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C Clemente

Publications and source records attributed to C Clemente.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Serum lipids and biliary sludge during pregnancy].

We have examined serum lipids and apoprotein levels and the formation of biliary sludge in 56 pregnant women. During pregnancy, 8 women showed biliary sludge which disappeared after delivery. Pregnant women with sludge had serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and apo-B higher than women without sludge, although it was not statistically significant. Moreover, these women had serum levels of HDL-cholesterol and apoA1 significantly lower and LDL/HDL and apoB/apoA1 ratio significantly higher than the women without sludge. Thus, biliary sludge seems to be associated with serum lipid and apoprotein variations. Further investigations are required to clarify if these variations are also expressed in the bile.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Optical properties of in vitro epidermis and their possible relationship with optical properties of in vivo skin.

Using a spectrophotometer with an internal integrating sphere, the absorption (mu a) and reduced scattering (mu s') coefficients of in vitro epidermis were evaluated from reflectance and transmittance measurements. mu a and mu s' varied from 24 to 0.2 cm-1, and from 32 to 21 cm-1 respectively, on passing from 400 to 800 nm. Moreover, using an external integrating sphere, the reflectance spectrum of in vivo skin was compared with the reflectance spectrum calculated with a Monte Carlo model, in which the mean values of mu a and mu s' and different anisotropy parameters were used as input data. In vivo results show that the principle of similarity is entirely valid for wavelengths greater than 600 nm and may be considered a good approximation in the 400-600 nm band, and suggest that optical characteristics of in vivo skin may be inferred from reflectance measurements.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1992

Ceruloplasmin serum level in post-menopausal women treated with oral estrogens administered at different times.

The liver is an estrogen-responsive organ and the administration of estrogens in humans increases the hepatic synthesis of many proteins. The existence of a circadian rhythm of estrogen receptors in the liver has been proved by different authors. We studied the presence of a different responsiveness of the human liver to the estrogens in two groups of post-menopausal women by evaluating the changes in ceruloplasmin serum level. Conjugated equine estrogens were administered at different times (A: 8 a.m. and B: 8 p.m.). The replacement therapy increased ceruloplasmin serum levels both in group A and B, but the increase was higher in group B than in group A. These data reflect indirectly the presence of a circadian rhythm of hepatic responsiveness to the estrogens.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Results obtained by using a computerized image analysis system designed as an aid to diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma.

Results obtained using a computerized image analysis system as an aid to clinical diagnosis of melanoma are reported. The system comprises a colour television camera connected through a digitizing board to a 386 personal computer. By means of original algorithms able to measure the shape, the colours and texture of a pigmented lesion of the skin, the system provides eight on/off indicators that are matched with the histological diagnosis to identify benign and malignant pigmented lesions. The chances that a given lesion is malignant increase with the increasing number of positive indicators. The training field of the system was constituted of images and data of 169 cutaneous lesions in 165 patients. Taking two positive indicators as the threshold between pigmented benign and malignant lesions, the efficiency of the system is 0.98, the positive predictive value is 0.45 and the negative predictive value is 0.95. These values were confirmed in a series of 44 pigmented lesions, 10 of which were melanoma, that constitute the present test series. The authors conclude that this computerized image analysis system should be regarded as a useful aid to diagnosis for a non-expert clinician. The system limit is transformation within a naevus.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

In vivo spectrophotometric evaluation of neoplastic and non-neoplastic skin pigmented lesions. II: Discriminant analysis between nevus and melanoma.

Reflectance spectrophotometry from 420 to 780 nm on 31 primary melanoma and 31 benign nevi has been performed by using an external integrating sphere coupled to a spectrophotometer. Measurements show that reflectance spectra of melanoma and nevi manifest dissimilar patterns. From these spectra four variables, whose physical and/or physiological meanings remain to be investigated, have been derived. All of them are significantly different when compared between melanoma and nevi. A discriminant function between the two groups of lesions has been determined by using a stepwise discriminant analysis, resulting in a test with a sensitivity of 90.3% and a specificity of 77.4%. This method of discrimination between melanoma and nevi seems to have a discriminating power almost equal to that of a clinical judgement from a specialized medical doctor, thus suggesting a new method for screening skin pigmented lesions.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1992

The effect of streptozotocin diabetes on the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor/effector system in membranes from rat ventral prostate.

