Biomedical subjects

P Bellini

Publications and source records attributed to P Bellini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

[Vulvo-vaginal HPV infection: immunological aspects].

All phases of HPV infection are under the control of the immunitary system which is probably inhibited by the virus itself. We studied 65 patients (range 22-55 year). They presented an HPV vulvovaginal infection not healed after common therapy. The aim of our study was to verify the changes occurring in the immune system during HPV vulvo-vaginal infection. Using the immunohistochemical method we evaluated the number of T4,T8 and NK lymphocytes inside the lesion. Moreover we measured the immunitary cells of the hematic compartment. Inside the lesion we noted a reduction of the immune system in 69.23% of cases, while in the hematic compartment it was reduced only in 6.15% of cases. These data strongly suggested that the evaluation of the immunitary state, before starting therapy, is important in deciding when it would be useful to associate immunostimulating substances at the common treatment of vulvo-vaginal infection.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1996

[Anencephaly: a still unresolved problem].

The anencephaly is a congenital malformation, characterized by the absence of the cerebral structures and of the skull. In this study we have considered 5 cases of anencephaly, occurred in the decade 1985-1994. All the pregnant women have been interviewed and underwent ultrasonographic evaluation. Four out of 5 pregnant women have voluntarily interrupted pregnancy. In only 1 case, having achieved woman the 40th week of pregnancy, the delivery has been spontaneous: the fetus has died after few hours. The results of this study suggest that, being the anencephaly the most commonly indications for the abortion, would be important to help the women bearers of anencephalic fetuses to consent taking the organs, using them for transplantations on children that necessitate them.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗

PubMed1996

[Folic acid and cervix dysplasia].

The localized folate deficiency, which is sometimes misdiagnosed as cervical dysplasia, because of morphological similarities between the cytologic features of megaloblastosis seen with folate deficiency and the changes associated with dysplasia, could be a component of the dysplastic process. In this study we attempted the effect of oral folic in women with cervical dysplasia. A total of 154 subjects with grade 1 or 2 CIN were randomly assigned either 10 mg of folic acid or a placebo daily for 6 months. Clinical status, human papillomavirus type 16 infection and blood folate levels were monitored at 2 month intervals. After 6-months no significant differences were observed between supplemented and unsupplemented subjects regarding dysplasia status, biopsy results, or prevalence of human papillomavirus type 16 infection. Folate deficiency the initiation of cervical dysplasia, but folic acid supplements do not alter the course of established disease.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1996

[Drug treatment in vulvar lichen sclerosus].

This study was made in the Oncologic Gynecology's surgery of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Naples. We evaluated the efficacy of local therapy with testosterone and progesterone in Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus. We treated 65 women suffering from Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus. In the group of 38 women treated with testosterone, we observed a complete response in 26 cases (68%). In the group of 27 women treated with progesterone we observed a complete response in 18 cases (66.6%). This demonstrates the efficacy of local therapy with testosterone and Progesterone in Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus. The authors believe that medical treatment with topical testosterone and progesterone represents an effective alternative to invasive methods for the care of Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed1995

Role of HPV-DNA typing in women with cytological diagnosis of squamous atypia.

The study was performed in 293 patients (mean age 36 years old). Pap tests, colposcopy and target biopsy were performed in all patients. Results showed 100 cases of cellular atypia, 53 cases of CIN (36 CIN I, 10 CIN II, 7 CIN III) and 140 normal cases. The last phase of the study consisted in the collection of exfoliated cervical cells which were then subjected to "Enzo Pathogen DNA Probe assay" using HPV-DNA 6/11, 16/18 and 31/33/51 probes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HPV type and neoplastic evolution. The results were not sufficiently convincing to support proposing HPV/DNA typing as the sole diagnostic method in lesions of the last section of the female genital tract.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Indirect morbidity indicators and social differences in the ISTAT quarterly workforce survey].

Information on the health condition job related of the population are often collected in specific studies, usually limited over time and concerned with a small part of the general population. Looking at official statistics, sources such as national health surveys (in Europe and in North America) are rich on health data, but often offer little information on job-conditions, and job history. On the other hand, one also can find official sources, mainly concerned with labour and job related topics, in which information related to the health status of the people interviewed are routinely collected. These are the Labour Force Surveys, carried out in the most of developed countries. In the Italian Labour Force Survey (RTFL) the Italian Statistical Institute (ISTAT) quarterly collects information on health-related sick absence, part-time job and unemployment. Data from RTFL of two Italian regions (Lombardy: 1985, '86, '89 and Veneto: 1985, '86) show differentials by age and job-position that are consistent with expectation, encouraging an extensive use of this source for surveillance purposes at the national and regional level.

Absenteeism↗

PubMed1995

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression: is it the same in normal and malignant endometria?

Epidermal growth factor was investigated in normal and malignant tissues in order to detect possible differences in its expression. We used immunohistochemical techniques that employ murine monoclonal antibody 528. Thirty-nine patients (12 with normal endometria and 27 with endometrial adenocarcinomas) were examined. Epidermal growth factor receptor was seen in all normal uteri and in 27 uteri with adenocarcinoma. It was absent in 11 patients with cancer. No correlation was found between the intensity of immunohistochemical staining and histologic grade, depth of myometrial invasion and clinical stage.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1995

Treatment of cervix condylomata with alpha-IFN leucocytar.

