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L Capasso

Publications and source records attributed to L Capasso.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

DNA-binding of water-soluble furocoumarins: a thermodynamic and conformational approach to understanding different biological effects.

The interaction of two water-soluble furocoumarins, 8-(omega-diethyl aminopropyloxy)psoralen hydrochloride (I) and its 5-isomer (II), with DNA has been investigated by spectroscopic, equilibrium dialysis, hydrodynamic and chiroptical techniques. Both compounds intercalate into the polynucleotide double helix. From the dependence of the binding on ionic strength, ion release and binding free energy corrected for counterion release have been quantitatively estimated. It is shown that the differences in DNA-affinity observed for compounds I and II arise primarily from non electrostatic contributions. The binding process is exothermic, with slightly different van't Hoff enthalpies for the examined furocoumarins. Helix lengthening and dichroic effects indicate different intercalation geometries for the isomeric compounds. These studies allow a possible explanation for the finding that isomer I exhibits largely better DNA-photobinding properties, while isomer II is by far more effective as an antiviral agent.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measuring contrast sensitivity in aretinopathic patients with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.

Contrast sensitivity measurements were obtained from 66 patients with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) and no visible diabetic retinopathy (Group A, n = 30 prepubescent and pubescent subjects; Group B, n = 36 postpubescent subjects). Contrast thresholds were determined for stationary and 6.87 Hz phase-alternating gratings at eight spatial frequencies from 0.18 to 15.7 c/deg. Data from each group of diabetic patients was compared with data from puberty-matched normal subjects. Mean value of the last four determinations of glycohemoglobin Alc (HbAlc) was used as a index of glycemic control. We found that patients with IDDM and no retinopathy had normal contrast sensitivity and that contrast thresholds were not significantly related to sexual maturity, duration of diabetes and glycemic control.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spontaneous resolution of congenital bilateral Brown's syndrome.

We report a case of bilateral Brown's syndrome in a 4-year-old girl. Forced duction testing confirmed the clinical diagnosis. After 7 months we observed a spontaneous resolution in the right eye. The problem in her left eye did not show any significant change over 36 months of follow-up. Various spontaneous resolutions in bilateral cases are reviewed.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pica: a clinical case and therapeutic problems].

Pica is a psychotic disorder characterized by compulsive ingestion of nonfood substances; the primary treatment is the prevention with antipsychotic therapy. When the patient ingests foreign body, endoscopical removal is recommended. Surgical treatment is necessary when an acute abdomen is present, with intestinal occlusion and/or bowel perforation. The Authors report a peculiar case of pica, and analyse the problems of organization and assistance, besides surgical approach, also on the base of international literature.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Nosocomial fungal infections in surgical patients. Older age as factor of risk and early presumptive and systemic therapy versus prophylactic therapy].

Objective of our study has been to verify if the age is a factor of additional risk for the opportunistic fungal infections and if prophylactic therapy cause real advantages in terms of reduction of morbidity, mortality and times of hospitalization. To such we report the experience of the Operational Unity of Emergency Surgery of the Hospital of Relief National and High Specialization of Caserta relatively to the patients submitted to intervention of great abdominal surgery. In the year 2000 antifungal therapy has been administered to 20 patient (of which 18 over 65 years) on the escort of an laboratory diagnosis; in the year 2001 we have administered prophylactic therapy to 53 high-risk patient (of which 48 over 65). In the group of patients essays with preventive therapy the middle hospitalization has been slightly inferior with a reduction of around 2 days of refuge for the elderly patients and of around 1.5 days in the youngest patients. Mortality in the elderly patients has been reduced from 38% of the year 2000 at 23% of the year 2001. Our data confirm that the age is an important factor of risk for the fungal infections in the surgical departments and we believe to a prophylactic therapy can be of benefit in well selected patient, although an ordinary application of antifunfal therapy can not have recommended without an laboratory diagnosis because to emerge of new resistances to the medicines.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A case of surgical ligature of the sacro-iliac joint from Renaissance Central Italy].

