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Biomedical subjects

F Palermo

Publications and source records attributed to F Palermo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

201Tl for the differential diagnosis of cold thyroid nodules.

We used 201Tl-chloride for studying and differentiating thyroid areas shown to be 'cold' in previous 131I or 99mTc scanning. We investigated sixteen thyroid neoplasms that were removed surgically shortly afterwards. We found an intense intranodular accumulation of 301T1 in five scintigraphs shown to be of histologically malignant neoplasms, and an intense accumulation also in one of those shown to be histologically benign. We did not detect any 201Tl-chloride accumulation in two cases of thyroiditis; one of these had shown an intense accumulation in a previous 131Cs scintigram.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessing brain function in post-traumatic coma by means of bit-mapped SEPs, BAEPs, CT, SPET and clinical scores. Prognostic implications.

Sixty-eight severely head injured comatose patients were studied. Bit-colour-mapped SEPs to median nerve stimulation, BAEPs, CT and SPET regional values and ICP were assessed in relation to clinical information in evaluating cerebral function. All these variables were related to a 1-year outcome. Statistical tests confirmed the higher predictive reliability of both neurophysiological and perfusive (SPET) functional parameters compared to CT structural findings. Generally, SEPs appeared to be more reliable in predicting outcome than BAEPs. Modifications of frontal components could occur independently of post-central ones, being closely related to underlying cerebral lesions. The parameter showing the greatest correlation with outcome in the first recording session was the P25 latency, whereas this prognostic role was mainly assumed by the amplitude value of the frontal N30-P45 complex in a second recording session carried out during the third week following head trauma.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mixed dentition space analysis in a eastern Sicilian population].

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study are: 1) predicting the sum of mesio-distal crown diameters of unerupted canines, first and second premolars, using the sum of mesio-distal diameters of lower permanent incisors, in a sample of Eastern Sicily population; 2) estimating the differences between our predictions and the ones developed by Tanaka & Johnston, by Moyers and by Ballard & Wylie. METHODS: We selected 150 plaster casts of permanent dentition of patients - 82 females and 68 males - examined at the School of Orthodontics of the University of Catania. The width of canines, first and second premolars and lower incisors were taken by means of a bow-compass and a sliding digital caliper on the selected plaster casts. RESULTS: We calculated the following linear regression equations, with statistical method, to predict the sum of mesio-distal dimensions of canines, first and second premolars (Y) using the width of the lower incisors (X): Yfs = 11.40 + 0.42X for females in the upper arch; Yfi = 11.34 + 0.41X for females in the lower arch; Yms = 12.84 + 0.39X for males in the upper arch and Ymi =11.38 + 0.44X for males in the lower arch. CONCLUSIONS: The results in our sample indicate that the sum of mesio-distal crown diameters of canines, first and second premolars is smaller in females than in males; besides those results suggest that the North-American authors' predictions overestimate the mesio-distal dimension of canines, first and second premolars in both sexes.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prevalence of respiratory symptoms, reduction in lung function and allergic sensitization in a group of traffic police officers exposed to urban pollution].

BACKGROUND: Environmental factors are believed to play a critical role in the development of allergic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and rhinitis. Particularly, the role of urban pollution in the pathogenesis of these diseases is debated. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate whether subjects with a well-defined occupational history of exposure to road traffic fumes presented an increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms of chronic bronchitis (cough), asthma (wheeze), and allergic sensitisation to the most common allergens and reduced lung function compared with an unexposed control group. METHODS: The study was conducted on 484 traffic police in Catania (465 men and 19 women), with a mean age of 45 +/- 7.9 years, who were subdivided into three groups. The first group included traffic police assigned to traffic direction, the second group included traffic police working in administrative offices, the third group included all traffic police who did not fall into the previous groups. In the first group, "truly exposed" subjects were identifed as police officers assigned to traffic direction in the last 8 years. Similarly, in the second group, "truly non-exposed" subjects were identified as police officers working in offices in the last 8 years. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in mean age between the truly exposed group and the truly non-exposed group (p < 0.01). The truly exposed group showed a greater prevalence of symptoms (cough, wheeze and dyspnoea), and positive reaction to skin allergy tests compared with the "truly non-exposed group", but this increase did not reach statistical significance. Alterations of the respiratory function tests were more frequent in the non-exposed (14.3%) compared to the exposed group (9.6%). The highest prevalence of cough, dyspnoea and wheezing was detected in smokers compared to non-smokers and to ex-smokers within each group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a major prevalence of respiratory symptoms and allergic sensitisation in exposed traffic police compared with non-exposed police, although this did not reach statistical significance. Further epidemiological studies conducted on larger samples are required to better understand the role of road traffic pollution in inducing allergic respiratory diseases.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Smoking habits in health care workers: experience in two general hospitals of Eastern Sicily].

