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C Ercole

Publications and source records attributed to C Ercole.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Fractal analysis to discriminate between biotic and abiotic attacks on chalcopyrite and pyrolusite.

In the present paper, a model describing release and mobility of copper and manganese in chalcopyrite and pyrolusite powders due to bacterial bioleaching, i.e. Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Arthrobacter sp., is proposed. Sites where copper and manganese were released were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The resulting micrographs were scanned and submitted to a point by point fractal analysis to verify if a discrimination between biological and chemical attack could be established on the basis of the distribution of the fractional part of the fractal dimension over the whole surface. We demonstrate that such a method is able to discriminate among the different attacks.

Arthrobacter↗
PubMed1998

Prostate specific origin of dipeptidylpeptidase IV (CD-26) in human seminal plasma.

PURPOSE: A number of peptidases which can metabolize certain bioactive peptides and growth factors have been identified in seminal plasma. Our goal in this study was to determine molecular properties and the tissue source(s) for one of these peptidases, dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV), in human seminal plasma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the activities of DPP IV with the dipeptide glycylprolyl-p-nitroanalide and its molecular forms using immunoblotting of seminal plasmas of men who were vasectomized or with different sperm concentrations, and in prostatic and seminal vesicle secretions of men undergoing prostatic surgery. RESULTS: DPP IV in seminal plasma of vasectomized men was a membrane associated dimer comprised of subunits of approximately 110 kDa. Its activity did not differ in seminal plasmas of vasectomized, azoospermic, oligozoospermic and normozoospermic men indicating no correlation with the concentration of sperm originally present in the semen. The DPP IV antigen (CD -26) and enzymic activity were present in prostatic secretion, but absent from that of the seminal vesicles. These data indicate that the prostate gland is the primary source of DPP IV activity in seminal plasma. There was little variation in its activities in repeat seminal plasma samples from the same individual, and there was no change in its activity with age to 50 years. CONCLUSIONS: DPP IV in seminal plasma was derived from the prostate gland and it may be useful as a bioindicator of prostate function and/or disease with age in men.

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4↗
PubMed1997

Giant intra-adrenal myelolipoma associated with recurrent urinary tract infection.

Adrenal myelolipomas are rare benign tumours that may be identified on routine imaging studies. The association of myelolipomas with obesity, hypertension and malignant tumours has been reported. We describe a giant intra-adrenal myelolipoma in a 40-year-old woman that is the largest asymptomatic tumour of this type documented in the past 10 years. To avoid unnecessary and extensive treatment, the distinction of benign from malignant adrenal tumours or extra-medullary haematopoietic tumour is important, particularly when a small, inactive adrenal mass is found incidentally.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1997

What happened down there? Fournier's gangrene.

Fournier's gangrene is an uncommon but potentially lethal disease caused by a mixed infection of gram negative and anaerobic bacteria. There are many associated factors that put a man at risk, and an identifiable source can be found in 95% of patients. First symptoms are malaise, fever, and scrotal discomfort, but toxic symptoms can rapidly occur and be differentiated by the original site of infection. Early detection, extensive surgical debridement, intravenous antibiotics, and hemodynamic resuscitation are crucial to survival.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1995

Lasers in urology.

Laser therapy has many applications in the treatment of urologic diseases. The advantages of laser treatment over conventional techniques are less bleeding and pain and a reduced need for anesthesia. The development of new fibers and right-angle delivery systems allows new applications for laser therapy. We review the current indications, advantages, and disadvantages of using lasers for the management of the various urogenital lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effect of age, educational status, ethnicity and geographic location on prostate symptom scores.

We evaluated the effect of patient age, educational status, ethnicity and geographic location upon the American Urological Association benign prostatic hyperplasia symptom scores. Using patients attending Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, we collected additional data on the symptom score and also on education received. A total of 2,245 records was obtained from 4 different centers. Of the population 72% were white and 13% were black. Regression analysis of patient age versus symptom score demonstrated an increase with patient age from 4.59 at age 40 years to 8.17 at age 70 years. Analysis of covariance revealed significant differences in age-adjusted scores between sites from 6.24 in New Orleans, Louisiana to 8.58 in Madison, Wisconsin. No effect was noted for education or ethnicity on symptom scores.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Gelatinolytic proteinase activities in human seminal plasma.

