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Biomedical subjects

G Longo

Publications and source records attributed to G Longo.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Our experience in the treatment of fractures of the astragalus.

The authors evaluate the results of a series of cases treated by surgery for fractures of the astragalus at the IInd Orthopaedic Division of the University of Pisa between 1978 and 1998. Treatment consisted in reduction and stabilization of the fractures by percutaneous route or by anterolateral approach. Prognosis for fractures of the neck worsens as the Hawkins radiographic classification of degrees increases. Based on the Hawkins clinical evaluation form, excellent and good results were obtained in 56% of cases. Radiographic evaluation confirmed the effectiveness of the Hawkins sign for the prediction of necrosis of the body; this necrosis occurred in 37.5% of cases; arthrosis of the astragalus developed in about half of the patients, which was, however, not always associated with stiffness of this joint. A stiff astragalus was the most fastidious complication, after necrosis of the astragalar body.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hb-M "Hyde Park": a de novo mutation, identified by mass spectrometry and DNA analysis.

BACKGROUND: Structural hemoglobinopathies usually are inherited as autosomic dominant traits; de novo mutations are uncommon. Analytical and preparative procedures for the characterization of an abnormal hemoglobin are complex and time-consuming. Mass spectrometer analysis allows a rapid identification of the amino acid substitution. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cyanotic 7-year-old girl was found to have 16% methemoglobin. Laboratory data showed the presence of an abnormal hemoglobin, which was isolated by collecting the abnormal peak from DEAE and globin chains from CM52. The amino acid substitution was rapidly identified by FAB mass spectroscopic analysis, leading to the recognition of HbM Hyde Park. These data were confirmed by molecular analysis (Southern blot and DNA sequencing). Neither the parents nor a sister showed any abnormality; non-paternity was excluded by blood group serology and HLA typing. CONCLUSIONS: This is a case of HbM Hyde-Park arising as a de novo mutation. FAB mass spectroscopic analysis is a rapid and useful analytical method for identifying aminoacid substitution.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Efficacy of erythropoietin in anemia of patients with immuno-lymphoproliferative disease].

Anemia is a common complication of lymphoproliferative syndromes. The exact pathogenic mechanism of this anemia is unclear. Many patients require progressive and persistent blood transfusions. We treated 10 patients (8 with multiple myeloma, 1 with non Hodgkin Lymphoma, 1 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia) by administering low doses of recombinant human erythropoietin (60 U/kg 3 times a week s.c.). All patients presented anemia with hemoglobin levels less than 10 gr/dl; renal function was not impaired (serum creatinine levels less than 1.2 mg/dl or creatinine clearance greater than 60 ml/min). A response was defined as an increase of hemoglobin level of at least 2 gr/dl or stop of red-cell transfusion within the first 3 months of treatment. Nine patients (90%) responded to treatment with a significant increase in the hemoglobin concentration. Two patients presented a cerebral stroke not correlated with erythropoietin administration.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inadequate erythropoietin production in allogeneic bone marrow transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: There is some evidence that the erythropoietin (Epo) feedback mechanism in response to anemia can be altered in the period immediately following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). METHODS: By using a RIA, serum erythropoietin (sEpo) levels were serially measured in 10 BMT patients, from day -10 up to day +30, and the results correlated with the concurrent hemoglobin (Hb) value. Thirty healthy subjects and 15 iron-deficiency anemic patients were used in order to construct our own reference sEpo vs Hb curve. A sEpo value recorded in BMT patients was considered to be inappropriate for any given Hb value when falling below the lower 95% confidence limit of the control curve. RESULTS: Basal sEpo levels were significantly higher than in healthy subjects, and increased further during the BMT procedure, being still higher than controls on day +30. However, Epo production resulted inappropriate for each given Hb value, when compared with the control curve, in 60 out of 67 sEpo determinations performed following graft infusion. The inadequate Epo production was not associated with the development of clinically manifest signs of kidney toxicity. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that Epo production is impaired in the period immediately following BMT and suggest a role for the administration of recombinant human Epo in the short-term management of the anemia associated with BMT.

Anemia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical data and therapeutic approach in elderly patients with Hodgkin's disease.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the clinico pathologic features of Hodgkin's disease in a series of 114 elderly patients (age greater than 60 yrs), with particular reference to prognosis and treatment. Mixed cellularity (63.2%) was the most frequent histologic subtype. Clinical presentation was characterized by superficial lymphadenopathy (92%) and the presence of general symptoms (40.4%); mediastinal involvement was observed in 16.6% of cases; 17.5% of patients had a primitive infradiaphragmatic presentation. Thirty-eight patients were treated with radiotherapy alone (33.4%), 69 with chemotherapy alone (60.5%), while 7 received combined treatment. Complete remission was obtained in 85 patients (74.6%), 25 of whom relapsed. Elderly patients had an overall 5-year survival rate of 61.8% (considering only disease progression as a cause of death). Proportional-hazard multi variate statistics showed that survival was strongly influenced by the achievement of complete remission (P less than 0.001) and stage (P = 0.011). The achievement of complete remission was also significantly linked to the presence of constitutional symptoms, advanced stage and age greater than 70 yrs, as demonstrated by discriminant statistical analysis. The actuarial incidence of second cancer (28.7% at 15 yrs) was slightly higher than that previously reported in younger patients. Overall, our data indicate that the treatment of elderly patients with Hodgkin's disease should be aimed at achieving a cure, using the same therapeutic modalities commonly employed in younger subjects.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of the effects on the nervous system from exposure to low concentrations of mercury in employees manufacturing fluorescent lights].

