Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Matturri

Publications and source records attributed to L Matturri.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Detection of trisomy 7 with fluorescence in situ hybridization and its correlation with DNA content and proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positivity in prostate cancer.

The authors applied fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), using specific DNA probes for chromosome 7, to routine paraffin-embedded tissue sections obtained from 35 radical-prostatectomy specimens. Proliferative activity was also evaluated using static cytometry to assess DNA content and immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positivity. These results were correlated with each other and with the morphologic parameters. The presence of three or more of chromosome 7 was observed in 71% of the cases, as was a high S phase, with a triploid prevalent DNA content and a PCNA index above mean value in 66% of the cases. No correlation was detected between these findings and histologic grade; conversely, there was a significant correlation with stage (chi-square = 5.33; p = 0.021). From these results, the authors maintain that the presence of an extra chromosome 7-correlated in most cases with an increase in cell kinetics and an advanced stage-may be an additional prognostic marker of aggressive behavior.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Discrete T-lymphocytic leptomeningitis of the ventral medullary surface in a case of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death.

The Authors report the case of a 4 month old female infant dying suddenly and unexpectedly. At post-mortem examination, nothing significant was found, except a focal T-lymphocytic brainstem leptomeningitis, involving the ventral medullary surface (VMS) particularly coincidental with the pyramids, with involvement of the outer layer of the nucleus arcuatus (NARC). Moreover, the NARC itself presented, on serial sections, interdigitated subdivisions. To the present authors' best knowledge, no case has been recordered in the literature, as yet, exhibiting VMS inflammation, evidently acquired (likely viral) in nature, associated to a NARC developmental defect, altogether bespeaking for the etio-pathogenic importance of such a combined pathology of the central chemosensitive field among the long debated mechanisms of SIDS.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

[Dispersion of junctional tissue and its consequences in a case of sudden infant death].

This article reports a case of sudden infant death syndrome in a 1-month-old male. Some important abnormalities of the cardiac conduction system were found, consisting of persistent fetal dispersion of the atrioventricular node and His bundle, accessory atrioventricular pathways of Mahaim type and resorptive degeneration. These changes could be considered as a morphological substrate for cardiac arrhythmias.

Atrioventricular Node↗
PubMed1998

[Anatomopathological and immunohistochemical findings in 6 cardiac myxomas].

Heart myxoma is the most common cardiac neoplasm in adult, even if its biologic profile remains uncertain. The clinicopathologic features of 6 cardiac myxomas in patients ranging in age from 42 to 58 years are described: 5 cases were located in atria, 1 occurred in the right ventricular wall, attached by a thin pedicle to the wall next to the pulmonary artery. Grossly myxomas are generally pedunculated and average 2 to 8 cm in diameter. They appear gelatinous and polypoid, sometimes with areas of hemorrhage. Microscopic examination of specimens of myxomas removed at operation reveals the myxomatous nature of the stroma composed of abundant mucopolysaccharidic matrix, containing stellate or polyhedral cells, singly or in small clusters, and occasional blood vessels. In other cases, the matrix stains more deeply and reticulin fibers and occasional strands of collagen are evident. Immunohistochemical study reveals tumoral positivity for smooth muscle actin cells and for vimentin. In addition, endothelial cells in intramyxomatous vascular channels are positive for factor VIII and CD-34 endothelial markers. Myxomas were diagnosed in patients in whom the symptoms and signs of cardiac tumor may have been attributed to other causes. The clinical pictures produced by cardiac myxomas include non specific manifestations and mechanical interference with cardiac function. The symptoms may simulate a wide variety of other cardiac conditions (mitral valve disease, embolic phemomena, tricuspid valve disease, sudden unexpected death). A wide local excision is needed to assure that the myxoma does not recur.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Hyperplasia of the aorticopulmonary paraganglia: a new insight into the pathogenesis of sudden infant death syndrome?

In this study, the Authors search for morphologic alterations in the aorticopulmonary paraganglia (APP) of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) victims when compared with age-matched controls. Morphometric studies on serial sections of the APP were performed with an image analyzer in combination with a standard microscope attached to a video camera. APP hyperplasia, characterized by an increase in some parameters such as number, mean lobule diameter and total glomic tissue volume when compared with age-matched controls, was observed in 23.8% of SIDS victims. Similar alterations have been reported in peripheral chemoreceptors of animals and human beings who are chronically hypoxemic. In SIDS, it could reflect an abnormal chemoreceptor function, contributing to an altered respiration control.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (defibrotide) protects against post-ischemic behavioral, electroencephalographic and neuronal damage in the gerbil.

