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Biomedical subjects

V Santoro

Publications and source records attributed to V Santoro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Clinical and therapeutic experience in twenty eight patients with burning mouth syndrome.

AIM: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic painful syndrome in clinically normal oral mucosa. There are many local, systemic and/or psychogenic pathological conditions that may clinically appear as burning and painful sensation of the oral mucosa. There are essential or idiopathic BMS and organic or secondary BMS. A diagnostic and therapeutic protocol is proposed by the authors evaluating, the effectiveness of the estroprogestinic replacement therapy in post-menopausal women suffering from idiopathic BMS. METHODS: A total of 28 patients suffering from persistent burning and painful oral sensation underwent to careful clinical and laboratory examination in order to distinguish primary forms from secondary ones. Patients suffering from primary BMS underwent to incisional biopsy for the research of estrogens receptors. RESULTS: Only 8 out of the 28 studied patients (28.5%) were negative to the clinical oral and laboratory examinations listed in our protocol and they were diagnosed for primary BMS. All of them were females. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a valid diagnostic and therapeutic protocol allows a better management of patients suffering from oral pain and a reduction if not a disappearance of the burning symptomatology in most of them. In post-menopausal patients suffering from idiopathic BMS good results may be obtained by an estroprogestinic replacement therapy.

Adult↗

[Necrotic lesions of the oral cavity in chronic leukemia. Treatment with CO2 laser].

The main characteristics of oral necrotic lesions in leukemia and the treatment and consequence of these pathologies are described. These lesions are classified as noma-like lesions, necrotic gangrenous ulcers of the oral cavity mucosa appearing in severe organic diseases. A new therapeutical approach in the treatment of oral necrotic lesions in chronic leukemia by the use of CO2 laser is tried and a case with the results obtained is presented.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Scanning electron microscopy of Oestrus ovis larvae (Diptera: Oestridae): skin armour and posterior spiracles.

The skin armour and posterior spiracles of L1, L2 and L3 of Oestrus ovis (Diptera: Oestridae) are described and documented photographically by a scanning electron microscope. The complex and variable morphology of the attack organs of larvae of different stages makes it easier to understand better their exceeding adaptability to the host. The SEM survey has also allowed an apparently unreported anatomic particular with a probable sensory function to be detected in L1.

Animal Structures↗

[Variations in hemodynamic parameters in patients under general anesthesia undergoing submucosal infiltration with a mixture of local anesthetic and adrenaline].

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Some authors have shown that increased blood levels of adrenaline do not have any effect on cardiovascular function. Others have documented major changes in arterial blood pressure and heart rate even following non-maximal doses of adrenalin in association with anesthetics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of local anesthetics when used with/without associated vasoconstrictors. METHODS: The authors studied the hemodynamic, cardiac and respiratory changes in two groups of patients respectively undergoing general and local anesthesia for a variety of pathologies of the oro-maxillo-facial district. At a preoperative stage, 4 ml of mepivacaine (carbocaine) 2% with 1:100,000 adrenaline was administered to patients in the first group. Data were compared to changes in the same parameters recorded in the second control group undergoing local anesthesia for day-hospital surgery who received the same quantities of local anesthetic (2 tubes of mepivacaine 2% with 1: 100,000 adrenaline or 3% without adrenaline). RESULTS: The comparison between the two groups of data showed no significant change in cardiorespiratory parameters, except in patients with an abnormal response to dentistry stress. CONCLUSIONS: No elements were found to support the systemic toxicity of local anesthetic or its association with adrenaline.

Anesthesia, Dental↗

[A case of parotidomegaly associated with eating disorders (anorexia/bulimia)].

A case of parotidomegaly associated with anorexia is described, and the psychoneurological and etiopathogenetic theories of main feed disorders (anorexia/bulimia) are discussed. Particularly, a rare pathology of maxillofacial interest is presented: parotidomegaly associated with anorexia. The diagnosis and differential diagnosis of this pathology is discussed.

Adult↗

Transfer of chromosome 18 into human head and neck squamous carcinoma cells: evidence for tumor suppression by Smad4/DPC4.

