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Biomedical subjects

G Ricci

Publications and source records attributed to G Ricci.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

The natural history of sensitizations to food and aeroallergens in atopic dermatitis: a 4-year follow-Up.

The natural history of atopic dermatitis (AD) is variable. Generally the dermatitis disappears during the first years of life, but it is often followed by the appearance of allergic respiratory diseases (ARDs). Our aim was to establish the risk factors for developing an ARD in children with AD. We followed up for 4 years 78 children (51 boys, 27 girls) with mild (26%), moderate (48%), and severe (26%) AD (clinical score proposed by Rajka and Langeland). In all the patients IgE serum levels were checked and skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed at the first examination. The SPTs were repeated in 68 children at the end of the study. The children with severe AD had significantly higher IgE serum levels than those with mild or moderate AD. SPTs at the first observation were positive in 47% of cases, mostly in patients with severe AD, with a prevalence of food allergens, particularly in younger patients. At the second observation, SPTs were positive in 65% of cases, including 100% of children with severe AD. Inhalants were the most common allergens. An ARD appeared in 38% of all patients: in 75% of those with severe AD and in 54% of those with a positive first SPT. Allergic screening should be carried out at an early age, especially in severe AD, since SPT positivity to food allergens, associated with severe clinical AD symptoms and a high IgE serum level, identifies those children ages 0-3 years at high risk of development of ARD.

Air Pollutants↗

Immunohistochemical identification and image analysis quantification of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in canine and feline meningioma.

Oestrogen and progesterone receptor expression has been detected in human meningioma; in canine and feline meningiomas, however, the identification of steroid receptors requires further investigation. Fourteen meningiomas obtained from nine dogs and five cats were examined immunohistochemically for oestrogen receptors (ORs) and progesterone receptors (PRs). The immunolabelling reaction was quantified by light microscopy and image analysis. ORs were expressed in low numbers in two feline meningiomas and in one canine meningioma. PRs were more numerous, with more extensive tissue labelling. Conventional linear regression analysis showed that OR expression was not significant as compared with PR expression. PR expression was lowest in meningiomas with a high proliferation index, as determined by Ki67 expression. Conventional linear regression analysis between PR and Ki67 concentration confirmed a significant indirect relationship.

Animals↗

What syndrome is this?

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Histiocytic Sarcoma↗

The value and present indications of staging laparotomy in Hodgkin's disease.

From December 1971 to December 1976 224 patients with Hodgkin's disease underwent diagnostic laparotomy and splenectomy under a multidisciplinary protocol of treatment. In 149/224 (66.5%) the clinical stage of the disease was confirmed, whereas in 75/224 (33.5%) it was modified after surgery. In 7.6% of the patients (17/224) there were postoperative complications. One patient died of myocardial infarction. The rate of complications in the last 100 cases was 5%. Preoperative patient selection, excluding those definitely in stage IV, is of relevance, and it can be done by iliac crest biopsy and laparoscopy. Although a better exploitation of some diagnostic procedures (lymphangiography, laparoscopy) and the expanding use of chemotherapy may reduce in the future the need for staging laparotomy and splenectomy, diagnostic laparotomy is still indicated for the selection and preparation of patients for radiation therapy in stages I, II and III.

Adolescent↗

[Latex allergy in pediatric age: an interdisciplinary perioperative management and case reports].

BACKGROUND: Latex intraoperative allergy is more and more frequent, especially in at groups risk (patients with spina bifida or congenital genitourinary abnormalities, pluri-operated patients, atopic subjects) and in pediatric age. The main problem of this allergy consists in the necessity of a strict collaboration of many specialists, in order to identify and safeguard the patient. METHODS: Our experience has pointed out an interdisciplinary perioperative management able to: 1. identify patients affected by latex allergy; 2. submit them to a latex-safe perioperative proceeding; 3. check their conditions with periodical tests. Selecting patients through a history and a list of questions, identifying profiles of typical risk patients, organizing the operating room with latex-free materials and equipment were the most important issues. Since November 1997 to December 1999 eighteen latex-safe perioperative proceedings have been carried out on 8 subjects (2 with esophageal atresia, 4 with bladder exstrophy and 2 with cloacal exstrophy); 2 of them were emergency cases. RESULTS: No allergic reactions and no proceeding-linked complications have been registered. Operators have always been satisfied by materials and equipment. Anesthesiological and surgical times resulted equal to those without latex-safe management. CONCLUSIONS: This perioperative management of potential or verified latex allergic patients turned out to be valid, safe and easy in practical application.

