Biomedical subjects

M Moscarini

Publications and source records attributed to M Moscarini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

[Tri-test: clinical considerations on 1784 cases].

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the triple screen serum test as a noninvasive screening test for expectant mothers > 35 years old, who are not usually considered for invasive screening for trisomy 21. METHODS: 1784 tri-tests (triple serum screening tests) were performed on expectant mothers between their 15th and 18th week of pregnancy, using the radioimmunological Ria-Kodak with an Alpha program (Logical Medical System LTD) with a cut-off value of 1:350. RESULTS: 244 positive equal to 13.60%. The percentage of false positives was respectively 12.9% (age < 35) and 28% (age > 35). Only in two of these cases did we have a positive response in amniocentesis for a fetus affected with Down syndrome. Of the 1540 patients with a negative tri-test, one woman gave birth to a fetus with Down syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed a sensitivity of 66%. The elevated number of false positives has led us to decide on a variation on the cut off in the future: from 1:350 to 1:300.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗

PubMed1998

[Pelvic floor rehabilitation in women affected with stress urinary incontinence. Authors' experience].

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated pelvic floor rehabilitation as a possible treatment for urinary stress incontinence: a challenge to tradition. METHODS: In this study 20 female subjects with urinary stress incontinence had rehabilitation therapy, at first in the outpatients clinic with motivated physiotherapists and afterwards by home exercises. RESULTS: At the end of 3 months of training, stress incontinence had disappeared in 7 patients (35%), while an improvement was recorded in 13 (65%). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, pelvic floor rehabilitation program can be an effective alternative to surgical approach in reducing the frequency of urinary leakage. Further studies are needed to identify factors predicting success and to improve the techniques of pelvic floor rehabilitation.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

[Transvaginal ultrasonography vs. hysteroscopy. Study of 288 cases of abnormal uterine bleeding].

BACKGROUND: Abnormal uterine bleeding is the most common symptom of endometrial pathology. In the past, D and C (Dialation and Curettage) was the best way for both diagnosis and therapy. We used hysteroscopy in the study of endometrial pathology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate transvaginal ultrasound testing compared to hysteroscopy. METHODS: 288 women with abnormal uterine bleeding underwent transvaginal tests and hysteroscopies with biopsy and curettage. RESULTS: The study reported a 0.91 sensitivity and 0.89 specificity of the transvaginal probe. The authors consider the transvaginal examination a good to evaluate endometrial pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Furthermore, they have found the endometrial thickness and pattern with the TVG probe of value as the first step in any endometrial diagnosis, with or without bleeding.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Cervical maturation and induction of labor with PgE2 gel. Authors' experience].

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel applications (PgE2) for cervical ripening and induction of labor in relation to parity and admission cervical score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-nine hospitalized patients with an unfavorable cervix (Bishop score < or = 4) received a dose of commercially available endocervical dinoprostone gel 0.5 mg. On the basis of cervical scores, the gel was reapplied at a 12-hour interval for a maximum of two doses. If cervical ripening was successful (Bishop score > 4) but labor did not start within 12 hours from the last dose of gel, labor was induced with oxytocin infusion or with 1 or 2 doses of intravaginal dinoprostone. RESULTS: Intracervical gel was effective for preparing an unfavorable cervix in 87.1% of patients. In 53.1% of nulliparous with admission Bishop < or = 2 the interval between the first application of gel and delivery was higher than 24 hours whereas in all patients with parity > or = 1 and initial Bishop score between 3 and 4 delivery was achieved within 24 hours. The cesarean delivery rates in the two groups were 23.9% and 43% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The interval from the first application of gel to delivery is strongly influenced by parity and initial cervical score. Vaginal delivery can be expected in four fifths of patients with an unfavorable cervix who undergo pre-induction cervical ripening with prostaglandin E2 gel.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

[Hormone substitution therapy during menopause. Increase of compliance].

BACKGROUND: Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is always of major employ in the practice. Unfortunately, a high percentage of women interrupt therapy after a few months. METHODS: Two hundred menopausal women with intact uterus were studied. During the first consultation, they received an informative booklet regarding the menopause, without any verbal information. During the second visit, the gynaecologist discussed with the patient the information acquired and prescribed the HRT (50 mcg/die of transdermal estradiol, as continuous therapy, and 5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate/os for 10 days/months) to those who required it. The compliance to treatment at 3, 6 and 12 months has been recorded. RESULTS: Of the 200 women studied, 153 referred to have read the informative booklet: 112 requested further informations to their family doctor; 97 discussed the contents with the partner; 130 expected HRT. The 3 months, 6 months and 12 months compliance has been of 110 (84%), 97 (74%) and 68 women (52%) respectively. Causes of drop out: breast tension (12%); water retention and/or increase of weight (20%); headache (7%); vaginal blood loss (22%); others [fear of cancer, etc.] (54%). CONCLUSIONS: According to personal opinion, three factors may condition the compliance to the HRT: 1) circumstantial information, not only verbal before the onset of therapy; 2) treatment protocols with low incidence of side effects; 3) frequent follow-up.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Parvovirus B19 infection: the general aspects and gestational problems].

