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D Giuffrida

Publications and source records attributed to D Giuffrida.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Anti-inflammatory activity of extract and fractions from Nepeta sibthorpii Bentham.

Several species of Nepeta genus are utilized in folk medicine for treatment of contusions, rheumatic pains, fever, cutaneous eruptions. Some species are employed for their anti-inflammatory properties. In this paper, we report the results of phytochemical studies on aerial parts of Nepeta sibthorpii Bentham (Lamiaceae), an endemic plant of Greece. The bioassay-guided fractionation of methanol extract led to the isolation of ursolic acid and polyphenol fraction. By HPLC, we determined some phenolics: chlorogenic acid (0.315 mg/g) and the flavonoids rutin (0.091 mg/g), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (0.387 mg/g) and a luteolin derivative. We assayed the radical scavenging activity of Nepeta sibthorpii methanol extract by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Moreover, we studied the anti-inflammatory activity of Nepeta sibthorpii methanol extract (50 mg/kg, os), ursolic acid and polyphenol fraction (dose corresponding to 50 mg/kg of methanol extract, os) in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rat. In this experimental model, we observed a significant inhibition of paw oedema. We suppose that the anti-inflammatory effect of methanol extract could be related to the free radical scavenging activity and that it depends on a synergic action of all the components of the methanol extract, even if ursolic acid can be considered the main responsible for this activity.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Determination of copper, zinc, selenium, lead and cadmium in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) using potentiometric stripping methods.

Potentiometric stripping analysis was used to determine simultaneously the content of zinc(II), cadmium(II), lead(II) and copper(II) in potatoes, whereas the concentration of selenium was determined by cathodic stripping potentiometric analysis. Metal cations were extracted from potatoes by hydrogen peroxide/hydrochloric acid treatments. The relative standard deviation of the methods ranged from 2.3 to 4.1% and the detection limits were lower than 2.5 microg kg(-1). The results obtained with the proposed methods were compared with those obtained with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy, a common method for determining metals. The results of the two methods agreed to within 6.1%. Twelve samples of yellow flesh potatoes from different cultivars were analysed. Of all the metals determined, Cu and Zn were the most abundant with concentrations between 0.5 and 4.6 mg kg(-1). Selenium was only found in three samples in very low amounts (<0.1 mg kg(-1)), whilst Pb and Cd concentrations were in the range 0.01-0.27 mg kg(-1).

Cadmium↗
PubMed2003

Metastasis to the thyroid gland: a case report and review of the literature.

Metastatic cancer to the thyroid is uncommon. Although the thyroid is richly supplied with blood, there are a few reports of metastatic cancer spreading to this gland. The overall incidence in autopsy series has been quite varied, with rates from 1.2 to 24% of malignant tumors. Most of this metastases are not detected in clinical practice. The majority of these patients had widespread metastases and, as a result, had very short survival times. Although detection of metastases to the thyroid gland often indicates poor prognosis, aggressive surgical and medical treatment may be effective, especially for renal carcinoma. In this report, we present a case of renal carcinoma with thyroid metastases and a review of the literature.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Differentiated thyroid cancer in children and adolescents.

In this retrospective study we analyzed cancer characteristics and outcome in a consecutive series of 48 young patients (< or =20 yr of age) with a differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), observed during the period 1977-1998. In none of them was thyroid cancer related to ionizing radiation. The median age was 18.1 yr, range 7-20, and the female/male ratio was 2.5/1. Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) occurred in 83% and follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) in 17% of cases. All patients underwent total or near total thyroidectomy plus pre- and/or paratracheal lymphnode dissection. Surgery complication rate was low (4% permanent hypoparathyroidism; no permanent lesion of recurrent laryngeal nerve). Extrathyroid disease was present in 52% of patients with PTC and in 50% of patients with FTC, while nodal metastases were present in 62.5% of patients with PTC and in 12.5% of patients with FTC. Lung metastases occurred in 10 patients with PTC (25%) and in none with FTC. Twenty-one patients required radioiodine treatment for metastatic disease: 11 patients for relapsing lymph-node metastases, 4 patients for lung metastases, 6 patients for both lymph-node and lung metastases. After a mean follow-up of 85+/-12 months all patients followed regularly (no.=47) were alive; 37 patients (79%) were free of disease and 10 (21%) had residual disease. Our results indicate that non-radiation-related DTC occurring in young patients often presents at an advanced stage. For this reason, although the prognosis is usually good in these patients, we believe that total or near total thyroidectomy with lymphadenectomy is always the required initial surgical treatment.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗
PubMed2001

RET proto-oncogene mutation in a mixed medullary-follicular thyroid carcinoma.

