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Biomedical subjects

L Giordano

Publications and source records attributed to L Giordano.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

TEL-AML1 translocations with TEL and CDKN2 inactivation in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines.

The t(12;21) (p 13; q22) results in the fusion of the TEL gene located on chromosome 12 with the AML1 gene located on the derivative chromosome 21. Because this translocation is difficult to detect using standard cytogenetic techniques, 27 previously karyotyped B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell lines were evaluated for the presence of the TEL-AML1 fusion using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and cDNA sequencing. Six cell lines expressed the TEL-AML1 chimeric transcript by RT-PCR and the t(12;21) was confirmed by FISH analysis with probes for TEL, AML1, and chromosome 12. While only one of the 6 cell lines with the t(12;21) lost the der(12)t(12;21)-encoded AML1-TEL fusion transcript, 4 cell lines lacked expression of the nontranslocated allele of TEL and 5 cell lines lacked expression of CDKN2. Moreover, in 2 patients (1 with the TEL-AML1 transcript and 1 without), TEL expression was lost with disease progression; le, TEL was expressed in the initial cell lines (established at diagnosis or first relapse) whereas TEL was not expressed in the cell lines established from these patients in late-stage disease. These data show the coexistence of multiple genetic defects in childhood B-lineage ALL Cell lines with t(12;21) will facilitate the study of TEL-AML1 and AML1-TEL fusion proteins as well as TEL and CDKN2 gene inactivation in leukemia transformation and progression.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Adherence enhancers in pill-related clinical trials: a health behavior in cancer prevention model-based approach.

Preventing non-adherence and treating adherence failure are important to consider in designing community-based clinical trials. The approach and methods for managing adherence are vital. This paper describes a practical and theoretically-based strategy for managing adherence in a small cancer prevention trial with subjects (n = 40) taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, piroxicam. Average daily pill intake adherence was exceptionally high (97.4%) as measured by self-report calendar. Thus, the generalized adherence enhancement approach used in this study may have been a related factor, although statistical model-testing was not possible in this small trial. The generalized intervention took into account factors such as the potential barriers and benefits of being in the study, self-efficacy and satisfaction with the participant/staff relationship. These and other theoretical variables were incorporated into an overall adherence strategy that is discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Cerebral tumors in children with neurofibromatosis type 1].

Twenty-eight children (mean age 8 years) with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and cerebral tumor were studied from 1975 to 1992 (mean follow-up 8.1 years) considering the biological behaviour of the tumor and the patient's quality of life, in order to identify retrospectively the best management. All, except one, tumors were benign gliomas, 76% of the optic nerve/chiasm (NCO), just 10% infratentorial. Sixteen children (57%) did not receive any treatment, 2 radiotherapy (RT) only and 4 symptomatic treatment only; in 6 patients the tumor resection was performed. 92% of the 25 survivors had sufficient autonomy in daily life at last follow-up. Considering the risk of cerebral tumors in patients with NF1, we conclude that cerebral magnetic resonance should be performed also in the asymptomatic ones. If neuroradiological findings are characteristic of benign glioma, histologic confirmation seems unnecessary. Surgical resection is recommended only in tumors confined to a single optic nerve, with severe or progressive symptoms. In chiasmatic tumors we suggest partial resection or symptomatic treatment only with close clinical and radiological observation. RT is only recommended if there is unequivocal evidence of tumor progression. Chemotherapy can delay the use of RT in very young children. Cerebral tumors different from NCO gliomas seem to have a similar natural history in patients with or without NF1 and therefore the management should be the same for both groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Bell's palsy: diagnostic and therapeutical trial in childhood].

Bell's palsy is caused by a nuclear and/or infranuclear lesion of the facial nerve, producing an ipsilateral deficit of the facial muscles. The etiology is unknown. Bell's palsy has a frequency of 20:100000 individuals/year, a familiarity of 1-2% of cases, and a recurrence rate of 9% of cases. We studied 33 children (mean age 9.1 years) admitted to our Division during the period 1991-1994 because of Bell's palsy. We propose our personal diagnostic and therapeutical trial: in every patient a full neurological and otoscopic examination, and an audioimpedenzometric test. Treatment is then commenced with prednisone (1 mg/kg/day p.o. for 5-10 days and gradual reduction in 5 days), vitamins B1, B6 and B12 p.o. for 30 days, and local treatment with artificial tears, and occlusive bandage at nighttime until the lagophthalmus is resolved. Electromyography-electroneurography, and brain CT-scan are carried out after 15 days and 21 days respectively of treatment, if neurological deficit is unchanged. 80 to 90% of patients are reported to recover spontaneously from Bell's palsy. With our approach we achieved a 100% recovery rate within an average of 3 weeks (range: 1 week to 5 months).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Triventricular hydrocephalus: review of 71 cases evaluated at the Istituto Neurologico "C. Besta" Milan over the last 10 years.

