Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

V J Vigorita

Publications and source records attributed to V J Vigorita.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Gorham's disease: an autopsy report.

We present the case report of a 35-year-old man with Gorham's disease (disappearing bone disease, massive osteolysis) with initial clinical findings of small bowel lymphangiomatosis and multicentric osteolysis. The patient, who otherwise was healthy, had a chylothorax develop and he died 9 months later of thoracic and pulmonary complications. An autopsy revealed absence of the proximal thoracic duct and significant lymphangiectatic abnormalities of the pleural, peritoneal, diaphragmatic, splenic, and small bowel tissue with lymphangiomatous masses in the thoracic and mediastinal regions. The findings suggest a subtype of Gorham's disease characterized by a dysplastic lymphatic system. Osteolysis was correlated anatomically with lymphangiectatic tissue, suggesting mediation of osteoclastic resorption via local lymphatic tissue factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Experimental lead arthropathy: an animal model.

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated short-term effects of intra-articular lead on joint structures in an animal model. We now present histopathologic findings in animals studied over a more extended period. METHODS: Twelve female New Zealand White rabbits had identical lead or stainless steel pellets, or a sham arthrotomy (without implant) inserted in both front knees. The rabbits were killed 4 at a time at 6, 10, and 14 weeks after implantation, and the knee joint structures were evaluated histologically for changes in the synovium, articular cartilage, and meniscus. RESULTS: Histology of the tibial articular surface, femoral articular surface, medial meniscus, lateral meniscus, and synovium showed greater signs of degeneration in the knees with lead implants than controls at all time periods. CONCLUSION: Intrasynovial lead, which does not undergo fibrous encapsulation, has been linked to lead intoxication. Clinical and experimental reports support removal of lead bodies from articular areas in an attempt reduce or slow the degeneration of affected joints. Nonmechanical effects of lead on intraarticular structures may lead to degenerative changes

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Histologic comparison of posterior cruciate ligaments from arthritic and age-matched knee specimens.

Twenty-four posterior cruciate ligaments (PCLs) harvested at the time of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were histologically compared with an age-matched group of 36 PCLs harvested from above-knee amputations, cadavers, and bone bank donors. Ligaments were considered histologically abnormal and degenerative if either loose, mucoid, myxoid, or cystic changes were noted. The magnitude of degeneration was defined as normal, slight, mild, moderate, or marked, based on the amount of tissue demonstrating change. Examination of the PCLs from the TKA group demonstrated 17% normal ligaments, 20% with mild focal changes, and 63% with marked degenerative changes. The control group demonstrated 45% normal cruciate ligaments and 33% with slight, 11% with mild, and 11% with moderate focal changes. No PCL from the control group showed marked changes. The overall degenerative changes between these two groups were found to be statistically significant (P < .001). This study demonstrated that the PCL obtained at the time of TKA is characterized by distinct histologic degenerative changes that are different from age-related changes (P < .001) and that the PCL is not spared degenerative changes in involved osteoarthritic knees. This may help explain the finding that the PCL in osteoarthritic knees is biomechanically abnormal. Many studies have reported excellent results with TKA systems that retain the PCL, implying that a completely normal PCL is not required or that neural input is sufficient for proper kinematic knee function in knees that have undergone total joint arthroplasty.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Intra-articular histopathologic changes secondary to local lead intoxication in rabbit knee joints.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of intra-articular lead fragments on articular cartilage, synovium, and menisci in rabbit knees. DESIGN: Animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cylindrical lead implants were inserted into a nonarticulating area of the medial femoral condyle. Identically sized stainless steel implants were used as a control for the mechanical effects of the material, and arthrotomies were performed on some of the animals as a control for the effects of surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Histologic evidence of articular degeneration was significantly greater in rabbit knees implanted with lead compared with knees with steel implants (p = 0.0625), knees with arthrotomies, or those with no procedure performed (p = 0.0325). Changes were also greater in the synovium of knees implanted with lead compared with all other specimens. No significant degenerative changes were noted in the menisci of any specimen. CONCLUSIONS: Such changes may be early signs of degenerative joint disease and may lead to chronic damage. Gunshot wounds affecting joints may cause intra-articular retention of lead fragments, which are not physiologically inert and may cause degenerative joint changes. Even if no mechanical impingement is evident, removal of lead may be warranted to prevent early arthropathies in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Pigmented villonodular synovitis in a child.

