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Biomedical subjects

A Mancini

Publications and source records attributed to A Mancini.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

D-tryptophan-6-LH-RH-at los doses in the treatment of male subfertility.

The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effect of D-TRP-6-LH-RH in patients with idiopathic normogonadotropic oligoasthenozoospermia (I.N.O.). The LH and FSH response to LH-RH before and during treatment was also studied. Seven patients (age 27 to 32 years) with long standing infertility were incorporated. All of them were considered to have I.N.O. on the basis of at least three spermatograms and absence of evidence of other diseases. All patients were treated wtih D-TRP-6-LH-RH (2 microgram i.m. every two days) during 90 days. Control spermatograms were performed at monthly intervals during and after treatment. The responses of LH and FSH to 50 microgram i.v. LH-RH were studied before and after 90 days of treatment. Five of the patients achieved a normalization of the concentration of spermatozoa per ml and of the percentage of forwardly progressive spermatozoa. None of the patients showed inhibition of the response to LH and FSH to LH-RH during treatment. These results differ from others in which larger doses of D-TRP-6-LH-RH determined an inhibition of the pituitary response to LH-RH and an impairment of the spermogram.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of progesterone administration on follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin release in estrogen treated eugonadal adult men.

In order to investigate the modulatory effect of steroids on FSH secretion in vivo, we studied 16 human males, aged 51-81 years, affected by prostatic carcinoma. They were given estradiol or E2 plus progesterone (P), added at different times during E2 treatment. Daily blood samples were collected in order to determine LH, FSH, and PRL levels; moreover, blood samples were collected at 2 h intervals for 12 h on the day of P administration. We observed the expected biphasic effect on LH secretion, whereas daily basal FSH levels, during E2 treatment, decreased gradually and progressively from the first day until the end of the study. FSH levels exhibited, after P administration, wide fluctuations, with peak levels observed from 2 to 6 h after P in 4 of 6 patients studied (at 72 h during E2 treatment). A clear trend toward FSH increase was also observed in 3 out of 5 patients in whom P was administrated 96 h after starting E2 administration. In this case, FSH increases were delayed, becoming evident between 8th and 10th h after P injection. Finally, during E2 administration basal PRL levels showed a progressive increase, which was significant in all three groups. In conclusion, these data confirm the biphasic effects of estrogen administration on LH secretion in eugonadal adult human males; while estrogens alone showed an inhibitory effect on FSH secretion, the addition of P induced also a positive action, resulting in a clear FSH peak in some patients tested. The time course of E2 and P administration seems to be critical for the hormone response pattern.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship between sperm cell ubiquinone and seminal parameters in subjects with and without varicocele.

In a previous paper it was demonstrated that Coenzyme Q10, a lipidic molecule with important antioxidant properties, is present at remarkable levels in human seminal fluid, and shows a direct correlation with seminal parameters (sperm count and motility). In patients with varicocele, on the contrary, correlation with sperm motility was lacking and a higher proportion of Coenzyme Q10 was found in seminal plasma. In the present study, the levels of Coenzyme Q10 in the cell pellet of spermatozoa, obtained after centrifugation of semen, were evaluated. In nonvaricocele subjects it was observed that a higher concentration of Coenzyme Q10 (expressed as ng of the molecule per million of cells) was present in the spermatozoa of oligospermic and asthenospermic patients (sperm count < 20 x 10(6) spermatozoa ml-1, sperm motility < 40%). This relationship was not observed in varicocele subjects, who also showed slightly lower intracellular absolute values of the conenzyme. Since Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant molecule involved in the defence of the cell from free radical damage, higher intracellular concentrations may represent a mechanism of protection of the spermatozoa. In varicocele patients, this mechanism could be deficient, leading to higher sensitivity to oxidative damage.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Non conventional fractionation in radiotherapy of the musculo-skeletal sarcomas.

