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Biomedical subjects

M Santucci

Publications and source records attributed to M Santucci.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and undifferentiated carcinoma of the parotid gland in Caucasian patients.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been detected in certain types of lymphoma and some epithelial neoplasms such as nasopharyngeal lymphoepithelioma and occasional undifferentiated carcinomas in several organs including the salivary glands. However, clonal EBV genomes have been detected in undifferentiated carcinomas of the parotid gland exclusively in Alaskan natives and Eskimos, both groups being at the highest risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The authors investigated the possibility that EBV may be present in undifferentiated parotid carcinomas in Caucasian subjects. To test this hypothesis, in situ hybridization (ISH) technique with biotinylated EBV-DNA probes was utilized on routinely processed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 7 cases of undifferentiated carcinomas of the parotid gland. EBV genomes were demonstrated in the cytoplasm of tumor cells from 3 out of 7 specimens tested. Surprisingly, EBV genomes were found in 3 out of 5 (60%) undifferentiated carcinomas that had developed in patients with a history of a long-persisting asymptomatic parotid mass, which had suddenly increased in size. Conversely, none of the undifferentiated carcinomas with continuous and rapid growth studied was found to be positive for EBV-DNA by ISH technique. Taken together, these data might suggest a possible role of EBV in the transformation of benign parotid gland lesions into malignant and aggressive undifferentiated carcinoma of the parotid gland, the so-called carcinoma expleomorphic adenoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Dendritic cells in T- and B-cell proliferation in the skin.

In lymphoproliferative diseases of the skin, DC have a key role in T- and B-cell homing. Furthermore, DC alterations may have a pathogenic role in the natural history of specific disorders, either in the neoplastic lymphoid cell progression or in antitumoral lymphocyte reaction. Finally, the morphoantigenic and topographic features of DC may have diagnostic and histogenetic relevance in specific conditions. In CTCL, dermal CD1a+ DC ("indeterminate cells") seem to play a significant role in the neoplastic progression of MF, whereas the possible pathogenetic role of specific alterations of epidermal LC is yet to be proven. Recently, a possible implication of DD (resident, perivascular factor XIIIa+/CD1a- DC) in the pathogenesis of MF has been also suggested. The presence and possible significance of DC in CTCL non-MF are presently poorly studied. At present, DC number, distribution, and phenotype seem possibly useful in the differential diagnosis between CTCL and pseudo-CTCL, but this hypothesis has to be adequately confirmed. CBCL has been recently proposed as a unique type of clinically low-grade lymphoma, namely, skin-associated lymphoid tissue (SALT)-related B-cell lymphoma. Both SALT- and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-related B-cell lymphoma share with a peculiar nodal lymphoma of follicle mantle origin (parafollicular-monocytoid lymphoma) the nonaggressive clinical behavior and the uniform phenotype (CD5-, CD10-) and genotype (lack of bcl-2 gene rearrangement) of neoplastic B cells, despite the wide variability of cytomorphologic appearances. The putative origin of CBCL is further supported by the typical CD14-, nerve growth factor receptor (NGFr)+ immunophenotype of DRC. Moreover, the immunophenotype and architectural fashion of DRC are interesting clues to the differentiation between neoplastic and true reactive folliclelike nodules and may be of help in the differential diagnosis between CBCL and B-cell pseudolymphoma as well as in the correct interpretation of lesions showing monoclonal proliferations of B cells accompanied by polyclonal follicular reactions.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1994

Interrater and intrarater variabilities in the evaluation of cutaneous lymphoproliferative T-cell infiltrates. EORTC-Cutaneous Lymphoma Project Group.

Histologic and cytologic evaluation of CTCL is one of the most difficult challenges in dermatopathology. It was the purpose of this study to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of histologic criteria in CTCL and the interrater and intrarater variabilities. An overall of 2375 ratings of sections from 41 patients with CTCL were given by a panel of 22 dermatopathologists and pathologists familiar with lymphoma histology, some of whom were looking repeatedly at the same series of sections. The results clearly indicate that interrater as well as intrarater variabilities are significant and can be decreased by discussion preceding the evaluation as well as by repeated rating indicating a learning effect. Therefore, histologic evaluations of criteria have to be taken with caution, and statistical evaluation of level of agreement expressed by kappa coefficient is always mandatory in this type of study.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Interrater and intrarater reliability of histologic criteria in early cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. An EORTC Cutaneous Lymphoma Project Group study.

