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Biomedical subjects

F Giuliani

Publications and source records attributed to F Giuliani.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-I (sICAM-I) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of demyelinating diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system.

Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-I (ICAM-I) levels were evaluated (ELISA) in 22 untreated and 13 corticosteroid-treated active relapsing remitting (RR) Multiple Sclerosis (MS), in 10 untreated and 10 corticosteroid-treated Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and in 17 non-inflammatory neurological diseases (NIND). Twenty-eight clinically inactive RR MS were assayed for serum sICAM-I before and after 3 months treatment of 8 MIU rIFN beta-Ib taken s.c. every other day. High sICAM-I serum levels above the NIND values were found in untreated clinically active MS and in untreated GBS (P < 0.05) but not in the untreated clinically inactive MS group. The active MS group showed significantly (P = 0.0001) higher sICAM-I serum levels if compared to the inactive group. Corticosteroid-treated active MS and GBS patients showed lower (P < 0.05) serum sICAM-I levels than the corresponding untreated groups. Serum sICAM-I levels after 3 months of rIFN beta-Ib treatment (P < 0.0001, paired t-test) resulted increased compared to pretreatment values in MS. The mean values of CSF/serum sICAM-I:CSF/serum Albumin ratios (sICAM-I Index) in active untreated MS patients were higher compared to NIND (P < 0.005) and to corticosteroid-treated MS group (P = 0.01). sICAM Index values in GBS did not differ from those in NIND. The results seem to suggest potential roles for serum sICAM-I in downregulating the ongoing inflammatory response at the blood-brain barrier level and for CSF sICAM-I in the maintenance of a central nervous system local immune response.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1998

Serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-I in MS: relation to clinical and Gd-MRI activity and to rIFN beta-Ib treatment.

The validity of serum sICAM-I levels to assess Multiple Sclerosis (MS) activity was evaluated in 49 untreated definite relapsing-remitting (RR) patients. sICAM-I levels were significantly (P = 0.0009) higher in the 'clinically active' group (No 22) than in the 'clinically inactive' (No 27), whereas no different values were found between patients with Gd-enhancing lesions at MRI (Gd-positive) (No 32) and patients without such lesions (Gd-negative) (No 17) independently of their clinical activity. Among the 'clinically active' MS, the Gd-positive (No 16) subgroup showed significant (P < 0.05) lower sICAM-I levels when compared to the Gd-negative (No 6) subgroup, but higher (P = 0.009) than those of the 'clinically inactive Gd-positive' (No 16) patients. The sICAM-I levels did not differ between the two 'clinically inactive' subgroups Gd-positive (No 16) and Gd-negative (No 11). Finally the clinically active Gd-negative (No 6) showed sICAM-I levels higher (P = 0.002) than the clinically inactive Gd-negative (No 11). The specificity of high serum sICAM-I levels (above M +/- 2 s.d. of control values) to assess the disease activity in MS resulted higher (100%) using clinical than Gd-MRI activity (76%) as gold standard. The changes induced by 1 year recombinant Interferon-beta-Ib (rIFN beta-Ib) treatment on sICAM-I serum levels were also longitudinally investigated in 36 of the 49 RR MS. sICAM-I levels at baseline significantly increased in the first 2 months (baseline vs 1st month P < 0.0001 and 1st vs 2nd month P = 0.02), persisted at high levels without any significant change after 3 months, showed a temporary decrease at 6 months, then significantly increased again at 9 and 12 months. Fourteen patients experienced relapses, with a total of 20 relapses, during the whole treatment duration. The mean relapse/rate and the frequency of patients with Gd-positive MRI scans resulted significantly higher in the first semester compared to the second semester of treatment. This study adds further insights into the validity of serum sICAM-I to assess disease activity in MS and on the immunomodulatory properties of rIFN beta-Ib.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1998

[Radio-surgical-histological procedure in the diagnosis and management of non-palpable breast lesions, suspected from mammography: experience of "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" Hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo].

