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Biomedical subjects

C Balacco-Gabrieli

Publications and source records attributed to C Balacco-Gabrieli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Element concentrations and cataract: an experimental animal model.

The determination of inorganic ions in cataractous human lenses has been the subject of several investigations; nevertheless, few studies have been concerned with trace element contents in lenses, and data are sometimes contradictory. An animal experimental model of induced cataract is here proposed with the aim of evaluating the changes of Ca, Na, K, Cu and Zn concentrations. The cataract was produced by an Nd:YAG Laser treatment of the right eye of sexteen male rabbits. The determination of the elements was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry (both flame and flameless methods) after an acid digestion of samples. Compared with the results obtained in left lenses used as a control (Ca 14.4+/-5.7 mg/kg d.w.; Na 1.3+/-0.5 g/kg d.w.; K 9.9+/-1.1 g/kg d.w.; Cu 0.24+/-0.09 mg/kg d.w.; Zn 24.8+/-2.3 mg/kg d.w.), the mean concentration values of opaque lenses showed some significant changes for Ca, Na, and Cu (Ca 123.7+/-106.6 mg/kg d.w.; Na 4.5+/-4.3 g/kg d.w; Cu 0.43+/-0.21 mg/kg d.w.). Potassium showed a tendency to decrease, and zinc to increase. Positive correlations were found between calcium and sodium both in controls (r=0.73, p<0.001) and in treated lenses (r= 0.87, p<0.0001). An inverse correlation between Ca and K confirmed the tendency of potassium to decrease.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Age-related macular disease in rural southern Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To report the prevalence of age-related maculopathy (ARM) in Salandra, a small, isolated southern Italian community, to test the hypothesis that an environmental factor, scarce in such a remote community but ubiquitous in modern industrial societies, might modify the risk of developing ARM. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of advanced age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) (geographic atrophy or exudative maculopathy) and ARM (large, soft drusen or retinal pigment epithelium changes, or both) defined by fundus biomicroscopy and 30 degrees stereoscopic, macular photography. Self-sustenance was assessed by interview of participants and local shop retailers. The degree of genetic isolation was computed using a model that fits the genetic population structure with the frequency distribution of surnames in the community. RESULTS: A full ophthalmic examination was undertaken in 366 (63.5%) of 576 eligible participants, 354 (96.7%) of whom had clinical or photographic assessment for the presence of ARMD and 310 (84.6%) of whom had drusen characteristics graded on color transparencies for ARM. The overall prevalence of ARMD was 1.1%. Drusen larger than 50 microns and more numerous than 10 were found in 4.5% of subjects. Salandra was the birthplace of 87.2% of participants and for 77.3% of both parents of each subject. People in the community tended to consume homegrown products. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ARM may be lower in this self-sustained farming community than elsewhere in the industrialized world.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Structural evidence for membrane lipid changes in human cataract.

Lipid changes in relationship to cataractogenesis were studied with histochemical methods (topoptical reactions) of polarization microscopy. Frozen section of formaldehyde-fixed human lenses were used for these studies. Six lenses were transparent and 14 lenses presented early to confluent cortical opacities. Cell membrane lipids of transparent lenses showed 8.0 +/- 2.7 nm light retardation. In the early cataractous lenses the light retardation of cell membranes was 23.3 +/- 5.0 nm and that of the fusiform and globular lipids was 37.7 +/- 4.0 nm and 48.5 +/- 6.9 mn, respectively. In the non transparent cortical regions of cataractous lenses, membrane lipids were not observed. Similar to other cell membranes, normal lens membranes are composed of loosely organized lipids. In early cataract lipid density uniformly increased along the cell membranes at the clinically transparent areas, while at the areas with clinically evident fine opacities, small fusiform and globuler lipid drops were formed by even more dense lipids. Confluent cortical cataracts were associated with disappearance of membrane lipids. In our study our findings demonstrated intramembrane lipid changes associated with cataractogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Parameters for the assessment of inflammation of the anterior segment of the eye].

The authors examine general aspects of the assessment and evaluation of inflammation of the anterior segment of the eye, stressing above all the importance of accurate history taking and correct diagnostic approach. The also define general features of inflammatory processes and analyse the main and most modern instrumental techniques that are essential for precise assessment of clinical parameters of inflammatory conditions of the anterior segment of the eye.

Anterior Eye Segment↗
PubMed1992

New applications of the neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet laser in the Q-switched mode: experimental results.

We describe the interaction of the neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser energy with intraocular lenses using the laser in the Q-switched mode. Using this method, it is possible to treat opacities that eventually might occur at the level of the visual axis on the optic faces of polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lenses (IOLs) if safety parameters (perfect focusing, use of additional lenses, and slight and continuous movement of the focal point of the laser) are followed. However, it is not possible to treat the silicone IOLs with the Nd:YAG laser because the threshold values for damage to the IOL are lower than the energy values required for destroying the capsular opacities on the optic axis.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Histochemistry and electron-microscopic observation in two cases of granular dystrophy of the cornea.

We report on 2 cases of granular dystrophy (Groenouw type I). We studied the nature and the ultrastructure of the typical stromal deposits by means of histochemical methods and of electron-microscopic examination. These deposits did not stain with Alcian blue, periodic acid-Schiff, Mallory, van Gieson, von Kossa or Congo red so that they are not constituted of proteoglycans, collagen, calcium or amyloid. They probably contain a proteic material. At the electron-microscopic level we observed electron-dense material which was made up of filaments immersed into an amorphous matrix.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Intraocular lens complications.

