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Biomedical subjects

G Torre

Publications and source records attributed to G Torre.

72 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Autoimmune thyroid disease: purification and phenotypic analysis of intrathyroid T cells.

A phenotypic analysis of T cells infiltrating the thyroid of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (both Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis) was performed. T lymphocytes were purified from mononuclear cells extracted from surgically removed tissue. The following markers were evaluated: la antigens, MLR4 antigen (expressed on activated T cells) 5/9 antigen (expressed on a subset of lymphocytes containing the whole "helper-inducer" activity in vitro), Fc gamma-receptors, B9 antigen (expressed by cytotoxic, or precursor of cytotoxic, T cells). We observed increased percentages of 5/9-, MLR4- and la-positive T cells with respect to peripheral blood in both HT and GD: on the contrary, in specimens from nonautoimmune thyroid diseases mononuclear infiltrate was minimal, and even T cell evaluation was not possible. In addition, B9- and Fc gamma-positive T cells were increased in Hashimoto's, but not in Graves' thyroid tissue, thus suggesting a different role of cytotoxic effector mechanisms in the two diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

In vivo and in vitro effect of liver on somatomedin generation.

The serum concentration of circulating somatomedins was measured in the blood of healthy donors and subjects with hepatic cirrhosis, and in culture media from in vitro explants of healthy and cirrhotic human liver. Serum levels of somatomedin bioactivity were significantly lower in cirrhotic subjects (0.42 +/- 0.03 U/ml; M +/- SEM) compared with age matched controls (0.99 +/- 0.03 U/ml). Radioreceptor assay of somatomedin concentrations confirmed this reduction in cirrhotic patients (0.89 +/- 0.06 U/ml) compared with controls (1.32 +/- 0.05 U/ml). A parallel reduction in somatomedin circulating binding ability was also observed (99.43 +/- 7.28% in cirrhotic and 123.5% +/- 10.8% in normal subjects). In vitro explants from normal human liver tissue produced a significant increase (0.57 +/- 0.09 U/ml) in somatomedin bioactivity contained in the medium (0.29 +/- 0.06 U/ml), while a decreased bioactivity (0.12 +/- 0.06 U/ml) was observed with explants of cirrhotic livers. These results support a role of liver in the biosynthesis of both somatomedin and somatomedin binding protein.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Effect of phototherapy on the physiologic cholestasis of the neonate.

Phototherapy (PT) has been reported to increase bile acid excretion in the bile of adults with liver cirrhosis. We investigated the effect of PT on the levels of serum total bile acids (STBA), conjugated cholic acid (CCA), conjugated chenodeoxycholic acid (CCDCA), conjugated lithocholic acid (CLCA), and sulfolithocholylglycine (SLCG) in 13 neonates with unconjugated nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia before and after 12 h of PT. The treatment produced a statistically significant (p less than 0.02) reduction in both STBA and CCA levels, whereas no effect on the other fractions was observed. The percentage of reduction was the same for STBA and CCA concentrations, indicating that the effect is related to a specific reduction in CCA levels. The magnitude of the expected decrease in the level of serum bilirubin is not correlated with that in bile acids in individual cases. The data are interpreted as suggesting that PT can affect the metabolism of bile acids by decreasing STBA and CCA levels in neonates through an increase in their biliary excretion associated with the reduced intestinal absorption of CCA occurring in newborns.

Bile Acids and Salts↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Anti-alpha-gliadin antibodies are not predictive of celiac disease in juvenile chronic arthritis.

Some authors have recently reported an increased level of antigluten antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis, both in the adult and juvenile form. The real meaning of these antibodies is still unclear. We ascertained the levels of antigluten antibodies in a group of children with juvenile chronic arthritis to determine if these antibodies were linked with celiac disease and/or to increased intestinal permeability. In 18 of 53 patients (33.9%), the levels of antigluten antibodies (IgA or IgG) were higher than normal. No correlation was found between the increase in antigluten antibodies and the positive lactulose/mannitol test, used for determining increased intestinal permeability. In all eight patients undergoing intestinal biopsy due to abnormal levels of antigluten antibodies (IgA class), intestinal mucosa was normal. In conclusion, our study shows that in patients with juvenile chronic arthritis, immunological response to gluten is neither related to celiac disease nor to increased intestinal permeability.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Parathyroid cyst, a case report and review of the literature.

Parathyroid cysts are rare, representing 1% of all neck swellings. A correct preoperative diagnosis is rarely formulated, especially because of the non-specific clinical and ultrasonographic findings; for this reason, patients are often submitted to surgery for thyroid nodules. In the present report we describe a case where the preoperative diagnosis was correctly formulated following the aspiration and PTH assay of clear, colorless, watery fluid from the cyst. While cyst aspiration is considered the elective treatment for these lesions, recurrences being uncommon, surgery was indicated in the present case because of two recurrences after aspiration and the onset of compressive symptoms. Cystic masses of the neck should be accurately diagnosed to recognize their true nature and to allow their correct and non-invasive treatment: surgery is indicated only when recurrences and symptoms are present. Indications for aspiration of all solitary cysts of the neck should be considered to correctly identify their nature.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Giant mucocele of appendix. Case report].

