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Biomedical subjects

G Ricci

Publications and source records attributed to G Ricci.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

[Buerger's disease: etiologic role of the rickettsiae?].

Specific seroagglutination tests were performed in 70 patients with Buerger's disease to detect possible antibodies to rickettsia, the test being repeated in 8 cases after activation by doxycycline administration over 10 days. In 21 patients a Weil-Felix test was also carried out. Tests were assessed as positive in 44 cases (62.8%): 18 times for Rickettsia Q. 18, 14 times for Rickettsia Mooseri, 13 times for Rickettsia Burnetii, 5 times for Rickettsia Conorii and 3 times for Rickettsia Prowazekii. After activation by doxycycline the antibody titre was increased 5 times, unchanged 3 times and reduced once. The Weil-Felix gave positive results in 3 of the 21 cases (14.28%), the reaction being positive to Rickettsia Prowazekii. These findings provide supplementary arguments for a possible pathogenic role of rickettsial infection in Buerger's disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The transamination of L-cystathionine, L-cystine and related compounds by a bovine kidney transaminase.

An enzyme which actively transaminates L-cystathionine, L-cystine, L-lanthionine and S-aminoethyl-L-cysteine has been purified from bovine kidney. The transaminase appears to be pure up to 90% and probably consists of two subunits of similar molecular mass of about 47 kDa. The enzymatic products arising from the transamination of L-cystathionine and related compounds spontaneously cyclize into ketiminic structures, which are the immediate precursors of unusual imino acids recovered in biological materials. The specificity towards other amino acid and oxo acid acceptors is similar to the specificity exhibited by rat kidney glutamine transaminase. This suggests that the sulfur amino acid transaminations that have been described could be performed by the bovine kidney glutamine transaminase.

Alanine↗
PubMed1986

Visual and auditory neurotoxicity in patients receiving subcutaneous deferoxamine infusions.

Of 89 patients receiving nightly subcutaneous deferoxamine for transfusion-dependent thalassemia major or Diamond-Blackfan anemia, 13 presented with visual loss or deafness of acute onset or both. Detailed ophthalmologic, audiologic, and evoked-potential studies uncovered abnormalities caused by neurotoxicity in 27 more. Four patients with visual loss had optic neuropathy, with a marked decrease in acuity, loss of color vision, and delayed visual evoked potentials. Five asymptomatic patients had changes in the pigment of the retinal epithelium. The hearing loss was characterized by a high-frequency sensorineural deficit, which necessitated hearing aids in six patients. When deferoxamine was stopped, recovery of vision was complete in 2 patients and partial in 2, and in 22 patients with abnormal audiograms, reversal of the hearing deficit was complete in 4 and partial in 1. An analysis of the clinical data showed that members of the affected group were younger, had lower serum ferritin values, and were self-administering higher doses of deferoxamine per kilogram of body weight. Significantly lower doses of deferoxamine were being taken by patients without abnormalities than by those with visual symptoms, abnormal audiograms, or prolonged evoked potentials (P less than 0.001, less than 0.006, and less than 0.04, respectively). The data implicate high-dose deferoxamine as a central factor in the pathogenesis of the neurotoxicity. We strongly recommend careful regulation of the deferoxamine dosage and serial audiovisual monitoring in all patients receiving the drug.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Interaction of pantetheinase with sulfhydryl reagents and disulfides.

The effect of many thiol reagents and disulfides on pantetheinase (E.C. 3.5.1.-; pantetheine hydrolase) was studied in the presence or absence of S-pantetheine-3-pyruvate as substrate. Iodoacetamide, iodoacetate, bromopyruvate and N-ethylmaleimide irreversibly inactivate the enzyme at very different rates. Inactivation constants, corrected for the different reactivity of halogeno derivatives with non-protein thiols, suggest the presence of an essential sulfhydryl group in the enzyme and a negatively charged environment near this group. p-Chloromercuribenzoate is the most effective inhibitor; 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoate, o-iodosobenzoate and hydrogen peroxide give a biphasic inhibition pattern, indicating the existence of two sulfhydryl groups whose modification affects activity. Organic arsenicals decrease activity to about 50%. Neutral and positively charged disulfides are effective inhibitors. Substrate protects the enzyme from inactivation, except in the case of negatively charged disulfides, where the presence of substrate enhances the inhibitory effect. Titration with Ellman's reagent or 4,4'-dithiodipyridine under various experimental conditions demonstrated the existence of two sulfhydryls and three disulfides in the fully active enzyme. Pantetheinase may become inactive during purification with concomitant loss of one titrable sulfhydryl group.

