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Biomedical subjects

M Gasparini

Publications and source records attributed to M Gasparini.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Effects of ibopamine on heart performance: a radionuclide ventriculography study in patients with idiopathic dilatative cardiomyopathy.

The effects of ibopamine (SB-7505, Ib), a new orally active 3,4-diisobutyryl ester of N-methyldopamine, were studied in 8 patients aged between 34-56 years with idiopathic dilatative cardiomyopathy (II-III New York Heart Association Class) diagnosed by means of right and left heart catheterization and selective coronary angiography. Equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (RVG) was performed in baseline conditions and 1, 2, and 3 h after the administration of a single oral dose of 200-300 mg of Ib. After 2 h Ib increased cardiac output (CO) (+16%, p less than 0.05), stroke volume (SV) (+12%, p less than 0.05) and ejection fraction (EF) (+10%, p less than 0.01). Patients were then randomly treated with placebo or Ib 100 mg t.i.d. according to a double-blind cross-over design for two periods of 15 days each. At the end of each period a RVG was repeated in baseline conditions and 1, 2, and 3 h thereafter. The mean values of the four determinations where higher after Ib than after placebo (CO: +10.1%, p less than 0.01; SV: +14.1%, p less than 0.01; EF: +10.8%, p less than 0.05). Patients subsequently started a long-term treatment with Ib 100 mg t.i.d.; after 6 months patients underwent RVG 3 h after the last dose of Ib: compared with the values recorded at the same time after the short-term treatment. CO further increased by 17% (NS), SV by 22% (p less than 0.05) and EF by 24% (p less than 0.05). The treatment was well tolerated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Prognostic setting and bloodless hemodynamic evaluation of acute myocardial infarct with equilibrium radioisotopic ventriculography].

Forty-four consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction were studied with equilibrium radionuclide angiography (RNA) within 24 hours from the onset of symptoms, three days after admission and three days before hospital discharge (14 +/- 3 days). To assess the prognostic value of RNA derived parameters we assessed: the ejection fraction (EF), the left ventricular end-systolic volume index (ESVI), the left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (EDVI), the cardiac index (CI), the stroke volume index (SVI) and the peak systolic pressure/end-systolic volume index ratio (PSP/ESVI); we also determined Peel's prognostic index (PI) on admission and measured systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) and cardiac frequency (CF) as the same time as the radioisotopic parameters were taken. Thirty-nine patients were discharged without signs of ventricular failure with and without medical treatment (group A), 5 died during hospitalization (group B). Using EF alone, we obtained a very clear distinction between the two groups (Group A 43 +/- 12%; Group B 22 +/- 3%; p less than 0.005). Stepwise, multivariate analysis showed that, by linking PSP/ESVI to EF, we can even obtain a function that correlate better with hospital survival (F = 0.09832 X EF - 0.32035 X PSP/ESVI - 3.12981; p less than 0.002). There was good exponential correlation between EF and PSP/ESVI (r = 0.781) and this would seem to confirm that PSP/ESVI is a more sensitive contractility index for patients with a not very depressed EF.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1985

Histologic evaluation of necrosis in osteosarcoma induced by chemotherapy. Regional mapping of viable and nonviable tumor.

The predominant sites of viable and nonviable tumor were determined in the primary lesions of 50 patients with osteosarcoma after initial treatment with preoperative chemotherapy. The degree of tumor destruction was classified as good, fair, and poor and a map of the sites revealing viable and nonviable tumor was constructed. The study revealed several preferential sites where viable tumor was likely to persist: soft tissues, cortex, subcortex, ligaments, and areas in contact with cartilage (growth plate and/or articular cartilage). Localized areas of hemorrhage and necrosis, designated "lacunae," were noted within the tumor. They were frequently surrounded by bundles of viable tumor and appeared to correlate with open surgical biopsies. Factors responsible for this phenomenon and the persistence of viable tumor are discussed. The findings have important implications in the design of surgical treatment and in the use of needle biopsies to determine the effects of preoperative treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Phase II study of cisplatin in advanced osteogenic sarcoma. European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group.

