gallstones or with acalculous cholecystopathy. Although, in the last years, the high transfusional regimen has decreased the incidence of cholelithiasis, the frequent liver disease could be a cause of acalculous cholecystopathy in younger thalassemic patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Influence of transfusion regime on precocious fusion of the proximal humeral epiphysis in thalassemia major].

The precocious fusion of the proximal humeral epiphysis has been reported in adolescents with thalassemia major. We evaluated the incidence of this skeletal abnormality in two groups of patients characterized by a different timing of the hypertransfusional regimen (i.e., before or after 10 years of age). Precocious epiphyseal fusion was significantly more common among patients who started hypertransfusional regimen after 10 years of age. Starting hypertransfusional regimen since early life may prevent epiphyseal fusion as a result of a permanent block of marrow proliferation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hepatic pathology in beta-thalassemia major].

Liver function has been evaluated in 74 patients (aged 9 months to 19 years) with beta-thalassemia major. They were selected from 212 patients because their transaminase levels were three times higher than normal for over three months. In 36 of these subjects BSF clearance test was performed. In the majority of patients (70%) average GPT serum values were increased (66.33 +/- 35.41 U/L) while only a few of the youngest age group exhibited normal values. The transaminase level showed a direct relationship with age, ferritin level and transfusional iron. Furthermore a direct correlation was found between iron and gamma globulin levels both being related to age. Test for viral hepatitis markers showed that 60% of all the subjects studied had had HBV infection. Twenty-six of the 36 patients who underwent BSF test had normal values in the first part of the clearance curve, 8 others showed moderate changes while only the 2 remaining revealed severe alterations. The second part of the curve was abnormal in 34 and markedly altered in 2 subjects. Mean GPT serum values correlated with the first part of BSF clearance curve and BSF 45' values correlated with transfused iron. Siderosis, fibrosis, chronic inflammatory infiltration and vacuolar degeneration were seen at liver biopsy. Histological findings of chronic aggressive hepatitis were shown in two patients with high transaminase and gammaglobulin levels who had markedly abnormal BSF curve.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pleural colonization of thymoma].

Six observations of peculiar pleural implants completely separated from invasive thymomas (examined by conventional chest x-ray and CT) were reviewed. CT was more effective than chest x-ray; number, size and extent of pleural lesions were underestimated by plain film studies. Moreover CT provides a densitometric evaluation of the pleural pathology being useful in differential diagnosis. CT can also be helpful as a guide to needle biopsy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The echocardiography in thalassemia major (author's transl)].

Echocardiographic findings were studied in seventeen subjects with beta-Thalassemia major in order to see whether cardiac lesions caused by iron were related to the age and chelating therapy. The results demonstrate that the alterations of the heart can be early detected by echocardiography. In fact no patient with echocardiographic alterations showed clinical signs of cardiac dysfunction and only four patients showed E.C.G. alterations. Moreover the thickening of posterior wall and left ventricular diastolic diameter were related to iron overload, as demonstrated by urinary excretion after desferrioxamine. Since the patients regularly treated with desferrioxamine were few and younger aged it is not possible in this study to show the positive effect of desferrioxamine treatment in preventing cardiac lesions due to iron overload.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Chelating therapy in beta-thalassemia].

The iron overload is the most common cause of death among transfusion dependent subjects affected by thalassemia major and other congenital anemias. The lesions caused by iron overload are found especially in liver, endocrine glands and heart. Among the various drugs able to remove the iron excess from the organs, desferrioxamine (DF) remains the only one used. The Authors report their experience with this drug in beta-thalassemia major and in beta-thalassemia intermedia patients. The results demonstrate that the subcutaneous administration of DF (40 mg/kg/die) is able to take the patients with thalassemia major in iron negative balance since their third year of life. No important untoward effects are reported. Periodic check with slit lamp has revealed no ocular alteration in 35 subjects. In thalassemia intermedia there is also iron overload due to increased iron absorption. It is probable that these patients too can present the same alterations observed in transfusion dependent beta-thalassemia omozygotes. In order to prevent these lesions it will be necessary to reduce iron absorption since early childhood.

Adolescent↗