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Biomedical subjects

G Caruso

Publications and source records attributed to G Caruso.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Effect of ischaemia on sensory potentials of normal subjects of different ages.

In 73 normal subjects, from 10 to 82 years of age, maximum orthodromic sensory nerve conduction velocity was measured in the median nerve before and during a 30 minute period of vascular occlusion. During ischaemia progressive slowing in conduction velocity, decrease in amplitude, and increase in duration of the sensory action potential evoked at wrist and elbow by supramaximal stimulation of digit III were observed. However, a statistically significant difference (P<0·05 to P<0·01) between subjects was noted by grouping them by age: the older the subject, the longer the persistence of sensory response and the less marked the slowing in conduction velocity. The mechanism of the phenomenon has been discussed in relation to a similar longer resistance to ischaemia found in peripheral nerves of diabetic and uraemic patients.

Action Potentials↗

Induction intra-arterial cisplatin and bleomycin in head and neck cancer.

Fifty-two consecutive patients, affected by large T2 (greater than 3 cm), T3, T4, N0, or N1 previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, entered this phase I-II study. Treatment consisted of a continuous 8-day infusion on the following daily schedule: cisplatin 25 mg and bleomycin 15 mg administered for 4 and 20 hours, respectively. Technical-related toxicities were 1 case each of coagulation and displacement of the catheter and 1 case of reversible monoparesis of the contralateral arm. Drug-related relevant toxicities accounted for 4 cass of grade 3 or 4 leukopenia and 2 cases of peripheral palsy of the 7th and 12th cranial nerve, respectively. Forty-five of 50 evaluable patients obtained an objective response. In particular, 13 patients obtained a complete response, 22 a partial response greater than or equal to 75%, and 10 a partial response greater than or equal to 50%. Furthermore, 5 of 31 patients showed a complete pathologic disappearance of the tumor, whereas in 12 of 31 only a microscopic residue was found.

Adult↗

Friedreich's ataxia: electrophysiologic and histologic findings in patients and relatives.

Peripheral nerve conduction velocity and cortical evoked potentials were investigated in 48 patients with Friedreich's disease and in 35 relatives. There were 14 patients and 2 relatives who underwent sural nerve biopsy. In the patients sensory conduction velocity was moderately slowed, whereas sensory responses were markedly reduced. Nerve biopsy showed a severe loss of large myelinated fibers and no demyelination. On teased nerve fiber preparations, most fibers presented uniformly short internodes. No correlation was seen between sensory conduction findings or histologic abnormalities and clinical disability. In patients SSEP changes, which were constant, and VEPs, which were frequently involved, were unrelated to the severity or duration of clinical disability. There were 14 relatives who showed clinical signs of Friedreich's disease. Slightly decreased distal conduction velocity along sensory fibers was observed in more than half of the relatives. Nerve biopsy was noncontributory. In conclusion, we could not determine whether the abnormalities observed in the siblings were an expression of a heterozygotic condition, or whether they were early signs of the disease.

Adolescent↗

Temporal osteoclastoma: an exceptional lesion in infancy.

Osteoclastoma is a rare skeletal lesion, characterized by large multinucleated giant osteoclastic cells; this lesion usually affects young adults with a prevalence of 1 case/1 million population. We report the case of a 9-year-old girl with a right temporal tumescence: X-ray, CT and MRI revealed the presence of a right temporal hyperostotic ring-like area over the lambdoid suture, with irregular margins and calcareous deposits. The tumour was expanding mainly toward the endocranium involving both cranial tables and diploë, without infiltrating the brain parenchyma. The child underwent complete microsurgical removal of the lesion. Histopathological findings revealed the giant cell tumour osteoclastoma. Correct modern preoperative neuroimaging workup, coupled with microneurosurgical technique, allowed successful lesion removal with good outcome. A review of the more recent literature and of mechanisms of pathology together with neuroradiological protocol and results of treatment are discussed.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Primary combined small cell carcinoma of the larynx.

The clinical and pathologic findings of six cases of combined small cell carcinoma of the larynx are described. This tumor is a subtype of small cell carcinoma in which there is a definite component of oat cell carcinoma (or intermediate cell type carcinoma) together with squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma or both. The neoplasm seems to derive from a common cell with subsequent divergent differentiation into the Kulchitsky cells, squamous cells, and/or glandular cells. After histologic diagnosis, adequate evaluation for tumor staging is mandatory. Like pulmonary combined small cell carcinoma, this neoplasm may be best treated with systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The prognosis is similar to that of other subtypes of small cell carcinoma of the larynx.