A case of a patient with an uncommon thyroid carcinoma, showing histological and immunohistochemical features of both follicular and parafollicular cells is described. Somatic point mutation (ATG to ACG heterozygotic mutation at codon 918) of the RET proto-oncogene was detected in tumor tissue, as confirmed by immunohistochemical expression of RET oncoprotein. Our findings suggest that constitutive RET proto-oncogene activation may be involved in the development of mixed medullary-follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗
PubMed2001

Usefulness of recombinant human thyrotropin in the radiometabolic treatment of selected patients with thyroid cancer.

Treatment of persistent/recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer is based on surgery, when feasible, and malignant tissue ablation by 131I administration. This procedure requires levothyroxine withdrawal to obtain high levels of endogenous thyrotropin (TSH) to stimulate radioactive iodine uptake by the malignant tissue. Levothyroxine withdrawal may cause severe adverse effects and complications in patients with concomitant illness or advanced metastatic disease. The recent availability of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) allows diagnostic whole-body scan (WBS) and thyroglobulin testing without levothyroxine withdrawal. We describe six patients with metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and concomitant illness in whom the use of rhTSH was effective in preventing the complications that patients had previously experienced during hypothyroidism consequent to levothyroxine withdrawal. Our results indicate that rhTSH can be particularly advantageous to avoid signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism and complications because of associated diseases in view of 131I treatment of DTC metastases in selected cases in which levothyroxine withdrawal may be dangerous. Its efficacy to treat advanced metastatic disease should be further investigated.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Cardiac metastasis from primary anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: report of three cases and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Clinically evident cardiac metastases from malignant neoplasms are uncommon. The frequency of thyroid metastasis to the heart is very low. To our knowledge, over the last 20 years only a few cases have been reported in the entire literature. Metastatic cardiac involvement occurs most often during the terminal stage. PATIENTS: We present three cases of anaplastic thyroid cancer with metastatic involvement of the heart. RESULTS: Two of the patients died from cardiac problems. The absence of early symptoms makes the clinical diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma difficult. CONCLUSIONS: Anaplastic thyroid cancer is an aggressive cancer with a dismal prognosis. It should be borne in mind as a source of cardiac metastasis and a cause of cardiac death.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

DNA-binding sequence of the human prostate-specific homeodomain protein NKX3.1.

NKX3.1 is a member of the NK class of homeodomain proteins and is most closely related to Drosophila NK-3. NKX3.1 has predominantly prostate-specific expression in the adult human. Previous studies suggested that NKX3.1 exerts a growth-suppressive effect on prostatic epithelial cells and controls differentiated glandular functions. Using a binding site selection assay with recombinant NKX3.1 protein we identified a TAAGTA consensus binding sequence that has not been reported for any other NK class homeoprotein. By electromobility shift assay we demonstrated that NKX3.1 preferentially binds the TAAGTA sequence rather than the binding site for Nkx2.1 (CAAGTG) or Msx1 (TAATTG). Using mutated binding sites in competitive gel shift assays, we analyzed the nucleotides in the TAAGTA consensus sequence that are important for NKX3.1 binding. The consensus binding site of a naturally occurring polymorphic NKX3.1 protein with arginine replaced by cysteine at position 52 was identical to the wild-type binding sequence. The binding affinities of wild-type and polymorphic NKX3.1 for the TAAGTA consensus site were very similar, with values of 20 and 22 nM, respectively. Wild-type and polymorphic NKX3.1 specifically repressed transcription of luciferase from a reporter vector with three copies of the NKX3.1-binding site upstream from a thymidine kinase promoter. The data show that among NK family proteins NKX3.1 binds a novel DNA sequence and can behave as an in vitro transcriptional repressor.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: current diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), accounting for 5% to 15% of primary malignant thyroid neoplasms, is one of the most aggressive solid tumors in humans. Generally, it is rapidly fatal, with a mean survival of six months after diagnosis. Multimodality treatment with surgery and/or external beam radiotherapy and chemotherapy are of fundamental importance for local control of disease and to enhance survival. DESIGN: We evaluated consecutive patients with ATC observed at the Mayo Clinic from 1971 to 1993 and reviewed relevant articles published in major English-language medical journals. We used the MEDLINE database, selected bibliographies, and articles available in our personal files. RESULTS: ATC usually does not concentrate radioiodine or express thyroglobulin. It is essential to verify the diagnosis histologically because insular thyroid cancer, lymphomas, and medullary thyroid cancer are occasionally confused with undifferentiated neoplasms. Immunohistochemical study is helpful in establishing the diagnosis. Multimodal therapy and the development of effective systemic chemotherapeutic agents should result in improvements in survival, although no single agent has yet been identified. CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive multimodality treatment regimens show promise in improving local control in patients with ATC. However, survival rates remain low. Despite intense application of such therapy, no standardized successful treatment protocol has been established.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed2000

