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Biomedical subjects

C Dimitriu

Publications and source records attributed to C Dimitriu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Clinical impact of cachexia on survival and outcome of cancer patients.

Approximately one half of all cancer patients experience a complex metabolic status involving progressive exhaustion of adipose and skeletal muscle tissue. This condition, known as cachexia, is responsible for more than 20% of the overall deaths in cancer patients. Although its main mechanisms remain unknown, several hypotheses have been proposed. One of the pathogenic mechanisms involves leptin and hypothalamic neuropeptide-containing pathways. Orexigenic and anorexigenic neuropeptides are down-regulated respectively upregulated as a result of cancer. Other pathogenic theories consider tumour derived factors, such as LMF (Lipid Mobilising Factor) and PIF (Proteolysis-inducing Factor), to be responsible for the weight losing pattern of cancer patients via activation of various catabolic pathways (e.g. ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic-pathway, etc.). Despite the controversial discussion of cachexia-inducing mechanisms it is clear that proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNFalpha, IFNgamma, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8, are linked to all pathways that induce cachexia. Although only limited treatment exists for patients with cancer cachexia, recent studies with eicosapaentanoic acid showed promising effects in reversing weight losing pattern of cachectic patients. Cytokine targeted monoclonal antibodies, cytokine traps and genetic therapies are also evaluated for future therapeutic strategies.

Cachexia↗

Ultrastructural characterization of the early changes in intercellular junctions in response to cadmium (Cd2+) exposure in LLC-PK1 cells.

Previous studies have shown that Cd2+ can disrupt the Ca2+-dependent junctions between LLC-PK1 cells. The objective of the present studies was to further characterize the early junctional effects of Cd2+ in LLC-PK1 cells and to identify the initial site of injury. LLC-PK1 cells were grown on permeable membrane supports and were exposed to 10 microM Cd2+ from the basolateral compartment. The integrity of cell junctions was assessed by light and electron microscopy and by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance. After as little as 15 min of Cd2+ exposure, there was an increase in the amount of light transmitted between the cells. The transepithelial resistance began to decline by 30 min and continued to fall until reaching zero after about 6 hr. Ultrastructural analysis showed that the initial disruption of cell-cell junctions coincided with a decrease in the density of intracellular plaques associated with the adhering junctions (zonulae adherens). This effect increased with time and paralleled an increase in the space between cells and a change in the shape of the cells from squamous to rounded. Sectioning the cells horizontally, in a plane parallel to the membrane support, allowed us to see large areas of zonulae adherens. Cd2+ caused the formation of gaps within the zonulae which increased with time of exposure. No significant changes in most occluding junctions (zonulae occludens) were seen until 6-8 hr after Cd2+ exposure. These results indicate that the adhering junctions and associated cytoplasmic components are primary sites of early Cd2+ injury in LLC-PK1 cells and they suggest that these effects may result from the interaction of Cd2+ with target sites associated with the basolateral cell surface.

Animals↗

[Acute nonbiliary and nontraumatic pancreatitis. The diagnostic and treatment characteristics].

Deeper knowledge of the etiopathogenesis of acute pancreatitis and the possibility to estimate the extend and gravity of pancreatic and peripancreatic lesions determined essential fluctuations in treatment evolution. Etiology of nonbiliary and nontraumatic A.P. recognises in the first place alcoholism (20-25% of A.P.) and in the second place less common causes such as: hypercalcemic states, hyperlipidemia (about 5-10% of A.P.). Diagnosis of nonbiliary A.P. leans upon: antecedents of chronic alcoholism, alteration on liver function tests and serum put levels and the results of cholecystocholangiography, abdominal ultrasonography and duodenum tubing. These reveal the absence of gallstones, cholesterolosis or anomalies of papilla of Vater (sphincter of Oddi). A number of 128 patients with acute pancreatitis were admitted to the clinic in the period 1984-1994 from which 48 with a non-biliary and non-traumatic. A complex medical treatment was applied to all patients but only 25 responded favourably, the remaining 23 necessitating surgical intervention, which was effected on de-shocked and re-equilibrated patients, diminishing thus the number or repeat interventions in the complications which may appear in such cases. Thus postoperative mortality fell from 58, 33 to 30, 76.

Adult↗

[Preliminary results after the transperitoneal laparoscopic treatment of the first 50 inguinal hernias].

