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Biomedical subjects

A Farina

Publications and source records attributed to A Farina.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Parotid gland carcinoma: 1987 and 1997 UICC T classifications compared for prognostic accuracy at 5 years.

In order to compare the correlation of 1987 and 1997 UICC T categories with the survival rate in parotid gland carcinoma, 134 patients attending the ENT clinics at the University of Ferrara (from 1970 and 1993) and Firenze (from 1970 to 1990) were analyzed by means of survival analyses (Kaplan-Meier and Cox algorithms). This study demonstrated that both systems showed a significant correlation with the survival rate, but T 1997 resulted in a more reliable prognostic value by means of a higher odds ratio. We conclude that the newer (1997) UICC T category better defines the prognosis for cancer of the parotid gland and should have a higher impact on the clinical evaluation of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Determination of optical purity by nonenantioselective LC using CD detection.

The use of a circular dichroism (CD) based HPLC detection system was recently described by some authors and proposed for a nonenantioselective HPLC enantiomeric purity determination. Indeed the system, measuring both CD and UV signals simultaneously, allows the evaluation of the g anisotropy factor. In order to experimentally support such an analytical procedure as an alternative to the enantioselective chromatographic method currently found in some pharmacopoeial monographs, we have studied its application to the analysis of dexchlorpheniramine maleate, an active substance which exhibits a poor CD signal in the 250-270 nm spectral region with a g value of the order of 10(-4). The results reported indicate that the suitability of the studied procedure for the enantiomeric purity determination is obtained only when the CD-detector reaches high stability; indeed a certain time lag is systematically necessary to obtain stable responses, i.e. adequate precision. The enantioselective HPLC procedure seems to be more precise for enantiomeric purity values < or = 2% than the CD based detection system; such a disadvantage might be counterbalanced by the use of non chiral stationary phases.

Anisotropy↗
PubMed2001

Sonographically guided procedures in rheumatology.

OBJECTIVE: To provide some representative examples of sonographically guided arthrocentesis and intralesional injection therapy. METHODS: Sonographic evaluation was performed with high-frequency linear (13 MHz) and mechanical sector (20 MHz) transducers. The images were obtained in representative patients with rheumatoid arthritis and posttraumatic subacromial bursitis. RESULTS: Sonographically guided intralesional injection is a rapid and reliable procedure, especially in patients with arthritis, tenosynovitis, and bursitis. After target localization, needle placement can be performed under continuous sonographic monitoring. Sonographic guidance is particularly useful when fluid collections are small (less than 5 mm) and deep or when the inflammatory process is adjacent to anatomic structures that could be seriously damaged by the injection. CONCLUSIONS: Over the last few years, the rapid technologic advancements in ultrasonography have dramatically increased the potential applications of sonographically guided procedures. The simplicity and reliability of the technique might warrant rheumatologists to undergo sonographic training.

Arthroscopy↗
PubMed2001

Significant fetal-maternal hemorrhage after termination of pregnancy: implications for development of fetal cell microchimerism.

OBJECTIVE: Recent reports that an association exists between fetal cell microchimerism and autoimmune disease has increased interest in the postpartum persistence of fetal cells. The purpose of this study was to determine, by means of quantitative polymerase chain reaction amplification, whether a significant fetalmaternal hemorrhage occurs after elective termination of pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Blood samples were obtained from 23 women who underwent termination of pregnancy immediately before venipuncture; these samples were subjected to analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction amplification with the use of Y-chromosome primers. There were 21 male and 2 female fetuses. Results were equilibrated to 16 mL and analyzed by a weighted linear regression analysis to evaluate the correlation between detected fetal nucleated cell equivalents and gestational weeks. RESULTS: Among the 21 known male fetuses, the median number of detected fetal nucleated cell equivalents was 1552 (range, 50-37,618). The female fetuses had no fetal nucleated cell equivalents detected. A positive dependence of male fetal nucleated cell equivalents on gestational age was shown (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction amplification demonstrated a large fetal-maternal transfusion after elective abortion. Consideration of the biologic consequences of pregnancy and the potential for future development of fetal cell microchimerism must now extend to a larger population of women.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed2001

Comparison between TANIS and UICC 1997 stage grouping in parotid gland carcinoma.

