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Biomedical subjects

G Orsini

Publications and source records attributed to G Orsini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Primary genital herpes infection in pregnancy].

A case report of primary genital herpes infection in a 36-years old pregnant woman during her second pregnancy is presented; the patient was treated according to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines. Maternal primary herpes simplex virus (HSV) genital infection arose at the 16th week of gestation and treated orally with acyclovir 400 mg 3 times a day for a period of 10 days. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), positive on vaginal swab, resulted negative on the maternal serum and on the amniotic fluid (at the 21st week). The patient was monitored for the rest of her pregnancy and she received a suppressive oral acyclovir therapy (400 mg 3 times daily) from the 36th week of gestation until the vaginal delivery, occurred spontaneously at the 38th week with an HSV negative vaginal swab. The live male infant, weighing 3,050 g and with Apgar scores of 7-9 at 1 and 5 min, was delivered and in repeated clinical examinations resulted negative to HSV laboratory investigations with no evidence of herpes infection or adverse effects due to acyclovir therapy.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed2004

[Morphometric and histological evaluation of uterine leiomyomas treated with GnRH agonists or progestational agents].

Both gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH agonists) and progestational agents are commonly used in order to reduce the size of uterine leiomyomas before surgery. So far, little is known about the histologic changes underlying such shrinkage mechanism. Probably the conflicting data on this subject are due to the qualitative and subjective methods used by most previous reports. In this study we analyzed 42 leiomyomas from patients treated with GnRH agonists (14 different patient samples), patients treated with progestational agents (14 different patient samples) and age-matched control patients (14 different patient samples), using qualitative (light microscope analysis) and quantitative (morphometric analysis by a specific software) methods. We assessed the following parameters: areas of necrosis, areas of hyalinization, vasal density, vasal thrombi, thickness of vasal walls, size of vasal lumina, cell density, maximum nuclear diameter, maximum cytoplasmic diameter, mitotic index on each sample. The analysis showed that leiomyomas from women treated with GnRH agonist exhibited broader areas of necrosis, greater cell density, and wider vasal lumina, while those from women treated with progestational agents exhibited thicker vasal walls than the other two groups, respectively. In conclusion, our results suggest that vasal wall changes are the basis of leiomyomas shrinkage after GnRH agonist therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Severe form of herpes gestationis].

We report a very severe form of herpers gestationis that arose at the 26(th) week of pregnancy and reached us for observation at the 30(th) week. Herpes gestationis in an autoimmune vesicobullous dermatosis characterised by skin eruptions, intense itching and consequent increase in fetal morbility, with delayed intrauterine growth and prematurity. Owing to its particular severity (involvement of the entire body surface including the face), between the 30th and the 32(nd) weeks we had to address a severe clinical condition characterised by anaemia, marked hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, hupertension and hyperglycaemia which led us to resort to the maximum dose of oral corticotherapy in association with topical therapy using clobetasol propionate. In our opinion the results obtained were highly statisfactory with the result that at the end of the 37(th) week, in consideration of the patient's obstetric history, podalic presentation and parity, we performed a Caesarean delivering a newborn of 3000 g in excellent condition. The patient was discharged symptom-free on the 6(th) day and the newborn was in full healt.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Cumulative effect of complete left bundle-branch block and chronic atrial fibrillation on 1-year mortality and hospitalization in patients with congestive heart failure. A report from the Italian network on congestive heart failure (in-CHF database).

BACKGROUND: Many clinical variables have been proposed as prognostic factors in patients with congestive heart failure. Among these, complete left bundle-branch block and atrial fibrillation are known to impair significantly left ventricular performance in patients with congestive heart failure. However, their combined effect on mortality has been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to determine whether left bundle-branch block associated with atrial fibrillation had an independent, cumulative effect on mortality for congestive heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed the Italian Network on congestive heart failure (IN-CHF) Registry that was established by the Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists in 1995. One-year follow-up data were available for 5517 patients. Complete left bundle-branch block and atrial fibrillation were associated in 185 (3.3%) patients. In this population the cause of congestive heart failure was dilated cardiomyopathy (38.4%), ischaemic heart disease (35.1%), hypertensive heart disease (17.3%), and other aetiologies (9.2%). This combination of electrical defects was associated with an increased 1-year mortality from any cause (hazard ratio, HR: 1.88; 95% CI 1.37-2.57) and sudden death (HR: 1.89; 95% CI 1.17-3.03) and 1-year hospitalization rate (HR: 1.83; 95% CI 1.26-2.67). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with congestive heart failure, the contemporary presence of left bundle-branch block and atrial fibrillation was associated with a significant increase in mortality. This synergistic effect remained significant after adjusting for clinical variables usually associated with advanced heart failure. We can conclude that this combination of electrical disturbances identifies a congestive heart failure specific population with a high risk of mortality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Low-dose combination oral contraceptives use in women with uterine leiomyomas].

