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Biomedical subjects

R Caputo

Publications and source records attributed to R Caputo.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Multiple familial smooth muscle hamartomas.

Smooth muscle hamartoma is a cutaneous abnormality characterized by a disorganized proliferation of normal muscle fibers of arrector pili. Usually a single congenital hypertrichotic plaque involves the trunk and the extremities. Multiple lesions have rarely been reported in the literature. We describe three members of the same family with multiple skin-colored patches on the back and legs, histologically confirmed as smooth muscle hamartomas. To our knowledge this is the first report of multiple smooth muscle hamartomas in different members of the same family and quite interestingly involving the same skin site.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrastructural findings in incontinentia pigmenti.

From their ultrastructural study of incontinenti pigmenti, the authors confirm that in this condition there is no pigmentary anomaly, but that pigmentation is the last step of a still unknown process. At birth those who are affected display an intracellular edema which leads to the formation of a vesocobulla. In all 3 stages, the epidermis shows dyskeratotic cells and a transient pigmentary discharge.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Coagulation factor XIII, endothelial damage and systemic sclerosis.

In the blood coagulation process, Factor XIII (F XIII) is responsible for the stabilization of the fibrin clot. The hypothesized ability of this blood coagulation factor to affect collagen synthesis and degradation led to its use in the treatment of scleroderma. However, the complex mechanism of action of F XIII remains unclear. The aim of our study was to assess possible effects of F XIII on endothelial damage, regarded as an early pathogenic event in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Thus, we measured plasma levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), a marker of endothelial cell injury, in 22 patients with SSc, 9 of whom were treated with F XIII and 13 who do not receive the drug. The plasma concentration of F XIII has also been analyzed. Interestingly, the vWF:Ag plasma levels within the group of SSc patients treated with F XIII were significantly lower than those of untreated SSc individuals (p < 0. 02). On the other hand, the highest mean value of vWF:Ag was found in a subset of untreated subjects having SSc with severe lung involvement, supporting a strict relationship between elevated levels of vWF:Ag and severity of the disease. In contrast, plasma concentration of F XIII resulted normal in all but 3 SSc patients, ruling out a deficiency of this blood coagulation factor as promoting the occurrence of SSc. These preliminary findings seem to support the hypothesis that F XIII may play an improving role on endothelial damage, other than the initially suggested action on collagen metabolism, in SSc.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Nutritional hygiene in the prevention of dental decay: thoughts about weight gain in children in elementary schools].

Hereafter the results of an investigation carried out in two elementary schools, centred on a health education programme divided into oral hygiene and nutritional hygiene interventions, having the aim above all of assessing the effectiveness of otherwise of such interventions for purposes of checking up on dental caries. Parallel to this main aim we also wished to verify the validity of a working hypothesis which, departing from a strictly odontological aspect, also aimed at pointing out the influence or otherwise of such food education interventions on a more harmonious growth in weight of the children concerned in the programme. This was because most of the principles underlying food education interventions in the strictly auxological field coincide with the basic principles of interventions aimed at the prevention of caries. The programme was prolonged for three school years in two elementary school of Rome coming under the same Local Health Service. This note concerns the second point on the programme, namely study of the body growth pattern. The results may be summarised as follows: At the beginning of the experiment the control group showed a maximum concentration of children in the "normal weight" class (38.9%) and a progressive decrease towards the extreme classes. Whereas in the experimental sample the spread was less regular, with a smaller percentage of children in the "normal weight" (22.9%) a maximum concentration in the "slightly overweight" class (30%) and a distribution of pupils progressively decreasing towards the extremes, but with a slight preponderance towards the Overweights. At the end of the experiment the control group showed a clear reduction in the "normal weight" class (from 38.9% to 30.6%) and at the same time an increase in all the adjacent classes (with the "slightly overweights" rising from 19,45% to 22,21%, and the "seriously overweights" from 9,72% to 13,9%, the "slightly underweights" from 18,06% to 23,62% to 23,62%; while a fall in the "very seriously underweights" was recorded (from 5,56% to 2.78%), with the "seriously overweights" remaining practically unchanged). Whereas in the experimental group we found a better redistribution by classes, with the greatest concentration of pupils in the "normal weight" class (from 22.86% to 41.43%), the only significant increase (p less than 0.01), and considerable falls in the "slightly overweight" class (from 30.0% to 21.44%) and in the "slightly underweight" class (from 20.0% to 12.86%); while the "seriously overweights" continued to gather a large percentage of children (from 18.58% to 20.00%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Body Weight↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinical and monitoring experience of isotretinoin in Italy].

We report the results of a multicentric evaluation on effectiveness and safety of isotretinoin in severe acne, recalcitrant to traditional treatments. 208 patients, suffering especially from cystic acne, have been enrolled in a post-marketing clinical trial in 11 Dermatological Italian Departments. The clinical effectiveness of isotretinoin has been very good in 77% of patients, good in 16% and sufficient in 4%. The tolerability of the drug was considered good in 90% of patients. Finally, isotretinoin might be considered as one of the most effective drugs in the therapy of severe forms of acne, resistant to usual treatment, and often affecting patients on the physical and psychological side.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prenatal diagnosis of a case of Hallopeau-Siemens recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa].

Fetal dystrophic recessive epidermolysis bullosa of the Hallopeau-Siemens type (EBdr-HS) was prenatally diagnosed in a couple at risk whose previous child was severely affected of the same disorder. Prenatal diagnosis was made at 18 weeks of gestation by ultrastructural examination of fetal skin samples obtained under continuous ultrasonic guidance. Four of the five specimens obtained showed dermal epidermal separation under the lamina densa with athophic and rare anchoring fibrils and superficial collagenolysis. The parents decided to terminate the pregnancy and ultrastructural skin examination of the aborted fetus, performed in multiple sites including the scalp, trunk, abdomen and limbs, confirmed the diagnosis showing no regional variation in the expression of the ultrastructural marker.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Use of a cream based on 20% azelaic acid in the treatment of melasma].

A 20% azelaic acid base cream (Skinoren-Schering) known in the treatment of acne has been used in melasma. The statistically processed results refer to 39 patients treated for 6 months with 2 applications/die. The reduction in melasma intensity was obtained in all patients bar two whose basal pigmentation situation was already compromised. Overall assessment on a graduated scale in cm evidences, after 6 months of treatment, a mean reduction in pigmentation of 51.3% understood as intensity and surface. The overall judgment of physician and patient on the preparation coincide with some 79% excellent and good on the part of the physician and 85% on the part of the patient. Noteworthy is the absolute absence of sensitisation or leukoderma or any of the other typical side-effects of the other depigmentants available thus far.

Adult↗