Showing papers by "University of Palermo published in 1986"
TL;DR: Six-year survival of cirrhosis was assessed in a series of 1155 consecutive patients; among the men, 33% were alcoholics and 18% were HBsAg positive; corresponding figures for the women were 15% and 6%, respectively.
Abstract: Six-year survival of cirrhosis was assessed in a series of 1155 consecutive patients (751 men, 404 women). Among the men, 33% were alcoholics and 18% were HBsAg positive; corresponding figures for the women were 15% and 6%, respectively. Features of decompensation at first presentation were observed in 63% of the patients. Six-year survival was 54% in compensated and 21% in decompensated patients. No significant differences in survival were found between alcoholics and nonalcoholics. Leading causes of death were liver failure (49%), hepatocellular carcinoma (22%), and bleeding (13%). The prognostic role of 21 variables was evaluated separately in compensated and decompensated patients by the Cox's regression model. The following variables were found to be significant predictors of death risk in compensated patients: male sex, HBsAg positivity, age, prothrombin time prolongation, and esophageal varices. In decompensated disease the significant indicators of death risk were: hepatocellular carcinoma, encephalopathy, hemorrhage, SGOT, esophageal varices, gamma globulins, prothrombin time prolongation, continued abuse of alcohol, HBsAg positivity, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, and cholinesterase. A simple prognostic index based upon the relative risk coefficient of the significant variables is suggested.
516 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the existence of radial solutions to the problem of changing sign is studied for an arbitrary domain Ω = BR(0) ⊂ R n, if λ ϵ ]0, λ 1[ and n ⩾ 6.
297 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a dynamic correction method is proposed to evaluate the structural response as the sum of a pseudostatic response, which is the particular solution of the differential equations, and a reduced number of natural modes.
Abstract: Mode-superposition analysis is an efficient tool for the evaluation of the response of linear systems subjected to dynamic agencies. Two well-known mode-superposition methods are available in the literature, the mode-displacement method and the mode-acceleration method. Within this frame a method is proposed called a dynamic correction method which evaluates the structural response as the sum of a pseudostatic response, which is the particular solution of the differential equations, and a dynamic correction evaluated using a reduced number of natural modes.
The greater accuracy of the proposed method with respect to the other methods is evidenced through extensive numerical tests, for classically and non-classically damped systems.
82 citations
TL;DR: The diet of cultured sea bass was supplemented with carnitine, in order to determine the effect of this substance on growth and metabolism, and it was evident that L-carnitine has a positive effect on the growth rate and reduces the lipid content of tissues.
77 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the performance of passive films on stainless steels for sea water service has been studied by means of photocurrent measurements, and an interpretation is provided to explain the complex dependence of the photocurrent transients on the applied potential.
74 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the densities of 1-butanol and 1-pentanol were measured in aqueous solutions of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide and dodecyldimerethylamine oxide and the partial molar volumes at infinite dilution of the alcohols in aaqueous surfactants solutions were obtained.
Abstract: The densities of 1-butanol and 1-pentanol were measured in aqueous solutions of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide and dodecyldimethylamine oxide and the partial molar volumes at infinite dilution of the alcohols in aqueous surfactants solutions were obtained. The observed trends of this quantity as a function of the surfactant concentration were rationalized using a mass-action model for the alcohol distribution between the aqueous and the micellar phase. At the same time, the model was revised to account for the alcohol effect on the surfactant micellization equilibrium. The partial molar volume of alcohols in the aqueous and in the micellar phases and the ratios between the binding constant and the aggregation number were calculated. These thermodynamic quantities are nearly the same in the two surfactants analyzed in this paper but differ appreciably from those in sodium dodecylsulfate. The apparent molar volume of surfactants in some hydroalcoholic solutions at fixed alcohol concentration were also calculated. In the micellization region the trend of this quantity as a function of the surfactant concentration shows a hump, which depends on the alcohol concentration and on the alcohol alkyl chain length. The alcohol extraction from the aqueous to the micellar phase due to the addition of the surfactant can account for the observed trends.
66 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the C-12 configuration of 26 neo-clerodane diterpenoids isolated from Teucrium species has been re-examined by using 1H NMR NOE measurements.
60 citations
01 Jan 1986
TL;DR: The Mediterranean distribution of Cory's Shearwaters is well known as mentioned in this paper, and the largest colonies are known, though some problems, such as the winter movements of each population, the first breeding age and the ratio immatures/adults are still to be examined carefully.
Abstract: Today the Mediterranean distribution of Cory’s Shearwaters is believed to be well known. New colonies may be discovered, but certainly the largest ones are known. Many data were published during the last ten years and we believe to have a satisfactory knowledge of their biology, though some problems, as the winter movements of each population, the first breeding age and the ratio immatures/adults are still to be examined carefully.
47 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, it is reported that it is possible to realize it in diaphragmless cells making of sacrificial aluminum anodes, which can be used also for the electrocarboxylation of ketones with good yields.
