PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Forte

Publications and source records attributed to A Forte.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Spatial analysis of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Galicia, Spain (2000-2005).

In Spain, the first bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) case was detected in 2000 in a cow born in the Galicia region (Northwestern Spain). From then and until October 2005, 590 cases were detected, 223 of them in Galicia. In 1994, meat and bone meal (MBM) was banned on ruminant feed and, in 1996, an EU decision mandating an overall change in MBM processing was implemented. This decision was gradually applied in the territory and not enforced before July 1998. The objective of this study was to explore clustering of BSE cases and estimate the standard incidence ratio (SIR) of BSE in Galicia. Our study was based on the BSE cases detected during the surveillance period 2000-2005 in the Galicia region. These cases were divided, based on birth date, into two periods: animals born from 1994 to July 1998, and those born after July 1998. We tested the role of cross-contamination on the geographical SIR distribution for both periods. Hierarchical Bayesian models were used to model the overdispersion and lack of independence of the SIR estimates. The geographical distribution of the standard incidence ratio of BSE between both periods was different. In the second period, the SIR was reduced in some areas. The reduction in these areas could be attributable to the changes in the processing of MBM. We did not find any statistical link between the poultry population and the standard incidence ratio, but pig population had a positive effect.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2006

Upregulated TRPC1 channel in vascular injury in vivo and its role in human neointimal hyperplasia.

Occlusive vascular disease is a widespread abnormality leading to lethal or debilitating outcomes such as myocardial infarction and stroke. It is part of atherosclerosis and is evoked by clinical procedures including angioplasty and grafting of saphenous vein in bypass surgery. A causative factor is the switch in smooth muscle cells to an invasive and proliferative mode, leading to neointimal hyperplasia. Here we reveal the importance to this process of TRPC1, a homolog of Drosophila transient receptor potential. Using 2 different in vivo models of vascular injury in rodents we show hyperplasic smooth muscle cells have upregulated TRPC1 associated with enhanced calcium entry and cell cycle activity. Neointimal smooth muscle cells after balloon angioplasty of pig coronary artery also express TRPC1. Furthermore, human vein samples obtained during coronary artery bypass graft surgery commonly exhibit an intimal structure containing smooth muscle cells that expressed more TRPC1 than the medial layer cells. Veins were organ cultured to allow growth of neointimal smooth muscle cells over a 2-week period. To explore the functional relevance of TRPC1, we used a specific E3-targeted antibody to TRPC1 and chemical blocker 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate. Both agents significantly reduced neointimal growth in human vein, as well as calcium entry and proliferation of smooth muscle cells in culture. The data suggest upregulated TRPC1 is a general feature of smooth muscle cells in occlusive vascular disease and that TRPC1 inhibitors have potential as protective agents against human vascular failure.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Pain relief in early rehabilitation of rotator cuff tendinitis: any role for indirect suprascapular nerve block?

AIM: The purpose of the trial was to evaluate the efficacy of suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) to relieve the shoulder pain, ameliorate recovery after physiotherapy and reduce disability due to a rotator cuff tendinitis (RCT). A prospective, randomized, comparison cross over investigation was performed in the setting of a large inpatient rehabilitation unit with more than 200 admissions annually. METHODS: A total of 40 potential study subjects, who complained of shoulder pain from a RCT, were enrolled and randomly assigned to standard rehabilitation treatment plus SSNB (Group A) or to standard rehabilitation treatment alone (Group B). The UCLA shoulder rating scale was used to assess the shoulder mobility on admission and discharge, and to calculate the percentage of potential improvement achieved during rehabilitation (effectiveness). A pain visual analogic scale was used to serially assess pain. At the end of the trial, a self-report questionnaire evaluated whether patients could sleep and achieve activity of day life carry out everyday activities better than they could before treatment. RESULTS: Forty patients suffering from RCT entered the study. Those receiving nerve block from the beginning of the treatment in addition to standard rehabilitation therapy reported significantly less pain during physiotherapy and better final outcomes. During treatment with SSNBs, patients reported a more significant reduction in the intensity of pain and a better reduction of pain during sleep and rehabilitation exercises in comparison to with the standard therapy alone. A statistically significant inverse correlation was found between shoulder pain and mobility. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that combining nerve block with standard rehabilitative therapy may improve the final outcome of painful RCT. It decreased the severity and frequency of the perceived pain, improved the compliance with physiotherapy, restored more normal sleep patterns, and increased compliance with the rehabilitation program. This result proves to be an effective, safe and inexpensive therapeutic option for patients suffering from painful disabling shoulder tendinitis.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed2006

[Complications of the Lichtenstein inguinal hernioplasty].

