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Biomedical subjects

M Crespi

Publications and source records attributed to M Crespi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Intramuscular human interferon-beta injections in treatment of condylomata acuminata.

A two-part study was done to assess the value of human fibroblast interferon (IFN-beta) in the treatment of condylomata acuminata. The first part was an open study of different IFN-beta preparations, which showed that intramuscular injection was the most suitable mode of administration of IFN-beta. In the double-blind placebo section 22 patients were given injections of 2 X 10(6) units IFN-beta or placebo for 10 consecutive days and followed up for 3 months. In 9 of the 11 in the IFN-beta group and 2 in the placebo group lesions disappeared from about 5 weeks after completion of the course of injections. After 3 months 8 of the non-responders were given a course of IFN-beta and all responded to treatment. None of those who had responded has had a recurrence, the disease-free period now being 12 months. Changes in (2'-5')oligo A synthetase levels in white blood cells confirm that intramuscular injections of IFN-beta produce a systemic response.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1984

Endoscopic features of suspected precancerous lesions in high-risk areas for esophageal cancer.

A high prevalence of a chronic form of esophagitis was found during two endoscopic surveys carried out in high-incidence areas of esophageal cancer in 430 subjects from Iran, and in 527 individuals from Linxian, Peoples Republic of China, selected from the general population. This high prevalence was present even in the younger age groups. The lesion does not seem to be related to gastro-histological correlation, available for all cases examined, confirmed the chronic nature of the lesion. dysplasia was found in 3 to 8 per cent of the cases. Overall, 21 esophageal cancers were diagnosed, most in a very early phase, and some only at histology. A follow-up of 20 cases after one year, showed the progression of this chronic lesion to cancer in 4 cases. The data available suggest the precancerous nature of the lesion in these high-risk populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Laboratory evaluation of commercial interferon preparations.

The antiviral, antiproliferative and natural killer-cell (NKC) stimulatory activities of four commercial therapeutic interferon preparations were assayed in our laboratory. The antiviral and antiproliferative activities of each preparation were relatively similar, but an unexpectedly high NKC stimulatory activity was found in one of them. In-house determination of antiviral activity and evaluation of the antiproliferative and NKC stimulation potential of interferon preparations are essential before rational clinical trials of this agent are carried out.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1982

Precursor lesions of oesophageal cancer in high-risk populations in Iran and China.

To determine the prevalence of precursor lesions of oesophageal cancer in Linxian, People's Republic of China, which has an extremely high incidence of oesophageal cancer, 527 subjects were interviewed by a questionnaire about exposure to suspected risk factors. They also underwent oesophagoscopy, cytology, and biopsy. 84% had a chronic oesophagitis which had similar endoscopic and histological characteristics to that reported in Iran. The oesophagitis was accompanied by atrophy of the epithelium in 10% of these subjects and by dysplasia in 8%. Re-examination of 20 selected subjects 1 year later showed progression of the oesophagitis to atrophy and dysplasia in 4 individuals and to cancer in 4 others. The surveys in Iran and China suggest that the natural history of oesophageal cancer starts with an oesophagitis which, in a few individuals, progresses to atrophy and dysplasia of the epithelium and finally to cancer. Thermal injury resulting from the drinking of very hot beverages, physical injury caused by ingesting very coarse food, and deficiencies of riboflavine, vitamin A, and zinc are proposed as risk factors for these precursor lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

An indirect radioimmunoassay for interferon.

An indirect radioimmunoassay for testing the antiviral activity of interferon (IFN) is described. Vero cells are seeded in microtitre plates, treated with appropriate dilutions of interferon and challenged with Sindbis virus. Viral yield is measured using specific antibody and radiolabelled protein A. The assay is able to detect IFN levels of 5 international units (I.U.)/ml, has a high degree of reproducibility, and could be easily adapted to various cell and virus combinations. This microsystem is technically simple, allows testing of small volumes of test material, and eliminates subjectivity in reading of end-points.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Riboflavin, vitamin A and zinc status in Chinese subjects in a high-risk area for oesophageal cancer in China.

