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Biomedical subjects

A Lanza

Publications and source records attributed to A Lanza.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Cyclooxygenase (COX), the key enzyme in prostaglandin cascade, is expressed in two isoforms: the constitutive COX-1 and the inducible COX-2. Hyper-expression of COX-2 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of colon-rectal cancer in humans but it appears to play a significant role as a tumour progression factor also in other forms of human cancer, including oral cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of COX-2, at the protein level, in 45 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Standard immunohistochemical streptavidin-biotin peroxidase analysis was carried out with highly specific antibody against human COX-2 and cell specific markers, in 45 oral squamous cell carcinomas. Our study revealed a moderate to high COX-2 expression in 35 out of the 45 oral squamous cell carcinoma specimens (77.8%). COX-2 expression appeared particularly abundant in the superficial ulcerated layers of relatively well differentiated carcinomas. However, we were unable to assess any statistically significant association between COX-2 hyper-expression and tumor site, tumor grading, tumor size, presence of lymph node metastases, tumor stage and age at onset, respectively. Interestingly, COX-2 expression was detected not only in areas of epithelial dysplasia adjacent to the primary layers (86% of the cases) but also in normal-appearing epithelium at the boundaries of squamous cell carcinoma (77%), indicating a possible involvement in tumour progression by the apparently normal tissue surrounding the lesion. Moreover, intense COX-2 staining was observed in endothelial cells of intra-tumour vessels and extra-tumour vessels adjacent to the tumour nests, in a high proportion of cases (82%). COX-2 positivity was associated with CD34 and VEGF positivity, indicating that these vessels were probably neo-formed ones. From this study as well as from other works, it appears that indeed COX-2 is over-expressed in this important human malignancy. However, further studies are necessary to understand the exact magnitude of this over-expression and, mostly, the possible role of COX-2 in the pathogenesis and progression of oral cancer.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The N-terminal fraction of desmoglein 3 encompassing its immunodominant domain is present in human serum: implications for pemphigus vulgaris autoimmunity.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is considered as an autoimmune disease against a tissue-restricted antigen, desmoglein 3, a 130 kDa glycoprotein expressed by keratinocytes of skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, a breakdown of peripheral tolerance is generally invoked to explain this horror autotoxicus. The availability of a self-antigen and the strength of antigenic stimulation represent critical points in the regulation of immune system homeostasis. Our study shows for the first time that the immunodominant fraction of the PV self-antigen is present in sera of healthy individuals and patients as a circulating 30 kDa fragment (sDsg3). These findings provide a good explanation for the N-terminal specificity of antibody production and peptide recognition in PV patients by B and T cell, respectively. Moreover, the presence of the sDsg3 in human sera could allow to reconsider pemphigus as a disease against a circulating antigen; once produced, PV-autoantibodies also recognize the 130 kDa epidermal antigen desmoglein 3 on keratinocyte surface (kDsg3), thus triggering the acantholysis and the clinical manifestations of pemphigus.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical evaluation of patients with squamous carcinoma of the oral cavity.

AIMS: To make a clinical evaluation of patients with squamous carcinoma of the oral cavity. METHODS: The clinical condition of 72 patients with squamous carcinoma of the mouth, hospitalized at the Institute of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, 2nd University of Naples, Italy, between 1992 and 1996, were examined. The patients were evaluated system by system, staged by TNM-UICC and classified by ASA and by the Karnofsky and Burchenal and the Zubrod et al. Performance status methods. RESULTS: Evaluation by the two methods produced different results. Of the patients examined, 34.5% showed more than one systemic disorder. 51.4% were in ASA classes 3-4. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a disease with poor prognosis associated with advanced neoplastic stage (stages III-IV; 69.4% of the total) precluded radical surgery in 32% of patients, who were treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Canalicular adenoma of the parotid gland: a case report.

Canalicular adenoma is an uncommon benign neoplasm that occurs almost exclusively in the upper lip and, very rarely, in other sites. We describe a case arising in the left parotid gland as a firm, painful mass, in order to underline morphological and immunohistochemical findings, particularly in relation to differential diagnosis with low-grade carcinomas of the salivary glands.

Adenoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Microbiologic study of bacteremia and fungemia in chronic hemodialysis patients].

Microbiologic study of bacteremia and fungemia in chronic hemodialysis patients. Bloodstream infections are the second cause of death in patients in chronic hemodialysis (CHD), and the knowledge of the epidemiology is useful to establish proper empiric therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and distribution of microorganisms, in bacteremia and fungemia in 530 patients in CHD. Two hundred and forty eight blood culture series from 114 patients with suspected bacteremia were processed; 44% of them were positive from which 71% (n=78) were clinically significative and belonged to 58 patients. Sixty eight percent of these isolates were gram-positive cocci (n:53), and 22% gram-negative rods (n:17). Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent pathogen showing 23% of methicillin-resistance. Candida spp. was the fourth pathogen most common in frequency.

Argentina↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Glomus tumor of the lower lip. A case report.

A glomus tumor is a benign neoplasm originating from the modified smooth muscle cells of the vascular glomus. This neoplasm was firstly considered by Masson in 1924, and generally it has a solitary lesions but in some cases multiple lesions were described. Differential diagnosis is usually made with Kaposi sarcoma and hemangiopericytoma. The histopathologic examination is essential together with the immunohistochemical study. The clinical case of a 65-year-old man with a glomus tumor of the lower lip is described.

Aged↗