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Biomedical subjects

P Russo

Publications and source records attributed to P Russo.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

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.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Inhibition of cancer cell growth and c-Myc transcriptional activity by a c-Myc helix 1-type peptide fused to an internalization sequence.

c-Myc is a nuclear protein with important roles in cell transformation, cell proliferation, and gene transcription. It has been previously shown that a 14-amino acid (aa) modified peptide (H1-S6A,F8A) derived from the helix 1 (H1) carboxylic region of c-Myc can interfere in vitro with specific c-Myc DNA binding. Here, we have linked the above Myc-derived 14-aa peptide to a 16-aa sequence from the third helix of Antennapedia (Int). It has been repeatedly reported that this 16-aa Antennapedia peptide is able to cross mammalian cell membranes and to work as a vector for short peptides. Using fluorescent (dansylated or rhodaminated) peptides, we have shown that the fusion peptide with the Antennapedia fragment (Int-H1-S6A,F8A) but not the c-Myc derived fragment alone (H1-S6A,F8A) was capable of internalization inside MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Int-H1-S6A,F8A and H1-S6A,F8A were the only two peptides capable of inhibiting coimmunoprecipitation of the c-Myc/Max heterodimer in vitro. We have treated (continuously for 10-11 days) MCF-7 cells with four different peptides: Int, H1-S6A,F8A, Int-H1-S6A,F8A, and Int-H1wt [a peptide differing from Int-H1-S6A,F8A by 2 aa (S6 and F8) in the H1 region]. In intact MCF-7 cells, Int-H1-S6A,F8A was the only active peptide capable of inducing the following biological effects: (a) inhibition of cloning efficiency on plates; (b) inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in subconfluent/confluent cells; and (c) inhibition of transcription of two c-Myc-regulated genes (ODC and p53). Int-H1-S6A,F8A was active in the 1-10 microM range. Int-H1-S6A,F8A may represent a lead molecule for peptidomimetic compounds that have a similar three-dimensional structure but are more resistant to peptidases and, therefore, suitable for in vivo treatment of experimentally induced tumors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Inactivation of p53 in a human ovarian cancer cell line increases the sensitivity to paclitaxel by inducing G2/M arrest and apoptosis.

Paclitaxel-induced cytotoxicity, cell cycle perturbation, and apoptosis were determined in a human ovarian cancer cell line expressing wt p53 (A2780) and in a subclone (A2780/E6) obtained upon transfection with the product of the E6 gene of the human papilloma virus HPV16. The inactivation of wt p53 in A2780/E6 was verified by measuring the inability of the clone to induce p53 and p21 expression after paclitaxel treatment. The p53-negative clone (A2780/E6) was approximately 50-fold more sensitive to paclitaxel than wt p53-expressing A2780 cells. This increased sensitivity was related to the ability of paclitaxel to induce a strong arrest of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle in A2780/E6 but not in A2780 cells. This different cell cycle arrest was accompanied by increased frequency of paclitaxel-induced p53-independent apoptosis. Initial studies on proteases activation tend to exclude a direct role of ICE and CPP32 in the induction of apoptosis in these cells and show a paclitaxel-dependent increase in FLICE levels, whose biological relevance is however at present not defined.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗
PubMed1998

