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Biomedical subjects

I A Bergamo Andreis

Publications and source records attributed to I A Bergamo Andreis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Effects of visceral fat and weight loss on lipoprotein(a) concentration in subjects with obesity.

We studied the relationships between regional body fat distribution and metabolic variables with lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] as well as the effects of weight loss on Lp(a) in 25 women and 9 men with obesity. Regional body fat distribution, as evaluated by the use of computed tomography; Lp(a); and fasting glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and triglycerides were analyzed before and after a very low-energy diet. No significant correlations were found between visceral, subcutaneous, and total fat and Lp(a) or between metabolic variables and Lp(a). All anthropometric variables significantly decreased after a very low-energy diet. Fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and cholesterol significantly decreased after a very low-energy diet. No significant changes in Lp(a) concentration after a very low-energy diet were found. The correlation between the initial values of Lp(a) and changes of Lp(a) after a very low-energy diet was slightly significant (rho = 0.33, p < 0.06). In conclusion, our study shows that Lp(a) is not influenced by obesity, visceral fat, metabolic variables, or weight loss induced by a very low-energy diet.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1997

Blunt pancreatic trauma. Role of CT.

PURPOSE: To define the evolution patterns of blunt pancreatic trauma, and to point out the CT features most significant for the diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten cases of pancreatic trauma, observed over a period of about 10 years, were analyzed in retrospect. The cases were divided into 3 groups according to the time that had elapsed between trauma and first CT: early phase (within 72 h: n=3/10); late phase (after 10 days: n=3/10); and following pancreatic drainage (n=4/10). RESULTS: In the early phase, one case showed a blood collection surrounding the pancreatic head and duodenum, and displacing the mesenteric vessels to the left. In the 2 other cases it was possible to demonstrate a tear in the pancreas at the neck, perpendicular to the main pancreatic axis. In the late phase in all 3 cases, one cystic lesion was present at the site of the tear, either surrounding the gland or embedded - more or less deeply - within the parenchyma. One of the lesions subsided spontaneously; the 2 others required surgery. In the postoperative phase, an external fistula was demonstrated in 2 cases following percutaneous drainage of pancreatic cysts; the fistula was fed by a cystic lesion in the pancreatic neck. In the 2 other cases a pseudocyst developed. CONCLUSION: Early demonstration of a parenchymal tear was difficult. At a later stage the diagnosis was easier owing to the demonstration of cystic lesions within the parenchyma at the site of the tear. The surgical drainage of this lesion does not usually lead to healing since an external fistula or a pseudocyst may develop.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Visceral fat accumulation and its relation to plasma hemostatic factors in healthy men.

The associations between abdominal visceral fat and the plasma hemostatic system were examined in 38-year-old healthy men (n=52) with a wide range of fatness and fat distribution. Plasma hemostatic factors and metabolic parameters, including glucose tolerance, were measured, and body fatness and adipose tissue distribution were assessed by using computed tomography. The men with more visceral fat (ie, higher than the median value [n=26]) had a less favorable metabolic profile than the men with less visceral fat (n=26). They also had significantly (P<.05) higher plasma fibrinogen, factor VIII clotting activity, tissue-type plasminogen activator antigen, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity (19.2+/-2.4 versus 8.5+/-1.6 AU/mL, P<.001) and lower basal tissue-type plasminogen activator activity. After adjustment for plasma insulin, the men with larger abdominal visceral fat area still had significantly higher plasma PAI-1 activity, but no difference was found in any of the other hemostatic factors. In multiple linear regression analysis, abdominal visceral fat area was a positive predictor of plasma PAI-1 activity, but it failed to show any significant association with other hemostatic factors after controlling for plasma insulin. These results suggest the presence of relationships between abdominal visceral fat and several plasma hemostatic factors that are largely mediated by concomitant alterations in plasma insulin concentration. In addition, our results suggest that abdominal accumulation of visceral fat is an independent predictor of plasma PAI-1 activity.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1996

Moderate alcohol consumption and its relation to visceral fat and plasma androgens in healthy women.