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to assess the smoking habits in health care workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In concomitance with a medical examination for Health Care Surveillance requested by the Italian Laws (D. Lgs. 626/94), our operative units interviewed 2,000 persons (47.9% males, 52.1% females, mean age = 45 yrs (SD+/-9.41 yrs) working in two General Hospitals of Eastern Sicily. RESULTS: The prevalence of smokers was found to be higher in men (34.5%) than in women (33.6%), in Health Care Operators (36.4%) and professional nurses (36.2%) than in medical doctors (27.7%), in night-time workers (34,5%) then in day-time-workers (28,7%). The compliance with smoking restriction was found to be poor; in fact, 60% out of smokers declared to smoke during the working hours. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation has revealed the significant prevalence of tobacco smoking among the health care workers in general. We think that the inclusion of an anonymous questionnaire on smoking habits within the Services of Sanitary Surveillance may help in the national campaign against cigarette smoking.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum SCC-Ag in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

We estimated the serum levels of SCC-Ag, CEA and TPA in 69 patients with head or neck neoplasia and 31 healthy patients using a radioimmunometric method (double antibody). SCC-Ag concentrations were significantly increased in 43.4% cancer patients with respect to the cut-off point value (1.7 ng/ml) of the control group, and the specificity was 96.7%. The data varied according to the evolutive phase of disease. Since the combined evaluation of SCC-Ag, TPA and CEA serum levels increased the sensitivity, that was 71.0%, we thought it opportune to use all these markers in the tumoral pathology taken into consideration.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

On the pollen morphology and frequency of allergic sensitization in Sicily of the genus Salsola L. (Chenopodiaceae).

The pollen morphology of the genus Salsola L. (Chenopodiaceae) and the distribution of the plant in Italy was described and the frequency of sensitization in a population of allergic patients was studied. Sensitization to Salsola was present in 13.7% of 343 allergic patients. This sensitization has always been observed in association with other pollens except for one case. The importance of this sensitization in the Mediterranean areas was emphasized considering the common frequency of Chenopodiaceae sensitization and the very frequent cross-reactivity within the same family and between Chenopodiaceae and Amaranthaceae.

Cross Reactions↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Dynamics of food transit in gastrectomized patients with and without dumping syndrome studied with the gamma camera and a marked meal].

Scintigraphy was performed on a group of patients following the administration of a solid radiolabelled meal. As a tracer, human albumin microspheres were used with 99mTc, mixed with fresh scrambled eggs, eaten as a sandwich in two slices of white bread. The analysis of transit and emptying-rate of the radiolabelled meal in the gastric or derivative loop areas was performed by means of a medium field (300 mm) gamma camera interfaced with a digital computer; the data were collected at 15" frames for 90'-120'. Twenty-nine patients were examined who had undergone sub-total gastrectomy: 11 of them were "dumpers" and 18 "non-dumpers"; moreover, 9 volunteers without any history of gastrointestinal diseases and 11 patients with different gastric disorders were checked. In the first group of gastrectomized patients the half-emptying time (T50) was significantly shorter than in the 11 people being checked (Md = 27.5 +/- 10.8 versus 69.6 +/- 19 minutes); in "non-dumpers" T50 was even shorter (Md = 24.2 +/- 13 min). There was no significant statistical difference between the two classes of gastroresected patients in both T50 and emptying-rate of the radioactive solid food, which excludes the accelerated transit as a factor in the functional post-prandial symptoms of the dumping syndrome. On the contrary, the dynamic selective analysis of the radiolabelled food transit through derivative afferent and efferent loops showed different patterns in the two groups of gastroresected patients: the progression of the propulsive wave was very irregular and constantly hyperperistaltic only in the dumpers.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of nifedipine on allergen-induced bronchoconstriction.

The effect of nifedipine on allergen-induced asthma in nine asthmatic subjects was studied. All subjects had a history of asthma and positive Prick test; lyophilized allergen extracts of Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus were used. All solutions were inhaled through DeVilbiss nebulizer. On the first day baseline FEV1 value was measured, allergen extracts were inhaled at increasing doses. The procedure was repeated until a 20% fall from the baseline FEV1 was obtained. Nifedipine or placebo capsules were administered sublingually in a randomized double blind manner. Antigen challenge was given 30 minutes later by using provocating dose of allergen. The change in FEV1 value was calculated from the post nifedipine administration. A significant negative correlation (p less than 0.01) was found between the percentage of protection and the baseline PD20. Nifedipine produced a significant mean change of the bronchial reactivity threshold (p less than 0.01).

Adolescent↗