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G Romano

Publications and source records attributed to G Romano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Leptin concentration in plasma and in milk during the interpartum period in the mare.

The aim of this work is to investigate on plasma profiles of leptin and estradiol 17beta during the interpartum period and leptin concentrations in the milk and in the colostrum during the period from parturition to the successive delivery in mare. Leptin plasma concentration varied from 5.1+/-2.3 ng/ml after the first parturition (week 0) to 3.0+/-0.7 at week 21 (p<0.05), then it increased to maximal level at week 49 (6.9+/-1.0 ng/ml, p<0.05). Leptin concentration in the colostrum and in the milk has been significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in plasma samples at week 1 (milk 8.8+/-2.3 versus plasma 5.2+/-0.6 ng/ml) and between week 12 and 17. This difference may be explained with a local leptin production at mammary level and supports a role of leptin in the mammary gland and/or in foal intestine. Estradiol 17beta increased from week 15 (17.9+/-2.3 pg/ml) up to 487.9+/-67.7 pg/ml at week 43. Plasma estradiol 17beta rise anticipated by 4 weeks plasma leptin increase and it does not seem to be positively correlated to leptin secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Rituximab treatment for glomerulonephritis in HCV-associated mixed cryoglobulinaemia: efficacy and safety in the absence of steroids.

OBJECTIVE: Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has been used in lupus nephritis and membranous idiopathic nephropathy and has proved effective in non-renal manifestations of type II mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC) syndrome. We investigated the possible efficacy and safety of rituximab in the treatment of cryoglobulinaemic nephritis. METHODS: Five patients with active, biopsy-proven, glomerulonephritis in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related type II MC syndrome were treated with four weekly infusions of rituximab (375 mg/m2) in monotherapy, without steroids whenever possible. Rituximab was the first-line therapy in three cases. RESULTS: A rapid and sustained renal response was observed in all patients, in one of them without retreatment up to the last follow-up (month 21+). Renal biopsy was repeated after 6 months in one patient and histopathological improvement was documented. Three patients relapsed, at months +5, +7 and +12 of follow-up, respectively. Two of them were then retreated with rituximab and again presented a rapid improvement in renal function. Maintenance therapy with rituximab was performed in two patients: nephritis remission was maintained in both. Fc-gamma receptor 3a (FcgammaRIIIa) genotype characterization was consistent with the clinical response observed. Rituximab also proved effective against other active MC manifestations, when present. No major side-effects occurred and steroids were not required in the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Rituximab may provide effective and safe therapy in type II MC-related glomerulonephritis, possibly as first-line therapy, avoiding steroids and hazardous immunosuppressive treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Somatostatin receptor subtypes mediate contractility on human colonic smooth muscle cells.

This study demonstrates the expression of functional somatostatin receptor (sstr) subtypes in human circular and longitudinal colonic smooth muscle cells (SMC). Native somatostatin (SS) and sstr subtype-specific analogues were used to characterize the sstr subtypes present in both cell types by contraction/relaxation studies. Qualitative and quantitative mRNA analysis and immunohistochemistry of sstr subtypes were also carried out. sstr subtype 2 mRNA was expressed in circular SMC, and various levels of subtypes 1, 2 and 3 mRNA were expressed in longitudinal colonic SMC. Native SS and each subtype-specific analogue exerted a modest, but significant, contraction, although inhibition of carbachol-induced contraction (relaxation) was the main effect on SMC from both layers. CH-288, a sstr subtype 1-specific analogue, and octreotide, a sstr subtype 2-specific analogue, were the most effective relaxant analogues on longitudinal and circular SMC, respectively. sstr subtypes display a distinct expression pattern on human colonic SMC; on circular SMC, subtype 2 is the only sstr, whereas sstr subtypes 1, 2 and 3 are expressed on human SMC isolated from the longitudinal layer. The contractile effects of SS are mediated through sstr subtype 2 and sstr subtype 1 on circular and longitudinal human colonic SMC, respectively.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed2006

[Laparoscopic treatment of adrenal myelolipoma: case report and review of the literature].

