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Biomedical subjects

G Ferrara

Publications and source records attributed to G Ferrara.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Optical isomer separation of potential analgesic drug candidates by using capillary electrophoresis.

Using cyclodextrin capillary zone electrophoresis (CD-CZE), baseline separation of synthetic potential analgesic drug diastereoisomer candidates 6,11-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-3-[(2'-methoxycarbonyl-2'-phenylc yclopropyl)methyl]-2,6-methano-3-benzazocin-8-ol (MPCB) and 6,11-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-3-[[2'-methoxycarbonyl-2'(4-chloroph enyl)cyclopropyl]methyl]-2,6-methano-3-benzazocin-8-ol (CCB) was achieved. Among the cyclodextrins tested (hydroxypropyl-, carboxymethyl- and sulfobutyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD, CM-beta-CD and SBE-beta-CD)) SBE-beta-CD was found to be the most effective complexing agent, allowing good optical isomer separation. Resolution was also influenced by the CD concentration, pH of the buffer and presence of organic modifier in the background electrolyte. The optimum experimental conditions for the separation of studied analgesic drugs were found using 25 mM borate buffer at pH 9 containing 40 mM of SBE-beta-CD and 20% v/v of methanol. Using the above-mentioned background electrolyte, it was also possible to separate, in the same run, the enantiomers of normetazocine (NMZ) as well as the optical isomers of (+/-)-cis-2-chloromethyl-1-phenyl cyclopropancarboxylic acid methyl ester (PCE) or (+/-)-cis-2-chloromethyl-1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopropancarboxylic acid methyl ester (CPCE) reagents used in the synthesis of the studied analgesic drugs).

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed1999

Typing by polymerase chain reaction of buffalo rotaviruses isolated in Italy.

Six group A rotaviruses were isolated in Italy from buffaloes during different outbreaks of calf diarrhoea occurring in the same dairy herd over a 5-year period of observation. The isolates were characterized by polymerase chain reaction assay for G- and P-type antigens. G8 and P1 were the types most frequently isolated.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Ajoene in the topical short-term treatment of tinea cruris and tinea corporis in humans. Randomized comparative study with terbinafine.

Ajoene (CAS 92284-99-6), an organic trisulphur originally isolated from garlic, has an antimycotic activity which has been widely demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. The objective of this work was to compare the safety and effectiveness of ajoene (0.6%, gel) with terbinafine (CAS 91161-71-6) (1%, cream) for the treatment of tinea corporis and tinea cruris. The patients selected were 60 soldiers with clinical and mycological diagnosis of either dermatophytosis. They were distributed at random in two treatment groups, one treated with ajoene at 0.6% and the other with terbinafine at 1%. All patients were evaluated clinically and mycologically 30 and 60 days after completion of the treatment, which was considered effective when clinical signs and symptoms had disappeared and the mycological cultures were negative. Thirty days after treatment, the percent healing rate was 77 and 75 for the groups treated with ajoene and terbinafine, respectively. Sixty days after treatment, the healing rate 73% and 71% for the groups treated with ajoene and terbinafine, respectively. These results and those obtained in previous studies confirm that ajoene is a new agent for the topic treatment of superficial mycoses, and for the first time show the therapeutic usefulness of an inhibitor of phospholipids biosynthesis in eukaryotes.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

Gemcitabine and cisplatin versus mitomycin, ifosfamide, and cisplatin in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: A randomized phase III study of the Italian Lung Cancer Project.

PURPOSE: To compare gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) with mitomycin, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (MIC) chemotherapy in patients with stage IIIB (limited to T4 for pleural effusion and N3 for supraclavicular lymph nodes) or stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The end points were the evaluation of quality of life (QoL), response rates, survival, and toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred seven patients were randomized to receive either gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, and 15 plus cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) on day 2, every 28 days, or mitomycin 6 mg/m(2), ifosfamide 3,000 mg/m(2), and mesna on day 1 plus cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) on day 2, every 28 days. The whole-blood cell count was repeated on day 1 in both arms and weekly in the GC arm before each gemcitabine administration. RESULTS: No major differences in changes in QoL were observed between the two treatment arms. The objective response rate was 38% in the GC arm compared with 26% in the MIC arm (P =.029). The median survival time was 8.6 months in the GC arm and 9.6 months in the MIC arm (P =.877, log-rank test). Grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia was significantly worse in the GC arm (64% v 28%, P <.001), whereas grade 3 and 4 alopecia was reported more commonly in the MIC arm (39% v 12%, P <. 001). CONCLUSION: We report an increased response rate without changes in QoL and a similar overall survival, time to progression, and time to treatment failure for the GC when compared with the MIC regimen in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Neoplasms composed of eosinophilic polygonal cells: an overview with consideration of different cytomorphologic patterns.

