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Biomedical subjects

G Parodo

Publications and source records attributed to G Parodo.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Uneven hepatic copper distribution in Wilson's disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Determination of hepatic copper concentration is important in the diagnosis of Wilson's disease. We studied copper distribution in the cirrhotic liver of a patient who died of Wilson's disease. METHODS: A liver slice extending from the left to the right lobe was divided into 38 samples. Each sample was analyzed for copper content by Induced Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy. RESULTS: The mean copper concentration in the liver was 1370 micrograms/g dt. A striking variability, up to 2-3-fold, in copper levels was observed between the samples: the copper concentration ranged from 880 to 2100 micrograms/g dt, with significant differences even between adjacent samples. Lobar differences were also observed, with a tendency of the right lobe to accumulate more copper than the left lobe. Histochemical analyses confirmed the uneven distribution of copper even at the acinar level. Copper was mainly stored in periportal hepatocytes (zone 1) and at the periphery of the regenerating nodules. Moreover, we observed some nodules with the majority of hepatocytes full of copper granules, adjacent to areas of parenchyma negative for copper stains. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that: 1) copper is unevenly distributed in Wilson's disease in the cirrhotic stage; 2) a lobar pattern of copper distribution is evident in this case, characterized by a higher copper concentration in the right lobe; 3) the observed lobar pattern is different from that described in the newborn liver, characterized by a higher copper content in the left compartment of the liver; 4) copper content determined in a small liver sample cannot be considered as absolutely representative of the mean hepatic copper concentration. From a practical point of view, our data show that sampling variability deserves more consideration in the diagnosis and in the monitoring of Wilson's disease. The use of hepatic copper concentration in monitoring the efficacy of the copper-chelating therapy may be unreliable, particularly in the cirrhotic stage, because of the patchy distribution of copper, as demonstrated in this study.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Scanning electron microscopy of chronic hepatitis C. An OsO4 maceration study on human biopsies.

A study at the scanning electron microscope (SEM) on the liver changes in chronic hepatitis C was carried out in human needle biopsies from four patients. Intracellular structures were visualized by a novel modification of the OsO4 maceration method that allows to investigate human pathological specimens. At low magnification we observed both sinusoidal and hepatic cells alterations: sinusoids appeared occluded by lymphocytes, hypertrophic Kupffer cells, activated perisinusoidal cells, necrotic material and apoptotic bodies. Some hepatocytes showed ballooning, arrangement in rosettes, and structural changes related to apoptosis: cell rounding, detachment from neighbouring cells, clustering of cytoplasmic organelles and cell fragmentation. We also found periterminal, sinusoidal, and pericellular severe fibrosis, and bile duct damage of moderate degree. At higher magnification, after removing the intracellular matrix, all the intracellular structures appeared normal, except for focal dilatation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Our findings clearly demonstrate the usefulness of the OsO4 maceration method for the study of chronic hepatitis and of liver disease in general. Thank to this technique, in fact, SEM becomes a diagnostic tool complementary to light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), for its unique ability to give both low magnification panoramic views and detailed high magnification 3D images of cell organelles.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1988

Embryonal carcinoma in two cases of androgen insensitivity syndrome: clinical, endocrinological and pathological features.

Embryonal carcinoma in two cases of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) is reported. In both cases gonadectomy carried out for prophylactic purposes led to the discovery of a localized embryonal carcinoma with areas of anaplastic seminoma in one case. In non-neoplastic tissue, gonad morphology in both cases was typical of AIS. Prevalently hypotrophic aspects, especially in the interstitial gland, were found in case 2. This may explain the different endocrine profile in the two cases before gonadectomy. Our study, aside from series of psycho-sexual problems, shows, according to all Authors, that the most serious complication is the high risk of malignancy after puberty in patients with AIS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Activity of interferon beta in condylomata with dysplastic lesion of the uterine cervix.

The effectiveness of interferon beta in the treatment of condylomata of the cervico-vaginal tract associated with CINs was evaluated in 25 patients. Human fibroblastic interferon (IFN beta) was administered by intra and perilesional infiltration at a dosage of 3 x 10(6) IU/day for 5 consecutive days the first week and every other day the second. The treatment showed: complete regression in 61.76% of CIN I and 58.69% of CIN II; partial regression in 26.47% of CIN I and 21.73% of CIN II. The picture remained unvaried in 11.76% of CIN I and 19.56% of CIN II.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Antigenic and cytochemical characterization of cells adhering to intrauterine contraceptive devices.

Eighteen copper intrauterine devices (IUDs), removed after 25 months of use, were examined to evaluate cells adhering to them (IAC). By means of monoclonal antibodies, the antigenic phenotype of IAC was studied, along with some IAC cytochemical properties. Sixty percent of IAC were identified as granulocytes based on morphological, cytochemical, and antigenic characteristics. A small proportion of IAC were shaped like large foreign-body macrophages, with multiple picnotic nuclei, and diffused alpha naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) activity. Some IAC identified as macrophages from a morphological view point also showed dipeptidyl-diaminopeptidase IV (DAPIV) reactivity, previously described only in T-helper lymphocytes. Most IAC identified as macrophages reacted with the monoclonal antibodies OKM1 and HLA-DR, and showed ANAE activity in the form of small multiple granules. The hypothesis that IUD-adhering macrophages with an ANAE+, DAPIV+, OKM1+, and HLA-DR+ phenotype could play a role in the inactivation of spermatozoa can be proposed.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

Immunoperoxidase localization of HSV2 antigens in cervical dysplasia and carcinoma.

