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Biomedical subjects

F Botto-Micca

Publications and source records attributed to F Botto-Micca.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Comparison of polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate (Dacron) meshes for abdominal wall hernia repair: a chemical and morphological study.

For the first time, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polypropylene (PP) excised meshes (ethylene oxide sterilized) for abdominal wall hernia repair have been shown to be greatly damaged physically, independently of the implantation time, while the polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or Dacron, ones (gamma radiation sterilized), did not undergo alterations due to the sterilization process and were not damaged, even after long implantation periods. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) study of PP and PET excised meshes, as well as of their extracts with cyclohexane, has shown the presence of species, such as squalene, palmitic and stearic acid, in some cases, cholesterol, transferred from the surrounding tissues to the polymer during the implantation period. In the case of PP meshes, these small organic molecules would reduce physical and mechanical properties of the material. A hypothesis is presented to account for the better behavior (not in the clinical sense) of PET meshes.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Structural alterations of prosthetic meshes in humans.

The use of prosthetic mesh in abdominal wall hernia surgery is a well-accepted practice. What is not settled, however, is the type of prosthesis that best suits the purpose. The narrow choice today means a prosthesis of polyester or polypropylene. These are available in many designs, configuration of weave, thickness of weave and strand, and size of pore. There has been a pervasive feeling that these materials "shrink". To what extent they do has not been accurately defined. This study was designed to measure such "shrinkage". Interestingly, our measurements revealed that prosthetic meshes could "expand" as well as "shrink". The extent to which they do varies between -40% and 58.5%. Whereas it was felt that fibrocyte activity and its eventual scar formation accounted for the "shrinkage" of the mesh, we have discovered that structural alterations in the size of the mesh pores can be affected by distilled water, saline, blood, formalin, bleach, as well as in vivo implantation. Prosthetic meshes are, therefore, not the inert materials they are claimed to be and can expand as well as shrink. We have, unfortunately, not been able to correlate the degree or direction of change to any known parameter.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Abdominal desmoid tumor].

Two cases of desmoid tumor of the abdominal wall are reported, together with some considerations and a review of the literature; desmoid tumor is an unusual neoplasm which affects women in prevalence. This is an histologically benign neoplasm with no metastatic capacity; however it is highly invasive in the site where it arose, so its treatment can become very difficult. The treatment is by surgical excision that must be as wide as possible, in order to obviate the great incidence of recurrence. The role of radiotherapy, hormone and chemotherapy has not been completely assessed so far.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1987

[Collageno-vascular diseases and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. An analysis of diagnostic tests].

Collagenovascular diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, LES and scleroderma frequently involve the lung. A group of 15 patients with collagen vasculopathies was analysed with a view to identifying the most suitable invasive and noninvasive tests for the diagnosis of the interstitial fibrosis of the lung that often accompanies such disorders. Among the noninvasive tests only the respiratory function tests (especially DLCO) are adequately sensitive, while chest X-rays, gallium scintigraphy of the lung and ACE are relatively unreliable. Bronchoalveolar lavage is often altered (though the intensity varies considerably) and transbronchial biopsy appears to be the ideal diagnostic examination.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

Contraction features in normal and hypodynamic lizard ventricle.

Isometric twitches and intra- and extracellular electrical activity were recorded at various driving rates from lizard ventricles, either in the normal inotropic state, or in a hypodynamic state induced by perfusing at a high flow rate for a long time. Electron micrographs were obtained from hearts fixed immediately after dissection and from preparations perfused in vitro for various periods. It was found that the peak of the steady-state strength-interval relationship shifts towards higher stimulation rates with the development of hypodynamia. Such a change is similar to that induced in normal preparations by perfusing with calcium-poor solutions. The normal strength-interval relationship can be restored in hypodynamic preparations by perfusion with a calcium-rich solution. Also, in the hypodynamic state, the action potential duration is increased and (+ dP/dt)max is decreased, while the shape of the staircases at various stimulation rates is modified. These changes occur in the presence of well-preserved ultrastructural features of the preparation. The results suggest that the twitch tension results from the contribution of two Ca ions fluxes: an early one from a cellular store, and a late one related to the action potential duration. The ultrastructural findings are consistent with the hypothesis that a store, from which a rapid release of calcium occurs, exists in the lizard ventricle. A hypodynamic state would be caused by a reduced calcium affinity of such store, and by a decreased Ca++ influx during the action potential plateau.

Action Potentials↗