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L Bocchi

Publications and source records attributed to L Bocchi.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anabolic effects and inhibition of interleukin 6 production induced by neridronate on human osteoblasts].

UNLABELLED: Bisphosphonates (BPs) are pharmacological compounds widely used in the treatment of a variety of bone-related diseases, particularly where the bone-turnover is skewed in favour of osteolysis. The mechanisms by which BPs reduce bone-resorption directly acting on osteoclasts (OCs) are now largely clarified even at molecular level. The researches concerning the BPs effects on osteoblasts (OBs) have instead shown variable results. OBJECTIVES: We have investigated the efficacy of neridronate (NER), an amino-BP, as anabolic agent on human OBs. Moreover, we have tried to verify if NER is able to negatively modulate the production of IL-6 on OBs stimulated or not by the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta. METHODS: We have tested if different concentrations of NER (from 10-11 M to 10-3 M), added to primary human OB cultures, could affect the cells number, the endogenous cellular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, the collagen I (COL-I) synthesis, the formation of mineralized nodules and the IL-6 production. Our experimental approach was performed testing a wide range of NER concentrations because, under physiological conditions, OBs seems to be exposed to variable and transient levels of the drug. RESULTS: Our results show that NER doesn't negatively affect in vitro the viability, proliferation and cellular activity of human OBs, even after 20 days of exposure to concentrations < or =10-5 M (therapeutic dose). In addition, NER seems to enhance the differentiation of cultured OBs in mature bone-forming cells. A maximum increase of COL-I synthesis (+25% after 4 days; p < 0.05), ALP activity (+50% after 10 days; p < 0.01) and mineralized nodules (+48% after 20 days; p < 0.05) was observed in cultures treated with NER 10-8 M. A maximal reduction of IL-6 secretion (-24% on IL-1beta stimulated cultures and -29% on unstimulated cultures) was observed for NER 10-9 M. CONCLUSIONS: These results encourage the use of neridronate in therapy of demineralizing metabolic bone disorders.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Computerized tomography of the meniscus with a stress device].

PURPOSE: We investigated the usefulness of a mechanical stress device to increase widening of the articular rima in CT studies of the meniscus on forced varus and valgus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: September 1997 to October 1998, we examined 284 patients with symptoms and clinical signs of meniscal injury. CT was performed during forced varus and valgus, depending on the site of the suspected damage, in 70 of 284 patients. We used an FOV of 18 cm, with a potential difference of 140 kVp and power of 170 mA. The reconstruction matrix was 512 x 512 and acquisition time was 3 s. A set of 8-10 partially overlapping scans were acquired craniocaudally, with slice thickness of 1.5 mm and gap of 1 mm. The mechanical strainer was locked in the correct position and a second set of 4-5 images acquired at the meniscus. Then the patients were submitted to arthroscopy to check the radiological findings. RESULTS: CT performed in forced varus and valgus had 96.8% specificity, 97.3% sensitivity and 97.1% diagnostic accuracy. Sensitivity was 100%, specificity 96% and diagnostic accuracy 98% in the medial meniscus, while we had 88.9%, 100% and 94.7% respectively in the external meniscus. CONCLUSIONS: CT with a mechanical stress device was extremely useful in defining the meniscal loose edge. It also showed the exact shape and complexity of meniscal injury, even in the cases with narrow articular rima or those where conventional CT had performed poorly.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of hydrostatic pressure on morphological and ultrastructural aspects of normal and osteoarthritic human articular chondrocytes.

In this work we studied the morphological and ultrastructural aspects of normal and osteoarthritic (OA) human articular chondrocytes cultivated in alginate gel for 48 hours. After this period the chondrocytes in Petri dishes were exposed to cyclic pressurization (minimum pressure 1 MPa and maximum pressure 5 MPa) at 0.25 Hz frequency for three hours. In other loading procedures the cells were exposed to continuous pressure (24 MPa) for three hours. Some dishes were not pressurised and these served as controls. The cells were then fixed for transmission electron microscopy (T.E.M.) and for scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M.). No ultrastructural changes were observed in normal chondrocytes exposed at physiological pressure. OA cells placed under physiological pressure showed a partial recovery on morphological and ultrastructural aspects. Normal and OA samples exposed to continuous pressure (24 MPa) showed a morphological worsening in both T.E.M. and S.E.M. studies.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A new cervical orthosis with multiplanar adjustment.

It is the purpose of this paper to introduce a new cervical orthosis with multiplanar adjustment. Many orthoses are available to the physician today, but all of them may be classified based on function into two groups: 1) orthoses that immobilize the neck in a fixed position; 2) orthoses that immobilize the patient in a position that may be set in the sagittal plane. At present no orthosis are available to immobilize the neck in a position to anything but the sagittal plane. This new orthosis, with four tridimensional swinging posters, allows for immobilization of the neck in the desired position, according to the clinical evaluation performed. This treatment offers advantages in terms of patient compliance and functional results. An alternative model, with increased stability, has especially been planned for the treatment of pathology at C1-C2.

Cervical Vertebrae↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Our experience in the arthroscopic treatment of fracture-avulsion of the tibial spine.

The authors present their experience in the arthroscopic treatment of fracture-avulsion of the intercondyloid eminence in the adult with a variation in the original method. In fact, an ACUFEX tibial guide is used for reconstruction of the ACL positioning 2 Kirschner wires with hole at the margins of the fragment, successively sliding the metal wire through the hole. Successive traction on the outside of the wires allows the metal wires to be arranged dome-like to stabilize the avulsed fragment. The distal ends of the wires are stabilized with a metal pull-out in the area corresponding to the anteromedial surface of the tibia. In the 10 patients treated by this method, evaluated after a minimum follow-up of 6 months, we obtained overall satisfactory clinical and functional results. There was significant residual ligamentous laxity in 2 patients with no clinical symptoms of instability. Variations in arthroscopic technique described in the literature are analyzed.

Adolescent↗