Biomedical subjects

G Mazzoni

Publications and source records attributed to G Mazzoni.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Scrotal hematoma due to neonatal adrenal hemorrhage: the value of ultrasonography in avoiding unnecessary surgery.

Scrotal hematoma is an uncommon presentation of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage. Nine previous cases of such an association have been reported in the literature, and unnecessary surgery was carried out in five of these cases. The authors report three new cases observed during a 3-year period and stress the critical role of scrotal and abdominal ultrasonography in order to avoid unnecessary surgical exploration.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗

PubMed1997

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and respiratory function].

A prospective analysis of 58 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy was undertaken to assess pulmonary function changes related to the surgical procedure. Pulmonary function tests were performed preoperatively, as well as 24 hrs., and 48 hrs. after operation. Additionally blood gas analysis was assessed 1 hr. and 6 hrs. after the procedure. At 24 hrs. from operation significant decreases in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1", and Tidal volume to 72% (p < 0.001), 70% (p < 0.001), and 92% (p < 0.001) of preoperative values respectively were registered. There was a reduction in PaO2 (p < 0.001) and an increase in PaCO2 (p < 0.05) at 24 hrs. An increase in PaCO2 was also observed 1 hr. (p < 0.001) and 6 hrs. (p < 0.05) postoperatively. Blood gas analysis revealed pH value slightly lower than normal at 1 hr. from operation (p < 0.01). The pulmonary function tests returned to preoperative values at 48 hours.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Familial and psychological risk factors of ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: The aetiology of ulcerative colitis is still unknown. Several theories have been proposed taking into account psychological influences. AIMS: The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis of a relationship between certain individual psychological patterns, stress, some familial variables, and ulcerative colitis. PATIENTS: A series of 122 patients with ulcerative colitis and a matched hospital control population were independently studied by a team of physicians and a team of psychologists. METHODS: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Form Y) and Sacks' sentence completion tests were submitted to all subjects in both populations. RESULTS: Data showed significantly higher anxiety trait and state in ulcerative colitis patients, whilst 84% of ulcerative colitis patients showed a variety of obsessional traits and an affectivity state characterized by introversion and emotional immaturity. A link was found with regard to relationship with mother, to the condition of single children in the male ulcerative colitis population (41% vs 18% controls), and to last born daughters in the female ulcerative colitis group (47.5% vs 27.9% controls). In addition, a previous stressful life event within the 12-month period prior to the investigation was found in 44.3% of ulcerative colitis patients and in 10.7% of controls. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological disturbances and familial condition are proposed as risk factors, if not actual aetiological variables of ulcerative colitis.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis successfully treated by hepatic vagotomy.

Idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis and sphincter of Oddi disorders have been increasingly found to be concomitant problems. Treatment of this condition requires disruption of the integrity of the sphincter of Oddi. The case of a 16-year-old girl with sphincter of Oddi motor disorders and idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis who was successfully treated with hepatic vagotomy. This result, if confirmed, could add to our present knowledge of the physiopathology and pathogenesis of sphincter of Oddi motor disorders.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

Is there a causal connection between bile acids and colorectal cancer?

Bile acid composition was assessed in 50 patients with colorectal cancer as compared to that in a control group of 50 subjects. The two groups were age- and sex-matched. The overall bile acid values were similar in both groups, while the relative concentrations of primary and secondary bile acids were different, a significant increase in the patients with colorectal cancer being observed. This finding thus seems to confirm the existence of a link between colorectal cancer and cholelithiasis. Both conditions share common risk factors, such as alterations in cholesterol metabolism and bile acid composition.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

The Conconi test: methodology after 12 years of application.

