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Biomedical subjects

M Gallucci

Publications and source records attributed to M Gallucci.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Puglia cooperative study on biofiltration.

Biofiltration (BF) was performed on 60 patients from 12 dialytic centers in Puglia. The protocol was 9-10.5 hours a week with 1.2 m2 PAN dialyzers. A dialysate with 140 Na+, 2-2.5 K+, 3.5-4 Ca++, 38 mEq/l acetate was used in 49 patients; the acetate was replaced by bicarbonate (35-40 mEq/l) in 11 patients. The same patients were treated for 1 year with standard acetate dialysis (49 patients) and standard bicarbonate dialysis (11 patients). The two protocols were compared on the basis of the clinical state, BUN and serum creatinine, acid-base balance, PTH, anemia, and nerve conduction velocity (NCV). Favourable effects were achieved in 55 patients. Four patients left the program because of progressive hyperhydration. BUN and serum creatinine levels showed a moderate, but insignificant increase. PTH, anemia and NCV did not worsen. BF gave better correction of metabolic acidosis in the patients undergoing acetate dialysis.

Acetates↗
PubMed1985

NMR imaging in transient cerebral ischemia.

NMR has proved useful in the detection of Acute Cerebrovascular Disorders (ACVD), providing information related either to the tissue signal intensity and relaxation times, or to the morphological aspects of cerebral structures. Eighteen patients suffering from ischemic Acute Cerebrovascular Disorders were studied. A comparison between NMR imaging and CT scan was performed. Ischemic lesions, presence of edema, presence of reactive gliosis and anatomical vascular anomalies were found.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Abnormal patterns of colonic mucin secretion after ureterosigmoidostomy.

Colonic epithelial mucin was investigated histochemically in biopsy specimens from a group of patients who had undergone ureterosigmoidostomy. For comparison, colonic biopsy samples from uninvolved mucosa adjacent to carcinomas from another group of patients and from a group of patients undergoing sigmoidoscopy for hemorrhoids were also studied. The high-iron diamine-alcian blue (HID-AB; pH 2.5) method was used, and the proportions of HID-positive and AB-positive cells were assessed semiquantitatively. In both ureterosigmoidostomy and cancer groups, highly significant increases in the proportions of AB-positive cells (sialomucins) were observed, particularly in the middle and lower segments of the crypts. Ureterosigmoidostomy introduces a high risk for the development of colonic carcinoma. Morphologic features that could account for such a high risk were investigated, and an abnormal pattern of colonic mucin secretion after ureterosigmoidostomy was demonstrated. Although this abnormality cannot be related specifically to ureterosigmoidostomy, data from the present investigation suggest that histochemical studies of colonic specimens from patients who have undergone ureterosigmoidostomy may provide a useful tool for follow-up studies.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Ureterocystoneostomy in urinary tuberculosis: a personal technique.

A personal surgical technique in the treatment of the tuberculous stenosis of the juxtavesical and intramural ureter, is described. 62 patients suffering from tuberculosis of the urinary tract underwent surgical treatment. 42 of these cases presented with ureteral stenosis: 14 were submitted to ureterocystoneostomy (UCNS) according to a personal technique. The results confirmed the initial hypotheses.

Constriction, Pathologic↗
PubMed1984

[Medical treatment of cystine lithiasis in children].

Prophylactic measures or dissolution by medical therapy was used to treat bladder cystine stones in 14 children over about a 10-year period. All patients received alpha-MPG (alpha-mercaptopropionylglycine) except one child allergic to alpha-MPG who was treated with DNP (D-penicillamine). In 10 patients the treatment was administered 11 times to dissolve the stones, with resulting total dissolution in 6 cases, partial removal in one case. Two patients are still under treatment and 2 cases failed to respond. Among the 12 patients receiving preventive therapy, only 2 cases were reported as developing recurrences, due in fact to irregular taking of medication. Lytic treatment proceeded without any particular problems, and results were more than satisfactory, but for preventive therapy the difficulty resides in its application and duration when confronted with the serious and frequent danger of a relapse.

Amino Acids, Sulfur↗
PubMed1979

Results of medical treatment of cystine lithiasis.

