Biomedical subjects

F Gobbi

Publications and source records attributed to F Gobbi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Histoplasmosis infection in Spanish travelers to Latin America.

The aim of the study presented here was to assess the incidence of histoplasma infection in a cohort of 342 individuals in Spain who had traveled to Latin America for the first time. The histoplasmin skin test was positive in 20% of the travelers, and Central America posed a higher risk for infection than South America (p=0.013). Sleeping outdoors (p=0.031) and the duration of travel (p=0.016) were also identified as significant risk factors. Serological testing demonstrated poor overall sensitivity for detecting infection in the travelers, but for the symptomatic acute cases the results were improved. Histoplasmosis must be considered in patients presenting with fever (odds ratio=3.51 [1.52-8.12]) or cough (odds ratio=4.24 [1.32-13.58]) after visiting Latin America. The results of this study have public health implications and indicate the risks of acquiring histoplasmosis should be included in pre-travel counseling.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Clinical pharmacology of antiretroviral therapy.

Antiretroviral therapy represents by all means a new branch of anti-infective chemotherapy, and in order to describe the mode of action of antiretrovirals, a series of inferences from anti-bacterial chemotherapy were made. The currently available antiretroviral agents can be classified as time-dependent drugs, and therefore the key pharmacokinetic parameter adopted in their clinical-pharmacological assessment is the concentration at the end of the dosing interval (Ctrough). By focusing on this parameter, the application of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) allows for the successful individual tailoring of the drug dosage in some clinical circumstances, such as treatment of drug-resistant infections, drug-drug interactions and side effects. While this procedure has now been sufficiently standardized for protease inhibitors (PIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), no clinical applications are yet recognized for nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (N/NtRTIs) and fusion inhibitors. The main unfavourable peculiarity of HIV infection, such as the need for lifelong treatment, is one of the reasons why increasing attention is being paid to pharmacological aspects of antiretroviral therapy. Issues like treatment potency, maintenance over time of the immunovirological benefit and long-term side effects require intensive pharmacological investigation in order to obtain the information on which basing the most convenient strategy to be adopted for the therapeutical management of this condition.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

PubMed1998

Efficacy of synthetic and biological bioadhesives in scleral tunnel phacoemulsification in eyes with high myopia.

PURPOSE: To study the efficacy of a synthetic (cyanoacrylate) and a biological (fibrinogen) bioadhesive in sealing scleral tunnel incisions in cataract surgery. SETTING: Private institution with academic orientation. METHODS: This controlled clinical study comprised 126 eyes with high myopia (axial length > 28.0 mm) divided into three groups based on method of incision closure 10-1 nylon anchor suture; cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl); fibrinogen (Tissucol). Phacoemulsification was done through a double-valved scleral tunnel incision with an 8.0 mm arc. In all eyes, a hyperconcave, 7.0 mm optic, posterior chamber intraocular lens was implanted. RESULTS: Mean induced astigmatism at 12 weeks was 0.18 diopter (D) in the suture group, 0.50 D in the cyanoacrylate group, and 0.43 D in the fibrinogen group. The difference between the bioadhesive groups and the suture group was not significant. A mild inflammatory reaction occurred in the cyanoacrylate group. In the fibrinogen group, 3 eyes developed postoperative hypotony requiring reclosing of the incision with sutures and 5 eyes developed intraoperative hypotony requiring suture closure. These eyes were not included in the refractive analysis. These complications led to the suspension of the fibrinogen portion of the study after uneventful use of the bioadhesive in 26 eyes. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that bioadhesives, especially synthetic ones such as cyanoacrylate, are an effective alternative to sutures in scleral tunnel cataract surgery. Future improvements in bioadhesives could extend their application to other ocular incision types.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

[Estrogen and progestin treatment in postmenopause. Effects on the endometrium].

