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Biomedical subjects

F Grasso

Publications and source records attributed to F Grasso.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Clinical and instrumental findings in cardiac amyloidosis].

The clinical findings of 2 male patients, aged 58 and 60 years with cardiac amyloidosis are described. Congestive heart failure was present in both. Electrocardiograms were abnormal in both cases. Echocardiographic examination showed increased myocardial echogenicity and ventricular hypertrophy, pericardial effusion and decreased ventricular function. Cardiac catheterization was performed in 1 patient. Rectal biopsies were obtained from both patients; endomyocardial biopsy was executed in only 1 patient; all specimens were positive. Our data demonstrate, in agreement with the literature, that clinical features of cardiac amyloidosis are polymorphous and therefore often unidentified.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMed1992

Photon emission from normal and tumor human tissues.

Photon emission in the visible and near ultraviolet range by samples of human tissue removed during surgery has been measured by means of a low noise photomultiplier coupled to a data acquisition system. The results show that among the 25 analyzed samples the 9 from normal tissues had an emission rate of the order of some tens of photons/cm2 min, while most of the 16 tumor tissue samples had a very much higher rate.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Interrelationships of hormonal and ovarian responses in superovulated heifers pretreated with FSH-P at the beginning of the estrous cycle.

The objective of this study was to determine the relationships between follicle stimulating hormone, (FSH), estradiol (E(2)), and progesterone (P(4)) concentrations in peripheral blood samples and the follicular dynamics prior to and during superovulation in heifers pretreated with FSH-P (10 mg, i.m.) (FSH-P-primed; n=9) or not (saline-primed; n=9) on Day 3 (Day 0 = estrus) of the estrous cycle. On Day 10, all heifers were superovulated with FSH-P (27.7 mg i.m.) in declining dosages over 5 days. Prior to and during superovulation, blood samples were collected one to five times daily, and the follicular dynamics were monitored daily by ultrasonography. Prior to superovulation, profiles of P(4) and E(2) did not differ (P>1) between the saline- and FSH-P-primed heifers. The FSH concentrations in saline-primed heifers decreased from 0.43 +/- 0.05 ng/ml to 0.30 +/- 0.04 ng/ml between Days 3 and 7 and then increased progressively to 0.59 +/- 0.04 ng/ml on Day 10. In contrast (P<0.002), FSH concentrations in the FSH-P-primed heifers remained constant between Days 3 and 10 and averaged 0.41 +/- 0.03 ng/ml. Higher increases in E(2) during superovulation (maximum values, 100 vs 46 pg/ml) and in P(4) after superovulation (maximum values, 39 vs 22 ng/ml) in the saline-than in the FSH-P-primed heifers reflected the greater increase in the number of follicles (>10 mm) and in the number of corpora lutea (CL) in the saline-primed heifers. Prior to the preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) peak during superovulation, there was a parallel (P>0.1) decrease in FSH concentrations in the saline- and FSH-P-primed groups. Within heifers partial correlations indicated that E(2) was correlated positively with the number of follicles (>/= 7 mm) and the size of the largest follicle during superovulation (r=0.54 to 0.81; P<0.01). Negative correlations were detected (P<0.01) between FSH and the number of follicles >/=7 mm prior to (r=-0.26) and during superovulation (r=-0.37). The results cofirm earlier reports indicating that priming with FSH-P decreases the superovulatory response in cattle. Interrelationships of hormonal and ovarian responses support the concept that the presence of large dominant follicles prior to superovulation limits the superovulatory response.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Self-irradiation effect on yeast cells.

The effect of self irradiation on yeast cells has been investigated by counting the young gemmae formation in 104 self irradiated samples, as compared with an equal set of control samples. The results show that the rate of gemmae formation is higher in self irradiated samples; the statistical significance of the results is discussed.

Radiation↗
PubMed1991

Decreased superovulatory responses in heifers superovulated in the presence of a dominant follicle.

