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Biomedical subjects

P Russo

Publications and source records attributed to P Russo.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

The role of nuclear cap binding protein Cbc1p of yeast in mRNA termination and degradation.

The cyc1-512 mutation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae causes a 90% reduction in the level of iso-1-cytochrome c because of the lack of a proper 3'-end-forming signal, resulting in low levels of eight aberrantly long cyc1-512 mRNAs which differ in length at their 3' termini. cyc1-512 can be suppressed by deletion of either of the nonessential genes CBC1 and CBC2, which encode the CBP80 and CBP20 subunits of the nuclear cap binding complex, respectively, or by deletion of the nonessential gene UPF1, which encodes a major component of the mRNA surveillance complex. The upf1-Delta deletion suppressed the cyc1-512 defect by diminishing degradation of the longer subset of cyc1-512 mRNAs, suggesting that downstream elements or structures occurred in the extended 3' region, similar to the downstream elements exposed by transcripts bearing premature nonsense mutations. On the other hand, suppression of cyc1-512 defects by cbc1-Delta occurred by two different mechanisms. The levels of the shorter cyc1-512 transcripts were enhanced in the cbc1-Delta mutants by promoting 3'-end formation at otherwise-weak sites, whereas the levels of the longer cyc1-512 transcripts, as well as of all mRNAs, were slightly enhanced by diminishing degradation. Furthermore, cbc1-Delta greatly suppressed the degradation of mRNAs and other phenotypes of a rat7-1 strain which is defective in mRNA export. We suggest that Cbc1p defines a novel degradation pathway that acts on mRNAs partially retained in nuclei.

Fungal Proteins↗
PubMed2000

Cost-effectiveness study of imipenem/cilastatin versus meropenem in intra-abdominal infections.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of two carbapenems, imipenem/cilastatin (I/C, 1.5 g daily) versus meropenem (3 g daily) in intra-abdominal infections was assessed in a recent multicenter randomized clinical trial. The aim of this article is to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis as in real-world practice according to the findings of this clinical trial. METHODS: A decision tree was used to estimate the clinical outcomes and direct costs of treating intra-abdominal infections using the two carbapenems from the perspective of the Italian National Health Service (INHS) or a private insurance company (PIC). RESULTS: In a population of 30,000 patients with intra-abdominal infections in Italy, it was estimated that 97 potential deaths/year could be avoided if these patients were treated with I/C versus meropenem. In addition, from the perspective of INHS, the total costs of treatment were estimated as ITL 106,874 million and 134,042 million for I/C and meropenem, respectively. In favor of the PIC point of view, the total costs were estimated as ITL 110,500 million and 135,899 million for I/C and meropenem, respectively. CONCLUSION: The treatment of intra-abdominal infections with I/C is shown to be more effective (97 deaths avoided/year) and less costly than with meropenem (with a saving of ITL 27,168 and 25,399 million/year for INHS and PIC, respectively).

APACHE↗
PubMed2000

Effect of cytokine therapy on survival for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between treatment with cytokine therapy and survival, investigate the effect of nephrectomy on survival, and identify long-term survivors among a cohort of 670 patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 670 patients with advanced RCC treated on 24 clinical trials of systemic chemotherapy or cytokine therapy were the subjects of this retrospective analysis. Treatment was categorized as cytokine (containing interferon alfa and/or interleukin-2) in 396 patients (59%) and as chemotherapy (cytotoxic or hormonal therapy) in 274 (41%). Among the 670 patients, those with survival times of greater than 5 years were identified as long-term survivors. RESULTS: Patients treated with cytokine therapy had a longer survival time than did those treated with chemotherapy, regardless of the year of treatment or risk category based on pretreatment features. The median survival times for favorable-, intermediate-, and poor-risk patients were 27, 12, and 6 months for those treated with cytokines and 15, 7, and 3 months for those treated with chemotherapy, respectively. The magnitude of difference in median survival was greater in the favorable- and intermediate-risk groups. The median survival time was less than 6 months in the poor-risk group for both treatment programs. Median survival time was 14 months among patients with prior nephrectomy plus time from diagnosis to treatment greater than 1 year versus 8 months among those with time from diagnosis to treatment less than 1 year, regardless of pretreatment nephrectomy status. Thirty patients (4.5%) among the 670 patients were identified as long-term survivors; 12 were free of disease after nephrectomy and treatment with interferon alfa, interleukin-2, or surgical resection of metastasis. CONCLUSION: The low proportion of patients with advanced RCC who achieve long-term survival emphasizes the need for clinical investigation to identify more effective therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Sex differences in hemisphere preference as assessed by a paper-and-pencil test.

