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Biomedical subjects

C Gentile

Publications and source records attributed to C Gentile.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Gastric motility disorders in patients operated on for esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: long-term evaluation.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Disturbed peristalsis is reported frequently after successful repair of esophageal atresia (EA). Delayed gastric emptying could be considered a cause of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in patients with repaired EA. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the incidence of and to characterize gastric motility disorders in a long-term follow-up of patients operated on for EA-tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) by studying gastric emptying with scintigraphic techniques and comparing the results with gastric manometric data. METHODS: Eleven patients, between 12 and 23 years of age (median, 17) operated on for EA-TEF between 1975 and 1985, were studied. The scinthigraphic study was undertaken using a standard solid meal. The manometric study was performed using a 2.3-mm probe with 3 solid-state transducers. RESULTS: Dysphagia was present in about 20% of patients. Dyspepsia was recorded in 40% of the patients. A pathological reflux was present in 2 patients. Delayed gastric emptying (T1/2 > 90') was present in 4 patients (36%). Manometric data showed alteration of gastric peristaltic activity in 5 patients (45%). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed gastric emptying is frequent in long-term follow-up of patients operated on for EA-TEF. In these patients antral hypomotility also is recorded manometrically. Abnormal gastric motility can be considered as an important factor predisposing to symptoms of GER. A thorough evaluation of gastric function is recommended in symptomatic patients after EA repair.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Ecology of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in areas of Serra da Bocaina National Park, Brazil. I. Habitat distribution].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the mosquito fauna in Serra da Bocaina National Park (PNSB), by collecting information through a general survey, and investigating the population behavior in habitats within the park with different vegetation. METHODS: Human bait collections were conducted once a month for both the forest and households, in diurnal and nocturnal periods, three time a day, throughout 24 months, from January 1991 to December 1992. RESULTS: A total of 11, 808 adult mosquitoes belonging to 28 species were collected. Runchomyia reversa and Anopheles cruzii were the most abundant, reaching 52.5% and 17.9% of the total collected specimens, respectively. In the dense forest, Ru. reversa comprised 59.4% of the total, followed by Ru. frontosa with 10.5%, and An. cruzii with 9.9%. In the high altitude fields and in gallery forest, An. cruzii was the most abundant (48.1%) followed by Ru. reversa (28.1%). Inside households An. cruzii was also the most prominent species, representing 73.7% of the total for that location. Coquillettidia chrysonotum was the only species mainly seen in the household surroundings, where its distribution was: 14.9% (indoors), 19.4% (close to the house), and 65.7% (outdoors). An. cruzii and Ru. reversa were found throughout the whole year and captured every month. CONCLUSIONS: Mosquitoes in PNSB present an assynanthropic behavior, except for Cq. chrysonotum which lives preferentially in the household environment. Though An. cruzii is an assynantropic species it may approaches live near households and even invades and infest them for the blood meals. The occurrence of Aedes serratus in the household vicinity emphasizes its epidemiological importance as a potential vector of arboviruses. Sabethini are all exclusively sylvatic species.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Pleuropulmonary blastoma: long-term survival and literature review.

BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURE: Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) identifies different types of pulmonary tumors in the pediatric age. It is extremely uncommon and is known to have a very poor prognosis, with only few cases surviving after 10 years follow-up. Our experience with such a patient and long-term follow-up (12 years) is therefore of interest. She was a 2-year-old girl admitted with a history of respiratory distress and underwent a left thoracotomy. The tumor was removed and after 1 month a polychemotherapy course was started using dactinomycin and vincristine for 6 months. The patient remains disease-free 12 years after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: The biologic behavior of the tumor is considered unpredictable, and for this reason much effort has been expended in trying to identify prognostic factors. The preoperative size of the mass (size <5 cm) in our patient, its complete excision, and the histologic aspects might be helpful in identifying favorable prognostic factors.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1999

A morphometric and ultrastructural study of the changes in the lamina propria in adolescents with varicocele.

OBJECTIVE: To verify if changes in the lamina propria and its components, reported in adults with varicocele, are already present in adolescents with idiopathic varicocele, using a morphometric and ultrastructural study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty testicular biopsies from adolescents (mean age 15.6 years) were obtained during surgery for left idiopathic varicocele; five testicular biopsies from adolescents (mean age 16 years) undergoing surgery for hydrocele or inguinal hernia were used as controls. Biopsy specimens were processed for light and transmission electron microscopy; the sections were evaluated morphometrically using computerized image analysis. RESULTS: Morphometric and ultrastructural examination of the testes with varicocele showed an increased thickness in the lamina propria, caused principally by an increase in the extracellular matrix components, and deep invaginations towards the germinal epithelium. CONCLUSION: There is detectable damage of the lamina propria in adolescents affected by left idiopathic varicocele, although not as well developed or as severe as in adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

A possible role of the plasmalemmal cytoskeleton, nitric oxide synthase, and innervation in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. A confocal laser scanning microscopic study.

