PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

V Galli

Publications and source records attributed to V Galli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) following pulsatile dopaminergic stimulation: severe deterioration and morphological correlates following the loss of locus coeruleus neurons.

Parkinsonian patients are treated with dopamine replacement therapy (typically, intermittent administration of the dopamine precursor L-DOPA); however, this is associated with the onset of abnormal involuntary movements, which seriously impair the quality of life. The molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal involuntary movements represent an intense field of investigation in the area of neurobiology of disease, although their aetiology remains unclear. Apart from the fine cellular mechanisms, the pathways responsible for the generation of abnormal involuntary movements may involve changes in neurotransmitter systems. A potential candidate is noradrenaline, since a severe loss of this neurotransmitter characterizes Parkinson's disease, and noradrenergic drugs produce a symptomatic relief of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. In previous studies we found that pulsatile dopamine release, in the absence of the physiological noradrenaline innervation, produces motor alterations and ultrastructural changes within striatal neurons. In the present study we demonstrate that a unilateral damage to the noradrenaline system anticipates the onset and worsens the severity of L-DOPA-induced contralateral abnormal involuntary movements in hemi-parkinsonian rats. Similarly, ubiquitin-positive striatal ultrastructural changes occur in unilaterally dopamine-depleted, noradrenaline-deficient rats following chronic L-DOPA administration. This study confirms a significant impact of the noradrenergic system in the natural history of Parkinson's disease and extends its role to the behavioural and morphological effects taking place during pulsatile dopamine replacement therapy.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence and pathogenesis of dental and periodontal lesions in children with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets.

AIM: To assess the prevalence and to investigate the pathogenetic mechanisms of dental and periodontal lesions in children with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) examined at diagnosis or during treatment. METHODS: Nine children with XLH (age 7.2 +/- 3.3 years) were enrolled in the study (at diagnosis, n = 2; during treatment with oral inorganic phosphate salts combined with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, n = 7). Oral examination was performed according to the evidence of carious and gingival lesions. Decayed or filled teeth (dft) index for primary teeth, and the decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMFT) index for permanent teeth was assessed. All patients with a history of spontaneous dental abscesses underwent orthopantomography examination. RESULTS: d/D ranged from 0 to 9 and f/F from 0 to 3. DMFT/dft index was 0 in the three youngest patients. One patient had enamel hypoplasia and two had enamel dyschromic alterations. Six out of nine patients (67%) had a history of spontaneous fistulae as a consequence of periapical abscesses occurring in the absence of dental decay or history of injury. In these patients, orthopantomographies showed enlarged pulp chambers associated with prominent pulp horns extending up to the dentino-enamel junction in both primary and permanent dentition. CONCLUSION: XLH patients show some peculiar dentinal abnormalities. Treatment prevents only in part dental and periodontal lesions. Genetic mechanisms have a main role in causing defective dentin mineralisation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Papillomatosis of the larynx: treatment with CO2 laser.

OBJECTIVES: We report our experience treating papillomatosis of the larynx using CO2 laser which has a lower risk of post surgical complications. Papillomatosis has a high incidence of recurrence after surgical treatment. METHODS: We treated 42 patients (10 adults and 32 children) affected by multiple papillomatosis of the larynx. Smaller papillomas were vaporized with a 7-8 Watt CO2 laser and larger papillomas were resected at the base of their implantation. A strict follow-up during the first 3 years after surgical treatment was necessary to manage recurrences with CO2 laser endoscopy. RESULTS: All patients presented with recurrences after the first surgical treatment, but within 18-60 months all patients presented a solution of their pathology. Post-operative complications were observed in patients who did not comply with the strict follow-up protocol and presented with large lesions requiring more invasive surgery. CONCLUSIONS: CO2 laser endoscopy, although it did not prevent recurrences of papillomatosis in the larynx, is a valid surgical approach in the management of this pathology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Submandibular gland myoepithelioma.

