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Biomedical subjects

F Lombardo

Publications and source records attributed to F Lombardo.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Endoscopic treatment of bronchopleural fistulas using N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate.

Bronchopleural fistulas represent a serious complication of pulmonary surgery. Surgical treatment of bronchopleural fistulas has a high morbidity and mortality rate. Endoscopic sealing procedures are less invasive and more effective. We describe two patients successfully treated for fistulas stemming from pulmonary surgery. Biological (Tissucol) and synthetic glues (N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate: Histoacryl) have been used. The technique must be chosen according to the fistulas' characteristics: Tissucol for small and medium-size fistulas, Histoacryl for large ones.

Bronchial Fistula↗
PubMed1993

Computer assisted sperm motility analysis at the moment of induced pregnancy during gonadotropin treatment for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Two azoospermic patients with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) no. 1,24-year-old, and no. 2,31-year-old), never treated before, were given gonadotropin therapy (GT), (FSH, 225 IU/week, and HCG, 4000 IU/week) and followed up monthly for sperm characteristics. After 6 (no. 1) and 9 (no. 2) months of treatment, immotile spermatozoa appeared in the semen. Two months later motile spermatozoa also appeared. A motile sperm concentration sufficiently high for computer motion analysis (CASA) was achieved 1 month later 9th and 12th month, respectively. At the 13th (no. 1) and 17th (no. 2) month of GT, CASA showed a small population of spermatozoa with a very good motility pattern. In the next ovulatory cycle the patients' partners became pregnant.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial of glutathione therapy in male infertility.

Glutathione therapy was used for 2 months in a placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over trial of 20 infertile patients with dyspermia associated with unilateral varicocele (VAR) or germ-free genital tract inflammation (INF). The patients received either glutathione (group 1) or placebo (group 2) for 2 months, then they crossed over to the alternative treatment for a further 2 months. The patients were randomly and blindly assigned to treatment (one i.m. injection every other day of either 600 mg glutathione or an equal volume of a placebo preparation). The standard semen analysis and the computer-assisted sperm motility analyses were carried out before treatment and during the trial. Statistical cross-over analysis, case-control study and treatment efficacy test were carried out on groups 1 and 2 and differences in the effects of therapy between VAR and INF patients with varicocele or inflammation were tested. Glutathione therapy demonstrated a statistically significant positive effect on sperm motility, in particular on the percentage of forward motility, the kinetic parameters of the computerized analysis and on sperm morphology. The findings of this study indicate that glutathione therapy could represent a possible therapeutical tool for both of the selected andrological pathologies.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Large foreign body as a nidus for a common duct stone in a patient without spontaneous biliary enteric fistula or previous abdominal surgery.

We report a case of a brown pigment gallstone, which formed around a phytobezoar in the common bile duct, in a patient without spontaneous biliary enteric fistula or previous abdominal surgery. A brief comment on the possible origin of the phytobezoar in this case and on the pattern of deposition of brown material over a pre-existent nidus is also presented.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1993

Immunological infertility in humans.

This review deals with some of the most controversial problems in the field of immunologic infertility and antisperm antibodies (ASA) in humans: (a) sperm antigens and their identification; (b) the aetiopathogenesis of the immune reaction and the biological effects of ASA; (c) laboratory tests set up for ASA detection, and (d) the therapy for immunologic infertility both in vivo and in vitro.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1992

Diagnostic value of growth hormone-releasing hormone test in children and adolescents with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency.