The authors are presenting the results of first 50 inguinal hernias treated laparoscopically trough the transperitoneal approach (39 men, 11 women, mean age--42,5 years, 44 uncomplicated and 6 epiploon's incarceration). After the dissection of the hernia's pouch, the parietal defect was covered with Prolène meche in 15 cases, with Marlex in 10 cases and Plastex prosthesis in 25 cases, all of them without fixation. The prosthesis itself was covered with the parietal peritoneum in running suture. The immediate postoperative evolution was good, the patients being able to walk soon after being awake, and without any urinary problems (even in elder patients). The patients left the hospital 24-48 hours after surgery. They were followed-up 2 to 10 months, periodically. The results were good, except 4 patients: 1 case with port-site hematoma (in the right lower quadrant, necessitating open surgery). 2 patients with seromas (vulvar and scrotal) in case of section and abandoning the hernial pouch. 1 patient with prosthesis migration with precocious recidive (24 hours after the operation). We consider the transperitoneal approach as very good in the treatment of uncomplicated and not very large hernias. The easiest and safest technic is that using Prolène prosthesis.

Adult↗

Collagen transformation in abdominal skin of rabbit under continuous wave CO2 laser irradiation: a transmission electron microscopy study.

Irradiation of abdominal skin of the rabbit with a continuous-wave CO2 laser beam disrupted the collagen fibril into a spiral-like arrangement of thin filaments. An altered collagen fibril resulted with the potential for interactions between the fibrils. On cross section, the altered fibril shows a central core and an irregular limit which seems to interconnect the fibrils. This structure was found in a thin layer in the zone with altered collagen, at the boundary of the tissue apparently unaffected by the irradiation.

Animals↗

[Nonparasitic serous cysts of the liver].

On the occasion of the presentation of four cases of serous hepatic cysts, of non parasitic origin, the authors comment on the rarity of this affection, although in the last time, asymptomatic cases can have a frequency of 1% after screening with ultrasounds and CT Scan. Is presented a series of data concerning the etiopathogenesis, the clinic and the treatment of such cases.

Aged↗

[Isolated fractures of the zygomatic arch].

Out of 245 cases of zygomatic complex fractures which have been treated during 1978-1987, 20 were isolated zygomatic arch fractures. The analysis of the cases showed that the causing factors had been direct violence due to fight, sport and traffic accidents. It had been proved that these fractures are not very rare. Evaluation and treatment must be in time. Reduction of the fracture with the Ginestet hook and the Gillies method offer the most promising therapeutic results as it has been showed through this study.

Accidents, Traffic↗

[Analysis of 3100 laparoscopic cholecystectomies].

AIM: To evaluate the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the 8 years period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: First LC in Coltea Hospital was performed in September 1993 and introduced for treatment of patients with gallbladder disease. From September 1993 to February 2001 LC was performed in 3100 patients. Mean age 51.2 years (ranged from 8 to 87 years) among 2512 women and 588 men. 232 (7.48%) of the cases were patients with acute cholecystitis. Intraoperative cholangiography was performed in 112 cases (3.6%). RESULTS: Conversion to open cholecystectomy (OC) was necessary in 111 patients (3.58%). Operative complications occurred in 16 (0.5%) patients: CBD lesions in 4 (0.12%) patients, bleeding from cystic artery--12 (0.38%) patients. In one patient CBD injuries was recognized at the time of operation and after conversion to OC primary ductal repair was performed. Postoperative complications occurred in 44 (1.41%) patients: a) local infection--in 15 (0.48%) patients (subhepatic abcess-3, wound infection-9. b) bile leakage--in 21 (0.67%) patients. c) haemoperitoneum because of the bleeding: from the abdominal wall at the trocar insertion site--in 2 patients, from a. cystica-one patient. d) obstructive jaundice due to stone in CBD--in 5 patients (endoscopic papillosphincterotomy and stone extraction was performed). There 21 reoperations due to complications: 13 laparatomies and 8 relaparascopies. Two patients (52 and 64 years old) died after LC-mortality 0.06 per cent. Mean hospitalisation day was 3.8. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent iatrogenic CBD injuries correct preparation with a clear identification of the anatomic structures is essential. Relaparascopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangyopancreatography can be successfully used in the treatment of complications after LC.

Adolescent↗