Coronary artery bypass with internal mammary and splenic artery grafts.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Napolitano.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The fine structure of myelin was studied in glutaraldehyde-fixed rat sciatic nerves depleted of lipid by acetone, chloroform:methanol (2:1 v/v), and chloroform:methanol:concentrated HCl (200:100:1, v/v/v). One portion of each of these nerves, plus the extracts, was saponified and analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography for fatty acids. The remainder of each nerve was stained in osmium tetroxide in CCl(4) (5g/100cc) and was embedded in Epon 812. Thin sections, examined in the electron microscope, revealed the preservation of myelin lamellar structure with a 170 A periodicity in nerves depleted of 98% of their lipids. Preservation of myelin lamellar structure depended on glutaraldehyde fixation and the introduction of osmium tetroxide in a nonpolar vehicle (CCl(4)) after the lipids had been extracted. It is concluded that the periodic lamellar structure in electron micrographs of myelin depleted of lipid results from the complexing of osmium tetroxide, plus uranyl and lead stains, with protein.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
In spite of the fact that beta-lactoglobulin (beta-lg) was first discovered in bovine milk more than fifty years ago, and that it represents the main whey protein component in all the milks in which it has been found, its biological role and genetic evolution still remain rather uncertain. From comparative studies of the primary and tertiary structures of beta-lg and of other proteins of a similar size, the existence of a new superfamily of proteins with the function of transporter of hydrophobic molecules has been conjectured. The elucidation of the structure of beta-lg either from different species or from different genetic variants of the same species should give useful information on the evolution and function of this protein family. With this aim in mind we have now undertaken the isolation and characterization of a recently discovered, new genetic variant of bovine beta-lg. A two-step purification procedure involving preparative HPLC gel filtration and preparative IEF-IPG has been successfully carried out; it affords a good recovery of the new beta-lg in highly purified form.
Amino acid sequence determination is the most reliable and powerful tool to identify a protein or to classify a new one by comparison of its primary structure with already known sequences. A rapid and simple purification procedure is an essential pre-requisite for routine sequence determination. Structural characterization of llama whey proteins was undertaken for evolutionary as well as economic purposes. N-terminal sequence analyses directly on an immobilon polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane, following Western blotting of both native and SDS-denatured llama whey proteins after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed three different forms of glycosylated alpha-lactalbumin, and a protein with a high degree of homology with a camel whey protein of unknown function. Furthermore, by immunoblotting techniques, the electrophoretic band corresponding to serum albumin was identified.
The human whey components cross-reacting with antibodies raised against bovine and/or equine beta-lactoglobulin were screened systematically. The milk of six women on a normal diet was collected within 72 h of confinement and whey components were fractionated by high-speed size exclusion chromatography and reversed-phase techniques. The fractions which were immunoreactive in double diffusion experiments with antisera anti-bovine and/or equine beta-lactoglobulin were subsequently purified by native PAGE and then electroblotted on Pro-blott membrane (Western blotting). Pro-blot membranes were stained in parallel with Coomassie and by immunostaining using antibodies against bovine and/or equine beta-lactoglobulin as first antibody solution. The immunoreactive bands were cut out from the membrane and N-terminally sequenced; all the immunoreactive components were clearly identified as human beta-casein or its (mainly tryptic) fragments. The strong antigenic similarity between human beta-casein and beta-lactoglobulin (bovine and equine) might be of immunological importance; it could mean that breast-fed neonates risk being sensitized to beta-lactoglobulin irrespective of the presence of cow's milk in the mother's diet.
