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Biomedical subjects

G Corona

Publications and source records attributed to G Corona.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Adult height in thalassaemia major without hormonal treatment.

Height and sitting height were measured in all the 28 patients (19 females and 9 males) of our Thalassaemic Centre who exhibited evidence of cessation of growth. Their average final stature, which had been spontaneously achieved at an age ranging from 15.0-21.5 years (mean 17.9), was slightly lower with respect to the mean standards for women (159.1 +/- 8.4 vs 160.0 +/- 6.0 cm) and men (167.8 +/- 6.4 vs 172.5 +/- 6.0 cm). Height deficiency exceeded 2 SD scores in only 3/28 patients. If compared to the familial target height, patients' stature fell within the familial range in 19/24 cases and in only one case was it below the lower limit. In the whole sample the patients' height was positively related to their familial target height (r = 0.72, P less than 0.0002) and also to mid-parental stature (r = 0.45, P less than 0.05). Heights of both females and males were superimposable on those of their own mothers and fathers respectively. Average values of either SH (76.4 +/- 3.8 vs 79.9 +/- 3.4 cm, 2 P less than 0.02) or SH/H ratio (48.9 +/- 2.5 vs 51.5 +/- 1.0, 2 P less than 0.005) were significantly lower in the female thalassaemics than in the sex-matched controls. Three females and one male showed subnormal values of both SH and SH/H ratio. Two out of these patients with eunochoid body proportions and another one with a decreased SH/H ratio have hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and are undergoing a chronic substitutive treatment with sexual hormones, which was instituted after the achievement of final stature.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Production and characterization of antibodies to mouse scrapie-amyloid protein elicited by non-carrier linked synthetic peptide immunogens.

Two polyclonal antibodies were raised by immunizing rabbits with two non carrier-linked synthetic peptides whose amino acid sequences corresponded to codons 89-107 (peptide P1) and 219-233 (peptide P2) of the translated cDNA sequence of murine PrP protein. These free peptides, whose structural characteristics in solution were studied by circular dichroism, elicited a reasonable immunologic response in animals. Both antibodies still recognized the corresponding immunogens after affinity chromatography purification. However, only antibodies raised to the former sequence reacted by immunoblot with a purified preparation of murine scrapie amyloid protein. These findings are discussed together with their correlation to peptide structure and the effectiveness of this simplified immunization procedure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Difficulties in achieving vs maintaining erection: organic, psychogenic and relational determinants.

Achieving and maintaining a penile erection are two essential components of the male sexual response. It has recently been suggested that distinct molecular mechanism could underlie the two disturbances. The aim of the present study is to verify possible clinical differences on pathogenetic factors underlying difficulties of achieving and maintaining an erection. We studied a consecutive series of 560 patients (aged 51.9+/-12.8 y old) reporting erectile dysfunction (ED), using SIEDY structured interview. Patients were classified into two distinct categories: those with difficulties in maintaining, rather than achieving, an erection (sample A) and those with main problems in achieving an erection (sample B). A complete physical examination and a series of metabolic, biochemical, hormonal, psychometric, penile vascular tests and nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity evaluations (NPT) were also performed. Sample B patients showed a higher prevalence of organic conditions related to ED, when compared with sample A as confirmed by higher SIEDY scale 1 scores (3[1-5] vs 1[0.1-3] for sample B vs sample A, respectively; P < 0.0001) which explores organic component of ED and higher prevalence of pathological instrumental parameters. No difference among groups was observed for SIEDY scale 2 (relational component) and SIEDY scale 3 (intrapsychic component) of ED. In conclusion, this study shows for the first time that patients with difficulties in maintaining erection are less likely to be affected by organic disturbances interfering with sexual function, when compared with those unable to achieve a valid erection.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychobiological correlates of smoking in patients with erectile dysfunction.