The activity of cisplatin (CDDP) against advanced osteogenic sarcoma was evaluated in 37 of 50 patients registered by the members of the European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group between 1979 and 1982. All patients had measurable lung metastases. Thirty-one patients (84%) had received previous chemotherapy consisting mainly of high-dose methotrexate, doxorubicin, and vincristine. CDDP (100 mg/m2) was given as a 24-hour continuous infusion every 3 weeks for a minimum of two cycles, with appropriate fluids and diuretics. In the absence of impairment of the renal function and/or myelosuppression, the dose could be escalated by 20%. The overall response rate was 19% (seven responses among 37 patients), with one complete remission for 51 weeks and six partial remissions from 12 to 26 weeks. The median number of courses of CDDP administered was three, ranging from two to 11. Of 143 courses administered, only 18 (12%) had to be modified because of toxicity. In 16% of the patients some transient impairment of the renal function was observed. CDDP adds to the limited number of chemotherapeutic agents with useful properties in osteogenic sarcoma, and CDDP-containing combination chemotherapy regimens should be actively investigated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Medulloblastoma. Results of a sequential combined treatment.

Actuarial progression-free survival rate at 5 years of a series of 34 patients with medulloblastoma treated by combined surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy was 71%. No relapses were observed in 14 patients followed for more than 5 years. Treatment consisted of a short postoperative course of vincristine (VCR) and intrathecal (IT) methotrexate (MTX) followed by irradiation to the entire cranio spinal axis. Maintenance chemotherapy (CCNU, VCR, and IT MTX) was then continued to encompass 2 years from surgery. Failure occurred in nine patients: four had local recurrence, four dissemination within the central nervous system, and one widespread skeletal metastases. Poor prognostic factors such as presence of malignant cells in the cerebrospinal fluid, non-radical surgery, young age, and radiation doses less than 50 Gy to the tumor bed, did not adversely affect the outcome of patients in this series. Long-term sequelae from the treatment program could be observed in all patients, and in 58% they were severe enough to interfere with normal, active life.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Connectivitis-like pathologies. Incomplete or initial connectivitis?].

Several cases of pathology comparable to connective tissue diseases, but not belonging to any of the established and well known classes are presented. Clinical and laboratory data were not always sufficiently indicative of connectivitis and in these cases the initial diagnostic doubt was never resolved even after months or years of follow-up. The advisability of early immunological therapy despite such doubts is then discussed.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1984

[Abnormal electrocardiographic changes induced by hypocalcemia secondary to extracorporeal circulation].

We report hereby the case of a 20-year-old woman, whose electrocardiogram showed unusual repolarization abnormalities 36 hours after open heart surgery. They were due to pure hypocalcemia (7,1 mg/100 ml) secondary to extracorporeal circulation, were sudden in onset, transient, variable within a few minutes, and immediately suppressed by intravenous calcium chloride. Some of the changes were similar to those already reported in literature (lengthening of QT and ST segments, changes in T wave voltage but not duration) whereas other were quite unusual i.e. the extreme variability and transientness of these changes, the marked ST level alterations and the presence of wide and diphasic U waves. Intravenous administration of 2 g of calcium chloride was followed by immediate and complete normalization of the electrocardiographic tracing.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Proteins from the sperm of the bivalve mollusc Ensis minor. Co-existence of histones and a protamine-like protein.

Analysis of the total protein of the mature sperm of the bivalve mollusc Ensis minor (razor shell) using gel electrophoresis, amino acid analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism and trypsin digestion, show it to contain all five histones plus a protamine-like protein. The histones H3, H4 and probably H2A are similar to those from calf thymus or sea urchin sperm, but the putative H2B appears to have a very high molecular mass (about 20 kDa). The histone H1 molecule is unusual, having little or no proline and 8-10 residues of histidine. The protamine-like species is rich in both lysine as well as arginine and is of much higher molecular mass than fish sperm protamines. Nucleosomes containing the four core histones have been prepared and the nucleosomal repeat shown to be 200 +/- 5 base pairs. Checks for the absence of contaminating cells reinforce the conclusion that a histone-containing nucleosomal structure co-exists with a protamine-like protein in this sperm chromatin.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1983

Childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: prognostic relevance of clinical stages and histologic subgroups.

