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Biomedical subjects

M Quaranta

Publications and source records attributed to M Quaranta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Indocyanine green videoangiography of angioid streaks.

PURPOSE: The fluorescein angiographic features of angioid streaks are variable, and angioid streaks and their main complication, choroidal neovascularization, can sometimes be difficult to visualize in the presence of diffuse pigment migration, diffuse atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, or hemorrhage. The objective of the present investigation was to define the indocyanine green angiographic features of angioid streaks and to compare them with findings on fluorescein angiography. METHODS: For this prospective study, we recruited 22 consecutive patients, 21 of whom had angioid streaks and one who had typical peau d'orange appearance of the fundus. Complete ophthalmologic examination, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green videoangiography by the means of scanning laser ophthalmoscope were performed on all patients. RESULTS: In 21 patients with angioid streaks and in one patient with peau d'orange appearance of the fundus, indocyanine green videoangiography showed angioid streaks in the form of hyperfluorescent lines with numerous associated hyperfluorescent foci. The angioid streaks were more clearly visualized and were seen to be more numerous and larger by indocyanine green videoangiography than with red-free images or fluorescein angiography. Choroidal neovascularization was suspected in six eyes but could be precisely localized by fluorescein angiography in only three eyes. Indocyanine green angiography allowed precise localization of choroidal neovascularization in all six of these eyes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that indocyanine green videoangiography provides different information than fluorescein angiography in the evaluation of angioid streaks and can more precisely localize their neovascular complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Tissue-type plasminogen activator as marker of functional steroid receptors in human breast cancer.

The relationship between tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen content and receptor status was investigated in 200 human breast cancer cytosols to evaluate the efficacy of t-PA as a marker of functional steroid receptors. t-PA level was measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptors were assayed by the DCC method. A highly significant correlation was found between t-PA levels and receptor status. The mean +/- SE enzyme content was 13.5 +/- 2.9 in ER+ tumors and 1.8 +/- 0.3 ng/mg protein in ER- tumors; the enzyme content in PgR+ tumors was 14.2 +/- 3.3 and 3.4 +/- 1.4 ng/mg protein in PgR- tumors. When tumors were divided into four subgroups according to receptor content (ER+PgR+, ER+PgR-, ER-PgR+, and ER-PgR-), t-PA concentration was able to differentiate these groups. Also, t-PA level was compared to several clinical variables; it was not correlated with menopausal status or lymph node involvement. However, t-PA content varied according to tumor size. Our data shows that t-PA content in tumor cytosols is statistically related to receptor status and that determination of t-PA levels in breast cancer might furnish additional information as to the functional state of the receptors which may be necessary for planning hormone therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy might be more useful than computed tomography in the preoperative thoracic evaluation of lung cancer. A comparison between planar immunoscintigraphy, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and computed tomography.

