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Biomedical subjects

C Vassallo

Publications and source records attributed to C Vassallo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Flexural erythematous eruption following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: a study of four cases.

Autologous bone marrow transplantation and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) are alternative therapeutic options in the treatment of various malignancies. We describe four patients undergoing APBSCT for malignancies; they developed a cutaneous eruption characterized by confluent erythematous and hyperpigmented patches within the flexural areas during the first month after transplantation. The lesions were poorly circumscribed without epidermal changes such as scaling, xerosis, erosions or atrophy. The skin patches were treated with topical corticosteroids and resolved within a few days with discoloration. Histopathological findings were characterized by focal vacuolar degeneration of the basal layer with epidermal dysmaturation. We believe that these cutaneous eruptions are consistent with an interplay of high-dose chemotherapy and local factors such as friction, local skin temperature and eccrine gland distribution, which could explain the constant location of this eruption in the axillae and genital area.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2001

Muco-cutaneous changes during long-term therapy with hydroxyurea in chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Hydroxyurea is an antimetabolite agent used in the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders and sickle cell anaemia. Although hydroxyurea is relatively well tolerated, adverse effects often involve skin and mucous membrane during long-term therapy. A group of 510 patients affected by chronic myeloid leukaemia from 1977 to 1998 has been considered. Only 158 patients were treated with hydroxyurea and fulfilled inclusion/exclusion criteria of this study. A spectrum of severe cutaneous and mucosal changes (inflammatory and neoplastic) was seen in about 13% of patients (21 patients out of 158) and was studied in detail. Cutaneous and mucosal atrophy were observed in all 21 patients. Skin atrophy was often characterized by numerous telangiectases, especially on legs and on sun-exposed sites (16/21). Cutaneous, mucosal and nail hyperpigmentation was evident, albeit with variable extent, in 10 of the 21 patients. Severe stomatitis and glossitis with flattening of papillae were another common finding. Five patients, who received a particularly long treatment with hydroxyurea, developed squamous-cell neoplasms on sun-exposed sites (both squamous-cell carcinomas and keratoacanthomas). Acral changes were characteristic and constant, including acral erythema (21/21), dermatomyositis-like changes on the dorsa of hands (7/21), ulcers localized on acral areas of legs, on genitalia and oral mucosae (20/21). The frequency and the variety of these muco-cutaneous changes are reported and the mechanisms by which hydroxyurea may induce this muco-cutaneous syndrome-like group of changes, are proposed.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Adaptability and compliance of the obese patient to restrictive gastric surgery in the short term.

BACKGROUND: Low compliance, as well as recurrent vomiting, are often pointed out as the main causes of both postoperative technical complications and poor weight loss. METHODS: 50 patients were examined. All underwent preoperative psychological assessment through an intensive clinical interview. Between October 1999 and January 2000, all the patients underwent vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG). Excess Weight Loss (EWL) was followed, and the number of vomiting episodes was recorded at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: 3 different groups of patients could be distinguished: 1) those with no vomiting and good weight loss; 2) those with sporadic vomiting and fairly good weight loss; and 3) those with frequent vomiting and poorer weight loss. However, this last group of patients was not homogeneous and should be divided into 2 subgroups: 1) patients who lose weight, while vomiting; 2) patients who do not lose weight, while vomiting. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of vomiting is a crucial cross-roads. The influence of psychosocial factors was noticed in all patients. The absence of psychosocial stressors, together with realistic expectations and a strong motivation to change, should be considered as reliable and replicable predictors of success. However, even those patients with accentuated psychological difficulties were able to succeed in coping with them, and achieved a good weight outcome, with good effects on the psychic side. Therefore, the evidence of psychological disorders cannot be taken as an absolute criterion of selection/exclusion of candidates for the operation. Accurate presurgical education and postoperative psychological support are likely to increase the patient's compliance and the percentage of successful cases.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

60 reoperations on 890 patients after gastric restrictive surgery.

BACKGROUND: Since 1988 we performed gastric restriction operations on 890 patients; 60 required subsequent re-operation. METHODS: The Molina non-adjustable band was discontinued early because of a high percentage of re-operations. Between 1992 and 1995, we performed the Mason vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) using a 9-cm long vertical staple-line, with a re-operation rate of 15%. Since 1996, we have been performing a 6-cm long vertical staple-line, with a re-operation rate of 0.7%. The MacLean VBG also had a low re-operation rate (0.9%), but the seriousness of its most dangerous complication, perioperative cardia fistula, limited our use of this method to specifically selected cases. With adjustable banding, we have used the Swedish band which produced a low re-operation rate (2.1%), consisting of relatively simple corrective procedures. RESULTS: The re-operations produced results similar to those of first-time operations in terms of weight loss and nutritional status. In particular, after 3 years, re-operated patients had similar weight to those who had been operated upon with the same method initially. CONCLUSIONS: When the surgical procedure was selected with greater astuteness and modified appropriately, the re-operation rate decreased from 17% in the period 1992 to 1995, to 1% in the period 1996 to 2000.

