Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Giovannini

Publications and source records attributed to M Giovannini.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Pancreatic and duodenal somatostatinoma. Two clinico-pathologic entities].

Somatostatinomas are endocrine tumors with predominant secretion of somatostatin. The majority occur in the pancreas and the duodenum. However, distinctive clinico-pathologic features are reported for both of them. The features of pancreatic somatostatinomas are a larger size, a more frequent clinical expression, a female predominance and a poorer prognosis. Duodenal somatostatinomas are characterized by psammoma bodies at histologic examination. We report here two cases of pancreatic and ampullary somatostatinomas, focusing on the main diagnostic problems and on the characteristics of each tumoral localization.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Lipid status and fatty acid metabolism in phenylketonuria.

Owing to dietary treatment, patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) are supplied with only small amounts of animal fats and show low blood cholesterol levels and a poor long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) status. Endogenous synthesis should compensate for the physiological need for cholesterol for growth, but supplementary exogenous LC-PUFA seems advisable. PKU infants could develop depletion of docosahexaenoic acid, fundamental for the functional development of the central nervous system. The availability of arachidonic acid from plasma in PKU has been found to be related to dietary compliance, and seems to influence the synthesis of arachidonate-derived eicosanoids. Trials of dietary supplementation of PKU patients with oils containing LC-PUFA are in progress, but the functional consequences of these supplementations need further investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The effects of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on plasma lipids and fatty acids of treated phenylketonuric children.

Dietary-treated phenylketonuric patients (PKUs) display low levels of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in plasma lipids. In a 6-month clinical trial we observed a decrease of triglycerides and an increase of n-3 long-chain PUFA in plasma of PKUs supplemented with fish oil, while no major differences in respect to the baseline values were found in a group supplemented with blackcurrant oil. A more complete source of long-chain PUFA of both the n-6 and n-3 series should be investigated for dietary supplementation of PKU patients.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Effect of hepatitis C genotype on mother-to-infant transmission of virus.

We evaluated vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 37 pregnant women, 20 of whom also had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody. The HCV subtypes 1a and 3a were prevalent among pregnant women with HIV infection. Infection with HCV was transmitted from 30.7% of the 13 mothers with HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) and HIV antibody and from 25% of the 8 with HCV RNA alone. No mother with HCV antibody but no HCV RNA transmitted HCV to her infant. Subtypes 1b and 3a seemed to be the most common HCV genotypes transmitted.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Fatty acids in pediatric nutrition.

The past 20 years have shown that dietary FA molecules are able to mediate and condition biologic functions in an increasing number of biochemical contexts. Different diet interventions can induce measurable alterations at the ultrastructural level of lipid moieties and circulating FAs. This has many consequences for prevention, for therapy, and, in particular, for the management of chronic degenerative disease. From the earliest stages of life, an adequate availability of the n-6 and n-3 series LCP seems essential to ensure the adequate structural and functional development of the various tissues, especially the central nervous system tissues. Recognition of the numerous steps involved in intermediate FA metabolism should induce us to further our understanding of the manifold possibilities open for intervention on FA profile and balance and stress the need for an interdisciplinary approach.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Fine-needle aspiration cytology guided by endoscopic ultrasonography: results in 141 patients.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Diagnosis of submucosal lesions, pancreatic tumors, and mediastinal or celiac lymph nodes or masses is possible using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), but histological confirmation to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions is still required. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new method of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of intramural and paramural lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From October 1991 to September 1994, EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy was carried out in 141 patients with findings of mediastinal masses (18 cases), mediastinal lymph nodes (24 cases), submucosal tumors (seven cases), celiac lymph nodes (26 cases), large gastric folds with negative endoscopic biopsy (13 cases), pancreatic tumors (43 cases), a small liver metastasis (five cases), retrorectal tumors (four cases), and an adrenal metastasis (one case). The EUS examination was performed using a Pentax-Hitachi FG 32-UA system. RESULTS: A malignant tumor was diagnosed in 110 of the 141 patients. EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration was positive in 85 cases. In 15 cases, an adequate specimen could not be obtained (10.6%). The sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of malignancy were 77.0% and 100%, respectively. Results were better for mediastinal masses (sensitivity 88%), mediastinal lymph nodes (81%), and celiac lymph nodes (80%) than for pancreatic tumors (75%) or submucosal tumors (60%). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy using a curved-array transducer represents a step forward in the tissue diagnosis of gastrointestinal lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Meat allergy: II--Effects of food processing and enzymatic digestion on the allergenicity of bovine and ovine meats.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate whether peptic treatment of BSA and OSA affects their allergenicity and to evaluate the effect of technological treatments of meat for infant feeding on the allergenicity of these proteins. SUBJECTS: Twelve children (8 males and 14 females) suffering from atopic dermatitis (AD), aged 12 months to 4.33 years (mean age 2.21 +/- 1.05 years). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Children suffering from atopic dermatitis (AD), (AD), clinically reactive and SPT-positive to beef, underwent skin prick testing (SPT) and radioallergosorbent test (RAST) with BSA and OSA, before and after peptic treatment. They were tested also with commercially available homogenized bovine meat (HBM) and with freeze-dried bovine (FDBM) and ovine (FDOM) meats. Peptic digestion of BSA and OSA was carried out in a Dubnoff's water bath containing 0.05 mg/ml of pepsin. SPT and RAST were performed for 1 mg/ml of BSA and OSA digested 5 minutes, 2 hours and 4 hours with pepsin; homogenized bovine meat, and FDBM and FDOM. SPT results were expressed as diameters (in mm) of the wheal obtained after SPT; a diameter > or = 3 mm was considered as positive. RAST was considered positive for IgE values 5 > UI/ml. RESULTS: SPT to native BSA and OSA were positive in all patients. Only 2 of the 12 children were SPT-positive to HBM, FDBM, and FDOM. After digestion, SPTs and were positive as follows: for BSA, 4/12 after 5 minutes peptic treatment, 2/12 after 2 hours and 2/12 after 4 hours; for OSA, 3/12 after 5 minutes peptic treatment, none after 2 and 4 hours. None of RASTs was positive after peptic attack. CONCLUSIONS: Both proteolytic digestion and technological treatment reduced the allergenic potential of meat products.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma: clinical and immunohistological findings in 18 patients treated with different third-generation regimens.

