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Biomedical subjects

B Festa

Publications and source records attributed to B Festa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Developing a free supportive care program for cancer patients within an integrative medicine clinic.

The cancer patient's journey not only includes a threat to one's life, but the need to face many medical and emotional challenges. The free Cancer Supportive Care Program (CSCP) within the Center for Integrative Medicine Clinic at Stanford University Hospital and Clinics has been identified as a successful model for helping patients to deal with these challenges. Its programs include informational lectures, support groups, chair massages, exercise, alternative modality classes, a Life Tapes Project, an informational website, and a bimonthly newsletter available free to anybody touched by cancer. Now in its third year, this program benefits from a blending of leadership resources, availability of space, institutional agreement on patient need and funds from private and corporate donations. By presenting the basic premises of the Cancer Supportive Care program and outlining specifics about the program, institutions in various national and international demographic regions may implement similar programs according to their resources and the needs of patients. It is our hope that the CSCP can become a model for the development of similar programs in various parts of the United States and abroad.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Indications for hormone replacement therapy].

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study is to evaluate indications and contraindications, advisability and compliance of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women in the climacteric who, owing to the cessation of ovarian activity, face loss of the state of present and future wellbeing. METHODS: A series of 602 women who have attended the Menopause Centre of the II Division of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the Second University of Naples in the period from 1/12/1998 to 10/4/2001. The diagnostic methodology adopted is outlined and the reasons for the prescription of HRT indicated. Patients who do not present contraindications were assessed in relation to the gravity of the climacteric syndrome and the likelihood of a future pathology bound up with the lack of estrogens. The intensity of the symptomatology was assessed on the basis of Kuppermann's nomogram. RESULTS: The cessation of ovarian activity occurred between the ages of 40 and 45 in 16.9% of cases while the percentage was 5.9% prior to the age of 40. Cases in which a climacteric syndrome was present numbered 147, or 24.2%. Women who present a cardiovascular risk represent a noteworthy percentage (27.1%). A high number of women are at osteoporotic risk: 223, or 37.0%. Although it has a great number of indications, HRT is only prescribed in about half the patients. Stress is laid on the caution exercised by physicians in prescribing HRT and the diffidence of women in accepting it. Of the well-known contraindications to HRT the most common are those relative to the mammary risk. CONCLUSIONS: HRT was only prescribed for about half the women who came to our attention both as a result of the caution of the physicians who consider even relative contraindications peremptory, and because of the diffidence of a percentage of women with regard to such therapy. Alternative therapies to HRT are in fact a second valid choice, especially in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Premature ovarian failure. Clinical evaluation of 32 cases.

AIM: Premature menopause, also termed premature ovarian failure (POF), is characterized by cessation of menstruation before the age of 40 years. Pathogenetic mechanisms are not so clear, particularly genetic implications of cellular apoptosis. Diagnostic approach is multifactorial and therapy depends on the pregnancy wish. METHODS: Eight hundred and thirty patients approached the Menopausal Center of the University Department of Gynaecological, Obstetrical and Reproductive Sciences of the Second University of Naples between October 1998 and October 2002. All patients were clinically investigated and selected on the basis of menopausal age, pregnancy wish and menopausal syndrome. RESULTS: Menopausal mean age was 48.31+/-4.62 years and 32 patients (4%) were affected by premature ovarian failure because of menopausal appearance before the age of 40. Three of these patients were treated to have a pregnancy; the remaining 29 required medical treatment to reduce menopausal symptoms. The osteoporosis risk for premature menopause patients was similar to the other women. The cardiovascular risk was increased because of an increase in risk factors in premature ovarian failure patients. No breast or endometrial pathology was revealed and therapy compliance was satisfactory without any drop-out. CONCLUSION: Premature ovarian failure has a varied etiology, pathogenetic aspects, clinical evolution and therapeutical approach. Adequate treatment of premature menopause women presents good compliance, resolution of infertility when required and a successful resolution of menopausal symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Methotrexate treatment for tubal pregnancy. Criteria for medical approach.

