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Biomedical subjects

L Selvaggi

Publications and source records attributed to L Selvaggi.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Lipid peroxidation products and antioxidant enzymes in red blood cells during normal and diabetic pregnancy.

Oxygen free radicals produced during normal aerobic metabolism have been implicated in several pathophysiological mammalian processes. The importance of free radical-mediated fatty acid oxidation has received much attention. The generation of active oxygen species may lead to lipid peroxidation and formation of reactive products, which may be involved in severe damage of cell molecules and structures. Free radical metabolism in pregnancy and in diabetes mellitus is still unclear. To add new insights to the question, changes in lipid peroxidation products and activities of three antioxidant enzymes: catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in maternal red blood cells haemolysates were evaluated in pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM-PW) and in healthy pregnant women (HPW). Healthy non-pregnant women were the control group for IDDM-PW and HPW, respectively. Pregnancy provoked an increase of lipoperoxidation products and an high SOD activity since early pregnancy, while CAT and GPX activities did not change during gestation. IDDM-PW showed higher content of lipoperoxidation breakdown products and lower SOD activity at each trimester, if compared with HPW; moreover, a slight increase of CAT and SOD activity is reported during late diabetic pregnancy. IDDM-PW were in very good metabolic control at time of sampling. The variations reported suggest an easier membrane lipoperoxidability and, consequently, an easier membrane damage during diabetic gestation.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[The selective embolization of the hypogastric arteries in the treatment of hemorrhages due to cervical carcinoma. The report of 2 clinical cases].

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) has been reported to effectively control bleeding in the gynecological and obstetric field. We report the use of selective hypogastric arteries embolization in the management of severe persistent cervical bleeding in two patients affected by advanced cervical cancer. Bleeding stopped in both cases; no serious side-effects were noticed. In a short time hematological status was restored and both patients had a long bleeding-free time. We consider TAE the treatment of choice in controlling persistent neoplastic cervical bleeding. Indications, usefulness and complications of such a technique are herein discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Primary malignant melanoma arising in an ovarian dermoid cyst: proposed use of radioimmunoscintigraphy with 99mTc-F(ab')2 antimelanoma antibody for staging and follow-up. Case report.

A case of primary amelanotic ovarian malignant melanoma arising in a dermoid cyst is presented. Grossly, inside the cyst, pigmented solid lesions were not detected. Histologically, an area with undeniable malignant microscopic features was revealed and its melanomatous identity was confirmed by positive S-100 protein and melanoma antigen immunoreactivity. Recently, after 21 months from surgery this patient has also undergone radioimmunoscintigraphy (RIS) with 99mTc labelled antimelanomatous antibodies which revealed a possible secondary paracolic localization. Regardless of this evidence, although the patient has always refused chemotherapy and second look surgery for removal of the suspicious area, she is alive 1 year after surgery and now doing well. The authors also report the usefulness of employing the RIS technique in evaluating the metastatic spread in this type of malignancy.

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1991

Prenatal diagnosis of craniopagus.

The long-term prognosis of craniopagus, a congenital abnormality of monozygotic twinning, is strictly correlated to the type of shared cerebral structures. Hence, the purpose of prenatal diagnosis is not only to detect this malformation, but also to identify the fused cerebral structures. The authors report a prenatal diagnosis of a craniopagus during the second trimester of pregnancy. Comparison of ultrasound data with the pathological findings underlines that ultrasound is of great value in detecting malformations, but it is not alone sufficient to identify the types of conjoined cerebral structures.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Ultrasonic and postnatal findings in left visceral isomerism.

Sonographic and postmortem findings of left visceral isomerism associated with polysplenia are reviewed. Particular stress is given to pathologic data, which could prospectively suggest some specific ultrasonic features in order to characterize this complex syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1990

Robinow's syndrome: prenatal diagnosis.

The prenatal diagnosis of Robinow's syndrome was accomplished in our case by measuring the length of the long bones and the ulna/humerus ratio. Although the prenatal sonographic appearance did not show the typical 8-week fetal face, pathological findings confirmed this particular feature. In view of the strongly suggestive family history, the authors consider the possible mechanisms of genetic inheritance.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Long term follow-up of women with hypertension in pregnancy.

The reproductive history and the present health status of 66 patients who had had a pregnancy complicated by hypertension during the period 1972-1982 were retrospectively studied. Hypertension in pregnancy is a poor prognostic factor not only for the future development of hypertension but, also, as it is associated to a very poor reproductive history. Such complications are more frequent in pregnant women with very high blood pressure (greater than 160/100). In fact, in the case of a previous pregnancy, this group of patients had experienced a high rate of abortions (31.7%), premature deliveries (17.8%) and perinatal mortality (21.4%). Moreover, these women are subject to a higher risk (56.5%) of developing hypertension in successive pregnancies. Risk factors for determining the future development of hypertension are: familiar hypertension, the severity of hypertension during pregnancy and pluriparity.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1986

Behavior of preovulatory markers in normal and abnormal cycles.

Various ovulation markers in natural cycle (ultrasound measurement of follicular diameter, E2, progesterone, and LH assays) have been studied in 18 women. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1: women who became pregnant during the same cycle; group 2: women who showed evidence of follicular growth, E2 and a LH midcycle rise, but low P levels in the luteal phase. A weaker increase in these parameters was found in group 2, especially the LH rise. Moreover, an asynchronicity between the endocrinological and morphological events has been observed in the suboptimal cycles. These findings suggest a process of follicular atresia at the end of the maturation phase, as is commonly found in otherwise normal women.

Female↗
PubMed1985

Cyclic nucleotides in ascites from ovarian carcinoma.