Parvovirus B19 is a small, heat-stable, single-strained DNA virus (5.5 kb), with 23 nm icosahedral capsid discovered in 1975. Since its discovery, the virus has been shown to be a causative agent of erythema infectiosum (fifth disease). Under specific circumstances it can cause transient aplastic crisis, chronic anemia, arthritis and fetal death. Laboratory diagnosis of recent or past B19 infection usually relies on the demonstration of virus-specific IgM or IgG antibodies in patient's serum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Parvovirus B19 infection among 87 pregnant patients. Our study on anti-B19 antibody prevalence indicates that about 64% of pregnant women in our country lack specific antibodies and are at risk of B19 infection. One intrauterine death was encountered in a patient with specific IgM antibodies. The authors suggest the detection of IgG and IgM anti-B19 antibodies as a routine screening practice during pregnancy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

New perspectives in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis: ipriflavone.

The efficacy and safety of ipriflavone, a new anti-osteoporotic agent, has been evaluated in an open study in 100 agent, has been evaluated in an open study in 100 osteoporotic women. Ipriflavone was administered as oral capsules dosed at 200 mg, 3 times a day for 12 months. Ninety women completed the study, and the results indicate that the bone mineral density was increased by 2% and 5.8% after 6 and 12 months, respectively. Pain and rachis mobility seemed to be positively influenced by ipriflavone. Only three women complained of side-effects (gastralgia and nausea) and asked to stop the therapy.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1994

[Diagnostic methods compared in neoplastic pathology of the endometrium].

Preoperative staging is fundamentally important in endometrial carcinoma. The presence of lymph node metastasis and the risk of tumour recidivation are correlated to the degree of myometrial invasion by the tumour. The preoperative diagnosis of the absence of myometrial invasion may render pelvic lymphadenectomy superfluous. A group of 24 patients suffering from endometrial carcinoma underwent transvaginal ultrasonography and nuclear magnetic resonance prior to surgery in order to evaluate possible myometrial invasion. The study was integrated by computerised tomography (CT) to obtain a clearer image of the retroperitoneum. The authors aim to ascertain the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of these methods in the preoperative evaluation other degree of myometrial infiltration.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Transvaginal ultrasonography and nuclear magnetic resonance. Comparison of techniques in the evaluation of ovarian lesions].

A total of 53 patients were included in this study, aged between 21 and 72 years old and hospitalised with the diagnosis of ovarian tumour. All patients underwent a clinical examination, ultrasonography and NMR prior to surgery. The findings of ultrasonography and NMR were correlated with histological results in order to evaluate the value of these methods in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ovarian tumours. Histological tests revealed 46 benign tumours, 3 borderline cases and 4 malignant growths. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed precisely 47 out of 53 ovarian tumours, and NMR 49 out of 53. The main limitation of both techniques was the tendency to overestimate ovarian lesions (specificity: ultrasonography 89%, NMR 93%). As far as concerns the identification of malignant lesions NMR does not appear to offer significant advantages in comparison to ultrasonography (sensitivity 85% ultrasonography = NMR).

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗

PubMed1994

[Chlamydia trachomatis infection and its correlation with cervical preoncogenesis].

Among 612 patients included in this open study, serologic detection of Chlamydia infection was compared with cervical cytologic, histologic and colposcopic abnormalities. Serologic and cytologic evidence of elevated exposure to Chlamydia among patients with squamous intraepithelial lesions was found. Nevertheless, whether the Chlamydia infection represents a non casual association resulting from the correlation with sexual activity or it plays independent or supporting etiologic roles is an issue that warrants further investigations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

[Vulvo-cervico-vaginal inflammatory pathologies in childhood and adolescence. Our experience].

One hundred and twenty-seven pediatric and adolescent patients suffering from vulvo-vaginitis underwent clinical and instrumental tests. The results of bacterioscopic and cultural test were negative in 39 (31.7%) patients due to the probable intervention of local hormonal, allergic and/or irritative factors. The tests used by the authors revealed phlogosis in 88 patients (68.3%) which was aspecific in 58 cases (65.9%) and specific in 30 (34.1%). While aspecific phlogosis were basically caused by germs of intestinal origin, typical of childhood and the prepuberal period, mycetes, gardnerella vaginalis, protozoa and chlamydia trachomatis were identified as the causes, in order of importance, of specific phlogosis, the exclusive hallmarks of adolescence.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

[Transvaginal administration of estriol in postmenopausal urogynecological disorders].

