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Biomedical subjects

R Farina

Publications and source records attributed to R Farina.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

An integrated system to remote monitor and control anaerobic wastewater treatment plants through the internet.

The TELEMAC project brings new methodologies from the Information and Science Technologies field to the world of water treatment. TELEMAC offers an advanced remote management system which adapts to most of the anaerobic wastewater treatment plants that do not benefit from a local expert in wastewater treatment. The TELEMAC system takes advantage of new sensors to better monitor the process dynamics and to run automatic controllers that stabilise the treatment plant, meet the depollution requirements and provide a biogas quality suitable for cogeneration. If the automatic system detects a failure which cannot be solved automatically or locally by a technician, then an expert from the TELEMAC Control Centre is contacted via the internet and manages the problem.

Automation↗
PubMed2004

Modulation of clinical expression of plaque-induced gingivitis: effect of incisor crown form.

Evidence indicates that incisor crown form correlates with clinical periodontal features. It was hypothesized that incisor crown form may explain subject differences in gingivitis expression. The present experimental gingivitis study aimed to assess the effect of incisor crown form on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation, and on individual susceptibility to plaque-induced gingivitis. Eighty-five periodontally healthy subjects were evaluated. A negative correlation was found between incisor crown width/crown length ratio and bleeding score (p = 0.045). From the 85 subjects, two groups of subjects with either 'long-narrow' or 'short-wide' incisor form were identified. The 'long-narrow' group had a significantly higher bleeding score than the 'short-wide' group (p = 0.014). No significant differences were found in the incisor crown width/crown length ratio between previously identified 'high responder' and 'low responder' subjects (Trombelli et al., 2004a). In conclusion, incisor crown form appears to affect the bleeding response of inflamed gingival tissues, while it exerts no influence on explaining differences in individuals' susceptibility to plaque-induced gingivitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Analysis of color Doppler signal intensity variation after levovist injection: a new approach to the diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a galactose-based ultrasonographic contrast agent, Levovist (Schering AG, Berlin, Germany), in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules by analysis of the time-intensity curves correlating the variation of the intensity signal value during the contrast transit time. Fifty-four patients scheduled for surgical removal of a nodule or the thyroid gland or both after cytologic examination were enrolled in this study; all of the nodules underwent a baseline color and power Doppler evaluation and then to a color Doppler examination after an intravenous bolus injection of Levovist. The time-intensity curves were analyzed with respect to the histologic results. Carcinomas showed a significantly earlier arrival time of Levovist than nodular hyperplastic benign nodules and adenomas (8.1 +/- 1.41 versus 19.6 +/- 2.2 and 16.1 +/- 2.8 seconds; P < .0001), although no significant difference occurred between hyperplastic benign nodules and adenomas; carcinomas and adenomas showed an earlier time to peak than hyperplastic benign nodules (14.6 +/- 1.2 and 23.1 +/- 3.8 versus 33.0 +/- 3.0 seconds; P < .0001). No significant difference was found in baseline, peak, final intensity signal, and percent variation of intensity signal among hyperplastic benign nodules, adenomas, and carcinomas. Although cytologic examination still remains the standard of reference for the presurgical diagnosis of thyroid nodules, the preliminary data of this pilot study demonstrate that the analysis of time-intensity curves after Levovist injection might provide useful, complementary, and quantitative information to differentiate benign from malignant thyroid nodules.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Vesico-ureteral reflux: diagnosis and staging with voiding color Doppler US: preliminary experience.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of a new US examination: 'voiding color Doppler US ' in the early diagnosis and staging of vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR). The contrast agent US was SH U 508A (Levovist, Schering, Berlin), which produces a chromatic accentuation of the signals picked up by the color Doppler US. Eighteen patients (10 females, eight males) were recruited for the study. In two patients a second examination was performed for follow-up after a VUR conservative therapy. All patients were taken under examination for the evaluation of possible VUR. In all patients the voiding color Doppler US was followed by voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and the data obtained were compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 patients aged between 3 months and 10 years, were recruited for the study. The results of the examination were the following: urinary tract infections, follow-up of VUR after conservative or surgical therapy, miscellaneous indications. Voiding color Doppler US was performed, followed by a VCUG. The voiding color Doppler US consists in the trans-catheter introduction of a contrast agent SHU 508 A (Levovist, Schering, Ag. Berlin) into the bladder and a subsequent test with the color Doppler US to show or exclude the presence of reflux into the ureters and/or into the pyelo-caliceal cavity of the kidneys. After the introduction of the contrast agent US the ultrasound scanning of the bladder, the ureters and the pyelo-caliceal cavity was performed to examine the reflux degree. The ultrasonographic investigations were perfomed with AU 590 asyncronus US (Esaote Biomedica, Genova) with a 3.5 MHz convex probe. RESULTS: After the trans-catheter introduction of the contrast agent US, vesico-ureteral reflux occured in 13 patients (77.2%). The reflux degree was also measured by means of ultrasound and was later confirmed by VCUG. The mean times of each examination were as follows: initial US, 10 min; catheterization, 8 min; voiding color Doppler US, 15 min; overall VCURG examination 10 min. The overall mean duration of the voiding color Doppler US examination was 33 min. The comparable mean time for VCUG, including the catheterization time, was 20 min. No reactions of intolerance to the ultrasound contrast agent occurred. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The voiding color Doppler US test has evidenced in all patients the presence of the contrast agent US in the bladder after the introduction. In 13 patients (77.2%) with presence of VUR, the voiding color Doppler US test has established the reflux degree confirmed by cystourethrography. The superimposability of the data obtained with voiding color Doppler US and VCUG would seem to confirm the importance of this new ultrasonographic technique in the diagnosis and staging of VUR.

