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Biomedical subjects

G Borroni

Publications and source records attributed to G Borroni.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Reactive angioendotheliomatosis in an infant.

Reactive cutaneous angioendotheliomatosis (RCA) is an uncommon benign disease characterized by intravascular proliferation of endothelial cells. The observation of RCA in infants is exceedingly rare. We describe a case of RCA in a 3-month-old infant. The lesions were characterized by six small purpuric papules (1-2 mm in diameter), distributed on the thighs and neck. The general condition of the patient was good, with no lymphadenopathy, systemic involvement, or fever. The histopathologic features of a papule were characterized by the presence of cohesive aggregates of large mononucleated cells protruding into the lumina of dilated vessels and filling some of them completely. Neither an inflammatory infiltrate nor a proliferation of pericytes were present around blood vessels. Intravascular proliferating cells demonstrated positive staining for Ulex europaeus agglutinin 1 (UEA-1) and for Factor VIII-RA and CD34 antigens. The course of the disease was unremarkable with persistence of the lesions for 8 months; no treatment was started.

Antigens, CD34↗

Cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders: expression of bcl-2 and proteins of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily.

The spectrum of CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders is characterized by the histology of a high-grade lymphoma but frequent clinical regression of skin lesions in lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and occasional regression in CD30+ large cell lymphomas (LCLs). A recent study shows that apoptosis may be a significant mechanism of regression of LyP (Arch Dermatol 133:828-833, 1997). Therefore, we studied expression of proteins that induce apoptosis, including CD27, CD40, CD95, and nerve growth factor receptor (NGF-R), as well as anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 in skin lesions from 25 patients within the spectrum of CD30+ cutaneous lymphoma. Our results show consistent expression of CD95 (APO-1/Fas), but rare or absent expression of CD27, CD40, and NGF-R on tumor cells from both regressing LyP lesions and nonregressing CD30+ lymphomas. Bcl-2 was expressed at low levels in LyP and at high levels in pleomorphic CD30+ lymphomas. These results indicate that, in addition to CD30, CD95 expression is preferentially expressed at high levels in all cutaneous CD30+ lymphomas and suggest that CD95 may play a role in the regression of CD30+ skin lesions. Expression of bcl-2 appears to protect tumor cells from apoptosis in CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders.

Adult↗

Fournier's gangrene: a clinical presentation of necrotizing fasciitis after bone marrow transplantation.

Three patients with ANLL developed Fournier's gangrene as an early complication after allo-BMT (two cases) and auto-BMT (one case); two patients were in first CR, the third had resistant disease. Patients developed fever, perineal pain, swelling and blistering of the genital area. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from the lesions and patients received systemic antibiotic therapy, surgical debridement and medication with potassium permanganate solution. Two patients made a complete recovery although one died of sepsis. The third had progressive involvement of the abdominal wall and later died of leukemia. Early diagnosis of this disorder and prompt initiation of appropriate therapy can prevent progression of this acute necrotizing infection.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Ritodrine-related liver injury. Case reports and review of the literature.

beta-sympathicomimetic ritodrine chloridrate is a commonly used tocolytic agent for the treatment of preterm labour. Previous reports have described the occurrence of liver test abnormalities during ritodrine administration but the clinical significance and incidence of this side effect are still unclear. We report on two cases including one with a positive rechallenge of liver injury during oral ritodrine administration and a review of the literature.

Adult↗

Bullous lesions in Kaposi's sarcoma: case report.

