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Biomedical subjects

G Romano

Publications and source records attributed to G Romano.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Naproxen sodium in the treatment of premenstrual symptoms. A placebo-controlled study.

The prostaglandin system is thought to play a role in the etiology of the premenstrual syndrome. Many authors describe that prostaglandins are involved in both central and peripheral symptoms. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effects of naproxen sodium treatment (550 mg twice daily, from day -7, in relation to next menses, to the 4th day of the cycle) in 34 patients suffering from premenstrual syndrome. Six cases dropped out. Fourteen women were given placebo for the first three cycles of the trial, followed by active drug. The other 14 patients were given naproxen sodium, beginning from the first cycle. In order to evaluate premenstrual symptoms, the Moos menstrual distress questionnaire was prospectively applied during the 2-month run-in period and at the 3rd and 6th cycles of treatment. During our double-blind naproxen sodium study, both menstrual and premenstrual 'pain' decreased during active drug treatment, while placebo was ineffective. We also obtained a significant improvement of premenstrual 'behavioral changes' which is probably related to the relief of painful symptomatology. In conclusion, this study indicates that naproxen sodium is a useful and safe drug in the treatment of premenstrual and menstrual pain related symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Hepatitis A virus infection in children in Sardinia, Italy.

The prevalence of antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) in a sample of 1662 Sardinian children aged 3 to 11 years was estimated by ELISA. The overall anti-HAV prevalence was 3.8 per cent; it increased from zero among children of 3 to 7.2 per cent in children of 11 years. A slight male predominance was observed (4 versus 3.6 per cent). Anti-HAV prevalence was inversely related to the number of years of education received by the father and positively related to the number of households in the sample. Children whose fathers had received less than six years of schooling, had a 6.2-fold risk (Cl 95 per cent = 2.6-15.3) and children with five or more households under one roof had a 2.6-fold risk (Cl 95 per cent = 1.4-5.0) of previous exposure to hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. These findings suggest that exposure of Sardinian children to hepatitis A virus is relatively low, probably because of improvements in socioeconomic conditions in recent years in the island. However, overcrowding and poor education in the father of schooling appear to be important determinants of infection.

Child↗
PubMed1989

[Acute enteritis and dietetic errors in the first 6 months of life].

The dietary habits of 174 infants under 6 months old and suffering from enteritis were analysed revealing a high incidence of feeding errors (almost always feeding with artificial formulas, wrong concentration of milk powder, failure to sterilise the bottle and the water used to dilute the milk, too early administration of undiluted, unboiled bottled cow's milk, too early and incorrect weaning). Such mistakes appeared to be linked to the poor economic and sociocultural conditions of the families concerned. It is claimed that dietary errors conditioned by the poor economic and sociocultural conditions encountered may have favoured the onset of enteritis and that the adequate prophylaxis of acute infantile enteritis will depend on improving people's dietary habits and living conditions.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

Biliary bypass for an "accessory" biliary duct. A case report.

A case of accessory biliary duct draining segments V and VI of the liver, accidentally injured during cholecystectomy and repaired by biliary-enteric anastomosis, is reported. An accessory bile duct may occur in 15-20% of these patients. Ligation or repair is always recommended depending on the size and volume of bile flow. Roux-en-Y loop reconstruction is to be preferred as it provides the best results with the lowest risk of leakage, stenosis and cholangitis.

Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y↗
PubMed1988

Crystal cell pattern modification in a melanotic tumor strain of Drosophila melanogaster.

3rd instar larvae of the melanotic tumor tu-pb strain of Drosophila melanogaster hold a lower number of free-circulating crystal cells in their hemolymph than the wild type ones. This pattern could result from an abnormal retention of mature crystal cells in the hematopoietic organs, as the strong hemocyte melanization inside the lymph glands of heat-treated tu-pb larvae seems to demonstrate. Melanotic tumor formation and modification of the crystal cell pattern may be related.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Presence of very low density lipoprotein compositional abnormalities in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients; effects of blood glucose optimisation.

