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Biomedical subjects

F Romano

Publications and source records attributed to F Romano.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Comparison of the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test and the direct agglutination test for serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in HIV-infected subjects.

One hundred subjects positive for anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies were tested for anti-Leishmania antibodies by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the direct agglutination test (DAT). Subjects were subsequently followed for two years to monitor the onset of visceral leishmaniasis. Fifteen subjects were positive for anti-Leishmania antibodies in either one or both tests. Eleven were positive only by IFAT, one only by DAT, and three by both tests. During the two-year follow-up period, nine subjects developed visceral leishmaniasis; of these, six were serologically positive, four by IFAT alone and two by both tests. The results indicate that IFAT and DAT have a similar specificity but that IFAT has a higher sensitivity and a greater diagnostic significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effect of the current antimicrobial therapeutic strategy on fungal colonization in patients with hematologic malignancies.

A "quasi-experimental" trial was carried out to investigate the effect of three antimicrobial regimens on oral and fecal yeast colonization in patients with hematologic malignancies. Fifty-four patients received ciprofloxacin and oral amphotericin B (group 1); 45 received ceftazidime, amikacin, vancomycin, and oral amphotericin B (group 2); and 30 received ceftazidime, amikacin, vancomycin, and intravenous amphotericin B (group 3). The oral yeast isolation rate showed a decrease in group 1 (from 59.3% to 40.7%) and group 3 (from 56.7% to 46.7%), and a marked increase in group 2 (from 51.1% to 84. 4%). All the groups showed a reduction in their fecal yeast isolation rate. An overgrowth of Candida parapsilosis, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis was observed in all the groups, but it was much higher in group 2. Our findings provide evidence that ceftazidime, amikacin, and vancomycin, given with oral amphotericin B, induce an overgrowth/persistence of Candida species in the mouth and gut, which might be attributable to inclusion of vancomycin. Treatment with intravenous amphotericin B has at least the capacity of counterbalancing yeast proliferation induced by that antibacterial regimen.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Visual field defects in esotropic cats: a developmental consequence of the squint.

In nine adult cats with surgically induced esotropia (squint-angle ranging between 8 degrees and 32 degrees), the extent of binocular and monocular visual fields was behaviourally assessed by the food-perimetry method. Results indicate that: (1) The extention of both the nasal and the temporal hemifield of the esotropic eye is narrowed. (2) Field losses are largest in the cats with severe esotropia (> 15 degrees); yet the relationship between rate of impairment scored in each animal and individual angles of squint is not linear. (3) In the cats with severe esotropia, the visual field of the non-deviated eye is also narrowed. (4) We suggest that field deficits reflect a stop in the developmental expansion of the immature visual field as a consequence of ocular misalignment.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Characterization of transition sleep episodes in baseline EEG recordings of adult rats.

By scoring 5-s EEG epochs and calculating spectral power of consecutive EEG segments as short as 1-s, transition sleep (TS) episodes were identified in baseline recordings of adult rats. TS episodes were characterized by the abrupt appearance of theta and alpha waves within an ongoing period of slow-wave sleep (SS). They were followed by paradoxical sleep (PS) or, somewhat more frequently, by a period of wakefulness (W) that often led to an additional SS. Statistical values of the main variables of TS-->(W) and TS-->(PS) episodes are presented, together with comparable data concerning previous SS and following W or PS episodes. On the whole, TS episodes were more numerous than PS episodes, and less numerous than SS episodes. Their average duration was considerably shorter. As a consequence of the identification of TS and of brief W or PS epochs intervening within SS, the number of SS episodes was estimated to be considerably higher than previously assessed, and their average duration considerably shorter.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Baseline transition sleep and associated sleep episodes are related to the learning ability of rats.

