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Biomedical subjects

D Moro

Publications and source records attributed to D Moro.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Radioimmunotherapy of small cell lung carcinoma with the two-step method using a bispecific anti-carcinoembryonic antigen/anti-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) antibody and iodine-131 Di-DTPA hapten: results of a phase I/II trial.

As small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is frequently a widespread disease at diagnosis, highly radiosensitive and often only partially responsive to chemotherapy, radioimmunotherapy (RIT) would appear to be a promising technique for treatment. We report the preliminary results of a Phase I/II trial of RIT in SCLC using a two-step method and a myeloablative protocol with circulating stem cells transplantation. Fourteen patients with proved SCLC relapse after chemotherapy were treated with RIT. They were first injected i.v. with a bispecific (anti-carcinoembryonic antigen/anti-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) monoclonal antibody (20-80 mg in 100 ml of saline solution) and then 4 days later with di-(In-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid)-tyrosyl-lysine hapten labeled with 1.48-6.66 GBq (40-180 mCi) of I-131 and diluted in 100 ml of saline solution. In patients receiving 150 mCi or more, circulating stem cells were harvested before treatment and reinfused 10-15 days later. Treatment response was evaluated by CT and biochemical data during the month before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. All patients received the scheduled dose without immediate adverse reactions to bispecific antibody or 1-131 hapten. Toxicity was mainly hematological, with two cases of grade 2 leukopenia and three cases of grade 3 or 4 thrombopenia. Body scanning 8 days after injection of the radiolabeled hapten generally showed good uptake at the tumor sites. Estimated tumor dose was 2.6-32.2 cGy/mCi. Among the 12 patients evaluated to date, we have observed 9 progressions, 2 partial responses (one almost complete for 3 months), and 1 stabilization of more than 24 months. Efficiency and toxicity were dose-related. The maximal tolerable dose without hematological rescue was 150 mCi. These preliminary results are encouraging, and dose escalation is currently continuing to reach 300 mCi. RIT should prove to be an interesting therapeutic method for SCLC, although repeated injections and hematological rescue will probably be required, as well as combination with other treatment modalities.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Percutaneous treatment of superior vena cava obstruction].

Endovascular therapies represent the most efficient treatment of benign or malignant obstructions of the superior vena cava. The indication of stenting in case of malignant obstruction depends on the severity of the superior vena cava syndrome, the histological type of the tumor, and the response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Restoration of the superior vena cava patency is obtained in more than 90% of cases, with persistent good mid and long term results. Complications are rare, especially after early treatment. Stenting of benign obstructions, especially in patients who undergo hemodialysis, allows to restore venous accesses. However, indication of treatment may be discussed because the initial and late patencies are lower than in malignant obstructions.

