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Biomedical subjects

M Giovannini

Publications and source records attributed to M Giovannini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Ultrasound-guided endoscopic surgery.

Ten years' development of sectorial linear endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has allowed us to perform guided biopsies of lymph nodes, mediastinal masses and pancreatic tumours. Furthermore, biopsy guided by EUS has been the first step in the development of interventional EUS. This development, in turn, has been made possible by the appearance of the interventional echoendoscope with a large working channel. EUS-guided biopsy obtains the best results for lymph nodes, anastomotic relapses and extrinsicz compression as well as for pancreatic tumours. Results in the literature show a global sensitivity of the technique that varies between 76 and 91%, a specificity of 84-100% and an accuracy of 78-94%. Using alcohol injection of the plexus nerves, the coeliac block guided by EUS is a simple technique. It will replace percutaneous access under US or CT scan guidance. Data from the literature show a significant reduction in pain of the order of 85-90% of cases-results that would have been good for percutaneous techniques. The technique of cystoenterostomy guided by EUS allows more accurate drainage of the cysts with a lower risk of perforation and haemorrhage. With regard to haemorrhage it should be emphasized that colour Doppler and power Doppler assessment of the punctures rules out the risk of vascular perforation during puncture but the risk of haemorrhage due to decompression of a vascular lesion in the vicinity of the cyst remains. The new ultrasound echoendoscope EG 38X, with a large working channel (3.8 mm), is now available. This system allows more effective drainage and also enables the placement of cystodigestive stents.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed2004

The No Endosonographic Detection of Tumor (NEST) Study: a case series of pancreatic cancers missed on endoscopic ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The purpose of this study was to identify possible associated factors that may have contributed to failure to detect a pancreatic neoplasm during endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) examinations by experienced endosonographers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was organized, and 20 cases of pancreatic neoplasms missed by nine experienced endosonographers were identified. Careful analysis of each case was carried out to identify the factors that might have led to the missed diagnosis on EUS. RESULTS: Twelve patients with a missed pancreatic neoplasm had EUS features of chronic pancreatitis. Other factors that might have increased the likelihood of a false-negative EUS examination included a diffusely infiltrating carcinoma (n = 3), a prominent ventral/dorsal split (n = 2), and a recent episode (within the previous 4 weeks) of acute pancreatitis (n = 1). Five patients with a negative initial EUS underwent a follow-up EUS after 2-3 months, with a pancreatic mass being found in all cases. Three patients had a diffusely infiltrating pancreatic adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: EUS is not a foolproof method of detecting a pancreatic neoplasm. Possible associated factors that may increase the likelihood of a false-negative EUS examination include chronic pancreatitis, a diffusely infiltrating carcinoma, a prominent ventral/dorsal split and a recent episode (< 4 weeks) of acute pancreatitis. If there is a high clinical suspicion of pancreatic neoplasm, if EUS and other imaging methods are negative, and if the patient does not undergo surgery, this study suggests that a repeat EUS after 2-3 months may be useful for detecting an occult pancreatic neoplasm.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Circumferential endoscopic mucosal resection in Barrett's esophagus with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or mucosal cancer. Preliminary results in 21 patients.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Treatment by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been established for early lesions in Barrett's esophagus. However, the remaining Barrett's esophagus epithelium remains at risk of developing further lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of circumferential endoscopic mucosectomy (circumferential EMR)s in removing not only the index lesion (high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) or mucosal cancer), but also the remaining Barrett's esophagus epithelium. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients were included in the study (11 men, 10 women), who had Barrett's esophagus and either HGIN (n = 12) or mucosal cancer (n = 9). Of the patients, 17/21 were at high surgical risk and five had refused surgery. On the basis of preprocedure endosonography their lesions were classified as T1N0 (n = 19) or T0N0 (n = 2). The lesions and the Barrett's esophagus epithelium were removed by polypectomy after submucosal injection of 10-15 ml of saline; a double-channel endoscope was used in 15/21 cases. Circumferential EMR was performed in two sessions, the lesion and the surrounding half of the circumferential Barrett's esophagus mucosa being removed in the first session. In order to prevent the formation of esophageal stenosis, the second half of the Barrett's esophagus mucosa was resected 1 month later. RESULTS: Complications occurred in 4/21 patients (19 %), consisting of bleeding which was successfully managed by endoscopic hemostasis in all cases. No strictures were observed during follow-up (mean duration 18 months) and endoscopic resection was considered complete in 18/21 patients (86 %). For three patients, histological examination showed incomplete removal of tumor: one of these underwent surgery; two received chemoradiotherapy, and showed no evidence of residual tumor at 18 months' and 24 months' follow-up, respectively. Two patients in whom resection was initially classified as complete later presented with local recurrence and were treated again by EMR. Barrett's esophagus mucosa was completely replaced by squamous cell epithelium in 15/20 patients (75 %). CONCLUSIONS: Circumferential EMR is a noninvasive treatment of Barrett's esophagus with HGIN or mucosal cancer, with a low complication rate and good short-term clinical efficacy. Further studies should focus on long-term results and on technical improvements.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

