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F Bassi

Publications and source records attributed to F Bassi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Measurement of estrone-3-glucuronide and pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide in early morning urine samples to monitor ovarian function.

The determination of the concentration of estrone-3-glucuronide and pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide has been performed by a chemiluminescent immunoassay in early morning urine samples of 14 normal menstruating women and 11 women affected by luteal phase defect. The early morning urine samples were daily collected for an entire menstrual cycle. We have employed a timed and measured volume collection procedure as correction factor. The integrated values of the hormonal data in definite time intervals were used to create a nomogram. By means of this method, it was possible to completely separate normal from luteal insufficiency subjects and to distinguish two different types of luteal phase defects. Moreover, the same approach was applied to the study of the role and the frequency of luteal phase defect in 15 patients affected by habitual abortion and in 17 premenopausal women who had undergone quadrantectomy for T1a No Mo breast cancer. A luteal phase defect was detected in nine of the aborting patients (60%) and in eight women affected by breast cancer (47%). Finally estrone-3-glucuronide was measured in early morning urine samples of 96 prepubertal and pubertal girls in different pubertal stages and in one patient affected by precocious puberty, before and during an agonist GnRH treatment. The urinary test of ovarian function seems to be suitable for diagnostic purposes and for clinical studies.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed1987

Chemiluminescence immunoassay for somatomedin C in serum.

To select the best tracer for use in a competitive immunoassay, we conjugated human somatomedin C (SmC) to various chemiluminescent compounds via two different synthetic pathways. Naphthylhydrazides and arylhydrazides, used as the labels, were incorporated via their imidate or their succinimide esters. Conjugating the carboxy terminal of (amino ethyl)ethyl-isoluminol to SmC via a succinimide linkage supplied the most sensitive detection limit and the most immunoreactive conjugate. We developed an immunoassay based on the use of this conjugate, and evaluated dextran-coated charcoal, second-antibody precipitation, and solid-phase immunoprecipitation for separating bound and free label. This chemiluminescent method has a detection limit of 16 pg per tube, and it is accurate and precise. Correlation studies with a conventional radioimmunoassay (x) for SmC gave the following regression equation: y = 0.66x + 3.76 (r = 0.953, n = 30); the slight discrepancies between the two methods are probably ascribable to the use of different antibodies. We thus propose this chemiluminescence immunoassay as an inexpensive and sensitive alternative to radioimmunoassay for measuring SmC in serum or in extracts of serum.

DNA, Recombinant↗
PubMed1987

Pathophysiology and natural history of acquired short esophagus.

The choice of therapy--whether medical or surgical--for patients with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is often a subject of debate. After a period in which surgery was almost the exclusive mode of treatment in patients with severe complications resulting from GER or in patients who did not respond to medical therapy, long-term follow-up showed that in 20 cases of GER in which only medical treatment was given, a progressive shortening of the esophagus--frequently in the absence of esophagitis--had developed. To investigate the pathophysiology of acquired short esophagus, we studied 34 patients--20 from the initial group and 14 who already had this condition. Clinical assessment consisted of interview, radiologic examination of the upper digestive tract, endoscopic and histologic examinations, and 24-hour home esophagogastric pH monitoring. We noted that acid GER causes shortening in the presence of severe mucosal lesions, while "nonacid" GER--a combination of gastric, pancreatic, and hepatic secretions--causes shortening of the esophagus even without evident mucosal lesions. Symptom evaluation, acid GER pH recording, and endoscopy are not sufficient for determination of the current choice of therapy. It is also important to quantify GER that results from the mixing of gastric and biliopancreatic secretions with use of the esophagogastric pH recording. This should reduce the possibility of silent shortening of the esophagus.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Morphological response to positive end expiratory pressure in acute respiratory failure. Computerized tomography study.

Ten patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF), (4 pneumonia, 4 sepsis, 2 polytrauma), underwent computerized tomography (CT) of the lungs, (apex, hilum, base), at 5, 10, 15 cm H2O positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP). The ARF lungs, on CT scan, appeared as a patchwork of normal and dense areas with generally well defined boundaries. Most of the densities were found in the dependent regions. The areas of density were correlated with PaO2 (r = 0.51). The PEEP increase resulted in a significant expansion of total cross-sectional lung surface area. The dense areas decreased significantly at the hilum and base when increasing PEEP while the changes at the apex were not significant. The changes of density with PEEP were highly correlated with the changes in oxygenation (r = 0.91). In the individual patient, however, the modifications of gas exchange can not be entirely predicted from morphological changes, possibly due to a diversion of pulmonary blood flow.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

Prediction of the shape and size of the maxillary anterior arch in edentulous patients.

