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Biomedical subjects

G Moretti

Publications and source records attributed to G Moretti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Spatial-temporal interactions in the steady-state pattern electroretinogram.

It is currently assumed that steady-state pattern electroretinograms can be obtained only at high rates of pattern reversal. However, steady-state responses can also be obtained at very low temporal frequencies (less than 1 Hz), provided that the reversal is sinusoidal. In five healthy volunteers, we studied the frequency characteristics of the pattern-reversal electroretinogram in response to sinusoidal gratings of 0.4 and 4 c/deg, reversed sinusoidally in contrast at frequencies ranging from 1 to 27 Hz. Steady-state responses dominated by the second harmonic component were obtained at all temporal frequencies tested; the amplitude of the second harmonic changed with stimulus temporal frequency. In the low-temporal-frequency range, stimuli of high spatial frequency appear to elicit larger contribution of generators with sustained or tonic characteristics compared with stimuli of low spatial frequency.

Electroretinography↗
PubMed1995

Effect of anticonvulsant drugs on peripheral benzodiazepine receptors of human lymphocytes.

Anticonvulsant drugs, such as carbamazepine, may exert some of their effects through peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBR), which are present in glial cells and regulate the synthesis of neurosteroids. PBR have also been demonstrated in human lymphocytes, where they might be used as peripheral markers of anticonvulsant drug effects. In the present paper we investigated the interaction of various antiepileptic drugs with PBR of human lymphocytes and evaluated possible effects of acute and chronic treatment with these drugs. At normal therapeutic concentrations, diazepam, carbamazepine and phenobarbital occupy respectively 70, 30 and 10% of PBR sites in human lymphocytes. Although no change of receptor density or affinity was observed after acute in vitro treatment, in epileptic patients chronically treated with carbamazepine, phenobarbital and valproic acid, PBR Bmax was increased with respect to controls and untreated epileptics. Since PBR of human lymphocytes may be affected by anticonvulsant drug treatment, we suggest that they might be involved in the immunological alterations reported in these patients and might be used as peripheral markers of drug effects on the central nervous system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Effects of thymostimulin with combination chemotherapy in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A report from the Italian Lymphoma Study Group (GISL).

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy and safety of thymostimulin (TS) administered in addition to conventional chemotherapy in patients with intermediate- and high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (IG, HG-NHL). A total of 150 patients with newly diagnosed IG- or HG-NHL were entered in a multicenter trial to compare the effectiveness of two different third-generation regimens (MACOP-B versus ProMACE-CytaBOM) and were randomized to receive chemotherapy (CT) alone or CT + TS. In both regimens doxorubicin was replaced by a 20% higher dose of epidoxorubicin. TS was administered i.m. at a dose of 1 mg/kg daily on days 22-28 of each drug course to patients treated with ProMACE-CytaBOM, and on days 22-29, 50-57, and 77-85 to patients treated with MACOP-B. There were 134 fully evaluable patients: 68 treated with CT alone and 66 treated with CT + TS. Patients treated with CT + TS had a higher complete remission (CR) rate compared to patients given CT alone (59.1% vs 42.4%; P = .05). CR were significantly higher for patients treated with CT + TS in the groups with IG-NHL (P = .01), in those aged less than 60 years (P = .05), with good performance status (P = .05), and normal hemoglobin levels (P = .05). Four-year survival rates are 64.5% for patients treated with CT + TS and 43.0% for those treated with CT alone (P = .30). No difference between the two treatment arms have been observed as regards drug-related toxicity and the number and severity of infectious episodes. The use of TS during the 7 days before chemotherapy has been associated with a significantly superior CR rate. The advantage of CT + TS was mostly obtained in patients with IG-NHL, and those with good performance status or normal hemoglobin levels. In these patients TS may have potentiated the host reactions against the tumor, leading to an increase in NK activity and the production of cytokines. This postulated increase in the effectiveness of chemotherapy after TS might also explain the absence of the expected myeloprotective action.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1995

Epidermolysis bullosa junctionalis associated with urinary bladder exstrophy: a case report.

We report the second infant of nonconsanguineous parents with epidermolysis bullosa junctionalis associated with urinary bladder exstrophy, epispadias, anteriorized anus, and bilateral inguinal hernias. The family history also included the death of a maternal cousin due to epidermolysis bullosa. Our diagnosis was based on electron microscopy and immunofluorescence evidence. This patient is reported because of the rarity of this constellation of findings.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1995

Psychopathological disorders in a population of mentally retarded young adults.