Thyroid carcinosarcoma, a rare and aggressive histotype: a case report.

Thyroid carcinosarcoma is a rare and aggressive thyroid tumor. Histological examination of a tumor showed the characteristic of epithelial carcinoma and mesenchymal differentiation. We retrospectively analyzed the course of the patient and reviewed the literature in which only 19 other cases are described. Carcinosarcoma of the thyroid is a very aggressive tumor with a clinical course similar to anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Survival is very short despite aggressive multimodal treatment.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed2000

Sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) gene expression in lymph-node metastases of papillary thyroid carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the influence of alteration of iodine trapping on the prognosis of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinomas, focusing on the expression of the Na+/I(-) symporter (NIS). DESIGN: We evaluated the expression of the NIS gene in a series of 11 enlarged neck lymph-node metastases of papillary thyroid carcinomas, including four patients in whom an enlarged lymph node represented the first sign of the tumoral disease. Nine lymph nodes, either reactive or metastatic for non-thyroid tumors, were also investigated. METHODS: Expression of the NIS gene was evaluated by RT-PCR in material obtained by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. RESULTS: The NIS gene was expressed in eight (73%) of 11 differentiated thyroid cancer metastatic lymph nodes examined. Five of these metastatic lymph nodes were positive at the post-treatment total-body iodine-131 scan; in the other three, the total-body scan showed no uptake in the metastatic tissues, indicating an alteration downstream to the NIS mRNA synthesis causing the loss of iodide uptake. As expected, when the NIS mRNA expression was absent, total-body (131)I scan showed no uptake in the metastatic lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that NIS gene expression may be absent in metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinomas and that different mechanisms, other than loss of NIS transcription, may also be involved in the loss of iodide uptake in metastatic thyroid cells. Study of NIS gene expression in the metastatic lymph nodes, therefore, may provide useful information in the management of patients with thyroid carcinoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid in the young. Clinical and histopathologic aspects].

