PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Coli

Publications and source records attributed to A Coli.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Potential use of monoclonal antibodies in the diagnostic distinction of gynecomastia from breast carcinoma in men.

Immunohistochemical (IHC) assays using the monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) B72.3 and B6.2, recognizing two distinct and independently expressed breast tumor-associated antigens (BTAAs), recently have been shown to significantly improve the accuracy of cytodiagnosis of breast nodules by fine-needle aspiration (FNA). To evaluate whether the same method may be useful diagnostically in distinguishing gynecomastia from breast cancer in men, a retrospective avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase assay study was performed on 50 cases of gynecomastia and 30 cases of breast carcinoma in men, using a panel of five MoAbs known to recognize different BTAAs. The results of this study demonstrated that MoAbs B1.1, HMFG2, and MBr1 displayed a strong reactivity with gynecomastia and carcinoma, but MoAbs B72.3 and B6.2 separated benign and malignant lesions in a high percentage of cases. When used in combination, the latter two reagents reacted with 96% of the carcinomas that were analyzed but labeled only 67% of gynecomastia cases. Thus, the conjoint use of these two reagents may enhance the use of FNA biopsy as a valuable tool in the presurgical diagnosis of breast nodules in men.

Adolescent↗

Selective location of palisaded myofibroblastoma with amianthoid fibres.

The occurrence of a palisaded myofibroblastoma with amianthoid fibres in the left inguinal lymph node of a 51 year old man prompted an investigation of the factors underlying its exclusive location. The antigen profile was characterised which confirmed the homogeneous expression of vimentin and smooth muscle actin as well as the lack of desmin. Use of monoclonal antibodies to check for a differential distribution of myofibroblasts and the putative cell of origin of palisaded myofibroblastoma showed that inguinal lymph nodes have abundant vimentin and actin positive cells and desmin negative cells. This suggests that the selective occurrence of myofibroblastoma is related to the nodal microenvironment, providing a source of available and potentially proliferating myofibroblasts. Mast cells abounded in this lesion, particularly around amianthoid fibres, as well as in pelvic and inguinal lymph nodes. In view of the known role of mast cells in interstitial matrix degradation it is postulated that the core of amianthoid fibres represents degraded interstitial matrix, analogous to the sclerotic areas commonly found in the above mentioned lymph node groups, while the peripheral spokes, so peculiar to this entity, are the result of vimentin and smooth muscle actin, directly shed by proliferating myofibroblasts.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Long-term intramuscular administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone tartrate in patients with cerebrovascular disease: effects on the pituitary-thyroid axis.

We studied the effects of long-term (30 days) refracted daily intramuscular administration of 4 mg TRH tartrate (TRH-T) on the pituitary-thyroid axis in 20 euthyroid patients affected by cerebrovascular disease (CVD). All subjects were assayed for T4, T3, FT4, FT3, TSH and TBG plasma levels before treatment (D0), after 15 and 30 treatment days (D15, D30), and after a 15-day washout (D45). In addition, TSH response to 200 micrograms intravenous TRH was assessed at D0, D30 and D45. We observed a significant increase in T4, FT4 and FT3 levels in the face of decreased TSH concentrations. A blunted TSH response to TRH bolus persisted at D30. These data demonstrate that the down-regulation mechanism may be partially overcome in vivo when thyrotrophs are chronically exposed to pharmacological TRH-T doses and that TSH pattern is mainly due to the negative feedback of thyroid hormones, even though pituitary TSH reserves may become depleted. Furthermore, prolonged TRH-T administration does not produce hyperthyroidism in euthyroid CVD patients.

Aged↗

Histopathologic and immunohistochemical features of neuroblastoma: a tool for evaluating prognosis.