Litholytic and prophylactic medical treatment of cystine lithiasis in 42 patients over a 5-year period is reported. Treatment consists of administration of urinary alkalizing agents and alpha-mercaptopropionylglycine. Successful results were obtained in a high percentage of cases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Talocalcaneal coalition: computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis.

A correct evaluation of site and extension of the talocalcaneal coalition inducing biomechanical ankle alterations is very important for planning therapy. Four male patients were submitted to computed tomography (CT) and three of them were also examined by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In one patient, studied by CT only, a bilateral talocalcaneal coalition was present, while the other three patients, controlled with CT and MRI, were affected by monolateral talocalcaneal coalition which was of osseous type in one case and fibrocartilaginous in two cases. CT and MRI provided detailed information on type and extension of the coalition and both helped in distinguishing between osseous and fibrocartilaginous forms. Only MRI showed an area of subchondral ischemic disease of the posterior subtalar joint in one patient with monolateral fibrocartilaginous talocalcaneal coalition. Compared with CT, MRI proved to be more accurate in evaluation of the talocalcaneal coalition, due to its wider display capability.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

MR imaging of white matter lesions in uncomplicated chronic alcoholism.

Chronic alcoholics may have CNS lesions, such as microvasculitis or glial, neural, and myelin degeneration, as documented in postmortem studies on subjects who had Wernicke encephalopathy, corpus callosum degeneration, or central pontine myelinolysis. One may also expect the presence of early white matter disease in patients who do not have neurologic complications of alcoholism. Thirty-five chronic alcoholics (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual III criteria) and 35 normal control subjects were studied by means of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Subjects greater than 60 years old, or those with CNS involvement, or clinically evident systemic disorders were excluded. Of the remaining asymptomatic alcoholics, MR detected multiple round hyperintense areas in the white matter of 14 patients, in addition to aspecific corticosubcortical and cerebellar atrophies. None of the normal control subjects showed such a finding. These results suggest an early involvement of the brain in asymptomatic alcoholic patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Follow-up MR studies in Hallervorden-Spatz disease.

Follow-up magnetic resonance (MR) studies of a child affected by Hallervorden-Spatz disease were performed over a period of 3 years. The hyperintense pallidi shown in the first examination changed to a mixed intensity target-like appearance. All the patterns observed in our patient have been described in the literature but in different subjects. Our data show these findings to be different manifestations of the same disease during its evolution.

Basal Ganglia Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Does postcontrast MR enhancement in lumbar disk herniation have prognostic value?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic value, if any, of Gd-enhanced MR in patients with lumbar disk herniation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients undergoing conservative treatment for acute lumbar disk herniation were included in a prospective Gd-DTPA follow-up MR study. In each patient, the size of the herniation was measured, and, according to the changes in pathology that occurred, patients were divided into four categories. In addition, on the basis of the clinical outcome patients were divided into three classes. RESULTS: In 11 of 15 patients, MR performed in the acute phase of the disease showed Gd-DTPA enhancement around the herniated disk; in all cases, disk herniation was markedly reduced at follow-up MRIs. The clinical outcome was good. In the remaining four cases, no enhancement was evident in the acute phase or at follow-up MRIs; no modification in the size of disk herniation was demonstrated at follow-up in two. Symptoms were unchanged in two patients and mildly improved in one. CONCLUSION: Epidural enhancement, which is likely related to an inflammatory process, seems to play a role in the modification of the size of disk herniation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Variable levels of bcl-2, bcl-x and bax mRNA in bladder cancer progression.

We investigated the expression of the anti-apoptotic genes bcl-2 and bcl-X and the pro-apoptotic gene bax in bladder tumors and normal samples from urinary bladder, using RT-PCR analysis. Bcl-2 mRNA was not detected in any of the normal samples, while it was found expressed in 66% of the low stage tumors and in 100% of the high stage tumors. Bax expression had an inverse progress, being present in 62% of the normal tissues examined, in 16% of the low stage tumors and in 14% of the high stage. Bcl-X gene expression was quite variable among all samples (37% in normal tissues, 50% in the low stage tumors and 14% in the high stage). bcl-X mRNA was only found in the isoform bcl-XL, with anti-apoptotic functions, whereas no sample expressed the isoform bcl-XS, which is known to suppress bcl-2 functions. Most samples expressing bcl-2 did not express bcl-X, and vice versa. These results, besides confirming the potential role of these genes in the pathogenesis of low stage bladder cancer strengthen the hypothesis concerning their possible interaction in the progression of disease.

