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Biomedical subjects

F Banfi

Publications and source records attributed to F Banfi.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

[Radioimmunologic determination of alpha fetoprotein in diagnosis of primary tumors of the liver].

The plasma level of alpha1-fetoprotein in 35 hepatic patients with a "cold" area showed by liver scanning has been detected by means of the radioimmunoassay technique. High levels (more than 320 ng/ml) of AFP were found in 4 cases of primary carcinoma of the liver; low concentration of AFP was found in 1 case of hepatoma. In 4 cases of liver metastasis the plasma levels of AFP were very low; the highest concentration (10 ng/ml) was found in a patient with a cancer of the colon. Low levels of AFP were found in all the cases (26) of hepatic cirrhosis, whereas high level of AFP was detected in 1 case of chronic hepatitis. The detection of alpha1-fetoprotein by the radioimmunoassay technique may be of value in the differential diagnosis between hepatoma and cirrhosis.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Suicidal behavior in the North Varese province: a epidemiological analysis].

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of figures and characteristics of suicide behaviour in the area of Varese and the neighbouring northern towns (Valceresio, the valleys around Luino and northern Verbano), with the purpose of finding out preventing measures. DESIGN: Epidemiological-descriptive survey. The 1995-1997 ISTAT death cards, included in the death files of the former USSL of Varese have been taken into consideration. Only those people who were resident at the suicide moment have been included in the survey. Afterwards the psychiatric service archives were consulted, to find any possible contact between the subjects in the ISTAT files and the psychiatric services themselves. With regard to these patients, some information such as suicide attempts, psychiatric pathology and first contact with the psychiatric services have been pointed out. SETTING: Arcisate, Cittiglio, Luino and Varese districts, where the Community Mental Health Services 1 and 2 of "Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Macchi" of Varese operate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The suicide rates in the studied area have been reckoned and, through direct standardization, the rates of the single districts have been compared. RESULTS: There were 78 suicides (24 females and 54 males): rate of 8.2 per 100,000. In accordance with the national trend, there is evidence of a general reduction of the suicide phenomenon, except among the youngest. Districts of Luino and Arcisate are geographic areas to examine in the time, because a wider sample could reveal a higher risk. Young and elderly people are the most affected among the males and, 55/64-year-old people, both males and females, are at higher risk. Suicide methods vary with the age. A high percentage of subjects are not married and with low education. Less than one third of the subjects had come into contact with the psychiatric service. CONCLUSIONS: These data allow a comparison with the national survey and an analysis of the suicide features in the study area. The purpose is to elaborate preventing strategies with multi-dimensional approach whose efficacy may be proved in the future by setting up a provincial observatory.

Catchment Area, Health↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The 99mTc-HMPAO leukocyte scan: an alternative to radiology and endoscopy in evaluating the extent and the activity of inflammatory bowel disease.

Seventy-eight patients, 47 with Crohn's disease and 31 with ulcerative colitis, were studied using 99mTc-HMPAO-labelled leukocytes, in order to assess the reliability of the scan in evaluating the location and activity of the disease. The granulocyte integrity was assessed by evaluating the lung wash-out and the early liver and spleen uptake using a 20 minute initial dynamic study. The results of the leukocyte scan revealed a high correlation with radiological and endoscopic findings in the diagnosis of the inflamed bowel segments. The disease activity correlated well with uptake in the bowel, graded from 0 to 3. The leukocyte scan exactly documented the activity in the 9 cases of Crohn's disease located in the ileum and in 5 cases in which the endoscopic exploration was hampered by scarring. Four fistulae were correctly visualized. Moreover, the change in activity after therapy in 6 patients was documented. This technique provides images of excellent quality, superior to those obtainable with indium-111.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Importance of looking for specific IgM in serological investigations for syphilis].

Syphilis is still a quite common infection often lacking clinical symptoms and sometimes ignored. Serological tests have peculiar importance in order to settle the diagnosis and therapy. Traditional tests as VDRL and TPHA cannot clearly define the clinical pattern because these tests remain positive for a long period of time. Moreover they can prove the recovery of the patients only if they continue to give low titres. The immunofluorescence test FTA ABS, that raised interest at its outset, has low sensitivity against IgM specific antibodies and defines serological state of patients only in 50% of the cases. The reading of this test remains subjective. The authors intend to verify the importance to detect the IgM specific antibodies to assume medical and legal decisions in unknown subjects, without clinical knowledge. 20,000 sera of normal subjects and of risk group have been assayed. Specific IgM are absent in 60 clinically recovered subjects with VDRL and TPHA still positive, specific IgM are present in 15 cases of Syphilis under treatment and also in 15 subjects with unknown Syphilis. The results show that: 1) IgM specific antibodies for Syphilis are not detectable in patients under a long term antibiotic treatment while the traditional serological tests (VDRL, TPHA) are positive; 2) they are present in patients under treatment with still active infection; 3) they are also present in patients with ignored infection, never treated. In conclusion the Authors consider important to include in the panel of Syphilis testing new assays for the detection of specific IgM antibodies. This is particularly important in subjects under treatment and also in unknown subjects.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