Seventy-nine consecutive children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated with a uniform intensive radiotherapy-chemotherapy program including high-dose MTX and CNS prophylaxis. Burkitt-type NHL was diagnosed in 44% and convoluted cell-type NHL in 33%. Complete remission rate was 97.5%. Forty-eight of 79 children (61%) remain progression-free after 18-78 months of follow-up. Patients belonging to the Burkitt type subgroup showed a peculiar clinical behavior as well as a significantly shorter survival than the other NHL patients (3-year overall survival rates of 50% vs. 72%, respectively). Clinical stages were related to the progression-free survival. It is concluded that treatment should be tailored according to the histology (Burkitt-type NHL vs. other histologic types) and the clinical stage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Neoplasms of the sigmoid incarcerated in inguinal hernia (case report and review of the literature)].

The authors consider the association of colonic neoplasia and hernia of abdominal wall. Such association, although not so frequent, was formerly remarked in literature 23 times; with the personal casuistic contribution of the authors, who recently observed a case thereof in an old patient woman, such remarks amount to 24. The authors describe the case they have the opportunity to observe, and report the experience of the other authors thereabout, through a careful reviewing of the literature starting from 1930 up to our time.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1983

Childhood rhabdomyosarcoma with meningeal extension: results of combined therapy including central nervous system prophylaxis.

Results achieved in two consecutive series of children with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMSA) of the head and neck area, presenting with meningeal involvement, are compared. The first series consisted of 12 children treated with local radiotherapy and with (mostly) polidrug systemic chemotherapy from 1969 to 1977. The second series consisted of 11 children who, besides local radiotherapy and polichemotherapy, received brain radiotherapy (30 Gy) and intrathecal (I.T.) methotrexate (MTX) as central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis from 1978 to 1980. In the first group, 50% of patients achieved a complete remission and only one child (8%) is surviving relapse-free. In the second group, 91% of patients achieved a complete remission and seven (64%) are surviving relapse-free after a median follow-up of 32 months. The most important reason for failure in the first series was represented by the inability to achieve a persistent local control of the primary tumor. This observation and the higher doses of radiotherapy delivered to the primary tumor in the second series prevent the conclusion that the improved results are attributable entirely to the addition of CNS prophylaxis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in childhood.

We have retrospectively evaluated a series of 27 consecutive children observed from 1965 to 1980 with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Histological diagnosis in each patient was undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type (UCNT) with prominent lymphocytic infiltration. Regional node involvement was present in 26 of 27 patients and two children presented with distant metastases. Twenty evaluable children with primary nasopharyngeal tumor with or without positive cervical nodes underwent radiotherapy (RT) with uniform criteria in technique. Adjuvant cyclophosphamide (CPM) was administered to a total of 11 children. The actuarial relapse-free survival and overall survival are 40% and 55% at four years, respectively. In this series, the most important prognostic factor was represented by the extent of the tumor in the nasopharynx. Permanent control of the primary tumor was obtained in 85% of patients. CPM given after RT did not reduce the incidence of relapse. However, the fact that 45% of patients developed distant metastases as first treatment failure suggests that combined chemotherapy should be tested in the management of NPC in children, especially when primary tumor is locally advanced.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Adjuvant chemotherapy in Ewing's sarcoma patients.

At the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan 60 patients with clinically localized Ewing's sarcoma were treated during 1965-1978 according to three different protocols. From 1965-1971, 18 patients received almost exclusively local therapy and 17 of 18 (94%) relapsed in a median time of 6 months. From 1971-1978 adjuvant chemotherapy according to two different drug schedules was employed after radiotherapy. Twenty-five of 42 (59%) are surviving and relapse-free at this time (follow-up 20-101 months).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Sequential half-body irradiation as systemic treatment of progressive Ewing sarcoma.

Sequential half-body irradiation (HBI) to be delivered in two sessions was used in 18 consecutive patients with metastatic Ewing sarcoma who relapsed after radiotherapy and multidrug chemotherapy. The HBI program to both upper and lower hemi body was completed in 11 patients (61%). The remaining 7 patients received only one single treatment of HBI because of relapse before the completion of the treatment program. In 20 of the 29 sessions HBI was employed to treat overt metastases. The overall objective response rate was 50%. Six of 18 patients (33%) are alive from 4 to 27 months, 3 of them without evidence of disease. No severe toxicity was observed. HBI as systemic treatment was more effective in patients who relapsed while off chemotherapy, with metastases confined to the lungs or to one single bone segment.

Adolescent↗