OBJECTIVE: To study the inter-relationships between daily alcohol intake, fat distribution and plasma androgens in order to verify whether daily alcohol intake correlates with abdominal body fat and, if so, to what extent such a relation is mediated by plasma androgens. SUBJECTS: A random sample of 87 clinically healthy women (aged 38 y) with a light-moderate alcohol consumption and without clinical evidence suggestive of any endocrine disorder. MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometric and computed tomography (CT scans made at the level of L4-L5 in a subgroup of 18 women) measurements of body fatness and adipose tissue distribution, main behavioural factors, including daily alcohol intake and plasma androgens (i.e. total and free testosterone levels). RESULTS: After adjustment for BMI, cigarette smoking and physical activity, significant differences were found in waist circumference and waist-hip ratio as well as in plasma androgens with increasing daily alcohol intake. Waist-thigh ratio tended to parallel waist-hip ratio, but did not achieve statistical significance. In simple linear regression analysis, abdominal visceral fat area, derived from CT, correlated positively with both plasma free testosterone and alcohol intake. While the above reported difference in body fat distribution totally disappeared after controlling also for free testosterone level, the differences in plasma androgens with increasing alcohol intake remained essentially unchanged when allowance was made also for waist-hip ratio. In multiple linear regression analysis, daily alcohol intake appeared to be positively and independently correlated to both plasma total and free testosterone levels. Neither BMI nor waist-hip ratio nor fasting insulin made any significant contribution to the prediction of plasma androgens after daily alcohol intake had been taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that moderate alcohol consumption correlates with abdominal distribution of body fat, likely due to enlarged visceral fat area, and increased plasma androgenicity (i.e. higher total and free testosterone levels) in adult healthy women. These data also suggest that the relation between alcohol intake and fat distribution may be, at least in part, mediated by plasma androgens.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Relationship between visceral fat, steroid hormones and insulin sensitivity in premenopausal obese women.

OBJECTIVES: The relationships between visceral fat distribution, steroid hormones and peripheral insulin sensitivity were studied. SETTING: All subjects were hospitalized in the Institute of Internal Medicine of the University of Verona, Italy. SUBJECTS: Nineteen fertile obese women were studied with ages ranging from 18 to 53 years and body mass indexes ranging from 27.3 to 48.4. INTERVENTION: Body fat distribution was evaluated by waist-to-hip circumference ratio and by computed tomography. The insulin tolerance test was used to evaluate peripheral insulin sensitivity. Glucose, insulin and C-peptide were measured in fasting conditions and during glucose load; total and free plasma testosterone and urinary cortisol excretion were also determined. RESULTS: Significant correlations emerged between visceral adipose tissue and fasting glucose, insulin, and C-peptide, but not between visceral adipose tissue and total testosterone, free testosterone or urinary cortisol excretion. A negative correlation emerged between visceral adipose tissue and insulin sensitivity (r = -0.70; P < 0.01). No significant correlations were found between insulin sensitivity and age, body weight, body mass index, total adipose tissue, subcutaneous adipose tissue or waist-to-hip ratio. Total testosterone correlated with body weight, subcutaneous adipose tissue and total adipose tissue. Free testosterone and urinary cortisol excretion correlated positively with body weight, and negatively with age. No correlation was found between insulin sensitivity and total testosterone, free testosterone or urinary cortisol excretion. The correlation between visceral adipose tissue and insulin sensitivity remained significant even after adjusting for both age and the body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that visceral fat is more closely associated with aberrations of insulin sensitivity than with obesity itself. Total testosterone, free testosterone and urinary cortisol excretion in our subjects do not seem to be associated with such aberrations.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

[Morphologic imaging of thyroid carcinoma].

Ultrasonography (US) is the choice morphological imaging modality in the study of thyroid carcinomas. The present technological evolution (high frequency probes, development of Colour-Doppler) allows the detection of small non-palpable nodules, being able to define, in a high percentage of cases, features pointing to the malignant character of a thyroid mass, although the definite assessment of malignancy (invasion of adjacent structures, metastatic cervical nodes) is quite rare. From a diagnostic viewpoint US is required to identify nodules with suspect features, to be submitted to fine needle aspiration biopsy. Moreover, US plays a basic role in the staging--at the cervical level--of carcinomas as well as in the post-operative follow-up. The other imaging modalities (Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging) play a limited role in both staging and post-operative follow-up.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1993

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor in hairy-cell leukemia: a reliable marker of disease.