Appendiceal mucocele is an uncommon disorder caused by accumulation of mucus within the appendiceal lumen. Mucoceles represent a heterogeneous group comprising various histopathologic lesions including mucosal hyperplasia, cystoadenomas, and cystoadenocarcinomas and prognosis is related to these subtypes. The most common symptom is pain or a palpable mass in the right lower quadrant on physical examination. The preoperative diagnosis is performed with abdominal U.S. and confirmed with CT scan; typical CT scan image is a capsulated cystic mass with calcification of the wall while U.S. pattern shows cystic lesion with the onion skin sign considered a specific sonographic marker for appendiceal mucocele. In conclusion a cystic mass sonographically detected with onion skin sign, in the presence of normal female reproductive organs, suggest the diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The problem of caustic poisoning in children].

The exposure to caustic substances in childhood, being accidental in most cases, can cause doubts in the initial diagnostic therapeutic approach; the risk of missing lesions following caustic ingestion when symptoms are scarce or lacking is high. The paper provides an overview of the physiopathology and clinical presentation of caustic injuries and stress the possibility of burns of esophagus and/or stomach even without oropharyngeal symptoms and/or signs. The esophagogastroduodenoscopy has now an essential role in the evaluation of gastrointestinal tract injury, as a guide to the therapy and as a prognostic criterion. So it is possible to reduce the risk of poor outcomes by the appropriate treatment. Anyway the primary prevention against the exposition to caustic substances at home is fundamental and must be effected both through active and passive measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anti-alpha-gliadin antibodies. Sensitivity, specificity and correlation with blood xylose test in the 3 diagnostic stages of celiac disease in children].

The specificity and sensibility of IgA and IgG alfagliadin antibody test (AaGA) for screening, diagnosis and follow-up of childhood coeliac disease has been evaluated. We have compared AaGA test to D-xylose blood test and at last we have examined the false positive and negative results given by the test. Two groups of subjects were considered: 1) 90 children with untreated coeliac disease (21 newly diagnosed (I stage), 50 in gluten withdrawal (II stage), 19 in challenge (III stage); 2) 255 disease controls including: 157 healthy controls; 31 children with gastroenterological disorders other than coeliac disease; 31 children with food allergy and atopic dermatitis; 36 children with "constitutional" short stature (without GH deficiency and with normal intestinal mucosa). The sensibility of AaGA test in the first stage of coeliac disease has been of 95.2% for the IgG class antibody and 90.4% for the IgA class; on the other hand the showed a specificity of 83.6% for IgG class antibody and 96.9% for IgA class. In only two newly diagnosed coeliac children we have found false negative results: in the first case the patient was IgA-deficient, in the second the age was above 3 years. AaGA IgA resulted positive only in the 12.9% of the group of gastroenterological and atopic controls; particularly most cases were affected by multiple food allergies and two patients by chronic autoimmune disease of small intestine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Gastrointestinal bleeding after low doses of aspirin: gastroscopic and clinical patterns in two pediatric patients (author's transl)].

Two cases of gastrointestinal bleeding (haematemesis-melena) after ingestion of low doses of aspirin are described. Gastroscopic examinations suddenly performed (until 24 hours) have shown the typical gastric alterations due to this drug. The Authors, besides calling the attention on the possible gastrointestinal accidents following salicylates ingestion, suggest that these events may easier occur with familial predisposition and with contemporary assumption of other gastrolesive drugs.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Giant hemangiomas of the liver: surgical treatment by liver resection.

BACKGROUND: The correct therapeutic strategy of giant hemangiomas of the liver is debated and based on two main techniques: resection and enucleation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report seven consecutive typical hepatic resections for giant cavernous hemangiomas in symptomatic patients. Most frequent symptom was pain at the right hypochondrium, associated with epigastric discomfort. Hepatectomy was carried out after extraparenchymal ligation of the hilary structures and parenchymal resection was performed with kellyclasia and ligation of the intraparenchymal vessels with clips. In all cases the resection was performed after intermittent clamping of the hepatic pedicle. RESULTS: Three right hepatectomies, 1 right extended hepatectomy, 1 left hepatectomy and 2 left lobectomies (segments 2 and 3) were performed. Estimated blood loss ranged from 350 to 1000 ml with a mean loss of 550 ml. No major postoperative complication and no long term sequela occurred. Two episodes of cholangitis in an old patient after emergency operation regressed under medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Enucleation is an option when a lesion is small and superficial. In the case of large and deep hemangiomas in proximity of vascular structures, typical liver resection is a safe operation entailing lower morbidity and blood loss.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sonography versus continuous 24 hours oesophageal pH-monitoring in the diagnosis of infant gastroesophageal reflux.

Forty infants with suspected gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) underwent continuous 24 hour esophageal pH-metry and sonography of the gastroesophageal junction. In 29 out of 40 cases (72.5%) GOR was confirmed by the 24 hour pH-monitoring, because of a percentage of total time of reflux of 10% or more. The positive and negative predictive value of sonography versus the result of continuous 24 hour pH-monitoring was 80% and 50% respectively. Sonography cannot be considered a faithful diagnostic tool in screening for GOR in infants.

Acid-Base Imbalance↗