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Biomedical subjects

S Rossi

Publications and source records attributed to S Rossi.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Sensory neural conduction of median nerve from digits and palm stimulation in carpal tunnel syndrome.

The median sensory nerve conduction between ring finger and wrist is a suitable parameter for early detection of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), although shorter segments of median nerve have also been proposed for the same goal. In order to assess the relative diagnostic value of the sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of the third palmar branch versus the SNCV of the second palmar branch, generally performed until now, we studied 62 patients with typical signs and symptoms of CTS. The following parameters were evaluated by surface recording: orthodromic SNCVs in digit-wrist segments for median (index = M2, third = M3 and ring = M4 fingers), ulnar (fourth = U4 finger) and radial (thumb = R1) nerves; SNCVs in palm-wrist segments by surface bipolar stimulation at each metacarpo-phalangeal interspace (second = P2 and third = P3 for the median nerve and fourth = P4 for the ulnar nerve); and distal motor latencies of the median and ulnar nerves. No responses at the wrist were recorded in 22.6% of patients after digital stimulation of M4, whereas the SNCV of P3, the palmar nerve branch arising from digital nerves of the medial side of M3 and the lateral side of M4, was measurable in 93.5% of patients. As significantly expressed (P < 0.001) by the increased ratio of the mean values of P2 and P3 in CTS patients, the SNCV of P3 decreased more frequently and to a greater extent than the SNCV of P2.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1994

L-carnitine uptake into primary rat cortical cultures: interaction with GABA.

The ability of the primary rat cortical cells to take up L-carnitine increased with the age of the cultures and plateaued at around day 11 up to 25 days in vitro (DIV) when a slight decline was evident and by 32 DIV there was a major decrease in L-carnitine uptake. The uptake of L-carnitine displayed complex components. Elimination of mitochondrial energy supply by NaCN (1 mM), rotenone (1.25 microM) and DNP (50 microM), caused a small but significant decrease in the uptake (21, 11 and 16%, respectively). The uptake was highly dependent on the Na gradient, since ouabain (0.5 mM) and Na free buffer (replaced by 250 mM sucrose), reduced uptake by 54 and 63%, respectively. There was competition of L-carnitine uptake by molecules resembling its structure, e.g. gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), D-carnitine, L-aminocarnitine and L-choline, with GABA being the most potent inhibitor (57% at 50 microM) and L-choline not being significantly active. The Na-dependent uptake of L-carnitine was saturable with a high Km (692 microM) and Vmax (839 pmol/min/mg). This Na-dependent component was not further additive with the GABA (500 microM) or the DNP (50 microM) inhibitable component, suggesting that it represented the same phenomenon, probably the Na gradient dependent transport of L-carnitine. The results indicate that the uptake of L-carnitine occurs by Na-dependent saturable process as well as non-saturable, Na-independent processes. At least the former uptake mechanism is potently inhibited by GABA.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Antagonists for the human oxytocin receptor: an in vitro study.

The oxytocin antagonist [Mpa1, D-Tyr(Et)2, Thr4, Orn8]-oxytocin has been successfully used for treating premature labour. The interactions of this antagonist with neurohypophysialhormone receptors in the human myometrium were investigated. Competition curves among [3H]oxytocin, [3H]arginine vasopressin, [3H][1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)2-(O-methyl)-tyrosine, 8-arginine] vasopressin, the corresponding unlabelled peptides and a series of oxytocin antagonists including [Mpa1,D-Tyr(Et)2,Thr4,Orn8]-oxytocin were constructed from results taken from the myometrium of pregnant women and rabbits, and were analysed simultaneously using the computer program LIGAND. The biological activity of [Mpa1,D-Tyr(Et)2,Thr4,Orn8]-oxytocin in the human uterus was investigated by studying its effect on oxytocin-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in human myometrial cells in culture that were expressing high concentrations of oxytocin receptors. The results indicate that [Mpa1,D-Tyr(Et)2,Thr4,Orn8]-oxytocin and related antagonists are selective for the oxytocin receptor in the myometrium of pregnant rabbits but not of pregnant women. In women, they bind with high affinity to the V1 vasopressin receptor. In myometrial cells [Mpa1,D-Tyr(Et)2,Thr4,Orn8]- oxytocin inhibits the oxytocin-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in a dose-dependent fashion, with an IC50 value of 5 nmol l-1. The uterine relaxant effect of this antagonist might result not only from the block of the oxytocin receptor, but also from interaction with the V1 vasopressin receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[FDDF (fast dissolving dosage form) piroxicam for sublingual administration in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis].