To investigate the relationship of morphologic appearance with other parameters such as age at diagnosis, primary site and clinical stage in regard to the prognosis, we examined a total of 20 neuroblastomas of various sites from children undergoing treatment at the Catholic University of Rome and Regina Elena Cancer Institute of Rome. We used a histopathologic classification, developed by Shimada et al. (JNCI, 1984), based on the presence of Schwann cells and ganglio-neuromatous component, neuroblastic maturation and transition to ganglionic forms, and number of mitotic and karyorrhetic nuclei. We observed a 100% 2-year survival for patients in the favorable groups (13 patients) and 0% 2-year survival for children (7 patients) in the group with unfavorable histology. Furthermore, immunohistochemical evaluation of neural markers such as NSE, S-100 protein and neurofilaments offered additional important information. Our results confirm that the combination of pathologic, immunohistochemical and clinical criteria can be usefully employed to predict the outcome of neuroblastomas.

Child↗

A primary amelanotic melanoma of the vagina diagnosed by immunocytochemistry.

A case of primary malignant melanoma of the vagina is discussed. The lesion consisted of a nodule in the middle third of the vagina that was histologically suspected of being an unpigmented malignant melanoma. The melanocytic origin of the lesion was confirmed by the pattern of reactivity to a battery of human melanoma associated antigens and to class 1 and 2 histocompatibility antigens. No secondary lesions or alternative primary sites were found. The patient underwent radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingooophorectomy, total vaginectomy and vulvectomy, radical inguinal, pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. The pathology report showed the presence of multiple neoplastic foci in the vagina. Although the removed lymph nodes were histologically free of metastases, microscopic foci of neoplastic cells were detected by immunohistochemistry in three lymph nodes. There is no evidence of recurrence at the twelfth postoperative month. Our results show that immunohistochemical techniques may usefully complement diagnostic histopathology in the diagnosis of female genital tract melanoma.

Aged↗

Satellite cells in developing spinal ganglia. An immunohistochemical study.

The present immunohistochemical study investigates the presence and distribution of S-100-containing glial cells in the early stages of development in human spinal ganglia. From the earliest ages investigated immunoreactive cells could be detected in a continuous layer at the periphery as well as inside ganglionic rudiments in close relationship with neural elements, both at the light and ultrastructural levels. The possibility that these glial cells, exhibiting such a distinctive distribution, play a modulatory role on microenvironmental influences during maturation could be taken into account. Neither glial fibrillary acidic protein nor myelin basic protein could be detected at the ages investigated.

Embryonic and Fetal Development↗

Alpha-1-antitrypsin protease inhibitor SZ phenotype and liver cirrhosis.

In the light of recent findings concerning the importance of intermediate alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency in the development of chronic liver disease and of hepatocellular carcinoma, we report the case of a 56-year-old woman affected by cirrhosis with significant features of liver cell dysplasia associated with intermediate alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (protease inhibitor SZ phenotype). In our paper we emphasize the importance of a precocious diagnosis and identification of individuals carrying the Z allele, also heterozygous.

Female↗

Unexplained plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy: an unusual rapidly progressive case in childhood.

A 4-year-old child died because of unexplained plexogenic arteriopathy only seven months after the onset of the symptoms. Cardiac catheterization revealed a primary pulmonary hypertension sensible to nifedipine, but after the initial favourable results the clinical course rapidly went down and the child died from right sided congestive heart failure. The post-mortem pulmonary histology revealed reversible structural abnormalities. It also demonstrates that the vasodilatator drugs are effective only for short time in primary pulmonary hypertension, and moreover that it is even hazardous to generalize when one talks about reversibility of such lesions in each case.

Child, Preschool↗

Comparative study by S-100 and GFAP immunohistochemistry of glial cell populations in the early stages of human spinal cord development.

The present study reports the presence and distribution of S-100-containing cells in the developing human spinal cord. From the earliest stages investigated, S-100-immunostained cells bordered the ventral third of the central canal or appeared dispersed in the basal lamina. On the other hand, radial glia processes were clearly depicted after GFAP immunolabelling. The presence and peculiar distribution of S-100-immunoreactive cells could be significant in the study of the early events of glial differentiation and migration.

Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein↗

Serum protein distribution in hydatidiform mole. An immunohistochemical study.