We report on the immunophenotype, clinical findings and response to aggressive chemotherapy of 18 patients with mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (MLCL). Cases were collected from a series of 286 high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (HG-NHL) which, in the period September 1988 to August 1991, were enrolled in a prospective multicentre trial designed to compare the MACOP-B and F-MACHOP regimens. Immunostaining on frozen sections revealed a previously unrecognized phenotype, i.e. co-expression of B-cell (CD19, CD20, CD22, Ig-associated dimer) and activation-associated antigens (CD30 and CDw70) in about 60% of MLCL cases; in contrast, the activation-associated antigens CD25 and Ki-27 (unclustered) were consistently negative. This peculiar phenotype may reflect a derivation of the tumour from a subset of thymic activated B cells. Clinically, the patients (median age 31 years; F/M ratio 2.6) presented with bulky mediastinal mass (72%) associated with mediastinal syndrome in > 50% cases; disease was stage IIA in most cases. All 18 patients received aggressive chemotherapy (F-MACHOP 11; MACOP-B 7). Complete response (CR) was achieved in 57.1% of cases treated with MACOP-B. In contrast, the response of the 11 MLCL treated with F-MACHOP was poor (CR 18.2%) as compared to that of the 135 HG-NHL treated with the same regimen during the trial (CR 69.6%). This difference was still statistically significant after adjusting for negative prognostic factors (mediastinal mass > 10 cm plus increased LDH) and suggests that F-MACHOP might not be the most appropriate regimen for this kind of lymphoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Determination of intra- and inter-individual variability and its effect on the number of days required to assess the usual intake of a 1-year-old infant population.

Diet variability influences the accuracy of the assessment of the relationship between nutrient intake and disease. The present study investigates intra- and inter-individual variability in an infant population at 12 months. The mothers of 79 infants completed a 7-day weighted food record. No significant difference in nutrient intake was observed between males and females. For some nutrients an intra-/inter-individual variability ratio > 1 was found. Adjustment for total calorie intake slightly altered the intra-/inter-individual variability ratio of many nutrients. An error margin of 10% or less for calories can be expected within an 18-day study. Most nutrients however would need to be studied for over 30 days to give an error margin < or = 10%. For dietary cholesterol, vitamins A, B6, C, and E, bracketing the error within the 10% margin would require an unrealistic time frame. Adjustments for calorie intake reduced the number of days in the dietary record for some nutrients. A lower intra/inter-individual variability ratio was seen when data for adults and older infants were compared.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1995

Neurodevelopmental quotient of healthy term infants at 4 months and feeding practice: the role of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

A direct influence of dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) on the developmental quotient (DQ) of the healthy term infant remains unexplored. To test this hypothesis, we designed a prospective study of three types of diet. Twenty-nine infants received a LC-PUFA-supplemented formula, 31 received a standard infant formula, and 30 infants were breast-fed exclusively. Neurodevelopmental response was measured by the Brunet-Lézine psychomotor development test at 4 mo. The fatty acid status was also assessed among three diet subgroups (59 subjects) at 4 mo. Formula-fed infants who received LC-PUFA supplementation scored significantly higher (p < 0.01) on the Brunet-Lézine scale than infants who received the standard formula. Breast-fed infants also performed better than those fed the standard formula. Arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid levels in circulating lipids and erythrocyte phospholipids were higher among breast-fed infants and among the group fed the arachidonic- and docosahexaenoic acid-supplemented formula. These findings are suggestive that formula supplementation with one or both of these fatty acids can benefit term infants in neurodevelopmental performance.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical importance of the determination of the hydrophobic forms of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in metastatic cancer of the colon].