The aims of the study were to examine the morphometric and angular relationships between the interincisive papilla and the maxillary anterior teeth, and to describe a clinical method derived from this analysis useful in sitting the upper front teeth. Plaster casts of upper jaws of adult patients with complete dentition, were selected. Two measurements were taken: the distance from the centre of the papilla to the most vestibular part of the labial surface of the anterior teeth; and the angles between the perpendicular to the median line and the line from the centre of the papilla to the most vestibular part of each tooth. The equation of the resulting parabola, corresponding to the upper frontal arch, can be applied to every maxillary dimension. Parabolas were divided into small, medium, and large, using the mean and standard deviations. Each curve was traced on a transparent base-plate shaped for intra-oral placement. In individuals with complete dentition the closest parabola to the maxillary frontal arch was selected and the distance between the lateral frenula measured. Statistical study demonstrated a correspondence between the interfrenulum distance and the parabolas. In edentulous patients the interfrenulum distance thus provides a curve useful in sitting the maxillary anterior arch.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Hansen's disease: a new endemic focus in the Piacenza Province? A description of four diagnosed cases by cutaneous biopsy.

Four cases of Hansen's disease (two lepromatous leprosy, one tuberculoid leprosy and one indeterminate leprosy) diagnosed from 1982 to today in Piacenza with histological and ultrastructural data are described in this study. Two cases (one lepromatous leprosy and one indeterminate leprosy) are probably imported, while the other two are apparently autochthonous. In all the cases the diagnosis or the suspicion of the disease are triggered after histological examination of the cutaneous biopsy, without any pre-existing clinical suspicion. In the discussion of the epidemiological significance of the number of cases the authors hypothesize the possible formation of an endemic area in Piacenza and intend to call attention of medical officials to the alarming fact of the probable existence of Hansen's disease in Italy.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Steroid secretion by the prepubertal human testis.

It has been demonstrated that the human testis secretes testosterone and, to a smaller extent and less constantly, also androstenedione. Testosterone, progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone have been measured in the spermatic and peripheral venous blood of prepubertal boys undergoing surgery for undescended testis or inguinal hernia repair. The spermatic plasma levels of testosterone and progesterone were significantly higher than peripheral levels. A significant spermatic-peripheral gradient was not found for 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone. These studies demonstrate that the secretory pattern of the human prepubertal testis is different from that of the adults.

Androgens↗
PubMed1983

Spermatic and peripheral venous plasma concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in prepubertal and pubertal boys.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DEAS), a major adrenal product, is quantitatively one of the most important steroids found in human testicular tissue. However, conflicting data have been reported about the testicular production of DEAS 'in vivo'. We have measured the spermatic and peripheral concentrations of testosterone (T) and DEAS in two groups of prepubertal (Group I, N = 18) and pubertal (Group II; N = 11) boys undergoing surgery for undescended testis, inguinal hernia or varicocele. Mean (+/- SE) spermatic concentrations of DEAS (77 +/- 16 and 113 +/- 19 micrograms/dl in Group I and II respectively) were not significantly different from peripheral concentrations (70 +/- 13 and 130 +/- 16 micrograms/dl in Group I and II respectively). Mean spermatic concentrations of T (153 +/- 101 and 7515 +/- 4314 ng/dl in Group I and II respectively) were significantly different from peripheral concentrations (9 +/- 1 and 149 +/- 53 ng/dl; P less than 0.001 in both groups). Spermatic and peripheral levels of T and DEAS found in prepubertal boys were significantly lower than those found in pubertal boys. Spermatic levels of DEAS were not significantly related with spermatic levels of T in both groups. Our data show that, as in adult subjects, no significant spermatic-peripheral DEAS gradient is present in prepubertal and pubertal boys.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Spermatic and peripheral venous plasma concentrations of progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone in prepubertal boys.

Testosterone, progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone have been measured in the spermatic and peripheral venous blood of 17 prepubertal boys undergoing surgery for undescended testis or inguinal hernia repair. Mean (+/-SE) spermatic testosterone and progesterone (538 +/- 212 and 704 +/- 110 pg/ml, respectively) were significantly higher (P less than 0.005) than peripheral levels (91 +/- 11 and 419 +/- 71 pg/ml, respectively). No significant spermatic-peripheral gradient was found for 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone. These in vivo studies demonstrate that the secretory pattern of the prepubertal testis is different from the adult testis.

20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone↗
PubMed1983

[Thyroid function in patients chronically treated with amiodarone].

