Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Bianchi

Publications and source records attributed to G Bianchi.

At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Role of the ouabain-like factor and Na-K pump in rat and human genetic hypertension.

Endogenous ouabain-like factor (OLF) is present in mammal tissues and after standardized extraction procedure can be similarly quantified by two independent assays: RIA and Na-KATPase inhibition. OLF was quantified both from plasma and tissues obtained from MHS hypertensive and MNS normotensive rats, maintained under the same environmental and dietary conditions, and from plasma of healthy volunteers and essential hypertensive patients. OLF biochemical characterization shows that it behaves like ouabain except for a 1000-fold higher affinity for the ouabain low-affinity Na-KATPase isoforms than ouabain. Tissue and plasma levels of OLF are higher in MHS than in MNS rats and are not influenced by exogenous OLF sources. Plasma OLF is also increased in a subgroup of hypertensive patients. Both in rats and humans a primary cell membrane alteration affecting ion transports seems to be linked to the increased levels of OLF. An antihypertensive compound which selectively antagonizes the pressor effect of OLF and corrects the ion transport defect is under development and can represent a new pharmacological approach to the treatment of hypertension.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Study of vitamin D status of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Rationale and design of a cross-sectional study by the osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases study group of the Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR)].

The fundamental role of Vitamin D has been long known in regulating calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. An increased contribution of Vitamin D was recently described in association with a lower incidence of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). This must not be surprising, as the immunomodulating effects of Vitamin D are clear, which have been attributed protective effects in autoimmune disorders such as some chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, multiple sclerosis and type I diabetes. An interaction was suggested between Vitamin D metabolism and inflammation indexes through mediation of TNF-alpha which is also especially involved in osteoclastic resorption and therefore in bone loss processes. Some preliminary data would indicate an association between seasonal changes of Vitamin D serum levels, latitude and disease activity (DAS28) in RA patients. Consequently, the Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases Study Group of SIR believes that there are grounded reasons for assessing the Vitamin D status of RA patients in order to investigate whether this is to be related to physiopathological and clinical aspects of disease other than those of bone involvement. Primary end point of the study will be to assess the levels of 25 OH Vitamin D in RA patients. Secondary endpoints will include correlation with dis-ease activity, densitometry values and bone turnover. The cross-sectional study will enroll patients of both sex genders, age ranging between 30 and 75 years according to the 1988 ACR criteria, onset of symptoms at least 2 years prior to study enrollment. Patients will be excluded suffering from osteo-metabolic diseases, liver and kidney insufficiency and those administered Vitamin D boli in the previous 12 months. Disease activity will be evaluated with the HAQ. Hemato-chemical tests and femoral and lumbar bone densitometry will be performed, unless recently undergone by patients. Blood levels of 25 OH C Vitamin D and PHT and of the two bone remodelling markers (bone alkaline phosphatase and serum CTX) will be measured, as well. Patient enrollment will start on February 2007 and will last 4 months. By the end of 2007 the study will be concluded and results will be published.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Seed abortion in Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Mimosidae): effect of relative position in the fruit].

We examined if seed abortion in Guanacaste free fruits (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) is related to position within fruits, by establishing the abortion ratio in 150 fruits from 10 trees, collected in Santa Rosa National Park (Guanacaste, Costa Rica). Fruits were divided in basal, central and distal sections. We found marginal differences in abortion ratio between these sections (Anova, p = 0.058), and also among trees (p = 0.01). In general, the distal section had the greatest abortion ratio in relation to other sections. This abortion pattern could be caused by resource competition within siblings and not by genetic differences among them.

Fruit↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation: preliminary experience in 29 cases treated by the Neer method and Statak screws.

The authors describe the surgical method used and present the preliminary results obtained in 29 patients affected with recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder treated by Neer capsuloplasty and Statak screws. The long-term results were evaluated based on the Rowe system: the score was excellent in 18 cases, good in 2, fair in 4, and poor in 5. All of the patients resumed work activity, with no restrictions, within 4 months of the onset of functional rehabilitation. The use of Statak screws allows us to simplify surgery, while guaranteeing repair of the Bankart lesion, when present. The method reported permits correction of instability, without excessive reduction of joint movement.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Osteochondritis dissecans of the lateral femoral condyle.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OD) is a rare occurrence. In the knee, the most common localization is the lateral region of the internal femoral condyle. Involvement of the external condyle only occurs in 15% of cases, but its features are such that the situation is an entity in itself. The lesion is generally localized in the posterior site, and it is more extensive and more symptomatic as compared to medial localizations; moreover, early and rapid arthritic progression is observed. Reported here are 2 cases of OD of the lateral femoral condyle with atypical features in terms of clinical findings and progression of the disease as compared to more frequently occurring medial localizations.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cementless hip arthroplasty with a modular neck.

