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Biomedical subjects

E Usai

Publications and source records attributed to E Usai.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The effect of androgen blockade on pulsatile gonadotrophin release and LH response to naloxone.

In order to clarify the effects of androgen blockade on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in man, four patients with advanced prostate cancer, not previously treated, were given oral flutamide, 250 mg three times daily for 9 days. Before, and 7, 8 and 9 days after starting flutamide treatment, on separate days, the following tests were performed: a gonadotrophin pulsatility study, with 20 min interval blood sampling for 12 h, a naloxone test and a GnRH test. Flutamide induced a significant increase in both LH and FSH pulse frequency, while pulse amplitudes and plasma integrated concentrations (IC) of LH and FSH were unaffected. Plasma integrated concentrations of testosterone and oestradiol rose significantly, while that of prolactin was unaffected. The increase in plasma LH concentration induced by naloxone injection was abolished by flutamide treatment. On the other hand, the small FSH response to naloxone was unaffected by flutamide treatment. Response to GnRH was unaffected by flutamide. These results suggest that flutamide exerts effective androgen blockade at the hypothalamic level, since, despite increased plasma testosterone concentrations, gonadotrophin pulse frequency increased and the LH response to naloxone was abolished.

Anilides↗

Cytogenetics of bladder cancer: rearrangements of the short arm of chromosome 11.

The presence of nonrandom chromosomal defects has been reported in a number of leukemias, lymphomas, and solid tumors. Primary karyotypic changes have been described in bladder carcinoma. We report the finding of chromosomal derivative markers 11 in three cases of bladder cancer. These markers were observed in all interpretable metaphases obtained by a direct method. The involvement of the short arm of chromosome 11 in the carcinogenetic process is discussed.

Aged↗

Identification of marker chromosomes in bladder tumor.

Sequential staining with Giemsa and quinacrine mustard on direct cytogenetic preparations was employed to characterize the karyotype of five bladder tumors of different stage and grade (TNM classification). The use of QFQ-banding allowed: the characterization of 2 euploid and 1 pseudodiploid cases, and the identification, in the two hyperdiploid cases, of a number of rearranged chromosomes otherwise morphologically indistinguishable from the normal ones. The importance of banding technique on direct cytogenetic preparations is stressed.

Adult↗

Derivative 11 marker chromosome in bladder carcinoma.

Cytogenetic studies on bladder carcinomas from two patients were carried out on preparations obtained by a direct method. The chromosome mode was 49 and 55, respectively. Several karyotypic changes were found in the tumors. Moreover, the analysis of Q-banded chromosomes revealed the presence in both cases of a chromosome 11p+. These rearranged chromosomes showed a very similar banding pattern. The finding of a der(11) chromosome marker in two patients is intriguing, and suggests the possibility of nonrandom chromosome changes in bladder carcinoma, as already found in other kinds of tumors. The occurrence of chromosome #11 aberrations in tumors of the urinary tract is discussed in connection with the current theories on oncogenesis.

Aged↗

Necrotizing emphysematous pyelonephritis: a case report.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EP) is comparatively rare in urological practice. From 1898 to the present time only 45 cases have been described. In this report we describe the case of a 43-year old diabetic man, with right EP without obstruction of the urinary tract and with a urinary infection of E. Coli. This appears to be rather rare as it is more frequently associated with obstruction of the urinary tract. Surgical exploration enabled us to discover a fistula between the kidney and the wall of the vena cava which would have caused fatal complications if it had not been discovered. The micro-organisms more frequently involved were E. Coli, Proteus, Aerobacter and various anaerobes. Mortality has been reported as 75% in patients receiving medical therapy only and 23% in those undergoing surgery. The authors therefore believe that surgical exploration even with no urinary tract obstruction makes it possible to detect complicating pathologies which may remain undiscovered by medical examination and the urinary excretory tract and renal sheath drained. This provides a better opportunity of estimating possible reversibility of the renal lesion.

Adult↗

Fine structure of the epithelium of the human ejaculatory duct.

Normal human ejaculatory ducts were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The lumen, which shows an irregular shape due to complex mucosal folds, is lined by a simple secretory epithelium. A strong cell polymorphism has been observed concerning cell height, nuclear shape, and amount of secretory organelles. Apart from small differences, the epithelium appears to be identical to that of the seminal vesicle and deferential ampulla. These observations demonstrate that the human ejaculatory duct is not only a passage for semen, but also contributes to its formation.

Aged↗

The ampulla ductus deferentis in man, as viewed by SEM and TEM.

The epithelium of the human ampulla consists of rare basal cells and a single type of principal (secretory) cells. The principal cells, which vary in height from cuboidal to columnar, often have conical or club shaped apical portions projecting and bulging into the lumen. Their cytoplasm contains an abundant rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, numerous mitochondria, and many lipopigment granules. The Golgi apparatus is well developed and originates the secretory vacuoles which are discharged by exocytosis. Though the majority of nuclei are ovoid, deeply fissured or even lobated nuclei are not uncommon. The basal cells are small, nonsecretory cells, whose cytoplasm shows numerous filaments having a diameter of 55 A. The lumen contains masses of amorphous secretions and some spermatozoa. The human ampulla is a gland endowed with the same morphological features as those of the seminal vesicles.

Adult↗

[Histochemical studies of the epithelium of the human ampulla ductus deferentis].

Human ampullary epithelium contains numerous apical granules, which show a strong P.A.S. reaction, but do not stain with methods for acid mucins. No glycogen is detected. Acid phosphatase and non-specific esterase are localized in granules, scattered within the cytoplasm, while peroxidase activity is not demonstrable. The significance of these results is discussed.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Histochemical demonstration of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, D-sorbitol dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase in human ampulla ductus deferentis.

A cytochemical study on the localization of the enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase was carried out in human ampullary glands. Although the former two enzymes showed a marked reactivity, alkaline phosphatase was absent from epithelial cells. On the basis of these results it is concluded that, as in the human seminal vesicle, in the ampullary gland fructose is probably secreted via the oxidative mechanism proposed by Hers (Le Metabolisme du Fructose. Bruxelles, Arscia, 1957).

Alkaline Phosphatase↗