Open non-comparative study for the evaluation of the efficacy and tolerance of piroxicam FDDF for sublingual administration in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Thirty patients (6 males and 24 females) suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in the active phase have been treated. All the patients had to fulfil the criteria for the rheumatoid arthritis classification proposed by the American Rheumatism Association (ARA). The efficacy of therapy has been evaluated, after 2, 4 and 6 week of treatment, through the changes in: the number of painful or tender joints on motion, the number of swollen joints, grip strength, ESR. Also day pain, night pain, duration of morning stiffness and functional index have been evaluated. As regards the functional index, activities as dressing, arising, eating, walking, taking care of hygiene, bending, standing and sitting have been considered. The study sample was composed by 30 patients, with a mean age of 59.73 years, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis from 4.76 years. As regards efficacy parameters, day pain, which is recorded on a 21 compartment visual analogue scale, was initially of 8.13 (+/- 3.73), and after 2 weeks of therapy decreased of about 1 point and after 4 weeks was of 6.57 (+/- 3.73). This improvement was already statistically significant at the first control (p = 0.01). At the first control also morning stiffness resulted improved in a statistically significant way (p < 0.0001). As regards functional index a statistically significant improvement was observed in the disability of walking and of picking up objects after 2 weeks; after 4 weeks a significant improvement was observed in the disability of arising and of bending. These changes in functional ability probably depend upon the kind of joint involved and the duration of these lesions. Also the grip strength resulted statistically improved at the 2 control. As regards objective values, there was a statistically significant improvement in tender and swollen joints after only 2 weeks. As regards ESR, which is an index of disease activity, was initially of 40.73 (+/- 16.75) in mean; at the end of the 6th week it was of 34.72 (+/- 15.13): this reduction was statistically significant. No improvement was observed in night pain, normally the pain form which is more difficult to cure. As regards toleration, only 2 patients reported side-effects: the first reported epigastralgia and the second oral burning Both side-effects lasted 1 day and, according to the physician, their relation with the study drug is not sure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Administration, Sublingual↗
PubMed1994

[Pulmonary carcinoid tumors].

27 patients suffering from carcinoid of the lung (18 females and 9 males, middle age 52 years, range 26-68) underwent surgery in our department. The neoplasms were located at the pulmonary hilum in 21 cases. The diagnosis was occasional in 6 cases, cough (51.8%) and recurrent bronchitis (37%) were the most frequent symptoms. No instances of carcinoid syndrome were detected. Preoperative staging ruled out pathologic mediastinal lymph nodes or hematogenous metastases. 26 patients underwent complete excision of the neoplasm (11 lobectomies, 9 pneumonectomies, 4 bilobectomies, 1 segmental resection, 1 bronchial wedge resection). Histologically, 4 cases were categorized as atypical carcinoids. Two patients died within 1 year, one suffering from atypical carcinoid because of disease progression, and an other one (suffering from atypical carcinoid) who underwent only at exploratory thoracotomy followed by chemotherapy. A patient suffering from typical carcinoid died within 1.5 years because of gallbladder carcinoma. From our experience and from the literature review it appears that carcinoids has to be considered as malignant neoplasms and treated according to.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Nonpalpable lesions of the breast. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations].

The early detection of breast cancer is of primary importance, as one method which many reduce the unacceptably high mortality rate associated with this disease. In fact, it is well stated that the most concrete possibility of therapeutic success in the treatment of breast cancer is represented by early treatment, while the disease is still localized. Then a screening program is necessary in asymptomatic women, to diagnose the disease as early as possible even in case of non palpable lesion. Mammography is nowadays the most specific and sensitive investigation for clinically occult breast cancer. In this study we searched for mammographic findings with the best predictive value for cancer and we tested the most careful techniques for preoperative localization and surgical biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions. Seventy-one asymptomatic women (age range: 31-76 years, mean: 53.6) underwent stereotaxic needle localization to perform surgical biopsy of mammographically suspicious but nonpalpable breast lesions. Mammographic findings were classified as: a) well defined and smooth bordered opacities (11.3% of cases); b) poorly defined, irregular, spiculated and stellate opacities (32.4% of cases); c) lowly suspicious microcalcifications, larger, rounder, fewer in number (19.7% of cases); d) highly suspicious microcalcifications, with irregularities on shape, density and size described as clustered and polymorphic (36.6% of cases). Cancer was found in 22 cases (31%); 12 of those (54.5%) were associated with highly suspicious microcalcifications, 10 of those (45.5%) were associated with stellate and poorly defined opacities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

An electromyographic evaluation of motor complications in thoracic herpes zoster.