While a clinical, plain radiographic, and bronchoscopic assessment yields most of the essential information needed in lung cancer, computed tomography (CT) of the thorax provides diagnostic information previously unobtainable, potentially capable of reducing the number of explorative thoracotomies. In a few recent studies, immunoscintigraphy with anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (anti-CEA) monoclonal antibodies (MA) has shown remarkable staging potential. To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the two techniques, we photoscanned with indium-111 (111In)-labeled-F(ab')2 fragments of the murine anti-CEA MA FO23C5 45 patients, who were pathologically assessed for possible loco-regional extension of lung cancer. Both planar and single photo emission computed tomography (SPECT) images were obtained. Additionally, CT of the thorax (contiguous CT slices, 10 mm thick, from the lung apices to the upper abdomen), and other routine tests of preoperative evaluation were obtained. On the basis of 37 (N1, T3, and T4), 38 (N2), and 12 (N3) pathologically documented sites, an accuracy of 65, 76, 92, 78, and 86 percent (SPECT images), and 62, 68, 42, 78, and 84 percent (CT images) was calculated (figures are relevant to N1, N2, N3, T3, and T4 disease, respectively). Thus, both techniques shared a significant margin of error in almost all the categories of evaluation; however, immunoscintigraphy showed equivalent, and, in the lymph node assessment, superior results to CT. A marginal improvement of diagnostic accuracy was recorded combining the three techniques in one case (SPECT plus planar immunoscintigraphic images), while there was no benefit in any possible integration of CT and immunoscintigraphic images. In patients with peripheral nonsquamous cell cancers, the accuracy of anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy was of 90 percent or higher. Variations in the modality of performing immunoscintigraphy, such as changes in the dose of antibody fragments to be injected, in the percentage of radiolabeling, or in the time of imaging, affected the quality of immunoscintigraphic series, and the consequent interpretation of findings. At the present time, there are very few reliable tests capable of selecting patients to proceed directly to thoracotomy or to receive some intermediate surgical test, such as a prior mediastinoscopy. Traditionally, CT has been this type of "filter-test." If current findings will be confirmed in future studies, anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy might replace CT in the evaluation of particular subgroups of patients, such as patients with peripheral nonsquamous cell bronchogenic carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and laser scanning microscopy analysis of retrieved blade implants after 7 to 20 years of clinical function. A report of 3 cases.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate by means of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and laser scanning microscopy the thin ground sections of blade implants retrieved after 7 to 20 years of clinical function. Microscopic examination revealed that most of the implant surface had an intimate contact with compact lamellar bone tissue. Higher magnifications revealed the presence of a gap (1 to 5 mu) interposed between bone and implant. Many osteocytes were near the implant surface and, in many instances, osteocyte canaliculi, running from the lacunae towards the implant surface, were seen. Structures similar to bone reversal lines were observed at the edge of the bone side of the interface. The bone-titanium region is probably an area of dynamic biological activity.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Epidemiology of female ano-genital condylomata acuminata. In relation to the presence of specific types of the human papillomavirus].

The presence of 7 human papillomavirus (HPV) types in genital condylomata acuminata (GCA) from 94 otherwise healthy women was detected by in situ hybridization, employing 3 different DNA probe cocktails (6/11, 16/18 and 31/35/51). HPV+ and HPV- GCA did not differ significantly as to the multiplicity and site of lesions, nor the prevalence of younger age, previous pregnancies or abortions, oral contraception, concurrent vaginal infection, aspecific PAP-test abnormalities and cutaneous hypo-anergy. Of note is that 13/18 HPV+ GCA (72.2%) lodged HPV types (16, 18, 31, 35, 51) which are more commonly related to dysplastic and neoplastic lesions of the female genital tract.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Fixed ceramic prostheses without metal support].

The Author, after an excursus about ceramics used in dentistry and recent progress achieved in dental ceramics, explains restoration's aesthetic advantages in ceramic without any underlying metal structure. Description of several clinical cases in which a new type of ceramic, intended for single crowns, but used by the Author experimentally for small three-element prostheses, completes this study.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Measurement of the ovarian cancer-associated antigen CA 125 in monitoring tumor burden and response to chemotherapy.

CA 125 serum levels were measured in 74 patients with ovarian carcinoma. Among 31 patients undergoing a second look laparotomy (SL) after chemotherapy pathologic complete response (PCR) was observed in 14 patients, residual disease (RD) less than 2 cm in 7 patients and RD greater than 2 cm in 10 patients. The disease status was compared to the CA 125 serum levels measured just before SL. Thirteen of the 14 patients with PCR had serum CA 125 values less than 35 U/ml (specificity: 93%). On the other hand, only 10 of the 17 patients with RD showed serum levels greater than 35 U/ml (sensitivity: 59%). Moreover, in the 43 patients receiving chemotherapy, CA 125 levels correlated with the course of the disease in 36 (84%). With regard to early detection of recurrence, in 9/14 patients with PCR, whose CA 125 levels were monitored monthly, by 1 to 7 months an increase of the tumor marker preceded clinical evidence of relapse in 9/9 relapses (100%). In conclusion, CA 125 assay can be helpful in the management of ovarian cancer patients, in monitoring the response to chemotherapy, in the early detection of tumor recurrence, and in predicting the SL findings, although the low sensitivity could be a major drawback in patients with RD before SL.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Immunoreactivity for interleukin 1-beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and ultrastructural features of monocytes/macrophages in periapical granulomas.

