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Biomedical subjects

P Mazza

Publications and source records attributed to P Mazza.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

MACOP-B vs F-MACHOP regimen in the treatment of high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

A prospective randomized study on aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas was conducted by investigators at several Italian institutions with the intent of comparing two third-generation conceptually different regimens: the regimen containing methotrexate with leucovorin rescue, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin (MACOP-B), a short-term continuous twelve-week therapy, and F-MACHOP (5-fluorouracil, methotrexate with leucovorin rescue, cytarabine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), a monthly intensive cyclic treatment combining prednisone with six active non-cross-resistant cytotoxic drugs. The goals of this study were the response rate, relapse-free survival, and incidence of hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities. Two hundred-eighty-six patients included between 15 and 60 years fulfilled the criteria for entry to the study; 140 patients were treated with MACOP-B and 146 with F-MACHOP. The minimum follow-up was 24 months. Clinical characteristics of all patients were similar and known prognostic factors were equally distributed between the two groups. Complete remission (CR) was achieved by 61% and 67% of the patients treated with MACOP-B and F-MACHOP, respectively; 4% and 6% were primarily resistant, 2% and 5%, respectively, died of causes directly related to therapy. At 50 months, 74% of all CR patients were alive without disease and there were no significant differences in relapse-free survival between the two groups: 75% in the F-MACHOP group and 73% in the MACOP-B group at 50 months. There was a higher incidence of mucositis among patients treated with MACHOP-B than among those given F-MACHOP (11% vs 3.5%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (CD30 +/Ki-1+): results of a prospective clinico-pathological study of 69 cases.

Sixty-nine anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs) were selected from an Italian comparative trial on MACOP-B and F-MACHOP. As no significant difference in effectiveness of the protocols emerged, they were considered homogeneously treated. The ALCLs were divided into two groups according to previously defined criteria: 41 were common type (ALCLs-CT) and 28 Hodgkin-related (ALCLs-HR). T-cell phenotype was most common (58%), while B-cell, null and hybrid forms accounted for 27%, 13% and 2%. Clinically, ALCLs CT and HR differed as to mean age (27 v 34.3 years) and presentation; all ALCLs-HR showed mediastinal involvement, with bulky disease in 57%, and more frequent occurrence in stage II. In contrast, ALCLs-CT showed mediastinal masses in 58.5%, infrequently revealed bulky disease (24%), and were not specifically associated to stage. Among the ALCLs-CT, 68.4% achieved complete remission (CR), 24.4% partial remission (PR), one (2.4%) was resistant to therapy, and two (4.8%) had fatal drug toxicity. Of the ALCLs-HR, 67.8% reached CR, 14.3% PR, and 17.9% did not respond. In CR, ALCLs-CT showed a greater tendency to relapse (32.1% v 14.2%). At present, 65.8% of ALCLs-CT and 67.8% of ALCLs-HR are alive with overall survival/disease-free survival averages of 31/27 and 29/24 months respectively. Our data emphasize that, independently of subtype, ALCLs benefit from the application of third-generation protocols for high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Radiotherapy in early stage Hodgkin's disease.

Ninety-nine patients with "standard risk" Stage IA-IIA Hodgkin's disease observed between January 1983 and December 1990, received radiotherapy only. The complete response rate was 98% (97/99). Twenty-one patients (21%) relapsed, 17 of whom (81%) obtained a second complete remission. The projected 9-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 95% and 78%, respectively. In this study our goals were to reduce the irradiation volumes, to decrease the number of splenectomies performed at diagnosis, and to utilize radiotherapy alone in these patients. We were able to reduce the irradiation volumes in over 50% and 80% of the patients with disease in the upper torso and subdiaphragm, respectively. Furthermore, this therapeutic approach permitted us to reduce the acute and long-term toxic effects related to splenectomy and combined modality treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Biological studies on 2,1-benzisothiazole derivatives. II. Evaluation of antimicrobial and genotoxic properties of bz-nitro-, 3-ethylacetate-, 3-amino- and 3-substituted amino 2,1-benzisothiazoles.