Thirty-four patients with metastatic colon cancer were treated with 5 fluorouracil and folinic acid. The follow-up of disease was evaluated by tomodensitometric CT-scan analysis and by serum CEA determination. In addition, a study of the different CEA molecular forms separated by Triton X114 partitioning, immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting was completed. Concerning the aqueous phase, no relationship appeared between the pattern of CEA species and the outcome of chemotherapy. Opposingly, the analysis of the hydrophobic phase gave results closely correlated to chemotherapeutic response. In 19/34 patients, the hydrophobic CEA forms were absent or weakly expressed; out of these patients, 16/19 underwent a successful response to chemotherapy regimen. Opposingly, all of the remaining 15 patients expressing high levels of hydrophobic CEA species were non-responders. The present study thus gives new means for predicting the outcome of 5 fluorouracil-folinic acid chemotherapy by screening the molecular CEA forms expressed in the serum of patients with metastatic colon cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Dietary fiber in weaning foods of young children.

OBJECTIVE: An evaluation of the opportunity to introduce fiber in the diet of weaning infants. METHODS: A descriptive review of the literature to assess the role of fiber in the following dietary interventions: (1) definition of the nutrient amounts that meet the weaning infant's physiologic needs; (2) modulation of digestive and absorption processes; and (3) improving the nutritional balance between the 6th and the 12th months of life and setting habitual dietary patterns for subsequent years. FINDINGS: Whole cereals, nonstarchy vegetables, fruits, and legumes lower the caloric and proteic density of meals, modulate nutrient and antigen absorption, and provide bulk material. They supply proteins of low biological value, minimal amounts of lipids (mostly essential polyunsaturated), complex carbohydrates, and soluble fiber, which are fermented into short-chain fatty acids by the colonic flora, and insoluble fiber that modulates intestinal function. Minerals, trace elements, and vitamins add to the value of fiber-containing foods in the diet. Recent nutritional surveys indicate that the diets of 12-month-old infants tend to include too much animal proteins and to be too protein-dense, which could be corrected with an increase of fiber-containing foods. CONCLUSIONS: Fiber-containing foods share unique characteristics with nutritional and metabolic implications for the weaning infant. Whole cereals, green vegetables, and legumes should be routinely introduced during the weaning process to achieve a better nutritional balance and to accustom children to diets with fiber content. The daily intake of fiber should be gradually increased to 5 g/d during the second semester of life.

Diet↗
PubMed1995

[Multivariate analysis of the prognostic and predictive factors of response to concomitant radiochemotherapy in epidermoid cancers of the esophagus. Value of immunodetection of protein p53].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic value of the expression of protein p53, EGF receptors (EGR-R), cell proliferation antigen (Ki67) and DNA analysis by flow cytometry on per-endoscopic biopsies as well as the ability of these factors to predict response to concomitant chemoradiation in patients with squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma were prospectively included in this study. For 58 patients (51 men, 7 women; mean age: 59.1 +/- 9.3 years), clinical response to chemoradiation was correlated with the findings of flow cytometry (ploidy, % of cells in S-phase) and immunohistochemistry (p53, EGF-R, Ki67). There were 4 patients in stage I, 14 in stage II, 27 in stage III, and 13 in stage IV. Chemoradiation (2 cycles associating continuous 5FU 800 mg/m2/24 h from D1 to 5 and from D22 to 26, Cisplatyl 70 mg/m2 on D1 and D22; 15 Gy/5d from D1 to 5 and from D22 to 26), was performed prior to surgery in 19 patients (group I) and as the only treatment in 39 patients (group II), with a third cycle from D43. Clinical response was defined as complete or incomplete, ascertained by endoscopy and biopsy, 2 to 3 weeks after the end of chemoradiation. RESULTS: Mean survival in all 58 patients was 13.0 months. Survival was significantly longer in responders than in non responders (14.7 vs 9.6 months; P = 0.03). Among M0 patients, survival was not different in case of exclusive chemoradiation therapy or chemoradiation therapy followed by surgical excision (17.6 vs 13.0 months; NS). Monofactorial analysis showed that, in addition to response, the variables related to survival were stage, non-metastatic status, and absence of p53 surexpression. After multifactorial analysis according to the Cox model, the remaining variables were non-metastatic status, and absence of p53 surexpression. A complete response with negative biopsies was observed in 39 out of 58 patients, i.e. 67.3 +/- 12.1 % (group I: 12 out of 19; group II: 27 out of 39; NS). According to monofactorial analysis, 3 factors were predictive of complete response, i.e. non surexpression of p53 (P < 0.05) and tumour diameter (P = 0.04). After step-by-step logistic regression, non surexpression of p53 and tumour diameter continued to be predictive. The relative risk of a non-complete response was 5.46 if p53 was detected and 1.84 for each cm of added tumour diameter. These two factors were independent. CONCLUSIONS: In this study the predictors of complete response were absence of p53 surexpression and tumour diameter ascertained by CT-scan. Flow cytometry and Ki67 antigen had no prognostic value and were not predictors of response.

Adult↗