Gastroplasty↗
PubMed1999

Reactive angioendotheliomatosis in an infant.

Reactive cutaneous angioendotheliomatosis (RCA) is an uncommon benign disease characterized by intravascular proliferation of endothelial cells. The observation of RCA in infants is exceedingly rare. We describe a case of RCA in a 3-month-old infant. The lesions were characterized by six small purpuric papules (1-2 mm in diameter), distributed on the thighs and neck. The general condition of the patient was good, with no lymphadenopathy, systemic involvement, or fever. The histopathologic features of a papule were characterized by the presence of cohesive aggregates of large mononucleated cells protruding into the lumina of dilated vessels and filling some of them completely. Neither an inflammatory infiltrate nor a proliferation of pericytes were present around blood vessels. Intravascular proliferating cells demonstrated positive staining for Ulex europaeus agglutinin 1 (UEA-1) and for Factor VIII-RA and CD34 antigens. The course of the disease was unremarkable with persistence of the lesions for 8 months; no treatment was started.

Antigens, CD34↗
PubMed1999

Divided vertical banded gastroplasty either for correction or as a first-choice operation.

BACKGROUND: Staple-line disruption may occur after vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG). METHODS: Since May 1996, the authors have performed the gastric restrictive procedure divided VBG, as described by MacLean, as a first-choice operation and not only as correction for staple-line breakdown. Divided VBG was done in 111 patients, 32 as correction after staple-line disruption and 79 as a first choice, 29 of them by hand-assisted laparoscopy with the dexterity pneumosleeve. RESULTS: Weight loss and nutritional status have been very satisfactory. Operating time for the standardized operation has been no longer than 60 minutes. CONCLUSION: Divided VBG, especially if done by hand-assisted laparoscopy using the dexterity pneumosleeve, is a valid restrictive procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Anesthesia with sevoflurane in bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Sevoflurane is a good halogen agent for bariatric surgery anesthesia because of its physical and chemical characteristics and its repartition coefficient (blood/gas = 0.65). METHOD: From November 1997 to April 1998, 98 bariatric surgery procedures with sevoflurane anesthesia were done: 17 lipectomies, 71 vertical gastroplasties, and 10 biliopancreatic diversions in 71 women and 27 men, average age 30.3+/-8.3 years, with body mass index 43.9+/-5.7. The average operating time was 50+/-15 minutes for vertical gastroplasty, 160+/-20 minutes for biliopancreatic diversion, and 80+/-12 minutes for lipectomy. The technique of anesthesia was as follows: preanesthesia with atropine sulfate 0.01 mg/kg (dosage refers to ideal weight), ranitidine 50 mg, fentanyl 0.1 mg, ketorolac 60 mg; induction with propofol 0.5-1 mg/kg, succinylcholine 1 mg/kg; orotracheal intubation; maintenance with O2-N2O 50%, sevoflurane 1% to 1.5%, actracurium 0.5 mg/kg (dosage refers to ideal weight); awakening and decurarization with atropine sulfate 1 mg and prostigmine 2 mg. RESULTS: This method permitted correct control of the anesthesia, a quick awakening with a low incidence of nausea and vomiting, a prompt regain of physical and psychological functioning, an early discharge from the hospital, and a larger turnover of patients with lower costs. CONCLUSION: Sevoflurane balanced anesthesia seems to be the best anesthesiologic method for bariatric surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Biliopancreatic diversion with transitory gastroplasty preserving duodenal bulb: 3 years experience.

BACKGROUND: The authors have performed 521 bariatric surgery operations (319 restrictive procedures and 202 malabsorptive procedures). METHODS: During the last few years we have introduced an evolution of biliopancreatic diversion (BPD): BPD with transitory gastroplasty, preserving the duodenal bulb (53 cases). From a technical point of view, the operation consists of a BPD, coupled with a gastroplasty which is transitory due to the use of a polydioxanone (PDS) band. In the last few cases, instead of a VBG (with PDS band) in order to make the operation completely reversible without any suture on the stomach, we made a gastric pouch by banding with PDS calibrated with the same tube as for the Lap-band (20 cc). We maintained completely the duodenal bulb (5 cm from the pylorus), making an end-to-side duodeno-ileal isoperistaltic anastomosis. RESULTS: With this anastomosis, only 2% of patients developed an anastomotic ulcer. With this new procedure, results have been good in terms of weight loss (similar to that of BPD-AHS) and in nutritional complications. No patient has had hypoalbuminemia, diarrhea or halitosis. CONCLUSION: BPD with temporary gastric restriction has provided satisfactory results.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Arrangement of domains, and amino acid residues required for binding of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 to its counter-receptor VLA-4 (alpha 4 beta 1).

