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Biomedical subjects

P Morelli

Publications and source records attributed to P Morelli.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Seed extracts inhibiting protein synthesis in vitro.

Of 33 seed extracts examined, 12 inhibited protein synthesis in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. This activity seems to be due to a protein, since (i) it was recovered with the (NH4)2SO4 precipitate, (ii) it was retained by dialysis membranes, and (iii) in all cases but one was destroyed by boiling. Only the extracts from the seeds of Adenia digitata and, to a lower extent, of Euonymus europaeus inhibited protein synthesis in intact cells.

Animals↗

Surgical pathology examination of radical prostatectomy specimens. Updated protocol based on the Italian TAP study.

Between January 1996 and June 2000, 192 men with prostate cancer underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RP) and bilateral pelvic node dissection in 26 centers participating in the Italian randomized prospective TAP study. The reviewing pathologist evaluated 145 RP specimens. Seventy-five cases had not been treated with total androgen ablation before RP was performed, whereas 70 had been treated for three months. Whole-mount sectioning of the complete radical prostatectomy specimens was adopted in each center for accurately evaluating the pathological stage of prostate cancer and resection limit status. The results of this study suggest that total androgen ablation before RP is beneficial in men with clinical stage T2 because of the significant pathological down-staging and decrease in the number of positive margins in the RP specimens. On the basis of the experience acquired through the Italian TAP study and recent publications on prognostic factors in prostate cancer, the original practice protocol for examination of RP specimens removed from patients with carcinoma of the prostate glands was updated.

Androgen Antagonists↗

[Celiac disease and its diagnostic evolution. Comparisons and experiences in a hospital pediatric department (1975-1992). I].

The coeliac disease (CD) or gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE) is a permanent intolerance to wheat gliadin and to correlated proteins inducing malabsorption and typical damages of the jejunal mucosa (total or subtotal villous atrophy = SVA) in genetically-predisposed individuals ("DQW2"). A large amount of research has been devoted to CD pathogenesis: the most recent studies, thanks to sophisticated and experimental methods, support the pathogenetic immunological theory and the one of direct cytotoxicity. The correct diagnostic procedure for CD, established in 1970 by the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (ESPGAN), suggested three small bowel mucosal biopsies. In the last years, because of the difficulties of such a practice, the necessity of non-invasive diagnostic approaches has developed; such approaches have been verified in absorption tests (one-hour blood xylose, intestinal permeability methods) and in immunogenetic tests (antibodies antigliadin, anti-reticulin, anti-endomysium, anti 90 KD glycoprotein, anti-human jejunum, HLA I/II antigens). The specific MHC antigens establish CD's incidence in several population and in particular situations, as in first-degree relatives and in diseases associated with CD (dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and other auto-immune syndromes). The specific serum antibodies singly used as first level screening if estimated in combination with absorption tests, reach the highest levels of specificity and sensibility in CD diagnosis. It's anyway fundamental the comparison with at least a typical CD histological feature, caused by a challenge with a sufficient gluten to be carried in dubious cases and in non high auxological risk age (ESPGAN 1989). Adolescence is a period of frequent non compliance with a gluten-free diet and of particular psychological and physical problems: the apparent "gluten insensitivity", typical of teen-agers and adults, recalls the definitions of silent CD and latent CD (iceberg like). In the first case the jejunal mucosa is abnormal and the symptomatology isn't evident. In latent CD, genetically restricted, the mucosa is normal but there are minimal markers of inappropriate immunity to gliadin (at intestinal humoral immunity level) and a possible worsening of histological lesions to the third stage under environmental stimuli. This represents a two-stage model CD. That's why CD is still under-evaluated despite recent statistics reporting an increasing incidence (late and atypical forms). Prevalence rates between 1:300 and 1:4,000 and more are quoted in literature. The necessity of a strict gluten-free diet is confirmed by the evident frequency of lymphoma and by the increased risk of malignancy in untreated CD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

[Hemoglobin H disease. Presentation of a case].

Haemoglobin H (Hb H) disease, the most important clinical form of alpha-thalassaemia, shows remarkable clinical variability. Hb H si an unstable tetramer of beta-globin chains which accumulates because of the lack of adequate numbers of alpha-globin chains and precipitates in the red cells, causing their premature destruction. A case of Hb H disease in a 9-yr-old child, admitted into hospital for acute haemolysis after use of pyrazolone derived, is presented. Haematologic data with synthesis in vitro of globin chains were obtained from the parents and sister. The clinical and haematologic features of this form of haemoglobinopathy are briefly discussed in the light of recent knowledges of his genetic mechanism of transmission.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

[Value of rectal sensitivity test in chronic childhood constipation].

