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Biomedical subjects

Giorgio Zanchin

Publications and source records attributed to Giorgio Zanchin.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The nervous system in colours: the tabulae pictae of G.F. d'Acquapendente (ca. 1533-1619).

Girolamo Fabrici d'Acquapendente (ca.1533-1619), in his olograph will donated to the Signoria of Venice a rich collection of anatomical paintings, which are today preserved in the Marciana Library. The third volume of these tabulae pictae, entitled De Anatomia Capitis Cerebri Nervorum, deals with the nervous system and contains the only known illustrations by Fabrici regarding neuroanatomy. Despite the realisation of this splendid collection of 21 coloured paintings, neither a systematic description nor an iconographic record regarding nervous structures were found to be published by Fabrici. For this reason, a thorough study of these plates is pivotal to a better understanding of the contribution made by d'Acquapendente to the knowledge of the nervous system. Besides their aesthetic quality, Fabrici's tabulae pictae appear as a unique document of exceptional scientific value, thanks to the unprecedented realism given to the anatomical structures by the innovative use of colours. These pictures represent the highest point reached by the 16th-century Paduan Medical School well demonstrating its aim for a sound naturalistic approach.

History, 16th Century↗
PubMed2005

A history of the therapeutic use of liquorice in Europe.

Liquorice root has been used in Europe since prehistoric times, and is well documented in written form starting with the ancient Greeks. In this review we compare the independent development of medical uses of this botanical drug in several ancient cultures, attempting to show the rationality of specific indications across different ethnic groups with different cultural backgrounds. Identical specific indications in different cultures highlight universally reproducible therapeutic effects that are beyond those of a mere placebo. In the first part of the review, historical sources dealing with liquorice (Scythian, Greek, Roman, and from the Middle Ages in Germany, Italy, Spain, England) have been considered. In the second part, the historical records of diseases treated with liquorice have been presented. Finally, a comparison between traditional use in and outside Europe, with the most important recent scientific studies concerning its use, is presented.

Europe↗
PubMed2005

Padua, the cradle of modern medicine: Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714) on headaches.

A prominent historian of Medicine, Henry Sigerist, quoted the Padua Medical School as "the cradle of modern medicine". This opinion is currently accepted worldwide. A short outline on the contribution of the Padua Medical School to the development of medical knowledge in its "golden age" is given. In this context, the work of a prominent figure of the 17(th) century Padua University and the founder of Occupational Medicine, Bernardino Ramazzini, is considered, with focus on his interest in headache.

Headache↗
PubMed2005

Development of a ICHD-II based computerised system for the general practitioner.

We present a computerised programme designed for use in the office of a general practitioner. The system provides an assisted diagnosis according to the ICHD-II criteria for the principal forms of primary headaches (migraine, tension-type headache, cluster headache) and highlights the red flags of a possible secondary headache. A relevant feature is that explanations for the selection of a particular diagnosis are given at the end of the process; furthermore, the characteristics of the patient's headache, which were previously inserted in the programme by the physician, are summarised, allowing critical evaluation of the suggested diagnosis. The software can also be used as a clinical file, in that it is possible to create for each patient a clinical chart in which to record the selected diagnosis, the recommended therapy and any eventual comments. Our programme aims for educational growth, promoting the learning of the basic ICHD-II criteria.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗
PubMed2005

Osmophobia in primary headaches.

This study evaluates osmophobia (defined as an unpleasant perception, during a headache attack, of odours that are non-aversive or even pleasurable outside the attacks) in connection with the diagnosis of primary headaches. We recruited 775 patients from our Headache Centre (566 females, 209 males; age 38+/-12 years), of whom 477 were migraineurs without aura (MO), 92 with aura (MA), 135 had episodic tension-type headache (ETTH), 44 episodic cluster headache (ECH), 2 chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (CPH) and 25 other primary headaches (OPHs: 12 primary stabbing headaches, 2 primary cough headaches, 3 primary exertional headaches, 2 primary headaches associated with sexual activity, 3 hypnic headaches, 2 primary thunderclap headaches and 1 hemicrania continua). Among them, 43% with MO (205/477), 39% with MA (36/92), and 7% with CH (3/44) reported osmophobia during the attacks; none of the 135 ETTH and 25 OPH patients suffered this symptom. We conclude that osmophobia is a very specific marker to discriminate adequately between migraine (MO and MA) and ETTH; moreover, from this limited series it seems to be a good discriminant also for OPHs, and for CH patients not sharing neurovegetative symptoms with migraine. Therefore, osmophobia should be considered a good candidate as a new criterion for the diagnosis of migraine.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Weight variations in the prophylactic therapy of primary headaches: 6-month follow-up.