Interaction of the vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) with its counter-receptor very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) (integrin alpha 4 beta 1) is important for a number of developmental pathways and inflammatory functions. We are investigating the molecular mechanism of this binding, in the interest of developing new anti-inflammatory drugs that block it. In a previous report, we showed that the predominant form of VCAM-1 on stimulated endothelial cells, seven-domain VCAM (VCAM-7D), is a functionally bivalent molecule. One binding site requires the first and the other requires the homologous immunoglobulin-like domain. Rotary shadowing and electron microscopy of recombinant soluble VCAM-7D molecules suggests that the seven Ig-like domains are extended in a slightly bent linear array, rather than compactly folded together. We have systematically mutagenized the first domain of VCAM-6D (a monovalent, alternately spliced version mission domain 4) by replacing 3-4 amino acids of the VCAM sequence with corresponding portions of the related ICAM-1 molecule. Specific amino acids, important for binding VLA-4 include aspartate 40 (D40), which corresponds to the acidic ICAM-1 residue glutamate 34 (E34) previously reported to be essential for binding of ICAM-1 to its integrin counter-receptor LFA-1. A small region of VCAM including D40, QIDS, can be replaced by the similar ICAM-1 sequence, GIET, without affecting function or epitopes, indicating that this region is part of a general integrin-binding structure rather than a determinant of binding specificity for a particular integrin. The VCAM-1 sequence G65NEH also appears to be involved in binding VLA-4.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Activated endothelium binds lymphocytes through a novel binding site in the alternately spliced domain of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is induced on endothelial cells by inflammatory cytokines, and binds mononuclear leukocytes through the integrin very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) (alpha 4 beta 1). This adhesion pathway has been implicated in a diverse group of physiological and pathological processes, including B cell development, leukocyte activation and recruitment to sites of inflammation, atherosclerosis, and tumor cell metastasis. The major form of VCAM-1 (VCAM-7D) has seven extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, of which the three NH2-terminal domains (domains 1-3) are similar in amino acid sequence to domains 4-6. By functional analysis of VCAM-7D relative to VCAM-6D (a minor 6-domain form of VCAM-1 in which domain 4 is deleted because of alternative splicing), and chimeric constructs between VCAM-1 and its structural relative intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), we show that either the first or the homologous fourth domain of VCAM-1 is required for VLA-4-dependent adhesion. Either of these binding sites can function in the absence of the other. When both are present, cell binding activity is increased relative to monovalent forms of the molecule. The homologous binding regions appear to have originated by internal duplication of a portion of a monovalent ancestral gene, before the mammalian radiation. Thus VCAM-1 exemplifies evolution of a functionally bivalent cell-cell adhesion molecule by intergenic duplication. We have also produced a new class of anti-VCAM-1 monoclonal antibodies that block domain 4-dependent adhesion, and demonstrate that both binding sites participate in the adhesion function of VCAM-1 on endothelial cells in vitro. Therefore both sites must be blocked in clinical, animal, or in vitro studies depending on the use of anti-VCAM-1 antibodies to inactivate the VCAM-1/VLA-4 adhesion pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Activation of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1) gene transcription.

Leukocyte adherence to endothelium is in part mediated by the transient expression of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1) on endothelial surfaces stimulated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), interleukin (IL) 1, or bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The intracellular factors controlling induction of ELAM-1 mRNA and protein are unknown. In nuclear runoff experiments with cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), we demonstrate that transcriptional activation of the ELAM-1 gene occurs following stimulation with TNF. Sequence analysis of the 5' flanking region of the ELAM-1 gene reveals consensus DNA-binding sequences for two known transcription factors, NF-kappa B and AP-1. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrate that TNF, IL-1, or LPS (but not IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, interferon gamma, histamine, or transforming growth factor beta) induces activation of NF-kappa B-like DNA binding activity in HUVEC. In contrast, neither TNF, IL-1, nor LPS activates proteins that bind to an AP-1 consensus sequence under these experimental conditions. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a known activator of protein kinase C (PKC), weakly induces NF-kappa B-like activity, ELAM-1 mRNA, and ELAM-1 surface expression in HUVEC. However, TNF, IL-1, and LPS do not activate PKC in HUVEC at doses that strongly induce NF-kappa B-like protein activation and ELAM-1 gene expression. PKC blockade with H7 does not inhibit activation of these NF-kappa B-like proteins but does inhibit ELAM-1 gene transcription. We conclude that PKC-independent activation of NF-kappa B in HUVEC with TNF, IL-1, or LPS is associated with, but not sufficient for, activation of ELAM-1 gene transcription.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Cloning of an alternate form of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1).