The AA. have evaluated by means of the immunohistochemical technique the incidence of herpetic phlogosis in 76 women with neoplastic pathologies of the uterine cervix. The patients were submitted to cytologic, colposcopic and histologic examination for CIN. The HSV2 positivity by immunohistochemical method was demonstrated in 53 (35.3%) cases of CIN and invasive carcinoma. The results confirm the frequent association between HSV2 and cervical carcinoma and they support a specific therapeutic approach to be made in the prevention and clinical management of the carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Short term treatment with ketoconazole: effects on gonadal and adrenal steroidogenesis in women.

Ketoconazole, an imidazole derivative, is a large spectrum antifungal agent. The drug is known to cause a decrease in plasma androgens and adrenal steroids in normal men; it is also an active drug in the treatment of malignant tumors of the prostate. To examine the antiandrogenic action of this drug in women, we measured several gonadal and adrenal steroids in 21 normally menstruating women before and after receiving oral ketoconazole (200 mg twice daily) for 5 days. Plasma testosterone (T) decreased from a basal level of 0.35 to 0.25 ng/ml (+/- SEM) (P less than 0.001); dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from a basal level of 190.62 +/- 23.2 to 159.75 +/- 19.43 pg/ml (P less than 0.02); dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) from 1.42 +/- 0.44 to 1.15 +/- 0.19 micron/ml (P less than 0.02). Plasma 17 beta-estradiol (E2) decreased from a basal level of 97.42 +/- 29.37 to 54.32 +/- 9.9 pg/ml (P less than 0.05). In contrast, plasma 17-OH-progesterone (17-OHP) levels increased from a basal level of 44.81 +/- 8.21 to 71.81 +/- 15.81 ng/100 ml (P less than 0.05). These results confirm that the ketoconazole blocks the conversion of progestins into androgens. The decrease in the plasma concentration of E2 suggest a direct effect of the ketoconazole on the ovary. It is likely that the effect of the drug, both at the level of the ovaries and of the adrenal gland, is dose-dependent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMed1987

Management, therapy and outcome of treatment in women with pelvic endometriosis.

Sixty-four cases of endometriosis treated between 1980 and 1985 were reclassified according to the R-A.F.S. Twenty-eight of the patients (43.7%) were followed for 24-39 months: in this group we evaluated the efficiency of medical treatment (Danazol), combined medical and conservative surgical or definitive surgical treatment on the basis of the persistence, complete or partial regression of the symptoms. In this group of patients the symptoms regressed completely in 39.28% of the cases; in 28.57% there was a partial regression and persistence or recurrence of the symptoms were reported in 32.14%. These results suggest that the classification system is a key to interpreting treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Carcinoma IB of the endometrium: spread and prognostic factors.

The prognostic factors and their intercorrelation in 47 patients with IB endometrial cancer are presented. The data reveal the particular behaviour of the lymphatic involvement: five patients (10.6%) showed metastases to pelvic lymph nodes and six patients (12.8%) had paraaortic node metastases; altogether two women (4.2%) had histological evidence of involvement of pelvic and paraaortic nodes. Both histological grade and depth of myometrial invasion showed a characteristic relationship with the lymphatic spread: the percentage of lymph node metastases seems to bear relation to progression of myometrial penetration (M2-M3) and to histological differentiation (G2-G3).

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1980

Decrease in human plasma prolactin levels by oral prostaglandin E2 in early puerperium.

Eight milligrams of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; 2 mg every 30 min) were given orally to 12 puerperal women on day 4 after delivery. Plasma levels of prolactin showed a significant decrease in comparison with basal levels and with those of controls sampled over a similar period. The same dose of PGE2 was ineffective in modifying the plasma prolactin levels in four puerperal women on day 30 after delivery and in four non-pregnant women with normal levels of prolactin. It is suggested that a PGE2-induced decrease in prolactin could be mediated by hypothalamic dopaminergic neurones.

Female↗
PubMed1978

Gamma-amino-beta-hydroxy butyric acid stimulates prolactin and growth hormone release in normal women.

The influence of gamma-amino-beta-hydroxy butyric acid (GABOB) treatment on pituitary function has been investigated in this study. Different doses (50 x 100 mg) of GABOB were iv injected into three and six normal women, respectively. PRL and GH plasma levels were measured before and after the injection. The treatment with 150 mg GABOB, performed in another two normal women, was interrupted because of side-effects (loss of consciousness etc.) due to the treatment. The treatment with 50 mg GABOB did not induce significant variations of the two hormones; however, significant increases of PRL (P less than 0.05) and GH (P less than 0.01) plasma levels were observed after injection with 100 mg GABOB. The present data suggest that gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) itself of GABAergic drugs might play an important role in the control of hypothalamic-pituitary function.

Adolescent↗