Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to F Grasso.
Photon emission in the visible and near ultraviolet range by samples of human tissue removed during surgery has been measured by means of a low noise photomultiplier coupled to a data acquisition system. The results show that among the 25 analyzed samples the 9 from normal tissues had an emission rate of the order of some tens of photons/cm2 min, while most of the 16 tumor tissue samples had a very much higher rate.
The effect of self irradiation on yeast cells has been investigated by counting the young gemmae formation in 104 self irradiated samples, as compared with an equal set of control samples. The results show that the rate of gemmae formation is higher in self irradiated samples; the statistical significance of the results is discussed.
Dairy heifers were superovulated in the presence (dominant group, N = 8) or absence (non-dominant group, N = 6) of a dominant follicle at the start of a a superovulatory treatment on Days 7-12 of the oestrous cycle (Day 0 = oestrus). Daily ultrasonographic observations of ovaries (recorded on videotape) starting on Day 3 were used to assess the presence or absence of a dominant follicle (diameter greater than 9 mm, in a growing phase or at a stable diameter for less than 4 days) and to monitor follicular development before and during treatment. The number of CL estimated by ultrasonography (7.1 +/- 1.8 vs 13.5 +/- 1.4) or by rectal palpation (6.9 +/- 2.0 vs 16.3 +/- 1.6) and mean progesterone concentrations (32.5 +/- 19 vs 80.7 +/- 16 ng/ml) after treatment were lower (P less than 0.01) in the dominant than in the non-dominant group. Based on number of CL, two populations of heifers were identified in the dominant group, i.e. those that had a high (dominant-high, N = 4; greater than 7 CL) or a low (dominant-low, N = 4; less than 7 CL) response to treatment. During treatment, the increases in number of follicles 7-10 mm and greater than 10 mm in diameter occurred sooner and were of higher magnitude in the non-dominant than in the dominant-high or dominant-low groups (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
On the premise that the increased average life expectancy and a reduced incidence of rheumatic diseases have changed the epidemiological profile of valvulopathies, the paper analyses the causes, pathological anatomy, physiopathology and therapy of aortic valvular stenosis. First of all, the differences of acquired calcific stenosis, in which the orifice may be "forced" by the ventricular pump leading to a late onset of symptoms, are underlined. Clinical symptomatology must include angina, syncope or decompensation, rather than merely and elevated gradient, before surgical therapy is proposed. In addition to traditional therapeutic methods (valvular replacement) there is now the possibility of using balloon valvuloplasty which has provided good results in terms of increased valvular area and recovery of ventricular function; however, this is only a palliative step in cases where major surgery is contra-indicated.
An unexpected anatomopathological diagnosis--an adenomatoid neoplasm of the epididymis in a patient operated for hydrocele and suspected left chronic epididymis is described. After having briefly described the pathological anatomy and epidemiology of the adenomatoid neoplasm, the paper discusses the importance of a careful anamnestic and clinical assessment of commonly encountered diseases which are often considered clinically less important.
A case of isolated cardiac echinococcosis is reported. A 19-year-old man was hospitalized for chest pain with electrocardiographic pathological Q waves in D1, aVL, V5, V6. Two-dimensional echocardiography and chest computed tomography documented pericardial effusion and an intramyocardial cyst. Casoni's reaction and immunological tests completed the diagnosis of cardiac hydatidosis. The localization and the etiology of the cyst were confirmed during cardiac surgery.
The Authors report a case of multiple brown slate macules localized on the lips and on the oral mucosa, occurred to a 66 year-old woman during cancer polychemotherapy with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum and Cyclophosphamide due to an ovary's serous cystadenocarcinoma with peritoneal metastasis. The histological test taken on a lip's lesion, fully excised, points out main focal hyperpigmentation of basal epidermal layer and numerous melanophages in the papillary dermis. The Authors, after a comparison among the information obtained from the literature, exclude any possible secondary reaction due to chemotherapy or any paraneoplastic syndrome. What they emphasize is the great similarity between the clinical and histological pictures noticed in this case and the ones described in the Laugier-Hunziker's syndrome. The particular association observed in this case is noteworthy but, nowadays following the existing knowledges, no relation of cause and effect between polychemotherapy, cancer and Laugier-Hunziker's disease can be advanced.
Epithelial and stromal cells were isolated from endometrium of cyclic heifers by enzymic dispersion. These cells exhibited specific morphological and functional properties. Epithelial cells appeared cuboidal or columnal and showed contact inhibition as they reached confluence. Stromal cells were fibroblast-like and enlarged at the time of confluence after which they overgrew in multiple layers. The presence of specific receptors for PGE-2 and beta-adrenergic catecholamines (isoproterenol) was estimated by activation of adenylate cyclase. Stromal cells had more adenylate cyclase activity (P less than 0.01) than did epithelial cells before (basal) and after stimulation with guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and PGE-2. However, epithelial cells were much more responsive to isoproterenol (P less than 0.01). Treatment of cultured cells with indomethacin to block PG synthesis increased the sensitivity and maximal response to PGE-2 in stromal (P less than 0.01) but not in epithelial (P greater than 0.1) cells. The latter result suggested autologous desensitization of the PGE-2 response resulting from synthesis of PGs in cultured cells. Both cell types synthesized PGs in culture: PGF-2 alpha was synthesized in greater quantity in epithelial than in stromal cells (P less than 0.05) while stromal cells synthesized more PGE-2 than did epithelial cells (P less than 0.001). Endometrial cells separated in this way should prove useful for study of their specific role in the processes of implantation and maternal recognition of pregnancy.