BACKGROUND: The surgical approach to Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma (DTC) is controversial. Aim of this study is to evaluate the opportunity of total thyroidectomy as treatment of choice for DTC in children. METHODS: We examined the tumor features at diagnosis, the complications of surgery and the clinical outcome in a consecutive series of 33 young patients, (age range 7-19 yrs), who underwent total thyroidectomy for DTC as compared to a consecutive series of 181 adult patients operated for DTC (age range 20-64 yrs). RESULTS: Histopathological examination has shown that bilateral foci of the tumor and extrathyroidal extension, were present with similar frequency in both groups of patients (15 vs 18% and 39 vs 48% respectively); node metastases and distant metastases were more frequent in young patients than in adult patients. Complications of total thyroidectomy were not frequent with 6% of permanent hypoparathyroidism. No case of laryngeal nerve damage was observed. In 7/8 patients with lung metastases the radioiodine treatment was effective: in four patients we observed a complete remission of disease, and in three patients a partial response with a decrease of Tg levels and a reduction of the radioiodine uptake areas. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid carcinoma is not less aggressive in children than in adults. Total thyroidectomy plus lymph node dissections appears to be the treatment of choice as routine surgical treatment of DTC in children. Radioiodine therapy gives good results for the treatment of lung metastases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Analysis of RET proto-oncogene abnormalities in patients with MEN 2A, MEN 2B, familial or sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) may occur either as a sporadic or familial (FMTC) disease. Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2, inherited as an autosomal dominant disease, is characterized by coexistence of MTC with other endocrine neoplasia. Activating mutations of the RET proto-oncogene, involving the somatic or the germinal cell lineage, are found in both inherited and acquired forms. In this study, RET mutations were screened in 47 individuals either affected by MTC or belonging to families with hereditary MTC. Exons 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the RET gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and examined by DNA sequence and/or restriction enzyme analysis to detect mutations in purified amplicons. Six MEN 2A families with a germline mutation at codon 634, one FMTC family carrying a mutation at codon 618 and two MEN 2B families with a mutation at codon 918 were identified. In affected members of a MEN 2A family no known RET mutations were observed. Besides, we identified a germline mutation in a patient with apparently sporadic MTC and in two out of three sons, indicating the presence of a sporadic misclassified familial disease. In all of the families examined we were able to distinguish the affected vs unaffected (not at risk) members. A somatic mutation of codon 918 was detected in three out of ten patients with apparently sporadic MTC.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Current diagnosis and management of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) originates in the thyroid C cells, accounting for 5% to 10% of all thyroid malignancies. Approximately 75% of cases are sporadic. Significant advances have been made in the molecular biology of MTC, but some aspects of diagnosis and management still remain controversial. DESIGN: We reviewed relevant articles published in major English-language medical journals. We used the MEDLINE database, selected bibliographies, and articles available in our personal files. RESULTS: Mutations of the RET proto-oncogene have been identified in the germline DNA of patients with familial MTC syndromes. Genetic testing can identify patients affected by multiple endocrine neoplasia types IIA and IIB and familial MTC, allowing early diagnosis and possible cure. Surgical treatment is total thyroidectomy. Plasma calcitonin measurements are excellent markers for postoperative follow-up. Adjunctive therapy includes radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The overall prognosis is worse than papillary thyroid carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Recent advances in genetic testing allow early diagnosis and treatment of familial MTC syndromes. Despite some advances in treatment, optimal management remains controversial.

Carcinoma, Medullary↗
PubMed1998

Outcome of differentiated thyroid cancer in Graves' patients.

The clinical behavior and outcome was evaluated in 21 nonoccult differentiated thyroid carcinomas occurring in Graves' patients during the period 1982-94 and compared with that of matched tumors occurring in euthyroid controls (n = 70). At surgery, patients with Graves' disease showed distant metastases more frequently than euthyroid patients (3/21 = 14.3% vs. 1/70 = 1.4%, P = 0.0556). Graves' patients also showed a significantly higher cumulative risk of recurrent/progressive distant metastases or total adverse events (odd ratios = 3.14 and 2.07, respectively) as compared with euthyroid patients. At the last follow-up visit, persistence of distant metastases was also more frequent in the Graves' group (P = 0.007), although the cumulative individual dose of radioiodine administered was higher than in the control group (median dose = 805 mCi vs. 350 mCi). Two patients died in the Graves' group vs. none in the control group. Circulating thyroid stimulating antibodies were present in all patients but one and persisted as long as signs of disease were evident. These findings indicate that differentiated thyroid carcinomas in patients with Graves' disease are more aggressive than those occurring in matched euthyroid controls and should, therefore, be managed accordingly.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

False positive 131I total body scan due to bilateral polycystic renal disease.

A radioiodine accumulation at Total Body Scan (TBS) in patient who has been thyroidectomized for a differentiated thyroid cancer is usually a reliable indicator of recurrent or metastatic functioning thyroid tissue. Radioiodine uptake may be usually observed at TBS in areas such as the intestinal tract, liver, salivary glands, bladder, and also in case of blood vessel ectasia. This report describes a patient with a bilaterally significant 131I uptake in upper abdomen. By ultrasound and radionuclide imaging the 131I uptake was proven to be due to radioiodine accumulation caused by bilateral polycystic renal disease.

False Positive Reactions↗
PubMed1997

Early diagnosis by genetic analysis of differentiated thyroid cancer metastases in small lymph nodes.

We report a PCR-based technique for detecting thyroid cancer metastases in small nodes <1.5 cm diameter by the amplification of thyroid specific transcripts TSH-receptor and thyroglobulin. A 100% correspondence with the histopathological diagnosis was observed in the 41/46 nodes (89%) in which an adequate sample was obtained at fine needle aspiration. The genetic analysis resulted more sensitive and accurate than both the cytological analysis (28% inadequate samples, 17% false negative diagnoses) and the thyroglobulin measurement in the aspirates (39% false negatives). The PCR-based genetic analysis may provide a useful tool for diagnosis and follow-up of thyroid cancer.

Biopsy, Needle↗