The role of surgery in the treatment of clinically isolated adrenal metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Clinically isolated adrenal metastasis is rare. The role of surgical resection is unknown. The aim of this study was to define clinical and pathologic parameters that might predict long term survival after resection of adrenal metastasis. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective review of 37 patients who had undergone adrenalectomy for metastatic disease at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) between July 1986 and October 1996. Patients who underwent resection of tumors that locally invaded the adrenal gland were excluded from the study, as were all patients with primary adrenal tumors. RESULTS: There were 24 men and 13 women, with a median age of 58 years (range, 42-77 years). Lung carcinoma was the most common primary tumor (n = 17), followed by renal cell carcinoma (n = 9), and colorectal carcinoma (n = 5). The median length of stay at MSKCC was 8 days (range, 3-21 days). There was a 19% incidence of complications (12% major). There was one perioperative death. Five-year survival for the entire group was 24% (median, 21 months). Disease free interval (DFI) of > 6 months and complete resection were the only predictors of improved survival. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenalectomy for clinically solitary, resectable lesions can be performed safely, and prolonged survival can be achieved in such selected patients. Adrenalectomy should be considered for patients with completely resectable disease and a DFI of > 6 months.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Bilateral non-familial renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral renal cell carcinoma (RCC) exists in hereditary forms (von Hippel-Lindau disease, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, and hereditary clear cell renal carcinoma) associated with various chromosomal abnormalities, and non-hereditary, apparently sporadic forms. The focus of this study is the clinical description of the latter entity. METHODS: Synchronous and asynchronous bilateral RCC were identified from a prospective database of 698 consecutive patients undergoing operation for RCC between July 1989 and December 1997 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Non-familial RCC was defined as that occurring in those patients without a family or hereditary history of RCC. Patients' records were evaluated for presentation, surgical approach used, and pathology. Actuarial survival from the date of initial operative treatment until the date of last follow-up or death was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Comparisons between groups were made using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Thirty-three of 698 (4.7%) patients operated for RCC had bilateral disease. Four of the 33 (12.1%) patients had either VHL or documented hereditary RCC, and 29 of 33 (87.9%) had non-familial RCC. Of the 29 patients, histology was conventional (clear cell) in 17 patients, papillary in 5, oncocytoma in 3, and unclassified in 3. One patient had a conventional (clear cell) histology in the first nephrectomy specimen and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma in the second. Partial nephrectomy was used in 100% of patients. Median follow-up time was 52 months. Actuarial 5-year overall survival was 84.5%, and actuarial disease-specific survival was 93.3% at 5 years for the non-familial RCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Non-familial bilateral RCC patients represent a distinct subpopulation of renal cancer patients with a good overall prognosis. Partial nephrectomy is an integral part of the surgical management. Although most bilateral tumors present synchronously, asynchronous lesions may occur many years after original nephrectomy, thus committing the patient to long-term follow-up.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Results of laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients at high risk for nodal metastases from prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy (LPLND) can be performed safely and with minimal morbidity in the staging of prostate cancer. Its utility in evaluating patients at high risk for metastatic disease before primarily nonsurgical treatment modalities was evaluated. METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive patients who underwent LPLND between June 1993 and July 1996 were studied. These patients were considered poor surgical candidates based on several risk factors, as follows: elevation of serum PSA >20 in 19 patients (79%); elevation of serum acid phosphatase in 4 patients (17%); digital rectal examination findings indicative of extraprostatic extension or seminal vesical involvement in 14 patients (58%); and poorly differentiated tumors on prostate biopsy in 19 patients (79%). Nineteen patients (79%) had two or more of these risk factors. Median PSA for the entire series of patients was 35.2 ng/mL (range 7.9 to 133 ng/mL), and median Gleason score was 7 (range 5 to 9). Preoperative CT or MRI was negative for pelvic lymph node metastases in 17 of 23 patients (79%), and bone scan was negative in all 24 patients. RESULTS: Unilateral (n = 2) or bilateral (n = 22) LPLND was performed in all patients. Six patients (25%) had lymph node metastases detected laparoscopically. Five of the six patients had palpable extraprostatic extension (T3a/b) or invasion of a seminal vesical (T3c), and in four of these patients the site of the metastatic lymph nodes was ipsilateral to the palpable prostate abnormality. None of the risk factors was independently predictive of lymph node metastases within this series of patients. An average of 10.8 +/- 6.5 lymph nodes was removed at a mean operative time of 174 +/- 10 minutes for patients undergoing bilateral LPLND. Estimated blood loss was minimal for 20 of 22 patients (92%) undergoing LPLND alone, and there were no complications requiring open exploration. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 1.2 +/- 0.5 days for patients undergoing LPLND alone. CONCLUSIONS: LPLND can be used efficiently to identify patients with nodal metastases from select high-risk patients. This, in turn, can exclude such patients from noncurative local and regional therapy.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1998

Endothelial dysfunction in cerebral microcirculation during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in newborn lambs.