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1) of the Ig superfamily is induced by the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). It binds to mononuclear leukocytes via the integrin VLA-4. We have cloned and expressed a cDNA encoding a new form of human VCAM1 containing an additional Ig homologous domain inserted between the third and fourth domains of the original six-domain protein. Characterization of mRNA from HUVECs from three individuals at various time points after induction by tumor necrosis factor indicates that both the long and short VCAM1 mRNAs are made by all three individuals, with the long form predominating quantitatively. Immunoprecipitation of VCAM1 protein from cos7 cells transfected with each cDNA and from cultured endothelial cells followed by deglycosylation suggests that the long form is the major form found on endothelium. The two forms may result from alternate splicing of a precursor mRNA. Both forms support adhesion of VLA-4-expressing cell lines.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

A blocking monoclonal antibody to endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM1).

ELAM1 is a leukocyte adhesion molecule induced on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by inflammatory cytokines. Balb/C mice were immunized with COS cells transiently expressing cell-surface ELAM1 after transfection with ELAM1 cDNA. After fusion, ELAM1-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) were identified by selective adhesion to ELAM1-expressing, but not control, CHO cells, and to cytokine-treated but not untreated HUVECs. One Mab, designated BB11, binds to and immunoprecipitates ELAM1 expressed on HUVECs, COS and CHO cells. BB11 blocks the interaction of ELAM1 with human PMN, the human myelomonocytic cell line HL60, and the human colon carcinoma line HT29.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1990

Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1: direct expression cloning and functional interactions.

A cDNA for endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1) was isolated by transient expression in COS-7 cells of a subtracted cDNA library from cytokine-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), with selection of ELAM-1-expressing clones by adhesion of transfected cells to the human promyelocytic cell line HL-60. This cloning method requires neither antibody nor purified ligand. ELAM-1-expressing COS cells bind the promyelocytic cell line HL-60 by a Ca2(+)-dependent but temperature-independent mechanism. Although ELAM-1 is homologous to mammalian lectins, its interaction with HL-60 cells is not inhibited by simple carbohydrate structures. ELAM-1-expressing COS cells also bind human neutrophils and the human colon carcinoma cell line HT-29, but not the B-cell line Ramos. However, Ramos cells adhere to cytokine-treated HUVECs but not control HUVECs, confirming the existence of other inducible adhesion molecules. In addition, the binding of HL-60 cells or neutrophils to ELAM-1-expressing COS cells is not inhibited by a monoclonal antibody (60.3) directed to an inhibitory epitope on CD18, indicating that the ELAM-1 ligand, although uncharacterized, is not a member of the CD11/CD18 family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

[Alloplasts in the therapy of hernias].

With the use of mesh prosthetics, it is now easy to repair most difficult hernias with no suture line tension. The Authors report their experience (1984-1988) of dacron meshes: they performed 63 alloplasties with a total of 665 repairs for hernias (9.5%) and the results were satisfactory. They observed only 2 recurrences. The technique is good and can be done safely on all difficult hernias.

Female↗
PubMed1989

Direct expression cloning of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, a cytokine-induced endothelial protein that binds to lymphocytes.

We have cloned a previously undescribed adhesion molecule, VCAM-1, which is induced by cytokines on human endothelial cells and binds lymphocytes. Using a novel method requiring neither monoclonal antibodies nor purified protein, VCAM-1-expressing clones were selected by adhesion to human lymphoid cell lines. VCAM-1 mRNA is present in endothelial cells at 2 hr after treatment with IL-1 or TNF-alpha and is maintained for at least 72 hr; leukocyte binding activity parallels mRNA induction. Cells transfected with VCAM-1 bind the human leukemia lines Jurkat, Ramos, Raji, HL60, and THP1, but not peripheral blood neutrophils. VCAM-1, which belongs to the immunoglobulin gene super-family, may be central to recruitment of mononuclear leukocytes into inflammatory sites in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