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Biomedical subjects

G Mazzucco

Publications and source records attributed to G Mazzucco.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Immunologic characteristics of fibrillary glomerulonephritis.

IgG and IgA immune complexes, mononuclear phagocytic system function, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), serum-soluble IL-2 receptors, tumor necrosis factor, beta 2-microglobulin and IL-1 beta, HLA-DNA polymorphisms, immuno-isoelectrofocusing, phenotype of PBL, lymphocyte cytotoxicity, activation of lymphokine-activated killer cells and natural killer cell activity were evaluated in 8 patients with tubular/fibrillary glomerulonephritis (GN). No common serologic, immunologic or immunogenetic features suggestive of plasma cell dyscrasias were found. No elements to state whether these GNs represent a new entity or just atypical forms of known GN were found.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Arterial hypertension secondary to Conn's disease: an infrequent pathology in nephrology. Report of a clinical case].

In this work we describe a case of Conn's syndrome caused by a suprarenal adenoma in a sixty-one year female. The patient had come to our observation because of severe hypertension and hypokalemia. Primary aldosteronism resulting from the secretion of excessive amounts of aldosterone caused by autonomous hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex usually by a solitary adenoma. In most series of unselected patients, it is found in fewer than 0.5% of hypertensives. In our study we demonstrated the circadian changes of arterial blood pressure but we failed to demonstrate the presence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as recently emphasized in the literature. Regardless of its rarity, primary aldosteronism is a fascinating disease, protean in its manifestations, logical in its pathophysiology.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1992

[Ischemic colitis manifested as Crohn's disease. A case report].

Ischaemic colitis has many and different clinical features as it is often linked to the severity of ischaemic injury. In this paper two patients with clinical features of Crohn's disease are reported. In both patients the diagnosis has been confirmed with endoscopy and biopsy. They have been treated with specific therapy until they developed bowel obstruction in one case and peritonitis in the other. Both patients underwent laparotomy and the histological specimen showed a picture of ischaemic colitis. In one case a Dixon's resection was done, in the other Hartmann's operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Mitogenic effects of a mesothelial cell growth factor: evidence for a potential autocrine regulation of normal and malignant mesothelial cell proliferation.

We have investigated the growth-factor-like activity of a approximately 200-kDa, IP 8.3, cytoplasmic glycoprotein, the expression of which appears to be restricted to normal and malignant human mesothelium. This substance stimulated the growth of human mesothelioma cell cultures at greater rates than did foetal calf serum, but it failed to induce proliferation of lung carcinoma cell cultures. In addition, we have tried to trace the biosynthetic pathway of this mitogenic factor in normal human mesothelial cells by means of immuno-electron microscopy with a polyclonal antibody directed against this molecule. Positive immunogold labelling was found in the lumina of the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum, to a lesser extent on the outer surface of the plasma membrane, and also in structures corresponding to the coated pits. These ultrastructural findings are consistent with the hypothesis of the glycosylation of the newly synthesized protein in the endoplasmic reticulum and the subsequent uptake of the secreted molecule, which accumulates in the coated pits before internalization. The results suggest that this mitogenic glycoprotein could play a role in an autocrine growth control mechanism influencing mesothelial cell proliferation.

Coated Pits, Cell-Membrane↗
PubMed1992

Intertubular capillary changes in kidney allografts: a morphologic investigation on 61 renal specimens.

