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Biomedical subjects

F Rivasi

Publications and source records attributed to F Rivasi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Conjugated poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) for the preparation of in vivo detectable nanoparticles.

Cellular localization of nanoparticles (Np) represents an important target in the understanding of their distribution after endovenous injection. The need of suitable devices and methodologies capable to detect Np in tissues or in cellular districts can be satisfied by Np which have to be easily recognizable by simple methods. Conjugations of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) with fluorescein and biotin allow fluorescent and immuno-histochemically active Np to be obtained. The fluorescein Np are detectable using fluorescent microscopy whereas biotin Np can be detected by optical microscopy after streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complexation. In vivo experiments confirm the ability of these particles to be easily detected in the brain parenchyma or in the liver cell population according to the infusion pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Anatomy of Tunga trimamillata Pampiglione et al., 2002 (Insecta, Siphonaptera, Tungidae) and developmental phases of the gravid female.

This paper deals with some internal anatomical features observed in histological sections and freshly dissected mounts of Tunga trimamillata, a Siphonaptera recently discovered in Andean regions of Ecuador from several mammals, including man. It was possible to study in males and also non-gravid and gravid females, the location and anatomy of several organs not previously described for this species: the testes, epididymis, ganglia, Malpighian tubules, eyes, rectal ampulla with one of its pads and structures which could be interpreted as midgut diverticula, whose presence has not been recorded in the Siphonaptera. The process of neosomy in the female during pregnancy is illustrated by photographs of the consecutive developmental phases, taken at the stereomicroscope. Furthermore, some details of the exoskeleton, spermatheca during different phases of pregnancy of the gravid female and the presence of a foreign body (parasite?) within the haemocoel have been displayed in specimens cleared with Hoyer's medium.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Breast carcinoma metastases in paranasal sinuses, a rare occurrence mimicking a primary nasal malignancy. case report.

Metastatic tumours to the paranasal sinuses are an exceedingly rare event, the large majority being of renal origin. Herein, a case of metastatic breast carcinoma to the right maxilla is described which occurred 4 years after radical mastectomy, clinically and radiologically presenting as a primary sinonasal mass. Only the histopathologic examination together with a broad spectrum of immunohistochemical antibodies were useful in confirming the origin of the neoplasm.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Early prenatal diagnosis of recurrent 46,XY partial gonadal dysgenesis.

OBJECTIVES: We present a case of early prenatal diagnosis of recurrent 46,XY partial gonadal dysgenesis, by combining early genetic and sonographic evaluations. METHODS: The conceptus of a mother with a first child affected by 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis was sonographically evaluated at 21- and 23-mm BPD (12(+2) and 12(+6) LMP-based age) and the female genitalia were observed. Karyotype analyses was performed on amniotic fluid and it revealed a 46,XY complement without mosaicism. SRY was amplified by PCR for molecular analyses. RESULTS: We observed a discordance between female phenotype detected at 21 and 23 mm of biparietal diameter (12(+2) and 12(+6) LMP-based age) and male karyotype. In the child and the fetus, seminiferous cords were not recognisable, whereas rare Leydig cells and no germ cells could be identified. Internal and external genitalia were sexually ambiguous in the child and feminized in the fetus. CONCLUSION: This is the first case of early prenatal diagnosis of recurrent 46,XY partial gonadal dysgenesis and it points to the importance of combining early analyses of genetic sex with sonography in the management of anomalies of sexual development, with particular regard to syndromes for which the risk of recurrence is little understood.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed2003

Additional description of a new species of Tunga (Siphonaptera) from Ecuador.

A new species of chigoe flea belonging to the genus Tunga Jarocki, 1838 (Siphonaptera, Pulicidae, Tunginae), Tunga trimamillata, was recently described by Pampiglione et al. (2002). A better description and more details of the epidemiology of the flea are now presented. It is a species found in goats, pigs and cattle in Santa Isabel in Andean Ecuador. This new species differs from its most similar congener, Tunga penetrans (L., 1758), by several features, the most important of which are a) the presence on the anterior extremity of the gravid female of three rounded humps surrounding the head and thorax (which, however, are not visible if viewed in profile), b) slightly larger dimensions and c) the length of the first segment of the maxillary palpi which is longer than each of the other three.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Prenatal diagnosis of female pseudohermaphroditism associated with bilateral luteoma of pregnancy: case report.

Female pseudohermaphroditism associated with luteoma of pregnancy (LP) is a rare condition characterized by varying degrees of masculinization of a female fetus. We describe a case, diagnosed at 13 weeks gestation. Transvaginal ultrasound at 5 weeks of gestation revealed a normal intrauterine gestational sac and an enlarged maternal right ovary. Re-examination at 13 weeks showed a fetus with male external genitalia. Cytogenetic investigation on amniotic fluid revealed a normal female karyotype 46,XX. Follow-up sonography confirmed the previous assignment of male external genitalia and a second amniocentesis was negative for the SRY gene. High levels of androgens were found in the maternal blood. A diagnosis of female pseudohermaphroditism associated with bilateral LP was made. A healthy girl was born by Caesarean section with complete masculinization of external genitalia (Prader V). Histology confirmed a bilateral LP. To the best of our knowledge this represents the first case of prenatal diagnosis of female pseudohermaphroditism associated with LP and demonstrates the feasibility of diagnosis by sonography from 13 weeks gestation. This is also the first case described of Prader V masculinization associated with LP.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Atypical (bizarre) leiomyoma of the nasal cavity with prominent myxoid change.