Angioplasty↗
PubMed1998

Alternating radiotherapy and chemotherapy for inoperable Stage III non-small-cell lung cancer: long-term results of two Phase II GOTHA trials. Groupe d'Oncologie Thoracique Alpine.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: To report on two consecutive Phase II cooperative trials in which we evaluated the combination of alternating hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy and cisplatin-based chemotherapy in inoperable Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS & METHODS: Between February 1986 and September 1989, 65 patients were entered in the first trial (GOTHA I), and between December 1989 and October 1992 67 were enrolled in the second trial (GOTHA II). In both protocols, radiotherapy (RT) was administered twice daily, at 6 h intervals, 5 days a week, to a total dose of 63 Gy in 42 fractions of 1.5 Gy. RT was given during weeks 2, 3, 6, and 7, over an elapsed time of 6 weeks. In GOTHA I, three cycles of cisplatin, 60 mg/m2 day 1, mitomycin, 8 mg/m2 day 1, and vindesin 3 mg/m2 day 1 and the first day of the following week, were given during weeks 1, 5, and 9; in GOTHA II, cisplatin 70 mg/m2 day 1 and vinblastin 5 mg/m2 day 1 and the first day of the following week were given during weeks 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21. RESULTS: With a minimum follow-up of 3 years, the 1-, 2-, 5-, and 8-year overall survival probability was 56% (95% CI 47-64%), 27% (20-35%), 12% (7-18%) and 9% (3-16%), respectively, with a median survival of 13.6 months (11.4-16.8). Median follow-up for survivors was 6 years (3.3-9.9). There were no survival differences between Stages IIIA and IIIB (p = 0.84), performance status 0, 1, 2 (p = 0.87), sex (p = 0.45) or between the two treatment protocols. At this time, 14 patients are alive, and 118 have died: 102 from NSCLC, 4 from acute toxicity, 2 from secondary surgery, 4 from other medical causes, and 6 from unknown causes. Correlation between response and long-term survival was poor, since of the 24 patients who survived 3 years or more, only 6 (25%) were classified as having a complete response; the remainder having either a partial response (11, 46%), no change (6, 25 %), or "progressive disease" (1, 4 %). First site of relapse was local in 31% of these cases, distant in 43%, local and distant in 15 %, and unknown in 11%. Main grade 3-4 acute toxicities were nausea-vomiting (17%), mucositis (15%), leukopenia (41%), and thrombocytopenia (11%). Eight patients presented with grade 3-4 symptomatic lung radiation pneumopathy. CONCLUSION: Based on this experience with 132 patients, this combination of alternated RT and chemotherapy (CT) for inoperable Stage III NSCLC is feasible with acceptable toxicity, and long-term results suggest a gain in survival when compared to those obtained with conventional RT alone. However, the still high local and distant failure rates indicate that both local and systemic therapies need to be improved.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Reduced growth hormone (GH) responsiveness to combined GH-releasing hormone and pyridostigmine administration in the Prader-Willi syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: It is unclear whether the blunted GH secretion in Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a true deficiency, or merely secondary to obesity. We have investigated the role of obesity in the blunted GH secretion in PWS. DESIGN: We studied the GH response to a combined administration of GHRH (1 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) and pyridostigmine (PD) (60 and 120 mg by mouth for children and adults, respectively, at time -60 min), as well as the baseline IGF-I levels, in a group of patients with PWS. Two different control groups were studied with GHRH + PD using the same doses and methods as above: prepubertal and pubertal obese subjects, and prepubertal short normal children. Moreover, in 14 patients with PWS and in the group of short normals the GH response to at least two stimulation tests (insulin tolerance test, clonidine, L-dopa, arginine) had been previously determined. PATIENTS: Twenty-two PWS patients (10 males and 12 females), 21 with essential obesity (11 males and 10 females), and eight short normal children (4 males and 4 females) were studied after obtaining informed consent. MEASUREMENTS: Blood samples were taken at -60, -30 and 0 min and then 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min after GHRH administration. Serum GH was measured in duplicate by IRMA, and IGF-I by RIA after acid ethanol extraction. Statistical analysis was performed by t-test for unpaired data, and analysis of variance for parametric or nonparametric data, where appropriate. RESULTS: The GH response to GHRH + PD was significantly lower in PWS patients (AUC: mean +/- SE: 599 +/- 99 micrograms/l/h) if compared with either short normal children (3294 +/- 461 micrograms/l/h: P < 0.0001) or obese subjects (1445 +/- 210 micrograms/l/h: P < 0.005). Low IGF-I concentrations were found in all PWS patients, so that PWS group had mean IGF-I levels significantly lower than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that subjects with PWS had a reduced GH responsiveness to GHRH + PD associated with subnormal IGF-I levels. These findings suggested that short stature in PWS may be at least partially correlated to the presence of GH deficiency, and that impaired GH secretion is not secondary to obesity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM) and NCAM-PSA expression in neuroendocrine lung tumors.

Neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM) represent specific markers of neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation in lung cancer. Because the polysialic acid form (NCAM-PSA) has reduced adhesion properties, we hypothesized that NCAM-PSA expression could favor metastatic spread. Immunostaining of NCAM and NCAM-PSA were therefore compared in 120 NE lung tumors, including 17 typical carcinoids, 3 atypical carcinoids, 30 large cell NE carcinomas and 70 small cell lung carcinomas, as compared with 25 adenocarcinomas and 25 squamous cell carcinomas. Neural cell adhesion molecules were negative in adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas but were constantly expressed in all NE tumors from typical carcinoids to small cell lung carcinomas. NCAM-PSA expression was significantly more frequent in high-grade tumors, with 24 of 30 positive cases in large cell NE carcinomas and 65 of 70 positive cases in small cell lung carcinoma, than in carcinoids with 10 of 17 and 2 of 3 positive cases in typical carcinoids and atypical carcinoids, respectively. The neural cell adhesion molecule-polysialic acid form scores of staining were significantly higher in high-grade as compared with low-grade tumors (p = 0.002), and were correlated with nodal spread (p = 0.04) and metastasis (p = 0.016) across histologic classes but not in individual tumor type. We conclude that NCAM-PSA connotes poor differentiation and aggressive clinical behavior in the spectrum of NE lung tumors, but cannot be regarded as a prognostic factor in individual tumor classes.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

