PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Vindigni

Publications and source records attributed to C Vindigni.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Expression of phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated neurofilament subunits and cytokeratins in neuroendocrine lung tumors.

In this study antibodies specific for different intermediate-sized proteins (cytokeratins and neurofilaments) have been tested on a series of neuroendocrine (NE) lung tumors in order to evaluate their diagnostic validity. In particular we used a panel of polyclonal anti-neurofilament 200-kilodalton subunits whose reactivity against phospho-dependent epitopes was known. At least one NF subunit was constantly present and in all cases coexpression of cytokeratins and neurofilaments was confirmed. However, in cases of carcinoid tumor (CT) the results were homogeneous, while the cases of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) showed a much wider range of immunostaining. Our investigation confirms the hypothesis that the phosphorylation state is a significant determinant of immunohistochemical properties of neurofilaments. This might explain the large number of negative results obtained in previous investigations on NE tumors. The phosphorylation of neurofilaments may also be considered an indication of the degree of differentiation of the tumor.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1989

Expression of actin isoforms and intermediate filament proteins in childhood orbital rhabdomyosarcomas.

The diagnosis of orbital rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) in childhood gives rise to several clinical and anatomo-pathological problems. Antibodies recognizing structural proteins and cytoskeletal components have been shown to increase the diagnostic accuracy of different neoplastic lesions. In this study we examined anatomo-clinically and, where possible, by means of immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, a series of 14 cases of orbital RMS in childhood. In the 12 cases studied by immunohistochemistry, desmin was always present, although showing variable patterns, and alpha-sarcomeric actin was found in 10 cases. alpha-Smooth muscle actin was always absent. The other markers tested (myoglobin, polyclonal actin, vimentin and enolase) proved unreliable for several reasons. We conclude that antibodies against desmin and alpha-sarcomeric actin are useful for the diagnostic definition of RMS. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis supplies data regarding the degree of tumor differentiation and may be applied to monitor radio- and chemotherapy.

Actins↗
PubMed1988

Flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy pattern from deparaffinized formalin-fixed gastric cancer tissue.

Histologically processed tissue from gastric cancers has been analyzed by flow cytometry in an attempt to correlate DNA ploidy pattern and behavior of the tumor. Of the mucosal and submucosal cancers (so-called early, all stage I in the present series), 62.7% show a diploid DNA pattern and 37.3% show a single aneuploid pattern. Of the deeply infiltrating (beyond the submucosa) cancers (stage II and III), 52.1% are single aneuploid and 47.9% are multiploid. While stage-I patients are all alive at the end of the follow-up period (6 years), in stage II and III cases Cox's regression model shows that the hazard function depends on DNA pattern: survival is negatively influenced by multiploidy. On this basis, it may be assumed that the DNA pattern is a useful prognostic indicator of gastric cancer. As expected, in Cox's regression model an even more important negative correlation exists between survival and stage: single aneuploid cases in stage II have a better prognosis than those in stage III. Instead, no correlation is found between histological cancer subtype (Laurén and WHO classifications), grade and DNA pattern.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Distribution of cytoskeletal and contractile proteins in normal and tumour bearing salivary and lacrimal glands.

We have evaluated by means of immunocytochemistry the distribution of various cytoskeletal and contractile proteins (cytokeratins, vimentin, desmin and alpha-smooth muscle actin) in 23 salivary or lacrimal gland primary tumours (15 pleomorphic adenomas and 8 carcinomas in pleomorphic adenoma), one third of which contained areas of normal gland. Normal epithelial luminal cells were stained by cytokeratin antibodies with a general specificity, while myoepithelial cells were selectively stained by a monoclonal antibody (SK2-27) reacting in immunoblots with cytokeratin polypeptides 14, 16 and 17, according to the classification of Moll et al. (1982) and by an antibody directed against alpha-smooth muscle actin (Skalli et al. 1986). In pleomorphic adenomas, both epithelial and myoepithelial cells displayed typical topographic distributions; moreover, myoepithelial cells showed two distinct cytoskeletal phenotypes. These findings could account in part for the heterogeneity of aspects observed in this tumour. In carcinomas, malignant cells were always positive to cytokeratin antibodies with general specificity and myoepithelial cells were absent as judged by anticytokeratin SK2-27 and anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin immunostainings. However, interestingly, there was in all cases a strong positivity for alpha-smooth muscle actin in stromal cells, similarly to what has previously been described for mammary carcinoma (Skalli et al. 1986). Our findings may be useful for the interpretation of the histogenesis of salivary and lacrimal tumour and stromal cells.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗
PubMed1988

