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Biomedical subjects

F Stagnitti

Publications and source records attributed to F Stagnitti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

A comparison of trace element concentrations in cultured and wild carp (Cyprinus carpio) of Lake Kasumigaura, Japan.

The concentrations of 13 elements were determined in the muscle, liver, intestine, kidney, and gonads of cultured and wild carp caught at two sites in Lake Kasumigaura, Japan, between September 1994 and September 1995. Despite having a reputation for being heavily polluted, the carp were not heavily burdened with metals. Our results suggest that despite their dietary differences, the wild and cultured fish were accumulating and distributing metals in the same manner and that aquaculture practices are not increasing metal concentrations in these fish. Metal concentrations were lowest in muscle, and did not exceed established quality standards for fish. The differences in metal concentrations between cultivated and wild carp are negligible and should pose no health problems for consumers of either type of fish.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2002

Arsenic contamination in Bangladesh groundwater: a major environmental and social disaster.

In attempting to eliminate disease caused by drinking polluted surface water, millions of shallow surface wells were drilled into the Ganges delta alluvium in Bangladesh. The latest statistics indicate that 80% of Bangladesh and an estimated 40 million people are at risk of arsenic poisoning-related diseases because the ground water in these wells is contaminated with arsenic. The clinical manifestations of arsenic poisoning are myriad, and the correct diagnosis depends largely on awareness of the problem. Patients with melanosis, leuco-melanosis, keratosis, hyperkeratosis, dorsum, non-petting edema, gangrene and skin cancer have been identified. The present article reviews the current arsenic contamination of ground water, hydrological systems, groundwater potential and utilization and environmental pollution in Bangladesh. This paper concludes by clarifying the main actions required to ensure the sustainable development of water resources in Bangladesh.

Arsenic↗
PubMed2002

[Peritoneal papillary serous carcinoma: clinical report].

Peritoneal papillary serous carcinoma (PPSC) is a rare tumour that involves the surface of the peritoneum, with prevalence in female patients and can originate from a single or multicentric focus is here described. A primary peritoneal serous carcinoma is here described. The patient has been treated with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and carboplatinum AUC 6.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Observations on the effects of caged carp culture on water and sediment metal concentrations in lake Kasumigaura, Japan.

The concentrations of 24 elements in the sediment and associated water column were monitored at two sites, one an area of intensive cage culture of carp, the other a wild site far from known cage culture areas, in Lake Kasumigaura, Japan, between September 1994 and September 1995. The concentrations of most elements in Lake Kasumigaura are mostly sub-parts per billion, except those for Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, and Si. The concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Fe in Lake Kasumigaura are higher than the values in Lake Mashu, Lake Shikotsu, and Lake Biwa, and comparable to the levels in open ocean. Statistically significant differences in metal concentrations were observed between the culture and wild sites, with metal concentrations consistently higher at the culture site. Although cage culture of carp in the Lake Kasumigaura system may be causing localized increase in metal concentrations in the sediments, we must treat the results with caution, since the concentrations of metals observed in the sediments in 1995 were lower than those observed in 1979 for all metals at both sampling sites. In conclusion, further study of the concentrations of metals in the lake as a whole must be undertaken before the differences between the culture and wild sites can be proved, or disproved, to be the result of carp culture.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Performance of constructed evaporation ponds for disposal of smelter waste water: a case study at Portland Aluminum, Victoria, Australia.

