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Biomedical subjects

M Cecchi

Publications and source records attributed to M Cecchi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Inhibition of cortical acetylcholine release and cognitive performance by histamine H3 receptor activation in rats.

1. The effects of histamine and agents at histamine receptors on spontaneous and 100 mM K(+)-evoked release of acetylcholine, measured by microdialysis from the cortex of freely moving, rats, and on cognitive tests are described. 2. Local administration of histamine (0.1-100 microM) failed to affect spontaneous but inhibited 100 mM K(+)-stimulated release of acetylcholine up to about 50%. The H3 receptor agonists (R)-alpha-methylhistamine (RAMH) (0.1-10 microM), imetit (0.01-10 microM) and immepip (0.01-10 microM) mimicked the effect of histamine. 3. Neither 2-thiazolylethylamine (TEA), an agonist showing some selectivity for H1 receptors, nor the H2 receptor agonist, dimaprit, modified 100 mM K(+)-evoked release of acetylcholine. 4. The inhibitory effect of 100 microM histamine was completely prevented by the highly selective histamine H3 receptor antagonist, clobenpropit but was resistant to antagonism by triprolidine and cimetidine, antagonists at histamine H1 and H2 but not H3 receptors. 5. The H3 receptor-induced inhibition of K(+)-evoked release of acetylcholine was fully sensitive to tetrodotoxin (TTX). 6. The effects of intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of imetit (5 mg kg-1) and RAMH (5 mg kg-1) were tested on acetylcholine release and short term memory paradigms. Both drugs reduced 100 mM K(+)-evoked release of cortical acetylcholine, and impaired object recognition and a passive avoidance response. 7. These observations provide the first evidence of a regulatory role of histamine H3 receptors on cortical acetylcholine release in vivo. Moreover, they suggest a role for histamine in learning and memory and may have implications for the treatment of degenerative disorders associated with impaired cholinergic function.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1996

[Electrovaporization of the prostate].

Electrovaporization is a new and potentially useful modification of transurethral resection of the prostate which is rapidly becoming a treatment of choice for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. We report our experience with 22 patients treated using the Circon Acmi Grooved Vaportrode vaporization electrode. Procedures were carried out using the standard technique of electrovaporization with general or regional anaesthesia. Mean operative time was 40 minutes (range 25-65 minutes) and all patients were discharged without catheter after 1 or 2 days. Symptom score, peak uroflow and postvoid residual urine showed statistically significant improvement at 3 months (p < 0.01). There were no significant complications. Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate seems to be a easy and safe procedure with significantly lower costs and excellent results. However, long-term efficacy and complications need to be evaluated in multicentre clinical trials.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Symptomatic adrenal myelolipoma: therapeutic considerations.

Four cases of symptomatic myelolipoma of the adrenal gland are presented. Three were treated at laparotomy and one with a laparoscopic approach. On the basis of these four cases we discuss the aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of this rare disease. We also report the follow-up of a patient with bilateral myelolipoma, who underwent monolateral excision. We conclude that myelolipoma, if correctly diagnosed, can be treated conservatively with careful follow-up, limiting surgery to symptomatic cases.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

Densitometric and biochemical alterations in bony tissue induced by ureterosigmoidostomy.

The mineral content of bone was measured in 134 male patients who underwent ureterosigmoidostomy within the past 18 years. Moreover, the principal humoral indices of bone metabolism, together with hematic pH and alkaline reserve (BE) values were evaluated. This study showed that after approximately 6 years from a ureterosigmoidostomy there was significant bone demineralization. These data, supported by a parallel increase of serum osteocalcin, show that ureterosigmoidostomy represents a risk factor for osteoporosis especially in those patients who already have below normal values of bone mineral density prior to surgery.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1995

Vacuum constriction device and topical minoxidil for management of impotence.