The authors review 71 patients with triventricular hydrocephalus in whom a contrast-enhanced CT scan did not show any tumoral or vascular lesion that could have caused the hydrocephalus. The patients were subdivided into three age groups. The results of the neuroradiological examination, the surgical treatment, and the complications of the shunt procedure are analyzed, with special reference to the high number (13) of periaqueductal alterations of signal pattern found on MRI (interpreted as a "slow growing" neoplasm) and to the incidence and causes of shunt malfunction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Renal involvement in multiple myeloma. Physiopathology and therapy].

Renal failure (RF) is a common accompaniment of multiple myeloma and is identified in over half of patients at presentation. RF is usually related to the presence of Bence-Jones protein (immunoglobulin light chain) which damages all the compartments of the kidney: glomerule, tubulo-interstitium and vasculature. The most common renal lesion is cast nephropathy, named "myeloma kidney": Cast are produced by two mechanisms: proximal tubule damage and intratubular cast formation. The predominant pathophysiologic mechanism of tubule damage appears to be a precipitation of Bence-Jones protein and Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein produced by cells of ascending limb of Henle's loop in the tubule lumen. The therapeutic maneuvers to reduce renal damage and preserve renal function are reduction of plasma concentration of light chain with chemotherapy, elimination of factors which favour coprecipitation of Tamm-Horsfall protein with light chain (hypercalcemia, acid urine, radiocontrast material, furosemide, oliguria). At last, colchicine (1.2 mg/day) will also be efficacious in the acute management of patients with cast nephropathy.

Bence Jones Protein↗
PubMed1994

Brain tumors with symptomatic onset in the first two years of life.

Eighty children who in the first 2 years of life had signs and symptoms relating to a cerebral neoplasm were studied over an 18-year period (1970-1987), the mean follow-up being 8.2 years. In each case age at onset, clinical presentation, tumor location and pathological diagnosis, extent of surgical resection, postoperative mortality, adjuvant therapy length of survival and quality of life were assessed. Supratentorial tumors (59%) were more common than infratentorial. The most frequent clinical presenting feature (70%) was increased intracranial pressure. Sixty-three patients (79%) were operated on and in all of these cases a histological diagnosis was obtained. Astrocytomas (41%) and medulloblastomas (20%) were the most common oncotypes. Surgical mortality was 17.4% and the 5-year survival rate was 54%. Quality of life was assessed for all long-term surviving patients using a specifically designed protocol. Normal physical and intellectual performances were found in 46% of cases, and all together 75% of the patients had sufficient autonomy in daily life. The prognosis is more closely related to tumor location and type of treatment than to histological diagnosis or age at onset.

Brain Damage, Chronic↗
PubMed1994

Who does Pap-test? The effect of one call program on coverage and determinants of compliance.

A pilot phase of a population-based organized screening programme for cervical cancer was run in Turin, Italy, in May-June 1991. Based on the city population lists, 1181 women 25 to 64 years old were invited in two family clinics. Overall compliance to invitation was 41.7%. In order to study the determinants of compliance, a random sample of 372 compliers and 398 non-compliers was interviewed. Interval since last Pap-test was strongly associated with compliance (ORs of complying were 2.52, 1.53, 1.41, 0.50 and 0.16 for intervals longer than 3 years, 1-3 years, 6 months-1 year, 3-6 months and less than 3 months respectively vs. never having had a Pap-test, p < 0.001). Estimated compliance was 39% among never screened women and 65% among those tested since more than 3 years, leading to an over 70% overall estimated coverage (women who complied or had a spontaneous test within 3 years). On the other hand, the effect of a number of sociodemographic variables (age, education, place of birth, marital status) was very weak or opposite (lower compliance among younger and more educated women) to what we found in a previous study on spontaneous Pap-testing. The clinic allocated to pre-fixed appointments had a higher compliance than the clinic with appointments to be arranged (OR = 2.36 95% c.i. 1.66-3.36). Anxiety caused by periodic controls for early diagnosis of cancer was an important negative determinant of compliance (ORs of complying were 0.85, 0.49, and 0.16 for those with mild, moderate and severe levels of anxiety vs. those reassured by the test). We concluded that personal invitations were actually able to reach those women who have a poor level of spontaneous practice and could reduce the selection in access to this preventive practice.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Shear strength and microleakage of light-cured glass ionomers.

