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Biomedical subjects

C Valli

Publications and source records attributed to C Valli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Early stage human colorectal cancer: prognostic value of nm23-H1 protein overexpression.

Nm23 gene codifies for a nucleoside diphosphate kinase allowing the intracellular transduction of the signals. In colorectal cancer nm23 protein expression seems related to the progression of the disease. By immunohistochemistry we have studied the intracytoplasmatic nm23 H1 protein expression in 20 patients affected by colorectal cancer at initial stage. In 12 cases it resulted elevated and in four the disease recurred. The overexpression was not correlated with other prognostic factors. Nm23 H1-positive patients affected by colorectal cancer at initial stage could be considered at risk for disease recurrence and included in a more frequent follow-up protocol.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Correlation between ploidy status, Erb-B2 and p53 immunohistochemical expression in primary breast carcinoma.

In the present study we evaluated the prognostic significance and correlation between ploidy status, lymph node status, estrogen-progesterone receptor status and the expression of Erb-B2 and p53 protein in 77 primary breast carcinomas. Quantitation of DNA ploidy was determined on Feulgen-stained touch imprints with an image analyzer, whereas localization of the immunohistochemical reaction of Erb-B2 and p53 protein was evaluated in paraffin-embedded tumor specimens with microscopy. The DNA histogram was diploid in 17 cases, poly/tetraploid in 24 and aneuploid in 36. We observed no correlation between ploidy status and hormone receptor content or lymph node status. The expression of Erb-B2 protein was observed exclusively in the membrane and in the cytoplasm of neoplastic cells and was uniformly distributed. Overexpression was observed in 89.2% of cases. Aneuploid tumors intensively expressed the oncogene in 20.3% of cases. A statistically significant correlation was observed between lymph node metastasis and Erb-B2 overexpression. The expression of p53 protein was expressed as nuclear staining in 17.6% of the cases, with variable intensity, mainly in ductal histotypes. Among these, 62% were aneuploid. Lymph node status and steroid receptor status did not correlate significantly with p53. From these data we conclude that DNA ploidy and Erb-B2 and p53 expression correlate with cell proliferation and differentiation and therefore may identify breast carcinoma patients with more aggressive disease.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1994

p53 expression and genetic evidence for viral infection in intraepithelial neoplasia of the uterine cervix.

Infections with high-risk strains of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV 2), as well as inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene, are important cofactors in cervical carcinogenesis. We analyzed 41 paraffin-embedded cervical intraepithelial lesions, including 25 cases of low-grade cervical intraepithelia neoplasia (CIN), and 16 cases of high-grade CIN for the presence of HPV 16/18 and HSV 2 genomic sequences and for the nuclear accumulation of the p53 protein. HPV 16 DNA was detected in 24.% of low-grade CINs and in 43.7% of high-grade CINs. HPV 18 was found only in 8.% of low-grade CINs. None of the cases tested scored positive for HSV 2 DNA. Nuclear accumulation of p53 was found in 4% of low-grade CINs, and in 31.2% of high-grade CINs, including 57.1% of the lesions that were positive for HPV 16. These results indicate that HPV 16 infection was over sixfold more common than HPV 18 infection and that p53 overexpression was significantly associated with high-grade lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Diarrhea, erythema nodosum, arthralgia].

Following antibiotic treatment of febrile tonsillitis, a 20-year old man developed watery diarrhea during military service. He was admitted to the infirmary by the medical officer. During the last year the patient had traveled to Spain. The history of recent food intake was not remarkable. The clinical investigation revealed a slightly tender liver. A markedly elevated ESR, a consecutively developing erythema nodosum on both lower legs and arthralgias opened a broad spectrum of differential diagnoses that are discussed here. Stool cultures grew salmonella typhimurium. The clinical picture, the treatment and possible complications of this salmonellosis are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Regional heterogeneity and complementation in the expression of the tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 epitopes in colorectal cancer.

We analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of three epitopes of the tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72) in whole cross-sections of primary colorectal carcinomas and in regional lymph node metastases using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) B72.3, CC-49, and CC-83, which recognize distinct carbohydrate antigenic determinants. B72.3, CC-49, and CC-83 reacted with 13 of 27 (48%), 25 of 27 (92%), and 21 of 27 (77%) carcinomas, respectively. The immunoreactivity with lymph node metastases followed a similar pattern; MAb CC-49 was again the most reactive of the three antibodies, since it labeled 13 of 15 metastatic lesions. Positive reactions of the MAbs with the primary tumors were not always predictive of the immunorecognition of their metastases. Distinct areas within whole cross-sections of TAG-72-positive primary carcinomas demonstrated marked differences in the expression of the three epitopes. CC-49 tended to react with the highest number of areas and with the highest percentages of carcinoma cells within each area. In no instances did B72.3 demonstrate reactivity superior to that of either CC-49 or CC-83. Tumors negative for the CC-49 epitope in any area also did not express the other two TAG-72 epitopes. However, the comparison of the immunostaining obtained with each MAb in TAG-72-positive primary lesions revealed areas where CC-83 was clearly more reactive than CC-49. Moreover, one lymph node metastasis, negative for CC-49, was recognized by CC-83. Thus, the combined use of MAbs CC-49 and CC-83 resulted in additive immunostaining of primary and metastatic colorectal carcinoma cells. The study provides evidence of intratumoral heterogeneity in the glycosylation pattern of the TAG-72 antigen in colorectal cancer and emphasizes the advantages of cocktails of anti-tumor-associated antigen MAbs in the immunodetection of colorectal tumor cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

Immunohistochemical evidence of immune responses to tumor-associated antigens in lymph nodes of colon carcinoma patients.

The authors investigated by immunohistochemical study the drainage of three tumor-associated antigens in unaffected regional lymph nodes of colon cancer patients. The study was conducted using monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) directed against different epitopes of the tumor-associated glycoprotein, TAG-72 (CC-49, CC-83, B72.3), of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (COL-4, COL-12), and of the colon-associated antigen, CAA (anti-CAA). The authors detected immunohistochemical reactions of MoAb CC-49 and anti-CAA with antigen-presenting cells (APC), such as peritumoral and sinus macrophages and lymphatic endothelial cells and with specific areas of germinal centers in lymph nodes draining 11 of 24 colorectal carcinomas studied. The corresponding primary tumors expressed the TAG-72 and CAA antigens. No immunostaining was detectable in lymph nodes using the anti-CEA MoAb, even when the primary tumors strongly expressed the specific epitopes. In germinal centers of regional lymph nodes, the immunostaining was often distributed at the periphery with a characteristic crescentic or circular pattern, which strongly suggested the exposure of the specific epitopes defined by MoAb CC-49 and anti-CAA on follicular dendritic cells. This would indicate that these epitopes are selectively recognized and presented to germinal center B-cells. This phenomenon may have clinical and diagnostic implications.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1986

[Esophageal obstruction in tube feeding: a result of protein precipitation caused by antacids?].

A complication of tube feeding, i.e. thickening of nutrient solution in the presence of an antacid leading to obstruction of the esophagus, is reported. Three patients on artificial breathing where fed by tube with Fresubin liquid. At intervals, Alucol liquid was given for stress ulcer prevention through the tube. After 2, 4, and 50 days respectively, reflux of nutrient solution into the mouth occurred. On removal of the tube a compact, yellowish-white substance was extracted. Endoscopically, residual particles were found in the upper part of the esophagus and in the hypopharynx which obstructed the esophagus completely and in one case could only be extracted through a rigid esophagoscope. In vitro studies showed that thickening of the nutrient solution was due to interaction with antacids administered simultaneously with the nutrient.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Measurement of mesenteric blood flow by duplex scanning.

