Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Fabris

Publications and source records attributed to F Fabris.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Post-polycythemia myeloid metaplasia: experience with a large cohort of patients.

The common origin of myeloproliferative disorders can explain the possible evolution of polycythemia vera to post-polycythemia myeloid metaplasia (PPMM). Such a possible event is usually considered linked to the use of myelosuppressive agents in particular 32P. Occasionally, myelofibrosis following essential thrombocythemia has also been described. We report here 19 cases of post-polycythemia myeloid metaplasia out of 214 polycythemia vera patients (8.8%). The majority of these patients received 32P therapy. However, busulfan also seems to have some role in the modification of polycythemia vera. In particular, the association of more than one myelosuppressive agent may favour the evolution of PPMM.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Risk factors for atherosclerosis and aging.

In order to investigate the association between atherosclerosis and risk factors in aged subjects, Doppler ultrasound scans were used to identify the presence and severity of carotid and femoral atherosclerosis in a sample of 457 community living subjects (mean age 55.4 +/- 18.7 years) of the metropolitan area; the ultrasonographic findings were then related to primary cardiovascular risk factors. Carotid and femoral plaques were found respectively in 178 (38.5%) and in 180 (39.4%) subjects. Prevalence of atherosclerosis, number of plaques and percentage of stenosis have been observed to increase with age. All the main cardiovascular risk factors (age, male sex, hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia) resulted significantly associated with both carotid and femoral atherosclerosis in the total series and, more strongly, in subjects aged under 65. On the contrary, most of these associations disappeared in subjects aged 65 or more. Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed that in this age group only age and male sex were independently associated with carotid and femoral atherosclerosis; of the other risk factors cigarette smoking alone was an independent risk factor for femoral atherosclerosis. We conclude that in the elderly, in spite of the age-related increase in carotid and femoral atherosclerosis, the association between risk factors and atherosclerotic disease is less relevant than at younger ages.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

Autopsy and multiple pathology in the elderly.

We examined autopsy reports and the clinical diagnoses of 600 patients (200 in 1967 and 400 in 1987). For each patient we considered age, diagnostic error, main diseases and presence of multiple pathology. The number of diagnostic errors increased from 1967 to 1987. The diagnostic error was particularly high for pulmonary embolism and septic shock and significantly higher in patients > 65 than < or = 65 years old. Multiple pathology was higher in old patients: we found 4 or more diseases in 195/270 (72.2%) patients > 65 years and in only 135/330 (40.9%) patients < or = 65 years. The average period of hospitalization was directly proportional to the number of diseases present in the same patient.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

The effect of a single course of alpha-2B-interferon in patients with HIV-related and chronic idiopathic immune thrombocytopenia.

13 patients with HIV-related immune thrombocytopenia (HIV-ITP) and 10 patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (C-ITP) were treated with a single course of alpha-2b-Interferon (IFN 3 x 10(6) IU subcutaneously for 12 d). The patients had platelet counts lower than 40 x 10(9)/L and thrombocytopenia persisting for over 1 year (range 1-22 years); 7 patients were refractory to previous conventional therapy, 5 were responsive, and 11 had not been previously treated. The response to IFN was complete in 8 patients (platelets > 100 x 10(9)/L), partial in 7 (platelets 50-100 x 10(9)/L); 8 patients showed no response. The treatment with IFN was stopped after 4 d in one patient due to a fall in platelet count. The maximal platelet count (median peak 116 +/- 55 SD x 10(9)/L platelets) was obtained after 13.7 +/- 2.98 d and the improvement in platelet count was maintained for 22.8 +/- 8.6 d. No difference in platelets response was observed between HIV-ITP and C-ITP. The response to IFN seems to be related to the one obtained with previous treatments. Indeed 80% of the patients who were responsive to previous steroids, high dose immunoglobulins or azidothymidine (HIV-ITP) showed a complete or partial response while only 43% of the refractory patients showed a partial response; the positive response rate in previously untreated patients was 73%.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Prevalence of specific thrombotic accidents in patients with thrombocytosis.

The prevalence of specific thrombotic accidents recognized in 260 patients with thrombocytosis are reported. Ninety one were affected by PV, 86 by ET, 20 by MF and 63 by ST. The highest incidence of thrombosis was in the PV group. About half of ET and MF patients experienced a thrombosis. In all the patients thrombosis preferentially affected the cerebrovascular district (17.3% of the cases). Coronary artery disease occurred in PV while peripheral vascular disease was frequent in ET. Portal vein district thrombosis is not rare during the course of all MPD (7.1%). Apparently, deep vein thrombosis occurs in all patients with both primary and secondary thrombocytosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Risk factors for atherosclerosis: ultrasound evaluation of carotid and femoral arteries in patients examined by coronary angiography.