[Atropine poisoning. Importance of the clinical diagnosis].

A case of suspected high dose atropine poisoning is described. In a veterinarian good healthy young man the appearance of light coma with psychomotor agitation and the contemporary presence of evident symptoms of muscarinic peripheral block, suggesting an anticholinergic syndrome, an atropine-like intoxication in absence of toxicological analysis. The safely clinical course of the poisoning during observation in intensive care unit permitted the discharge of the patient without sequelae and without treatment with physostigmine as antidote.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Leptin and neuropeptide Y serum levls in young obese during weight loss].

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Correlations between serum leptin (LEP) and BMI and the percentage of fat mass (FM), as well as differences between male and female serum levels and their behaviour during weight loss have already been extensively described in adult obesity, whereas few cases have been examined in child and adolescent obesity. There are also few studies of the alterations in NPY in peripheral blood in obese subjects during weight loss. METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate the correlations between LEP and BMI, FM% and NPY in 72 obese subjects, with BMI > 35 (29 males and 43 females) aged between 9.6 and 19.8 years old, during weight loss together with any differences between the sexes. RESULTS: LEP was positively correlated in both sexes with BMI and FM%, whereas no correlation emerged with NPY; LEP levels decreased gradually during weight loss, whereas no changes were observed in NPY except during the first phases of weight loss in males when the decrease was significant. LEP concentrations were significantly higher in females, who also showed a higher FM% with equal BMI. No difference was observed between NPY levels in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that: 1) the behaviour of LEP in child-adolescent obesity is broadly comparable to that described in adult obesity; 2) the highest LEP concentrations with equal BMI in females appear to reflect the different body composition of the two sexes given that females have a higher FM%; 3) the control exerted by LEP on hypothalamic NPY cannot be seen in peripheral blood and no differences emerged between the two sexes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

p53 mutant immunophenotype and deregulation of p53 transcription pathway (Bcl2, Bax, and Waf1) in precursor bronchial lesions of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the end result of a multistep process in which genetic and molecular changes accompany, in an unknown temporal sequence, histological precursor (preinvasive) bronchial lesions. Biomarkers allowing prediction of the rate of progression of precursor lesions at different locations in the anatomical field may be clinically useful. Toward this aim, we analyzed, using immunohistochemistry, the expression of the p53 gene and of its transcriptional target genes bax, bcl2, and waf1 in preinvasive bronchial lesions from 69 patients with lung cancer and in similar lesions from 20 patients with no cancer progression. p53 accumulation occurred with increasing frequency, from 19% in mild dysplasia to 36% in moderate dysplasia and 59% in carcinoma in situ, and was exclusively observed in patients with p53-positive carcinoma. The higher frequency of the p53-positive immunophenotype in lesions adjacent to the p53-positive carcinoma, as compared to lesions distant from it, suggests that p53 mutant preneoplastic lesions had a higher rate of progression to invasion than did p53-negative lesions. Similar lesions in patients with no progression to lung cancer were all p53 negative. Bcl2 overexpression and Bax down-regulation, as shown by immunostaining, occurred in preinvasive lesions and were mainly maintained during invasion. The expressions of bax, bcl2, and waf1 did not correlate with p53 status. We conclude that p53 stabilization in preinvasive lesions has high predictive value for progression to invasion and that Bax/Bcl2 imbalance contributes to the clonal expansion during premalignant states.

