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Biomedical subjects

M Franchini

Publications and source records attributed to M Franchini.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Morphological characterization of stationary reticulum cells of the stromal in the mesenteric lymph node of the guinea pig.

The large mesenteric lymph node taken from guinea pigs in a period of time ranging from the 10th day prepartum till the 26th day postpartum has been examined in order to study: the morphological features of the stromal stationary reticulum cells with particular regard to recognize their stages of development; the possible ontogenetic relationship between these cells during the maturation of the lymphoid tissue. Our data support the hypothesis that from local mesenchymal cells originates a pool of poorly differentiated reticulum cells that can give rise to stromal stationary reticulum cells (myofibroblast-like cells, fibroblast-like cells, pericyte-like cells and dendritic cells). These elements have a characteristic distribution pattern likely related to different local functional requirements.

Aging↗
PubMed1983

[Computerized tomography: analysis of the characteristics of various pieces of equipment].

Spatial resolution, statistical noise and patient dose are important parameters for the evaluation of the performances of CT-scanners. These parameters may be combined to develope some "synthetic indices", able to describe intrinsic properties of a CT-scanner (the maximum obtainable spatial resolution and dose efficiency). This type of analysis has been applied to the evaluation of four CT-scanners, three of 3rd and one of 4th generation.

Image Enhancement↗
PubMed1981

Spermatic and peripheral oestradiol levels in patients affected by azoospermia due to seminiferous tubular damage.

Plasma levels of testosterone, androstenedione and oestradiol were determined in the spermatic venous blood of both testes of 17 patient affected by azoospermia due to tubular damage (Group I). The results were compared with those found in 5 patients affected by azoospermia of obstructive origin and 5 patients with an inguinal hernia (Group II). Mean spermatic levels of testosterone and androstenedione were not significantly different in the two groups, while the mean (+/- SE) oestradiol spermatic level was significantly higher in patients of Group I (5.02 +/- 0.75 nM/l vs. 2.20 +/- 0.365 nM/l; P less than 0.05). Moreover, while the testosterone/androstenedione and the androstenedione/oestradiol ratios were not significantly different in the two groups, the mean (+/- SE) testosterone/oestradiol ratio was significantly lower in patients of Group I (552.71 +/- 80.94 vs. 939.86 +/- 129.45; P less than 0.025). Peripheral testosterone and androstenedione mean levels were not significantly different between the two groups while the mean peripheral oestradiol level (+/- SE) was significantly higher in Group I (0.107 +/- 0.021 nM/l vs. 0.038 +/- 0.05 nM/l; P less than 0.025). Peripheral oestradiol was not significantly related to peripheral FSH, nor to spermatic oestradiol in both groups. These results suggest the possibility that oestradiol may be involved in the pathogenesis of some cases of male infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Chronic prostato-vesiculitis and sperm-cell mobility in male infertility.

The purpose of this research has been to value the importance of chronic inflammation of the prostatovesicular apparatus in sterile patients. The authors wish to underline the high incidence of chronic inflammation if this apparatus in such patients, the low incidence of bacterial forms and the high frequence of association with bradycinesia. The therapy of such forms gives excellent results.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Improved prognosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia in 127 consecutive neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancies.

OBJECTIVES: Although decreasing in frequency, Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia is still a major challenge for neutropenic cancer patients. In patients with hematologic malignancies, the prognosis of P. aeruginosa bacteremia is particularly poor due to the prolonged and severe neutropenia, mucosal damage, and other defects in immunity related both to the underlying disease and to the cytotoxic therapy. METHODS: To verify the outcome of P. aeruginosa bacteremia and to try to define possible prognostic factors, the authors reviewed the medical records of 127 consecutive episodes of P. aeruginosa bacteremia observed in the hematologic unit of the Verona University School of Medicine. RESULTS: Presence of pneumonia and septic shock, persistence and severity of neutropenia, delayed and inappropriate antibiotic therapy, and unresponsive underlying disease had negative impact on clinical outcome of P. aeruginosa bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: With recognition of the risk factors and more careful management, the prognosis of P. aeruginosa bacteremia in neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancies has improved in recent years.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Total and free PSA serum concentrations are not influenced by extensive physical exercise and bicycle riding.

