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Biomedical subjects

R Ferrara

Publications and source records attributed to R Ferrara.

101 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Comparison between gastric emptying of digestible and indigestible solids in diabetic patients.

We measured simultaneously gastric emptying of digestible and indigestible solids in 10 normal subjects and in 14 insulin-requiring diabetic patients. Our results demonstrate that in both diabetics and in controls the gastric emptying of digestible and indigestible solids occurs during the same phase of gastric motor activity, i.e. during the post-prandial period. However, gastric emptying of both digestible and indigestible solids is delayed in diabetic patients compared to controls.

Adult↗

[Gastric neoplasia in pregnancy: report of a case].

CASE REPORT: Gastric cancer in a 29 years old pregnant woman. A total of 109 cases were collected in the whole from 1916 to 1988; to these, we add one new case of a 29 years old pregnant woman observed in 1993 in Verona University Surgical Sciences Department. DISCUSSION: Cancer of the digestive tract during pregnancy is really rare and has poor prognosis. The diagnosis during pregnancy is difficult because the symptoms are frequently masked by factors related to the normal first trimester in pregnancy. X-ray are often restricted. Gastroendoscopy is applied to pregnant women only when evident symptoms are present such as: severe anemia, jaundice and weight loss. The incidence of inoperable cases is elevated such as the mortality in the operated cases. The whole survival rate after three years is 21%. CONCLUSION: Gastric cancer in pregnancy has a poor prognosis. The possible reasons are: delayed detection, low differentiation degree, restricted therapeutic approach because of pregnancy, personal factors as the patients' desire for a child, religious, ethical considerations.

Adult↗

Evaluation of T-cell response to CD3 plus CD28 monoclonal antibodies in HIV-1 infected subjects treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy.

To investigate whether highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) could improve CD28 molecule expression and CD28-costimulation pathway function we tested the effect of CD28-costimulation on T cell receptor/CD3 induced proliferative responses in a group of HIV-1-infected subjects with CD4+ cells>200/mmc before and after HAART. CD3-mediated responses are recovered or improved after HAART. However the ability of potentiating the responses through CD28-costimulation seemed conserved before therapy and decreased in parallel with increase of response to CD3 alone. These results confirm the integrity of CD28-pathway of costimulation in patients with CD4+ cells>200/mmc and suggest an inverse correlation between magnitude of response to CD3 alone and increase of CD3 response due to anti-CD28 addition.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Rare colonic occlusions: volvulus of the splenic flexure].

Authors report a case of perforated splenic flexure volvulus, treated with resection, end colostomy and closure of the distal stump. From the revision of literature it comes out the case reported is the 30th recorded till now, the 6th with ischemic complications, and the only one with perforation. Actual pathogenetic trends and various therapeutic options are reported.

Colonic Diseases↗

[Cervical-mediastinal emphysema of abdominal origin].

Cervical mediastinic emphysema usually does not demand emergency procedures: nevertheless its ethiology must be promptly assessed though his achievement may prove less than easy owing the vague clinical presentation and to the limits imposed by regional topography. Among the possible etiologic factors one should take into account the rare abdominal source too. Indeed the cervical region is connected to the retroperitoneal space through a virtual "visceral space" via the thoracic cavity and some diaphragmatic break-throughs variable in size. The communication allows, in some pathologic conditions, the unopposed circulation of air and fluids. Our interest in the topic is due to the occurrence of a cervical mediastinic emphysema in a patient suffering from a colonic perforation.

Adult↗

Statistical considerations concerning clinical studies designed to assess DC-ARTs.

The aim of this paper is to contribute to the current ongoing debate regarding how to optimise clinical research on rheumatoid arthritis. Bearing in mind the main difficulties represented by the particular characteristics of the disease and its treatment, as well as the limitations of some of the trials that have been carried out over the last thirty years, we discuss how some of the general statistical considerations regarding all clinical trials should be applied to those specifically designed to assess disease-controlling antirheumatic therapies.

Antirheumatic Agents↗