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Biomedical subjects

A Gagliano

Publications and source records attributed to A Gagliano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Neurobiology of autism: Study of a sample of autistic children].

AIM: Recent studies on the neuroanatomic, neurofunctional and/or neurochemical features of the autistic disorder (AD) gave many evidences suggesting the hypothesis that different organic factors may lead to a disruption of the cerebral development finally expressing with an autistic pattern. The aim of this study was to study a sample of subjects with AD with a wide protocol, including neurophysiological and radiological investigations as well as laboratory investigations in order to investigate the neurobiologic basis of the syndrome. METHODS: The patients group included 80 subjects diagnosed as having AD. All were examined with a protocol of investigations including: brain MRI; wakefulness and sleep EEG; VEP, ABR; karyotype and search of the fragile X; serum and urinary levels of serotonin, catecolamines, omovanillic acid, aminoacids, ammonium, lactic acid, creatine kinase, piruvic acid, calcium, uric acid, total proteins, antibodies against neurotrophic agents. RESULTS: Eighty-eight percent of subjects had at least one pathologic neurobiological parameter. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the different noxae involved in the etiopathogenesis of AD and the percentage that every biological factor has in the development of the autistic phenotype. Furthermore, it confirms that AD corresponds to an atypical behavioural phenotype expression of a cerebral dysfunction with heterogeneous etiology.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed2004

Tumour morphology as a predictor of outcome after local excision of rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether the morphology of rectal cancer predicts outcome following treatment by local excision, and whether morphology should therefore be added to the criteria presently used for case selection. METHODS: The hospital notes and histological findings of 91 patients who had undergone a local surgical procedure for rectal cancer were reviewed retrospectively. Eight patient and tumour characteristics including morphology were analysed with respect to 5-year survival, local recurrence and cancer-specific death within 5 years. Morphology was divided into four types: polypoid, sessile, ulcerated and flat raised. RESULTS: Survival and local recurrence were significantly better for patients with exophytic (polypoid and sessile) carcinomas than for those with non-exophytic (ulcerated and flat raised) lesions. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, depth of invasion, lymphatic invasion and venous invasion were significant predictors of outcome. The exophytic group included significantly more stage T1 and fewer T2 and T3 cancers, and a significantly smaller proportion of tumours that showed venous and lymphatic invasion than the non-exophytic group. CONCLUSION: Morphology is a clinical guide to prognosis after local excision. Non-exophytic cancers are associated with high-risk histopathological features that render tumours of this type unsuitable for local excision.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Motor and perceptual-motor competence in children with Down syndrome: variation in performance with age.

The aim of this study was to determine whether perceptual-motor competence in school-age children with Down syndrome was generally delayed or varied as a function of type of action. Twenty-two children with Down syndrome (13 males, 9 females), aged between 4.5 and 14 years were assessed on two standardized tests, the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC), a test of motor competence assessing gross and fine motor coordination, and on the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, a test focusing on shape copying. In order to obtain a profile of each child's performance on the different items contained in the Movement ABC, the test was used in its extended form. This involves testing any child who failed an item appropriate for his/her level, at progressively lower levels until a base-line measure was obtained. All the children obtained scores below the 5th percentile for their age on both tests. However, superimposed on this delay, we found distinct variation as a function of task. Whereas some aspects of gross motor function showed age development with delayed but regular acquisitions, all the aspects of fine motor skills assessed were more severely impaired and showed little development with age. Accuracy and timing of tasks requiring bimanual coordination were most impaired in our sample while balance and ball skills showed more variability. These results suggest that intervention in the motor domain should be varied according to each child's particular profile of performance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Transposition of the omentum to the thigh, for the vascular salvage of a limb. Apropos of 17 cases].

A new procedure to supply effective anastomotic blood supply via the omentum transpositioned to the hip in cases of impaired lower limb vascularization was proposed in 16 cases of stage III and stage IV obliterative artherosclerosis including one case of massive venous thrombosis. The results demonstrated that under rigorously controlled fundamental conditions, circulation can be established and the limb can be saved. 1--good omentum vascularization is essential: the two gastroepiploic arteries must have a large caliber and form a complete anastomotic circle. 2--After disconnecting the omentum from the stomach, while carefully protecting the gastro-epiploic arcade, one pedicle is sectioned and the other is saved depending upon the side the omentum is transpositioned. It is best to save the right pedicle which has a stronger flow even for the left limb. If the omentum is ample enough, the anatomic situation does not require a lengthening plasy. 3--If the omentum is insufficiently long, it is lengthened by a second counter-section between the two gastro-epiploic and epiploic arcades. The ends of the arcades can thus be placed in direct contact forming a unique continuous arcade. This plasty is only possible if the anastomotic circle of the gastro-epiploic arcade is complete. 4--Transposition to the hip is made by including the omentum between the rectus and its posterior sheath through a newly formed channel widening the crural canal. The omentum is thus incorporated as a bridge forming a major circulatory route between the subclavian artery and the pelvic and lower limb arteries. 5--We recommend transpositioning the omentum after lumbar sympathectomy to favour strong vasodilatation and lower flow resistance helping create favourable conditions for the new anastomotic circulation. 6--Based on these specific conditions, we have had excellent results in 80% of the cases for the entire life-span of the patients who underwent the operation. The two cases with poor results occurred after a major technical error due to a lengthening plasty on an omentum without a complete gastro-epiploic arcade.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Biliary ileus. Our experience].

