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F Ferraraccio

Publications and source records attributed to F Ferraraccio.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The immunohistochemical outline of p27kip1, cyclin B1 and cyclin D3 in pleomorphic adenomas.

AIM: Pleomorphic adenomas of salivary glands are benign lesions which may sometimes relapse even after complete surgical removal. This risk has led to the search for methods to provide predictive data on the biological behaviour of such neoplasia. The authors intend to evaluate the degree of cellular aggression of these tumours by finding prognostic data using the antigens involved in cellular proliferative activity. Therefore they have chosen for this study: p27kip1, cyclin B1 and Cyclin D3. METHODS: Seventeen mixed tumours, 2 of them relapsed, underwent the direct immunohystochemical PAP technique for the determination of antigens p27kip1, cyclins B1 and D3 of the tissue. RESULTS: The results obtained show that the verification of these markers may reveal a potential risk of biological deviation and that their expression is independent of the degree of cellularity in neoplasias. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the results, the conclusion is drawn that there is no relation between the expressivity of the mentioned antigens and histological characters of pleomorphic adenomas.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗
PubMed2002

Medial degeneration does not involve uniformly the whole ascending aorta: morphological, biochemical and clinical correlations.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether and how the severity of medial degeneration (MD) lesions varies along the circumference of the dilated intrapericardial aorta. METHODS: Two groups of aortic wall specimens, respectively harvested 1cm distal to the non-coronary (NC) sinus (right postero-lateral wall) and to the right coronary sinus (anterior wall) in 22 patients undergoing surgery for dilatation of the intrapericardial aorta associated with aortic valve disease, were separately sent for pathology, morphometry and ultrastructural examination. MD lesions found at histology were classified into three degrees of severity. MD mean degree and morphometric findings in postero-lateral ('NC') and anterior ('coronary') specimens were compared by paired t-test. Correlation between degree of aortic dilatation at echocardiography and severity of MD was assessed separately for each of the two groups of specimens. After the preliminary results of the morphological study, we decided to send the specimens for biochemical investigation of protein electrophoretic patterns. This was performed in the last seven patients of this series. RESULTS: At histology, MD was found in all cases. A higher mean MD degree was found in the NC group (2.59+/-0.50 versus 1.59+/-0.67 in the coronary group; P<0.001). At morphometry, normal smooth muscle cells in the NC specimens were significantly reduced (P=0.012) and the length (P=0.011) and number (P=0.015) of elastic fibres reduced and increased, respectively. Correlation between aortic ratio and MD degree was significant in the NC specimens (P<0.001), not in the coronary ones (P=0.227). Quantitative differences between coronary and NC proteins from the same patient and between coronary proteins from different patients were found at electrophoresis. However, at this stage of the study, the sample was too small to allow for the identification of proteins involved in those differences. CONCLUSIONS: MD lesions in dilated intrapericardial aorta are more severe in the right postero-lateral wall area, likely due to haemodynamic stress asymmetry.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Peptic ulcer occurrence in follow-up of chronic gastritis in patients with treated and not eradicated CagA-positive Helicobacter pylori infection.

The aim of the present prospective investigation was to study 49 dyspeptic Helicobacter pylori (HP)-positive (HP+) or -negative (HP), CagA+ and CagA- patients with a normal pattern or pure chronic gastritis at initial histology as well as normal features or hyperemic gastropathy at initial endoscopy in a two-year follow up. All the HP+ patients were treated with omeprazole 20 mg twice a day plus amoxicillin 1 g twice a day for two weeks. No substantial change was seen in gastritis in CagA+ patients in whom the infection was not eradicated, and, in contrast, a progressive improvement in 13/14 successfully treated patients was found. At endoscopy, a progressive change to a normal picture was seen in 8 and no change in 6 of 14 patients whose HP infection was eradicated, in contrast a worsening in the 9 HP+ patients who were still infected was observed. In particular, peptic lesions arose in 6 of 21 CagA+ patients in whom the infection was not eradicated. In conclusions, the lack of change in chronic gastritis at histology and the progressive worsening of endoscopic hyperemic gastropathy (with peptic lesions arising in 28,6%) when HP+ CagA+ infection is not eradicated, unlike the progressive improvement of the anatomoclinical condition in the patients whose infection was eradicated, draws attention to the relevance of eradicating HP in CagA+ patients even when no peptic lesion is found at initial endoscopy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Gastroprotection by 4-methylpyrazole against ethanol in humans.

