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C Longo

Publications and source records attributed to C Longo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Clinical selection of melanocytic lesions for dermoscopy decreases the identification of suspicious lesions in comparison with dermoscopy without clinical preselection.

BACKGROUND: In most cases dermoscopy is performed only on lesions selected by clinical inspection which present worrying clinical features or appear to deviate from the patient's average type of naevus. Thus, possible early malignant melanomas (MMs) or MM precursors, lacking typical clinical characteristics, may elude the dermoscopic examination. OBJECTIVES: To perform a comparison between two different approaches to the patient's examination, one based on a clinical preselection of lesions to be examined by dermoscopy, and the other consisting of the dermoscopic scrutiny of all melanocytic lesions with a diameter>or=2 mm (total dermoscopy). METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients with MM, undergoing periodic dermoscopic examinations of their naevi, were enrolled in the study. The patients first underwent an assessment of the entire skin with the unaided eye for the identification of lesions for dermoscopy. Subsequently, the patients underwent dermoscopic examination of all melanocytic lesions. Images of naevi identified by clinical examination or by total dermoscopy as having dermoscopic aspects characteristic of a suspicious lesion, i.e. necessitating either surgical excision or follow-up examinations, were separately recorded, classified and described employing the ABCD rule of dermoscopy and the seven-point checklist. RESULTS: Five hundred and fifty-one lesions were chosen by clinical inspection for subsequent dermoscopic examination; among these, 117 were considered for excision or follow-up. Ninety-two further lesions were identified for excision or follow-up by employing only total dermoscopy. Dermoscopy scores of lesions selected by clinical inspection plus dermoscopy were similar to those identified by dermoscopy alone. In the former group, 13 lesions showed either an ABCD or a seven-point score corresponding to a suspicious lesion, whereas eight such lesions were identified only by total dermoscopy. Thus, by clinical selection plus dermoscopy we were able to identify only 62% of dermoscopically suspicious lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical selection of melanocytic lesions for dermoscopic examination is associated with the 'loss' of a conspicuous number of lesions which deserve surgical excision or follow-up examinations. Total dermoscopy, enabling the detection of suspicious lesions, together with storage, retrieval and sequential comparison of their images, could enhance MM diagnosis by follow-up, in comparison with clinical preselection for dermoscopy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Quantitative ultrasound measurements of the calcaneus in the prediction of lumbar spine degeneration.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the possible use of a low-cost radiation-free technique in the prediction of degenerative changes in the lumbar spine. Although an inverse correlation between osteoporosis and degenerative changes in the lumbar spine has been reported, no previous studies have asked whether there is a correlation between calcaneal quantitative ultrasound results and degenerative findings in the lumbar spine. In 117 patients with low back pain or pain in the lower limb, ultrasonographic parameters (speed of sound, broadband ultrasound attenuation, stiffness) of the calcaneus were correlated with evidence of degenerative changes and stenosis on magnetic resonance scans of the lumbar spine. Linear and logistic regression, as well as receiver operator characteristic curve analyses, were used to evaluate the correlation. Lumbar spine stenosis was associated with elevated calcaneal ultrasonographic parameters, particularly speed of sound. For the identification of a narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal below 100 mm(2) of dural sac cross-sectional area, speed of sound showed 89% sensitivity and 75% specificity in males older than 60 years. In male patients, we also found a significant positive correlation between ultrasonographic parameters and scores on a degenerative scale that primarily reflects intervertebral disc degeneration ( P=0.019 for speed of sound; P=0.039 for stiffness). In conclusion, calcaneal quantitative ultrasound is frequently used in elderly patients with low back pain as a diagnostic test for osteoporosis. The incidental finding of high values on ultrasonographic parameters in these subjects, particularly in males, is highly correlated with lumbar spine degeneration and stenosis, and can help to identify those symptomatic patients needing more extensive diagnostic testing.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) transformation using phosphinothricin selection results in a high frequency of single-copy transgene integration.

Genetic transformation of creeping bentgrass mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been achieved. Embryogenic callus initiated from seeds (cv. Penn-A-4) was infected with an A. tumefaciens strain (LBA4404) harboring a super-binary vector that contained an herbicide-resistant bar gene driven either by the CaMV 35S promoter or a rice ubiquitin promoter. Plants were regenerated from 219 independent transformation events. The overall stable transformation efficiency ranged from 18% to 45%. Southern blot and genetic analysis confirmed transgene integration in the creeping bentgrass genome and normal transmission and stable expression of the transgene in the T1 generation. All independent transformation events carried one to three copies of the transgene, and a majority (60-65%) contained only a single copy of the foreign gene with no apparent rearrangements. We report here the successful use of Agrobacterium for the large-scale production of transgenic creeping bentgrass plants with a high frequency of a single-copy transgene insertion that exhibit stable inheritance patterns.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗
PubMed1995

Glenoid labrum: MR imaging with histologic correlation.

