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Biomedical subjects

A Grassi

Publications and source records attributed to A Grassi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Significance of lactose breath test in the newborn].

Lactose breath test have been performed in healthy newborns, in whom breath hydrogen excretion was preliminarily demonstrated by lactulose breath test. 27.5% of newborns showed positive lactose breath test, with no differences related to sex and gestational age, while a higher percentage of positive test has been found in < 2500 g and formula-fed neonates compared, respectively, to > or = 2500 g and breast-fed ones. In healthy newborns, without any clinical signs of lactose intolerance, it is possible to demonstrate hydrogen in expired air; this is not equivalent of lactose malabsorption, but, instead, depends on the phenomenon of colonic fermentation that allows energy and nutrient absorption.

Breath Tests↗
PubMed1994

Low-risk endometrial hyperplasia: hysteroscopy and histologic evaluation after treatment with LH-RH analogue.

Endometrial hyperplasia is an endometrial pathologic condition often found at perimenopausal age. Abnormal uterine bleeding (A.U.B.) is the most frequent symptom of endometrial hyperplasia. The combination of hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy is the most suitable approach for the diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia in symptomatic patients. We have studied endometrial modifications due to LHRH-analogue in 75 patients with AUB and with a hysteroscopic and histologic picture of low-risk endometrial hyperplasia. LHRH analogue is a valid treatment for all estrogen induced pathologies, because of its suppressive action on hypothalamic-hypophysary gonadotropins. The administration of LHRH for 4 months induced an improvement of the menstrual cycle within the first month of treatment in 53.3% of cases. At the end of treatment 100% of the patients were in amenorrhea. The hysteroscopic follow-up at 3 months showed an endometrial thinning with a tendency to hypoatrophy of the mucosa in 72% of cases. Three months after the end of treatment 20 patient had regular menstrual cycles and hysteroscopic and a histologic picture of normal endometrium. Only 30 patients had persistent amenorrhea with a consequent hysteroscopic and histologic picture of endometrial hypoatrophy. The use of LHRH analogue seems to have a great impact on the management of estrogen-dependent gynaecological benign diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

TAG-72 (CA 72-4 assay) as a complementary serum tumor antigen to carcinoembryonic antigen in monitoring patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is the most frequently chosen tumor marker in the clinical diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma and in the long-term monitoring of patients after tumor resection. In recent years, monoclonal antibody technology has identified several new markers of neoplasia, two of which, TAG-72 and CA 19-9, are found in the sera of patients with adenocarcinoma. Serum CEA, TAG-72, and CA 19-9 were evaluated in 300 patients with either malignant (n = 200) or benign (n = 100) colorectal disease. METHODS: Serum CEA, TAG-72 (CA 72-4), and CA 19-9 antigen levels were determined with a double-determinant radioimmunometric assay kit. Samples and appropriate standards were assayed in duplicate. The cutoff limits used for each assay were indicated by the manufacturer. All of the results of the CA 72-4, CEA, and CA 19-9 serum assays were separated from the clinical information until the study was completed. RESULTS: Of the 200 patients with colorectal carcinoma, the percentage of patients whose serum samples were positive for CEA, TAG-72, or CA 19-9 was 43%, 43%, and 27%, respectively. The measurement of TAG-72 with CEA for patients with primary or recurrent colorectal carcinoma increased substantially (to 60%) the percentage of positive serum samples when compared with measuring each serum tumor marker alone. Moreover, the apparent advantage gained by measuring the two tumor markers was achieved with little increase in the number of false-positive results. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support previous observations of complementary expression of TAG-72 and CEA and indicate that a significant advantage could be gained in the detection of primary and, perhaps, recurrent colorectal carcinoma by incorporating the measurement of serum TAG-72 with that of CEA.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

X-ray molecular structures and theoretical conformational studies of narcotic analgesics alpha-(-)-N-cis-3-chloroallyl-normetazocine, ethylketazocine, and ketazocine.

