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Biomedical subjects

U Prati

Publications and source records attributed to U Prati.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

[Controlled study of unspecific cellular immunity in cancer patients].

Cellular immunity has been studied in 92 patients with solid tumors undergoing surgery, in order to evaluate immunocompetence at the time of diagnosis and to assess the prognostic value of parameters of cellular immunity. The results show that total lymphocyte counts, T-lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte blastogenic responses are moderately depressed at diagnosis in the cancer patients as compared to age matched controls. These parameters of cell mediated immunity "in vitro" seem to be of limited prognostic value, since no correlation was found with the clinical course during the first 6 postoperative months. Depression of delayed hypersensitivity response to cutaneous antigens appeared to be an index of poor prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Simple ulcer of the colon. Considerations on a case].

A case of "simple ulcer" of the colon is reported. The lesion is uncommon and not well known. As far as pathogenesis is concerned, the Authors emphasize the role of peptic, neurogenic, circulatory, bacterial, toxic and mechanical factors. The following clinical picture was observed: sudden and acute abdominat pain due to colonic perforation with pneumoperitoneum. As already described by literature preoperative correct diagnosis was not possible; this is usually due to the fact that the ulcer tends to perforate before other symptoms arise. During surgery suture of the ulcer, temporary colostomy and Mikulicz's drainage were performed; after 4 months colostomy was closed.

Colonic Diseases↗
PubMed1980

Sequential evaluation of immunoreactivity in patients with melanoma undergoing surgery and adjuvant therapy.

The immunologic profile of 15 patients undergoing surgery and adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy for cutaneous melanoma was studied for a mean period of 18 months. In vivo cellular immunity was assayed by evaluation of delayed hypersensitivity response (DHR) to primary antigen and a panel of recall antigens. In vitro cellular immunity was evaluated to means of total and T-lymphocyte counts in peripheral blood and by the lymphocyte blastogenic response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation. Humoral immunity was assayed by determining the serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM and of complement components C3c, C4 and Factor B. Phagocytic activity was studied by testing leukocyte chemotaxis, neutrophil phagocytosis and leukocyte random migration. The in vitro parameters were determined preoperatively at diagnosis, 6 times during the first 2 postoperative weeks, and then every month during adjuvant therapy. No correlation was found between DHR and clinico-pathologic stage of tumor, or with subsequent clinical course. Significant depression of total lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte count and blastogenic response of lymphocytes was found at diagnosis. The lymphocyte response to PHA decreased significantly in the early postoperative period but returned to preoperative levels one week after surgery. Periodic fluctuations of lymphocyte blastogenic response and progressive decrease of total lymphocyte counts and T-lymphocyte counts were observed during the 18-month follow-up. No significant alterations of immunoglobulin levels were recorded at diagnosis or during the postoperative period. Complement levels were within normal values preoperatively; in the early postoperative period a transient increase of C3c, C4 and Factor B was recorded, then complement levels progressively decreased. Parameters of phagocytic activity were normal at diagnosis and fluctuated within the normal range throughout the whole period of study.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Postoperative immunologic monitoring of cancer patients undergoing radical surgery.

Immunologic parameters of cellular immunity in vitro and circulating immunoglobulin levels were evaluated before and after radical surgery in twenty-five patients with localized primary solid tumors. Peripheral blood lymphocyte counts, T-lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte blastogenesis after optimal stimulation with phytohemagglutinin were found significantly depressed at the time of diagnosis. Sequential determinations of immunologic parameters during the postoperative period showed a slight fall of lymphocyte counts and T-lymphocyte counts; subsequently these cell counts progressively returned to preoperative values. The blastogenic response of lymphocytes sharply decreased following surgery and then slowly returned to preoperative levels in one month. No significant alterations of circulating immunoglobulins were detected at diagnosis or during the postoperative period. These findings indicate that patients with localized tumors present impairment of some parameters of cellular immunity preoperatively and that postoperative immunodepression lasts about one month.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Histopathological studies on dog lymphoid structures during malnutrition and total parenteral nutrition.

Lymphoid tissues of six malnourished dogs were histologically evaluated and compared to the same lymphoid structures of dogs nutritionally repleted by means of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The results show that thymus, spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches are markedly atrophic and severely cell depleted in malnourished dogs, and provide evidence that subsequent TPN therapy stimulates and supports lymphoid cell prolipheration, leading to cell repopulation of previously depleted lymphoid structures.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Boron-loaded liposomes in the treatment of hepatic metastases: preliminary investigation by autoradiography analysis.

Boronophenylalanine (BPA)-loaded conventional and stabilized liposomes were prepared by the reversed phase evaporation method to treat liver metastases by boron neutron capture therapy. Conventional vesicles were composed of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol, molar ratio 1:1. To obtain stealth liposomes, GM1 or PEG were included in the lipidic bilayer at a concentration of 6.67 or 5 mol%, respectively. Large unilamellar vesicles were formulated encapsulating BPA in the liposome aqueous compartment as a complex with fructose; BPA free base also was embedded into the lipidic bilayer. In vivo experiments were carried out after intravenous injection of liposome suspensions in BD-IX strain rats in which liver metastases had been induced. Alpha particle spectroscopy associated with histological analysis was performed to visualize boron spatial distribution in liver. Simultaneously, tissue boron concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. Results showed that PEG-modified liposomes accumulated boron in therapeutic concentrations (> 30 micrograms boron/g tissue) in metastatic tissue. The PEG-liposomes could be further explored in enhancing boron delivery to tumor cells.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of possible causes of delayed hypersensitivity impairment in cancer patients.

