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Biomedical subjects

P Romano

Publications and source records attributed to P Romano.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

[Carbon fiber composite biomaterials in the substitution of the inferior vena cava].

A new type of vascular prosthesis made of pyrolytic carbon fibres, was tested on growing pigs. Fourteen graft (8 x 30 mm) were implanted as inferior vena cava (IVC) substitutes. The blood conduits were removed 15 s, 60 min and 7, 15, 30, 60 and 120 days after implantation. Specimens were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Ten similar pigs underwent excision and re-implantation of 30 mm segment of IVC, and where used as controls. Carbon fibres grafts removed within 7 days after implantation were patent: at the subsequent observation times, the prosthetic segments appeared completely or partially thrombosed. Four of the 10 venous autografts failed. Shortly after implantation, a thick neointimal layer covered the inner surface of carbon grafts. This phenomenon delayed organization and neo-endothelialization of the neointima, exposing carbon segments to blood deposits.

Animals↗

Inhibition of contact sensitivity to oxazolone by the calmodulin inhibitor trifluoroperazine.

Topical application of trifluoroperazine (TFP), a calmodulin inhibitor, on the skin of CBA mice previously immunized with 2-phenyl-4-ethoximethylene-oxazolone (oxazolone) blocks the expression phase of contact sensitivity. More detailed analysis of the TFP-mediated inhibition of contact sensitivity shows that TFP significantly suppresses the passive transfer of contact sensitivity when added in vitro to oxazolone-immune cells at a molar concentration of 10(-4) -10(-5). Furthermore, the DNA synthesis of draining lymph node cells from immune mice challenged with oxazolone was suppressed when cultured in the presence of TFP. The exposure of spleen and lymph node cells from immune animals to recombinant IL-2 fails to modify the TFP-mediated inhibition of passive transfer and cell proliferation. The TFP topical application opens the possibility to use this compound in the treatment of delayed hypersensitivity-caused skin disorders.

Administration, Topical↗

A proposed TNM classification for malignant primary liver tumours.

On the basis of 211 hepatic resections and reresections, a study was made to evaluate the possibility of compiling a checklist for primary liver tumours according to the TNM classification. This would aid the surgeon in planning therapy and provide a useful guide for prognosis and late results.

Humans↗

Peritoneovenous shunt and neoplastic ascites: a 5-year experience report.

The cases of 42 patients with malignant ascites treated with a peritoneal venous shunt over a 5-year period are reviewed to establish the incidence of surgical and postsurgical complications. Although the yield of malignant cells found in the peripheral blood was increased after shunting, no new hematogenous metastases were observed after the operation. No evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation was observed after shunt placement. While the shunt effectively relieved the discomfort due to abdominal distention and respiratory impairment, no restoration of cutaneous hypersensitivity was observed in the nine patients who were anergic prior to surgery. The median survival of patients with breast and gynecological cancer, after surgery, was significantly longer than the survival of patients with primary gastrointestinal neoplasma. In conclusion, peritoneal venous shunt appears to be an effective and safe method to improve the quality of life of patients with malignant ascites.

Ascites↗

Intraoperative adjustment of eye muscle surgery. Correction based on eye position during general anesthesia.

During general anesthesia, the eye position of patients with strabismus, measured by Krimsky's test at 1 m, 30 minutes after induction, has a linear correlation with the eye position measured clinically preoperatively. A similar study was performed on 77 patients; however, Hirschberg's test was used for simplicity and was performed as soon as the patient was in a surgical plane of anesthesia. We confirmed that there was a linear correlation. We also adjusted the surgery performed in seven cases where the test was anomalous, ie, when the eye position under anesthesia was more than 15 prism diopters more or less than expected based on preoperative clinical measurements. We did approximately 1 mm more or less surgery than we had planned on each eye muscle. This significantly improved the final results in anomalous cases. Patients with anomalous tests who did not have such adjustments had significantly poorer results.

Adolescent↗

Binocular luminance summation in infants. A test for stereopsis?

The difference in pupil diameter between monocular and binocular viewing conditions has been found to be significantly different in human infants at an age of onset that is positively correlated with the age of onset for stereopsis. We attempted to use this information on binocular luminance summation (BLS) to devise a simple objective test using a direct ophthalmoscope in a modified two-part swinging-flashlight test. We evaluated 67 subjects with varying degrees of known heterotropia ranging in age from 16 hours to 20 years in an effort to determine a threshold measure of stereo-acuity or degree of heterotropia at which the test result might reproducibly change. We found BLS to be normally absent until about 4 months of age. All subjects older than 4 months manifested summation regardless of the extent of heterotropia, thus making our test unusable. We conclude that BLS is more than an ipsilateral consensual pupillary response, and we concur with others that these visual pathways must undergo maturation beyond the time of birth.

Adolescent↗

Our experience with resection of primary and secondary liver tumours.

The authors retrospectively analyse the results achieved in recent years by surgical treatment of 103 malignant primary or secondary liver cancers: (Three patients have been operated on twice at different times for recurrence.) 23 hepatic resections were performed for benign lesions. The operative mortality is very low, the incidence of postoperative complications is minimal, and the survival up to 8 years is rather satisfactory. In all cases we used Ton That Tung's surgical technique, that is, "finger fracture with intraparenchymal ligature of the vasculobiliary pedicles."

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Sensitivity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae vegetative cells and spores to antimicrobial compounds.

The sensitivity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae spores and vegetative cells to various antimicrobial compounds was compared. Sulphur dioxide, benzoic acid, potassium sorbate, salicylic acid, nystatin, actidione and pimaricin were tested. Generally, the Saccharomyces spores were more resistant than the corresponding vegetative cells. It was also observed that this greater resistance shown by the spores varied with the antimicrobial compound used. Only potassium sorbate was not selective and killed both vegetative cells and spores at about the same rate.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Improvement of a Wine Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strain by a Breeding Program.

Hybridization by spore conjugation was used to develop new and improved wine yeasts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The procedure was achieved with diploid, homothallic strains with high sporulation frequency and high spore viability. The method was verified by crossing flocculent and non-H(2)S-forming strains. Single-spore descendants of the hybrids were studied by tetrad analysis with regard to the aforementioned characters and the other two winemaking traits, i.e., ethanol production and fermentation rate. A highly flocculent, non-H(2)S-forming wine yeast strain with a high fermentation rate and high ethanol production was obtained.

Journal Article↗

Study of the HLA system in the Haitian population.

The HLA-A and HLA-B phenotypes of 329 unrelated Haitian adults were determined and gene and haplotype frequencies were estimated. A summary of the data is presented together with a brief comparison with American Black, American White, and African Black populations. HLA gene and haplotype frequencies of Haitians are quite similar to those for American Blacks. The frequency of Aw34 appears to be smaller in Haitians than in American and African Blacks. No statistically significant differences were found in the frequencies of B-locus antigens.

Adult↗