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Biomedical subjects

A Rocca

Publications and source records attributed to A Rocca.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

[Arteriovenous fistulas. Apropos of 2 observations].

Two cases of mandibular angiodysplasia associated with hemorrhagic phenomena were treated surgically, by conservation resection in one patient and conservative surgery following embolization in the other. External carotid artery ligature is a useless and even risky procedure, whereas surgery should be preceded by tumoral embolization whenever possible. Prognosis, according to the classification proposed by Merland, depends upon whether active vascular malformations, mainly represented by arteriovenous fistulae, are present, or whether the lesions are inactive vascular malformations or with slowed circulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Intracranial penetration of the mandibular condyle: report on three cases (author's transl)].

Three cases of intracranial penetrations of the mandibular condyle condyle are reported, the published literature reviewed, and therapy discussed. Often unrecognized during initial examinations, they are diagnosed when the patient is seen several months later with permanent constriction of the jaws. Frontal and sagittal tomographic examinations should therefore be performed in the articular region in all cases when it is involved in injuries. Orthopedic reduction gives good results in recent injuries, long-standing cases with temporomandibular ankylosis requiring sub-condylar resection by the pre-auricular approach.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Physiological function after middle cerebral artery occlusion in rabbits with neovascularization of the brain by transposed omentum.

The effect of brain neovascularization by omental transposition on somatosensory evoked potentials and on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measured by hydrogen clearance was evaluated in rabbits exposed to experimental ischemia after occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). After MCA occlusion, the animals with brains neovascularized by transposed omentum showed a mild drop of rCBF accompanied by normal patterns of somatosensory evoked potentials elicited by sciatic stimulation. In the control animals, the evoked cortical electrical activity drastically decreased in amplitude immediately after arterial occlusion and fell to zero one-half hour later. The decay of bioelectrical activity in these rabbits was associated inevitably with a major drop in the rCBF. Morphological examination, as well as the functional data, indicate that omental transposition in animals exposed to experimental ischemia minimizes the occurrence of cerebral infarction because the neovascularization is capable of maintaining the local blood flow for at least 1 hour; therefore, the cortical electrical activity is preserved totally. In the light of these results, the authors suggest that this surgical technique can also be utilized in human beings who are affected by transient ischemic attacks to prevent more serious consequences.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Brain neovascularization with temporalis muscle in dogs.

Nine mongrel adult dogs underwent temporalis muscle transposition on the surface of the left hemisphere, the arachnoid having been removed. Histological confirmation of vessel networks connecting muscle and brain was achieved after 90 days.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Local cerebral blood flow after middle cerebral artery occlusion in rabbits following transposition of omentum to the brain.

Transposition of pedicled omental grafts to the brain has been shown to minimize the effects of cerebral infarction in dogs and monkeys. An experimental study in which pedicled omental grafts and free non-revascularized omental grafts were placed on the brains of rabbits is reported. With the use of a modified inhaled hydrogen clearance technique to measure blood flow in the brain tissue, it was determined that the pedicled omental graft minimized the effects of middle cerebral artery occlusion by maintaining a collateral blood supply and limiting the decline of local cerebral flow. Super-position of free omental grafts on the brain had no effect on the threshold for infarction.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease: a review of immunoglobulin chain alterations.

Monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease, a complication of overtly malignant or apparently benign immunoproliferative disorders, is a severe disease featuring tissue deposition of monoclonal light, light and heavy, or heavy chains. A number of converging arguments strongly suggest a direct pathogenetic role of structural abnormalities or peculiarities of variables regions of light and/or heavy chains (associated with deletions in the constant region for the heavy chains). Recent structural data on these abnormal immunoglobulin chains are reviewed.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

H-2 influence on the production of real but not of apparent H-2-specific antibodies induced by the association of syngeneic class I heavy chains with bovine beta 2-microglobulin.

