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Biomedical subjects

P Serafini

Publications and source records attributed to P Serafini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

The tarsal and calcaneal tunnel syndromes.

This paper concerns 22 cases of compression of the posterior tibial nerve and its branches in the tarsal and calcaneal tunnels, all of which were treated by surgical decompression. The evaluation of both the operative findings and the results after a follow-up period ranging from 4 months to 2 years confirms the validity of neurolysis and emphasizes the role of the abductor hallucis muscle in the compression of the terminal branches of the posterior tibial nerve in the calcaneal tunnel.

Calcaneus↗
PubMed1991

Effects of sex steroids on skin 5 alpha-reductase activity in vitro.

Skin 5 alpha-reductase activity is the major factor influencing the manifestation of androgen excess. Although oral contraceptives have been useful for the treatment of androgen excess, little is known of the independent effects of the various progestins and estrogens on inhibition of skin 5 alpha-reductase activity. We incubated minces of normal genital and pubic skin with physiologic concentrations of 3H-testosterone to assess 5 alpha-reductase activity by its conversion to 3H-dihydrotestosterone. In separate experiments, 5 alpha-reductase activity was assessed before and after the addition of progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, levonorgestrel, norethindrone, 17 beta-estradiol, and ethinyl estradiol. Progesterone, levonorgestrel, and norethindrone demonstrated 97 +/- 5.3%, 47.9 +/- 6.3%, and 59 +/- 4.6% inhibition, respectively, of genital skin 5 alpha-reductase activity at 10(-4) mol/L (P less than .01). Medroxyprogesterone acetate, however, failed to affect 5 alpha-reductase activity at similar doses. Estradiol exhibited 40.8 +/- 14.2% inhibition at 10(-4) mol/L (P less than .01), whereas ethinyl estradiol at concentrations from 10(-8) to 10(-4) mol/L failed to inhibit 5 alpha-reductase activity. We conclude that progesterone and the 19-nor-derivatives inhibit 5 alpha-reductase activity at high doses, whereas medroxyprogesterone acetate does not. Therefore, the 19-nor-progestin component may expand the usefulness of oral contraceptives in the treatment of hirsutism by an inhibitory action on skin 5 alpha-reductase activity.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1991

[Malignant neoplasms of the male breast. Our clinical contribution].

A survey of literature data on male breast cancer is reported: on this basis the authors report their experience of five cases observed between 1980 and 1989 at Ospedale "S. Corona" Pietra Ligure, out of 500 female breast cancers treated in the same period. Epidemiological data and follow-up records are analysed, reporting survival rate similar to that of larger series.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Enhanced penetration of zona-free hamster ova by sperm prepared by Nycodenz and Percoll gradient centrifugation.

The effect of sperm penetration capacity after selection procedures using Percoll (Pharmacia AB, Uppsala, Sweden) and Nycodenz (Nycomed Diagnostics, Oslo, Norway) gradient centrifugation was compared with double-washed and swim-up in 47 subfertile men. The results of sperm motility, velocity, and amplitude lateral head displacement showed no significant improvement with the centrifugation procedures. The sperm penetration assay results obtained with double-washed and swim-up technique were poor (2.7% +/- 1.7%), however, a significant enhancement was obtained by Percoll (16.3% +/- 3.7%) and Nycodenz (15.8% +/- 3.3%) processing. Nycodenz centrifugation allowed sperm penetration of zona-free hamster ova at comparable rates to Percoll separation.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

A case of monolateral duplication of the Achilles tendon due to an anomaly of the medial gastrocnemius muscle.

The authors describe the chance finding of a congenital morphological anomaly in the Achilles tendon, characterized by monolateral duplication as a result of anomalous differentiation of the medial gastrocnemius muscle. This may be added to the previous congenital deformities described in the literature (shortness of the Achilles tendon, its duplication as a result of the lack of fusion of the aponeurosis of the soleus and of the gastrocnemii, the presence of a supplementary medial gastrocnemius).

Achilles Tendon↗
PubMed1990

[Venous grafts in reimplantation of the thumb].

The Authors analyze their experience of 25 thumb reimplantations and revascularizations within 5 years. The importance of the first finger in the functional hand economy as well as the ratio between reimplantation take rate and degree of functional recovery with regard to the type of trauma, technique used, and possible and incidental complications are underlined. The venous autologous grafts are of great importance in this microsurgical area and they are more and more applied. In most cases, indeed, intimal lesions are more extended than their macroscopic appearance and the tract of damaged vessels is always wider than assessed. The graft interposition solves the problem with the further advantage to preserve the maximal bone length and to avoid especially contaminated areas. The results achieved confirm these statements and the Authors conclude for the absolute need of venous grafts in thumb reimplantations, especially after amputation from avulsion or crush traumas, even though a greater skill is necessary in using this technique.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Conservative surgery and esthetic rehabilitation of carcinoma of the breast].