The effectiveness of defibrotide, a single-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotide compound, in preventing damage caused by cerebral ischemia was studied. Global ischemia was induced in anesthetized gerbils by bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 10 min. Defibrotide (100 mg/kg) or saline was injected, i.v., immediately after reperfusion. The following parameters were evaluated simultaneously: (1) electroencephalographic (EEG) spectral power, recorded before, during and after the ischemic period; (2) body temperature, monitored with a rectal thermistor probe after reperfusion for 120 min; (3) spontaneous motility, evaluated through a photocell system and quantified in terms of total distance travelled in 30 min, 1 h after recirculation and at periods over 15 days; (4) mnemonic functions assessed by passive avoidance test from 3 to 15 days after ischemia; (5) histological examination, 7 days after reperfusion, counting CA1 hippocampal neuronal cells. The ischemia-induced complete flattening of spectral power was significantly reversed (P < 0.01) by post-ischemic treatment with defibrotide between 30 and 90 min after ischemia. A complete recovery of total EEG spectral power was seen in the defibrotide group at 6 h and the saline ischemic group at 1 day. Seven days after bilateral carotid occlusion, there was a significant decrease in spectral power (-70% +/- 6) together with a loss of the number of CA1 cells in the saline ischemic group (-64%). Treatment with defibrotide significantly protected against the decrease in spectral power (-30% +/- 7) and cell loss (-9%). Finally, the number of animals found to be protected against the ischemia-induced flattening was significantly larger for defibrotide-treated gerbils than for saline-treated animals throughout the experiment except for the third day. Body temperature was significantly decreased only at 30 min after reperfusion in both ischemic and sham-operated groups. Defibrotide reduced ischemia-induced hypermotility but only 6 h after the insult. The ischemia-induced impairment of memory was partially reversed within 3 days in the defibrotide-treated animals and fully reversed within 7 days in the defibrotide group and 15 days in the saline group. Our results demonstrate that defibrotide, even when administered after the post-ischemic period, possesses anti-ischemic properties. The mechanism by which defibrotide protects the ischemic reperfused brain is still largely unknown. However, a neuroprotection via adenosine A1 and A2 subtype receptor interaction can be put forward.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Significance of the DNA synthesis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathies.

DNA content and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression were investigated in normal hearts, in hypertrophic from hemodynamic overload hearts and in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The aim of this study was mainly to determine whether the hyperdiploid myocardial cells in all cases are in dynamic or static phase. The percentage of PCNA positive cells only in the HCM group was significantly higher (mean value = 25.4%) than the percentage of hyperdiploid cells (mean value = 9.3%). Therefore, the DNA replication occurs through a different process from that of normal cell cycle which lead to an increase in ploidy and eventually mitosis. These data should be interpreted not only as the result of a periodic amitotic DNA renewal and not even as the result of an increased apoptosis, but especially as a repair process of the DNA molecules affected by a various types of damages in HCMs.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

DNA content and thymidine labeling index correlate with prognosis in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

The prognostic value of proliferative activity was determined in 48 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Tumor samples were obtained during surgery: DNA content was determined by static cytometry with an image analysis program, and cell kinetics were analyzed by the in vitro thymidine labeling index (T-LI). The DNA content analysis visualized a diploid cellular population in 32 cases and an aneuploid cellular population in 16 cases. The DNA content was not significantly related to the sex and the age of the patients or the TN stage of the tumors, but to histological grade (p = 0.03). Similarly significant correlation was found between T-LI and age of the patients, indeed the median value was higher in patients older than 59 (p = 0.024). T-LI was not related to the sex of the patients, or to the histological grade or the TN stage of the tumors. In multivariate analysis, using the Cox model, T-LI was the most important prognostic parameter (p = 0.015), superior to DNA content (p = 0.021) and to TN stage (p = 0.047; p = 0.043). From the data obtained in this study it can be concluded that evaluation of DNA content and thymidine labeling index in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx may be new independent parameters of prognosis and may contribute to optimal and individualized therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Cytogenetic aspects of cell proliferation in atherosclerotic plaques.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using chromosome specific alpha-satellite DNA probes for chromosome 7, was performed on paraffin-embedded sections of 21 cases of human "unstable" atherosclerotic plaques, in order to determine whether trisomy 7, found by some Authors with conventional cytogenetics, is a biological characteristic of the atherosclerotic plaque. In 15 cases (71%) the FISH method showed smooth muscle cells with three or more spots. In particular the trisomy 7 was the most significant and constant result. The presence of an extra chromosome 7 is strictly correlated with an overexpression of the gene for chain A of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), which was mapped at pter-7q22 region. Therefore trisomy 7 seems to correspond to an increase in PDGF synthesis and consequently to an increase in proliferative activity of smooth muscle cells.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed1997

Thymidine labeling index in colorectal carcinoma: relation to clinicopathological parameters and to mitotic index.

