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Biomedical subjects

V Spina

Publications and source records attributed to V Spina.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

The pineal gland and reproduction.

The hormonal activity of the pineal gland is influenced by both the dark-light cycle and the seasonal cycle, causing it to play an important role in the neuroendocrine control of reproductive physiology. This is especially evident in seasonally breeding animals, in which reproductive function is clearly influenced by seasonal variations in the duration of night and day. Humans are not seasonal breeders. Nevertheless, seasonal fluctuations have been described in human reproduction, and the pineal gland also appears to exert an important role in the neuroendocrine regulation of human reproductive physiology. There is evidence that the epiphysis is involved in the control of sexual maturation. In rats, the maternal pineal appears to influence the gonadal and genital development and function of offspring; this hypothesis has yet to be confirmed in humans. The pineal apparently influences human reproductive function not only at the hypothalamic-pituitary level, by inhibition of the hypothalamic pulsatile secretion of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, but also at the gonadal level, where melatonin receptors have also been found. In addition, melatonin is reported to increase serum prolactin concentrations in both rats and humans. It has been suggested that melatonin is involved in the control of menstrual cyclicity.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The impact of the factor V Leiden mutation on pregnancy.

A resistance to the anticoagulant activity of activated protein C (APC), most frequently due to a point mutation in the Factor V gene (the Leiden mutation), represents the most common genetic cause of thrombophilia. The Leiden mutation has been significantly related to pregnancy complications associated with hypercoagulation, e.g. deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy (8-fold increased risk), pre-eclampsia (prevalence of the mutation up to 26%), placental infarction extending to > 10% of the placenta (10-fold increased risk), abruptio placentae (prevalence of the mutation up to 29.6%), and second- and third-trimester pregnancy failure (prevalence of the mutation up to 31.3%). An association of the maternal mutation with recurrent first-trimester miscarriage does not emerge from the literature, although fetal mutation (frequency higher than twice compared with that of the general population) has been related to early spontaneous miscarriage. Although some evidence suggests an association between APC resistance and intrauterine growth retardation, no significant relationship emerges currently from the literature. Screening for the Leiden mutation would seem advisable in women with previous pregnancy complications amongst those associated with APC resistance. Carriers of the mutation should be given appropriate counselling. The screening of asymptomatic women is not recommended at present.

Factor V↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Diffuse post-traumatic calcification of the anterior longitudinal ligamentum of cervical and dorsal spine].

Among the different conditions causing inflammation and calcification/ossification of the soft tissues of the spinal cord, single or recurrent traumatic events are included. Within the international literature, the involvement of the posterior longitudinal ligament, following spinal cord injuries is frequently reported, especially in the elders. The Authors describe here an uncommon calcification/ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament occurred after a double traumatic event in a young man, followed clinically and radiologically for a long-term period. On the basis of clinical, laboratory and radiological findings, the differential diagnosis with other possible aetiologies, especially DISH (Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis) and ankylosing spondylitis, is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Etiology and epidemiology of extrauterine pregnancy].

In the last years, ectopic pregnancy has become a frequent problem, especially in the industrialized countries. Women aged 30-40 years are mostly affected. Infact, in this ten-years period, more and more women feel the desire of pregnancy at ripe age, first of all because of their job. This study shows 136 cases of extrauterine pregnancy, observed at our hospital, I and II Institute of Obstetric and Gynecological Clinic of "Policlinico Umberto I" in Rome from January 1997 to December 1999. The object of this analysis is to determine the characteristics and ethiologic factors of this pathology.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Female genital mutilation: FGM patients treated at the "Umberto I" polyclinic of Rome: 1985-1996].

The article deals with the medical aspect regarding female genital mutilations (FGM). The cultural origin of this tradition is also considered. Such a practice lies in the partial or complete excision of the external genitalia: it is highly widespread in Central Africa, especially in Ethiopia and Somalia. Currently, approximately 130,000,000 women are involved worldwide. In Italy, it is estimated that about 30,000 women amongst the immigrant population are involved (1). Due to the increasing immigration of women from Countries with FGM tradition, knowledge of the pathologies related to such a practice has become urgently necessary to physicians of western Countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the short-term complications of FGM, which are severe and often even deadly, as well as the long-term ones, which are more likely to be faced in the clinical practice of a western Country physician. In particular, a sample of nine women who had undergone infibulation, amongst the patients admitted at the Departments of Obstetrics and Ginaecology of university of Rome "La Sapienza" during the period 1 January 1985-31 december 1996, has been analyzed. Five out of these women suffered form gynaecological pathologies, whilst four from obstetrical pathologies. Our data on complications associated with FGM are in agreement with those of the world literature and highlight how a more specific expertise is necessary for a correct health care of these women.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Asthma and pregnancy].

During pregnancy the asthma has an incidence of 1-4%. In addition to this pathology we find, during pregnancy, an increased incidence of complications both maternal and fetal. These complications, often serious, happen nearly exclusively in patients with severe asthma and/or badly controlled. Therefore, to reduce the risk of beginning of these complications it's necessary to assess correctly the gravity of asthma before becoming pregnant, to make a careful and periodic control of the respiratory function of the patient, to effect a suitable preventive and/or symptomatic pharmacological therapy and to establish specific sanitary-action measures able to prevent the disease becomes acute.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Magnetic resonance for the study of osteosarcoma].

The authors report their experience with MR imaging in the study of osteosarcoma. Two main elements were evaluated: signal characteristics and loco-regional staging. Seventy-one patients were studied: 65 of them had central long-bone osteosarcoma, and 6 had telangiectatic long-bone osteosarcoma. T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo sequences were employed and all cases were scanned on 3 planes (sagittal, coronal, and axial). In 28 patients MR imaging was performed both before and after preoperative chemotherapy. The obtained data were compared to surgical and pathological findings. With the exception of the typical signal patterns of quite-osteoblastic osteosarcoma (which presents with low signal on both T1- and T2-weighted sequences), no particular signal features were observed which could help distinguish the different types of osteosarcoma. MR imaging is the method of choice in loco-regional staging for, in our series, it allowed a rational and adequate surgical planning. For this purpose, at least a longitudinal T1- and an axial T2-weighted images are required.

Adolescent↗