PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Spinelli

Publications and source records attributed to E Spinelli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Propagation velocity measurement: autocorrelation technique applied to the electromyogram.

Muscle fibre conduction velocity is an important measurement in electrophysiology, both in the research laboratory and in clinical practice. It is usually measured by placing electrodes spaced at known distances and estimating the transit time of the action potential. The problem, common to all methods, is the estimation of this time delay. Several measurement procedures, in the time and frequency domains, have been proposed. Time-domain strategies usually require two acquisition channels, whereas some frequency-domain methods can be implemented using a single one. The method described operates in the time domain, making use of the autocorrelation function of the difference signal obtained from two needle electrodes and only one acquisition channel. Experimental results were obtained from the electromyogram of two biceps muscles (two adult male subjects, nine records each) under voluntary contraction, yielding an average of 3.58 m s(-1) (SD=0.04 m s(-1)) and 3.37m s(-1) (SD=0.03 m s(-1)), respectively. Several tests showed that the proposed method works properly with electromyogram records as short as 0.3 s.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2001

Listening to our clients: a dangerous proposal.

Although therapeutic thinking and practice have entered their second century, most practitioners remain largely uncertain as to what data to trust, including "what works" and, "why it works." If anything, practitioners' reliance on ever-increasing numbers of theoretical models and either vague or contradictory research findings as primary guidelines to their practice has added to the confusion. What can the practitioner trust? This paper puts forward the "dangerous proposal" that it is of primary value for clinical professionals to place their trust on an often overlooked variable: the clients' statements about their therapy and their relationship to and with their therapist. It is argued that through the clarification of this variable will emerge a better understanding of the nonspecific variables of the therapeutic relationship itself and, as significantly, of the encompassing interrelational realms of discourse evident in all therapeutic models.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

[Lobar bronchoplasty for tumor. Surgical technique and long-term results].

Between 1978 and 1994, 55 patients (53 men and 2 women) with a mean age of 62 years underwent an extended lobectomy to the main bronchus, with bronchial re-anastomosis, for bronchogenic tumours located around the lobar orifice. There were 32 upper sleeve lobectomies (58%) with a wedge resection of carina in one instance, 7 lower mono/bilobectomies with an upper lobe "turn up" re-anastomosis (13%) and 16 upper wedge lobectomies (29%). Squamous cell carcinoma was predominant (32 patients, 58%), while the adenocarcinoma was present in 16%, adenosquamous in 5%, microcitoma in 9%, carcinoid in 4% and a well differentiated neuro-endocrine carcinoma in 2%. The indication for the bronchoplastic procedure was judged to be when the FEV, value was about -25% of the normal; in a few patients still in good respiratory condition, an elective indication was also admitted. Postoperative staging was: Stage 0 in 1 patient, Stage I in 7 patients; Stage II in 10 patients; Stage III A in 31 patients; Stage III B in 5 patients and Stage IV in 1 patient. Follow-up was completed with a mean extension of 40 months (range 3 months-16 years). There was no operative mortality in Stages I and II as well as in Stages III B and IV, while it was 9% in Stage III A patients. Survival rates according to the stage were as following: 66% 5 and 10 year for Stage I disease; 56% 5 year and 45% 10 year for Stage II disease; 7% 4 year for Stage III A. None of 5 patients belonging to Stage III B has survived for more than 18 months (mean 7). Some single survivals are mentioned because of their special clinical features. Besides stressing the absolute value of survival rates obtained in Stage I and II disease, the Author also point out the clinical role of these advanced surgical techniques in improving both the survival length and the quality of life, when applied for the treatment of more advanced Stage III A.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Artificial blood. Experimental studies on fluorocarbons as chemical blood substitutes].

Fluorocarbonates are organic compounds capable of carrying oxygen and surrendering it to tissues by means of biological sound modalities. Experimentation of an emulsion consisting of perfluorotripropylamine and perfluorodecaline (Fluosol DA 20%) as a blood substitute is reported. Acute (Ht less than 1%) and chronic morphological (Ht = 15%) studies were performed on rats, and a semi-acute biochemical and morphological protocol (Ht = 21%) was experimented in pigs. The first signs of altered cerebral electrical activity occurred at Ht = 2% in the acute experiments, and death due to respiratory arrest took pace at Ht = 0.5%. In the semiacute and chronic experiments, widespread infiltration of fluorocarbonic micelles was noted on histological and electron microscope lung and liver preparations.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1983

Morphological evaluation of the human umbilical vein graft. An experimental study.