To compare the correlation of T and N Integer Score (TANIS) and International Union Against Cancer (UICC) '97 stage grouping with survival rate in parotid gland carcinoma, a series of 134 patients affected by primary carcinoma of the parotid gland was considered in this retrospective study. Data set was classified according to 1997 UICC T-category and then grouped as recommended by the two systems. Data were analyzed by means of survival analyses (Kaplan-Meier and Cox algorithms). Results showed a crude survival rate of 64.9%. Univariate analysis by means of log-rank test yielded significant P values both for TANIS and UICC '97 systems (both P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis (Cox regression adjusted for age and gender) showed a significant correlation between the two staging systems with the mortality rate. Odds ratios were 2.64 (95% CI 1.84-3.80) and 1.79 (95% CI 1.46-2.20) for UICC '97 and TANIS, respectively. In testing the superiority, UICC '97 resulted in a higher prognostic value and TANIS did not add any statistical contribution in determining survival. In conclusion, the new UICC stage grouping better defines the prognosis for cancer of the parotid gland.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Parotid gland carcinoma: surgical strategy based on local risk factors.

To evaluate the best surgical strategy in cases of parotid gland carcinoma, local risk factors (T, N, histology, and treatment) were analyzed in a series of 134 patients. The efficacy of the facial nerve sacrifice in case of macroscopic tumor infiltration was tested by means of survival analyses (Kaplan-Meier and Cox algorithms). This study demonstrated that nerve preservation resulted in a better prognostic value when compared with resection only in the group of patients having a T1 or T2. In patients affected by T3 and T4, the different treatment did not show any difference in survival rate. In conclusion, the sacrifice of the facial nerve is not always able to improve the survival rate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Unresectable primary tumor of head and neck: does neck dissection combined with chemoradiotherapy improve survival?

A study regarding patients with primary and previously untreated advanced histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck was performed to compare two treatment modalities: neck dissection followed by chemoradiotherapy (Group I) versus chemoradiotherapy alone (Group II). Fifty-four patients were randomly chosen to receive Group I or II treatment. Our results demonstrate that Group I treatment has a higher and statistically significant disease-specific survival rate. We suggest that an association of neck dissection plus chemoradiotherapy can be useful in the event of unresectable advanced carcinomas.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

A comparison of radiopharmaceutical agents used for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

Radioactive gas or technetium-99m aerosols are used to perform pulmonary ventilation scintigraphy. The aim of this study was to compare three radiopharmaceuticals, Kryptoscan, Technegas and Venticis II, in terms of their costs and user preferences rather than on the basis of diagnostic efficacy. For each radiopharmaceutical agent, an analysis questionnaire was sent to nuclear medicine departments setting out the criteria (and subcriteria) to be assessed: diagnosis quality: imaging quality, distribution homogeneity, examination procedures and capacity to examine particular patients (e.g. smokers); safety: for patient, paramedical and medical staff and the environment; use: availability in cases of emergency, ergonomics of the apparatus, simplicity and time of preparation. A score, ranging from 0 to 5, and a weighting (importance of one criterion with regard to the others) were assigned to each criterion. The direct cost of a ventilation (drugs, generator systems, disposable materials) was calculated for each radiopharmaceutical agent according to the number of patients examined per day (1-6) and the number of examination days per week (2-5). Fourteen questionnaires concerning at least two of the products were returned out of the 30 mailed. A 'preference score' was calculated using Pharma Decision software. The mean score of Kryptoscan was significantly higher than that of Venticis II (444 vs. 286, P < 0.001) and higher than the mean score of Technegas (444 vs. 344, P < 0.01). For Venticis II and Technegas, the changes in patient direct costs were minor and depended on the number of patients per day and the number of examination days per week. Respectively, they were: $US 117.66 (5 patients.day-1; 5 days.week-1) to $US 147.74 (2 patients.day-1; 2 days.week-1) and $US 56.60 (6 patients.day-1; 5 days.week-1) to $US 132.08 (2 patients.day-1; 2 days.week-1). The direct cost of ventilation using Kryptoscan varied only according to the number of patients examined per day: $US 104.66 (6 patients.day-1) to $US 266.47 (2 patients.day-1). This study shows that Kryptoscan appears to be preferable for ventilation scintigraphy whenever at least four patients are examined daily.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2001

Ultrasonography in the evaluation of bone erosions.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasonography in depicting erosions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and to compare sonographic and radiographic findings. METHODS: Sonographic images were obtained with an AU-4 Idea Esaote Biomedica (Genoa, Italy) equipped with a 13 MHz linear transducer. RESULTS: The images reported in this essay are representative examples of the ability of ultrasonography to detect and characterise even minimal bone margin changes in rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography with very high frequency transducers can depict bone erosions in early target areas of bone resorption. However, further studies are needed to validate this technique and to evaluate the relation between sonographic findings and those obtained with other imaging techniques (standard radiology, magnetic resonance).