OBJECTIVES: Inflammatory stimuli or mechanical stresses associated with hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass could potentially impair cerebrovascular function, resulting in inadequate cerebral perfusion. We hypothesize that hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with endothelial or vascular smooth muscle dysfunction and associated cerebral hypoperfusion. Therefore we studied the cerebrovascular response to endothelium-dependent vasodilator, acetylcholine, endothelium-independent nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside, and vasoactive amine, serotonin, in newborn lambs undergoing hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (nasopharygeal temperature = 18 degrees C). METHODS: Studies were performed on 13 newborn lambs equipped with a closed cranial window, allowing for direct visualization of surface pial arterioles. Six animals were studied while undergoing hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, whereas seven served as nonbypass, warm (37 degrees C) controls. Pial arteriolar caliber (range = 111 to 316 microm diameter) was monitored using video microscopy. RESULTS: Topical application of acetylcholine caused a dose-dependent increase in arteriolar diameter in the control group that was absent in animals undergoing hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass did not alter the vasodilation in response to sodium nitroprusside. Furthermore, the contractile response to serotonin was fully expressed during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. CONCLUSIONS: The specific loss of acetylcholine-induced vasodilation suggests endothelial cell dysfunction rather than impaired ability of vascular smooth muscle to respond to nitric oxide. It is speculated that loss of endothelium-dependent regulatory factors in the cerebral microcirculation during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass may enhance vasoconstriction, and impaired cerebrovascular function may be a basis for associated neurologic injury during or after hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1998

Biological effects of a neurotoxic pesticide at low concentrations on sea urchin early development. A terathogenic assay.

Dose-dependent terathogenic effects of an organophosphate insecticide were found during early sea urchin development. This biological assay is low cost, easy to measure, and allows to detect the effects of the exposure of organisms to the active principle at concentrations lower than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for man. Effects were found independently from the stage of exposure, and were major as earlier exposure occurred. The stronger effects were exerted on the elongation of the skeletal rods, that was easily measured by following the migration of primary mesenchyme cells, labelled by WGA (wheat germ agglutinin).

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Laparoscopic resection of intra-abdominal testicular tumor.

Intra-abdominal testicular neoplasms are difficult to diagnose, with open surgical exploration and excision the traditional mode of therapy. We report a patient with an intra-abdominal seminoma resected laparoscopically. In patients who present without evidence of retroperitoneal adenopathy, laparoscopy can be used for diagnosis, and with minimally invasive surgical techniques, to resect these tumors.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1998

Early prostate cancer detection and potential for surgical cure in men with poorly differentiated tumors.

OBJECTIVES: Long-term cure after radical prostatectomy has been reported for men with organ-confined poorly differentiated prostate cancer. However, organ-confined rates have been disappointingly low, ranging from 8% to 18% in earlier series, which have consisted primarily of patients not screened for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Recently, it has been our impression that a greater number of patients with poorly differentiated tumors have had organ-confined disease than earlier reports would have led us to predict. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, we reviewed the results of surgical staging in men with poorly differentiated tumors (Gleason score 8 to 10) entered into our prospective data base between August 1992 and June 1996. RESULTS: Of 109 men undergoing operation during the study period, 64 underwent exploration for planned radical prostatectomy with no previous therapy and comprise the study cohort. In 92%, the initial presentation was an elevated PSA level (median 10.8 ng/mL). We observed an organ-confined rate of 30% and found preoperative PSA levels of 10 ng/mL or less to be a significant predictor of organ-confined disease (45% versus 17%, P = 0.016, chi-square test). On preliminary follow-up (median 31 months), 84% of men with organ-confined tumors are free of PSA relapse, similar to that seen in 233 men with organ-confined moderately differentiated tumors undergoing operation during the study period (P = 0.12, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: Early prostate cancer detection, as reflected by PSA levels of 10 ng/mL or less, is associated with a higher organ-confined rate in men with poorly differentiated tumors. On preliminary follow-up, PSA relapse rates were lower in men with pathologically confirmed, organ-confined, poorly differentiated disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Cytogenetic analysis of a parachordoma.

