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Biomedical subjects

A Zaccaroni

Publications and source records attributed to A Zaccaroni.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Persistent organochlorine pollutants in liver of birds of different trophic levels from coastal areas of Campania, Italy.

Liver samples of 12 species of birds of different trophic levels, collected during the period 1998-2000 from coastal areas of the Campania region, Southern Italy, were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCs), such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), gamma-hexachlorocycloexane (gamma-HCH), aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, and the seven PCB "target" congeners, IUPAC Nos. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180. p,p'-DDE was present in all the samples analyzed, at concentrations ranging from 4 to 4504 ng/g wet wt, which were much higher than those found for HCB, dieldrin, and p,p'-DDD. The concentrations of the others OCs were below the detection limit in all the samples. PCBs were found in all the bird species at levels ranging between 6 and 8431 ng/g wet wt. The hepta-, hexa-, and penta-chlorinated congeners 180, 153, 138, and 118 were predominant since, in almost all the species, they contributed to more than 98% of the total seven determined PCBs. No significant differences in mean concentrations of organochlorine pesticides are detected between single species or between species grouped according to their feeding habits (p > 0.05). However, p,p'-DDE levels were higher in carnivorous species than in omnivorous and insectivorous ones (carnivorous > omnivorous > insectivorous). Concentrations of total PCBs were significantly higher in omnivorous birds than in carnivorous (p < 0.01) and insectivorous ones (p < 0.001), whereas carnivorous birds exhibited significantly higher total PCB levels than insectivorous ones (p < 0.01). Marked differences in total PCB concentrations were found also between single species (from p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Levels of OCs and PCBs were generally below the thresholds known to affect reproduction, however, mean hepatic concentrations of total PCBs in the yellow-legged herring gull (Larus cachinnans), black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus), and kestrel (Falcus tinnunculus) were far higher than those estimated to elicit immunosuppressive effects and possibly increase susceptibility to parasitoses.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Cadmium, chromium and lead contamination of Athene noctua, the little owl, of Bologna and Parma, Italy.

A study was conducted to determine cadmium, chromium and lead concentrations in liver and brain of 52 little owls (Athene noctua) from two provinces of Emilia Romagna region, with the aim of furnishing indirect information concerning contamination of their habitat, also considering possible environmental dispersion of the metals. Metal analysis was performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with graphite furnace. Variance analysis with sampling area, gender and age shows that no statistical difference was found for gender, while a significant difference (P<0.05) was found for cadmium and lead, but not for chromium, when sampling areas and age were of concern. For all metals highest mean concentrations were found in liver (170 ppb for cadmium, 297 ppb for chromium and 312 ppb for lead). These levels can be considered as indicative of chronic exposure to low and "background" amounts of pollutants and they are of no toxicological concern, as they are always well below the toxic thresholds defined for each metal. The present study can be considered as a starting point for further analyses, aimed to the definition of any possible subtle effect (e.g. effects on enzymes activity) and of any possible correlation between levels of pollutants and appearance of possible adverse effects. It also furnished useful data for diagnostic cases and potentially for monitoring local contamination.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Surgical treatment of adrenal metastases. Personal experience].

The adrenal glands are often the site of metastases. However, there is much discussion as to the benefits of surgical resection. Personal experience of surgical treatment in 4 patients, one of whom died postoperatively after bilateral adrenalectomy for metachronous metastases, is reported. Surgery achieved pain relief in all patients, average survival was 30 months and 1 patient is still alive after 68 months. The present study shows that surgery is advisable in patients who present the following characteristics: 1) the primary tumor has been resected or is radically resectable, 2) there is no evidence of other metastatic lesions, 3) the adrenal metastasis is unilateral and complete resection is possible, 4) the patient's general physical condition is good.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

[Gastric volvulus. A clinical therapeutic contribution].

Gastric volvulus is an infrequent event and few clinical cases are an important experience. Diagnosis, both clinical and radiological, is not difficult if you think of gastric volvulus; abdomen X-ray is often sufficient to clear up diagnostic doubts. First diagnosis can be quickly confirmed by X-ray examination of digestive organs that provides us with further information: contemporaneous ulcerative of neoplastic lesions, characteristics of bowels whirling round. Endoscopic and manometric evaluation must be performed only in recurrent or chronic cases, when there's no symptom of clinical urgency. Authors describe their experience of three cases observed in the last ten years and underline the importance of deciding and performing the surgical treatment quickly to avoid serious complications, in all doubtful cases. It is important to carry out an operation compared to the pathogenesis of volvulus: generally gastropexy is sufficient while radical operations are executed only in cae of gastric necrosis or in the presence of gastric neoplasms or ulcerative lesions.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Indications and results of conservative treatment of closed trauma of the liver].

During the last years, a marked change toward a more conservative approach in the treatment of abdominal trauma especially liver blunt trauma has been noted. The rationale for a conservative management is to avoid the operation or whenever this is not possible, to perform less extensive surgical resections. This approach, initially used in handling splenic trauma, is justified by the finding of spontaneous haemostasis in about half of liver injuries at the time of laparotomy. Moreover, the finding of an haemoperitoneum without signs of circulatory instability is not an absolute indication to laparotomy. In conclusion, the importance of CT and Ultrasonography in the selection of patients suitable for nonoperative treatment as well as in follow up studies is emphasized.

Humans↗