PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Bianchi

Publications and source records attributed to J Bianchi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Allergic contact dermatitis in venous leg ulcer patients.

Our aim was to determine the frequency and nature of contact sensitivity in venous leg ulcer patients in Lanarkshire. We performed patch testing with the European standard series, antimicrobials and medicaments on 200 patients referred to our leg ulcer clinics. Positive patch tests were found in 136 (68%) patients. Multiple allergies occurred in 102 (51%). The most frequent allergen groups were fragrances (30.5%), antimicrobials (19.5%), topical excipients (19.5%), rubber accelerators (13.5%) and topical corticosteroids (8%). We also found a high prevalence of positive patch tests to Intrasite gel (9.5%) and Hioxyl cream (8.5%), medicaments which are commonly used to treat leg ulcers in our area. Contact sensitivity is common in venous leg ulcer patients and has important implications for patient management. The allergens involved vary depending on local nursing practice. We suggest that all venous leg ulcer patients be patch tested with a locally relevant patch test series.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Use of rotational tomography for assessing internal resorption.

The authors describe the use of tomography, a relatively simple and well-established radiographic technique, for determining the buccolingual extent of internal resorptive lesions. The procedure may be a useful adjunct in selected cases to determine whether root canal therapy for the treatment of internal resorption followed by restoration of the tooth is likely to be successful.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

In vivo, thyroid and lens surface exposure with spiral and conventional computed tomography in dental implant radiography.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the surface dose exposure to the lens of the eye and the thyroid gland received by patients undergoing spiral and conventional computed tomography (CT) examinations during dental implant pretreatment evaluation in critical radiosensitive structures of the maxillofacial region. STUDY DESIGN: Two groups of 10 patients each had a dental implant CT examination performed, with 5 patients in each group having maxillary and 5 having mandibular examinations. One group was examined with conventional CT and the other with spiral CT. Seven examination parameters were standardized to both types of examinations. Lithium fluoride thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed over the thyroid gland, lateral orbit, and infraorbital foramen of each patient to measure the surface dose. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare doses, with statistical significance set at P <.05. RESULTS: For the maxillary examination, there was a 57.4% reduction in the surface dose at the lateral orbit, 47% at the infraorbital foramen, and 60.8% at the thyroid when spiral CT was used instead of conventional CT with the same parameters. Similarly, for the mandibular examination, there was a 57.4% reduction at the lateral orbit, 60% reduction at the infraorbital foramen, and 70.9% at the thyroid. All the dose reductions were statistically significant at P <.05. CONCLUSION: The use of spiral CT for preimplant evaluation reduces the surface absorbed dose in certain critical structures of the maxillofacial region compared with conventional CT.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The cleansing of superficial traumatic wounds.

Patients with skin injuries account for 15% of accident and emergency (A&E) admissions (Leaman, 1991). Although there is evidence to suggest that wound cleansing is not always necessary (Thomlinson, 1987), no diagnostic test exists to allow healthcare practitioners to identify whether the bacterial load in the wound is capable of causing infection (Chrisholm, 1992). For this reason, all wounds in A&E should undergo some form of cleansing to decrease the bacterial inoculum in the wound to levels that can be managed by host defences (Chrisholm, 1992). Heyworth (1997) postulates that successful management of the contaminated wound must remove contaminants while inflicting minimal injury to tissue. This article reviews the research on the preparation and cleansing of superficial lacerations. Wound closure and indications for oral antibiotics will not be discussed.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed2000

Pulse oximetry: a new tool to assess patients with leg ulcers.

The objective of the study was to investigate pulse oximetry as a guide to assessing patients with leg ulcers before treatment. Graduated elastic compression is the treatment of choice for uncomplicated venous leg ulcers, but is contra-indicated in patients with significant arterial disease. The standard assessment of arterial insufficiency by Doppler ultrasound ankle branchial pressure index (ABPI) has shortcomings which prompted this investigation of pulse oximetry as a possible additional, or alternative, method of assessment of patients with leg ulcers, prior to treatment with compression. The study, carried out on a population of patients attending hospital leg ulcer clinics, was designed to evaluate pulse oximetry assessment in the selection and monitoring of patients with venous leg ulceration leading to a prospective controlled study of ulcer healing in groups of patients with reduced and normal ABPI, selected for compression therapy by pulse oximetry criteria. Outcome measurement required follow-up of patients selected for compression therapy by pulse oximetry to record time to healing and rate of healing of leg ulcers. Results from the study show a fair correlation between the toe-finger oximetry index (TFOI) and Doppler ABPI. There is no difference between ulcer healing in patients with reduced and normal ABPI selected for treatment on the basis of pulse oximetry maximum compression pressure (MCP). In conclusion, pulse oximetry is an aid to the selection of patients who will benefit from compression therapy, but would be excluded on the basis of Doppler ABPI.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

Cortical photostimulation with filtered visible light as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Not all extraocular photoreceptors in the human brain have been identified or their functions determined. The efferent and afferent fibres between the orbital frontal cortex and the hypothalamus cannot be overlooked in the context of the neuro-endocrine-immune feedback loop. It is suggested here that there are extraocular photoreceptors in the orbital frontal cortex, conceivably crucial for immunoregulation. The orbital frontal cortex of 7 volunteers with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was photostimulated through the roof of the orbits with filtered visible light in sessions of 12, 14 and 16 minutes for a period of 6 weeks. Within 5 weeks, a significant decrease in the rheumatoid factor titres of 6 subjects was observed together with marked clinical improvement in 4 cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The gluteal compartment syndrome.