OBJECTIVE: We report our preliminary experience with a vacuum constriction device and topical minoxidil for the management of impotence. METHODS: We evaluated 18 patients, 8 with neurogenic and 10 with psychogenic impotence with a vacuum constriction device and topical minoxidil (1 ml 2% solution). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: All patients responded to treatment but 100 cases refused home use because of psychological impact. Twelve patients did not need the application of the constrictive ring because of the erection facilitation effect of minoxidil. No side effects were observed. In our opinion the association of the vacuum constriction device with topical minoxidil might be useful in the treatment of impotence; however, several factors must be evaluated in selecting patients. Application of minoxidil before vacuum constriction device might be useful to reduce the time of device application, to increase the efficacy of the device and in some cases to avoid the use of the constrictive ring.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1994

Treatment of bladder carcinoma in situ with mitomycin C: long-term follow-up.

Mitomycin C (MMC) was given intravesically to 14 patients with transitional-cell carcinoma in situ of the bladder (CIS) between 1985 and 1989. Of the 10 patients with complete response two presented progression during the follow-up: one of them in T2 at the 32nd month, and one had a relapse of CIS with diffusion to the prostatic urethra at the 34th month: both patients underwent cystectomy. One patient died of an unrelated cause. At the 48th month 5 out of 7 patients were free from neoplasm. Neoplastic recurrence occurred in 3 patients: one responded to a second endoscopic resection and instillation of MMC, two presented further recurrences. Two patients underwent cystectomy: one for neoplastic progression and one for involvement of the prostatic urethra. MMC seems to be effective in the treatment of CIS of the urinary bladder and the unresponsiveness to chemotherapy must be considered as an adverse prognostic factor for the progression of the neoplasm.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed1994

Cellular expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in normal kidney structures and in renal cancer. Possible significance in immune response and in the clinicopathological correlation.

In this study we investigated the presence of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on renal cell cancer in 16 patients who underwent nephrectomy. In all cases, normal renal tissues presented ICAM-1 on the parietal epithelial cells lining Bowman's capsule while neither the visceral epithelium nor the glomerular endothelium were stained. The epithelial proximal and distal tubular cells were stained poorly (5 +/- 3 positive tubular cross sections/mm2). No renal cells were stained by the monoclonal antibody for LFA-1. In contrast, in renal cancer tissue we found 6 cases, negative for ICAM-1 and the others positive with a mean number of positive tubular cross sections of 52 +/- 37/mm2. In 10 cases staining with LFA-1 antibody was negative, while for the other cases the mean number of positive tubular cross sections was 11 +/- 8/mm2. Our results suggest that the expression of ICAM-1 and LFA-1 on the surface of malignant cells may explain the unusual clinical aspects of renal cell carcinoma, its association with the immune system, and clarify certain aspects of immunotherapy.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1994

[Role of color-Doppler in the assessment of erectile impotence: personal experience].

We present our experience with colour duplex sonography in the assessment of 38 impotent men, whose ten underwent radical prostatectomy, following intracavernous pharmacological stimulation with PGE1. All patients with a clinical good response following PGE1 injection had peak cavernosal artery velocities > 30 cm/sec. The remaining suboptimal responders who presented an elevated end-diastolic velocity (> 5 cm/sec) showed a venous leakage demonstrated with cavernosography. Colour duplex sonography is a valuable and non-invasive tool in the assessment of impotence and can provide valuable information in the diagnosis of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Intravesical mitomycin C for the treatment of carcinoma in situ of the bladder: 36 months follow-up.