The almost 4-year long experience of the IRCCS--"Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" hospital (FG, Italy) dealing with 165 nonpalpable breast lesions mammographically detected is herein presented. According to a protocol based on the previously as well as relatively recent described guidelines for the clinico-pathological management of such lesions, the authors underline the necessity of a strict cooperation between the radiologist, the surgeon and the pathologist. They also emphasize the perspectives derived from such a new impact, among which the most impressive is the handling and sampling of this relatively new type of material with lesions which only rarely are grossly palpable ("pseudononpalpable lesions"), whilst often they are truly non palpable being of minute sizes ("microlesions") and even grossly "invisible" ("quasi-normal fibrofatty tissue"). Of note as consequences derived from the strict adherence to this type of protocol which anyone should adhere to there are also a decrease of frozen section diagnoses, a global increase in the surgical pathology lab workload, the ban for taking away any tissue from the lesion or from the area of concern for special studies, the technical approach to the identification of microcalcifications when they are present, the new questions & answers concerning with the completeness and the adequacy of excision, the state of surgical margins of the excised specimens, and the possible existence of residual in situ or infiltrating disease. The results herein presented area in consonance with those from other institutions so confirming the high incidence both of borderline lesions and in situ malignancies (overall incidence around 28%) and of the early and minute invasive cancers (44%) usually of favourable histological types, among truly nonpalpable breast lesions.

Breast↗
PubMed1996

Detection of genotoxic activity in native hospital waste water by the umuC test.

The genotoxic potential of the waste water of a hospital was evaluated by the umuC test. Within 2 years over 800 native waste water samples were analysed. Genotoxic activity was found in 13% of the samples. The highest genotoxic activity occurred in the morning hours, but genotoxic samples were detected also during the day and at night. 96% of the genotoxic waste water samples revealed a genotoxic potential without growth inhibition of test bacteria monitored as OD600, in the same way as antineoplastic drugs like mitomycin C or cisplatin. 4% of the genotoxic waste water samples showed combined cytotoxic and genotoxic activities as seen in control experiments using glutaraldehyde containing disinfectants and certain antibiotics.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1995

Efficacy of the association of folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil alone versus folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil plus 4-epidoxorubicin in the treatment of advanced gastric carcinoma.

A total of 71 patients with advanced gastric carcinoma were randomized to receive either folinic acid + fluorouracil (arm A) or the same combination with the addition of 4-epidoxorubicin (arm B). Of the 62 evaluable patients (31 in both arms), six patients achieved a CR (10%) and 16 a PR (25.5%) with an overall response rate of 35.5% (29% in arm A and 42% in arm B; p = .28). Median duration of response was 6 and 7 months for arm A and B, respectively (p = .6). Responder patients showed a significantly better median survival duration than nonresponders (p = .01); in arm B the median survival duration was 16 months for responder patients in contrast to 7 months for nonresponders (p = .004). Toxicity was mild without significant differences between the two groups. There was one death due to hematological toxicity (arm A). The EPI-FA-FU combination appears effective and well tolerated with the additional advantage of being able to be administered in the outpatient clinic.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Primary amyloid tumor of the breast. Case report and review of the literature].

Along with an introductory summary concerning practically with all types of amyloidoses the authors report on a case of a primary amyloid tumor in a female patient, which resulted the eight after a computer-assisted literature search. Amyloid deposits in the breast represent an extremely rare event, which has been described in three clinical settings, in patients with reactive or secondary amyloidosis, in patients with immunocytic amyloidosis (this term including both the so-called primary form and the myeloma-associated form), and finally even in patients who are well and otherwise asymptomatic. Amyloid deposits in the breast can occur in the course of a systemic involvement as well as in form of a localized or organ-limited disease ("amyloid tumor"). Further the latter form is qualified as a "secondary amyloid tumor" (in those patients affected by certain neoplastic diseases, plasmacellular or non plasmacellular, or by a chronic infectious-inflammatory-dysreactive process) or as a " primary amyloid tumor" in those who are found free of any disease and of any other amyloid deposits. The case the authors report on deals with a lady who was admitted due to a breast lump which mammographically was thought suspicious for malignancy by virtue of a cluster of variously sized microcalcifications. At histology the lesion was diagnosed as an amyloid deposit on special stains and disclosed of the AL type with Congo red stain on sections previously treated with KMn04, according to standard methods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amyloidosis↗
PubMed1994

Sequential treatment with high-dose methotrexate and fluorouracil in advanced colorectal cancer. Experience of the Southern Italian Oncology Group (GOIM).