The gluteal compartment syndrome is a rare, often unrecognized condition which, left untreated, can lead to renal failure, sepsis, and death. The etiology, physiology, and manifestations are similar to those seen in the more common and readily recognized compartment syndromes of the lower leg and forearm. The large gluteal muscle mass confined by the fascia lata of the thigh and tensor fascia lata can, under the right conditions, produce muscle necrosis, acidosis, elevations of creatinine phosphokinase, and ultimately renal failure. A gluteal compartment syndrome most commonly occurs in individuals with an altered mental status due to drugs or alcohol who remain in one position for an extended period of time. This prolonged compression leads to muscle damage, edema, and a full-blown compartment syndrome. Due to its anatomic location and rarity, diagnosis is missed or delayed, resulting in significant morbidity and possible mortality. The mainstay of treatment consists of fasciotomy and debridement.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Phenol red is a thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor antagonist in canine lingual arteries and human platelets.

Phenol red (PR) is used as a pH indicator in cell culture medium. We found that cell culture medium containing PR relaxed canine lingual arteries (LA) contracted by the thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide (TPE) receptor agonist (15S)-hydroxy-11-alpha-9-alpha- (epoxymethano)prosta-5Z,13E-dienoic acid (U46619). We tested the effect of PR and the TPE receptor antagonist ONO-3708 on U46619, prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), phenylephrine (PE) and potassium chloride (KCl)-induced contraction of the LA and on human platelet aggregation to U46619, ADP, arachidonic acid (AA), A23187 and thrombin. U46619, PGF2 alpha, KCl and PE produced equal tension development of the LA. PR relaxed the LA contracted with U46619 and PGF2 alpha with IC50 concentrations of 18.3 +/- 10 and 37.3 +/- 8.8 microM, respectively. ONO-3708 inhibited the contractions to U46619 and PGF2 alpha with IC50 of 9.4 +/- 2.2 and 12.2 +/- 2.2 nM, respectively. However, PR (300 microM) and ONO-3708 (300 nM) did not affect contraction of the LA to KCl or PE. PR inhibited human platelet aggregation, in vitro, to AA and U46619 and second wave aggregation to ADP but did not affect thrombin or first wave ADP-mediated platelet aggregation. PR inhibited U46619 and AA-induced changes in cyclic AMP and Fura-2 calcium transients in platelets and LA. However, PR did not affect the activation of cyclic AMP or intracellular calcium ion in platelets or calcium influx and the release of intracellular calcium ion in canine LA produced by ryanodine, KCl and PE. The concentration of PR in many culture media is between 40 and 70 microM. The data support the conclusion that PR, in concentrations used as a pH indicator, is a selective antagonist of TPE receptors.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed1993

Environmental effects on cardiovascular reactivity.

The hypothesis on which this paper is based states that the environment where subjects live has a modifying effect on their psychophysic reactivity when faced with unknown stressing stimuli. To prove such hypothesis, subjects of an isolated country village were studied. An urban sample was used as control. Vascular reactivity was used to determine psychophysics reactivity. Both groups were submitted in their respective environments to a standardized conflicting stimulus which was produced by a device developed in our laboratory. The variables of cardiovascular reactivity were systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR). Paired samples by age and basal SBP were used (N = 24 pairs). The results of this experience showed that city dwellers had significantly higher SBP increments than country dwellers. After discussing different variables that may have accounted for these results, it was concluded that city life increases the psychophysics reactivity of city dwellers when faced with stressing stimuli as compared to country dwellers.

Altitude↗
PubMed1992

Biologic esthetic restorations.

Cases of serious coronal destruction were treated by bonding parts of extracted teeth to the coronal remnants by means of adhesives and photo-activated composite resins. The long-term clinical results have revealed very satisfactory clinical performance of the compounded restorations. No detrimental effects have been identified.

Child↗
PubMed1991

Determination of infundibular innervation and amine receptor content in cyanotic and acyanotic myocardium: relation to clinical events in tetralogy of Fallot.