We report the cytogenetic and histopathological findings in a 7-year-old female child with an intranasal tumor that is most consistent with a parachordoma. Karyotypic analysis of the tumor revealed clonal numerical and structural chromosome abnormalities. Seven cells displayed recurrent changes: der(2)t(2;4), del(3q), and the loss of chromosomes 9, 10, 20, and 22. Four cells showed a loss of chromosome 17. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first clonal chromosome abnormalities described in parachordoma.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Priming with tat-deleted caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) proviral DNA or live virus protects goats from challenge with pathogenic CAEV.

We previously reported that infection of goats with caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) tat- proviral DNA or virus results in persistent infection, since the animals seroconverted and direct virus isolation from cultures of blood-derived macrophages was positive. In this study we wanted to determine whether goats injected with CAEV tat- proviral DNA or virus were protected against challenge with the pathogenic homologous virus and to investigate whether CAEV tat- was still pathogenic. All animals injected with CAEV tat- became infected as indicated by seroconversion and virus isolation. Challenge at 8 or 9 months postinfection demonstrated protection in four of four animals injected with CAEV tat- but did not in three of three mock-inoculated challenged goats. Challenge virus was undetectable in the blood macrophages of protected animals during a period of 6 or 10 months postchallenge. In two of four protected animals, however, we were able to detect the challenge wild-type virus by reverse transcriptase PCR on RNA directly extracted from synovial membrane cells surrounding the inoculation site. This result suggests that protection was achieved without complete sterilizing immunity. Animals injected with CAEV tat- and mock challenged developed inflammatory lesions in the joints, although these lesions were not as severe as those in CAEV wild-type-injected goats. These results confirm the dispensable role of Tat in CAEV replication in vivo for the establishment of infection and pathogenesis and demonstrate in another lentivirus infection model the efficacy of live attenuated viruses to induce resistance to superinfection.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Resection of metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Resection of solitary metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with a 5-year survival rate of 35% to 50%. Selection criteria are not well defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed our experience with 278 patients with recurrent RCC from 1980 to 1993. RESULTS: One hundred forty-one of 278 patients underwent a curative metastectomy for their first recurrence (44% 5-year overall survival [OS] rate), 70 patients underwent noncurative surgery (14% 5-year OS rate), and 67 patients were treated nonsurgically (11% 5-year OS rate). Favorable features for survival were a disease-free interval (DFI) greater than 12 months versus 12 months or less (55% v 9% 5-year OS rate; P < .0001), solitary versus multiple sites of metastases (54% v 29% 5-year OS rate; P < .001), and age younger than 60 years (49% v 35% 5-year OS rate; P < .05). Among 94 patients with a solitary metastasis, lung (n = 50; 54% 5-year OS rate) was more favorable than brain (n = 11; 18% 5-year OS rate; P < .05). Survival rates after curative resection of second and third metastases were not different compared with initial metastectomy (46% and 44%, respectively, v 43% 5-year OS rates; P = nonsignificant). Favorable predictors of survival by multivariate analysis included a single site of first recurrence, curative resection of first metastasis, a long DFI, a solitary site of first metastasis, and a metachronous presentation with recurrence. CONCLUSION: Selected patients with recurrent RCC who can undergo a curative resection of their disease have a good opportunity for long-term survival, particularly those with a single site of recurrence and/or a long DFI.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Hypertension in twin pregnancy].