The main viruses responsible for condyloma, a venereal disease, are the HPV 16 and 11. The stages of HPV infection are under the control of the immunitary system, which is inhibited by the virus itself. For this reason, the therapy of cervical condylomatosis is, at present, based on the use of interferon. The purpose of this study was to appreciate the activation of the immune system after therapy with interferon. We treated 12 women suffering from cervical condyloma and exocervical CIN with increasing doses of natural alpha-IFN injected intramuscularly, and also applied to the vagina. The clinical response to the therapy was total in 7 cases, partial in 4 cases and unsuccessful in I case. We also evaluated the percentage of inflammatory cells in the peripheral blood and at the level of the condylomatous lesions, After treatment the absolute and percentage number of inflammatory cells increased. Besides, at the level of the lesion the CD1 and CD4 cells also increased.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Incidence of HPV and CIN in HIV positive women].

Cervical intraepithelial lesions associated with genital human papilloma virus (HPV) infection occur with increased frequency and severity among women with immunodeficiency. In this study, we considered 24 HIV-seropositive and 12 HIV-seronegative women. Each woman was interviewed and underwent a cytologic and colposcopic evaluation. Then colposcopic and cytologic findings were correlated with histologic and differences between HIV-seropositives and seronegatives were analyzed. Ten (41%) of 24 HIV-seropositive and one (9%) of 12 HIV-seronegative women had human papilloma virus infection. Among seropositives, eight (34%) had cervical intraepithelial (CIN): of those eight, 5 had CIN I, 2 CIN II and 1 CIN III. There (24%) of the 12 HIV-seronegative had CIN: two had CIN I and one CIN II. Six of the HIV-seropositive women were found to have multicentric disease (two or more sites). The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papilloma virus infection, sexual habits, reproducive history, and risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The results of this study suggest that cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is a common finding in HIV-infected women. Papanicolaou tests should be effective for detecting cervical disease in this population.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed1995

Malignant melanoma of the vagina in pregnancy: description of a clinical case.

Vaginal melanoma in pregnancy is a rare but extremely malignant tumour for which the prognosis is worsened by the fact that pregnancy increases the secretion of Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH). The clinical case is described of a malignant vaginal melanoma in a 27 year-old woman in her 38th week of gestation, who was referred for slight vaginal bleeding. Clinical examination revealed a 3 cm pedunculate tumour on the anterior wall of the vagina. Vaginal cytology suggested a melanoma and instrumental examination failed to reveal any lymph node involvement. The vaginal tumour was removed during a caesarean section and subsequent histological examination identified it as a Breslow Stage II malignant melanoma. A 24-month follow-up showed the patient to have been completely cured.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Viral type and CD1+ cells in HPV-induced lesions.

In vivo, HPV infection can display varying symptom complexes. At present 60 types of HPV are known, and some seem to be more efficient oncogenic agents than others. In particular, HPV 16 and 18 appear the types with the greatest oncogenic potential, being frequently found in cases of intraepithelial cervical neoplasia (CIN) and/or invasive carcinoma of the cervix. Many authors suggest that they might induce cell-mediated immunodeficiency into the lesions. This investigation was conducted on 15 women aged 17 to 40 (mean, 27.8). On the basis of cytological examination, colposcopy and biopsy, HPV-induced lesions were diagnosed. Biopsies were performed periodically for six months for HPV detection and typing. In addition, the cells of Langerhans were imaged by the indirect immunoperoxidase method. Variations in their number according to the HPV type involved were observed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Role of magnesium in pregnancy.

The importance of magnesium in pregnancy has been emphasised by several studies. Magnesium is considered a membrane-stabilizing ion and a permeability regulator acting at an intracellular level which intervenes in the oxidative phosphorylation and oxidation reduction processes as well as in enzymatic synthesis and activity. The authors performed a double-blind study in which 15 mmol of magnesium or placebo were administered to the treatment and control groups respectively. There were more cases admitted to hospital in the control group than in that treated with magnesium. Even if there is not a large body of data which supports improved fetus development as a result of magnesium supplementation during pregnancy, the authors suggest that pregnant women with a high risk of gestosis and premature labour should receive additional magnesium.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

[Ovarian neoplasms and tumor markers].

This is an experience about the utility of CA125 in diagnosis, staging, prognosis, and therapeutic response of ovarian cancer. The patients were 21 (the ages range was 38-66). They had an epithelial cancer (10 serous, 3 mucinous, 2 endometrioid, 6 non specific). The quantitative test of CA125 was performed with purified monoclonal antibody OC125 pre and post antineoplastic treatment. The reduction of CA125 was in connection with the neoplastic regression. Perservering or increasing values were related to neoplastic stasis or to non-responsive neoplasia, respectively. Even if the method we used was specific its sensibility is lower in patients with smallest residue disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Current conservative surgery in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia].