Two cell-kinetic parameters, the thymidine labeling index (T-LI) and the mitotic index (MI) were determined for a prospective series of 74 primary colorectal cancers. Dukes' stages were used to define the extent of the tumor: 10 tumors were classified as Dukes' A, 36 as Dukes' B, and 22 as Dukes' C. Of these tumors, 14 were well-differentiated, 44 moderately differentiated, and 15 poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas. The H3dT-LI values obtained varied widely, from 2.5 to 38.9% (median value: 16.8%). The MI shows a range of from 0 to 13.2% with a median value of 3.2%. The T-LI values were independent of the sex and age of the patients and of the histological grading and Dukes' stage. Conversely, the MI was related to histological grading. This study indicates that the T-LI, whose application has reached the gold standard, still represents an independent parameter and the most sensible, objective, and specific complementary method for the analysis of the S phase.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Sudden cardiac death in non-professional athletes].

Sudden death during sports activities in non-professional athletes is a rare occurrence, however it is of great interest in clinical pathology and forensic medicine. We performed chemico-toxicologic and histopathologic investigations in three cases of sudden cardiac death in non-professional athletes, focusing in particular on the cardiac conduction system. Examination of conduction tissue was performed on sections seriated every 150 microns, stained alternately with hematoxylin-eosin and Heidenhain's trichrome (azan). In all three cases diagnostic evidence showed hyperacute myocardial infarction, due to spasm of coronaries with mild atherosclerosis, and myocardial lesions due to reperfusive necrosis. The pathogenesis of sudden death in young athletes is not related only to ischemic-coronary damage that is not exclusively mechanical, but also a dynamic event (spasm and reperfusion), but also to fatal arrhythmias related to abnormal findings in the conduction system. Such findings can therefore be considered the morphologic substrate of sudden cardiac death.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cell kinetics of pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland.

The aim of the present study is to characterise the cell kinetics of pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland by assessing DNA content and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positivity. In 22 parotid adenomas, DNA content was measured by densitometry in histological serial sections stained with Feulgen's method and PCNA positivity was determined by immunohistochemistry with the monoclonal antibody PC10. To assess the proliferative activity, DNA index and PCNA index were evaluated. It was possible to distinguish two types of adenoma. In Group I there was a prevalence of diploid cells with a low PCNA index. Group II is represented by adenomas with a large percentage of triploid cells and a PCNA index significantly higher than that of Group I. Our findings suggest that the possibility of recurrence or malignant transformation depends on intrinsic biological properties of each adenoma.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗
PubMed1996

[Changes in the heart conduction system in a case of Wegener's granulomatosis].

Since the initial description by Klinger in 1931 and confirmation by Wegener in 1936, Wegener's granulomatosis has emerged as an uncommon disease entity of unknown aetiology. This disease is characterized by a granulomatous-necrotizing general vasculitis, which most frequently affects the respiratory tract, and by a usually focal necrotizing glomerulonephritis. We report one case of Wegener's granulomatosis with reference to heart conduction system involvement and to nervous plexuses localized in the heart. Specialized conduction system of the heart is little investigated in Wegener's granulomatosis. The blocks of tissue containing the sinoatrial node, the atrio-ventricular node, His bundle, the bifurcation and both bundle branches were fixed in buffered formalin 10% and embedded in paraffin, cut serially at 150 mu intervals and stained alternately with hematoxylin-eosin and Heidenhain trichromic (azan). This heart showed fibrosis near distal His bundle, coronaric arteriolar severe stenosis and fibrotic involvement of the root of the left branch. This histological picture is plausibly and result of scarring of arteriolar specific granulomatous process, also in relation to the low grade of coronarosclerosis. Sclerosis of specific conduction tissue, in addition to cardiac intramural arteriolar subocclusion and to aspecific inflammation of nervous plexuses, can be considered as a plausible arrhythmogenic base of death.

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis↗
PubMed1996

Carotid atherosclerosis. Immunocytochemical analysis of the vascular and cellular composition in endarterectomies.