The protocol for the determination of the speed/heart rate relationship during incremental exercise previously described (so-called Conconi test) has been refined and in part modified during 12 years of application. The new protocol calls for time-based increments in exercise intensity that are uniform up to submaximal speeds and progressively greater in the final phase. As in the original article (18), the speed/heart rate relationship is linear at low to moderate speed and curvilinear from submaximal to maximal speeds. A method is presented for the mathematical definition of this relationship, with the calculation of the straight-line equation of the linear phase and the identification of the point of transition from the linear to the curvilinear phase (deflection point or heart rate break-point). Analysis of 300 tests selected at random from those in our data base (more than 5,000 tests) has enabled us to show that the speed at which the deflection point occurs is significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that at which the acceleration of the final phase begins. This fact demonstrates that the break-point is not brought on by the final acceleration called for in the test protocol. Analysis of the speed/heart rate relationship allows for the determination of the following additional functional indices: 1) maximal heart rate (in 21 athletes the maximal heart rate attained in the test and that attained while racing were equal); 2) range of heart beats defining the linear part of the speed/heart rate relationship; 3) range of heart beats from the deflection point to maximal heart rate; and 4) maximal aerobic exercise intensity, obtained through extrapolation of the straight-line equation to maximal heart rate. Data are provided on the conditions of the test subject that modify his speed/heart rate relationship, such as incomplete recovery from previous efforts, inadequate warm-up, or inadequate test procedure with too rapid increments in exercise intensity. Finally, criteria for test acceptability are presented.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Reproducibility of the Conconi test: test repeatability and observer variations.

The repeatability of the the speed/heart rate (S/HR) relationship obtained with the incremental test developed by Conconi et al. (5) was examined by having 75 subjects perform the same running test twice in the course of a few days. From the data obtained, comparisons were made of four variables: 1) speed of deflection, 2) heart rate of deflection, 3) slope, and 4) intercept on the y-axis of the linear portion of the S/HR relationship. Straight-line equations, correlation coefficients (r), and technical errors of measurement (TEM) were obtained by comparing data from the two successive tests. Data analysis suggests that in two successive tests there are some variations in the linear portion of the S/HR relationship. However, the straight lines obtained from the two tests converge at the same deflection point. The problem of assigning a single value to the point of deflection, when determined by means of visual analysis of the S/HR graph, was also examined. For this part of the study, speed and heart rate data previously obtained for 65 subjects were used. The selected tests had been carried out during the course of various studies. The 65 sets of test data were plotted on graph paper and given to six observers for independent evaluation of speed and heart rate of deflection. These observers had different levels of experience in interpreting Conconi test results. The speed and heart rate of deflection values assigned by each observer were compared to the values obtained through mathematical analysis of the tests by computer. Straight-line equations, correlation coefficients (r), and technical errors of measurement (TEM) obtained by comparing visually determined data to those determined through mathematical analysis were calculated for each observer. Only for observers with little experience were some differences found between the observer-assigned and computer-determined results; these differences occurred for both speed and heart rate of deflection. We conclude that visual analysis provides information that is very similar to that obtained through computer analysis. The accuracy of the visually obtained information varies according to the observer's experience.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Describing places: what strategies are used?

Two experiments examined the role of individual differences and of spatial organisation of items in the choice of strategy used in describing environments from memory. The three environments presented in slides had different spatial layouts: a linear order (the river), the complete absence of a linear order (the market), and a mixture of the two (the square). Experiment 1 assessed whether two groups of subjects who differed for the use of rotation in a mental rotation task "Rotators" and "Jumpers"), would also use different strategies (either "Tour" or "Jump") in describing an environment. Results showed that spatial organisation had a strong effect on the choice of strategy, but individual differences were also present. Strategy stability was then examined in Experiment 2 by repeating the description three times. The relevant effect of item spatial organisation on strategy choice was again found, but limited to "new" material, i.e. to the first presentation, while the Tour strategy appeared from trial two. Results are interpreted in terms of the role of the cognitive load the material imposes on short-term memory, explaining the effect of spatial layout, as well as individual differences. This explanation is also compatible with the observed predominance of the Tour strategy, especially when material is well known.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

The long-term outcome of hepaticojejunostomy in the treatment of benign bile duct strictures.