Although it is clear that cigarette abuse is closely linked to sexual dysfunction, it is still unclear which are the psychobiological correlates of smoking among individuals with sexual dysfunction. The aim of the present study is the assessment of the organic, psychogenic and relational correlates of erectile dysfunction (ED) in outpatients with different smoking habits. We studied the psychobiological correlates of smoking behaviour in a consecutive series of 1150 male patients, seeking medical care for ED. All patients were investigated using a Structured Interview (SIEDY), which explores the organic, relational and intra-psychic components of ED, and a self-administered questionnaire for general psychopathology (MHQ). In addition, several biochemical and instrumental parameters were studied, to clarify the biological components underlying ED. Current smokers (CS) showed a higher activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-testis axis (higher LH, testosterone and right testicular volume) and lower levels of both prolactin and TSH. Hormonal changes were reverted after smoking cessation. CS showed a higher degree of somatized anxiety and were more often unsatisfied of their occupational and domestic lifestyle. Smoking, as part of a risky behaviour, was significantly associated with abuse of alcohol and cannabis. Both CS and past smokers (PS) showed an impairment of subjective and objective (dynamic peak systolic velocity at penile duplex ultrasound) erectile parameters. This might be due to a direct atherogenic effect of smoking, a cigarette-induced alteration of lipid profile (higher triglyceride and lower HDL cholesterol in CS than in non-smokers or PS), or due to a higher use of medications potentially interfering with sexual function. This is the first comprehensive evaluation of the biological and intrapsychic correlates to the smoking habit. Our report demonstrates that smoking has a strong negative impact on male sexual life, even if it is associated at an apparently more sexual-favourable hormonal milieu.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Association of hypogonadism and type II diabetes in men attending an outpatient erectile dysfunction clinic.

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) were more often hypogonadal than normal fasting glucose subjects. The aim of this investigation is the assessment of characteristics and psychobiological correlates of DM associated with hypogonadism (DMAH). The Structured Interview SIEDY was used along with several biochemical, psychological and instrumental investigations in a series of more than 1200 patients with erectile dysfunction (ED); 16% of whom with type II DM. Hypogonadism was defined as circulating total testosterone (T) below 10.4 nmol/l. The prevalence of hypogonadism was 24.5% in DM versus 12.6% in the rest of the sample (P < 0.0001); differences in the prevalence of hypogonadism retained significance after adjustment for age and BMI. DMAH was associated with typical hypogonadism-related symptoms, such as reduction in sexual desire, leading to a decreased number of sexual attempts, and with higher depressive symptomatology. In DMAH, testis size and LH concentrations were significantly reduced, suggesting a central origin of the disease. At penile Duplex ultrasound examination, diabetic patients and in particular hypogonadal type II diabetic patients showed lower levels of basal and dynamic (after PGE1 injection) peak systolic velocity and acceleration, when compared to the rest of the sample, even after adjustment for age and BMI. Our results show that hypogonadism is frequently associated with type II DM, at least in the 6th decade. DMAH might exacerbate sexual dysfunction by reducing libido and mood and further compromising penile vascular reactivity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inventories for male and female sexual dysfunctions.

Several illnesses can distress sexual health and disrupt sexuality, an integral part of being human. These illnesses are not different in origin from those affecting other health areas, but, because sexuality is involved, effective communication and empathy between the physician and the patient may be severely hindered by negative feelings such as anxiety and guilt. A detailed general and sexual history is, however, an essential step in evaluating patients for sexual dysfunction (SD). Finding the correct way to ask questions and to decode answers on sexual health and disease might be difficult and, in some way, embarrassing. Hence, validated and standardized sexual inventories might help physicians confront SD. These case-history tools have the advantage of being standardized, easy to administer and score, relatively unobtrusive and substantially inexpensive. This review describes the main sexual inventories hitherto described and validated in different sexual areas of health and disease, and the advantages of the two main formats available to clinicians, that is, structured interviews (SIs) and self-report questionnaires (SRQs). Both types of inventories are composed of a set of standardized, written probe questions requiring a finite number of responses, driven by an interviewer (SIs) or by the patients themselves (SRQs). SRQs allow more time and intimacy to organize and develop answers to delicate questions, as are those on sexual life. In addition, SRQs could also be very useful in quantifying disease severity and treatment outcome. On the other hand, SIs help achieve a better patient-physician relationship and reduce the risk of misunderstandings.

