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Biomedical subjects

F Latteri

Publications and source records attributed to F Latteri.

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

Dose-escalation of CHOP in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: CHOP is considered to be the gold standard for patients with histologically aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma both in limited and advanced stages. In order to determine the maximum tolerable dose of an intensified CHOP regimen, a dose-escalation study of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) was started. PATIENTS AND METHODS: With an increased fixed dose of doxorubicin at 75 mg/m2 instead of 50 mg/m2 on day 1 and standard doses of vincristine (1.4 mg/m2 on day 1) and prednisone (100 mg day 1 through 5), cyclophosphamide dose was escalated by increments of 250 mg/m2 in consecutive cohorts of at least three patients starting from 1000 mg/m2. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) support was added to the regimen starting from the dose-level inducing grade 4 neutropenia lasting more than five days in two patients. Dose limiting toxicity was defined as either the dose inducing grade 4 neutropenia lasting more than seven days despite the use of G-CSF, or grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia lasting more than seven days, or any grade 4 non-hematological toxicity other than alopecia. The dose-level below the one inducing dose-limiting toxicity was defined as maximum tolerable dose. All patients were treated on an outpatient basis. Dose-intensity parameters for single agent doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide as well as for the whole regimen were evaluated. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients are evaluable over a four-year study period. At 1750 mg/m2 dose-level, G-CSF was added to the regimen according to described criteria. At the cyclophosphamide dose of 3000 mg/m2, dose-limiting hematological toxicity occurred in two patients, with one grade 4 thrombocytopenia and neutropenia and one grade 4 neutropenia lasting more than seven days. Thus, cyclophosphamide dose of 2750 mg/m2 was defined as maximum tolerable dose. CONCLUSIONS: CHOP intensification of approximately 1.8 times that of the standard regimen is feasible and safely administered on an outpatient basis with G-CSF support. Further investigation on the role of dose-intensity in the outcome of NHL should focus on the comparison of intensified CHOP regimen and standard CHOP or high-dose chemotherapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Clinical-diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in a rare case of mesenteric cyst].

The authors report a rare case of mesenteric cyst in a 36 years old woman. These cysts have a pathogenesis that primarily may be ectopic lymphatic tissue and their most common site is in the small bowel mesentery, especially of the ileum. In the case reported the cyst was located in the right mesocolon. Mesenteric cysts can appear as chronic abdominal pain, a painless abdominal mass, or acute abdomen. Diagnostic aids include abdominal computed tomography and sonography, that usually make diagnosis of mesenteric cyst. Treatment of choice is enucleation; resection of the adjacent bowel may occasionally be necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Preoperative treatment with interleukin-2 in colorectal carcinoma].

Thirteen surgical patients affected by colorectal cancer have been evaluated to study the effectiveness of a short-term preoperative therapy with interleukin-2 (IL-2). Seven patients have been treated for three days before surgery with subcutaneous administration of IL-2 (9.000.000 U.I. b.i.d.). Six patients have been treated with placebo and have been considered as control group. All the patients have been operated upon 36-48 hours after the last administration of IL-2 or placebo. The assays of CD-3+, CD-4+, CD-8+ e CD-56+ lymphocytes, evaluated preoperatively and 7 days after the operation, have showed a postoperative increase of CD8+ and CD56+ and a decreased ratio of CD4+/CD8+. The results of this study, although not conclusive, suggest a positive antitumoral response in patients treated preoperatively with IL-2. Further studies could be performed to evaluate the survival after such a treatment.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

[Bilateral adrenal pheochromocytoma. A clinical case and review of the literature].

The authors present a case of bilateral adrenal pheochromocytoma that occurred at their observation and surgically treated with a bilateral adrenalectomy. The authors review the literature in order to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic option to treat these cases. They stress the importance of preoperative abdominal TC an MIBG scintigraphy and the importance of pre and intraoperative assessment to exclude extra adrenal localization of pheochromocytoma.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1997