In 1989 we started an accelerated hyperfractionated schedule of radiotherapy (two 1.6 Gy daily fractions) in standard risk localized Ewing's sarcoma of bone, with the aim at reducing late effects in young patients and at improving disease control through a better integration of treatment modalities. From 1991, the same schedule was used in preoperative radiotherapy of adult soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities: the main purpose was to reduce the time to surgery and to evaluate surgical complications in comparison with a previous experience of hypofractionated radiotherapy (one 3 Gy daily fraction). From 1991 to 1997, 76 patients with Ewing's sarcoma and 24 patients with soft tissue sarcoma were treated at our Institution. Results and complication rates are analyzed in comparison with historical data. In Ewing's sarcoma, a correct evaluation of improvement in local control was difficult because of changing treatment policy (bulky disease was not included in the present series). Late effects, as evaluated in patients with a minimum follow-up of 3 years, occurred with similar incidence, but at higher total dose levels in patients treated with accelerated hyperfractionation. In patients with soft tissue sarcomas, incidence of surgical complications is reduced as compared to historical experience. Major problems of wound healing were seen in association with intraoperative brachitherapy boost.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremity: results of a neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocol (IOR/OS-3) with high-dose methotrexate, intraarterial or intravenous cisplatin, doxorubicin, and salvage chemotherapy based on histologic tumor response.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: From 1986 to 1989, a study for the treatment of nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremity (IOR/OS-2) was carried out at the Rizzoli Institute. The cumulative dose of doxorubicin delivered was 480 mg/m2, and severe heart failure developed in 5 (3%) of the 164 treated patients. The specific aim of the subsequent study was to assess the efficacy of a protocol, similar to IOR/OS-2, but with a reduced cumulative dose of doxorubicin (390 mg/m2). Additional aims were to assess the role of the route of infusion (intraarterial or intravenous) of cisplatin on histologic response of the primary tumor and the use of ifosfamide as salvage chemotherapy in poor responders. METHODS: The new chemotherapy regimen (IOR/OS-3) was comprised of a preoperative phase with methotrexate (10 g/m2), cisplatin (120 mg/m2 intraarterially or intravenously), and doxorubicin (60 mg/m2). After surgery, the same drugs were administered, with the addition of ifosfamide (10 g/m2) in patients who had a poor histologic response to primary chemotherapy. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients entered the study. The rate of good histologic response was 64% with intraarterial cisplatin and 43% with intravenous cisplatin (P = 0.05). The 8-year event-free survival and overall survival were 54% and 61%, respectively, with no significant difference according to the histologic response. No cases of clinical doxorubicin-induced cardiopathy were recorded. Event-free and overall survival did not significantly differ from those achieved with IOR/OS-2 (8-year disease-free and overall survival, respectively 63% and 72%). CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in the doxorubicin cumulative dose avoided episodes of cardiotoxicity, without consequences on the efficacy of treatment. The addition of ifosfamide was an effective "salvage" therapy for poor responders. A better histologic response with intraarterial cisplatin was observed, but owing to the availability of an effective salvage therapy for poor responders, the advantages in terms of histologic response did not compensate for the cost and discomfort for the patients of this modality of infusion of cisplatin.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of myopia in open angle glaucoma.

In this study concerning the prevalence of myopia in patients with open angle glaucoma, its distribution was analyzed within the sample tested in relation to the refraction defect size, compared with a control group of non-glaucomatous myopic subjects. The overall myopic rate was 17.2% of the glaucomatous patients; high myopia was more frequent in the subjects with open angle glaucoma (p less than 0.001) than in the myopic patients, thus appearing as a possible risk factor for the development of glaucoma.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Increased risk of secondary leukemia after single-agent treatment with etoposide for Langerhans' cell histiocytosis.

The study evaluated 139 patients diagnosed with Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) and enrolled in any protocol of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology since 1982. Treatment was etoposide (VP-16) only in 50 patients, VP-16 and other drugs with an already established leukemogenic effect in 17 patients, only drugs with leukemogenic effect in 6 patients, other drugs in 35 patients, and surgery only in 31 patients. Median length of follow-up after diagnosis was 65 months (range, 1 to 126 months) for a total of 742.5 person-years at risk (PYRs). Three cases of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) were reported; only 0.0044 case was expected. The standard incidence ratio (SIR) of AML in this cohort was 680.5 [95% confidence interval (CI), 140.2-1988.5], and the incidence rate per 1000 PYRs was 4.0 (95% CI, 0.8-11.8). For the subgroup treated with single-agent VP-16, the SIR after treatment was 2270.0 (95% CI, 275-8199), and the incidence rate after treatment was 14.7 (95% CI, 1.8-42.8). The study confirms a higher risk of leukemia after LCH and supports the hypothesis of an association between treatment-related acute nonlymphocytic leukemia and single-agent treatment with VP-16.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors affecting the stability of detergent-solubilized cholinephosphotransferase and ethanolaminephosphotransferase.

Cholinephosphotransferase (CPT) and ethanolaminephosphotransferase (EPT) are the enzymes catalyzing the last step of the de novo pathway for phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis, respectively. A major limitation for the complete characterization of the reactions catalyzed by the two enzymes derives from their poor stability in detergent-containing buffers. CPT is heavily inactivated, when native membranes are solubilized using a series of detergents, whereas EPT activity is better preserved during solubilization. An investigation of the factors which could play a role in preserving both enzymes from inactivation was carried out. The dramatic loss of enzymatic activities occurring upon dilution of solubilized membranes with detergent-containing buffers can be reduced by supplementing the dilution medium with phospholipids. The addition of Mn2+ ions to the dispersion buffer increases the stability of both enzymes. The procedure previously described for solubilizing EPT from rat brain microsomes has been modified on the basis of this evidence. Microsomes were solubilized in buffered detergent solutions containing Mn2+ ions and both CPT and EPT were partially purified in their active form by anion-exchange chromatography.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A conditioned medium from a human liposarcoma-derived cell line induces p53-dependent apoptosis in several tumor cell lines.