4-Methylpyrazole (4-MP), a specific inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, exerts gastroprotection of unusually long duration in rats. We tested the hypothesis that pretreatment with 4-MP might protect the human gastric mucosa against alcohol-induced acute injury. Fourteen healthy volunteers received pretreatment with either 4-MP, 15 mg/kg body weight dissolved in 50 ml of orange juice, or placebo and 2 hr later 100 ml of 40% ethanol. The endoscopic appearance of the gastric mucosa was evaluated and scored (scale 0-5) and mucosal biopsies were obtained just before pretreatment and 30 min after ethanol for histologic examination and prostaglandin E2 measurement. In the 4-MP group the mean endoscopic injury score was significantly lower than that in placebo group, in both the body and the antrum. Histologically, 4-MP significantly reduced disruption of surface epithelium and completely prevented the deep hemorrhagic mucosal lesions. In the 4-MP group no changes in gastric mucosal PGE2 levels were detected. In rats, 4-MP did not inhibit gastric acid output, whereas it markedly increased the adherent gastric mucus evaluated by the alcian blue recovery method. When lipid peroxidation was induced by carbon tetrachloride in hepatic microsomes, 4-MP caused significant inhibition of malondialdehyde generation. We conclude that 4-MP provides significant protection of the human stomach against alcohol-induced acute mucosal injury. 4-MP, besides inhibiting the conversion of alcohol to acetaldehyde, might protect the gastric mucosa by increasing adherent gastric mucus and by scavenging free radicals.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Bile canaliculi in chronic hepatitis (ultrastructural study)].

The biliary pole of the hepatocytes is formed by the canaliculus, the intracytoplasmic organelles, the pericanalicular cytoskeleton and by canalicular membranes. As a rule, the set of these sub-structures give risk to the biliary secretion. At present, the canaliculi are not considered as "fixed" structures, but rather entities that can be formed and modulated by intra and extra hepatic factors aiming of regulating the bile secretion in relation to metabolic events and to the body's requirements. To this end, a role is played by hormones, metabolites, drugs or toxic substances, etc. Data reported in the literature show that they change their profile in situations of intra-extrahepatic cholestasis. That is, they show ectasia, almost deprived of microvilli and with a dense pericanalicular matrix. On the basic of this theoretical premises, the Authors have aimed at verifying the ultrastructural features of the canaliculi in the case of chronic hepatitis showing no sign of cholestasis. The parameters taken into consideration are the same as the ones which result to be modified during cholestasis: diameter of canaliculi, number of microvilli and pericanalicular matrix. For this purpose 25 cases of persistent chronic hepatitis and 25 cases of active chronic hepatitis have been utilized without any clinical or humoral sign of cholestasis. Needle biopsy specimens of hepatic parenchyma have been studied both at the transmission electron microscopy and at scanning electron microscopy. The result obtained can be summarized as follows: 1) The canaliculi are impaired both in the cases of persistent chronic hepatitis and in those of active chronic hepatitis (they develop ectasia, with very-few microvilli and with a thickened pericanalicular matrix). 2) Within the same case, different degrees of changes have been observed. 3) The above changes can be mostly observed at the level of the canaliculi surrounded by hepatocytes which are characterized by hydropic swelling. 4) Such a correlation (canalicular changes-hydropic degeneration of the hepatocytes) permits to assume that the causes of those changes in the canaliculi are to be ascribed to alterations of the pericanalicular microfilaments.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed1995

[Proliferative activity of ependymomas. (Quantitative analysis of the expression of Ki67 and AgNOR)].

One of the problems connected to the anatomo-clinical evaluation of ependymomas consist in the difficulty of precisely grading these neoplasms and of making a prognosis. Traditional histopathologic procedures have proven themselves unsuitable to solve these biological problems of neoplastic growth: their solution requires the identification and responsiveness of molecules that are part of cellular kinetic processes such as antigen Ki67 and the granules of AgNOR as indexes of the rDNA transcriptional activity. With the aim of contributing to the knowledge of ependymomas' grading, the Authors performed qualitative and quantitative assays on 35 cases of benign ependymomas (by means of an image analyzer) using the nuclear antigen Ki67 and the AgNOR nucleolar areas. The results thus obtained allow to draw the following conclusions: 1) The biological validity of the labeling of antigen Ki67 and the quantification of argentophilic granules in the NOR areas has once more been confirmed. 2) The expressiveness and biological significance of antigen Ki67 is finer than what can be derived from the count of AgNOR granules. 3) The level of diagnostic reliability for the differentiation between and the corresponding malignant forms is optimal; such a level falls considerably when one wishes to grade levels of benignity of malignity. 4) Such drawbacks are likely to be due to the action of heterogeneous factors which are often unrelated to the neoplasm, such as poor oxygenation, blood stream alterations, necrosis, phlogosis, nutritional conditions of the cell populations etc.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Cytometry of ependymomas using Feulgen-positive DNA analysis].

Ependymomas are neoplasms which, on the one hand, supply useful morphological findings that help to make the diagnosis, and, on the other, do not provide certain elements for a reliable prognosis. The difficulties related to the neoplasm topography, the type of surgery and other clinical-operational problems can be overcome, whereas those arising from the limitations of descriptive morphology remain insurmountable since the latter does not supply precise predictive information concerning such a histotype. The Authors have re-examined the issue by studying 31 cases of benign ependymomas and by applying to them static cytometry on Feulgen stained samples. The results obtained (see the histograms enclosed) have revealed the presence of heterogeneous cell clones with polyploid and hyperploid cell populations. These cell populations, though a minority and often also marginal, represent the starting point not only of real recurrence, but also of malignant transformations. The cytometric method has analytically revealed a composite cytologic reality of which the common histological methods can only provide approximate, unreliable and subjective evaluations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Effects of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in the rat.

