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Biomedical subjects

P Negro

Publications and source records attributed to P Negro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Transduodenal sphincterotomy in laparoscopic era.

Indications for transduodenal sphincterotomy have been reduced in recent years, mainly because of the development of endoscopic sphincterotomy and laparoscopic procedures. Endoscopic treatment is effective, but it is necessary to carefully evaluate its indications because the incidence of early and late complications is not negligible. Laparoscopic procedures require advanced and expensive technologies and considerable laparoscopic experience. Transduodenal sphincterotomy is safe and effective, if correctly performed. Some risk factors appear to be related to the incidence of complications that do not significantly differ from those following endoscopic sphincterotomy. Transduodenal sphincterotomy may be still indicated in selected cases, and for this reason it should be considered an essential part of the knowledge of a general surgeon.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Synchronicity of frequently sampled thyrotropin (TSH) and leptin concentrations in healthy adults and leptin-deficient subjects: evidence for possible partial TSH regulation by leptin in humans.

Leptin signals the status of energy reserves to the brain. Leptin stimulates biosynthesis of TRH in vitro and influences the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in vivo in rodents. Because blood levels of both leptin and TSH display diurnal variation with a distinct nocturnal rise, we sought to determine whether a relationship exists between fluctuations in circulating leptin and TSH. We measured serum leptin and TSH levels every 7 min for 24 h in five healthy men and found that both leptin and TSH levels are highly organized and pulsatile. A similar pattern of leptin and TSH rhythms was observed, with TSH and leptin levels reaching a nadir in late morning and a peak in the early morning hours. Importantly, cosinor analysis on the absolute leptin and TSH levels revealed a statistically significant fit for a 24-h period and the two hormones showed similar probabilities of rhythm and superimposable peak values. Furthermore, this study shows a strong positive Pearson correlation between the 24-h patterns of variability of leptin and TSH in healthy subjects. Finally, the ultradian fluctuations in leptin levels showed pattern synchrony with those of TSH as determined by cross-correlation analysis, by cross-approximate enthropy and Bayessian analysis applied independently. To further explore whether these associations could reflect an underlying regulation of TSH secretion by leptin, we also studied frequently sampled leptin and TSH levels in four brothers, members of a family with leptin deficiency (one normal homozygote, two heterozygotes, and one leptin-deficient homozygote). Leptin levels of the homozygous leptin-deficient subject are detectable but bioinactive, and the rhythm of his TSH is disorganized. 24-h pattern of leptin and TSH variability in the heterozygous subjects, although significantly correlated, showed a weaker correlation compared with the strong correlation in the normal subjects. These data are consistent with the possibility that leptin may regulate TSH pulsatility and circadian rhythmicity, but interventional studies are needed to definitively prove whether leptin regulates the minute-to-minute oscillations and ultradian rhythm of TSH levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Double synchronous occluding tumors of the large bowel: a report of three cases.

The development of acute large bowel obstruction secondary to colorectal cancer is very common and, while right hemicolectomy with a primary anastomosis is the accepted procedure for right-sided obstructing tumors, the different strategies performed for left-sided tumors, including staged procedures, Hartmann's procedure, and resection with anastomosis, remain a subject of controversy. We present herein the case reports of three patients who developed two synchronous occlusive tumors of the large bowel. Complete exploration of the entire colon is highly recommended to assess the most feasible therapeutic option in such cases, as the second occlusive tumor, often hidden within the bowel segments, can cause failure of limited resection or intestinal decompression.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

[Diverticular disease. Our experience].

The authors herein present their personal experience on the surgical treatment of complicated diverticular disease. The series consists of 243 patients seen between January 1974 and May 1994. One hundred and fifty nine (65.4%) were admitted in an elective and 84 (34.6%) in an emergency setting. Medical therapy was efficacious in resolving the clinical symptoms in 133. One hundred and ten pts. were treated surgically: 91 (82.7%) underwent a left hemicolectomy (one-step surgery), 13 (11.8%) the Hartmann's procedure and 6 (5.4%) a sigmoid resection. Between 1974 and 1980, when anastomoses were performed manually and an excluding colostomy was the procedure of choice, the reported rate of anastomotic dehiscence was 21%. With the technological break-through of mechanical staplers, that enabled the performance of colostomies "on demand" such rate decreased to 8% and finally to 2%, as reported during 1987-94. The operative mortality, between 1974-84, of those patients who underwent emergency surgery was 14% and decreased to 3% between 1985-94. The operative mortality of patients who underwent elective surgery between 1974-84 was 1.3% and decreased to 0% between 1985-1994. The authors underline the importance of respecting the surgical indications and the proper evaluation of pre-operative parameters aiming at a one-step surgery, that reduces both post-operative complications and recovery time.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Laparoscopic management of volvulated Meckel's diverticulum.

