Cycloartane glucosides from Juncus effusus.
Five new cycloartane glucosides, juncosides I-V, have been isolated from Juncus effusus. The structures have been determined on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic studies.
Carbohydrate Sequence↗
Biomedical subjects
A Fiorentino
Publications and source records attributed to A Fiorentino.
Oleanane glycosides from Hydrocotyle ranunculoides.
Six new oleanane glycosides, ranuncosides I-VI, have been isolated from Hydrocotyle ranunculoides. Their structures have been determined on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic studies.
Carbohydrate Sequence↗
Progesterone bioconversion by microalgal cultures.
Ten different strains of unicellular microalgae have been used in the bioconversion of progesterone. Regio and stereoselective reduction and hydroxylation of the title compound were induced. A 9,10-seco derivative was obtained in high yield by using Scenedesmus quadricauda.
Biotransformation↗
Biological factors affecting subzonal sperm microinjection results.
One hundred and sixteen couples with severe male factor infertility underwent 139 subzonal sperm microinjection cycles. In total, 1343 oocytes were microinjected, resulting in a fertilization rate of 24%, followed by a cleavage rate of 65%. In 26% of the zygotes, fertilization was delayed and embryos derived from these zygotes demonstrated a poor capacity for further growth and implantation. In 102 of 139 cycles (73%) embryo transfer was performed, resulting in 9 pregnancies. This study followed the fate of injected oocytes and early embryo development to investigate biological factors that influence the results of subzonal injection.
Embryo Transfer↗
Can iodine-131 whole-body scan be replaced by thyroglobulin measurement in the post-surgical follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma?
This study compared serum thyroglobulin measurement and whole-body scans in the post-surgical follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Thyroglobulin levels were measured in 61 patients receiving L-thyroxine therapy after thyroidectomy, and again after suspension of therapy, before performing a whole-body scan with iodine-131. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of thyroglobulin levels, measured during L-thyroxine therapy, for diagnosis of tumor residue or metastases were then calculated and compared with results obtained by diagnostic whole-body scanning. Our data show that neither thyroglobulin levels nor whole-body scans alone can discriminate between patients with or without metastases. Sensitivity reached 95.7%, specificity 100%, and accuracy 96.7% if results of both procedures were also taken into consideration. We conclude that in the management and follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma both parameters need to be evaluated.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Postoperative recurrence of simple goiter and replacement therapy. Study of 210 patients.
The incidence of recurrent goiter after different surgical procedures for colloid-cystic goiter has been studied in 210 patients. The results of the study confirm the high incidence of recurrence (35.7%). This incidence was shown to be higher in patients undergoing more conservative surgery. Furthermore, the incidence resulted also higher in younger patients, while it was lower after postoperative replacement therapy.
Adolescent↗
Prevalence of parathyroid insufficiency after thyroidectomy: study of 1037 cases.
In 1037 patients undergoing total (827 cases) or partial thyroidectomy (52 cases of subtotal thyroidectomy, 108 of hemithyroidectomy, 50 of enucleation and resection) for each study group the incidence of hypoparathyroidism, its possible causes and technical factors favouring the onset, were examined. In this series postoperative prevalence of hypoparathyroidism was 16.6%. It seems to be directly proportional to the extent of surgery thus confirming the necessity to locate and preserve the parathyroid glands during surgery. This should be as conservative as possible according to the prognosis of the thyroid disease.
Cross-Sectional Studies↗
Accessory to the Talairach's apparatus for orthogonal approaches. Technical note.
A stereotactic device is described which, without modifying the main characteristics of the Talairach's stereotactic apparatus, increases its flexibility in orthogonal approaches. This accessory, which replaces the double-grid system, permits any orthogonal access on the X and Y coordinates and insertion of any type of electrode, catheter or probe, without the constraints of the double grid holes. Its use in different stereotactic operations (brain tumor biopsy or curietherapy, implantation of intracerebral depth electrodes for stereo-EEG recording) proved its wide working capability and great reliability.
Humans↗
Complementary role of whole body scan and serum thyroglobulin determination in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
In 233 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma previously treated by total thyroidectomy supplemented, when necessary, with a therapeutic dose of 131I, serum thyroglobulin determinations and whole body scans were simultaneously performed. 82 of the 233 showed local or distant metastases: they were detected by both tests only in 36 cases. In 43 patients thyroglobulin was positive but without pathological concentrations of 131I at whole body scan were observed. The remaining 3 cases were detected on the basis of the positive whole body scan only, without increase in the circulating thyroglobulin. These results suggest that caution should be taken when considering thyroglobulin determination as possible substitutive test of whole body scan in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. However, for optimal sensitivity and reliability the complementary role of the two tests is stressed.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Stereotaxic device for polar approaches in orthogonal systems. Technical note.
