Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Milanese.
Several dermatologic abnormalities have been described in anorexia nervosa, but only rare associations have been made with perniosis. We recently saw two teenage girls and one woman with anorexia nervosa who had symptoms of perniosis. We suggest that altered thermoregulation and a hyperreactive peripheral vascular response to cold in anorexia nervosa may predispose these patients to perniosis.
The effect of obesity on pulmonary function was studied in 13 children, aged 8-15 years, with 147-300% ideal body weight (IBW). Measurements included lung volumes, airflow rates pre- and post-bronchodilator nebulization, diffusing capacity (DLCO), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), minute ventilation VE), and resting energy expenditure (REE). When compared with predicted normal values for sex, height, and body surface area (BSA), decreases (mean % predicted, +/- SE) were observed in expiratory reserve volume (ERV, 36 +/- 5); forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1, 73 +/- 5); forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF25-75%, 70 +/- 6); DLCO, absolute (52 +/- 3) and corrected (DLCO/VA, 71 +/- 5); and MVV (62 +/- 5). Residual volume (RV), RV/total lung capacity (TLC), VE, and REE were elevated. Other lung volumes were normal. Thus, obese children have altered pulmonary function, which is characterized by reductions in DLCO and ventilatory muscle endurance and airway narrowing. These alterations may reflect extrinsic mechanical compression on the lung and thorax, and/or intrinsic changes within the lung. The reduced DLCO may result from decreases in alveolar surface area relative to lung volume.
Eight malnourished children with neuromuscular spinal deformity were treated with jejunostomy tubes for supplemental feeding to attain appropriate weight before reconstructive surgery. All patients had significant gastro-esophageal reflux and had failed to gain weight during an eight-month oral supplementation program. There were no complications associated with the placement or use of the jejunostomy feeding tubes and all patients gained weight in a safe and predictable fashion, had successful spinal fusion and have maintained satisfactory weight at follow-up. Jejunostomy feeding is a safe and effective method of correcting malnutrition in patients with spinal deformity which precludes gastrostomy and Nissen fundoplication.
This case report describes a 14-year-old boy presenting with a barrel-chested appearance and a complaint of shortness of breath on exertion. The patient had a long history of severe constipation with overflow incontinence. Physical examination suggested limited diaphragmatic excursion. Initial pulmonary function studies showed a restrictive pattern. Catharsis resulted in an 11-lb weight loss and normalization of pulmonary function. We speculate that the extrinsic upward pressure imposed on the diaphragm by a full bowel resulted in increased anteroposterior diameter, decreased lung height, and a reversible restrictive pattern on pulmonary function studies.
Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme extracted from pineapple plants, was investigated for its capacity to interfere with arachidonic acid metabolism, since prostaglandins and other eicosanoids are well-known to be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Bromelain was tested for its ability to interfere with eicosanoids generation in vivo in two experimentally-induced inflammatory reactions in the rat. Also antiplatelet aggregation activity of bromelain was studied in ex vivo rat platelets. The results seem to indicate an interference of bromelain with arachidonic acid cascade, which, however, deserves further investigation to be better assessed.
The synthesis of a new class of imidazole derivatives with the structure of 1-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-tert.amino]ethylimidazoles is described. Preliminary data on their antimicrobial activity are reported.
After a wide-ranging review of the literature on the topic, the case of a 33-year-old woman is reported who, after an emergency right nephrectomy performed six years earlier due to renal angiomyolipoma with Wunderlich's syndrome, was admitted with anemia and acute shock following left renal hemorrhage. Having overcome the acute stage, a number of tests were carried out (echography, urography, abdominal CT, aortography) before the patient underwent conservative surgery in the form of lower heminephrectomy. The postoperative urography is presented showing satisfactory residual renal function which enabled the patient to live normally. The Authors discuss the criteria which lead them to select conservative surgical treatment.
The incidence of echinococcal cysts and their percentage occurrence in different human organs is reported. A case of hydatid cyst localisation in the pelvic cavity is reported and the pathogenesis of this infrequent localisation discussed. The various hypotheses: haematogenous and fall into the peritoneal cavity are examined; then the diagnostic approach and conservative surgical therapy employed.
A case of left pyeloureteral duplication with half a kidney functionally excluded is reported. After some mention of embryology to evidence the pathogenetic moments of the malformation, the clinical case is described, particular reference being made to the problems encountered in reaching diagnosis, in spite of the patient having undergone varied and repeated investigations. Superior heminephrectomy and total ureterectomy led to the clinical wellbeing of the patient.
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