Vigorous and prolonged physical exercise and mechanical involvement of the perineal region might influence prostatic function and measurement of both total (PSA) and free prostate specific antigen (fPSA), decreasing the diagnostic efficiency of the laboratory screening for either benign or neoplastic prostate disorders in athletes. To investigate the effects of regular and strenuous physical exercise with or without bicycle riding on integrity and biochemical function of prostatic tissue, we measured serum PSA and fPSA in 69 elite and professional cyclists, 31 members of the Italian national cross-country ski team, and in 43 sedentary healthy controls. The concentration of both PSA and fPSA did not differ significantly between sedentary individuals and physically active cross-country skiers (PSA 0.43 +/- 0.30 vs. 0.36+/-0.25, ns; fPSA 0.16+/-0.12 vs. 0.12+/-0.12, ns) or cyclists (PSA 0.43 +/- 0.30 vs. 0.36 +/- 0.23, ns; fPSA 0.16 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.13 +/- 0.08, ns), and the relative distribution of values appeared almost overlapping. We hypothesize that neither a heavy and regular physical exercise nor the extensive and prolonged mechanical involvement of the prostate region by the bicycle riding have significant influence on release of both PSA and fPSA.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors in male infertility: a case-control study.

A case-control study was undertaken to evaluate environmental risk factors potentially involved in male infertility. One hundred twelve azoospermic or oligospermic subjects and 127 controls were interviewed, before sperm count results were available, about coffee and alcohol consumption, smoking habits, x-ray exposure, usual sitting posture, drug consumption, other nonoccupational risk factors, socioeconomic status, education level, and occupational history. An unmatched analysis was then conducted. None of the occupational risk factors appeared to be related to azoospermia or oligospermia. A high relative risk was associated with (1) occupation in the radioelectric industry, (2) nonsedentary clerical workers, (3) clerical work in the typographic industry, and (4) occupation in the textile industry, but none of these figures were statistically significant. Because of the population from which cases and controls were drawn, certain occupational risks could not be investigated in this study, e.g., exposure of agricultural workers to chemicals.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Image quality and dose in computerized tomography: evaluation of four CT scanners.

Spatial resolution, statistical noise, and patient dose are important parameters for the evaluation of the performances of computerized tomography (CT) scanners. These parameters are combined to develop some "synthetic indices," and to be able to describe intrinsic properties of a CT scanner (the maximum obtainable spatial resolution and dose efficiency). This type of analysis has been applied to the evaluation of four CT scanners, three of third, and one of fourth generation.

Radiation Dosage↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical relevance of serum cryoglobulins in hemophilic patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Twenty-four hemophilic patients positive for hepatitis C virus were evaluated for the presence of serum cryoglobulins and associated symptoms. Eight (33.3%) of them had serum cryoglobulins (type II mixed cryoglobulinemia in all cases). The average time lapse between infection and appearance of serum cryoglobulins was 14.4 years (range 7-22 years). Two (25%) out of the 8 patients presented symptoms: one had systemic vasculitis, the other mild purpura. Hemophiliacs are a particularly suitable model for studying cryoglobulinemia in patients with hepatitis C virus infection since the onset of the infection is known and there is a long-term follow-up period.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiologic study of the residents of the southeastern area of the Municipality of La Spieza].

We carried out an epidemiologic study to assess the effect on human health of living in an area (Zona D) of La Spezia Municipality (Liguria Region, Italy). Zona D is characterized by the presence of factories, industrial plants, shipyards, a coal-fired power-station, a heavily trafficked thoroughfare and urban waste disposal sites. 230 households for target and control populations were randomly selected from Demographic Department files and surveyed by means of a structured questionnaire administrated by trained interviewers in order to obtain information on adverse health outcome prevalence in 1997 (subjective symptoms and other self-reported conditions) and incidence during 1980-1997 (self-reported diseases diagnosed by general practitioners). In addition, residential, housing, household, and individual characteristics were also gathered. Non-responding households totalled nearly 45%, but were homogeneously distributed by area. After adjustment for several confounders, people living in Zona D showed an increased relative risk (RR) of skin and mucous membrane symptoms (RR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.02-1.53) attributable to airborne pollutants produced by an incinerator located within a disposal site. A rising RR was also observed for anaemia occurrence in both cross-sectional (RR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.08-5.48) and longitudinal (RR = 3.21, 95% CI = 1.52-6.72) settings. These last results are consistent with the presence of lead ground pollution due to a heavy metal processing plant located in the same area. Analysis of adverse reproductive effects and cause-specific incidence and mortality revealed no remarkable differences between the study groups.

Adolescent↗