The authors present a case of pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) in an adolescent with monarticular involvement of the ankle and without congenital anomalies or sibling involvement. Its rarity in the ankle and in childhood is discussed; a review of the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of PVNS is presented.

Ankle↗
PubMed1993

A histomorphometric and histologic analysis of the implant interface in five successful, autopsy-retrieved, noncemented porous-coated knee arthroplasties.

Five clinically successful, primary uncemented porous-coated anatomic knee implants were retrieved postmortem, 13-56 months after implantation, and were sectioned and evaluated histologically and histomorphometrically for bone ingrowth. The prosthesis-bone interface was divided into the following four zones: (1) the tissue prosthetic surface interface; (2) the beaded area; (3) the immediate beadless area; and (4) the marrow space. Although fibroosseous ingrowth was present in all cases, it varied quantitatively with each case and component. Average component bone ingrowth for the prosthesis interface (Zones 1 and 2) of patellae was 29%; tibias, 6%; and femora, 8%. In Zone 3, the percentage of bone apposed to the prosthesis for the patellae was 53%; tibias 36%; and femora, 32%. Zone 4, the marrow space, was not quantitated. The fibrous tissue filling nonbone-ingrown porous space in Zone 2 appeared "ligamentoid," connecting bone to beads within Zone 2 and between Zones 2 and 3. Zone 3 exhibited a bony plate formation parallel to the prostheses. No significant inflammation was noted. Overall there was more bone ingrowth into Zone 3 than Zones 1 and 2 with greater bone ingrowth found in the patellar components. The implant interface in clinically successful noncemented porous-coated prostheses of this design is characterized histologically by a noninflammatory fibroosseous ingrowth of varying degrees, and the fibrous component of this composite structure exhibits a highly organized pattern.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Effects of propranolol on bone metabolism in the rat.

Propranolol, a nonspecific beta-blocker has many physiologic effects. Its effects on bone in vivo are unknown, although beta receptor sites have been found on osteoblasts. In this study, the hypothesis tested was that low doses of propranolol could alter bone properties and enhance orthotopic endochondral bone formation. In a group of nonsurgical rats, propranolol treatment increased femoral torsional strength on biomechanical testing. In the rat surgical model used, right femora were fixed to a polyethylene plate and then defects were created mid-diaphysis and subsequently filled with demineralized bone matrix. These rats (defect rats) were randomly divided into groups that were given propranolol or a saline carrier for 19 consecutive days. In the defect rats, increased trabecular femoral metaphyseal mineral apposition rates were observed in propranolol-treated groups. Densitometry and roentgenographic scoring of callus formation after 12 weeks in propranolol-treated rats revealed increased callus and bone union. The results of this study indicate that propranolol treatment can significantly affect bone properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Histomorphometric analysis of vertebral and iliac crest bone samples. A correlated study.

Iliac crest and corresponding second vertebral body specimens were obtained from 20 cadavers. Of these, ten underwent histopathologic evaluation and histomorphometry in a blind fashion followed by statistical evaluation of the results. In this study, the authors found the iliac crest biopsy specimens to be highly correlated and predictive of osteoid and resorptive parameters in the spine and less so for trabecular bone volume. Whereas the transileal bone biopsy is a useful tool in diagnosing and typing metabolic bone disease, its predictive value of bone volume at other sites in the skeleton requires further evaluation.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1990

The osteogenic response to distant skeletal injury.

We tested the hypothesis that when one bone of the skeleton is injured, others experience an osteogenic response. Although similar or related phenomena have been observed previously, the purposes of the study were to determine if this response was reproducible, to characterize it in terms of its magnitude and duration, and to show how it is related to the type of injury sustained. To obtain this information, a model was used in which an intramedullary nail was implanted in the femur and a standard closed fracture was subsequently produced. The osteogenic response was measured by histomorphometry. Eight-four nine-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups of twelve animals each. Groups I and II consisted of control animals in which no injury was produced. In Group-III rats, cortical drilling of the intercondylar notch and piriformis fossa of the right femur was performed, without intramedullary nailing. In Groups IV through VII, half of each group received intramedullary nails only, and in the other half intramedullary nailing was done and a closed transverse diaphyseal fracture was produced. With two different fluorochrome labels, rates of mineral apposition were measured in the left and right tibiae of all animals. The labeling periods differed in each group and were designed to determine when the peak response occurred, how long it lasted, and whether aging during the course of the experiment affected the response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Persistence of dialysis osteomalacia despite treatment with 24R,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.

