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E Pedrinis

Publications and source records attributed to E Pedrinis.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Melatonin-induced T-helper cell hematopoietic cytokines resembling both interleukin-4 and dynorphin.

We have reported that melatonin exerts colony stimulating activity and rescues bone marrow cells from apoptosis induced either in vivo or in vitro by cancer chemotherapy compounds. We proposed that melatonin regulates interleukin-4 (IL-4) production in bone marrow T-helper cells and that IL-4 stimulates adherent stromal cells to produce colony stimulating factors (CSF). However, in further investigations we did not find any direct evidence of the ability of melatonin to stimulate IL4. We found that besides anti-IL4 monoclonal antibody (mAb), the opioid antagonist naltrexone also neutralized the colony stimulating activity and part of the hematopoietic protection exerted by melatonin. SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting analysis of supernatants of bone marrow T-helper cells incubated overnight with melatonin revealed the presence of two proteins with an apparent molecular weight of 15 and 67 kDa, which were recognized by both anti-common opioid sequence (Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe) and anti-IL4 mAbs. When Abs against known opioid peptides were tested, only anti-dynorphin B Ab labeled the 67 kDa but not the 15 kDa protein. These melatonin-induced-opioids (MIO) were separated by gel filtration. The lower molecular weight MIO (MIO15) seems to mediate the naltrexone-sensitive hematopoietic effects of melatonin. Consistently, we found the presence of opioid receptors in adherent bone marrow cells. Apparently, the higher molecular weight protein, MIO67, was responsible for the naltrexone-insensitive part of the melatonin-induced hematopoietic rescue. These melatonin-induced T-helper cell products which resemble both IL-4 and dynorphin B might represent a new family of opioid peptides with hematopoietic and immune functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in primary low-grade gastric lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection on the course of low-grade gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University internal medicine clinics, a referral oncology center in southern Switzerland, and a gastroenterology referral center in northern Italy. PATIENTS: 26 patients with localized primary low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma. INTERVENTION: Treatment for H. pylori infection (bismuth or omeprazole or both, amoxicillin, and metronidazole for 14 days). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Endoscopic biopsy specimens of the gastric mucosa were obtained every 3 to 6 months after treatment for H. pylori infection. RESULTS: Helicobacter pylori was completely eradicated in 25 of 26 patients, but 4 patients needed second-line antibiotic treatment to eradicate the microorganism. Disappearance or almost total regression of the lymphomatous tissue was observed in 15 of the 25 evaluable patients (60%; CI, 39% to 79%); however, disappearance or almost total regression was evident in the first biopsy specimen after treatment for H. pylori infection in only 8 of the 15 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms recent anecdotal reports of regression of gastric MALT lymphoma after eradication of H. pylori and indicates that the growth of these extranodal lymphomas may depend on H. pylori.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Patterns of survival in mantle cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: The term mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) describes a subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that includes those lymphomas previously defined as centrocytic lymphoma, intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma, and mantle zone lymphoma. Since MCL has only recently been recognised as a distinct entity, the clinical literature is sparse and very little information is available about its treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively attempted to analyse the clinical features and outcome of 65 patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) treated from 1979 to 1993 at two institutions in the same geographic area. Univariate (Log-rank test) and multivariate (Cox regression) analyses of the major prognostic factors were performed. RESULTS: At the time of analysis the median follow-up was 49 months. Median age was 64 years with a range of 27-85 years. The male to female ratio was 2:1. Forty-seven patients (72%) had stage IV at presentation and 20 (31%) had B-symptoms at presentation. The patients usually presented with generalised adenopathy (78% of cases) and bone marrow involvement (58%). Serum LDH were analysed at diagnosis in 61 patients and found to be elevated in 30%. beta 2-Microglobulin was determined at presentation in 42 patients and was higher than normal in 54% of them. In comparison with the other subtypes of NHLs in our series, MCL appears to have a very poor survival pattern. The median overall survival was 42 months. The CR rate was 51% with a median DFS of 44 months. Good performance status, normal LDH, normal beta 2-microglobulin, younger age (< 65 years), and a low prognostic risk according to the International Index were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with a better outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of the patients in this study appear to be in general agreement with those in most of the previously reported series except for the somewhat lower rate of bone marrow infiltration observed in this series. Despite the limitations of a retrospective analysis and the lack of randomization between the treatment options, this study seems to suggest a survival advantage with anthracycline-containing regimens in some patients with MCL. However, this benefit was evident only for the patients with favourable International Index prognostic scores (i.e., low- and to low-intermediate-risk disease) who may already have a better prognosis. Patients with intermediate-high and high-risk disease according to the International Index have a poor prognosis regardless of the type of therapy given.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