Ultrasonic imaging combined with a pulsed Doppler unit (duplex scanning) allows the noninvasive assessment of blood flow of the superior mesenteric artery. The changes in mesenteric blood flow associated with a standardized (1000 kcal) food load were measured and the results were compared with blood flow of the left common carotid artery. Twenty healthy subjects (aged 30.1 +/- 5 years) were studied fasting (12.4 +/- 2.6 hours' duration) and six times with a 15-minute interval after the test meal. The diameters of the superior mesenteric artery (0.60 +/- 0.09 mm) and of the common carotid artery (0.61 +/- 0.05 mm) were measured from the B-mode image. The Doppler frequency spectra were used to determine peak systolic, late systolic, and end-diastolic velocity and to compute the mean velocity. Although the flow parameters of the common carotid artery were virtually unaffected by food intake, a steep increase in mesenteric blood flow velocity and volume flow was observed. At rest, blood flow through the mesenteric artery was 6.3 +/- 2.6 ml/sec and 9.5 +/- 2.1 ml/sec in the carotid artery. After the test meal, mesenteric artery blood flow increased significantly (p less than 0.0001) and reached maximal hyperemia (20.3 +/- 7.4 ml/sec) after 45 minutes. The measurement of mesenteric blood flow before and after a test meal characterizes intestinal hemodynamics and should be suitable to evaluate ischemic disease and other disorders that lead to changes of mesenteric blood flow.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Aorto-intestinal fistulas. 4 case reports].

Four cases of aorto-enteric fistula are reported. The two primary types occurred after rupture of an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta into the duodenum and as a consequence of tumor infiltration of both the aorta and the intestinal wall in a woman with metastatic ovarian cancer. The two secondary types developed as a late complication of reconstructive surgery of the abdominal aorta. The condition was diagnosed or suspected on the basis of endoscopic findings in two cases. The pathogenetic role of graft infection in the development of secondary aorto-enteric fistula is emphasized. The generally poor prognosis can be considerably improved if prompt resection of the graft is combined with axillo-bifemoral anastomosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

[Aortic valve replacement with simultaneous aorto-coronary bypass operation 1969-1980].

Between 1969 and 1980, 62 patients underwent aortic valve replacement with simultaneous aorto-coronary bypass implantation. Three patient groups were formed, namely patients with predominant aortic valve disease, patients with predominant coronary heart disease and patients with simultaneous severe aortic valve disease and coronary heart disease. The results were analyzed separately for the three patient groups. The operative risk of patients with severe aortic valve disease was not greatly increased by the simultaneous implantation of aorto-coronary bypass. On the other hand, patients with predominant coronary disease and aortic valve replacement for mild to moderate aortic valve disease had an increased operative mortality and rate of perioperative infarctions. The unfavorable results in the latter patient group can most probably be explained by patient selection. Late mortality appears to increase with the severity of coronary heart disease. Prognosis of the total patient group was less favorable than that of isolated aortic valve replacement or aorto-coronary bypass operation. The implantation of aorto-coronary bypass did not completely prevent the reappearance of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction in the late postoperative follow-up. Several risk factors for a less favorable course were identified.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tissue and serum TPA in subjects at risk for bladder cancer.

We tested the presence of tumour polypeptide antigen (TPA) in lower urinary tract cells from 59 workers exposed to known bladder carcinogens and from 30 control subjects. We then correlated immunocytological expression and serum TPA levels. Lower urinary tract cells from 31 subjects gave either moderately or strongly positive immunocytological stains. Five also had high serum TPA. The detection of TPA by cytology and in serum differed significantly in workers exposed to cancer agents and the control group.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cell kinetics and tumor-associated antigen expression in human mammary carcinomas.

Twenty-six primary breast carcinomas were studied to evaluate cell proliferation as assessed by thymidine labeling index (TLI), and antigenic phenotype, as defined by immunohistochemistry using eight monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). The majority of tumors had low TLI values. Reactivity to MAbs B72.3, CC49, CC83 (anti TAG 72), COL-12 (anti CEA) and MOv2 (against a tumor-associated mucoprotein) was restricted to less than 50% of the tumors studied, while MAbs B1.1 (anti CEA), MBrl and MBr8 (to tumor-associated carbohydrates) reacted with greater than 50% of the cases. Correlations between expression of TAAs and proliferative activity showed that the tumors could be divided into three groups, two characterized by either high proliferative activity and absence of antigenic expression or low proliferative activity and strong antigenic expression, and the third showing no relation between these two biological features. We defined two antigenic phenotypes associated with specific cellular kinetics: one characterized by negative immunoreaction with MAbs, CC49, CC83 and COL-12 and high proliferative activity; the other characterized by intense immunoreactivity with these antibodies and low proliferative activity. The data suggest that cell proliferation and antigenic phenotype may define biologic subsets of breast carcinomas.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of cellular proliferative activity and DNA ploidy as a prognostic factor in breast cancer].

