Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to G De Angelis.
A case of postoperative cholecystitis in a 64 years old man is reported. This is a nosological entity characterized by gallbladder distension without any patent obstacle in the cystic duct and constancy of necrosis involving all the parietal layers. Clinical signs and symptoms are aspecific. Mortality rate is high and diagnosis has to be done quickly because the gallbladder necrosis makes cholecystectomy compulsory on such patients.
The Authors describe an intermittent pulsed pressure methodic applied to bipedicle tubed flaps prepared on the back of the rabbit. Clinical, thermographic, and histological data have demonstrated the safety of the flaps and a microvascular bed increase larger than in inexpanded ones.
On the basis of their experience in right colonic emergencies, the Authors report two cases of diverticular disease presenting with acute abdomen. Pointing out the difficulty of a correct pre- and intraoperative diagnosis, different surgical procedures are analysed.
The Authors carried an autoptic study on ten cadavers in order to clarify and if necessary modify some aspects of the nephropexy technique which was modified and improved by them. Two main conclusions are reported. First, the approach is better obtained by a prolonged incision to the twelfth rib. Second, possible damage to the diaphragm and to the lung are avoided with this technique. Furthermore, the study provides information about the preparation and suture of the capsule.
Primary malignant hepatic tumors are relatively common and the possibility of radical surgical treatment in the initial stages has modified our clinical approach therefore stressing the validity of a correct screening and follow-up of this pathology. The Authors present their clinical experience in the field enriched by the use of ultrasonography and conclude that this represents a highly effective diagnostic technique whereas it is less reliable in the determination of the nature of the lesion.
Two uncommon cases of Brunner gland hyperplasia are reported. Both presented clinical symptoms simulating gastrointestinal disease caused by hyperacidity. In conjunction with clinical statistics, diagnosis based on aetiology was only formulated after a double-contrast radiological exam of the g-i tract. After treatment with antiacid and antisecretory drugs, remission of the clinical symptoms was obtained, and regression of the hamartomatous polypoid duodenal neoformation, thus confirming the hypothesis which states that hyperacidic gastric secretion is the main cause of Brunner gland hyperplasia.
Liver resections pose a great variety of problems, not least repair of the cut. The various reconstruction modalities are reviewed and personal experience in twenty rats submitted to surgical removal of the median lobe of the liver with cover of the sectioned surface by means of omental mesh autograft is reported. The results were flattering for the absence of significant complications and for the haematological and haematochemical data obtained which confirm low easily the graft takes, its regenerative potential and the modulator action of peritoneal repair processes.
In general surgery, the advantages deriving from the utilisation of omental graft are attributable to the ease with which it takes, its regenerating potential and the modulator action on tissue repair. Personal experience regarding the peritoneization and covering of surgical liver surfaces is reported and the use in various sectors of surgery of omental mesh graft is recommended.
The reduced glutathione (GSH)-conjugating capacities of the livers of trout, carp, zebra fish, guppy, and bluegill have been evaluated with several substrates preferentially metabolized by the major GSH-transferase isozymes. Carp and zebra fish lack GSH-transferase activity with 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane. Guppy is characterized by the highest activities with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and the absence of activity toward trans-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one. Enzyme activities with the other substrates demonstrate quantitative interspecific differences which presumably are of minor relevance to the metabolism and toxicity of chemicals.
A new rapid and direct method for the determination of choline-containing phospholipids in the amniotic fluid is proposed. The determination is performed by an amperometric-enzymatic method. The correlation with an enzymatic-spectrophotometric method, already published, is also considered.
All monooxygenase activities assayed in guppy (Poecilia reticulata) and red killifish (Oryzias latipes) were 7-10 times higher than those measured in trout (Salmo gairdneri), carp (Cyprinus carpio), and golden orfe (Leuciscus idus). Cytochrome P-450 was 3 times higher in the former fish than in all the other species. Zebra fish (Brachydanio rerio) 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) ethylmorphine N-demethylase (EMND) were not greatly different from those of the former group. alpha-Naphthoflavone (NF) and methyrapone (MET) exerted qualitatively different actions on benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase of guppy, trout, and bluegill liver: both chemicals enhanced the bluegill activity and inhibited that of trout; the guppy liver enzyme was inhibited by MET and activated by NF. EMND activity was inhibited by either compound in the three species. The relevance of all these data to the European Economic Community ecotoxicity tests is discussed.
The oxidative demethylation of the model substrate ethylmorphine has been characterized for the first time in the liver of a fish (Poecilia reticulata). The enzyme showed maximal activity at 35 degrees C and pH values higher than 8. The values of Km and Vmax for the reaction were 0.83 +/- 0.11 mM and 4.64 +/- 0.81 nmol HCHO/(mg microsomal protein) per min. The activity is attributed to the cytochrome P-450-dependent monoxygenase system, since it is inhibited by CO and requires NADPH; moreover it is inhibited competitively by alpha-naphthoflavone and non-competitively by metyrapone. The enzyme activity is induced by a two-week treatment of fish with phenobarbital and may be associated with a protein band of Mr 54,000.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
This investigation was carried out to evaluate the plasma CEA and TPA levels in normal subjects and in 140 patients with lung cancer: 116 patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 24 patients with small cell carcinoma (SCLC). The CEA and TPA levels were determined simultaneously by radioimmunoassay. The cutoff limit of CEA was found to be 17 U/SORIN, and the cutoff of TPA was 99 U/L. TPA has shown a sensitivity almost twice that of CEA. The relationship between the mean values of CEA and TPA and the stages of NSCLC was statistically significant (P less than 0.01), whereas only the mean values of TPA significantly (P less than 0.05) correlated with extensive and limited disease in SCLC. The determinations of combined CEA and TPA levels (CEA X TPA) (P less than 0.001) correlated significantly with the stage of disease in patients with NSCLC; conversely, the use of CEA X TPA did not correlate with the stage of SCLC.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The case of a 74-year-old woman, affected since the age of 20 by generalized convulsive fits and who began to show at the age of 63 signs of Parkinson's disease is reported. The epileptic features showed no change while Parkinson's disease got worse. Further, every convulsive fit was followed by a transitory improvement of the extrapyramidal disorders. After a review of the literature on the rare association of Parkinson's disease with epilepsy, the hypothesis of a biological incompatibility between the two diseases is considered.
A potentiometric method based on phosphate precipitation with Pb2+ and on a lead ion selective electrode is applied to the determination of bile phosphates. The method is rapid and simple and does not require extensive sample pretreatment.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.