Cytogenetic, allelotype, and somatic cell hybrid studies of human head and neck cancers had suggested that the long arm of chromosome 18 might carry a tumor suppressor gene locus. To directly test this hypothesis, we introduced a wild-type copy of chromosome 18 into FaDu-Hyg-R head and neck squamous carcinoma cells. Five of 10 chromosome 18 hybrid clones formed invasive carcinomas in nude mice at a significantly lower rate and after a longer latency than the parental tumor cells, whereas the five remaining clones were tumorigenic. These results indicate that tumor formation was suppressed by chromosome 18. A homozygously deleted region of 18q in FaDu-Hyg-R cells included the candidate tumor suppressor gene, Smad4/DPC4, and extended into the DCC tumor suppressor gene locus, but not Smad2/MADR2. Each of the hybrid cell lines carried a full-length donor copy of the DCC gene, independently of their capability to form tumors in vivo. In contrast, each of the hybrid clones that were either completely or partly suppressed carried an intact copy of Smad4/DPC4, whereas this gene was deleted in the two most highly tumorigenic clones. Furthermore, the presence of Smad4/DPC4 correlated with partial restoration of cellular responsiveness to transforming growth factor beta. These results provide strong evidence for tumor suppression by Smad4/DPC4.

Animals↗

[Role of human papilloma virus in precancerous and cancerous lesions of the oral cavity. Review of the literature].

The authors review the literature on the role of human papilloma virus in premalignant and malignant oral tumours. They describe the biomolecular mechanisms of action and report the data of other authors regarding the incidence of the DNA of HPV in both normal mucosa of healthy subjects and in patients affected by disease, in tissues taken from benign and malignant lesions of the oral cavity. Having commented on these findings, they discuss the possible interference of analysis techniques, various kits and clinical conditions may have on the final results.

Female↗

Research of canine filariasis in Trapani province (western Sicily). Morphology on SEM of male Dirofilaria repens.

The prevalence of canine filariasis was investigated in 4 municipalities of Trapani province (Campobello di Mazara, Castelvetrano, Marsala and Mazara del Vallo), an area where 8 human cases of dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens have occurred during the last decade. Blood samples were collected late in the afternoon, during August and September 1995, and examined by Knott technique for the presence of microfilariae. Sixtythree (29.3%) out of 215 domestic dogs (98 males, 117 females; 40 sub-adults, 175 adults) proved to be positive for microfilariae: 55 (25.6%) for D. repens, 13 (6.0%) for Dipetalonema reconditum, 1 (0.5%) for D. immitis; 6 (2.8%) mixed infections (5 D. repens + D. reconditum and 1 D. repens + D. immitis) were also found. The surface topography via SEM of an adult male specimen of D. repens found in a dog during necroscopy is also described. The relatively large number of human cases of dirofilariasis appears to be related to the high prevalence of D. repens observed in dogs of Trapani province. This matter should be investigated more extensively in this area.

Animals↗

[A critical note on bioceramics].

In this note I, the authors point out the uncertainty and confusion which exists in the bioceramics field. They then list the calcium phosphate biomaterials today in use.

Biocompatible Materials↗

[The clinical and histopathological findings in 110 cases of leukoplakia of the oral cavity].

The authors value the distribution of some parameters such as age, sex, life habits, kind of clinical diagnosis and its relation to histological diagnosis in a population of 110 patients heterogeneous for rank and provenance. After describing the kind of casualty department aid, they explain the meaning of the word leukoplakia and underline the difficulties of clinical diagnosis: the macroscopic appearance of the white patch (according to WHO definition) is often comparable to other oral diseases either classified as precancerous lesions or not.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Evidences for a dopamine-regulated peripheral source of circulating beta-endorphin.

Circulating beta-endorphin (beta EP) and beta-lipotropin (beta LPH) concentrations increase after the administration of acetylcholine or serotonin agonist drugs. In this study we examined the effect of dopamine receptor agonists and/or antagonists on plasma beta EP, beta LPH, cortisol, and PRL levels in normal subjects. Neither direct dopamine (DA) agonist drugs, DA (1 microgram/kg min for 120 min), bromocriptine (2.5 mg po), L-dopa (500 mg po) or an indirect DA agonist, nomifensine (200 mg po), significantly altered plasma beta EP and beta LPH levels. The administration of metoclopramide, a DA antagonist (10 mg iv), significantly increased plasma beta EP, beta LPH, PRL, and cortisol levels. This effect was completely reversed by pretreatment with L-dopa (500 mg po) and only partially antagonized by DA infusion. Domperidone (10 mg iv), a DA antagonist which does not cross the blood brain barrier, increased only plasma beta EP levels, an effect inhibited both by L-dopa and DA. After dexamethasone (2 mg/day for 2 days) domperidone still increased plasma beta EP and PRL levels. The concomitant increase of beta EP, beta LPH, and cortisol after metoclopramide suggests that endogenous DA inhibits the secretion of proopiomelanocortin-related peptides. Moreover, since domperidone increases only beta EP and this effect is not altered by dexamethasone, there may be a corticotropin-releasing hormone-independent source of circulating beta EP in humans, which is inhibited by DA.

