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Biomedical subjects

G Bocchiotti

Publications and source records attributed to G Bocchiotti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Liposome-delivered 131I-labelled Zn(II)-phthalocyanine as a radiodiagnostic agent for tumours.

131I-Zn(II)-phthalocyanine (ZnPc) incorporated into unilamellar liposomes has been systemically injected to mice bearing a transplanted MS-2 fibrosarcoma. Biodistribution studies show that the pharmacokinetic behaviour of 131I-ZnPc is very similar to that defined for the parent molecule ZnPc including a serum half-life of ca. 12 h, a high recovery from liver and spleen and minimal accumulation in kidney and brain. The most important pharmacokinetic parameter is represented by the high tumour/ muscle ratio of 131I-ZnPc concentration (ca. 9 at 24 h post-injection). These results suggest the possible use of the radiolabelled derivative for a real-time non-invasive monitoring of the ZnPc concentration in the tumour and peritumoural tissue during photodynamic therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Quantification of prostate-specific antigen immunoreactivity in human breast cyst fluids.

The frequency of gross cystic breast disease in premenopausal women and its possible association with increased breast cancer risk emphasises the importance of investigations relating to breast cyst fluid composition. In order to contribute to a better analysis of this medium, we have measured the presence of prostate-specific antigen immuno-reactivity in sixty-four human breast cyst fluids. Data analyses show that 35% of samples presented a level of this antigen < 0.05 micrograms/L, whereas 42 out of 64 cysts show a significant increase in the mean value of metabolically active apocrine cysts when compared to flattened cysts (p < 0.01). We report the first evidence that breast epithelium of gross cysts produces, secretes, and accumulates large amounts of prostate-specific antigen, a glycoprotein produced by prostatic tissue but recently detected in breast tumours, normal tissues, and during pregnancy. The production and intracystic accumulation of this serine protease in biosynthetically active apocrine type cyst can play a feasible role in the natural history gross cystic breast disease as well as in the mechanism of cyst formation, enlargement, and transformation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Brachial plexus surgery. An historical perspective.

Clinical observations on brachial plexus palsy belong to the last decades of the 19th century. True brachial plexus surgery is even more recent, starting with the beginning of this century. Surgical endeavors on the plexus have been varied and have met with alternating fortunes, undertaken by surgeons in a fascinating blend of sheer enthusiasm and deep pessimism.

Brachial Plexus↗
PubMed1994

Alpha 1-antichymotrypsin complexes in human breast cyst fluids.

Alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, a serum protease inhibitor, was found in 72 breast cyst fluids aspirated from women affected by gross cystic breast disease. When fractionated by gel chromatography, the presence of protein complexes or aggregates was demonstrated. A different distribution of the alpha 1-antichymotrypsin appeared to be related to the ionic composition of the breast cyst fluid; when compared with metabolically active apocrine cysts, a statistically significant increase of alpha 1 protease inhibitor values in flattened epithelial cysts was revealed (P < 0.001). Two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis showed in apocrine cysts (Na/K ratio < 3) a characteristic double peak of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin immunoprecipitin curve. The relationship between this alpha 1 protease inhibitor and electrolyte profiles may provide further knowledge about the imbalance between proteases and their inhibitors on functional changes of gross cysts and might be useful in studies on their mechanism of formation and relationship to subsequent breast cancer.

Exudates and Transudates↗
PubMed1994

Diffusion of antibiotics across tissue expanders: an in vitro study.

Local infection remains a significant complication of tissue expansion. Subclinical infection of pockets with permanent prosthesis used in breast reconstruction has also been associated with capsular contracture around the implant. In an in vitro model, we used four groups of eighteen 50-ml tissue expanders, each containing Bactrim, Ancef, Nafcil, or saline only, in beakers containing fresh frozen plasma, placed in a rotary shaker for 48 hours. Inoculums of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were then selectively added to the medium external to the expanders in each group. The growth of such strains was found to be variably inhibited. We thus determined that antibiotics can diffuse through a tissue expander's Silastic membrane and establish an efficient bacteriostatic level in the surrounding fluid. This information could have potential clinical application in reducing infections associated with the use of expanders.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1993

Carbofilm-covered prostheses in plastic surgery: preliminary observations.