Adrenal myelolipoma is a rare benign, non-functioning tumor consisting of fat and hematopoietic tissues. In January 2005 we had observed an adrenal myelolipoma in 70 year old man. During the follow-up for bladder urothelioma, an abdominal CT revaled a well delineated 4x4 cm homogeneous fatty mass in the right suprarenal area with negative attenuation values. The functional study of adrenal gland was normal. The patient underwent videolaparoscopic right adrenalectomy (Gagner technique). Postoperative course was uneventful. The istological diagnosis showed adrenal myelolipoma. We conclude that videolaparoscopic adrenalectomy should be considered the gold standard treatment for benign adrenal lesions.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2006

Immunity to poliovirus among children and the elderly in north-east Italy.

INTRODUCTION: Italy and Europe were declared polio-free in June 2002, but increasing migration, even from undeveloped countries where polio still exists, may lead to a come-back of circulating poliovirus (PV) and infection in previously polio-free areas. It is consequently advisable to continue to monitor the immunity of the population in polio-free areas. The aim of this study was to assess the current prevalence of neutralizing antibodies in recently-immunized children and in elderly people who were never vaccinated. METHODS: Sera from 511 healthy subjects resident in the Veneto Region were examined to assay their antibody titer for PV 1, 2 and 3, using the microneutralization test. Data were analyzed by chi-squared test, Student's t-test and linear regression analysis, using EPI-Info 2000 supplied by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, GA, USA). RESULTS: Neutralizing antibodies in group A (231 subjects aged 1-17 years) showed significantly higher geometric mean titers (GMTs) than in group B (280 subjects aged 65-100 years) for all three PV serotypes (P < 0.001). Nobody simultaneously lacked neutralizing antibodies for all three serotypes. There were no difference between the two groups in terms of male/female GMTs for the three PV Antibodies decreased with time since vaccination, but the difference was only significant for PV 3. GMTs were lower in the elderly, with no significant difference among the three PV. DISCUSSION: The population examined showed a good level of protection against the three PV strains: both groups A (vaccinated) and B (naturally immunized) revealed a valid immunity to poliovirus. CONCLUSION: Immunization programs and immunity status population screening are still advisable until polio has been world-wide eradicated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Carotid and peripheral atherosclerosis in patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention and outcome associated with multifocal atherosclerosis.

AIM: The aim of our study was to determine if patients with multifocal atherosclerosis have a worse prognosis than patients with atherosclerosis only in the coronary bed. METHODS: We studied 45 subjects admitted to intensive coronary care unit of the Division of Cardiology with the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were investigated and laboratory analysis included measurement of plasma lipids, glycemia, fibrinogen and high-sensitivity-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Each patient underwent coronary-angiography as well as carotid and peripheral arterial ultrasound examination. A follow-up of 13+/-2 months was performed. RESULTS: We found that the severity of coronary atherosclerosis is significantly associated with the presence of carotid (P<0.05) and peripheral atherosclerosis (P<0.005). Markers of inflammation, hs-CRP (P<0.005) and fibrinogen (P<0.05), were significantly associated with multifocal atherosclerosis. We have shown that an increased number of coronary vessels with atherosclerotic stenosis is associated with a higher value of carotid (P<0.0001) and peripheral intima media thickness (P<0.0001). During 13 months of follow-up the incidence of fatal or non fatal events was 18%. The multivariate analysis showed that the variables independently associated with fatal and non fatal events were: male sex (P<0.001), family history of cardiovascular disease (P<0.005), hypertension (P<0.01), diabetes mellitus (P<0.05), higher levels of total cholesterol (P<0.05), smoking habit (P<0.05), and multifocal atherosclerosis (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasound examination of carotid and peripheral atherosclerotic lesions may be useful in placing patients with AMI in a category of higher risk of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events. Moreover, the precocious identification of patients at risk can suggest a more aggressive pharmacological treatment and a more accurate follow-up in order to avoid future events.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed2005