5 years (1989-1993) experience of cervical conization including 57 cases, has been reviewed. The mean follow-up was 33 (6-60) months. Mean age was 34.6 (range 21-57) years. Mean height and diameter of the cones were 2.5 +/- 0.3 cm and 1.5 +/- 0.4 cm, respectively. In 55 cases there were free margins of the cones. Cytological diagnosis was CIN I for 8 patients, CIN II for 21 patients, CIN III for 22 patients, CIN+HPV for 6 patients. In 40 of the 57 patients suspected of having a cervical intraepithelial neoplasia on cytology and on colposcopy, the histology was confirmative. Bleeding (the most common pre and postoperative complication) was observed in 6 cases (11.7%). In three patients a new conization was necessary and in the other two patients hysterectomy was necessary. No significant differences were noted in the pregnancy outcome following either treatment in five patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Study on the accuracy of official recording of nosological codes in an Italian regional hospital registry.

This paper describes an analysis of the quality of hospital discharge data stored in an Italian regional registry. Although limited in scope, this analysis sheds some light on the level of quality that users can expect in official health data and describes some factors which can influence such quality. Attention focuses on the accuracy with which official administrators code Diseases of Circulatory System (DCS) in a specified health district, using the discharge diagnosis formulated on the case-notes. Investigation of the data, a random sample of 993 medical records, shows a disturbing level of inaccuracy in the assignment of the primary diagnosis to the (DCS) group and sub-groups, especially when compared with other international experiences. Two factors, namely the type of hospital where official administrators routinely collect the data and the age of the in-patients, are found to significantly influence such inaccuracy. Explanations of these findings are suggested and proposals for the improved accuracy of hospital discharge data are presented.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1985

Lack of effect of deflazacort, a novel glucocorticoid, on basal and TRH-stimulated prolactin and thyrotropin levels in healthy subjects.

The possible relationship between cortisol inhibition induced by deflazacort, a new glucocorticoid, and impairment of prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH) secretion in healthy volunteers has been investigated. In 8 healthy subjects deflazacort pretreatment partly inhibited cortisol secretion but did not affect basal or TRH-stimulated secretion of PRL and TSH in comparison to placebo. After dexamethasone, there was the anticipated complete suppression of cortisol secretion, no change in PRL secretion, either in basal conditions or after TRH, and significant inhibition of the TSH response to TRH. No significant change in GH, aldosterone or renin secretion was observed after deflazacort or dexamethasone.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Progress in the surgical treatment of ventricular septal defect: an analysis of a twelve years' experience.

Two hundred sixty-seven patients underwent surgical closure of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) over a 12-year period between January 1, 1970 and December 31, 1982. In 152 patients (57%) an associated lesion was present complicating the treatment of the primary lesion: 7 patients had multiple VSDs and among those with single defects, 189 were large (unrestrictive). The median age was 5.2 years ranging from 1 month to 46 years. Sixty-nine were infants under 10 kg of weight. The 30-day operative mortality was 8.6% (23 cases). The main cause of death was a low output syndrome in 16 cases. Thirty-two variables have been collected and their relationship with the death of the patients has been analyzed with univariate and multivariate methods. Logistic analysis has identified the independent significant incremental effect on hospital mortality of low weight (P greater than 0.00001), early operative date (P greater than 0.00001), multiplicity of defects (P = 0.0008), presence of major associated lesions (P = 0.019); the large size of the defect was only probably significant (P = 0.18). Inspection of the nomograms, relating the probability of operative death to weight and age in patients with a large defect, shows that the risk is significantly higher in the 3 kg baby (median age 3.3 months), particularly if major associated lesions are present. In infants with multiple VSDs the risk of operation remains, at the end of 1982, significantly higher than in single defects. However, our data suggest that the risk of open correction in patients over 12 kg of weight approaches that of single VSD if concomitant lesions do not complicate the surgical treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982

Immunocompetence and dietary protein intake in early infancy.

Forty-one normal full-term infants were fed from birth, during the first 4.5 months of life, different diets based on two formulas similar in rough composition but basically different, the one being constituted only of cow milk protein and the other of soy protein. From each of the two formulas two different dilutions were prepared so that all diets supplied about 100 kcal/kg/day, but, respectively, 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg/day of cow milk protein and 2.0 and 5.0 g/kg/day of soy protein. After 4.5 months, growth in weight, length, and head circumference was normal and very similar in all infants. Gammaglobulin, immunoglobulin, transferrin, and some complement fractions (particularly C'3, C'1 INA, C'3 PA) were lower in infants receiving soy protein diets than in those receiving cow milk protein diets, and, within each type of diet, in those infants receiving lower amounts of protein. In particular, values of infants receiving 5.0 g/kg/day of soy protein were roughly comparable to those of infants receiving 2.0 g/kg/day of cow milk protein. B lymphocyte markers and reactivity did not show significant differences among the various groups. T lymphocyte markers and reactivity showed an impairment in soy protein diets (and in particular in 2.0 g/kg/day protein diets) with respect to cow milk diets. It was also observed that morbidity (mainly infections of upper respiratory tract) was higher in those infants who took soybean protein and in those who took lesser amount of protein.

B-Lymphocytes↗