We conducted a study on 367 patients (86% female, 14% male; mean age 37+/-15 years) suffering from migraine with and without aura and chronic tension-type headache to evaluate the incidence of weight gain, an undesirable side effect observed during prophylactic therapy in primary headaches. Patients treated with amitriptyline (20 and 40 mg), pizotifen (1 mg), propranolol (80-160 mg), atenolol (50-100 mg), verapamil (160-240 mg), valproate (600 mg) and gabapentin (900-1200 mg) were evaluated after a period of 3 and 6 months. In particular, 89 patients were assessed (78% female, 22% male) at 6 months, of whom 10 were in treatment with amitriptyline 20 mg, 19 with amitriptyline 40 mg, 7 with pizotifen (1 mg), 13 with propranolol (80-160 mg), 4 with verapamil (160 mg), 10 with valproate (600 mg), 15 with atenolol (50 mg) and 11 with gabapentin (900-1200 mg). The control group consisted of 97 patients with migraine (79% female, 21% male; mean age 35+/-16 years) without indication for prophylactic therapy. Weight variations >or=1 kg were considered. After 6 months of therapy, the percentage of patients with weight gain was 86% with pizotifen (6/7; mean weight increase 4.4+/-2.5 kg), 60% with amitriptyline 20 mg (6/10; 3.1+/-1.6), 47% with amitriptyline 40 mg (9/19; 5.4+/-2.7), 25% with valproate 600 mg (2/8, 3.0+/-2.8 kg), 25% with verapamil (1/4, 2.5 kg), 20% with atenolol (3/15, 1.7+/-0.6 kg), 9% with gabapentin (1/11, 1.5 kg) and 8% with propranolol (1/13; 6 kg). We conclude that propranolol, gabapentin, atenolol, verapamil and valproate affect body weight in a modest percentage of patients at 6 months. A greater mean weight gain at 6 months was found in patients treated with pizotifen, amitriptyline, and, in one patient out of 13, with propranolol.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2005

Bernardino Ramazzini rests in Padua.

The founder of occupational medicine, Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714) was buried, according to contemporary sources, in the church of Beata Elena Enselmini in Padua. In 1914 Arnaldo Maggiora, Professor of Public Health, examined the remains buried in that tomb, but failed to confirm the presence of the corpse of Ramazzini. THe current study aims to clarify the issue. Our investigations included an anthropological examination and radiocarbon dating of the exhumed remains, along with a careful review of written sources. The discrepancies between the identification of 1914 and our own findings; the historical research, the burial site within a convent of nuns, for whom we know Ramazzini to have been the doctor; the age of the bones and the rarity of the octogenarian at that time and the radiocarbon results, confirm the traditional belief that the mortal remains of the great physician from Carpi reset "sine titulo" in the ancient setting of Beata Elena Enselmini.

Burial↗
PubMed2005

[Giovanbattista da Monte (Montanus): father of modern clinical medicine].

The figure of Giovanbattista da Monte (1489-1551) is associated with the introduction of clinical teaching at the patient's beside, in 1543, at the San Francesco Hospital of Padua. In the XVI century, teaching was still based on the explanation and comment of the ancient authors and the educational programme was founded on theoretical aspects. The "practical" approach consisted of the treatment "ex cathedra" of diseases according to the various parts of the body, without observing the course of the pathological events with a direct confirmation at the patient's beside.To his merit, Da Monte established the practise of training students to gather the case history, to carry out an objective examination, and to closely examine disease phenomena with lessons at the bedside of the patient. Practical clinical training was thus introduced as the crucial moment in the formation of the physician.

Clinical Medicine↗
PubMed2004

["Medicus Educandus": considerations on the Nova institutionum medicarum idea (1712) by G. B. Morgagni].

On March 17, 1712, Giovanni Battista Morgagni (1682-1771) inaugurated the course of medical theory entrusted to him with his inaugural lecture "Nova institutionum medicarum idea", given to the press in the same year in Padua. In it, the author presented the educational project for the "medicus perfectissimus". In his proposal, the curriculum had to include studies on religious and human law, logic and rhetoric, mathematics, philosophy, chemistry, botany, pharmacy and therapy, in addition to an in-depth study of morphology also in its pathological aspects. Morgagni's educational method proposed adherence to empirical data, encouragement to search for the truth through observations and experiments. Against the Paduan university cultural setting, which saw its Renaissance lustre and prestige diminished, Morgagni's inaugural lecture seems to be a proposal that embodies the expectations also felt by other intellectuals of the period, such as Scipione Maffei in his university study reform project.

Curriculum↗