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Biomedical subjects

A Tizzani

Publications and source records attributed to A Tizzani.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Rare renal tumors (neoplasms other than conventional renal cell carcinoma). Clinico-pathologic aspects and review of the literature].

The clinical and pathological findings in 94 patients with surgically confirmed renal neoplasm from 1990 to 1998 have been retrospectively reviewed and a literature review is made. The heterogeneous group of rare renal tumours has been particularly considered: renal oncocytoma and oncocytomatosis, renal angiomyolipoma and renal medullary fibroma; chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (RCC), papillary RCC, multiple primary malignant RCC, hereditary RCC, renal sarcoma and sarcomatoid RCC, renal malignant fibrous histiocytoma, renal hemangiopericytoma and renal lymphoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Circadian antidiuretic hormone variation in elderly men complaining of persistent nocturia after urinary flow obstruction removal.

Persistence of nocturia after prostatic resection in healthy patients without symptoms referred to residual bladder instability and to pathological polyuria seems to be caused by an increased urine production at night. The more accreditate mechanism involved is the relevant decreased ADH secretion pattern which occurs at night. In our study, patients with nocturnal poliuria showed significantly low plasmatic vasopressin levels compared with a control group. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the persistence of nocturia after prostatic resection in healthy patients, without symptoms referred due to residual bladder instability and important polyuria, could be due to a decrease or a lack of increase in antidiuretic hormone (ADH) nocturnal levels following increased urine production at night. Serum ADH, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and osmolality were assessed at 4-h intervals in 12 patients complaining of residual nocturia (group A) and in a control group of 13 patients who had undergone a complete resolution of nocturia after prostate ablation (group B). In the 25 patients involved in the study (mean age 65.8 years), no significant differences were observed in the two groups concerning mean age (67.5 years for group A, 64 years for group B). Mean nocturnal urine volume (1080 +/- 490 ml) in group A patients was significantly higher than in group B (500 +/- 100 ml) (p < 0.001), while no significant differences were found in diurnal diuresis. Mean plasma vasopressin levels of the 12 patients showing an increased nocturnal micturition were found to be significantly lower at all 4-h intervals when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Individual fluctuations in serum osmolality were slight and insignificant within the normal range in all patients. The diurnal variation of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide was within the reference limits for all subjects during the 24-h period. Our results lead us to believe that residual nocturia after prostatic resection seems to be caused by an increased urine production at night due to a decreased ADH secretion pattern.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Tobacco smoke, recurrences, and p53/bcl-2 expression in bladder cancer.

Overexpression of p53 is considered to be predictive of mutations of the p53 gene. Exposure-specific mutations of the p53 gene have been described for cancers at different sites. An association between p53 mutation/overexpression and smoking has been described in early stage bladder cancer, but results were conflicting. We have conducted a study on 131 bladder cancer cases, considering p53 expression and smoking habits in an area where the use of air-cured tobacco, rich in carcinogenic arylamines, is common. The study suggests that the use of air-cured tobacco induces p53 overexpression (possibly via mutation) in early stage-low grade bladder cancer, more frequently than flue-cured tobacco (odds ratios = 3.4, 95% confidence intervals 0.9-13 in stage 1; odds ratios = 24, 95% confidence intervals 1.1-519 in stage 1, grade 1). However, all the excess associated with air-cured tobacco was concentrated in recurrences. When available, the biopsies of recurrent cases with early-stage disease were re-examined and all showed p53 expression at first diagnosis (with 10-50% of cells positive) (n = 5). It is hypothesized that exposure to tobacco-related chemicals increases the risk of recurrences via p53 overexpression/mutation. Expression of the bcl-2 gene was detected in only 2 out of 13 p53-positive smokers.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Nitric oxide mediates angiogenesis induced in vivo by platelet-activating factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

We evaluated the role of an endogenous production of nitric oxide (NO) in the in vitro migration of endothelial cells and in the in vivo angiogenic response elicited by platelet-activating factor (PAF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The NO synthase inhibitor, N omega-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), but not its enantiomer D-NAME, prevented chemotaxis of endothelial cells induced in vitro by PAF and by TNF. The motogenic activity of TNF was also inhibited by WEB 2170, a specific PAF-receptor antagonist. In contrast, chemotaxis induced by bFGF was not prevented by L-NAME or by WEB 2170. Angiogenesis was studied in vivo in a murine model in which Matrigel was used as a vehicle for the delivery of mediators. In this model, the angiogenesis induced by PAF and TNF was inhibited by WEB 2170 and L-NAME but not by D-NAME. In contrast, angiogenesis induced by bFGF was not affected by L-NAME or by WEB 2170. TNF, but not bFGF, induced PAF synthesis within Matrigel. These results suggest that NO mediates the angiogenesis induced by PAF as well as that induced by TNF, which is dependent on the production of PAF. In contrast, the angiogenic effect of bFGF appears to be both PAF and NO independent.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

