PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Punzo

Publications and source records attributed to C Punzo.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

The eyeless homeodomain is dispensable for eye development in Drosophila.

Pax-6 genes, known to be essential for eye development, encode an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor with two DNA-binding domains. To corroborate the contribution of each DNA-binding domain to eye formation, we generated truncated forms of the Drosophila Pax-6 gene eyeless and tested their capacity to rescue the ey(2) mutant. Surprisingly, EY deleted of the homeodomain rescued the ey(2) mutant and triggered ectopic eyes morphogenesis. In contrast, EY lacking the paired domain failed to rescue the ey(2) mutant, led to truncation of appendages, and repressed Distal-less when misexpressed. This result suggests distinct functions mediated differentially by the two DNA-binding domains of eyeless.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Immune evaluations in cancer patients after colorectal resection].

The authors report a protocol of immunomodulation and monitoring of the intestinal function in coloresected patients using fermented milk (yoghurt). Intestinal immunity was evaluated with respect to CD4+ cells armed with secretory intestine-derived IgA, and to CD8+ cells armed with IgG aiming to an additional effect in the host protection against Gram-negative strains, such as Salmonella typhi, whose particularly high incidence in Apulia accounts for an increased immunitary activity. Ten patients (six females, four males), age ranging from 44 to 85 years, who underwent surgery between 1989 and 1992, each of whom had been prescribed a daily ration of 500 gr skimmed yoghurt for one month, were observed. The authors suggest that yoghurt may determine a higher release of gamma-IFN with activation of CD4+ and CD8+ cells. The Lactobacillus stimulation of the B lymphocytes of the Peyer plates seems to induce an increased production of secretory IgA that bind to the CD4+ surface, and of IgG (as an anamnestic response to challenge with yoghurt lactobacilli). Coloresected patients show an immunitary deficiency related to the Gram+ bacterial flora reduction and consequently a decrease in the physiological stimuli. Although these date concern a limited sample, the authors stress the importance of the restoration of bacterial flora in coloresected patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Report of a case of malignant atrophic papulosis or Degos disease].

The Authors report an exceptional case of Atrophic Malignant Papulosis (P.A.M.) or Degos disease, presenting as acute abdomen with ileal and multiple colic perforations. The disease is due to an occlusive, progressive, thrombotic vascular pathology affecting different parts of the body and may bring to death. Usually this rare disease presents with typical multiple papulous skin lesions, followed by a systemic involvement of the digestive, nervous, and visive tracts. Peritonitis and cerebral infarction are the most frequent causes of death.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1993

[Cystosarcoma phyllodes of the breast: clinical cases].

The authors report their experience in the management of 8 cases of cystosarcoma phylloides of the breast observed between January 1979 and December 1986 in the Surgical Department of the University of Bari. This uncommon breast pathology, which stands halfway between benign (adenofibromas) and malignant (carcinomas) tumors presents considerable difficulties in terms of diagnosis particularly problematic for the small-sized lesions. The authors stress the need of a surgical treatment which takes into account women aesthetic desire assuring at the same time a complete exeresis. The latter includes the sacrifice of at least 1 cm thick normal breast tissue to prevent the frequent local relapses.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Breast cancer diagnosis under the age of forty years.

The authors report on a multicentric consecutive series of 382 cases of primary breast cancer detected before the age of 40 years. Physical examination (PE) was always performed, whereas other diagnostic tests were performed in selected cases, namely mammography (M) in 334, fine needle aspiration cytology (CYT) in 188 and thermography (TH) in 123 cases. Single tests showed a high rate of false-negative/benign cases (PE, 0.23; M, 0.26; CYT, 0.37 and TH, 0.50), especially when the T1 subgroup was considered (PE, 0.34; M, 0.38; CYT, 0.42 and TH, 0.78). The poor results recorded for TH make its current diagnostic use highly questionable. The policy of extensive biopsy of all "dubious" benign lesions on PE allowed for the detection of 41 of 382 cancers and reduced the PE false-negative/benign rate to 0.12 for the total or 0.15 for T1 cancers, although about 80 unnecessary biopsies for each cancer detected were performed in this way. The association of PE to one or more tests resulted in even lower false-negative rates (0.06 for the total, 0.10 for T1 cancers). The authors criticize the aggressive policy of extensive biopsy recommendation based only on a dubious report on PE alone and stress the opportunity of the routine association of M and CYT to PE, since this combination seems to achieve a higher breast cancer detection rate even in this age group.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Rare neoplasms of the breast: our experience concerning nonepithelial malignant breast tumors].

