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Biomedical subjects

G Capuano

Publications and source records attributed to G Capuano.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Return to the home environment and to work of the patient treated with portacaval anastomsosis].

Social and occupational reinsertion is examined with reference to a series of 137 patients subjected to side-to-side porto-cava anastomosis for portal hypertension due to cirrhosis of the liver. Postoperative occupational reinstatement was possible in a group of patients (39.42%) who had been compelled to work less on account of haemorrhages. Considering the seriousness of the operation and the long convalescence required, there was a good overall recommencement of occupational activity (73.72%). The view is expressed that continuous contact with the hospital is essential, since this will more readily ensure that the basic hygienic and dietetic rules applicable to the patient are respected. In addition, it is felt that the patient should be required to lead as normal a life as possible, in spite of his underlying liver alteration.

Adult↗

Cholecystokinin and human intestinal permeability.

The effect of intravenous cholecystokinin (CCK) on intestinal permeability in normal subjects and patients after cholecystectomy has been studied by measuring the fraction of orally administered lactulose excreted in the urine. CCK induced a marked increase in lactulose excretion in normal subjects when given in a hyperosmolar solution (49.4 mg lactulose during 5 h rising to 114.3 mg with CCK, p less than 0.001). CCK failed to affect lactulose excretion when given to normal subjects in an isosmolar solution, and also when given to post-cholecystectomy patients in either hyper- or isosmolar solutions. The 'CCK effect' is therefore related to gallbladder emptying. It is suggested that conjugated bile acids released following gallbladder contraction can affect intestinal permeability by enhancing the action of hypertonic solutions on the small intestinal mucosa.

Adult↗

[Anatomical study of the arch of the internal saphenous vein (saphena magna) in man].

The Authors present 40 dissections of the saphena magna with different branches. The variability of number is shown and they call attention to 5 cases of double vein. Two classifications are described. (MINNE, 1958; MORIN, 1970). It is very difficult to put all cases in these classifications. Later, the authors plan to show topographic marks for the saphena magna.

Female↗

Expression of GST-mu transferase in breast cancer patients and healthy controls.

The expression of glutathione S-transferase mu was measured by a qualitative immunoenzymatic assay in the blood samples of 108 women (63 breast cancer patients and 45 healthy controls) in order to analyze the relationships of GST-mu phenotype and smoking habits with tumor characteristics of breast cancer patients, such as tumor extension, nodal status, hormone receptor status and DNA content by flow cytometry. GST-mu was expressed in 53/108 (49%) of cases without any significant difference between healthy or neoplastic subjects, smokers or non-smokers, pre or post-menopausal, younger or older subjects. Moreover, the percentages of the GST-mu phenotype did not differ significantly in patients with different ER and PgR tumor status, tumor extension or nodal status. By contrast, aneuploid DNA tumor content was shown to be significantly associated with GST-mu expression (24% and 76% GST-mu positive, respectively, in diploid and aneuploid cases; p < 0.003). The biological meaning of this association remains to be interpreted.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with recombinant interferon alfa.

We studied the clinical course and the effect of alfa interferon treatment in sixty-six patients of Southern Italy suffering from chronic hepatitis C virus. The patients were randomly assigned to the control group (33 patients without treatment) or to the group treated with 3MU of interferon three times a week for six months. Alanine transaminase (ALT) levels normalized in 17 of the 33 treated subjects (52%) within two months of treatment. Seven of these "responders" relapsed at the end of the six-month treatment period, but ALT normalized in these patients after resumption of interferon at the same dosage. None of the non responders on 3MU for four months showed improvement even when the dose was increased to 6MU. Our results coincide with other reports on interferon treatment in hepatitis C virus. Further studies are required to clarify whether or not higher doses at the onset of treatment increase the number of responders and decrease the frequency of relapses.

Alanine Transaminase↗