Feeding practices of infants through the first year of life in Italy.

AIM: To investigate infant feeding practices through the first year of life in Italy, and to identify factors associated with the duration of breastfeeding and early introduction of solid foods. METHODS: Structured phone interviews on feeding practices were conducted with 2450 Italian-speaking mothers randomly selected among women who delivered a healthy-term singleton infant in November 1999 in Italy. Interviews were performed 30 d after delivery and when the infants were aged 3, 6, 9 and 12 mo. Type of breastfeeding was classified according to the WHO criteria. RESULTS: Breastfeeding started in 91.1% of infants. At the age of 6 and 12 mo, respectively, 46.8% and 11.8% of the infants was still breastfed, 68.4% and 27.7% received formula, and 18.3% and 65.2% were given cow's milk. Solids were introduced at the mean age of 4.3 mo (range 1.6-6.5 mo). Introduction of solids occurred before age 3 and 4 mo in 5.6% and 34.2% of infants, respectively. The first solids introduced were fruit (73.1%) and cereals (63.9%). The main factors (negatively) associated with the duration of breastfeeding were pacifier use (p < 0.0001), early introduction of formula (p < 0.0001), lower mother's age (p < 0.01) and early introduction of solids (p = 0.05). Factors (negatively) associated with the introduction of solids foods before the age of 3 mo were mother not having breastfed (p < 0.01), early introduction of formula (p < 0.01), lower infant bodyweight at the age of 1 mo (p = 0.05) and mother smoking (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The duration of breastfeeding in Italy is still inadequate, as well as compliance with international recommendations for timing of introduction of complementary foods. National guidelines, public messages and educational campaigns should be promoted in Italy.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2004

Gastric duplication in an adult mimicking mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas.

Gastric duplication cyst (GDC) in an adult can have several clinical presentations. A review of the literature showed previously reported cases of GDC presenting as pancreatic pseudocyst or with greatly raised concentrations of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9). It is often difficult to discriminate GDC from pancreatic cystic tumour, in particular pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma, in which concentrations of carcinoembryonic antigen and CA 19-9 are classically raised. This report describes an adult case of GDC mimicking a mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas. This is the first report of a simultaneous increase in carcinoembryonic antigen and CA 19-9 in GDC in the absence of malignancy. Although few cases of carcinoma arising from a GDC having been reported, the production of oncofetal antigens raises the problem of a precancerous condition in long standing intestinal duplications. In this situation surgical resection must be performed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Early protein intakes and adiposity: reloaded or downloaded?

