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Biomedical subjects

C Ferrara

Publications and source records attributed to C Ferrara.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Turbo-Spin-Echo sequences in focal liver diseases].

Turbo Spin-Echo (Turbo SE) pulse sequences represent a new type of fast sequences characterized by a dramatic reduction in acquisition time with similar intrinsic contrast to that of conventional Spin-Echo (SE) pulse sequences. For a preliminary clinical comparison of turbo SE and SE sequences, a consecutive series of 25 patients with focal liver lesions was investigated by means of MRI at 1.0 T. The patients were selected on the basis of US or CT positive liver scans for focal lesions. All patients underwent MRI following the same protocol: axial T1-weighted (T1W) gradient echo (GE) sequences (TR/TE = 110/6 ms) with the "breath-hold" technique, T2-weighted (T2W) SE sequences (TR/TE = 1730/90 ms; FL = 60, M = 128 x 256, 2 AC, TA = 7 min 26 sec) and turbo SE sequences (TR/TE = 5100/112 ms, M = 240 x 256, 2 AC, TA = 2 min 48 sec). Slice thickness was 10 mm with a 1-mm gap in all cases. Qualitative (number, size and definition of the lesions) and quantitative (contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and relative CNR) variables were considered. SE and turbo SE sequences demonstrated the same number of lesions; the smallest lesion (3 mm) was identified by turbo SE sequences. Turbo SE sequences better depicted lesion margins than SE sequences. In all cystic conditions, CNR was higher in turbo SE than in SE sequences, while it was lower in all the extant conditions. This preliminary experience proves turbo SE pulse sequences to be a valuable tool in liver MRI, which calls for further clinical trials.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Urinary phospholipase A2 excretion in chronic pancreatic diseases.

This study was performed to investigate the behavior of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in serum and urine of patients with chronic pancreatic diseases and to ascertain whether any factors influenced the results. In 30 controls, 45 patients with pancreatic cancer, 54 with chronic pancreatitis, and 64 with extrapancreatic diseases, serum and urinary PLA2, pancreatic isoamylase and RNase, and urinary N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) were measured. Serum PLA2 levels were higher in patients with chronic pancreatitis than in all the other groups. In our patients, only occasionally was urinary PLA2 elevated, the increase occurring almost exclusively in the presence of an acute inflammatory disease, e.g., relapsed chronic pancreatitis or active inflammatory bowel disease. A correlation was found between serum PLA2 and serum RNase, an indicator of tissue damage, but not between serum PLA2 and pancreatic isoamylase. Urinary PLA2 output was correlated with its renal input and with RNase output. No correlation was found between PLA2 output and pancreatic isoamylase or NAG urinary excretion. In conclusion, (1) the determination of serum PLA2 activity may be an aspecific test of pancreatic disease; (2) PLA2 urinary excretion occasionally increases, especially in the presence of severe phlogosis, which occurs in chronic pancreatitis, in particular during relapse; and (3) irrespective of the tissue origin of urinary PLA2, its increased excretion may be accounted for in part by its increased circulating levels. It is, however, more likely the consequence of a renal tubular dysfunction, which is sometimes found in patients with pancreatic diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Comparison of two newly identified tumor markers (CAR-3 and DU-PAN-2) with CA 19-9 in patients with pancreatic cancer.

We compared the diagnostic utility of DU-PAN-2 and CAR-3 with that of CA 19-9 in differentiating pancreatic cancer (23 patients) from chronic pancreatitis (16 patients) and various extra-pancreatic diseases (28 patients) mainly of the upper gastrointestinal and biliary tract. The influence of some pathophysiologic variables on the three markers was also assessed. The sensitivities of the three markers in detecting pancreatic cancer were: CA 19-9, 83%; DU-PAN-2, 56%; and CAR-3, 39%. In patients with chronic pancreatitis and extra-pancreatic diseases, CA 19-9 gave the highest number of false positives. Receiver-operating characteristic curves showed that the ability of CAR-3 to discriminate between pancreatic cancer and other diseases was similar to that of CA 19-9, whereas DU-PAN-2 was a less reliable discriminator. Correlations were found between the behavior of all three markers and that of the cholestasis indices (ALP and GGT). Our findings indicate that DU-PAN-2 and CAR-3 serum determinations do not provide any more information than does CA 19-9 alone. The latter remains the marker of choice in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, even though it cannot be considered a definitive aid. Serum levels of all three markers increase in the presence of extra-hepatic cholestasis, possibly due to interference with the hepatic clearance of glycoproteins and destruction of ductal biliary epithelium.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Serum DU-PAN-2 in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: influence of jaundice and liver dysfunction.

