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Biomedical subjects

L Spano

Publications and source records attributed to L Spano.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Effectiveness of cascade filtration plasmapheresis in two patients affected by familial hypercholesterolemia.

Hypercholesterolemia has been recognised as a primary risk factor for coronary heart disease. Reduction of plasma levels of total and LDL cholesterol has been shown to decrease coronary atherosclerosis. Plasmapheresis represents an useful non-pharmacological tool to treat severe hypercholesterolemias. We have evaluated the effectiveness of a system of plasmapheresis using a cascade filtration method in two young male subjects (aged 16 and 26 years) with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Both showed severe coronary atherosclerosis as determined by angiography. Procedures were performed at intervals of 7 days in each case. We observed a mean reduction of plasma levels of total cholesterol of 59.5% (range 31.0-75.5%); LDL-cholesterol, 61.6% (range 32.6-77.1%); triglycerides, 48.1%; HDL-cholesterol, 31.1%; apo A-I, 30.8%; and apo B, 57.6%. We also noted a reduction of other parameters, such as fibrinogen (49.9%) and Lp(a) (59.9%). At the end of each procedure about 8 g of cholesterol was removed from the total body pool. A decrease of total proteins (26.9%) and albumin (19.6%) was also observed, but this was completely restored before the next apheresis (1 week). These data show the effectiveness of the removal of LDL in a cascade filtration system, which obtains results not very different from other more selective methods. The lack of selectivity is not much of a problem, since it also reduces other risk factors such as Lp(a) and fibrinogen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Apo-lipoprotein profile in subjects with extracranial carotid atherosclerosis.

Relationships between plasma lipoproteins and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis are not completely clear. In a group of asymptomatic nondiabetic normolipidemic subjects, plasma lipid and apolipoprotein profiles have been related to extracranial carotid atherosclerotic lesions, as assessed by B-mode ultrasonography and independent relations between lipid and clinical parameters and carotid atherosclerosis have been evaluated. We have found that subjects with atherosclerotic lesions (both intimal thickening or plaque) had TG levels and CHO/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios significantly higher and HDL-C and apo A-I levels significantly lower in comparison with subjects with normal arteries. When patients were divided according to the lesions of carotid arteries subjects with atherosclerotic plaque presented HDL-C and apo A-I levels significantly reduced and TG and apo B levels and CHO/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios significantly increased in comparison with subjects with normal arteries, and HDL-C levels reduced and CHO/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios increased in comparison with subjects with intimal thickening. Patients with intimal thickening and normal subjects differed for HDL-C and TG levels and CHO/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios. At multivariate analysis HDL-C levels (negatively), age, hypertension and cigarette smoking (positively) resulted independently associated with cerebrovascular atherosclerosis. Our data seem to show that, although several lipid and apoprotein abnormalities are able to initiate the atherosclerotic process in extracranial carotid district, probably the presence of low HDL-cholesterol levels is an important condition to determine the further worsening of the lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Deeper diagnosis. Multiple determinants of an illness experience.

This paper identifies the multiple determinants of a complex illness experience and describes the difficult process of diagnosis and management. The crucial coordination and integration role of the family physician is explained. The perspectives of the family physician, the consulting psychologist, and the patient are elucidated. Interventions by physicians from various specialties are identified and explored. Psychological determinants, including those rooted in the patient's history, are revealed in parallel with the physiological manifestations.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Intraoperative high-flow antegrade irrigation. A new bowel-cleansing system.

A new intraoperative method, employing a specially designed apparatus, is described by which the colon can be cleansed to a degree not obtainable by other methods. The method enables continuous antegrade irrigation with large volumes of irrigant at high rates of flow, prior to enterotomy. It has been tested in an experimental canine model and found to be safe and effective.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

A study of hysterectomy in a family practice.

This paper reports on a study of women in a family practice who have undergone hysterectomy as compared with a group of matched controls. Significant differences were found in the greater number of major surgical procedures (other than hysterectomy) and the reporting of chronic and recurrent symptoms for the study group. Study group women were also found to have a greater number of identified intrapersonal and family problems. There was no significant difference, however, in the number of identified chronic organic problems. Differences which did not reach statistical significance suggest that women in the study group may be more likely to be living without a male partner, to be using long-term medication, and to be smokers. A most important finding was that the group of women who had undergone hysterectomy had also had 2.6 times the number of major surgical operations than the controls, excluding the hysterectomy. There were no differences between the two groups with respect to a number of other factors studied, eg, education, religion, history of psychiatric admission, obesity.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Dyspareunia: a symptom of female sexual dysfunction.

Dyspareunia is one of the most common sexual symptoms that carries wide-ranging potential foor emotional and physical pain. Informed therapeutic intervention can be useful in helping a person with sexual problems. Organic causes underlying dyspareunia are usually temporary and easily correctable. They are rare as a cause of a continuing problem, compared to issues of intrapersonal and interpersonal conflict. One of the keys to achieving a satisfying relationship on an adult-to-adult basis requires that each partner assume responsibility for his/her own sexual pleasure. The woman who withdraws into the assumption that she has an organic problem in the absence of abnormal findings, or that her partner or therapist must find a solution, abdicates responsibility for her own sexual pleasure. Although few of us will be therapists in the sense that the role is generally understood, indentifying and responding to sexual concerns of patients is part of the professional's commitment. Ultimately, our goal is the same for any problem of human development-- to facilitate the realization of the potentialities of the person.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A simple method for the purification of type 1 RIPs.

We describe a straightforward and simple method for obtaining pure and active preparations of type 1 ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs). The very high isoelectric point values, characteristic of these proteins, allow this purification in a single chromatographic step.

Chromatography, Ion Exchange↗