BACKGROUND: In the past years, morphological indexes and kinetic parameters have been introduced to characterize breast cancer in order to select breast cancer patients for adjuvant therapy. The alterations of the proliferative activity of neoplastic cells and DNA ploidy may provide important information about the aggressiveness of the lesion and may be used as powerful prognostic factors. In fact, prognostic information based on the classic clinico-pathologic parameters such as histotype, stage and grade are no longer sufficient to select patients for long term follow-up. The aim of this study was to evaluate the malignant potential of neoplastic cells through the determination of modifications of the proliferative index and the evaluation of DNA ploidy. METHODS: Forty-five breast cancer patients, 32 to 80 years of age, were studied. Proliferative indexes and DNA ploidy, besides the other clinical-pathologic parameters have been evaluated. The proliferative index was assessed with the immunocytochemical determination of Ki67 and quantified with the CAS 200: 31 cases had a high proliferative index, 12 medium and 2 low. DNA ploidy was analyzed on cytologic preparations with static cytometry utilizing an image analyzer CAS 200: 13 cases were diploid, 32 non-diploid. RESULTS: A close relationship was found between Ki67 expression and DNA ploidy. In fact, lesions with a high proliferative index were all non-diploid, whereas, those with a low proliferative index were all diploid. Lesions with a medium proliferative index were 2 diploid and 1 non-diploid. Among the 45 cases, studied in a follow-up period of 36 months, 12 showed disease recurrence; 3 showed a medium Ki67 expression and were diploid, 9 a high Ki67 expression and were all non-diploid. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, proliferative indexes and DNA ploidy may be considered additional prognostic parameters which may potentially influence the clinical behaviour of breast cancer and may be utilized besides all the other clinico-pathologic data to assess these lesions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical expression of p53, nm23-HI, Ki67 and DNA ploidy: correlation with lymph node status and other clinical pathologic parameters in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The different clinical evolution of breast cancer with similar pathological characteristics prompted the authors to investigate the prognostic significance of different biological markers. METHODS: Seventy-one primary breast carcinoma specimens obtained by mastectomy or quadrantectomy were examined for the determination of the p53, nm23 and Ki67 expression, with immunohistochemistry, and the DNA content, with static cytometry. RESULTS: p53 protein was expressed as nuclear staining in 58% of the cases and was associated with high levels of Ki67, non-diploid lesions and lymph-node status. Positive staining for nm23 was significantly correlated only with histologic grading. A predictive role in disease recurrence was demonstrated only in patients with a high Ki67 nuclear expression. CONCLUSIONS: From these data, we may conclude that, besides all the other traditional clinical morphological parameters, a panel of different biological markers, such as Ki67 and the determination of p53 expression, may be utilized to further characterize breast cancer and its biological behavior.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cytological and immunocytochemical analysis of laterocervical lymph nodes in patients with previous thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: In the follow-up of patients with a history of thyroid carcinoma, an enlarged cervical lymph node may indicate metastatasis is underway. Various methods may be utilized in the differential diagnosis between cancer metastasis of thyroid origin and aspecific lymphoadenitis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and the additional diagnostic value of immunocytochemical thyroglobulin staining on FNAB of neck nodes. METHODS: We evaluated cytologically 38 samples obtained by ultrasound-guided FNAB on laterocervical nodes from patients with a history of thyroid carcinoma. One smear for each case was selected for the immunocytochemical stain. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of those samples were adequate (16 positive for metastasis of thyroid origin and 12 negative) and 10 inadequate. Two of the cytologically positive samples from poorly differentiated neoplasia showed no reaction to thyroglobulin (Tg). In ten of the 11 cases classified as lymphoadenitis, no immunoreaction was present; in the last case, blastic-like cells showed a scanty cytoplasmic rim which was immunoreractive to Tg. Therefore, this case was reclassified as a metastatic tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, we would recommend that FNAB be routinely performed in the diagnostic evaluation of neck masses. If the FNAB is inconclusive, aspiration should be repeated, while immunoperoxidase stain to evidence Tg, may be an adjunctive diagnostic tool in cytologically negative cases.

Adult↗