In reference to a possible neuropathy in the pathogenesis of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS), previous studies have described alterations in peptidergic transmission while others have recently attributed an important role to nitrinergic activity. Little attention has been given to the organization of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the constituent cytoskeleton and subsarcolemma of the pyloric smooth-muscle cell. To study a possible relationship between neuronal and muscular elements in IHPS, 9 biopsies from patients with IHPS and 5 biopsies of normal pylorus were examined using immunohistochemical techniques with regard to the distribution of nerve cells and fibers (bNOS and PGP 9.5) and the ECM (laminin) and cytoskeleton (talin, vinculin, dystrophin, alpha-smooth iso-actin, desmin) components of the pyloric muscle. Our results showed anti-protein gene product 9.5 and b-nitric oxide synthase immunoreaction respectively reduced or absent in nerve fibers with a positive reaction inside the ganglion cells. An uneven distribution of the ECM component laminin was evident, together with a negative immunoreaction to talin and dystrophin. The imunolocalization of vinculin, alpha-smooth iso-actin, and desmin was similar to the controls. Our findings suggest that there is a close relationship between the nerve and muscle elements in the pathophysiology of IHPS and that non-alteration of some elements of cytoskeleton organization can play an important role in regaining pyloric function after pyloromyotomy.

Cytoskeletal Proteins↗
PubMed1997

Yeast microarrays for genome wide parallel genetic and gene expression analysis.

We have developed high-density DNA microarrays of yeast ORFs. These microarrays can monitor hybridization to ORFs for applications such as quantitative differential gene expression analysis and screening for sequence polymorphisms. Automated scripts retrieved sequence information from public databases to locate predicted ORFs and select appropriate primers for amplification. The primers were used to amplify yeast ORFs in 96-well plates, and the resulting products were arrayed using an automated micro arraying device. Arrays containing up to 2,479 yeast ORFs were printed on a single slide. The hybridization of fluorescently labeled samples to the array were detected and quantitated with a laser confocal scanning microscope. Applications of the microarrays are shown for genetic and gene expression analysis at the whole genome level.

Cold Temperature↗
PubMed1996

The C-terminal domain of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II interacts with a novel set of serine/arginine-rich proteins.

Although transcription and pre-mRNA processing are colocalized in eukaryotic nuclei, molecules linking these processes have not previously been described. We have identified four novel rat proteins by their ability to interact with the repetitive C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II in a yeast two-hybrid assay. A yeast homolog of one of the rat proteins has also been shown to interact with the CTD. These CTD-binding proteins are all similar to the SR (serine/arginine-rich) family of proteins that have been shown to be involved in constitutive and regulated splicing. In addition to alternating Ser-Arg domains, these proteins each contain discrete N-terminal or C-terminal CTD-binding domains. We have identified SR-related proteins in a complex that can be immunoprecipitated from nuclear extracts with antibodies directed against RNA polymerase II. In addition, in vitro splicing is inhibited either by an antibody directed against the CTD or by wild-type but not mutant CTD peptides. Thus, these results suggest that the CTD and a set of CTD-binding proteins may act to physically and functionally link transcription and pre-mRNA processing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-DNA adducts in peripheral white blood cells during consumption of charcoal-broiled beef.

The effect of ingesting charcoal-broiled (CB) beef on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-DNA adduct levels in nucleated peripheral white blood cells (WBCs) was examined in four healthy, non-smoking males who consumed an average of 280 g CB beef daily for 7 days. PAH-DNA adducts were quantitated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. During the week of CB beef consumption, two individuals exhibited a 3- to 6-fold increase in PAH-DNA adducts above baseline levels observed during the month prior to CB beef consumption. In contrast, PAH-DNA adduct levels in the two other subjects did not increase. Thus, dietary sources of PAH can contribute to the PAH-DNA adduct load in peripheral WBCs in some individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Gigantic fibroadenoma of the breast in an adolescent. Description of a clinical case].

A case of giant fibroadenoma in a girl of 14 is reported. This case emerged from an examination of about 380 patients observed at the Senology Clinic of the S. Maria di Loreto Hospital (USL 44) in the last 3 years. A statistical contribution is made to the study of breast pathologies in pubertal age and stress is laid on the importance of mass screening among adolescents.

Adolescent↗