A 2-month cisplatin-epirubicin-paclitaxel (PET) weekly combination as primary systemic therapy for large operable breast cancer: a phase II study.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to define the antitumor activity of eight cisplatin-epirubicin-paclitaxel (PET) weekly cycles with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support in patients with large operable breast cancer. METHODS: Operable breast cancer (T2-3 N0-1; T >3 cm) patients received eight preoperative weekly cycles of cisplatin 30 mg/m2, epirubicin 50 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 120 mg/m2, with G-CSF (5 microg/kg, days 3-5) support. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (T2/T3=30/33; N0/N+=8/55) were enrolled. Thirty-one clinical complete (49%) and 30 partial (48%) responses were recorded, giving a 97% response rate (95% confidence interval 89% to 100%). Breast-sparing surgery was performed in 32/63 (51%) patients. At pathological assessment, 28 patients (45%) showed absence of invasive residual disease in breast and 34 (55%) had negative axilla. In 20 women (32%) both breast and axilla were found to be disease-free. At a 23-month median follow-up (range 4-63), only eight relapses and two deaths had occurred, with the 4-year projected relapse-free and overall survival being 59% and 95%, respectively. Grade 3-4 neutropenia and anemia occurred in 24% and 5% of patients, respectively. Emesis, diarrhea and mucositis were the main non-hematological toxicities; however, only nine (14%) patients experienced one or more episodes of severe non-hematological toxicity. Peripheral neuropathy was frequent, but never severe. CONCLUSIONS: A 2-month weekly treatment with PET represents a well tolerated and highly effective approach in large operable breast cancer patients. In spite of the short duration of chemotherapy, one-third of patients achieved a complete eradication of the tumor in both breast and axilla.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Anorectal atresia treated with non-continent pull through and artificial bowel sphincter: a case report.

Anorectal atresia, which is classified as a low anorectal malformation, is characterised by the absence of the anal verge and by variable rectal atresia. In some cases, which have been classified as rectal agenesis, the atresia is associated with the absence of the internal sphincter. The therapeutic options are definitely surgical, aiming to relieve the bowel occlusion and to restore faecal continence by lowering the cul-de-sac to the perineum. We present the case of an adult patient with congenital rectal agenesis, double fistula (cul-de-sac-urethra and cul-de-sac-perineum) and caecostomy since birth. The patient was treated with a resection of sigmoid-rectum for the presence of a 20-cm faecaloma in the cul-de-sac, with a non-continent pull-through, and with implantation of an artificial bowel sphincter. Despite some difficulties in managing the device and a slight symptomatic mucosal prolapse, the results after 30 months have so far satisfied both the patient and the medical staff, especially in consideration of the limited number of alternative therapies.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Current development of adeno-associated viral vectors.

Vectors based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) have recently been used in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's and Canavan's diseases. Indeed, AAV-mediated gene transfer is a promising tool for the delivery of therapeutic gene into the central and peripheral nervous systems. AAV-mediated gene transfer was also applied in phase I and phase II clinical trials for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of hemophilia B. Remarkable progress is being reported in the development of AAV-based vectors; however, the design of AAV-derived vectors needs to be improved. As it stands, AAV-mediated gene transfer has a limited capacity in accommodating foreign genes. In addition, some preclinical studies have shown that AAV-derived vectors can cause tumors in animals due to insertional mutagenesis events. This review will discuss perspectives and drawbacks for AAV-based vector systems.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2004

Exploring molecular motors and switches at the single-molecule level.

Single-molecule techniques have propelled an impressive number of biophysical studies during the last decade. From relatively simple video-microscopy techniques, to sophisticated manipulation and detection apparata, single-molecule techniques are capable of tracking the movements and the reaction trajectories of single enzymatic units. By observing microspheres attached to biomolecules it is possible to follow the motion of molecular motors, or to detect conformational "switching" induced by regulatory proteins. Micromanipulation tools like optical tweezers have been widely applied to understand the mechanisms of linear molecular motors, and have allowed the measurement of the elementary steps and the forces produced by several motor proteins, including myosin, kinesin, and dynein. New experimental assays based on magnetic or optical "wrenches," which are able to apply and detect torques on rotary motors and biopolymers, are opening new possibilities in this field. Here, established and emerging magneto-optical manipulation and video-tracking techniques are reviewed, in the perspective of single molecular motors and regulatory proteins studies.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2004

Evolving practice patterns in heart transplantation: a single-center experience over 15 years.

