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Biomedical subjects

M Valli

Publications and source records attributed to M Valli.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodal positivity in the ovarian carcinoma: its prognostic significance.

Our study is based on 29 patients with ovarian carcinoma in early stage (IA-IIB) having undergone total abdominal hysterectomy, with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, appendectomy and pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy selective and bioptic. Out of the 29 patients 11 were classified I stage and 18 II stage. Within 3 years, out of 10 patients with node metastases, 1 is alive and free of disease, 6 deceased from the tumor and 3 are alive with residual tumor at various stages of invasion. Out of the 19 patients without nodes metastases 14 are alive and free of disease, 4 deceased from the tumor and 1 is alive with residual carcinoma. Survival related to histological type shows no statistically significant differences. Grading III has a survival of 27.6%, while the other two grades have a survival of 70% without significant differences. We can affirm that lymph nodes metastases represent the most reliable marker of high risk patients among the 3 risk factors (grading, histotype and nodes metastases) even if considered on a limited number of patients on the basis of preliminary data so obtained.

Adult↗

Radical vulvectomy and inguinal lymphadenectomy versus inguino-pelvic lymphadenectomy combined with radical vulvectomy and the role of radiotherapy.

We studied 39 patients with stromal invasion exceeding 1 mm. Among them 3 underwent emivulvectomy and 8 simple vulvectomy; all had selective inguinal lymphadenectomy of one side the first and bilaterally the others. 17 women underwent radical vulvectomy and inguinal lymphadenectomy while 11 had radical vulvectomy and inguino-pelvic lymphadenectomy. Out of 21 patients with lymph nodal metastases, 11 had one side inguinal metastases, 2 had a single metastasis, 2 had double metastases, 1 had three metastases and 2 multiple ones. Survival rate decreased from 54.5% to 20.0% when patients had more than 3 monolateral inguinal metastases or bilateral ones, with increase of pelvic lymph nodal metastases; therefore, in those cases, pelvic lymphadenectomy can be associated to inguinal lymphadenectomy or, when the carcinoma is situated in the clitoridis, Bartolino's gland or vagina (the same could be done for melanoma of the vulva). The usefulness of radiotherapy is limited by the small response of vulvar tissue. In a series of 45 patients with clinical diagnosis of inguinal metastases, who could not undergo operation, only therapy, with electron beam therapy (9 meV) associated to inguinal fields (15 meV), had positive influence in 27% of the cases.

Aged↗

Techniques of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in the surgical treatment of cervix carcinoma.

402 radical hysterectomies (17 ultraradical) were performed with lymphadenectomy. Positive metastatic nodes (N+) rate was 23.6% with an arithmetic mean of 22 excised lymph nodes. Single N+ belonged mostly to the obturatory group, double N+ to obturatory and external iliac groups, while multiple N+ (24 cases) had no particular site. Neoplastic invasion, embolism and grading were studied in 122 cases. The parametrium, vagina and uterine corpus were interested more in N+ cases. The cervical stroma was divided into internal, middle and external parts and invasion rate was respectively 3.6%, 7.2%, 89.2% in N+ cases and 35.1%, 22.3%, 42.6% in N--cases.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Complications of axillary, inguinal, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy.

Post-axillary lymphadenectomy complications have been checked in 1097 patients. Lymphedema occurred in 4.6% of cases, brachial injuries in 2% and necrosis with wound dehiscence in 0.44%. Pelvic lymphadenectomy complications have been studied in 139 patients who underwent Wertheim's operation and in 4 cases treated with Schauta-Mitra's operation for cervix or endometrium cancer. Para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy complications have been considered in 92 patients who underwent Wertheim's operation, in 10 patients treated with anterior pelvic exenteration and in 1 patient who underwent posterior pelvic exenteration. The complications of para-aortic and pelvic selective lymphadenectomy have been checked in 101 patients. We had 3 peri-operatory deaths, 5 severe gastrointestinal complications (3 deceased for fistulae) and 2 intra-operatory iliac vessel injuries. Uretero-vaginal fistulae occurred in 6.2% of the cases also treated with radium-therapy and in 2.2% of the others. Intra/post-operatory bleeding was respectively 1500 +/- 450 ml and 450 +/- 300 ml. The complications of inguino-femoral and inguino-pelvic lymphadenectomy for vulvar cancer have been checked in 35 patients who had necrosis and wound dehiscence in all cases and lower limb thrombophlebitis in 2 cases.