Immunogenic properties of class I molecules resulting from the association of mouse class I heavy chains with a xenogeneic beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) were investigated by studying the antibody response of mice of injections to syngeneic Con A lymphoblasts, induced in conditions allowing the replacement of endogenous beta 2-m by exogenously added bovine beta 2-m provided by fetal calf serum (FCS-Con A blasts). Lymphocytotoxic antibodies were regularly produced and according to their specificities they could be divided into two types: antibodies whose reactivity was (1) dependent on and (2) independent of the presence of bovine beta 2-m on target cells. Although both types displayed an H-2 dependent polymorphic reaction pattern, only antibodies recognizing class I molecules without bovine beta 2-m can be considered as real H-2-specific antibodies. The others are only apparent H-2-specific antibodies: their polymorphic reaction pattern is dependent both on the presence of bovine beta 2-m on the surface of target cells and on their H-2 haplotype. A comparison of the antibody response of mice with various H-2 haplotypes to injections of syngeneic FCS-Con A blasts showed no significant difference in the induction of bovine beta 2-m-dependent antibodies (apparent H-2-specific) among the mice from all strains tested (H-2b, H-2p, H-2q, and H-2s). Unexpectedly, for most strains more than 60% of the immunized mice produced also beta 2-m-independent antibodies (real H-2-specific), with the exception of H-2q mice, in which only 30% of sera were positive. The real H-2-specific antibody response is of two types: some mice (H-2p and H-2s) produced antibodies only reactive with allogeneic target cells whereas others (H-2b and H-2q) produced in addition antibodies that were reactive with syngeneic cells. Thus H-2 appears to play an important role in the induction and specificity of the lymphocytotoxic H-2-specific antibodies induced upon immunization with cells expressing syngeneic class I heavy chains associated with bovine beta 2-m.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prophylaxis of toxic effects on the peripheral venous system associated with intravenous administration of vinorelbine].

Vinorelbine is effective in the treatment of a number of malignancies. However, beside the haematologic and not haematologic toxicity as thrombocytopenia, granulocytopenia, fatigue, paresthesias, nausea and vomiting, one of the most common side effects is the local irritation with thrombophlebitis. The side effect, reported in about 10-26% of patients receiving vinorelbine infusions, is due to the vescicant and irritant action of the drug. Many studies have been performed in order to reduce the incidence of venous irritation either with concomitant administration of anti-inflammatory drugs as defibrotide or ketorolac, or changing infusion schedule from bolus infusion to a 20-30 minute infusion. Aim of this review is to define peripheral venous system toxicity of vinorelbine and the best way of administration.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of tamoxifen on GH and IGF-1 serum level in stage I-II breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: Tamoxifen suppresses insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plasma levels in early and advanced breast cancer patients. Relationships between tamoxifen (GH) and IGF-1 are complex and not completely described yet. The present investigation was performed to evaluate the effect of acute and chronic tamoxifen administration on GH response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), as well as on IGF-1 serum levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Evaluation of GH after administration of GHRH was performed (a) at baseline, (b) 3 hours after 20 mg oral administration of tamoxifen and (c) after 12 weeks of 20 mg a day oral tamoxifen treatment, in fifteen postmenopausal stage I-II breast cancer patients. IGF-I was measured at baseline and after chronic tamoxifen administration. RESULTS: The GH response to GHRH was significantly reduced after 12 weeks of tamoxifen 10 mg administered twice a day orally (mean peak 3.2 +/- 0.2 micrograms/l, mean AUC 261.3 +/- 18.2 micrograms/minute p < 0.01 versus basal AUC). A concomitant significant reduction of IGF-1 was observed after 3 months of tamoxifen treatment. Basal pretreatment levels of 113.2 +/- 15.5 micrograms/l were suppressed to 70 +/- 7.9 micrograms/l (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study confirm the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on IGF-I and suggested, as shown in previous in vitro data, that its suppression could be directly related to GH reduction in response to GHRH stimulation.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Repair of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leaks using tissue adhesives.