All of the components of the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) signal transduction system were underexpressed in rat prostatic membranes 6 weeks after streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Binding studies with [125I]VIP showed decreases of 86% and 62% in the binding capacity of the high and low affinity classes of VIP receptors in diabetes. Affinity labeling experiments indicated that the main form of VIP receptor was 51 kilodaltons in control rats and 45 kilodaltons in diabetic animals. The efficacy of VIP and forskolin in stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity as well as the potentiating effect of GTP on VIP action were also reduced in diabetes, as was the expression of the alpha-subunit of the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins Gs and Gi (studied by ADP ribosylation with cholera and pertussis toxins). Gi function was lost in diabetes, as assessed with experiments on guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate potentiation of forskolin activity. These disturbances together with previous findings argue for VIP playing a role in the diabetic neuropathy of the genitourinary tract.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1991

Histopathologic diagnosis of dysplastic nevi: concordance among pathologists convened by the World Health Organization Melanoma Programme.

Dysplastic nevi are an important indicator of risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma. The study of and, particularly, international communication regarding this group of lesions have been hindered by a lack of precision in diagnosis. In an effort to broaden understanding, a panel of pathologists agreed upon a set of criteria for the diagnosis of dysplastic melanocytic nevi. Two major and four minor criteria were defined. The major criteria are (1) basilar proliferation of atypical nevomelanocytes (extending at least three rete ridges or "pegs" beyond any dermal nevo-cellular component), and (2) organization of this proliferation in a lentiginous or epithelioid-cell pattern. Minor criteria are (1) the presence of lamellar fibrosis or concentric eosinophilic fibrosis, (2) neovascularization, (3) inflammatory response, and (4) fusion of rete ridges. Diagnosis required presence of both major criteria and at least two minor criteria. One hundred fourteen histologic specimens of benign acquired nevi, dysplastic nevi, and radial-growth-phase melanomas were examined by the members of this panel; their diagnoses were compared to determine degree of concordance. The established criteria yielded 92% mean concordance overall.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1991

In vivo spectrophotometric evaluation of neoplastic and non-neoplastic skin pigmented lesions--I. Reflectance measurements.

Reflectance spectrophotometry from 400 to 800 nm on different cutaneous pigmented lesions, including primary and metastatic malignant melanoma, pigmented nevi, lentigo and seborrhoeic keratosis, has been performed by using an external integrating sphere coupled to a spectrophotometer. Measurements show that reflectance spectra of the different lesions manifest dissimilar patterns, particularly in the near IR region. Comparison of reflectance of nevi with that of malignant melanomas results in a highly significant difference (P less than 10(-6)) between the two samples. Though interpretation of the spectra remains difficult as a result of the complexity of the optical processes of scattering and absorption, our results suggest that a detailed analysis of the reflectance spectrum may give clinically useful information, and could be utilized as an aid in clinical diagnosis of cutaneous pigmented lesions, especially where malignant melanoma is concerned.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

Malignant melanoma of the penis. A report of four cases.

Malignant melanoma (MM) of the penis is a rare neoplasia. We report 4 cases by a retrospective survey of all cases of MM observed at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milano from 1967 to 1988. The problem of the therapeutic approach is still unsolved. Therefore, any case is useful for a better knowledge of the natural history of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Cell kinetics: an independent prognostic variable in stage II melanoma of the skin.