Bond to dentin and marginal integrity of three light activated glass ionomer cements were evaluated, and compared to a traditional chemical-cured glass ionomer cement. Results indicated no significant difference in shear bond strength among the glass ionomer cements tested. However, there was a significant difference among glass ionomer cements in bond strength variability, with coefficients of variation ranging from 55 to 102%. A discrepancy between manufacturers' instructions and optimum curing times is one possible explanation for these results. There were also no significant differences in microleakage among glass ionomer cements. Most samples exhibited minimal or no microleakage.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

Childhood cancer registry of the Province of Torino, Italy. Survival, incidence, and mortality over 20 years.

Incident childhood cancers in the Province of Torino, Italy (population aged 0 to 14 years averaging 0.5 million) have been registered since 1967. Four population-based exhaustive surveys have been done to collect cases diagnosed during the periods 1967 to 1969, 1970 to 1975, 1976 to 1981, and 1982 to 1986. For each registered child, vital status on June 30, 1988 was assessed. This article reports incidence, mortality, and survival rates over a 20-year period. A statistically significant trend toward an increased incidence of soft tissue sarcomas was identified. Statistically insignificant trends included an increased incidence of brain tumors (probably reflecting improved diagnostic procedures) and a decreased incidence of thyroid tumors. Incidence rates of leukemias in the first year of life tended to decrease. As expected, survival rates of some childhood cancers dramatically improved throughout the 20-year period; this occurred in leukemias, brain tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, and renal tumors. Survival rates are compared with observations in comparable population-based series.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

The effectiveness of adherence intervention in a colon cancer prevention field trial.

BACKGROUND: Adherence interventions were implemented in a 1-year community-based colon cancer prevention clinical trial (n = 110) using wheat bran fiber and calcium dietary supplements. The adherence promotion strategy was guided by a theoretical model. METHODS: The adherence intervention contains both a generalized portion given to all participants and an individualized portion given to marginal (50-74% intake) and low (under 50% intake) adherers. A regression model was employed to assess the effectiveness of the interventions both at the first intervention and at subsequent times. RESULTS: The Health Behavior in Cancer Prevention Model-based adherence promotion intervention was associated with retention of participants, both during the run-in period and after randomization (P = 0.05); and maximization of the percentage of the 13.5-g recommended fiber supplement consumed during the trial (92.5%). The positive effects of the adherence intervention were greater with first-time nonadherers and the control group than with the experimental group. The high-fiber group had notably more biological GI effects from the increased fiber intake, more preexisting comorbidities, and lower perceived cognitive and physical health status. CONCLUSIONS: Randomized participants had excellent adherence overall. Retention rates in the trial were better than would be expected without the adherence intervention, especially among those participants who may have been at higher risk for dropping out of the study. This suggests that a systematic, theoretically based adherence strategy should be further tested in clinical trial settings in which lower adherence is a problem.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Reasons related to adherence in community-based field studies.

This study identified participants' reasons for good, marginal or poor adherence, or withdrawing from community-based clinical studies using a dietary and/or drug intervention. Adults aged 48-75 years participated in one of three studies related to decreasing colon polyp recurrence. Qualitative data from progress notes (N = 675) and end-of-study evaluations (N = 87) were coded using constant comparative analysis with 100% content validity panel agreement. Most common reasons for non-adherence were barriers such as side-effects, interference with vacation plans, unrelated illness, forgetting and competing outside stressors. Participation motivators were benefits such as altruism, medical benefits, free service and staff rapport. Findings supported the Health Behavior in Cancer Prevention model-based approach to adherence interventions and provided directions for adherence promotion in future community-based clinical studies.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Neuropsychological and clinical correlates of temporal lobe anatomy in schizophrenia.

Twenty-five DSM-III schizophrenic patients were assessed neuromorphologically and neuropsychologically. Reduced temporal lobes were found through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation. In addition, in order to look for the neuropsychological correlates of temporal anatomy in schizophrenia, patients were divided into cognitive normal and abnormal schizophrenics, according to their Luria Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery profile. The latter group had statistically significant temporal lobe abnormalities as assessed by MRI, irrespective of medication, clinical picture or any other relevant variables. The implication of such findings in the light of the diaschisis model is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Influence of sociodemographic variables in the enrollment of subjects in a population case-control study].

Selection in representation of the study base was quantified in a case-control study of laryngeal cancer among residents of the City of Torino, Italy. Two-hundred-ninety-nine out of 408 eligible cases (73.3%) and 608 out of 1104 (55.1%) eligible controls were interviewed. All interviewed and non interviewed subjects were compared in a logistic regression model with respect to age, sex, educational level, civil status and area of birth. No large differential selection with respect to these variables was found between interviewed and non interviewed cases. Lower proportions of interviewed subjects were found among older controls and controls with lower education. These results suggest the possibility of selection bias in this case-control study. In particular, biased measures of effects might be estimated when analyzing variables related to educational level.

Adult↗