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Biomedical subjects

S Costa

Publications and source records attributed to S Costa.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Search for human papillomavirus, herpes simplex virus and c-myc oncogene in human genital tumors.

We tested grade III cervical intra-epithelial neoplasms (CIN III), genital invasive carcinomas and healthy genital tissues for the presence of a number of viral and cellular parameters, considered to be risk factors in genital oncogenesis. The results show that: (I) about 30% of genital tumors had homology to HSV-2 BglII N and/or BamHI E DNA fragments; (2) positivity to HSV-2-specific protein ICP10, encoded by sequences within the HSV-2 BamHI E DNA fragment, was detected in 29/55 neoplastic genital tissues but not in healthy genital tissues or tumors at other sites; (3) HPV-16 DNA was found in about 50% of tumor samples, but none of the positive tissues reacted to HPV capsid protein or to the protein encoded by the HPV-16 E6 ORF; (4) 6/8 tumor samples showing homology to HSV-2 DNA fragments also hybridized to HPV-16 DNA; (5) c-myc amplification was not detected in any of the analyzed samples, but tissues from 4 patients were positive for c-myc expression. None of the considered factors was present in all the analyzed samples; nevertheless, some tissues showed the simultaneous involvement of several parameters, suggesting that a number of risk factors may be involved in different steps of human genital oncogenesis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1989

Immunological status to Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus in patients with genital condylomata.

Serological patterns against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) were determined in patients with genital condylomata (GC). The Ig G antibody values to EB-induced virus capsidic antigens (VCA), early antigens (EA) and Ig M to VCA were significantly higher in the study group than in the controls. Moreover, the concomitant presence of EBV-Ig G anti-VCA greater than or equal to 1/320, EBV-Ig G anti-EA greater than or equal to 1/20 and EBV-Ig M anti VCA greater than or equal to 1/20 was observed in 13 serum samples of genital condylomata patients, while, in only 2 serum samples of the healthy controls, the same serological pattern was present. The distribution of antibody values to CMV-induced LA, EA and IEA showed a significantly increased prevalence in the study group in comparison with the controls: the concomitant presence of antibody with a titre greater than or equal to 1/320 for CMV-LA, greater than or equal to 1/20 for CMV-EA and greater than or equal to 1/20 for CMV-IEA was observed in 15 serum samples of GC patients and in only 3 serum samples of the control group. Our results suggest that the active or recent EBV and CMV infections we observed in genital condylomata patients may be a consequence of impaired immunity in these patients, but it does not exclude a possible role of EBV and CMV in perpetuating human papilloma virus-induced cell proliferation.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Epidermal growth factor receptor in adenocarcinoma of the kidney.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) was estimated in Hypernephroma by saturation analysis using 125-I EGF as ligand. Tissue levels of this oncogene related protein were increased five-fold (24 to 99 fmol/mg protein) in comparison with the surrounding tumor free tissue (3 to 18 fmoles/mg protein). There was no apparent correlation to the stage of tumor growth or tumor differentiation and there was no correlation of EGF serum levels with tumor growth. EGF serum levels in the tumor patients did not exceed levels in control patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Vulvo-vaginal condylomatosis and relapse: combined treatment with electrocauterization and beta-interferon.

The therapeutical effectiveness of beta-interferon and the possibility of reducing the incidence of relapses were evaluated by selecting three groups of patients affected with three forms of condylomatosis and submitting then to various treatments. In the first group of sixty patients treated with beta-interferon, we obtained the best results in micro-condylomatosis (a 100% response), while florid condylomatosis responded less well to the treatment (72% with no response). In the second group of ten patients, electrocoagulation of florid condylomata determined a complete response (CR) in seven cases (70%). Moreover, immunoperoxidase identified three case of sub-clinical infection, two of which relapsed. In the third group of ten patients, we combined electrocoagulation with beta-interferon. This combination showed the effectiveness of beta-interferon in decreasing relapses. This result is evident if we consider that only one out of four patients with immunoperoxidase-positive biopsy relapsed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Detection of mucus glycoconjugates in human cervical epithelium by lectin-colloidal gold technique in transmission electron microscopy. I. A quantitative study during the menstrual cycle.

We investigated the presence and distribution of five glycosidic residues at the level of the endocervical columnar epithelial cells during the various phases of the menstrual cycle in healthy subjects. We utilized the lectins Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA), Peanut Agglutinin (PNA), Soybean Agglutinin (SBA), Concanavalin A (ConA) conjugated with colloidal gold particles as ultrastructural markers in Transmission Electron Microscopy. This technique proved to be particularly suitable for detecting glycosidic residues at the cellular level, where the mucus is produced. All the lectin-binding sites (except ConA binding sites which were not detected) appeared to be produced in significantly different amount during the cycle, supporting the hypothesis that the cyclic-related changes of the cervical mucus viscoelasticity is due to glycoconjugate cyclic variations.

Acetylgalactosamine↗
PubMed1987

Monoclonal antibody to HSV2 protein as an immunodiagnostic marker in cervical cancer.