A total of 61 kidney allograft specimens (51 biopsies and 10 nephrectomies) from 44 patients were investigated. Transplant glomerulopathy (TGP) was found in 38 specimens. Electron microscopy disclosed peculiar intertubular capillary changes (ITCC) in 47 specimens (all those showing TGP and nine without TGP). They were characterized by splitting and multilayering of the basement membranes. TGP and ITCC were graded and found mild (in 23 and 22 specimens), moderate (in 11 and 16 specimens), and severe (in four and nine specimens). Both worsened with time lapse from transplantation. When both were compared in single specimens, their grading was similar or, with a few exceptions, more severe for ITCC. TGP and ITCC were more frequent in biopsies with morphologic evidence of rejection and less frequent in patients treated with Cyclosporine A. Repeated biopsies and nephrectomies were studied in 10 patients and a somewhat more precocious appearance of ITCC than of TGP was found. Earlier and more severe ITCC were found in two patients who had had two transplants as compared to those with one. Morphologic similarities between TGP and ITCC suggest a common pathogenetic mechanism related to endothelial damage. The association to the histological evidence of rejection as well as the apparently protective activity of Cyclosporine A could support the involvement of an immune-mediated mechanism in agreement with what is reported in literature. The constant association of ITCC and TGP and its possible more precocious appearance enforce the diagnostic value of the former, which allows to infer the presence or the subsequent development of TGP even in biopsies where glomeruli are lacking.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The association of IgA glomerulonephritis and thin glomerular basement membrane disease in a hematuric patient: light and electron microscopic and immunofluorescence investigation.

A double glomerulopathy (IgA glomerulonephritis [IgAGN] associated with thin glomerular basement membrane disease [TGBMD]) is reported in a 39-year-old woman presenting with macroscopic-microscopic hematuria. Her 3-year-old daughter was also affected by microhematuria of probable glomerular origin. The diagnosis of IgAGN was made by means of immunofluorescence investigation, which showed generalized diffuse mesangial deposits. TGBMD was identified by electron microscopic investigations, which disclosed thinning (up to 160 nm) of basement membrane of several capillary loops and prominence of the lamina densa. Bearing in mind the known frequencies of the two glomerulopathies, their association may not be coincidental, and, therefore, is worthwhile researching in hematuric patients.

Basement Membrane↗
PubMed1991

Renal vascular lesions as a marker of poor prognosis in patients with lupus nephritis. Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Nefrite Lupica (GISNEL).

The frequency of renal vascular lesions (RVL) and their relevance in the progression of renal damage were evaluated by the Pathology Group of the "Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Nefrite Lupica" (GISNEL). Of 285 patients with lupus nephritis collected from 20 nephrology centers in Italy and classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, 79 cases (27.7%) with RVL were identified and classified as follows: (1) lupus vasculopathy (n = 27); (2) hemolytic-uremic syndrome/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (HUS/TTP) malignant hypertension-like lesions (n = 24); (3) vasculitis (n = 8); (4) arterio-arteriosclerosis (n = 20). At the time of renal biopsy, patients with RVL had mean serum creatinine levels significantly higher than patients without RVL (201.8 +/- 195.9 mumol/L [2.2 +/- 2.2 mg/dL] v 108.1 +/- 108.0 mumol/L [1.2 +/- 1.2 mg/dL]; P less than 0.01). Hypertension was more frequent in patients with RVL than in those without (68.4% v 30.5%; P less than 0.01). The probability of kidney survival assessed according to the Kaplan-Meier method at 5 and 10 years was, respectively, 74.3% +/- 5.9% and 58.0% +/- 8.9% in patients with RVL, compared with 89.6% +/- 2.7% and 85.9% +/- 3.7% in patients without RVL. However, the two groups did not differ significantly as regards overall survival, the probability of survival at 5 and 10 years being 86.5% +/- 4.5% and 78.8% +/- 6.6% in patients with RVL and 92.2% +/- 2.2% and 83.3% +/- 4.4% in patients without RVL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Liposarcoma of the thyroid gland. Fine-needle aspiration cytology, immunohistology, and ultrastructure.