The X-ray molecular structures of the narcotic analgesics alpha-(-)-2-cis-3-chlorallyl-2'-hydroxy-5,9-dimethyl-6,7-benzomorp han (1) and alpha-(+-)-2-cyclopropylmethyl-2'-hydroxy-5-ethyl-9-methyl-8-oxo-6,7- benzomorphan (ethylketazocine, 2) were determined. The structures and conformations in the crystal were compared and discussed with respect to that of alpha-(+-)-2-cyclopropylmethyl-2'-hydroxy-5,9-dimethyl-8- oxo-6,7-benzomorfan (ketazocine, 3) and those of 15 analogous compounds of the 2'-hydroxy-6,7-benzomorphan series whose structures were previously determined by X-ray analysis. Molecular modeling routines for 1, 2, and 3 produced configurations (N-equatorial) and conformations (distorted chair) of the piperidine ring that were in agreement with those found in the solids. Theoretical studies of the conformations and the rotational energetics of 1, 2, and 3 as cationic species were performed by both the force field (MM2) and the semiquantitative (AM1) methods. The latter method predicted three low energy conformations about N--C(12) and C(12)--C(13) bonds, one of these being more significantly populated (60-68%). The AM1 results were not reproduced by the MM2 method, which predicted four low energy conformations. An interesting common feature of 1, 2, and 3 that was noted with both methods was the restricted interconversion route from the conformational state to another through rotations about the C(12)--C(13) bond. The conformational results were discussed in terms of a working hypothesis for regulation of relative mu and kappa analgesic activities of benzomorphans.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed1993

[Colonic varices secondary to recurrent acute pancreatitis].

Colonic varices are a rare finding, with variable clinical features. The authors describe the first case of colonic varices secondary to acute recurrent pancreatitis, and associated with colon cancer. There are about 70 reports of colonic varices; none of them is related to acute recurrent pancreatitis, whereas 52 are related to portal hypertension, and 9 are on a familial basis. Association with colon cancer is reported in one case, and seems to be occasional.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

Effect of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus on gut mucosa and peripheral blood B lymphocytes.

In 15 elderly individuals lyophilized Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) (Infloran) were administered in capsules (two capsules 4 times per day) for 28 days, while in 10 elderly controls placebo were given the same posology and for an equal period of time. The effects of this treatment on the immune system both at the periphery or the intestinal level were investigated. Results show that BB and LA significantly reduced the colonic inflammatory infiltration, without altering T, B and Leu7 + cell percentage. At the same time, a significant increase of B cell frequency in the peripheral blood was noted, in comparison to controls. The overall results suggest that the regular administration of BB and LA leads to a modulation of the immunological and inflammatory response in elderly subjects.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

The association of Helicobacter pylori infection with low levels of urea and pH in the gastric juices.

Fifty-four gastric biopsies and their relative gastric juices were analyzed for the presence of Helicobacter pylori with both cultural and microscopic methods. Thirty-one samples were positive and twenty-three were negative. These data were therefore employed as references for the subsequent comparisons. Furthermore, the gastric juices were later tested to establish the urea concentration and the pH level. In addition, the sediment obtained after centrifugation was microscopically observed for the possible presence of other bacterial flora in the sample (unstained smears). The urease test on the bioptic specimens has also been evaluated. The presence of H pylori was strictly related to urea levels of less than 15 mg/dl and pH less than 3.5. Furthermore, H pylori was generally not associated with the presence of other bacterial flora (only 1 out of 12 samples). The latter instead, was almost exclusively present in high pH samples (with the exception of one). On the basis of these results, a simple diagnostic scheme was constructed to identify carrier subjects. All patients (14/14) with urea levels of more than 15 mg/dl were found to be negative as well as those presenting a pH of more than 3.5 (7/9) or evidence of other bacteria in the juices (8/9). The remaining subjects (30/31 or 29/31, respectively) presented H pylori in the gastric juices. The final classification was 96.3% (or 94.4%) correct.

Female↗
PubMed1992

[Diagnosis and therapy of low-risk endometrial hyperplasia. Experience with LH-RH-A].

Endometrial hyperplasia is a endometrial condition often found in perimenopausal age. AUB is the most frequent symptom of endometrial hyperplasia. The combination of hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy is the most suitable approach for the diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia in symptomatic patients. The Authors have studied endometrial modifications due to LH-RH analogue, a depot formula, in 60 perimenopausal patients with AUB and with hysteroscopic and histologic picture of low-risk endometrial hyperplasia. They report the result of treatment efficacy (disappearance of symptoms and tendency to hypoatrophy of the mucosa). The use of LH-RH A seems to have a good result in the management of oestrogen-dependent gynaecological benign diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of endometrial polyps].