A special stereotaxic device is described which was conceived and built to integrate the peculiar orthogonal approach of the well known Talairach apparatus with a polar approach. The device is useful to reach small and deep-seated brain targets, particularly those located on or close to the midline. Its use in several different stereotaxic operations, such as thalamotomy, brain-tumor biopsy, or radiotherapy, proved its flexibility, safety, and reliability.
Stereotaxic Techniques↗
Energy substrates, mitochondrial membrane potential and human preimplantation embryo division.
Carbohydrate additives to modern embryo culture media are based on three basic energy sources, glucose, pyruvate and lactate. Although the use of these substrates is almost universal, debate continues as to the roles of the individual components in the human. This is mainly due to the lack of human embryos for research and the reliance on animal model systems. In the present work, the human embryo was used to study the role of the above simple substrates in the maintenance of the mitochondrial membrane potential and cell division. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured with fluorescence techniques. Cell division was scored as the number of blastomeres on day 3. Both the mitochondrial membrane potential and cell division were dramatically lost in the absence of energy sources. The mitochondrial membrane potential and cell division were normal in media containing all three energy sources, or in pyruvate-containing media. Both glucose and lactate individually proved poor energy sources for the maintenance of the mitochondrial membrane potential. However, cell division continued in the presence of glucose, suggesting that some energy production can continue. These data suggest that pyruvate is an absolute requirement for mitochondrial respiration and cell cleavage during human preimplantation development. The role of lactate is as yet unclear.
Adult↗
Thyroid carcinoma with biphasic clinical course and evolution in medullary carcinoma-follicular variant. A case report and an immunocytochemical demonstration of calcitonin and thyroglobulin in the same neoplastic cells.
The authors present an unusual case of thyroid neoplasia firstly diagnosed as an anaplastic carcinoma with no rise in plasma thyroglobulin (Tg) and treated with total thyroidectomy and radioiodine administration. After 18 months regional lymph node metastases were present with a rise in plasma calcitonin (Ct) (8000-14000 pg/ml); lymphectomy and external radiation were performed and histology revealed a metastasis from thyroid medullary carcinoma. After 3 years, mediastinal and right supraclavicular masses were present with a concomitant rise in plasma calcitonin (from 700 to 3400 pg/ml); all neoplastic lesions showed radioiodine uptake and plasma Tg was 8.9 ng/ml. A biopsy of the supraclavicular region was taken and 131I therapy was attempted, but the patient died after 6 months. Immunocytochemistry of the biopsy revealed the presence of a medullary carcinoma-follicular variant: the neoplastic cells were variably reacting with anti-Ct and anti Tg, and, moreover, the two antigens were sometimes observed in the same cell bodies. The metabolic pattern and the clinical course of this tumour are discussed, and the authors propose that Ct and Tg plasma levels be evaluated and a total body scan (WBS) with radioiodine be performed in all cases of medullary or poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma↗
[Organotherapy treatment in the course of normofunctional goiter. Long-term results in 104 patients].
Results of therapy with thyroid hormones (LT4 and/or LT3) were evaluated in 104 patients (95 females and 9 males) with simple diffuse or nodular goiter. The mean interval of observation was 7.2 years. The reported results were analysed in relation to patient's age at the onset of the pathology, time elapsed since its appearance, place of origin and sex of the patient, results of laboratory studies, and clinical signs.
Adolescent↗
Human embryo co-culture: results of a randomized prospective study.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in vitro culture of human embryos in the presence or absence of a Vero cell monolayer. DESIGN: Randomized prospective analysis. PATIENTS: Seventy-five couples were randomly allocated to either an experimental study group (embryos in co-culture) or a control group. RESULTS: A significantly higher cleavage rate (92%) was obtained in the co-culture group compared with the control group (83%). In addition, a higher percentage of morphologically superior embryos was observed in the co-culture group than in the control group, although no significant difference was found between the two groups in blastocyst development or clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: When taking final clinical results into consideration in a routine IVF program, the conventional method provides more practicality and efficiency if transfers are performed on either day 2 or 3. However, if embryos remain in culture, co-culture systems allow for replacements or cryopreservation at the blastocyst stage.
Animals↗