A careful review of the literature stimulated these comments on current developments in conservative surgery as an alternative to radical mastectomy in stage I and II breast cancer with particular reference to their implications for cosmetic rehabilitation. It is emphasised that the data so far available indicate comparable results in terms of locoregional recurrences, metastases and survival. It is also pointed out that the efficacy of the conservative techniques reflects new concepts of the natural history of breast cancer. The hope is expressed that these encouraging data will be confirmed by more extensive and systematic clinical experiment in order to minimise the indications to more radical surgery which notoriously has such devastating physical and psychological effects that it takes extremely complex and demanding plastic surgery to reshape the patient to psychological sexual and social health.

Breast↗
PubMed1989

[Filling materials in the repair and esthetic surgery of the breast. Historical notes].

The biological and synthetic materials employed over the years for filling breasts after mastectomy or for congenital malformations are reviewed. At the start of the century, breast shape and volume were changed by adipose tissue grafts. In the 50s and 60s dermo-fibro-adipose grafts and later auto-grafts and grafts of the large epiploon were used. Synthetic materials have also developed, from early century attempts using paraffin injections to the discovery for industrial use of plastics. Following the first polyvinyl prostheses, Cronin developed silicon prostheses for medical purposes and in later years these went through numerous changes in form, volume and design up to the recent skin expanders. Polyurethane has also been used in attempts to reduce capsular retraction.

Breast↗
PubMed1989

[Reconstruction of the breast after radical mastectomy in cancer. Reconstruction of the breast volume].

After underlining the serious psychological consequences of radical mastectomy for carcinoma and the importance of breast reconstruction for the patient's complete recovery, the paper briefly reviews the main reconstruction techniques employed in restoring breast volume which is essentially achieved by inserting an artificial prosthesis below a myocutaneous skin flap often taken from the great dorsal. Some mention is also made of recently developed alternative techniques.

Breast↗
PubMed1989

[Reconstruction of the breast after radical mastectomy in cancer. Reconstruction of the areola-nipple complex and the symmetry of the 2 breasts].

After pointing out the need for reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex and the restoration of symmetry between the two breasts after radical mastectomy for cancer, the paper briefly examines the techniques currently available for the achievement of these "finishing touches" that usually take longer then the primary and fundamental breast reconstruction.

Breast↗
PubMed1989

Transient acrosomal hypoplasia of spermatozoa and male fertility.

Successful pregnancy was established despite previous demonstration of acrosomal hypoplasia. Although initial studies of sperm function and electron microscopic evaluation of the semen documented the presence of severe structural abnormalities, the condition proved to be transient in nature.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1989

Diagnosis of female infertility. A comprehensive approach.

The evaluation of the infertile woman involves a careful history, physical examination and laboratory tests. A thorough and systematic investigation is of paramount importance to establish the diagnosis and generate a treatment plan.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Occurrence of a spontaneous luteinizing hormone surge in superovulated cycles--predictive value of serum progesterone.

A preovulatory increase in serum progesterone (P) precedes the occurrence of an endogenous luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in a majority of women. This study evaluates whether a single daily measurement of serum P could reliably identify a spontaneous LH surge in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Eighty-four infertile women received either clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), or hMG alone. Serum P levels were increased significantly the morning of the day of an endogenous LH surge (P less than 0.01). A 2-fold rise in the serum P levels was associated with a predictability of 64.4% of a LH surge; however, a 4-fold increase in serum P could accurately predict a spontaneous endogenous LH discharge in 93.3% (P less than 0.001) of cases.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1988

An alternate approach to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in "poor responders": pretreatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog.

Pharmacologic hypophysectomy was induced with a subcutaneous injection of leuprolide acetate before the administration of exogenous gonadotropins for multiple follicle development in 27 women who had previously responded poorly to conventional controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Pituitary desensitization occurred within 6 days and concurrent COH with exogenous gonadotropins resulted in an enhanced yield of oocytes in comparison to previous COH attempts (P less than 0.05). Fertilization and pregnancy rates also were higher with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment (P less than 0.01). The administration of leuprolide acetate effectively suppressed endogenous gonadotropin secretion when initiated in the follicular or luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. GnRHa therapy can appreciably facilitate the management of gonadotropin therapy, and increase the probability of oocyte collection and pregnancy.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