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Biomedical subjects

M Longo

Publications and source records attributed to M Longo.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum nitrites predict the response to prostaglandin-induced delivery at term.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the clinical response to prostaglandin-induced labor is modulated by nitric oxide (NO) activity. METHODS: Fifty-two cases of nulliparous women at term who delivered vaginally after prostaglandin E (PGE) induction of labor were enrolled. The induction was required mainly for amniotic fluid reduction or late-onset gestational hypertension. Either intracervical (0.5 mg) or vaginal (2.0 mg) PGE was administered every 12 hours, according to the Bishop score. After the third PGE application, in absence of labor onset, intravenous oxytocin was used. Nitrites/nitrates (NOx) serum levels were used as a marker of NO activity. They were measured just before the start of induction by using an enzymatic reduction and then a colorimetric evaluation. Time to delivery from the first PGE application was the main outcome variable. RESULTS: Time to delivery ranged from 4 to 62 hours (median: 15.5). Nitrites/nitrates levels were unaffected by both gestational age, Bishop score at entry, indication allowing labor-induction, fetal position, and birth weight. In a multiple regression analysis including the previous factors, NOx levels significantly explained 33.9% of the variance of the time to delivery. Indeed, patients delivering within 15 hours (26.4 +/- 6.9) showed NOx levels significantly lower than in patients delivering after more than 15 hours (39.5 +/- 16.4) from the first PGE application. CONCLUSIONS: A reduced level of NOx is associated with a prompt clinical response to PGE-induced labor. Provided we do not know the origin of NOx in the general circulation, these data indicate NOx levels as predictors of the response to PGE-induced delivery at term and support the hypothesis that labor onset is modulated by the endogenous NO activity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

L-arginine infusion reduces blood pressure in preeclamptic women through nitric oxide release.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the biochemical and cardiovascular effects of L-arginine administration in normotensive pregnant women and women with preeclampsia. METHODS: The study groups consisted of 12 women with uncomplicated pregnancies and 17 preeclamptic patients, four of whom were on antihypertensive treatment. In both groups, saline infusion was started, followed by 30 g L-arginine administration, and finally more saline. Blood pressure was recorded every 5 minutes and blood samples were collected for measurement of serum citrulline, arginine, and nitrite levels. Amino acid assays were done by using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorometric detection. RESULTS: L-Arginine infusion was associated with a significant reduction of blood pressure in both groups, the decrease being greater in the women with preeclampsia. Baseline serum citrulline and arginine levels were not significantly different between the two groups. L-Citrulline levels were significantly increased during infusion of L-arginine, and the increase was significantly lower in the women with preeclampsia. Serum nitrite levels were increased only in controls and not in preeclampsia patients. The total citrulline production stimulated by L-arginine was related inversely to baseline blood pressure values and was unrelated to clinical parameters such as gestational age at delivery, birth weight, and Apgar score. CONCLUSIONS: L-Arginine load in pregnant women is associated with increased nitric oxide (NO) production and hypotension. Despite a reduced ability to produce NO, patients with preeclampsia may benefit from L-arginine supplementation. Overall, these findings partially support the hypothesis that preeclampsia is characterized by a dysfunction of the L-arginine-NO pathway.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The association of lung cancer with asbestos and tobacco smoking].

This work summarises the potential association link for lung cancer between asbestos and smoking. This link emerges not only from different epidemiological and experimental studies, but also from a wide data collection carried out by an omogeneous Italian industrial group. The examination of the data set has led to the conclusion that the simultaneous exposition to asbestos and tobacco's smoke entails a factor, usually multiplicative and also partially additive, in relation to lung cancer; on the other hand, it does not seem to have a great relevance for mesothelioma pleurico. On the basis of this evidence, the Authors focus in particular on the measures of prevention in the contest of work conditions, in order to highlight the impact of the two carcinogenic agents in workers.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bone pulsating metastasis due to hypernephroma.

Bone pulsating metastasis due to hypernephroma is an exceptional occurrence. The authors present one case of bone pulsating metastasis due to hypernephroma localized in the proximal tibia. The primary renal lesion was located by ultrasonography and confirmed by CT scan.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Post-menopausal metrorrhagia: endometrial ultrasonic aspects].