In normal placentas during the first trimester of pregnancy, the syncytiotrophoblast appeared to be immunoreactive to alpha-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT), alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, albumin, IgG, and transferrin. The underlying cytotrophoblast was negative for these same serum proteins. In the hydatidiform mole, these findings were profoundly different. The syncytiotrophoblast lost its immunoreactivity to albumin, IgG, transferrin, and, less frequently, to alpha 1-AT. Furthermore, the underlying cytotrophoblast became immunoreactive to albumin, alpha 1-AT, IgG, transferrin, ferritin, orosomucoid, and, sometimes, to alpha 1-antichymotrypsin. This altered immunohistochemical pattern suggested a notable change in the pinocytotic activity of the trophoblast in the placenta during molar degeneration. The absence of pinocytosis in the syncytiotrophoblast for several proteins can be explained by the partial loss of specific membrane receptors. The contemporaneous appearance of numerous serum proteins in the cytotrophoblast could indicate an activation, not only proliferative, but also functional, in the germinative cytotrophoblast. Diagnostically, this histochemical finding in the hydatidiform mole, which was quite different from that seen in normal placentas during the first trimester of pregnancy, could provide additional evidence concerning trophoblastic abnormalities in the chorionic villi during molar degeneration.

Blood Proteins↗

Serum proteins in human chorionic villi in the first trimester of pregnancy. An immunohistochemical study on normal tissue and tissue obtained from spontaneous abortions.

The presence of various proteins (mostly serum proteins) has been investigated in the chorionic villi of human placentas in the first term of gestation. The peroxidase-antiperoxidase method was employed. In normal chorionic tissue, i.e. obtained from therapeutic abortions, a positive staining for alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT), alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (A1AC), albumin and IgG was observed in syncytiotrophoblast but not in cytotrophoblast. Staining for other proteins, including fibrinogen, antithrombin III (AT III), lysozyme, ferritin, orosomucoid, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), IgA, IgM and alpha 2-macroglobulin (A2M), was always negative in the trophoblast. Similar results were obtained in only a few cases of tissue obtained from spontaneous abortions which occurred during the first term of pregnancy. In the majority of spontaneous abortions a different immunohistochemical pattern was observed. The syncytiotrophoblast was immunonegative in the majority of cases, especially for albumin, whereas the cytotrophoblast showed a positive (although variable) reaction to A1AT, A1AC, albumin, IgG and orosomucoid antibodies. There is no evidence to indicate whether these differences are the cause or the secondary result of the spontaneous abortions, but we can hypothesize that they reflect an alteration of pinocytic functions of the trophoblast during the spontaneous abortions.

Abortion, Induced↗

Shoe-makers' polyneuropathy in Italy: the aetiological problem.

Since 1957, when the first cases of the so-called shoe-makers' toxic polyneuropathy were reported, nearly 400 cases have been described in the Italian literature. The substance that was considered to be responsible for the disease was triorthocresylphosphate (TOCP) contained in glues, artificial leathers, and some types of paints. However numerous chemical analyses of glues and leathers taken from factories where cases of the disease occurred have shown that in almost all instances little or no TOCP was present. In addition the disease manifests itself more frequently during winter and spring and this is not consistent with the absorption of the causative agent through the skin and/or gastrointestinal tract. In order to clarify the aetiology of the disease 122 workers in the shoe industry affected by toxic polymeuropathy during the period 1971-74 were studied. Workplaces where cases of polyneuropathy had occurred were visited and samples of glues and solvents were taken for chemical analysis. The polyneuropathy chiefly affects workers engaged in glueing and in the cleaning process, but it also affects those who do not have direct contact with glues or solvents. The disease is more common in women (68%) than in men (32%) and, in its more severe form begins with overwhelming prevalence during winter and early spring regardless of the job performed. No direct relationship has been found between the severity of the disease and the number of years of work in the shoe industry or of specific exposure (that is the number of years of work in the activity performed at the onset of the disease). The polyneuropathy is found almost exclusively among workers of the artisam type in small shoe factories, where standards of hygiene are low. Chemical analysis of glues and cleaning fluids collected from five different factories, where 20 cases of polyneuropathy occurred, showed the presence of paraffin hydrocarbons with a low boiling point (pentane, 2-methyl-pentane, 3-methyl-pentane, n-hexane, etc.) in concentrations of more than 80% by weight.

Adolescent↗