The paper reports a case of interbone ligature between the sacrum and right ileum using copper wire in an adult woman whose skeleton, dating from approximately 1600-1700 A.D., was exhumed from the Church of Sant'Egidio in Borrello (Chieti). Having described the ligature and the techniques used, the Authors discuss the reasons for the operation. In conclusion, it is suggested that the most plausible hypothesis is that it represent an interbone ligature during the course of autopsy to allow the recomposition of a corpse with a sacro-ileal dislocation. The absence of signs of sacro-ileal dislocation caused by mechanical levers during the course of autopsy leads the Authors to suppose the sacro-ileal rupture occurred while the subject was still alive. The Authors therefore hypothesise that the woman died while giving birth following the laceration of the pubic symphysis and rupture of the right sacro-ileal joint. The hypothesis of a corpse restoration is also suggested.

Anthropology↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Extrauterine endometriosis: three new cases].

Extragonadal endometriosis is rarely diagnosed preoperatively due the variety of its localizations. Presentation to general surgeons may be atypical and pose diagnostic difficulties. The Authors report three cases surgically treated between 2000-2003. The Authors stress the peculiarity of one of these cases with endometrial tissue involvement of the intestinal mucosa. They also discuss about various aetiological hypothesis, symptomatology, differential diagnosis and need for multidisciplinary treatment.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Post-microtraumatic cervical osteoarthritis in a cretaceus dinosaur].

The authors describe a very rare case of osteoarthritis in a cervical vertebra of a cretaceous dinosaur (Spinosaurus maroccanus). Besides it is one of the most ancient case of osteoarthritis published up today. The fossil record was studied through macroscopic and radiographic analyses and computed tomography scan.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Emergency surgery for neoplastic left colon obstruction: resection and primary anastomosis (RPA) versus Hartmann resection (HR)].

UNLABELLED: This retrospective study compares: hospitalization time, morbidity and mortality (patients operated for neoplastic occlusion of the left colon in emergency, without perforation), considering hanestesiologic risk and surgical technique (RPA versus RH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 1999 to February 2003 the Emergency Surgery of AORN of Caserta has operated, in urgency, 60 neoplastic patients with left colon occlusion realizing: 46 (76.5%) RPA [36 ASA < or = III, low hanestesiologic risk (LAR), 10 ASA = or > IV high hanestesiologic risk (HAR)], 12 (20%) RH (2 LAR and 10 HAR) 2 (3.5%) palliative colostomics. RESULTS: 36 LAR patients with RPA had 5% of specific complications and 5% of medical complications. 2 LAR patients with R-H: no complication. 10 HAR patient with RPA brought 10% of specific complications and 10% of medical complications. 10 HAR patients with RH had 20% of specific complications and 10% of general complications. The middle hospitalization of LAR patients with RPA was 11 days versus 9 days of RH pz. (equal hanestesiologic risk ). The HAR pz., treated with RPA, had as middle hospitalization 15 ggs in comparison to the 9 ggs of the HRA pz. treated with RH. MORTALITY: 1/36 for LAR pz. with RPA (3%), and 0/0 for LAR pz. with RH; 1/10 for HAR pz, with RPA (10%) and 1/10 for HAR pz. with RH (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Resection and primary anastomosis, (correct indications and expert surgeon), gives prevalence of complications and mortality similar to the repeated surgical procedure, a better life quality, but an higher number of post-operating hospitalisation days.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hepatic haemorrhage in pregnancy: a case report].

Spontaneous hepatic haemorrhage in pregnancy (SHHP) is a rare event (1 woman out of 15,000). It is generally considered as an advanced state of the microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (HELLP, Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzyme levels, Low Platelet count). Furthermore, the HELLP is considered as a different form of preeclampsia. The patient, a 33-year-old-woman at 30 weeks' gestation, was admitted to hospital for preeclampsia, underwent an emergency Stark caesarean section with the extraction of an alive foetus and evidence of massive intraperitonal haemorrhage from a large hepatic haematoma. A haemostasis with gauzes of Surgicel was performed, with consequent arrest of the haemorrhage. After approximately 6 hours, a recurrence of the intraperitonal haemorrhage led to a new surgical intervention with hepatic packing with gauzes. After 4 days the patient died. The etiopathogenesis of disease is uncertain, both foetal and maternal mortality are high, and the slight number of reported cases (27) of SPPH from HELLP in international literature offer elements for debate. The following points have been put forward: 1. the monitoring of the counts of the platelets represent the only valid predictive test of HELLP. These concerned women in the third trimester of pregnancy, especially those with a history of preeclampsia; 2. the treatment must be immediate, intensive and multidisciplinary, the plasmapheresis has remarkably improved the prognosis; 3. surgical treatment performed in order to control the SPPH makes use of packing, embolization and/or fastening of the common hepatic artery and, in extreme cases, total hepatectomy with transplantation. The Authors believe it is useful to suggest a national epidemiological research in order to estimate the real incidence of the syndrome in Italy and to establish the guidelines for the medico-surgical treatment.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The meshes of polypropylene in emergency surgery for strangulated hernias and incisional hernias].