The present study examined sex differences in hemisphere preference (HP) assessed by the Preference Test (PT). This instrument is designed to measure the extent to which normal subjects rely on right-hemisphere or left-hemisphere cognition. Factor analysis on the total sample (N = 1,057; 473 men and 584 women) revealed a clear two-factor structure (i.e., left-HP and right-HP), although separate analyses for men and women suggest that this structure is more straightforward in men than in women. The main differences between men and women have to do with PT items relevant to language abilities, where women tend to be more symmetrically distributed across the two factors. However, the frequency of right- and left-HP is similar in men and women and does not change for men when PT scores are recalculated after removal of unspecific items. Furthermore, once the items that assess verbal abilities were excluded, the corrected PT value for women showed higher right-HP. Our results provide some indications of a less pronounced lateralization of hemisphere-linked cognitive abilities in women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Systemic therapy for renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: We review the status of systemic therapy for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed on MEDLINE and CANCERLIT to identify results of systemic therapy for patients with renal cell carcinoma published from January 1990 through December 1998. Treatment results of chemotherapy agents, immunotherapy, combination programs and adjuvant therapy were reviewed. RESULTS: No chemotherapy agent has produced response rates that justify its use as a single agent. Interferon-alpha and interleukin (IL)-2 demonstrated low response rates ranging from 10% to 20%. The results of 2 randomized trials suggest that treatment with interferon-alpha compared to vinblastine or medroxyprogesterone achieves a small improvement in survival. Response rates in patients treated with low dose IL-2 are similar to those achieved with a high dose bolus schedule but whether the responses are as durable is being addressed in an ongoing randomized trial. A randomized trial of interferon-alpha plus IL-2 compared to monotherapy with either agent showed increased toxicity but no improvement in survival. In 3 randomized trials no survival benefit was associated with adjuvant interferon-alpha therapy following complete resection of locally advanced renal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Despite extensive evaluation of many different treatment modalities, metastatic renal cell carcinoma remains highly resistant to systemic therapy. A few patients exhibit complete or partial responses to interferon and/or IL-2 but most do not respond, and there are few long-term survivors. Preclinical research, and clinical evaluation of new agents and treatment programs to identify improved antitumor activity against metastases remain the highest priorities in this refractory disease.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed2000

Surgical management of renal tumors 4 cm. or less in a contemporary cohort.

PURPOSE: We evaluated a patient cohort with renal tumors 4 cm. or less treated with partial or radical nephrectomy. We compared patient and tumor characteristics, and survival in these 2 groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 670 patients with a median age of 63 years treated surgically for renal cell carcinoma between July 31, 1989 and July 31, 1997. Renal tumors 4.0 cm. or less were noted in 252 patients (38%) who underwent a total of 262 procedures, including 183 radical (70%) and 79 partial (30%) nephrectomies. Ten patients required 2 operations each because of bilateral renal cell carcinoma. Median followup was 40 months. We compared clinicopathological parameters in the partial and radical nephrectomy groups using chi-square or Wilcoxon analysis as appropriate. Survival analysis was determined by the log rank test and Cox regression model. RESULTS: The partial and radical nephrectomy groups were comparable with respect to gender ratio, tumor presentation, histological classification, pathological stage and complication rate. Median tumor size was 2.5 and 3.0 cm. in the partial and radical nephrectomy groups, respectively (p = 0.0001). Resection was incomplete in 1 patient (1.3%) in the partial and none in the radical nephrectomy group. There was no local recurrence after either procedure, and no significant difference in disease specific, disease-free and overall survival (p = 0.98, 0.23 and 0.20, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a small renal tumor have similar perioperative morbidity, pathological stage and outcome regardless of treatment with partial or radical nephrectomy. Therefore, partial nephrectomy remains a safe alternative for tumors of this size.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Angiographic follow-up after coronary implantation of the Multilink stent: a prospective observation.