OBJECTIVE: The authors review the treatment and outcome of patients with benign bile duct strictures who underwent biliary enteric repair. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The authors conducted a retrospective review of all clinical records of patients referred for treatment of benign bile duct strictures caused by surgery, trauma, or common bile duct lithiasis or choledochal cyst. The authors performed univariate and multivariate analyses of clinical and pathologic factors in relation to patient outcome and survivals. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with documented benign bile duct strictures underwent hepaticojejunostomy, choledochojejunostomy, and intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy during a 15-year period (January 1975 to December 1989). Morbidity, mortality, and patient survival rates were measured. RESULTS: Early and late outcomes correlated neither with demographic and clinical features at presentation nor with etiologic or pathologic characteristics of the stricture. Best results correlated with high biliary enteric anastomoses and degree of common bile duct dilatation independently of bile duct stricture location. CONCLUSIONS: High biliary enteric anastomosis provides a safe, durable, and highly effective solution to the problem of benign strictures of the bile duct. Transanastomotic tube stenting is unnecessary. Endoscopic and percutaneous transhepatic dilatation seems more appropriate for the treatment of patients in poor condition and those with anastomotic strictures.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Increased prevalence of aortic calcification in chronic pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: The seemingly frequent radiological observation of aortic calcification in patients with chronic pancreatitis seen in our clinic prompted us to assess the prevalence of this lesion in this disease. METHODS: Fifty-seven consecutive patients with chronic pancreatitis (52 male, five female; mean age 44.2 yr, range 26-59 yr), and 66 healthy controls, matched for sex and age, were studied. Of the 66 controls, 40 were both smokers and drinkers, as were most of the patients. The presence of aortic calcification was determined by performing anteroposterior and lateral radiograms of the prelumbar region. RESULTS: Radiological evidence of aortic calcification was found in 35 of the 57 patients with chronic pancreatitis (61.4%) and in 12 of the 40 smoker control (30.0%) (p < 0.005); none of the nonsmoker controls had aortic calcification. The increased frequency was more pronounced among the patients under 50 yr of age (40.0% vs. 0% and 70.4% vs. 35.3% in the 30-39 and 40-49 yr age groups, respectively). No significant differences in serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, blood pressure, alcohol, and smoking habits were observed between chronic pancreatitis patients with aortic calcification and those without, or between patients with aortic calcification and controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that patients with chronic pancreatitis have a significantly higher prevalence of aortic calcification than controls. The reason for the increased prevalence of this advanced atherosclerotic lesion is nuclear.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[The role of identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in thyroid surgery].

Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis in the most serious complication of thyroid surgery. Five-hundred and sixty eight-consecutive operations for benign disease of the thyroid were retrospectively analyzed. Bilateral identification of the inferior laryngeal nerve was performed in 447 cases, whereas in 121 patients the identification was unilateral. The rate of primary postoperative vocal cord paralysis was 3.7% and permanent palsy rate was 0.8%. Present results compared with those of Literature confirm that recurrent nerve paralysis is a less frequent complication when the nerve is routinely identified and correctly prepared.

Female↗

PubMed1995

Judgments of learning are affected by the kind of encoding in ways that cannot be attributed to the level of recall.

The authors investigated the theoretical question of whether different kinds of encoding can affect judgments of learning (JOLs) beyond any indirect effects arising from the differences those kinds of encoding produce on the likelihood of recall. They found that JOLs were more accurate after encoding by means of intentional learning than after encoding by means of incidental learning, even when the likelihood of recall did not differ for those kinds of encoding (Experiment 1), and were more accurate when intentional encoding occurred by generating the responses than by reading the responses (Experiment 2). An aggregation effect for JOLs was also discovered: Making JOLs about the likelihood of recall for an aggregate of items yielded less overconfidence (and even underconfidence) in contrast to the typical overconfidence of item-by-item JOLs. The overall pattern of findings suggests that JOLs are theoretically rich and are based on more than whatever underlies the likelihood of recall.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Cholelithiasis and diabetes].

The occurrence rate of diabetes was analyzed in 3370 consecutive patients admitted and surgically treated for biliary lithiasis at the I Department of Surgery-University of Rome "La Sapienza"-between 1959 and 1993. The incidence of such association was found to be overlapping with that of normal population. The natural history and the outcome of patients surgically treated for biliary lithiasis do not seem to be burdened by a concurrent diabetes. Diabetes was in turn found to be correlated with a more frequent presence of stones in the biliary tract. Possible causes of this correlation are discussed. The need in these patients of a more accurate diagnostic approach and specific therapeutic solutions is stressed.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Mirizzi syndrome. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations on 27 cases].