Aorta↗

[Influence of excitatory amino acids on the outcome of cerebral ischemia].

It would appear from an analysis of the molecular mechanisms which determine the post-ischaemic destruction of brain tissue that they primarily involve the action of excitatory aminoacids, together with the inhibition of protein synthesis and the disorderly production of free radicals. The activities of endogenous excitatory aminoacids (glutamate, aspartate) immediately after ischaemia are similar to those of exogenous excitotoxins (kainic acid, N-methyl-D-aspartate). Brain tissue destruction consecutive to ischaemia or hypoglycaemia is mainly found in cerebral structures which contain a large number of glutamate receptors (hippocampus, locus coeruleus, corpus striatum). These lesions are associated with a significant increase in extracellular concentrations of excitatory aminoacids which are responsible for the massive penetration and accumulation of calcium in the cells (nucleus, Golgi complex, mitochondria), and this encourages the synthesis of non-functional proteins and/or proteolysis (direct cytotoxic action). In animals, these post-ischaemic necrotic lesions are prevented by administration of pharmacological antagonists of these neuromediators at receptor level (e.g. 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid). These experimental results suggest that excitatory aminoacids play a determinant role in the genesis of post-ischaemic cell death and that the glutamatergic antagonists currently under development may have a therapeutic activity.

Animals↗

Determination of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) by HPLC with coulometric detection, and correlation with 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in human plasma.

A method for determining plasma 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (DHPG), a central noradrenaline (NA) metabolite, is described. The method used HPLC with dual coulometric detection set in screen mode of operation. The isolation of DHPG and related catecholamines (noradrenaline, dopamine and dihydroxybenzylamine) was performed on acid washed alumina extracted with 0.2 M HCIO4 containing EDTA (0.2%), and reduced glutathione as stabilizer. A reversed phase column with an eluting system containing 0.025 M citric acid-sodium hydrogen phosphate buffer in the ratio 3:2 (v:v) and 5% methanol was used. The experimental results of plasma DHPG levels compared favourably with the results from the literature, and a positively significant correlation with plasma MHPG was found. This method could be used as an alternative in central NA assessment.

Catecholamines↗

Surgical strategy management following lymph nodal positivity at the three levels (a retrospective and perspective study).

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the type of distribution, regular or irregular, of metastases in lymph nodes of I, II and III level. We inted also to establish if the levels of lymph nodal areas represent an evaluation index of prognostic risk more effective than other ones. The results evidenced that in 19.2% of all the classes N+ metastases were not increasing regularly from the level I to the level III. The influence of seven factors on disease free survival has been evaluated: pT, pN, number of metastatic nodes, ER+ or ER-, PgR+ or PgR-, grading, metastatic level at axillary lymph nodes. The present report points out that only the extent of tumor and lymph nodal level have a statistically significant influence on disease free survival. Comparison among disease free survival curves stage N0 with N+ at I level and with N+ at II level revealed that there is no significant difference of survival among these classes, while the comparison between the first 3 classes and N+ at III level is statistically significant.

Adult↗

[Neurochemical characteristics of opioid peptides].

Opioid peptides seem to be involved in an increasing number of cerebral functions. It appears from the most recent studies that these peptides are divided into three families: pro-opio-melanocortin, pro-enkephalin and prodynorphin. Unlike conventional neurotransmitters, these substances are fraught with extremely complex problems of specific biosynthesis and degradation. Finally, the multiplicity of opiate receptors and the search for specific endogenous or synthetic ligands raise major fundamental questions concerning the clinical relevance of studies performed on opioid peptides.

Aminopeptidases↗

Antinociceptive action of picrotoxin in the mouse.

Picrotoxin, an antagonist of GABA-associated chloride ionophores with convulsant activity, possesses antinociceptive activity in the hot-plate and writhing tests in the mouse. Analgesia produced by a subconvulsant dose of picrotoxin (0.75 mg/kg, s.c.) was reversed by naloxone (1.0 mg/kg, s.c.), atropine (5 mg/kg, i.p.), and methysergide (10 mg/kg, i.p.) in the jumping reaction (hot-plate test). These data indicate that opiate pathways, as well as cholinergic and serotoninergic pathways could be involved in the mechanism that underlies picrotoxin-induced analgesia. Furthermore, such results should be considered when interpreting the behavioral effects of picrotoxin.

