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Biomedical subjects

G Grechi

Publications and source records attributed to G Grechi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Gestational diabetes affects platelet behaviour through modified oxidative radical metabolism.

AIMS: Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus show altered platelet function including decreased nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and increased peroxynitrite production. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a clinical condition which is ideal for evaluating short-term effects of impaired glucose metabolism, ruling out the possibility that the platelet abnormalities are a consequence of diabetic complications. The aim of the present work was to study NO metabolism in platelets from pregnant women with GDM. The production of peroxides was also studied as it is strongly involved in peroxynitrite formation. METHODS: Platelet NOS activity and peroxynitrite production, levels of hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in platelet membranes in the basal state and after in vitro peroxidative stress with phenylhydrazine were determined in 40 pregnant women with GDM, 40 healthy pregnant women (pregnant controls) of comparable age and gestational age, and 15 healthy non-pregnant women (controls). RESULTS: NOS activity was significantly increased in both groups of pregnant women compared with non-pregnant ones, and in GDM women compared with pregnant controls. Production of peroxynitrite was higher in GDM women than in pregnant controls, who also had significantly reduced production compared with non-pregnant women. Basal levels of peroxidation of the platelet membranes evaluated either by hydroperoxide content and TBARS levels or the susceptibility to peroxidation were increased in GDM patients in comparison with both control groups. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown a modification in platelet NO and peroxynitrite production and an increase in platelet indicators of oxidative stress in GDM women compared with healthy pregnant women which might be at the basis of a cellular dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Sialic acid content in erythrocyte membranes from pregnant women affected by gestational diabetes.

Sialic acid (SA) content, membrane fluidity, and Na(+)/K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity were determined in erythrocyte membrane from 10 nonpregnant women (HNPW), 16 pregnant women affected by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and 25 healthy pregnant women (HPW). In GDM patients the membrane erythrocyte SA content was significantly increased compared with HNPW and membrane fluidity was significantly increased in comparison with HPW. Erythrocyte membrane Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity was significantly reduced in GDM patients compared both to HNPW and to HPW subjects. A significant inverse correlation was found between 1-(4-trimethylaminophenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH) anisotropy and erythrocyte membrane SA content in HNPW and in HPW, while this significant correlation was not observed in GDM. The present results indicate that in comparison with normal pregnancy GDM is characterized by deep alterations of the erythrocyte plasma membrane physicochemical properties (increased fluidity) and functional activities (reduced Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity). These modifications might be at the basis of the altered blood viscosity and placental perfusion observed under such conditions. Moreover, these results show that in physiological pregnancy and in the nonpregnant state, the erythrocyte surface membrane fluidity is inversely correlated with SA content, while in GDM there is an unbalance of this relation, which might be associated with the microcirculatory abnormality present in this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Modulation of human lymphoblastoid interferon activity by melatonin in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. A phase II study.

BACKGROUND: Numerous attempts to identify active cytotoxic agents for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have proved disappointing. However, several recent developments in biologic therapy of neoplastic disease have substantially improved the prospects for the treatment of advanced RCC. Melatonin (MLT), a hormone regulated by the pineal gland, has been shown to act on the immune system by causing the release of cytokines from activated T-cell populations. METHODS: A series of 22 patients with documented progressing RCC entered a trial in which the authors studied the effect of a long term regimen (12 months) with human lymphoblastoid interferon (IFN), 3 mega units (MU) intramuscularly 3 times per week, and MLT, 10 mg orally every day. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. There were seven remissions (33%): three complete, involving lung and soft tissue and four partial, with a median duration at the time of this writing of 16 months. Nine patients achieved stable disease, and five progressed. General toxicity was mild. Fever, chills, arthralgias, and myalgias occurred rarely. Leukopenia and hepatic enzyme elevation were modest and always reversible. CONCLUSIONS: Response rate and toxic effects observed during this study warrant additional randomized studies to define the role of MLT's concomitant administration in the clinical response to IFN in metastatic RCC.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Retroperitoneal germ cell tumor in postmenopausal woman.

A fifty-four-year-old woman presented with right renal colic and three months later a retroperitoneal tumor was diagnosed. After explorative laparotomy with biopsy, which showed a germ cell tumor, the patient received external beam radiotherapy, but died of metastatic diffusion nine months later. We believe this is a rare occurrence of a germ cell tumor in a postmenopausal woman.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1989

Therapeutic value of citicoline in the treatment of glaucoma (computerized and automated perimetric investigation).

The favourable neurotrophic effects obtained by means of the intramuscular administration of citicoline, one of the intermediate compounds of phospholipids, on the visual field of patients suffering from open-angle glaucoma are referred. The drug was administered at the dose of 1 gm for ten consecutive days. Visual field was examined by means of central computerized perimetry and automated perimetry. All patients had well controlled intraocular pressure through beta-blockers, but presented characteristic glaucomatous perimetric defects. It is suggested that citicoline might be administered as a useful complement to conventional hypotensive therapy, since it acts positively on the glaucomatous optic nerve damage.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Periurethral neurofibroma.