High incidence of other neoplasms in patients with low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma is an uncommon tumour for which a close association with chronic Helicobacter pylori infection has been suggested. However, given the rarity of MALT lymphoma of the stomach despite the high prevalence of H. pylori infection, it seems plausible that genetic host factors might play a fundamental role in gastric lymphomagenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 83 patients with low-grade gastric MALT, all of whom resided in a geographic area (southern Switzerland and northern Italy) where the incidence of gastric tumours appears to be uncommonly high. RESULTS: One or more additional cancers were observed in 17 of 83 patients (20%, 95% CI 12% to 31%) for a total of 23 tumours. Of these, 5 were diagnosed prior to, 12 concomitantly with, and 7 after the gastric MALT lymphoma. Eleven patients had a single additional solid tumour (13%, 95% CI 7% to 22%); 3 patients had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and one had Hodgkin's disease. Multiple additional cancers were present in 3 cases. Nine of 83 patients have died and 8 of them of a second cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Unexpectedly an extraordinarily large number of patients with other malignancies was observed in this series. The reasons for this finding are still unknown, but genetic alterations are speculated to play an important role.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Descriptive epidemiology of early and advanced gastric cancer in Ticino, Switzerland, with special emphasis on time trends.

BACKGROUND: The main purpose of the study was to describe early gastric cancer (EGC) epidemiology in the population of Ticino, Switzerland (about 280,000 inhabitants) over the period 1981-1990, as compared with the epidemiology of overall gastric cancer (GC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Incidence data were derived from the diagnosis data-file of the Cantonal Institute of Pathology. Numbers of certified deaths were abstracted from the registries of the Swiss Federal Office of Statistics. RESULTS: The age-standardized (world population) incidence was 1.6/100,000 males and 0.7/100,000 females for EGC (sex ratio: 2.3) and 19.8/100,000 males and 9.1/100,000 females for GC (sex ratio: 2.2). Age- and sex-specific incidence rates for GC and for EGC showed similar distribution patterns. Mortality rates from GC declined over the period considered by about 20% in both sexes, while incidence rates decreased by only about 7%, suggesting diminished lethality. There was a slight increase in EGC incidence, which was restricted to men younger than 65 years and women older than 64 years. CONCLUSIONS: EGC incidence rates were less than 10% of advanced gastric cancer incidence rates for both sexes and most age groups. Early and advanced gastric cancer had similar age and sex distributions. The downward trend in GC lethality over 1981-1990 was not entirely explained by the increase in the incidence of EGC.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Protothecosis in an HIV-positive patient.

This is the first report of localized tendosynovial human protothecosis in an HIV-positive host. The lesion appeared as a nodule in the extensor face of the thumb. A simple excision was performed, and histology confirmed numerous granulomas, some with central fibrinoid necrosis. Enormous numbers of prototheca were found in periodic acid-Schiff and Gömöri methenamine silver strains, evidencing endosporulation with diagnostic morula- or daisy-like sporangia. The presence of prototheca species was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence with the specific conjugate. The cellular response estimated by the relative number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma cells was minimal, although granuloma formation was unaffected. The infective agents were found either extracellular or harbored by macrophages and giant cells.