14 cases of post-traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leaks, sealed with tissue adhesives and fascia, or galea, are reported. None of the patients had recurrence in a follow-up ranging from five months to three years. Tissue adhesives provided a tough adhesion of the patch and, as a consequence, an immediate and stable repair of the leak.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy using a percutaneous catheter in pretreated patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy (HIAC) leads to a higher response rate than systemic administration in untreated patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and safety of giving HIAC through a percutaneous catheter in pre-treated patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-five CRC patients with liver-only or liver-dominant metastases, resistant or refractory to previous systemic therapy, were treated using a temporary trans-subclavian catheter. A 3-day chemotherapy regimen of daily 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 1000 mg/m2/day + heparin 5000 IU/day given as a 24-hour continuous infusion, and twice daily bolus injections of cisplatin (CDDP) 10 mg/m2 and mitomycin C (MMC) 2 mg/m2, was administered every six weeks. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen courses were administered to 45 patients (a median of three per patient: range 1-5). Of the 44 patients evaluable for response, 16 (35%) had a partial response, 15 (33%) stable disease and 12 (26%) progressive disease. Eleven of the 16 responding patients had been refractory to a previous 5-FU-based systemic therapy. The most relevant grade 3-4 toxicities included neutropenia (22%) and thrombocytopenia (15%). Gastro-duodenal ulcers occurred in nine patients. Catheter displacement was recorded during 22 out of 117 (18%) courses. CONCLUSION: HIAC with 5-FU, CDDP and MMC given through a temporary percutaneous catheter is safe and active in pretreated patients with metastatic CRC. Iatrogenic gastroduodenal ulcers are a serious but manageable complication.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Vinorelbine-based chemotherapy in hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: No consensus exists regarding further therapy for the management of hormone-refractory prostate cancer. In this phase II study, the combination of Vinorelbine with 5-Fluorouracil and folinic acid (FLN regimen) was evaluated in patients with progressive or resistant disease after hormone therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients were treated with Vinorelbine at a dose of 20 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.) on days 1 and 3, folinic acid (FA), 100 mg/m2 i.v. and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), 350 mg/m2 i.v. as a short infusion on days 1 to 3. The therapy was given in an out-patient setting, every 3 weeks. RESULTS: All of the 34 eligible patients were evaluable for toxicity and 30 for activity. A total of 127 cycles was administered (91% at full dose). Among thelS5 patients with measurable disease, four had a partial response (26.6%; C.I. 95%, 28.3% to 65.7%) and four achieved stable disease. In 14 patients (47%) a clinical benefit was documented. Six out of 15 patients with bone-only involvement had stable disease (40%). The median duration of stabilization and partial response was 16 weeks (range 4-24 weeks). The most common toxicity was hematological: Grade 4 (NCI-CTC scale) in five patients at re-cycle. Other toxicities were of low incidence and easy to manage. CONCLUSION: The encouraging results obtained with the FLN regimen in terms of clinical benefit and its predictable and manageable toxicity support the palliative role of this chemotherapeutic strategy in hormone-refractory prostate patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Oxaliplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate in advanced colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: A promising regimen including 5-Fluorouracil, methotrexate and oxaliplatin is reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with untreated measurable metastatic disease received bolus 5-Fluorouracil (600 mg/m2) on days 2 and 16, modulated by methotrexate (200 mg/m2) 24 h earlier, alternated with 4 weeks of continuous infusion of 5-Fluorouracil (200 mg/m2/daily) plus oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2) on days 29 and 56, followed by 2 weeks of rest. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was analyzed at baseline and before every cycle. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were enrolled. Objective remissions were reported in 45.6% (95% CI=34.3%, 57.3%). The median progression-free survival was 7.8 months and the median overall survival was 19.4 months. No grade 4 toxicity was reported, except for one case of diarrhea. The serum VEGF evaluated in 23 patients showed a decreasing trend during therapy. CONCLUSION: The regimen was active, well tolerated and may be a possible option in patients not suitable for radical surgery.

Adult↗