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed2001

Supraglottic tumour categories: 1987 and 1997 International Union Against Cancer classification.

PURPOSE: To verify the correlation to survival of 1987 and 1997 Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC; International Union Against Cancer) supraglottic tumour categories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and sixty patients seen at the ENT Clinic at the University of Ferrara from 1970 to 1990 had a complete follow-up and met the criteria of enrolment in this study. Data were analyzed by means of survival analyses (Kaplan-Meier and Cox algorithms). RESULTS: Multivariate analysis (adjusted for number and patient's age) of 1997 UICC supraglottic tumour categories (T1 vs. T4) showed a significant correlation with the survival rate, whereas 1987 UICC categories did not reach any significant statistical value. CONCLUSION: The 1997 UICC tumour categories represent an improvement in supraglottic cancer classification.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed2001

Expression profile of epidermal differentiation complex genes in normal and anal cancer cells.

Anal cancer originates from a peculiar histological region and provides a useful model for investigating alterations in proliferation and/or differentiation of neoplastic keratinocytes. Epidermal differentiation complex (EDC) genes, which form one of the major gene clusters in the human genome, are involved in the terminal differentiation of epithelial cells and in many instances have been implicated in epithelial tumours. We constructed a DNA macroarray capable of characterising the expression profiles of the entire EDC gene complex in normal mucosa and anal cancer biopsies of seven unrelated patients. Brain tissue and cultured keratinocytes were used as controls. All anal cancer samples showed expression profiles in which none of the EDC genes was silent, as evaluated by phosphor-imager analysis. Variance analysis showed significantly lower expression of SPRR2 with respect to SPRR1 or SPRR3, and significantly higher expression of S100A8 than of other S100A subfamily members. At hierarchical clustering analysis, the four basaloid anal cancer cases conglomerated in the top five positions. The macroarray method used by us provides the first demonstration of the expression profile of the EDC gene family in anal cancer, and is capable of producing significant information on the subgrouping of epithelial tumours such as anal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Fetal sonographic findings: analysis of the most frequent patterns and their specificity of association.

A major goal of obstetric sonography is the detection of patterns of anomalies in order to make a diagnosis, or to determine which pregnant women should be offered invasive testing. Previous studies have analyzed patterns from the perspective of a specific anomaly and its associations, e.g., increased nuchal translucency measurement and structural heart disease. In this study we applied the technique of cluster analysis to a population data set that consisted of fetuses with at least two sonographically detectable anomalies. The specificity of association of the most frequent patterns found in our population was evaluated by means of the ratio of the observed number of fetuses with the findings (O) over the expected number of such fetuses (E). The observation that different patterns aggregate in a relatively small number of clusters was then evaluated by means of cluster analysis for binary data. Results show that several patterns can be considered in nonrandom associations, based on the O/E ratio. Most of these patterns are well known to clinicians but validate this new approach. As cluster analysis is applied to antenatal sonographic data sets, new patterns of associations of anomalies may be detected.

Cluster Analysis↗
PubMed2000

Fetal nucleated erythrocyte recovery: fluorescence activated cell sorting-based positive selection using anti-gamma globin versus magnetic activated cell sorting using anti-CD45 depletion and anti-gamma globin positive selection.