Gastrointestinal Schistosomiasis and Amebiasis are uncommon in the western world, while such infections are frequent in the African community. In addition to the problems associated with the clinical symptoms of these parasitic infections, it is important to stress the increase in cancer of the Gastro-Intestinal (GI) tract. In this study we evaluate the prevalence of cancer in patients affected by chronic inflammatory diseases caused by the above named parasites. In three years, from January 2000 to December 2003, we observed a total of 1199 subject. Of these, 950 presented with complaints of diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, melena, hematemesis, rectal discharges and alteration of bowel habits. A total of 818 patients were evaluated in Uganda (Mulago and Arua hospitals) and 381 at Luisa Guidotti Hospital in Zimbabwe. An exhaustive clinical history was collected for each patient and then physical and laboratory examinations were performed. The clinical files of all patients previously admitted to the respective hospitals were obtained and the information taken from these files was then integrated with our clinical findings. Subjects who were found free of gastro-intestinal disease after examinations and did not have a clinical history of infective GI disease but presented with other pathologies, were regarded as control group. The control group was composed of 249 subjects. The subjects who were positive on examination underwent further investigations. The number of patients affected by schistosomiasis and amebiasis were 221 and 224 respectively. The number of patients who suffered from aspecific enterocolitis was 454, intestinal tuberculosis was present in 21 patients and we found 30 patients with esophageal candidiasis. Patients who had the above mentioned GI diseases were then divided into 3 groups. First group was composed of patients who had a clinical history of infective GI diseases and were re-admitted for similar symptoms, and on examination were positive for the presence of the same infective GI diseases. Such patients were placed in the Chronic group. The second group was formed of patients who had previously undergone treatment for infective GI diseases but on readmission were found free of infective GI disease, and this group was described as the Cured group. They had symptoms associated with other pathologies. A third group, which we described as the Acute group was composed of patients who did not have any previous case of GI infection and were admitted for the first time. Such patients were found positive on examination for infective GI diseases. In the 950 patients, we found a total of 45 tumors. The tumors were prevalent (42 tumors) in the chronic group. In 34 patients the tumor was in the colo-rectal region, in 3 patients in the stomach, in 4 patients in the esophagus and 1 patient had cancer in the small bowel. Our results show a strong association between the chronic infection of the GI tract and the likelihood to develop tumors. However, it is not clear which biological mechanisms are implicated in such transformations. They may depend on the chronic inflammation of the GI mucous which permits the entrance of carcinogenic materials or on the effects of mutagenic products produced by the parasites or both.
A study on 88 patients operated for a differentiated thyroid carcinoma (63 papillary and 25 follicular cancer) is reported. In 66 cases a total thyroidectomy was performed (in 16 associated with an ipsilateral lymphadenectomy), in 11 a subtotal thyroidectomy and in 11 a lobar isthmectomy. In the follow-up there were 3 deaths and 4 recurrences. Notwithstanding the limited number of cases, the Authors registered a worse diagnosis for the follicular carcinomas (2 deaths and 2 recurrences on 25) compared to the papillary (1 death and 2 recurrences on 63).
Between January 1995 and February 1997 we performed 30 laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti fundoplications and 3 laparotomic Nissen fundoplications. All patients were suffering from gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) resistant to medical therapy, 19 patients were suffering also from hiatal hernia and 2 pz. were suffering from a para esophageal hernia. 1 patient had been previously treated with laparotomic Nissen fundoplication for GERD and hiatal hernia. Preoperative assessment included: oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) with biopsies: 24-h pH-monitoring; 24-h manometry; barium swallow and DeMeester symptoms scoring. Mean operation time was 110 min. 1 pz. required conversion to laparotomy. 35% of pz. experienced mild grade dysphagia that resolved spontaneously in 4-8 weeks. Postoperative evaluation was performed in all patients 6 months after surgery. Overall results were characterised by a significant reduction of the symptoms score: mean score was reduced from 5.6/9 to 0/9. No signs of oesophagitis were seen at control EGDS. 24-h pH monitoring demonstrated a significant reduction of the total time at ph < 4 from a mean value of 28.2% preoperatively to 1.9% postoperatively. 24 h oesophageal manometry revealed a rise in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure from a mean of 11 mmHg preoperatively to a mean of 27 mmHg postoperatively. Our preliminary results demonstrate that laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication is a safe and effective procedure for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease but, sometimes, laparotomic technique can be considered in selected cases.
