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Biomedical subjects

G Battisti

Publications and source records attributed to G Battisti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Further evidence against the implication of active cytomegalovirus infection in vascular atherosclerotic diseases.

The possible contribution of cytomegalovirus (CMV) to pathogenetic events associated with atherosclerotic lesion establishment and progression is still controversial. We evaluated the possibility that active ongoing CMV infection could be correlated to evolution of unstable atheromatous lesion, by analyzing patients suffering from unstable angina (n=61), acute myocardial infarction (n=43), stable angina (n=26) and peripheral arteriopathy (n=22) as compared to healthy subjects (n=30). Particularly, we assessed: past exposure to CMV by evaluating anti-CMV IgG antibodies; ongoing CMV infection by evaluating anti-CMV IgM antibodies and circulating interleukin (IL)-8 in serum; and CMV DNAemia in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Mean IgG values were significantly increased in patients from all groups, as compared to healthy subjects. CMV-specific IgM, as well as CMV DNAemia, were undetectable in both controls and patients. Circulating IL-8, significantly elevated in a group of individuals experiencing active CMV infection, was not significantly higher in cardiovascular disease patients, as compared to control subjects. These findings confirm previous evidence from the increased exposure to CMV infection in patients with atheromatous lesions. However, they provide further evidence against a direct implication of active systemic CMV infection in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, particularly those involving plaque instability.

Aged↗

[Endoscopic surgery of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)].

The endoscopic technique in chronic venous insufficiency is simple and almost complication free. Our preliminary results due to a good postoperative course and to a quick return to social activity induce the Authors to indicate this type of procedure as the best treatment in chronic venous insufficiency.

Chronic Disease↗

[Juvenile vascular pathology due to homocystinuria. A clinical case report].

The authors report a case of juvenile vasculopathy in a homocystinuria patient. They point out that thromboembolism may be the only symptomatic expression of this genetically determined metabolic disease. Diagnostic approach and surgical therapy of the vascular lesions as well as medical therapy to prevent further complications are analysed. The opportunity to perform clinical tests for the diagnosis of homocystinuria in all those young patients presenting vascular lesions without other risk factors is finally stressed.

Adult↗

[Posttraumatic pseudoaneurysms of the anterior tibial artery: a review of the literature and a clinical case report].

The authors after a review of the literature report a case of anterior tibial artery false aneurysm in a seventeen year old male, due to traumatic sprained ankle during a basketball match. Surgical techniques used in repairing the lesion as well as microsurgical technique for the direct suture of the artery, which allowed to resolve the problem, are discussed.

Adolescent↗

[Infection of the vascular prosthesis. The diagnostic, preventive and treatment protocols: preliminary results].

A number of strategies for the management of vascular graft infections are described in literature. Nevertheless, this serious compliance is still burdened with high rates of morbidity and mortality. At the present the principal efforts are therefore directed towards prevention and early diagnosis. In this view, the authors propose their protocol of study, on the basis of the encouraging results till now obtained.

Bacteria↗

Fasciola hepatica: host responders and nonresponders to parasite glutathione S-transferase.

Fasciola hepatica glutathione S-transferase (FhGST) was isolated from adult worms by glutathione agarose affinity chromatography. SDS-PAGE shows three proteins of M(r) ranging from 29-27.8 kDa. Western immunoblot analyses using SDS-PAGE separated adult worm extracts and probed with a rabbit anti-FhGST antiserum reveal two bands in the same M(r) range. Mice and rabbits immunized with purified FhGST develop copious amounts of anti-FhGST antibodies. Moreover, antisera to F. hepatica adult worms and excretion-secretion products also react with FhGST. Cross-reactivity with schistosomes is evidenced in the reactivity with FhGST of anti-Schistosoma mansoni adult worm antisera and, to a lesser extent, antisera to S. mansoni-soluble egg antigens. The time of appearance of anti-FhGST antibodies in different species of animals infected with F. hepatica was determined. Sheep and a New Zealand white rabbit developed anti-FhGST antibodies detectable by ELISA as early as 2 weeks postexposure with F. hepatica. However, neither mice nor calves infected with F. hepatica developed antibodies to FhGST through the 5-10 weeks of infection tested. But mice infected with S. mansoni developed anti-FhGST cross-reacting antibodies by 6 weeks of infection. Calves immunized with a Fasciola/Schistosoma cross-reactive, cross-protective antigen complex in which a 12,000-kDa protein (Fh12) has been shown to contain immunoprophylactic activity, also developed antibodies to FhGST. Since FhGST is a novel potential vaccine, its protection-inducing capability in a multivalent vaccine combined with Fh12 clearly warrants study. In summary, it appears that hosts with fascioliasis are either responders to FhGST (rabbits, sheep) or nonresponders (mice, cattle), offering interesting models for studying the immune response.

