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F Franceschini

Publications and source records attributed to F Franceschini.

87 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Haematological profile in cancer patients: analysis of circadian pattern.

This study was intended to evaluate whether unusual circadian patterns in blood cells exist in cancer patients. Ten patients (five men and five women) suffering from advanced malignancy were compared with a control group of apparently healthy volunteers, of comparable age and sex. After synchronization of daily activities, meals and rest of the two groups, blood samples were taken four times (at 8.00 a.m., 12.00 a.m., 4.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m.) in a single day. The total red and white cell counts, haemoglobin, platelet count, and neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, monocyte and basophil differential white cell counts were analysed by both conventional (Student's t-test; multifactorial analysis of variance) and inferential statistics (single and mean cosinor). The average values for platelets (P = 0.04), white blood cells (P = 0.004) and lymphocytes (P << 0.001) showed significant changes with time, independently of disease state. Cosinor analysis indicated a circadian rhythmicity for haemoglobin (P = 0.02), eosinophils (P = 0.014), and lymphocytes (P = 0.001) in healthy subjects, and for eosinophils only (P = 0.024) in cancer patients.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Five-year follow-up of 165 Italian patients with undifferentiated connective tissue diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To study those conditions with a proven or hypothesised immunologic pathogenesis and denominated under a working definition of undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTD). METHODS: A multicentre prospective study was organised involving 10 tertiary referral centers of internal medicine in Italy, with the aim of describing the natural history of UCTD and the prevalence of its different clinical and immunological manifestations. RESULTS: After a five-year follow-up period, data on 165 patients were available for analysis. UCTDs occur mainly in females in their fourth decade of life. Articular and mucocutaneous features and Raynaud's phenomenon represent the most common findings. Nevertheless, we also detected a relatively high incidence of permanent major organ damage. Regarding the immunologic parameters, we documented some conflicting results in the correlation between serologic abnormalities and clinical features. In 10 patients UCTD evolved to a major disease, generally systemic lupus erythematosus or Sjögren's syndrome. CONCLUSION: A low rate of evolution to a defined autoimmune disease, the limited use of steroid or immunosuppressive therapy, and a favourable course in the majority of cases are the main characteristics of patients with UCTDs.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease with antibodies to Ro/SSa: clinical features and follow-up of 148 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and serologic profile, the rate of progression to well defined CTD and the possible predictors of disease evolution in patients affected by UCTD with antibodies anti-RoISSA. METHODS: 148 patients diagnosed as UCTD were retrospectively evaluated. Antibodies to SSA/Ro were determined by counter-immunoelectrophoresis and ELISA. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients (24.3%) developed a well-defined CTD after a mean follow-up of 4.5 years. Most patients developed primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) (50%) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (30.5%). Leukopenia and xerophthalmia developed more frequently in the group of patients evolving to defined CTDs (p < 0.0032 and p < 0.0063). Leukopenia independently predicted the evolution in CTD by multivariate regression analysis (p < 0.019). Anti-dsDNA predicted the evolution in SLE (p < 0.0207), while the presence of additional anti-ENA specificity to anti-Ro/SSA was not associated with the outcome. CONCLUSION: 24.3% of patients with UCTD and antibodies to Ro/SSA can progress in a relatively short period of time to well-defined CTDs. The development of primary SS could be predicted by xerophthalmia and SLE by the appearance of anti-dsDNA antibodies.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hypoparathyroidism in chronic alcohol intoxication: a preliminary report.

It is well known that osteoporosis is more common in chronic alcoholists than in age-matched controls. Possible aetiological factors could be: malabsorption of calcium and vitamin D, liver disease, abnormal parathyroid function. With this study, the authors investigated parathyroid hormone (PTH) behaviour in thirteen selected patients with alcohol abuse, free from any clinical or humoral sign of hepatopathy, and in ten healthy subjects as a control group. In alcohol abusers a significant reduction of plasmatic PTH, compared to normal calcium levels were found. A possible direct interaction effect between ethyl alcohol and PTH may be suggested, even if further studies are required.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Progress of studies promoted by the MODS collaborative group].

In industrialised countries, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is considered an epidemic work-related disease. We have set up the MODS (Malattie Occupazionali Da Sovraccarico biomeccanico, biomechanical overload-related occupational diseases) collaborative group, formed by epidemiologists, ergonomists and occupational physicians to investigate CTS in Italy, applying the methods that epidemiologists commonly use to understand epidemics. Several studies are already ongoing. Two different descriptive studies based on current hospitalisation data are in the reporting phase. A pilot case-control multicentre study (260 cases and 520 controls in 13 centres) is in the final phase of data collection. A longitudinal study on a cohort of 3000 subjects exposed to different risk factors has reached the third year of follow-up. Moreover, a surveillance system has been set up to cover selected districts of the Emilia Romagna region. These studies will generate new information about the prevalence and incidence of CTS in Italy, along with identification of regional, high-risk job titles and work sectors, and the relative influence of non-occupational factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Temporal organization of cerebrovascular accidents: a retrospective, preliminary study about stroke in Ferrara, Italy.

An epidemiologic retrospective study was conducted from January 1984 to December 1988 on subjects admitted into the Institute of Semeiotica Medica of the University of Ferrara (as a general medicine, unselective department) and presenting a stroke. Year, month and hour of onset of symptoms in 141 patients (all resident in Ferrara, mean age 74.3 +/- 8.3 years) were carefully recorded. The definition of precise clock hour was reached only in 108 cases. The data were then analyzed by means of Halberg's single cosinor. Time series analysis showed a seasonal pattern of disease onset, characterized by a circannual rhythm with acrophase in late winter - early spring (-83.9 degrees). A significant circadian rhythm was found too, with acrophase at afternoon (-242.8 degrees).

Aged↗