Biomedical subjects

S Lombardi

Publications and source records attributed to S Lombardi.

114 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[Video-assisted surgery of the thyroid: outlines of the technique and analysis of the results].

INTRODUCTION: The authors described the technique of the video-assisted approach to thyroid surgery (MIVAT: minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy), selection criteria of the patients and evaluated the technical feasibility of this method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients selection is based on many parameters. Exclusion criteria are: nodules greater than 35 mm, presence of thyroiditis, thyroid volume greater than 20 mL, previous neck surgery and irradiation. The surgical procedures are conducted through a minimal substernal skin incision (1-3 cm); the procedure performed using external retractors and needlescopic instruments. RESULTS: MIVAT was accomplished in 20 patients (15 female and 5 men). One cervicotomy was required to perform total thyroidectomy (positive frozen section). Mean operative time was 70 min. Two patients have reported transient hypoparathyroidism; one patient has reported transient recurrent nerve palsy. DISCUSSION: MIVAT has not yet met the favor of most endocrine surgeons; nevertheless we think that this technique is safe and feasible for benign thyroid diseases in selected cases, with the advantage of satisfactory cosmetic results Conversion to conventional surgery is required generally for local bleeding and to perform total thyroidectomy for positive frozen section. CONCLUSIONS: MIVAT is feasible and may improve cosmetic outcome. The indications are limited at present, but the results are encouraging for the future.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Epithelial naso-sinusal cancer incidence and the role of work in 100 cases diagnosed in the Province of Brescia (northern Italy), in the period 1978-2002].

BACKGROUND: Naso-sinusal cancers (NSC) cover a group of rare tumours in Italy for which the role of occupational risk has been established. The systematic survey of NSC in the province of Brescia made it possible to analyse the jobs of the cases occurring in the area. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the research were: estimation of epithelial NSC incidence both in the general population and among wood and leather workers, description of the frequency and type of occupational exposure to substances or manufacturing processes. METHODS: The epithelial type cases were obtained from the Naso-sinusal Cancer Register (population-based) operating in the Province of Brescia since 1994. Work histories were obtained via a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: The annual incidence ofepithelial NSC (for 100,000) in the entire population (1,090,000 inhabitants, ISTAT census 1991) from 1993 to 1997 and from 1998 to 2002 was nearly the same, 0.82 and 0.90 for men, 0.37 and 0.37 for women, respectively. The nasal cavity was the most affected anatomic site (45%) and squamous cell carcinoma was the most frequent histotype (44%) among the first 100 cases whose case histories were appropriate; in the ethmoidal sinus adenocarcinoma represented 62% of the cases; 25% of all cases were exposed to occupational carcinogens (list A) and particularly to wood dust (17%), even if only of softwood species (30%), and leather dusts (7%) especially in the shoe repair. The average latency period was 47 years (SD 7.4) and 44 years (SD 5.6) respectively; 71% of these epithelial NSC cases involved the ethmoid and 85% were adenocarcinomas. Only 1% of the cases was exposed to chromium and nickel and occurred in galvanization processes. Among the exposures to occupational risks with limited epidemiological evidence (list B) there was one case exposed to formaldehyde and 42 cases occurring in the building, agricultural, metallurgic and textile sectors. Thus all the exposures to occupational risks, both certain and probable (lists A and B) reached 84% among men and 17% among women. Epithelial NSC annual incidence rates (for 100,000) estimated among the wood and leather workers for the period 1985-2002 were 13 and 6.5 respectively. CONCLUSION: The results confirm the meaning of sentinel event for these tumours in occupational health and justify maintaining an active surveillance programme for the cases occurring in the area.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunity to Plasmodium sporozoites: recent advances and applications to field research.

The presence of antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites in humans living in malaria endemic areas was measured using as antigen the synthetic peptide (NANP)3, which represents the immunodominant region of the circumsporozoite (CS) protein. The results indicate that: i) the production of anti-CS antibodies is unrelated to the presence in the circulation of blood-stage parasites; ii) anti-CS antibodies, raised by natural inoculation, could exert a protective role against natural malaria infection; iii) anti-CS antibodies can be used as indicators of the intensity of malaria transmission.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

CS antigen localization in malaria vectors: hypothetical refractoriness to transmission observed in the field.

Indoor resting Anopheles gambiae s.l. were collected in two villages near Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and processed to investigate the presence and distribution of Plasmodium sporozoites. Salivary glands were dissected, examined by phase contrast microscopy and further processed by IRMA in order to reveal the presence of the circumsporozoite (CS) antigen of P. falciparum. The corresponding thoraces were homogenized and processed by IRMA. In the village characterized by the higher inoculation rate more than 40% of the infected mosquitoes were not found infective since CS antigen was detected in the thorax in absence of sporozoites and CS antigen in the corresponding salivary glands.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

NiTi shape memory alloys treated by plasma-polymerized tetrafluoroethylene. A physicochemical and electrochemical characterization.

NiTi alloy specimens were plasma cleaned and then coated with a thin film of plasma-polymerized tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) in a Radio-Frequency reactor. The corrosion protection provided by these films was studied by potentiodynamic tests performed in Hank's physiological solution. Surface properties which determine biocompatibility were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that the surface of untreated NiTi was mostly composed by oxygen, carbon, titanium oxide (TiO2) with traces of nickel oxides (NiO and Ni2O3) and metallic Ni. The passivity of untreated NiTi was found to be unstable in the simulated human body media. After plasma treatment, the NiTi surface contained only carbon and fluor. The plasma-polymerized thin film was found to stabilize the NiTi passivity and to increase its pitting potential. This treatment provides a good protection against dissolution of nickel from NiTi alloys.

Alloys↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnosis and treatment of dental trauma in a children's hospital.

A comprehensive review of 487 emergency dental trauma visits seen at a children's hospital during a 3-year period was performed to investigate aspects of trauma care that have not been previously reported. Patient characteristics, diagnoses, and injury treatment were analyzed. General patient characteristics and diagnoses were consistent with other studies. Young children were often injured in falls within the home whereas older children were often injured in sports and activities outside the home. The emergency visit was the first contact with the dentist for 80% of children 3.5 years old and younger. Maxillary incisors accounted for 84% of primary tooth injuries: examination and extraction were common treatments. Maxillary incisors accounted for 87% of permanent tooth injuries: bandage restorations and splint placement were frequent treatments. An assistive restraint device was used most often for children 4 years and younger who required extractions. The restraint was used more frequently during clinic hours with support staff present than after hours with a sole provider. Hospital facilities were not essential for treatment of the patients in this study.

Accidental Falls↗