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Biomedical subjects

S Longo

Publications and source records attributed to S Longo.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Voluntary immunomodulation: a preliminary study.

This study explored the effects of relaxation and imagery procedures on the voluntary self-regulation of immune responses. Immune studies of 19 adults were made before and after a 45 minute intervention consisting of relaxation with imagery aimed at enhancing immune activity. A self-report measure of psychological distress was completed before each blood sample. Results indicate that the seven blood measures of immune functioning were measured with adequate reliability and consisted of two sets of immune parameters. A statistically significant increase in one of the mitogen measures and a marginally significant increase in one of the blood count measures was found following the relaxation/imagery procedure. Age, hypnotizability, and their interaction significantly predicted change on the set of blood count measures but not on the set of mitogen measures. As expected, level of subjective psychological distress generally decreased following the intervention. The methodological limitations of this study included limited sample size and absence of a control group.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[The external left jugular vein as an access for placement of long-term permanent central venous catheters in children].

We consider the approach through the left external jugular vein v/s right external jugular vein (Heinbach-Ivey technique) for the placement of central venous catheters (Broviac Hickman type and others) in pediatric patients. Between January '84 and February '87, 65 central venous catheters were inserted using the Heinbach Ivey technique. In 24.6% of the cases we failed and had to place the catheter through the right internal jugular vein. Between March '87 and November '88, 72 catheters were inserted through the left external jugular vein, only 5 through the left internal jugular vein, with a failure rate of 6%. Our data show that a more favourable anatomy makes easier and quicker the correct placement of a central venous catheter through a left external jugular vein approach.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Use of central venous catheters implanted subcutaneously in children with neoplasms].

The use of totally implantable right atrial catheters was evaluated in pediatric oncology patients. From September 15, 1987 to March 31, 1989, 26 catheters were inserted in patients (1 year to 20 years of age) with the following diagnosis: acute leukemia (6), osteosarcoma (5), lymphoma (4), central nervous system tumors (6), osteosarcoma (5), lymphoma (4), central nervous system tumors (6) and other solid tumors (5). Total number of catheter days was 5,475. The catheters were maintained for a mean of 210 days (range 10-534). Complications included: documented local infection in 1 patient, successfully treated with antibiotics without removing the catheter and transient obstructions resolved with injection of heparin or urokinase in other children. The use of these right atrial catheters has been widely accepted by patients and families as well as by the health team. Complications have been minimal. Our experience confirms that these catheters contribute to improving quality of life in pediatric patients with neoplasms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Benign lymph node inclusions.

Whether obtained during a radical surgical procedure, or as the only tissue removed in various cancer staging procedures, or as incidental tissue, lymph nodes may yield pivotal histopathologic information relating to further disposition of the patient. Most important are those cases in which lymph node findings are relied upon to establish a diagnosis of malignant disease. The two cases presented here (in addition to the few reports in the literature) represent two heretofore unreported sites of occurrence of such benign inclusions. There is need for an awareness of the occurrence, benign nature, and potentially misleading associations with frequent sites of malignant change in which metastasis to regional lymph nodes is known to occur. Particularly with the growing use of mediastinoscopy the misinterpretation of such benign inclusions could prompt the insitution of incorrect and potentially hazardous therapy or a decision to withhold therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Hydroxyurea in stage D carcinoma of the prostate: a pilot study.

There was 13 patinets with histologically metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma treated with a single oral dose of 80 mg. per kg. hydroxyurea every third day (based on ideal or actual weight, whichever is less) and 12.5 mg. chlorotrianisene per day. Toxicity was mild. The most common manifestations were nausea, occasional vomiting leukopenia. A definite attempt was made to depress the white blood count to approximately 2,000 cells per cu. mm. Hydroxyurea was not discontinued unless the white blood count decreased to less that 2,000 cells per cu. mm., after which a single dose was usually omitted. Omission of a single dose would allow the white blood count to return promptly to more than 2,000 cells per cu. mm. Objective tumor regression was demonstrated in 6 of the 13 patients and all patients had a definite improvement in the quality of life.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HER-2/neu gene in primary and local metastatic axillary lymph nodes in human breast tumors.

In order to verify whether the HER-2/neu gene is involved in the initial phases of neoplastic disease or in its progression, we evaluated the amplification and overexpression of this gene in the primary tumor and in synchronous metastatic axillary lymph nodes of 26 women with operable breast cancer. HER-2/neu was amplified in 35% and overexpressed in 33% of the primary sites; similar percentages were found in lymph nodes. The clear correlation between the two disease sites regarding gene, mRNA and protein levels, supports the hypothesis that this gene is involved in the initial and invasive phases of neoplasia. Its actual role with respect to other biological tumor characteristics during the metastatic process should be investigated further.

Adult↗