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Biomedical subjects

G Cattaneo

Publications and source records attributed to G Cattaneo.

87 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Neuroimmunotherapy of human cancer with interleukin-2 and the neurohormone melatonin: its efficacy in preventing hypotension.

The pineal hormone melatonin (MLT) has been shown to influence many biological functions, including immune response, cancer growth and brain neurotransmitter contents. On the basis of its biological properties, a study was started to evaluate the influence of MLT on IL-2 immunotherapy toxicity. The study was carried out in metastatic renal cancer patients. Thirty-three 5-day courses of IL-2 at a daily dose of 3 x 10(6) Cetus U/m2 were randomized to consist of IL-2 alone or IL-2 plus MLT (10 mg/day orally at 8.00 p.m.). The frequency of episodes of severe hypotension was significantly greater during IL-2 alone than during IL-2 + MLT. Moreover, the depressive symptomatology occurred more frequently during IL-2 alone. No other toxicity, including capillary leak syndrome, vomiting and fever, were significantly influenced by the concomitant treatment with MLT. These preliminary results would suggest that the pineal hormone MLT may be successfully associated with IL-2 in the immunotherapy of human tumors.

Circadian Rhythm↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Alterations of pineal gland and of T lymphocyte subsets in metastatic cancer patients: preliminary results.

Melatonin (MLT), the main hormone produced by the pineal gland, has been seen to play a role in antineoplastic activity either by exerting a direct inhibitory effect on cancer cell growth, or by stimulating the immune system. Moreover, MLT blood levels have been shown to be often increased in cancer patients. On the basis of these data, a study was started to evaluate what relation exists between MLT levels and T lymphocyte subsets in patients with metastatic solid neoplasm. The study included 28 patients (breast: 10; non-small cell lung: 18). None of the patients was previously treated for their metastatic disease. Abnormally high MLT levels and a low T helper/suppressor ratio (CD4/CD8) were seen in 10/28 and in 11/28 patients, respectively. Serum mean levels of MLT were significantly higher in patients with low CD4/CD8 ratio than in those with a normal ratio. These results would suggest that immune dysfunctions may represent a signal for MLT release from the pineal in patients with metastatic solid neoplasm.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Kawasaki disease in a subject with G6PD deficiency].

A case of Kawasaki disease in an 8 year old boy affected by G6PD deficiency is described. The patient couldn't be treated with aminosalicylic acid but he received 400 mg/Kg/die of gammaglobulin from 13th to 18th day. No coronary complications occurred, even if coagulopathy was documented, and platelets activation was back to normal three months after the beginning of the disease.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Poland's syndrome. Presentation of a case of probable vascular origin].

A new case of Poland syndrome in a male newborn is described. The infant shows typical anomalies of the right hand and ipsilateral pectoral muscle agenesis. The arterial pressure is lower when measured at the affected limb than at the contralateral, suggesting that a vascular pathogenesis could be involved.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Is tubal rupture a discriminating factor in the surgical conservative treatment of ectopic pregnancy?

217 women have been submitted to a surgical intervention for ectopic pregnancy in the years 83 - 84 - 85 in five hospitals in Piedmont. The rupture has been observed in 147 cases (67%). The percentage of women who presented a rupture was higher among those who underwent annexiectomy (75%), average among those who underwent salpingectomy (69%) and lower in case of conservative intervention (52%). Owing to these rather high percentages, we cannot state that the rupture is a discriminating factor as far as it concerns the choice of intervention, even if a fairly more conservative orientation is evident in case of unruptured tube.

Adnexa Uteri↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative evaluation of ectopic pregnancy surgical treatment between a specialized hospital and a general hospital.