Child↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of tests employed in serological diagnosis of brucellosis caused by Brucella ovis.

A survey was carried out to verify the sensitivity and specificity of various tests (complement fixation test--CF; agar gel immunodiffusion--AGID; indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay--ELISA; immunoblotting--IB) employed in the serological diagnosis of brucellosis caused by Brucella ovis. The tests were executed on 44 blood serum samples of rams coming from B. ovis-free flocks, 75 of B. ovis experimentally infected rams and 1139 from rams living in flocks where B. ovis had been previously isolated. All tests were performed using B. ovis hot saline extract (HS) as antigen. Sensitivity results were 97.4% for IB, 98.68% for CF, 100% for AGID and ELISA; specificity was 100% for all methods. Concordance values were 89.62% (CF-AGID), 78.77% (CF-ELISA), 77.74% (AGID-ELISA), 65.45% (IB-CF), 62.93% (IB-ELISA), 67.24% (IB-AGID). IB identified antibodies to antigenic components with molecular weight of 67, 63, 58, 55, 38, 35, 32, 30, 28, 25, 23, 21, 20-18 kDa (proteins) and 15-12 kDa (rough lipopolysaccharide).

Animals↗
PubMed2000

An immunoblotting technique for the serodiagnosis of brucellosis by Brucella ovis.

An immunoblotting (IB) technique was developed for the serodiagnosis of brucellosis caused by Brucella ovis. Immunoblotting was performed, using a B. ovis HS (hot saline extract) antigen, on 44 blood serum samples which came from rams belonging to known brucella-free flocks, 114 samples originating from ten experimentally B. ovis infected rams and 100 from rams of naturally B. ovis infected flocks. No bands were noted on any of the 44 serum samples which originated from known negative flocks. Sera from naturally and experimentally infected rams identified antibodies to antigenic components with molecular masses of 67, 63, 58, 55, 38, 35, 32, 30, 28, 25, 23, 21, 20-18 (proteins) and 15-12 (RLPS) kDa.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Role of color Doppler ultrasonography with contrast media in the monitoring of hepatocarcinoma after intralesional treatment].

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the accuracy of contrast-enhanced color Doppler US in the assessment of the effectiveness of intralesional treatment of hepatocarcinomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight cirrhotic patients (HCV+), Child-Pugh class B, with a single hepatocarcinoma (< 4 cm O) and ineligible for surgical resection for various reasons (age > 70 years, reduced partial hepatic reserve, esophageal varices at risk, postoperative recurrence, no consent to the operation) were submitted to radiohyperthermia (6 patients) and percutaneous alcoholization (2 patients). The diagnosis was made with alpha-fetoprotein titration. CT, B-mode and color Doppler US with the administration of Levovist (Schering AG, Berlin, Germany). Thirty and 60 days after the treatment, both the alpha-fetoprotein titration and contrast-enhanced color Doppler US were repeated. RESULTS: Baseline color Doppler was carried out before intralesional treatment in the 8 patients and was followed by Levovist color Doppler which showed some intralesional signals, afferent vessels and rich vascularization in all the lesions. At the first follow-up (30 days), no intralesional vascular signals or afferent vessels were detected in any patient, while rich peripheral vascularization persisted in all cases, even after radiofrequency and alcoholization treatments. At 60 days' follow-up, the color Doppler pattern of all cases was the same as at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of any intralesional vascular signals in all the treated patients and the possible demonstration of complete tumor necrosis seem to confirm the important role of contrast-enhanced color Doppler US in monitoring focal hepatic lesions after intralesional treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Epididymitis by Brucella ovis: experimental infection in virgin ram lambs.

Ten sexually immature rams were experimentally infected with Brucella ovis, to verify the antibody kinetics and its localization in urinary and genital tracts. All animals became positive to the complement fixation test from the 2nd post infection (p.i.) week and reached the maximum titre (1:256) on the 4th p.i. week. Bacteriemia was demonstrated on 3rd, 4th and 5th p.i. weeks. Two animals, respectively slaughtered 11 and 13 weeks after the infection, showed macroscopic and microscopic genital lesions and the etiologic agent was cultured from their urine and genital organs.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Retrograde echocystography: a new ultrasonographic technique for the diagnosis and staging of vesicoureteral reflux].

PURPOSE: We investigated the accuracy of a new US investigation technique, called retrograde cystography US, in the early diagnosis and staging of vesicoureteral reflux. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 5 patients, aged 3 months to 10 years, suffering from hydronephrosis and/or pyelonephritis. Retrograde cystography US was followed by conventional retrograde cystography. Retrograde cystography US consists in the transcatheter introduction of a contrast agent (Levovist, Schering AG, Berlin, Germany) into the bladder and a subsequent color Doppler examination to show or exclude the presence of reflux. Superpubic scanning of bladder, ureters and pyelocaliceal cavity was performed after echocontrast agent introduction to assess the reflux grade. US was performed with an Esaote AU 590 asynchronous scanner (Esaote Biomedica, Genova, Italy) with a 3.5 MHz convex probe. RESULTS: After the transcatheter introduction of Levovist, vesicoureteral reflux was seen in 5/5 patients. Reflux grade was also measured with US and then confirmed at retrograde cystography. In a patient with pyelonephritis and no reflux at follow-up cystography, retrograde cystography US identified a unilateral reflux (grade 1). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde cystography US showed the echocontrast agent in the urinary tract and assessed the reflux grade in all 5 patients, which was then confirmed at cystography. In a patient with grade 1 unilateral reflux at cystography US, follow-up conventional cystography showed no reflux, which seems to confirm a higher sensitivity of the US technique. The total agreement of conventional and US findings seems to confirm the importance of the US method for the diagnosis and staging of vesicoureteral reflux.

Child↗