Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Oliaro.
Data are presented on 15 cases of invasive tracheobronchial tumours subjected to cryotherapy in 1984-85. The technique is indicated in patients who cannot be given surgical or radiation treatment and in cases of asphyxial syndrome requiring faster deobstruction than is obtainable with radiation treatment.
Aims of our study were: to evaluate small airway function of subjects with past or present silica dust exposure and normal spirometric values; to investigate whether small airway disease is related to radiographic signs of silicosis, to cumulative dust exposure (ES) and to cigarette smoking. Maximal expiratory flow at 50% (MEF50) and 25% (MEF25) of forced expired vital capacity were measured in 112 subjects, 69 with radiographic signs of silicosis, group I, and the remaining 43 with normal chest X-rays. Even if age and ES were significantly higher in group I, no significant difference in respiratory function tests and in prevalence of small airway disease was found between the two groups. In both groups small airway function was significantly negatively related to smoking habits, while it was independent of the other variables considered. Multiple regression analysis with MEF50 and MEF25 as dependent variables did not show any significant relationship. We conclude that small airway disease due to encroachment of bronchiolar walls by SiO2 deposition is masqued by the damage produced by cigarette smoking, even in the presence of radiographic signs of silicosis.
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28 cases of carcinoma of the digestive tract were studied in order to assess the value of assaying a new tumour marker (CA 19-9) on monitoring the postoperative course of neoplasia. CEA, a tumour antigen of more certain dependability was assayed at the same time. In the case series examined it was found useful to monitor both antigens since although CA 19-9 is less sensitive then CEA in cancers of the large intestine, it is more sensitive in carcinomas of the stomach and pancreas. These early data will have to be confirmed on larger samples but in general terms they do indicate the value of the combined monitoring of this new antigen and CEA in the follow-up of patients given surgery for carcinoma of the digestive tract.
33 cases of occupational asthma in plastics workers encountered by Turin INAIL in 1971-85 are examined. Functional and immunological test data reveal the possibility of various asthmogenic mechanisms both immune and non-immune.
The data are reported on a double blind clinical experiment using indenolol on a group of asthmatic hypertensives. The drug revealed a satisfactory anti-hypertensive action in the absence of any significantly bronchoconstrictive effect. The orciprenaline test performed at the end of the experiment showed that the drug does not reduce the availability of beta 2 bronchial receptors vis-à-vis the beta 2 stimulants.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a new mucolytic drug 2-alpha-tenoiltium-propionylglycine (2-alpha-TPG) administered in spray form together with a selective beta 2 stimulant, fenoterol. A double blind test was conducted on 26 patients to whom 2-alpha-TPG-fenoterol and placebo-fenoterol were given in spray form in two daily doses for 15 days at 10 day intervals. The data suggest the existence of an additive effect between the mucolytic drug (2-alpha-TPG) and the beta 2 stimulant (fenoterol) that would justify the use of the combination in the treatment of such patients.
Serum variations of 3 standard lung cancer markers (ferritin, carcinoembryonic antigen, gastrointestinal cancer antigen) were assessed in 27 patients with inoperable lung cancer diagnosed histologically and confirmed by cytology and/or histology. The study reveals that ferritin is the most sensitive marker.
The diagnostic accuracy of pH measurement of various types of pleural exudate is examined. Despite the limitations of this examination it is easy and quick to perform and offers an undeniable diagnostic validity especially in the case of pleural transudates or malignant effusions.
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Serum level of neuro-specific enolase (NSE) was determined in 20 lung cancer patients. NSE concentration was detected also on neoplastic tissue and NSE-positive neoplastic cells on histological sections were observed immunohistochemically. The presence of high level of NSE was showed in small cell lung cancer.
Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) were investigated in 53 lung cancer patients. The higher percentage of patients with serum CEA positivity was observed within the anaplastic lung cancer group. TPA serum positivity was found in similar percentage in all the examined groups. Relationship between serum CEA positivity and/or serum TPA positivity and survival were then carried out.
In this study conducted from 1979 to 1984 we have examined 2315 subjects with rhinitis. All the subjects lived in Piedmont. The skin tests identified 1100 subjects (47.5%) allergic to at least one of the tested allergens. This group included 575 (52.3%) males and 525 (47.7%) females (males/females = 1.1). In the 6-15 age range we have found a clear predominance of males over females (112 against 57 or males/females = 2). At the time of testing, 854 patients (77.7%) were in the 6-35 age range. Only 75 subjects (6.8%) had rhinitis alone; the most common combination of symptoms encountered was rhinitis-conjunctivitis, found in 580 patients (52.7%). Symptoms were seasonal in 909 subjects (82.6%), while 191 (17.4%) were symptomatic throughout the year. Among the subjects with pollen allergy, the grass pollen accounted for the highest percentage (883 subjects or 80.3%). Among the subjects allergic to permanent inhalants Dermatophagoides Farinae (252 subjects or 22.9%) and Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus (240 subjects or 21.8%) accounted for the largest number. Mycophyte sensitivity was negligible (36 subjects or 3.3%). In the end we have seen that grass pollen and Dermatophagoides sensitivity prefer males, while Parietaria sensitivity prefers females.
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Serum concentration of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was determined in 53 lung cancer patients before and 1 month after surgery. Relationships between serum CEA levels after and before surgery and survival were carried out. Furthermore, histological sections of the neoplastic surgical material were stained with anti human CEA antibody using an immunohistochemical method. The positivity of the neoplastic cells and of the macrophages were then analyzed and discussed.
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Plasma levels of fibronectin were determined in 50 lung cancer patients and in 25 normal subjects. Immunoturbidimetric assay was performed to detect possible variations of plasma fibronectin concentration in neoplastic patients. Moreover plasma levels of fibronectin were related to clinical stage, histological type of tumor and survival after surgery.
Alpha and beta serum glycoprotein levels were determined in lung cancer patients at time of diagnosis and during the natural course of the disease. The results do not suggest that these glycoproteins can be used as tumour markers. Moreover, some glycoproteins, which have activity in cell-mediated processes and macrophage functions, can suggest prognosis.