The effects of Amiodarone (1000-1400 mg/week, for a period ranging from 3 to 24 months) on thyroid gland function were studied in 45 patients with heart disease, using a new method of free thyroid hormone assay. Forty-four untreated patients and 11 normal subjects were used as controls. In treated patients the prevalence of dysthyroidism was 22,2% (15,6% hypothyroidism and 6,6% hyperthyroidism); the onset of dysthyroidism ranged from 20 days to 2 years after the beginning of treatment. In control patients the prevalence of dysthyroidism was 4,4% (2,2% hypothyroidism and 2,2% hyperthyroidism). In patients with hypothyroidism (TSH greater than 7 microunits/ml) T4 levels were generally low, while T3, fT4 and fT3 levels were normal. In treated patients with hyperthyroidism (fT3 greater than 5,3 pg/ml and fT4 greater than 16 pg/ml) T4 values were high, while T3 concentrations were in the normal range. In Amiodarone-treated euthyroid patients, mean T4, fT4 and rT3 values were significantly (p less than 0,01) higher than those of control subjects; TSH levels were normal in all the groups studied. These data suggest that Amiodarone can exert both a direct effect on the thyroid gland and the peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones. The action on the thyroid gland is suggested by the high prevalence of dysthyroidism in Amiodarone-treated patients and by the high levels of T4 and fT4 observed in patients who did not show dysthyroidism. The action on the peripheral hormonal metabolism seems to be proved by the high levels of rT3 and by the prolongation of QTc interval.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

Testosterone concentrations in spermatic venous blood plasma of prepubertal boys.

Testosterone concentration has been measured in spermatic and peripheral venous plasma obtained during surgery from a total of 25 prepubertal boys affected either by inguinal hernia (Group I; N = 6; age range 2-8 years) or unilateral undescended testis (Group II; N = 19; age range 5-11 years). Median spermatic venous testosterone level was 58.7 ng/dl) (range 14.0--120.8 ng/dl) in Group I and 43.2 ng/dl (range 12..2-267.5 ng/dl) in Group II; median peripheral testosterone level was 4.9 ng/dl (range 2.3-15.4 ng/dl) and 5.6 ng/dl (range 1.1-89.3 ng/dl) in Group I and II, respectively. The difference between the spermatic and peripheral level was statistically significant in both groups (P less than 0.01 in Group I and P less than 0.001 in Group II). These results indicate that the prepubertal human testis secretes testosterone, even if in a very low amount. It is also suggested that this secretion can be responsible for LH inhibition in prepubertal boys.

Child↗
PubMed1981

Spermatic and peripheral plasma concentrations of testosterone and androstenedione in prepubertal boys.

Spermatic and peripheral plasma concentrations of testosterone (T) and androstenedione (A) have been measured in prepubertal boys affected by inguinal hernia (group I; n = 7) and unilateral undescended testis (group II; n = 18). Mean (+/- SE) spermatic T concentrations (47.7 +/- 14.8 ng/dl in group I; 36.3 +/- 3.4 ng/dl in group II) were significantly different from mean peripheral T concentrations (9.8 +/- 2.1 ng/dl in group I; 9.3 +/- 0.9 ng/dl in group II) in both groups (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.0005, respectively). Mean spermatic A concentration (59.7 +/- 4.9 ng/dl) was significantly higher than mean peripheral A concentration (49.8 +/- 4.9 ng/dl) in group II (P less than 0.05) but not in group I. Mean spermatic and peripheral T and A values found in boys of group I were not significantly different from those found in group II. The mean spermatic/peripheral T ratio was higher (5.01 in group I; 4.42 in group II) than the corresponding mean spermatic/peripheral A ratio (1.27 in group I; 1.32 in group II) in both groups. Our data suggest that 1) although testicular T secretion is present in all prepubertal boys, A secretion is not constant and often negligible; 2) the contribution of testicular secretion to the circulating T is much more important than the contribution to the circulating A; 3) no significant differences were found between the testicular secretory pattern of prepubertal boys with inguinal hernia and unselected boys with unilateral undescended testis.

Androstenedione↗
PubMed1980

Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in hypothyroid premenopausal women.

Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), cortisol (F) and prolactin (PRL) were measured in seventeen premenopausal women with primary hypothyroidism and in fifteen normal premenopausal women. Significantly lower (P < 0.001) DHEAS levels were found in hypothyroid women while F and PRL were in the range of normal controls. No significant relation was found between DHEAS and total thyroxine (T4) and TSH. Our results support the hypothesis that DHEAS secretion is impaired in some women with primary hypothyroidism.

Adult↗