BACKGROUND: A growing variety of coronary stents is becoming available on the market. Results of randomized trials may be difficult to apply to less selected patients, and experience with every device cannot be obtained in every center. Detailed information about the immediate and long-term results achieved with one device can be a helpful reference for interventional cardiologists. The aim of this study was to test the applicability and the clinical and angiographic results, both immediate and at 6 months, of the Multilink coronary stent in a cohort of unselected patients undergoing coronary angioplasty. METHODS: From March 1997 to June 1998 coronary angioplasty was performed in 391 patients in our center, with the use of stents in 339 patients. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventeen Multilink stents were successfully implanted in 295 lesions in 277 patients; an acute coronary syndrome was present in 209 cases (75%), and lesion types B2 and C accounted for 30% of lesions. In 7 cases (2.4%) the Multilink stent did not cross the lesion, and another device was implanted. Subacute stent occlusion occurred in 1 patient (0.36%) after primary angioplasty. After 6 months from the procedure, clinical follow-up data were available for 252 out of 254 patients: none had died, and angina or myocardial ischemia occurred in 25 patients (9.9%). A control angiogram was performed in 239 out of 254 patients (94%) at 178 +/- 34 days. Restenosis occurred in 44/239 patients (18.4%) and in 48/247 lesions (19.4%). In patients with vs without restenosis the original lesion was longer (p = 0.009), and diabetes mellitus was more frequent (p = 0.002), as was the use of multiple stents (p = 0.005). In single 15, 25 and 35 mm long stents restenosis occurred in 13.9, 15.5 and 46.2% of cases, respectively (p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: The Multilink stent showed a low rate of subacute occlusion (0.36%) and could be used safely also in patients with acute coronary syndromes. The use of a single, 15 or 25 mm long Multilink stent was associated with a low angiographic recurrence rate (14-16%).

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed2000

[The single coronary artery. 2 clinical cases].

Single coronary artery is a rare congenital abnormality, characterized by a common origin of both right and left coronary arteries from a single aortic ostium. Recognizing the anatomic relationship between the single coronary artery and the great vessels is of prognostic importance: the variant in which the first part of the coronary artery passes between the aorta and the pulmonary trunk has the worst prognosis, and may be associated with sudden death during exercise. We describe 2 cases of single coronary artery: the first is of the more unusual left type, in which a Swan-Ganz catheter in the pulmonary artery helped to recognize the interarterial course subtype. The second case is a right type, belonging to the "septal" subtype, in which the left main trunk has a partial intramyocardial course: this variant has a good prognosis and can be distinguished from the "interarterial" subtype by the presence of a septal branch originating from the left main trunk.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Selected abstracts

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Renal cell carcinoma: presentation, staging, and surgical treatment.

The widespread availability of abdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scanning has increased the diagnosis of incidental renal tumors, which now comprise the vast majority of the new cases diagnosed each year. With the detection of renal tumors at an earlier stage, partial nephrectomy and nephron-sparing surgery have evolved as effective alternatives to radical nephrectomy. The poor prognostic findings of involved regional lymph nodes or ipsilateral adrenal metastases has led to more selective operations on those sites in the face of incidental tumor detection. Technological advances have allowed for the development by committed surgical investigators of techniques of laparoscopic and laparoscopically assisted nephrectomy. Although not widely employed, further improvements in technology may widen the appeal of these approaches to selected renal tumors. Advances in cardiovascular surgical techniques have made resection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumor thrombi involving the inferior vena cava (IVC) possible, although this approach is still associated with significant perioperative mortality depending on the degree of caval involvement. In highly selected cases, resection of limited metastatic disease is recommended, particularly if the disease-free interval is greater than 12 months and there is a only a single site of metastatic disease. Whether metastectomy is therapeutic or fits within the realm of the often long and unpredictable natural history of RCC is not known. Strategies for follow-up are based primarily on the pathologic stage of the operated tumor. Small incidental tumors have an excellent prognosis and require little in the way of postoperative imaging. As the pathologic stage increases, the likelihood of developing metastatic disease increases, necessitating biannual chest x-ray in addition to history and physical examination. Symptom-directed bone scans and CT scans are effective in identifying most recurrences in patients with large, poorly differentiated tumors. Patients requiring specialized follow-up programs include those treated by partial nephrectomy, and those with end-stage renal disease, acquired cystic disease of the kidney, or von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed2000

Urologic emergencies in the cancer patient.

