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Biomedical subjects

M De Palma

Publications and source records attributed to M De Palma.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Intrapleural natural beta interferon in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions.

Effusion recurrence is a major problem in the palliative care of patients with disseminated cancer. Thirty-two patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusions were treated with intracavitary natural beta-interferon at increasing doses (5-20 million units) for a maximum of three administrations. Among 29 evaluable patients, 11 showed complete (27.6%) or partial (10.3%) remission. No difference in response rate was observed according to sex, age, and histological type. All the responses were observed in patients with an effusion volume less than 1,000 ml (11/16; 68.8%). No side effect was observed. In conclusion, intrapleural beta-interferon is promising as a palliative in the treatment of recurrent malignant effusions.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1988

Phase II trial of oral idarubicin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The antitumoral activity and toxicity of a new daunorubicin analog (4-demethoxydaunorubicin, IMI 30, Idarubicin) was tested in 20 consecutive patients with non-small cell lung cancer mostly pretreated with chemotherapy. The drug was administered orally at a dose of 15 mg/m2 for three days every 3-4 weeks. There were no clinical responses. Hematological and nonhematological toxicities were mild.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1988

Survival after incomplete resection or exploratory thoracotomy in patients with advanced non small cell lung cancer.

In order to evaluate the effects of incomplete resection or exploratory thoracotomy on survival, 75 patients with Stage III non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were studied. Twenty-five subjects underwent incomplete resection, 25 had exploratory thoracotomy and 25 patients who were denied surgery served as controls. Standard radio-therapy and chemotherapy regimens were given to most patients. The 2-year survival rates were 14%, 7% and 9% following incomplete resection, exploratory thoracotomy or conservative treatment, respectively. The survival curve was significantly worse in the exploratory thoracotomy group than in the control group (p less than 0.05). Major complications occurred in 2 patients after incomplete resection (bronchopleural fistula; chylothorax) and in 3 patients following surgical exploration (atelectasis). Two post-operative deaths were recorded in the exploratory thoracotomy group. In conclusion, the survival rate at 2 years in patients with Stage III NSCLC is not modified by incomplete or exploratory surgery. Moreover, exploration seems to worsen the outlook of patients during the first 2 years from diagnosis.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMed1988

Computer-assisted analysis of clinical and laboratory data in acute pancreatitis: early formulation of a predictive score.

The results of a retrospective study of 111 cases of acute pancreatitis are reported. Based on diagnostic investigations and clinical outcome, patients have been divided into three groups: oedematous, limited and extensive necrotizing pancreatitis. The step-wise statistical analysis of clinical and laboratory parameters at the time of admission related to the pathological findings has allowed the formulation of a severity score to be applied to every new case of acute pancreatitis. By discriminant function coefficients a concordance percentage of actual and predicted classification has been obtained in over 90% of the cases. The presence of shock after 12 hours of intensive treatment, the hemorrhagic appearance of the peritoneal fluid and tachypnea are the variables with highest discriminating power. In view of the high concordance percentage between actual and predicted classification results, this predictive score could be applied, to every new case of acute pancreatitis at admission.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1988

Comparison between enzyme-linked immunosorbent and I.F. assays in the serological diagnosis of HIV infections.

A rapid, sensitive indirect immunofluorescence assay based on the use of acetone-fixed virus producing MOLT T4/LAV cells was adapted for the detection of anti-HIV antibodies. At the same time, 1486 serum samples, collected by the AIDS Surveillance and Study Centre of Modena, were tested by ELISA and IFA: the percentage of agreement of both assays was of 99.66%. Such datum suggested that IFA could be used as a serological assay for screening and confirmatory purposes.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Bacampicillin and the immune response.

To evaluate the possible influence of a bacampicillin on the immune response, 16 subjects, out of a group of 60 patients with bacterial respiratory tract infections, had various tests of immune function determined, before and after treatment. The peripheral mononuclear blastogenic index (ratio between PHA-induced and spontaneous proliferation), PHA-induced interferon-gamma production, percentages of T and B lymphocytes, serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) levels, failed to show any significative differences before and after the treatment with bacampicillin. The PHA-induced interleukin-2 production increased after treatment but just failed to reach statistical significance (0.1 less than P less than 0.05; t = 1.9). The clinical condition of 56 of the sixty (93.3%) treated patients improved and neither side-effects nor alterations of liver or kidney function were observed. This study has shown no inhibitory effect of bacampicillin on the immune response while confirming its clinical efficacy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Etoposide and high-dose cisplatin in good-risk patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Fifty patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung having good prognostic features (performance status less than or equal to 2; weight loss less than or equal to 10%; age less than or equal to 70 years; absence of brain metastases; and no prior treatment) were treated on an outpatient basis with etoposide (120 mg/m2 on Days 1, 3, and 5) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 2) every 21-28 days. One complete response and 14 partial responses were observed, with a median duration of response of 170 days and an overall median survival of 230 days. Toxicity was generally mild. Despite the high-dose cisplatin employed and the choice of patients with favorable prognostic factors in this study, results of this therapy remain disappointing.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1982

Randomized trial of chemoimmunotherapy in advanced non-oat-cell lung cancer.

Thirty patients without any prior chemotherapy and histologically proved non-oat-cell advanced lung cancer entered a randomized trial comparing a combination chemotherapeutic regimen (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, BCNU) and the same combination plus intradermic BCG. Twenty-nine patients were evaluable for survival. Mean survival was 11 and 3.5 months for chemotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy group, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.025). A tumor enhancement can be postulated. Skin tests before treatment (PPD, Candida, Varidase) seem to be prognostic for survival.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1982

Susceptibility of chronic symptomless HBsAg carriers to ethanol-induced hepatic damage.

To investigate the susceptibility of chronic symptomless HBsAg carriers to the hepatotoxic effect of ethanol 296 such carriers were followed up for 3 1/2 years with repeated biochemical and clinical examinations. A control group of HBsAg-negative blood donors matched by age, sex, occupation, duration and type of ethanol intake, and state of nutrition were followed up for the same period. Chronic symptomless HBsAg carriers seemed to be at risk of hepatic abnormalities when drinking an amount of ethanol which was harmless for HBsAg-negative subjects (less than 80 g). It may therefore be advisable to suggest complete abstinence from ethanol for HBsAg carriers.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1977

[Not the beta-thalassemia syndrome but hemoglobinopathy H. Studies of 3 clinical cases].

Clinical and laboratory data for three patients are presented. Electrophoretic separation of the freshly obtained haemolysate showed a fast beta-chain fraction on each occasion. This is typical of Hb H disease. The test for erythrocyte inclusion bodies was also positive. The main clinical and haematological features of the disease are illustrated.

Adolescent↗