One of the most important factors that determine the therapeutic limits of doxorubicin (DXR), an anthracycline antibiotic, appears in acute and late cardiotoxicity. The aim of our investigations was to evaluate the effects of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), an important precursor of the organic sulfated compounds and a fundamental agent in physiologic transmethylation, on DXR-induced cardiotoxicity. For that purpose, normotensive Wistar rats were treated with DXR associated with or without SAMe. Pretreatment with SAMe significantly reduced DXR-induced electrocardiographic and morphologic changes, lethality, and body weight. The protective effect of SAMe may partly be due to its scavenger ability against free radicals and superoxides. In addition to its action as a fundamental precursor of the sulfated compounds, the principal agent in physiological transmethylations, and an increase of glutathione (GSH) synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Immunoglobulin E distribution in atopic nasal mucosa.

The distribution of B lymphocytes and immunoglobulins G, A, M, and E in nasal mucosa was studied in frozen biopsy sections of nasal turbinate from 16 allergic patients and 8 controls. The immunoperoxidase technique was used with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Comparative analyses of serum immunoglobulin levels were also performed. Few B lymphocytes were observed in the nasal mucosa linings in specimens from allergic and non-allergic patients. In both groups, high positivity for IgG and IgA was observed in the nasal mucosa linings in the specimens. IgM concentration was minimal in both groups. IgE was absent in the nasal turbinate specimens of nonallergic subjects, but was present discontinuously in low concentrations in 7 of the 16 allergic patients. There was no significant difference between allergic and nonallergic patients in the tissue and serum IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations found. IgE was detected slightly in the nasal mucosa of patients with high IgE serum concentrations (greater than 1000 IU/mL) as well as in patients with very low IgE serum concentration readings. This result raises some doubt on the hypothesis concerning the local production of IgE.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

A case of fistulizated pelvic malacoplakia: cytohistologic, immunohistochemical and electron-microscopic study.

A case of malacoplakia with a tumor-like involvement of the pelvis is presented. It was characterized by a urine-trickling fistula from the bladder to the gluteal surface and by acute urinary retention. Examinations both cytologic of urine collected from urethra and from fistula, and histological of tissues from bladder and rectum were performed. Histiocytes with Michaelis Gutmann bodies were found in all specimens. The specimens were also studied from an immunohistochemical and electron-microscopic point of view. The case was found interesting because of the unusual fistulization and for the absence of other important associated diseases usually reported in the literature.

Fistula↗
PubMed1989

[The diffuse lymphatic system of the nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis].

Morphologic and immunologic study were performed on the mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) of patients with allergic rhinitis. Scraping from 14 healthy subjects and 36 allergic ones were used. Besides ordinary hystological methods immunohistochemical ones wilk polyclonal antibodies were employed to study IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE and monoclonal antibodies used for B and T lymphocyte and subset T-suppressor cell identification. In a comparison between normal and allergic mucosa, the morphopathology show an accentuated edema and a slight fibrosis. Among the IgG, IgA and IgM do not show any substantial differences in the samples in normal or in allergic subjects; white traces of IgE are found in allergic patients, but are totally absent in normal ones. In the lymphocyte populations does not show any substantial changes between the two groups. Was also analyzed the mechanism and the majority of the factors by which were obtained the results.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

Importance of showing HBsAg and HBcAg positivity in the liver for better aetiological definition of chronic liver disease.

Serum and tissue hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers were compared in 35 alcoholic and 23 non-alcoholic subjects affected by chronic liver disease. Seventeen point one per cent of alcoholic and 21.7% of non-alcoholic subjects had HBV tissue markers, but not serum markers, for this virus. It is therefore concluded that showing the presence of HBV tissue markers permits a better aetiological definition of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative chronic liver disease, both in alcoholic and non-alcoholic subjects.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

DNA ploidy as a significant prognostic factor after radical resection for large bowel carcinoma: a prospective study.

It is controversial whether cell DNA measurement is a reliable method to predict prognosis in radically resected large bowel carcinomas. A study using strict rules was undertaken on 54 consecutive patients to clarify the usefulness of DNA ploidy by image cytometric analysis as a prognostic indicator. The tumors were 39% diploid and 61% aneuploid. DNA ploidy was not related to more advanced stages and it, with histological grade and Dukes' stage, was an independent covariate and influenced both disease-free and overall survival. Aneuploid tumors showed the worse prognosis in all Dukes' stages. This prospective study shows that DNA ploidy is an important independent prognostic indicator of clinical outcome and recurrence rate, and it should be used to both select high-risk patients and guide postoperative treatments, particularly in early-stage large bowel carcinomas.

Aged↗