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Biomedical subjects

M Diana

Publications and source records attributed to M Diana.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Wire electrodes for chronic single unit recording of dopamine cells in substantia nigra pars compacta of awake rats.

Stainless steel wire electrodes of varying sizes and coated with different insulating materials were tested in order to find a flexible fine wire which would allow the recording of small cells in deep structures of the brain in unrestrained, awake rats. Our main interest is to record from cells of substantia nigra pars compacta during locomotion. We found that stress relieved 18 micron stainless steel wire doubly insulated with lacquer and Parylene C provided the impedance, physical size, and flexibility needed to record single units during intense motor behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Fastigial influences on postural tonus as studied by kainate lesions and by local infusion of GABAergic drugs in the rat.

Localized lesions with kainic acid (KA) and local infusion of GABAergic drugs were used to study the role of the nucleus fastigii (NF) in postural tonus. Unilateral axon-sparing KA lesions of NF resulted in ipsilateral limb extensor atonia and contralateral limb extensor hypertonus and abduction. This effect lasted for 3-8 days depending on the dose of KA. Lesions of sites adjacent to the NF failed to produce postural asymmetries. Local infusion of the GABA agonist muscimol (10-50 ng) in the NF produced a reversible postural asymmetry fenomenologically similar to that produced by KA lesions of NF. Infusion of agents blocking GABAergic transmission in the NF (bicuculline, picrotoxin) resulted in a postural asymmetry of inverted laterality in respect to that produced by muscimol. Bilateral KA lesions of NF or bilateral infusion of muscimol resulted in bilateral hyperextension-abduction of the limbs. Infusion of GABAergic drugs in areas adjacent to the NF failed to produce postural changes. The results are interpreted to indicate that the NF exerts a crossed inhibitory and a direct excitatory influence on limb postural tonus.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Fructose-1,6-diphosphate counteracts potassium effects on cardiac muscle.

Fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) counteracts the inhibition of contractile strength of rabbit cardiac muscle induced by KCl "in vitro" and the valinomycin induced depolarization. FDP also protects in a dose-dependent fashion, up to 100 mg/kg, different strains of mice from the lethal effect of KCl that is due to a complete atrio-ventricular block and related to a high value of plasma potassium level. A protective effect of FDP is observed when increasing doses of (+/-) propranolol are injected before maximum non lethal dose of KCl.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Intestinal anastomosis in urology: comparison of methods].

BACKGROUND: Three different intestinal anastomosis were compared during reconstructive urologic surgery; we evaluated time, cost and incidence of complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 1993 to February 1997, 45 patients (43 males and 2 females) were carried out ileal resection to fashion 30 ileal neobladder, 8 ileal conduit and 7 augmentation ileocystoplasty. The patients were randomized in 3 groups; in the first the intestinal continuity was performed by B.A.R.; the second one was treated by GLA stapling device; the last underwent a manual suture with interrupted stiches double layer (vicryl). RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 18 months. The mean time of canalization was 6.3 days. The complications were: one intestinal subocclusion (group 1); one abdominal wound infection (group 2); one anastomotic leak and one pulmonary embolism (group 3). The mean time of anastomosis was 18, 12 and 39 minutes respectively. The average total cost was 915,000 lire in the group 1; 1,280,000 lire in the group 2; 632,000 lire in the group 3. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that Biofragmentable. Anastomosis Ring (B.A.R.) is more convenient and advisable in reconstructive urologic surgery, for their quickness, effectiveness and final total cost.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation and management of malfunctionings following implantation of the artificial urinary sphincter.

The authors report their experience of mechanical malfunctionings after placement of the AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter. The aim of the study was to suggest outlines for the evaluation and management of these complications. From 1991 to 1998, 42 patients (39 men, 3 women with a mean age of 67.5 years) underwent artificial sphincter implantation of whom 5 patients required explantation of the prosthesis because of infection. The following mechanical malfunctionings occurred: 2 cases of air bubbles; 3 cases of pump overturning with tube kinking; 16 cases of persistent or recurrent incontinence 6-61 months postoperatively; and 1 case of cuff opened during sexual intercourse. Surgical revision of the prosthetic components was performed in the patients who presented mechanical malfunctionings. Several complications can arise after artificial sphincter placement (infection, urethral erosion, mechanical malfunction). In the last case, the authors stress the importance of an accurate diagnosis for the choice of exact treatment.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiological survey on smoking habit among young students in Sardinia. A cross sectional study].

