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Biomedical subjects

C U Casciani

Publications and source records attributed to C U Casciani.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Transhepatic and mini-laparotomic approach in the embolization of the left gastric vein].

The Authors depict the possibility to reduce the risk of variceal bleeding with the embolization of the left gastric vein through a transhepatic or mini-laparotomic approach. Such treatment applied in 5 cases was effective: during a mean one-year follow-up no rebleeding was registered, while the stabilization of a satisfying haemodynamic state in relation to the chronic liver disease was observed.

Embolization, Therapeutic↗
PubMed1991

Monoclonal antibodies in the management of carcinoma patients.

The use of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) in the clinical management of carcinoma patients is reported in the present review. Among the various MAbs generated, MAb B72.3 (LTIB, National Cancer Institute, U.S.A.) has been extensively used in clinical trials either for antigen identification (TAG-72) in sera, or for tumor localization in carcinoma patients. Serum assay results, in colorectal cancer patients, showed the usefulness of the MAb B72.3 in monitoring the clinical course of the malignant disease. Its specific tumor localization (70% of the biopsy specimens) and the immunoscintigraphy studies, after in vivo administration, have also been discussed. The positive results obtained, markedly contributed in the development of a new intraoperative methodology termed "radioimmunoguided surgery".

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

Cell mediated cytotoxicity and cytokine production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of glioma patients.

A mannoprotein preparation (MP) from Candida albicans induced MHC-unrestricted cytotoxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy subjects, but not in those from glioma-bearing subjects. The two groups of subjects did not significantly differ in the number of cells bearing typical natural killer (NK) markers (both in resting and MP stimulated PBMC) and NK activity. However, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production was in tumour patients minimal or significantly reduced, as compared to healthy subjects, following PBMC stimulation by MP or phytohaemoagglutinin, respectively. In addition, minimal, if any, stimulation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) production was achieved in MP stimulated PBMC from glioma patients. Considering the pivotal role of the above cytokines in immune responses, particularly in those concerning generation of antitumour effectors, our results consistently suggest that defective cytokine production is one possible mechanism of immunological impairment in glioma patients. They also provide indirect support for a possible clinical use of IFN-gamma as an immunopotentiating agent in gliomatous subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Myasthenia gravis (MG) treatment with immunoadsorbent columns.

We performed ten plasma perfusion (PP) treatments on eight patients affected by Myasthenia Gravis (MG) with high serum levels of autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptors (anti AChR-AB), and one PP treatment on a patient with MG of probable genetic origin and without specific antibodies. All patients (Osserman group III-IV) had undergone thymectomy and immunosuppressive therapy. Each patient received a treatment cycle of six PP sessions. Clinical conditions were assessed before and after the treatment with evaluation of muscular strength, ventilatory function, and electromyographic testing. Immunologic markers were tested before and after each PP. The patient without specific antibodies showed no improvement with PP and was excluded from our study. All the other patients showed continued improvement, with increased muscle strength and improved respiratory function. Four patients (follow-up 16-24 months) still maintain the clinical improvement; two, unexpectedly relapsed 11-12 months after PP, received a new treatment successfully (follow-up 9-10 month).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Low responsiveness to Candida antigens in kidney transplant recipients.

Infections caused by commensal microorganisms, such as Candida albicans often represent a severe complication in pharmacologically immunosuppressed kidney transplanted patients. A mannoprotein (MP) antigenic preparation derived from the C. albicans cell wall was used to measure the specific immune responsiveness in 44 kidney transplanted patients and matched healthy controls. Patients immune responses were analyzed considering the transplant age. In group I, patients transplanted from greater than 1 month to less than 12 months were considered, whereas in groups II and III patients had been transplanted 1 to 3 years or 4 to 6 years earlier. A statistically significant low responsiveness to MP was recorded in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients belonging to groups II and III. Addition of exogenous IL-2 to PBMC cultures restored MP-induced proliferation in about 50% of patients studied. Responsiveness to mitogenic stimulation (PHA and SEB) was in the normal range in all transplanted patients. No correlation could be detected between hyporesponsiveness to MP and C. albicans infections.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Reduced nephrotoxicity and hepatoxicity in cyclosporin A therapy by enalapril and spironolactone in rats.

The aim of the study was to define a therapy to be combined with an immunosuppressive drug such as cyclosporin A, in order to partially reduce the nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects in the treated rats. Two drugs were considered: enalapril, which is an inhibitor of the angiotensin-converting enzyme, and spironolactone, which is an antagonist of aldosterone. These two drugs interrupt the renin-angiotensinogen-angiotensin chain after this has been activated by cyclosporin A, preventing peripheral vasoconstriction and more specifically the constriction of both glomerular arterioles and hepatic vessels from occurring, thus diminishing the cyclosporin A toxicity in both liver and kidney.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Mucin-producing cells and endocrine cells of gallbladder epithelium in patients with uncomplicated cholelithiasis.

In this study we have investigated various morphofunctional features of gallbladder mucosa in patients with uncomplicated cholelithiasis. The histological changes, endocrine cell types and their distribution, and mucin-producing cells were characterized by immunocytochemistry and mucin histochemistry; moreover, we attempted to correlate these findings to the number and size of gallbladder stones and the type of bacteria present in the bile. Our results indicate that, despite similar clinical parameters, a wide range of histological changes can occur in the gallbladder mucosa of these patients. Moreover, the presence of certain endocrine and mucin-producing cell types in so-called "pyloric metaplasia" led us to hypothesize that this finding may be a trivial event in the gallbladder epithelium.

Cholelithiasis↗
PubMed1990

Polymorphic effects of exogenous gangliosides on antigen-induced lymphoproliferation and generation of MHC unrestricted cell mediated cytotoxicity.

Cell membrane gangliosides have been shown to be involved in a number of biological processes including cell adhesion, signal transduction and ligand receptor interactions. In this paper we analyzed the effects of a mixture of bovine brain gangliosides, currently in clinical use, on cell mediated immune responses in vitro. We show here that exogenous gangliosides inhibit mitogen and alloantigen induced lymphoproliferation. On the other hand effects on antigen induced blastogenesis were exquisitely dose dependent in that while high doses of gangliosides inhibited lymphoproliferation, probably by interfering in interleukin 2 receptor interactions, lower doses significantly enhanced antigen induced responsiveness. We also report that gangliosides inhibit the generation of lymphokine activated killer cells. Altogether, these data underline the immunoregulatory potential and the polymorphism of effects of exogenous gangliosides.

Cytotoxicity, Immunologic↗
PubMed1990

Oxygen tension monitoring in uremic patients during hemodialysis treatment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence on cerebral and cutaneous vascular regions of PaO2 reduction during acetate dialysis, by monitoring conjunctival oxygen tension (PcjO2) and transcutaneous oxygen tension (PtcO2) during hemodialysis (HD) treatment. The study was performed on 23 patients with end-stage renal disease in chronic HD. All patients underwent dialytic treatment with cuprophan membranes and acetate containing dialysate. PcjO2 and PtcO2 were recorded and PaO2 and arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) were also measured. Results of the study show that hypoxemia during acetate dialysis with cuprophan membranes is not accompanied by changes of PcjO2 and therefore by changes in cerebral oxygenation. Moreover, PtcO2 remains constant during dialysis treatment. Furthermore, maintenance of normal oxygen tension at the conjunctival level is not obtained at the expense of the peripheral region of the skin.

Adult↗