PURPOSE: To document the histopathologic basis of altered intralabral and sublabral signal intensity on magnetic resonance (MR) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten fresh cadaveric shoulder specimens underwent transaxial MR imaging with T1-weighted, proton-density-weighted, and T2-weighted spin-echo; multiplanar gradient-recalled echo (MPGR); three-dimensional Fourier transform gradient-recalled echo (GRE); spoiled gradient-recalled echo (SPGR); and T1-weighted, fat-suppressed sequences before and after intraarticular injection of gadolinium. Shoulders were then frozen and transversely sectioned, and histologic analysis of the labrum was performed. RESULTS: Altered intralabral signal intensity correlated with fibrovascular tissue, mucoid or eosinophilic degeneration, calcification, ossification, synovial tissue, or combinations of these findings. A sublabral transitional band of intermediate signal intensity correlated with a transitional zone of fibrocartilage. CONCLUSION: There are several causes of altered intralabral signal intensity. A transitional fibrocartilaginous zone correlates with sublabral increased signal intensity. Intraarticular administration of gadolinium improves evaluation of the glenoid labrum.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Assessment of articular cartilage thickness of the humeral head: MR-anatomic correlation in cadavers.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate several commonly used MR sequences to determine how accurately each demonstrates the thickness of the articular cartilage of the humeral head. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten cadaveric shoulders (age at death, 58-92 years; mean, 79 years) were imaged with fat-suppressed transaxial T1-weighted spin-echo three-dimensional gradient-recalled sequences, both before and after injection of 12 ml of diluted gadopentetate dimeglumine. Articular cartilage was measured to the nearest 10th of a millimeter on the MR images and corresponding anatomic sections. RESULTS: Cartilage could not be differentiated from surrounding structures in 14 of 112 locations (13%) on the spin-echo images obtained without contrast material, in 4 of 112 locations (4%) on the spin-echo images obtained with contrast material, in 4 of 112 locations (4%) on the gradient-echo images obtained without contrast material, and in 6 of 112 locations (5%) on the gradient-echo images obtained with contrast material. Mean true cartilage thickness was 1.23 mm (SD, 0.52 mm). The mean MR-anatomic differences (absolute values) were 0.38 mm for the spin-echo images obtained without contrast material, 0.42 mm for the spin-echo images obtained with contrast material, 0.49 mm for the gradient-echo images obtained without contrast material, and 0.37 mm for the gradient-echo images obtained with contrast material. There was a tendency to overestimate thin cartilage and to underestimate thick cartilage. CONCLUSION: Several of the routinely used MR sequences, with and without intraarticular contrast medium, may cause errors in the assessment of the articular cartilage of the humeral head. Some of these errors result from either insufficient contrast between cartilage and surrounding structures or inadequately concentrated contrast medium.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Isosorbide-5-mononitrate in the prevention of digestive hemorrhage in cirrhosis: randomized study].

Isosorbide 5-mononitrate (5MI) is a preferential venous dilator that has been shown to decrease portal pressure in acute and long-term haemodynamic studies, and this is not associated with adverse effects on hepatic perfusion. The aim of this trial was to investigate the efficacy and safety of 5MI in the prevention of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. Forty two cirrhotic patients with F2 or F3 esophageal varices showing "red signs" and who had never bled were included and randomly y assigned to receive either 5MI (group I,n23) or placebo (group P,n19). Patients with hepatocarcinomas or complications potentially lethal in the short-term or who were being given drugs such as steroids or interferon were excluded. The end points of the study were bleeding and death. There were no significant differences between the groups in the basal clinical and laboratory data. The mean +/- SD follow-up time was 49 +/- 36 and 43 +/- 25 weeks in the groups I and P, respectively. The percentage of patients free of bleeding 61 weeks after inclusion in the study was 62.4% in the group I and 46.3% in the group P (NS). The percentage of patients surviving 85 weeks after inclusion in the study was 81.2% in the group I and 39.8% in the group P (NS). Treatment did not have to be stopped in any patient of both groups because of side effects. In conclusion, 5MI is a safe drug for the chronic management of portal hypertension, that showed a trend to reduce the risk of bleeding and death in cirrhosis with large esophageal varices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

o-Iodosobenzoic oxidation and cleavage of myosin subfragment 1.