Motor complications in thoracic herpes zoster were evaluated in 52 patients by electromyographic examination of the paraspinal muscles. At the initial EMG examination, abnormal findings were observed in 18 patients (35%). In 8 patients the myomers involved coincided in location with affected dermatomes, while in 10 patients, in addition to the involvement of myomers corresponding to affected dermatomes, there also appeared an involvement of one or more contiguous myomers not corresponding to affected dermatomes. Our study demonstrated that motor involvement in thoracic HZ is much more common than previously suggested and its incidence (35%) appears to be greater than that reported in both cervical and lumbosacral HZ.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Isobutylmethylxanthine and other classical cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors affect cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity.

The effect of 17 inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) was assayed on cAMP binding activity of Mucor rouxii protein kinase A (PKA), on PKA activity in the absence of cAMP and on free catalytic subunit (C) activity. Isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), SQ 20,009 and cilostamide, at 0.2 mM, behaved as partial agonists of cAMP since they inhibited binding of 0.15 microM [3H]cAMP to the regulatory subunit (R), stimulated slightly PKA activity in the absence of cAMP and did not modify C activity. Amrinone at 0.2 mM inhibited C activity competitively towards ATP. These four compounds displayed the same effects when assayed on eukaryotic protein kinase A types I (PKI) and II (PKII). The combined effect of IBMX and cAMP was analysed on Mucor PKA. Under dissociating conditions (+ 0.5 M NaCl) IBMX antagonized activation by low concentrations of cAMP, while in the absence of NaCl, IBMX potentiated the stimulating activity of cAMP.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1993

Trends in the incidence of hip fracture in Siena, Italy, from 1980 to 1991.

There is general agreement that the crude incidence of proximal femur (hip) fractures is rising in conjunction with the ageing of the underlying population. To explore possible changes in hip fracture incidence over time we analysed all femoral fractures occurring in the county of Siena from 1980 to 1991. Data were collected from hospital record charts of the Department of Orthopaedics, recording all hip fractures occurring during the 12-year period. In this period, the mean resident population in Siena was 238,369 inhabitants (aged 0 to 90+ years) and the crude number of all femoral fractures was 2,238. However, in calculating incidence rates, only hip fractures occurring in the population aged over 50 years were considered. In this population, the number of hip fractures was 1,825 with a male/female ratio of 1:2.8. A time-series data analysis (temporal trend) of the incidence of hip fracture during the 12-year period revealed a linear and significant (p < 0.001) trend to increase, but only in males, with an annual increasing rate of 3.62 per 100,000 person-years. In the female population, the temporal analysis did not show any significant trend during the observation period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Large foreign body as a nidus for a common duct stone in a patient without spontaneous biliary enteric fistula or previous abdominal surgery.

We report a case of a brown pigment gallstone, which formed around a phytobezoar in the common bile duct, in a patient without spontaneous biliary enteric fistula or previous abdominal surgery. A brief comment on the possible origin of the phytobezoar in this case and on the pattern of deposition of brown material over a pre-existent nidus is also presented.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1993

Surgery still has a role in Graves' hyperthyroidism.

BACKGROUND: A recent survey of American thyroidologists defining their management of a 43-year-old woman with hyperthyroid Graves' disease and a thyroid weighing 40 to 50 grams revealed that 69% recommended iodine 131 therapy, 30% prolonged antithyroid drug therapy, and only 1% operation. If the patient was younger or had a larger thyroid, 4% to 7% of the respondents recommended operation. METHODS: In our clinic we often recommend operation for young adult patients with large goiters who have had recurrent hyperthyroidism after antithyroid drug (ATD) therapy, have allergic reactions to ATD, are not compliant, are ATD failures, or refuse 131I therapy. Thus operation for Graves' disease is recommended more frequently in our clinic than this survey indicates. From 1980 to 1992, 81 patients with Graves' disease (15 men and 66 women; mean age, 30 years) underwent a subtotal thyroidectomy. Patients had been pretreated with antithyroid drugs and saturated solution of potassium iodide, and thyroid conditions were normal at the time of operation. All patients underwent subtotal thyroidectomy by one surgeon and 3 to 5 grams of thyroid were left on each side. RESULTS: There was no permanent recurrent nerve damage or hypoparathyroidism. Hyperthyroidism recurred in one patient (1.2%). Hypothyroidism developed in 59% of our patients, 77% within 1 year after operation, which was easily managed with replacement doses of levothyroxine. Ophthalmopathy had not developed or progressed in any patient, as has recently been suggested to occur after 131I therapy of Graves' disease. CONCLUSIONS: Because our patients are almost always hospitalized for no more than 24 to 36 hours, have had no complications except for hypothyroidism, have had their disease abruptly terminated, did not have ophthalmopathy, required far fewer physician visits and laboratory tests compared with patients treated with ATD or 131I, surgery remains a reasonable approach to the management of Graves' disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[The hadron therapy project].