The EEGs of 18 adult male Wistar rats were recorded during a baseline session lasting 7 h (day 1). The following day, rats were trained for a 2-way active avoidance task in an automated shuttle-box. A retention test was scheduled on the third day. On the basis of the number of avoidances scored during the training and retention sessions, rats were assigned to a fast-learning group (FL; achieving criterion during the training session), a slow-learning group (SL; achieving criterion in the retention test session), and a nonlearning group (NL; failing to achieve criterion). Vigilance states were determined by analyzing EEG data in 5-s epochs and calculating EEG power spectra of consecutive time intervals as short as 1 s. This high-resolution method led to the identification of transition sleep episodes that followed slow-wave sleep (SS) and were followed by waking (TS-->W) or by paradoxical sleep (TS-->PS). Comparison of the baseline sleep variables of the 3 behavioral groups revealed the presence of several significant differences. These observations were confirmed by the results of correlative analyses between baseline sleep variables and number of avoidances scored during the training and retention sessions. The most reliable indices of the capacity to learn the avoidance task were the amounts of SS preceding the TS-->W or the TS-->PS sequence, and the amounts of either component of the latter sequence. These variables displayed markedly higher values in FL rats. In addition, the amount of SS preceding TS-->W and the amount of TS-->(W) were significantly correlated with the number of avoidances scored during the training session. On the other hand, 1' SS-->(PS) and (SS)-->PS episodes were longer in NL rats than in SL or FL rats, respectively; and 2, the duration of SS-->(PS) episodes was inversely correlated with the number of avoidances of the first training period. The data are interpreted to suggest that TS and associated sleep episodes may predict the acquisition of the avoidance task, and the episodes of SS-->PS not associated with TS may predict the retention of innate responses, such as freezings or escapes.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The impact of rufloxacin given as prophylaxis to patients with cancer on their oral and faecal microflora.

A single dose of 200 mg/day rufloxacin was investigated for preventing infection and for its impact on the commensal flora in a pilot study of 62 patients undergoing cytotoxic treatment for cancer. No infection caused by Gram-negative bacilli occurred among 54 assessable patients but prophylaxis was replaced by empirical treatment for fever in 19 cases and because of an adverse event, in a further three cases. The remaining 32 patients completed prophylaxis. The number of oral Branhamella spp., faecal Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteriodes spp. were significantly reduced whereas there was little effect of rufloxacin on the numbers of the other oral and faecal microflora. However, resistance to rufloxacin increased among both oral viridans streptococci, coagulase negative staphylococci and the faecal enterococci. These preliminary data suggest that selective oral antimicrobial prophylaxis for patients with cancer might be achieved with once-daily rufloxacin.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

Reduction by indobufen of neutrophil activation in peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

We evaluated the effectiveness of indobufen administration in reducing neutrophil activation in a clinical model of ischemia-reperfusion. Thirty stable patients with intermittent claudication due to occlusive peripheral arterial disease of the leg were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in group I were treated with indobufen [200 mg orally twice daily (p.o. b.i.d.) for a week]; patients in group II received a placebo. Both groups of patients were submitted to standardized treadmill exercise until onset of claudication. Plasma levels of thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha(6-k-PGF1alpha) neutrophil filterability, and neutrophil activation (by nitro-blue tetrazolium test) were assessed in blood samples from the femoral vein draining the ischemic leg. The values were obtained at rest and 5, 30, and 60 min after onset of claudication. Urinary albumin excretion was measured at rest and 1 h after onset of claudication. Plasma levels of TxB2 and 6-k-PGF1alpha increased significantly in the placebo group 5 min after onset of claudication, whereas only a slight nonsignificant increase was observed in the indobufen-treated group at the same timepoint.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1996

Systemic oxidative stress and its relationship with age and illness. Associazione Medica "Sabin".

OBJECTIVE: It has recently been proposed that increased oxidative stress may play a role in the aging process and age-associated degenerative diseases. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the relationship of circulating antioxidants, namely vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, proteic thiols (P-SH) and ceruloplasmin, and of lipid peroxides, with both aging and aging with disability, i.e., unsuccessful aging. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred healthy free living and 62 disabled octo-nonagenarians and 91 healthy adults were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: Free living and disabled older adults had lower antioxidant and higher lipid peroxide levels than healthy adults, as well as the disabled older adults compared with free living older persons. Using logistic regression, we observed that plasma concentrations of vitamins E and C, P-SH, and lipid peroxides were independently associated with either aging or aging with disability, apparently representing biochemical indicators of patient status. In particular, aging and unsuccessful aging were associated with higher levels of lipid peroxides independently of circulating levels of vitamins C and E, suggesting that the increased oxidative stress was not merely an effect of a lower dietary intake of antioxidants. Serum ceruloplasmin was significantly higher in free living older adults than in healthy adults, and in the disabled compared with free living octo-nonagenarians. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with the presence of systemic oxidant load in older adults, and this phenomenon is far more evident in unsuccessful aging.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

The diagnosis of benign uterine pathology using transvaginal endohysterosonography.

Twenty-nine women believed to be affected with benign uterine pathologies underwent transvaginal hysterosonography insertion of a physiological solution into the cervical cavity by means of a catheter positioned in the cervical canal. This new technique, due to the acoustic window created by the fluid, made it possible to find: one cervical polyp, six endometrial polyps, one endometrial synechia, five submucosa myomas and one uterine malformation, the presence of which, with traditional ultrasonography can only be suspected. The subsequent hysteroscopic check-up confirmed the high diagnostic reliability of hysterosonography which is also easy to carry out, safe and costs little.