UNLABELLED: It has been hypothesized that feeding human milk through the first year of life may have a protective effect towards a later adiposity development, in contrast with formula feeding. The low protein content of human milk has been hypothesized as a plausible biological hypothesis. Regardless, it is often underscored that feeding human milk is associated with a higher rate of weight gain in the first two months of life. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, it seems that the protective effect of human milk, if any, on adiposity development is far more complex, and tightly bound to the peculiarity of human milk composition and breastfeeding practice.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2004

Polychlorinated biphenyls in colostral milk and visual function at 12 months of life.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Environmental contaminants such as persistent organic chlorines and heavy metals, which are supplied to the foetus by transplacental transfer and to breastfed infants by the milk, may impair cognitive functions. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are known to enhance development during foetal life and early infancy, may counteract the toxic effect of environmental contaminants. In this study, we have investigated whether polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) impair early development of vision, and whether such impairment can be modulated by essential long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. MATERIAL: Healthy term infants born in Milan and its surroundings, and who were exclusively breastfed for at least 4 mo, were prospectively examined up to the age of 12 mo. METHODS: Samples from colostrums, the first 2 d after delivery, and of mature breast-milk after 1 and 3 mo were collected. The samples were analyzed for PCB 105, 118, 138, 153, 156 and 180 and for DDT and DDE. In all infants, the plasma levels of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), C18:2 n-6, C18:3 n-3, C20:4 n-6, C20:5 n-3 and C22:6 n-3 were analysed within the first three postnatal days. The PCB levels in colostral milk, as well as of LC-PUFAs in plasma, were considered to mirror perinatal supply. Visual function was evaluated by P100 with latency evoked potentials (VEPs) at 12 mo of age. Statistical analysis was based on simple and partial correlation coefficients (p < 0.05). RESULTS: On bivariate analysis, wave latency VEP at 15 min was significantly related to the colostral levels of DDT, DDE and all examined PCBs except PCB 105 (with correlation coefficient r = 0.401 to 0.618), whereas P100 wave latency VEP at 60 min was related to DDT (r = 0.513) and PCB 180 (r = 0.504). Infant plasma levels of C22:6 n-3 were inversely associated with P100 wave latency at 60 min (r = -0.418) and at 1Hz-2J (r = -0.466). After controlling for C22:6 n-3, the partial correlation coefficient of P100 wave latency VEP at 15 min to the colostral level of PCB 180 was 0.403 (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Within the population of this study, a weak relation was found between impaired visual function at 12 mo of age of healthy infants and the levels of PCBs, DDT and DDE in colostral milk. The effect of impairment was no longer evident after controlling for the plasma level of LC-PUFAs as found in the infant a few days after birth.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Body mass index rebound and overweight at 8 years of age in hyperphenylalaninaemic children.

AIM: To evaluate whether the age at body mass index (BMI) rebound may be associated with overweight at age 8 y in hyperphenylalaninaemic (HPA) children. METHODS: A longitudinal observational study including 97 HPA children born 1984-1993 and detected by the National Neonatal Screening programme. Children were followed up at the same institution and evaluated for dietary intakes and anthropometrical parameters from diagnosis up to the age of 8 y. Outcome measure was overweight at age 8 y, defined according to the International Obesity Task Force. The age at BMI rebound, BMI before and at rebound were considered as potential determinants. Familial overweight, breastfeeding and macronutrients intake at age 1 y were considered as confounders. RESULTS: Mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) age at BMI rebound was 5.0 (4.7-5.3) y. At the age of 8 y, 24.7% (95% CI 16.3-33.1%) of children was overweight. Children overweight at the age of 8 y exhibited earlier BMI rebound than non-overweight children (mean difference [95% CI] -2.1 [-2.8 to - 1.4] y) and higher BMI from the age of 1 y (mean difference [95% CI] 1.2 [0.9-2.5] kg/ m2) onward. Overweight was more likely in children with, rather than without, parental overweight (41.0% vs 19.8%). After adjustment for confounders, logistic analysis showed that earlier BMI rebound (odds ratio [OR] 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-4.8) and BMI at age I y (OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.1-4.98) were independently associated with overweight at the age of 8 y. CONCLUSION: Within the population of this study, overweight at age 8 y was positively associated with early BMI rebound and BMI at age 1 y.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed2003

