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Biomedical subjects

G Pappalardo

Publications and source records attributed to G Pappalardo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

The DRPLA CAG repeats in an Italian population sample: evaluation of the polymorphism for forensic applications.

The DRPLA CAG repeats polymorphism has been studied in an Italian population sample. PCR amplification, manual PAGE and silver staining were employed. A total of 16 different alleles, spanning the range from 5 to 21 CAG triplettes, was observed. The heterozygosity was 0.81 and no significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was found 81 meioses from parentage testing were also analyzed and a Mendelian pattern of inheritance was observed in all cases. In addition, we could successfully type DRPLA locus in some forensic specimens, 1 ng of DNA allowing clear definition of alleles. The authors conclude that the DRPLA CAG repeats analysis may be useful for forensic applications.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

[An update in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors of the hepatic portal].

BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinoma affecting the cross of the bile ducts is a tumour which has, although treatments, a high rate of mortality. METHODS: Between January 1986 and January 1996 six patients affected by Klatskin's tumor were studied; three of them underwent operation and were treated with insertion of a T tube (Kerr), whereas the other three were managed endoscopically with trans-tumoral stenting. RESULTS: The survival rate was about seven months for patients who underwent operation and fifteen months for patients managed with endoscopic stenting. CONCLUSIONS: After a review of the literature and according to personal experience, it is underlined that only an early diagnosis can achieve best results, since the latest knowledge about hepatic anatomy derived from transplants allows more extensive resections.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Plasma (carotenoids, retinol, alpha-tocopherol) and tissue (carotenoids) levels after supplementation with beta-carotene in subjects with precancerous and cancerous lesions of sigmoid colon.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To compare tissue and plasma carotenoids status of healthy subjects and subjects with pre-cancer and cancer lesions; (2) to evaluate the effect of beta-carotene supplementation on the concentrations of other carotenoids in tissue (luteine + zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, alpha-carotene) and in plasma and also retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels. DESIGN: Eighteen subjects were divided into three groups on the basis of colonoscopy and histological analytical findings: four healthy subjects (control group A); seven subjects affected by adenomatous polyps (group B with pre-cancer lesions); seven subjects suffering from colonic cancer (group C). Blood and colonic biopsy samples were taken (of colon and rectal mucosa) before and after beta-carotene supplementation in all subjects. Groups A and B received a daily dose of beta-carotene (30 mg/die) for 43 d. Group C's supplementation was terminated at the time which was performed, usually within 15 d. The tissue and plasma concentration of carotenoids, retinol and alpha-tocopherol were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The tissue concentrations of each carotenoid were similar in all the intestinal sites examined as regards groups A and B, although there was a high degree of intra individual variability within each group. Only beta-carotene made significant increases (P < 0.001) after supplementation. The subjects with cancer show tissue levels for each carotenoid lower than those of healthy subjects or subjects with polypous. The plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol did not change after supplementation while significant increases were noted of retinol, alpha-carotene (P < 0.01) and of beta-carotene (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with colonic cancer seemed to undergo a significant reduction in their antioxidant reserves with respect to the normal subjects and or polyps. We can confirm that oral B-carotene supplementation induces also an increase in plasma alpha-carotene in all groups.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1997

Giant leiomyoma of the oesophagus and cardia. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations: case report and literature review.

A case of giant leiomyoma of the oesophagus and cardia is presented. Magnetic resonance imaging was particularly useful for assessing the relationship of the tumour to the neighbouring structures. Radical resection was performed by partial oesophagogastrectomy with intrathoracic oesophagogastrostomy. Giant oesophageal leiomyomas present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge because of their size and the possibility of malignant behaviour.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Benign biliary strictures: a review of 21 years of experience.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of patients with benign biliary strictures remains a challenge for even the most skilled biliary surgeons. Within the wide range of causes of benign biliary strictures, iatrogenic lesions represent one of the major ones. Biliary reconstruction with Roux-en-Y anastomosis remains the treatment of choice for most cases of benign biliary strictures despite recent reports about endoscopic or percutaneous management that have been quite encouraging. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively evaluated 194 patients who underwent surgery for benign biliary strictures over a 21-year period. The biliary strictures were classified into eight different types according to their level. The surgical procedures had been tailored mainly to the site and the extent of the structure as well as the overall status of the patient. RESULTS: Postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were 2.6 percent and 20.1 percent, respectively. The results we obtained were 79.6 percent good, 8.9 percent moderate, and 11.5 percent unsatisfactory. The mean follow-up was 9.3 years. In particular, hepati-cojejunostomy performed in low- and mid-level strictures had the best prognosis (good, 85.5 percent), while high and diffuse strictures had worse results (good, 70 percent), although with only hepaticojejunostomy according to Hepp-Couinaud, this percentage increases to 81 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Correct preoperative assessment of the site and extent of the biliary stricture is important in the choice of the gold-standard surgical procedure. Hepaticojejunostomy and hepaticojejunostomy according to Hepp-Couinaud are the treatments of choice in most instances of benign biliary strictures. Cholangiojejunostomy and hepatic resections are rarely indicated and are performed mostly for highly complicated and intrahepatic strictures. Endoscopic or percutaneous balloon dilation should be reserved for high-risk patients.

Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y↗
PubMed1995

Antioxidant effect of copper(II) on photosensitized lipid peroxidation.

Unilamellar liposomes (LH) of phosphatidylcholine (PC), dispersed in phosphate buffer at pH 7 (PB), underwent lipid peroxidation and lysis with release of entrapped glucose-6-phosphate when irradiated with UVA light in the presence of 2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid (ketoprofen, KPF) or 2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propionic acid (naproxen, NAP), which were used as photosensitizers. Lipid photoperoxidation and consequent lysis were reduced when copper(II), up to 5 microM, was present in the irradiated samples. Suitable experiments were performed to evidence the species responsible for the lipid peroxidation, the copper effect on the drug photodegradation, and the mechanism of the copper antioxidant activity. The overall results suggest that the photoperoxidation was probably initiated by organic radicals obtained from the irradiation of KPF and NAP and the inhibition by copper could be attributed to its interaction with the peroxyl radicals of the drug and/or the liposomes, breaking the propagation of the radical chain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Accumulation of beta-carotene in normal colorectal mucosa and colonic neoplastic lesions in humans.

The quantity of beta-carotene (BC) accumulated in colonic polyps and colonic cancerous tissue in humans in situ was determined relative to the quantity accumulated in normal colon and rectal tissue. Serum concentration of BC, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol and tissue BC concentration were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography in samples obtained before and after oral supplementation with BC (30 mg/day). The serum BC and retinol concentrations significantly increased in response to supplementation in control, polyp, and cancer patients, but there was no change in serum alpha-tocopherol concentration. The BC concentration in tissue (colon, rectum, and tumor) of cancer patients was significantly less than that in tissue samples from control and polyp patients. Relative to baseline values, BC accumulated to a significant extent in tissues from all patients, including polyp and tumor tissue, during supplementation. The results indicate that BC does accumulate in colonic neoplastic tissue in humans and may potentially be utilized to augment cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutics or to prevent malignant transformation of cells.

Adenomatous Polyps↗
PubMed1994

Retroperitoneal malignant schwannoma. A case report.

The isolated retroperitoneal malignant schwannoma unassociated with Von Recklinghausen's disease is an unusual neoplasm, representing 0.01% of all retroperitoneal malignant neoplasms, with a poor prognosis, and an average survival at 5 years of 50% in patients treated by radical exeresis. At present, it is impossible, without histologic and immunohistochemical examinations, to differentiate it from other isolated retroperitoneal sarcomatous neoplasms. The authors report a case of retroperitoneal malignant schwannoma 20 cm in diameter in a 62-year-old woman surgically treated by radical exeresis. Postoperative complications were absent, and the patient, discharged from the hospital on the 12th postoperative day, died 8 months later of diffuse metastases, without local relapse. Despite the patient's short survival, the authors believe radical surgery to be the best therapeutic choice. Only surgery can establish a final diagnosis and can offer the best chance of survival and a significant and sometimes prolonged relief of symptomatology.

Female↗
PubMed1994

[Consensus conference. Saving blood: which are still the doubts and the problems?].

The consensus conference on blood saving has allowed us to formulate some interesting guidelines. The autologous and homologous transfusion require the patient's consent. For volemic replacement crystalloid solutions are used for phlebotomies below 10-15%, and colloid solutions for those greater than 10-15% of the blood mass. Severe isovolemic hemodilution (Ht < 20%) necessitates the reduction of the dosage of some drugs. A limit of Hb around 9 g/dl after phlebotomy may be acceptable in the absence of cerebral and coronary vascular disease. Phlebotomies are therefore possible also when the Hb values are 10 g/dl (Ht 30%). Hb values around 7 g/dl in the late postoperative period (from day 3 to 6) may be accepted only if well tolerated. The blood salvaged during surgery and at the beginning of the postoperative phase must always be centrifugated, washed and microfiltered. Subsequently, in the first 8 hours it is possible to reinfuse red cells after sedimentation and microfiltration. The techniques of predeposit, hemodilution and recovery are valid especially if associated with careful control of postoperative bleeding by means of aspiration under controlled pressure (at minimum negative values and sometimes positive ones), monitoring of blood loss from drainage and application of elastic compression bandages.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗
PubMed1993

[Substernal goiter: new diagnostic methods and treatment].

The authors report 47 cases of substernal goiters operated between 1971 and 1990. Forty-five patients had mediastinal-cervical-goiters (g.c.m.) and 2 had ectopic goiter (g.e.). Cervicotomy was performed in the 45 g.c.m., in 3 cases associated with sternal "split". The g.e. were treated with thoracotomy. Computed Tomography (TC) has been performed since 1984 in 26 patients; Magnetic Resonance (RM) since 1987 in 6 patients. The diagnostic accuracy for TC was 84.6% and 100% for MR on anatomical-topographic-definition, and 80.8% and 83.3% for presumptive diagnosis of nature, respectively. Considering the high diagnostic accuracy, the possibility to reconstruct the images in sagittal and coronal planes, the RM seems to be the elective diagnostic procedure for all substernal goiters.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Historical evolution of the surgical anatomy of the liver.

