Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to F Coppi.
The best knowledge of the biological and genetic mechanism involved in the process of metastasizing must determine the attempt of elaborating new therapeutical modalities. The authors show the sequential events of the metastasizing process based on the most recent theories, underlining the way the organotropism of the neoplastic cells can be the explanation of the otherwise inexplicable metastases.
The authors briefly illustrate some biological and epidemiologic characteristics of the malignant urologic tumors; then they describe the modalities of metastasizing underlining that this process is determined not only by hematic and lymphatic dissemination but also by sequential and complex events "metastatic fall", involving multiple guest-tumor intersections to the organotropism of the neoplastic cells and to their intrinsic aggressiveness and to the histological type of tumor. Afterwards the authors analytically analyze the most important malignant neoplasms of the urogenital apparatus either as clinical importance or as statistic incidence.
The Author describes the etiopathogenetic and histological aspects of leukoplakia in comparison with the squamous metaplasia of vaginal type (trigonal leukoplakia). They present a description both under anatomic and clinic point of view to achieve a correct diagnostic and therapeutical assessment to give a standardization of the term "leukoplakia" which is often referred for different pathologies.
The question of a familial predisposition towards stone formation in primary nephrolithiasis has not been explored completely. In a sample of 214 calcium stone patients, and 428 age and sex-matched controls we observed a higher frequency of stones among the first degree relatives of stone patients compared to the relatives of controls. A family history of renal stones was more common among the female (45 per cent) than among the male patients (31 per cent). There was no relationship between family history of renal stones, and abnormal calcium and oxalate excretion rates. A significant association between a family history and a higher urinary pH was observed among the female calcium stone patients. A genetic defect in urinary acidification with variable expressivity might be associated with a high frequency of stone formation. Moreover, uric acid excretion was higher in male stone patients with a family history of stones. Finally, the parents and siblings of the renal stone patients were affected more by calculi than were the corresponding relatives of their spouses.
We studied the effect of oral Bacillus subtilis spore administration in a group of 95 patients with stones-associated recurrent urinary tract infections. There was a significant reduction in the frequency of infection episodes in the group treated with Bacillus subtilis spores plus antibiotics (treated group) compared with the group treated with antibiotics alone (controls). Urinary pH decreased significantly in the treated group compared with the controls. Patients with stone disease in situ had a worse prognosis. The immunomodulatory and stabilizing effect of Bacillus subtilis spores on the intestinal flora is probably responsible for this improvement.