Dairy heifers were superovulated in the presence (dominant group, N = 8) or absence (non-dominant group, N = 6) of a dominant follicle at the start of a a superovulatory treatment on Days 7-12 of the oestrous cycle (Day 0 = oestrus). Daily ultrasonographic observations of ovaries (recorded on videotape) starting on Day 3 were used to assess the presence or absence of a dominant follicle (diameter greater than 9 mm, in a growing phase or at a stable diameter for less than 4 days) and to monitor follicular development before and during treatment. The number of CL estimated by ultrasonography (7.1 +/- 1.8 vs 13.5 +/- 1.4) or by rectal palpation (6.9 +/- 2.0 vs 16.3 +/- 1.6) and mean progesterone concentrations (32.5 +/- 19 vs 80.7 +/- 16 ng/ml) after treatment were lower (P less than 0.01) in the dominant than in the non-dominant group. Based on number of CL, two populations of heifers were identified in the dominant group, i.e. those that had a high (dominant-high, N = 4; greater than 7 CL) or a low (dominant-low, N = 4; less than 7 CL) response to treatment. During treatment, the increases in number of follicles 7-10 mm and greater than 10 mm in diameter occurred sooner and were of higher magnitude in the non-dominant than in the dominant-high or dominant-low groups (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Aortic valve stenosis: current physiopathological and therapeutic aspects].

On the premise that the increased average life expectancy and a reduced incidence of rheumatic diseases have changed the epidemiological profile of valvulopathies, the paper analyses the causes, pathological anatomy, physiopathology and therapy of aortic valvular stenosis. First of all, the differences of acquired calcific stenosis, in which the orifice may be "forced" by the ventricular pump leading to a late onset of symptoms, are underlined. Clinical symptomatology must include angina, syncope or decompensation, rather than merely and elevated gradient, before surgical therapy is proposed. In addition to traditional therapeutic methods (valvular replacement) there is now the possibility of using balloon valvuloplasty which has provided good results in terms of increased valvular area and recovery of ventricular function; however, this is only a palliative step in cases where major surgery is contra-indicated.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[A rare case of neoplasm of the epididymis].

An unexpected anatomopathological diagnosis--an adenomatoid neoplasm of the epididymis in a patient operated for hydrocele and suspected left chronic epididymis is described. After having briefly described the pathological anatomy and epidemiology of the adenomatoid neoplasm, the paper discusses the importance of a careful anamnestic and clinical assessment of commonly encountered diseases which are often considered clinically less important.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Ultrasonographic determination of ovarian follicular. Development in superovulated heifers pretreated with FSH-P at the beginning of the estrous cycle.

On Day 3 of the estrous cycle (estrus = Day 0), dairy heifers were given either 10 mg i.m. FSH-P (FSH-P primed; n = 9) or a saline vehicle (saline primed; n = 9). On Day 10, all heifers were superovulated with FSH-P (total = 27.7 mg i.m.) in declining doses over 5 d. Heifers were inseminated artificially at estrus. From Day 2 until estrus, the number and size of follicles >2 mm were monitored daily by ultrasonography. The mean (+/- SEM) number of corpora lutea (CL) (6.2 +/- 1.5 vs 10.7 +/- 0.9; P<0.05) and the mean number of recovered embryos and unfertilized ova (3.6 +/- 1.7 vs 8.4 +/- 2.2; P<0.05) were lower in FSH-P-primed than in saline-primed heifers. Prior to initiation of superovulation, follicles >10 mm appeared on Days 6 to 7 in saline-primed heifers but only on Days 8 to 10 in FSH-P-primed heifers (P<0.05). Also, until Day 10, the mean number of follicles 4 to 6 mm and 7 to 10 mm was higher (P<0.05) in FSH-P-primed than in saline-primed heifers. After initiation of the superovulatory treatment (Day 10 to estrus), saline-primed heifers had a greater and faster increase in the mean number of follicles >10 mm (P<0.02) than FSH-P-primed heifers did. Depletion in the number of follicles 2 to 3 mm (P<0.001) between Day 10 and estrus and in the number of follicles 4 to 6 mm (P<0.05) between Day 12 and estrus occurred in both groups of heifers. Decreased superovulatory response and embryo recovery in FSH-P-primed heifers may have been due to the presence of large follicles (>10 mm) prior to the initiation of the superovulatory treatment which reduced the ability of small follicles to grow into larger size classes during superovulatory treatment.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

[Cardiac echinococcosis. Description of a case with cysts localized in the free wall of the left ventricle].