Laparoscopy in the emergency setting is a logical extension of this technique. Open laparoscopy is particularly useful in the management of the acute abdomen. In our institution, after a sequential work-out that includes physical examination, laboratory data, plain abdominal roentgenograms and ultrasonography, diagnostic laparoscopy is advocated. We present the laparoscopic treatment of an intestinal obstruction caused by a volvulus around Meckel's diverticulum. The efficacy and safety of the diagnostic and/or therapeutic laparoscopic procedures in the emergency setting are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

D-ribose and deoxy-D-ribose induce apoptosis in human quiescent peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

In previous papers we reported that D(-)-ribose and 2-deoxy-D-ribose, which rank at the top among reducing sugars, kill a variety of human and animal cells and cell lines. Here we demonstrate that these two sugars induce apoptosis in human quiescent peripheral blood mononuclear cells which are relatively insensitive to apoptosis. Apoptosis was assessed by morphological changes, DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis and the appearance of an hypodiploid peak by flow cytometry. 2-deoxy-D-ribose was more potent than D(-)-ribose and apoptosis was evident from 48 hours of culture onwards. 2-deoxy-D-ribose-induced apoptosis was inhibited by N-acetyl-L-cysteine, suggesting that glutathione metabolism and/or oxidative stress are involved in this type of apoptosis. Thus, D(-)-ribose and 2-deoxy-D-ribose can be useful tools to study the cellular and molecular events of apoptosis in human quiescent lymphocytes.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed1994

The effect of L-carnitine, administered through intravenous infusion of glucose, on both glucose and insulin levels in healthy subjects.

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine on plasma glucose and insulin levels. Two parallel studies were set-up, of 40 and 20 healthy volunteers, respectively. Each group received 500 cc of 10% glucose or 5% glucose, to which were randomly added 4 g or 2 g of L-carnitine and administered a week apart. Results showed that L-carnitine was able to reduce the increase in glucose plasma levels induced by infusion of the glucose solution. This finding was not dependent on an insulin-dependent mechanism.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Massive pseudocysto-jejunal hemorrhage caused by rupture of pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery].

The authors report a case of massive intestinal hemorrhage caused by rupture of a splenic artery pseudoaneurysm into a pseudocystojejunostomy. The pathologic and clinical features of this unusual complication of pancreatitis are discussed. One hundred and seventy one cases of major bleeding associated with pseudocysts and/or pseudoaneurysms have been reported in the literature during the period 1989-May 1991. Acute and chronic pancreatitis may be the underlying etiologies and the overall mortality rate of this complication is 35.1%. According to the authors experience, angiographic localization of the bleeding sources and steel coil embolization play a key role in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to what is generally regarded as the most rapidly lethal sequelae of pancreatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Laparoscopic diverticulectomy for ileal volvulus on Meckel's diverticulum].

Laparoscopy in the emergency setting is a logical extension of this technique. Open laparoscopy is particularly useful in the management of acute abdomen. In fact, after a sequential work-out that includes physical examination, laboratory data, plain abdominal x-rays and ultrasonography, diagnostic laparoscopy is advocated. The Authors herein report a case of intestinal obstruction (volvulus due to Meckel's diverticulum) treated with laparoscopy. The efficacy and safety of the diagnostic and/or therapeutic laparoscopic procedure in the emergency setting are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Surgical treatment of 4th-stage hemorrhoids: the role of anatomical techniques].

Surgical options for fourth-degree hemorrhoids are still matter of debate. The high incidence of the disease encouraged research and brought to technical improvements able to achieve a painless, reliable, harmless and well tolerated surgical treatment. The Authors report a retrospective study of 193 patients who underwent surgery for fourth-degree hemorrhoids. In these cases the Authors advise anatomic techniques using local anaesthesia with i.v. administration of sedatives, thus allowing a 24-hour hospitalization.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1993

[The drug treatment of postoperative pain].

The study, conducted on 40 patients with pain resulting from "minor" general surgery, for the purpose of evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of ST-679 (administered in a single oral dose of 1200 mg in 20 patients) and to compare them with those of paracetamol (administered in a single oral dose of 1000 mg in 20 patients), demonstrated that the new drug was active on all recorded parameters and superior to the reference drug. The evaluation of the evolution of pain, performed using the Scott-Huskisson visual analog scale, evidenced that the maximum analgesic efficacy of ST-679 is reached after 1 hour and 15 minutes from assumption and remains unaltered until the final observation (6 hours). The paracetamol registers maximum analgesic efficacy after 30 minutes, but does not remain constant for the entire observation period. All the other parameters evaluated (variation in pain intensity, peak of analgesic activity and total remission of pain) are significantly favorable to ST-679. The tolerability of ST-679 was very good and better than the reference drug.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1992

Low anterior resection versus abdominoperineal excision: a comparison of local recurrence after curative surgery for "very low" rectal cancer.

In the controversy regarding whether sphincter-saving resection (SSR) or abdominoperineal resection (APER) is more appropriate for the treatment of very low rectal cancer, local recurrence rates seem to play a fundamental role in patient outcome. In order to operate an effective patient selection, very low rectal cancer is defined herein as being located within 4.5 to 7.5 cm from the anal verge. This retrospective report investigates the incidence of local recurrence after curative surgery for very low rectal carcinoma in 24 consecutive patients treated by the same surgical team over a 15-year period using the above surgical procedures. In the APER group, the local recurrence rate was 45.5%, occurring in 5 of 11 cases; and in the SSR group 46.1%, occurring in 6 of 13 cases, with no significant difference between the two groups. Recurrence was found within one year of surgical treatment in all except one case. Despite the strict follow-up program, it was only possible to perform reoperation in two recurrent cases, both previously submitted to SSR and diagnosed by means of transanal ultrasonography and macrobiopsy. The high incidence of local recurrence in this series is explained by the advanced stage of disease in the majority of cases. Thus, as the choice between APER and SSR does not seem to affect the incidence of local recurrence, which is related more to tumor size, site, stage, and grading, preservation of the sphincters and restoration of digestive continuity should be achieved whenever technically possible.

Adenocarcinoma↗