Apoptosis↗
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

[Quality of life at the end of life. Analysis of the quality of life of oncologic patients treated with palliative care. Results of a multicenter observational study (staging)].

Outcome in palliative care can be defined as patients' quality of life, quality of death and satisfaction with care. In an Italian multicentre prospectic study ('Staging') the quality of life of 571 palliative care patients with advanced cancer disease was assessed since the beginning of palliative care till the end of the study. We analyzed the tissue of quality of life missing data and the possibility to input the missing quality of life evaluation through the quality of life evaluation made by a proxy (doctor, nurse). The greatest functional impairment and an increasing level of some symptoms (fatigue, general malaise, emotional status) were observed during the last two weeks of life, whereas for other symptoms (gastro-intestinal, pain) some degree of control was possible. The quality of life analysis for palliative care patients should consider the different response of different quality of life components to the palliative care intervention.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prevalence of malnutrition in uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis therapy in Puglia and Lucania].

BACKGROUND: Calorie-protein malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition in uremic patients treated with hemodialysis in two areas of Southern Italy. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent out to all Dialysis Centers in the two regions to select and enrol eligible patients by considering these parameters: Body Mass Index (BMI), serum albumin, serum creatinine, urea, calcium, phosphate, triglycerides, cholesterol, body weight. Enrolment criteria were patients on dialysis for at least six months and BMI less than 21 kg/m2. The dialytic dose was evaluated by reporting the hours of dialysis and filter surfaces. The number of weekly sessions (n. 3) remained unchanged over time. RESULTS: Twenty-three Dialysis Centers in the two Regions replied to our questionnaire and 149 patients were enrolled in the study out of the 1546 patients examined. The overall prevalence of calorie-protein malnutrition was observed in 9.6% of the patients. The prevalence of malnutrition was found to be higher in males and in patients on dialysis for longer time. We observed no correlation with the hypoproteic diet administered in the pre-dialysis phase. Malnourished patients showing progressive weight loss were older and had undergone dialysis for a longer time. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study indicates low prevalence of malnutrition in the two regions examined. The lack of correlation between the hypoproteic diet and dialytic dose suggests the need for further studies to evaluate if increased dialytic dose or early start of dialysis could improve the nutritional status and quality of life in elderly patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prevalence of pre-obesity and obesity in uremic hemodialysis patients from Puglia and Lucania].

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a well-known cause of increased morbidity and mortality in the general population, while its influence on the hemodialysis population is yet to be defined. Obesity probably has a protective effect on survival in hemodialysis. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of obesity in the hemodialysis population of Puglia and Lucania, two regions of Southern Italy, by using simple and easily accessible parameters collected by the participating centres. METHODS: One thousand five hundred and forty-six patients on stable hemodialysis for at least 6 months from 23 Centres were studied. One hundred and sixty patients had a body mass index (BMI) more than 25 kg/m2; "preobesity" was defined as a BMI ranging between 25 and 30 kg/mq, while "obesity" as a BMI > 30. All data regarding the underlying renal disease, the use of low-protein diet before beginning hemodialysis, weight and height at the beginning of treatment and the different kinds of treatment were collected. A careful analysis of the last dialysis treatment by means of biochemical data was carried out. RESULTS: The prevalence of preobesity and obesity was 3.1 and 7.3%, respectively. Eighty-three percent of patients in the preobesity group and seventy-two percent in the obesity group were female (p<0.001). The prevalence of diabetes was 19 and 24% in the preobesity and obesity groups, respectively, while it was 8% in patient with normal BMI (p<0.0001). Age and duration of low-protein diet were similar to those observed in the general population, while dialytic age was greater in preobesity group (p<0.01). Conclusions. Our study has shown that the prevalence of obese people undergoing hemodialysis is increasing. It is therefore necessary to introduce new measures to obtain a good nutritional status in end stage renal disease patients; in particular fat free mass is to be increased, since an improvement in the patient's nutritional status acts as a protecting factor against morbidity and mortality.

Adult↗