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Biomedical subjects

G Neri

Publications and source records attributed to G Neri.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Micro-Ebstein. Presentation of 3 cases and analysis of the literature].

The authors describe three cases of micro-Ebstein diagnosed using 2D-echocardiography in patients affected by extrasystolic cardiopalm. The most important echocardiographic criterion for diagnosis was an apical displacement of the septal cusp of the tricuspid valve of at least 8 mm/m2 BA. It is generally reported that the severity of arrhythmias is independent of the degree of tricuspid malformation. The anatomical substrates of arrhythmias are persistent anomalous muscular by-passes between the atrium and the ventricles, and intrinsic anomaly of the right ventricular myocardium. For these reasons, it is necessary to follow-up patients and monitor arrhythmias using Holter-ECG. Echocardiography is now recognised as being the most important tool for the identification of this anomaly.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Stereological and functional investigations on isolated adrenocortical cells. III. Zona glomerulosa cells of chronically ACTH-treated rats.

Prolonged (5 day) treatment of rats with high doses of ACTH caused a significant reduction in the plasma concentration of aldosterone and a notable rise in that of corticosterone. Outer subcapsular (zona glomerulosa [ZG]) adrenocortical cells were isolated, and their morphology and secretory activity was investigated. ACTH pretreatment induced a marked hypertrophy of ZG cells which was coupled with significant increases in the volume of the mitochondrial compartment and in the surface area per cell of mitochondrial cristae and AER tubules, as well as with a striking lipid droplet depletion. Mitochondrial cristae were found to change from a tubulo-laminar to a tubulo-convolute configuration. Despite their hypertrophy, ZG cells from ACTH-pretreated rats displayed a conspicuous decrease in both basal and stimulated overall production of post-pregnenolone steroids, which was ascribed to the depletion of their stores of steroid hormone precursors (i.e. cholesterol and cholesterol esters contained in the lipid droplets). However, both basal and stimulated secretion of aldosterone was doubled, suggesting that chronic ACTH treatment induces in ZG cells an increased availability of monoxygenase II, the enzyme involved in the transformation of 18-hydroxycorticosterone into aldosterone. In the light of these findings, the drop in the plasma level of aldosterone observed in rats after prolonged treatment with ACTH is assumed to be due to an enhanced metabolism of aldosterone, possibly at the hepatic level.

18-Hydroxycorticosterone↗
PubMed1990

[Cardiac angioma. A case report and review of the literature].

We report the case of a 4-year old child who underwent echocardiographic examination which revealed a multicystic tumor mass involving the infero-lateral wall of the left ventricle. It was necessary to perform a biopsy to make a reliable diagnosis. Histological studies indicated haemangiomatous and fibrous tissue of benign origin. The extensive involvement of the left ventricular free wall did not favour resection so we advised periodic clinical examination and Holter ECG to highlight any eventual occurrence of hypo or hyperkinetic arrhythmias.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1990

[Aortic valve stenosis: current physiopathological and therapeutic aspects].

On the premise that the increased average life expectancy and a reduced incidence of rheumatic diseases have changed the epidemiological profile of valvulopathies, the paper analyses the causes, pathological anatomy, physiopathology and therapy of aortic valvular stenosis. First of all, the differences of acquired calcific stenosis, in which the orifice may be "forced" by the ventricular pump leading to a late onset of symptoms, are underlined. Clinical symptomatology must include angina, syncope or decompensation, rather than merely and elevated gradient, before surgical therapy is proposed. In addition to traditional therapeutic methods (valvular replacement) there is now the possibility of using balloon valvuloplasty which has provided good results in terms of increased valvular area and recovery of ventricular function; however, this is only a palliative step in cases where major surgery is contra-indicated.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Bacterial endocarditis in pregnancy. Description of 2 cases and review of the literature].

Bacterial endocarditis in pregnancy is uncommon. We described two cases: the first case of endocarditis, caused by staphylococcus epidermidis (at the 35th week of pregnancy) was complicated by severe aortic valvular insufficiency; the second case, endocarditis caused by streptococcus alpha hemolytic (at the 32nd week of pregnancy) was complicated by severe mitral valvular insufficiency associated with multiple systemic emboli. Therapy consisted, in the first case of partum-induction followed by antibiotic therapy; in the second case it consisted of specific antibiotic therapy followed by gestation. There was no maternal or fetal mortality in the two cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Clinico-therapeutic experience with a new antihypertensive drug, ketanserin, in elderly patients].

After a placebo run-in period (one week) 32 hypertensive patients suffering also from other disorders (cardiovascular pathology, diabetes, psychic or neurotic pathology) were treated with ketanserin (20 mg twice daily p.o. for 15 days followed by 40 mg twice daily for another 65 days). The patients' (13 men, 10 women) ages ranged from 54-94 years (average 69 years). Therapeutic results became manifest gradually with significant reductions of systolic and diastolic blood pressure; heart rate, too, had decreased slightly at the end of the treatment period. Global evaluation yielded favorable results in 59% of patients. Topical and systemic tolerance was satisfactory.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Two rare developmental defects of the lower limbs with confirmation of the Lewin and Opitz hypothesis on the fibular and tibial developmental fields.

We report on two unrelated patients with malformations of the lower limbs. One had a unilateral apparent doubling of the volume of the femur with distal bifurcation, shortness of the tibiae, absence of fibulae, and lateral ray deficiencies of both feet. The other had a partial duplication of the distal left femur, hypoplasia and proximal dislocation of the ipsilateral tibia, syndactyly of the right 1st and 2nd toes, and preaxial polydactyly of the left foot. This report supports the hypothesis of Lewin and Opitz on the presence of two distinct fields of development: the fibular and the tibial.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1989

A case of the Freire-Maia Odontotrichomelic syndrome: nosology with EEC syndrome.