1. An endoscopic survey was done in Linxian, Henan Province, Northern China on 527 people in May 1980 and histological evidence of oesophageal lesions was obtained. 2. Blood samples were collected from 58 men and 53 women aged 22-71 yr. Measurements of riboflavin, vitamin A and zinc status were made. 3. Most (97 per cent) had biochemical ariboflavinosis on the basis of erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficients equal to or greater than 1.30. Five per cent of subjects had deficient vitamin A status (plasma retinol less than 10 micrograms/dl and one of these subjects reported night blindness) and 37 per cent had low vitamin A status (10-20 micrograms/dl). Approximately 24 per cent of the Chinese had low plasma zinc by comparison with values for subjects in Denver. Plasma retinol binding protein concentration was also low but was only measured in 56 subjects. 4. Concentrations of plasma carotene were relatively high and only one person had a value less than 20 micrograms/dl. The value of plasma carotene as a measure of vitamin A status in this community is discussed. 5. There was no difference between the sexes for any of the measurements made. In addition there was no difference in the biochemical measurements between those with and without oesophageal lesions (oesophagitis 66 per cent, clear cell acanthosis (CCA) 88 per cent) or those with intermittent dysphagia (26 per cent). 6. Multiple linear regression showed no relationship between the biochemical data and either oesophagitis or CCA. There were, however, inverse relationships between oesophagitis and CCA in both sexes and in addition, plasma carotene and riboflavin status tended to fall while plasma retinol tended to increase with age. 7. The role which these nutritional deficiencies may play in facilitating neoplastic processes is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Results of screening for colorectal cancer.

Screening for colorectal cancer and its precursors was performed from '68 to '78 within the framework of a multiphasic cancer detection program on 35,700 "healthy" individuals of both sexes in the "high-risk" age groups. Fecal occult blood as determined by the benzidine test after diet was positive in 3,676 individuals (10.3%). Out of this group, 2,599 subjects were submitted to g.i. consultation and proctosigmoidoscopy, as well as 567 of the occult blood negative group selected on the basis of various clinical signs and symptoms. The lesions detected were 153 neoplastic polyps and 21 cancers, mostly in the Dukes A and B stages. Among the most significant results are the high compliance (70%) to proctosigmoidoscopy, the low sensibility (51%) and specificity (18%) of the benzidine test for occult blood, which makes it obsolete as a screening procedure, the increased (50%) diagnostic yield obtained by flexible sigmoidoscopy and the relevance of clinical signs and symptoms as selection parameters for further diagnostic work up.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Oesophageal lesions in northern Iran: a premalignant condition?

An endoscopic survey was undertaken in northern Iran to identify and determine the prevalence of possible precancerous lesions of the oesophagus. 218 men and 212 women, aged between 15 and 70 years, were included in the study. Oesophagoscopies were done on all 430 subjects and biopsies on 418. A chronic oesophagitis, involving mainly the middle and lower thirds of the oesophagus, was found in 80% of the subjects, and the frequency was very high even in the younger age-groups. Clinically and histologically the oesophagitis in this rural population was different from that observed in the low-risk areas of Europe and the United States, where oesophagitis is often associated with reflux. Dysplasia was diagnosed in 16 subjects and invasive carcinoma in 11. The very high prevalence of chronic oesophagitis in northern Iran, where a high incidence of oesophageal cancer has also been reported, suggests that these two lesions are associated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

"Plunging biopsy": a new aimed bioptic technique.

A new technique for aimed bioptic sampling is described, by which it is possible to obtain satisfactory tissue fragments also with front view instruments and normal forceps in those areas, such as the esophagus and gastric prepyloric lesser curvature, where the bioptic material obtained is often unsuitable for histologic diagnosis.

Biopsy↗