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Biomedical subjects

G Dodi

Publications and source records attributed to G Dodi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Ribonucleases and deoxyribonucleases in pancreatic cancer: clinical value and pathophysiological interrelationships.

In this study we evaluated some pathophysiological aspects of pancreatic and liver ribonucleases and alkaline deoxyribonuclease and their clinical usefulness in diagnosing pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic RNase was found to be a sensitive index of pancreatic malignancy; however it was not specific in distinguishing pancreatic malignancy from chronic pancreatitis or other pathologies. Liver RNase and alkaline DNase did not provide better results than pancreatic RNase. These three enzymes were found to be age-dependent and related to each other. Therefore serum nucleases are not useful for clinical purposes since they are influenced, at least in part, by different non-specific factors.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

[Radiologic diagnosis of anal fistulae with radio-opaque markers].

Fistulography classifies anal fistulas in low-below puborectalis muscle-, high-above puborectalis muscle-, and middle. This classification increases the scope and accuracy of radical surgery. In order to improve the diagnostic reliability of anal fistulography the authors point out the importance of radio-opaque markers for anatomical definition of the anorectal region. Thirty patients (25 males and 5 females; mean age: 47 years) were studied by anal fistulography using radiopaque markers: a Foley's 22 Fr catheter, with distal balloon filled of idrosoluble radiopaque contrast medium, was placed in the anal canal; a metal marker was fixed to the anus. In order to demonstrate the relationship between fistula and puborectalis muscle, we subdivided the anal canal in 3 equal segments: high, middle and low. The idrosoluble contrast medium for fistulography is injected through a pediatric Foley's catheter 8 Fr when external opening is large enough, and through a K7072 endovenous catheter when the opening is small. Fistulous tract was visible in all patients: internal fistulous opening in 23/90 cases, and relationship of fistulous tract to puborectalis muscle in 25/30 (83.3%). In demonstrating either secondary fistulous tracts or abscesses, fistulography with radiopaque markers was correct in 60% of cases; in 20% of patients some of the above-mentioned complications were demonstrated, and in the 20% no complications at all were detected.

Adult↗

Fistula-in-ano.

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Colorectal Surgery↗

Hot or cold in anal pain? A study of the changes in internal anal sphincter pressure profiles.

In 26 volunteers without anorectal complaints, and in 31 patients with anorectal problems such as hemorrhoidal disease, anal fissure, and proctalgia fugax, baseline resting anal canal pressures were recorded manometrically for 5 minutes at room temperature (23 degrees C). In 16 volunteers (Group A) and 21 patients (Group B) anorectal manometry was then performed while the anus was immersed in water at varying temperatures (5 degrees C, 23 degrees C, and 40 degrees C). In ten volunteers (Group A') and ten patients (Group B') resting pressures were recorded for an additional 30 minutes following immersion for 5 minutes at 40 degrees C. In all subjects (at least P less than 0.01), resting anal canal pressures diminished significantly from baseline after immersion at 40 degrees C, but remained unchanged in all subjects after immersion at 5 degrees C and 23 degrees C. In Group A', anal canal pressures remained significantly reduced for 15 minutes (P less than 0.02). In Group B', significant reduction in resting pressure lasted 30 minutes (P less than 0.02). Wet heat applied to the anal sphincter apparatus significantly and reproducibly decreased resting anal canal pressures over time, and therefore was likely to benefit patients after anorectal operations and those with anorectal pain.

Adolescent↗

An improved technique of local anal anesthesia.

A four-needle anesthetic injector has been developed for perianal anesthesia in minor proctologic procedures. This technique obviates the need for multiple separate anesthetic injections.

Anal Canal↗

Psychological findings in chronic anal pain.

The psychological characteristics of 21 patients suffering from chronic anal pain were studied. They underwent a clinical interview and completed the Eysenck personality questionnaire, the Zung self-rating depression scale and an analogue scale for the assessment of perceived pain. Data derived from the self-rating scales were compared with those obtained from a matched control group afflicted with fissure-in-ano. The pain patients reported higher scores for neuroticism, psychoticism, depression and perceived pain than the controls. Fifty percent of the experimental group had suffered prior to the onset of pain from depressive disturbances, and 11 subjects reported at the clinical interview somatic symptoms which usually accompany depression. These results support the hypothesis that the pain symptom in some patients with chronic anal pain could represent the manifestation of an underlying depressive disturbance.

Adult↗

The mycotic flora in proctological patients with and without pruritus ani.