23 human umbilical vein segments (5 mm X 4-5 cm) were implanted into the carotid and iliac arteries of 15 dogs, removed at intervals ranging from 10 to 360 days after surgery and analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. 10 days after implantation, a thin layer of fibrin covered the central areas of the grafts, while thick platelet aggregates were found near the anastomoses. After 30 days, the progressive connective tissue ingrowth led to the organization of a thin fibrous inner layer on which endothelial-like cells grew, spreading from both anastomoses. The endothelialization process appeared to be almost complete at 120 days after implantation, while at 360 days the flow surface was totally lined.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Scanning electron microscopy evaluation of porous and nonporous arterial substitutes.

The fate of two different kinds of new small arterial substitutes, porous and nonporous, has been compared, particularly with regard to the structure of the luminal surface. Twenty-eight weavenit Dacron pyrolytic carbon coated grafts and 28 glutaraldehyde-tanned human umbilical vein segments were implanted into the carotid arteries of dogs. Grafts were removed at intervals, from ten to 120 days after implantation, and examined by scanning electron microscopy. The cumulative patency rate was 96.4 per cent for Dacron and 85.7 per cent for umbilical vein grafts. Ten days after implantation, the Dacron grafts were uniformly covered by a thin thrombus layer, while the umbilical vein grafts showed a thin network of fibrin on the central portion of the luminal surface of the graft and thrombotic deposits at the anastomoses. Thirty days after implantation, both types of prostheses showed the development of a thin fibrous tissue layer on the inner surface. Finally, at 120 days, an endothelial lining was observed.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1981

[Experimental research on the use of fluorocarbon compounds (FC 43) as blood substitutes].

The authors have experimented a fluorocarbon compound (FC 43) in form of a stable emulsion (20%), in the presence of a suitable surfactant agent (Pluronic F 68: 2,5%), as an hematic substitute. The animals (fifteen rabbits) underwent substitution of 50% of the total hematic volume with same volumes of the emulsion and thereafter have been examined for a period of twenty-four hours. During the time of observation there were no changes on: 1) acid-base equilibrium; 2) respiratory homeostasis and 3) major circulatory parameters.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1981

[An experimental investigation of the use of a fluorocarbon (FC 43) as blood substitute].

A fluorocarbonate emulsion was infused into 30 rabbits after the removal of varying amounts of blood. Parameters relating to the transport of respiratory gases and the fundamental features of the macrocirculation were monitored. The animals were sacrificed after 6 or 24 hr and the histological changes in the main parenchymas were assessed. The material injected displayed low toxicity, a good ability to act as a vehicle for oxygen and carbon dioxide, and no tendency to alter the macrocirculation. Numerous problems remain, however, with regard to the stability of fluorocarbonates over the course of time and the effect of their uptake by tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

[Mixed aorta-popliteal by-pass: a new proposal for the treatment of extensive ilio-femoral obstruction].

The nosological polymorphism of peripheral arterial obstruction (A.O.P.) continuously requires new surgical techniques of vascular repair. This led the AA. to develop a new composed aorto-popliteal by-pass. It consists of a proximal (aorto-femoral) synthetic segment (Dacron D.V.) which is distally anastomozed to a biological (Meadox-Dardik Biograft) femoral-popliteal segment. Indications for aorto-popliteal by-pass, technical problems, patient selection and results are here discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

[Oxygenating intra-alveolar lavage (OAL) with the use of some new fluorinated compounds].

Certain fluorinated carbonate compounds can carry O2 and CO2 in a physiological manner. This faculty was exploited in the elaboration of an experimental intra-alveolar oxygenating washing protocol employing such compounds as intrapulmonary oxygenating liquids conveyed by transtracheal flooding of the alveoli in 20 rabbits. AP, PaP, CVP and EP were monitored in accordance with a 35' protocol, during which the positive oxygenation and negative emptying phases of the washing process were repeated at an average 2 cycles/min. A respiratory exchange capable of keeping all the animals alive until the recommencement of spontaneous ventilation was noted, along with only slight changes in lung structure. Once an in-depth study is made of certain fundamental phenomena related to structure and lung function, it is felt that this washing method can be used clinically for the treatment of hypoxaemic situations in which normal alveocapillary exchange is impeded by extraneous material, as in desquamative interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, etc.

Animals↗