Endometrial Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

Transabdominal sonohysterography, transvaginal sonography, and hysteroscopy in the evaluation of submucous myomas.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of transabdominal sonohysterography in the diagnosis and evaluation of submucous myomas. METHODS: Fifty-two premenopausal women hospitalized for hysterectomy for benign gynecologic indications underwent preoperative conventional transvaginal sonography, transabdominal sonohysterography, and hysteroscopy. The results of the three techniques in terms of diagnosis, size, intracavitary growth, and location of the submucous myomas were compared with those revealed by direct inspection of the surgical specimens. RESULTS: Conventional transvaginal sonography for the diagnosis of submucous myomas had a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 98%; the predictive values of abnormal and normal scans were 90 and 98%, respectively. Transabdominal sonohysterography had sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of 100%, as did hysteroscopy. In all cases, the sonographic techniques measured tumor size more accurately than did hysteroscopy. The transabdominal sonohysterography measurements differed from direct evaluation by no more than 2 mm, and the hysteroscopic measurements were significantly different from those of the surgical specimens. The sonohysterographic evaluation of intrauterine growth was significantly more precise than that of the other techniques, differing from direct measurements by no more than 5-10%. Conventional transvaginal sonography failed to localize three of 11 myomas; hysteroscopy and transabdominal sonohysterography provided the exact location in all cases. CONCLUSION: Transabdominal sonohysterography is the most accurate technique for detecting submucous myomas and evaluating their size, intracavitary growth, and location.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1995

Impaired left ventricular diastolic function and vascular postischemic vasodilation associated with microalbuminuria in IDDM patients.

OBJECTIVE: Microalbuminuria is considered an important predictor of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients. In this study, a possible association of microalbuminuria with significant changes in left ventricular (LV) morphology and function and generalized vascular dysfunction was analyzed in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients without hypertension, coronary artery disease, or autonomic dysfunction. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Thirty-four young long-term IDDM patients, 16 with and 18 without microalbuminuria, and 20 control subjects were studied. LV systolic function and wall thickness were evaluated by M-mode echocardiography. LV diastolic function was studied using a combined echo-Doppler and phonocardiographic technique. The hyperemic response to forearm ischemia was measured by strain-gauge plethysmography. All patients underwent 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. RESULTS: LV mass index and wall thickness:radius ratio were significantly higher in microalbuminuric patients. LV relaxation was significantly impaired in both diabetic groups compared with control subjects; moreover, this impairment was significantly greater in microalbuminuric than in normoalbuminuric patients. In microalbuminuric patients, forearm postischemic vasodilation was also significantly lower and mean awake diastolic blood pressure (dBP) was significantly higher than in the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that microalbuminuria is associated with significant changes in LV morphology, a more severe impairment of cardiac diastolic function, altered vascular dilatory capacity, and higher daytime dBP. Therefore, microalbuminuric patients should be considered to have a higher risk of cardiovascular complications and be kept under closer surveillance.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Sonohysterography versus hysteroscopy for diagnosing endouterine abnormalities in fertile women.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of abdominal and vaginal sonohysterography (SHG) (considered both singly and in combination) for the diagnosis of intrauterine abnormalities. METHODS: At the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari, Italy, the results of the abdominal and vaginal SHG were retrospectively compared with those of conventional transvaginal sonography and hysteroscopy in 35 fertile women in whom a hysteroscopy was indicated. The sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of intrauterine abnormalities of both kinds of SHG (considered both singly and in combination), transvaginal sonography and hysteroscopy were compared; the predictive values of abnormal and normal SHG were determined by a 2 x 2 table relating the test results to the patients' abnormalities shown at hysteroscopy. RESULTS: The combination of both abdominal and vaginal SHG had a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 100%; the predictive value of an abnormal test was 100% and that of a normal test 94%. CONCLUSIONS: SHG provides a reliable diagnosis of intrauterine abnormalities. However, hysteroscopy and guided biopsies remain the decisive diagnostic test for investigating intrauterine abnormalities.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

A study of a hospital cluster of systemic candidosis using DNA typing methods.

A cluster of disseminated Candida albicans infections, which occurred at the Intensive Care Unit of the Department of Heart Surgery, was investigated. Ten patients became infected and seven died. A wide microbiological surveillance was carried out. A total of 14 isolates of Candida albicans, four environmental and ten human, were examined using the Restriction Endonuclease Analysis (REA) of DNA. The isolates were classified into five different main groups. Five of the clinical isolates had the predominant pattern Ab and two more clinical strains were very closely related. Two more isolates from the emergency kit desk and the hands of a nurse gave the same REA profile. Such a relationship proved the epidemic nature of the cluster, with most of the patients cross-infected, and strongly suggested transmission on the hands of the staff as a determinant of the epidemic. Thus, REA has the potential to address many important questions in the study of nosocomial epidemiology of Candida albicans.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed1994

Sonohysterography versus hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of endouterine polyps.