The diagnostic and therapeutic utility of hysteroscopy in intracavity uterine pathologies is now widely recognised. The Authors have evaluated the efficacy of hysteroscopy in 640 patients in a study of endometrial polyps for which the endoscopic technique represents the elective form of therapy, avoiding excessive trauma to the patient and preserving the endometrial mucosa intact. The results obtained are fully discussed. Hysteroscopic resection of polyps was carried out in 49 patients in a day-hospital setting and without further complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[LH-RH analogues in the preparation of hysteroscopic resection of uterine fibromyoma].

Ten patients with submucous and/or intracavitary myomas, aged between 40 and 50 years old, underwent preliminary and preoperative (endoscopic resection) treatment with LH-RH. A using a depot formula. The Authors report the results of treatment efficacy (disappearance of symptoms and reduced myoma volume) in relation to an optimal surgical approach using an endoscopic route. This form of treatment allowed both operating times and intraoperative bleeding to be reduced.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Colpo-cyto-histological correlations in intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix].

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficiency of colposcopic findings as diagnostic tests for intraepithelial lesion using the analysis of colpo-cyto-histological correlations. The results of 3340 colposcopic tests performed in the Colposcopy Unit of the Second Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology between March 1990 and May 1991 were analysed, taking into account 326 (9.7%) cases of Abnormal Transformation Zone (ANTZ). The colpo-histological correlation in ANTZ 1 cases (52 cases of white epithelium, 92 standard mosaic, 42 standard dotted and 61 mixed cases) was 65.2% (52.3%) for HPV; 12.9% for CIN). The colpo-histological correlation in ANTZ 2 cases (30 cases of thickened white epithelium, 5 irregular mosaic, 4 irregular dotted, 2 atypical vessels, 4 thickened gland outlets and 6 mixed cases) was 70.5% (43.3% for HPV; 27.2% for CIN an and Ca). In this retrospective study colposcopy showed a diagnostic accuracy of 64.6% in the cases examined and played a decisive role in the diagnosis of intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix.

Colposcopy↗
PubMed1991

BAY P 1455, a thiazolylaminobenzimidazole derivative with gastroprotective properties in the rat.

The antiulcer activity of BAY P 14551 a thiazolylaminobenzimidazole derivative, was evaluated in different experimental ulcer models and its antiulcer activity was compared to that of different reference drugs. The overall activity of the compound was equal to or more potent than that of reference antiulcer drugs, such as pirenzepine, cimetidine and carbenoxolone, but it was not as potent as rioprostil. The ED50 values (expressed as mumol/kg p.o.) were 68 (confidence limits: 51-91) for indomethacin-induced ulcers, 21 (confidence limits: 13-31) for stress-induced ulcers and 1260 mumol/kg p.o. (confidence limits: 412-3800) for ulcers induced by absolute ethanol. The compound had no activity against cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers and lost its cytoprotective activity in adrenalectomised rats. Since inhibition of gastric acid secretion was seen, if at all, only with the higher doses, the gastro-protective action of BAY P 1455 seemed not to be due to an antisecretory effect, but more likely to a gastroprotective action as hypothesised for prostaglandins.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1991

Clinical evaluation of serum tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 as a novel tumor marker for colorectal cancer patients.

A novel tumor marker, tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 (TAG-72), has been identified using monoclonal antibody (MAb) B72.3. Using immunohistochemical techniques, TAG-72 has been found in carcinomas of various origin including colon, stomach, breast, lung, prostate, and ovary, as well as in body fluids. The presence of TAG-72 in serum samples from 260 patients with colorectal disease (malignant or benign) has been evaluated using the CA72-4 assay. Approximately 40% of patients with colorectal cancer exhibit elevated levels of this marker; moreover, the presence of positive levels of TAG-72 significantly correlates with advanced stages of disease, suggesting that TAG-72 may be a good marker of advanced colorectal cancer. Only 2% of the patients diagnosed with colorectal disease had elevated TAG-72 serum levels indicating the high specificity of this marker. A comparative study with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) serum levels showed a complementarity of the two tumor markers; in fact, 49.6% of CEA negative cases scored positive for TAG-72. A longitudinal evaluation of TAG-72 serum levels in 31 patients with malignant disease was performed. The results indicate that patients with increasing TAG-72 serum levels postoperatively may be indicative of recurrent disease. In 60% of patients in which significant changes of CEA levels could not be detected, TAG-72 showed rising positive levels prior to clinical evidence of recurrent disease. These results suggest that the simultaneous use of TAG-72 and CEA serum markers may be useful in the diagnosis of recurrent disease and therefore play an important role in the clinical management of cancer patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Mental health in young people. A descriptive study.