Researchers in many fields have become increasingly aware of the observer as an important source of measurement error. Consequently, reliability studies must be conducted in experimental or survey situations to assess the level of observer variability in the measurement procedures to be used in data acquisition. The present investigation demonstrated that interobserver and intraobserver variability is generally high, even between investigators internationally recognized for their experience in lymphomatous disorders and even when dealing with noninitial CTCL lesions. Similarly, sensitivity and specificity are generally low, the former astonishingly, without significant differences between early and noninitial CTCL lesions.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Detection of Epstein-Barr viral genome in tumor cells of Warthin's tumor of parotid gland.

The presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA-sequences in specimens of Warthin's tumor in the parotid gland was studied. Using an in situ hybridization technique, EBV genome was detected in distinct cell types in routinely processed tissues. The authors' results indicated that EBV is frequently present in the cytoplasm (possibly because of a chronic, productive infection) of neoplastic cells of multiple/bilateral Warthin's tumor (MBWT) (86.7%), and only occasionally of solitary Warthin's tumor (SWT) (16.7%). In addition, EBV genome has often been documented in the cytoplasm of ductal cells (75% of MBWT and 33.3% of SWT), and occasionally of acinar cells (16.7% of both MBWT and SWT) of residual normal salivary gland tissue surrounding both MBWT and SWT. The almost constant presence of EBV DNA in tumor cells of MBWT, as opposed to the occasional finding in SWT, suggested a strong association between infection of cells with this virus and the development of multiple/bilateral lesions. The positivity of ductal epithelium supported speculations about the role of ductal cells as a histogenetic precursor of the tumor. This was the first report on the detection of EBV genome in Warthin's tumor.

Adenolymphoma↗
PubMed1992

Pleural malignant mesothelioma in Tuscany, Italy (1970-1988): I. Anatomo-pathologic aspects.

Our investigation did not confirm the general experience that significant numbers of cases initially considered malignant mesothelioma or metastatic carcinoma are actually found to be metastatic carcinoma or malignant mesothelioma, respectively, upon deeper investigation using ancillary techniques (e.g., histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy). Well-trained pathologists, expert in thoraco-pulmonary pathology, have a high inter- and intra-rater agreement and significantly better results than standard hospital pathologists in correctly differentiating malignant mesothelioma from metastatic carcinoma. Therefore, epidemiologic investigations which exclude an accurate and rigorous reevaluation of the histologic slides have to be considered unreliable, unless the data come from a specialized medical center experienced in this type of pathology.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Adhesion, growth, and matrix production by osteoblasts on collagen substrata.

A number of studies have demonstrated the pivotal role of collagen molecules in modulating cell growth and differentiation. In order to analyze the direct effects of collagen type I on the osteoblastic phenotype, we have devised an in vitro culture system for studying the interactions between bovine collagen type I and Saos-2 cells, a human osteoblastic cell line. Saos-2 cells were cultured both on top of collagen-coated culture dishes as well as inside a three-dimensional collagen network. Plating on dishes treated with collagen induced maximal adhesion of Saos-2 cells after 24-hour incubation. Cells cultured on collagen gel matrix expressed about 2.5-fold more alkaline phosphatase when compared with untreated plastic dishes. On collagen-coated dishes the responsiveness of Saos-2 cells to parathyroid hormone was decreased, whereas no modifications were observed in the effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide on these cells. Using a microfluorimetric measurement of DNA, an increase of proliferation was observed in Saos-2 cells cultured on collagen gel. Saos-2 cells were also able to colonize collagen sponges and in this three-dimensional network they were able to synthesize osteocalcin, as assessed both by immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. In this study we have demonstrated that bovine collagen type I exhibits favorable effects on attachment and functional and growth activities of a human osteoblastic cell line, encouraging its use as a bone graft material.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1992

[Isosporiasis and sarcocystosis. The current findings].