Fluorescent Antibody Technique↗
PubMed1994

Treatment and prognosis of centrocytic (mantle cell) lymphoma: a retrospective analysis of twenty-six patients treated in one institution.

We retrospectively attempted to analyse prognostic factors in a group of 26 patients with centrocytic lymphomas (CCL) treated from 1979 to 1991 (representing 7% of all cases of NHL diagnosed in our institution during that period). Ten of the patients were females and 16 males, and their median age at diagnosis was 69 years (range 38-85). The majority of patients (77%) had advanced disease (Ann Arbor stage III-IV) at presentation. Twenty-two patients (85%) had good performance status (0-1 ECOG). B-symptoms were present in 10 cases. Most patients (87%) presented with generalized adenopathies. Bone marrow involvement was observed in 12 patients (46%) and Waldeyer's ring involvement in 5 (4 of them with stage I-II). In 5 cases the liver was involved and 3 pts had gastrointestinal localizations; 15 patients had more than 2 sites of disease: LDH elevation was observed in 8/24 pts. Fourteen patients (54%) received single-agent chlorambucil (3 pts) or CVP (11 pts). Eleven patients were treated with ADM-containing regimens (7 with CHOP or M-ACOD and 4 with 3rd generation regimens). One patient had radiotherapy alone. The complete response (CR) rate was 50% (13/26); 8 patients relapsed with a median time to progression of 19 months, and only 3 responded to salvage treatment. The median overall survival was 33 months, with fewer than 40% of patients surviving longer than 3 years. At univariate analysis the use of ADM-containing regimens seems significantly correlated with the CR rate (p = 0.047), the failure-free survival (p = 0.023), and the overall survival (p = 0.004).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Localized fibrous tumor of the pleura. 2 case reports and differential diagnoses].

The localized fibrous tumors of the pleura are rare neoplasms, also known as "benign pleural fibromas" or "localized mesotheliomas", but those names are inaccurate. The tumors are composed of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, intermediate and differentiated fibroblasts and collagenous interstitial tissue. Their origin is normally the submesothelial layer of the visceral pleura. Mesothelial differentiation is not present. The grading of malignancy doesn't correlate with final outcome, adequacy of surgical excision being the most important factor. This neoplasm may recur but retain its basical histologic features. The positive results for vimentin and negative results for cytokeratin antibodies help to distinguish the localized fibrous tumors from the mesothelioma. We present too cases and their diagnostic possibilities.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Pneumatosis intestinalis: a rare and difficult problem].

We present a case of a 74-year-old-woman who developed 3 episodes of intestinal pneumatosis, 2 times complicated by pneumoperitoneum, with consequent lethal outcome after 4 months. Intestinal pneumatosis, according to the literature, is a difficult and rare problem, associated with a large number of current diseases, can be complicated by pneumoperitoneum, mostly without clear etiology, whose treatment remains empirical (antibiotics, O2-therapy), not excluded laparotomy, if the clinical situation requires it.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Castleman's disease].

A 17-year-old girl developed acute colicky periumbilical pain with haematuria. On examination a tightly elastic space-occupying lesion about 10 cm in diameter was palpable around the umbilicus. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was raised to 113 mm in the first hour. There was a microcytic anaemia (8.7 g/dl) and a positive Coombs test. Ultrasonography revealed a periumbilical space-occupying lesion of decreased echogenicity and left hydronephrosis. Computed tomography demonstrated a homogeneous noninfiltrative tumour, about 7 cm in diameter, with increased contrast medium concentration. The tumour, which was covered by peritoneum and well circumscribed, was excised from the base of the mesentery. Histologically it proved to have hyaline-sclerotic changes in the blood vessels and lymphoid and plasma cellular infiltrations, corresponding to a mixed form of Castleman's disease. In a second operation a left nephroureterectomy was performed. The kidney, the regional lymph nodes and the tissue which had caused the stenosis of the ureter all showed the same changes as the tumour. Postoperatively the ESR and the blood count became normal, but the Coombs test remained positive. During a subsequent pregnancy the ESR again rose. The patient has remained symptom-free for 38 months after the second operation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Retroperitoneal fibrosis and portal hypertension].