Bronchial Neoplasms↗
PubMed1997

Long-term survivors of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC): a French multicenter study. Groupe d'Oncologie de Langue Française.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze SCLC patients beyond 30 months, particularly their outcome, their way of life, and factors which could influence relapses, second-primary cancers and death. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1986 and May 1995, 263 SCLC patients who survived longer than 30 months were included from 52 French institutions. The analysis was performed on the 155 cases confirmed by a pathologic review. RESULTS: Physical, mental and psychological states were considered as normal at 30 months in respectively 70.3%, 87.7% and 67.7% of patients, not influenced by prophylactic cranial irradiation, number of chemotherapy cycles, CCNU or cisplatin. Therapeutic sequelae were neurological impairment (13%), pulmonary fibrosis (18%) and cardiac disorders (11%) at 30 months. Return to work was possible for 40% of patients in the first two years following diagnosis. Among 43 relapsing patients, 33 benefited from a second-line treatment. Their median survival was 12 months since retreatment, and seven patients have survived again longer than 30 months. Age > 60 at the time of diagnosis was found as an independent factor increasing the risk of relapse beyond 30 months (OR = 2.46, IC 95% (1.16-5.26), P = 0.01). The risk of relapse became less than 10% beyond five years. Twenty patients (13%) developed a second primary cancer in a mean time of 58.6 months. The risk of second primary cancer was increased by a number of chemotherapy cycles > 6 (OR = 3.25, IC 95% (1.08-9.8) P = 0.02) and by an age > 60 (OR = 2.92, IC 95% (1.07-7.97), P = 0.03). Five- and 10-year survival rates were respectively 68% and 44%. In these patients having reached a 30-month survival, three independent factors were predictive of a survival longer than five years: age < or = 60 at the time of diagnosis (OR = 2.85, IC 95% (1.23-6.6), P = 0.01), chest radiotherapy (OR = 3.1, IC 95% (1.28-7.69), P = 0.006) and absence of relapse (OR = 4.5, IC 95% (1.75-12.5), P = 0.002). This study suggests that: 1) therapeutic sequelae are rather mild, allowing return to work in 40% of patients; 2) relapsing 30-month survivors can benefit from second-line treatment; 3) SCLC cure can be achieved with a 10-year follow-up.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Two-step immunoscintigraphy for non-small-cell lung cancer staging using a bispecific anti-CEA/anti-indium-DTPA antibody and an indium-111-labeled DTPA dimer.

UNLABELLED: Immunoscintigraphy (IS) using anti-CEA F(ab')2 monoclonal antibody (MAb) is useful for improving mediastinal staging of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the technique was limited because of an insufficient contrast between tumor and normal tissues. The aim of this study was to determine if the method could be improved by a two-step method which uses a bispecific anti-CEA/anti-di-DTPA antibody (Bs-MAb) and 111In-labeled di-DTPA-tyrosyl-lysine bivalent hapten. METHODS: Twelve patients were intravenously given a 30 min Bs-MAb infusion (0.1 mg/kg). Four days later, they were injected intravenously with 0.1 microgram/kg hapten labeled with 185 MBq 111In (5 mCi). Images were recorded immediately and 6 and 24 hr after hapten injection. A pharmacokinetic analysis was performed. Surgery was performed 3 days after 111In-hapten injection, and samples of tumor and normal tissues were collected for immunohistochemical and biodistribution studies. IS results were classified as true-positive (TP), false-positive (FP), true-negative (TN) or false-negative (FN) according to the surgical data. RESULTS: Primary tumors were visualized in nine patients. The contrast was excellent, generally higher than that obtained with direct labeling of anti-CEA. In the mediastinum, IS results were (after surgery) five TN, two TP and one FP. One case remains undetermined. The FP result was due to a Bs-MAb uptake in intrapulmonary lymph nodes. IS was in agreement with preoperative staging in six of these nine patients and discordant in three. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that the two-step method with a bispecific antibody could greatly improve the performances of IS for lung cancer staging.

Antibodies, Bispecific↗
PubMed1997

Expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator, stromelysin 1, stromelysin 3, and matrilysin genes in lung carcinomas.