The Lichtenstein inguinal hernioplasty in the original version or with small variations currently allows good results both from the surgical point of view and in terms of reduction of the sanitary expenses. "Tension free" repair and diffusion of local anesthesia allow a drastic reduction of the hospital stay, a early time of the working activity and the diffusion of the admission to the Day Hospital. The authors introduce the own casuistic that comprise 1116 inguinal hernioplasty in 1,034 patients and on the base of two studies, a retrospective one and another prospective, they conclude that a greater attention in the behavior of the intervention and a more accurate preparation of the patients represent fundamental moments to obtain even more satisfactory results.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Leiomyosarcoma of brachiocephalic vein: case report].

Primary leiomyosarcoma of venous origin is a rare but frequently lethal disease. Clinical symptoms can be different, often not much evident or absolutely absent. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult also with modern imaging and only pathological examination can identify this malignant tumor. Successful therapy requires early surgery but the long-term survival is poor. A case of leiomyosarcoma arising from veins has been presented.

Brachiocephalic Veins↗
PubMed2005

Hemispheric lateralization patterns and psychotic experiences in healthy subjects.

The hypothesis that psychotic experiences in healthy subjects are associated with a dysfunction of the right hemisphere is supported by some, but not all, available studies. Differences in gender composition of study samples may explain in part the divergent findings. The present study was carried out in 42 healthy, right-handed university students. Scores on the Schizophrenia and Paranoia scales of the Minnesota Multidimensional Personality Inventory-2 were used in correlation analyses and to define a High- and a Low-Psychotic group. Brain Electrical Microstates and Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA) source analyses of the auditory P300 (P3a and P3b) components of the event-related potential, as well as a battery of neuropsychological tests, were used to assess hemispheric functioning. Scores on the Paranoia scale were positively associated with a leftward shift of the P3a topographic descriptors in females but not in males. When comparing High-Psychotic and Low-Psychotic females, a leftward shift of P3a descriptors and an increased cortical activation in left fronto-temporal areas were observed in the High-Psychotic group. Our results demonstrated gender-related differences in the pattern of hemispheric imbalance associated with psychotic experiences in healthy subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Small interfering RNAs and antisense oligonucleotides for treatment of neurological diseases.

The complexity of the central nervous system (CNS) exposes it to a number of different diseases, often caused by only small variations in gene sequence or expression level. Antisense oligonucleotides and RNA interference-mediated therapies hold great promise for the treatment of CNS diseases in which neurodegeneration is linked to overproduction of endogenous protein or to synthesis of aberrant proteins coded by dominant mutant alleles. Nevertheless, difficulties related to the crossing of the blood-brain barrier, expression vectors, molecule design and to the choosing of the correct target, should be effectively solved. This review summarizes some of the most recent findings concerning the administration of potential nucleic acid-based therapeutic drugs, as well as the most promising studies performed both in vitro and in animal models of disease. Finally, some current clinical trials involving antisense oligonucleotides or silencing RNA for therapy of neurological disorders are illustrated. Results of current studies and clinical trials are exciting, and further results will be certainly reached with increasing knowledge of blood-brain barrier transporters, of genes involved in neurological disease and in new vectors for efficient delivery to brain.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Polypoid lesions of the gallbladder: diagnostic and therapeutic problems].

The nature of polypoid lesions of the gallbladder is difficult to define. Surgical indication still remains controversial but in some cases mandatory. In this clinical study data were retrospectively evaluated in 25 patients with polypoid lesions who underwent laparoscopic surgery to elucidate the ultrasonic findings and to establish criteria for the best treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Operative table-induced pressure ulcers].