Luteolysis was induced by an injection of 500 micrograms cloprostenol (a prostaglandin (PG) analogue) in pregnant (P) Holstein heifers on Days 17 or 24 of gestation and in non-pregnant (NP) Holstein heifers on Day 17 of the oestrous cycle (oestrus = Day 0). Heifers in Groups P-17 (N = 8) and P-24 (N = 8) were inseminated twice whereas those in Group NP-17 (N = 8) were not inseminated. Immediately after PG injection, embryos were recovered by uterine flushing (400 ml) to confirm pregnancy in Groups P-17 and P-24. Uterine flushing with an equivalent volume of physiological saline was also done in Group NP-17. The interval from PG injection to oestrus and to the peak of luteinizing hormone (LH) as well as profile of increase in plasma oestradiol concentrations during that period did not differ (P greater than 0.1) among the groups. However, the proportion of heifers exhibiting abnormal luteal phases (primarily of short duration) during the oestrous cycle after PG injection was greater (P less than 0.01) in Group P-24 than in Groups NP-17 + P-17 pooled (6/8 vs 3/16). These results suggest that the previous presence of a conceptus did not have any effect on the onset of oestrus, or on plasma concentrations of oestradiol and LH after PG-induced luteolysis on Days 17 or 24 of gestation. However, luteal function during the subsequent oestrous cycle was impaired if heifers were 24 days pregnant when luteolysis was induced.
Two different morphological types of ovaries ("grape" and "other" types) previously described by microscopic examination were studied on 107 live gilts. The ovarian type and distribution of macroscopic follicles during the prepuberal period were determined at 140, 160 and 180 d of age by laparoscopic examination. The incidence of grape-type (GT) ovaries was higher (P less than .05) at 140 d of age (50.5%) than at 160 d (38.3%) or 180 d (35.5%). At maturity (d 19 of the first postweaning estrus), 37.7% of the ovaries were classified as GT. The proportion of gilts that maintained their initial type (at 140 d of age) at 160 d, 180 d and at maturity was higher (P less than .05) for the gilts having the other-type (OT) ovaries (49% and 25% for OT and GT, respectively). The mean number of small follicles (1 to 3 mm in diameter) was higher (P less than .05) for the OT ovaries at 140 d (71.5 vs 18.0), at 160 d (79.3 vs 26.2) and at 180 d (77.0 vs 32.8). The number of follicles of 4 to 5 mm was higher (P less than .05) for GT ovaries at 140 d (16.4 vs 4.8), at 160 d (20.9 vs 4.8) and at 180 d of age (21.4 vs 5.7). The large follicles (greater than or equal to 6 mm) were more numerous for the GT at 140 d (7.0 vs .3), at 160 d (5.7 vs .5) and at 180 d (4.4 vs .6). No statistical difference was observed at maturity in the distribution of follicles between the two types.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A population of ovarian follicles was studied in 32 gilts with two morphological types at four physiological stages. Left ovaries were serially sectioned (10 microns), and follicles (greater than .19 mm) were counted and measured by histological technique. In Exp. 1, prepuberal gilts that maintained the grape-type (GT) or other-type (OT) of ovaries at 140 and 160 d of age as determined by laparoscopy had their population of follicles studied at 165 d of age and compared with that on d 3 of the first puberal estrus in gilts that maintained the same ovarian type (GT or OT) at 140, 160 and 180 d of age. In Exp. 2, gilts that maintained the same ovarian types at 140, 160 and 180 d of age were compared at d 19 and 3 of the first and second puberal estrus, respectively. At 165 d of age, OT ovaries contained a greater number of classes 3 (.63 to 1.12 mm) and 4 (1.13 to 2.00 mm) nonatretic (less than 4 pycnotic bodies) follicles than GT (P less than .01), whereas at d 3 of the first puberal estrus, their mean number became comparable between the two ovarian types (P greater than .1) and similar to 165-d GT ovaries. At 165 d of age, atretic follicles formed 19.6% and 10.7% of the population of antral follicles in OT and GT ovaries (P less than .05) whereas at puberty 17.5% and 19.6% atresia was observed in the same two groups, respectively (P greater than .10).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Histological comparison between cryonecrosis and thermonecrosis has shown that cryonecrosis in generally better delimited and surrounded by a layer of finer and more regular granulation tissue than thermonecrosis. Moreover, the course of the cold lesion is faster and is less open to phenomena of suppurative septic and oedematous phenomena.
Gastric lipoma responsible for repeated haemorrhage was observed in a 50-yr-old woman. The relevant literature is reviewed and reference is made to the rarity of this form. Its main clinical signs include a latent course, haemorrhage, and invagination of the tumour in the duodenum. It is stated that surgical management is necessary, owing to the high percentage of diagnostic uncertainty, and the serious haemorrhagic and occlusive complications mentioned.
As matters new stand, cryosurgery has certain definite indications in various fields, either alone or in association with other forms of treatment. It is probably the therapy of choice for 1st-stage haemorrhoids and a series of skin lesions. It is of palliative value in the treatment of tumours and/or an addition to conventional management. The same is true of neoplasm in various sites and stages. As far as the immunological response is concerned, the data available are inconclusive. Further investigation is therefore justified, both experimentally and in man, bearing in mind all the parameters that can be used to assess a possible immune response.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
An appraisal is made of the results of cryotherapy in 40 carefully selected cases of haemorrhoids. It is shown that the method is effective if practised in accordance with the correct technique and where specifically indicated. The incidence of possible complications and recurrences is also discussed. Points in favour of the method include its greater tolerability, the possibility of using it in out-patient management, and the fact that it permits an earlier return to work. Attention must be paid to the narrowness of its indications and the anorectal diseases that may often be present.