Acetylcholine↗

Compartmental syndrome complicating Salter-Harris type II distal radius fracture.

Distal radius fractures are common in children, yet complications are rare. A rarely described complication, acute volar compartmental syndrome, occurred in a 15-year-old boy. An accurate physical examination and awareness of the syndrome are essential for diagnosis. Compartmental pressures can be obtained easily and afford a rapid means of corroboration. Once the diagnosis is established, adequate decompression of all involved compartments, including carpal tunnel release, is essential. The literature is unclear regarding the etiology of this complication. There is nothing structurally intrinsic to the distal radius that should lead to a compartmental syndrome. Both the amount of soft tissue damage at the time of fracture and the mode of immobilization (excessive elevation, constricting splint, etc.) are the ultimate determinants of a successful (or unsuccessful) outcome.

Adolescent↗

Prostaglandin-induced mid-pregnancy abortion increases plasma and amniotic fluid levels of beta-lipotropin and beta-endorphin.

The continuous and progressive rise of beta-endorphin (B-EP), beta-lipotropin (B-LPH) and cortisol plasma levels during labor in term-pregnant women represents one of the most relevant maternal hormonal responses to the stress of parturition. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes of these hormones, both in plasma and amniotic fluid (except cortisol), in a group of pregnant women undergoing prostaglandin-induced therapeutic abortion at the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. B-EP, B-LPH and cortisol were measured by radioimmunoassay. Both plasma and amniotic fluid samples were purified through extraction and chromatography (Sephadex G-75 columns). The prostaglandin derivative, 16-phenoxy-PGE2-methylsulfonylamide (sulprostone, Schering, Berlin) (500 micrograms, i.m., every 4 h), caused a rapid and significant rise of plasma B-EP, B-LPH and cortisol levels in all subjects. The relative increase of the 3 hormones was less relevant after the 2nd and absent after the 3rd injection of PGE2. The amniotic fluid concentrations of B-EP and B-LPH were also raised 2 h after the 1st injection. These data indicate that sulprostone-induced abortion activates both maternal and fetoplacental release of opioids independently of the trend of uterine contractions. The pattern of pro-opiomelanocortin-related labor differs from spontaneous labor and can probably be linked to a direct effect of the drug.

Abortifacient Agents↗

Changes in immunoreactive beta-endorphin, methionine-enkephalin and ACTH in bone marrow cells and fluid from leukemic children.

The present study demonstrates the presence of the endogenous opioid peptides, beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and methionine-enkephalin (MET-ENK), and of ACTH in cell homogenates and interstitial fluid from sternal biopsy of leukemic children. The peptides were identified by chromatography and radioimmunoassay. In leukemic children with lymphoblastic cells present in the sternal sample, concentrations of immunoreactive (ir) beta-EP in the cell homogenate, but not in the fluid, were significantly higher than in leukemic children with normal bone marrow. In contrast, ir MET-ENK and ir ACTH did not differ between the two study groups either in the cell homogenate or in the fluid. These data suggest the presence of a complex system of opioid peptides in the cells and interstitial fluid of bone marrow of leukemic children with the highest concentrations of ir beta-EP appearing in samples collected during the active phase of the disease, and may suggest a possible role of opioid peptides as immunomodulatory substances.

Adolescent↗

[Elastoviscosimetry in maxillo-facial pathology].

In the oro-maxillo-facial pathology it may be useful to perform hematochimical and saliva tests which can clarify the kind of the pathology and which can be used in the post-surgical follow-up because of incidental modifications. Saliva compliance and viscosity and blood hemorrheology variations always result lower than in normal population. The Authors are going to value which kind of oro-maxillo-facial pathologies shows a significant reduction of saliva elastoviscosity and blood hemorrheology. Yet, in a further study, they will try to explain that reduction and the connection with the specific pathology and the medical and/or surgical treatment.

Adult↗