The separate roles of malnutrition, advanced age, and stage of tumor growth as causes of impairment of delayed hypersensitivity response (DHR) was studied in 111 patients with solid tumors and in 56 nonneoplastic control patients matched for age, anatomical site of disease, degree of illness, and nutritional status. Pretreatment DHR to recall antigens (tuberculin, Candida, streptokinase-streptodornase, trichophyton) and to dinitrochlorobenzene in cancer patients with 9% anergic, 43% hypoergic, and 48% normoergic; the distribution of DHR in controls was not significantly different. In cancer patients, the serum albumin level showed an inverse correlation with the stage of tumor (p less than 0.01) and a positive correlation with the DHR (p less than 0.001); the serum albumin level was also in the controls positively correlated with the DHR (p less than 0.01), indicating that malnutrition in neoplastic or benign disease may cause depression of DHR. In well-nourished controls, age was inversely correlated with DHR (p less than 0.05), showing that aging itself may be another relevant cause of depression of DHR. The results of this study indicate that DHR in patients with solid tumors is similar to the DHR of nonneoplastic patients if matched for age, sex, and nutritional status. DHR impairment in cancer patients appears to be caused mainly by aging and by malnutrition due to the advanced progression of cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A comparative study among different therapeutic approaches to portal hypertension and bleeding esophageal varices].

Recurrence of haemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension is the most feared life-threatening complication and the one which most often conditions patient survival. The present study compares the results obtained in two groups of patients treated by surgery and endoscopic sclerotherapy, respectively, and a control group treated with traditional medical therapy during bleeding episodes and subsequently given no further treatment. The patients in each group were subdivided into three different risk classes on the basis of the Child classification. Patients treated surgically mainly belonged to Child classes A and B, whereas those treated by endoscopic sclerotherapy belonged to Child class C. The long-term survival results show no significant differences between the two groups. On the other hand, both groups show better survival data than the untreated patients. On the basis of the results obtained, the authors believe that surgical treatment appears to most indicated in patients belonging to the lower risk classes (Child A and B), whereas endoscopic sclerotherapy is better suited to patients belonging to the higher risk class (Child C).

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cervical thymic cysts. Considerations on a case].

The Authors report a case of cervical thymic cyst. The only distinguishing feature is the presence of thymic tissue, containing Hassall's corpuscles, in the wall. From review of literature rarity of this swelling is manifest, and so is difficulty of preoperative diagnosis. As far as pathogenesis is concerned, long consideration has failed to resolve the question of their developmental or degenerative origin. Treatment consists of excision of the cyst and its accompanying tract. Prognosis is usually good.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Radioimmunoassisted follow-up and surgery vs traditional examinations and surgery after radical excision of colorectal cancer.

The authors report their experience in the radioimmunodetection of recurrent colorectal cancer in comparison with traditional examinations. 485 patients were studied after radical surgery for colorectal cancer: 168 (Group 1) were studied with a radioimmunoassisted follow-up plan including: Immunoscintigraphy (IS), serum markers assays, Radioimmunoguided Endoscopy (RIGE), Intraoperative Radioimmuno-localization (IORIL) in case of reoperation; 317 (Group 2) underwent a protocol with traditional examinations. In 24 patients of Group 1 IS was performed even at the time of their admission for primary cancer. 7 patients underwent RIGE for primary cancer and 16 in the follow-up. IORIL was performed in 12 patients with primary cancer and in 16 in the course of reoperation. The radioimmunodiagnostic methods were performed after a single administration of the radiolabeled MAb (111In F(ab')2 a-CEA and 111In B72.3). The radioimmunoassisted follow-up plan detected a greater number of recurrences than traditional examinations (27% vs 13%). The rates of radical reoperation in Group 1 and 2 were 61% and 37% respectively. 33% of the patients of Group 2 were alive 24 months after radical reoperation vs 62.5% of the patients of Group 1. Immunoscintigraphy demonstrated a good sensitivity and specificity, mainly in the detection of pelvic recurrences (sens. 92%, spec. 84%). The radioimmunoassisted follow-up plan was well accepted by the patients. RIGE led to the detection of 3 periluminal recurrences of rectal cancer that traditional investigations failed to demonstrate and in 5 cases influenced the patients management. IORIL detected minimal tumor foci (2 mm.) where pre and intraoperative study were negative, while the histopathologic examination gave evidence of tumor. Considering that the costs of the radioimmunodiagnostic methods and of traditional examinations are very similar, we can conclude that the radioimmunoassisted follow-up plan has a favorable cost/benefit rate and a remarkable impact on the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer.

Aged↗