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Biomedical subjects

M D'Ambrosio

Publications and source records attributed to M D'Ambrosio.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Antifungal activity of diketopiperazines extracted from Alternaria alternata against Plasmopara viticola: an ultrastructural study.

Three dipeptides, belonging to the family of diketopiperazines (DKPs), were extracted from broth culture of the grapevine endophyte Alternaria alternata, and were tested against Plasmopara viticola on leaves of grapevine plants grown in greenhouse. DKPs, used at different concentrations (10(-3), 10(-4), 10(-5) and 10(-6)M) both singularly and in mixtures, demonstrated real effectiveness in inhibiting P. viticola sporulation when applied 2 or 24h after pathogen inoculation. Moreover, no necrotic lesions or other phytotoxicity symptoms were observed on DKP-treated grapevine leaf tissues. Ultrastructural analysis performed on grapevine leaf tissues revealed that the DKPs used singularly and in mixture, at above reported concentrations, did not cause leaf tissue damages. By contrast, hyphae of P. viticola exhibited marked structural changes, similar to those induced by the endophyte A. alternata. This demonstrates the involvement of these metabolites in the relationship of P. viticola and the endophyte. Further experimental trials will be carried out in the next future in order to test the effectiveness of these molecules also under field conditions, and to better understand the mechanism of action involved in the pathogen inhibition.

Alternaria↗
PubMed2003

[Reliability of ultrasound examination confirmed at autopsy in foetuses suffering from Dandy-Walker Syndrome].

BACKGROUND: The Dandy-Walker Syndrome (DWS) is a congenital malformation of the structures of the posterior cranial fossa with failure of the Luschka and Magendie foramina, which connect the ventricular system to the subarachnoid space, to open. In this syndrome, the cerebellar vermis may be absent or hypoplastic, the hemispheres small, the encephalic trunk and cervical spinal bone marrow flattened, complete or partial absence of cerebellar vermis, cystic dilatation of IV ventricle and frequently hydrocephalus. METHODS: We evaluated 56 cases of fetal malformations of the central nervous system from January 1998 to May 2001. Of these 56, 11 regarded the Dandy-Walker Syndrome. Ultrasound examinations were carried out at the 9(th) and 10(th) weeks, at the 21(st)-23(rd) weeks and at the 31(st) to 34(th) weeks of gestation so as to assess foetal anatomy and morphology. RESULTS: The results of the 11 pregnancies with Dandy-Walker Syndrome were as follows: 3 spontaneous miscarriages (at the 15(th), 18(th) and 20(th) weeks of gestation), 5 therapeutic abortions, 3 term pregnancies. Of the 3 newborns we were only able to follow the clinical course of two of them; both newborns underwent an intervention for ventriculo-peritoneal fluid derivation. At the moment both babies, aged respectively 30 and 25 months, are in good physical, intellectual and behavioural condition. CONCLUSIONS: Bearing in mind the notable clinical and socioeconomic importance of this malformation, we consider foetal morphological ultrasound to be a valid instrument for the correct management of pregnancy. Identification of lesions makes use of the comparison of ultrasound data with the results of histopathological examinations.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1999

Advances in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of intracerebral tuberculomas in the last 50 years. Report of 21 cases.

Intracranial tuberculosis accounts for less than 0.2% of intracranial space-occupying lesions diagnosed and treated in western countries, while it still represents a major neurosurgical finding in underdeveloped countries. The introduction of chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of tubercular infection, as well as the general improvement in the socio-economic status of the population as a whole, have both played an important role in the dramatic reduction of intracranial tuberculomas in industrialized countries. The increasing migration flow from third world countries, along with other factors, will probably result in increased exposure to such pathologies also in western Neurosurgical centers. A series of intracranial tuberculoma lesions were selected and analyzed, with the aim of pointing out the evolution of diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of such clinical entities throughout the years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Benign schwannoma of the hand. Considerations on a clinical case].

The authors here describe, both macroscopically and microscopically, the case of a cellular schwannoma on the hand of a 66 year old man. The tumor had been present asymptomatically for about forty years and macroscopic examination showed it be a softly teseturs fibroma and to have slight transversal mobility. The histologic examination revealed dense tissue formed by elongated cells, which tended towards a layered formation. The mitoses were exceptional. There were also areas scattered with a large number of random vacuolated cells. There were no particular difficulties during the excision, and one year after surgery there was no apparent change or relapse.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Renal hemodynamics and albumin excretion rate in patients with diabetes secondary to acquired pancreatic disease.

OBJECTIVE--To assess kidney function and AER in patients with PD. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--Thirty-three patients with PD (age 52 +/- 7 yr, duration of disease 11 +/- 6 yr, BMI 24 +/- 3 kg/m2) and 33 patients with IDDM were matched for sex, BMI, and duration of disease. GFR and RPF were determined by single injection of [51Cr]EDTA and [125I]hippurate. AER was measured by radioimmunoassay in a single timed overnight urine collection. RESULTS--GFR and RPF were, respectively, 113 +/- 35 and 441 +/- 145 ml.min-1.73 m2 in patients with PD and 123 +/- 30 and 549 +/- 94 (P < 0.001) in IDDM. FF was significantly higher in patients with PD (0.26 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.22 +/- 0.03; P < 0.001). Prevalence of hyperfiltration (GFR > 135 ml.min-1.1.73 m2) was similar in both groups (30% in patients with PD vs. 28% in those with IDDM). Geometric mean of urinary AER was 10.4 micrograms/min (range 1-186) in patients with PD and 11.2 (1-198) in IDDM patients. Some 30.3% of patients with PD and 18% of those with IDDM were microalbuminuric (AER > 20 micrograms/min). By multiple regression analysis, AER was significantly related to systolic (P < 0.04) and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.01) and to BMI (P < 0.03) in patients with PD. Retinopathy was more frequent in microalbuminuric patients with PD than in those without elevated AER. CONCLUSIONS--We suggest that early renal abnormalities occur similarly in patients with PD and IDDM.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Early escharectomy in children: the indications and limits in the severely burned patient. A preliminary report].

A trial was carried out to assess the benefit of early eschar excision in order to improve the survival rate in severely burnt children. The study included two groups of patients treated using different methods. The mortality rate, amount of blood lost and length of hospital stay were evaluated for each group. Preliminary results seem to confirm the effectiveness of this technique provided that some conditions are met, namely the quantity of necrotic tissue removed and the amount of blood lost during the entire hospital stay.

Acute Disease↗