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It has been well demonstrated that menopausal disorders resulting from the lack of estrogens may be delayed and partly eliminated by appropriate hormone replacement therapy. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the absolute innocuity of the association of estrogen and progestin. METHODS: The authors used an association of conjugated equine estrogens and medroxi-progesterone acetate to treat menopausal syndrome in 80 women aged between 48 and 55 years old. The study lasted 2 years. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained showed the good tolerability and marked efficacy of the drugs used, as well as the absolute innocuity in relation to the target organs, namely the breast and endometrium. No cases of endometrial hyperplasia with atypical development or malignant evolution were reported during the study and there was a significant improvement in lipid metabolism, vasomotor or psychomotive disorders, as well as increased trophism of the genitourinary tract and skeleton.

Breast↗

PubMed1997

Corneal endothelial changes after laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To ascertain whether 193 nm excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) to correct high myopia causes in vivo changes in the human corneal endothelium 3 and 6 months after surgery. SETTING: Alicante Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Alicante, Spain. METHODS: Preoperative and serial postoperative specular microscopy of the central corneal endothelium was done in 33 eyes of 19 patients (Group 1) with a mean age of 34.3 years +/- 10.6 (SD) (range 20 to 60 years) who had LASIK to correct myopia of between 8.25 and 18.50 diopters (D) (mean 11.90 +/- 2.20 D). Twelve patients (20 eyes) were contact lens wearers (Group 2), and 7 (13 eyes) had never worn contact lenses (Group 3). The central endothelium was analyzed for several parameters including cell density, coefficient of variation in cell size, and hexagonality. The data obtained before surgery were compared with those obtained after surgery in all groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in age, sex, and preoperative myopia between Groups 2 and 3. In Group 1, mean cell density was significantly higher (3.5%) 6 months after surgery (P = .017) and the coefficient of variation decreased 3 and 6 months after surgery (P < .001); no significant changes were noted in the percentage of hexagonal cells. In Group 2, there was a significant increase in cell density (4.8%) 6 months after surgery (P = .010) and the coefficient of variation decreased at 3 and 6 months after surgery (P < .001); the hexagonality did not change postoperatively. In Group 3, there were no significant differences between preoperative and postoperative mean cell density, coefficient of variation, or hexagonality. CONCLUSION: Laser in situ keratomileusis caused no damage to the central corneal endothelium. Postoperative improvements in the endothelial cell density and the coefficient of variation in cell size values were related to the discontinuance of contact lens use after surgery.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (Moschowitz syndrome). A clinical case and review of the literature].

A case of young woman affected by relapsing Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP), probably beginning in September 1986 and relapsing after 6 years, in June 1992, is described. After a first Complete Remission due to Plasma Exchange and Antiplatelet Agents, the patient relapsed during maintenance therapy with Ticlopidine and, over 1 month, developed two relapses which were resistant to traditional therapy. Showing resistance even to Iloprost, the patient had a Complete Remission only after a 2nd IV bolus of Vincristine according to Gutterman's scheme (modified), with prolonged therapeutic wellbeing. Many authors say that Plasma Exchange and Vincristine therapy must first be used in TTP and tried in refractory TTP. This one experience of ours should confirm that. From this TTP case, the authors begin a wide review of the literature, examining history, etiopathogenetic and therapeutic debate, possible related diseases, differential diagnosis, evolution, prognosis and future developments of this mysterious and rare illness.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Pregnancy complication in homozygous (delta beta) zero-thalassemia. A clinical case].

A case of a pregnant woman suffering from homozygous (delta beta) zero-thalassemia clinically running as thalassemia Intermedia is described. In this patient pregnancy could not follow its normal course and was interrupted in the 24th week, because of endouterine death of the foetus due to complications such as serious haemolytic anaemia following transfusional alloimmunisation and the presence of portal vein thrombosis. In this article the literature is reviewed and the need is shown for all thalassemic patients to be tested for the various blood antigenic systems, so that transfusional reactions can be avoided. Stress is laid on the importance of erythropoietin both in the pathogenesis of haematological and rheological modifications in thalassemic patients and also as a trigger in serious thrombotic complications.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of paranasal sinuses. Review of the literature and a case report].