Plasma lipoprotein compositional abnormalities were investigated in eight normolipidaemic (plasma cholesterol less than 5.70 mmol/l; triglyceride less than 2.03 mmol/l) young male Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients (before and after a short period of optimised blood glucose control) and in nine healthy control subjects, matched for sex, age and body mass index. Free and esterified cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipids were assayed in all lipoprotein classes (VLDL, IDL, LDL) and in HDL subclasses (HDL2 and HDL3); apoB was measured only in very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). All VLDL constituents were increased in the diabetic group, the differences being more striking for apoB (6.0 +/- 1.1 mg/dl vs 2.0 +/- 0.1 mg/dl, p less than 0.02), free cholesterol (0.27 +/- 0.04 mmol/l vs 0.13 +/- 0.02 mmol/l, p less than 0.02) and esterified cholesterol (0.32 +/- 0.08 mmol/l vs 0.13 +/- 0.01 mmol/l, p less than 0.05). Also HDL subfractions showed differences between the two groups: all HDL2 constituents were increased, while in HDL3 only triglyceride was significantly increased (0.11 +/- 0.01 mmol/l vs 0.08 +/- 0.004 mmol/l, p less than 0.02). After two weeks of optimised blood glucose control all VLDL constituents were reduced and particularly: esterified cholesterol (-39%, p less than 0.02), free cholesterol (-37%, p less than 0.05), apoB (-35%, p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Isolation and partial characterization of rhizolysin, a high molecular weight protein with hemolytic activity, from the jellyfish Rhizostoma pulmo.

A new cytolysin has been isolated from the nematocysts of the jellyfish, Rhizostoma pulmo, and named rhizolysin. The hemolysin has a mol. wt of approximately 260,000, a sedimentation coefficient of 10.3 S and is rod-shaped with a calculated axial ratio of about 1:5. It appears to be composed of three subunits with a pI value near 7.8. Rhizolysin shows no phospholipase A activity, nor an induction period for its hemolytic activity and is completely inhibited by sucrose. The optimum pH was 6.75. The mu value calculated from the Arrhenius plot is 5940 cal/mole. Rhizolysin was inhibited by cholesterol and less by sphingomyelin.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

HIDA scan in the follow-up of biliary-enteric anastomoses.

In order to assess the patency and function of biliary-enteric anastomoses performed in our Department of Surgery, 21 patients entered the following study, provided an informed consent was obtained. All the patients were affected by benign biliary tract diseases and underwent either Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (11 cases), or side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy (10 cases). The 21 patients were evaluated with Tc-99m-HIDA scanning at intervals of 20 days-36 months after the surgical procedure (mean 14 months). The images were obtained after intravenous injection of the radioactive medium (5 mCi) and the scans were taken at 1 min (1 frame/s), 3 min (1 frame/10 s), and 56 min (1 frame/2 min). THe data were analyzed by a Digital PDP 11/34 Computer System. This method allowed us to assess each individual patient for the patency of the anastomosis and, by computer analysis, to build up a profile of the timing of the passage of the radioactive medium through the anastomosis, a delayed passage across the anastomosis was always pathological. In conclusion, the 99m-Tc-HIDA scanning used in our study for long-term follow-up of biliary-enteric anastomoses is reliable and allows an assessment of prognosis.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1988

[Reliability of intrarectal echography in the staging of the T parameter in carcinoma of the medial and inferior third of the rectum].

The capabilities were evaluated of endorectal ultrasound in assessing the local extension of rectal carcinomas. The study population consisted of 50 patients with histologically proven rectal cancer. A CT scan was also performed on 45 patients, and the results were then compared to postoperative histologic findings. Endorectal US allowed the correct staging of 39/45 tumors (86.6%) with 1 false positive (over-staging T1 as T2), and 5 false negatives (under-staging 3 x T3 as T2; 2 x T4 as T3). CT allowed the correct staging of 37/45 tumors (82.2%), with 5 false positives (overstaging T1 as T2) and 3 false negatives (understaging T3 as T2). Our results prove endorectal US to be a reliable method for the local staging of rectal cancers, limited to mucosa, submucosa and muscular layers of the rectal wall (T1 and T2 tumors). CT does not allow proper evaluation of T1 and T2 tumors, but provides with a better assessment of tumors involving perirectal fat and adjacent structures (T3 and T4). Both CT and endorectal US should, therefore, be used as complementary diagnostic techniques for an accurate evaluation of the local extension of lower rectal cancers.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

[Importance of the university library for scientific research and teaching].

The key features of a university library as a support for scientific research and for teaching activity are pointed out with special attention to affinities and differences. In any case, the library is of primary importance for the advance of science, in direct form as a research support and, indirectly, as a teaching support.

Libraries, Medical↗
PubMed1987

[Aplastic anemia and myelodysplasia: a not-always-easy distinction].

The differential diagnosis between Myelodysplasia and Aplastic anaemia may be sometimes difficult, because clinical and morphological features may appear similar. Two cases, a Myelodysplastic syndrome with hypocellular and an Aplastic anaemia with hypercellular BM aspirates, are described in this report. Reciprocal connections between these two pathological entities, some biological aspects and the value of BM biopsy are also discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Efficacy of hepatitis B immunization with reduced intradermal doses.

