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Biomedical subjects

G Legnani

Publications and source records attributed to G Legnani.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Assessment of inertial and gravitational inputs to the vestibular system.

A new device for the assessment of instantaneous angular and linear accelerations of the head is presented, which is based on four linear tri-axial accelerometers suitably attached to the head by an helmet. A procedure for reproducible helmet placement and calibration is given. A method is also illustrated to work out the different linear accelerations sensed by the vestibular organs in the left and right labyrinths and the components of the angular acceleration sensed by their semicircular canals. The computation is based on few individual parameters describing the helmet position with respect to external landmarks and on the average internal position and orientation of the vestibula. The purpose is to study the components of internal inertial forces, which represent the primary inputs to the vestibular system devoted to equilibrium and oculomotor control. The system is designed to be of easy application during rehabilitation exercises and in clinical environment during diagnostic and therapeutic manoeuvres. The prototype is tested with simple free movements such as "yes", "no", and gait.

Acceleration↗
PubMed2000

A model of an electro-goniometer and its calibration for biomechanical applications.

The paper describes a detailed model of an electro-goniometer based on a elastic beam connecting two 'bases' whose relative orientation should be measured. This kind of device, which has been developed for the analysis of human motion, is also suitable for different applications even when one or more rotations around moving axes occur. After a theoretical analysis of the device working principles, experimental verifications of the model are presented. The paper analyses the characteristics of the device and shows how the goniometer outputs can be converted into more familiar angular conventions avoiding cross-talk and other artifacts.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2000

A histological procedure to determine dental age.

Sclerosis of dentine has become one of the well established indicators of ageing and age determination. In this study a new technique was reported where a photomicrographic image of a cross section of sclerotic dentine was converted to a grey scale of 256 tones and then reduced to black and white and read by computer using specially developed software. A regression analysis was applied to a sample of 62 teeth (age range 17-84 years) and an age determination within an error limit of 11 years was obtained. Using a Neural Network software however the error was reduced to 8 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Age determination by teeth examination: a comparison between different morphologic and quantitative analyses.

Age determination by teeth examination is one of the main means of determining personal identification. Current studies have suggested different techniques for determining the age of a subject by means of the analysis of microscopic and macroscopic structural modifications of the tooth with ageing. The histological approach is useful among the various methodologies utilized for this purpose. It is still unclear as to what is the best technique, as almost all the authors suggest the use of the approach they themselves have tested. In the present study, age determination by means of microscopic techniques has been based on the quantitative analysis of three parameters, all well recognized in specialized literature: 1. dentinal tubules density/sclerosis 2. tooth translucency 3. analysis of the cementum thickness. After a description of the three methodologies (with automatic image processing of the dentinal sclerosis utilizing an appropriate computer program developed by the authors) the results obtained on cases using the three different approaches are presented, and the merits and failings of each technique are identified with the intention of identifying the one offering the least degree of error in age determination.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Cervicofacial and pulmonary actinomycosis associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

A case of cervicofacial and pulmonary actinomycosis associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is reported. The patient underwent antimicrobial treatment and surgical debridement of a palatine lesion. Complete clinical recovery was achieved. The presence of actinomycosis may obscure and delay the diagnosis of NHL.

Actinomycosis↗
PubMed1997

[Septic arthritis in the setting of HIV disease. A case report and literature review].

A case of septic arthritis due to Haemophilus influenzae is described in a HIV-infected patient. Even though complicated by large effusion and extensive subcutaneous involvement, the clinical picture showed a favourable outcome after prolonged ceftriaxone treatment, leading to complete cure. The case report is discussed with respect to both other bacterial complications caused by H. influenzae in the setting of HIV disease, and the broad aetiological spectrum of HIV-associated acute arthritis. In particular, no other cases of H. influenzae purulent arthritis have been described until now in patients with HIV disease, at our best knowledge.

English Abstract↗
PubMed1976

Prolactin secretion in chronic schizophrenia.

Basal prolactin secretion and its response to various stimuli have been studied in 20 chronic hebephrenic schizophrenics, 10 males and 10 females, aged 20-54 years. The duration of the disease varied between 4 and 30 years. Eight normal subjects from the hospital staff, four males and four females, matched for age, were used as controls. The patients had been off medication for 10 days in 17 cases, for 3 months in one case and for 1 year in two cases. The TRH stimulation test was done by giving 500 mug of TRH i.v., both to schizophrenics and controls. Schizophrenics and controls. Schizophrenics only were subjected to a 2-day therapy with chlorpromazine (4 mg/kg body weight per day orally), and therafter for 8 days to a combined therapy with chlorpromazine at the same dose plus 2-BRalpha-ergokryptine-mesilate (500 mg per day orally). Prolactin levels were assayed radioimmunologically in the basal condition, during the TRH stimulation test, after 2 days of chlorpromazine alone, and after 4 and 8 days of combined therapy with chlorpromazine plus 2-Br-alpha-ergokryptine-mesilate. The results obtained showed normal basal prolactin levels, significantly enhanced responses to TRH, normal increases after chlorpromazine alone, and substantial decreases after 2-Br-alpha-ergokryptine-mesilate. A possible relative catecholamine deficiency, related to the mental disease, is suggested to explain the results.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon (Ogilvie syndrome). Apropos of a case].

An additional case of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie's syndrome) is reported. Conservative management was successful. Etiology of this syndrome is still uncertain. The aim of the treatment is to stop natural evolution to ischemia or perforation. Medical therapy, colonoscopic decompression and surgery are employed following prognostic criteria (age, cecal diameter, therapeutical delay). Mortality rate remains high, especially if complications occur. Colonoscopic decompression is a safe and efficacious first line of treatment when cecum is less than diameter 12 cm. Surgery is mandatory when perforation or ischemia are suspected and colonoscopy failed or is contraindicated.

Acute Disease↗