Does cholecystectomy always resolve biliary disease?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term effects of cholecystectomy on typical gallstone symptoms and associated digestive syndrome. DESIGN: Clinical prospective study on selected patients. SETTING: First Surgical Clinic--Catania University. SUBJECTS: 143 gallstone patients, divided in highly symptomatic Group 1 (79) and mild symptomatic Group 2 (64), who underwent cholecystectomy during period 1991/92. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 125/143 patients compiled a set questionnaire to detect any subjective postoperative disorders and to evaluate whether they were similar to preoperative symptoms or were new ones. RESULTS: 125/143 patients completed the 12-month follow-up programme, which revealed a 30% (38/125) with postcholecystectomy symptoms and 13.4% (17) with a postcholecystectomy syndrome. Moreover, 10% (13) of the patients reported the same digestive symptoms as before treatment. Statistical analysis confirmed that cholecystectomy was efficacious in curing gallstone related symptoms and digestive disorders in both Groups with a general improvement in clinical picture (p > 0.01). No significant statistical difference in the incidence of postcholecystectomy dyspeptic symptoms was found between the 2 Groups. CONCLUSION: Cholecystectomy is often efficacious in curing both typical gallstone related symptoms and digestive syndrome. Cholecystectomy patterns of failure in curing digestive disorders is unpredictable preoperatively on the basis of clinical features of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome].

The Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is a rare congenital pathology which includes varices, hemangiomas and hypertrophy of limbs. The Authors report two cases and pay particular attention to the diagnostic and therapeutical protocols. Although these aspects are still open questions, the Authors conclude that conservative therapy is often sufficient while surgery is requested only in the severe forms.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Mixed-type pancreatoblastoma. Report of a clinical case].

Pancreatoblastoma is a very rare tumor of the pancreas, affecting children in the first decade of life. Ultrasound and CT scan may be useful but pre-operative diagnosis is often quite difficult. High level of seric alpha-fetoprotein could be suggestive of pancreatoblastoma. The definitive diagnosis is however made by histologists when an organoid structure, well encapsulated, consisting of acinar cells with zymogen-like granules and squamoid corpuscle is demonstrated, sometimes associated with mesenchymal tissue (mixed-type pancreatoblastoma). Immunohistochemical studies may help in differentiating pancreatoblastoma from papillary cystic tumors, acinar cell carcinomas and endocrine pancreatic tumors of the pancreas. We report a case of mixed-type pancreatoblastoma in a 12-year-old female patient, located in the head of the pancreas. The treatment has been surgical, consisting of a duodeno-cephalo-pancreasectomy. Neither radiotherapy nor chemotherapy has been performed. The patient is alive, without recurrence, four months after the operation. Diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects are discussed.

Child↗
PubMed1995

[Role of thymopentin in the prevention of post-splenectomy infections].

The Authors evaluated the efficacy of thymopentin in the prevention of post-splenectomy infections. 14 splenectomized patients treated by thymopentin (50 mg s.c. every other day in the 4 weeks following splenectomy) were compared with 14 splenectomized control patients. Clinical evaluations and measurement of CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte subpopulations were made preoperatively and then after 3 and 6 months from splenectomy. Hyperthermia (37.5-38 degrees C) "sine materia", which disappeared spontaneously in 4-5 weeks, was observed in the post-operative phase in 4 control patients and in 1 patient treated by thymopentin. No statistical difference was demonstrated comparing pre- and post-operative percentages of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes in the treated and control groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Surgery in neoplasms of the low rectum. Analysis of the Knight-Griffen technique].

The major advantage offered by the "double stapling technique" in the treatment of low rectum cancers is sphincter preservation while respecting oncological criteria of radicality. The authors report their experience in surgical treatment of rectal neoplasms, considering a 24 patient group observed between 1989 and 1991, when new staplers were available in Italy. They also present primary results obtained with modified Knight-Griffen technique evaluating a series of 10 patients with rectal cancers placed between 5 and 10 cm from the anal verge. The authors describe surgical procedures and, analyse the complication rate, report a 10% anastomotic leak with no clinical stenosis and 20% relapses. Showing a 2-year follow-up data, a 61.1% surviving actually free of disease in the all 24-patient group is referred. The authors conclude that double stapling technique, while safe and effective, should be always performed accordingly to oncological radicality, reminding that the aim of surgery is the treatment of cancer and sphincter saving should be considered secondary.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

Effect of acetyl-L-carnitine on lipid peroxidation and xanthine oxidase activity in rat skeletal muscle.