Urologic emergencies are common in the cancer patient and relate mainly to complications of bladder hemorrhage, upper or lower urinary tract obstruction, urinary tract infection, and priapism. Hemorrhagic cystitis is commonly due to bladder injury from radiation therapy, viral infection, or metabolites of chemotherapeutic agents. Treatments aimed at ameliorating the effects of theses metabolites, such as mesna and intravenous (IV) hydration, coupled with cystoscopy, evacuation of clots, and formalin instillation, have given clinicians an effective means of avoiding exsanguinating hemorrhage from the bladder. Malignant ureteral obstruction is an ominous sign in the cancer patient and may be due to tumor compression, retroperitoneal adenopathy, or direct tumor invasion. The endourologic procedures of ureteral stenting and percutaneous nephrostomy are effective means of palliation; however, complications of infection, stent obstruction, and stent migration can result in hospital admission and a decline in quality of life. Median survival for patients with malignant ureteral obstruction is less than 7 months, regardless of the tumor of origin. Bladder outlet obstruction leading to urinary retention can be due to mechanical factors involving the bladder neck or prostate, or to a breakdown in the neurophysiologic function of the bladder. Every attempt is made to avoid surgical intervention or the placement of chronic in-dwelling catheter in these often debilitated patients. Patients are often effectively treated with a variety of pharmacologic agents, such as alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers or by the initiation of chronic intermittent catheterization. Urinary tract infections are particularly dangerous in neutropenic and bone marrow transplant patients, with bladder catheters the most common portal entry. The colonization and later infection by resistant nosocomial organisms, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, can rapidly lead to life-threatening sepsis. On rare occasions, emergency surgical intervention with adequate open drainage or nephrectomy is required to control such infections. Priapism can be caused by hematologic malignancy with hypercoagulation, metastatic disease involving the corpora cavernosa with thrombosis of the venous outflow from the penis, or rarely from intracavernous injections used for the treatment of impotence. If effective treatment exists for the primary tumor, improvement or resolution of the state of priapism may occur. Radiation therapy may be required to decrease the pain associated with malignant priapism, but surgical shunting procedures are rarely effective.

Emergencies↗
PubMed2000

Myocardial infarction with acute thrombosis of multiple major coronary arteries: a clinical and angiographic observation in four patients.

Four patients are reported in whom concomitant obstructive thrombosis of two major coronary vessels was observed at coronary angiography during evolving myocardial infarction. In all cases the simultaneous involvement of both vessels as the cause of acute ischemia was confirmed by the results of sequential treatment of the lesions with emergency angioplasty.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

[Night eating in severely obese patients].

BACKGROUND: To investigate the frequency of night eating among obese patients, its biological correlates and its relationships with binge eating. METHODS: The eating behavior of a group of patients enrolled in a weight-loss program was evaluated by Eating Inventory (EI) and by semistructured interviews designed to detect binge and night eating; in all cases body weight (BW) and energy expenditure (REE) were measured. RESULTS: Night eating was more frequent among binge eating patients, than in among non-binge ones. However, two-way ANOVA demonstrated that in binge eating patients the EI disinhibition and hunger score was higher than in their no-bingeing counterparts and in night eating individuals. Furthermore, between night eating and non-night eating patients, no differences in BW and REE were found. CONCLUSIONS: Binge eating and night eating appear to be related to different psychological constructs, the overlapping between the two behaviors, however, being quite frequent.

English Abstract↗
PubMed1999

Interaction between the pRb2/p130 C-terminal domain and the N-terminal portion of cyclin D3.

An association between cyclin D3 and the C-terminal domain of pRb2/p130 was demonstrated using the yeast two-hybrid system. Further analysis restricted the epitope responsible for the binding within the 74 N-terminal amino acids of cyclin D3, independent of the LXCXE amino acid motif present in the D-type cyclin N-terminal region. In a coprecipitation assay in T98G cells, a human glioblastoma cell line, the C-terminal domain of pRb2/p130 was able to interact solely with cyclin D3, while the corresponding portion of pRb interacted with either cyclin D3 or cyclin D1. In T98G cells, endogenous cyclin D3-associated kinase activity showed a clear predisposition to phosphorylate preferentially the C-terminal domain of pRb2/p130, rather than that of pRb. This propensity was also confirmed in LAN-5 human neuroblastoma cells, where phosphorylation of the pRb2/p130 C-terminal domain and expression of cyclin D3 also decreased remarkably in the late neural differentiation stages.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗
PubMed1999

Quercetin and anti-CD95(Fas/Apo1) enhance apoptosis in HPB-ALL cell line.

Several malignant cell lines are resistant to CD95-(Apo1/Fas)-mediated apoptosis, even when the CD95 receptor is highly expressed. Sensitivity to CD95-induced apoptosis can be restored using different molecules. In this study, we showed that quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, in association with the agonistic anti-CD95 monoclonal antibody, increases DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity in HPB-ALL cells. These cells have been selected for their known resistance to CD95-induced apoptosis. At molecular level, quercetin lowers the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species, reduces mitochondrial transmembrane potential, thereby leaving the expression of CD95 receptor unchanged.

Apoptosis↗