Adolescent↗

Functional role of hepatocyte growth factor receptor during sperm maturation.

Mammalian spermatozoa acquire motility and fertilizing capacity during their transit through the epididymis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine with potent motogenic capacities that has been identified in different organs, including the mammalian male genital tract. In mice, HGF is present in the testis and, in large amounts, in the distal part of the epididymis. In prepuberal rats, we have demonstrated that HGF is synthesized by the peritubular myoid cells and in men, HGF is present in significant quantities in seminal plasma. It has been suggested that in mice, HGF has a role in initiating sperm motility, whereas in men, no significant correlations between HGF concentration and sperm motility have been found. In the present paper we report that in rats, HGF receptor, c-met, is expressed in testicular and epididymal spermatozoa. Through immunocytochemistry, we have found that c-met is exclusively localized on the head in testicular sperm. A different localization of c-met has been found in sperm isolated from caput and cauda epididymidis. Cells isolated from epididymal caput show a c-met localization exclusively restricted to the head in most cells. In a minority of caput epididymis spermatozoa the receptor is localized both in the cell head and along the flagellum. Spermatozoa isolated from the epididymal cauda were quite homogeneous, showing the receptor localized along the entire cell surface. We also report that HGF is synthesized and secreted by the rat epididymis as indicated by the scatter effect of epididymal cell homogenate and culture medium on MDCK cells. To clarify whether HGF is involved in the acquisition of sperm motility in the epididymis, its maintenance, or both, spermatozoa isolated from caput epididymidis have been cultured in medium alone or supplemented with HGF. The results obtained indicated that HGF has a positive effect on the maintenance of sperm motility which, in the absence of HGF, significantly decreases during the first hour of culture, whereas it is maintained for at least 3 hours when HGF is present in the culture medium. We also report that HGF does not influence spermatozoa viability as indicated by the cytometrical analysis of propidium iodide-labeled sperm; an equal number of dead cells appeared in control and in HGF-treated preparations. In conclusion, our data strongly support the hypothesis that HGF positively influences sperm motility maintenance during sperm transit through the epididymis, indicating that c-met receptor and its ligand, HGF, have a role in male fertility.

Animals↗

[Occupational exposure to inhalation anesthetics: 10 years of measurements at hospitals in Puglia].

The Authors provide the data gathered from measurements of nitrous oxide in the operating room of Puglia during the period between 1993 and 2003. They prove significant reductions of pollution according with time and they verify lower pollution levels in the operating rooms of private hospitals with respect to public facilities. The importance of the maintenance of gas distribution and evacuation systems is shown and a method of environmental and biological monitoring is provided. Finally, the Authors prove the utility of the graphic representation of the measurements, conduced utilising dedicated instrumentation.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗

[Fetal bradycardia during the second stage of labor. Study of 72 cases].

The Authors analyse cardiotocographic patterns characterized by a constant frequency level below 120 beats/minute during the second stage of labour. Some aspects of "terminal bradycardia" (length, amplitude of oscillations, fetal heart rate in the 30 minutes preceding the onset of bradycardia) are related with the condition of the newborn (1st and 5th minute Apgar-score). Terminal bradycardia (Fischer 3, Melchior 2, 3 and 4, 2nd and 4th of Thiery) seems to have an unfavourable prognostic value especially when prolonged (more than 20 minutes), associated with low base-line variability and when cardiotocographic pattern previous to the fall of frequency is characterized by variable and late decelerations.

Bradycardia↗

Acute appendicitis or something else? A case report of cecal endometriosis in emergency setting.

Large Bowel is not uncommonly involved by extra pelvic endometriosis, however cecal localization is the lowest reported in literature; the differential diagnosis of intestinal endometriosis remains difficult, especially in those patients who underwent surgery in emergency setting. The Authors report a case of cecal endometriosis, operated on the basis of clinical signs of surgical abdomen. At laparotomy macroscopic appearance of the cecal lesion, suggesting a neoplastic mass, induced the equip to perform a right emicolectomy. The Authors discuss the clinical features and the role of surgery in management of extra pelvic endometriosis in emergency setting, in the light of the newest advances in medical treatment.

Acute Disease↗