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Biomedical subjects

F Mazzeo

Publications and source records attributed to F Mazzeo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Morphological method for the diagnosis of human adult type hypolactasia.

The primary adult type hypolactasia is the most common form of genetically determined disaccharidase deficiency. This study examined a large and homogeneous population of the south of Italy: surgical biopsy specimens of proximal jejunum from 178 adult subjects have been assayed for disaccharidase activities; the expression of lactase protein and lactase activity has also been investigated on tissue sections by immunomorphological and enzymohistochemical techniques. Histograms of lactase to sucrase ratio were found to provide a useful distribution of the lactase activity; a lactase to sucrase ratio of 0.17 was found to show discrimination between tissues with persistence of high lactase activity and tissues with adult type hypolactasia. In all 28 subjects with persistent high lactase activity, a uniform distribution of lactase protein and lactase activity in all villus enterocytes was detected, whereas in all 150 subjects with adult type hypolactasia a variable number of villus enterocytes failed to express the lactase. Moreover in hypolactasic samples the lactase activity on tissue sections was constantly detected later than in samples with persistent high lactase activity. The absolute correlation between the immunohistochemical and enzymohistochemical features and the assessment of lactase activity in intestinal homogenates suggests that the morphological criteria are an alternative method for the diagnosis of adult type hypolactasia in human biopsy specimens from proximal small jejunum.

Adult

[Secondary bacterial peritonitis: a diagnostic and therapeutic update].

In spite of the availability of new powerful antibiotics, intraabdominal sepsis still has a high mortality rate (20-50%). With regards to postoperative peritonitis, the referred high mortality rate is due to a late recognition and a consequently late treatment. The causes for late diagnosis are: uncertain clinical picture; misuse of analgesic drugs; reluctance of the surgeon to accept a failure. Moreover, many operated patients are under treatment with antibiotics: their misuse, particularly broad spectrum ones, is responsible for the selection of resistant bacteria. Age is another very significant prognostic factor: mortality rate is constantly higher in elderly subjects than in younger ones. Malnutrition, immunodepression, origin and location of sepsis, concomitant diseases, immunosuppressive treatments, delayed diagnosis, all can significantly affect clinical outcome. Probably the most important and less assessable factor is represented by the surgeon himself with his experience and technical accuracy: any mistake may worse patient's prognosis. Recently, many Authors have stressed the pathogenic relevance of the intestinal mucosa as a barrier, which may influence the clinical course.

Acute Disease

Carcinoma following gastric surgery: a national survey.

Definitive results of a national survey on the incidence of carcinoma following gastric surgery are reported. Data concern 8427 cases of surgically treated gastric cancer. 558 were affected by carcinoma following gastric surgery and 471 of them were operated on, representing 5.59% of all gastric cancers (8427) submitted to surgery. The statistical analysis of results has pointed out the need for a close follow-up program in patients over 50 years, operated on for benign gastroduodenal disease, especially 10 years postoperatively and in case of pre-cancerous lesions.

Aged

Androgen and progesterone receptors in colonic and rectal cancers.

Androgen, progesterone and estrogen receptors were analyzed in 12 primary colonic cancers and 16 primary rectal cancers. Androgen and progesterone receptors were positive in some colonic cancers and rectal carcinomas; however, none of the specimens analyzed showed estradiol receptor.

Adult

Pre-operative axillary lymphoscintigraphy in breast cancer: experience with sub-areolar injection of 99Tcm-nanocolloidal albumin.

Thirty-two patients affected by monolateral breast cancer and five patients with benign mammary pathology were submitted to pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy by sub-areolar injection of nanocolloidal albumin with the aim of evaluating any axillary lymphonodular involvement. The 32 patients, affected by cancer, subsequently underwent a surgical operation so as to permit a pathological-anatomical study of the axillary cavity. A comparison between the clinical and instrumental examinations brought to light the much greater reliability of the latter which gave 87.5% of correct diagnoses. The authors emphasize the absence of false positive results and the excellent sensitivity of the method in bringing to light even limited involvements of the axillary lymphonodes. The authors believe that axillary lymphoscintigraphy deserves to be included in the pre-operative protocols which afford a correct staging of the disease and, consequently, a better assessment of the extent of the surgical action.

Adult

Cimetidine, 800 mg at night versus 400 mg twice daily, in the treatment of duodenal ulcer.

A multicentre double-blind study was carried out on a total of 197 patients, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an 800 mg nighttime dose of cimetidine in comparison with 400 mg twice daily in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. At 4 weeks 84% of the 187 patients eligible for analysis had healed ulcers with the once daily regimen and 68% with the twice daily regimen (p less than 0.05). An early decrease in both day and nighttime pain and in antacid consumption was observed during the first 2 weeks. Adverse effects were few and mild, confirming the safety profile of cimetidine.

Administration, Oral

Comparison of cimetidine 800 mg once daily and 400 mg twice daily in acute duodenal ulceration.

A double blind trial was conducted in seven centres to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cimetidine 800 mg given at night compared with 400 mg given at breakfast and at bedtime. Altogether 197 patients with active duodenal ulcer confirmed by endoscopy entered the study, of whom 187 were eligible for analysis. After four weeks' treatment the ulcer was healed in 76 of 91 patients (84%) receiving the once daily regimen and in 65 of the 96 patients (68%) receiving the twice daily regimen (p less than 0.05). Both dosage regimens were equally effective in reducing ulcer pain and consumption of antacids. Pain relief was considerable within the first two weeks, and most of the patients were free of symptoms by the end of treatment. No patients were withdrawn because of adverse events as these were few and mild, consistent with the proved safety profile of cimetidine. Cimetidine 800 mg given at night is as effective as 400 mg twice daily; the single dose regimen may improve patient compliance, thus facilitating treatment.

Adult