The perianal mycotic flora was studied in proctological patients with and without pruritus ani, as well as in control subjects. Four groups of patients underwent perianal mycoculture. In Group 1, 53 patients with anal pruritus were treated for benign anorectal disease. In Group 2, 24 patients with no underlying disease presented with anal pruritus. Both of these groups underwent concomitant chemical and parasitical examination of the faeces and an oral glucose tolerance test. In Group 3, 50 patients without pruritus ani at present or in the past were treated for benign anorectal diseases. In Group 4, 47 surgical patients without pruritus ani were treated for benign (9) and malignant (38) non-proctological diseases. In Group 1 the mycoculture was positive in 24/53 patients (Candida albicans 14, dermatophytes 10). In Group 2 fungal infections were seen in 16/24 patients (C. albicans 7, dermatophytes 9). No parasites or diabetes were found in either group. In Group 3 C. albicans was isolated in 14/50 patients. In Group 4 C. albicans was found in 11/47 cases (2 in benign, 9 in malignant diseases). Infection by C. albicans was observed in all groups studied, independent of the presence of disease or anal pruritus. The presence of dermatophytes was always associated with pruritus ani.

Adolescent↗

Exocrine pancreatic function in diabetic rats treated with intraportal islet transplantation.

Streptozotocin-diabetic rats with chronic pancreatic fistula show severe impairment of secretin-stimulated pancreatic secretion while the action of pancreozymin remains unchanged. Intrahepatic transplantation of islets of Langerhans restores the response of ductal cells to secretin; physiological control of insulin secretion appears to be essential for exocrine function.

Animals↗

The relaxing effect of caerulein on isolated human internal anal sphincter.

In the attempt to find a pharmacological treatment for the spasm of the internal anal sphincter, usually associated with anal fissures, the activity of caerulein on human internal and sphincter was investigated in vitro and in vivo. In the isolated distal part of the internal and sphincter, caerulein (0.61 microM) depressed resting muscle tone and caused marked relaxation of norepinephrine-contracted preparations. The effect of caerulein was reduced by atropine and increased by physostigmine, suggesting that it was largely due to the release of acetylcholine. In vivo, intravenous infusion of caerulein, both to healthy volunteers and to subjects affected by anal fissures and anal sphincter hypertone, did not modify the values of internal anal sphincter pressure. The lack of spasmolytic effect of caerulein in vivo may have been due to the relatively unimportant influence of cholinergic neurons on the control of internal anal sphincter tone. Alternatively, the presence of fibrosis caused by anal fissures could hinder sphincter relaxation.

Acetylcholine↗

Usefulness of transhepatic portal catheterization in the treatment of insulinomas.

Twenty-four per cent of beta-cell tumours require more than one operation to control the hypoglycaemic syndrome. Almost all of them are small insulinomas undetectable by palpation of the pancreas. Arteriography is too insensitive to detect non-palpable tumours. Transhepatic catheterization of the splenic and portal veins (TPC) can detect the position at which there is an abrupt increase in insulin level indicating the site of the tumour. Routine use of TPC allowed us to locate all 9 insulinomas in which this technique was employed, whereas of 15 patients not studied by TPC only 12 tumours were located at first operation, 2 of which were found by blind resection of the tail of the pancreas. We believe that routine application of TPC to all cases of suspected insulinoma would reduce the incidence of surgical failures, unsuccessful blind resections and lengthy trials of medical therapy before laparotomy.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Effect of a synthetic analogue of PGE2 on exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function in the rat.

The effect of 16,16-dimethyl PGE2-methyl-ester (di-M-PGE2, a long-acting synthetic analogue of PGE2) on exocrine and endocrine pancreatic secretion was studied in rats with chronic pancreatic fistulas. Under basal conditions as well as after stimulation with secretin and OP-CCK, pancreatic exocrine secretion was inhibited markedly by intravenous injection of di-M-PGE2 at 10 microgram/kg and 100 microgram/kg. Secretory volumes and bicarbonate and protein outputs decreased within 10 minutes after the administration of di-M-PGE2, and this inhibitory effect persisted throughout the following 40 minutes. The smaller dose of di-M-PGE2 (10 microgram/kg) inhibited the volume of pancreatic secretion by an average of 47.7% and decreased bicarbonate and protein output by 41.1% and 70.5%, respectively. The larger dose (100 microgram/kg) caused a mean 48.3% inhibition of pancreatic secretory volume and decreased bicarbonate and protein outputs by 41.7% and 64.5%, respectively. Plasma insulin levels were lowered markedly after injection of di-M-PGE2 under basal conditions (mean inhibition 63.1% by PG-10 and 55.3% by PG-100) as well as after secretin stimulation (mean inhibition 89.5% by PG-10 and 82.4% by PG-100). These observations document that di-M-PGE2 is a potent inhibitor of pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function in the unanesthetized rat. In these actions the PGE2-analogue antagonized the stimulatory effects of both secretin and OP-CCK.

Animals↗