Phase II study of the efficacy and safety of cisplatin-epinephrine injectable gel administered to patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To study the efficacy and safety of percutaneous cisplatin-epinephrine (CDDP-EPI) injectable gel in patients with localized unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had histologically proven HCC, no prior treatment except for surgery, and no more than three tumors (each measured < or = 7 cm, total tumor volume < or = 200 cm(3)). They were treated percutaneously under ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) guidance, with up to 10 mL of CDDP-EPI gel (1 mL contains 4 mg of CDDP and 0.1 mg of EPI) per treatment and four treatments in 6 weeks to a maximum of eight treatments. The primary end points were tumor response, defined by change of percentage of tumor necrosis according to CT criteria, and safety. Survival parameters were secondary end points. RESULTS: From June 1997 to April 2000, 58 patients (median age, 65 years) entered the study. All patients were assessable for safety, and 51 were assessable for efficacy. The median number of treatments was four (range, one to eight treatments). Objective response rate was 53% (27 of 51 patients), including 16 complete and 11 partial responses. Of the 27 responders, 14 (52%) subsequently developed progressive disease, but in most of them (93%), a new tumor arose at untreated liver sites. Median survival was 27 months (range, 18.4 to 35.7 months). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 79%, 56%, and 14% respectively. The procedure was well tolerated with only minor side effects. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous local ablation with CDDP-EPI injectable gel can induce significant tumor necrosis and local control for localized unresectable HCC, and the treatment is well tolerated.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Long-term results of preoperative radiotherapy for 113 cases of UT3 and UT4 rectal cancer: a need for long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: Eighty percent of local recurrence after resection of rectal adenocarcinoma classically occurs within two years of surgery. Pretherapeutic staging is frequently limited to clinical examination, although the accuracy of endoanal ultrasonography has been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to report the long-term results of preoperative radiation therapy and resection of pretherapeutic endoanal ultrasonography-staged T3 and T4 rectal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: This retrospective review analyzed a series of 113 patients who underwent radiation therapy followed by surgery. All patients underwent an endoanal ultrasonography. Median follow-up was 75 months. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of patients were pT3 or T4. Thirty-six percent had involvement of lymph nodes. Five-year rates of survival, local recurrence-free survival, and disease-free survival were 79, 73, and 68 percent, respectively. Ten-year rates were 65, 63, and 62 percent, respectively. Median time to detection of local recurrence was 39 months. Eight of ten local recurrences occurred after two years of follow-up. Eight of ten patients with local recurrence had pretherapeutic endoanal ultrasonography-staged N+ tumors. CONCLUSION: These results appear to justify a follow-up program for patients with pretherapeutic endoanal ultrasonography-staged N+ tumor. However, a minimum of seven years of follow-up is needed to obtain an accurate assessment of results.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

[Surgery for oesophageal cancer: current controversies].

Any attempt to define the present role of surgery in the treatment of oesophageal cancer should integrate the dramatic changes that occurred within this disease over the last 2 decades: major shift in the histologic type of tumours, improved staging methods, spectacular reduction of operative risks, standardization of oncologic principles focusing on the completeness of resection, and development of multimodality therapeutic strategies. Surgery has still a pivotal role. Esophagectomy should be performed by trained surgeons in high-volume institutions. Radical surgery with en-bloc resection and 2 fields lymphadenectomy, should be encouraged in low-risk patients with subcarinal tumors. Although multimodality treatment strategy is commonly applied for locally advanced disease, few data support its superiority over surgical resection alone, followed by adjuvant therapy when appropriate. One may thus hypothesize that the risk/benefit ratio of such strategies is probably optimal in case of early stage tumors, and future studies may further clarify this issue. Conversely, locally advanced tumors, particularly those located in the upper mediastinum and the neck, may be managed alternatively without surgery. However, surgery remains an important tool to ensure optimal palliation of dysphagia, to achieve local control, and finally to improve quality of life. In that way, video-assisted techniques and/or trans hiatal approaches aiming to minimize the surgical insult may have a place in the treatment of patients who have substantially responded to induction therapy. Tumors located close to the pharyngo-oesophageal junction are best managed with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Finally, salvage surgery may be considered in highly selected patients in case of non-response or local relapse without distant metastases.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed2003

Phase analysis of superconducting polycrystalline MgB(2).