p53 expression compared with other prognostic factors in OMS grade-I stage-Ta transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have investigated the possibility that p53 protein and some macroscopic tumoral features, such as diameter and focality of the lesion, play a significant prognostic role in bladder cancer progression. A retrospective study was conducted on papillary grade-I stage-Ta transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. METHODS: p53 expression was evaluated using the immunohistochemical method. A group of 31 patients with papillary grade-I and stage-Ta TCC of the bladder with no recurrence or who recurred with no histological grading and staging variation in a 4-year mean follow-up period was compared with 28 grade-I and stage-Ta papillary TCC patients who underwent recurrences and a worsening in histological grading (grade II or grade III) or staging (T1) within the same period of time. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that altered patterns of expression of the protein products of the mutated p53 tumor-suppressor gene, when independently evaluated in comparison with other tumoral prognostic factors, are associated with tumor recurrence and progression in patients with Ta papillary grade-I TCC of the bladder. RESULTS: Our data show that when a p53 threshold of > 0% was considered, 53.6% of patients with tumor progression in the follow-up period were p53-positive compared with only 16.1% of the nonprogressing group (chi 2 = 6, p = 0.02). On the contrary, p53 failed to show any value in predicting progression when a 5% threshold was considered (chi 2 = 1.12, p = 0.92). The multifocality of the tumoral lesion and recurrent tumor was highly predictive of tumor progression for both variables (chi 2 = 5.16, p = 0.003, and chi 2 = 0.23, p = 0.006, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed p53 nuclear overexpression (at a threshold of > 0%) to be a single valuable prognostic factor of progression (OR = 10.20, p = 0.009) and recurrence (OR = 54.19, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results lead to the conclusion that p53 immunohistochemical detection has no prognostic value in predicting tumoral relapse or progression of TaGI TCC of the bladder when a 5% positivity threshold is considered. On the contrary, when a p53 nuclear labelling of > 0% is considered as positive staining, this tumor marker becomes highly predictive of tumor recurrence and progression. These findings seem therefore to suggest the use of a slight p53 positivity (> 0%) as a valid tool in predicting the clinical behavior of TaGI bladder TCC. The prognostic impact of a multifocal lesion and a recurrent tumor as markers of progression is also confirmed by these results.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

DNA flow cytometry and 67Ki proliferating index as prognostic factors of early recurrence and progression in G1-G2/Ta-T1 and G3/Ta-T1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Using flow cytometry, gross genomic alterations, defined as DNA ploidy, and the fraction of S-phase cells, can be calculated in bladder cancer cells. In aneuploid superficial bladder cancer the recurrence rate has been reported to be three times higher than in diploid forms. A correlation between the S-phase fraction and progression has been reported for G1-G2/Ta-T1 tumours, but not for G3/Ta-T1. The aim of our study is to evaluate whether the traditional cytometric parameters can be used as valid predictors of early recurrences and progression in G1-G2/Ta-T1 and G3/Ta-T1 bladder cancer patients and to compare the proliferation indexes as defined by S-phase fraction and 67Ki monoclonal antibody in the two groups of patients.

Aneuploidy↗
PubMed1997

[Biophysical principles of tissue electrovaporization].

The principles of electrosurgery are based upon well defined physical grounds, explaining the type and extent of the lesions induced by the electric current. Technological evolution has led to the creation of dedicated equipment, allowing efficient use of electrosurgical cutting and coagulation of tissues, both in open and endoscopic surgery. Electrovaporization is the thermal effect obtained when an alternating high power-high frequency current (300 W, 400-500 kHz) is applied to the tissue using an electrode with particular geometric aspects. The main feature is the presence of higher and lower current density zones. The first induce electrovaporization, whilst the second produce simultaneous hemostatic coagulation of the rims. New effective vaporizing electrodes have been recently introduced into clinical practice. Their use in the endoscopical treatment of bladder outlet obstructions, a stimulating alternative to standard resection or laser applications, is currently under evaluation.

Electrocoagulation↗
PubMed1997

[Renal multifocal carcinoma with adrenal gland metastasis in a patient previously treated with radical nephrectomy: what kind of therapy. Review of the literature].

A case of multiple adrenal metastases due to renal cells carcinoma, associated with a multifocal simultaneous renal cells carcinoma has been observed in a female patient previously submitted to radical contralateral nephrectomy for the same disease. In particular, stress is laid on computerized tomography scan diagnosis and surgical procedure.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

[Measurement of skeletal alkaline phosphatase in prostatic carcinoma. Preliminary report].