The CD25 molecule, which corresponds to the p55 alpha chain of the interleukin-2 receptor, is strongly expressed by neoplastic cells in hairy-cell leukemia and is released in large amounts in the soluble form which is detectable in serum. In order to assess the reliability of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor as a disease marker in the management of patients with hairy-cell leukemia, we investigated serum levels in 35 untreated patients and in 2 patients with the hairy-cell leukemia variant. In 21 of 35 patients soluble receptor levels were also monitored during and after recombinant interferon-alpha therapy. Clinical and hematological parameters were also assessed. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels were extremely high at the time of diagnosis in patients with typical hairy-cell leukemia [32,722 +/- 27,001 vs. 331 +/- 145 units/ml in controls (mean +/- SD)], but not in patients with the leukemia variant. A progressive decrease in soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels paralleled the clinical response to treatment, although normal values were never detected, even in patients who achieved an apparent complete remission. After recombinant interferon-alpha discontinuation, disease recurrence was accompanied by a progressive increase to pre-treatment soluble receptor levels. Overall, a close correlation was found between soluble interleukin-2 receptor values and total tumor burden (r = 0.84, P < 0.001). On the basis of these data, soluble interleukin-2 receptor should be regarded as a key marker in the management of patients with hairy-cell leukemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Cystic islet cell tumors of the pancreas. A clinico-pathological report of two nonfunctioning cases and review of the literature.

Cystic islet cell tumors of the pancreas are extremely rare. The authors report their personal experience with two cases of nonfunctioning cystic endocrine neoplasms. The tumor was diagnosed preoperatively in one case by ultrasonography (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology, while in the other it was identified only in the surgical specimen after a clinical-radiologic diagnosis of pancreatic mucinous cystic tumor. Immunohistochemical assay showed positivity for the generic neuroendocrine markers (neuron specific enolase, or NSE, synaptophysin, and chromogranin A) in both cases and also for glucagon in one case. The neoplasms were resected by distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and intermediate pancreatectomy respectively. Both patients are alive and recurrence-free 6 mo and 2.5 yr, respectively, after surgery. The authors also review the existing literature, discussing the pathogenesis of such tumors and the imaging techniques and surgical strategies adopted in their management.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗
PubMed1992

Intraoperative ultrasonography in pancreatic cancer.

Intraoperative ultrasonography (I.US) has been introduced in order to overcome the limits of the preoperative imaging modalities (notably, ultrasonography and computed tomography), both in pancreatic cancer diagnosis and staging. The authors' experience encompasses 32 cases, selected according to the following criteria: lesions that could not be detected both preoperatively and at surgical exploration; lesions detected but not properly characterized, requiring differential diagnosis between cancer and pancreatitis; tumoral lesions with a perspective of radical surgery, in which the preoperative judgment of resectability had to be verified. In the only case of the first group, I.US allowed the identification of a small cancer in a jaundiced patient. In the 11 cases of the second group, I.US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy showed three cancers; however, among the other 8 lesions classified as pancreatitis there was one false negative diagnosis (a tumoral mass with liver metastases was demonstrated by computed tomography 6 mo later). Regarding the intraoperative staging of the proven cancers (20 cases of the third group; 4 cases of the first and second groups), I.US changed the planned surgical approach in 9 cases (showing vascular involvement or detecting liver metastases and enlarged lymph nodes not seen preoperatively); in 12 cases it confirmed the possibility of radical surgery. Finally, in the remaining 3 cases, I.US provided dubious information: only vascular dissection during surgery could achieve a correct evaluation, ruling out vascular involvement and thus allowing tumor resection.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Cystic tumors of the pancreas: evaluation by ultrasonography and computed tomography.

The personal series of 30 cystic tumors of the pancreas [12 serous cystic tumors (SCT) and 18 mucinous cystic tumors (MCT)] is presented. All neoplasms were evaluated with ultrasonography (US) 28 of 30 with computed tomography (CT); the tumoral histotype could be correctly defined in 73% of cases (seven of 12 SCT and 15 of 18 MCT). Percutaneous fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with diagnostic aims (preparation of cytological smears and/or biochemical assays) was performed in only 10 of 30 cases, yielding a 100% sensitivity; on the whole, the combined use of imaging modalities and FNA allowed correct characterization of the cystic tumors in 27 of 30 cases (90%). The usefulness of a precise diagnostic workup of these neoplasms is emphasized, due to their prognostic and therapeutic outcome.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1990

The contribution of ultrasonography and computed tomography in the diagnosis of nonfunctioning islet cell tumors of the pancreas.