We report on a patient, born to consanguineous parents, who had a complex malformation syndrome of severe upper limbs anomalies, peculiar face, structural ear anomalies, nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and abnormal hair and nails. We think that the clinical manifestations of the patient are similar to those described by Freire-Maia as the odontotrichomelic syndrome; the differential diagnosis between this syndrome and ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and cleft/lip palate (EEC) syndrome is discussed.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1989

Stereological and functional investigations on isolated adrenocortical cells: zona fasciculata/reticularis cells of chronically ACTH-treated rats.

The morphology and function of isolated inner (zona fasciculata/reticularis) adrenocortical cells of rats pretreated with ACTH for 3, 6, 9 or 12 days were investigated. ACTH treatment induced a notable time-dependent enhancement in the steroidogenic capacity (corticosterone production) and growth of inner cells. The volumes of cells, mitochondrial compartment, membrane space [the cellular space occupied by smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) membranes] and lipid-droplet compartment, as well as the surface area of mitochondrial cristae and SER tubules, were increased in relation to the duration of ACTH pretreatment, and showed a highly significant positive linear correlation with both basal and stimulated corticosterone production. The acute exposure of isolated cells to ACTH provoked a striking lipid-droplet depletion, the extent of which was linearly and positively correlated with stimulated corticosterone secretion. The hypertrophy of the mitochondrial compartment and SER are interpreted as the morphological counterpart of the enhanced steroidogenic capacity of inner adrenocortical cells, inasmuch as the enzymes of steroid synthesis are located in these two organelles, and it is well known that chronic ACTH exposure stimulates the de novo synthesis of many of them in vivo. The rise in the number of lipid droplets, in which cholesterol is stored, is interpreted as being due to the fact that, under chronic ACTH treatment, the processes leading to cholesterol accumulation in adrenocortical cells (exogenous uptake and endogenous synthesis) exceed those of its utilization in basal steroid secretion. Cholesterol accumulated in lipid droplets as a reserve material may be rapidly utilized after acute ACTH exposure to meet the needs of the enhanced steroidogenic capacity of adrenocortical cells.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1989

Effects of 4-aminopyrazolo (3,4-d) pyrimidine on rat hepatocytes: an ultrastructural morphometric study.

The prolonged administration of the hypolipidemic drug 4-aminopyrazolo (3,4-d) pyrimidine (4APP) induced conspicuous morphological changes in rat hepatocytes, which are clearly demonstrated by stereology. We observed a significant decrease in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and an accumulation of lipid droplets, which was coupled with a comparable rise in the hepatic concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides. These changes were interpreted as the expression of the 4APP-provoked impairment of the synthesis of the polypeptide chains of lipoproteins and of the consequent suppression of the assembly of lipid molecules in exportable lipoproteins. We also noted a neto lowering in smooth endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes, a decrease which was hypothesized to be the morphological counterpart of a reduced de novo cholesterol synthesis, due to the 4APP-induced rise in the intracellular cholesterol concentration.

Adenine↗
PubMed1989

Stereological and functional investigations on isolated adrenocortical cells. I. Adrenocortical cells of normal adult rats.

The function and morphology of isolated rat adrenocortical cells were investigated. Capsular (zona glomerulosa) cells secreted aldosterone, progesterone and small amounts of corticosterone; inner (zonae fasciculata and reticularis) cells produced corticosterone and progesterone. ACTH (10(-8) M) exposure caused a striking rise in aldosterone and corticosterone secretion by capsular cells, and in corticosterone release by inner cell preparations; simultaneously, progesterone secretion was significantly reduced. Capsular and inner cells possessed an average volume of 500 and 1250 micron 3, and ultrastructural qualitative and quantitative (stereological) features closely resembling those of zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata-reticularis cells in situ, respectively. ACTH exposure caused a notable lipid-droplet depletion in both types of isolated cells.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1989

[Coronary atherosclerosis and sudden death in a young athlete].

A case of juvenile sudden death, occurring during athletic activity and due to obstructive atherosclerosis of coronary arteries, is reported. Repeated maximal exercise stress tests, Holter monitoring (24 hours) and echocardiograms, performed because of recurrent episodes of palpitation during effort, gave negative results. Uncertainties regarding the diagnostic sensitivity of the protocols for competitive sport fitness in revealing latent myocardial ischemia are stressed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Efficacy of diltiazem in blood pressure increase caused by exertion].

After examining the properties of the 3 most widely used calcium antagonists, the paper assesses the efficacy of Diltiazem in reducing blood pressure rises after exercise in a group of 7 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. The blood pressure response to a standard load (50 W x 3 m2) on the exercise cycle was monitored in a group of patients under chronic digitalis treatment (phase I) after which the same patients' response to varying doses of Diltiazem (180-240 mg/day) was assessed (phase II) and finally (phase III) their response to treatment with Diltiazem alone but no digitalis. A significantly greater reduction in the systolic pressure and heart rate after exercise was noted in patients given Diltiazem with or without Digoxin than in those given digitalis alone. It is therefore concluded that Diltiazem may be useful in controlled blood pressure and heart rate increases after exercise, especially in patients with ischaemic heart disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Giant cell arteritis as a cause of myocardial infarction. Description of a case].

Giant cell arteritis is a disease of the elderly of unknown origin. It involves large, medium and small sized arteries. The extracranial arteries, especially the aorta and its main branches, are rarely involved. The typical histologic features are fibrous intimal proliferation, the disruption of the internal elastic lamina, the presence of mixed cellular infiltrate, plasma cells and histiocytes and giant cells. We report the case of a 78-year-old patient, who died of acute myocardial infarction. The autopsy unexpectedly revealed giant cell arteritis involving the coronary arteries and other systemic arteries.

Aged↗