The authors report the history of the anatomy and surgical anatomy of the liver from the paleolithic age up to now. Particular emphasis has been reserved to the changing anatomical knowledge in these last decades which represents the basis of the modern surgery of the liver.

Anatomy↗
PubMed1993

[Alkalizing activity of a calcium-bicarbonate-containing water, evaluated for pH, in patients with gastroesophageal reflux].

Bicarbonate-calcic water Ferrarelle has been administered both in the fasting state and during meals to patients suffering from gastro-esophageal reflux disease submitted to computerized pHmetry. Marked and lasting increase of esophageal and gastric pH was observed with significant differences from the effect of tap water. In addition, patients reported improvement of heart burn and acidity after the administration of the bicarbonate-calcic water. The alkalizing effect of the mineral water employed is therefore fully confirmed.

Alkalies↗
PubMed1992

[Roxithromycin in dental infections].

Roxithromicin is a semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic, with similar antibacterial activity to erythromycin. It is characterized by an excellent pharmacokinetic profile and a good tissue penetration. Particularly at the dose of 300 mg per day the dental tissue diffusion is extremely good, and this is important to oppose the oral cavity infections. Oral cavity infections can be either odontogenic or non odontogenic. Odontogenic infections are typically primary and are caused by commensal bacteria (oral Streptococci, Bacteroides sp., Veillonella sp. and Fusobacterium sp.). The antibacterial spectrum of roxithromycin is very large and includes many of the most frequent strains responsible for oral cavity infections. A very interesting characteristic of roxithromycin is its penetration in macrophages (uptake) that allow a more rapid inhibition of bacterial activity. To evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerance of roxithromycin in the treatment of odontogenic infections, an open study was performed. This study evaluated both the microbiological and clinical aspects. Thirty patients (21 females and 9 males) who had not been previously treated with antibiotic or antibacterial drugs, affected by infective dysodontiasis, gingivitis and periodontal diseases, received 300 mg per day (once a day) of roxithromycin for an average period of 6 days. The symptomatology considered was: intumescence, redness, pain, lymphangitis and presence of trismus. Clinical symptomatology was assessed at the start and at the end of the treatment. The symptomatological improvement due to roxithromycin was rapid and very effective. After 6 days of therapy, the improvement was statistically significant (p < 0.01) compared to basal conditions. No adverse reactions or side-effects were complained during the study. No changement were detected in laboratory parameters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Comparison of the several methods of investigation in the diagnosis of alkaline esophagitis. Considerations on 92 cases].

Up to now many controversies exist regarding the value of different diagnostic techniques available in alkaline esophagitis. The Authors studied 92 patients with histologic diagnosis of esophagitis obtained by endoscopic biopsy, by radiological study of upper gastrointestinal tract, esophageal manometry, combined 24 hour esophago-gastric pH-metry and cholangio-scintigraphy, too. These last two techniques have the highest specificity and accuracy rates. These techniques should be considered complementary and their combined employment has to be considered essential to reach the highest rate of accuracy in the diagnosis of alkaline esophagitis.

Bile Reflux↗
PubMed1991

[Esophageal manometry and pH-monitoring for surgical indications].

The Authors report a review of the data gathered by manometry and pH-metry in the functional esophageal diseases. Manometric and pH-metric patterns of gastro-esophageal reflux, Barrett esophagus, diverticula, achalasia, aspecific motility disorders and non-cardiac chest pain, are analyzed. Data conditioning the choice of surgical treatment in the literature and in the authors' experience are reported in detail.

Esophageal Diseases↗
PubMed1991

A common disinfectant used in condom processing inhibits endonuclease digestion of sperm DNA.

DNA recovered from a condom found at a crime scene appeared undigestible with restriction enzymes, preventing characterization by Southern blot and polymorphic probe hybridization. Several chemical substances used in the processing and treatment of condoms were tested for inhibitory action of restriction enzymes. In particular dibenzalkonium chloride appeared to promote enzyme inhibition at very low concentrations. The effectiveness of treatments to restore cleavage of sample DNA in the presence of such contaminants is discussed.

Benzalkonium Compounds↗
PubMed1991

Identification of anti-HIV-1 antibodies in bloodstains of various ages.

The persistence of anti-HIV-1 antibodies in bloodstains has been studied by ELISA and Western Blot (WB) analysis. The immunoblot technique was found to be specific and more sensitive and the antibodies could be detected in 0.7 mg of bloodstains for up to 6 months. The authors emphasize the importance of such an investigation on non-genetic markers in individual diagnosis for forensic purposes.

Blood Stains↗