Benign myoepithelioma is a very rare form of salivary gland tumor, composed entirely of myoepithelial cells. It accounts for approximately 1% of all salivary gland tumors and is most frequently located in the parotid gland and in the minor salivary glands of the hard palate. We describe herein the ninth reported case of myoepithelioma of the submandibular gland. Benign myoepithelioma must be differentiated from several benign and malignant epithelial and mesenchymal tumors. Immunohistochemical staining can help differentiate between these conditions, but histopathology remains the gold standard for diagnosing this neoplastic process.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2004

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of dextromethorphan, guaifenesin and benzoate in a cough syrup for stability testing.

A method has been developed for the analysis of a cough syrup containing dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, benzoic acid, saccharin and other components. Forced degradation was also studied to demonstrate that the method could be employed during a stability study of the syrup. Final conditions were phosphate buffer (25 mM, pH 2.8) with triethylamine (TEA)-acetonitrile (75:25, v/v). In such conditions, all the actives, excipients and degradation products were baseline resolved in less than 14 min, and different wavelengths were used for the different analytes and related compounds.

Acetonitriles↗
PubMed2004

Parapharyngeal ectopic thyroid: the possible persistence of the lateral thyroid anlage. Clinical case report.

The accessory midline thyroids are ascribed to an arrest of migration of the median thyroid anlage, while the lateral ectopic thyroids have induced a hypothesis of the presence of lateral thyroid anlage. We report the case of a 67-year-old man who presented with dyspnea and dysphagia of 1 year's duration. The clinical examination and radiological investigations (CT and MRI) showed a solid heterogeneous mass in the right parapharyngeal space. The fine needle aspiration biopsy was inconsistent. The mass (3x2.5x3.5 cm) was excised via a transoral approach. It was capsulated with an elastic consistency and showed a nodular appearance on the cut surface. Histological examination revealed thyroid tissue with the characteristics of colloid goiter. The postoperative (99m)Tc-pertechnetate scan showed the normal thyroid gland located in the usual pretracheal site. The absence of malignancy, at histology and immunohistochemistry, allows a metastatic nature of the mass to be ruled out, and accounts for a supernumerary thyroid. The occurrence of a parapharyngeal thyroid, although extremely rare, is worth bearing in mind as a possible ectopic location. This case also supports the hypothesized role of the lateral thyroid anlage in man deriving from the ultimo-branchial body in the morphogenesis of the lateral lobe of the thyroid gland.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Dysphonia and laryngopharyngeal reflux.

The correlation between laryngo-pharyngeal reflux and dysphonia has been evaluated in patients without significant laryngoscopic findings and without vocal misuse. Studies were performed, using a validated questionnaire on typical reflux symptoms as well as instrumental means, e.g. videolaryngoscopy, multi-electrode 24-hr oesophageal pH monitoring, vocal acoustic analysis, gastro-oesophagoscopy, on 62 patients (51 male, 11 female) with dysphonia for > or = 3 months, selected from 350) consecutive patients presenting with voice disorders. Standard criteria were: absence of laryngeal neoformation (benign or malignant) and correct use of voice. Anti-reflux treatment was prescribed in all selected patients. A group of 62 selected patients without laryngo-pharyngeal disease were studied as controls. Mean values of the harmonic to noise ratio and maximum phonation time were pathological in all patients with dysphonia and significantly correlated (p = 0) with the entity of the larynx alteration. The 24-hour pH monitoring revealed gastro-oesophageal reflux in all cases with a clear prevalence of episodes in the upright, compared to supine, position. From a multiple regression analysis of pH-metric values, considered important in predicting maximum phonation time and harmonic to noise ratio alteration. the significant predictors (p < 0.01) were those parameters indicating the existence of a laryngo-pharyngeal reflux disease: in an upright position, the prevalence of the number of refluxes and of time of pH < 4. In conclusion, the association between electro-acoustic reliefs and laryngoscopic data, as well as an alteration in maximum phonation time and harmonic to noise ratio in patients with pH-metric indicative parameters of laryngo-pharyngeal reflux disease led to the hypothesis of a possible correlation between entity and duration of the reflux and dysfunction of the arytenoid muscles, upon which chronic vocal fatigue, with consequent laryngeal compensatory stress, depends.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Chondrosarcoma of the epiglottis: report of a case treated with CO2 laser epiglottectomy.