Papers dealing with rupture of carotid plaque surface are few in spite of the growing importance of the subject. The aim of this study was to analyze the cellular and vascular components of surgically excised carotid endarterectomies in order to obtain information about their role in the pathogenesis of the plaque rupture and intraplaque hemorrhage. Seventy-six surgical specimens of carotid endarterectomies were used for this study. The findings of immunophenotyping of the cellular constituents of the plaques were: 1) endothelial lining: the fibrous cap at the site of the rupture showed an eroded surface with loss of the endothelial lining. Conversely, in the remaining surface a continuous, not damaged row of endothelial cells stained with anti-CD31 and anti-CD34 was observed; 2) fibrous cap: the collagenous fibrous cap at the site of erosion was attenuated and the phenotypic characterization of the cells showed inflammatory components consisting mainly of macrophages (CD68 positive), 2/3 of the total infiltration. The remaining 1/3 was composed of T-lymphocytes and scarce B-lymphocytes. A close interaction between macrophages and capillaries and macrophages and T-lymphocytes was observed; 3) lipid cores: two different types of lipid cores could be depicted. Avascular or mildly vascularized lipid cores and highly vascularized, with neoformed vessels stained with CD34 and CD31. CD34 stained endothelia of all kind of vessels; conversely, neoformed vessels showed a weak stain with CD31. T-lymphocytes were found to be in close contact with neoformed vessels, and in some cases, migrating through the endothelial cells; 4) deeper layers of the plaque: the base and the shoulder of the plaques showed in 28/76 cases neoformed vessels, thin or thick walled, CD34 positive, generally surrounded by mild to extensive mononuclear infiltrates. Atherosclerotic plaques were found to belong to six different lesions: plaque rupture plus thrombosis (18/76, 23.6%), plaque rupture plus intraplaque hemorrhage plus thrombosis (18/76, 23.6%), intraplaque hemorrhage without plaque rupture (16/76, 21.0%), plaque rupture plus intraplaque hemorrhage (5/76, 6.5%), stable calcified non complicated plaque (14/76, 18.4%) and unstable, soft, non complicated plaque (5/76, 6.5%). The first four lesions were considered as "complicated lesions". Complicated plaques presented neoformed vessels in the periphery, shoulder and base of the plaque in 22/57 (38.5%) cases. Conversely only 1/14 (7.1%) of non complicated, stable calcified plaques presented neoformed vessels, (p < 0.05). Of note, the 5 causes of unstable, soft non complicated plaque presented neoformed vessels surrounding the plaque. In 10/57 (17.5%) complicated plaques unequivocal histological signs of old hemorrhages were found surrounding those vessels. Irrespective of presenting no rupture, 11/35 plaques showed a mononuclear infiltrate in the fibrous cap. In conclusion, rupture of carotid plaques (50% of the cases), is characterized by the presence of a macrophagic infiltration of the caps and by the direct apposition of T-lymphocytes to macrophages and a close relation of these cells to endothelial cells. This highly suggests a cell-to-cell interaction, which results in an inflammatory process. Intraplaque hemorrhage without rupture represented 21% of the endarterectomies. These lesions are not related to cap erosion, but to plaque vascularization. Most lipid cores were highly vascularized with neoformed vessels with macrophages and T-cells in close contact and in some cases disrupting the endothelium. The abrupt growing of the lipid core and/or an overproduction of oxygen free radicals could lead to the breakdown of core vessels and intraplaque hemorrhage.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Youthful sudden cardiac death and the Kawasaki syndrome. An anatomopathological case report].

In 1967 Kawasaki studied 50 cases with the same features as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, further reported throughout Japan with the eponym of Kawasaki's disease. It is frequent in Japan and in USA, whereas in Europe it is sporadic and often misinterpreted. It presents as an acute fever, attended by irritation of the skin and oral mucosa, with swelling of cervical lymph nodes, easily misdiagnosed as scarlet fever, Stevens Johnson syndrome, or infantile exanthema or allergy. After the acute phase, Kawasaki's disease becomes chronic and sudden death is possible even if many years have elapsed. In the chronic phase, coronaritis, coronary aneurysms, marked stenosis and/or occlusive thrombosis are often present. Cardiac Lesions were classified from stage I to IV according to the duration of illness at death. The present work deals with the case of a 17 year old man, dying from undiagnosed coronary artery chronic Kawasaki disease. The patient had been hospitalized for Wolff-Parkinson-white syndrome; ten months after discharge he died suddenly, while performing gymnastics at school. Occluding thrombosis of cylindrical aneurysm of both coronary arteries, from undiagnosed Kawasaki arteritis, was found and the young boy succumbed to hyperacute infarction. The heart was fixed in buffered formalin 10% and embedded in paraffin. Histological examination of the cardiac conduction system has been carried out on serial sections, with the technique usually adopted by one of the present authors (L. Rossi). Hema-toxylin-eosin (H-E) and trichromic (Hei-denhein-azan) stainings have routinely employed.

Adolescent↗