BACKGROUND: Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS)-based anti-gamma (gamma) positive selection and magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS)-based anti-CD45 depletion followed by anti-gamma positive staining have been two of the most frequently used methods to isolate fetal cells from maternal blood. To date, there has been no direct comparison of fetal cell recovery by these two methods. This study was designed to address this issue. METHODS: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on nucleated anti-gamma positive cells using X and Y probes. Twenty-four maternal blood samples were obtained immediately after elective termination of pregnancy to ensure a detectable number of fetal cells. RESULTS: The yield and purity of fetal nucleated erythrocytes (FNRBCs) was statistically higher in FACS sorted samples (P < 0.01). The specificity of staining for FNRBCs was statistically higher in MACS sorted samples (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The data from this study demonstrate that both techniques have benefits and limitations. FACS has the advantage of having higher yield, higher purity, higher FISH efficiency and ease in microscope analysis, and MACS has the advantage of having higher specificity and less cell loss during FISH.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2000

Survival analysis of transfused fetuses affected by Rh-alloimmunization.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the survival rate of a group of 86 fetuses affected by Rh-alloimmunization submitted to intrauterine red blood cell transfusion. All the women had antibody titres> or = 1:32 at the time of their enrollment in the study. Crude fetal survival rate was 89.5% (77/86 cases). Data were stratified according to specific cut-off points of (1) pre-transfusion fetal haemoglobin expressed as the rate between the observed and the estimated value for each gestational age at the time of the first transfusion; (2) the difference between the haemoglobin at the beginning of the second-transfusion less that at the end of the first transfusion (delta haemoglobin); and (3) presence of ultrasound detected anomalies. Statistically significant stratification of the survival rate was observed for the level of pre-transfusion fetal haemoglobin (95% and 76.9%, respectively, p= 0.009) using a cut-off value of < 70% and > or = 70% of the expected value. Again, delta haemoglobin showed a different survival rate when a cut-off value of 6 g/dl was used to generate subgroups of fetuses: 94.6% and 80%, respectively (p= 0.0145). Among the ultrasound anomalies, the presence of hydrops showed a correlation with the survival rates. The quoted values were 97.83% (absence) and 80.0% (presence) respectively (p= 0.0058). Cox regression showed a significant association of the studied variables with the outcome (survival). The presence of hydrops was the best predictor (Odds ratio= 8.7, p= 0.0073) followed by Delta haemoglobin (Odds ratio= 2.0, p= 0.0422). The rate of pre-treatment fetal haemoglobin < 70% of the expected value did not add any significant valu and was thus removed from the final model. Weight at delivery expressed in grams showed a direct correlation with the survival rate (Odds ratio= 0.9, p= 0.1529) and was added into the model as an adjustment quantitative variable.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Apoptosis in fetal nucleated erythrocytes circulating in maternal blood.

The purpose of this study was to determine if apoptosis occurs in fetal cells that have crossed into the maternal circulation, which would potentially explain the difference between the number of intact fetal cells and the amount of fetal DNA detectable in maternal plasma. We flow-sorted fetal nucleated erythrocytes (FNRBCs) using antibody to the gamma chain of fetal haemoglobin and confirmed them to be fetal in origin by FISH analysis using chromosome-specific probes. Fetal cells were then analysed microscopically for the presence of terminal UdTP nuclear end labelling (TUNEL) staining. Apoptotic change was observed in 42.7% of fetal NRBCs (106/246) and 3.5% of maternal cells (29/818). Results of this study indicate that a significant number of fetal cells in maternal blood are undergoing apoptosis at the time of sampling. Apoptosis may be one mechanism by which fetal cells are cleared by the maternal circulation.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Sonographic imaging of the distal phalanx.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential role of ultrasonography (US) with very high frequency transducers in assessing distal phalanx involvement in some rheumatic diseases. METHODS: We performed sonographic evaluation with an Esaote AU-4 Idea (Esaote Biomedica, Genoa, Italy) equipped with a 13-MHz linear transducer. The images were obtained in asymptomatic healthy subjects and representative patients with psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint (Heberden's nodes), erosive osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, and posttraumatic synovial cyst. RESULTS: US with very high frequency transducers allowed a careful identification of the following anatomic details: joint space, extensor and flexor tendons, bone margin, periarticular and peritendinous soft tissues, nail, and blood vessels. Several pathological changes were depicted in different rheumatic disorders. These included joint space widening, tendon sheath widening, dislocation of the joint surfaces, irregularity of the bone margin, and urate and calcium deposits within periarticular soft tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Very high frequency US is able to depict the anatomic substrate of distal phalanx involvement in several rheumatic diseases, adding useful information to clinical examination of the hand.

Arthritis↗