Alkylating Agents↗
PubMed1986

[Emergencies in carcinoma of the esophagus].

The authors reviewed their experience in the emergency treatment of complications of esophageal cancer. They have treated 5 cases of acute obstruction, bleeding (4 cases), perforations or rupture (5 cases), feeding and neoplastic obstruction of esophageal endoprostheses (30 cases), dislocations and migrations of endoprostheses (15 cases), damage of endoprostheses (1 case) and, finally, acute complications after laser treatment.

Emergencies↗
PubMed1986

[Early gastric cancer (case contribution)].

Early gastric cancer (e.g.c.) was detected in 23 patients (7.8%) from a total of 293 gastric cancers observed from 1970 to 1985. Clinical and pathological aspects are discussed. In 19 cases the surgical treatment was subtotal gastrectomy for lesions of the middle and lower third, in 4 cases total gastrectomy for tumors of the upper third and of the greater curvature.

Gastrectomy↗
PubMed1986

[Rubber-band ligation of hemorrhoids].

In the last few years there has been a considerable reduction in surgical treatment of piles; on the other hand a series of therapeutic outpatient treatments has developed aiming at a conservative management of piles. This new approach is mainly due to high costs in surgical treatment. In accordance also with the experience of the most important proctologic centres, nowadays only 26% of our patients suffering from piles undergo operation, since we regard rubber band ligation as a more rational and economical method for the treatment of hemorrhoids. The instruments and the technique related to band ligation have been described together with some modifications suggested by our personal experience. Indications and contraindications for rubber band ligation have been analyzed pointing out that, in our opinion, such an approach is advised also in the management of stage 3 and 4 hemorrhoids; on the other hand the surgical treatment has its role when band ligation is contraindicated. We have then reported about the good results obtained with 162 patients suffering from stage 2, 3 and 4 hemorrhoids, by using band ligation. Our experience, in accordance with international literature, enables us to emphasize the almost complete absence of complications and the satisfactory results of band ligation, even if compared to other methods.

Hemorrhoids↗
PubMed1986

[Use of anal dilators in the conservative therapy of anal rhagades].

The AA. refer their results in the treatment of anal fissure, using surgical and conservative methods. In their experience, internal lateral sphincterotomy, according to the literature, is the best treatment. The use of anal dilators is effective, but it always needs the patient's compliance.

Anal Canal↗
PubMed1986

Reduced membrane sialic acid contents of the erythrocytes after heart valve replacement with prosthetic devices.

Mild traumatic hemolysis due to heart valve prosthesis was investigated in three groups of patients with different prosthesis device (tilting disc, ball valve) inserted in aortic area, or in mitral area. By routine laboratory tests, an increased but not remarkable erythrocyte destruction was evidenced. On the other hand, the content of membrane sialic acid of the erythrocytes was determined in patient and control groups in order to give evidence of membrane damage induced by the prosthetic device. The mean value of sialic acid in the patient groups was significantly lower than in controls. These findings may suggest that mechanical damage on the red blood cell (RBC) membrane could be associated with the decrease of the membrane sialic acid content. It is briefly discussed whether the observed low contents of RBC sialic acid may somehow explain the decreased RBC lifespan which is frequently reported in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Injuries caused by traffic accidents: passive safety and restraint systems in automobiles].

In this article are considered the multiple instruments today employed in cars, in order to prevent or ameliorate the lesions caused to the occupants in case of road accident. The acquisitions in the differentiated structure of the car, in the windshield, in the components of the passenger cell are described, and the peculiar importance of the restraint systems is evidenced.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1986

[Injuries caused by seat belts].

The effectiveness of seat belts is largely proved. Nevertheless, this safety device produces typical lesions, for very violent accidents, or if it is malpositioned. The pathogenetic criterium of these lesions ("seat belt syndrome") is described, while a complete revision of literature is presented. The importance of emergency care in the identification and treatment of these lesions is emphasized.

Abdominal Injuries↗