The rectal sensitivity test evaluates the distension volume for which the initial transient sensation occurs on defecation (conscious rectal sensitivity threshold). The conscious rectal sensitivity threshold (S.S.R.C.) was performed on 10 normal controlled subjects and 103 children with chronic constipation, functional megarectum and normal rectoanal inhibitory reflex. Children were between 5 and 14 years old. S.S.R.C. was increased in children with chronic constipation. Encopresis was proportionally increased with relation to S.S.R.C. increase. A therapeutical protocol was applied in all patients. Fifteen patients are still being treated: 87 obtained a normal function within 8 to 23 months of treatment; in one case the treatment was unsuccessful. The period of treatment was proportional to S.S.R.C. increase. Physiopathological background of a correct management is discussed.

Adolescent↗

[Primary vesico-uretero-renal reflux. Results of surgical treatment in over 1,100 refluxing ureters].

Primary vesicorenal reflux (P.V.R.R.) is the most important cause in the pathogenesis of chronic pyelonephritis, better known in medical literature as "reflux nephropathy". The Authors stress out the criteria adopted in their Center for surgical treatment of P.V.R.R. and report the results in 1158 refluxing ureters (858 children) operated on. In 5 ureters an ureteronephrectomy and in 1153 remaining ureters and ureteral reimplantation was carried out. About 57% of ureters operated on was affected by severe reflux (IV - V grade). The Authors obtained 98.6% of surgical successes. In 16 ureters operated on, stricture (9 ureters) and reflux (7 ureters) were postoperatively present. The percentage of successes in infants less than 2 years old at operation was 98%.

Adolescent↗

[Seidlmayer's "cockade" purpura. Report of a case].

Among hemorrhagic disorders affecting infants and depending on a vessel increased permeability, Seidlmayer "cockade purpura" is characteristic for its typical cutaneous manifestations. Owing to the rarity of this disease, we report a recently observed case.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Acute hydrops of the gallbladder in Kawasaki's disease. Presentation of a case diagnosed with echotomography].

Acute hydrops of the gallbladder is described in a patient who had mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. Diagnosis was readily made with gray-scale ultrasound. Serial sonograms were obtained to follow the resolution of the hydrops once supportive medical therapy was started. The role of surgery in acute hydrops of the gallbladder is for complications of the hydrops and not for distension alone.

Abdomen, Acute↗

[A case of Flaiani-Basedow-Graves disease].

The authors report a typical case of hyperthyroidism with alopecia in a 5 years old female child with family precedents. We punctualize the present etiopathogenetic theory and the therapeutical possibilities.

Alopecia↗

[Long-term non-malformative urinary infections in children. (I)].

Non malformative long term urinary tract infections affect above all the female sex. The specific anatomic conditions explain only in part the predisposition for the female sex. Other determinants are the individual susceptibility and bacterial virulence. The authors studied 169 pediatric patients with recurrent urinary tract infections; of which 159 where females. The study of the blood group in 70 patients showed a net predominance of the groups B and AB. About one-third of the patients studied presented a scarce symptomatology or complete absence. The urodynamic study in 120 patients has revealed an abnormal pattern in more than 80% of the cases. According to the authors the abnormal urodynamic pattern is related to the long-term infection and is reversible in the cases which are curable. In about one-third of the cases with long-term infections which are resistent to the therapy, the cystoscopy has revealed a cystitis cystica. The study carried out by the authors permits precise indications on the specific tests that must be effectuated in this particular type of pathology and the indications of treatment.

Adolescent↗

[N.B.T. - PABA screening test for exocrine pancreatic function in healthy children. Preliminary investigation in 60 normal children].

The theoretical bases of PABA test as a diagnostic screening test of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, its mode of execution and the findings obtained in 60 healthy subjects ranging in age from 2 to 14 years are reported. Those conditions related to extra-pancreatic disorders or to other factors that may interfere with the test and reduce its reliability are also discussed.

4-Aminobenzoic Acid↗

Anticardiolipin antibody-related thrombocytopenia: persistent remission after splenectomy.

The lupus anticoagulant (LAC) and anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) syndromes require particular therapeutic approaches: thrombotic accidents are an indication for oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT), whereas severe thrombocytopenia may require the special treatments used for immunologic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). We describe the case of a 21-year-old male who presented with axillary vein thrombosis associated with LAC and ACA at high titers in December 1990. OAT was begun and, due to repeated episodes of thrombocytopenia, high-dose steroid therapy was later added with success. The daily steroid dose was reduced because of patent hypercortisolism, but the platelet count fell to 4 x 10(9)/L. A bone marrow biopsy was characteristic for ITP. Splenectomy was performed in June 1993, and the platelet count rapidly normalized. Platelet antibodies were always detectable before and after splenectomy. The patient is currently asymptomatic, with platelet counts above 300 x 10(9)/L at one and a half years after splenectomy. This case indicates that ACA-associated thrombocytopenia, like ITP and HIV-related thrombocytopenias, can be successfully treated with steroids and splenectomy, even though different pathogenetic mechanisms are responsible for the antibody-induced platelet consumption.

Adult↗