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Biomedical subjects

F Caputo

Publications and source records attributed to F Caputo.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

An improved cannulation technique for prolonged blood sampling of the American bullfrog.

A T-cannula was used to collect serial blood samples from the sciatic artery of the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). The horizontal arm of the cannula was implanted in the artery and the vertical arm employed to collect blood samples. The T-cannula allowed blood flow to continue in the cannulated artery and provided long-term, repetitive blood samples from conscious, caged, but otherwise unrestrained and undisturbed animals. The cannula functioned for at least 14 days, the maximum period investigated. Athough developed for studies on amphibians and reptiles, the technique appeared to be applicable, with appropriate modifications, to a variety of small animals.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Short-term methadone administration reduces alcohol consumption in non-alcoholic heroin addicts.

- Methadone, a synthetic opioid agonist, is commonly used for the treatment of heroin dependence. Depending on how alcohol addiction is defined, rates of alcoholism vary among those attending methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programmes. Most of the current literature has shown that alcohol consumption increases during medium- or long-term MMT. However, up to now, no data have been reported on changes in alcohol intake among a population of heroin addicts with no alcohol-dependence diagnosis after short-term methadone administration. Thus, the aim of our study was to investigate alcohol consumption changes in a population of non-alcoholic heroin addicts during the first 4 weeks of a treatment programme (TP). The TP consisted of either MMT or non-methadone maintenance treatment (N-MMT) with a minimum duration of 1 year. A total of 359 heroin-addicted out-patients [274 males (76.3%)], all of whom met DSM-IV criteria, were enrolled in the study, over a period of 4 months. Out of these 359 patients, 32 subjects (8.9%) dropped out, whereas 327 subjects (91.1%; 249 males) continued the TP [105 (32.1%; 78 males) in the MMT group and 222 (67.9%; 171 males) in the N-MMT group]. A significant reduction in daily alcohol intake was observed in the MMT group, but not in the N-MMT group after the first 4 weeks of the TP. The results of the present study suggest a possible effect of short-term methadone administration in reducing alcohol consumption in a population of non-alcoholic heroin-addicted patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A case of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid withdrawal syndrome during alcohol addiction treatment: utility of diazepam administration.

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is an emerging drug for alcoholism therapy. We present a case of GHB withdrawal syndrome secondary to GHB addiction during alcoholism treatment. A complete disappearance of drug withdrawal syndrome was achieved with oral diazepam and the symptoms resolved without sequelae. GHB has been used for alcoholism therapy for only a few years now, but the trend is increasing, and other cases similar to this one are foreseeable. This risk could be higher in some countries in which GHB use is increasing not for alcoholism therapy, but for its euphoric and anabolic effects. The present experience indicates that administration of benzodiazepines would seem to be sufficient to achieve total regression of the withdrawal syndrome in a short time, at least if recognized early.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Indicators of genetic damage in alcoholics: reversibility after alcohol abstinence.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although a primary carcinogenic role of alcohol is not proven, alcohol abuse is associated with an increased risk of cancer of the upper airways, esophagus and liver. METHODOLOGY: Chromosome aberrations and the presence of micronuclei that reflect two types of genetic damage were analyzed in peripheral blood lymphocytes from 11 alcoholic patients who were heavy smokers and in a fair state of general nutrition and 9 subjects who had abstained from alcohol for at least a year. Ten heavy smokers were studied as healthy controls. RESULTS: Chromosome aberrations and micronuclei in alcoholics showed significantly elevated frequencies compared to the control groups, while in alcohol abstainers the values of all two parameters were similar to the values of the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that long-term alcohol intake could induce genetic alterations in synergy with tobacco smoke. Interestingly, this damaging action is reversed by abstinence. Our results call for a further effort to find an eventual diagnostic role for these early genetic damage markers.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Different efficacy of alcohol education tools among trainee nurses.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The evaluation of the efficacy of two different forms of scientific information concerning alcohol-related problems (ARP), among Italian trainee nurses. METHODOLOGY: A specific questionnaire, investigating the awareness of ARP, was distributed to 193 trainee nurses, 158 enrolled in the Italian Red Cross School for Professional Nurses at S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital in Bologna and 35 enrolled in the Professional Nursing School at the Social Security Institute in the Republic of San Marino, who had attended a scientific meeting on ARP in the last year. Eighty-one nurses (62 belonging to the Red Cross School of Bologna and 19 to the Professional Nursing School of San Marino), had previously been given an information package on ARP (Group A). One hundred twelve subjects (96 belonging to the Red Cross School of Bologna and 16 to the Professional Nursing School of San Marino) did not read the specialized material (Group B). RESULTS: The results showed a statistically significant difference in the percentage of correct answers between Group A (25.98%) and Group B (21.80%). The percentage of correct answers among the Bologna trainee nurses were always significantly lower than that of the San Marino nurses. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a scant awareness and interest in ARP among trainee nurses and show that courses and lectures are more effective than scientific printed material.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occult colon cancer in a patient with an unexplained episode of pulmonary embolism.