We have previously shown that the extracellular-matrix-degrading enzymes, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), stromelysin 1, stromelysin 3, and matrilysin, may play an important role in the transition from lung preneoplasia to invasive carcinoma. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we analyzed serial frozen sections for the expression of these enzymes in 89 lung carcinomas including 25 neuroendocrine (NE) carcinomas (10 small-cell lung carcinomas, 7 large-cell NE carcinomas, 1 atypical, and 7 typical carcinoids) and 64 non-small-cell, non-NE carcinomas (29 squamous and 7 basaloid carcinomas, 23 adenocarcinomas, and 5 large-cell carcinomas). Proteases, except matrilysin, were more often expressed in stromal than cancer cells. In non-small-cell, non-NE carcinomas, stromal co-expression of u-PA and stromelysin 3 was seen in 80 to 90% of the tumors and was highly correlated (P < 0.0001). Stromal u-PA and stromelysin 3 expression was linked to tumor size (P = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively) and lymph node involvement (P = 0.001 and 0.02, respectively). Epithelial expression of u-PA was correlated to tumor size (P = 0.04). Epithelial expression of stromelysin 3 predominated in squamous and basaloid carcinomas (P = 0.0005) and was inversely correlated to squamous differentiation (P = 0.018). Epithelial expression of matrilysin predominated in adenocarcinomas and large-cell carcinomas (P = 0.07). In NE carcinomas including small-cell lung carcinomas, stromal expression of u-PA was correlated to lymph node metastasis (P = 0.017). Epithelial expression of all enzymes were significantly less frequent in NE than in non-NE tumors. We conclude that 1) epithelial expression of matrix proteases in lung cancer is linked to cell phenotype (NE versus non-NE, squamous versus glandular) and 2) their stromal, rather than epithelial, expression influences local metastasis.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1997

[Evaluation of survival and prognostic factors of 2,000 broncho-pulmonary cancers registered during 10 years in a multidisciplinary oncology department].

Two thousand lung cancer patients were registered as Grenoble's university hospital joint oncology clinic from 1/1/1982 to 12/31/1991. These cases consisted of 449 small cell lung cancers (SCLC) and 1,551 non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). SCLC patients had a 4.6% and 2.9% survival rate at 5 and 10 years and only 7.2% of patients had a survival longer than 30 months. The main prognostic factors for survival were age, sex, TNM stage and WHO performance status. There was no increase in survival during the 2 periods of the study. NSCLC patients had a 14% and 7% survival rate at 5 and 10 years. Among 727 stage III or IV patients not treated with surgery, 2% were alive at 30 months. The main prognostic factors for survival were age, histology, TNM stage and WHO performance status. There was no increase in survival during the 2 periods of the study.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Dexfentluramine in the treatment of juvenile obesity.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of dexfenfluramine (dF) for reducing cardiovascular risk factors and improving compliance towards diet in a group of young patients hospitalized for essential obesity of high degree (BMI > or = 35). METHODS: 103 adolescents (mean age 15.4 +/- 0.2) participated in a nine-week randomized double-blind study of dF (15 mg bid) versus placebo. All patients received a VLCD (2,512 kJ/day = 600 kcal/day) for two months. In basal conditions, and after 30 and 60 days of treatment, anthropometric variables (height, weight, BMI, and W/H) and cardiovascular risk factors (blood glucose concentration, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) were monitored. Modifications in hunger and satiety were also assessed. RESULTS: During the treatment period, both the dF group and the placebo group presented a similar pattern of weight loss (BMI = dF: 36.7 +/- 0.5 vs 32.5 +/- 0.4 vs 30.1 +/- 0.4; placebo: 37.0 +/- 0.6 vs 33.1 +/- 0.5 vs 30.8 +/- 0.5). No important side-effects were recorded in either group. Blood pressure and metabolic markers decreased significantly in both groups. Earlier reductions in total cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure in dF-treated subjects were the only significant differences observed as compared to the patients receiving placebo (day 30 = total cholesterol: 120 +/- 2 (dF) vs 132 +/- 3 (placebo) mg/dI; p < 0.005; diastolic blood pressure: 73 +/- 1 (dF) vs 77 +/- 1 (placebo) mmHg; p < 0.01). However, after 60 days, these values were similar in the two groups. As far as non-parametric data are concerned, dF determined a reduction in hunger and an increase in satiety in a significantly higher number of subjects than did the placebo, not only after 30 days of treatment (92.8% vs 55.3% and 92.8% vs 45.5%, respectively; p < 0.0001), but also after two months of treatment (97.8% vs 67.4% and 97.8% vs 45.8%, respectively; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that dF represents a useful support in the treatment of juvenile obesity and might ensure a better individual compliance towards restrictive diets, particularly in the initial "critical" stages, in the absence of important side-effects.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1997

[Cushing syndrome and small cell carcinoma. Three case reports].

