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Biomedical subjects

A Farini

Publications and source records attributed to A Farini.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

[Immunologic changes in chronic pancreatitis].

In 35 patients with chronic pancreatitis, C3, C4, s-immunoglobulins, circulating immunocomplexes and T-lymphocytes were assessed in order to verify whether an immunological role may be postulated in the pathogenesis and/or in the maintenance of the disease. A significant increase of serum IgM together with normal values of C3 and C4 and without circulating immunocomplexes was found. A significant decrease in the total number of lymphocytes as well as in the number and percentage of T-lymphocytes was also documented. These results suggest a possible involvement of immunological (humoral and cellular) processes in maintaining the chronic pancreatic damage.

Adult↗

Serum ferritin in pancreatic disease. An accurate test of malignancy?

Serum ferritin, described as increased in patients with pancreatic cancer, was studied in 109 subjects by an immunoradiometric technique in order to assess its reliability in detecting pancreatic malignancy. A significant increase of serum ferritin was found in pancreatic cancer as compared to controls (p less than 0.01), to calcifying (p less than 0.05), non-calcifying (p less than 0.05), and recurrent (p less than 0.01) chronic pancreatitis. Nevertheless, high levels of serum ferritin were found in 10 out of the 36 chronic pancreatitis patients and in 10 out of the 26 patients with non-pancreatic diseases, whilst values within the normal range were detected in 6 out of the 22 pancreatic cancer patients. These data suggest that serum ferritin, although frequently increased in pancreatic cancer, cannot be considered a marker of pancreatic malignancy.

Adult↗

CEA concentration and cytology in duodenal fluid collected during the Secretin-Pancreozymin test. Attempt at an early diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma by means of simple procedure.

CEA concentration in juice collected during the Secretin-Pancreozymin test, and cytology were evaluated in order to establish whether they may be used as an aid in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma before resorting to x-ray examinations. Thirty-three subjects were studied: 6 normal subjects, 12 with chronic pancreatitis, 3 after recovery from acute pancreatitis, 8 with gall-stones, 3 with carcinoma of the pancreas and 1 with cancer of the biliary tract. Three duodenal juice samples (at 30, 60 and 90 mins of hormonal infusion) were taken in each subject for CEA, cytology, bicarbonate and trypsin determinations. Although a significant statistical difference was noted between normal subjects and patients with carcinoma of the pancreas in the 30-min-juice sample, CEA concentration in the duodenal juice did not seem a reliable index in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. The information provided by cytology was also very scanty and sometimes misleading. The clinical picture and radiological investigation still remain the surest basis for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Adult↗