The Authors conducted a study on 780 patients who underwent surgery. Fourteen patients developed operative table-induced pressure ulcers of different gravity. This paper is a description of these 14 cases. From the literature and from experience we know that the major exogenous risk factor for intraoperative pressure ulcers is the operation time. Therefore, special attention should be paid to preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative prevention. The knowledge of the pathology, specialized personnel and the use of appropriate facilities can reduce the risks of complication that are important sanitary and economic issue.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Intraoperative limphonodal mapping in gastric, pulmonary and large bowel tumors. The sentinel limphonode technique].

The concept of the sentinel lymphatic node was introduced by Cabanas in 1977, but it has proved to be successful for the treatment of the melanoma and breast cancer only since the 90s. Many studies have recently extended this technique to other neoplasias. This study deals with 36 patients who were to undergo surgery for 14 gastric adenocarcinomas, 11 of the colon and 11 pulmonary. Once the neoplastic mass was detected, 2 to 5 ml of a vital dye (Blu Patent) were injected in the serosa along the perimeter of the tumor by means of several 0.5 ml injections. A lymphatic node was diagnosed in 22 patients, respectively 10 gastric neoplasias, 6 pulmonary, 6 of the colon. In 14 cases the lymphatic node was found to be negative, in 8 cases positive. In the remaining 14 patients the lymphatic node was not detected. Although data do not always agree, the sentinel lymphatic node technique seems to have been successful for this kind of tumors. For this reason we have carried out this study and published our first data.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

[Surgical treatment of lung metastasis: experience with 108 cases].

In this study the Author's analyze their experience (between September 1973 and December 2002) with 108 pulmonary resections for metastatic tumors to the lungs to evaluate prognostic factors and the impact on survival of extended metastasectomy. Overall mortality and major morbidity were 1.85% and 2.78%. The actuarial survivals at 5 and 10 years were respectively 46.6% and 39.9%. The best mean survivals are observed in patients with metastases from breast, colorectal, thyroid and urinary tract carcinomas, in cases with disease free interval > 12 months and in the patients who underwent sequentially surgery and chemotherapy. Patients with pulmonary metastases also potentially benefit from iterative pulmonary resection.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Inguinal hernioplasty: the gold standard of hernia repair.

On the basis of a critical review of 936 inguinal hernioplasties performed in 8 years, the authors present their good long-term results with tension-free techniques including the original Lichtenstein technique, Lichtenstein with a sutured mesh and annulorrhaphy of the deep inguinal ring, and Lichtenstein with plug. The only two recurrences in this case series occurred with the original technique. Suturing of the mesh and deep inguinal ring annulorrhaphy proved to be reliable and inexpensive. Results were equivalent with the use of the plug, despite the presence of an additional foreign body. In conclusion, the results obtained with the three variants are practically equivalent, and the choice of technique may depend on the preference and experience of the surgeon.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Surgical injury of rat arteries: genetic control of the remodelling process.

OBJECTIVES: Remodelling and restenosis are complex biological processes responsible for bypass and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty failures which are likely to affect many hundreds of genes. We evaluated the effectiveness of topically applied antisense oligonucleotides in reducing the translation of the messenger RNA for the transcription factor c-myc and in reducing stenosis. METHODS: Surgery was performed under sterile conditions; 60 Wistar-Kyoto male rats were anaesthetized by ketamine. The carotid arteries were isolated through a median incision in the anterior neck region. At the same point, 0.5 mm longitudinal incisions were performed. Haemostasis was obtained by an adventitial 8.0 stitch. Thirty animals were given 150 microg of c-myc antisense oligonucleotide (Group A) while the other 30 animals received 150 microg of c-myc control sense oligonucleotide (Group B). Oligo molecules were locally applied through 100 microl of 20% pluronic gel. Rats were sacrificed at 30 days; carotid arteries were explanted and stained. Qualitative histological analysis was performed in all cases; serial sections were made every 25 micro in seven consecutive rats for each group. Morphometric analysis was also performed, luminal and medial area values recorded and the ratio between the two areas calculated. Data from each animal were compared with the corresponding contralateral carotid artery and expressed as mean+/-standard deviation. Statistical comparison between the two groups was carried out by one-way ANOVA text. RESULTS: Qualitative histological analysis showed marked remodelling with complete disarray of vessel wall, neointima accumulation and evidence of elastic fibres in the adventitia of all animals of Group B versus Group A. Morphometric analysis showed a significant reduction in the lumen area in Group A animals together with increased values of the medial area versus Group B animals. In addition, the ratio between the lumen and medial area was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B (2.61+/-0.18 versus 1.14+/-0.33, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: c-myc antisense oligonucleotides applied intraoperatively can reduce post-operative stenosis.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2002

