Biomedical subjects

C Di Giovanni

Publications and source records attributed to C Di Giovanni.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

The lungs and platelet production.

Several studies have suggested that thrombopoiesis may occur in the lungs. To investigate the role of the lungs in platelet production, we measured automated platelet parameters in blood from the pulmonary artery and the radial artery (n=125) or aorta (n=26) in patients undergoing aorto-coronary bypass. No significant differences were found between pulmonary and radial arterial blood with regard to platelet count (192.132 +/- 46.250 vs. 192.004 +/- 46.294 x 10(9)/l), mean platelet volume (11.03 +/- 1.04 vs. 11.03 +/- 1.03 fl), plateletcrit (0.212 +/- 0.051 vs. 0.212 +/- 0.051 x 10(-2)), platelet distribution width (14.48 +/- 2.16 vs. 14.47 +/- 2.08 fl) and platelet-large cell ratio (0.350 +/- 0.076 vs. 0.351 +/- 0.078). Similar results were obtained in comparisons between pulmonary arterial and aortic blood. A coefficient of linear correlation of 0.98 was found between the pulmonary and radial arterial and aortic platelet counts. These findings suggest that the platelet population entering the lungs was the same as the platelet population leaving them. Our results do not therefore support the theory of pulmonary platelet production.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Respiratory changes in human red cells.

To investigate physiological respiratory changes in human red cells, we measured automated red cell parameters in samples from the pulmonary and radial arteries of 86 patients undergoing aorto-coronary bypass and from the pulmonary artery and the aorta in 23 patients. Our results showed higher mean corpuscular volume (88.53 +/- 5.06 fl vs. 88.12 +/- 4.94 fl, P < 0.000001), haematocrit (0.369 +/- 0.039 vs. 0.367 +/- 0.038, P < 0.0005), red cell distribution width (43.38 +/- 4.16 vs. 43.04 +/- 4.05 fl, P < 0.000001) and a lower mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (338.3 +/- 15.9 vs. 339.9 +/- 16.8 g/l, P < 0.005) in pulmonary arterial as compared to radial arterial blood. There were no differences with respect to haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, or mean corpuscular haemoglobin. Similar differences were observed between pulmonary arterial and aortic blood. Our results suggest cyclic respiratory modifications of red cell parameters attributable to the CO2 Jacobs-Stewart cycle.

Carbon Dioxide↗

PubMed1996

Changes in coagulation patterns, blood loss and blood use after cardiopulmonary bypass: aprotinin vs tranexamic acid vs epsilon aminocaproic acid.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) increases risk of postoperative bleeding and need for transfusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aprotinin, epsilon aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid on coagulation patterns and need for banked blood transfusion. Ninety-six consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery were randomly assigned to 4 groups (24 patients each). The following parameters were monitored before, during and after CPB: activated lotting time, hemoglobin, prothrombin time, activated prothromboplastin time, fibrinogen, antithrombin III, xDP, Factor VIII, Thrombin-Antithrombin Complex and plasminogen. Analysis of postoperative bleeding and need for transfusion showed that the aprotinin group had significantly lower mediastinal bleeding. Transfused patients were 2, 4, 12 and 18 respectively in the aprotinin, epsilon aminocaproic acid, tranexamic acid and placebo treated group. In conclusion the use of protease inhibitors significantly reduces postoperative bleeding and transfusion. The aprotinin-treated group had the lower need for transfusion.

Aminocaproic Acid↗

PubMed1991

Prevalence of HIV antibody among a group of paraphilic sex offenders.

Serum specimens from 77 paraphilic sex offenders in treatment at a major community-based sexual disorders clinic were examined for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In addition to their paraphilic ("sexually deviant") activities, most patients had also had nonparaphilic sexual contacts with consenting adult partners. These patients had engaged in a variety of sexual behaviors that involved real or potential exchange of body fluids. In spite of that fact, data analysis revealed that none of the 77 paraphilic patients was seropositive for HIV infection as assessed by recombinant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Solitary metastasis of the appendicular bones: role of orthopedic surgery].

The authors report their experience in the treatment of solitary metastasis of the appendicular skeletal system with reference to a group of 59 cases treated. The importance of orthopaedic surgery, involving medical oncology, radiotherapy and physiotherapy is emphasised. The surgical methods used to obtain stable synthesis and facilitate assistance to the patients are discussed. In circumscribed lesions the use of cryotherapy with azote fluid may be useful, and in some cases skeletal reconstruction with autoplastic bone transplant is indicated.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Multiple exostoses disease (observations in 21 reported cases)].

With reference to 21 cases the authors describe the clinical, radiological and anatomo-pathological findings of multiple exostoses disease. The indications for the surgical treatment are discussed; they are, however, the same to the solitary osteochondroma.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Primary reticulosarcoma of bone (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma). A study of 12 cases.

Reticulosarcoma, nowadays usually referred to as non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma, is a particularly rare primary bone tumour. This study includes 12 cases observed over more than 15 years. The favourable clinical course of the tumour, and the use of complementary therapy justify a more extensive use of surgical treatment. Five cases were submitted to surgery plus complementary chemotherapy; two resections of the tibia, one of the humerus, one scapulectomy and one disarticulation of the hip. The remaining 7 cases were treated by radiation therapy. The overall prognosis of the disease is not very favourable (25% survival rate) although its slow progress gives a favourable clinical impression. Treatment may, however, influence the prognosis; much better results are obtained by radical surgery with complementary chemotherapy. In one resection of the tibial diaphysis and one radical scapulectomy there was no local recurrence or metastases at 3 and 4 years follow-up, whereas cases treated previously by less radical surgery and inadequate chemotherapy, although showing no local recurrence, did result in systemic diffusion of the disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987