Personal surgical experience of 7 cases of typical gallstone ileus and 2 cases of Bouveret's syndrome secondary to spontaneous bilio-digestive fistula of lithiasic aetiology are reported. After analysing the problems inherent in the clinical picture and the diagnostic protocol, stress is laid on the therapeutic strategies employable in the event of typical gallstone ileus. It is concluded that single stage correction of the bilio-digestive occlusion and fistula is always preferable except in patients whose general condition is very poor. Patients should initially be submitted to treatment of intestinal occlusion alone.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Quantitative analysis of quadriceps muscle biopsy. Results in 7 definite and 45 possible carriers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Quadriceps muscle biopsy was performed in 7 definite and 45 possible carriers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Unequivocal morphological changes were observed in 8 women; all but one of them were already detected as carriers by increased serum CK. Histometric analysis of muscle biopsy was performed on two fibre types (type 1 and type 2) in all 52 women; in 38 of them the two subgroups of type 2 fibres (type 2a and type 2b) were also quantified. Results of histometric analysis were matched with control values obtained from 30 healthy females in the same age as the carriers (20-50 yr). Histometric analysis on two fibre types detected a percentage of carriers (27%) much lower than that detected by serum CK determination (44%). The detection rate of combined serum CK determination and histometric analysis of muscle biopsy was: 100% in definite carriers, 65% in mothers possible carriers, 38% in sisters and 25% in the group of cousins and aunts. The histometric parameters most frequently altered were atrophy factor and variability coefficient of mean diameter. Histometric analysis carried out on three fibre types in 38 women detected 2 more carriers showing atrophy of type 2b fibres. The results indicate that quantitative analysis of muscle biopsy may be used to detect some possible carriers with normal serum CK. However, an adequate number of controls is mandatory; in fact the detection rate of histometric analysis of muscle biopsy decreased by increasing the number of controls, resulting much lower than previously reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Immunohistochemical localization of chondroitin sulfate in normal and pathological human muscle.

The immunohistological localization of chondroitin sulfate (CS) has been studied in normal and pathological human muscle. The bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycan digested with chondroitinase ABC (BNC-PG-Ch ABC) has been utilized for the production of a rabbit polyclonal antiserum. In vitro studies showed that the antiserum binds to the unsaturated disaccharide that remains attached to the core protein after digestion of the CS chains with chondroitinase ABC (Ch ABC). As the disaccharide is created specifically by Ch ABC digestion of the CS chains, the antiserum allows the immunolocalization of CS on tissue sections digested with Ch ABC. The immunohistochemical study on normal and pathological muscle demonstrated a localization of CS in all the extracellular structures: endomysium, perimysium, muscle spindle capsule and intrafusal space. In pathological conditions, the CS was raised in all the cases with increased connective tissue, showing a pattern comparable to that obtained with fibronectin and collagen III. None of the pathological conditions displayed any peculiar character of CS distribution. This finding does not support a primary role for CS in the pathogenesis of muscular dystrophy.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1978

[Unusual case of urogenital anomaly].

A case of associated malformation of the urogenital apparatus, right renal aplasia associated with uterus unicornis with the second uterine duct being independent of the first and located in the corner of the right iliac vessels, in reported in a woman of 41. Three pregnancies had all terminated regularly with live foetus born from eutocic delivery. The unusual nature of the case is insisted on and it would not seem possible to include it in any of the five classes established by Musset et al.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

[Intraoperative peritoneal lavage in generalized acute peritonitis. Experience with 61 cases].

After wide preface about peritoneal anatomy, pathological, physiology and physiopatology and about the physiopatology of general acute peritonitis, a case records of 61 patients is produced. All the patients were shocked and urgently operated for general acute septic peritonitis and were abundantly washed with a polisaline solution during the operation. That washing technique is described and the authors remark its abundancy (at least 10-12 litres) and its systematicity. They also remark that the washing is the true and main moment of the reanimation and it is the most important salvage action in the general acute peritonitis. The antibiotical therapy, especially the topical one, and the drainage are only complementary elements in the treatment. Among 61 patients, with an average of 54 years, there were eight deaths (13%) in old patients, with an average of 71 years and they were all caused by cardiac and circulatory disease. No patient died for peritonitis or for toxic-infections causes. The postoperative morbility (eight patients-13%) was mainly caused by the infection of the laparotomy and it only prolonged some days the stay in hospital.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Carcinoma of the ileo-cecal appendix].

A structurally impaired appendix observed during laparotomy in a woman of 62, suffering from gall stones with stenosis of the papilla, was removed. Histological examination showed carcinoma. Right hemicolectomy was performed later.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