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of the last generation of oral contraceptives (OC) on uterine leiomyomas. METHODS DESIGN: non-randomized perspective study on the effects of the last generation of oral contraceptives on uterine myomas during 24 months follow-up. SETTING: III Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari. PARTICIPANTS: between 1999 and 2000 a total of 121 asymptomatic women with only one subserous and/or intramural uterine myoma, having diameter pound 25 mm have been recruited. These patients were divided into two groups: the treatment group was composed of 53 women and was treated with last generation pill containing 20 microgram of ethynilestradiol and 150 microgram of desogestrel or 20 microgram of ethynilestradiol and 75 microgram of gestodene, while the control group was composed of 68 women having no hormonal therapy. In both groups the uterine myoma size (evaluated by transvaginal ultrasonography), the duration of menstrual flow and the hematocrit at the time of recruitment, after 12 months and after 24 months were examined. RESULTS: Forty-eight (90.6%) women belonging to the study group completed 2 years of OC use; only sixty women (88.2%) belonging to the control group completed the study. The use of the last generation oral contraceptives for 2 years didn't increase significantly uterine myomas size; besides after 24 months there was a significant reduction of more than two days of menstrual flow, and a significant increase of two and a half points of hematocrit. On the contrary, in the control group, we found a significant increase of uterine myoma volume, a not significant increase of menses duration and a not significant reduction of hematocrit. CONCLUSIONS: The prolonged use of the last generation of oral contraceptives does not affect the uterine myomas volume increase and furthermore it produces a significant reduction in the duration of menstrual flow with a significant increase in hematocrit.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The Escherichia coli RNA polymerase.anti-sigma 70 AsiA complex utilizes alpha-carboxyl-terminal domain upstream promoter contacts to transcribe from a -10/-35 promoter.

During infection of Escherichia coli, the phage T4 early protein AsiA inhibits open complex formation by the RNA polymerase holoenzyme Efinal sigma(70) at -10/-35 bacterial promoters through binding to region 4.2 of the final sigma(70) subunit. We used the -10/-35 lacUV5 promoter to study the properties of the Efinal sigma(70). AsiA complex in the presence of the glutamate anion. Under these experimental conditions, inhibition by AsiA was significantly decreased. KMnO(4) probing showed that the observed residual transcriptional activity was due to the slow transformation of the ternary complex Efinal sigma(70). AsiA.lacUV5 into an open complex. In agreement with this observation, affinity of the enzyme for the promoter was 10-fold lower in the ternary complex than in the binary complex Efinal sigma(70).lacUV5. A tau plot analysis of abortive transcription reactions showed that AsiA binding to Efinal sigma(70) resulted in a 120-fold decrease in the second-order on-rate constant of the reaction of Efinal sigma(70) with lacUV5 and a 55-fold decrease in the rate constant of the isomerization step leading to the open complex. This ternary complex still responded to activation by the cAMP.catabolite activator protein complex. We show that compensatory Efinal sigma(70)/promoter upstream contacts involving the C-terminal domains of alpha subunits in Efinal sigma(70) become essential for the binding of Efinal sigma(70). AsiA to the lacUV5 promoter.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Myxoid liposarcoma of the oral cavity with involvement of the periodontal tissues.

BACKGROUND, AIMS: Liposarcoma is the 2nd most frequent soft tissue sarcoma in adults, but it is extremely rare in the head and neck and, particularly, in the oral cavity. We report on a 25-year-old female who presented with a periodontal mass, extended from the right upper 3rd molar to the right upper 2nd premolar, covered by intact oral mucosa. The clinical differential diagnosis included peripheral giant cell granuloma, salivary gland neoplasms, squamous cell carcinoma of the gingiva, sarcoma and malignant lymphoma. METHODS: To accurately plan subsequent treatment, an excisional biopsy was performed and a myxoid liposarcoma was diagnosed. Consequently, the patient underwent wide excision of the neoplasm with maxillary en-block resection. RESULTS: The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient is alive and well 8 years after the original diagnosis. The authors stress the importance of considering soft tissue sarcomas in the diagnostic approach to patients with unusual periodontal neoplasms and to plan adequate surgical sampling of the lesion (i.e. excisional biopsy). CONCLUSIONS: This appears of pivotal importance as more limited specimens may result in inaccurate pre-operative diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Zebra XXII, part 2.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Alveolar Process↗
PubMed2001

Localized infusion of tunicamycin in rat hemimandibles: alteration of the basal lamina associated with maturation stage ameloblasts.