Five patients with symptomatic osteomalacia undergoing chronic hemodialysis took 24R,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 10 micrograms/day, for periods of 6-20 months. Four patients took calcitriol simultaneously in doses consistent with normocalcemia, but the 5th was unable to do so because of recurrent hypercalcemia. In the group as a whole, despite achievement of physiologic plasma concentrations of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, we could demonstrate no metabolic or histologic benefit of therapy. Substantial osteomalacia persisted in all posttreatment biopsy specimens, appearing more severe in some cases and less severe in others. At the doses prescribed, the results of treatment of dialysis osteomalacia with 24R,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol were clinically unsatisfactory.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗
PubMed1989

Fecal secretory immunoglobulin A in breast milk versus formula feeding in early infancy.

We studied the effects of breast milk feeding versus formula feeding during the first 8 weeks of life on the development of local gastrointestinal humoral immune response by measuring fecal secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA). Forty-four infants were studied and classified into two groups: breast milk (n = 21) and standard Enfamil without iron (n = 23). The fecal specimens were analyzed at birth and 2, 4, and 8 weeks of age. Radial immune diffusion (RID) technique was used to assay the fecal SIgA during these four ages. Marked SIgA changes were detected in the breast milk-fed group. At birth, no fecal SIgA was detected in either group. At 2, 4, and 8 weeks, significant differences were found between the two groups (p4 less than or equal to 0.001 and p8 less than or equal to 0.001). This phenomenon of enhanced fecal SIgA in breast-fed infants versus standard formula-fed infants is not caused solely by the presence of IgA in breast milk; it represents a stimulatory effect of breast milk on the gastrointestinal humoral immunologic development. The possible active stimulatory role of breast milk on the development of immunologic competence and host defense is discussed. These data suggest an additional advantage of breast milk feeding during early life by the protective role of the earlier and enhanced production of SIgA in the gastrointestinal tract.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1988

The mineral and mechanical properties of bone in chronic experimental diabetes.

The long-term effects of experimentally induced diabetes on bone were studied in eight male Lewis rats, intravenously (i.v.) injected with 65 mg/kg of streptozocin (STZ) and maintained for 12 months. Eight untreated age-matched rats served as controls. In the STZ-treated rats, experimentally induced diabetes was documented by the presence of hyperglycemia at 24 h and at 3 and 12 months. Significantly less weight was gained and less growth occurred in the STZ-treated rats despite careful attention to feeding and hydration. Mineral alterations were detected in the bones of the animals with experimental diabetes. Decreased hydroxyapatite crystal perfection, decreased Ca/P of the ash, and decreased ash content in the tibial metaphyses with increased ash content in the tibial diaphyses, was noted relative to controls. Bone osteocalcin content was increased in the metaphyses of the STZ-treated rats. While absolute measures of stiffness, torsional strength and energy absorption were decreased in the bones of the STZ-treated animals, when torsional strength and stiffness were normalized for differences in both growth and geometry, the normalized stiffness values for the diabetic bones were increased. The results suggest that in experimental diabetes certain aspects of bone mineralization are adversely affected and lead to reduced strength-related properties. However, a compensatory increase in stiffness occurs. The reason for this increase, although not known, may be related to changes in bone crystal structure.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Histochemical demonstration of iron but not aluminum in a case of dialysis-associated osteomalacia.

A patient undergoing hemodialysis is described in whom osteomalacia developed despite protracted treatment with calcitriol. Appropriately stained biopsy sections exhibited iron at all marrow-osteoid interfaces and a small fraction of trabecular mineralization fronts. Aluminum, the metal usually associated with osteomalacia in patients undergoing hemodialysis, was not histochemically demonstrable, even though spectrophotometrically measured bone aluminum content was substantial. These observations suggest two interpretations: iron may have caused osteomalacia through effects on bone cells and at mineralization fronts; alternatively, aluminum may have caused osteomalacia while remaining histochemically undetectable. It is possible that both metals exerted toxic effects simultaneously.

Aluminum↗