Bullous lesions have been only rarely described in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), and their histopathologic features have never been described in detail. We report a case of bullous lesions of KS in an 82-year-old Italian woman. The patient had typical smooth pale reddish-grey slightly-raised KS plaques on the legs, present for at least 10 years. Several dull grayish-pink blisters (0.5 to 2 cm in diameter) affected both dorsa of her feet and ankles symmetrically. Two punch biopsies were taken, one from an infiltrated KS plaque on the right buttock and the other from a bullous lesion on the right foot. Histopathologically, the late KS plaque on the buttock showed typical features of KS, with an increased number of spindle cells arranged in short bundles and extravasation of erythrocytes. The bullous lesion on the foot showed a full-thickness vascular neoplasm involving the upper and lower dermis and the subcutaneous fat. The upper portion of the lesion contained many newly formed, highly-dilated blood vessels, touching the overlying epidermis and separated from it by a narrow band of collagen and endothelial cells; wide, empty spaces characterized the superficial dermis, in which preexisting venules and bands of collagen associated with non-atypical endothelial cells floated. All these findings would suggest a lymphangiomatous lesion, if the presence of specific diagnostic criteria of KS were not recognizable at a deeper level of the lesion. Various criteria actually suggest that the bullous lesion may be regarded as an epiphenomenon of a KS plaque lesion: (a) full-thickness involvement of the reticular dermis and, in this case, also of the subcutaneous fat; (b) dense and patchy lymphoplasmocytic infiltrate typical of plaque lesions and, much less frequently, of patch lesions; (c) presence of ectatic blood vessels, filled with plasma and erythrocytes (pseudoangiomatous findings), a nonpathognomonic but highly characteristic finding of the plaque lesion; and (d) as in the KS plaque lesions, in the bullous lesion as well the reticular dermis was characterized by an increased number of anastomosing bizarrely shaped vascular spaces lined by non-atypical endothelial cells. We hypothesize that the prevalence of lymphangiomatous differentiation in the upper dermis represents one of the many features of KS lesions. When present, it may correlate with the clinical feature of a blister.

Adipose Tissue↗

CD56/neural cell adhesion molecule expression in primary extranodal Ki-1/CD30+ lymphoma. Report of a pediatric case with simultaneous cutaneous and bone localizations.

We describe the clinicopathologic features of an unusual case of CD30+/CD50+ T-cell lymphoma in a child who presented with simultaneous primary extranodal cutaneous and bone localizations. The expression of CD56 (neural cell adhesion molecule, or NCAM) is rare in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas other than in a group of haematopoietic/lymphoid neoplasms of natural killer and natural killer-like T-cells, which usually involve extranodal sites and often pursue an aggressive clinical behavior. Coexpression of CD30 and CD56 in T-cell lymphomas is exceedingly rare, and its biological significance is unknown. Our patient responded well to an intensive chemotherapy regimen, and she is now in complete remission 4 years after discontinuation of chemotherapy. Expression of NCAM could be regarded as responsible, in part, for the extranodal localization of lymphoma cells; expression of CD56 also might contribute to the definition of a subset of CD30+ lymphomas with distinctive clinicopathologic features.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Prevalence and incidence of cholelithiasis in patients with liver cirrhosis.

AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence, the incidence and the history of cholelithiasis in liver cirrhosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 233 consecutive cirrhotic patients (193 Child A, 35 Child B and 5 Child C) were assessed for cholelithiasis by ultrasonography. Of these, 201 (those who had never had cholecystectomy) were followed-up with repeated ultrasonographies. RESULTS: The prevalence of cholelithiasis was 38% (22% gallstones and 16% previous cholecystectomies). No relationships with the usual risk factors for cholesterol gallstones, such as age, sex, body mass index, serum glucose or triglycerides, were found. On the contrary, close correlations were observed with serum albumin, bilirubin, prothrombin time and Pugh score. By multivariate analysis, only serum bilirubin was independently correlated with cholelithiasis. Histories of biliary pain were more frequent in patients with previous cholecystectomy (62% cases) than in those with gallstones (21%) and those without cholelithiasis (7%). On the contrary, complaints of dyspepsia were similar in the three groups of patients. During a mean follow-up of 34.4 +/- 0.9 months, there was a 4.9% annual rate of development of new stones in 127 patients without cholelithiasis at the first investigation. This rate is markedly higher than that reported for normal subjects in a previous survey carried out in a similar geographic area. During a mean follow-up of 31.8 +/- 1.2 months, symptoms or complications were seen in 2 out of 45 patients with initial gallstones (4.4%). The annual rate of complications was estimated to be less than 2%. CONCLUSIONS: Cholelithiasis is frequently associated with cirrhosis and the risk of developing new stones remains high during the natural history of the disease.