The study reports the prevalence of cigarette smoking among 11401 high school Sardinian students. The prevalence of smokers (40.2%) significantly differs between gender (41.1% males and 38.4% females). Males have an early initiation of smoking with an evident addictive effect by age. 54.3% are daily smokers and 21.4% smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day. More than 50% smoke to look grown-up and to be accepted by the group. Besides age (OR=1.10; 95%CI: 1.06-1.15), other factors are associated with smoke: low education level of father (OR=1.08; 95%CI: 1.02-1.15), no maternal support (OR = 1.73; 95%CI: 1.17-2.54), to have at least one smoker cohabitant (OR=1.66; 95%CI: 1.54-1.80) and alcohol drinking (OR=3.46; 95%CI: 3.04-3.93). The smokers' knowledge on smoke topics significantly differ from non smokers. Our results suggest the need of community preventive interventions, diversified for specific target populations, to modify the students' behaviours so that they respect their own health and that of their fellow citizens.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Surgical management of substernal goitres. When is sternotomy inevitable?

PURPOSE: Aim of this retrospective study is to report personal experience in the surgical management of substernal goitres emphasizing the guidelines for preoperative planning of sternotomy in selected cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of all patients (n=355) submitted to thyroidectomy for struma in our Operative Unit, between 1993-2003, were analysed. A substernal goitre was defined as a goitre having a significant retrosternal extension (>50%) requiring mediastinal dissection. RESULTS: A total of 18 out of 355 patients undergoing thyroidectomy for struma in our Operative Unit had substernal goitres. The most common symptoms, at presentation, were the presence of neck mass and respiratory disorders. Standard cervical incision was adequate to achieve total thyroidectomy in 17 cases while, in one patient with computed tomography images showing the presence of a huge goitre extending below the aortic arch, a sternotomic approach was inevitable to ensure safe removal. No major morbidity or perioperative deaths occurred. One patient with scleroderma experienced bilateral paralysis of laryngeal nerves for two months, with full recovery thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: While removal of the majority of substernal goitres can be achieved by means of cervical incision, this approach is not always safe. In a selected number of cases with an iceberg shaped substernal goiter and with >70% of the volume lying below the thoracic outlet, a sternotomic approach is inevitable. Preoperative diagnostic work-up should, thus, include chest X-ray and computed tomography. Overall results in the present patient population, have been excellent since morbidity has been minimal and mortality absent, and all patients are symptom free.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The femoral hernia: problems in emergency surgery].

The femoral hernia can be defined as infrequent, and predominantly found in females, with the highest incidence between 30 and 40 years of age. It shows a high tendency to strangulation, also up to 40% of cases, due to the presence of the Gimbernat ligament, which with its tense fibrous margins, aids strangling known as "raised crest". The diagnosis may not be easy, overall in the clinical presence of acute abdomen in elderly patients, disabled people or people who are uncooperative during physical examination. Therefore, it should be sought with an adequate bilateral exploration of the region in all occlused patients and especially with the use of radiological images of the small intestine. The solution currently practiced is prosthetic, proposed by Lichtenstein, and variously modified by Gilbert, Rutkow, Bendavid, and other which uses a prolene plug in the shape of a cigar, umbrella, or basket, according to the size and characteristics of the parietal defect. In emergency conditions, the technique doesn?t change; but if there is stercorary contamination, it is advisable to use direct repair according to the old method of Bassini. In the last 10 years, we have treated 37 femoral hernias in emergency, using direct repair in only 2 cases. In 3 cases we used PTFE; in the other 32 cases prolene was always used; 20 patients were operated under local anesthetic, 12 under general anesthetic and 5 under peridural anesthetic. Satisfactory results were achieved, with average hospital recovery time of 1.4 days, with an early recovery between 3 and 5 days, with only 2 relapses.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of urinary incontinence with AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence has a significant impact on the quality of life for patients. The introduction of the AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter by American Medical Systems (Minnetonka, MN, USA) has revolutionized the treatment of urinary incontinence due to pure sphincteric incompetence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April 1989 to October 1997, a total of 52 patients (42 men and 3 women) underwent implantation of the AMS 800 artificial sphincter. Patient age ranged from 31 to 87 years (mean 69.5 years). They all were suffering from urinary incontinence caused by sphincteric damage, always of iatrogenic origin. Follow-up was 5-110 months, with a mean of 35 months. RESULTS: The restoration of continence was complete for 35 patients and allowed them all to return to their normal life. 7 of the patients who had a successful implant died because of other problems. For 2 patients follow-up was not available. Explantation was performed 8 times: in 5 male patients the device was removed because of periprosthetic infections; in 1 female patient with ileal neobladder, because of serious urethral necrosis; and in 2 male patients because of an urethral erosion. CONCLUSIONS: The AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter is the most efficacious treatment currently available for urinary incontinence due to pure sphincteric incompetence. Implanted patients achieved acceptable urinary control. The implantation is associated with 2 distinct complications: surgical and mechanical.

Adult↗