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Biomedical subjects

A Sirignano

Publications and source records attributed to A Sirignano.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Informed consent when taking genetic decisions.

Developments in genetics with diagnostic, pre-symptomatic and predictive testing involve significant changes in the decision-making process, because of the complexity of genetic information and the difficulty related to understanding the causes and mechanism of genetic diseases, ethical, psychological and social implications (psychological stress, anxiety, discrimination in employment and assurance, difficulties in interpersonal relationship), and indirect involvement of third parties. When taking genetic decisions, the patient should receive all the information about the objective and the type of the test, the hypothetical risk, the possibility of obtaining unexpected results, possible psycho-physical repercussion, and means of support for the long time that might pass between the diagnostic predictions and the possible onset of the disease: genetic counseling is a complex but essential operation for acquiring the informed consent of the patient. The outlined peculiarities of the process for informed consent in genetics requires the adequate training of medical personnel to manage the relationship with the patient in these complex cases.

Decision Making↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of fingernail striation patterns in identical twins.

The fingernail ridge patterns of a pair of identical twins were compared to each other, their parents, and an unrelated subject. The patterns of the twins' nails showed regions of strong similarity but were distinguishable from one another. Fewer similarities were found when comparing the nails to those of the parents and the unrelated control. The twins were shown to be monozygotic by means of DNA profiling. This therefore represents the first demonstration of unique fingernail ridge patterns in subjects shown conclusively to be identical twins. When the fingernail ridge patterns were examined with a scanning electron microscope, the backscattered electron (BEI) images were found to have superior contrast when compared to the secondary electron (SEI) images.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Intestinal obstruction at the onset of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a child.

Surgical complications need not be fatal in acute leukemia. If these are promptly diagnosed and properly treated, the prognosis will improve. This report deals with a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with an acute abdomen following surgery for choledochal cyst. A peripheral blood smear and examination of the bone marrow revealed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The child received transfusions of blood and platelets. Pretreatment with prednisolone was started as therapy for leukemia, and 2 days later, the patient underwent surgery. Therapy was continued until the general condition allowed a more aggressive form of treatment. Complete remission was achieved, and the patient is still in good health 48 months after diagnosis and 15 months after discontinuation of treatment. The favorable outcome in this child shows that prompt surgery is sometimes an essential step in the treatment of childhood leukemia.

Abdomen, Acute↗