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Biomedical subjects

M Giovannini

Publications and source records attributed to M Giovannini.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Localized stage I-IE aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL): results of prospective study with multimodality therapeutic approach.

BACKGROUND: A brief course of chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy was considered the best treatment for localized high-grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and feasibility of a brief-course of anthracycline-based chemotherapy (CHOP) and consolidation radiation therapy (CRT) in a series of 57 consecutive patients with stage I-IE intermediate-high grade NHL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1990 and December 1998, 57 consecutive patients, stage I=31 (55%) and stage IE=26 (45%), were treated with 3 cycles of CHOP regimen. Forty-four (77%) received a CRT and thirteen (23%) with primitive gastric and splenic NHL underwent radical surgery. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate age, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bulky, nodal versus extranodal localization, as prognostic factors of locoregional control and survival. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 84 months (range 4-128 months) the 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates were 88%, 87.5% and 84%, respectively. Risk factor analysis revealed that the LDH value was the most important adverse prognostic factor for OS and EFS. No differences were found regarding the age and or extranodal localization. The 5-year OS, DFS and EFS was 100% in thirteen patients with primitive gastric or splenic NHL treated with a radical surgical approach followed by chemotherapy without CRT. CONCLUSION: We confirm the efficacy and feasibility of a brief course of CHOP chemotherapy followed by CRT in localized I-IE intermediate-high grade NHL without adverse prognostic factors. Randomized studies are warranted in order to define the dose and the target volume of CRT (involved field or extended field) in this setting of patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Phase I study of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx) in combination with carboplatin in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: To determine the maximum tolerated dose of the combination of Carboplatin and Caelyx, a pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, with promising activities in various solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with various advanced solid tumors were included. Three dose levels of Caelyx were explored: 30, 35 and 40 mg/m2 in association with a fixed dose of Carboplatin (AUC 5) every 3 weeks. Dose escalation followed a modified continuous reassessment method. RESULTS: Dose-limiting toxicities were almost exclusively hematological: 3 febrile neutropenia, 1 grade 4 neutropenia lasting more than 7 days and 2 grade 4 thrombopenia were observed. Grade 4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia were observed in 20 and 10% of courses, respectively. The median interval between courses was 25 days after cycle 1 and 27-28 days after subsequent cycles. Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, mucositis and other non hematological toxicities were mild and uncommon. One patient experienced a severe anaphylactic reaction immediately after Caelyx infusion. No clinical heart dysfunction was observed. Three patients responded to therapy including 2 clinical complete responses in relapsing ovarian cancer. CONCLUSION: The recommended dose for future studies is Caelyx 35 mg/m2 + Carboplatin AUC 5 every 3 or 4 weeks. Antitumor activity, especially in ovarian cancer, warrants further investigation in phase II studies.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fatty acid metabolism and requirements in childhood].

The metabolism of fatty acids (FA) has a profound impact on the development of the human being. In fact, the lipidic composition of membranes may be modulated by the relative concentrations of available FA. During the last months of the fetal life, an increasing concentration of polyunsaturated very long-chain (VLC) FA is observed from the umbilical cord to the liver and the central nervous system, where they contribute to the qualitative development of the nervous membranes. Therefore, the preterm baby is at particular risk of polyunsaturated VLCFA deficiency. Among polyunsaturated VLCFA, 20:4 n-6 and 22:6 n-3 carry on fundamental roles respectively for cellular growth and visual development. The accretion of VLCFA in the human body is intense also in the term infant during the first months of life. In the period of exclusive milk-feeding fat represents 50% of the daily caloric intake, and the ketonic bodies, resulting from the incremented beta-oxidation of FA, are readily utilized as source of energy by the developing brain. Weaning is now object of study to precise both metabolic needs and dietary intakes of FA families. Recent surveys have revealed that in this period the intakes of linoleic and linolenic acid are at the lower limits of the recommended levels. No upper limit for saturated FA is advisable for the first two years of life.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Infants vertically infected with hepatitis C: a long term longitudinal follow-up.

HCV vertically acquired infection is asymptomatic and characterized by a high chronic infection rate; only 9% of HCV infected children shows spontaneous remission. As far as a mild course of the disease has been observed during childhood, we hypothesize that any eventual treatment intervention could be postpone until adolescent age.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neonatology and pediatric care in Lombardy: results of a knowledge survey -- 2003].

In the first few months of 2004, the Italian Society of Pediatrics (ISP)--Lombardy section, in collaboration with the regional section of the Italian Society of Neonatology (ISN) and the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Urgency (ISEMPU), has elaborated a questionnaire with the aim of obtaining the most complete information on the activity carried out by the different OU of Neonatology, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatrics of the Lombardy Region, during the year 2003. This data collection was considered indispensable in order to begin a profitable confrontation with the General Direction of Health of our Region on the main themes such as: definition of staff organigrams, limitation of the "escape from the hospital to the Territorial Primary Care Pediatrics" of the Pediatricians, eventual added Regional Study Grants, and an integration of the by now insufficient Ministerial Grants, and concrete measures of interaction between Hospital-Territorial Community Based Pediatrics.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pulmonary pathology in HIV seropositive children. 4 clinical cases].

Pulmonary infections in children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are very common. The lung, having a very important immunological function (because in it a very important part of the secretory immunological system is present), is one of the more involved apparatus in the course of AIDS. We report 4 cases of pulmonary disease (one case of Cytomegalovirus pneumonia, one case of Pneumocystis Carinii pneumonia, and two cases of interstitial lymphoid pneumonia) found in HIV positive children followed at the 5th Pediatric Department - Regional Center, Milan.

Child, Preschool↗