The neologism "hadrontherapy" means radiotherapy with hadrons, which are the particles constituted by quarks, such as protons, neutrons and ions. The theoretical considerations about the clinical advantages this treatment modality can yield and the results obtained at the centers where it has already been used justify the proposal to project a center of this kind also in our Country. To this purpose, two of the authors of this paper (U. Amaldi, G. Tosi) founded the TERA Group formed by physicists, engineers and radiotherapists who work in close collaboration on a feasibility study for a hadrontherapy facility. The first aim of the Hadrontherapy Project is to design a center equipped with a synchrotron which, at the beginning, will accelerate negative hydrogen ions (H-) which will first produce 70-250 MeV proton beams and, then accelerate light ions (up to 16O) to 430 MeV/amu. This accelerator will serve four or five treatment rooms where patients can be irradiated simultaneously. Two rooms will be equipped with a fixed horizontal beam for the treatment of eye, head and neck tumors; the others will be equipped with rotating gantries to administer, in any clinical situation, really adequate treatment. Such a unit, when enough experience is fained, will allow at least 1000 patients to be treated yearly. The synchrotron injector will be designed so as to allow, parallel to the radiotherapy activities, other applications of medical and biological interest such as: the production of radioisotopes for diagnostic use (especially positron emitters), the analysis of trace elements through the PIXE technique and the production of thermal and epithermal neutrons for boron neutron capture therapy.

Biophysical Phenomena↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of spontaneous ascites filtration and reinfusion with total paracentesis with intravenous albumin infusion in cirrhotic patients with tense ascites.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of spontaneous ascites filtration and reinfusion and total paracentesis plus intravenous albumin infusion in cirrhotic patients with tense ascites. DESIGN: Randomised trial of the two treatments. SETTING: Teaching hospital and district general hospital in Milan. PATIENTS: 45 consecutive cirrhotic patients with recurrent tense ascites and urinary sodium excretion rate less than 20 mmol/day. 35 fulfilled admission criteria and completed the study. 17 received spontaneous ascites filtration and 18 paracentesis plus albumin infusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body weight; urinary volume; serum and urinary electrolyte, serum fibrinogen, and plasma aldosterone concentrations; and plasma renin activity before the procedure and 24 hours and eight days afterwards. RESULTS: Both procedures were effective in all patients. Weight decreased in both groups and showed no substantial increase after eight days. In patients receiving ascites filtration, values decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) after 24 hours for platelet count (mean relative change 0.92; 99% confidence interval 0.86 to 0.98) and serum fibrinogen concentration (0.92; 0.88 to 0.98) but returned to pretreatment values after eight days; no laboratory and clinical signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation were noted. Three patients in this group had fever, which receded spontaneously. One patient in each group had dilutional hyponatraemia. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous ascites filtration and reinfusion is an effective treatment for tense ascites. Reinfusion of the patient's concentrated proteins provides savings without compromising safety.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Ultrasonically guided percutaneous splenic tissue core biopsy in patients with malignant lymphomas.

Ultrasonically (US) guided percutaneous tissue core biopsy of the spleen was done on 46 patients with malignant lymphomas. The biopsies were undertaken as a staging procedure in 32 patients, as a restaging procedure in 7, during follow-up in 2, and as a diagnostic step in 5 (previously undiagnosed cases with clinically and ultrasonographically suspected lymphoma). In 45 patients, the tissue core specimens obtained by US-guided biopsies were sufficient for a correct histologic examination; in one patient, the specimen was considered inadequate. The tissue core specimens showed splenic involvement in 12 patients and normal splenic tissue in the other 33. These latter cases were confirmed by splenectomy, by laparoscopy with larger splenic biopsy needles, and by clinical and US follow-up over a period of 6 to 30 months. In all previously undiagnosed patients (five), splenic biopsies allowed histologic subtyping. Additional immunologic subclassification into B-cell and T-cell types of lymphomas was done in two instances. There were no complications in this series. These results suggest that percutaneous US-guided splenic tissue core biopsy is a useful and safe technique for the diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of malignant lymphoma.

Adolescent↗