A review on infections by Isospora belli and Sarcocystis spp. both in healthy and in AIDS patients is done on the basis of literature and personal data. In this view a special focus is made on isospora belli infection in AIDS because of its high recurrence after successful attack therapy. Consequently the most recent protocols for maintenance and attack therapy in these patients are reported. At the end, concerning ultrastructural pathology, the features of some Isospora belli developing stages are described by means of electron microscopy on duodenal biopsy specimens from a patient.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1991

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma: a unique type of low-grade lymphoma. Clinicopathologic and immunologic study of 83 cases.

The clinical presentation and course, and the morphoimmunologic features of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) were investigated in a series of 83 patients. Fifty-one patients were male and 32 were female (male-to-female ratio of 1.6:1); CBCL primarily involved the elderly (median age, 58 years). A locoregional extension of the disease was quite frequent (86.7%). The neoplastic cells showed a range of appearances reminiscent of the whole spectrum of follicular/parafollicular cells. The antigenic phenotype of tumor cells (CD19+, CD20+, CD22+, CD28+, CD10-, CD5-, MB2+, CD74+/-, CDw75+/-, MT2+/-, surface immunoglobulin + monoclonal/-) plus the presence of admixed CD14- dendritic reticulum cells suggest a mantle-zone nature for CBCL. The nonaggressive clinical behavior with a substantial tendency to remain localized to a limited area of the skin, the quite good response to nonaggressive treatment, and the dichotomy existing between the enhancement of morphoimmunologic atypism--which parallels the increasing age and growth rate of lesions--and the constant benign overall prognosis on long-term follow-up make CBCL a unique type of lymphoma of low-grade malignancy. Proper recognition of CBCL is mandatory to avoid possible undertreatment or overtreatment of the patients affected.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Recurrent digital fibromatosis of childhood.

Recurrent digital fibromatosis is a rare, benign fibrous growth of childhood. The condition, which features rapid growth and local recurrences, may be mistaken for a malignant tumor. A case report is presented.

Fibroma↗
PubMed1990

["Specific" skin lesions in chronic lymphatic leukemia].

Infiltrated skin lesions, histologically characterized by a perivascular and periadnexal lympho-histiocytic infiltrate in the upper and deep dermis, are quite frequently observed in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (C-CLL). The correct identification of the actual nature of these lesions, defined as specific on clinical and histologic grounds, is essential for a proper staging of the disease and, consequently, for the prognostic evaluation. In 6 patients with B-CLL, we performed an immunohistochemical study of specific skin lesions, with the aim of exactly defining the actual nature of infiltrating cells. Only in 2 of 6 cases immunophenotyping evidenced the neoplastic B-cell nature of skin infiltrating lymphoid cells; this finding was clearly correlated with the clinical evolution of the disease, rapidly fatal in both cases. The results of the present study indicate that the immunohistochemical analysis of skin lesions allows the proper staging of the disease, thus giving an important prognostic indication.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Significance and possible role of reactive T-cell infiltrate in primary B-cell lymphoma of the skin].

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (pCBCLs) represent a distinctive group from both the clinical and histomorphologic point of view, and, when compared with node-based lymphomas, tend to have a much more indolent behavior. In light of current knowledge of Skin Immune System (SIS), the actual cutaneous origin of pCBCLs and their relationship to SIS are an interesting matter of debate. In 24 cases of pCBCLs, we evaluated the evolutionary modifications of reactive T-cell infiltrate and the morphologic evidence of High Endothelial Venules (HEV). The amount of reactive T-cells was inversely related to the growth rate of skin lesions; a significant correlation was found between amount of reactive T-cells and HEV expression. Interestingly, the dramatic reduction of reactive T-cells and rapid growth of neoplastic B-cells found in nodular, quickly growing lesions, does not however correlate with the quite good overall clinico-biologic behavior of pCBCLs.

Endothelium↗