Bilirubin↗

Prognostic value of the galactose test in predicting survival of patients with cirrhosis evaluated for liver transplantation. A prospective multicenter Italian study. AISF Group for the Study of Liver Transplantation. Associazione Italiana per lo Studio del Fegato.

AIMS/METHODS: The present study aimed to examine whether the galactose elimination capacity can be used to predict the survival of patients with advanced liver disease. We studied 194 patients with cirrhosis, belonging to Child class B and C, for 2 years each. RESULTS: The overall probability of survival was 79% at 6 months, 72% at 1 year and 62% at 2 years. Variables significantly associated with the duration of survival, as assessed by univariate analysis, were the Child-Pugh score, presence of ascites, size of esophageal varices, prothrombin time, albumin, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, glucose and galactose elimination capacity. By a multivariable analysis, only Pugh score (p = 0.005), creatinine (p < 0.001), varices (p = 0.001) and galactose elimination capacity (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of mortality. The galactose elimination capacity was even more sensitive when the end-point was limited to deaths due to liver failure and hepatorenal syndrome. A new score obtained by summing the Pugh score with a score derived from galactose elimination capacity was quite simple and accurate for predicting survival. CONCLUSIONS: The quantitative measurement of liver function as the galactose elimination capacity could be of use to identify patients with cirrhosis and probable short survival who might benefit most from urgent transplantation.

Adolescent↗

Long-term administration of isosorbide-5-mononitrate does not impair renal function in cirrhotic patients.

Isosorbide-5-mononitrate (Is-5-Mn), alone or combined with beta-blockers, has been proposed for prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in cirrhosis. However, renal insufficiency, might be an important undesirable effect of this therapy, especially in patients with ascites. We assessed the changes in renal function induced in 26 cirrhotic patients by acute or chronic administration of Is-5-Mn. The acute administration of 20 mg of Is-5-Mn to 21 patients reduced mean blood pressure (83.4 +/- 2.4 vs. 92.8 +/- 3.4 mm Hg, P < .001), urine volume (5.5 +/- 0.8 vs. 8.7 +/- 1.1 mL/min, P < .05), urine sodium excretion (114 +/- 19 vs. 244 +/- 41 muEq/min, p < .001), urine potassium excretion (41 +/- 3.4 vs. 67 +/- 8.5 muEq/min, P < .001), and atrial natriuretic factor (74 +/- 10 vs. 98 +/- 12 pg/mL, P < .005). The glomerular filtration rate was decreased in the 11 patients with ascites (57 +/- 9 vs. 68 +/- 12 mL/min, P < .05), and plasma renin activity was increased in 4 ascitics. Twenty-one patients (16 from the acute study + 5 other patients) were given Is-5-Mn for 3 months at the dose of 80 mg/d. This did not affect blood pressure and renal function in patients without ascites, but reduced mean blood pressure (91.9 +/- 3.4 vs. 89.6 +/- 3 mm Hg, P < .05), urine volume (5.8 +/- 1.1 vs. 3.4 +/- 0.9 mL/min, P < .05), and urine sodium excretion (205 +/- 38 vs. 99 +/- 16 muEq/min, P < .01) in those with ascites. There were no changes in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow, while plasma renin activity increased in only 3 patients with ascites and 1 without. Systemic hemodynamics and renal function of cirrhotic patients, especially those with ascites, are affected adversely by acute administration of Is-5-Mn. Long-term administration of the drug is well tolerated by compensated patients and does not affect renal plasma flow nor glomerular filtration rate, but can induce hypotension and sodium retention in patients with ascites.

Ascites↗

CD30/Ki-1-positive lymphoproliferative disorders of the skin--clinicopathologic correlation and statistical analysis of 86 cases: a multicentric study from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Cutaneous Lymphoma Project Group.