Bone metastases frequently occur in prostate carcinoma. Total body radionuclide scan with diphosphonate methylene labelled with 99Tc is commonly used to diagnose such metastases. However this technique is aspecific and frequently unreliable. In recent years several biological markers dealing with bone metabolism were studied. Serum determination of skeletal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and moreover of its bone isoenzyme (BAP) could be considered a reliable index of osteoblastic activity. In this preliminary report we analyzed a group of 43 patients affected by prostate carcinoma with or without bone metastases. The American Urological Association (AUA) staging system was adopted. Sixteen patients were D2, bone metastases had been suspected by means of radionuclide bone scan and confirmed by Computerized Tomography and/or aimed X-rays. Tandem R-Ostase by Hybritech was used to measure BAP, normal value is set to 20 micrograms/L. All D2 tumours had pathological BAP values (mean value 87.50 micrograms/l); 1/3 stage A, 5/13 stage B, 5/9 stage C and 0/2 stage D1 patients had pathological findings. One of this patients, stage C, revealed a bone metastase at a later bone scan.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1995

[Surgical treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy and Kelami syndrome].

The authors analyze a group of 116 consecutive patients treated with transvesical prostatic adenomectomy or transurethral prostatic resection for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) isolated five of them with a Kelami syndrome. These patients, aged between 53 and 70 years old, had a relevant ventral penile deflection with severe sexual impairment postoperatively. Among them only one asked for a corrective surgical procedure. Aetiology, preventive measures and therapeutic choices are discussed. Authors pointed out that this syndrome is actually underestimated considering the high number of transurethral or open surgery procedures for BPH.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Carcinogen-DNA adducts in bladder biopsies and urothelial cells: a risk assessment exercise.

We have determined the levels of DNA adducts (using 32P-postlabelling) in the biopsies of 20 bladder cancer patients and in the exfoliated bladder cells of 36 healthy volunteers. The aims of the study were (a) to estimate the concentration of DNA adducts in cancer cases and controls according to the level of smoking; and (b) to investigate whether bladder cancer cases had higher levels of adducts in bladder cells than healthy controls had. A dose-response relationship between smoking levels and adduct levels was present among both cancer cases and controls. Cancer cases and the controls had similar adduct levels for the same level of smoking. According to a risk assessment exercise, adduct levels among heavy smokers were roughly comparable with those found in mice and dogs treated with bladder carcinogens, at doses which induce a 50% lifetime risk of bladder cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Urinary levels of tumour associated antigens (CA 19-9, TPA and CEA) in patients with neoplastic and non-neoplastic urothelial abnormalities.

The urinary excretion of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was evaluated in 264 patients with bladder cancer. Cut-off levels were established using a pool of healthy blood donors. The combined determination of CA 19-9 and TPA had a sensitivity of 74% in pTa and 83% in pT1 tumours, and 62% in grade 1, well differentiated tumours. Absence of disease at follow-up was related to a significant decrease in CA 19-9 and TPA in 129 patients with superficial (pTa or pT1) bladder carcinoma, followed up for at least 3 years. Recurrences, defined as new tumours at the same site or elsewhere in the bladder, were associated with an increase in the mean values but this was not statistically significant. A poor prognosis was indicated in patients with infiltrating tumours and the following pre-operative levels: TPA > 1500 u/l or CA 19-9 > 300 u/ml or CEA > 50 ng/ml.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[A case of priapism of the proximal corpora cavernosa].

A young man presented with a little perineal mass that was found to be secondary to partial priapism of the proximal corpora cavernosa. This is a very rare condition with only 3 previously recorded cases in the urology literature. The patient made a good recovery and was able to resume sexual activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Immunohistochemical detection of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the normal urinary bladder and in pseudomembranous trigonitis.

According to recent studies showing the presence of estrogens receptors (ERs) in the human female lower urinary tract, we performed ER and progesterone receptor (PR) assays in fresh frozen and paraffin embedded biopsies taken from the urinary bladder. Fourteen females undergoing endoscopy during staging for gynecological cancer (endometrium, cervix, ovary) and 15 women complaining of recurrent abacterial cystitis (pseudomembranous trigonitis) were enrolled in the study as Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. After informed consent, they were submitted to cystoscopy, during which two biopsies were taken: one on the trigonum and the other on the bladder lateral wall. ERs were identified in both groups only in the trigonum (7/14 patients in Group 1 and 8/15 in Group 2), whereas the bladder lateral wall always stained negative. PRs were found at both sites in both groups (11/14 cases on the trigonum and 7/14 on the bladder lateral wall in Group 1; 11/15 and 2/15 respectively in Group 2). Morphological localization of PRs showed intense omogeneous staining in the nuclei of the stromal fibroblasts too. A clear correspondence between the presence of steroid receptors at the squamous metaplasia of the trigonum was observed. These data are discussed speculating about a possible endocrine pathogenesis of pseudomembranous trigonitis.

Adult↗