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F Micali

Publications and source records attributed to F Micali.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Real-time transrectal sonographic voiding cystourethrography.

Transrectal linear array transducer makes possible a sagittal view of the bladder base-plate, prostatic urethra, and membranous urethra yielding an image similar to that obtained with voiding cystourethrogram. This permits lack of time limitation, such as imposed by the use of fluoroscopy, and the possibility of visualizing not only the lumen of the bladder neck and urethra but also the surrounding soft tissue. Using ultrasonographic urodynamics in neuromuscular dysfunctions of the bladder and urinary voiding obstructions we obtained excellent results in patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and in those with posterior ledge at the bladder neck. Both conditions are clearly visualized, particularly the existence of the posterior ledge which is responsible for the failure of the sphincterotomy in patients with periurethral striated sphincter spasm.

Humans↗
PubMed1984

Histone modification in early and late Drosophila embryos.

Levels of histone acetylation and phosphorylation have been contrasted in two developmental states of Drosophila melanogaster. The 0-2 h nuclei of the syncitial blastula are characterized by rapid mitoses and DNA replication, but there is very little transcription. In the 18 h embryo there is considerable transcription and the mitotic rate is much slower. It has been found that (1) histone H1 from 2h nuclei is not highly phosphorylated. This observation is not in accord with the view that H1 hyperphosphorylation is essential to mitosis, but is compatible with the hypothesis that H1 phosphorylation in Drosophila species is related to heterochromatization. (2) Histone H4 from 2 h embryos shows high levels of the diacetyl form (H4-Ac2), which is principally outside the nucleus. This accords with the hypothesis that H4-Ac2 is the form in which H4 is deposited on to newly replicated DNA and shows that H4 acetylation is linked not only to transcription. (3) Histone H3 acetylation is similar in 2h and in 18h embryos. As with H4, this acetylation probably correlates with chromatin assembly and is not transcription-related. (4) Histone H2B carries no modification in 2h or in 18h embryos, and H2A shows a single modification in 2h embryos and two in 18 h embryos. H2B modification is thus not essential either in mitosis or replication, whereas H2A modification is important in one or both processes. (5) The nucleosomal protein D2 is equally present in 2h and 18 h embryos.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1983

Histochemical study of glycogen and phosphorylase activity on bilateral biopsies of oligospermic men with varicocele.

Varicocele is responsible for a high percentage of impairment of spermatogenesis. In contrast to the normal human testis, Sertoli cell glycogen is reduced, while the reaction product of phosphorylase is considerably increased. Even if the mechanism by which varicocele produces deleterious effects on male fertility remains obscure, an anomaly in glycogen metabolism appears to be present bilaterally in impaired spermatogenesis due to the varicocele.

Glycogen↗
PubMed1983

Morphological and molecular modifications induced by heat shock in Drosophila melanogaster embryos.

The early embryo of Drosophila melanogaster did not survive treatment at 37 degrees C (heat shock) for 25 min. The histological analysis of eggs treated in this way showed that the heat shock caused disintegration of nuclei and of cytoplasmic islands, displacement and swelling of nuclei and blocked mitoses. These effects were not observed in embryos treated after blastoderm formation. After this stage, we noticed that development was slowed down. The heat shock proteins (hsp 83, 70 and 68) were, under shock, synthesized at all developmental stages. There was little or no synthesis of hsp 70 and 68 in unfertilized eggs, but synthesis increased in proportion to the number of nuclei present. Most probably, hsp 70 synthesis was directed by zygotic mRNA. DNA synthesis was not blocked by the heat shock though the overall incorporation of [3H]thymidine was substantially reduced, presumably because of the block of mitoses. We did not find a direct relation between survival pattern and hsp synthesis. We concluded that some, at least, of the heat shock genes can be activated at all developmental stages and that heat shock could be used for synchronizing mitoses.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Cryptorchid human testis after HCG treatment: histological study on Sertoli cells.

Histological studies have been carried out on Sertoli cells in cryptorchid patients after long-term HCG treatment. Morphological studies revealed the absence of differentiation of mature Sertoli cells. This behaviour with the persistence of fibroblast cells in the interstitium after long-term HCG treatment suggests that the morphological action of HCG on the Sertoli cells is closely correlated with the maturation of the Leydig cells, particularly with their androgen production.

Child↗
PubMed1979

Histological characteristics of the human testis after long-term treatment with cyproterone acetate.

Cyproterone acetate, an antiandrogen drug, is used to reduce mammalian fertility. Effects on the human testis are controversial. Findings in this study reveal that long-term treatment-7 months with 200 mg/day-leads to disappearance of the germinal cells and to Sertoli cells with either a normal or undifferentiated aspect as well as involution of the Leydig cell. Some pathogenetic hypotheses on the action of cyproterone acetate upon human spermatogenesis are discussed.

Cyproterone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Incidentally detected renal cell carcinoma: role of ultrasonography.

The widespread use of modern diagnostic imaging techniques, especially computed tomography and sonography, has led to the detection of an increasing number of serendipitous renal neoplasms, with no signs nor symptoms related to the neoplastic renal disease. In the last 4 years, 54 consecutive patients (20 females and 34 males) with renal cell carcinoma were reviewed. In 26 patients (48.15 per cent) the diagnosis was made as an incidental finding by an abdominal ultrasound examination. Clear signs and symptoms related to the neoplastic disease were present in 28 cases (51.85 per cent). The pathologic type of each neoplasm was categorized, and each carcinoma was staged. In the patients not surgically treated, the stage was determined on the basis of the diagnostic imaging reports. The results of this study suggest that the incidentally detected tumors are of a significantly lower stage than the symptomatic tumors (Wilcoxon rank sum test: P less than 0.0073 and X2 test: P less than 0.013). Early detection of renal tumors may improve the prognosis and the overall survival of patients with renal cell carcinoma and allow one to plan radical or partial nephrectomy, since local extension has a considerable impact on the operative strategy. Our experience emphasizes the role of ultrasound in the increased early detection of renal cell carcinoma.

Adult↗