Carcinoma, Small Cell↗

Noninvasive localization of human atherosclerotic lesions with indium 111-labeled monoclonal Z2D3 antibody specific for proliferating smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND: Targeting exclusive antigens in atherosclerotic plaques with antibodies may provide a noninvasive means to detect rapidly proliferative atherosclerotic lesions. 111In-labeled negative charge-modified Z2D3 F(ab')2 (Z2D3) specific for an antigen expressed exclusively by proliferating smooth muscle cells has been shown to accumulate in rabbit atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS: The safety, biodistribution, accumulation, and elimination of Z2D3 were assessed in 11 patients who were candidates for carotid endarterectomy. The presence of atheromas in these patients was confirmed by angiography and Doppler ultrasound. Z2D3 (250 microg) labeled with 5 mCi of 111In was administered by slow intravenous injection. Planar and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images were obtained 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours later. Carotid endarterectomy was performed and the surgical specimens were imaged, weighed, gamma-counted, and analyzed by immunostaining. RESULTS: Uptake of Z2D3 at the site of the carotid plaques was observed in the planar and SPECT views at 4 hours in all subjects. In addition, antibody uptake was noted in the contralateral vessel in 5 subjects. SPECT images identified the atherosclerotic plaques with focal uptake. The antibody uptake corresponded with the angiographic location of the disease. Immunohistochemical studies of the endarterectomy specimens confirmed the localization of Z2D3 into the plaque areas containing smooth muscle cells. Adverse drug reactions were not observed. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of targeting atherosclerotic lesions with negative charge-modified antibody. It also proposes the possibility of selective identification of various components of atherosclerotic plaque, which may contribute to determining strategies of intervention in future.

Aged↗

Comparative effects of estradiol benzoate, the antiestrogen clomiphene citrate, and the progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate on kainic acid-induced seizures in male and female rats.

We have investigated the comparative effects of estradiol benzoate (EB), the antiestrogen clomiphene citrate (CC), and the progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on seizures induced by systemic injection of kainic acid (15 mg/kg i.p.) in male and female rats. Subcutaneous administration for 10 days of EB (10 micrograms/kg) or high doses of CC (50 mg/kg) significantly potentiated kainate-induced seizures, with this effect being more pronounced in male animals. Doses of 2.5 mg/kg of CC potentiated kainate-induced seizures in male rats but were ineffective in female rats. Low doses of CC (0.5 mg/kg) exhibited a mild anticonvulsant effect in both sexes. Repeated administration of MPA (2.5 mg/kg) partially protected female animals against kainate-induced seizures; in male animals, MPA induced a 30% increase in the seizure severity score, although the difference from the score of control male rats was not significant. These data suggest that sex steroids influence kainate-induced seizures in a sex-dependent manner and that the effects of the antiestrogen CC are dose dependent. This should be taken into account in view of a possible use of CC and MPA in hormonal therapy for seizure disorders.

Animals↗

Angiosarcoma of the larynx. Case report.

Angiosarcoma of the larynx is an uncommon malignant tumor of mesenchymal origin. A case of angiosarcoma of the epiglottis was followed for about 6 years. Diagnostic and clinicopathologic findings outline the importance of a correct differential diagnosis from other vascular malignant tumors (malignant hemangiopericytoma and Kaposi's sarcoma). A critical review of the literature is included.

Aged↗

Chylothorax--a complication of subclavian vein catheterization.

Insertion complications of subclavian vein catheter placement are well documented. Thoracic duct injury is a potential problem which has rarely been reported. A patient with duct injury and resultant chylothorax is presented. The management of this problem is discussed with emphasis placed on chyle leakage from both the nutritional and mechanical aspect. The anatomy and function of the thoracic duct as well as the pathophysiology and treatment of chylothorax are detailed.

Aged↗

[The emergency treatment of aneurysms of the supra-aortic trunks and of the internal carotid].

In the last 10 years, four patients with aneurysms of the supraaortic trunks and the internal carotid artery have been operated in emergency at Department of Vascular Surgery of University of Bari. The first case was a mycotic aneurysm of the carotid bifurcation, the second an aneurysm of internal carotid artery interesting the retropharynx, the third a post-operatory pseudoaneurysm of common carotid in a patient affected by Takayasu's disease and the last an atherosclerotic aneurysm of the innominate artery. Clinical picture suggested an immediate surgical treatment in all patients. Different procedure were used depending on size and localization of each lesion. Results in all cases have been satisfactory. The aneurysms of supraaortic trunks and of internal carotid artery are very rare; therefore when clinical picture is dramatic or quickly worsening, emergency treatment is mandatory in order to reduce mortality risk and minimize complications.

Adult↗

[Polypropylene mesh in the surgical treatment of inguinal and crural hernia: our experience with 500 cases].

The authors guided by their personal experience (612 abdominal hernioplasties performed between 1992 and 1998) after using for the cure of inguinal and femoral hernias diverse prosthesis illustrate the characteristics of the polipropene prosthesis which in their opinion possesses every requirement necessary to enable it to become the defining ideal prosthesis. The authors underline again the use of this routinely applied prosthesis, also in a local anaesthesia it has favoured the development of the tension-free and suture-less technique which hes allowed hernioplasty to spread in day-surgery.

Adult↗