43 citations
TL;DR: In PCO syndrome patients and a clear explanation for DHEAs increase was not found, although the possibility of an exaggerated secretion of some pituitary hormones with adrenal androgen stimulating activity must be considered.
Abstract: In 49 patients affected by PCO syndrome the serum levels of dehydroepiandroster-one-sulphate (DHEAs) were determined and correlated with the cfinical presentation and the endocrine pattern. Twenty-three patients (47%) had high DHEAs levels (h-DHEAs patients). They presented a milder clinical presentation (low incidence of amenorrhea) than PCO patients with normal DHEAs levels (n-DHEAs patients). In h-DHEAs patients the finding of a normal DHEAs. response to ACTH and of slightly increased 17OHP serum levels suggested that the elevation of serum DHEAs was not due to an adrenal enzymatic deficiency but to a tonic hyperstimulation of the adrenals. Two subgroups of h-DHEAs patients were identified: in the first subgroup, PRL and estrone levels were increased and probably explained the DHEAs hypersecretion; in the second subgroup, the endocrine pattern was very similar to that observed in n-DHEAs.patients and a clear explanation for DHEAs increase was not found, although the possibility of an exaggerated secretion of some pituitary hormones with adrenal androgen stimulating activity must be considered.
40 citations
TL;DR: The distribution and prevalence of spotted fever group rickettsial infection in the ixodid dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus were found to occur at a rate of 19.7% with variation related to geographic and sociooccupational factors.
Abstract: The distribution and prevalence of spotted fever group rickettsial infection in the ixodid dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus were found to occur at a rate of 19.7% with variation related to geographic and sociooccupational factors. A higher rate of infection was demonstrated in ticks removed from dogs associated with documented cases of boutonneuse fever. The results fit into available clinical and seroepidemiologic data on Rickettsia conorii infection in western Sicily.
TL;DR: A numerical finite element model (MAITHREE) is developed for the efficient analysis of the steady and unsteady behaviour of natural confined 3-D basins by the aid of a solver based on the modified conjugate gradient method.
TL;DR: In this article, a new mechanistic pathway for isocyanide insertion into the PdC bond of trans-PdXR(L) 2 ] complexes was proposed.
TL;DR: Encouraging results and the simplicity of the technique suggest that GIFT could be an effective approach that could be programmed during a well-timed laparoscopy where persistent infertility exists in association with apparently normal fallopian tubes.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors collected both in shear and non-isothermal elongational flow on three different types of blends, made from one low density polyethylene sample and three linear low-density polyethylenes samples, and presented data on the extrudate-swell phenomenon, instability arising in capillary flow and the tensile behavior in the molten state.
Abstract: Rheological data have been collected both in shear and non-isothermal elongational flow on three different types of blends, made from one low density polyethylene sample and three linear low density polyethylene samples.
In addition to the flow curves, data are presented on the extrudate-swell phenomenon, on the instability arising in capillary flow and on the tensile behavior in the molten state.
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that the heat shock proteins, although present in the embryo for long periods after synthesis, lose their effect on thermotolerance within 3 h of the cessation of synthesis.
TL;DR: Carnitine treatment has an appreciable effect on the hatchery-reared sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, fry.
Abstract: Carnitine treatment has an appreciable effect on the hatchery-reared sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, fry.
The administration of the laevorotatory isomer (1-carnitine) which is engaged in the transport of the acyl and acetyl groups through the mitochondrial membrane, stimulating lipid metabolism, increases the growth rate and the protein content of the treated fry.
The dextrorotatory isomer (d-carnitine), which is an antagonist of the 1-carnitine, has an opposite effect on the growth and metabolism of the treated fry.
01 Jun 1986
TL;DR: In this article, the theoretical analysis of amorphous semiconductor Schottky barrier is presented, based on the assumption of a constant density of states within the mobility gap, and an explanation for the anomalous behavior of the Mott-Schottky plots usually observed with amorphously anodic oxide films is presented.
Abstract: On the basis of the theory of amorphous semiconductor Schottky barrier an equivalent electrical circuit of the amorphous oxide film/electrolyte interface is proposed.—The analytical expressions for the equivalent conductance and capacitance of the barrier are reported in the hypothesis of a constant density of states within the mobility gap.—According to this model, the semiconducting properties and the impedance behaviour at different frequencies of anodic oxide films on Niobium are interpreted by taking into account the amorphous nature of the films.—An explanation for the anomalous behaviour of the Mott-Schottky plots usually observed with amorphous anodic oxide films is presented.—The possible extension of such a model to different metal/anodic oxide/electrolyte junctions is suggested.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider the genesis and successive fortune of Abbo's poem and provide a new assessment of the value of the Bella Parisiacae Urbis, which is a necessary first step to understand the reasons for the success of his poem and specifically of its third book.