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) have recently been shown to be involved in bone resorption, and because macrophages constitute a significant part of human periapical granulomas, it is reasonable to suspect that they may secrete IL-1 and TNF. The purpose of our investigation was to detect and characterize IL-1 beta- and TNF-alpha-producing cells in human periapical granulomas. Fresh tissue samples obtained during surgery from 10 patients with previously untreated teeth and histologically established periapical granulomas were studied with light and electron microscopy and with immunohistochemical analysis with monoclonal antibodies against IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. There were very few IL-1 beta + and TNF-alpha + cells present in periapical granulomas, and the positive cells had monocyte/macrophage morphology. The IL-1 beta + cells were located mainly in areas of active exudation and were surrounded by and/or were in close contact with lymphoid cells, whereas TNF-alpha + cells were scattered and in contact with or near other inflammatory cells at the periphery of active granulation tissue. This suggests that the IL-1 beta + cells may act in a paracrine manner to activate lymphoid cells. The ultrastructural findings showed that only some macrophages are adapted to extracellular secretion rather than phagocytosis. These modified macrophages could be the major producers of interleukins in tissues. Occasionally, they have plasmacytic or plasmacytoid features resembling the so-called "plasmacytoid monocytes". Only a minor fraction of the monocytes/macrophages (representing about 40% of the inflammatory cells) is in an active cytokine-producing state.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bone Resorption↗
PubMed1991

Immune cells in periapical granuloma: morphological and immunohistochemical characterization.

Samples of periapical granulomas obtained from 12 patients were examined using light and electron microscopes and monoclonal antibodies. Monocytes/macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells were nearly always the most abundant cell populations. Ultrastructural analysis showed close contacts between macrophages and cells of the lymphoid lineage, with the lymphoid cells frequently demonstrating blastic features. Immunohistochemical staining with the anti-interleukin 2 receptor antibody showed that the concentration of labeled cells was quite low. The vast majority were lymphocytes, though some mast cells were also labeled. Mast cells were chiefly located in perivascular areas and interleukin 2 receptor-positive mast cells were frequently associated with lymphoid cells. mast cells could be part of a negative feedback mechanism in the immune response. By releasing histamine, they would block the immune response and by absorbing interleukin 2 they would remove it as an immune system stimulant.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

Detection of suspected primary lung cancer by scintigraphy with indium-111-anti-carcinoembryonic antigen monoclonal antibodies (type F023C5)

Immunoscintigraphy with 111In-labeled anti-CEA-Mab (F023C5i) was carried out in 66 patients strongly suspected for a primary lung cancer and in 8 control patients suffering from different chest diseases. A sensitivity of 0.90, a specificity of 0.45 and an accuracy of 0.85 were calculated. False-negative results were mainly obtained in patients in whom the size of the lesion was below 2 cm and the tumor was centrally located. All patients affected by small-cell carcinoma were correctly identified. In 89% of the patients, a positive immunoscintiscan was associated with the presence of the antigen in the tumor. False-positive results were observed in control patients suffering from different chest diseases due to the nonspecific uptake of the tracer. The tumor definition was generally better after 120 hr than at an earlier time after injection due to the reduction of background activity. SPECT imaging defined the tumor better in each patient but did not reveal any tumor not seen on planar studies.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen↗
PubMed1990

[Suppurative emphysematous bulla. A case report].

The authors present a case of infected emphysematous bulla. Surgical treatment is always indicated also when a preoperative sure diagnosis between this and other pulmonary infections is not possible. The surgical management is often simple, without serious postoperative complications.

Bronchoscopy↗
PubMed1990

[Fixed prosthetic reconstruction. Restoration of upper incisors. 3].

Aware of having tackled a difficult topic in the present paper and also of the fact that all gnathological philosophies are open to sundry criticisms, we believe we have made a valid contribution with experimental, clinical and practical consequences in the functional reconstruction of the incisor guide. In addition, the clinical experimentation undertaken, even with the limitations resulting from the small number of patients examined, will allow us to study the group of patients at risk for the appearance of ATM pathologies over a period of twelve years.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Optec-HSP system in prosthetic reconstruction].

The Authors report the results of a clinical study on the value of fixed reconstructive therapy with Optec-HSP ceramic performed on 48 elements of both dental arches. The material, thanks to its strength, precision, biocompatibility and esthetics, offers the prothesis-maker an additional valuable therapeutic tool for single crown restoration or for application of small bridges.

Adolescent↗