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Biomedical subjects

R Gentile

Publications and source records attributed to R Gentile.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Improvement in regional wall motion after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty during acute myocardial infarction: utility of two-dimensional echocardiography.

In the setting of acute myocardial infarction, 16 patients undergoing successful coronary angioplasty (PTCA) within 6 hours of presentation (group I) and eight patients receiving conventional medical therapy (group II) were studied by serial two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography to assess the functional recovery of myocardium. All patients underwent 2D echocardiograms within 24 hours of presentation and at a minimum of 6 days after admission. Wall motion analysis was quantified with a wall motion score index based on 16 left ventricular wall segments. Wall motion score index improved significantly from early to late echocardiographic study in the patients undergoing PTCA (1.65 +/- 0.29 to 1.40 +/- 0.30; p less than 0.001), whereas the index did not improve in the conventionally treated group (1.54 +/- 0.26 to 1.58 +/- 0.25; p = NS). One patient in group II had a greater than or equal to 10% improvement in wall motion score index compared to 11 of 16 in group I (p less than 0.01). In all cases improvement in wall motion score index was due to improvement in regional wall motion in the area of infarction. In group I, 40 of 77 (52%) infarct zone segments showed improvement of at least one grade, versus 4 of 28 (14%) segments in group II (p less than 0.001). These data indicate that regional myocardial function improves in the majority of patients undergoing successful PTCA as emergency therapy for acute myocardial infarction and that serial 2D echocardiography is an excellent means to quantify this improvement.

Adult↗

[Comparative microscopic anatomy of the urinary bladder of various domestic and wild ruminants].

The Authors focus their interest on the microanatomical differences between urinary bladders of some domestic (sheep and cattle) and wild Ruminantia (roe and chamois). Sixteen urinary bladders of the following species have been studied by Azan, Masson and Weigert staining methods: Three urinary bladders of Ovis aries (L.) and Bos taurus (L.) drawn from animals of both sexes; seven urinary bladders drawn from female of Capreolus capreolus (L.); three urinary bladders from both sexes specimens of Rupicapra rupicapra (L.). It is possible to summarize the data on the compared microanatomy of urinary bladder in the following way: it presents three tunics: mucosa, muscularis and adventitia. The tunica mucosa is composed of lamina propria and transitional epithelium, and presents typical plicae which give a peculiar aspect to the lumen. In roe deer the lamina propria presents several smooth muscle fibers which are organized in an evident "muscularis mucosae" which is absent in all the studied species. The tunica muscularis is composed of two longitudinal (outer and inner) muscle layers and a middle circular layer. In roe this tunica is thicker and more powerful than in other species, and the single layers are more evident because of the presence of many connective septa. The tunica adventitia is composed of loose connective tissue, and some elastic fibers. Unexpectedly, the Chamois, which belongs to wild Ruminants as the roe, does not present a "muscularis mucosae". Therefore the authors suppose that the presence of "muscularis mucosae" in roe could be due to the ethology peculiar of this species which is accustomed to mark the boundary of its territory by staling frequently.

Animals↗

Plasma free aminoacids pattern in progressive systemic sclerosis.

20 free aminoacids levels have been measured with a chromatographic method (Beckman 118 BL Aminoacid analyzer) in 9 patients affected by progressive systemic sclerosis and in 15 healthy subjects (control group). Both patients and control group were females, mean daily protein intake was between 1,2-1,5 gr/Kg in the two groups. No other pathological condition was found in each patient, none of them was receiving drug therapy at least from 2 months. No significant age different existed between the patients and the control group. Analysis of variance of the results showed significant decreases of proline, histidine, valine and methionine levels and significant increase of aspartic acid concentration in the plasma of PSS patients.

Adult↗

Echocardiographic assessment of congenital mitral stenosis.