The usefulness of serum DU-PAN-2 in diagnosing pancreatic cancer and in distinguishing between this cancer and other benign and malignant diseases, and to assess the role of liver dysfunction in altering the serum levels of this marker were investigated. DU-PAN-2 was measured in the sera of 31 patients with pancreatic cancer, 32 with chronic pancreatitis, 20 with benign and 21 with malignant extra-pancreatic diseases. DU-PAN-2 was found to be above 300 U ml-1 in 21/31 patients with pancreatic cancer (sensitivity 68%). Only 3/32 patients with chronic pancreatitis had abnormal values. A substantial number of patients with both benign and malignant extra-pancreatic diseases had an elevated serum DU-PAN-2 (9/20 and 15/21, respectively). Correlations were found between DU-PAN-2 and (1) total bilirubin, (2) alanine-amino-transferase and (3) alkaline phosphatase. Of the patients with high DU-PAN-2 values, jaundice was found in: 2/3 with chronic pancreatitis, 9/10 with benign and 12/14 with malignant extra-pancreatic diseases. In conclusion, the serum DU-PAN-2 test for pancreatic malignancy is not completely satisfactory, because it is not sensitive enough. While the test for chronic pancreatitis has an acceptable specificity, the assay cannot distinguish between pancreatic cancer and other extra-pancreatic diseases, mainly of the liver and biliary tract. Liver dysfunction as well as jaundice seem to considerable affect the levels of this marker, as reported elsewhere for CA 19-9.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Somatostatin in the hippocampus mediates dexamethasone-induced suppression of corticosterone secretion in the rat.

We evaluated the effect of different manipulations of central somatostatin (SS) neurons on dexamethasone (Dex) induced suppression of the hypophyseal-pituitary axis. The Dex suppression test was performed in male rats by evaluating the reduction of plasma levels of corticosterone occurring 4 h after administration of Dex. Administration of cysteamine, a depletor of SS stores, or passive immunization by intracerebroventricular administration of a saturating dose of anti-SS gamma-globulins completely suppressed the ability of Dex to reduce plasma corticosterone levels. Additionally, anti-SS gamma-globulins, infused under stereotaxic control into two discrete areas of the hippocampus (CA3 and DG), completely blocked Dex-induced inhibition of corticosterone secretion. These data indicate that hippocampal SS neurons play a role in the negative feedback regulation of glucocorticoid secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Urinary kallikrein excretion in chronic pancreatic diseases.

Variations in urinary kallikrein in pancreatic diseases were ascertained, and possible influencing factors were investigated. Serum amylase and urinary excretion of glandular kallikrein, pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and amylase were measured in 24 control subjects, 39 patients with pancreatic cancer, 49 with pancreatitis and 63 with extra-pancreatic diseases. Urinary kallikrein was found to be elevated in a substantial number of patients with pancreatitis. Higher levels were detected in patients with a relapse, which was diagnosed using clinical and biochemical examinations. RNase was also increased in a high number of patients with pancreatic diseases, but was not correlated with pancreatic damage. In patients with pancreatitis, a correlation was found between urinary kallikrein and RNase excretions. No correlations were found between kallikrein and serum or urinary amylase and GGT. We can conclude that urinary kallikrein excretion increases in pancreatitis, especially when a phlogistic involvement of the pancreas is present; this condition may lead to a release of this ultrafiltrable enzyme in the circulation. Renal tubular damage, which determines a reduced reabsorption of this enzyme, seems to play a concomitant but minor role in this process.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Value and limitations of neoplasm markers in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma].

In the last decades several markers of pancreatic neoplasia have been proposed to obtain a diagnosis as earlier as possible. Prerequisites of a good tumor marker are high sensitivity and specificity. Among the various substances, serum determination of pancreatic enzymes has been found of no utility in early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, due to its lack in sensitivity and specificity. Similar results with ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease. Oncofetal antigens (CEA and POA) have been initially considered promising indices; however, further studies showed their limits. In particular CEA is greatly influenced by the presence of hepatic metastases; therefore, serum levels are detectable only in advanced stages. TPA is characterized by a high sensitivity, but lacks in specificity and its use is now avoided. A real progress in the field of tumor markers has been made in the last years with the monoclonal antibody technique: among them CA 19-9 showed a good sensitivity and a satisfactory specificity as regards the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. However, it cannot be considered as absolute aid, since it is influenced by several factors, as tumor spread, jaundice and liver dysfunction.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1990

Diagnostic utility of a new monoclonal antibody pancreatic isoamylase assay in chronic pancreatic diseases.

