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Biomedical subjects

A Valentini

Publications and source records attributed to A Valentini.

72 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Skeletal scintigraphy and physical examination in the staging of early breast cancer.

The significance of skeletal scintigraphy in staging of early breast cancer is still controversial. The results of bone scanning with 99Tcm diphosphonate and clinical examination in 204 patients with stage I-II breast cancer are reported. Bone scans were positive in 28 cases. However, only one was true positive as confirmed by x-ray examination and/or biopsy, with a detection rate of 0.5%. Physical examination had a detection rate similar to bone scan, but with superior specificity. In our experience bone scan cannot be recommended as a routine staging test in early breast cancer.

Adult↗

A new catheter for peritoneal dialysis (two years of experience with Valli catheter).

The authors analyze the experience of more than 2 yrs of peritoneal dialysis with a new type of catheter. The catheter proposed allows higher flow rates and the maximum outflow of fluid even if malpositioned. The possibility of migration of the catheter is also reduced. The main new feature of this catheter consists in a perforated silastic balloon which protects the distal end of a standard Tenckhoff catheter.

Catheters, Indwelling↗

Pancreatic endocrine response to the first feed in term newborn infants.

Blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide and glucagon were evaluated in 36 newborn term infants at birth, and before and 60 min after the first feed during the first day of life. Under basal conditions glycaemia diminished during the first day of life and glucagon increased, while insulin and C-peptide did not show any variation. The C-peptide: insulin molar ratio was higher in the newborn than in adults because of the longer half-life of C-peptide, probably due to reduced renal function in the neonatal period. The subjects were divided into two groups: 18 newborn infants were given a feed of commercially available milk powder reconstituted in water at 10% (5 ml/kg); the other 18 were given a feed of 5 ml/kg 10% glucose solution. In each group 6 were given the first feed after a fast of 6 h, 6 after a fast of 12 h and 6 after a fast of 24 h from birth. After the first feed with milk, the average increase of glycaemia was 19.83 mg%, of insulin 6.06 muU/ml, and of C-peptide 1.88 ng/ml. After the first feed with glucose the average increase of glycaemia was 13.59 mg%, of insulin 2.46 muU/ml, and of C-peptide 0.59 ng/ml. Glucagon did not show significant changes after the first feed.

Blood Glucose↗

[Edema in leprosy: the clinical and therapeutic aspects].

Edema, which is commonly described as a symptom of reactional states, may occur during the course of leprosy. Both diagnosis and adequate treatment measures are often difficult to achieve and failure to do so may result in permanent damage to the lower limbs. In a one-year follow-up study of leprosy patients--ten multibacillary and one paucibacillary--who had been submitted to a clinical protocol for diagnosis and pathological classification, a clinical pattern of localized and/or systemic edema was observed. Among these patients, five simultaneously presented other symptoms related to reactional states, 4 were diagnosed as Type I, and one as Type II. On the other hand, while three of the patients did not present reaction at the time when edema was diagnosed, they did develop some aspects of reactional disease later on (two had neuritis e one had Type I reaction). The edemas that preceded or were associated with reactional episodes showed clinical regression as a result of specific treatment against reactions (corticosteroids and/or pentoxifylline and/or thalidomide) in the absence of another treatment normally used for edemas. Although these data need to be confirmed by controlled studies, they strongly suggest that immunological mechanisms are involved in the physiopathology of edema in leprosy.

Adolescent↗

[Analysis of a preventive health service].

This paper reports the experience and organization of an Occupational Health Service for health-care workers, in order to improve the effectiveness of the unit. The Authors describe the activities of the unit, its organization, and evaluate the amount of working time spent in the different activities.

Health Personnel↗