The optimal interface between an implant and the host organism is that which minimizes uncontrolled and irregular growth of fibrous tissue around the foreign material. One way to achieve this goal is to coat the outer surface of the implant with a biocompatible material. A thin film of turbostratic carbon (Carbofilm, Sorin Biomedica, Saluggia, Italy) can be applied as a thin coating on tissue expanders and breast implants made of silicone elastomers. The success of biologic trials with such implants in rats and cytologic studies with murine and human fibroblasts encouraged us to employ the Carbofilm technology in clinical situations. Preliminary results indicate that Carbofilm-coated implants satisfy the requirements of an ideal alloplastic material and induce a minimal periprosthetic inflammatory reaction, with the formation of a thin, soft, pliable, fibrous capsule around coated gel-filled silicone implants.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Angioma of a finger: the usefulness of a graft from the hypothenar eminence for covering the defect].

Skin grafting remains the simplest option when bone is not exposed in soft tissue losses of the digits of the hand. As opposed to traditional donor sites, a split-thickness skin graft from the hypothenar eminence provides specialized skin similar to the one to be replaced. The graft remains elastic and soft in follow-up, without hyperpigmentation, hyperkeratosis, fissuring and hypertrophic scarring at the margins. As well as in acute trauma situations, the use of split-thickness skin grafting from the hypothenar eminence can also be extended to resurfacing defects in elective hand surgery. As an example, we describe a case of an ulcerated capillary hemangioma on the dorsal surface of the fifth digit at the distal interphalangeal joint.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Lipid-associated sialic acid levels in human breast cyst fluids.

Benign mammary gross cystic disease is the most common breast lesion. Women with apocrine changes of epithelium lining the cysts are at higher risk for developing breast cancer than the normal female population. Sialic acid has drawn considerable interest because of carbohydrate aberrations in malignant cells. The current investigation determined the concentrations of lipid-associated sialic acid (LASA) in 62 breast cyst fluids and sera. Data analyses show a significant increase in the mean values of LASA in metabolically active apocrine cysts when compared to the cysts with Na+/K+ > 3 (flattened cysts) (p < 0.001). The greater LASA levels in cyst fluids with lower intracystic Na+/K+ ratios could represent an altered expression of biosynthetic activity of the surrounding apocrine cell surface sialoglycolipid metabolism, providing a possible explanation of why women with apocrine cysts may be at greater cancer risk and being useful in further studies on functional stage changes in the cysts and their relationship to breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[The use of a topical antibacterial agent (silver sulfadiazine) on soft-tissue wounds].

Reducing the quantitative level of bacterial contamination in an open, acute or chronic, soft tissue wound below the critical level of 10(5) bacteria per gram of viable tissue is essential to delayed primary closure. First step in the management of the contaminated or infected wound is accurate local debridement, preferably with pulsating jet irrigation. Topical antibacterial agents, specifically silver sulfadiazine cream, are then usefully employed to reduce the bacterial count. Contrary to systemic antibiotics, these agents penetrate adequately into the open, granulating wound with a direct bacteriostatic or bactericidal action on a wide spectrum of gram positive and negative organisms, without the effect of local tissue injury typical of topical antiseptics. The use of topical antibacterials, traditionally confined to the treatment of the burn wound, the open "difficult" wound for excellence where control of local infection is first priority, provides a rapid local reduction of the bacterial level and paves the way to the final goal of primary delayed closure of the wound, either direct or with the use of grafts or local, distant, or free flaps.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1976

[The free autologous dermo-adipose graft in the treatment of postoperative laparocele].

An account of the biological and contentive features of the derma is followed by a proposal for its utilisation in the form of an autologous, free dermo-adipose graft in the management of some forms of post-operative laparocele. Personal experience and technique are explained. Grafts are used both for reinforcement of the wall after simple laparoplasty and in the replacement of missing muscle-aponeurotic planes.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A new prospect on the approach to open, complex, craniofacial trauma.

Complex craniofacial trauma has been traditionally managed in three stages: urgent craniotomy, secondary orbitofacial repair and delayed cranioplasty. Departing from this conventional approach, we employ an early single-stage neuro and plastic-surgical reconstruction for patients presenting open cranial wounds of the frontobasilar region coexisting with orbitofacial fractures. Neurological outcome does not seem to be affected by the additional operating time, nor is the incidence of infection raised, although bone fragments are repositioned, primary bone grafting is employed, and metallic material is used for fixation. Adequate direct exposure followed by reduction and rigid internal fixation results in primary bone healing and permits to avoid the difficult complications related to soft tissue contracture over misaligned bone. Compared with the conventional staged approach, immediate reconstruction appears functionally and aesthetically preferable, as well as technically easier.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Penile plastic induration].

Plastic induration is briefly described and its similarity to Dupuytren's disease is discussed in an attempt to detect a common origin. Results obtained in histochemical investigation of this question appear to suggest that changes in the polysaccharide components of the fundamental substances of the connective tissue are involved.

Connective Tissue↗