INTRODUCTION: The Authors present their experience on the use of meshes of polypropylene in septic surgery of the abdominal wall defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 1999 to October 2003, 23 patients underwent intestinal resection (20 small intestine, 3 large intestine) for ischemic necrosis strangulation caused by defects in the abdominal wall (inguinal hernia 8, crural hernia 4, umbilical hernia 3, post-incisional hernia under umbilicus 3, post-incisional hernia epigastric 3, giant post-incisional hernia 2). RESULTS: No patient died and the removal of the mesh was never required in cases of infection of the surgical wound; 2 surgical wounds festered, with the reopening of the cutaneous wound and showing of the prosthesis, 5 hygromas were all treated in a conservative way. DISCUSSION: The macroporous structure of the meshes of polypropylene, with pores of diameter larger than 70 microns, allows contact among the bacteria, which measure one micron in diameter, and the cells of the immune system, granulocytes and macrophages, with a diameter of 15-20 microns, allowing the recovery from infections, and determining an high resistance rate to infections. CONCLUSIONS: Polypropylene prostheses, thanks to their macroporous structure, are sufficiently resistant to infections and therefore may be safely used in the surgery of the defects of the abdominal wall, when, following ischemic necrosis, an intestinal resection is necessary.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Possibility of presymptomatic diagnosis of familial polyposis coli].

Familial polyposis coli (FPC) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by an incidence of 1:7000-23000 born alive and by an onset of colorectal cancer in all untreated patients. This diagnosis is obtained mostly in presence of symptoms and in a low percentage after a screening, so it would be very important to have a clinical, biochemical or genetic marker to identify the affected subjects before the onset of the colonic polyps. In the last years many Authors have tested the hypertrophy of retinal pigmented epithelium (CHRPE) in the FPC affected families with interesting results. The aim of our study is to evaluate the predictive role of this clinical marker. 87 subjects have been submitted to ophthalmoscopy: 17 FPC affected patients, 40 first degree relatives and 30 no-polyposis colorectal cancer affected patients. The positivity (CHRPE +) was respectively 88.2%, 45% and 0. The first relatives degree aged more than ten years old have been submitted to the rectosigmoidoscopy and 8/9 CHRPE + persons resulted affected, while all CHRPE--examined were healthy. We have analysed the characteristics of CHRPE, its incidence and sensitivity and in FPC affected patients and in their first degree relatives, with positive results. At the end the CHRPE research and in our and in other experiences presents many advantages: low cost, easy feasibility, repeatability, high sensitivity and specificity. We consider that until the advent of valid routinary genetic tests it can be a good clinical marker in FPC affected families.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Leiomyosarcoma of the small intestines: case reports].

Intestinal malignant neoplasms are extremely rare (1% of all solid tumours) and leiomyosarcomas represent 20% of them. The authors report the experience of 5 cases (M:F ratio = 0.6), aged 30-69 yrs old, treated in the period 1985-95. The best results have been obtained in 2 cases, characterized by low grading and submitted to curative resections. The others presented local and distant (mostly hepatic) extensions with a poorer prognosis (1-3 yrs. survival). Leiomyosarcomas are particularly binding because of their rarity and aspecific symptomatology, determining late diagnosis in most cases. The clinical course, the surgical and complementary management, the istology and the prognosis have been analysed. Nowadays 5 yrs-survival is very low and the prognosis remains severe because of local and distant metastases, already present at laparotomy. New chances may come out from better diagnostic techniques and from new complementary chemotherapeutical associations.

Adult↗