A novel cell line, named LSA, has been obtained, stabilized, and characterized from a human liposarcoma. These cells have morphological and biochemical features strongly resembling the adipocytes and were able to grow in the Ham's F12 medium, in presence or absence of FCS. A conditioned medium (LSA-CM) was obtained by growing the LSA cells in the F12 medium in the absence of FCS. LSA-CM had cytostatic and cytotoxic effects (apoptosis and necrosis) associated with down-regulation of c-myc and upregulation of p53 in several human cell lines (breast, lung, glioblastoma, etc. ). The MCF-7 and glioblastoma cells were killed by LSA-CM in 5-6 days, whereas the same cells were killed by LSA-CM co-incubated with low doses of cisplatin in 30 h. LSA-CM peri-tumoral injections for 15 days in Balb-c-fc3H mice affected by mammary tumors, resulted in the rapid disruption of tumors and absence of metastases. In contrast, in the untreated animals the tumor masses were 4 times larger than initial lesions, and numerous metastases were found in the lungs. The toxicity analysis of LSA-CM, performed on three different animal species, showed that LSA-CM is absolutely free of acute, subacute, and subchronic toxicity. The possible use of LSA-CM/cisplatin for cancer treatment is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Percutaneous implantation of arterial Port-a-cath via trans-subclavin access.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery infusion is the best choice of treatment for colorectal liver metastases, but it could be suggested for other hepatic tumors or locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The need of a laparotomy for the positioning of the arterial catheter has been the limiting factor for the diffusion of regional treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 170 patients suffering from primary or secondary liver tumours and pancreatic or bile ducts cancer, underwent the positioning of intra-arterial hepatic part-a-cath by a transcutaneous subclavian access in local anaesthesia. In 163 patients, a catheter was placed into the hepatic artery, 4 into the splenic and 3 into the gastroduodenal artery. RESULTS: The procedure was performed successfully in all patients. We observed 5 aneurysms of the subclavian artery and 9 thrombosis of the hepatic artery. Only in 7 patients was arterial infusion suspended for technical complications. We observed 10.6% of dislocation, but dislodged catheters were always moved again into the hepatic artery. CONCLUSIONS: The development of percutaneous techniques of arterial port-a-cath implantation could enlarge the indication of regional chemotherapy.

Aneurysm↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prolactin-secreting pituitary gland adenoma. Present-day possibilities of diagnosis and treatment].

Among the 230 pituitary adenomas that we treated, 23 patients aging from 20 to 39 had a prolactin-secretary pituitary adenoma and were all demonstrating an amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrom. It is not always very fast to establish the more and more frequently observed etiology of this clinical state, especially when the existence, or not, of a pituitary adenoma is concerned. A total endocrinological study (determination of serum prolactin and inhibition and stimulation tests) of all hypothalamic-hypophyseal-peripheric axis must be done, as well as precise radiological studies, able of showing small distortions of the sella turcica. On our patients, the diagnosis of a pituitary tumor and the surgical intervention have never been decided on the base of only one element of the diagnosis. We now think that only the presence, at the same time, of clinical, radiological and biological signs, however small they are, allows the decision for a surgical intervention when prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma is suspected.

Adenoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of p21 in non small cell lung cancer relationship with PCNA.

The first cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor to be discovered was the p21 cdk interacting protein (a.k.a., WAF1, Cip1, CAP20, Sdi1, mda6). p21 expression may or may not be dependent on p53. This pathway also inhibits DNA replication by merit of p21's interaction with PCNA, but it has also been shown that this same inhibitory interaction with p21 does not affect PCNA DNA repair abilities. We assessed the immunohistochemical expression of p21 protein in 60 curative surgical resected non small cell lung cancers relating it to the expression of PCNA to clarify the contribution of the p21/PCNA pathway to the development of NSCLC. We did not find any relationship between PCNA and p21 expression. This last result may indicate that the mechanism by which PCNA controls the DNA repair is the most important activity of this protein during lung cancer progression and development, compared to its contribution to cell proliferation. In fact, this last event is strongly counteracted by p21 expression, which in this last case works as an inhibitor of PCNA expression. In conclusion this study highlighted the important role of the p21/PCNA pathway in lung carcinogenesis, pointing out the contribution of PCNA to the response to lung aggression and not only it's role as a proliferation index. Therefore, these results offer a background to further study to evaluate potential novel therapeutic approaches to lung cancer treatment.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Air pollution and respiratory pathology: lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of death from neoplastic pathology in the western world (28% of total mortality from neoplasia); in 90% of cases it is caused by tobacco smoke. In Italy, a stabilisation trend in males is observed, while female mortality is still increasing. During the first two decades of 2000, a more or less evident pathology decline is expected in males and a decline/stabilisation in females, according to the results of anti-smoking and anti-pollution campaigns. Lung cancer can be considered a pathology of multifactorial etiopathogenesis, where out- and indoor environmental risk factors, together with genetic factors and living habits, combine to explain the differences in increase of neoplasy incidence in exposed populations and categories. Several chemical, physical and biological agents have been identified as promoting or initiating factors of a series of genic modifications inducing "genetic instability" and subsequent alteration of the programmed cell death regulation ("apoptosis") and of the cell cycle responsible for somatic cell alterations ("transformed phenotype") in previously normal tissues. This paper outlines the different risk factors responsible for lung neoplasies, and discusses the molecular-biological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of lung cancer.

