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Biomedical subjects

A Morini

Publications and source records attributed to A Morini.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

The pineal gland and reproduction.

The hormonal activity of the pineal gland is influenced by both the dark-light cycle and the seasonal cycle, causing it to play an important role in the neuroendocrine control of reproductive physiology. This is especially evident in seasonally breeding animals, in which reproductive function is clearly influenced by seasonal variations in the duration of night and day. Humans are not seasonal breeders. Nevertheless, seasonal fluctuations have been described in human reproduction, and the pineal gland also appears to exert an important role in the neuroendocrine regulation of human reproductive physiology. There is evidence that the epiphysis is involved in the control of sexual maturation. In rats, the maternal pineal appears to influence the gonadal and genital development and function of offspring; this hypothesis has yet to be confirmed in humans. The pineal apparently influences human reproductive function not only at the hypothalamic-pituitary level, by inhibition of the hypothalamic pulsatile secretion of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, but also at the gonadal level, where melatonin receptors have also been found. In addition, melatonin is reported to increase serum prolactin concentrations in both rats and humans. It has been suggested that melatonin is involved in the control of menstrual cyclicity.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pregnancy in HIV positive women: psycho-emotional aspects. Study of 16 cases].

The aim of this study was to analyse the day-to-day life of HIV-positive women during pregnancy and to assess the emotions deriving from their relations with the baby during the first few months of life. The study was carried out on a group of 16 HIV-positive women aged between 19 and 37 years old (mean age 27.3 years) who underwent a guided interview using a questionnaire. The questionnaire, which was mainly based on questions requiring a free answer, focused on four main areas: 1) the woman's reaction to HIV-positive status; 2) the influence of HIV-positive status on relations with her partner and surroundings; 3) the interaction between pregnancy and the HIV-positive status; 4) the relation between mother and children after birth and during the first few months of life. 56.25% of the women interviewed had become infected by intravenous drug injection, 25% through heterosexual relationships and 12.5% through blood transfusions. The cause was unspecified in 6.25%. The women had been aware of their HIV-positive status for between one and four years. Their reactions to HIV-positive status were predominantly denial, condemnation, and depression accompanied by a sense of death, anxiety and of being different. Relations between couples were influenced in a variety of ways by the new situation: 4 women reported a diminished frequency of sexual relations, one women reported reduced libido, 10 women did not notice changes in sexual relations and one woman did not reply.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fetal lesions due to the bistoury during cesarean section: a study of 58 cases. The 5-year case records of 3117 cesarean sections at the Institutes of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Rome La Sapienza].

In the present article the authors have carried out a statistical investigation on data relative to the caesarean sections performed in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Rome "La Sapienza" since 1986 to 1990. Particular object of this study is to evaluate data regarding fetal bistoury lesions incidentally caused while performing the incision of the uterine wall during a caesarean section. To our knowledge, this topic has never been taken into account by the world's literature, nevertheless it is important also for its legal and insurance implications. Throughout the mentioned period 13787 deliveries occurred, 3117 of which were caesarean sections: this is equal to a frequency of 22.6%, with an increase rate of 37.5% during the whole 5 years time. 58 cases of fetal bistoury lesions have been found to occur since 1986 to 1990: this equal to 1.8% of all the performed caesarean sections. Even if their gravity was usually scarce, and only 7 cases needed a specific treatment, 25.8% of these lesions involved areas such as forehead, cheek bone, cheek, mostly related to possible aesthetic damages with their connected legal consequences. In order to evaluate what factors can contribute to the occurrence of these lesions and taking account of the large number of factors that may be involved (such as conditions at which the operation is performed, skill and experience of the surgeon etc.), the authors focus their attention to those which, for their clinical significance and possibility of detection, suit more than others such a statistical investigation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Birth Injuries↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The emotive and cognitive reactions in temporary pharmacological menopause].

The authors have attempted to evaluate the extent to which menopausal crisis is linked to hypoestrogenism and the extent to which it is linked to the socioenvironmental context in which it takes place. The study analyses emotional and cognitive aspects in a group of women in temporary menopause which was pharmacologically induced for therapeutic purposes. The study was carried out in 30 patients suffering from benign gynecological pathologies receiving ovarian steroidogenesis-blocking treatment. Treatment consisted of a subcutaneous administration of a Gn-Rh analog every 28 days for 6 months. After having collected information regarding the symptoms that appeared following the administration of therapy, the authors evaluated the emotive (anxiety and depression) and cognitive (short-term memory and concentration) conditions of patients using psychometric reactives performed during the first check-up, and then repeated at the 3rd, 5th and 7th control visit: the State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory to assess trait anxiety and state anxiety; scale D of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory to assess depression; the sub-test for memory of figures from Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale to evaluate short-term memory; the Toulouse-Pieron reactive to evaluate attention and concentration. The results obtained were analysed statistically using Student's t-test and Pearson's coefficient. An analysis of the data shows that, after the first doses of the drug stress trends to diminish from the high levels recorded at the first visit, stabilising at normal values throughout treatment. Like anxiety and depression, concentration and memory do not show marked variations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy].

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a syndrome usually manifesting during the third trimester of pregnancy and disappearing after delivery. Multiple factors seem to be involved in pathogenesis of the syndrome; however, ICP appears to take place in women congenitally hypersensitive to estrogens. Typical is pruritus, which may be followed by jaundice and associated with other less common symptoms. The biochemical parameters are characteristically altered: an increase in the levels of aminotransferases (AST, ALT), total bile acids and alkaline phosphatase is observed; while serum GGT are normal. Maternal prognosis is benign. By contrast, a higher risk of acute fetal distress and prematurity has been reported. Various drugs are used in the treatment of ICP. We present the case of a patient treated with S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SaMe). SaMe therapy has proved to be effective in improving the altered biochemical parameters, whose normalization was obtained before delivery.

Adult↗