The authors report the preliminary results obtained in 347 prosthetic implants with hip arthroplasty with a modular neck. The advantages to using this method are related to the chance to adapt to different anatomical conditions: in particular, in primary arthroplasty a straight neck was used in the majority of cases (83%), while in dysplastic hips a straight neck was used in 47.5% of cases and a retroverse neck (8 degrees or 15 degrees) overall in 40% of cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intramedullary osteosynthesis after external fixation.

The authors report the results of a retrospective study conducted on 30 cases of fracture of the tibia and femur submitted to external fixation and subsequently to intramedullary osteosynthesis, treated between 1991 and 1999. Intramedullary osteosynthesis was used in 24 cases (5 in the femur and 19 in the tibia) as treatment subsequent to external fixation for nonunion or delays in consolidation. Sequential nailing was used as planned treatment in the remaining 6 cases. In 83.3% of cases the fracture was open (Gustilo Anderson type I (30%), type II (20%), type III (33.3%). The mean duration of external fixation was 13.24 weeks, and infection occurred in 4 cases (13.33%) during that time. Removal of the external fixator and intramedullary osteosynthesis were carried out during the same surgical session in 40% of the cases, while nailing was preceded by a period in plaster lasting an average of 4 weeks in the remaining 60% of cases. All of the cases achieved consolidation an average of 31 weeks after trauma, and 14.7 weeks after intramedullary synthesis. We observed the occurrence of infection in 3 cases (10%), but this did not keep consolidation from occurring.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Necrotizing amoebic colitis: a fatal complication].

Five cases of necrotizing amoebic colitis are described. The patients were seen at the University Hospital of Caracas during a period of 3 years in the surgical departments. In 3 patients the diagnosis was made preoperatively and antiamoebic treatment was started. Only one patient survived. The clinical manifestations, diagnosis methods and treatment modalities are revised.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinical and instrumental evaluation of erectile impotence: a proposal of a diagnostic protocol].

There has been increasing interest in recent years in patients complaining of erectile dysfunction. This has prompted research and the development of diagnostic procedures aimed at allowing increasingly rapid characterization of the type of impotence involved (psychogenic or organic) and thus the most effective treatment. In this preliminary study, we present our study methodology in patients with erectile dysfunction, emphasising in particular the diagnostic procedures best suited to revealing the presence of an organic cause in the pathogenesis of impotence.

Erectile Dysfunction↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The treatment of bone defects in primary arthroplasty of the knee.

The authors reviewed the literature as well as their own cases in order to discuss the indications, advantages and disadvantages relative to the methods used to treat bone defects in primary knee arthroplasty. An analysis shows that the use of cement represents the most unfavorable method from a mechanical point of view and it should thus be limited to defects that are not too deep and extensive. Bone grafts, both homoplastic and autoplastic, are preferred in younger patients. The former in lesions that are smaller, the latter in those that are larger. Currently, modular prostheses are diffusedly used because of their versatility and relatively low cost if we compare them with prostheses that are custom made. Finally, the authors emphasize the need to use intramedullary stems in bone defect with the purpose of reducing stress in the metaphyseal region.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hyperostosis and osteitis in Sapho syndrome: conservative or surgical treatment.

Sapho syndrome is characterized by synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis. It is a rare disease, with a benign prognosis; at the osteoarticular level it is painful and is characterized by episodes of arthritis of an intermittent and at times disabling nature. The etiopathogenesis of Sapho syndrome is still not clearly defined: some authors suggest a probable correlation with an infective agent, others instead include Sapho among seronegative spondylites. The treatment of symptomatic skeletal injuries (hyperostosis, osteitis) is controversial and not classified. In the rare cases reported in the literature surgical treatment has not proven to be more effective than conservative treatment. The authors report the poor evolution of the disease in a patient affected with Sapho syndrome who came to our observation after being submitted to medullary decompression of the femoral diaphysis because of the presence of metaphyseal hyperostosis of the left femur.

Acquired Hyperostosis Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Heterotopic ossifications subsequent to knee arthroplasty.

The occurrence of heterotopic ossifications constitutes a rare but possible complication in knee arthroplasty surgery. The authors retrospectively reviewed data for more than 250 patients submitted to knee arthroplasty with the purpose of ascertaining the incidence of the occurrence of heterotopic ossifications after surgery and of understanding any clinical repercussions and possible risk factors. A total of 14 cases of heterotopic ossifications were observed out of 276 knee arthroplasties (4.7%). Lesions were grade 1: 4, grade II: 3, grade III: 7. The authors stress the importance of local factors as compared to general ones and the need to adopt a respectful surgical method, avoiding notching or excessive trauma to the periosteum, as well as the need to define parameters in order to single out subjects at risk and in whom prophylaxis should be administered.

Adult↗