Air Pollution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The integration of vascular surgical techniques with oncological surgical protocols in the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas of the limbs.

Soft tissue tumors, involving the vascular bundle, require a particular surgical approach: oncological and vascular surgical techniques must be integrated in order to perform a limb-saving surgery with adequate margins. Thirty-six soft tissue sarcomas of the thigh and popliteal region were treated from June 1999 to September 2002. Nineteen cases involving the vascular bundle were analysed and placed in two groups according to imaging and clinical information: Group A, 14 patients, with tumors close to femoral vessels without adventitial infiltration, and Group B, 5 patients, with vascular infiltration. Group A was treated with vascular blunt dissection performing adventitial excision. Group B was treated with vascular "en-bloc" resection and reconstruction. Imaging and clinical information together with surgical techniques, strategies and complications were analysed in order to plan the surgical approach in neoplastic vascular bundle involvement.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CT evaluation pre- and post-percutaneous ablation by radiofrequency of osteoid osteoma. Preliminary experience.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of bone remanagement after treatment by thermoablation of osteoid osteoma (OO) by CT scan. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Nine cases of OO (8 in the limbs, 1 in the pelvis) following biopsy were treated by CT-guided thermoablation. Clinical results, complications, density of tissues treated by CT scan (pre-postop, 6, 12 months) are evaluated. RESULTS: Absence of complications, regression of pain over 2 weeks, resumption of sports activity in 1 month. Bone density after treatment increases but even after 1 year it is much lower than normal levels. CONCLUSIONS: Bone remodeling after thermoablation of OO requires much time, the process is still visible 12 months later by CT scan. CT scan is an adequate method, not only for diagnosis and treatment, but also for follow-up, capable of evaluating in time the changes in density of the site of the lesion, which is useful for a comparison in case of postoperative pain of doubtful origin.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ultrasound investigation in Apulo-Lucano renal echography study group of the Italian Society of Nephrology: a cognitive report].

The number of ultrasonography expert consultant Nephrologists is more and more increasing thanks to the contribution that this methodology has brought in both clinical and treatment fields. Up to now, a database of the ultrasonography benefits, as well as the main criteria for the interpretation of the urinary tract echographic examination has not been compiled, yet. We have therefore drawn up and distributed a questionnaire to the consultant nephrologists of the urinary tract echography study group (Apulo-Lucano division). This questionnaire is made up of 27 ultrasonography application and interpretation issues; it aims mainly at creating a common 'language' to reduce the variety of 'descriptors' currently employed by all different specialists and centres involved. 60 consultant nephrologists participated in the study, from the 29 Nephrology and Dialysis O.U.s of Puglia and Basilicata regions, where there is an active echographic service. Data collected show the key role of ultrasonography investigation for all nephrology patients, as high quality and cost efficient test procedure. Moreover, despite the fact that there are differences in echographic examination performance and interpretation, literature data show clearly that it is fundamental to follow general shared principles. The responsibility and task of those specializing in this discipline should be to allow reproduction and comparison of ultrasonographies, also among different operators and centres, and meta studies, i.e. 'a series of comparative studies', which are still very few in number.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The endoscopic treatment of gastric adenomas].

Endoscopic polypectomy is the treatment of choice in symptomatic polyps of the stomach. From 1974 to 1989, at the Endoscopy Division of National Cancer Institute of Milan, 37 patients underwent endoscopic polypectomy, to remove 55 gastric adenomas. Areas of malignancy were revealed in 3 patients. Two of them, not operable for advanced age and poor general conditions, are controlled endoscopically. Endoscopic polypectomy can be performed on an outpatient basis or with a short period of hospitalization. It represents the only form of therapy in not operable patients. Furthermore this method allows to prevent the malignant transformation of the adenomas, which, as reported in the literature, ranges between 3.4% to 66.5%. Our experience confirms the validity of this technique which is safe and effective.

Adenoma↗