To assess the severity and precise anatomy of congenital mitral stenosis (MS), 17 patients with congenital left ventricular inflow obstruction were studied by M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and by cardiac catheterization. In six patients MS was an isolated lesion and in 11 it was combined with other cardiovascular malformations. The diagnosis was confirmed at operation or autopsy in 15 patients. Twenty normal subjects of the same age and sex were selected as controls. M-mode amplitude and speed of diastolic closure (E-F slope) of the anterior mitral valve leaflet were determined in all patients. Mitral valve areas were traced after careful short-axis 2DE scans in 15 patients. Supravalvar, valvar, or subvalvar obstruction was evaluated in patients with surgical or autopsy documentation. Analysis of M-mode echocardiograms showed a reduction of E-F slope in all patients compared to normal control subjects but a poor correlation between E-F slope and hemodynamic data (mitral valve areas or pressure gradients). Diastolic fluttering of either or both mitral valve leaflets was found in 12 patients. It is concluded that M-mode echocardiography may be useful for qualitative assessment of congenital MS, even in the presence of associated heart defects, but less useful in evaluating its severity. Analysis of 2DE revealed good correlation between mitral valve areas as calculated with 2DE and with the Gorlin formula at cardiac catheterization, despite the complexity of the congenital mitral lesion. Anatomic varieties of congenital left ventricular inflow obstruction, such as stenosing supravalvar mitral ring or parachute deformity of the mitral valve, were recognized at 2DE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in complete transposition of the great arteries.

Subpulmonic stenosis in complete d-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) is a frequently associated malformation, the precise diagnosis of which is essential for optimal medical and surgical treatment. Sixteen patients with d-TGA and subpulmonic stenosis have been studied by M-mode and two-dimensional (2DE) echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Dynamic obstruction was found in six patients and fixed stenosis in 10. Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve without fixed obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) was present in patients with dynamic stenosis. Measurements of left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness to minor semiaxis ratio correlated well (p less than 0.001) with the pressure gradient across the LVOT. Various types of anatomic fixed obstruction are described. M-mode echocardiography provides assessment of dynamic obstruction but does not allow quantitative evaluation of the length of the narrowed segment. The latter can be achieved by 2DE, which offers improved definition of different anatomic types.

Adolescent↗

Echocardiographic evaluation with hemodynamic correlation of the left ventricle in mitral stenosis.

The value of echocardiographic measurement of left ventricle volume and ejection fraction and of mitral valve area in patients with mitral stenosis has been assessed. All patients referred because of mitral stenosis have been studied by M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography, by right and left heart catheterization, ventriculography and selective coronary angiography. Patients with other congenital or acquired heart disease or with coronary artery disease were excluded from this study. The selection lead to a series of 39 pts, all with a typical history of Rheumatic Fever: all these pts were divided in three groups according to the degree of mitral stenosis, classified as "mild", if valvular area was greater than 1.8 cm2 (8 pts), "moderate" between 1-1.8 cm2 (15 pts) and "severe" if valvular areas was less than 1 cm2 (16 pts). In all groups echocardiography underestimated left ventricular volumes as well as stroke volumes. Statistical correlation has not been excellent: the best result was again obtained in the calculation of ejection fraction (r = 0.91, P less than 0.001), confirming our previous results in a group of patients with mitral regurgitation. Cross-sectional two-dimensional echocardiography has confirmed, furthermore, as a sensitive and suitable procedure in assessing the mitral valve area (r = 0,87 P less than 0.001); at our experience echocardiography under-estimate mitral area in the cases of severe mitral stenosis.

Adult↗

Echocardiographic features of truncal abnormalities. Special emphasis to the evaluation of pulmonary arteries.