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of bz-nitro-, 3-ethylacetate-, 3-amino- and 3-substitutedamino 2,1-benzisothiazoles was evaluated. The compounds studied were found to display a very low activity against bacteria and fungi, with the exception of compound 61, which exhibited a relatively high activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As for genotoxic properties, compounds 1-3, 5 and 6 showed DNA-damaging activity in the Bacillus subtilis rec-assay. The Salmonella-microsome assay confirmed the genotoxicity of these compounds and also revealed the mutagenicity of compounds 4, 7-12, 23, 24, 31, 33-35, 38, 39, 44, 49, 51, 53, 57-63. Structure-activity relationships showed all the compounds containing an aromatic nitro group or an unsubstituted amino group to possess genotoxic properties. Whereas most of the 3-acylamino-, 3-acylalkylamino- and 3-azomethynderivatives showed mutagenic activity, none of the 3-alkylamino-2,1-benzisothiazoles was active. None of the 1,2-isomers studied showed genotoxic properties.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1994

[Antibiotic resistance: current problems and prospects].

In recent years the frequency and spectrum of antibiotic resistant microorganisms have dramatically increased worldwide. In same cases certain infections turned out to be essentially untreatable with antimicrobial drugs. The antibiotic resistance and its transmissibility among different microorganisms poses serious problems for the near future. It is thus important to search and develop rapidly new antimicrobial drugs with improved activity and able to overcome resistance mechanisms. A more prudent and appropriate use of antimicrobial drug in humans and animals is also recommend.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1994

The use of Bacillus subtilis as an antidiarrhoeal microorganism.

This review describes the therapeutic activity of Bacillus subtilis spores (Enterogermina) in the treatment of intestinal disorders associated with alterations in the qualitative and quantitative composition of the normal human intestinal flora. On the basis of the present knowledge of gastrointestinal microbiology and of the physiology fo this antidiarrhoeal microorganism, a mechanism of action of oral bacteriotherapy with B. subtilis is proposed. Advantages of the use of B. subtilis as an antidiarrhoeal microorganism are also discussed.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed1993

Inhibition of mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium by Glycyrrhiza glabra extract, glycyrrhizinic acid, 18 alpha- and 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acids.

The effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extract, glycyrrhizinic acid, 18 alpha- and 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acids on the mutagenicity of the ethyl methanesulfonate, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and ribose-lysine Maillard model systems were investigated by using the Salmonella/microsome reversion assay. The protocol used allowed us to detect desmutagenic and antimutagenic activity and to avoid false positive results due to toxicity. For all the compounds tested, no desmutagenic activity was observed against ethyl methanesulfonate and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine; only Glycyrrhiza glabra extract showed antimutagenic activity against ethyl methanesulfonate. On using the ribose-lysine mutagenic browning mixture, the desmutagenic activities of the Glycyrrhiza glabra extract, glycyrrhizinic acid, 18 alpha- and 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acids were observed. 18 beta-Glycyrrhetinic acid was the most active compound. Glycyrrhiza glabra extract also exhibited antimutagenic activity against ribose-lysine.

Antimutagenic Agents↗
PubMed1993

Recombinant alpha-interferon 2b in the treatment of HIV-related thrombocytopenia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and the mechanism of action of alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) in the treatment of HIV-related thrombocytopenia. METHODS: Thirteen HIV-positive subjects [nine men and four women with severe thrombocytopenia (platelets, < or = 30 x 10(9)/l)] were treated with alpha-IFN 2b alone at a dose of 3 x 10(6) U three times a week for 5 weeks. Haematological parameters, platelet kinetic and bone-marrow myeloid progenitor cultures [megakaryocyte colony-forming units (CFU-MK); granulocyte macrophage CFU (CFU-GM) and erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E)] were evaluated before and after treatment in responsive subjects. RESULTS: Seven out of 13 subjects showed a partial response (platelets, 50-149 x 10(9)/l) after alpha-IFN 2b therapy. Platelet survival as evaluated by 111In-oxine significantly increased, while platelet turnover showed a slight but not statistically significant increase after treatment. The growth of bone-marrow myeloid progenitor cells decreased after alpha-IFN 2b therapy, again without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: alpha-IFN 2b may increase the platelet count in HIV-positive subjects with severe symptomatic thrombocytopenia by prolonging platelet survival. The immunomodulatory and antiviral action of this drug may be responsible for prolonged platelet survival.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1993

Breathing pattern during and after maximal exercise testing in young untrained subjects and in obese patients.