1. o-Iodosobenzoic acid (IOB) caused the formation of a disulfide bridge between SH1 and SH2 groups of myosin SF1 rendering inactive its ATPase activity. 2. IOB at high concentrations provoked fragmentation of SF1 at its tryptophan residues. 3. The main fragmentation point was located at 15 K from the amino terminus of the myosin heavy chain. 4. Actin was not fragmented by IOB. It protected SF1 tryptophans from IOB attack. 5. These results suggest a possible use of IOB as a reagent to study protein tryptophan under nondenaturing conditions.

Actins↗
PubMed1988

Early and late complications of endoscopic oesophageal varices sclerotherapy.

We report the complications of perendoscopic sclerotherapy observed during treatment of oesophageal varices in 104 patients and 409 sclerotherapy sessions. Complications were related to each individual session and to the aim of the treatment (therapeutic or prophylactic). Major complications occurred in 17.3% of the patients treated: 13 cases of severe bleeding and 5 of oesophageal stricture. Conservative therapy stopped haemorrhage in all but 4 patients, who died of uncontrolled bleeding (3.8%). Three oesophageal strictures recovered spontaneously, while the remaining two required endoscopic dilations. Minor complications occurred after 102/409 sessions (24.9%). Epigastric and/or retrosternal pain developed after 17.6% of the sessions, oesophageal ulcerations after 12.5%, fever after 11.7% and transient dysphagia after 3.7%. Bleeding was observed only in Child's category C patients who underwent therapeutic treatment. The risk of bleeding remained unchanged until complete eradication of varices was achieved. The incidence of minor complications did not correlate with the progression or the aim of the treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Empty sella syndrome and growth deficiency in childhood.

We describe four cases of empty sella syndrome in childhood associated with growth and neuroendocrine disorders. We note that empty sella syndrome probably presents with endocrine disorders more often in childhood than in adults and that its frequency seems to be underestimated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

C1q solid-phase enzymatic microassay for detection of circulating immune complexes: its application in human breast cancer.

Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were detected and quantitated in human breast cancer to monitor the efficiency of mastectomy. For this aim a microimmunoenzymatic test was set up, applying a solid-phase C1q. Features of this assay can be summarized as follows: ability to estimate as low as 10 ng of aggregated human IgG (delta IgG), good reproducibility and simplicity of execution, and small serum sample required. A group of women with breast cancer at different stages (TNM classification) was tested for CIC, and 31.75% were positive. Almost all patients submitted to surgery showed a reduction of this parameter thereafter. A parallel study was carried out in another group of women with benign breast disease, and a significant incidence of CIC was found.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prophylactic sclerotherapy in nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis: preliminary results of a prospective controlled randomized trial.

Between June, 1984 and December, 1985, a total of 41 patients were enrolled in a prospective controlled randomized trial comparing prophylactic sclerotherapy and medical treatment for the prevention of the first esophageal variceal bleeding. All patients had nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, fourth degree varices, and no past history of gastrointestinal bleeding. The patients were randomly assigned to the control group (20 patients) or to the sclerotherapy group (21 patients); most of the patients belonged to Child's classes A and B. After a mean follow-up of 16.8 months, there were 3 variceal bleeding episodes and a 10% mortality rate in the control group whereas neither hemorrhage nor death was observed in the sclerotherapy group. In the latter group, severe complications occurred in 9.5% of the patients; the rate of recurrence after eradication of esophageal varices was 40%. Although there were no statistically significant results, the favorable trend toward a lower bleeding risk and better survival observed in the treated patients suggests that a longer trial in a larger population of cirrhotic patients with a longer follow-up should be considered.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pictorial essay. MRI of the glenoid labrum with gross anatomic correlation.

The objective of this pictorial essay is to illustrate the magnetic resonance image (MRI) appearance of the glenoid labrum and the perilabral structures with and without instillation of intraarticular contrast material. Ten cadaveric shoulder specimens underwent axial MRI using various MR pulse sequences. The shoulders then were transversely sectioned, and the gross morphology of the labrum and perilabral structures was evaluated and correlated with the MR images. The contrast-enhanced sequences allowed for improved anatomic visualization of the structures evaluated.

Aged↗