Two-step endoscopic resection of gastric leiomyomas

Summary Our two-step technique for endoscopic treatment of gastric leiomyomas is illustrated. From January 1979 to June 1991, nine symptomatic patients with sessile leiomyomas of the stomach were treated at the Endoscopy Division of Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan.The diagnosis was achieved by means of endoscopic observation of the lesion and, when possible, by ultrasound endoscopy.This new technique consists of first removing superficial portion of the tumor by electrosurgical snare. Second, a cleavage plane is found within the proper muscle layer; the tumor is enucleated as much as possible by tightening the snare around it and creating a pseudo-stalk. No major complication occurred nor were any recurrences observed at 21.8 months in the 7/9 patients treated by endoscopy alone. Endoscopic therapy was performed on an outpatient basis and only large lesions required short hospitalization.     

Assessment of the scatter fraction evaluation methodology using Monte Carlo simulation techniques

To evaluate scatter fraction and scatter pair spatial distribution, experimental methods are generally used. These methods make use of a line source, placed along the FOV axis, inserted in a cylindrical phantom filled with air or water. The accuracy of these experimental methodologies can be tested by the use of a Monte Carlo method. In fact, the simulation allows the shape of the scatter event projection and the scatter fraction to be defined. An example of this application is the simulation package PETSI (PET SImulation). In this paper the comparison between the predicted scatter fraction and the experimentally evaluated one, obtained using an ECAT III PT 911/02 double ring whole body scanner are presented. PETSI permits additional data to be obtained: a) the true and scatter component of the energy spectrum; b) the spatial distribution, in the FOV plane, of the detected scatter events at different energy thresholds; c) the scatter to total detected events ratio; d) the predicted scatter fraction at both energy thresholds and FOV diameters. This information is very useful for optimizing both energy threshold and FOV size and to improve the accuracy of the currently used methods for the scatter fraction evaluation. Preliminary results of the predicted scatter fraction in a uniform phantom are presented.This article was presented at the 1st EEC workshop on accuracy determination in PET, January 19–20th. 1989 Pisa, Italy (COMAC-BME Concerted Project Characterization and Standardization of PET Instrumentation)     

Profile of in Vitro Binding Affinities of Neuroleptics at Different Rat Brain Receptors: Cluster Analysis Comparison with Pharmacological and Clinical Profiles

A series of 21 neuroleptics with different chemical structures (phenothiazines, thioxanthenes, dibenzodiazepines, butyrophenones, benzamides, etc.) was examined for their in vitro interactions with 12 neurotransmitter binding sites in the rat brain (alpha- and beta-noradrenergic, dopaminergic, muscarinic, serotoninergic, histaminic, and opioid receptors, calcium channels, and serotonin uptake binding sites). The biochemical profile obtained from the binding data was compared with reported pharmacological and clinical profiles for this class of compounds by cluster analysis. Cluster analysis on binding data classified the compounds in three main subgroups: benzamides, compounds with an affinity mainly for DA2 and 5-HT2 receptors and inactive at muscarinic receptors, and compounds with a high affinity for alpha 1-adrenergic receptors and muscarinic receptors. The main subgroups resulting from cluster analysis of previously published pharmacological and clinical data for neuroleptics contain compounds common to the present study, with some correlations. The results extend previous observations that a complete binding profile corresponds to the pharmacological and clinical profile of this class of compounds.     

Angiogenic response induced by acellular aortic matrix in vivo

In this study, we investigated the angiogenic response induced by acellular aortic matrices implanted in vivo onto the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), a useful model for such investigation. Results showed that acellular matrices were able to induce a strong angiogenic response comparable to that of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), a well-known angiogenic cytokine. The angiogenic response was further increased when exogenous FGF-2 or transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) were added to the matrices and inhibited by the addition of an anti-FGF-2 or anti-TGF-beta1 antibodies. The response may be considered dependent on a direct angiogenic effect exerted by the matrices and in part also by the presence of FGF-2 and TGF-beta1 in the acellular matrices.     