The construction of evaporative ponds and wetlands for the disposal of waste water high in ionic concentrations is a waste disposal strategy currently considered by many industries. However, the design, construction and management of these ponds and wetlands are not straightforward as complex chemical interactions result in both spatial and temporal changes in water quality. The effects of evaporation and drainage on the water quality in two constructed ponds, an adjacent man-made wetland and local groundwater at Portland Aluminium were investigated. The minimum volume of water entering the ponds during the study period was 0.96 +/- 0.16 ML per month. The predicted theoretical evaporative capacity of the two ponds was calculated to be 0.30 +/- 0.07 ML per month. More water enters the ponds than it is theoretically possible to evaporate under the ambient weather conditions at Portland, yet the ponds do not overflow, suggesting percolation through the pond lining. No spatial differences in solute concentrations (fluoride, sulphate, bicarbonate, carbonate, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium ions) were found within the waters of either pond, although temporal differences were apparent. The results support the conclusion that the ponds are not impermeable, and that much of the waste water entering the ponds is being lost through seepage. The impacts on local groundwater chemistry of this seepage are addressed. Significant correlations exist between solute presence within and between the ponds. wetland and groundwater. Fluoride and sulphate concentrations were significantly higher in pond waters throughout the duration of the experiment. Pond sediments revealed a high degree of spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the concentration of all monitored ions resulting from the chemical heterogeneity of the material making up the pond linings. Adsorption isotherms for fluoride indicate that the adsorption capacity of the pond linings remains high for this ion. Implications for the management of waste water by this strategy are discussed.

Aluminum↗
PubMed2001

Impacts of atrazine in aquatic ecosystems.

A portion of all herbicides applied to forests, croplands, road sides, and gardens are inevitably lost to water bodies either directly through runoff or indirectly by leaching through groundwater into ephemeral streams and lakes. Once in the aquatic environment, herbicides may cause stress within aquatic communities and radically alter community structure. Atrazine is one of the most effective and inexpensive herbicides in the world and is consequently used more frequently than any other herbicide. Atrazine is frequently detected in aquatic waters, and has been known to affect reproduction of aquatic flora and fauna, which in turn impacts on the community structure as a whole. This paper presents a summary of the reported direct and indirect impacts of atrazine on aquatic organisms and community structure. The information can be used for developing improved management guidelines and legislation. It is concluded that a single universal maximum limit on the atrazine application in catchments, as suggested by many regulatory authorities, does not provide adequate protection of the aquatic environment. Rather, it is advocated that flexible limits on the application of atrazine be developed in line with the potential risk of contamination to surface and subsurface water and fragility of the aquatic environment.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Effects of dietary copper on the Australian freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor.

Little information is available on the effects of metals in the diet of parastacids, despite the importance of the freshwater crayfish industry worldwide. There have been no published studies on the effect of either dissolved or dietary copper on the Australian freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor. Herein is reported a study on the bioaccumulation of copper through a simple food chain. The copper was first absorbed by the floating aquatic macrophyte Lemna minor to an average concentration of 74 microg/g, before being fed to C. destructor. In the crayfish, the highest copper concentrations were found in the muscle (56.4-1299.6 microg/g), gills (86.8-714.3 microg/g) and hemolymph (14.8-293.5 microg/g). There was no bioaccumulation or bioconcentration of copper from contaminated dietary material. A general linear model indicated that such treatment had no effect on copper concentrations in the crayfish. The results are consistent with the regulation of copper by C. destructor, with the gills being the main site for absorption and depuration of copper to and from the water column. C. destructor does not appear to be sensitive to dietary copper.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Observations on metal concentrations in three species of shark (Deania calcea, Centroscymnus crepidater, and Centroscymnus owstoni) from southeastern Australian waters.

Deep sea dog sharks (Deania calcea, Centroscymnus crepidater, and Centroscymnus owstonii) were captured from the waters off western Victoria, Australia, in April and May 1998. The elements As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr, and Zn were detected in the muscle tissue. The concentrations of Al, Ba, Be, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, and V were below the detection limits of the instrumental techniques employed (ICP-ES and GF-AAS). However, significant concentration differences between species were detected for As, Cd, Hg, and Zn. C. owstoni contained the highest concentrations of each of these elements. The concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn in each species were below the maximum levels permitted in food by the Australian Food Standards Code. The maximum permitted concentrations of As and Hg were exceeded in all species, and weekly consumption of 400 g of any of these sharks would result in intake of more than the FAO's provisional tolerable weekly intake. Although C. crepidator and D. calcea have strong relationships between length and mercury concentration, C. owstoni does not. Placing C. crepidator and C. owstoni in the same genus, therefore, is worth re-examination as the mechanisms for controlling mercury in C. owstoni appear to differ from that used by both C. crepidator and D. calcea.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Spontaneous biliodigestive fistulae. The clinical considerations, surgical treatment and complications].

