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Biomedical subjects

V Casini

Publications and source records attributed to V Casini.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Prevalence, detection rate and outcome of cytomegalovirus infection in ulcerative colitis patients requiring colonic resection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of cytomegalovirus infection in patients with steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis who required colonic resection, and to assess its possible association with the use of immunosuppressive and steroid treatment and outcome after colectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included surgical specimens and related pre-operative endoscopic biopsy specimens of 77 consecutive ulcerative colitis patients (34 females) who underwent colectomy because of intractable steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis (55 patients), toxic megacolon (6 patients), dysplasia or cancer (7 patients) or loss of function of the colon (9 patients). Clinical features and current and past treatments were analysed. Haematoxylin and eosin and specific immunohistochemical staining for cytomegalovirus were used to detect inclusion bodies in all specimens. RESULTS: Cytomegalovirus infection was found in 15 of 55 steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis patients (27.3%) and in 2 of 22 non-refractory patients (9.1%) (p=0.123). Only six patients had positive staining for cytomegalovirus in pre-operative endoscopic biopsy specimens. Detection of cytomegalovirus inclusion in biopsy specimens was not related to the number of biopsies or to time that had elapsed since colonoscopy and index surgery. Cytomegalovirus-positive patients were more likely to be on systemic corticosteroids (p=0.03). In contrast, current use and duration of immunosuppressive treatment, number of steroid cycles since diagnosis and in the last year, as well as chronic use of steroid in the last year were not significantly related to cytomegalovirus infection. Cytomegalovirus-positive patients did not receive antiviral therapy following proctocolectomy but did not show endoscopic or histological cytomegalovirus reactivation in the ileo-anal pouch and in the remaining bowel. CONCLUSIONS: Cytomegalovirus infection is frequently found in surgical specimens of patients with steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis and is more likely in patients on corticosteroid treatment. Cytomegalovirus infection is frequently unrecognised in pre-operative biopsy specimens, thus raising concerns about the accuracy of the available diagnostic tools. Unrecognised and untreated cytomegalovirus infection does not affect the outcome of ulcerative colitis patients following proctocolectomy.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2003

[Use of platelet-rich plasma in major maxillary sinus augmentation].

AIM: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a solution, usually in the form of a gel, with a high concentration of platelets (equal to double or three-fold normal reference values). This preparation also contains a high concentration of fibrinogen, a fundamental element for the release of numerous polypeptides (complementary factors) and above all for the induction of platelet degranulation and the consequent release of growth factors, which interact in a highly positive fashion with the bone metabolism at the host site. The biological benefit that PRP can give to tissues treated with the technique of major maxillary sinus augmentation thus appears undoubted. METHODS: The series reported consists of 3 patients who were treated by major augmentation of the maxillary sinus associated with the use of a mixture consisting of PRP, beta-tricalcium phosphate (Cerasorb ) and autologous bone tissue. RESULTS: All the patients were successfully treated and it was possible to detect tissue regeneration both horizontally and vertically (approximately 4 mm), with formation of high quality bone tissue, which subsequently enabled optimal osseointegration of the implants inserted. CONCLUSION: The introduction of PRP into the field of regenerative techniques has opened new horizons, especially in the branch of implantology. This mixture is able to reduce the quantity of autologous tissue harvested. The gel-like consistency also avoids the application and subsequent removal of a membrane, and in consequence the surgical trauma undergone by the patient is markedly reduced.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1996

Electrical fatalities among U.S. construction workers.

Over 2000 electrocution deaths were identified among U.S. construction workers from 1980 to 1991, with the highest mean annual crude mortality rate (2.5 per 100,000 people), and second highest mean age-adjusted rate (2.7 per 100,000 people) of all industries. Although the crude fatality rates showed a downward trend, construction workers are still about four times more likely to be electrocuted at work than are workers in all industries combined. Nearly 40% of the 5083 fatal electrocutions in all industries combined occurred in construction, and 80% were associated with industrial wiring, appliances, and transmission lines. Electrocutions ranked as the second leading cause of death among construction workers, accounting for an average of 15% of traumatic deaths in the industry from 1980 to 1991. The study indicates that the workers most at risk of electrical injury are male, young, nonwhite, and electricians, structural metal workers, and laborers. The most likely time of injury is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from June to August. Focusing prevention on these populations and characteristics through better methods of worker and supervisor electrical safety training, use of adequate protective clothing, and compliance with established procedures could minimize the average annual loss of 168 U.S. construction workers.

Accidents, Occupational↗