In order to evaluate the effects of low inorganic mercury concentrations on workers employed in the manufacture of fluorescent lamps, a stratified sample of workers was selected at random and assigned to three groups according to the level of exposure. In all three groups, the urinary mercury values were within the normal range for unexposed population. Among the indicators of effect the simple reaction times test showed statistically significant differences between the three groups. Also "state anxiety" and "trait anxiety", investigated by the S.T.A.I. questionnaires, differed between the unexposed group and the other two. A positive correlation was found between simple reaction times and the state and trait anxiety scores in the whole sample and in the subsample of women. Moreover, the prevalence of symptoms related to low mercury exposure, collected by a questionnaire, was higher in the two exposed groups. Due to the absence of group-differences for the urinary mercury levels, interpretation of the results is cumbersome. On the one hand it cannot be ruled out that the unexposed group (mainly white collar workers) had some characteristics which could explain the difference in the simple reaction times test and in anxiety. Conversely, if a true mercury effect does indeed exist, the similarity of the performance between the second and third groups (both consisting of exposed blue collar workers) could be explained if we assume that the high turn-over inside the factory could have caused a similar previous exposure to mercury vapours.

Anxiety↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinical features of food allergy in children].

Food allergy (FA) (especially cow's milk allergy) is a frequent complaint in children. The clinical features of FA are protean and depend not only on the organ predisposition, but also on the immunological mechanism involved in the reaction. In this paper, the Authors review current knowledge regarding the clinical spectrum of FA in children, focusing the attention not only on classic clinical syndromes like anaphylaxis, atopic dermatitis and enteropathies, but also discussing less known problems like FA in breast feed infants, respiratory complaints, unusual gastrointestinal manifestations, cortical hyperostosis and also behavioural disturbances.

Asthma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Food allergy in asthma. Diagnostic significance of peripheral eosinophils].

Thirty one patients with suspicion of asthma due to food allergy (lack of correlation between allergic sensitivity and asthmatic attacks, association of clinical features suggestive of food allergy, no response to the pharmacological treatment) received an elimination diet. A second group (control group) of 51 asthmatic patients were enrolled in the study for a better evaluation of the diagnostic significance of blood eosinophil counts in food-induced asthma. 29-31 patients who took a variable oligoallergenic diet had a baseline blood eosinophilia greater than 600/mm3 (range 600-2100/mm3). Eosinophil count after an appropriate diet showed an early significant fall which preceded the improvement of symptoms. Only 10 patients had not a valuable improvement from the diet. The post diet change of spirometric values was significant. There was no significant difference between subjects with an eosinophil count greater than 1000/mm3 vs. less than 1000/mm3 with regard to both inhalant and food skin prick tests. On the other hand, the group with blood eosinophilia greater than 1000/mm3 had a significant correlation with the presence of persistent asthma (persistent alteration of forced expiratory volumes verified in asymptomatic phases of the disease) as with the anamnestic or actual report of eczema or other clinical manifestations of food allergy. Blood eosinophil count showed to be essential in the management of patients with a suspicion of asthma due to food allergy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Multicenter study on bronchopneumonia treated in a hospital environment in Friuli-Venezia Giulia: 1) Epidemiology].

Results are presented of a vast analysis into Bronchopneumonia (B.P.) conducted in North East Italy as activity of the Regional Section of the Italian Paediatric Society. The survey of the 14 Paediatric Centres in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, produced a total of 536 cases of B.P. in the period January-December 1982. Some significant connections between the several epidemiologic parameters investigated, with special interest in length of hospitalization, are commented. Bed occupancy, short vs. long stays, efficient management are discussed having also in consideration specific possible necessities of some local communities.

Bronchopneumonia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Multicenter study on bronchopneumonia treated in a hospital environment in Friuli-Venezia Giulia: 2) Antibiotic therapy].

An analysis of a year's admissions for Pneumonia in all the Paediatric Department of the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia is presented. The study was conducted as activity of the Regional Section of the Italian Paediatric Society. The survey of the 14 Paediatric Centres produced a total of 536 cases of Pneumonia in the period January-December 1982 and was focused on antimicrobial therapy adopted pre and after hospitalization. General and specific therapeutic choices are discussed. Drawing the attention on the differences among centres.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Longitudinal evaluation, from 1974 to 1983, of the use of antibiotics in a pediatric emergency unit].

A quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the use of antibiotics in the Paediatrics Emergency Unit of the Children's Hospital in Trieste covering the last ten years has been carried out. The results show an evident and progressive trend towards optimal standards in the therapeutic approach, revealing a marked reduction in the prescription of antibiotics for diseases of definite or presumptive viral origin and the use of first choice antibiotics in almost all of the cases. The promotion of the appropriate use of antibiotic treatment introduced at the Children's Hospital between 1978 and 1979 is apparent. The need for these permanently self-evaluating surveys aimed to assure continuous updating and to maintain optimal therapeutic standards is considered.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