Some serological (serum immunoglobulins, circulating immune complexes, quantitative assessment of hemolytic complement activity) and cellular (total number of circulating lymphocytes as well their phenotypic and functional characterization) parameters have been analyzed in 42 patients with lung cancer of three hystologic types and in 19 healthy controls to define whether different histologic neoplasms have an impact on the host immune system. As a group, cancer patients showed 1) the presence of circulating immune complexes, in a significant percentage, within all the three groups studied; and 2) a significant reduction of lymphocytes forming E rosette. With regard to cellular immune parameters we noted that 1) T lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of patients with lung cancer showed a decreased capacity to express HLA-class II antigens upon phytohemogglutinin (PHA) activation in vitro; 2) PBL from lung cancer, in particular the adenocarcinoma group, failed to proliferate upon stimulation by policlonal mitogens; and 3) the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) of non-T/T-type was impaired in all three groups, whereas the autologous MLR of T/T-type was impaired only in the patients with squamous cell carcinoma and in those with adenocarcinoma, probably as a result of a reduced stimulatory capacity.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1988

Effects of antrectomy and proximal duodenectomy on duodenal G-cell activity and proliferation in the rat.

The role of the antrum and duodenal bulb in gastrin regulation was investigated in 60 white rats, submitted to 1) simple laparotomy, or 2) antrectomy, or 3) antrectomy with additional removal of the duodenal bulb (1.5 cm). Serum gastrin levels 3-4 months after surgery were repeatedly measured with radioimmunoassay in fasted and in freely fed rats. The duodenum was thereafter removed and its proximal third used to assess the number and cytoplasmic granule content of duodenal G-cells. Basal serum gastrin levels were significantly increased by antrectomy, but reduced by additional resection of the duodenal bulb. Antrectomy, with or without proximal duodenectomy, completely abolished the gastrin response to feeding. Duodenal G-cell density was increased following antrectomy, but the phenomenon was not further enhanced by additional removal of the duodenal bulb. No significant changes in the patterns of gastrin granule maturation were found after antrectomy and proximal duodenectomy.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

[Simulation, dissimulation, and simulation games in teaching and in surgical diagnosis].

The characteristic aspects of the year's course in Surgical Symptomatology included in the curriculum of the degree course in Medicine and Surgery are examined. The report covers the student's behaviour at the first contact with the patient, his initial reaction and subsequent professional acclimatization, the techniques of didactic simulation and the new diagnostic technologies that essentially follow the dialectic of the "electronic game". Direct personal evidence and selected technical documentation constitute the demonstrative back up for the various points under discussion.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed1987

[Our experience in the treatment of persistent spontaneous pneumothorax].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Congenital malformations of the inner ear: histologic findings in five temporal bones.

The histopathologic findings in five temporal bones from three patients with congenital malformation of the inner ear are described. The external contour of the cochlea was deformed in two temporal bones, while the internal architecture was abnormal in all five temporal bones. Intracochlear abnormalities included defects in the interscalar septum, deficiencies in the modiolus, and a paucity of neural elements. Spiral ganglion cell populations varied, but were substantially diminished in all five temporal bones. Enlargement of the vestibule and semicircular canals (lateral and posterior) was seen in two temporal bones. A large vestibular aqueduct and saccular hydrops were found in one temporal bone each. An attempt was made to relate the histologic patterns of deformity to the proposed clinical classification of inner ear malformations. Radiographic abnormality of the cochlea would have been detectable in two bones (incomplete partition pattern), while two other bones would have appeared as vestibule-semicircular canal syndromes. One bone would have been radiographically normal.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13↗

PubMed1987

1-(2-pyridinyl)piperazine derivatives with antianaphylactic, antibronchospastic, and mast cell stabilizing activities.

New 1-(2-pyridinyl)piperazine derivatives were synthesized and tested as inhibitors of the reaginic passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in the rat (PCA), of the histamine-induced bronchospasm in the guinea pig, and of the rat mesenteric mast cell degranulation induced by compound 48/80. On the basis of test results, a series of N-(substituted phenyl)-omega-[4-(2-pyridinyl)-1-piperazinyl]alkanamides was prepared. The nature of substituents at the anilide ring strongly influenced mast cell stabilizing activity, whereas it was less determining in the case of the other two tests. No clear correlation between the most common physicochemical parameters (pi, sigma, Vw volume) of substituents and activity could be detected. With regard to the position of substituents at the anilide ring, the rank order of potency, in the PCA and bronchoconstriction tests, was para greater than meta greater than ortho. Introduction of substituents in the 1-(2-pyridinyl)piperazinyl moiety of the N-(substituted phenyl)propanamide derivatives hardly affected activity, or the effect was deleterious. Some of the new compounds exhibited a simultaneous remarkable activity in all the three assays employed.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Role of the proximal duodenum in gastrin regulation following antrectomy.

Antrectomy is accepted as the most effective surgical treatment of recurrent duodenal ulcer after complete vagotomy. Although antrectomy is aimed at reducing serum gastrin levels, both human and experimental reports seem to indicate that gastrin concentrations may be unchanged following this operation. The probable source of gastrin has been considered to be the proximal third of the duodenum, since at this level increased tissue gastrin concentrations were found after antrectomy. The present study was carried out in order to gain insight into the mechanism by which the duodenum may compensate for the removal of the antrum. Forty white rats were randomly divided into two equal groups and underwent antrectomy with gastroduodenostomy or simple laparotomy. Three to four months after surgery, serum gastrin determinations were carried out by radioimmunoassay both in fasted and freely fed rats. The duodenum was then removed and its proximal third was used for G cell counts (immunoperoxidase method) and for assessment of G cell cytoplasmic granule distribution (electron-microscopic examination). Antrectomy significantly increased fasting serum gastrin levels (p less than 0.01), while it completely abolished the gastrin response to food ingestion (p less than 0.001). In antrectomized rats, the duodenal G cell number was significantly higher than in control rats (p less than 0.001), whilst the G cell cytoplasmic granule number remained unchanged. In conclusion, the present study indicates that in the rat the proximal duodenum increases its content of tissue gastrin following antrectomy mainly by enhancing the regional G cell density.

Animals↗