N-nitrosoproline excretion in patients with gastric lesions and in a control population.

N-Nitrosoproline (NPRO) excretion was measured in a group of hospital in-patients who were identified as either bearing gastric lesions or having apparently healthy stomachs. NPRO was assayed in background 24-h urine samples and then in urines collected after loading doses of nitrate and proline. The presence of gastric lesions was associated with altered gastric juice pH and nitrite concentration, but not with NPRO excretion. The significance of NPRO excretion as a marker of endogenous nitrosation is dependent on the interpretation of this result.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Gastric dysplasia: a stereological and morphometrical assessment.

The grading systems of gastric dysplasia suffer from the lack of criteria that separate the changes with an acceptable reproducibility. Repeatable and objective grading of the lesion can be obtained by morphometrically measuring histological criteria normally employed in qualitative grading. In 54 consecutive antrum biopsy specimens in which a blind, independent agreement on the grade of dysplasia had been reached between four independent pathologists, stereological and nuclear morphometrical features have been studied. Single variate, bivariate and multivariate analyses have been performed. Architectural parameters, such as volume and surface densities of glands and epithelium, are especially good discriminators both between mild and moderate, and between moderate and severe dysplasia. Features describing arrangement and shape of nuclei, and nucleolar size are of additional help in improving the objective distinction between moderate and severe dysplasia.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Nuclear morphometry as an important prognostic factor in stage I renal cell carcinoma.

Although 60% of Stage I renal carcinoma patients die from tumor within 5 years postoperatively, a considerable percentage survive that period. Nuclear grading can help to predict the outcome, but many of the patients are Grade 2, and the prognosis of this subclass is uncertain. Therefore, nuclear morphometry was carried out in 41 patients with Stage I renal cell carcinoma. Of these, 24 died within 5 years and 17 have survived that period. Using a mean nuclear area of 32 micron 2 as the decision threshold, none of the 24 short-term survivors are below that threshold and three of the long-term survivors exceed that value (18% false-positives) (99% confidence limit). Separate analysis with sets for learning and testing and Grade 2 patients gave similar results. The results show the essential prognostic value of morphometry in this set of patients with Stage I renal cell carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

A case-referent study on nasal cancer and exposure to wood dust in the province of Siena, Italy.

The aim of the present study was to assess the risk of nasal cancer associated with exposure to dust in the wood and furniture industry in the province of Siena, Italy. Four to seven percent of the active male population is employed in this sector. A case-referent approach was used. The cases included male subjects seen at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic and the Radiotherapy Unit of Siena and diagnosed as having cancer of the nasal cavities or paranasal sinuses between 1963 and 1981. The referents were male patients admitted to the Medical Clinic of Siena for all causes except nasal neoplasia; they were matched 5:1 to the cancer patients for age and time of admission. Information was gathered (by postal questionnaires) on the occupational histories of all 36 of the cancer patients and 164 of the 180 referents. The odds ratio associated with exposure to wood dust was 5.4 (1.7-17.2) for all carcinomas, and 87.7 (19.8-407.3) for mucinous adenocarcinoma. The woods used by the exposed cancer patients were mainly oak, chestnut, poplar, and fir. The median duration of exposure was 40 years; no exposed cancer patient reported the presence of exhaust systems in their work environment.

Adult↗