NM23 expression as prognostic factor in colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The current most important prognostic indicator in colorectal carcinoma is tumor stage at the moment of diagnosis. The role of NM23 gene as prognostic factor is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate NM23 expression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population included 104 unselected patients who underwent surgery for colorectal carcinoma between 1992 and 1997. NM23 expression was quantified by estimating the percentage of tumor cells with unequivocal reactivity. The percentage was scored: 0 when no tumor cells showed immunoreactivity; 1 when less than 10% of cells showed immunoreactivity; 2 when 11-50% of cells were positive; 3 when more than 51% of cells were positive. RESULTS: Four cases belonged to group 0.21 to group 1.55 to group 2 and 24 to group 3. CONCLUSION: NM23 cannot be considered an independent prognostic variable.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed2002

[Complications of inguinal hernia repair].

It's shown by literature and confirmed by Author's experience that, on account of the excellent results, prosthetic repair of inguinal hernia is more effective than "conventional" (Bassini, Mc Vay, Shouldice). Between January 1993 and December 2000 were observed 875 patients with inguinal hernia (814 monolateral, 61 bilateral); all patients underwent a Lichtenstein repair both in the primary version and in its variations (internal ring plastic, trasversalis plicate, plug repair). The patients were discharged from hospital within 24 hours after surgery in 90% of cases. No important intraoperative complications were observed; the patients restarting work varied from 3 to 15 days after the discharging in relation to patient anxiety, onset of complications and to the type of work. The complications observed were: urine retention (1.6%), superficial haematoma (1.3%), superficial infection (1%), wound suppuration (0.5%), serous effusion (0.7%), postsurgery pain (2.1%), scrotal edema (1.7%), persistent inguinal neuralgia (0.6), local hypoesthesia (4.3%), ischemical orchitis (0.1%), recurrence (0.2%). In conclusion Authors assert that "tension free" repair allows optimal results both for the surgery point (easiness of the technique, repeatability, less invasivity, scanty incident of recurrences, low frequency of postoperative complications) and in economic terms, allowing an early mobilization of the patients. A further improvement would be obtained with more care in surgical and patient management, with more excellent results.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Molecular analysis of arterial stenosis in rat carotids.

A new model of surgical injury for the induction and development of stenosis in common rat carotids is described. This model differs from balloon angioplasty or vein graft systems currently applied on animals to develop stenosis, since it involves the entire vessel wall layers and mimics the injury occurring during arterial grafts, endarterectomy or organ transplantation. At different times following arterial damage, the pattern of expression of genes already known to be involved in the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of smooth muscle cells (c-myc, Angiotensin II receptor 1, Bcl-2 and Bax alpha), as well as of Rb and Rb2 genes, whose pattern of expression after arterial injury has not yet been reported, was analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique. Histological and histochemical analysis on carotid sections shows the morphological changes which occurred 30 days after surgical injury in the vessel wall. Molecular and histological data demonstrate that this model of surgical injury induces neointimal proliferation in about 30% of rats. In about 70% of the remaining rats, it induces the processes responsible for negative remodelling, namely the significant accumulation of extracellular matrix and fibers and disorganization of arterial tunics. This model is therefore available for further studies on the expression of genes involved in the arterial stenotic process, as well as for testing drugs aimed at limiting this recurrent pathophysiological phenomenon.

Animals↗