Nosographic, clinical, therapeutic and psychosocial aspects of psychopathological disorders in 43 mentally retarded patients followed from 1988 to 1991 are presented. Mental problems in mentally retarded subjects are linked to mental illness but do not form a continuum with it. The prognosis is generally favourable. Great attention must be given to the psychosocial aspects as social integration is almost always at risk in the mentally retarded.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[The laparoscopic treatment of common bile duct lithiasis].

Recently the indications to video laparoscopic approach in abdominal surgery are considerably increased thanks to the very good results of the video laparocholecystectomy technique. The improvement of this methodology and of the instruments employed has permitted to extend the indications also to the treatment of cholecysto-choledochal lithiasis. After considering the actual possibilities of treating this kind of pathology, authors report their experience of 28 cases of choledocholithotomies carried out laparoscopically "at the same time" from October 1991 to October 1993, out of 431 operations on biliary tract performed for benign disease, 350 of which (81.2%) treated with a laparoscopic approach. In 26 cases the treatment has been completed. In one case (3.5%) it was necessary to perform a laparotomy due to an empyema with a wedged choledochal stone, in another case it was necessary to performed a laparoscopic-endoscopic treatment for removing wedged choledochal stone, but because of the failure of this treatment, a laparotomy followed. The only complication worth mentioning out of 27 choledocholithotomies performed is an external biliary fistula (3.7%) treated with a following laparotomy operation. The 25 patients only laparoscopically treated were discharged on the postoperative day 5. Even if a long-term follow-up lacks, authors consider the laparoscopic choledocholithotomy an efficacious cure for the treatment of cholecysto-choledochal lithiasis as it is a mini-invasive technique, which clears up the disease in one time, avoids not necessary papillotomy and reduces the risk of mortality and morbidity to their lowest terms.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Determination of thyreostatic residues in cattle plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.

A procedure is described for the concurrent assay of thiouracil, methylthiouracil, propylthiouracil, phenylthiouracil and methimazole in bovine plasma. In this procedure, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is performed after liquid-liquid extraction of plasma with ethyl acetate. Compounds are quantified by ultraviolet detection using a wavelength of 276 nm for thiouracil, methylthiouracil, propylthiouracil and phenylthiouracil and 258 nm for methimazole. The linearity range, precision, recovery and detection limits were determined and the method was shown to be applicable to samples of plasma from young bulls experimentally treated with methylthiouracil.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Hemicentral and hemispheric retinal vein occlusions.

Since some authors have considered useless a differentiation between hemicentral retinal vein occlusion (HCRVO) and hemispheric retinal vein occlusion (HSRVO), we have conducted a prospective research in order to evaluate the clinical and prognostic features of these diseases. We have followed prospectively 26 cases of HCRVO and 25 cases of HSRVO. The most important risk factors were hypertension, diabetes mellitus and glaucoma in HCRVO, and hypertension in HSRVO. In the HCRVO group 20 cases (76.9%) were of the non-ischemic type and six cases (23.1%) were ischemic-type, whereas in the HSRVO seven (28%) were non-ischemic type and 18 cases (72%) were ischemic-type. Our results demonstrate that the two retinal vein occlusions are quite different with regards to pathogenesis, clinical evolution and visual outcome and point out the necessity to achieve a precise diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

ProMACE-cytaBOM versus MACOP-B in intermediate and high grade NHL. Preliminary results of a prospective randomized trial.

One hundred seventy-nine patients with intermediate or high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were randomized to receive either ProMACE-CytaBOM (P-C) or MACOP-B (M-B). At last follow-up 71 patients in the P-C arm and 78 in the M-B arm were assessable for response. Forty-one patients treated with P-C (58%) and 49 patients treated with M-B (63%) achieved a CR. Moreover 18 and 22 patients achieved PR with P-C and M-B, respectively. Twenty-five patients relapsed, 12 in the P-C arm and 13 in the M-B arm. Thirty-nine patients died, 32 from disease progression, 5 from treatment related causes, and 2 from other causes. No differences between the two treatment groups were observed as regard to relapse or death-rate. At 27 months the survival rate was of 71.9% for patients treated with P-C and 70.7% for those treated with M-B. At 2 years the RFD rate was 64% and 60% for patients in P-C and M-B arm, respectively. Patients treated with M-B experienced an high rate of methotrexate-related toxicity. ProMACE-CytaBOM and M-B seem provided with similar activity. However P-C seem less toxic and more manageable in an outpatient setting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Simultaneous foveal and parafoveal electroretinograms in hereditary degeneration of the central retina.