The present study was designed to evaluate the possible use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as diagnostic adjuncts to exfoliative cytology and tissue sections in intraepithelial (CIN) and invasive cervical cancer. Specimens were collected from 42 patients with various degrees of CIN, 15 patients with invasive cancer and two patients with condylomatous changes only. mAb H17, that recognizes a herpes simplex virus protein (ICP) representing a component of the viral ribonucleotide reductase, stained atypical exfoliated cells from 55% of patients with mild dysplasia and 100% of those with more severe lesions. The mean percentage of positive atypical cells increased as a function of the grading of CIN (32.6 +/- 6.3%, 63.5 +/- 2.7%, 67.9 +/- 8.1%, 81.4 +/- 10.1%, and 85.6 +/- 2.0% for mild, moderate, and marked dysplasia, CIS, and invasive cancer, respectively). Only a very small proportion of atypical cells from only two patients stained with a mAb to another herpes simplex virus protein (gA/B). Normal squamous, metaplastic, inflammatory, or koilocytotic cells did not stain with the mAbs. Of the 15 cases examined by cryostatic fresh sections with immunohistochemical techniques, only one case of invasive cancer did not stain with mAb anti-ICP, and all controls were negative. The high specificity and sensitivity of MAbH17 suggests that it may be a useful diagnostic/prognostic marker in CIN.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Intracellular localization and serological identification of a HSV-2 protein in cervical cancer.

Exfoliated atypical cells from US and Italian patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or invasive cancer stained in indirect immunofluorescence with a monoclonal antibody to a high MW HSV-2 protein (ICP10). The proportion of staining cells increased as a function of the severity of the cervical anaplasia. In the majority of cases with mild or moderate dysplasia staining was restricted to the cytoplasm while atypical cells from 6 of 7 cases with marked dysplasia and 7 of 7 cases with invasive cancer evidenced also nuclear staining. Normal exfoliated cells did not stain even when obtained from tissue adjacent to the tumor mass. Patients with ICP10 positive atypical cells had antibody to ICP10 as determined by the Western blot assay. Serologic analyses indicated that there was a good correlation between: (i) the Western blot and the CF assay previously used to detect antibody to AG-4 (Aurelian, et al, Cancer, 48, 455, 1981) and (ii) cervical anaplasia and ICP10 seropositivity. A similar correlation with cervical anaplasia was not observed with respect to antibody to two other viral proteins (ICP12/14 and 68K).

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1985

Detection of active Epstein-Barr infection in pregnant women.

Sera taken from pregnant patients and their newborns at delivery were examined for evidence of primary or reactivated Epstein-Barr virus infection. Of 102 women, 37 showed serological signs of reactivated and two signs of primary infection. A mild congenital defect was observed in association with one of the two cases of maternal primary infection. Infants of mothers with reactivated infections remained healthy during the one year follow-up after birth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Cytological and histopathological abnormalities of the cervix in genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections.

Since genital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis may be associated with cervical abnormalities 160 patients with grandular ectopia attending a gynaecological outpatient clinic were examined for antibodies against C trachomatis, the presence of C trachomatis infection, and cytological and histopathological abnormalities of the cervix.A significantly higher incidence of histological dysplasia was found in women with glandular ectopia who had antichlamydial antibodies than in those without.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Radioiodinated fibrinogen distribution in cancer patients.

The usefulness of radioiodinated fibrinogen in tumor localization and of coagulation in 80 cancer patients was investigated. Tumors externally detected demonstrated positive localization in 63% of all cases and in 100% of osteosarcomas of limbs. Fibrinogen half-life was reduced in cancer patients particularly in cases with lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and osteosarcoma irrespectively of basal plasma fibrinogen levels. In lymphoma and ovarian cancer, fibrinogen degradation products were correlated to radiofibrinogen T/2 reduction. In patients with the lowest fibrinogen T/2 and platelet count, heparin infusion therapy returned the fibrinogen half-life to normal range. Present results suggest the existence of enhanced coagulation both inside and around the tumor and/or dissemination in early cancer as well as in the more advanced stage.

Bleomycin↗
PubMed1980

alpha-Thalassaemia and hyperbilirubinaemia in G-6-PD-deficient newborns.

53 newborn infants with both G-6-PD deficiency (29 male hemizygotes and 24 female heterozygotes) and alpha-thalassaemia, and 120 newborn infants with only the enzymatic defect (60 male hemizygotes and 60 female heterozygotes) were studied. 12 of those with both G-6-PD deficiency and alpha=thalassaemia, and 32 of those with only G-6-PD deficiency showed hyperbilirubinaemia. alpha-Thalassaemia does not seem to be implicated in the development of hyperbilirubinaemia in G-6-PD-deficient newborns.

Female↗
PubMed1979

Cervical myelopathy caused by developmental stenosis of the spinal canal.

The authors present six patients with myelopathy caused by developmental stenosis of the cervical spine. Hyperextension injuries precipitated the onset of symptoms in two patients, aged 19 and 20 years. In four, 41 to 69 years of age, symptoms were gradual in onset, progressing to severe disability. X-ray films revealed narrowing of the dorsoventral diameter of the spinal canal to as little as 1.0 cm. The myelograms showed widening of the cord in the transverse plane strongly suggestive of an intramedullary tumor. A unique finding was maldevelopment with flattening of the neural arch often hidden by the posterior portions of the articular facets when seen in the lateral views. These patients showed no significant evidence of spondylosis, arthrosis, or any of the structural stigmata usually observed in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. When indicated, decompressive laminectomy is the treatment of choice.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Salicylamide glucuronide formation in newborn babies with G-6-PD deficiency.

Salicylamide glucuronide formation has been studied in 23 newborn babies with erythrocyte G-6-PD deficiency and in 15 normal newborns on the first day of life. Glucuronide formation was significantly lower (p less than 0.001) in the former in comparison with the controls. In the newborns with G-6-PD deficiency who subsequently became hyperbilirubinemic an even lower mean glucuronide formation was observed (p less than 0.01) in respect to the non-jaundiced G-6-PD-deficient newborns.

Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency↗