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Biomedical subjects

G Ferraro

Publications and source records attributed to G Ferraro.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibitory control by substantia nigra of generalized epilepsy in the cat.

Previous investigations have shown that the basal ganglia may exert a regulating influence on cortical epilepsy. Stimulation of the caudate nucleus enhances cortical penicillin (PCN) spikes. Stimulation of globus pallidus internus reduces cortical spike frequency. Since the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr) seems to have an inhibitory action on the ventro-anterior (VA) and ventro-lateral (VL) thalamic nuclei and thalamic neurones send an excitatory influence to the cortex, we undertook an investigation to study nigral influence on cortical epilepsy induced by PCN. Experiments were conducted on encéphale isolé cats in which steady interictal activity was induced by means of parenteral PCN administration (feline generalized PCN epilepsy). Variations occurring in cortical PCN spikes following activation of either pars compacta (SNpc) or SNpr were analyzed. Electrical stimulation of SNpc reduced spike frequency and amplitude in 19% of the total number of stimulations; SNpr stimulation significantly inhibited cortical spikes, especially in the precruciate gyrus, in 80% of cases. The experimental findings constitute an electrophysiological feature of the control exerted by SNpr on the thalamo-cortical re-exciting loop. A putative preferential role of SNpr in the regulation of abnormal phenomena involving the neocortex is emphasized.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical and immunological evaluation of oral ribavirin administration in recurrent herpes simplex infections.

A total of 38 out-patients with recurrent oral or genital Herpes simplex virus infections received either oral ribavirin (800-1600 mg/day for 7 days) or placebo following a randomized and balanced protocol. Clinical and laboratory parameters, including haematological, metabolic and immunological tests, were checked in order to estimate tolerance to and efficacy of ribavirin on recurrent Herpes simplex virus infection and on the number of recurrences during the 12 months following treatment. Ribavirin showed definite superiority in the treatment of recurrent Herpes simplex virus 1, when compared to placebo, its efficacy being enhanced if treatment is started as soon as possible after infection has started. No significant modification of the parameters used to assess tolerance was noted; moreover there was no modification of the immunological parameters evaluated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pathogenesis of ECL cell tumors in humans.

In ECL cell tumors developed in the setting of hypergastrinemic conditions (ECL cell carcinoids type 1 and 2), hypergastrinemia is the dominant agent acting as a promoter in all steps (hyperplasia-dysplasia-neoplasia) of the tumorigenic sequence. In contrast, it apparently lacks transforming properties as shown by the absence of ECL cell carcinoids in patients exposed to hypergastrinemia alone, i.e., those with sporadic Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The potential transforming factors include: the allelic loss of the MEN-1 suppressor gene in the genetically predisposed MEN-1 patients, an alteration that may induce ECL cell tumors even in the absence of hypergastrinemia; the still unknown factor(s) associated with atrophic corporal gastritis; agents whose role in the induction of human ECL cell tumors is still unclarified, such as basic Fibroblast Growth Factor, human Chorionic Gonadotropin-alpha and Transforming Growth Factor-alpha; and agents having a favoring role on the ECL exposure to mitogens such as BCL-2. No information is currently available on the pathogenesis of gastrin-independent, sporadic ECL cell carcinoids (type 3) or of gastric neuroendocrine carcinomas.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epilepsy and pregnancy: preliminary studies].

The study concerns 17 clinical cases of epilepsy during the progress of 32 pregnancies. It is reported the frequency variations of epileptic fits, the eventual pharmacological adjustments and also some parameters of influence on the newborn. The result are briefly argued.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Use of dermo-adipose grafts in facial morphology restoration in cases of progressive partial lipodystrophy].

Two cases of partial progressive lipodystrophy syndrome with extensive soft tissue atrophy of the face and of the upper part of the trunk, with kidney and blood alteration, are presented. On the basis of the psysical examination and pathological history of the patients, blood and instrumental tests have been performed in both cases. The diagnosis of partial progressive lipodystrophy syndrome has been made and a surgical treatment with dermal fat graft from the inguinal region was proposed to the patients after several information and was performed to improve the facial contour. After a follow up of 18 months a resorption of 50% of dermal fat graft was found according to surgeons' expectations with a good esthetic improvement of the face.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Calf pseudohypertrophy in a patient with double neurogenic pathology.

A pseudohypertrophy of the calf can be rarely associated with neurogenic pathologies as S-1 radiculopathy, poliomyelitis, spinal muscular atrophy, traumatic lesions of peripheral nerves, intraspinal neurinoma. The causes of this particular phenomenon are unknown. The authors present the case of a 52-year-old man with an enlargement of the left calf suffering from a mild form of spinal paralytic poliomyelitis in the early childhood and episodes of severe left sciatica in the last four years. Electromyography demonstrated a pattern of denervation in both legs and an H-reflex absent when the left tibial nerve was stimulated. An open muscle biopsy of the left calf was performed. Light microscopic and ultrastructural examination of the muscle confirmed the presence of a pattern of "neurogenic type" pseudohypertrophy. Our results could be interesting for the understanding of the mechanism of neurogenic pseudohypertrophy. This case suggests that timing of stimulus or "dose" of denervation may be important factors in such a phenomenon.

Electromyography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A new low molecular weight heparin in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease.

A double blind study was conducted on patients afflicted with obstructive arteriopathy of the lower limbs in order to verify the efficacy and tolerability, in long term treatment, of a new low molecular weight heparin (Alfa LMW1). Of the 55 patients studied, 28 were treated with Alfa LMW1 given subcutaneously in doses of 8,000 I.U. AXa daily for 6 months; the remainder 27 were treated with Placebo. Efficacy of Alfa LMW1 was evaluated by monitoring the lower limb segmental pressures and some pressure ratios (thigh/arm, ankle/arm). Moreover, by means of the treadmill test, also checked were: time of claudication; ankle/arm pressure ratio before and after exercise and time required to return to initial pressure. By means of the strain gauge plethysmography, basal flow and peak flow after ischemia were also evaluated. The results obtained indicated a significant difference in efficacy between the two therapies, most notable after the third month. While in the Alfa LMW1 group a significant (p less than 0.01) and progressive improvement by the third month of treatment was seen, in the Placebo group a slight improvement was registered only at the end of the study and this was significantly inferior with respect to the comparison group.

Aged↗