The surgical approaches followed in cases of ectopic pregnancy by the operators in two centres in Piedmont, one specialized in ostetrics and gynecology, the other a general county hospital are taken into consideration and compared. 131 cases have been registered in Turin and 30 in Biella. The salpingectomy has been performed on most cases in both centres with 56.5% and 66% respectively in the specialized Hospital and in the General one. The annexiectomy has been chosen for 25%. The intervention aiming at preserving the tube has been chosen for 17.5% in Turin and 34% in Biella. The most discriminating factor in choosing the type of intervention is mainly based on the patient's amnestic history, and therefore on her age, parity, any preceeding tube intervention and also on her desire for children.

Adnexa Uteri↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ectopic pregnancy: which treatment? Analysis of 217 cases.

The Authors describe the various types of treatment performed on 217 cases of ectopic pregnancy examined, which took place in the years 1983 - 84 - 85 in five among the main Hospital in Piedmont. 136 salpingectomies (62%), 41 annexiectomies (18%), 40 conservative interventions (20%) were performed. In most cases the destructive intervention was performed in the presence of a tubal rupture; no meaningful relations between the location and the type of surgical treatment have been found in the ectopic pregnancy. Conservative interventions have been more frequent on young women (under 35: 97%) and desiring children either because nullipara (65%) or because uniparous (27%). The highest number of conservative interventions was performed in the largest of the five Hospitals examined (23 cases: 57%). There is therefore a remarkable relation between diagnostic and therapeutic means and the possibility of performing the surgery most appropriate to the specific requirements of each case.

Adnexa Uteri↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Extended resection in colorectal cancer. Personal experience].

At the moment of surgical intervention, colorectal cancer involves adjacent tissues or organs in a percentage of cases ranging between 5% and 12%. "En bloc" resection of these tumors, when not associated with distant metastasis, allows survival at 5 years in from 32% to 79% of cases. The authors discuss their personal experience on the subject of extended resection for carcinoma of the large intestine, in order to evaluate not only the possible anatomico-clinical peculiarities but also both short and long term results. In the period from 1976 to 1993 1164 patients underwent surgery for colorectal cancer, in 791 cases (68%) with a curative aim. 71 patients underwent extended resection, in 59 cases for the curative treatment of a primary tumor and in 12 for the treatment of a local recurrence (LR). Pathologic examination revealed neoplastic infiltration into at least one of the organs removed with the tumor in 43 cases (61%). It must, however, be pointed out that the above frequency was considerably higher (92%) when extended resection was carried out for LR than in cases of exeresis of primary cancers (54%). The reported results show that extended resection leads to potentially higher morbidity and mortality than can be observed after standard resection, but that, at the same time, it proves to be the only treatment able to provide these patients with good prospects for fairly long-term survival. Recourse to this procedure must therefore always be out of necessity, furthermore the extension of demolition must be adapted to the operative finding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The quality of life of the elderly after a surgical intervention. II. Gastric carcinoma].

Having reviewed the literature on this topic, the authors examined the "quality of life" of elderly patients undergoing surgery for gastric carcinoma over the past 5 years. From the results obtained it was seen that the most frequent operation was total gastrectomy (51.1%), followed by gastric resection (48.9%); it was therefore possible to assert that living patients were all well, with a score of 100 on Karnofsky's scale (22.40%), despite the high percentage of deaths during the period examined. The authors therefore concluded that, given that the "quality of life" of those undergoing surgery was satisfactory, it is worthwhile operating whenever possible to give geriatric patients the possibility of leading a normal life.

Age Distribution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Chronic diarrhea due to Cryptosporidium: the efficacy of spiramycin treatment].

Cryptosporidium has received increasing attention as a pathogen in normal as well as immunocompromised persons. We report a case of cryptosporidiosis occurred in a 18-months-old-girl who was treated with spiramycin for 8 days with complete resolution of diarrhea within the first days of therapy; follow-up stool examination was negative for the protozoan. The incidence of diarrhea due to Cryptosporidium seems to be higher than it was reported before: so fecal samples, when negative for other etiological agents, should be examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Spiramycin seems to be an effective and well-tolerated drug: treatment is recommended in children with prolonged and/or severe diarrhea when Cryptosporidium seems to be the etiological cause of the disease.

Chronic Disease↗