Simultaneous foveal and parafoveal electroretinograms (ERG) in response to two identical checks (6 degrees per side) alternating at constant mean luminance were recorded in 26 patients (52 eyes) affected by central hereditary chorioretinal diseases and in 14 age-matched normal subjects (14 eyes). Patients were divided into four groups according to clinical diagnoses: 1. Stargardt's disease; 2. cone dystrophy; 3. vitelliform degeneration; 4. pattern dystrophy. The amplitude and latency of the foveal ERG and the amplitude ratio between foveal and parafoveal ERG (F:PF ratio) were measured. The mean foveal ERG amplitude was significantly lower than the control mean in all patient groups. The foveal ERG latency showed a trend to a increase in all pathological groups. However, this difference was not statistically significant. The mean value of F:PF ratio was significantly reduced as compared with the control mean in Stargardt's disease and cone dystrophy only. In 46 of 52 affected eyes (88.5%) at least one of the electrophysiological parameters was abnormal. Our results suggest that the simultaneous foveal and parafoveal ERG recording may be a sensitive technique in hereditary degenerations of the central retina. This method may also contribute to a better understanding of cone degeneration pathophysiology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Percutaneous fibercholangioscopies.

This is a report on our experience in 309 percutaneous fiberendoscopies of the biliary tract done in 106 patients of the 115 scheduled for the procedure. We describe the relevant approaches, techniques, complications and results. In particular, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopies (PTCS) were accomplished on transhepatic percutaneous drainages located radiologically in 35 patients: in 13 for differential diagnosis to distinguish between malignant and benign stenoses (diagnostic accuracy in 92% of the biopsies), in 22 cases with therapeutic intent, including 14 lithotomies for extrahepatic biliary tract calculosis, combined in 4 cases with a simple dilatation of the papilla and a percutaneous "descending" papillotomy; in 7 patients a dilatation of the biliary tract (BT) or of the stenosis of a biliodigestive anastomosis was accomplished (malignant in 4 patients, benign in 3 patients). In 38 patients postoperative percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopies were performed along surgically located transparietohepatic drains, both to assess the biliodigestive anastomosis healing process carried out by two different techniques (30 patients), and to complete the biliary tract drainage as part of the primary and secondary endoscopic surgical treatment of massive intrahepatic lithiasis. In two further patients affected by such pathology, PTCS was done in combination with fibercholangioscopy performed via a transjejunal approach using a Völker drain on a Y-shaped loop. Nine of these patients were treated successfully and one patient later underwent a left hepatectomy, since attempts to drain that area had remained unsuccessful. The transjejunal approach was carried out in 3 patients as a diagnostic measure: in two cases to check the lithotomy, and in one case to check a cholangiojejunal anastomosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biliary Tract Diseases↗
PubMed1988

Macular electroretinogram as a function of age of subjects.

Macular and paramacular electroretinograms in response to two adjacent checks (6 deg/side), alternating at constant mean luminance, were recorded in 34 normal subjects ranging in age from 16 to 74 years. The macular electroretinogram declines progressively in amplitude with age (R = -0.42; P = 0.013). The amplitude ratio between macular and paramacular responses tends to be independent of age (R = -0.21; P = 0.22). Age-related changes in the macular electroretinogram shown in our study are consistent with previous anatomical and functional studies, which indicate a deterioration of photoreceptors beyond 20 years of age. These results suggest a possible use of this technique for future studies on macular degeneration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Simultaneous macular and paramacular ERGs recorded by standard techniques.

A technique for the simultaneous recording of two small-field electroretinograms (ERGs), macular and paramacular, employing standard apparatuses for stimulation and analysis is described. The stimuli consisted of two adjacent checks (6 deg/side) obtained by masking the display of a commercially available TV pattern stimulator. The checks were square-wave-modulated in counterphase at 3.12 Hz. The subjects fixated the center of one of two checks. In one stimulus cycle, two ERGs could be distinguished: one from the macular area and the other from the adjacent area. The macular ERG is about twice as large as the paramacular. ERGs recorded by this technique can be considered focal since (i) they show a sharp fall-off in amplitude when the stimulus is displaced from the fovea, and (ii) they are no longer recordable when the stimulus is centered on the optic disk or on a large macular scar.

Electroretinography↗
PubMed1987

Pattern electroretinogram as a function of spatial frequency in ocular hypertension and early glaucoma.

Pattern electroretinograms (PERGs) in response to 8.3 Hz alternating gratings (16.6 rev/sec) of different spatial frequencies were recorded in normal subjects as well as in patients affected by early glaucoma and ocular hypertension. In normal subjects the PERG response is spatially tuned, with a maximum at about 1.5 cycles/deg and attenuation at higher and lower spatial frequencies. In all cases of early glaucoma and in the great majority of cases of ocular hypertension the PERG was reduced, as compared with that of normal subjects, mainly in the medium range of spatial frequencies (at which the PERG has its maximal amplitude).

Adult↗