Average growth hormone (GH) peaks following an i.v. growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) 1-29 stimulation test were significantly lower in 48 children and adolescents with GH deficiency (GHD) than in 20 age-matched controls (15.2 + 12.7 vs 37.5 + 28.1 ng/ml, 2 P less than 0.001). Twelve patients exhibited a low GH peak (less than 5 ng/ml), 27 demonstrated a normal response (greater than 10 ng/ml) and 9 showed an intermediate rise in plasma GH (5-10 ng/ml). Six of the 12 patients with low GH response to the first GHRH stimulation failed to respond to two other tests immediately before and after a 1 week priming with s.c. GHRH. These subjects with subnormal GH increase at repeat testing had total GHD (TGHD) and multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) and had suffered from perinatal distress. On the contrary, 26 of 27 patients with normal GH response to the first test had isolated GHD and only a minority (8/27) had signs of perinatal distress. It is concluded that perinatal injuries primarily damage pituitary structures and that a pituitary defect more probably underlies more severe forms (TGHD and MPHD) of GHD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Fertility and semen quality of workers exposed to high temperatures in the ceramics industry.

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that chronic occupational exposure to high temperatures may be detrimental to male reproduction. The study was based on 92 healthy ceramics oven operators with a long exposure to high temperatures, and 87 controls, recruited from the shipment department of the same industry. Interviews with all subjects provided data on sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and fertility problems. Semen analysis was carried out on 46 of the workers exposed to high temperatures, and 14 of the controls, and included evaluation of the sperm concentration, morphology, and motility, including computer-assisted sperm motion analysis (velocity, linearity, ALH, BCF). The results of the questionnaire showed that exposed individuals had a higher incidence of childlessness and of self-reported difficulty in conceiving than controls. The semen analysis showed no significant differences except in sperm velocity. Although differences in semen parameters, taken singly, were not statistically significant, the overall evaluation of the sperm parameters indicated a higher prevalence of pathologic sperm profiles among the exposed compared to the controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

In vitro sperm capacitation to treat antisperm antibodies bound to the sperm surface.

Our objective was to study antisperm antibody bound to the acrosome region during in vitro capacitation and to determine whether acrosome-antibody free sperm can be obtained from previously acrosome-antibody-coated sperm. The spermatozoa from a selected series of 14 patients were tested for sperm antibodies bound to the sperm surface using d-IBT and focusing on the acrosome positivity. The tests were carried out before the incubation and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 h of incubation in Tyrode's solution with 0.5% human serum albumin as the capacitation medium. Tests to evaluate acrosome region, sperm motion parameters, and zonae binding ability were carried out. In this way we were able to evaluate sperm function during capacitation protocol. The patients were 14 subjects selected according to good seminal characteristics, good post-rise sperm parameters, and high percentage of ASA bound to the sperm surface. In all cases the results showed that antisperm antibodies bound to the acrosome region were shed prior to the acrosome reaction. During sperm capacitation in human a modification, migration, or shedding of plasma membrane molecules takes place. The presence of antibodies in such an important area of the sperm head could certainly interfere in the fertilization process. Our data indicate that in vitro capacitation could provide an in vitro therapy capable of eluting antibodies from the acrosome region.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1992

Amplification of GC-rich DNAs in neuronal nuclei of Planorbarius corneus (L.) (Mollusca, pulmonata).

Quantitative microfluorometric evaluation of DNA content in nerve cells of the Pulmonate Gastropod Planorbarius corneus has indicated that the increase in nuclear volume is due to DNA amplification. Indeed, it has been observed that the DNA contents are scattered at random between 2C and 1,000C values. This is not in agreement with the occurrence of repeated duplications of the whole genome. Furthermore, chromatin photo-oxidation, a technique useful in discriminating GC-rich from AT-rich DNAs, suggests that DNA amplification involves GC-rich sequences.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Metabolism and action of L-carnitine: its possible role in sperm tail function].

The authors report a review on the L-carnitine effects on the male genital tract. L-carnitine represents a cofactor in the transport of long chain fatty acids inside mitochondria and their subsequent oxidation. Therefore, its main role is that of intramitochondrial vehicle of acyl groups. In particular, the effects of L-carnitine on the male genital function seem connected mainly with the high concentration of L-carnitine in the epididymis; the uptake of the L-carnitine from the blood is an active, in part androgen-dependent, mechanism. Moreover, epididymal spermatozoa are able to concentrate L-carnitine (while they become progressively more impermeable to such a substance) during their passage from the caput to the cauda epididymis. The main function of the L-carnitine in the epididymis is to give to the spermatozoa an energetic substrate. In fact, this function should be of great importance since the epididymal spermatozoa employ fatty acid oxidation for their energy metabolism; on the contrary, the ejaculated sperm employ glycolytic process. As a consequence of the above-mentioned effects of L-carnitine the dosage of this substance in the evaluation of the integrity of the processes of maturation of the spermatozoa was proposed. Finally, there is growing interest in the use of L-carnitine as a therapeutic tool in some forms of male infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A comparison of the direct immunobead test and other tests for sperm antibodies detection.