The carotid and femoral arteries of 209 subjects (161 men and 48 women), consecutively tested by coronary angiography during the first four months of 1990, were examined using a B-Mode Echo-doppler. The angiographic examination was performed for suspected ischemic disease or to complement hemodynamic tests for valvular cardiopathy. The relationship between the main risk factors and the degree of atherosclerotic vascular involvement in the coronary, carotid and femoral districts was examined using standardised partial correlation coefficients. Cigarette smoke (expressed as number of cigarettes per day or as duration of exposure to smoke), total blood cholesterol concentration and age were positively correlated with the degree of atherosclerotic involvement in all three vascular regions; triglyceridemia values were correlated only in the coronary region. These relations were observed both in patients below and above 65 years of age; in the elderly group no correlation was found between blood cholesterol concentration and coronary involvement and between triglycerides levels and atherosclerotic disease in the three districts. Our results suggest that some risk factors (high blood cholesterol concentration and history of smoking) correlate with severity of atherosclerotic involvement even in advanced age.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

[Ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attacks: a case-control study of the risk factors in elderly hospitalized patients].

We have evaluated in a case-control study the association of the main risk factors with cerebrovascular ischemic accidents in elderly patients. Two hundred and twenty patients aged 65 year or more (average age 77.3 +/- 7.3 yr, 93 males and 127 females) admitted to our Division for stroke (122) or transient ischemic attacks (TIA) (98) were enrolled: 220 hospitalized patients, age and sex-matched, without actual or previous cardiovascular clinical manifestations were the control group. Advanced senile decay, hepatic or renale failure and malignancies were considered exclusion criteria for both groups. The following risk factors have been considered: family history, obesity, cigarette smoking, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, atrial fibrillation, left ventricular hypertrophy, and related continuous variables. After logistic multiple regression analysis, atrial fibrillation, hypertension and blood cholesterol concentration above 240 mg/dl were significantly and independently associated with stroke, while only hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were associated with TIA. The unexpected finding of a significant association between hypercholesterolemia and cerebrovascular ischemia seems attributable to the choice of hospitalized patients as control group. These results indicate that hypertension and atrial fibrillation are independently associated with ischemic stroke even in advanced age.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Labeling of platelet surface glycoproteins with biotin derivatives.

We describe a non-radioactive method for the labeling of platelet surface proteins, consisting of platelet protein biotinylation by means of N-hydroxysuccinimido-biotin (NHS-B) and biotin-hydrazide (H-B); NHS-B labels proteins amino residues while H-B binds to periodate-modified sialoglycoproteins. Washed platelets were biotinylated and protein bands were detected after SDS-electrophoresis and western-blot using avidin-peroxidase and luminol as substrate to enhance the signal which was then detected by X-ray film. Biotin-labeled platelet proteins were also immunoprecipitated with monoclonal antibodies against glycoproteins Ib and the IIb-IIIa complex. The use of periodate induced biotinylation is the method of choice for labeling platelet surface glycoproteins while NHS-B also labels internal proteins. The sensitivity of this new procedure is similar to that obtained with radiolabeling techniques; biotinylation does not interfere with the antigenic properties of Ib and IIb-IIIa glycoproteins.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1992

A four year clinical and echographic follow-up of asymptomatic carotid plaque.

Eighty-five patients with asymptomatic carotid plaque--a diagnosis revealed by B-mode high-resolution echotomography--were followed up for four years; the echoplaque changes were compared with the clinical history. Eight patients died (2 from stroke, 4 from myocardial infarction, and 2 from lung tumor) and were excluded from the follow-up. Three patients underwent carotid thromboendarterectomy (TEA) (1 bilateral), and these 4 carotids were not considered in the total series. At the first echo Doppler evaluation of 150 carotids, plaques were observed in 112; 38 vessels were free of lesions. Of the 150 carotids, 8 revealed a new plaques. In regard to the echogenic pattern, 95 of the 112 plaques (84.8%) remained unchanged, 16 (14.3%) progressed, and regression of a small homogeneous plaque was observed in 1 patient (0.9%). An increase of the degree of vascular stenosis, was observed in 23 of the 150 carotids (15.3%). Cerebral ischemic symptoms occurred in 5 patients. In 1 patient who suffered from stroke, a new, soft, dyshomogeneous plaque in the carotid of the side of the lesion was observed. In 3 patients (2 with strokes, 1 with transient ischemic attack) the occlusion of a previous severe stenosis was observed. The fifth patient had a stroke on the side of an unchanged, ulcerated hemodynamic lesion. A valid criterion for identifying a risky plaque should be the joint evaluation of the echostructural characteristics and the degree of stenosis.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed1992

[Lipid parameters and cardiovascular risks in elderly patients hospitalized for ischemic cardiopathy. A case-control study].

In order to evaluate whether and to what extent elevated blood lipid concentrations and clinical expressions of coronary heart disease (CHD) are associated in the elderly, we studied the risk of CHD (myocardial infarction and angina pectoris) in a population of elderly hospitalized patients (210 subjects, 126 men and 84 women, average age 76 +/- 6 years) exposed to risk factors. 210 patients, free from current and previous cardiovascular diseases, age and sex matched, were recruited as the control group. Advanced senile decline, severe hepatic or renal failure and malignancies were considered exclusion criteria for both groups. The following dichotomic variables (familial history of CHD, cigarette smoking, clinical history of arterial hypertension or diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia) and continuous variables (total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, total/HDL cholesterol ratio, body mass index (BMI), years of exposure to risk factors) were considered. Using a stepwise multiple logistic regression forward method, the following variables resulted significantly associated with the risk of CHD: total/HDL cholesterol ratio (OR 1,89), BMI (OR 1,04), period of hypertension (OR 1,04) and cigarette smoke exposure (OR 1,007). We conclude that in the elderly the total/HDL cholesterol ratio can be a more predictive and reliable index of coronary risk than blood total cholesterol concentration.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Prevalence and risk factors of carotid and femoral atherosclerosis in a sample of the city of Turin].