A total of 101 patients with advanced colorectal cancer in two consecutive Southern Italian Oncology Groups (GOIM) studies (8501 and 8801--arm A) were treated with a sequential combination of high dose methotrexate (HDMTX) and fluorouracil (FU). Of the 92 eligible patients, 2 achieved complete response (2%) and 27 partial response (30%), with a median duration of 7 months. When classified according to the time interval between administration of the two drugs, retrospective analysis showed significant improvement (p = 0.04) in overall survival in the shorter time interval group (6 hours). The observed toxicities were generally mild and transient. Our data confirm the efficacy of the synergism between the two chemotherapeutic agents, in particular when administered with a 6-hour interval. Further studies are necessary to establish the possibility of enhancing the efficacy of sequential treatment with the modulation of FU with high-dose folinic acid.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Interpretation of laboratory data related to the determination of tumor markers].

The Authors consider the quantity of CEA-AFP-MCA-CA 125 measurements performed by their laboratory during ten months in 1989-90: 1.000 for CEA, 500 for AFP, 52 for MCA, 36 for CA 125. The observation of scarce significance (especially for CEA and AFP) has, in this case, only a statistical sense, depending on the unknown motivation of the analysis requests. They also observe greater significance of MCA and CA 125 measurements, and they underline the necessity to correlate requests, clinical situations and results, according on their peculiar purpose: to verify the reliability of the demands in order to value the validity of the markers, avoiding useless and not specific data for a better monitoring of the neoplastic patient.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1992

[The pre- and postoperative and follow-up use of the tumor markers MCA, CA-125 and CA-19-9].

The paper describes the authors' personal experience of the use of tumour markers, above all during postoperative follow-up as well as during the evaluation of the response to adjuvant and other forms of chemotherapy. The authors affirm that the use of these markers is fundamental for a correct evaluation and rapid treatment, above all in the identification and treatment of recidivation.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1990

In vitro activity of 4'-iodo-4'-deoxydoxorubicin on human colo-rectal cancer as measured by a short-term antimetabolic assay.

A short-term antimetabolic assay based upon the inhibition of incorporation of nucleic acid precursors was used to compare the cytotoxicity of a new halogenated anthracycline, 4'-iodo-4'-deoxydoxorubicin (IDX), with that of its parent compound doxorubicin (DX) on human colo-rectal carcinoma specimens. IDX showed a marked dose-dependent effect, with frequencies of activity consistently greater than those of DX at all concentrations. The minimal dose required to induce a significant antimetabolic effect for IDX was 1/10 that for DX.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1990

Comparative effects of doxorubicin and 4'-epi-doxorubicin on nucleic acid metabolism and cytotoxicity in a human tumor cell line.

The effects of 4'-epi-doxorubicin (4'E-Dx) and doxorubicin (Dx) on cell survival were investigated after treatments for 1 or 24 h. It was found that after short-term exposure, 4'E-Dx causes a higher level of killing than Dx, whereas a similar cytotoxic response is detectable after 24 h. Under the same experimental conditions (treatment for 1 or 24 h) at equimolar concentrations, the two anthracyclines were equally inhibitory to DNA or RNA synthesis. Both the degree and the rate of induction of DNA strand breakage over a 1-h drug exposure were higher for 4'E-Dx than for Dx. These data were related to results of experiments carried out to investigate the rates of uptake and egress of the anthracyclines. From this study we concluded that no relationship can be established between the cytotoxicity of 4'E-Dx and Dx and their ability to inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis. In addition, the different DNA-damaging action of the two drugs does not appear to be solely dependent on the different rates of cellular uptake.