A patient is described in whom retroperitoneal fibrosis manifested itself by bleeding from ruptured varices and pain in the left flank and lumbar region. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by axial computerized tomography and MRI, while the histology from a mesenteric biopsy taken during splenectomy was considered insufficiently consistent with the diagnosis of retroperitoneal fibrosis. Treatment with prednisone resulted in relief of lumbar and flank pain a well as in prevention of further digestive tract hemorrhage. A review of the literature since 1966 shows 16 articles describing the association of retroperitoneal fibrosis and portal hypertension manifesting itself by hemorrhage from bleeding varices.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Case report of spontaneous splenic rupture in splenoma].

We report one case of splenoma, a rare benign tumor of the spleen. Initial symptoms were repeated attacks of tail pancreatitis, that led to splenectomy for spontaneous splenic rupture. Splenomas may be asymptomatic or cause haematologic symptoms. Recently their association with neoplastic and haematologic disorders has been emphasized. Therefore such diseases must be ruled out when a splenoma is diagnosed.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Effect of adrenergic agents on hematopoiesis after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation in mice.

We show that adrenergic agents modulate hematopoietic reconstitution after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in mice. Chemical sympathectomy by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) significantly increased the number of peripheral blood leukocytes after syngeneic BMT. The alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin mimicked and extended the effect of 6-OHDA, with an additional rapid and significant increase of platelets, marrow granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units, and nucleated spleen cells. Differential leukocyte counts and spleen histology from prazosin-treated mice confirmed that myelopoiesis was greatly enhanced and accelerated. In contrast, the beta-adrenergic blocker propranolol abolished the prazosin-induced increase of platelets. The detailed mechanisms by which prazosin exerts these interesting effects remain to be elucidated.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Fatal voluntary poisoning by parenteral paraquat].

Paraquat is a potent herbicide, very toxic in the concentrated liquid form as supplied to farmers. Suicidal poisoning represents a serious emergency with a known high mortality rate. Suicidal poisoning following the parenteral route has been rarely reported. A 16-year-old girl was admitted to our emergency unit after subcutaneous injection of gramoxone 20% (about 400 mg of paraquat). Despite immediate surgical excision and revision, and subsequent antioxidant treatment with N-acetylcysteine (400 mg/kg/day during 48 hours), she died 17 days later from refractory hypoxemia following pulmonary fibrosis. From this observation and from the literature, it appears that an effective treatment does not depend on changes in the toxicokinetics of the herbicide (hemoperfusion, antidotes, drugs).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Lymphocytic gastritis].

Lymphocytic gastritis is characterised by an accumulation of lymphocytes in the epithelium of the gastric mucosa. This form accounts for 4.5% of chronic B-gastritis and manifests itself by dyspepsia, anorexia and weight loss. The course is benign, as 12 of 19 patients recovered within 24 to 36 months in Haot's studies. Macroscopically it appears with nodules, erosions, thickened mucosal folds, or diffuse varioliform pattern. The gastric corpus is preferentially involved. The etiology is unknown. Some authors have hypothesized an abnormal immune response to a local antigen, i.e. Campylobacter pylori.

Dyspepsia↗
PubMed1987

Cerebral distribution of beta-lipotropin and beta-endorphin in infantile progressive spinal muscular atrophy of Werdnig and Hoffman disease.

The regional distribution's profile of beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) was determined in the brain of an infant who died from Werdnig-Hoffmann's disease. Regional levels of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (beta-ELIR), resulting from beta-EP and beta-LPH, were generally low in comparison to the homologous levels found in victims dying of other diseases.

Brain Chemistry↗