Paraneoplastic Cushing's syndrome associated with small cell carcinoma is a poor prognosis factor. Opportunistic infections are an important factor of morbidity and mortality. Therefore antiadrenal medications are necessary before initiating cytotoxic chemotherapy. The report of three recent cases will emphasize the need of special management of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Knemometry in the assessment of short term effects of growth hormone therapy in children with several growth disorders].

BACKGROUND: Knemometer is a non invasive device for measuring the leg length and evaluating statural variations otherwise not disclosed by means of Harpenden stadiometer. In several clinical conditions of short stature, knemometer allows to evaluate the short-term effect of growth promoting agents, as well as the role of infections on growth dynamics. METHODS: The short-term (37-56 days) variability of the leg length in subjects with isolated growth hormone deficiency (1 case), Turner syndrome (2 cases) and Silver-Russel syndrome (1 case) treated with rhGH have been evaluated. The measurements were performed weekly by the same operator, at the same weekday and daytime. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results show a correlation between intercurrent illnesses and growth failure, as well as a growth resumption at the end of the former, despite the etiology of short stature. Growth hormone treatment seems to exert an influence on growth only in the subject with GH deficiency, whereas a similar short term effect is not found in the cases of Turner syndrome and Silver Russel syndrome. This fact suggests that, also by knemometry, a most prolonged follow-up is required to evaluate the effect of GH on short term growth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Overexpression of nucleoside diphosphate/kinase A/nm23-H1 protein in human lung tumors: association with tumor progression in squamous carcinoma.

Levels of nm23-H1/nucleoside diphosphate/kinase A expression have been reported to correlate inversely with metastatic potential in some tumors but not in others. To clarify the role of nm23 in lung carcinoma, the genetic abnormalities of nucleoside diphosphate/kinase A/nm23-H1 were investigated at the DNA and protein levels. A series of 104 human lung tumors (42 neuroendocrine (NE) and 62 non-NE tumors) was analyzed for nm23-H1 protein expression by immunohistochemistry using one polyclonal and two monoclonal Ab and for genomic alterations using Southern blotting and single-strand conformation polymorphism. Overexpression of the nm23-H1 protein relative to the normal lung epithelia (pneumocyte and bronchial epithelial cells) was observed in 83% (35/42) of NE carcinomas and in 89% (55/62) of non-NE carcinomas. Eight of nine carcinoids exhibited an increased expression of nm23-H1 protein, suggesting that this overexpression of the nm23 protein is necessary for proliferation in any tumors. No significant correlation was found between nm23 staining and any clinicopathologic parameters in NE carcinoma or in adenocarcinoma. In squamous carcinoma, high levels of nm23-H1 protein expression were associated with tumor stage (p = 0.0036). Allelic deletion or genetic amplification was never found. No altered mobility was detected using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. These data show that nm23-H1 protein is overexpressed in a large number of lung tumors of all histologic types, in association with advanced tumor stage in squamous carcinoma. They also suggest that nm23-H1 might play a role in the progression of lung tumors rather than in antimetastatic function.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

[Epidemiology of childhood obesity: prevalence in North-West Italy].

Childhood obesity is currently the most important form of malnutrition in populations with a high socioeconomic status. In Italy the prevalence of this pathology increases steadily every year with differing percentages in the various regions. This paper aims to contribute to epidemiological studies on childhood obesity by analysing the prevalence of this disorder in a relatively large area of north-western Italy. The study examined the childhood population of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola (Piedmont) (12,174 subjects, of which 6,288 males and 5,886 females) aged between 6 and 15 years old. The prevalence of obesity was 9.88% (51.58% in males and 48.22% in females); males showed a peak of prevalence (16.53%) between 13 and 14 years old and females between 8 and 9 (16%). The analysis of our data highlights the importance of this problem in the area studied.

Adolescent↗