Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Valenti

Publications and source records attributed to G Valenti.

211 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Plasma retinol levels and side effects following high-dose retinyl acetate in breast cancer patients.

Plasma retinol levels and toxicity were evaluated in thirteen metastatic breast cancer patients treated orally with high-dose (300,000 I.U./day) retinyl acetate in combination with oral tamoxifen. Following the first dose of the drug, there was a drop of plasma retinol concentrations followed by a recovery to the pre-treatment levels and by a further increase to reach a plateau six to eight hours after drug administration. During the first two months of treatment cumulative increase of plasma retinol was seen, and long-term systemic concentrations in the +50-60% range level were maintained by the treatment. The toxicity observed was acceptable and included gastrointestinal symptoms, skin toxicity and headache. These toxicities could be related to the long-term increase of retinol systemic concentrations. We concluded that the daily dose of 300,000 I.U. retinyl acetate can be administered to cancer patients over a period of several months, is well tolerated and yields a substantial increase of systemic retinol.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Thyroid hormone pattern and aggressiveness. (Isolated mice compared with dominant and submissive).

The aggressiveness induced by the forced isolation of animals may be mediated by endocrine changes. The present study focuses on the possible mediation of the pituitary-thyroid axis in the mouse (Mus musculus). The blood levels of the hormone fractions examined (T4, T3 and rT3) in isolated animals showed a significant increase in comparison with the individuals which were classified from an ethological point of view as submissive, whereas in comparison with the individuals which were classified as dominant, no difference was found for T4 and rT3, but a significant increase of T3 occurred. The choice of the categories of comparison (dominant and submissive as opposed to isolated mice) derives from the hypothesis, which has already been confirmed experimentally on an etiological level, that in this species the isolated individuals are homologous to socially dominant animals as far as aggressiveness is concerned. The endocrinological results obtained in this study support this hypothesis. Thus it is concluded that, in the species under study, isolation induces pituitary-thyroid axis activation which is similar to that found in dominant individuals and at least partially responsible for the isolation aggressiveness. The mediation of the action of TRH on the central nervous system in this phenomenon is suggested as an interesting hypothesis.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Progressive external ophthalmoplegia: clinical observations in two cases (author's transl)].

Two patients developed Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia at the age of 20 and 50 years respectively. There was no clinical invovlement of either skeletal muscles or the CNS. Electron microscopy of the lateral rectus muscle showed in one case regressive changes in the myofibrillary apparatus and in the mitochondria. Light microscopy of the quadriceps muscle in the other case showed only mild non-specific myopathic changes. EMG of the ocular muscles suggested a primary muscular damage in both cases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ambulatory treatment of postphlebitic ulcers of lower limbs. Physiopathological bases and clinical results].

Venous ulceration is a troublesome and disabling complication, representing one of the most difficult problems to be treated by the vascular surgeon. Venous insufficiency is a widespread condition, the prevalence of venous ulceration being 0.5 - 1 per cent in European populations. Although all venous ulcers will heal if the limb is elevated above heart level for an extended period of time, patients need a safe, effective, not disabling and quick therapy. Hence, the competent vascular surgeon must be familiar with venous pathophysiology and possess a thorough understanding of the treatment options available for a discouraged patient in need of an acceptable and effective approach. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy and the speed of healing of venous ulcer using an outpatient ambulatory treatment protocol. This protocol consisted of elastic compression bandage allowing deambulation, local dressing using lyophilized heterologous collagen (Condress, Gentili) and systemic profibrinolytic drugs. Exclusion criteria were coexisting arterial insufficiency, ulcer area greater than 25 cm2, coexisting disabling diseases (congestive cardiac failure, hepatic insufficiency, malignancy). From December 1990 to June 1993, 37 patients affected by venous ulcer were treated, according to the aforementioned protocol, at the Surgical Department of Montecchio Maggiore Hospital (VI). There were 16 male and 21 female patients, mean age was 66 years (range 59-91). Results show the complete healing of the venous ulcer in 94.5% of patients; mean time for ulcer healing was 128 days (range 45-91). The Authors conclude that the outpatient ambulatory treatment protocol is safe, quick, and effective for the therapy of chronic venous ulcer; once obtained the healing of the ulcer, elastic compressive bandage with elastic stockings is mandatory to prevent recurrences.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The LH/FSH ratio under basal conditions and after stimulation with GnRH in subjects with primary hypogonadism.

The authors have studied LH and FSH behaviour under basal conditions and after stimulation with GnRH in groups of subjects associated by the common denominator of more or less marked compromission of gonadal activity (subjects of both sexes in old age, affected by Sertoli cells only, Klinefelter's and Turner's syndromes ans subjects with congenital anorchia or with rudimentary testes) and have compared such behaviour with that shown by control groups. Special importance was given to the behaviour of LH/FSH ratio, which is significantly reduced in almost all the situations studied. To conclude, from the results obtained, the authors have evidence new elements to better single out the mechanism of homeostatic regulation of gonadotropic incretory system, with special consideration for what happens to FSH, and also useful indications to emphasize the semeiological use of LH/FSH ratio relevant to basal values and chiefly to incretory areas.

Adolescent↗