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Biomedical subjects

Antonio Giuliani

Publications and source records attributed to Antonio Giuliani.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Vascular endothelial growth factor and cyclooxygenase-2 are overexpressed in ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

PURPOSE: Pathophysiology of pouchitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is controversial because of the potential for development of carcinoma. Cyclooxygenase-2-derived prostaglandins may be involved in the inflammatory process and play a role in the pathogenesis of colon cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor plays a major role in neoangiogenesis and is overexpressed in a number of gastrointestinal malignancies. The goal of this study was to evaluate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor and to assess neoangiogenesis and epithelial cell proliferation in patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. METHODS: Endoscopic biopsies were obtained from 15 patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis without pouchitis (10 biopsies from the ileal pouch and 10 from ileal nonpouch mucosa) and from 15 subjects with irritable bowel syndrome (10 biopsies from normal-appearing ileum and rectum). Cyclooxygenase-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor messenger ribonucleic acid expression was determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression was evaluated by Western blot. Cyclooxygenase-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, CD34 (neoangiogenesis marker), and Ki67 (proliferation marker) mucosal localizations were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor was increased in ileal pouch mucosa compared with ileal nonpouch mucosa, normal ileum, and rectum. Cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor immunostaining in ileal pouch mucosa was more intense in the crypt area than in the surface epithelium compared with ileal nonpouch mucosa. CD34 (neoangiogenesis marker) and Ki67 (proliferation marker) expression was increased in ileal pouch mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor are overexpressed in the ileal pouch mucosa. This is associated with increased proliferative activity and neoangiogenesis. Cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression might play a role in the pathogenesis of pouchitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The role of scintigraphic defecography in the assessment of bowel function after restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of defecation in patients with ileal pouch for ulcerative colitis by using the mean of scintigraphic defecography. METHODS: Sixteen patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of good (group A) or poor (group B) pouch function. Emptying efficiency was calculated by scintigraphic defecography and measured as percentage of evacuation. This involves the use of up to 200 ml of an artificial stool made up of methyl cellulose paste labeled with 180 MBq of technetium-99 m (Tc-99 m) methylene diphosphonate. Potential causes of increased frequency in the absence of additional associated symptoms of dysfunction were excluded in all patients. Maximum tolerated volume (MTV) and balloon expulsion tests were also performed on all patients. RESULTS: No patient in both groups showed evidence of organic pouch dysfunction. Percentage of emptying was higher in patients of group A (n=6) than in group B (n=10) (81+/-9 vs 71+/-9%, respectively, P<0.05; correlation, -0.51, P<0.04). Mean MTV was similar in the two groups (group A: 361+/-118 ml and group B: 338+/-77 ml, P=0.7). Results of the balloon expulsion test were normal in all patients except for one individual in group B. CONCLUSION: In patients with ileal pouch for ulcerative colitis, increased frequency of defecation without any evidence of pouch dysfunction may be correlated with an alteration of emptying efficiency. Scintigraphic defecography is appropriate to use for investigation of this condition with no disadvantages for the patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Melatonin in the international literature of the last twenty years].

Melatonin was not considered for a long time in medical culture and scientific research for the difficulties encountered in study protocols and for the obscure relevance in clinical practice. Today the pineal hormone has reached a great popularity, may be not strictly corresponding to the important role played in the regulation of many system function and the commercial diffusion has become extremely wide in some countries.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

[Interstitial lung diseases].

Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are an heterogeneous group of inflammatory diseases characterized by an anatomical distortion of peripheral airways and interstitium, determined by a first stage of alveolitis and a following stage of fibrosis. Natural history of several ILD is characterized by slow and progressive destruction of alveolar-capillary functional units, often with respiratory failure and death. For their smoldering evolution and not specificity of symptoms (exertional dyspnea and cough) ILD may remain not diagnosed and not treated for a long time.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2003

[Non-invasive hemodynamic assessment with bioimpedance in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism before and after treatment with levo-thyroxin].

Subclinical hypothyroidism is characterized by normal serum levels of free thyroxine and triiodothyronine with increased serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) without symptoms. We evaluated by thoracic electrical bioimpedance cardiography the hemodynamic pattern of 38 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, before and after 6-month therapy with levo(L)-thyroxine. We have not evidenced statistically significant differences for cardiac index, cardiac frequency and vascular peripheral resistances. TSH levels were decreased in a statistically significant way. Results obtained in our study show that hemodynamic pattern is not changed after hormone therapy in patients affected by subclinical hypothyroidism.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neuroendocrine alterations in lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: A number of qualitative and quantitative changes in hormonal secretion pattern have been found in subjects suffering from neoplastic disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of alterations in neuro-endocrine system function and in the pattern of endocrine secretion in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: Cortisol, melatonin, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), thyroid-stimulating-hormone (TSH), and free thyroxine (FT4) serum levels were measured on blood samples collected every four hours for 24 hours from ten healthy old subjects aged 65-79 years (mean age +/- s.e. 67.28 +/- 3.11) and from ten subjects suffering from untreated non small cell lung cancer aged 65-78 years (mean age +/- s.e. 68.57 +/- 1.81). Areas under the curve and mean diurnal and nocturnal levels were compared and the presence of circadian rhythmicity was evaluated. RESULTS: When hormone levels were expressed as area under the curve GH levels were higher (p=0.004) and IGF-I levels were lower (p=0.006) in patients with lung cancer than in normal subjects. The evaluation of melatonin/cortisol ratio in all subjects showed a significant difference between the control group and the group of cancer patients (p<0.05). When we compared mean diurnal levels (mean of 06.00-10.00-14.00h) GH levels were higher (p<0.0001) and IGF I levels were lower (p<0.0001) in cancer patients; when we compared mean nocturnal levels (mean of 18.00-22.00-02.00h) cortisol (p=0.03), TRH (p=0.02), and GH (p=0.001) levels were higher in cancer patients, while melatonin (p=0.04), TSH (p=0.04) and IGF I (p<0.0001) levels were higher in control subjects. A clear circadian rhythm was validated for time related changes of cortisol, melatonin, TRH, TSH and GH in control subjects and for time related changes of melatonin in cancer patients. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that lung cancer patients show alterations of hormone secretion and neuroendocrine system function.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quality of life in patients with ileal pouch for ulcerative colitis.

The improvement of surgery in the treatment of ulcerative colitis prompts us to consider its impact on the quality of life of the patients. Obviously, it is mandatory that the results after surgery should be better than the symptoms which elective surgery is designed to treat. A review of the literature was carried out on the current status of quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis before and after surgery using a PubMed source. The rate of success after restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis is 95%. The quality of life after restorative proctocolectomy compared with other procedures is better, especially in the long term. About 90% of patients would undergo pouch surgery again after restorative proctocolectomy, while 53% of patients submitted to other procedures would have a restorative proctocolectomy. Restorative proctocolectomy is the gold standard for patients with ulcerative colitis who are suitable for surgical treatment, though future prospective trials are needed in order to establish when elective surgery for ulcerative colitis is indicated.

Colitis, Ulcerative↗