This analysis is a retrospective characterization of evolving patterns in donor and recipient risk factors for early and late outcomes (survival and freedom from rejection) along with determinants of hospital and 1-year mortality after heart transplantation over a 15-year experience in a single center. Profiles and outcomes were evaluated for procedures performed between 1988 and 1995 (group A, n = 105) versus 1996 and 2003 (group B, n = 218). The following parameters were considered: pretransplant diagnosis, recipient age UNOS status, donor age, total postretrieval ischemic time, donor/recipient size match, and degree of myocardial necrosis at biopsy. Recipients in group B were significantly more compromised as demonstrated by UNOS status (11.4% vs 19.3%; P =.05) and pretransplant pulmonary vascular resistance (2.3 +/- 1.5 vs 3.1 +/- 1.5; P =.04). Marginal donors were more frequently used for group B procedures (21.9% vs 47.7%; P <.0001). Outcomes were significantly more favorable among group B patients in terms of hospital mortality (18.1% vs 10.6%; P =.046), and 1- and 5-year actuarial survival (72.4% vs 83.4%, 60% vs 73.3%, respectively; P =.006). Analysis of the causes of death disclosed a significant reduction in fatal events due to graft failure and acute rejection in group B. No difference emerged with regard to actual freedom from acute rejection. Determinants of hospital mortality were pretransplant diagnosis, UNOS status, donor age, and cardioplegic solution. Transplant era, recipient age, infectious episodes, and ischemic necrosis at biopsy were risk factors for 1-year mortality. We conclude that despite extensive usage of marginal donors and selection of worse candidates, significantly better outcomes were achieved due to improvements in global management strategies.

Cause of Death↗
PubMed2004

Midterm results of a prospective randomized comparison of two different rabbit-antithymocyte globulin induction therapies after heart transplantation.

This prospective randomized study compared the effects in heart transplant recipients of thymoglobulin and ATG, two rabbit polyclonal antithymocyte antibodies available for induction therapy. Among 40 patients (29 men and 11 women, mean age: 40.7 +/- 14 years) undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation, 20 were randomly allocated to receive induction with thymoglobulin (group A) and 20 to ATG-fresenius (group B). Comparisons between the two groups included early posttransplant (6 months) incidence of acute rejection episodes (grade >/= 1B), bouts of steroid-resistant rejection, time to first rejection, survival, graft atherosclerosis, infections, and malignancies. The study groups displayed similar preoperative and demographic variables. No significant difference was found with regard to actuarial survival (P =.98), freedom from rejection (P =.68), number of early rejections > 1B (P =.67), mean time to first early cardiac rejection (P =.13), number of steroid-resistant rejections (P =.69). Cytomegalovirus reactivations were more frequent among group A (65%) than group B (30%; P =.028). New infections due to cytomegalovirus occurred only in group A (four patients; 20%; P =.05). No cases of malignancies were observed at a mean follow-up of 32.8 +/- 8.9 months. Although thymoglobulin and ATG showed equivalent efficacy for rejection prevention, they have different immunological properties. In particular, thymoglobulin seems to be associated with a significantly higher incidence of cytomegalovirus disease/reactivation.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Efficacy and limitations of preemptive therapy against cytomegalovirus infections in heart transplant patients.

OBJECTIVES: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease often represents a serious complication that promotes opportunistic infections in heart transplant recipients. In this study we evaluated the impact of preemptive gancylovir therapy, guided by pp65 antigenemia on the morbidity associated with viral reactivation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have performed a CMV infection surveillance program since March 1999, with antigenemia pp65 determinations weekly for the first 2 months biweekly in the third months, and monthly to the sixth month. Patients with pp65 antigenemia value >/= 10 positive cells per 2 x 10(5) polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) were treated with intravenous gancyclovir followed by 1 month of oral gancyclovir. RESULTS: Among the 107 patients who underwent the virological monitoring, 80 were pp65 antigenemia-positive with preemptive therapy administered in 48 cases. Five patients displayed symptomatic CMV disease (4.7% vs 18% rate in the period of 1988 to 1998 before the introduction of virologic monitoring; P <.01). We observed only one case of gancyclovir-resistant pneumonia which was successfully treated with foscarnet. CMV recurrence in 10 patients required a second cycle of gancyclovir treatment. Our experience included 13 opportunistic infections (12.7%) with 11 antigenemia-positive. CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive therapy drastically reduces the incidence of CMV disease and the associated morbidity. Compared to universal prophylaxis, this approach may avoid unnecessary pharmacologic treatment in more than 50% of transplant recipients. Indeed, preemptive therapy does not fully prevent CMV disease, because it may manifest at the first antigenemia determination, and furthermore may select gancyclovir-resistant strains.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMed2004