The authors report the results of a correlation study between the direct Immunobead Test (d-IBT) and other techniques for antisperm antibodies detection. The Gelatin Agglutination Test (GAT) and Tray Agglutination Test (TAT) were used to detect antibodies in blood serum and seminal plasma ("indirect methods"). The Direct IgG Mixed Antiglobulin Reaction Test (d-MAR test) was used to detect sperm antibodies bound to the sperm surface ("direct method"). A good concordance between the methods, measured by phi and K tests, was found and satisfactory mathematical models were established by regression analyses.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1991

Long-lasting catch-up growth under bio-methionyl growth hormone treatment in an infant with isolated growth hormone deficiency type 1A.

This case report concerns a 7-month-old infant with severe height retardation (-5.0 SD), typical growth hormone (GH)-deficient phenotype, and undetectable GH serum levels in response to three pharmacological stimuli. Diagnosis of isolated GH deficiency type 1A was confirmed by restriction endonuclease analysis of genomic DNA which pointed out GH-N gene deletion. The introduction of bio-methionyl-GH therapy in this patient was followed by a transient and clinically irrelevant appearance of low binding capacity GH antibodies as well as by a long-lasting catch-up growth (42.2 cm) which is continuing 44 months after beginning of treatment. This atypical pattern confirms that immune and growth response to exogenous GH in isolated GH deficiency 1A may be very heterogeneous.

Autoradiography↗
PubMed1991

[Ectopic pregnancy. A ten-year case load of the Obstetric and Gynecologic Department of the Ospedale Civile of Taranto].

The Authors report the ectopic pregnancies incidence in the period from 1-1-79 to 31-12-88 at Department of Obstetric and Gynecology of the Hospital in Taranto. The ectopic pregnancies discovered were 130 with a rate of 0.49% versus the deliveries (26,515) and of 0.18% versus all the women recovered (70,024). The Authors observed no increase in the incidence of ectopic pregnancy and stress the value of early clinical diagnosis to preserve reproductive functions in these patients.

Female↗
PubMed1990

[Male genito-urinary tract infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and seminal characteristics: use of minocycline].

The authors evaluated the activity of Minocycline in 30 male patients with urinary tract infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) and alterations of the seminal parameters using three different dosage schedules (100 mg/day for 10 days, 200 mg/day for 10 days and 200 mg/day for 20 days). At baseline, at the end of therapy and one month after clinical and bacteriological parameters and seminal characteristics, including some sperm function tests (acridine orange test to study chromatin heterogeneity; triple staining technique, to study acrosome; swim-up technique, to study the sperm kinetics) were verified. The seminal characteristics were checked again three and six months after the end of the therapy. All the results show that Minocycline is an excellent drug for the treatment of urinary tract infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis both for its therapeutic efficacy and for the absence of side effects. Although 10 days cycles using 1 cap/day are sufficient to eliminate inflammation and infection, in order to obtain more valid results it is preferable to use the following dosage schedule: 200 mg/day of antibiotic (100 mg twice daily) for 10 days. The results of our trial show that in cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection associated with dispermia (reduced nemaspermic concentration, hypomotility, teratozoospermia, increased number of leucocytes), if the parameters of sperm function are within normal limits, the resolution of the infection is usually followed by a recovery of normozoospermia. Follow-up performed 3 and 6 months after the end of treatment showed an increase in the number of spermatozoa, a percentage increase in their motility, mostly in the progressive motility, and a reduction of the atypical forms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