At the beginning of the maturation stage of amelogenesis, ameloblasts deposit a basal lamina (BL) at the interface between their apical surface and maturing enamel. This structure is rich in glycoconjugates and is proposed to exhibit adhesive and/or filtering functions. To clarify its role, we have applied a recently developed surgical window model to locally administer tunicamycin (TM), an antibiotic that interferes with N-glycosylation, in the rat hemimandible using an osmotic minipump. Male Wistar rats were infused with either TM or saline as a control. Lectin-gold cytochemistry was performed to reveal glycoconjugates in the BL. Immunogold labeling of enamel proteins and albumin was carried out to verify whether depletion of N-linked sugars in the BL affects the content and distribution of endogenous and exogenous proteins in the enamel layer. Under the influence of the drug, the BL became irregular and exhibited alterations in structural organization and composition. The number of Helix pomatia agglutinin binding sites was not significantly affected but their distribution was altered. The labeling density of wheat germ agglutinin over the BL was slightly reduced. Immunoreactivity for enamel proteins showed only a small decrease, but that of albumin, both between ameloblasts and within the enamel layer, increased significantly. No structural alterations were observed in the contralateral incisor and in other sampled tissues and organs. These results demonstrate that it is possible to achieve a localized administration of TM without systemic side effects and lend support to the proposal that the BL represents a specialized structure with filtering functions.(J Histochem Cytochem 49:165-176, 2001)

Acetylgalactosamine↗
PubMed2001

Immunochemical characterization of a chicken egg yolk antibody to secretory forms of rat incisor amelogenin.

Amelogenins represent the major component of the organic matrix of enamel, and consist of several intact and degraded forms. A precise knowledge of their respective distributions throughout the enamel layer could provide some insight into their functions. To date, no antibody exists that can selectively detect the secretory forms of amelogenin. In this study we used the chicken egg yolk system to generate an antibody to recombinant mouse amelogenin. Immunoblots of whole homogenates from rat incisor enamel organs and enamel showed that the resulting antibody (M179y) recognized proteins corresponding to the five known secretory forms of rat amelogenin. Immunogold cytochemistry demonstrated that reactivity was restricted to ameloblasts and enamel. Secretory forms of amelogenin persisted in significant amounts throughout the enamel layer. The density of labeling was highest over the surface portion of the enamel layer, but enamel growth sites in this region showed a localized paucity of gold particles. Immunoreactivity was lowest over the mid-portion of the layer and increased moderately near the dentino-enamel junction. These results indicate that intact forms of amelogenin probably have a more complex distribution in the enamel layer than was heretofore suspected.

Amelogenin↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of calcium sulfate and autogenous bone graft to bioabsorbable membranes plus autogenous bone graft in the treatment of intrabony periodontal defects: a split-mouth study.

BACKGROUND: Current literature shows that calcium sulfate can be used in guided tissue regeneration. Its biocompatibility and resorbability give it significant advantages in the treatment of periodontal and endodontic defects. Clinically guided tissue regeneration procedures have demonstrated significant positive clinical change, beyond that achieved with debridement alone, in treating intraosseous defects. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the clinical results obtained with autologous bone plus calcium sulfate, and to compare them with the results obtained using autologous bone plus membrane. METHODS: A total of 12 patients were treated in the present investigation. A split-mouth design was utilized. Twelve 3-wall periodontal defects were treated with calcium sulfate plus autologous bone graft (test) and compared with 12 contra-lateral defects treated with a bioabsorbable membrane plus autologous bone graft (control). Before the surgical procedure, patients were instructed about oral hygiene and scaling and root planing (SRP) was completed. Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded at baseline and 6 months. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between test and control defects at baseline. BOP was 58% and 50% for control and test defects, respectively. Mean PD was 7.75+/-0.96 mm (control) and 8.0+/-1.28 mm (test). Mean CAL was 8.58+/-1.31 mm (control) and 8.83+/-0.91 mm (test). At 6 months, mean PD was 3.41+/-0.51 (P = 0.0022) for control defects and 3.58+/-0.51 (P = 0.0022) for test defects. CAL showed a mean gain of 5+/-0.85 for controls (P = 0.0022) and 5.25+/-0.75 for test defects (P = 0.0022). Thus, there was a mean reduction of PD of 4.33 mm (56%) for control sites and 4.42 mm (55%) for test sites. The mean clinical attachment gain was 3.57 mm for control sites and 3.58 mm for test sites. As there were no sham-operated controls, it is not clear that the healing of these test or control-treated sites was any better than similar 3-walled defects sham operated. CONCLUSIONS: Both therapies led to short-term improvement of the measured parameters; neither was superior to the other.

Absorbable Implants↗