A 56-year-old woman presented with a rapidly growing tumoral mass of the thyroid. In fine-needle aspirates, neoplastic cells were interpreted as undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma. In contrast, histologic examination of tissue samples revealed a tumor with features suggestive of myxoid liposarcoma. The non-epithelial nature was confirmed by immunohistochemical and electron microscopic evaluation. Immunostains for vimentin and S-100 protein were positive, whereas no reactivity was obtained for epithelial markers. Ultrastructurally, the tumor consisted of poorly differentiated mesenchymal cells and lipoblastic elements in various stages of differentiation. Review of the literature reveals only one previous report of thyroid liposarcoma, the diagnosis of which was based on conventional light microscopic studies.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1991

[The early ergometric test after myocardial revascularization].

Ergometric tests (ET) were used to study 900 patients undergoing surgical myocardial revascularisation during the period between January 1983 and December 1989. ET was carried out without medical therapy between the 30th and 35th day post surgery. The test was positive in 193 subjects (21%); in 42 of the latter (5% of the total and 229 of positive subjects) symptoms of effort angina were found to persist. ET was negative in 557 patients (62%); 150 subjects (17%), although not positive, did not attain a sufficient heart rate to enable a 100% negative diagnosis to be made. No major complication was observed. Maximal short-term ET is a reliable and safe test for checking the efficacy of myocardial revascularisation and to assess functional recovery. In view of the relatively high percentage of positive tests due to ischemia but with the complete absence of symptoms, the authors affirm that the mere onset of anginous symptoms alone cannot be considered indicative of the success of cardiosurgery.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1991

Immune material processing by phagocyte cell system in cryoglobulinemia.

An impaired function of splenic macrophages, measured as the clearance rate of erythrocytes coated with IgG (E-IgG), was observed in 7 out of 8 cryoglobulinemic patients with severe urinary abnormalities and systemic symptoms, and in 0 out of 6 patients without urinary symptoms and only mild systemic signs of disease. The E-IgG clearance rate was not related to HLA or Rh phenotype, patients' age or disease duration. Moreover, longitudinal studies showed this parameter to be strictly related to disease activity. To investigate the nature of the defect, five series of analyses were planned using peripheral blood phagocytes (PBP) from 8 patients: a) detection of cell-bound immune material by using the antibody CE59 directed to the Fc fragment of IgG modified by the antibody-antigen reaction; b) cytofluorometric and/or radiometric analyses of the cell surface expression of HLA II, CR1 and FcR structures by means of specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs); c) electron microscopy (EM) examination of diverse combinations of cryoglobulins incubated with PBP from patients and normals; d) analysis of cryoglobulin-induced inhibition of E-IgG phagocytosis; e) measurement of the generation of chemiluminescence (CL) in response to Zymosan, Phorbol Myristate Acetate and n-Formyl-Methyonine-Leucine-Phenilalanine (n-FMLP). Patients' PBP were found to have a higher amount of cell-bound immune material as compared to normals (p less than 0.01). CR1 and FcR expression was not different from controls, whereas a slight increase in percentage of monocytes bearing HLA II structures was found in patients (p less than 0.05). Upon EM examination no obvious differences were found in the internalization capacity of cryoglobulins between patients and controls. The CL production was lower than normal (p less than 0.02), whatever stimulus used, with a maximal impairment for n-FLMP (p less than 0.005), the most specific test probe for cytoskeleton integrity. Finally, a remarkable cryoglobulin-induced inhibition of E-IgG phagocytosis was shown. A combination of saturation mechanisms and intracellular abnormalities could underlie the apparent discrepancy between E-IgG clearance defect and preserved potential of cryoglobulin internalization in cryoglobulinemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Monoclonal gammopathy and glomerulonephritis with organized microtubular deposits.

We report a case with IgG-kappa monoclonal gammopathy of unidentified significance (MGUS) and glomerulonephritis (GN) with organized microtubular deposits on electron microscopy (EM). Light microscopy (LM) examination showed exudative features and moderate extracapillary proliferation. An acute nephritic syndrome with a rapidly progressive renal failure was clinically manifest at the onset and during each relapse. The patient was treated with methylprednisolone pulses followed by oral prednisone, cyclophosphamide, plasmapheresis, and maintenance courses of chemotherapy. The response to treatment was good, with a temporary improvement of renal function and control of the downhill course over a 3-year follow-up.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Glomerulonephritis with organized deposits: a new clinicopathological entity? Light-, electron-microscopic and immunofluorescence study of 12 cases.