Chondrosarcoma of the larynx is a rare slow-growing malignant tumour with approximately 240 cases reported in the literature: the cricoid cartilage is the most commonly affected site (72-75%), in rare case was described of epiglottis (1-2%). We report a case of a chondrosarcoma of the epiglottis treated with CO2 laser epiglottectomy. The patient was referred with dysphonia, dysphagia and halitosis that started four months before. Indirect laryngoscopy revealed a large smooth mass with a roundish appearance and a pearly-grey colour, as big as a nut, apparently arising from the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis, causing obliteration of the piriform fossa. The definitive histopathological report showed microscopically, the tumour was low-grade (grade I) chondrosarcoma. A literature review regarding chondrosarcomas of the epiglottis is presented. The diagnosis, histology and treatment of these tumours are discussed. In particular we examine the controversy of conservative surgery vs. total laryngectomy. A conservative surgical approach is typically appropriate in light of this tumour's low-aggressive nature.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Montgomery thyroplasty. Case report focusing on endoscopic and functional findings.

The case is described of a 58-year-old male with cord paralysis submitted to Montgomery thyroplasty, attention being focused on the electro-acoustical findings. The usefulness is underlined of these indices which provide the opportunity to establish the phonatory advantages and results of this surgical procedure: Videolaryngostroboscopy and spectrographic analyses were carried out before and after surgery. Phonatory results were, in fact, evaluable 24 hours after surgery and found to be excellent whereas the perceptive evaluation and subjective symptoms were seen to be comparable to those in normal subjects one week after surgery.

Endoscopy↗
PubMed2004

Tonsillolith. Case report and review of the literature.

Large oropharyngeal concretions--giant tonsillolith--are not very common. Over the last few years only some 50 cases have been reported in the literature. Many tonsilloliths, especially small concretions, are asymptomatic; large concretions, on the contrary, may produce several symptoms. The case is described of a 56-year-old female complaining of dysphagia, odynophagia, sore throat, right otalgia and swelling in right tonsillar fossa. Routine panoramic radiography revealed a radio-opaque area in right tonsil region. Computed tomography of oropharynx was performed and axial slices revealed a calcified cylindrical lesion in posterior pharyngeal region, between palatoglossus and palatopharyngeus muscles. The tonsillolith was easily excised under local anaesthesia. The post-operative course was good with no recurrence. Microscopic examination of the specimen revealed necrotic debris, "ghost" cells, calcifications and inflammatory cells, confirming the diagnosis of tonsillolith. Authors stress that large tonsillar concretions are uncommon, and may be difficult to diagnose since the tonsillolith can also be mistaken for other anatomic and pathologic structures in the oropharyngeal area.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Use of Remifentanil for sedo-analgesia in stapedotomy: personal experience.