The authors implanted intraocular lenses (IOL) in 780 eyes and considered complications of this surgery, dividing the complications into intraoperative and postoperative, the latter early and late. The most frequent intraoperative complications were: hyphema, vitreous injury, pupil deformation with an IOL in the anterior chamber (AC), and hyphema and corneal lesions with an IOL in the posterior chamber (PC). Among the early postoperative complications of an IOL in the AC the authors noticed striate keratopathy and uveal flare and postoperative transitory ocular hypertension and striate keratitis with an IOL in the PC. Moreover, in late postoperative complications in AC implantation they observed: cystoid macular edema, bullous keratitis, retinal detachment, late uveitis, opacification of posterior capsule, eccentric displacement of the IOL, and less frequently, cystoid macular edema in PC implantations. The authors prefer IOL implantation in the PC after extracapsular cataract extraction, since this surgery causes less problems in the cornea, vitreous, and retina.

Anterior Chamber↗
PubMed1988

Corneal astigmatism after cataract extraction.

We studied all cataract surgery done at the ophthalmologic clinic of the University of Bari, Italy in the last 20 years (1966-85). We considered three methods of anterior-chamber incision (blade, Worsth's knife, Graefe's bistoury) and their effect on the dioptric values obtained from ophthalmometry a year after surgery. The larger corneal astigmatism occurred after opening the anterior chamber with Graefe's method; the best results were obtained using Worsth's knife. In this evaluation, the surgeon was not considered. Because postsurgical astigmatism is important for visual acuity after cataract extraction, it is desirable to keep astigmatism as minor as possible.

Astigmatism↗
PubMed1986

Congenital cataract and evolutive myopia. Relationship with hypophyseal-adrenal cortical axis function.

To see whether or not reduced light input in children with congenital cataract produces degenerative myopia and whether it is associated with an impairment of the hypophyseal-adrenal cortical axis, the authors studied biometric values and circadian rhythm and cortisol reserve in nine children with monolateral and ten children with bilateral cataract. 38.75% of patients had: refractions less than 10D, increased antero-posterior diameter of the eyeball, varying degrees of myopic chorioretinitis, showing that the lack of light input induces degenerative myopia only in a group of patients who are probably genetically predisposed. The negative correlation between cortisol reserve and ocular lesions seems to reveal a precocious negative effect of the lack of light input on the development of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-adrenal cortical axis. The alteration of the circadian cortisol rhythm and the reduction of the cortisol reserve found exclusively in children with monolateral cataract must be studied further to be explained. The slight increase in plasma cortisol levels earlier described in adults with acquired degenerative myopia was not found in children with congenital cataract. This difference could be due to: special endocrine characteristics in children with congenital cataract, endocrine differences between childhood and adulthood, differing influences of hormonal factors on myopia, or vice versa, in childhood and adulthood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Nd-YAG laser in our experience.

The authors report on their experience with Microruptor 2, Fankhauser's YAG laser. Over a period of about 18 months, approximately 500 patients with different pathological conditions of the eye were treated. The treatments were noninvasive and given to outpatients under surface anesthesia. The instrument is suitable for use in cases requiring splitting of cataract residues, in capsulotomies (also in the presence of intraocular lenses), in the treatment of iridocorneal adhesions, in the prophylaxis of acute attacks of glaucoma, in ectopia pupillae, and in selected cases of vitreous membranes and strands.

Corneal Diseases↗
PubMed1985

Iris cysts in three generations conveyed by means of a genetic process connected with sex.

The authors report a case of pigmented cysts of the iris, observed in female subjects of the same family and of three generations. They hypothesize that it may be due to a hereditary alteration connected to sex, and believe it should be considered as a mesodermal alteration, occurring during embryonic development. The treatment has been para-surgical by means of a Nd-YAG laser, operating in a free-running mode, with impulses directed onto the cysts.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Changes in ocular tone, pH, ascorbic acid and lactic acid concentration in the aqueous humor of rabbits treated with aceclidine].

The Authors state the results of their research on the modification of the aqueous humor caused by the instillation of the Clonidina to the concentrations of 0,I25% in a group of ten rabbits. The results of these studies illustrate the variations of pH, the ocular tone, the concentration of lactic and ascorbic acid. In all the rabbits examined Clonidina was instillated in the RE while in the LE distilled water was instillated for the control. For two hours from the beginning of the experiment, every IO minutes measurements of the ocular tone in both eyes were taken. At the end of the two hours a sample of aqueous humor was taken from the RE and LE; It was found that: I) The drugs produced a very quick and prolonged decrease of the ocular tone. 2) There are no significant variations in the pH or in the concentration of lactic acid. 3) There was a notable reduction of the concentration of ascorbic acid.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

[Changes in ocular tonus, pH and concentration of ascorbic acid and lactic acid in the aqueous humor of rabbits treated with epinephrine].

The authors state the results of their research on the modification of the aqueous humor caused by the instillation of the Epinephrine in a group of ten rabbits. The results of these studies illustrate the variations of pH, the ocular tone, the concentration of lactic and ascorbic acid. In all the rabbits examined Epinephrine was instillated in the RE while in the LE distilled water was instillated for the control. For two hours from the beginning of the experiment, every 10 minutes measurements of the ocular tone in both eyes were taken. At the end of the two hours a sample of aqueous humor was taken from the RE and LE; It was found that: 1) The drugs produced a vary quick and prolonged decrease of the ocular tone. 2) There are no significant variations in the pH or in the concentration of lactic acid. 3) There was a notable reduction of the concentration of ascorbic acid.

Animals↗