A case of primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma arising in paranasal sinuses, in an 89 year-old woman is reported. Histologically it was lymphoplasmacytoid, pleomorphic, diffuse, at intermediate grade of malignancy according to "Working formulation for clinical usage" in I EB stage. Complete resolution was obtained with polychemotherapy according to the scheme ProMACE-CytaBOM. After a wide review of the literature, the Authors emphasize incidence, prevalence, clinical symptoms (especially local), the different beginning points, prognostic and therapeutic factors, and the most frequent associations with other illnesses. Agreeing with other Authors, the necessity of using aggressive polychemotherapy is stressed, also in elderly patients, even if at the beginning of the illness.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1992

[Empty sella syndrome (ESS) associated with primary hyperparathyroidism. A clinical case and review of the literature].

The report describes a patient with coexisting primary hyperparathyroidism due to adenoma of the left superior lobe and the primary empty sella syndrome (ESS). Pathogenetic mechanisms, clinical pictures, associated illnesses and similarity between these diseases are discussed. A complete diagnostic procedure and follow-up is necessary even if the illnesses are oligosymptomatic. In fact this association may be part of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) or other endocrine diseases.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1991

[Sweet's syndrome (acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis) associated with Sjögren's syndrome. A clinical case].

A case of Sweet syndrome associated with Sjögren syndrome is reported. After a review of the literature, the clinical and pathologic patterns of the disorder are described. The possible underlying or associated diseases, and the problems on diagnosis and prognosis are discussed. In spite of the several etio-pathogenetic problems still unsolved, the syndrome can be considered as a primary, immuno-mediate disorder.

Female↗

PubMed1990

[Primary empty sella syndrome (ESS). Clinical observations on 20 cases].

The authors report 20 cases of primary empty sella syndrome (ESS) observed during the last 5 years in their Department of Internal Medicine. Clinical data and particular syndromes are discussed and compared with data of partially reviewed literature. The authors discuss the classification of primary and secondary ESS with their possible endocrine, ophthalmological and neurological symptoms, or--on the contrary--without clinical signs as more frequently observed. The usual diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are also reported.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

[Antiemetic protocol in oncohematologic polychemotherapy].

Authors, in an open and preliminary study, evaluate the beneficial effects on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting of an association of three antiemetic drugs parenterally administered. Twenty-six patients receiving chemotherapy for Lymphomas (195 cycles) were treated with: Chlorpheniramine maleate 10 mg IM 45' before, Sulpiride 200 mg in normal saline 100 ml, at XXX gtt/m', 20' before, and 6-Methyl-Prednisolone 500 mg IV over 2'-3' immediately before chemotherapy. Patients were evaluated for emesis over 48 hours after chemotherapy: they were interviewed on nausea, vomiting and other possible side-effects. The antiemetic activity observed was: complete response in 73.1% (19/26); partial response 27.9% (7/26). Failure of response was never observed. 166/195 cycles were well tolerated. Our results demonstrate the antiemetic efficacy of this antiemetic regimen. Further studies should investigate its use in randomized trials.

Adult↗

PubMed1981

[Voluntary interruption of pregnancy in an area hospital on the outskirts of Turin].

Data pertaining to a series of 457 cases of voluntary termination of pregnancy at the Rivoli Infirmary Obstetrics and Gynaecology Division are presented. The patients were divided into three groups by weeks of amenorrhoea. The parameters investigated were: age, parity, previous spontaneous and artificial abortions, and complications observed 60 days after the operation. Percentage data were evaluated in terms of age, marital status, number of children, socioeconomic group, and reasons for termination. Lastly, percentages of dissent and consent on the part of the male partner were also worked out.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed1968