Echocardiography and Doppler sonography in the evaluation of cardiac structure and function

Physical activity increases the work load of the heart. The adjustments of the heart depend on the quality and quantity of the work performed. These adjustments concern the function and the morphology of the cardiovascular system. It is important to underline that these adjustments are not permanent and can disappear when physical activity is stopped. In young subjects the risks are very few while the benefits may be shown on a better and more armonic body structure. In the elderly the benefits can be achieved with a lesser cost for submaximal activities, but the risks are of course more frequent due the possible onset of cardiovascular disease. It is important to correctly recognize the limits whitin which the physical activity can be allowed because beneficial. Echocardiography has given an important contribution to evaluate the morpho-functional adaptions of the athlete's heart. Similarly, it has proven useful in the detection of pathological cardiovascular modifications, asymptomatic or pausymptomatic, that do not allow certification to practise sport at agonistic levels.     

Bleeding patterns in recent postmenopausal outpatients with uterine myomas: comparison between two regimens of HRT

Objectives: To evaluate and to compare the bleeding patterns obtained with two regimens of hormone replacement therapy given to early postmenopausal women with asymptomatic uterine leiomyomas. Methods: In this randomised prospective 1-year study 50 early postmenopausal women with one to four asymptomatic uterine leiomyomas were enrolled into two study-groups to take two regimens of hormone replacement therapy for 12 28-day cycles: (A) Tibolone, 2.5 mg/day; (B) conjugated equine estrogens (CEE), 0.625 mg/day plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), 5 mg/day. The bleeding patterns and the changes in uterine volume of the 47 outpatients who completed the study were evaluated and compared. Results: Amenorrhea incidence was higher in group A (75.0% of the cycles) than in group B (65.6% of the cycles), while irregular bleeding and irregular spotting incidences were higher in group B (29.7 and 4.7% of the cycles, respectively) compared to group A (22.6 and 2.4% of the cycles, respectively). The mean bleeding and spotting lengths were not statistically different between patients in group A and those in group B. Finally, at the end of the study period transvaginal ultrasonography showed no significant change in leiomyoma size. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that, in early postmenopausal patients with asymptomatic uterine leiomyomas, Tibolone treatment seems to be preferable compared to CEE–MPA continuous combined treatment in relation to the lesser occurrence of irregular bleeding. Furthermore, neither Tibolone nor CEE–MPA therapy, at the doses used here, promote fibroid growth.     

Reduction of capsular polysaccharide production in Klebsiella pneumoniae by sodium salicylate.

Heavily encapsulated Klebsiella pneumoniae (serotypes 1 and 2) was cultured in the presence of sodium salicylate. The addition of salicylate (2 to 30 micrograms/ml) progressively decreased the amount of capsular polysaccharide produced by all strains without significantly inhibiting cell growth. Further addition of salicylate (50 to 200 micrograms/ml) was progressively inhibitory to cell growth and decreased the production of polysaccharide only slightly. The optimal concentration of salicylate that could reduce the polysaccharide production of heavily encapsulated, virulent strains by 50% or more was 30 micrograms/ml. Mutants of these bacteria that produced less capsule were affected by salicylate to a lesser degree. All concentrations of salicylate tested were physiologically achievable in humans and within the therapeutic range of aspirin. The addition of calcium and magnesium partially reversed the effects of salicylate on polysaccharide production. Chelating agents, particularly EGTA [ethylene-bis(oxyethylenenitrile)tetraacetic acid], reduce capsule production as salicylate did. Thus, the chelation of calcium and magnesium by salicylate could account, at least in part, for the reduction of capsule. Optical density measurements allowed for rapid monitoring of capsule production in various culture media because a large part of culture turbidity was apparently due to the capsule. Decreased production of the primary K. pneumoniae virulence factor with salicylate may have therapeutic potential.