Neoplasms that are composed of large eosinophilic cells present a distinctive and challenging image to the diagnostic pathologist. Potential lineages for such lesions include several types of epithelial tissue, as well as melanocytic, lymphoid, germ-cell, and mesenchymal proliferations. Attention to morphological details represents a useful first step in the further evaluation of eosinophilic large-cell tumors. These tumors can usually be segregated into one of four cytological categories, including granular eosinophilic (oncocytic and oncocytoid), fibrillary eosinophilic (myoid), globular eosinophilic (rhabdoid and gemistocytic), and diffusely eosinophilic (hyaline-cell and deeply eosinophilic, not further specified). Correlation with anatomic locations, nuances of clinical presentation, and results of electron microscopic and immunohistochemical studies provides additional data that can be used for a specific interpretation, especially if it is applied in an algorithmic fashion.

Adenoma, Oxyphilic↗
PubMed1998

Multicenter randomized clinical trial on high-dose epirubicin plus cis-platinum versus vinorelbine plus cis-platinum in advanced non small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: High dose Epirubicin (HD-EPI) (>90 mg/m2) and Vinorelbine (VNR) demonstrated antitumor activity as single agent (about 20%) in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. This trial compares these two agents combined with cisplatin (CP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From August 1992 to February 1996, 228 patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC were randomized to receive either EPI 120 mg/m2 as i.v. bolus plus Cisplatin (CP) 60 mg/m2 on day 1 (regimen A) or VNR 25 mg/m2 as i.v. bolus on day 1 and 8 plus CP 60 mg/m2 on day 1 (regimen B). Both treatments were recycled every 21 days up to a maximum cumulative dose of EPI of 840 mg/m2 or 12 cycles. Eligible patients were 212 and 198 patients were evaluable for objective response (95 in arm A and 103 in arm B). The main characteristics of eligible patients were: male/female 179/33; median age 61 (42-72); median Karnofsky PS 80 (70-100); stage IIIA 12%, stage IIIB 40%, stage IV 41%, recurrence 7%; histotype: epidermoid 48%, adenoca 36%, others 16%. RESULTS: The following response rates were observed in regimens A and B, respectively; CR, 1 and 2%, PR, 32 and 25% (P = 0.4567). Median CR + PR duration was 9 and 8 months, respectively. Median survival was 10.5 and 9.6 months, respectively. Grade III-IV leucopenia occurred in 38 and 21% in arm A and arm B, respectively(P = 0.01), thrombocytopenia in 6 and 0% (P = 0.02), anemia in 8 and 7% (n.s.). Non-hematological toxicity was moderate and the only difference between the treatments was alopecia (88 vs. 33% in arm A and B, respectively). Supraventricular arrhythmia occurred in three patients on regimen A; a >15% LVEF absolute decrease was observed in 9 (22.5%) and three (14%) patients on arm A and arm B, respectively (n.s.). No congestive heart failure was observed. CONCLUSION: HD-EPI+CP and VNR+CP are both active combinations in advanced NSCLC with a similar response rate, response duration and survival but regimen A was significantly more toxic (myelosuppression and alopecia).

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Cisplatin-vindesine-mitomycin (MVP) vs cisplatin-ifosfamide-vinorelbine (PIN) vs carboplatin-vinorelbine (CaN) in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a FONICAP randomized phase II study. Italian Lung Cancer Task Force (FONICAP).

In the present multicentre randomized phase II trial, the activity and toxicity of three platinum-based combination regimens for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were evaluated. The three regimens were: MVP (mitomycin-C 6 mg m(-2) on day 1, vindesine 3 mg m(-2) on days 1 and 15, and cisplatin 80 mg m(-2) on day 1 every 28 days), PIN (cisplatin 80 mg m(-2) day 1, ifosfamide 3 g m(-2) day 1 and vinorelbine 25 mg m(-2) day 1 and 8 every 21 days) and CaN (carboplatin 350 mg m(-2) day 1 and vinorelbine 25 mg m(-2) days 1 and 8 every 28 days). A total of 140 chemotherapy-naive patients entered the study; 49 patients were treated with MVP, 48 with PIN and 43 with CaN. Sixty-seven per cent of the patients had stage IV disease. Response rates, calculated on an 'intention to treat' basis, were as follows: MVP, 14.3% (95% CI 5.94-27.2%); PIN, 16.7% (95% CI 7.4-30.2%); and CaN, 14% (95% CI 5.3-27.9%). The overall median survivals were 256, 269 and 243 days for patients treated with MVP, PIN and CaN respectively. Myelosuppression was the most frequent toxicity: grade 3-4 leucopenia was observed in 14.3%, 25% and 18.6% of patients treated with MVP, PIN and CaN respectively. This multicentre phase II randomized trial shows that MVP, PIN and CaN can be administered on an outpatient basis with acceptable toxicities. Unfortunately, the three regimens showed an activity significantly lower than that reported in previous single-institution phase II trials.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Flow cytometry in prostate cancer. Evaluation of its feasibility for biopsy specimens and correlation with grading].