Twelve cases of glomerulonephritis in patients without systemic diseases, displaying organized glomerular deposits, were reported. Microfibrils (11-30 nm diameter) were found in 9 patients and microtubules (20-35 nm diameter) in the other 3. Histochemical stainings for amyloid were always negative. By light microscopy, mesangial proliferative, membranous and membranoproliferative patterns were seen in 5, 3 and 4 patients, respectively. By immunofluorescence, granular deposits, mainly of IgG and C3, were found in all cases, either in the mesangium or in the mesangium and in the capillary walls. A second biopsy was performed in 2 patients. The number of hyaline glomeruli was increased, but the general pattern of glomerular changes remained unchanged. The commonest clinical findings were hypertension, microhematuria and proteinuria, often of nephrotic range. At variance to what is reported in the literature, 2 pediatric cases were found as well, and the overall prognosis (mean follow-up 54.3 months) was mostly favorable. The diagnostic relevance of these findings is pointed out, but further investigations are needed, before suggesting a new clinicopathological entity.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed1990

Pattern of double glomerulopathies. A clinicopathologic study in nine nondiabetic patients.

Nine new cases of double glomerulopathies (GP) were found among 1,715 renal biopsies. Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy were needed to achieve a correct diagnosis and the prevailing relevance of these techniques in single cases was stressed. IgA nephropathy was the most commonly found GP, being associated with membranous glomerulonephritis (GN) (2 patients), minimal change disease (3 patients), and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (1 patient). In addition, single cases of membranous GN plus crescentic GN and acute GN plus cryoglobulinemic GN were recorded. Possible factors involved in the pathogenesis and clinical significance of double glomerulopathies are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Functional changes of monocytes due to dialysis membranes.

The functional effects directly induced by dialysis membranes on peripheral monocytes were analyzed in a plasma-free model of simulated dialysis using Cuprophan, cuprammonium rayon, polyacrylonitrile, polymethylmetacrilate and polysulphone membranes. A severe reduction of monocyte phagocytosis of IgG-coated erythrocytes was found by using Cuprophan and cuproammonium rayon. The cytofluorimetric analysis of several cell surface receptors, involved in the immune phagocytosis and recognizable by five quoted monoclonal antibodies, did not reveal any significant change. The defective phagocytosis of the IgG-coated erythrocytes by monocytes, due to the exposure to cellulose-derived membranes, was paralleled by an impaired interiorization of heat-aggregated human immunoglobulins, as analyzed by electron microscopy. The cell membrane binding of aggregated immunoglobulins was found to be unaffected. The defect was associated to a remarkably depressed generation of reactive oxygen species after Zymosan stimulation. Therefore, the defective immune phagocytosis induced by exposure of monocytes to cellulosic membranes was not due to a receptor rearrangement or an impaired binding of ingestible particles, but to a reduced internalization capacity probably related to an energy source exhaustion (as shown by the lack of response to stimuli able to induce oxidizing species production). These features are similar to those described in monocytes from acute systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Cell Survival↗
PubMed1989

Sarcomatous tumor of the chest wall with osteochondroid differentiation. Evidence of mesothelial origin.

We describe a case of sarcomatous tumor of the chest wall with differentiation toward bone and cartilage that was observed in an asbestos-exposed worker. Although the mesothelial nature of the tumor was at first considered, it was not proven. Later, the tumor was shown to be a mesothelioma using a panel of pertinent antibodies that included a recently described anti-mesothelial cell marker. In addition, asbestos bodies were found in association with the sarcoma cells. Our findings indicate that whenever physicians encounter any type of primary sarcomatoid tumor involving serous membranes, the possibility of malignant mesothelioma should be regarded a priori.

Asbestos↗