Cell Survival↗
PubMed1990

New biosynthetic anthracyclines related to barminomycins incorporating barbiturates in their moiety.

Three new anthracyclines, FCE 21424 (2), FCE 24366 (3) and FCE 24367 (4), were isolated from culture broths of Streptomyces peucetius and its mutant strains after addition of sodium barbiturates during the fermentation. Structural assignment, achieved through spectroscopic and degradative studies, that the new anthracyclines had a common barminomycin-like structure incorporating different barbiturate moieties. The new anthracyclines were found to display outstanding cytotoxicity and remarkable potency "in vivo" against P388 ascitic leukemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Gallopamil and chlorthalidone versus atenolol and chlorthalidone in the treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in patients with arterial hypertension: polycardiographic evaluation of the systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle].

In 13 patients, affected by hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) and essential hypertension, antihypertensive-efficacy and effects of a new calcium-channel blocker (gallopamil) associated with a diuretic agent (chlorthalidone) on left ventricular systolic and diastolic performance assessed by phonocardiographic methods. The results were compared to those obtained, in the same group of patients, with a selective beta-blocker (atenolol) associated with the same diuretic agent (chlorthalidone). With both therapeutic regimens a statistically significant reduction of systolic and diastolic arterial pressure was observed; both agents were able to reduce hemodynamic gradient in systole which characterize HOCM; however, the treatment with gallopamil plus chlorthalidone determined greater effects on left ventricular diastolic function as compared to the treatment with atenolol plus chlorthalidone; both treatments determined bradycardia.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Biochemical and biological activity of the anthracycline analog, 4-demethyl-6-O-methyl-doxorubicin.

The chromophore-modified derivative of doxorubicin, 4-demethyl-6-O-methyl-doxorubicin, has been tested for antitumor activity in a range of experimental murine tumor systems. In contrast to the inactive 6-O-methyl derivative of daunorubicin, 4-demethyl-6-O-methyl-doxorubicin provided antitumor effects comparable to that of the parent compound. In addition, detailed DNA-interaction studies showed that the doxorubicin derivative retains the ability to bind DNA by the intercalation mechanism. However, the binding affinity was appreciably reduced following structural modification in the anthraquinone chromophore. On the basis of the proposed models of intercalation, these results could be rationalized in terms of steric influence of the bulky methoxy group. The results of this study are in agreement with the correlation already observed between DNA binding and relative antitumor activity of anthracyclines.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Analysis of free growth and post-treatment regrowth of C3H mammary carcinoma in individual mice.

Free growth and post-Doxorubicin treatment regrowth of the C3H mammary carcinoma were analysed in individual mice. In both cases, the Gompertzian function provided a better fit than the exponential function, and the difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.001, chi 2 test). No comprehensive Gompertzian function was found, and each individual tumour growth or regrowth was described by a specific curve. Nevertheless, although both individually measured alpha 0 and beta, Gompertzian parameters varied from one animal to another, in both free-growing and post-treatment regrowing tumours a strong linear correlation between alpha 0 and beta was found. A parallelism test was performed to verify if there exists any treatment-induced alteration. The two regression lines appeared to be identical, however.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Comparison of antitumor effects of daunorubicin covalently linked to poly-L-amino acid carriers.

Daunorubicin was covalently linked to poly-L-aspartic and poly-L-lysine of different molecular weights via the methylketone side-chain of the drug by the use of a method that employs the 14-bromo derivative of the antibiotic. During reaction ester and C-N linkages were formed with poly-L-aspartic acid and poly-L-lysine respectively. Whereas a reduction of drug toxicity was observed with both types of conjugate, only the linking to the anionic polymer produced an enhancement of drug activity. In contrast, when drug was covalently attached to poly-L-lysine, cytotoxic activity and in vivo potency and efficacy were markedly reduced. The different therapeutic properties of these conjugates can be explained in terms of the different nature and stability of chemical bonds formed between the drug and the amino groups and carboxyl functions of the polyamino acid carrier.

Animals↗