BACKGROUND: Pathologic staging and grading are the most important prognostic factors in prostatic cancer. Unfortunately, pathologic staging needs to be evaluated by surgical procedures; moreover, the proposed grading systems are largely based upon subjective histopathologic evaluations. In recent years, these problems have been approached with flow cytometry (FCM). The present study evaluates the significance of DNA ploidy of prostatic carcinoma assessed by FCM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microscopic slides from 132 core needle biopsies and 22 surgical specimens of prostatic carcinoma were reviewed and classified according to Gleason's score modified by Epstein et al. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples were prepared for FCM evaluation using standard techniques. Adequate histograms were obtained from 113 biopsies (85.6%) and from all the surgical specimens (100%). RESULTS: Among the 113 biopsy specimens, a statistically significant correlation was found between DNA ploidy and Epstein's grading, since high-grade neoplasms accounted for 40.38% of non-diploid cases and only for 21.33% of diploid cases (chi square = 5.8; p = 0.05). Moreover, tetraploid tumors were defined as a separate FCM category with an absolute prevalence (65.52%) of non-high grade neoplasms (chi square = 5.9; p = 0.05). Although not submitted to statistical analysis, data collected from surgical specimens showed similar distribution. CONCLUSIONS: DNA ploidy assessment by FCM is a viable procedure in the majority of needle biopsy tissue samples of prostatic carcinoma; it may produce prognostic parameters with greater objectivity than conventional histologic grading.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

[Endometriosis of the appendix. A case report].

The authors report a case of endometriosis of the appendix found by chance during the course of left adnexectomy owing to endometriotic cysts. Endometriosis of the appendix is usually associated with right ovarian endometriosis, which is sometimes only present at a microscopic level. A situation of acute endometriotic appendix is the result not only of the disintegration of the appendix muscles, as was thought in the past, but also recent catamenial hemorrhage within the endometriotic tissue.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

An intronic deletion in TP53 gene causes exon 6 skipping in breast cancer.

Six hundred and thirty primary breast cancer were screened for abnormalities in exons 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the TP53 tumour suppressor gene. Analysis of the structure of the TP53 gene exons was performed with the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) method and with direct sequencing of amplified DNA. In a breast tumour case from a postmenopausal patient, we found a deletion of 36 bp in intron 5 and no immunohistochemical staining for p53. We amplified and sequenced the cDNA region between exons 4 and 7 and showed that the deletion causes the skipping of exon 6. The resulting mRNA sequence had a frameshift that yields an inactive protein with a truncated C terminus. These results show the first example of intronic deletion causing exon skipping at the TP53 gene level.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of some of the hydrolytic decomposition products of poly(alpha-hydroxyacid)s.

An HPLC procedure is described for the separation and identification of some hydrosoluble by-products resulting from the hydrolytic degradation of poly(alpha-hydroxyacid)s having biomedical interest: poly(L-lactide), poly(DL-lactide), poly-(glycolide) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide). Peak identification was performed by comparing the respective retention times with those of pure standards. It was observed that optimum shape and separation of peaks are considerably affected by the composition of the mobile phase, consisting of acetonitrile (A) and a 0.006 M K2HPO4 buffer (B), and, in particular, its pH and A:B ratio, which had to be adjusted to around 5.8 and 75:25 (v/v), respectively. Under the investigated experimental conditions (aqueous suspension, 100 degrees C for 12 h under stirring), poly(L-lactide) is quite stable, poly(glycolide) degrades easily to glycolic acid, whereas poly(DL-lactide) and poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) exhibit intermediate behaviour. Upon hydrolytic decomposition, these poly(alpha-hydroxyacid)s yield not only the corresponding acids, but also their linear dimers and, possibly, trimers, tetramers and higher oligomers.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1996

Metastatic neoplasms of the breast: fine-needle aspiration cytology of two cases.

Even when clinical data strongly suggest the presence of a metastatic neoplasm in the breast, this occurrence almost invariably raises great problems in diagnostic pathology. Both cases presented here had a well-recognized primitive neoplasm located elsewhere. Nonetheless, great importance was given to the application of ancillary techniques; the immunostains for "breast discriminants"--GCDFP15, HMFG1, and HMFG2--on tissue sections helped the recognition of a metastatic renal cell carcinoma; and the stains for S100 protein, smooth muscle actin, cytokeratins, and neurofilaments on cytologic material allowed the identification of a metastatic mediastinal leiomyosarcoma.

