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Biomedical subjects

L Bucci

Publications and source records attributed to L Bucci.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of zinc ions on apoptosis in PBMCs from healthy aged subjects.

Immunosenescence features, such as thymic involution, alteration of T-cell repertoire, autoimmunity and accumulation of memory/effector T cells, may be the result, at least in part, of a zinc deficiency, which is often observed during ageing. Zinc, as essential trace element, affects the immune system function and it is an important regulator of apoptosis of immune cells. In this study we addressed the question whether zinc supplementation in vitro at physiological doses can affect spontaneous and oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from subjects of three different age groups: young (mean age 28 years), old (mean age 72 years) and nonagenarians. We studied different parameters related to apoptosis (phosphatydilserine exposure, mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase 3 cleavage) and we found that zinc, while decreasing spontaneous apoptosis, can increase oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in an age-related fashion, being this effect more evident in nonagenarians than in old or young subjects. In particular, zinc can increase late apoptosis/necrosis, a phenomenon that could trigger unnecessary inflammation in vivo. We surmise that these age-associated alterations in susceptibility to apoptosis may be due to a different effect of zinc on T cell subsets, that are altered in very old people, and finally that the zinc deficiency, which is often observed in aged subjects, could be a compensatory mechanism to counteract the inflammatory status of the elderly.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fine needle aspiration cytology of desmoplastic small round cell tumor. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Intraabdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a recently recognized type of primitive sarcoma characterized by a predilection for young males, a usually very aggressive course and generally unsuccessful therapy. A primitive histologic appearance with prominent desmoplasia and striking divergent multilineage differentiation are well-described morphologic features of this tumor, along with a consistent fusion of the EWS and WT1 genes at the molecular level. The cytologic literature contains only scattered references to this type of neoplasm. Detailed information on the clinical and fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy and the immunocytochemical and ultrastructural findings in a patient with DSRCT is presented. CASE REPORT: A 23-year-old male had a firm abdominal mass with multiple secondary lesions of the liver. An FNA biopsy was performed under ultrasonographic guidance. CONCLUSION: FNA of the liver nodules showed cohesive groups of small cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and inconspicuous nucleoli; immunocytochemically vimentin and desmin showed characteristic perinuclear globular positivity. FNA cytology is an effective means of diagnosing deeply located lesions. The cytologic features of DSRCT need to become familiar to pathologists and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of liver metastasis.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hemorrhoidectomy with stapler vs. traditional hemorrhoidectomy: comparative outcome of 2 groups of patients].

Authors compare the results of two groups of patients, with III and IV degree haemorrhoids. The first group (48 patients) were treated with traditional surgery, open or closed. The second group (42 patients) treated with stapling haemorrhoidectomy. The groups were compared in order to determine if a true advantage exists regarding post-operative pain and functional recovery. Authors conclude that stapler haemorrhoidectomy, is somehow better in reducing the pain and offers a quick functional recovery. But the technique must be adopted in selected patients with mucosal prolapse, when the haemorrhoidal plexus is below the dentate line. In those cases, with inveterate mucosal prolapse, and thickened external fibrous tissue, or an irreducible prolapse of the external haemorrhoidal plexus, the choice must be carefully evaluated.

Adult↗