Stapedotomy for otosclerosis presents particular anaesthesiology demands as the surgeon has to assess functional results during the operation, work with some bleeding, be ensured the collaboration of the patient, and limit the occurrence of intra- and post-operative symptoms (dizziness, nausea, vomiting and pain). Remifentanyl, a micro-opioid selective agonist characterised by short latency and duration, has been used for about 2 years at the Otolaryngological Unit of the "Federico II" University of Naples for patients with otosclerosis undergoing stapedotomy. Aim of the study was, therefore, to assess: efficacy and tolerability of Remifentanyl in combination with a local anaesthetic in surgical procedures for otosclerosis; intra- and post-operative reduction in patient symptoms of dizziness, nausea, vomiting and pain; reduction of intra-operative bleeding; degree of patient collaboration and optimisation of anaesthesiological and vital parameters monitored during surgery. The study was carried out on 92 patients with otosclerosis, (17 M, 75 F), median age 41 years (range 25-56), undergoing stapedotomy. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups, which were homogeneous as far as concerns age, sex and pre-operative hearing: i. Group A (50 patients), received Remifentanyl infusion in combination with canal injection for local anaesthesia with Mepivacaine 2% and Adrenalin 1/100,000; ii. Group B (42 patients), received only local anaesthetic by infiltration of the external canal ear. Remifentanyl led to an improvement over the local anaesthetic technique previously used, with a clear decrease in intra- and post-operative neurovegetative symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting and pain, as well as reduced bleeding.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Capillary electrophoresis for the determination of new markers of natural latex quality.

Nowadays, increasing use of latex products in the healthcare area has also led to an increase in new scientific controls of raw material and manufactured products in order to maintain higher standards in quality control. Since field latex is a rich environment for microbial growth, in the absence of adequate preservation, the carbohydrates that it contains become microbiologically oxidised to the so-called volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Samples of natural rubber latex coming from different countries and processed in different ways have been tested by applying a capillary electrophoresis method for the measurement of the short-chain organic acids present in sera. The separation was performed with phosphate buffer at pH 6.25 and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as background electrolyte in an uncoated fused-silica capillary with -10 kV of applied potential. The sample needs no other pre-treatment more than coagulation to obtain the serum. In the assayed samples, it has been shown that poorly-preserved latex presented higher amounts of succinic acid and lower amounts of malic acid. The succinic to malic acid ratio may be an important parameter because it cannot be altered by dilution or similar processes such as the traditional VFA index, used to determine the quality of latex. Ratios for succinic to malic acid <0.6 have been found for well-preserved latex and >0.6 for poorly-preserved latex.

Electrophoresis, Capillary↗
PubMed2000

Development and validation of a capillary electrophoresis method for the measurement of short-chain organic acids in natural rubber latex.

Short-chain organic acid contents in serum of natural latex are interesting to measure and capillary electrophoresis (CE) has proved to be a good tool for their study. In the present work a method has been developed to identify the short-chain organic acids present in sera of natural rubber latex (oxalic, formic, fumaric, aconitic, succinic, malic, glutaric, citric, acetic, glycollic, propionic and quinic acids), the separation was optimised and the quantification method validated. The separation was performed on a CE system with UV detection at 200 nm. The separation was carried out with an uncoated fused-silica capillary (57 cm x 50 microm I.D.) and was operated at -10 kV potential. The separation buffers were prepared with 0.5 M H3PO4, 0.5 mM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and pH adjusted by adding NaOH to 6.25 except for propionic acid which was better measured at pH 7.00. Validation parameters are adequate and limits of detection range from 0.005 mM to 1.6 mM. Short-chain organic acids were measured with this method in sera of three different types of latex.

Acids↗
PubMed1993

Febrile and afebrile convulsions: a clinical follow-up.

A joint study was performed on 204 children who suffered separate febrile (FS) and afebrile seizures (aFS) within a short space of time to evaluate the risk of subsequent convulsive crises. The data obtained revealed frequent recurrence of seizures and high risk of subsequent convulsive afebrile crises in these children.

Atrophy↗
PubMed1989

Late febrile convulsions: a clinical follow-up.

A joint study was performed on patients from the Pediatric Clinics of Catania and Modena. Two hundred and twenty-two children who presented with febrile convulsions (FC) after the age of six years (LFC) were followed up in order to evaluate the risk of recurrence and type of convulsions. The overall results showed that 94 patients out of 222 (42.3%) had subsequent fits, both febrile and afebrile. The present study suggests that the risk of subsequent afebrile crises in LFC is higher (15.8%) than observed after "simple" FC (2-3%) and similar to that reported after "complex" FC (13-17%).

Anticonvulsants↗