Main causes of uterine post-menopausal bleeding are estrogenic substitutive therapy, ipo/atrophy, hyperplasia, carcinoma of endometrium and sarcoma. To evaluate the real usefulness of echotomography in these conditions, 128 patients in post-menopause (end of menstrual cycles from over an year) with at least one uterine bleeding were considered. The patients were submitted to pelvic ultrasonography in order to study uterine and ovarian morphology and, in particular, to examine endometrial echopattern. Endometrial reliefs were classified into 4 groups of echopattern and put in comparison with histopathology. From this comparison a well defined role of echotomography in the study of post-menopausal bleeding is evidenced: in cases of "abnormal echopattern" the probability of endometrial pathology is elevated (83.3%), with a good "sensibility" but without a so good "specificity" of ultrasounds: therefore its "subsidiary" but "necessary" role in the diagnosis of climateric uterine bleeding is emphasized.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ultrasonics in the diagnosis and staging of endometrial carcinoma].

In the study of endometrial pathology actually ultrasounds have a few utility in precocious diagnosis, but can be useful during the staging phase (echo-histopathologic correlations, tumor biometry, myometrial invasion). Present study is relative to 134 patients affected by endometrial carcinoma (histologically proved) and preliminarily submitted to echotomography. The "false negative" results of ultrasounds were 16/134. Echographic observations, classified according to Niwa e coll. and Obata, were put in comparison with anatomo-histopathology. The evaluations of tumor dimensions and myometrial invasion were correct respectively in 59.2% of cases and in 64.1% of cases. During the staging phase of endometrial neoplasia echotomography can allow a better pre-surgical definition, mainly with a more detailed informations about tumor biometry (T) and myometrial invasion (M).

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ultrasonics in the follow-up of cases of non-surgically treated endometrial carcinoma].

Authors present an experimental study to evaluate the possibilities of ultrasounds in the follow-up of endometrial carcinoma inoperable cases. 18 women affected by endometrial adenocarcinoma (I or II stage F.I.G.O.) not submitted to surgery (due to increased surgical risk or refusal of operation) and treated by radio-hormonotherapy were considered. In these inoperable cases, echotomographic follow-up (in association to the usual oncologic specific follow-up) permitted to evaluate uterine modifications directly "in vivo": both for tumor dimensions and for myometrial invasion. Without reference to the effectiveness of radio-hormonal therapy, from our experience the utility of ultrasounds in the selection of "non-responders" cases is evidenced ("non-responders" cases were then treated by chemotherapy).

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The radiology of the pterygoid canal: normal and pathologic findings.

To better define the normal anatomy and pathologic features of the pterygoid canal, 100 normal subjects and 38 patients with disease of the paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx, and base of the skull were studied with pluridirectional tomography. Particular attention was given to the normal radiographic appearance of the pterygoid canal as well as to its anatomic variants and its relationship to the paranasal sinuses. Three radiographic signs of involvement of the pterygoid canal were detected: disappearance, enlargement, and narrowing. Moreover, a brief correlation between pluridirectional tomography and CT was made. Diagnostic accuracy in evaluating the bony lesions is the same with both techniques, but CT is superior to pluridirectional tomography in evaluating involvement of the soft tissues.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[X-ray computed tomographic aspects of neoplastic pathology of the parapharyngeal space].

The parapharyngeal space is a fat-filled region situated deep in the head between the basicranium and the oral floor. It can be divided in two parts: the prestyloid and the poststyloid space. The mandibular nerve is contained in the prestyloid space, while the carotid artery, jugular vein, IX, X, XI, XII cranial nerves, cervical sympathetic chain and junctional lymph nodes are situated in the poststyloid compartment. The normal CT anatomy and CT findings in 22 patients with proven lesions of the parapharyngeal space are described. Three different groups of neoplastic processes can be distinguished: primary tumours, secondary tumours and enlarged lymph nodes. The nature of the lesions developing in the parapharyngeal space can be diagnosed by CT in many cases.

Adipose Tissue↗