Actins↗
PubMed1995

The response behaviour of LiF:Mg,Cu,P thermoluminescence dosimeters to high-energy electron beams used in radiotherapy.

To ensure the effectiveness of radiation-therapy treatments, both in-phantom and in-patient reliable dose measurements are required. Thermoluminescence dosimeters are used commonly for both applications. Among the various available materials, the relatively new LiF:Mg,Cu,P phosphor is a suitable candidate for quality control of in vivo dosimetry in electron-beam therapy. The response behaviour of LiF:Mg,Cu,P chips to 6-21 MeV electron beams used in radiotherapy was studied. Batch homogeneity, dose linearity, sensitivity change after use, dose and dose-rate response, energy dependence and fading characteristics were investigated. The contribution from each factor to the overall uncertainty in dose measurement was evaluated. The results of this work show that the LiF:Mg,Cu,P chips are comparable to the commonly used LiF:Mg,Ti ones, and support their use for in vivo electron-beam dosimetry to an accuracy within +/- 10%.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Nodular amyloidosis of the larynx.

Clinical features of laryngeal amyloidosis may suggest an erroneous diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. The immunohistochemical findings of monoclonal IgA-kappa positive plasma cells, together with kappa chain positive amyloid blocks suggest the definition of the present care as a localized plasmacytoma arising in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMed1995

"Pseudoneoplastic" leprosy. Leprosy revisited.

A 70-year-old Italian man with a history of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung presented with a nodular skin eruption. He had traveled extensively in India and Sri Lanka. The nodules were well demarcated and measured up to 3.5 cm in diameter. Histologically, there was a proliferation of spindled and polygonal cells with focal and relatively inconspicuous cytoplasmic vacuolation. A macrophage-monocyte lineage for the cells was confirmed by paraffin section immunohistochemistry, using the monoclonal antibodies anti-CD45, MAC-387, KP-1, UCHL-1, MT-1, L26, and MB2. Infiltrating borders, extension of the lesion into the subcutis, and involvement of small dermal nerves and eccrine glands initially suggested the possibility of a "histiocytic" neoplasm of indeterminate biological potential. However, air-dried and Giemsa-stained material from a fine-needle aspirate of one cutaneous nodule showed needle-shaped intracellular "negative images," and acid-fast stains revealed a large number of intracytoplasmic bacilli in virtually all of the vacuolated lesional cells. Furthermore, a second skin nodule that was excised 3 weeks after initial presentation showed the typical morphology of lepromatous leprosy. The clinicopathologic features of this case demonstrated several similarities with those of so-called "histoid" leprosy. Unusual morphologic variants of leprosy need to be considered in the interpretation of unusual "histiocytic" infiltrates in order to avoid a mistaken diagnosis of neoplasia, regardless of the geographic locale in which the patient is evaluated.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Smooth muscle tumors of the breast: clinicopathologic features of two cases.

Two cases of smooth muscle tumor of the breast with high tendency to local relapses are reported. The common cytohistologic feature of these infrequent neoplasms is interfacing bundles with spindle-shaped cells showing eosinophilic cytoplasm and blunt-ended nuclei. In estimating the prognosis of these lesions, the mitotic index must be evaluated together with evidence of necrosis and hypercellularity. The present cases suggest that, in the absence of the ancillary features, a mitotic rate of 1-3 x 10 HPF might define a "grey zone" in the spectrum of lesions between leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas: the smooth muscle tumors of indeterminate prognosis (low risk lesions).

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1994

L-thyroxine effects on thyreocytes and Hürthle cells in nodular hyperplastic goiter on fine needle aspiration samples. Morphometric evaluation.

A morphometric study was performed on the thyreocytes and Hürthle cells in 20 cases of nodular hyperplastic goiter (NHG) and in 8 cases of Hürthle cell-rich NHG. The study was carried out on cytologic samples obtained by fine needle aspiration twice from the same nodules in a selected series of patients before and after L-thyroxine therapy with the aim of evaluating the morphometric nuclear variations induced by that therapy. Thyreocytes and Hürthle cells were evaluated for nuclear Area, Perimeter, Maximum Diameter, Form Elliptic and Form Perimeter using a planimetric instrument. A statistically significant reduction in nuclear size was observed in 18 of 20 cases of NHG after L-thyroxine therapy, but the nuclear shape factors were modified only slightly or not at all. A slight reduction in the nuclear size of Hürthle cells was observed in five and an increase in the remaining three cases, but these differences were not statistically significant. Virtually no changes in shape factors were observed in this group of lesions before or after the therapy. These data are discussed and compared to the results of other series. Our results suggest that morphometry may be useful in the follow-up of NHG to evaluate the effects of L-thyroxine and that this therapy reduces the size of thyreocytes; the therapy, however, seems to have little or no effect on Hürthle cells.

Biopsy, Needle↗