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Biomedical subjects

G Atzei

Publications and source records attributed to G Atzei.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

TNFalpha expression in hyperplastic endometrium.

PROBLEM: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) is produced by the endometrium, and it has been shown that this cytokine has cyclic variations through the menstrual cycle. METHOD OF STUDY: In this study we assessed TNFalpha, estradiol and progesterone levels in the endometrium and serum of 21 patients with recent abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Eleven women showed histological diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia, and ten women showed normal endometrium. RESULTS: The TNFalpha value in the serum of patients with hyperplasia and in normal endometrium did not show significant differences (64.8 +/- 21.4 vs 77.6 +/- 14.8 pg). The amounts of TNFalpha released by hyperplastic endometrial tissue were significantly higher than in control patients (258.8 +/- 78.0 vs 140.6 +/- 79.8 pg/g; P < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry of hyperplastic endometria showed a stronger staining than normal ones. Serum E2 levels in patients with hyperplastic endometrium were 49.5 +/- 31.6 ng/mL, and in controls were 107.3 +/- 66.0 ng/mL. The levels of estradiol released by hyperplastic endometria were significantly lower than in normal endometria (152.7 +/- 60.0 vs 279.9 +/- 178.7 ng/g; P < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperplastic endometria produce higher amounts of TNFalpha with respect to controls. These findings may explain the frequent bleeding observed in the patients with endometrial hyperplasia, since TNFalpha promotes apoptosis and endometrial shedding.

Endometrial Hyperplasia↗
PubMed1997

Gamma camera imaging of osseous metastatic lesions by strontium-89 bremsstrahlung.

The aim of this study was to optimise the parameters affecting the Bremsstrahlung scintigraphy of patients injected with strontium-89 chloride. The parameters considered were : (1) instrumental detection efficiency, and (2) tissue attenuation factor for 89Sr calibrated sources, which permit quantitative evaluation of the activity in a given bone lesion. Some typical examples of in vivo 89Sr imaging are presented to illustrate the clinical utility of the imaging procedure developed by us, which is implemented in our department for all patients treated with 89Sr chloride.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed1997

Gelastic epilepsy: video-EEG, MRI and SPECT characteristics.

Gelastic epilepsy, or ictal laughter, is a relatively uncommon type of seizure which may occur singly or, more frequently, with other types of convulsions. Gelastic seizures have been observed to be associated with many different conditions, mainly hypothalamic hamartomas. We report on a patient whose ictal laughter was the only neurologic disturbance. Ictal video-EEG demonstrated seizure arising from the left frontal region with subsequent involvement of the contralateral homologous area and secondary generalization. MRI showed an enlarged left frontal horn of the lateral ventricle. Postictal SPECT, performed 6 min after the seizure had ended, showed hypoperfusion in the bilateral frontoparietal region and in both cerebellar hemispheres; the presence of this abnormality may be due to the spreading of the cortical epileptogenic focus and to the complex intercommunication between the frontal cortex and the cerebellar hemispheres. Interictal SPECT, in accordance with MRI features, demonstrated a left frontoparietal hypoperfusion. The neurofunctional features observed in the reported child could suggest that gelastic epilepsy originates in the frontal cortex. However, further studies are undoubtedly needed to define the pathogenetic mechanisms of ictal laughter.

Brain↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neuronal migrational disorders in children with epilepsy: MRI, interictal SPECT and EEG comparisons.

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is being increasingly used in the investigation of children with epilepsy and may provide insights into congenital malformations. We analyzed the interictal 99Tc-HMPAO-SPECT in a series of seven children with developmental disorders of the neocortex, each of them representing a prototype of cerebral dysgenesis, such as lissencephaly, pachygyria, opercular dysplasia, polymicrogyria, nodular heterotopia and band heterotopia. The patients studied were selected among 22 epileptic children with neuronal migrational disorders (NMDs). Interictal SPECT hypoperfusion was observed in the area homologous to MRI findings in all the examined children. In three patients low perfusion was also present in the opposite hemisphere, probably due to functional involvement or related to an underlying microdysgenesis, not revealed by structural imaging. EEG features were in agreement with low perfusion areas, both anatomically and functionally, in all children. In one patient hypoperfusion area differed from that revealed by MRI and EEG. Ictal SPECT has been considered a useful tool for accurately locating the epileptic focus. Nevertheless, interictal brain perfusion studies, together with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, may play an important role in detecting anatomic substrate in developmental disorders of the neocortex.

Cell Movement↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Renal cell carcinoma detection and systemic therapy with tumour-affine gallium-67 and with yttrium-90 citrate solutions.

BACKGROUND: There have been no major advances in the systemic detection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its unpredictable metastases. Surgery, thus, remains the mainstay of the curative treatment for the localized disease. The propose of the present study has been to systemically detect and treat advanced RCC respectively with Ga-67 and Y-90 radiopharmaceuticals containing tumour-affine species. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three RCC patients were imaged with Tc-99m-MDP and then with Ga-67 citrate solution in order to detect RCC and its metastases. Yttrium-90 citrate solution, containing the radionuclide species chromatographically and electrophoretically identical to those in RCC-affine Ga-67 solution, was administered i.v. for systemic therapy of advanced RCC. Total-body distribution of Y-90 was studied with a gamma-camera equipped with an ultra-high-sensitivity collimator. The efficacy of the therapy was studied by the clinical condition of the patient and by the total-body scintigraphic imaging with Tc-99m-MDP and with Ga-67 citrate solution. RESULTS: Ga-67 detects RCC bone metastases better than Tc-99m-MDP. Systemic therapy of RCC metastasized to bones, lung and brain was obtained with RCC-affine Y-90 citrate solution. CONCLUSIONS: Third group metal radionuclides, Ga-67 and Y-90, detect and treat advanced RCC.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Advanced prostate cancer diagnosis and therapy with gallium-67 and yttrium-90, respectively.

BACKGROUND: Androgen deprivation therapy remains so far the mainstay of advanced prostate cancer treatment. Although it improves the quality of life of the patient for some time, the disease progresses and soon it becomes hormonally unresponsive. The object of our research has been to find a systemic therapy for prostate cancer patients whose disease no longer responds to hormone therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one advanced prostate cancer patients with intense bone metastasis pain, bed ridden, and with permanent urinary catheter were first examined with Ga-67 and then treated with Y-90 solutions which were chromatographically and electrophoretically analysed for the presence of both cationic and anionic species of the radionuclide. The quality of life and prostate specific antigen (PSA values) values were followed for testing the success of the therapy. RESULTS: Prostate cancer-affine Y-90 cured the advanced prostate cancer patients who regained their normal life. The uptake of the radionuclide in the primary cancer and its metastases responsible for the treatment has been confirmed by scintigraphy. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate cancer-affine Y-90 solution, containing stable cationic and anionic species of the radionuclide, is effective in the cure of advanced prostate cancer patients.

Aged↗