A periurethral neurofibroma presenting as a midline perineal mass was removed in a three-year-old boy. An immunohistochemical study of S-100 protein distribution within the tumor tissue was performed.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1986

[Our experience in the surgical treatment of oncocytoma of the kidney].

Five patients, two men and three women age range 38 to 84 years, were treated for oxyphil cell adenoma of the kidney. Clinical signs were present in three cases and tumor size varied between 7 and 15 cm. Treatment was by nephrectomy in 4 cases and ablation of adenoma in the fifth patient, the tumor being located in the only functioning kidney in the latter. Close follow up surveillance for 32 months failed to detect any recurrence. Clinical and pathologic features of this neoplasm and therapeutic choice in these cases are discussed below. Although radical surgery has been employed in the past as principal therapy, more precise pre- and perioperative diagnosis should allow more frequent use of conservative surgery: partial nephrectomy or tumor excision.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1985

Pyelovesicostomy: an alternative to ureteropelvic junction-plasty in pelvic ectopic kidneys.

Pyelovesicostomy was performed in 2 cases of hydronephrosis in pelvic kidneys secondary to ureteropelvic junction obstruction. In the first patient, who presented with a solitary kidney, the procedure was done after failure of a dismembered pyeloplasty, while in the second patient the procedure was performed electively. Both patients had sterile urines and stable renal function, although some dilatation persisted in the first case. The indications and the functional aspects of this surgical solution are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Ultrastructural modifications of the tunica muscularis in congenital obstruction of the upper urinary tract. Physiopathological interpretations and anatomo-clinical correlations].

Upper excretory pathway musculature was studied by electron microscopy, both at the level of the obstruction and proximally. Two types of lesion were investigated: pyelo-ureteral junction anomalies and primary obstructive mega-ureter. Two types of muscle cell are recognized in the excretory pathway walls, typical and atypical cells, the latter being considered as possessing pace-maker activity and constituting almost total population of muscles of calices and pelvis. However, they were few in number in the pyelo-ureteral region and were practically absent from the ureter. Various conclusions can be drawn from the findings in this study. Both typical and atypical cells are modified in the obstructed upper excretory pathways. Ultrastructural appearances of lesions are identical at the site of an proximal to the obstruction. Modifications in these cells were: a rich sarcoplasmic reticulum, an increase in number of mitochondria and glycogen particles, disorganized distribution of contractile or cytoskeletal filaments, altered contact zones between contiguous smooth muscle cells, increased richness of granular endoplasmic reticulum and excessive development of the Golgi apparatus. More chronic lesions show enhanced fibrosis with reduced muscle contractility, the fibrosis affecting mainly elastic fibers in young patients and collagen fibers in more elderly subjects. The development of fibrosis may be due to changes in the granular endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. From the practical point of view, increase in fibrosis with duration of course of obstruction is an argument for as early as possible surgical intervention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

[Recurrent cystitis in young girls. Clinical and radiologic aspects].

The authors emphasise the importance of radiological investigation of all children with urological infections. The key studies are complete intravenous urography and retrograde cystography. A broad sub-division of situations may be used to draw a distinction between recurrent cystitis in the young girl with an organic cause (urethral stenosis) and recurrent cystitis of functional origin. Organic urethral stenosis may be diagnosed immediately on the basis of radiological findings of an association of vesical hypertrophy and a permanent narrowing of the distal urethra with proximal dilatation, persisting during the different phases of micturition. This possibility is rare. By contrast, functional causes are much more common: spasm of the striate sphincter, absence of inhibition of the bladder, neurological dysfunction resulting in a non-neurogenic neurogenic bladder. There remains recurrent cystitis due to insufficiently frequent micturition. Analysis of the factors actually responsible for recurrent infections in any given child may be made difficult when they are present in association.

Cystitis↗
PubMed1980

Polyorchidism and seminoma in a child.

A case is reported of a neoplasm involving a supernumerary testicle in a 9-year-old boy. The histologic diagnosis was anaplastic seminoma. We have not been able to find a similar case in the literature.

Castration↗
PubMed1978

[A rapid method for the isolation of Salmonellae from faeces (author's transl)].

A rapid and simple method for detecting Salmonellae in faeces was developed. It was based on the motility of Salmonellae through a semi-solid medium in a U-tube. The migration of other intestinal bacteria was retarded by means of a magnesium salt concentration. 474 stool specimens were examined for Salmonellae in parallel with the usual isolation method. A total of 39 Salmonella strains were isolated, 37 (94.9%) by means of the selective migration procedure, 26 (66.7%) when the routine method was applied. Two strains of patients in chemo-therapy were missed by the rapid method, which was moreover inefficient in detecting S. typhi, due to its slow motility. However, the rapid method is recommended in addition to conventional mediums in screening of carriers for its higher frequency of positive isolations compared with multistep procedure (+27.3%).

Bacteriological Techniques↗