The Authors carried out an open, non-controlled clinical trial in order to evaluate the clinical efficacy of estriol administered by the vaginal route (0.0125% cream) in cystourethropathic diseases caused by estrogenic insufficiency. All the 45 patients recruited (mean age 51.6 years) had been in menopause from 6 to 24 months; all of them have been treated with 0.5 mg estriol daily for 2 weeks; furthermore the treatment has been continued with the same dose of the hormone for the following 4 weeks but using an alternating daily administration. Among the parameters taken into consideration for the evaluation of the patients, a urodynamic examination has been also included. The final results have been considered very satisfactory showing a very significant improvement concerning every urodynamic test. Similar results have been obtained considering the symptomatologic point of view. On the basis of these results, the Authors concluded that estriol vaginal cream formulation represents a valuable therapeutical possibility in the treatment of patients affected by urogynecological diseases caused by estrogenic insufficiency in post-menopausal conditions.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗

PubMed1993

[Modification of immunologic parameters in physiologic pregnancy].

Changes in lymphocyte subsets in whole blood of normal pregnant women were examined by flow cytometry. From the first trimester and throughout pregnancy, the count of B cell subset remain unchanged. On the contrary, the percentage of "helper" lymphocytes decreased in the first trimester, increase in the third. These changes of lymphocyte subsets may indicate suppression of immunological activity during pregnancy.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Synchronous associations of tumors in the pelvic organs of the female genital tract].

The Authors report their findings concerning the synchronous associations of tumours involving pelvic organs in the female genital tract observed at the Gynecological Clinic, Aquila. From January 1980 to December 1991, 9 cases (4.28%) of synchronous tumours were found in a total of 210 cases of womb, ovary and vagina tumours. The paper examines the clinical problems and questions of anatomopathological characterisation raised by these associations.

Endometrial Neoplasms↗

PubMed1992

[Decisional analysis in the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis].

The aim of this work is the use of decisional analysis for the clinical diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis, to verify the utility of making a routine direct immunofluorescence test with a strategy of no routine direct immunofluorescence test with a strategy of no routine test in women during gynecologic escannations. Patients eligible for this analysis were sexually active woman, who are not pregnant, woman in reproductive age who do not have evidence of a clinical syndrome associated with or known to be caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Our results show that the decision as to the use of the test involves 0.87 utility, while the decision of no routine test involves a 0.80 utility. We can therefore deduce that the best strategy for a woman who subjects herself to routine gynecologic care is to use this test, because the Chlamydia trachomatis has been implicated as the etiologic agent of acute salpingitis, chronic and tubal infertility.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Considerations on the effectiveness of serum-vaccine prophylaxis in maternal-fetal transmission of the hepatitis B virus].

Personal experience of sero-vaccino-prophylaxis for the purposes of vertical interruption of hepatitis B transmitted by mother carriers of HBsAG to their children is reported. Special attention is paid to the problem of the failure of such immunitary strategy in high-risk newborns (children of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV-DNA positive mothers) and some suggestions are made to reduce the risk of this infection.

Female↗

PubMed1991

[Cervico-vaginal screening in the Abruzzo region].

This study focuses on cervical cancer and the importance of establishing a suitable screening programme. The results of a study carried out in the Abruzzo region during a 10-year sample period are reported. A Population of 36,663 patients, of which 3,372 had never been screened, was included in the study. All patients were attending the Centre of Cytology and Colposcopy at the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology in L'Aquila. In order to make progress in both the diagnosis and treatment of this pathology, it is necessary not only to obtain an interdisciplinary approach with constant cooperation between professional colleagues (cytologist, colposcopist and histologist), but also an increased sensitivity of the population to the need for screening.

Female↗

PubMed1990

Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in pre-eclamptic pregnancy: evidence for a relative hypermesorACEemia.

The circadian rhythm of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was investigated in pregnant women with normal and pre-eclamptic gestation. The chronobiological approach was able to document the occurrence of a circadian rhythm for serum ACE activity in normal pregnancy. Such a rhythm is characterized by a decreased mesor and amplitude and a shifted crest. The circadian rhythm for serum ACE activity was not detectable in pre-eclamptic pregnancy. Such an abrogation is accompanied by a negligible decrease of mesor suggesting the occurrence of a relative hyperACEemia. This disorder could play a role in pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Adult↗