AIM: The purpose of this retrospective study is to underline the indications for the use of systemic methotrexate (MTX) in tubal pregnancies. METHODS: One hundred and four (n=104) consecutive women were treated in our Department for tubal pregnancy. The database analysis showed that after careful respect for inclusion criteria, the treatment chosen was the intravenous administration of MTX in 68 patients, whereas laparoscopy constituted the primary treatment in 36 patients. A single dose of MTX was intravenously administered, diluted in saline solution, with a dosage of 50 mg/m2 of body surface. Close serum beta-hCG monitoring was performed, and in the case of a short fall, a 2nd dose of methotrexate was submitted. RESULTS: The overall success rate of MTX treatment was 91%; the 2nd dose of MTX was used in 12% of patients, whereas in only 6 out of 68 patients included in the medical treatment group a surgical approach for suspected tubal rupture was necessary. CONCLUSION: Treatment with methotrexate is effective and safe in the presence of these criteria: patient hemodynamically stable, absence of tubal rupture sign and hemoperitoneum, an adnexal mass with a diameter < or = 5 cm, an amenorrhea < or = 6 weeks and HCG levels < or = 10,000 mIU/ml. Laparoscopy is indicated in diagnostic uncertainty, when MTX is not suggested, when adnexal mass is > 5 cm, or in patients in which beta-hCG levels was > 10,000 mIU/ml.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗
PubMed2002

[Pelvic actinomycosis and sub-acute abdomen].

An interesting case of pelvic actinomycosis with paculiar clinical manifestation is presented. A 42 years-old patient came to our emergency service for an abdominal pelvic pain and fever. Past history showed IUD in situ for over 15 years. The patient was submitted to a ultrasonographic scan and a complete hematological screening was performed. The diagnosis was of subacute abdomen, and an exploratory laparotomy was carried out. During laparotomy an atypical reactive tissue and a suppurative cavity were found. The histological finding of tissue biopsy showed pelvic actinomycosis. On the basis of these findings the conclusion is drawn that a better prevention of pelvic actinomycosis is necessary of its diffusion in the last years due to sexual habit changes.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1988

A malformed girl with a de novo proximal 6q deletion.

An additional case of interstitial deletion of chromosome 6, the first with breakpoints in q12 and q14, is reported. The female infant was the malformed first child of young, healthy parents. A review of proximal 6q deletions is made.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1983

Multiple skeletal familial abnormalities associated with balanced reciprocal translocation 2;8(q32;p13).

A father and three of his offspring had skeletal abnormalities consisting of a short forearm, cubitus valgus, fusion of first and second cervical vertebrae, and cleft of L5 and S1. All four had a reciprocal, apparently balanced, translocation 2;8(q32;p13). Normal sibs had normal chromosomes. We conclude that this may be a rare instance of an autosomal dominant condition associated with a balanced chromosome translocation.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1983

Clinical features of monosomy 10qter.

The authors report a 10qter deletion in a 16-month-old boy. The patient's phenotype includes: low birth weight, mental and growth retardation, triangular facies, hypertelorism, prominent nasal bridge, malformed and low set ears, cryptorchidism. The karyotype was 46,XY,del(10)(q26.1 leads to qter). Cytogenetic analysis of both parents, including a search for the fragile site in the 10q25 region, were normal. The assignment of the human GOT structural gene to the 10q25.3 band is suggested.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1977

Leprechaunism with mosaicism 46, XX/47, XX extra ring chromosome.

A case of leprechaunism with a chromosomal abnormality is reported. The patient was a female infant, born to healthy, consanguineous young parents. Her course was one of extreme marasmus, with death at 3 months of age. She presented the classical features of the syndrome and chromosome mosaicism 46, XX/47, XX, +r(?). It was not possible to identify the origin of the extra ring chromosome. It is difficult to establish the role of such a cytogenetic finding in the aetiology of the syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1976

A case of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism with anosmia (Kallmann's syndrome) in a male, with familial incidence of a small metacentric chromosome (47,XX, mat?+).

A case of Kallmann's syndrome in a male is reported. Besides the classical picture of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (demonstrated both by endocrine investigation and a testicular biopsy) with anosmia, a number of other unusual features are present including gynaecomastia, agencies of the anterior brachial muscles, some dental abnormalities, and dyschromatopsy. The karyotype, studied on peripheral lymphocytes, shows, in the propositus as well as in his mother, the presence in all mitoses of an extra small metacentric chromosome; its derivation is uncertain.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Family study of inherited syndrome with multiple congenital deformities: symphalangism, carpal and tarsal fusion, brachydactyly, craniosynostosis, strabismus, hip osteochondritis.

A syndrome of brachydactyly (absence of some middle or distal phalanges), aplastic or hypoplastic nails, symphalangism (ankylois of proximal interphalangeal joints), synostosis of some carpal and tarsal bones, craniosynostosis, and dysplastic hip joints is reported in five members of an Italian family. It may represent a previously undescribed autosomal dominant trait.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