Analgesics↗

"In vitro" fibril formation of type I collagen from different sources: biochemical and morphological aspects.

Acid soluble type I collagen was prepared from foetal and adult bovine tendon and skin and from adult bovine cornea. The degree of hydroxylysine glycosylation and the hydroxylysine di-to monoglycoside ratio as well as the "in vivo" fibril diameters, were shown to be tissue and age-dependent. Fibrils of type I collagens were reconstituted "in vitro" monitoring at 313 nm. The fibrils obtained were examined by electron microscopy. It was shown that the "in vitro" lateral growth of collagen fibrils leads to the formation of fibrils with maximum diameters which may be correlated to those of the corresponding native fibrils. Moreover it is suggested that one of the factors controlling the lateral growth of collagen may be at the level of hydroxylysine glycosylation.

Animals↗

[Pharmacokinetic, biochemical and histological study of the carbamazepine-josamycin interaction in the rat following chronic administration].

The determination of possible modifications of pharmacokinetic parameters of carbamazepine by josamycin in an experimental study after chronic administration of the drugs in the rat was undertaken to assay, or not, the enzymatic inhibition hypothesis which is supported in human clinical studies. Our data do not show any alteration in the Cmax, Tmax and AUC parameters of carbamazepine (total and unbound fraction) in case of conjunction with josamycin, but an earlier increase of plasmatic concentrations. The biochemical parameters are not modified, but a significant decrease of total bilirubin compared with controls and carbamazepine alone. The histological study does not show any liver lesion.

Animals↗

Effects of the 1,5-benzodiazepine clobazam on pituitary hormones in the male rat.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the acute and subchronic administration of the benzodiazepine clobazam (20 mg/kg orally) on the plasma levels of the pituitary hormones (prolactin, FSH and LH) in the male rat. This 1.5 benzodiazepine did not induce any variation of the hormone levels either after acute or subchronic administration. These negative data are discussed as compared to the effects of other benzodiazepines of GABA and GABA receptor agonists and antagonists on the pituitary hormone levels according to particular experimental conditions.

Animals↗

[Activity of clobazam on plasma prolactin and gonadotropins after administration of sulpiride in the male rat].

The acute administration of the 1,5 benzodiazepine clobazam (20 and 100 mg/kg orally) reduces the sulpiride-induced release of prolactin in the male rat. The decrease in prolactin plasma level is respectively of 66 and 75% for the two doses, whereas it has minimal effects on the gonadotropins (FSH and LH). The clobazam induced prolactin lowering effect is compared to the one observed after diazepam administration. Finally, we have shown that the two benzodiazepines have no effect either on prolactin or on gonadotropins, when administered alone.

Animals↗

Antinociceptive action of sodium valproate in the mouse.

The antinociceptive action of sodium valproate (VPA) was examined using male NMRI mice. Using the hot-plate assay at 60 degrees C, orally-administered VPA (50-400 mg/kg) produced antinociceptive effects; the ED50 was about 160 mg/kg. Oral doses of VPA (6.3-400 mg/kg) decreased the writhing response elicited by intraperitoneally-injected acetic acid. The antinociceptive effect of VPA, as determined with the writhing test, exhibited complex characteristics, the most pronounced effect occurring at doses of 12.5-50 mg/kg. The antinociceptive effect of VPA in the writhing test was not antagonized by bicuculline or by naloxone. VPA, like other agents which enhance central GABA-ergic mechanisms, might possess analgesic activity.

Acetates↗

Sodium valproate: kinetic profile and effects on GABA levels in various brain areas of the rat.

1. The kinetic profile of sodium valproate (VPA) and the GABA levels were studied in discrete brain areas of the rat after an i.p. injection of 200 mg/kg. The results were discussed comparatively with GABA-T and GAD activities reported in the literature. 2. VPA was rapidly distributed in brain areas; its concentrations, its kinetic parameters and the GABA levels after the drug administration were not uniform in the different brain areas studied. 3. The results showed a particular relation of the VPA to the olfactory bulbs; in this specific area the VPA effect on GABA level was stronger; the VPA apparent half life of elimination was longest; the VPA apparent disappearance rate constant was smallest; the initial GABA level was higher; the activities of GABA-T and GAD were higher than in other brain areas studied except the hypothalamus. 4. These data were correlated with the role of the olfactory bulbs in the behaviour of the rodents.

Animals↗