Presence and severity of carotid and femoral atherosclerosis, in relation to the principal cardiovascular risk factors, have been non invasively evaluated using echodoppler in a sample of 457 subjects (average age 55.4 +/- 18.7 years) of the metropolitan area of Turin. Data of prevalence have been standardized for age and gender in order to obtain an estimate of prevalence representative of the city. In both districts, prevalence of lesions, echo structural characteristics of the plaques and related degree of stenosis have been considered. Results indicate a high prevalence of carotid and femoral atherosclerosis (38.5% and 39.4% respectively), and, particularly, of concomitant involvement of both districts (30%). Prevalence of the lesions and degree of stenosis rise with advancing age; nevertheless stenosis > 75% were not found among the oldest patients. Bifurcations were the most frequent site of lesion and the "hard" echo structure was the most commonly represented, especially in subjects over 45 years. After multiple logistic regression model both carotid and femoral atherosclerosis were strongly and independently associated with age, male sex, smoke of cigarette and plasma cholesterol concentration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Indobufen versus dipyridamole plus aspirin in the treatment of patients with peripheral atherosclerotic disease.

Twenty-seven patients with peripheral atherosclerotic disease were randomized into two therapy regimens consisting of indobufen (Indo) (400 mg/day) and dipyridamole (Dip) (225 mg/day) plus acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (1 g/day), respectively. Maximal walking distance (MWD) and ankle-arm systolic pressure ratios were measured before and after three and six months of therapy; bleeding time, beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), platelet factor 4 (PF4) and serum thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were also assessed. The two treatment groups showed a significant and progressive increase in pain-free walking distance at both three and six months of therapy, but patients taking indobufen showed a greater improvement. On the contrary, the pressure doppler ratio at rest was statistically improved only in the ASA plus Dip group. Basal beta-TG and PF4 levels were normal and no changes occurred during the study in either group, while in all patients bleeding times showed a significant increase above basal values and serum TBX2 decreased.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[The relationships between the lipoprotein profile and rheological-coagulation parameters in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia type II].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the direct influence of lipid parameters (total and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipids) on the rheologic-coagulative pattern. We studied blood rheological properties--blood (BV), plasmatic (PV), and seric (SV) viscosity, whole blood (WBF) and red cell (RCF) filterability--and some coagulative factors--fibrinogen (Fib), levels of clotting factor VII (fVIIc) and VIII (fVIIIc) activity--in 156 men aged 40-54 years; 87 patients had type II hyperlipoproteinemia (46 type IIa and 41 type IIb) and 69 were normolipemic controls. Smokers, patients with arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular clinical manifestations were excluded. Type IIb hyperlipoproteinemic patients had increased blood viscosity (shear rate 225 sec-1, p. less than 0.01), which was positively correlated with triglycerides and fibrinogen concentration. Levels of fibrinogen, fVIIc and fVIIIc activity did not differ significantly in hyperlipemic patients and controls, although fVIIc activity and fibrinogen were both positively related with lipid parameters. These data suggest that, in absence of other major risk factors, the alterations of the rheologic-coagulative pattern are mainly dependent on the severity of the lipid disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Effect of human recombinant erythropoietin on bleeding time, platelet number and function in children with end-stage renal disease maintained by haemodialysis.

We studied platelet number and function in nine anaemic children with end-stage renal disease during a clinical trial with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-EPO). All the children showed a correction in both haematocrit and haemoglobin levels which was followed by a significant reduction in bleeding time. We also observed a significant increase in platelet count after both 6 and 12 weeks of therapy; at the same time mean platelet volume decreased and a normal platelet mass was maintained. The mean baseline platelet aggregation response to ADP was normal, but was decreased to collagen (P less than 0.05 vs normal control). Platelet production of thromboxane B2 in serum was also lower than normal controls. After correction of anaemia with rHu-EPO, platelet aggregation improved in patients with a decreased baseline response, and mean levels of thromboxane B2 became normal. In conclusion, the treatment with rHu-EPO improved haemostatic balance not only by correcting anaemia, but also by increasing platelet count and function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Use of a radioimmunoassay for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in thrombocytosis.

A decrease in intra-platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) may be a possible marker for primary thrombocytosis and there are several different methods for the measurement of platelet 5-HT content (e.g. fluorimetry, high-performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay). The present study has shown that, in laboratories with radioprotected areas, radioimmunoassay of 5-HT is a simple method which correlates well with a standard fluorimetric technique and yields satisfactory results in patients with thrombocytosis.

Adult↗