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Biomedical subjects

R Bosio

Publications and source records attributed to R Bosio.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Long-term assessment of fecal incontinence after lateral internal sphincterotomy.

BACKGROUND: Lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) can cause fecal incontinence. The aim of this study was to evaluate this sequelae after long-term follow-up of patients treated by LIS and to identify possible associated factors. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected for patients with chronic anal fissure who had LIS between 1994 and 1997. Continence was assessed according to the incontinence score (IS) obtained by medical record review and telephone questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using by Student's t test for qualitative variables and chi-square test for qualitative variables. RESULTS: All 68 patients evaluated had healed after fissure surgery. None of these patients had preoperative fecal incontinence neither recurrence at the time of follow-up. At a mean follow-up of 66.6 months (range, 30-84 months), 7 patients (10.2%) were incontinent (mean IS=8.2; range, 5-16) and none had recovered continence at the time of follow-up. There was no significant difference between patients with and without fecal incontinence relative to gender age, hemorrhoidectomy combined with LIS, or vaginal delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Incontinence due to LIS does not recover after long-term follow-up and appears to be an independent cause of fecal incontinence.

Adult↗

HTLV-III infection among 315 intravenous drug abusers: seroepidemiological, clinical, and pathological findings.

Seroepidemiological, clinical, immunological, and pathological features were studied in 315 intravenous drug abusers (IVDA) seen in five centers for drug addicts' assistance in the Friuli Venezia-Giulia region of Italy, close to the borders of Austria and Yugoslavia. No case of AIDS has been observed. Sixty-five (21%) were affected by persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL). HTLV-III seropositivity was noted in 86 (27%) of the overall 315 IVDA, in 50 (77%) of 65 patients with PGL, and in 1 (0.5%) of 205 blood donors tested as a control group. Patients with PGL had a significantly lower OKT4/OKT8 ratio than the rest of the IVDA population and controls. Systemic symptoms were present in 52% of the patients with PGL, the most frequent symptoms being fatigue and night sweats. In 20 patients with PGL, DR typing revealed a significant increase in DR-5 frequency and a significant decrease of DR-2 frequency. The predominant histological features in the lymph nodes taken from 25 patients consisted of an exuberant follicular hyperplasia, capillary vessel proliferation, and plasmacytosis. Nineteen (22%) females reporting occasional prostitution were compared to 10 non-IVDA female prostitutes and concomitantly evaluated. HTLV-III seropositivity was noted in 11 (58%) of 19 IVDA female prostitutes and in none of the 10 non-IVDA prostitutes. Thirty-five couples composed of both IVDA were compared to 24 couples composed of an IVDA and a non-IVDA. Among the 24 couples of whom one or both partners were seropositive, concordance in HTLV-III seropositivity was present in 5/11 (45%) couples composed of both IVDA, and in only 1/13 (8%) couples composed of an IVDA and a non-IVDA. This suggests that the sharing of contaminated needles, universally practiced by our IVDA population, plays a more important role in the transmission of HTLV-III than sexual contact.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Immunological abnormalities in intravenous drug abusers and relationship to the prolonged generalized lymphadenopathy syndrome in Italy.

The prolonged generalized lymphadenopathy syndrome (PGL) has been considered a prodromal condition to the Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), but the clinical, virological and immunological characteristics of patients who will develop AIDS are not known. We report on the immunological profile of intravenous drug abusers with or without PGL in Northeastern Italy. We found a reduction of lymphocyte-absolute numbers with reversal of the T4/T8 ratio and decreased Leu-11b+ cells. The response to mitogens and natural killer activity are compromised in PGL patients. Neutrophil function is reduced both in drug abusers with or without lymphadenopathy. The serological investigations revealed a high prevalence of antibodies against HTLV III and the Epstein-Barr viruses. The recognition of immune dysfunction in the intravenous drug abusers appears to be important since these patients develop AIDS and these abnormalities may precede AIDS.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

[Clinical application of paracorporeal artificial ventricles (author's transl)].

A pneumatically driven artificial heart with tubular silicone rubber membrane and disc valves was used in four patients with intractable postoperative cardiac failure. The operation was performed through a median sternotomy: large cannulas were placed in both atria and blood was returned to aorta and pulmonary artery. In three patients the natural heart recovered and the artificial ventricles were removed. One patient died 6 weeks after the operation, the other two left the hospital in good condition. Profound postoperative heart failure can be reversed by the use of the paracorporeal artificial heart; the advantage of the system lies in the simplicity of its implantation and removal.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

Paracorporeal artificial heart in postoperative heart failure.

A pneumatically driven artificial heart with a tubular silicone rubber membrane and disc valves was used for functional heart replacement in the paracorporeal mode. A fluidic drive system allows adjustment of the heart rate, positive and negative pressures and systole/diastole ratio. Since August, 1977, the artificial heart has been used in four patients with refractory postoperative heart failure not responding to volume loading, pH and electrolyte correction, catecholamines and intra-aortic balloon pumping. Large cannulae were placed in the atria and great vessels. The ventricles were fixed on the chest paracorporeally. The assist system was used as a left heart bypass in one patient and as a biventricular bypass in three other patients. After 48-72 hours, the ventricular function recovered in three patients, permitting removal of the artificial heart. One patient died of cerebral complications six weeks later; the other two recovered completely and were released in good condition. Profound postoperative heart failure can be completely reversed by the use of the paracorporeal artificial heart; the advantage of the system lies in the simplicity of its implantation and removal.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of a fluid-controlled artificial heart.

The Zurich A. H. is a pneumatic drive biventricular cardiac prosthesis with tubular silicone rubber membrane, tilting discvalves, and fluid control system. Membrane position is monitored throughout the cardiac cycle to prevent systolic membrane collapse or insufficient diastolic filling. This A. H. was implanted in 25 dogs weighing 23-50 kg. In five animals, the A. H. performed satisfactorily for more than 24 hr. At an average flow rate of 60-90 ml/min per kg, the aortic pressure ranged from 80 to 100 mm Hg, and both left and right atrial pressures were within normal range. The animals were awake, and they breathed spontaneously after 24 hr; average plasma hemoglobin levels averaged 91 mg/100 ml, and platelet counts decreased to 65,000 cu mm. In three animals subjected to the A. H. pump for 24 hr, the A. H. was removed and replaced with a transplant. Adequate transplant function was obtained, but there were no long-term survivors. Adequate hemostasis, sepsis, and complex organ dysfunctions associated with prolonged pumping are currently the main biologic problems.

Animals↗