PURPOSE: Recently, it has been shown that CD30 antigen expression is associated with a relatively favorable prognosis in primary cutaneous large-cell lymphomas (CLCLs). However, prognostic subsets within the CD30+ group have been difficult to identify due to lack of uniform clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic criteria, limited clinical information, and the inclusion of relatively few patients for statistical analysis in prior studies. To address these problems, we formed a multicentric study group of pathologists and dermatologists to classify and evaluate 92 cases of CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An expert panel established consensus diagnoses for 86 CD30+ cutaneous lymphomas. Cases, clinically and histologically classified as lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), nonanaplastic lymphoma, and borderline histology between LyP and ALCL, were then analyzed statistically by univariate, multivariate, and Cox regression model analysis of potential prognostic features. RESULTS: Spontaneous regression and age less than 60 years were associated with a favorable prognosis, while extracutaneous disease and age greater than 60 had a poor prognosis. Patients with LyP had the best prognosis, followed by those with primary CD30+ lymphomas, regardless of cytologic type (anaplastic or nonanaplastic). Borderline cases, morphologically indistinguishable from LyP and CD30+ ALCL, had a favorable prognosis, similar to LyP. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders comprise a spectrum of closely related skin lesions, which can be assigned a relatively favorable or unfavorable prognosis by a combined clinical and pathologic analysis.

Adolescent↗

Effects of fluid volume changes during hemodialysis on the biophysical parameters of the skin.

Water plays an important role in maintaining skin suppleness and elasticity. We used hemodialysis as a model to investigate the effects on biophysical properties of the skin induced by removal of fluids and water from the body. The following parameters have been investigated before and immediately after a hemodialysis session: body weight, skin elasticity and distensibility, skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin thickness. A significant decrease was recorded after treatment in body weight, skin thickness (p < 0.01) and skin elasticity (p < 0.01). Significant linear correlations were found between stratum corneum water content, skin distensibility and TEWL. The data reveal that rapid removal of body fluids influences skin biophysical properties: early changes in skin thickness and ground substance occur in the dermis and affect mechanical properties of the skin. The decrease in water content in the upper layers of the skin occurs at a later stage and influences skin hydration rather than TEWL. This model is a useful tool to investigate water kinetics through the skin.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

Photofibrosis: a further histopathological change induced by PUVA therapy via the mast cell in guttate psoriasis. Preliminary report.

Twenty-five psoriatic patients were studied histologically before and after PUVA therapy in order to delineate the relationship between dermal mast cells, psoriasis healing process and collagen changes. A number of mast cells were found in the psoriatic changes. A number of mast cells were found in the psoriatic lesion both before PUVA and also after PUVA therapy in 22 of the 25 patients. Fibrosis of the papillary dermis and upper reticular dermis was found in 3 cases. Increased collagen deposition and increased numbers of fibroblasts were accompanied by verticalization of ectatic and elongated blood vessels, with an overall pattern of relatively recent scarring. Mast cells were no longer detectable in the fibrosis area. We cannot exclude the possibility that PUVA therapy exerts a further stimulus on mast cell histamine and heparin degranulation in this type of psoriasis, thus leading to dermal fibrosis and blood vessel neogenesis.

Adult↗

PUVA-treated psoriatic skin as a model for cutaneous wrinkling assessed by skin replicas.

Psoriatic patients may offer a useful model for PUVA-induced skin wrinkling. This study deals with the changes induced by PUVA therapy on the cutaneous microrelief of psoriatic patients assessed by surface replicas. A non-exposed body area (buttocks) was considered. The microrelief was evaluated by means of replicas analysed by an automatic image analyser. Three groups of patients were considered: 1) 10 psoriatic patients who had been undergoing PUVA treatment for the first time and who had received a total PUVA dose of 200 +/- 20 J/cm2; 2) 16 psoriatic patients in long-term PUVA treatment (> 1000 J/cm2); 3) 13 psoriatic controls whose buttocks had never been affected by psoriasis nor exposed to sunlight or PUVA. The results showed that the number and the entity of the cutaneous crests and furrows had been increased by PUVA therapy. In particular the skin pattern analysis showed significant statistical differences between the second and the third group, while no changes were evident between the first and third group (ANOVA and Tukey test for multiple comparisons). In conclusion, our findings indicate that long-term PUVA therapy causes marked changes in the cutaneous microrelief, that this phenomenon can be measured non-invasively and that the changes observed are dependent on the PUVA-dose energies received.

Adult↗