Mitomycin C (MMC) was given intravesically over a period of 36 months to 14 patients with transitional-cell carcinoma in situ of the bladder (CIS). Initial complete response was obtained in 10 patients. Of these patients, 5 presented recurrences; one in T2 at the 32nd month, one had a relapse of CIS with diffusion to the prostatic urethra at the 34th month: both patients underwent cystectomy. The remaining three patients presented Ta or T1 relapses and underwent endoscopic resection and a new instillation of MMC. The 4 patients who did not respond were treated with a new instillation of MMC:3 were unsuccessful and underwent cystectomy (one at the 9th month, one at the 12th month for progression to T2 and one at the 14th month for involvement of the prostatic urethra); the 4th patient responded to the treatment but at the 14th month had a relapse of CIS and he underwent cobalt-therapy. At the 36th month, 7 out of 13 patients were free from neoplasm. A neoplastic progression occurred in 3 patients: one out of the 9 patients who responded to the treatment and two out of the 4 who did not respond. Diffusion to the prostatic urethra was observed in 2 of the 13 patients; one patient responded to MMC and the other did not. Five patients underwent cystectomy: 3 for neoplastic progression and 2 for involvement of the prostatic urethra. MMC seems to be effective for the treatment of CIS of the urinary bladder and the absence of a response to chemotherapy must be considered an adverse prognostic factor for the neoplastic progression.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed1993

Self-retaining intraurethral device for treatment of prostatic obstruction.

We report our experience about insertion of 32 self-retaining intraurethral device (IUC) in patients with prostatic obstruction. Follow-up ranged between 2 and 38 weeks. Success rate of IUC insertion was 93.7% and 46.6% of patients have IUC in place without complications during follow-up. IUC is easy and quick to introduce, it allows spontaneous voiding, full continence, sexual activity and routine life-style. It represents a useful alternative to indwelling catheter in patients at high risk or refusing surgery and it might be used in patients who are waiting for surgery or need long term catheterization.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Local hyperthermia in the treatment of benign prostatic diseases].

Local Prostatic Hyperthermia is a 8 year old procedure that has been used for treating benign prostatic hypertrophy, chronic non bacterial prostatitis and prostatic carcinoma. We treated 80 patients affected by benign prostatic diseases who referred to our Clinic from November 1990 to December 1991. 42 patients were affected by benign prostatic hypertrophy (7 of them with permanent bladder catheter) and 18 patients were affected by chronic non bacterial prostatitis. A 915 Mhz microwaves generator apparatus with endorectal probe and cooling circuit has been used. The criteria we used to include patients in treatment were the following: high operating risk, the refusing of the operation, a prostatic volume bigger than 180 cc and finally a rectum thick less than 10 mm. All patients underwent preliminary echographic, hematic , urodynamic and rectoscopic exams. A prostatic biopsy was taken at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. During every session, which lasted sixty minutes and was repeated twice a week, we applied a temperature of 42 C degrees in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy, and a temperature of 41 C degree in those with chronic non bacterial prostatis. Patients were checked with the same echographic and urodynamic parameters three months, six months and 1 year after the treatment. Subjective and objective symptoms improved in 65% of cases, and we also noticed a 50% reduction of post-urination residue, with an increase of maximal urinary flux. We also noticed a decrease of the dysuria and nycturia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1992

Sensory disorders of the lower urinary tract: urodynamic evaluation.

Sensory disorders of the lower urinary tract (urethral syndrome, prostatodynia, painful pelvic-perineal syndromes, trigonitis) are clinically frequent, however this diagnosis is possible only by excluding other pathologies after clinical and instrumental evaluation. The Authors report their experience in urodynamic evaluation of sensory disorders of the lower urinary tract and they discuss about the absence of a typical urodynamic pattern of sensorial pathology.

Female↗
PubMed1991

[Echography in scrotal trauma].

The Authors report 28 cases of scrotal traumas evaluated during a period of 5 years on an amount of 1.100 scrotal echography: 5 patients with severe scrotal trauma are investigated with echography within 2 hours while the others between 1 and 6 days. Some cases of overlooked trauma were studied some months later. In their experience the authors underline the importance of echography in early diagnosis of scrotal contents lesions which need a surgical exploration and those which allow a medical treatment. Also ultrasound investigation is important in evaluating and in the follow-up the scrotal content lesions caused by trauma.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1991

[Echography of injuries of the penis].

The Authors report 3 cases of penile trauma observed in a period of 6 months. The patients were studied by penile echography and cavernosography. In this series+ echotomography resulted more accurate than cavernosography which gave always negative results.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