To reevaluate the current feature of spontaneous bilioenteric fistula we reviewed 81 cases who had been treated for biliary fistula between 1948 and 1998. After a review of the literature on this subject, the multiple problems relate to pathological anatomy, pathogenesis and physiopathology are discussed. Of 81 patients, 55 were women and 26 were men with the average age of 54.5 years. The most common type of fistula was cholecysto-duodenal (55 cases--68%), followed by cholecysto-colonic (11 cases--13.6%), choledocho-duodenal (7 cases--8.6%), cholecysto-gastric (4 cases--4.9%) and duodeno-left hepatic duct fistula (4 cases). The authors have found in 41 cases the gallstone ileus complications, in 12 cases inflammatory disease of biliary three, in 8 cases hemobilia, gallstone ileus with perforation and digestive hemorrhage compliances respectively. All the patients were treated with surgery. A first procedure consists of enterolithotomy, in gallstone ileus cases, followed by biliary surgery. In 14 patient the general or local conditions argued against one-stage procedure and two-stage procedure had been considered. In 63 patients a cholecystectomy was done, 15 were treated with enterolithotomy and 8 with intestinal resection. Seven patients with gastroduodenal ulcer based fistula have required a gastroduodenal resection. The mortality was 13.6% (11 cases).

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Inhaled foreign bodies: first aid].

In the last 30 years 1,484,576 patients with traumatic lesions of different kind of seriousness were observed and managed. By mean of retrospective investigation, the authors selected and statistically analysed a sample of 95 patients treated for accidental tracheobronchial foreign bodies inhalation: authors' aim was to punctually determinate--step by step--diagnosis and treatment procedure in a "time-saving" frame. Inhalation of foreign bodies is a very dangerous event, particularly in children. In authors' experience, in 60% of cases they were children under 3 years; in 25% of cases children under 10; in 10% patients from 10 to 60 and in 4.5% over 60. As regards the gender of the patients, the male/female ratio has been 2 to 1 in favour of male. Since 85% of the study population was represented by children under 10, its clear that male children in this range of age has a greater statistical risk for accidental tracheobronchial foreign bodies inhalation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Somatostatin infused during acute pancreatitis retains its biological activity.

Somatostatin (SST) is used in the treatment of acute pancreatitis (AP) to inhibit pancreatic exocrine secretion, which represents one of the goals of medical treatment in this disease. Its therapeutic efficacy, however, is poor. One hypothesis, which has not yet been investigated, is that i.v. SST might be broken down by blood proteolytic enzymes. In order to evaluate the structural integrity and biological activity of infused SST, somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) and levels of pancreatic enzymes were monitored in the blood stream during the infusion of SST-14 (3,5 micrograms/kg/h for 48 h) in eight patients with severe acute pancreatitis. SLI was measured by both radioimmunoassay (RIA) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results indicate that SLI levels increase promptly after the beginning of infusion, with a slower increase between 6 and 36 h, and a rapid increase again at 48 h. HPLC analysis shows a single peak of SLI with the same retention time as standard SST-14. Total amylase, lipase, and trypsinogen significantly decreased compared with pretreatment values (48, 63.1, and 77.4%, respectively) after 24 h of SST infusion, while a decrease in elastase 1 (62.6%) was observed later at 48 h. These results indicate that in severe AP, somatostatin recovered in plasma retains its biological activity: it inhibits pancreatic circulating enzymes, an action not influenced by breakdown of the peptide, as demonstrated by HPLC of the SLI measured in plasma.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

[Surgical treatment of pancreatic pseudocyst].

The review of diagnosis and treatment of 18 pancreatic pseudocysts has led to some conclusions about controversial aspects of the surgical management. The accuracy of imaging techniques in the early detection of the pseudocyst is high and plays a major role in the demonstration of its spontaneous resolution and evolution. The optimal surgical treatment of uncomplicated pseudocysts is the internal drainage, most rarely their resection. The incidence of septic complications was 22%: in this case the pseudocysts are usually best managed by external drainage.

Adult↗