Superconducting MgB(2) ceramics were prepared and yield superconducting transition temperatures of about 39 K. For covering the various length scales on which inhomogeneities appear in MgB(2), electron-probe micro-analysis (EPMA) and analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied for a phase analysis. Particularly useful were the preliminary electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI) results in the TEM. It could be shown by EPMA that the microstructure consists of a Mg-B-O matrix and boron-rich secondary phases of composition close to MgB(12). It was unclear in which form oxygen was present in the superconducting matrix. By combining the acquisition of B-K and O-K edge jump ratio images and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in the TEM, we could prove that the matrix consists of superconducting MgB(2) and MgO. Most of the MgO precipitates and grains appear with diameters between 20 and 300 nm. The size distribution of MgO was inhomogeneous and oxygen-rich areas of dimensions >1 microm were also observed. Edge jump ratio images obtained by ESI were analysed for determining the signal values and effects of multiple inelastic scattering.

Boron Compounds↗
PubMed2003

Earlier smoking habits are associated with higher serum lipids and lower milk fat and polyunsaturated fatty acid content in the first 6 months of lactation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between maternal smoking habits, plasma lipids and milk fatty acid (FA) content and composition. DESIGN: Breastfeeding mothers who gave birth to healthy, full-term infants were recruited. Mothers were interviewed on smoking habits, being defined smokers (S) when usually smoking at least five cigarettes per day before pregnancy. SETTING: Department of Pediatrics, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy. SUBJECTS: In total, 92 mothers: 61 non-S (NS) and 31 S. INTERVENTIONS: Pooled hindmilk was collected at the first raise of milk (colostrum stage), 1, 3 and 6 months, and total lipid (TL) content and fatty acid (FA) composition were evaluated. Maternal dietary habits were assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire. Two subsamples (16 NS, 6 S) were investigated after delivery and at 3 months for serum lipids and FA status. At 6 months after delivery, the number of mothers still breastfeeding decreased to 30. Variables were compared using nonparametric tests. RESULTS: In smoking mothers serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins were higher, while those of high-density lipoproteins were lower. TL content in breast milk was similar in the two groups just after delivery but higher in milk from NS at 1 month. TL content and FA absolute amounts of linoleic, arachidonic, alpha-linolenic and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid in breast milk were lower in S vs NS 1 month after delivery. Also 3 months after delivery, the breast milk of smoking mothers contained less DHA than the breast milk of nonsmoking mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal cigarette smoking in early pregnancy is associated with higher plasma lipid levels and lower milk TL and DHA content in the first months of lactation.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Drainage of deep pelvic abscesses using therapeutic echo endoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of endosonographically guided transrectal aspiration and drainage by plastic stent of deep pelvic abscesses, using a therapeutic echo endoscope device. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between September 2000 and June 2001, 12 patients (nine men, three women, mean age 67 years) were treated for a perirectal or a pelvic abscess using an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) technique. The drainage of these fluid collections was performed under EUS guidance, using therapeutic EUS scopes with a large working channel. RESULTS: No major complication occurred during this study. Transrectal stent insertion succeeded in nine patients. In three patients, only aspiration was possible. Among the nine patients in whom a stent was successfully introduced into the fluid collection, complete drainage without relapse was achieved in eight patients (mean follow-up 10.6 months, range 6-14 months). The stent was removed endoscopically after 3 to 6 months. Drainage was incomplete in one patient (with a large abscess, diameter > 8 cm), who subsequently underwent surgical drainage. However, two out of the three patients in whom aspiration alone was performed developed a recurrence of the abscess and required surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: EUS-guided drainage of deep pelvic abscesses could offer an alternative treatment to surgery in the management of these postoperative complications.

Abscess↗