The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the usefulness of abdominal and vaginal sonohysterography (SHG; considered both singly and in combination) for the diagnosis of uterine polyps. Fifty fertile women hospitalized for hysterectomy for benign gynecologic indications were enrolled. Main outcome measures were preoperative conventional vaginosonography, transabdominal and vaginal SHG, hysteroscopy and histologic evaluation of the surgical specimen. Conventional vaginosonography had a sensitivity of 33.3% and a specificity of 100%; the predictive values of abnormal and normal scans were 100 and 79.5%, respectively. Transabdominal SHG had a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 100%. The predictive value of an abnormal scan was 100%; that of a normal scan 91.2%. Vaginal SHG had a sensitivity of 58.3% and a specificity of 100%; the predictive value of an abnormal scan was 100%, that of a normal scan 86.1%. The combination of the two kinds of SHG had a sensitivity of 91.7% and specificity of 100%; the predictive value of an abnormal test was 100% and that of a normal test 96.9%. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of abnormal and normal hysteroscopic examination were all 100%. In conclusion, the presence of endouterine polyps can be effectively investigated by SHG; nevertheless, hysteroscopy is more sensitive, being capable of detecting even very small endouterine neoformations.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Long-term preservation of renin-secreting ability by human adult juxtaglomerular tumor cells in explant culture.

Studies on cultured human renin(R)-producing tumors cells are few. In this work the R secretion by a human juxtaglomerular tumor (JGT) in various tissue culture models was evaluated by a new immunoradiometric assay. Freshly isolated JGT cells actively secreted total R (tR; about 70% of which is proR) into the perfusion media of very short-term cultures (tR concentration, 100-400 ng/ml/10(6) cells), independently of factors stimulating or inhibiting R output by normal JG cells. Primary monolayer cultures of the same JGT rapidly lost their tR-secreting capability and died by apoptosis within two months. Conversely, a JGT explant survived for up to 22 months in vitro. During the first year of culture, this explant increased in volume and generated, at 3- to 4-monthly intervals, several self-limited cellular outgrowths, from which it became detached. Meanwhile, tR secretion by the explant decreased very slowly, though its decline was transiently and partly reversed by various combinations of growth factors, hormones, a prostaglandin, and selenous acid added to either a serum-enriched or a synthetic medium. By the 12th month in vitro, tR secretion had faded away. Like the primary monolayers, the various explant outgrowths, once detached, stopped secreting tR and died in a few weeks. Hence, the preservation of a histiotypic relationship and the actions of several mitogenic and/or differentiating agents are essential for the long-term survival and the continuance of R secretion by human JGT cells in vitro.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Fetal choroid plexus cysts: a real dilemma!].

The clinical significance of the fetal choroid plexus cysts, observed by prenatal sonographic examination, is now a days still discussed. A consequence of this situation is the discordance of opinions about the question of whether karyotype analysis is always necessary to evaluate chromosomal anomalies sometimes correlated, especially in the presence of (as some authors have reported) large (> 1 cm), bilateral, persistent cysts and of other structural abnormalities. We have effected a prospective study to estimate the incidence of fetal choroid plexus cysts and to establish the obstetrical behaviour to be adapted in these cases. During 834 routine ultrasonographic examinations at 18-21 weeks' gestational age, we have evaluated the presence of fetal choroid plexus cysts in 9 fetuses, with an incidence of 1.07%. Three of these cysts were larger than 1 cm, three were bilateral. Karyotype analysis, effected in all cases, diagnosed a case of Trisomy 18 in a fetus who ultrasonographically showed, in addition to a unilateral cyst of 1.2 cm, also a diaphragmatic hernia. Careful ultrasound follow-up revealed that all the cysts disappeared spontaneously, but two of them (whose dimensions were larger than 1 cm) were still visible at 24 weeks' gestation and probably this age will be too advanced to begin a chromosome analysis. In conclusion, we think that the presence of fetal choroid plexus cysts always imposes a careful ultrasonographic evaluation of fetal morphology and, since there is always the risk that other small fetal anomalies (evocative of abnormal fetal karyotypes) wight not be noted, we believe that it is better, in any case, to recommend to the patient a prenatal cytogenetical analysis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