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Biomedical subjects

P Cattani

Publications and source records attributed to P Cattani.

54 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Syphilis serology among transvestite prostitutes attending an HIV unit in Rome, Italy.

Sixty-seven transvestite prostitutes from Latin America (49 from Brazil and 18 from Colombia) who attended an HIV unit located in the inner city of Rome between January 1991 and June 1992 were studied for syphilis markers by means of both the Treponema pallidum haemoagglutination test (TPHA) and a solid phase haemadsorption test for detection of specific IgM (SPHA-IgM) which are typically present in recent infections. All participants reported more than 500 sexual partners in the past year, and 67.1% of them more than 1500 partners (between 5 and 10 partners per working day). The overall prevalence of anti-HIV antibodies in this population was 65.7%. The prevalence of positive TPHA tests in the population studied was 73.1%, while that of positive SPHA-IgM tests was 10.4%. The prevalence of positive TPHA and SPHA-IgM tests was higher among Columbians than among Brazilians (83.3% vs 69.4% and 22.2% vs 6.1%, respectively) and also showed a positive correlation with the duration of their permanence in Italy. The TPHA and SPHA-IgM positivities were significantly higher among subjects older than 29 years. Positive TPHA was also significantly higher in subjects who reported a history of heroin and/or cocaine abuse while positive SPHA-IgM was higher in subjects who did not use condoms or reported irregular use of them than in subjects who regularly used condoms. No overall correlation was evident between TPHA positivity and anti-HIV positivity, while SPHA-IgM positivity was found to be higher among anti-HIV-negative subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Molecular cloning and characterization of DNA from human intestinal spirochetes.

HindIII cleaved human intestinal spirochete genomic DNA was cloned into the plasmid vector pBluescript. The inserts from three of these clones (pRB.C33, pRB.C47 and pRB.F11) successfully hybridized with DNA from the nine human intestinal spirochetes used in this study. The fourth insert (from clone pRB.A8) failed to hybridize with DNA from two of these isolates (HRM4 and HRM9), and, all four of the inserts hybridized with the M1 strain of swine intestinal spirochete Treponema innocens. Hybridization with DNA from the P18 strain of Treponema hyodysenteriae was observed only for the probe pRB.F11. No hybridization was detected with the human strain of Borrelia burgdorferi. With these probes we were thus able to demonstrate, in southern blot experiments, a restriction site polymorphism among the isolates of the human intestinal spirochetes we tested.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Genomic studies on killer yeasts belonging to the genus Pichia.

Twenty-four species belonging to the genus Pichia were investigated using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and Southern blot hybridization of their genomic DNA. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces lactis, Williopsis mrakii and Candida albicans were also included in this study. The RFLP patterns were obtained from digestion of yeast DNA with several restriction endonuclease enzymes, and showed various bands with different mobility; in most isolates, the more deeply stained bands were species-specific. This observation was confirmed by the results obtained from Southern blot hybridization of the EcoRI and XhoI RFLP patterns with P. anomala UCSC 25F DNA, digested with the same enzymes, used as probes. These bands are likely to be ribosomal DNA as shown by hybridization of digested DNA from unrelated yeast species (S. cerevisiae, K. lactis and C. albicans). However, one hybridized band, located at 3.9-4.1 Kb, seems to be peculiar to the Pichia species. Our study confirms the usefulness of molecular tools in studying genetic relatedness among yeasts.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1992

Oral condyloma lesions in patients with extensive genital human papillomavirus infection.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence, location, and morphologic appearances of human papillomavirus oral lesions in patients with genital condylomatosis were investigated with clinical, colposcopic, and histologic examination as diagnostic procedures. The human papillomavirus types were also evaluated with filter in situ hybridization. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred one patients, 66 female and 35 male, with genital condyloma underwent an oral cavity examination. Ninety-nine (99%) practiced orogenital sex, and all were asymptomatic for oral lesions. RESULTS: Ninety-one underwent biopsy; histologic studies gave a diagnosis of condyloma in 48% of 101 specimens collected. In 8 of 91 (9%) oral lesions were suspected by naked-eye examination; they were confirmed histologically in all eight. Of 83 patients suspected of having oral condyloma on colposcopic examination, 38 (46%) were confirmed histologically. Thus 38 of 46 patients (83%) had oral condyloma not visible to the naked eye. Colposcopically, oral lesions appeared filiform (50%), moruloid (26%), and mixed (24%). Twenty cytologic oral samples were also collected for deoxyribonucleic filter in situ hybridization analysis. Human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic genital types were observed in 45% (9/20) of all oral scrapings collected, and all were histologically confirmed. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that genital human papillomavirus types are capable of establishing a local infection in the oral cavity and demonstrate a high incidence of human papillomavirus oral lesions in patients with genital condyloma.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Psychological adaptation to hysterectomy. Experience with 40 patients].

To assess how hysterectomy was psychologically overcome we refer to the results obtained from a questionnaire given to 40 patients. The questionnaire was divided into 3 parts: one statistic-epidemiologic, one to evaluate the patients' level of information, and a third aimed at studying post-operative psychological and sexual adaptability.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

[Effect of autogenic respiratory training on labor pain. Use of the Vaona algometer].

In our research we have evaluated the effects produced by obstetric psycho-prophylaxis on women previously prepared by us. To carry out this research we used a method of pain evaluation, quickly and easily administered: Vaona algometer, based on the association between the visual analogue and the scale of greys. The results of the research allow us to confirm that the RAT method, applied during labour, thanks to the positive influence on neuromuscolar relaxation and the psychological aspects of the women, induces a favourable modulation on the perception of pain.

Autogenic Training↗
PubMed1991

[Abnormal peri- and post-menopausal uterine hemorrhage. Value of hysteroscopy in our experience].