The duodenal cancers are very uncommon and the carcinomas arising on a duodenal stump following a B II gastric resection are a real rarity. The Aa. present a case of a patient with a cancer arisen on a duodenal stump 24 years after a gastric resection. The patient was operated with a Whipple D.C.P.
The authors report a case of mesenchymal tumor (leiomyosarcoma) arising in a Meckel's diverticulum, with an history of digestive bleeding. Different kinds of Meckel's diverticulum tumors, their symptomatology and diagnostic difficulties are then discussed.
The primitive hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) constitutes still cause of discussion both from the diagnostic point of view and from the therapeutic one although surgical successes are generally reported. Between the most important problems there is the increase of the HPT asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic patients with the decisional difficulties in the timing of the surgical treatment and the difficult framing of the HLP disease associated with MEA and the relating surgical failures. Besides some authors support an unilateral dissection of the neck in patients with adenoma diseases diagnosed before the intervention against the traditional address of a bilateral exploration. Our experience is based on 31 patients subjected to intervention of parathyroidectomy for primitive HPT: 26 carriers of adenomas, of which 1 double, and 5 of diffused hyperplasia. We have effected 25 simple parathyroidectomy for adenoma, 1 resection of three parathyroid glands for double adenoma, 2 subtotal parathyroidectomy (7/8) for diffused hyperplasia. 2 patients had new surgical treatment for persistent hypercalcemia, and they were respectively carriers: 1 of a second ectopic adenoma and 1 of asymmetrical hyperplasia; 2 patients finally, operated in other hospitals had a second exploration and they were affected from MLP. In 26 patients we had very good results, in 2 persistence of hypercalcemia (patients who had a second look) and 3 hypocalcemia.
The authors report cases of pheocromocytomas operated in the period 1991-1997. 16 of these patients presented a monolateral pheocromocytoma, 1 a bilateral. A patient had a malignant evolution, one patient presented an extrasurrenal para-aortic localization. All the patients were operated by a middle longitudinal laparotomy. There was no mortality, neither significant morbility. In all the patients, who presented pre-operatory arterial hypertension, there was a regression of the symptomatology.
Thyroid papillary carcinoma, exceptionally, can appear with cervico-lateral metastases in absence of thyroid evident disease. In that case we can have an infected branchial cyst, therefore is very important a correct preoperative diagnosis with FNAB. In literature were described 30 cases of cervico-lateral cystic masses that the histology revealed as occult papillary carcinoma metastases. Our experience is about 80 cases of papillary carcinoma, in only 2 cases the cancer was evident as a tight-elastic tumour in cervico-lateral region, hypoechogenic to the US scan with irregular and thick wall: one of the patient had multinodular goiter; the other one didn't have clinical of US scan character of thyroid disease. FNAB on lymph nodes shows doubtful cells evidence. Both patient had a total thyroidectomy with functional cervico-lateral and MAS lymphadenectomy. In one patient histology showed a papillary carcinoma of 4 mm in the right lobe, in the other patient the cancer was unknown. FNAB, in all doubtful cases, is the most important diagnosis test.
The authors report 3 cases of benign duodenal tumors and one case of duodenal cancer. In two cases the benign tumors were adenomatous polyps, in one case with signs of dysplasia. One case of benign tumor was a lipoma. All the three benign tumors were removed through a duodenotomy, in one case associated with a sphincteroplasty. The case of duodenal cancer, arisen in a patient operated since 24 years with a gastric resection, was treated with a Whipple technique but for the very old age and the bad health conditions, the patient died in 11th post-operative day for myocardium infarct.
A case of thyroid paraganglioma is reported. Immunohistochemically the tumor showed negativity for thyroglobulin and calcitonin and positivity for chromogranin A and S-100. Protein-positive sustentacular cells were demonstrated. The authors discuss the previous literature on these tumors.