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Biomedical subjects

G Florio

Publications and source records attributed to G Florio.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Plasmapheresis and cytotoxic drugs for mixed cryoglobulinemia.

Fifteen patients with symptomatic cryoglobulinaemia were subjected to apheretic treatment when acute renal insufficiency, glomerulonephritis, severe generalized vasculitis and polyneuropathy unresponsive to conventional therapy or complications due to steroids, such as vertebral collapse, peptic ulcer and steroid diabetes, had appeared. Treatment was performed by discontinuous flow centrifugation or cascade filtration: when discontinuous flow centrifugation was employed, a mixture of saline, gelatin and fresh frozen plasma was used for replacement. Cytotoxic drugs were administered to patients with lymphoma (4 patients) or chronic active hepatitis (5 patients) and also to patients suffering from essential mixed cryoglobulinaemia. Exchanges were organized into courses of 3 to 5 sessions over 5 to 10 days and employed as a supportive measure. No patient underwent long-term treatment. A complete resolution of kidney damage, skin involvement and neurologic signs was observed when treatment was started early in the course of the disease, whereas unequivocal but moderate improvement was obtained in the case of long-lasting symptoms such as polyneuropathy. Relapses were seen in most patients when cytotoxic drugs had been discontinued abruptly. In 8 patients the solubility of cryoglobulins was studied by a recently developed turbidimetric assay. Following treatment the solubility increased; when solubility decreased, 2 patients of this group had a relapse. On the basis of these preliminary observations it appears that the possibility of predicting relapsing disease or the need of continuing therapy can eventually be achieved.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1983

A simple and rapid test for the quantification of osmotic fragility of red blood cells.

We have developed a simple and rapid nephelometric test for the quantification of the osmotic fragility of red blood cells. 10 microliters of whole blood are mixed with hypotonic NaCl solutions under mechanical stirring while the hemolysis curve is continuously recorded for 1 min. In our preliminary studies, this test was reproducible, time-saving, easy to set up and to standardize. No false-positive or false-negative results have been recorded so far. Moreover, it seems that this test can differentiate heterozygous beta-thalassemic patients from patients with sideropenic anemia, which was hardly possible with previously proposed assays.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Cascade filtration: clinical application in 26 patients with immune complex and IgM mediated diseases.

A new technique which allows lymphocytapheresis to be combined with cascade filtration (CF) is described in this paper. This therapeutical approach was applied for the treatment of patients affected by necrotizing vasculitis (1), inflammatory myopathies (5), Cryoglobulinemia (5), immune complex polyneuropathies (7), rheumatoid arthritis (3) and psoriasis (3 patients). Two cases of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia were also treated after the onset of the hyperviscosity syndrome. 78 procedures have been performed without any untoward effect. From a clinical point of view all patients had some improvement following treatment, thereby confirming not only the clinical safety of this therapeutical approach but also its effectiveness at least in the management of diseases which usually respond to plasma exchange treatment. Laboratory investigations showed that with CF it is possible to selectively remove IgM, immune complexes, fibrinogen, lipoproteins and high molecular weight plasma components, sparing most albumin and IgG globulins (85 and 71%, respectively).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

A method for the study of cryoglobulin solubilization curves at 37 degrees C. Preliminary studies and application to plasma exchange in cryoglobulinemic syndromes.

A simple method for the study of kinetic solubility curves of cryoglobulins is presented. In its first application to the study of 21 patients with cryoglobulinemia, it was possible to ascertain that clinical condition roughly correlates with decreased solubility whereas no correlation is found with per cent cryocrit. In the group of patients we studied, 6 underwent plasma exchange treatment when glomerulonephritis, acute renal insufficiency, cerebritis and polyneuropathy appeared: in these patients, following 2 to 5 apheretic sessions, solubility increased showing a sort of correlation with clinical benefits determined by treatment. The preliminarity of this study is underlined.

Cryoglobulinemia↗
PubMed1979

An evaluation of N-ethyl-maleimide-induced lipid peroxidation in platelet concentrates stored at 4 or 22 degrees C.

A method for the quality control of platelet viability, based on N-ethyl-maleimide (NEM)-induced lipid peroxidation, is reported. Duplicate platelet concentrates from individual donors were stored at 22 and 4 degrees C, respectively. At time 0 and at 24-hour intervals, pH, O2 and CO2 tensions, ADP-induced aggregation, glass adhesivity, hypotonic shock response (HSR) and NEM-induced lipid peroxidation were measured. A highly significant correlation between NEM-induced lipid peroxidation and HSR was established, which suggests that the former method can be used for the in vitro prediction of posttransfusion survival of preserved platelets.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Endogenous superallergen protein Fv interacts with the VH3 region of IgE to induce cytokine secretion from human basophils.