Proteinase activities in human seminal plasma were detected using gelatin-containing sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis zymography. Three prominent bands of activity of Mr 60,000, 66,000 and 90,000 were observed as well as 9 other bands of less intensity (34,000-158,000). These proteinases were dependent upon calcium for optimal activity, did not hydrolyse casein, and were predominantly in the soluble portion of seminal plasma. Examination of seminal plasma of men with different sperm concentrations, split ejaculates, and prostatic secretions indicated that the prostate gland was a source of most of these activities. Proteinase activities of Mr 34,000, 37,000, 82,000 and 120,000 were expressed more frequently in seminal plasma from normozoospermic men than from seminal plasma of oligo- or azoospermic men, indicating that they may also arise from spermatozoa in the semen sample. The proteinases of Mr 60,000 and 66,000 were found in all seminal plasmas whereas there was variation in the expression of the other molecular forms of enzyme, even in the normozoospermic samples. There are multiple forms of gelatinolytic proteinase activities in human seminal plasma which appear to arise from multiple sources in the reproductive tract including the Cowper's/urethral glands, the prostate gland, seminal vesicle and/or spermatozoa. Their function(s) in semen remains to be established.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗
PubMed1988

Spermatic vein embolization with hot contrast material: fertility results.

Spermatic venography with hot contrast material embolization was undertaken in 81 patients with varicoceles and infertility. Long-term follow-up information was available in 91% of the patients, and there was an overall conception rate of 40.5%. Embolization with hot contrast material was easily performed without special embolization devices and proved to be a safe and effective technique.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Immunofluorescence for prostatic acid phosphatase: clinical applications.

An indirect immunofluorescence technique to detect cells producing prostatic acid phosphatase was used to evaluate 12 biopsies of soft tissue masses of possible metastatic prostatic carcinoma. In 10 patients varying degrees of immunofluorescence were observed, confirming the origin of the primary tumor. Specimens from 34 patients with prostatic carcinoma were obtained either by radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate. A comparison of histological grade (Gleason), semiquantitative immunofluorescence for prostatic acid phosphatase and hormonal responsiveness was done. There was a suggestion of higher hormonal responsiveness in the group with a low Gleason score and a high percentage of positive immunofluorescence that presently cannot be evaluated completely since some patients still are under therapy. This method may be used in the future in conjunction with other techniques, such as androgen receptors, to define a population of patients most likely to respond to hormonal manipulation.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1981

Clinical evaluation of immunological methods for detection for serum prostatic acid phosphatase.

Evaluation of serum acid phosphatase by 3 immunochemical methods (radioimmunoassay, counterimmunoelectrophoresis and immunoenzymoassay) was done in 3 groups of patients. In 42 patients wit stage D prostatic carcinoma a comparison of serum acid phosphatase determination by colorimetric assay and the 3 immunochemical methods in samples obtained before and after initiation of therapy showed an excellent correlation among the assays. Presently, we see no advantage of the immunochemical methods over the colorimetric assay in this group of patients. Among 100 patients studied in a blind fashion to detect those with unsuspected prostatic carcinoma no such cases were found. In the last group of patients with localized prostatic carcinoma staged surgically by pelvic lymphadenectomy the only elevations of serum acid phosphatase were observed in patients with extraprostatic involvement.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Protein kinase CK2 activities in human prostatic and seminal-vesicle secretions and seminal plasma.

Human prostatic secretion and seminal plasma contain certain protein kinase activities. Protein kinases play important roles in regulating a vast variety of cellular functions. The objective of this study was to determine whether one of these protein kinase activities in human prostatic secretion and seminal plasma is due to CK2, a messenger-independent, serine/threonine protein kinase that has considerable potential as a regulatory enzyme. By employing an anti-CK2 antibody and a CK2-specific peptide substrate, we have established that CK2 is present in these secretions. Approximately 70% of the CK2 activity present in seminal plasma of normozoospermic men (n = 49) is correlated to the number of sperm originally present in the semen. Further, both the prostate gland and the seminal vesicles are sources of CK2 activity in the seminal plasma of vasectomized men (n = 38). Although there was considerable variation between individuals in CK2 activity, the variation in repeat semen samples of the same vasectomized men (n = 6) was within 21%. There was no correlation of CK2 activity in seminal plasma with age for vasectomized (27-48 years, n = 38), oligozoospermic (28-43 years, n = 24), or normozoospermic men (26-48 years, n = 49). These data suggest that the majority of CK2 activity in the seminal plasma of normozoospermic men originates from sperm but that the prostate and seminal vesicles are accessory sex-gland sources of this enzyme.

Adult↗