It has been reported that acetyl-L-carnitine (AcCn) can reduce the degenerative processes in the central nervous system of rats, modify the fluidity of membranes and decrease the accumulation of lipofuscins in neurones. In light of these considerations we have assayed the in vitro effect of acetyl-L-carnitine on spontaneous and induced lipoperoxidation in rat skeletal muscle; in addition, the effect of AcCn on XD/XO ratio was evaluated. The presence of AcCn (10-40 mM) in incubation medium significantly reduced MDA and conjugated diene formation in rat skeletal muscle; moreover, a significant decrease in induced MDA levels was observed when microsomal preparation where incubated in the presence of 10-40 mM AcCn. Since a significant reduction of XO activity was detected in the presence of 10-80 mM AcCn, the reduced lipid peroxidation by AcCn seems to be due to an inhibition of XO activity.

Acetylcarnitine↗
PubMed1990

[Oxiracetam treatment of exogenous post-concussion syndrome. Statistical evaluation of results].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical use of a GABOB by-product in the treatment of exogenous post-concussion syndrome. Thirty-six patients affected by this syndrome were included in the study and divided into two groups. Patients in the first group were treated with the drug, while patients in the second group were not treated. Variations in the average time taken for symptoms to disappear in both groups showed a statistically significant difference in favour of the drug-treated group of patients. Following an analysis of the results it was possible to affirm that the drug had a statistically significant effect in patients affected by medium-severe symptomatology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Role of somatostatin and parenteral nutrition in the treatment of acute pancreatitis. Personal experience].

The aim of the study was to evaluate and control the therapeutic validity of Somatostatin administration and the clinical benefits of parenteral nutrition during acute pancreatitis. We selected 31 patients with 1st and 2nd degree pancreatitis according to Ranson's classification. Diagnosis was based on clinical and humoral data and confirmed by echography and CT examinations. The most common etiological cause was biliary++ lithiasis (74.2%). All the patients in the study were split into two groups and received conventional treatment. The therapeutic schedule administered to group 1 included somatostatin (250 micrograms/h for 72-96 h), while group 2 received total parenteral nutrition with 2,000-2,500 Kal/day trough a central vein. The data obtained from our study demonstrated that both somatostatin and parenteral nutrition are valid tools during the acute phase of the disease. It must be pointed out that the former significantly influences the clinical course and allows a precise control of the painful symptomatology, the objective picture and the curve of the main hematochemical parameters. Parenteral nutrition betters the anabolic response of the organism during the acute phase and carries out an indirect antienzymatic response, so favouring a quicker recovery than observed in the group treated with somatostatin.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

Non-operative treatment in the management of traumatic lesions of the spleen--a new kind of therapy?

The onset of severe episodes of sepsis in splenectomized patients has induced surgeons to perform conservative operations in order to save at least partial functioning of the spleen. Recently, great interest has been focused on the non-operative treatment of traumatic lesions of the spleen, which involves careful and continual observation of patients with splenic nauma to monitor their course towards recovery. This method of treatment was recently adopted by our department for two patients whose case histories are presented herein. Non-operative treatment is suitable only in strictly selected subjects, who must be carefully monitored in an intensive care unit where constant examination and sophisticated diagnostic procedures are readily available. Although the non-operative treatment of splenic trauma is not new, it is only recently that its management, programming and role have been updated.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Pancreas transplantation in the rat using Lee's technique: a reliable model in experimental microsurgery.

Numerous unresolved problems, both technical and immunological, in pancreas transplantation stimulate experimental studies. Dogs have been routinely used in experimental studies but today rats are more commonly used. However, pancreas transplantation in the rat presents complex technical problems and requires a good knowledge of microsurgical techniques. In 1983 Squifflet undertook an experimental study aimed at evaluating the technical aspects of pancreas transplantation in the rat and calculating the success rates using different methods. The comparison of four methods revealed to our surprise that 100% of the rats operated on using Lee's technique had complications, with a 0% survival rate. In our study we report our experience using Lee's technique which we had the opportunity of mastering directly under the supervision of Professor Lee. We performed 100 pancreas transplantations using Lee's technique and divided our study in two phases. In the first phase we performed 70 pancreas transplantations and overall survival, after 1 week, was 42 rats (60%). In the second phase on 30 rats diabetes was induced by administering 70 mg/kg of streptozotocin. These 30 diabetic rats underwent pancreas transplantation and overall survival, after 1 week, was 25 (83.3%). We believe that our successful survival rates could probably be explained by the close collaboration between Lee and our department. Moreover, we noted the importance of constant training in obtaining better results, and in our opinion Lee's technique of pancreas transplantation is a reliable experimental model which can be used to resolve problems linked to pancreas transplantation.

Animals↗