Mirizzi's syndrome is characterized by compression and/or stenosis of the common bile duct as a consequence of a stone impaction in the cystic duct or in the gallbladder neck. Clinical outcome, diagnostic pathway and operative management in 27 patients are presented. Ultrasound is referred as the first screening method, while E.R.C.P. and/or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography allow to confirm the diagnosis. Surgical approach is considered to be of choice and technical expedients are suggested to prevent intraoperative damage and to repair defects of the common bile duct.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Relationship between physical activity level and bone mineral density in two groups of female athletes.

In order to evaluate the possible relationships among hormonal status, physical activity and bone density, we carried out a study on two groups of female athletes engaged in different levels of physical activity. We measured the following hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH), folliculo-stimulating hormone (FSH), 17-beta-oestradiol (E2), progesterone (PRG), prolactin (HPRL), estrone (E1), thyreo-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and the markers of phosphate-calcium metabolism: calcitonine (CT), parathormone (PTH), and osteocalcine (BGP). We also measured bone mineral density (BMD). All of these variables were related to the amount of work performed during training. The groups were defined as follows: medium workload (group M, n = 10) and heavy workload (group H, n = 20), engaged in 10 and 18 hours of weekly training at 35 and 60 average percent of VO2max, respectively. All of the hormones and the markers of calcium-phosphate metabolism studied were normal; BMD was also normal for all subjects except for two sisters in group M with reduced BMD. The group H athletes with regular menstrual cycles were found to have an upper limit normal BMD. From these data we conclude that in regularly menstruating athletes an increase in BMD induced by heavy physical activity is evident, while in dysmenorrhoeic athletes the effect of physical activity compensates, to some extent, for the hypothetical bone mineral reduction possibly caused by the hormonal imbalance.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Quality-of-life assessment in a home care program for advanced cancer patients: a study using the Symptom Distress Scale.

Quality-of-life assessment in advanced cancer patients should include the study of physical function, psychological status, social interactions, and symptoms. "Symptom distress" relates to the degree of discomfort caused by specific symptoms. A Symptom Distress Scale, which has been developed by McCorkle and Young, is a self-rating instrument that evaluates 13 symptoms. In the present study, the Italian version of the Symptom Distress Scale (SDS) was used to assess the quality of life in advanced cancer patients. The internal consistency of this version was found to be good (Cronbach's coefficient alpha = 0.78). A sample group of 43 patients treated in a home care program was asked to fill out the SDS on a weekly basis. The scores showed a reduction in symptom distress, which was primarily due to improvement in pain, nausea, and bowel pattern. Home care was less effective in improving concentration and, more generally, psychological aspects. This study confirms the validity of a quality-of-life monitoring system that uses a patient self-rating symptom assessment instrument.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Hematological indices of erythropoietin administration in athletes.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), commercially available since 1988, is thought to be used by athletes in aerobic sports for the purpose of increasing oxygen transport and aerobic power. In an attempt to identify EPO administration, we have studied the peripheral blood of 20 subjects practising sports at an amateur level. Automated cytometry was performed on the blood samples before and during 45 days of EPO treatment. The same hematological indices were determined for a control population that consisted of 240 elite athletes from various sports. As expected following EPO treatment, RBC, [Hb] and Hct increased significantly (increments of 8%, 6.3% and 11%, respectively). A significant increase in reticulocyte count was also observed. In addition, automated erythrocyte analysis showed a significant increase in cells with a volume > 120 fl and hemoglobin content (HC) < 28 pg (hypochromic macrocytes, or MacroHypo): 0.06 +/- 0.09% before EPO, 0.48 +/- 0.63% after EPO. The EPO-treated subjects differed from the control population having higher values for Hct, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Macro and MacroHypo. To investigate the possibility of using such variations in blood parameters to identify EPO treatment, individual values for Hct, MCV, Macro and MacroHypo for treated subjects and controls were plotted. Using the percentages of MacroHypo, a cut-off value surpassed in approximately 50% of the treated subjects and in none of the controls was established.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Cancer of the distal pancreas: comments on its diagnosis and therapy].

The authors report 14 cases of neoplasms involving the pancreatic body and tail. Duration and characteristics of symptoms at outbreak, diagnostic work-up, resection rates, morbidity and operative mortality are statistically analysed and compared with those found in the same period in patients with cancer of the pancreatic head. A number of important differences between these two locations are detected and analytically discussed.

Carcinoma↗