Health Surveys↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interactions of antineoplastic chemotherapy with zidovudine pharmacokinetics in patients with HIV-related neoplasms.

To evaluate the perturbations in zidovudine (ZDV) pharmacokinetics as a consequence of antineoplastic chemotherapeutic treatments, we performed a prospective crossover study in 13 HIV-infected patients with cancer. The subjects received 2-day regimens of ZDV (250 mg x 2/day). On the first day ZDV was administered alone, whereas on the second day it was combined with antitumor chemotherapies specific for the histological type (ZDV + chemotherapy). Blood sample and urine collections were performed over a 12-hour period following oral administration of the antiretroviral agent. ZDV was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters of ZDV were calculated by a noncompartmental model. The mean ZDV area under curve (AUC) was not significantly different in the patients treated with ZDV alone and ZDV + chemotherapy. Comparison of plasma elimination half-life (t((1/2))), apparent systemic clearance (CL/F), and apparent volume of distribution (Vd/F) of ZDV did not show any significant difference before and after chemotherapy. Conversely, some significant differences were observed for both mean peak concentration (C(max)) of ZDV and the corresponding time (T(max)). There was a 57% reduction in C(max) (p<0.05) and a 66% increase in T(max) (p<0.05) after chemotherapy compared with treatment with ZDV alone. No differences were observed in the urinary excretion of ZDV and ZDV glucuronide and urinary metabolic ratio, as a consequence of antineoplastic treatment. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that some minor perturbations in ZDV pharmacokinetics (i.e. C(max) and T(max)) derived from antineoplastic chemotherapy. Based on the observation that antineoplastic chemotherapy had no significant effect on plasma ZDV concentration expressed as AUC, the observed pharmacokinetic interaction would not warrant by itself a change in the ZDV dosage during chemotherapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Criteria for the management of low back pain in health care workers].

Low back pain represents one of the most frequent health problems in several working populations and is an important problem for occupation health doctors. In fact, these professionals are often required to face with the specific management of this condition, also by participating with other professionals into the implementation of organizational and structural measures. This contribute describes a variety of interventions aimed at treating the syndrome and recovering the working ability of the patient-worker, including the initial clinical evaluation, the assessment of the casual relationship between work and the syndrome, the treatment, the formulation of proposals to modify the worker's physical and working activity, the ongoing heath surveillance and a more in-depth clinical and instrumental evaluation, including surgical treatment.

Algorithms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Association between relational and organizational factors and occurrence of musculoskeletal disease in health personnel].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Even if work musculo-skeletal disorders represent a serious and commonly observed health problem among health care workers, few data are available about physical therapists. This study aims to compare the musculoskeletal disorders prevalence over two different health care populations and MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two populations have been studied: (i) 100 nurses working in the teaching hospital Azienda Policlinico di Modena and (ii) 100 physical therapists working in different hospitals in Modena and Reggio Emilia. The ergonomic risk assessment has been made according to the Ergo Web questionnaire. A self-reported questionnaire [partly built according to Outil de Repérage et d'Evaluation des Gestes (OREGE) method] has been used to collect data about physiological factors, musculo-skeletal symptoms of the upper limb and spine, stress indexes and psychosocial indexes. RESULTS: The two populations are comparable as far as the data of physiological and working anamnesis. The physical therapists have an higher prevalence of neck pain (p<0.01), whereas the nurses have an higher prevalence of low back pain (p<0.01). Furthermore, the physical therapists have an higher index of pain (involving prevalence, number of occurrences and intensity of the disorder) of right upper limb too. The nurses have higher working strain (p=0.00), attention need at work (p=0.00), poor autonomy (p<0.01) indexes than physical therapists. The indexes' analysis shows that musculo-skeletal disorders are associated to stress and psychosocial factors in both populations.

Adult↗