The association between venous thromboembolism and cancer has been widely documented and the main factor responsible for cancer-induced venous thromboembolism is considered mostly linked to a hypercoagulation state induced by the cancer itself. There is no consensus on investigative strategies for occult cancer in a patient with a thrombophilic condition. We report a patient who manifested an isolated episode of pulmonary embolism without specific evident sources of venous thromboembolism. The routine clinical and laboratory work-up to detect an occult cancer did not reveal any malignancy. A history of duodenal ulcer in association with a recent slight alteration in bowel habits led us to perform an esophagogastroduodenoscopy which was negative for malignancy, and a barium enema followed by colonoscopy, which revealed the presence of a tumor limited to the large intestine. An unexplained clinically evident hypercoagulation state, even in the presence of mild clinical symptoms, needs more thorough diagnostic strategies when simple methods of screening for occult cancer are negative.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pharmacological approaches to the management of alcohol addiction.

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism represent a world-wide problem, both from a medical and a social point of view. In the past the therapy for patients affected by alcoholism was based mainly on the psychological approach. In recent years the use of pharmacotherapy together with psychosocial interventions have enhanced the percentage of success in maintaining alcoholic patients in remission. The present review discusses the main drugs experimented both in preclinical and clinical studies. Pharmacotherapy of alcohol dependence seems to be effective in both alcohol-related emergencies and prevention relapse. However, pharmacotherapy should not be considered as the only form of treatment but as an integrated part of a multimodal approach including psychological and social support.

Alcohol Deterrents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in the radiologic and spirometric profile in subjects with pulmonary silicosis].

All admissions with diagnosis of silicosis from 1980 to 2000, in the Occupational Medicine Division of Fondazione S. Maugeri, Cassano Murge (Bari), were examined. From 586 gathered medical records we selected 106 subjects with double admissions and detected their X-rays of chest, FVC and FEV1. The stationary results of their chest X-rays and the light declines of their respiratory functions confirm the slow evolution in time of this pathology.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Musculoskeletal disorders in piano students of a conservatory].

A four parts questionnaire administered to piano students of Conservatory "T. Schipa" of Lecce, southern Italy, was used to determine the prevalence of instrument-related problems. Among 121 responders, 48 (39.6%) were considered affected according to pre-established criteria. Univariate analyses showed statistical differences for mean age, number of hours spent playing per week, interval without breaks, lack of sport practice and acceptability of "No pain, no gain" criteria in students with music-related pains compared with not affected pianists. No association with hand site was found in pianists with only upper limbs diseases. The multivariate analyses performed by logistic regression confirmed the independent association for the risk factors age, lack of sport practice and acceptability of "No pain, no gain" criteria. Differently from several studies older students were more frequently affected and no difference in the prevalence rate was found in females. Findings suggest a probable causal contribution of fixed postures in the development of PRMDs in pianists in addition to repetitive movements of upper limbs.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Anxiety and depression in adult untreated celiac subjects and in patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease: a personality "trait" or a reactive illness?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Psychiatric illness and psychological behavioral pathologies may be present in celiac disease and in IBD patients. In these subjects anxiety and depression could be a main cause in the reduction of the compliance to the treatment. Aim of our study was to carry out a psychometric evaluation using appropriate means to determine the level of anxiety and depression and to distinguish between "state" and "trait" forms. The correction of such disturbances would improve the quality of life and the patients' compliance to treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen adult celiac patients, 16 subjects affected by IBD and 16 healthy control subjects matched for sex, residence and marital status were studied by psychological assessment. All the subjects were given the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Ipat Depression Scale Questionnaire. RESULTS: State anxiety was present in a higher percentage of celiac subjects and in the patients affected by IBD with respect to the healthy controls. Anxiety as a trait was present in a similar percentage in all the subjects evaluated. Depressive syndrome was present in a percentage of celiac patients statistically superior versus the healthy control group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results shown that anxiety is present as a "reactive" form and personality trait anxiety has no effect in celiac and IBD patients. As regard depression, our data confirm a possible linkage between brain functions and malabsorption.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Laser therapy of esophageal tumors. Technical notes and personal experience].

In Italy the incidence of oesophageal cancer is very low: 4 cases every 100,000. More than 60% of patients are observed with dysphagia and oesophageal stenosis. For these patients their is no surgical indication and prognosis is less than 1 year. We have applied the recanalization of oesophagus with laser in 137 patients (range 47-88 years). One year survival was 53.1%, three years 5.8%. The aim of this paper is to describe our techniques and analyze 5 years of activity.

Adenocarcinoma↗