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were assayed in ascitic fluid from 27 patients with ovarian carcinoma and 23 patients with liver cirrhosis. The value of these cyclic nucleotides was correlated with standard methods for the clinical evaluation of tumors. No change in the cGMP levels was found in either of these groups. The cAMP content, however, was increased in 23 of the 27 cases of ovarian carcinoma. The high cAMP level was correlated with the cytological findings in only 13 (48.1%) of these cases.

Ascites↗
PubMed1985

Female reproductive health in two lamp factories: effects of exposure to inorganic mercury vapour and stress factors.

To evaluate the possible influence of mercury vapour on female reproduction, 153 women working in a mercury vapour lamp factory have been compared with 193 women employed in another factory of the same company, where mercury was not used. Both groups of subjects were exposed to stress factors (noise, rhythms of production, and shift work). The production process has been analysed by inspection of the plants and by collective discussions with "homogeneous groups" of workers; a retrospective inquiry into work history and reproductive health events has been subsequently performed by an individual interview. Women exposed to mercury vapour currently not exceeding the time weighted average air concentration of 0.01 mg/m3 declared higher prevalence and incidence rates of menstrual disorders, primary subfecundity, and adverse pregnancy outcome; however, the progression of these problems with the level of exposure to mercury inside the same factory was not always clear. The results of this study neither prove nor exclude the possibility that occupational exposure to this concentration of mercury has a negative effect on female reproduction.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The role of prenatal diagnosis in the perinatal management of urinary tract abnormalities.

The use of ultrasonography is one of the most appropriate and less invasive techniques for the identification of prenatal assessment of urinary tract anomalies. This technique is able to distinguish malformations which are not compatible with life from those which could benefit from appropriate prenatal management treatment in view of a successful outcome after birth. During the past three years, 13 cases of urinary tract anomalies were found and treated. On the basis of our experience, we believe that ultrasonography is especially indicated: to make an early diagnosis of the type of malformation; in the presence of a complex malformation, gives the physician the possibility of showing and explaining to the parents all the aspects involved in reconstructive surgery thus giving them the possibility to decide for abortion or not; to reveal latent malformations: in these cases postnatal treatment may be efficiently programmed. to prepare the mother for early cesarean section, thus avoiding the trauma of vaginal delivery in cases of high risk such as fetuses with hydronephrotic kidneys. Thus, together with more experience in the field of intrauterine microsurgery, the outlook on the future of fetuses with malformations is certainly becoming brighter.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Effect of maternal anxiety (unrest) on the health status of the fetus].

The aim of our study was to clarify the question, to what extent the anxiety of the gravida during gestation is capable to influence the fetal condition.--For that reason, besides of a statistical analysis of a standardized interview the basal heart frequency and the reaction in a non-stress CTG over 20 min has been examined. The data of 101 women between the 36th and 42nd week of gestation were included. The age of our patients ranged from 20 to 30 years.--For assessment of the degree of anxiety we used the STAI X-1 test (questionnaire for self-assessment of anxiety as condition and characteristically personal property, resp.). Cases of pathologic gestation were excluded by history and a carefully clinical examination. No significant correlations between the level of anxiety and fetal condition could be demonstrated. We detected only a slight tendency of decreasing heart-rate variability and increasing frequency of accelerations in the CTG, as well as an increase of active fetal movements with a raising maternal level of anxiety.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Phenotypic immaturity of T and B lymphocytes in cord blood of full-term normal neonates. Analysis of cell surface markers by using conventional techniques and monoclonal antibodies.

We examined mononuclear cell subsets in cord blood of normal newborns by surface marker analysis. The percentages of T lymphocytes (E-rosetting and T3+ cells) were lower in cord blood than in peripheral blood (PB) from adults, while the percentage and absolute number of T6+ cells were higher in cord blood. As the sum of T4+ and T8+ cells exceeded the values of E-rosetting lymphocytes in cord blood, we suggest that immature lymphocytes with the phenotype of 'common' thymocytes (T6+, T4+, T8+) are present in cord blood of full-term newborns. Higher percentage and absolute number of B lymphocytes were detected in cord blood. More than 50% of B cells in cord blood formed rosettes with mouse erythrocytes, a surface marker of functional immaturity. Finally, cells bearing receptors for IgG-Fc fragments or C3 and expressing Ia-like and M1 antigens were uniformly increased in cord blood, suggesting higher percentages of cells of the monocytic lineage.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Analysis of mononuclear cell subsets in pregnancies with intrauterine growth retardation. Evidence of chronic B-lymphocyte activation.

We have examined the mononuclear cell (MC) subpopulations of 5 pregnant women: Three of them had a previous history of IUGR, whereas two were primiparae and presented IUGR at the term of gestation. IUGR was confirmed after delivery in three women. The analysis of MC subsets was performed by rosetting and immunofluorescence techniques; both heterologous antisera specific for human immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies specific for T cell antigens and for M1 and Ia-like antigens were used. The three patients with IUGR confirmed at birth presented numbers of circulating lymphoid cells positive for cytoplasmic IgM, IgG and IgA and with morphologic features of plasmablasts or plasma cells at least tenfold higher than in normal pregnant women at the term of gestation. Our data suggest that chronic activation of the lymphoid system occurs in pregnant women with IUGR. Maternal abnormal reactivity to fetal antigens or to undiagnosed chronic infections may be likely explanations for this phenomenon. Further studies are clearly needed to clarify the relationship between B-lymphocyte activation and pregnancy and to examine the hypothesis of an altered balance of the immunoregulatory T lymphocyte subsets in patients with IUGR.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1983

Direct lymphadenography of the cervix: personal data.

The results obtained by an experimental clinical study about the lymphatic drainage of the uterine cervix by direct intraparenchymal injection of Lipiodol are reported. This study suggests a new approach to the evaluation of cervical carcinoma staging complementary to the peripheral lymphangiography.

Carcinoma↗