Surveillance of post-operative infections and management of antibiotic surgical prophylaxis in an Italian region.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of post-surgical infections and to assess management of antibiotic surgical prophylaxis. The survey was carried out by means of a questionnaire in order to obtain diverse information such as demographics, length of pre- and post-operative hospitalization, type of surgery, intervention duration, possible antibiotic prophylaxis and onset of post-surgical infections also monitored by post-discharge ambulatory controls. Four General Surgery and five Obstetrics and Gynecology Departments in Campania (southern Italy) participated in the study, which was carried out from December 2001-January 2002. Overall, 410 questionnaires were collected, referring to as many patients; antibiotic prophylaxis was performed in 385 (93.9%) patients. Antibiotic prophylaxis was generally managed not according to the general principles suggested by the international guidelines either for timing, for its duration or for the route of administration. Substantial differences were also noted in patient selection and antibiotic choice. Surgical site infections were recorded in 0.9% of patients undergoing clean surgery and in 3.6% of patients undergoing clean-contaminated surgery. Distant infections occurred in 1.5% in clean-contaminated surgery. The results of the present study suggest the need for continuous and accurate monitoring of post-surgical infections and the need to adopt appropriate guidelines to improve the management of surgical prophylaxis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Neuropsychological profiles in preterm low birth weight children].

AIM: Several studies focus on the psychic development of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) preterm infants and highlight the presence of neurological, cognitive and relating disorders. Several contributions have in fact shown that in these subjects in school age disturbances of cognitive functions may be encountered; in particular, disturbances of specific neuropsychological functions, such as attention defects, impaired visuo-spatial function, memory and language have been reported in subjects with a globally normal intelligence quotient. METHODS: Forty-three school-aged children were studied (21 males and 22 females). They had a low birth weight (weight between 1,050-2,450 g), the gestation period was between 29 and 32 weeks and they were compared with a control sample whose birth weight was >2,500 g. Cognitive development was assessed by a test battery including WISC-R, Zazzo "deux Barrage" Test, Benton Visual Retention Test and Frostig Developmental Test of Visual Perception. Parents were also called in to evaluate how they had experienced the birth of their child and how long the mother had been kept in the clinic. RESULTS: The overall analysis of our study suggests normal cognitive development in these children. No significant diffences were detected in the 2 studied groups. The lack of differences could be associated with the criteria used to select our sample because no children with severe perinatal disorders were included in the study. In addition, a good mother-child relationship seems to have been established in these children and this has certainly contributed to cognitive development adequate to their age. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of these children is therefore closely related both to the birth weight and, especially, to the difficulties faced in the neonatal age (severe perinatal diseases).

Cognition Disorders↗
PubMed2004

Internal auditory canal metastasis.

This report deals with 3 cases of internal auditory canal metastasis, an extremely rare lesion, few cases having been reported in the international literature. Since pre-operative diagnosis is fundamental in the planning of a correct therapeutic strategy, it is important that the neurotologist be aware of the possibility of their occurrence in this particular area. Metastasis can occur unilaterally as well as bilaterally; the latter being the case in 1 of the patients described herein. Correct pre-operative diagnosis is particularly difficult in patients in whom the primary tumour has not been detected at the time of identification of the lesion in the internal auditory canal. The only characteristic, specific of metastasis, is the presence of multifocal cerebral lesions. However, these were detected in only 1 of the present cases. On the contrary, in cases of a single metastasis, both magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography usually fail to show any distinctive feature when compared to the most common tumours of the internal auditory canal (vestibular schwannomas and meningiomas). Bilateral metastases can also be misdiagnosed as neurofibromatosis type 2. Clinical data that should alert the clinician are: rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss, followed by onset of progressive facial nerve weakness. Radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy are the two main treatment modalities, while surgical removal is reserved for selected cases of a single metastasis. Albeit, due to the paucity of specific radiological and clinical characteristics, surgical removal is often necessary to reach the correct diagnosis, as occurred in 2 of the present patients.

Aged↗