More rapid and more shallow breathing (RSB) than usual, manifested by a lower tidal volume and greater breathing frequency at a given level of ventilation, may be caused by inspiratory muscle fatigue and pulmonary congestion. It has been observed during recovery in young trained adults after very high exercise levels and in middle-aged patients with cardiac disease, after their maximal work load. We studied the breathing pattern during and after exercise testing up to the maximal work capacity in a group of normal untrained, young people and in a group of young obese subjects. RSB was present in normal subjects after a work load which required a maximal O2 consumption near the theoretical value (93% in our cases) and was not present in obese patients probably because neither inspiratory muscle fatigue, nor pulmonary congestion occurs in these subjects. Maximal heart rate at peak of exercise was significantly higher in normal subjects and a direct correlation between delta Vt and maximal heart rate was found in all normal subjects. This is compatible with the hypothesis that RSB is mainly due to an initial interstitial pulmonary edema, as supposed by other authors.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Metabolic aspects and sympathetic effects in the obese subject undergoing exercise testing.

An impaired plasma Epinephrine (E) and Norepinephrine (NE) response has been described in obese patients during physical exercise. Serum potassium level is influenced either by physical exercise or by the adrenergic system. We studied 12 young obese patients and 12 young controls, all without any cardio-respiratory disorders, who underwent a cycloergometric test with steps of 20 watts every four minutes until exhaustion. During the test we recorded serum potassium levels, E and NE, insulin, glucose and RQ to confirm or not the observation of the reduced adrenergic response in obese patients. During exercise, although both groups reached a not significantly different mean peak value of maximal activity, E and NE increased, more in the controls than in the obese subjects (at peak of exercise 221 +/- 44.1 vs 71 +/- 21.5 pg/ml respectively for E; 2035 +/- 164.8 vs 1141 +/- 313.7 pg/ml respectively for NE). RQ was constantly lower in the obese patients than in the normals both during and after the stress. In both groups potassium increased significantly, but the obese patients had a significantly lower increment at peak of activity when compared to the controls (delta K+: 0.52 +/- 0.11 vs 1.007 +/- 0.17 meq/l respectively, p < 0.05). Insulin and glucose had a behaviour in line with literature in both groups. The behaviour of potassium could be an index of a higher effect of beta-adrenergic system in obese patients than in normals despite the different increases of catecholamines in the two groups. This hypothesis may agree with the preferential metabolic use of fatty acids in our obese patients as indicated by RQ values.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Synthesis, structure, antimicrobial, and genotoxic activities of organotin compounds with 2,6-diacetylpyridine nicotinoyl- and isonicotinoylhydrazones.

A series of organotin compounds obtained from the reaction of 2,6-diacetylpyridine nicotinoyl- and isonicotinoylhydrazones with tri- and diorganotin chlorides was investigated. The IR and 119Sn NMR spectroscopic characterization of all the compounds is reported, together with the x-ray crystal structure of [SnEt2(H2dapin')]2[SnEt2Cl3]Cl3.2H2O (H2dapin' = 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(isonicotinoylhydrazone)). The main feature in this compound is the presence of a tin atom in both the complex ionic units. The coordination polyhedron is a pentagonal bipyramid in the cation and a trigonal bipyramid in the anion. Results are discussed concerning the in vitro evaluation of antimicrobial properties and genotoxic potential of the compounds described. In all cases the complexes show a reduced antimicrobial activity as compared to that of the corresponding organotin compound. Genotoxic properties of the ligands, detected in the Ames test, disappear in the complexes.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1992

Evidence for a human immunodeficiency virus type 1-mediated suppression of uninfected hematopoietic (CD34+) cells in AIDS patients.