The Authors report their experience about some clinical cases of uncommon breast neoplasms observed at the Division of Surgical Pathology, referring particularly on non epithelial malignant tumors. Signalled more meaningful anatomopathologic elements, they describe diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic of such neoplasias; for their rarity they would deserve a study more deepened finalized to the formulation of diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines as so as in the most common breast carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hepatic hydatidosis in Puglia: analysis of the hospital discharge cards in the years 1996-2000].

The authors valueted the distribution of Hepatic Hydatidosis in the Region Puglia (Italy) by hospital dimission cards (schede di dimissione ospedaliera). At present, the SDO represent the most important information tool to monitor hospital activity. The authors examined 468 cases of hepatic Hydatidosis admitted in regional hospital during 1996-2000. 54% were men and 46% women, 75% of whom aged between 40-60 anni. The median hospitalization time was of 12 days and 80% were surgical departments. All the cases examined were uniformedly distributed in surgical hospitals. No hospital acts as a pole of attraction. The periodal prevalence was 6.4/100.000. 40% of cases had surgical DRG with quadriennal sanitary cost of 4 miliardi liras. The Surgical procedure was 53% hepatic lesion demolition, 14% partial epatectomy, 7.2% lobectomy, 5.2% marsupializzazione, 2.6% hepatectomy, and 19% others procedures. At present, due to physiopathological considerations, radical surgery is preferred to conservative surgery. Hepatic hydatidosis is considered a public health problem whose epidemiologic monitoring and precautionary measures could be oriented to control the related sanitary costs.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Gardner syndrome: clinical and epidemiologic up to date].

In 1950 EJ Gardner first described a new syndrome characterized by (1) familial colonic polyposis, (2) multiple osteomas, (3) soft tissues cysts and (4) fibrous lesions. Thereafter, in 1975 Watne and coll. have demonstrated the occurence, in patients affected by Gardner syndrome, of the early onset of osteomas and dental inclusions in maxillary bones. Gardner syndrome is actually considered a severe life treathening condition due to the poor quality of life and the evolutive pattern of colonic polyps to colon cancer in 100% of cases. The aim of this paper is the review of the pathophysiologic and clinical aspects of Gardner syndrome, with report of institutional clinical data about epidemiology and clinical presentation of such condition, attempting to elaborate a clinical protocol for early detection of that.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nuclear shape and axillary metastases in breast cancer. Analytic morphometry of aspiration smears.

The aim of this work was to seek quantitative parameters other than dimensions to describe nuclear shape and, by this means, to determine the sum of contour irregularities and large asymmetries and seek a connection with the biologic behavior of the tumor. Nuclei of the cells obtained from 57 aspiration smears of breast cancers were studied. Dimensional parameters (area, perimeter, maximum diameter and roundness factor) and analytic parameters were computed by the Shape Analytical Morphometry software system to evaluate both contour irregularities and asymmetry of nuclear shape. All the tumors were subdivided according to their diameters into two groups: T1 tumors, the maximum diameter of which was < 2 cm (18 cases), and T2 tumors, the maximum diameter of which was > 2 cm and < 5 cm (39 cases). Among T1 tumors, both dimensional and analytic parameters were highly significant (P < .001) in distinguishing tumors with (N+) and tumors without (N-) axillary metastases, while among larger tumors (T2) only the analytic parameters showed degrees of significance, albeit variable. It could be inferred that in smaller tumors, aggressiveness is related to an increase in nuclear dimensions and shape distortions more so than in larger tumors.

Biopsy, Needle↗