The personal series of 12 nonfunctioning islet cell tumors (NFIT) of the pancreas is reported. The ultrasound and computed tomography features of NFIT are analyzed, and a few signs are identified that may be useful in the differential diagnosis vs ductal carcinoma. The necessity to complete the diagnostic work up by means of fine needle aspiration biopsy and cytologic smears is also emphasized.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗
PubMed1990

Modifications of abdominal fat and hepatic insulin clearance during severe caloric restriction.

Using computed tomography on 19 obese female subjects, we determined abdominal adipose tissue, both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue, before and after 2 weeks of a very low caloric diet (VLCD). The following parameters were also determined before and after 15-20 days of VLCD: plasma glucose and insulin levels, oral glucose tolerance test, basal pancreatic insulin secretion estimated by fasting C peptide (Cp), and fasting insulin hepatic clearance calculated by Cp/insulin molar ratio. After VLCD the body weight and body mass index significantly declined (p less than 0.01); whereas abdominal adipose tissue and visceral abdominal tissue (VAT) significantly decreased (p less than 0.01), modifications of subcutaneous abdominal tissue (SAT) were not significant. Fasting insulin levels and plasma glucose response to oral glucose load significantly decreased (p less than 0.05). Insulin response remained unchanged. Cp immunoreactive insulin (IRI) significantly increased (p less than 0.01). A significant positive correlation was found between delta VAT and delta Cp/IRI before and after VLCD (p less than 0.01). Our data seem to suggest that the weight loss induced by VLCD fundamentally involves a decrease in VAT. The reduction in visceral fat could be associated with an increase in hepatic insulin clearance.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1990

[Diagnostic imaging of pancreatic metastasis].

The authors present their personal series of pancreatic metastases (8 cases) which were evaluated with different imaging modalities--i.e., sonography, computed tomography, and angiography. Possibilities and limitations of non-invasive modalities are pointed out, and the usefulness of angiography is emphasized for the identification of small hypervascular lesions. The fairly rare diagnosis of these tumoral lesions is due to 3 causes: low incidence of pancreatic metastases; their frequently small size which justifies eventual false negatives; the frequent lack of symptoms calling for imaging modalities. Moreover, pancreatic metastases are usually diagnosed in an advanced stage. Thus, the therapeutic approach must be planned in every single case, in relation to the perspectives of survival and to the residual quality of life.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Venous digital subtraction angiography in the evaluation of renovascular hypertension.

The study of renovascular hypertension (R.V.H.) presently requires multiple non invasive examinations in order to select between patients with R.V.H. or other kind of hypertension, before resorting to angiography. The use of venous digital subtraction angiography (V.D.S.A.) may change this diagnostic flow-chart. For this purpose, 100 patients with clinical and laboratory data suspect of R.V.H. underwent V.D.S.A. Compared to angiography, V.D.S.A. showed a 100% sensitivity and 93% specificity. Since the sensitivity and specificity of the non invasive techniques vs. V.D.S.A. in the same series was always lower, V.D.S.A. may be proposed as the first examination in the study of R.V.H. The arterial route for D.S.A. is generally not required for diagnostic purposes.

Angiography↗
PubMed1984

[The lung of the severely premature infant: radiologic aspects].

The iatrogenic pulmonary complications (interstitial emphysema, pneumothorax, atelectasis, broncho-pulmonary dysplasia) in 87 premature infants (less than 32 weeks gestational age, birth weight less than 1500 g) are analyzed. Also the predictive value of the radiologic pattern of the lung of the premature infant as seen at birth is evaluated (predictive value versus survival beyond the fifth day and versus the possible need of assisted ventilation).

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia↗
PubMed1984

[Radiologic approach to endocrine pathology in childhood].

The new imaging techniques (ultrasound, CT, digital subtraction angiography) have greatly modified the diagnostic approach to the endocrinopathies in pediatric age, notably if of surgical interest. The main clinical indications to the ultrasound and/or CT study of hypophysis, thyroid, adrenals and female internal genital tract are synthesized in this paper. A diagnostic flow-chart is also suggested for each clinical entity.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