In order to evaluate the efficacy of a monoclonal pancreatic (P) isoamylase assay in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatic disease and to compare the behavior of this test with that of amylase and elastase 1, these three enzymes were measured in the sera of 39 healthy controls, 28 patients with pancreatic cancer, 50 with chronic pancreatitis and 60 with extra-pancreatic diseases. In patients with chronic relapsing pancreatitis, increased P-isoamylase and elastase 1 values were found in similar percentages (about 70%), whereas the percentage for elevated amylase values was lower (52%). Elastase 1 was increased in 52% of patients with pancreatic cancer, while the other two enzymes were only occasionally elevated. The levels for all three enzymes were abnormal in some patients with extra-pancreatic diseases. It may be concluded that this assay for P-isoamylase determination is sufficiently sensitive and reliable in detecting pancreatic inflammation, even though some limitations concerning its specificity should be born in mind.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

The responsiveness of autistic children to the predictability of social and nonsocial toys.

This study was designed to explore autistic children's ability to develop an expectancy from environmental events. Social and nonsocial toys were presented to autistic and control children in situations that either allowed or prevented them from predicting their appearance. It was found that autistic children's behavior was seriously disrupted if they could not predict the sequence of environmental stimuli, but their responsiveness to environmental stimuli increased when events were predictable. They approached social objects more readily than nonsocial objects when both were simple in appearance. These findings suggest that an appropriate starting point for therapeutic intervention with autistic children might be to focus on shaping social play in highly structured and predictable environments.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical utility of TPS, TPA and CA 19-9 measurement in pancreatic cancer.

UNLABELLED: The aims of this study were to (1) evaluate the diagnostic utility of a new tumor marker, TPS, with respect to TPA and CA 19-9 in patients with pancreatic cancer; (2) ascertain the reliability of the markers in predicting survival, and (3) evaluate the effect of liver dysfunction on the results. CA 19-9, TPA and TPS were measured in the serum of 19 control subjects, 42 patients with pancreatic cancer, 29 with chronic pancreatitis, and 52 with extrapancreatic diseases. CA 19-9 was confirmed to be the best serological indicator of pancreatic cancer, while TPA and TPS lacked both sensitivity and specificity. Pancreatic cancer patients with liver metastases had higher mean CA 19-9 and TPA, but not TPS, values than pancreatic cancer patients without metastases. A shorter survival time was associated with the presence of liver metastases and with higher serum tumor marker levels. CA 19-9, TPA and TPS were found to be correlated with liver function test results (ALT, ALP and bilirubin). IN CONCLUSION: (1) TPS adds no significant information to that obtained using CA 19-9 in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer; (2) CA 19-9 and TPA, but not TPS, are influenced by the presence of liver metastases; (3) the main factor to influence survival is advanced disease, which is in turn associated with higher tumor marker levels, and (4) liver dysfunction can influence not only CA 19-9 and TPA, as already described, but also TPS.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum neurotensin in human pancreatic cancer.

The role of neurotensin as a physiologic regulator of exocrine pancreatic secretion is known, but the hormone has only recently been recognized as important mitogen in vitro for human cancer cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variations of serum levels of neurotensin in pancreatic cancer. We studied 58 patients: 13 control subjects, 20 pancreatic cancer patients, 11 chronic pancreatitis patients, and 14 cases of extrapancreatic disease. No differences were found between serum values of neurotensin in pancreatic cancer and control subjects or extrapancreatic disease. Significantly higher values were detected in chronic pancreatitis than in pancreatic cancer patients (P < 0.04). In chronic pancreatitis patients, the serum levels of neurotensin were correlated with serum amylase (r = 0.95, P < 0.01). Lower levels of neurotensin were found in stage IV pancreatic cancer than in stages I-II (t = 1.82, P < 0.04) and in grade II than in grade I (t = 2.21, P < 0.02). Significant correlations were found between serum levels of neurotensin and two indices of nutrition: albumin (r = 0.60, P < 0.05) and the percentage reduction in body weight (Z = 2.20, P < 0.02). No correlations were found between serum levels of the hormone and size of the neoplasm or the survival of patients. We can conclude that the serum variations of neurotensin do not seem to be related to the progression of human pancreatic cancer. The variation of serum levels of the hormone may be linked to a poor nutritional status of the patient.

Adult↗