The Authors report their diagnostic experience of 263 patients with abnormal uterine bleeding in peri- and post-menopause. They used a diagnostic procedure which favored the hysteroscopy in first level research: hysteroscopy proved to be a reliable and easily applicable method. In fact it has demonstrated the high incidence of functional pathology (135 cases) and has permitted the histological control of the 3 high risk hyperplasia and of the 15 adenocarcinomatas found in their patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Comparative analysis of the genomes of intestinal spirochetes of human and animal origin.

The aim of the present work was to compare the genomes of 21 strains of intestinal spirochetes, which were isolated from patients suffering intestinal disorders, with those of Treponema hyodysenteriae (strain P18), the known etiological agent of swine dysentery (bloody scours), and of a nonpathogenic strain (M1) of Treponema innocens. The percent guanine-plus-cytosine value of the 23 DNAs was found to be 25.5 to 30.1, as determined by a double-labeling procedure based on nick-translation by DNA polymerase I. The genome size of two spirochetal strains, of human and porcine origin, was found to be similar (4 x 10(6) base pairs) and close to that of the reference bacterium Escherichia coli (4.2 x 10(6) base pairs). Restriction analysis showed the presence of two modified bases in spirochetal DNA. Methyladenine was present in the GATC sequence of DNA from 15 spirochetes of human origin, and methylcytosine was present in several sequences occurring in all strains. The DNA of T. hyodysenteriae displayed a 30 to 100% homology with respect to that of 21 spirochetes from humans, thus suggesting the occurrence of a genetic heterogeneity in the latter group. These data indicate that the intestinal spirochetes analyzed in the present work are related; hence there is a possibility of domestic animals being reservoirs of microorganisms pathogenic for humans. A classification of intestinal treponemes into subgroups has been proposed on the basis of restriction analysis and hybridization experiments.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

[Pregnancy and enterostomy].

The authors describe the difficulties and possible complications of pregnancy in colonostomized women. In the neoplastic forms, generally appearing in advanced age, the knowledge of the basic disease discourages any possible attempt at pregnancy. In the chronic inflammatory diseases (ulcerous rectocolitis and Crohn's disease), typical of young age, pregnancy, if opportunely followed and programmed, can get an absolutely favourable course. The authors report their own experiences and some other authors' ones.

Colitis, Ulcerative↗
PubMed1981

The synovial prostaglandin system in chronic inflammatory arthritis: differential effects of steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

1 The present study was undertaken to characterize the spectrum of arachidonic acid metabolites present in synovial effusions of patients with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, and to compare changes in their concentration following a short-term treatment with 6alpha-methyl-prednisolone (6-MeP: 4-8 mg/day) or indoprofen (1.2 g/day), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent with proven synovial prostaglandin inhibitory effect.2 Measurements of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), thromboxane (TX) B(2), 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) and PGF(2alpha) were performed by radioimmunoassay techniques in synovial effusions obtained from 23 patients, and validated by thin-layer chromatographic analysis of the extracted immunoreactivity.3 PGE(2) and TXB(2) accounted for more than 60% of the total immunoreactivity in untreated patients. The absence of any constant ratio between the different arachidonic acid metabolites detected in synovial fluid is consistent with a heterogeneous cellular origin of these compounds.4 Indoprofen treatment was associated with a consistent reduction of synovial prostaglandin and thromboxane concentrations, ranging from 36% in the case of 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) to 90% in the case of PGE(2).5 In contrast, 6-MeP caused opposite changes on different metabolites originating via the cyclo-oxygenase pathway. Thus, 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) concentrations were reduced by 35%, PGF(2alpha) concentrations were increased by 30%, while PGE(2) and TXB(2) were unchanged following 6-MeP.6 Although the mechanism(s) underlying the failure of 6-MeP to reduce synovial PGE(2) and TXB(2) levels are uncertain, the results of the present study clearly indicate that therapeutic doses of steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cause quite distinct changes in arachidonic acid metabolism, which might be relevant to their specific therapeutic actions and side-effects.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fetal infection from rubeovirus or cytomegalovirus: correlation among maternal serological profiles, invasive diagnostic procedures, and long-term follow-up.

Different variables influence the possibility that maternal viral infection may be transmitted to the fetus, although not all fetal infections result in fetal "illness" with consequent fetopathy. As concerns the fetus, prenatal diagnosis includes invasive techniques necessary for fetal tissue sampling. These techniques carry some risks. The fetal infectious risk, as determined by maternal clinico-serological profile and according to sonographic investigation, always should be weighed against the risks and benefits of invasive diagnostic procedures. The present study re-elaborates the criteria necessary for defining fetal risk as related to the maternal serological profile. In the 26 mothers with rubeola infection, the incidence of fetal mortality was 7.7%. Fetal prognosis worsens with the precocity of eruption. In these cases the esantema is the most reliable prognostic element as an indication to perform the invasive procedure. In the 15 patients with cytomegalovirus infection, no fetal or postnatal losses occurred. Morbidity occurred in 13.3% of cases, and the two ill fetuses were classified in the same risk group. In this group of patients, the maternal serological profile is a significant predictor of fetal morbidity.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Side effects of hysteroscopy.

The Authors evaluated the incidence of complication and side effects of 244 outpatient hysteroscopies performed either with or without premedication or anaesthesia. In all cases symptoms resolved spontaneously or after adequate medical treatment.

Anesthesia, Local↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The psychological reaction to hysterectomy: initial results].

Twenty patients who had undergone hysterectomy were given a questionnaire consisting of three parts, the first statistical and epidemiological, the second aimed at assessing the extent to which the patient was informed about her condition and a third part designed to provide data on postoperative adaptation. The good results obtained are discussed and interpreted.

Adaptation, Psychological↗