Intradermally (I.D.) administered reduced doses of HB-Vax and Hevac-B were tested against the standard protocols for administering these two vaccines. Immunogenicity, efficacy and possible side effects were evaluated. Four-hundred-sixty-two healthy subjects were vaccinated as follows: Fifty-two subjects received HB-Vax and 99 Hevac B according to the standard regimens. The remaining subjects received 3 I.D. injections in the deltoid region at one-month intervals in the following doses: 165 subjects with 2 micrograms doses of HB-Vax, 118 subjects with 1 microgram doses of Hevac-B and 28 subjects with 0.5 micrograms (minimal) doses of Hevac-B. Post-vaccination tests (anti-HBs titres and other serological markers for HBV) were to be performed 30, 60, 90, 180, 270 and 360 days after the first injections. Side effects seen with the experimental protocols were acceptable and limited to local reactions. It was found that, on the whole, reduced I.D. doses of both vaccines produced very high immune responses showing a consistently greater efficacy than those of the standard protocols, though the differences were not always statistically significant. Ninety days after the first injections, 80.8% and 82.7% of subjects vaccinated with reduced I.D. doses of HB-Vax showed seroconversion as opposed to only 62.0% of those receiving standard protocol HB-Vax. Seroconversion rates at 90 days in subjects receiving reduced I.D. doses of Hevac-B were 92.0% and 87.9% and for those receiving the minimal doses of this vaccine, 94.1%. The rate of seroconversion obtained with standard administration of Hevac-B was 83.8%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1987

A case control study of necrotizing enterocolitis occurring over 8 years in a neonatal intensive care unit.

The perinatal histories of 27 newborn infants with NEC were compared to those of 54 infants of equivalent birth weight who did not have NEC during an 8-year study period to see if possible predisposing factors were independent of the confounding effect of birth weight. No differences were observed in gestational age, degree of intrauterine growth retardation, premature rupture of membranes, perinatal asphyxia, skin temperature at admission, haematocrit, presence or absence of respiratory distress syndrome, umbilical catheter placement, start and type of feeding or presence of positive blood cultures. Prematurity is the greatest risk factor predisposing to the development of NEC and the perinatal problems which precede the onset of NEC are common among all premature infants.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1987

Sexual function after resection for rectal cancer.

Major rectal operation, that is, abdominoperineal or anterior resection, for cancer frequently damages the autonomic pelvic nerve supply with resultant sexual dysfunction. The anatomic characteristics and function of the autonomic nervous system in the pelvis has been reviewed. Sexual function after rectal excision for cancer was studied in 25 male patients who were less than 60 years of age and exhibited normal sexual activity preoperatively. Of nine patients who had abdominoperineal resection, four were impotent and two reported no ejaculation with normal potency postoperatively. Of 4 patients who had high anterior resection, only 1 reported no ejaculation, whereas of 12 patients with low anterior resection, 4 were impotent and 3 reported no ejaculation. A higher incidence of sexual dysfunction was noted after abdominoperineal resection compared with after anterior resection (66 percent and 50 percent, respectively). However, the incidence after low and very low anterior resection was comparable with that after abdominoperineal resection (58 percent and 66 percent, respectively). Advanced patient age and very low resection were the two main factors effecting sexual dysfunction after major rectal operation. Although we believe that careful operative technique might reduce the incidence of sexual disturbances attributable to sympathetic fiber damage, avoidance of parasympathetic damage during operation cannot be accomplished because the most likely site of injury, namely the periprostatic plexus, is usually within the operative field, the exception being cases in which the tumor is small, thus allowing preservation of the rectoprostatic fascia.

Autonomic Nervous System↗
PubMed1987

Role of ileorectal anastomosis in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis.

A 25-year experience with 109 patients treated with ileorectal anastomosis over 147 patients observed for ulcerative colitis and 25 patients undergoing the same surgical procedure for familial polyposis, is reported. Excellent functional results were obtained, associated to satisfactory ones with respect to inflammatory recurrence and cancer development in the rectal stump. Of 86 patients with ulcerative colitis who were followed-up, only 7 (8.1%) required proctectomy at long-term for a severe inflammatory recurrence, and 4 (4.6%) have developed a cancer in the following 3 to 20 years. Of the 17 followed-up patients, over the 25 operated for familial polyposis, only 1 (5.8%) has developed a cancer between 3 and 20 years. It is concluded that ileorectal anastomosis with a close follow-up still plays a major role because is an easier surgical procedure as compared to ileoanal anastomosis, with excellent functional results, a shorter hospitalization and mainly a lower number of severe complications, which are presently burdening the results of ileoanal anastomosis.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