Animals↗

[Problems related to resuscitation in studies with contrast media].

This study has the purpose of describing indications and legal implications related to the intravascular use of contrast media (ICM) in order to provide useful guidelines to the intensivist, often involved in the treatment of adverse reactions. The structure of modern contrast media (CM), is a benzenic ring carrying steadily three iodine ions. Adverse reactions due to the use of ICM, are local or systemic ranging from skin rashes or flushes (urticaria et al.), to cardiovascular, respiratory and neurologic symptoms. The prevention of these reactions is mandatory in patients reporting a history of allergy or atopia disease. From a legal point of view, the contraindication to procedures involving i.v. use of CM are not clearly pointed out therefore several concerns have been expressed. The intensivist is not required to physically attend the procedure, in agreement with the circular #64 edited in 1979; on the other hand his prompt intervention should be granted if necessary. Furthermore every therapeutic supply suitable for any resuscitational intervention should be available in the area where the test is performed. In conclusion we would like to stress the financial and ethic implications related to the choice of ICM (ionic versus non-ionic). The use of non-ionic CM offers several advantages: among them the better tolerance for the patient and the lower incidence of adverse reactions. However non-ionic CM have a cost ten-fold higher and both groups of drugs have same incidence of fatal reactions, therefore the use of non-ionic ICM is recommended for high risk patients.

Adult↗

[Risk factors and multicentricity of vascular atherosclerotic disease. Our experience].

The objective of this study is the identification of the most important risk factors of atherosclerosis and the determination of its multicentricity, the goal being an efficient primary and secondary prevention of this disease. Over the course of eight years, at the Department of Diagnosis and Surgical Physiopathology of Peripheral Vascular Diseases, 829 subjects with atherosclerosis were examined, of whom 513 males and 316 females between 18 and 85 years old, as well as to 200 healthy control subjects. The risk factors in consideration were: age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, lipoidoproteinosis, smoking, alcohol and coffee intake. From the data obtained it was revealed that smoking represents the most important risk factor for atherosclerosis (65% of the cases, 40% of the controls), followed in decreasing order by hypertension (31% of the cases, 6% of the controls), diabetes (26% of the cases, 2% of the controls), lipoidoproteinosis (15% of the cases, 6% of the controls). Furthermore 21% of the subjects drank coffee and 28% ingested alcoholic beverages, compared with, respectively 19% and 24% of the controls. In 70% of the cases the presence of atherosclerotic lesions were found in more than one vascular region. Atherosclerosis has a multifactorial etiology as there exists a correlation between the predisposition of the patient to acquire the disease and environmental factors. It is difficult to distinguish the determining effects of a single risk factor, because often many risk factors are tightly interrelated in the same individual; a nearly direct relationship clearly exists between the number and entity of the risk factors and the clinical picture of the patient examined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

[Thyroid cancer and its incidence in nodular thyroid diseases: our experience].

The authors report their experience with 453 cases of thyroid nodules observed over a period of 5 years. The intention was to determine the incidence of malignant lesions. A female prevalence of the nodular pathology was clearly evident (7.2%), with a maximum incidence between the 3rd and 6th decade. Among malignant tumors (14.2%) the following histologic types were most frequently found: papillary adenocarcinoma (5.7%), follicular adenocarcinoma (2.7%), occult cancer (2.7%), anaplastic cancer (2.3%). Up to the 4th decade female prevalence was clearly evident (Max in the 3rd decade; F/M ratio = 6.5); then an increased male incidence was registered bringing to a reduction of the F/M ratio (1.5 in the 5th and 6th decade) and to its inversion in the 7th decade (M/F = 1.25).

Adenocarcinoma↗