The aim of this study is the investigation of psychological discomforts in workers considered to be exposed to mental health risks. The subjects chosen were all young males, aged between twenty and twenty-nine, resident in the same geographical area for at least ten years and still living with their original family. Through a random process of selection four groups were sampled: metalworkers exposed to mental health occupational risks, metalworkers not exposed to mental health occupational risks, full-time students, and persons unemployed or seeking their first job. The subjects from each group completed the questionnaire to determine the index of psychological discomforts (IDP). Significantly higher frequencies and averages were found in the group of metalworkers exposed to mental health risks, while no statistically significant results were noted in the other groups, including the group of unemployed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Basophil-bound and serum immunoglobulin E directed against Helicobacter pylori in patients with chronic gastritis.

The immunoglobulin (Ig) E immune response in patients with Helicobacter pylori-associated chronic gastritis has been evaluated. Of 26 patients with H. pylori infection, 22 (84%) tested positive for basophil-bound specific IgE (determined by the histamine release test) and 18 (69%) for serum specific IgE (determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). In contrast, only 1 of 17 persons in whom the bacterium was not detected presented cell-bound and serum specific IgE. In the 4 histamine release test--positive but enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay--negative patients, removal of antibody from the basophil surface by acid elution showed that histamine release occurred through an IgE-dependent mechanism. When normal basophils, passively sensitized with serum from IgE-positive patients, were exposed to the H. pylori antigen, a significant release was observed, confirming the class specificity of the response. Inhibition experiments with bacteria other than H. pylori showed that the IgE antibody was specifically directed against this organism. The percentage of antigen-induced histamine release did not correlate with serum specific IgE level. However, the response of basophils to antigenic challenge was proportional to IgE-dependent cellular releasability. This finding suggests that target cell sensitivity may be the most important factor in determining the entity of biological response to the antigenic challenge. The ability of H. pylori to induce a specific IgE immune response could answer key questions regarding the mechanisms inducing gastric inflammation.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1991

Detection of Helicobacter pylori carriers by discriminant analysis of urea and pH levels in gastric juices.

An alternative approach to the problems inherent in current methods for detecting Helicobacter pylori carriers--that of being generally time-consuming, expensive, and not sufficiently sensitive--was devised by using the urea concentration and pH levels of gastric juices. A linear discriminant analysis of these variables, measured in 54 patients submitted to digestive endoscopy for gastritis, provided a mathematical formula for assigning the subjects (previously classified by other standard methods) to groups of either positive or negative H pylori carriers. The results obtained showed a correct classification in 52 out of 54 cases with only one false negative and one false positive case.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Ketanserin and hydrochlorothiazide in the treatment of arterial hypertension.

The chronic antihypertensive effect of the combination of ketanserin (KET) 40 mg + hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5 mg was evaluated in 20 patients with arterial hypertension of mild to moderate degree. After a 2-week wash-out period, patients were prescribed a single oral dose of KET 40 mg or HCTZ 25 mg in a randomized order at 2-day intervals and blood pressure and heart rate were measured during the following 24 hrs by an automatic recorder. Thereafter patients were given the combination of KET 40 mg + HCTZ 12.5 mg for 6 weeks and 24 hrs blood pressure was recorded after the first dose of the combination and at the end of treatment. Ketanserin induced a significant fall in systolic and diastolic pressures for up to 8 hrs; thiazide did not induce any change in these parameters. The combination of KET + HCTZ in the acute study reduced significantly systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures for up to 10 hrs. After 6 weeks of treatment with KET + HCTZ, blood pressure showed a further fall at each time period and was normalized (BP greater than 160/80 mmHg) for 8 hrs after dosing. The results of this study indicate that once daily oral administration of the combination of KET 40 mg + HCTZ 12.5 mg in mild to moderate primary hypertensives significantly reduces blood pressure over 24 hrs. Fairly good control of BP, i.e. BP less than 160/90 mmHg, was, however, achieved only up to 8 hrs after drug administration, indicating that this combination given once daily is not able to normalize BP over the following 24 hrs.

Blood Pressure↗