BACKGROUND: Protein Fv is an endogenous protein, synthesized in liver and largely released in the digestive tract during acute and chronic viral hepatitis, that binds to immunoglobulin (Ig) from various mammalian and nonmammalian species. METHODS: Basophils obtained from normal subjects were purified by a double Percoll gradient and elutriation. The secretion of histamine induced by protein Fv was assayed by a fluorometric technique, the extracellular protein levels of IL-4 and IL-13 were measured by ELISA, and IL-4 mRNA levels were evaluated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Protein Fv concentration-dependently induced histamine and IL-4 and IL-13 release from purified basophils. IL-4 mRNA, constitutively present in basophils, was increased after stimulation by protein Fv. Histamine and IL-4 secretion from basophils, but not histamine and IL-13 release, activated by protein Fv was significantly correlated (rs = 0.70, p<0.001). Basophils from which IgE had been dissociated by brief exposure to lactic acid no longer released IL-4 in response to protein Fv and anti-IgE. Two preparations of human VH3(+) monoclonal IgM inhibited protein Fv-induced secretion of IL-4 and histamine from basophils. In contrast, VH6(+) monoclonal IgM did not inhibit the release of mediators caused by protein Fv. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that protein Fv, which acts as an endogenous superallergen, interacts with the VH3 domain of IgE to induce the synthesis and release of IL-4, IL-13 and the secretion of histamine from basophils.

Basophils↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The chance finding of gallbladder carcinoma during cholecystectomy for long-term symptomatic lithiasis. A clinical case].

The case of a patient who underwent conventional cholecystectomy for gallbladder adenocarcinoma is reported. Gallbladder carcinoma is rare, but since laparoscopic cholecystectomy has quickly emerged as a popular alternative to open cholecystectomy an increasing number of gallbladder carcinomas are discovered. Most of the time it is detected as an incidental tumor, the patient being with no or few symptoms and often the lesion too far advanced for any type of curative surgery. The most important questions related to the therapy are focused and a partial review of the literature is made.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Successfully managed genital necrotizing fasciitis with multiple debilitating diseases. A case report.

Genital necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive bacterial infection of soft tissues with a reported average mortality of about 36%; associated debilitating diseases increase the mortality rate. The Authors report a case of successful management, due to an aggressive medical and surgical therapy, despite the presence of multiple debilitating diseases and an advanced necrosis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neck hibernoma: case report and literature review.

The case history of a 23 year old man with a large hibernoma of the cervical region is reported. Th tumour showed all the clinical and pathologic characteristic of these rare benign neoplasms. A review of the most recent literature supports the Authors' conclusion that local excision is curative.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Surgical management of thrombosed popliteal artery aneurysm: two case reports.

Popliteal artery aneurysm is not a rare event and is the most common type of peripheral arterial aneurysm. The Authors report on their experience with two cases. One patient had a giant popliteal aneurysm and was treated with a dacron patch, while the other had a smaller one and was treated with an inverse saphenous vein bypass. The Authors stress the importance of a thorough study of the patients in order to rule out aneurysmal disease in other sites. They conclude that early surgical intervention is the only effective therapeutic tool to avoid serious complications.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Postectomy for phimosis: 5-year-experience].

Phimosis, i.e. congenital or acquired preputial stenosis, is one of the most frequent problems encountered in surgery departments. Circumcision remains the most frequently adopted surgical treatment, but, since this operation entails the sacrifice of the prepuce and frenulum, the penis loses its natural protection. The Authors describe five years of experience with postectomy, a technique which spares both the prepuce and frenulum while repairing the preputial phimosis, defining its benefits compared with circumcision.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Videolaparoscopic treatment of varicocele: retrospective study of 165 cases].

Idiopathic varicocele is a common condition that is present in approximately 15% of the general male population. The mechanism by which varicocele exerts a deleterious effect on testicular function and semen quality remains unknown. Nevertheless, it is generally regarded as a significant factor in male infertility. Varicocelectomy is accomplished with a variety of approaches: the inguinal and high retroperitoneal procedures are still commonly accepted methods, but laparoscopic varicocelectomy is currently proving an increasingly popular procedure. The authors report the results of a retrospective study of 165 laparoscopic varicocelectomies performed from 1993 to 2000 and conclude that this approach is simple, safe and effective and should be recommended as the treatment of choice.

Adolescent↗