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Biomedical subjects

I Pecorella

Publications and source records attributed to I Pecorella.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Histochemical demonstration of CEA in pathology of the colorectum].

The evaluation of CEA serum levels and CEA tissue staining is one of the most common parameters used to help in the diagnosis and prognosis of colon-rectum disease. To this aim, an immunohistochemical demonstration of the CEA was carried out with the ABC staining system in sections of normal and diseased colon. 24 patients with polyps of the large intestine, 17 with rectocolitis, 22 with colon-rectum cancer and 11 normal subjects were studied. Results were positive in 9, 1% of the normal mucosa, 37, 5% of the polyps, 41, 2% of the rectocolitis and 100% of the carcinomas. However, the CEA in the positive reactions showed different degrees of staining and different cellular localization. From our results it would appear that the intracellular localization of this marker is connected with the degree of atypia in the histological sections. Immunohistochemical localization of the CEA could therefore be useful, above all in assessing the prognosis of colon-rectum disease.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Predictive factors of outcome after liver transplantation in patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Studies to define the optimal upper limits of tumor size and number as predictors of outcome after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) have yielded conflicting results. We analyzed 72 patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent OLT over a 12-year period in a single center. Predictive factors for survival and tumor recurrence, according to the Milan criteria, were also examined. Our cohort included 60 men and 12 women of mean age 54 +/- 8 years and mean follow-up of 40 +/- 39 months. Origin of cirrhosis was postviral in 70% and Child class B or C in two thirds of patients. HCC was multifocal in 61%; about one fifth of patients had micro- or macrovascular involvement or positive nodes upon histologic examination. The cumulative size of the lesions was <3 cm in 17 patients; >3 to < or =5 cm in 28 patients; >5 to < or =8 cm in 14 patients; and >8 cm in 13 patients. According to the number and size of tumor nodules, 49 patients met the Milan criteria. During follow-up 25 patients died, 13 due to tumor recurrence. The 1- and 2-year survivals were 90% and 85% for patients who met the Milan criteria versus 57% and 51% for patients exceeding those limits (P = .006). A cumulative tumor size >8 cm was predictive of survival and tumor recurrence upon multivariate analysis. The adoption of Milan criteria for selection of cirrhotic patients has improved survival and reduced the rate of tumor recurrence. The evaluation of cumulative tumor size might further improve patient selection.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

A scanning transmission microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis of idiopathic ocular calcification and oxalosis in AIDS patients.

In a series of 98 consecutive eyeballs enucleated at postmortem from 86 patients dying with AIDS, the incidence of calcium deposits was 14 and 18.6%, respectively, for oxalates and calcium hydroxyapatite. The calcific eyes were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis to confirm the elemental nature of the precipitates. Transmission electron microscopy was used in 2 of the cases with oxalosis. Oxalates with a free end exhibited a plate-like shape at SEM and appeared acicular at TEM, due to the reduced thickness of ultrathin sections. Crystals that were embedded in tissues such as the sclera or degenerate detached retinal tissue formed either spherules or plates at SEM. No clear relationship with intracellular structures could be found at TEM, possibly due to postmortem autolysis phenomena. Calcium hydroxyapatite deposits appeared at SEM as fine granules distributed over the collagen fibers of the corneal and conjunctival stroma and the scleral lamellae, but were also present intracellularly, both in the nucleus and cytoplasm of epithelial cells.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Tissue polypeptide antigen immunostaining in fine needle aspirates from solid breast nodules.

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of Tissue Polypeptide Antigen (TPA) immunostaining in the evaluation of aspiration smears from solid breast nodules and to discuss its possible clinical applications. Seventy-one cytologic specimens were studied; 52 were carcinomas, 15 fibroadenomas and 4 fibrocystic dysplasia. TPA was visualized with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method, using 3-3' diaminobenzidine as chromogen and hematoxylin as counterstaining. The incidence of TPA-positive aspiration smears was 88.5% in the carcinomas and 26.7% in the fibroadenomas. The four cases of fibrocystic dysplasia showed variable behaviour. The intensity of the TPA staining varied from - to and was most frequently high in the carcinomas. The results of this research show a good correlation between a diagnosis of carcinoma and TPA positivity in fine needle aspirates of solid breast nodules.

Adenofibroma↗

[Heterotopic erythropoiesis in liver transplantation].

Various conditions may restore hematopoietic activity in the adult liver. Of them, liver transplantation is of most interest. The causes and the mechanism of hematopoiesis restoral in liver grafts is not yet fully clarified. The Authors analyze the incidence of immature erythroid cells in a series of hepatic fine-needle aspiration biopsies performed in 28 patients with orthotopic liver transplant and in two clusters. The post-mortem liver examination, available in the two clusters, confirmed the ungoing hematopoietic activity.

Adult↗

[Cholestasis in liver transplantation: incidence and diagnostic significance].

Cholestasis is frequently encountered in human liver transplants. In a series of 82 liver fine-needle aspiration biopsies performed in 20 grafted patients, the incidence rate of cholestasis was 55%. Cholestasis may predominantly be localized in the hepatocyte cytoplasm, or in the biliary tree or in both sites. In our cases it was most frequently associated with acute rejection (53%), followed by preservation injuries (29%) and ciclosporin toxicity (12%), respectively. The severity and the chronologic distribution of cholestatic episodes seem to vary according to the other associated pathologic conditions.

Biopsy, Needle↗