BACKGROUND: An increase of twin pregnancies has been observed during the last ten years and if not correctly treated, they may determine a situation at risk for mother and fetus. METHODS: The research intends to analyze the results obtained by the observation of 200 twin births in the period between 1991 and 1996 at the Obstetric and Gynaecological Clinic of the University of Rome "La Sapienza". The analysis has been made over a sample, observing the number of women showing arterial hypertension in pregnancy, the possible repercussions on fetus, and the morphological analysis of the placenta. RESULTS: Eleven women had blood pressure values of 130-90 mmHg (5.5%), albuminuria was not found, [five of them had only hypertension (2.3%) and six had hypertension associated with oedema]. The rate of premature delivery was 66.6%, while rate of term delivery was 66.7%. Delivery was spontaneous in 65% of cases, and caesarean section in 35%. Newborns were classified 80% as AGA (Appropriate for Gestational Age), and 20% as SGA (Small for Gestational Age). CONCLUSIONS: In personal experience with twin pregnancy, good results have been obtained with an early correction of risk factors (obesity, lower legs swellings, proteinuria), an intensive therapy, rest, cervical cerclage (if incontinent cervix is present), routinely hospitalization during the acute phase of the disease and a careful monitoring. This permitted to treat in time risk subjects, and to avoid gestosis syndrome.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Multiple primary malignancies in renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: We determine the incidence and nature of multiple primary malignancies in patients with renal cell carcinoma, and whether these patients have an increased risk of a second primary malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 1989 and January 1997, 551 patients underwent an operation for renal cell carcinoma. The incidence of other primary malignancies was determined and classified as antecedent, synchronous or subsequent. The observed number of subsequent malignancies after diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma was compared to the expected number based on age, race and sex specific 1990 to 1994 incidence rates from the United States Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results data using the Poisson test. RESULTS: The number of primary malignancies, including cutaneous malignancies, was at least 1 in 148 patients (26.9%), at least 2 in 34 (6.2%), at least 3 in 6 (1.1%) and 4 in 1 (0.2%). Other malignancies were antecedent in 85 cases (45.0%), synchronous in 74 (39.4%) and subsequent in 30 (16.0%). The most common other primary malignancies were breast, prostate, colorectal and bladder cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Only men with renal cell carcinoma had an increased risk of bladder cancer (standardized incidence ratio 4.3, p = 0.0067). CONCLUSIONS: Breast, prostate, colorectal and bladder cancer as well as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were the most common other primary malignancies. Men with renal cell carcinoma have an increased risk of subsequent bladder cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Clinical use of leuprolide acetate depot in a group of gynecologic patients in the preoperative period].

BACKGROUND: The authors examined 33 patients with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas due to undergo total hysterectomy in order to evaluate the effects of treatment with GnRH analogues on leiomyoma and estrogen and progesterone receptors. METHODS: The patients were divided into two groups: one group was treated with leuprolide acetate (Group A) and the other did not receive treatment (Group B). RESULTS: A significant reduction in the volume of leiomyomas and estrogen and progesterone receptors was noted in patients in Group A. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with GnRH analogues therefore represents a valid aid for patients with uterine leiomyomas and sideropenic anemia awaiting surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Mutation frequencies at codon 248 of the p53 tumour suppressor gene are not increased in colon cancer cell lines with the RER+ phenotype.

The replication-error positive (RER+) phenotype characterizes tumour cells with microsatellite instability. This 'mutator phenotype' is thought to induce spread mutations throughout the genome, thus increasing the risk of tumour development. Here we analyse spontaneously arising mutations at the tetranucleotide CCGG ( Msp I recognition site), at positions 14 067-14 070 of the p53 gene sequence, in three colon cancer cell lines, two with microsatellite instability and one without this characteristic. This restriction site covers hot-spot codon 248, which is often mutated in colon carcinomas. Using the Msp I RFLP-PCR assay we found that the mean mutation frequency at this site was not different among the cell lines considered. Taking the substitutions separately, none of the mutations involving codon 248 arose with significantly higher frequency in each of the RER+ cell lines (HCT116 and DLD1) compared with the RER-one (SW480). Only the CG transversion at nt 14 067 (codon 247) occurred with a slightly higher, but biologically insignificant, frequency in one of the RER+ cell lines (HCT116). Our in vitro data support the previously reported lack of correlation between microsatellite instability and p53 mutations in RER+ tumour specimens.

Base Sequence↗