A case of isolated cardiac echinococcosis is reported. A 19-year-old man was hospitalized for chest pain with electrocardiographic pathological Q waves in D1, aVL, V5, V6. Two-dimensional echocardiography and chest computed tomography documented pericardial effusion and an intramyocardial cyst. Casoni's reaction and immunological tests completed the diagnosis of cardiac hydatidosis. The localization and the etiology of the cyst were confirmed during cardiac surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Hyperpigmentation of the Laugier-Hunziker-syndrome type appearing during antineoplastic polychemotherapy].

The Authors report a case of multiple brown slate macules localized on the lips and on the oral mucosa, occurred to a 66 year-old woman during cancer polychemotherapy with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum and Cyclophosphamide due to an ovary's serous cystadenocarcinoma with peritoneal metastasis. The histological test taken on a lip's lesion, fully excised, points out main focal hyperpigmentation of basal epidermal layer and numerous melanophages in the papillary dermis. The Authors, after a comparison among the information obtained from the literature, exclude any possible secondary reaction due to chemotherapy or any paraneoplastic syndrome. What they emphasize is the great similarity between the clinical and histological pictures noticed in this case and the ones described in the Laugier-Hunziker's syndrome. The particular association observed in this case is noteworthy but, nowadays following the existing knowledges, no relation of cause and effect between polychemotherapy, cancer and Laugier-Hunziker's disease can be advanced.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Specific properties of epithelial and stromal cells from the endometrium of cows.

Epithelial and stromal cells were isolated from endometrium of cyclic heifers by enzymic dispersion. These cells exhibited specific morphological and functional properties. Epithelial cells appeared cuboidal or columnal and showed contact inhibition as they reached confluence. Stromal cells were fibroblast-like and enlarged at the time of confluence after which they overgrew in multiple layers. The presence of specific receptors for PGE-2 and beta-adrenergic catecholamines (isoproterenol) was estimated by activation of adenylate cyclase. Stromal cells had more adenylate cyclase activity (P less than 0.01) than did epithelial cells before (basal) and after stimulation with guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and PGE-2. However, epithelial cells were much more responsive to isoproterenol (P less than 0.01). Treatment of cultured cells with indomethacin to block PG synthesis increased the sensitivity and maximal response to PGE-2 in stromal (P less than 0.01) but not in epithelial (P greater than 0.1) cells. The latter result suggested autologous desensitization of the PGE-2 response resulting from synthesis of PGs in cultured cells. Both cell types synthesized PGs in culture: PGF-2 alpha was synthesized in greater quantity in epithelial than in stromal cells (P less than 0.05) while stromal cells synthesized more PGE-2 than did epithelial cells (P less than 0.001). Endometrial cells separated in this way should prove useful for study of their specific role in the processes of implantation and maternal recognition of pregnancy.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1988

Influence of pregnancy on the onset of oestrus and luteal function after prostaglandin-induced luteolysis in cattle.

Luteolysis was induced by an injection of 500 micrograms cloprostenol (a prostaglandin (PG) analogue) in pregnant (P) Holstein heifers on Days 17 or 24 of gestation and in non-pregnant (NP) Holstein heifers on Day 17 of the oestrous cycle (oestrus = Day 0). Heifers in Groups P-17 (N = 8) and P-24 (N = 8) were inseminated twice whereas those in Group NP-17 (N = 8) were not inseminated. Immediately after PG injection, embryos were recovered by uterine flushing (400 ml) to confirm pregnancy in Groups P-17 and P-24. Uterine flushing with an equivalent volume of physiological saline was also done in Group NP-17. The interval from PG injection to oestrus and to the peak of luteinizing hormone (LH) as well as profile of increase in plasma oestradiol concentrations during that period did not differ (P greater than 0.1) among the groups. However, the proportion of heifers exhibiting abnormal luteal phases (primarily of short duration) during the oestrous cycle after PG injection was greater (P less than 0.01) in Group P-24 than in Groups NP-17 + P-17 pooled (6/8 vs 3/16). These results suggest that the previous presence of a conceptus did not have any effect on the onset of oestrus, or on plasma concentrations of oestradiol and LH after PG-induced luteolysis on Days 17 or 24 of gestation. However, luteal function during the subsequent oestrous cycle was impaired if heifers were 24 days pregnant when luteolysis was induced.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Study of follicular development and heredity of morphological types of ovaries in prepuberal gilts.