Hematopoietic progenitor (CD34+) cells were purified from the bone marrow of 6 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1-seropositive cytopenic patients and 10 healthy donors. HIV-1-seropositive patients showed a reduced number of granulocyte/macrophage, erythroid, and megakaryocyte progenitors and also a progressive and significant decline of numbers of CD34+ cells in liquid culture, which did not result from a productive or latent HIV-1 infection of CD34+ cells. However, all HIV-1-seropositive patients showed signs of active viral replication at the bone marrow level. Moreover, virus isolates from 3 HIV-1-seropositive patients showed a dose-dependent inhibition on growth of normal CD34+ cells. This suppressive activity was almost completely reversed by incubating the virus isolates with an anti-gp120 polyclonal antibody before adding to normal CD34+ cells.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): preliminary report in patients with lymphoma associated with HIV infection.

In an ongoing phase II study, 12 patients with lymphoma and HIV infection were treated with zidovudine (ZDV) and recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) to evaluate if this association may produce beneficial effect on the immunologic status and the outcome of lymphoma. The protocol included daily doses of rIL-2 at 6 MIU/m2 over 5 days in c.i. per week for a total 4 courses; ZDV was associated at 600 mg/d in the period under study. An improved CD4 count, exceeding 2- to 4-fold the basal count, was obtained in patients with a basal CD4 number greater than 100/microliters accompanied by a significant increase of NK and LAK activity (p less than 0.001). From the clinical point of view the reduction of tumor manifestation was proportional to CD4 basal number; 2 patients from those with CD4 greater than 100/microliters obtained a complete remission after rIL-2 and ZVD. The p24 antigen, taken as parameter of viral replication, remained invariably negative after rIL-2 and ZDV in patients already negative and became negative in 1 patient previously positive. Our conclusion is that the association of rIL-2 and AZT is safe and useful in patients with lymphoma and HIV infection.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1992

Work capacity and cardiopulmonary adaptation of the obese subject during exercise testing.

Twelve obese patients (six male subjects) aged 17 to 42 years with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2 and 12 normal subjects (six male subjects) aged 19 to 39 years with a mean BMI of 22 kg/m2 underwent a cycloergometric test until exhaustion to assess work capacity and cardiopulmonary adaptations of the two groups. Minute ventilation, expiratory gas concentrations, and heart rate, together with anaerobic threshold (AT) were determined in each subject during the test. The same subjects were then submitted to normocapnic hyperpnea at rest to assess the oxygen cost of breathing. We found that in the obese patients, the maximal sustainable work rate was not different from that of controls (120 vs 136 W) while AT was significantly lower (78 vs 110 W). Nevertheless, there was no difference in maximum VO2 and in VO2 at AT levels (expressed in milliliters per minute) indicating that cardiac, pulmonary, vascular, and muscle performance did not differ from obese to normal subjects. Greater muscular effort was needed by obese patients when moving their heavier legs and less when doing external work with a decreased gross mechanical efficiency and an identical net mechanical efficiency between the two groups.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1992

Massive mediastinal involvement in stage I-II Hodgkin's disease: response to combined modality treatment.

Thirty-seven patients with stage I-II Hodgkin's disease and massive mediastinal involvement, observed between June 1981 and November 1989, underwent combined modality treatment. This treatment included: 3 cycles of mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone followed by mantle-field irradiation, and subsequently by 3 additional cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine. Thirty-five (95%) patients achieved complete responses and only 2 (5%) had partial responses. All the complete responders are living and relapse-free at a median follow-up of 62 months; no major toxic reactions were recorded. These data suggest, as did those of other studies, that combined modality therapy is superior to either radiotherapy or chemotherapy alone for patients in stage I-II with bulky disease, especially in the mediastinum. In fact, in these particular patients, if adequately treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the role of massive mediastinal involvement as a poor prognostic factor appears to be less significant.

Adolescent↗