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Biomedical subjects

A Cavallari

Publications and source records attributed to A Cavallari.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Effect of recombinant human leukocyte, fibroblast, and immune interferons on expression of class I and II major histocompatibility complex and invariant chain in early passage human melanoma cells.

Twenty-five early-passage (less than or equal to 8) melanoma cell lines, isolated from ten patients with metastatic melanoma, were analyzed by a combination of serological, immunochemical, and molecular methods for mRNA levels, synthesis, and surface expression of MHC class I and class II antigens prior to and following exposure to recombinant human leukocyte (IFN-alpha A), fibroblast (IFN-beta), and immune (IFN-gamma) interferon. All the cell lines expressed variable levels of HLA class I gene products that were up-regulated to different extents upon exposure to specific interferons (IFNs). HLA class II antigens were expressed in 22 of the 25 melanoma lines and IFN-gamma increased the levels of class II mRNA, protein synthesis, and surface expression in all cultures displaying baseline expression. A significant up-regulation of class II antigen expression by IFN-alpha or -beta, associated with higher levels of class II transcripts and enhanced synthesis, was found only in two early-passage human melanoma cell lines. In three lesions from the same patient which did not constitutively express class II antigens, no expression of these glycoproteins could be induced with any of the IFNs. These results indicate that IFN-gamma does not act as a de novo inducer of class II antigen expression in early-passage human melanoma cell lines. This hypothesis is further supported by analysis of class II-associated invariant chain (Ii) expression, which is expressed and induced by IFNs in a manner similar to that of class II antigens. The present study also indicates that early-passage metastatic melanoma lesions from the same patient are heterogeneous in their de novo expression of major histocompatibility antigens and in their modulation by IFNs.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1990

Malignant fibrous primary histiocytoma of the recto-vaginal septum.

Considering the different localizations of malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFH), that of the recto-vaginal septum is extremely rare. The present report describes a case, probably the first in literature, characterized by a storiform-pleomorphic histological type, treated with posterior exenteration and adjuvant chemotherapy. The Authors stress the still controversial histogenetic problem, as well as those related to a correct therapeutic approach.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1988

Clinical experience with hepatic resections for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis.

The results of 31 resections of the liver performed upon patients with cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma are reported herein. The lesions were discovered mainly during routine echographic surveillance. Twenty-five of these patients with small tumors underwent a segmentary or subsegmentary resection. Intraoperative ultrasonography proved to be of paramount importance in these instances as it helped to recognize the lesion and outline the limits of the resection. In another 11 instances of primary tumors of the liver in patients with cirrhosis who underwent laparotomy, findings from intraoperative ultrasonography advised against exeretic operation because other intrahepatic lesions or neoplastic thrombi in portal branches were detected. The operative mortality rate in the 31 patients who underwent resection of the liver was 12.9 per cent. The actuarial three year survival rate is 58 per cent. The presence of an intact peritumoral capsule seems to be the best prognostic factor.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Intraoperative ultrasonography in surgery for liver tumors.

Intraoperative ultrasonography was used in 37 patients during surgery for suspected liver tumors. The size, number, and site of the lesions were determined together with the relationship of the tumor to the intrahepatic vessel, as well as possible small daughter lesions within the liver. Final diagnosis in these patients was hepatocellular carcinoma in 19 cases, metastases from colorectal cancers in 15 cases, and benign lesions in three cases. Previously undetected small tumors were revealed in one patient with sigmoid cancer and in five patients with liver cell carcinoma who had cirrhosis. Vascular tumoral infiltrations were easily displayed and the surgical approach modified accordingly: a more extended resection was performed in two cases of huge central hepatic metastases. Intraoperative ultrasonography revealed seven cases of small (2 to 3 cm) hepatocellular carcinomas in cirrhotic livers that were not visible or palpable, thus allowing a subsegmentary resection. Finally, in three cases of atypical tumors, an intraoperative echo-guided biopsy specimen was required to establish the benign nature of lesions and resection was avoided. Intraoperative ultrasonography facilitates the diagnosis of small liver tumors and can also aid the surgeon in his choice of technique, especially in cases of cirrhosis of the liver. A resection can be avoided altogether when multiple lesions are involved, or echo-guided subsegmentary resections can be performed in cirrhotic livers when a less extended resection is required. This technique makes it possible to establish the relationship between the tumor and intrahepatic vessels, thus preventing vascular injury and making radical hepatic resection safer.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1985

Antigenic profile and functional characterization of human peritoneal macrophages.

The antigenic profile and the functional properties of human peritoneal macrophages have been analyzed by using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) and functional assays. All peritoneal macrophages were stained by the anti-class I HLA MoAb Q6/64. Between 40 and 100% of the cells were stained by the anti-HLA-DR + DP MoAb Q2/80, Q5/6, and Q5/13; approximately 80% of the cells were stained by the anti-HLA-DQ MoAb BT3.4, and about 95% were stained by the anti-macrophage MoAb OKM1. Peritoneal macrophages were not stained by the anti-dendritic cells MoAb Ki-M4 or by MoAb to T cell subsets, although all of the MoAb were reactive with the appropriate substrates. More than 60% of the cells expressed Fc receptors and C3 receptors, and displayed phagocytic activity. Peritoneal macrophages were effective in stimulating autologous and allogeneic lymphocytes and in presenting soluble antigens to T cells. These reactions were blocked by the anti-HLA-DR + DP MoAb Q5/13, but were not affected by the anti-dendritic cells MoAb Ki-M4 or by the anti-class I HLA MoAb Q6/64. These results suggest that human peritoneal macrophage preparations, without detectable contamination with dendritic cells, can induce proliferation of autologous and allogeneic T cells, and that class II HLA antigens play a significant role in these phenomena.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗
PubMed1984

Ultrasonographic study of portal venous system in portal hypertension and after portosystemic shunt operations.

One hundred sixty patients with portal hypertension were examined by means of ultrasonography in order to evaluate the sensitivity of this technique in the diagnosis of intrahepatic portal hypertension and in the detection of portal vein thrombosis. Thirty-eight of these patients were selected for a portosystemic shunt and were reexamined after operation to assess the value of ultrasonography as a screening test for the patency of surgical portosystemic shunts. In patients with intrahepatic portal hypertension the main ultrasonographic findings observed were dilatation of the portal trunk of more than 1.3 cm (56.6% of cases), patency and dilatation of the umbilical vein (5.8%), presence of intra-abdominal collateral vessels (11.6%), splenomegaly with dilatation of splenic vein radicles at the hilus (91.3%), and disappearance of normal caliber variations during respiration in splenic or mesenteric veins (78.5% and 88.4%, respectively). The disappearance of normal caliber variations proved a highly specific and sensitive finding. Partial or total occlusion of the portal trunk was observed at ultrasonography in 19 of 21 (90.5%) patients with portal vein thrombosis. Surgical portosystemic shunts were displayed in 28 of 37 patients (75.7%). Ultrasonography seems to be the most important noninvasive tool in the diagnosis of portal hypertension. In patients selected for surgical portosystemic shunts ultrasonography supplies morphologic data regarding liver parenchyma and abdominal vascular anatomy, and it should be performed as a routine screening test for assessment of surgical shunt patency.

Humans↗