Two different morphological types of ovaries ("grape" and "other" types) previously described by microscopic examination were studied on 107 live gilts. The ovarian type and distribution of macroscopic follicles during the prepuberal period were determined at 140, 160 and 180 d of age by laparoscopic examination. The incidence of grape-type (GT) ovaries was higher (P less than .05) at 140 d of age (50.5%) than at 160 d (38.3%) or 180 d (35.5%). At maturity (d 19 of the first postweaning estrus), 37.7% of the ovaries were classified as GT. The proportion of gilts that maintained their initial type (at 140 d of age) at 160 d, 180 d and at maturity was higher (P less than .05) for the gilts having the other-type (OT) ovaries (49% and 25% for OT and GT, respectively). The mean number of small follicles (1 to 3 mm in diameter) was higher (P less than .05) for the OT ovaries at 140 d (71.5 vs 18.0), at 160 d (79.3 vs 26.2) and at 180 d (77.0 vs 32.8). The number of follicles of 4 to 5 mm was higher (P less than .05) for GT ovaries at 140 d (16.4 vs 4.8), at 160 d (20.9 vs 4.8) and at 180 d of age (21.4 vs 5.7). The large follicles (greater than or equal to 6 mm) were more numerous for the GT at 140 d (7.0 vs .3), at 160 d (5.7 vs .5) and at 180 d (4.4 vs .6). No statistical difference was observed at maturity in the distribution of follicles between the two types.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Relationship between two morphological types of ovaries and their follicular microscopic population before puberty and their ensuing follicular development and ovulation rates at puberty in gilts.

A population of ovarian follicles was studied in 32 gilts with two morphological types at four physiological stages. Left ovaries were serially sectioned (10 microns), and follicles (greater than .19 mm) were counted and measured by histological technique. In Exp. 1, prepuberal gilts that maintained the grape-type (GT) or other-type (OT) of ovaries at 140 and 160 d of age as determined by laparoscopy had their population of follicles studied at 165 d of age and compared with that on d 3 of the first puberal estrus in gilts that maintained the same ovarian type (GT or OT) at 140, 160 and 180 d of age. In Exp. 2, gilts that maintained the same ovarian types at 140, 160 and 180 d of age were compared at d 19 and 3 of the first and second puberal estrus, respectively. At 165 d of age, OT ovaries contained a greater number of classes 3 (.63 to 1.12 mm) and 4 (1.13 to 2.00 mm) nonatretic (less than 4 pycnotic bodies) follicles than GT (P less than .01), whereas at d 3 of the first puberal estrus, their mean number became comparable between the two ovarian types (P greater than .1) and similar to 165-d GT ovaries. At 165 d of age, atretic follicles formed 19.6% and 10.7% of the population of antral follicles in OT and GT ovaries (P less than .05) whereas at puberty 17.5% and 19.6% atresia was observed in the same two groups, respectively (P greater than .10).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Comparative evaluation of the effect of two doses of Nitroderm TTS on exercise-related parameters in patients with angina pectoris.

The effectiveness of Nitroderm TTS 5 and Nitroderm TTS 10 in stable effort-induced angina pectoris was assessed by measuring the tolerance of 20 selected in-patients to cycloergometric symptom-limited tests. During the week preceding the trial previous anti-anginal treatment was gradually withdrawn except for short-acting nitrates. Patients were also familiarized with ergometric laboratory environment. The trial started with a 24-h control period when placebo was given single-blind to each patient. A double-blind cross-over design was then followed, two groups of 10 patients each being subjected successively to two sequences of therapy. By means of the double-dummy technique, Nitroderm TTS 5 or Nitroderm TTS 10 and matching placebos were applied simultaneously once daily for 24 h on two different days. Resting heart rate and blood pressure were measured before starting each exercise test, which was performed 3 h after placebo as well as 3 and 24 h after Nitroderm TTS application. The results of the tests were evaluated in terms of maximum workload, duration of exercise and total work performed for each of the two doses administered and compared with the corresponding baseline values. When compared with placebo both Nitroderm TTS doses produced a significant change (P less than 0.01) in the assessment variables. After application of the active treatment, duration of exercise, total work performed and maximal workload were increased while lying and standing blood pressures were decreased. There was no significant difference between the two doses of Nitroderm TTS in the assessment variables, except for systolic blood pressure and lying heart rate 3 and 24 h, respectively, post-dosing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Topical↗