Right ventricular myocardium was assessed for cholinergic and adrenergic innervation, as well as alpha-adrenergic, beta-adrenergic, and muscarinic receptors, in 18 cyanotic patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and four acyanotic control patients with ventricular septal defect, each of whom underwent a cardiac repair from June through December 1987. Neurons containing acetylcholine (ACH), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S-100 protein, neuropeptide-Y (NPY), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), and calcitonin gene-related polypeptide (CGRP) were detected surrounding arterioles and myocytes in all specimens. NSE and S-100 immunoreactivities were also identified in the cytoplasm of TOF cardiocytes, possibly indicating a neuroendocrine origin of these cells. Cardiocyte size was increased in TOF (p = 0.05). Acetylcholine (cholinergic) (p = 0.04) and CGRP (cholinergic) positive neurons (p = 0.07) were decreased in the TOF as compared to controls. Adrenergic fiber content (p = 0.15) and beta receptors (p = 0.21) were similar in both groups. There was an increase in muscarinic receptors in the controls (p = 0.002), and a marked increase in alpha receptors in TOF (p = 0.019). There were no intragroup differences in the TOF patients according to degree of cyanosis. In conclusion, there were important differences in neuronal and amine receptor content between TOF and control patients. Increased alpha receptors in TOF could account for differences in clinical and hemodynamic events.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1991

Restoration of severely damaged teeth with resin bonding systems: case reports.

In cases of severe coronal destruction, conventional dentistry must resort to complex techniques and combinations of prosthetic materials. In addition, execution and placement of the restoration results in more destruction of sound dental tissue. This paper presents an alternative technique that utilizes the adhesive capabilities of new materials in combination with strategic placement of parts of extracted human teeth to achieve better esthetics and more conservation of sound dental tissue.

Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate↗
PubMed1989

A comparison of the electrophysiologic effects of acute and chronic amiodarone administration on canine Purkinje fibers.

The electrophysiologic effects of acutely and chronically administered amiodarone on canine Purkinje fibers were assessed using microelectrode techniques to record intracellular action potentials. Chronically treated dogs received amiodarone for 3 weeks (serum levels, 0.91 +/- 0.09 microgram/ml or 1.42 X 10(-6) M). Acute studies were performed using fibers from untreated dogs superfused for 1 h with 5 X 10(-5) M amiodarone (32 micrograms/ml) in Tyrode's solution (KCl = 4 mM). Acute superfusion shortened the action potential duration to 50 and 90% repolarization by 41 and 8%, respectively (p less than 0.01), and decreased Vmax of phase 0 from 418 +/- 20 to 309 +/- 23 V/s (p less than 0.01) (paced cycle length of 500 ms). Prominent use-dependent depression of Vmax was noted. Acute exposure of fibers from untreated dogs to blood from dogs chronically treated with amiodarone using the blood cross-perfusion technique decreased the action potential duration to 50% repolarization and Vmax, similar to acute exposure in Tyrode's solution. Blood cross-perfusion was used to study fibers from treated dogs superfused with blood from another amiodarone-treated dog. Chronic amiodarone prolonged the action potential duration to 90% repolarization by 13% (p less than 0.02) and did not change Vmax when compared to control studies using fibers obtained from untreated dogs superfused with blood from untreated dogs. Thus, the effects of acutely superfused amiodarone on action potentials of canine Purkinje fibers differ from the effects of chronically administered amiodarone.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1988

Total denervation stabilizes the infarcted canine myocardium.

The effect of total cardiac denervation upon the electrophysiology of infarcted canine myocardium was studied at both organ and cellular levels. Fifteen dogs underwent coronary ligation to produce an infarct at the apex of the left ventricle (Group 1, n = 15). A second group of dogs (Group 2, n = 14) underwent total intrapericardial denervation with subsequent infarct 15.0 +/- 0.3 (mean +/- SEM) days later. All animals had bipolar epicardial pacing electrodes placed on the right ventricle and the infarct border zone of the left ventricle. Strength-interval curves were performed one or two times per week in conscious animals to assess cardiac excitability. Animals were sacrificed 18.1 +/- 0.5 days following infarct and histologic studies were performed to determine infarct size. Standard microelectrode techniques were also utilized to determine cellular parameters. Denervation was found to lengthen the absolute refractory period and prevent increases in the relative refractory period which were observed in innervated animals following infarct. Isolated tissue data including measurements of maximal rate of depolarization, mean diastolic potential, action potential amplitude, action potential duration at 50% repolarization, and effective refractory period indicated that denervation protects against cellular deterioration and improves electrophysiologic cellular characteristics. These studies suggest that under conditions of myocardial ischemia, denervation produces an electrically more stable myocardium which is less excitable and probably less vulnerable to lethal arrhythmias.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1988

A canine model to assess the electrical stability of the transplanted heart.

The electrophysiological stability of the transplanted heart under conditions of myocardial ischemia is largely unknown. This problem was studied using a canine model of total cardiac denervation as a substitute for transplantation. Group 1 (N = 3) served as control with placement of ventricular pacing wires only. Group 2 (N = 3) underwent total cardiac denervation with placement of ventricular wires. Group 3 (N = 8) underwent total cardiac denervation with subsequent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and collaterals to the apex. Group 4 (N = 9) underwent coronary artery ligation only. Chronic electrophysiological studies were conducted in all groups in the conscious state. Electrophysiological variables were determined from continuous Holter monitoring of the ECG, determination of strength-interval curves, and assessment of the inducibility of ventricular tachycardia by premature programmed pacing. In general, the denervated, infarcted group (Group 3) consistently demonstrated a greater level of electrical stability than the infarcted animals with normal innervation (Group 4).

Animals↗