The prognostic role of cell kinetics (expressed as 3H-thymidine labelling index, 3H-TdR LI) was assessed on 145 patients with pathologic stage II melanoma subjected only to therapeutic lymph node dissection. The 3H-TdR LI determined on metastatic nodes was related to relapse-free survival and to survival. In particular, 3-year relapse-free survival was significantly different from patients with slowly and rapidly proliferating melanomas (40% vs 22%, P = 0.007), and this finding was consistently found for overall survival (68% vs 46%, P = 0.007). Moreover, in patients with high 3H-TdR LI tumours, the risk of relapse and death within the first year from lymphadenectomy was two-fold that of patients with low 3H-TdR LI tumours. Multiple regression analysis showed that 3H-TdR LI retained its prognostic significance on relapse-free and on overall survival even when the number of involved nodes and type of nodal metastases were considered. Present findings suggest that 3H-TdR LI can contribute to select high-risk stage II melanoma patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Small sized phyllodes tumor of the breast.

From 1970 to 1988, 106 women (aged 13-63 years) suffering from phyllodes tumor of the breast underwent surgery at the Day Hospital in the Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan. Treatment consisted of enucleation in 57, enucleoresection in 42 and wide resection in seven. Ninety-two cases (86.8%) were benign, 12 (11.3%) borderline and two malignant. All the borderline and malignant tumors were submitted to wider resection as inpatients. The 12 borderline cases underwent wide resection while a subcutaneous mastectomy was performed in the two malignant cases. A mean follow-up of 49 months was carried out on 85 patients (range 1-186). The relapses, all in the benign group (6 cases; 6.52%), were much lower than reported by other authors (20-33%). This may be related to neoplasia size (less than 40 mm in 85.3%) and not to type of limited surgery. Although limited surgery was performed in 93.4% of cases (pre-operative diagnosis being unknown) the number of relapses was so low that re-operation with wider resection in healthy glandular tissue was not justified. However it is still performed in borderline and malignant phyllodes. The natural history of this tumor requires a prolonged follow-up since relapses may occur many months after operation (in our series 52).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Surgical treatment of phyllodes tumors of the breast.

Eighty-one female patients with phyllodes tumors of the breast, surgically treated from 1974 to 1983, were studied. Their age ranged from 9 to 88 years. According to histology, the series was divided into three groups, of 28 (34.5%) benign tumors, 32 (39.5%) border-line tumors, and 21 (25.9%) malignant tumors. Because ten patients were lost to follow-up, only 71 women could be evaluated. All the patients had received surgical treatment: 51 women had been treated conservatively (11 enucleations, 40 wide resections), and 20 had undergone radical operations (13 underwent total and five underwent subcutaneous mastectomies, whereas one underwent modified and one underwent radical mastectomy). The mean follow-up, for the three groups, was 106 months for benign, 84 months for borderline, and 82 months for malignant tumors; in no case was radical surgery followed by local recurrence: of 51 women conservatively treated, 14 experienced local relapse, i.e., one of 24 women with benign, ten of 22 with borderline, and three of 8 with malignant lesions. Only two of 47 patients (4.2%) with borderline or malignant tumors developed distant metastasis and died from disease. No relationship between tumor size and risk of local recurrence could be demonstrated, and no difference could be identified between borderline and malignant lesions, in terms both of local and distant relapse. Local recurrences do not appear to affect survival: as a consequence, wide resection should be the primary treatment. Enucleation is to be proscribed. Total mastectomy has been indicated for very large tumors and for local recurrences of borderline and malignant lesions. Axillary dissection is not worthwhile.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Lack of suppressive activity of human primary melanoma cells on the activation of autologous lymphocytes.

Previous studies have indicated that primary but not metastatic melanomas were able to stimulate the proliferation of autologous (Auto) peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in 73% of cases. On the other hand, 57% of the metastatic melanomas were shown to be suppressive when melanoma cells (Me) were admixed with Auto-PBL stimulated with allogeneic (Allo) PBL or interleukin 2 (IL-2) at the beginning of a 6-day incubation period. Here, we report that the suppressive activity of Me is a functional characteristic associated with a particular stage of the disease. In fact, we found that none of the 11 primary tumors tested were able to inhibit the proliferative response of Auto-PBL to Allo-PBL or IL-2 at all the doses of tumor cells used. The generation of lymphocytes cytotoxic against Auto-Me or K562 was also not inhibited. Of the 11 primary tumors checked for suppression, 8 were able to stimulate Auto-PBL in a primary mixed lymphocyte tumor culture. We conclude that opposite functions, stimulation and inhibition of autologous lymphocyte responses are characteristics of primary and metastatic Me, respectively.

Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic↗
PubMed1988

Vimentin and p53 expression on epidermal growth factor receptor-positive, oestrogen receptor-negative breast carcinomas.

The coordinate expression of the nuclear p53 protein, cytoplasmic intermediate filament vimentin (VIM) and membrane epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) was significantly associated with oestrogen receptor immunocytochemical nuclear stain (ER-ICA) negative breast carcinomas. Twenty-three (51.1%), 26 (57.8%) and 27 (60%) of 45 ER-ICA -ve cancers were respectively p53 +ve, VIM +ve and EGF-R +ve; whereas of 151 ER-ICA +ve tumours 8 (5.3%) were p53 +ve (P less than 0.0001), 23 (15.2%) VIM +ve (P less than 0.001) and 40 (26.5%) EGF-R +ve P less than 0.001). Thirty-six of 45 (80%) ER-ICA -ve carcinomas were positive for at least one of the markers versus 55/151 (36.4%) ER-ICA +ve cases (chi 2 = 28.92, P less than 0.001). A prevalence of high grade carcinomas was found among p53 +ve, VIM +ve cases; the latter subset of tumours also had a larger mean diameter. These results suggest that ER -ve breast carcinoma cells display a coordinate expression of cell cycle-related proteins and marked changes of both the cytoskeleton and the membrane receptor repertoire.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Tumorigenicity and dissemination of primary and metastatic human melanomas implanted into different sites in athymic nude mice.

In the present study, the growth features and metastatic capacity of human primary and metastatic melanomas transplanted by different routes in nude mice was examined. Eight different human melanoma early cell cultures derived from 3 primary tumors, 1 local recurrence and 4 metastatic lesions of 6 melanoma patients were characterized for cell surface HLA (class I and II) and melanoma-associated antigens and karyotype. These tumors were then transplanted in CD-1 outbred nude mice by subcutaneous, intraperitoneal and intrasplenic routes. It was found that 7 out of 8 melanomas were tumorigenic after subcutaneous implantation without giving rise to metastases; 5 out of 7 melanomas grew when injected intraperitoneally and 3 of them disseminated to peritoneal organs and infiltrated intraperitoneal lymph nodes, liver and pancreas; of 8 melanomas implanted intrasplenically 4 grew in the spleen or invaded intraperitoneal lymph nodes, liver, pancreas, ovaries or lungs. Primary and metastatic melanomas did not differ in the pattern of dissemination. In fact, 2 out of 4 metastases and 1 of 3 primary tumors and 1 recurrence disseminated after intrasplenic or intraperitoneal inoculation. Heterogeneity in the growth pattern of different metastases of the same melanoma patient was also found. No correlation could be detected between the metastatic ability of melanoma cells studied and clinical stage of patients, tumor cell karyotype abnormalities, modal number or with the antigenic phenotype.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The Italian registry of soft tissue tumors.

After a review of the incidence data on malignant soft-tissue tumors in Italy (Registro dei Tumori della Regione Lombardia, provincia di Varese), Europe (nine European Cancer Registries considered representative of various geographical areas) and extra-European countries (data of ten World Cancer Registries), the aim and the organization of the Italian Malignant Soft-Tissue Tumor Registry are described. The collection system is based on dedicated forms prepared for the computerization of all data. From 1.1.1985 to 31.3.1987, 207 cases of malignant and potentially malignant soft-tissue tumors entered the Registry, with exclusion of those sarcomas arising in viscera. The distribution, categorized by histologic type, sex and site, and the preliminary results on relapses and metastases are reported.

Adolescent↗