9 patients with persistent truncus arteriosus, 11 patients with pseudotruncus and 2 patients with hemitruncus, ranging in age from 6 months to 29 years, have been studied by M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D echo). In all patients the diagnosis was confirmed by cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography; in 10 of them surgical or autopsy documentation was available. Peripheral contrast echocardiography was performed in 13 patients. A variable degree of truncal or aortic override was observed in 7 of 9 patients with truncus arteriosus and in all patients with pseudotruncus by M-mode or two-dimensional echocardiography. By 2-D echo the truncal origin of the right and left pulmonary arteries was visualized in 7 of 9 of the patients with truncus arteriosus. Visualization of one aberrant pulmonary artery from the aortic wall was assessed retrospectively in 2 patients with hemitruncus. A pulmonary atretic valve region was recorded in 10 of 11 of the patients with pseudotruncus. Peripheral contrast echocardiography enabled to distinguish patients with complete obstruction to pulmonary flow from patients with unobstructed right ventricular outflow tract. By showing no direct connection between the pulmonary arteries and the ascending aorta or direct continuity between one or both pulmonary arteries and truncal or aortic root, differentiation of pseudotruncus arteriosus from truncus or hemitruncus may be achieved by 2-D echo.

Adolescent↗

[Innervation of the urinary bladder of Ovis aries L].

The authors have extended a preliminary study about the innervation of urinary bladder, confirming the previous results pointing out the presence of metasympathetic ganglions in the wall of urinary bladder. Therefore nine urinary bladders of Ovis aries of different age and both sexes have been studied by Ruffini, Bodian and Bielschowsky's staining methods. It's possible summarize the data on the innervation of urinary bladder in the following way: in the tunica adventitia there are motor and sensitive bundles of myelinated nervous fiber. The formers, after many divisions, penetrate into the tunica muscularis contacting bundles of smooth muscle fibers, while the latters after several divisions after giving rise to thinner bundles, produce Pacini-like and Ruffini-like sense corpuscles and free nervous terminations. Furthermore, some metasympathetic ganglions of different size have been detected throughout the running of the bundles. In the tunica submucosa a diffuse and peculiar non myelinated network is observed, arising from the vegetative nervous fibers.

Age Factors↗

[Blood amino acids in chronic HBsAg positive liver disease].

Typical changes in blood aminoacid concentrations have been described in patients with severe liver disease. In this study we measured the serum amino acid levels, by Beckman Aminoacid Analyzer, in 11 healthy subjects and 24 HBsAg-positive patients with biopsy-proven liver disease (4 CPH, 10 CAH, 10 cirrhosis). A significant decrease in total aminoacids was observed in CAH and cirrhosis groups (-24% and -22% respectively). The three branched chain aminoacids (BCAA = val + leu + isoleu) were reduced by 24% (P less than 0.002) and 37% (P less than 0.001) in the CAH and cirrhosis groups respectively. Tyrosine was the only of the aromatic aminoacids (AAA) to increase in cirrhotics (+ 34%, P less than 0.02). The molar ratio BCAA/AAA was 3.6 in controls, 3.8 in CPH, 3.1 in CAH (P less than 0.025) and 1.9 in cirrhosis (P less than 0.001). A linear correlation was found between molar ratio BCAA/AAA and serum albumin in all patients (P less than 0.001). These results document the presence of specific quantitative changes in serum aminoacids of HBsAg positive patients, which appear related to severity of liver disease and comparable to the alterations described in non viral chronic liver disease.

Adolescent↗

[Chronology of the appearance of embryonic ossification nuclei in the turkey].

252 turkey eggs were put in an incubator at 39 degrees C and relative humidity 75%. From the 8th day of incubation up to the 28th, the authors opened 12 eggs a day, 6 at 8 a.m. and 6 at 8 p.m. The embryos were fixed by 10% buffered formaline for three days, dehydrated by alcohol 96% for seven days, eviscerated, coloured by alizarin S red and by alcian blue 8GX, then made diaphanans by means of KOH solutions. Then the authors have described the appearance times of the ossification nuclei in turkey, showing that in turkey the embryonal ossification occurs in a characteristic chronological order, different from that described in other birds, even if they belong to related species.

Animals↗