Abstract: A certain ‘Descidia Parisiace polis’, which can safely be identified with the work of Abbo of Saint-Germain-des-Pres now commonly known as the Bella Parisiacae Urbis, is listed among the books given by AEthelwold to the monastery of Peterborough. We shall never know if AEthelwold's gift corresponds to any of the surviving manuscripts of Abbo's poem – though probably it does not – but the inventory gives evidence of the popularity of his work in England. In the following pages I shall consider the genesis and successive fortune of Abbo's poem and provide a new assessment of the value of the Bella Parisiacae Urbis. This assessment is a necessary first step to the understanding of the reasons for the success of his poem – and specifically of its third book – in England, as is witnessed by the number of English manuscripts containing the Latin text and by the Old English gloss which was added to this small, intriguing work.
TL;DR: From the aerial parts of Amaracus dictamnus several triterpenes were isolated: oleanolic and ursolic acids, uvaol, the rare 21α-hydroxyoleanolic acid and a new 21α -hydroxyursolic acid as mentioned in this paper.
TL;DR: The Italian Registry of Off‐Therapy patients after childhood tumors now includes 760 subjects with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which includes one hundred thirty‐six of 760 relases after therapy suspension; the longest interval between relapse and treatment suspension was 64 months.
Abstract: The Italian Registry of Off-Therapy patients after childhood tumors now includes 760 subjects with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These patients were all removed from treatment by December 31, 1981, and were followed in 35 different institutions. All the children have received multiple-drug treatment, combined, in 79.7% of the cases, with cranial irradiation. Thirty-nine (5%) experienced a relapse before treatment suspension. Total duration of antileukemic therapy ranges between 18 and 131 months (median, 38). At the last updating (December 31, 1981), 699 subjects were alive, 6 were lost to follow-up, and 55 had died. Life-table analysis shows that 90.8% were alive and 77% were alive in continuous complete remission at 36 months, whereas at 66 months, the cumulative proportions were 88% and 75.5%, respectively. One hundred thirty-six of 760 relapses after therapy suspension were reported: 83 in male patients and 53 in female patients (P less than 0.01). The longest interval between relapse and treatment suspension was 64 months. Six of 55 died in continuous complete remission 3 to 44 months after treatment suspension. Five births of apparently normal babies to female patients have been reported. A general outline of the project and the future program are given.
TL;DR: The results reveal a tonic inhibitory effect of the CN on the hippocampus and suggest that a strio-pallido-septal pathway is the anatomical substrate for the effect.
TL;DR: In this article, two binuclear complexes of gold with bridging dithiolate ligands were synthesized and characterized: (o3PAu)2(μ-DTE) and (Et3PuCl)2 (μ-DMTA); H2DTE=dithioerylthritol and H2DMTA=2,5dimer- capto-1-thia-3,4-diazole.
TL;DR: In this article, a phenomenological theory of the mechanical breakdown of films growing on valve metals during galvanostatic oxidation is presented and discussed in detail for ZrO2 anodic films.
TL;DR: In this article, the photodecomposition of ethanoic acid and acetone produced mainly carbon dioxide and methane, in the ratio 2:1, and traces of ethane and methanol.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors deal with the evaluation of the convergent parts of the high spectral moments of linear systems subjected to stationary random input and present an adequate physical meaning of these quantities in both the time and frequency domains.
TL;DR: The role played by substantia nigra pars compacta and globus pallidus pars interna on hippocampal bioelectrical activity is studied, hypothesizing a putative feedback loop from striatal to limbic centers.
TL;DR: Examination of the effects of microwaves on the electric activity of hearts as a means of elucidating interactive mechanisms of nonionizing radiation with cardiac tissue found pulsed fields induced stimulation or regularization of the heartbeat in arrhythmia, fibrillation, or arrest of the heart.
Abstract: This study was designed to examine the effects of microwaves on the electric activity of hearts as a means of elucidating interactive mechanisms of nonionizing radiation with cardiac tissue. Experiments were performed on isolated hearts of 9-12-day-old chick embryos placed in small petri dishes. Oxygenated isotonic Ringer's solution at 37 degrees C permitted heart survival. Samples were irradiated at 2.45 GHz with a power density of 3 mW/cm2. The heart signal was detected with a glass micropipet inserted into the sinoatrial node and examined by means of a Berg-Fourier analyzer. Pulsed microwaves caused the locking of the heartbeat to the modulation frequency, whereas continuous wave irradiation might have induced slight bradycardia. Pulsed fields induced stimulation or regularization of the heartbeat in arrhythmia, fibrillation, or arrest of the heart.
Abstract: Elongational data on a series of polyethylenes with different structure and on their blends are presented in order to correlate the extensional behaviour with the long chain branching degree.
TL;DR: The role played by globus pallidus pars interna and substantia nigra pars compacta on hippocampal bioelectrical activity is studied and appears to be underlying co-participation of the two subcortical structures in the control of motor behaviour.