A 72 year old woman presented complaining of nasal obstruction, rhinorrea, and epistaxis. At examination, a polypoid mass on the right posterior choana was revealed and subsequently removed. Light microscopic findings consisted of a diffuse proliferation of spindle shaped, pleomorphic cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and blunt ended nuclei in a prominent myxoid background. The presence of numerous plurinucleate, bizarre cells made it very difficult to determine the malignant potential. Immunohistochemical evidence for leiomyogenic markers coupled with the low mitotic rate, the lack of an infiltrating growth pattern, and the indolent clinical course led to the diagnosis of atypical leiomyoma with prominent myxoid change. A literature survey confirmed that such a tumour is extremely rare at this site, but the biological behaviour seems to be similar to its uterine counterpart. Clinicians should be aware of this occurrence to prevent misdiagnosis because a conservative therapeutic approach is necessary in this disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Gelatin microspheres crosslinked with D,L-glyceraldehyde as a potential drug delivery system: preparation, characterisation, in vitro and in vivo studies.

To overcome the restriction in using crosslinked gelatin in the pharmaceutical field, D,L-glyceraldehyde (GAL), a non-toxic crosslinking agent, was proposed. Gelatin microspheres crosslinked with different concentrations of GAL (0.5, 1 or 2%, w/v) and for different time periods (1 or 24 h) were prepared. The effect of the preparation variables was evaluated analysing the extent of crosslinking, the morphological aspect, the particle size and the swelling behaviour. To evaluate the pharmaceutical properties, an antihypertensive drug, clonidine hydrochloride, was chosen as drug model and loaded into the microspheres. Either the increase of the crosslinker concentration or of the crosslinking time period decreased both the swelling and the in vitro drug release processes of the microspheres. After the subcutaneous injection, the loaded microspheres crosslinked with the lowest GAL concentration (0.5%, w/v) or for the shortest time period (1 h) showed a reduction of systolic blood pressure (SBP) similar to that recorded with a clonidine hydrochloride solution having the same drug concentration. Instead, the microspheres crosslinked for 24 h with concentrations of GAL higher than 0.5% (w/v) produced a more gradual and sustained SBP reduction and the antihypertensive effect was maintained until 52-72 h. The biocompatibility studies showed that the microspheres crosslinked with GAL are well tolerated in vivo. These results suggest the potential application of gelatin microspheres crosslinked with GAL as a suitable drug delivery system for the subcutaneous administration.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum occurring in an HIV-positive Ghanaian immigrant to Italy. Identification of H. capsulatum DNA by PCR from paraffin sample.

Histoplasmosis, which is highly endemic in the United States, is rare in Europe, usually imported but sometimes autochthonous. In Africa, histoplasmosis capsulati coexists with "African histoplasmosis", a characteristic skin infection caused by H. capsulatum var. duboisii. Histoplamosis due to H. capsulatum is one of the 12 secondary infections listed in the surveillance definitions of AIDS. We report the case of a 36-year-old black man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who was living in Italy but originally came from Ghana. Histoplasmosis was disseminated with fever and cutaneous manifestations. The diagnosis was demonstrated morphologically based on the presence of yeast, observed by light microscopy, in skin lesions and by identification of H. capsulatum var. capsulatum DNA by nested PCR from a paraffin sample. No clinical reports of histoplamosis capsulati in Ghana have been published until now. The present case stresses the role of immigration of subjects from outside Europe who have been infected in their native country.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2001

Dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria repens in Italy, an emergent zoonosis: report of 60 new cases.

AIMS: Sixty new cases of human dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria repens, occurring in Italy between 1990 and 1999, are presented. This is the most extensive case study of this zoonosis reported worldwide by a single study group. The aim is to utilize this large experience to characterize the different histopathological findings in the parasitic lesions in man. METHODS AND RESULTS: Diagnosis was performed on histological sections of the nematode enclosed in the nodules excised at biopsy or surgery. The nematode was located in the subcutaneous tissue (49 cases), the epididymis (two cases), the spermatic cord (two cases), the lung (two cases), the breast (two cases), the omentum (two cases) and under the conjunctival tissue (one case). The majority of cases (46) were from Piedmont; the remainder were from Emilia-Romagna, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Apulia and Lombardy. The histopathological features of the lesions are described and the clinical and epidemiological aspects of the zoonosis are discussed. The prevalence in Italy in general and in the area of Piedmont in particular, comprising the provinces of Alessandria, Asti, Novara and Vercelli, which is one of the most severely affected areas of the world, is emphasized. The evident increase in the number of cases in the last few years is a clear indication that it is an emergent zoonosis. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that each and every case observed be recorded, to enable the true extent of human dirofilariasis in Italy to be assessed, and that a reference centre be set up in the area to collate the data. The importance of the histopathologist's role in the diagnosis is stressed.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Primary high-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-type lymphoma of the cervix presenting as a common endocervical polyp.

Lymphomas of the uterine cervix are uncommon neoplasms and typically appear as diffuse cervical enlargement. We describe a rare case of primary high-grade lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue of the uterine cervix in a 46-year-old white woman. The tumor, incidentally disclosed at gynecological examination, appeared as a single common polyp. Immunohistochemical investigation found the lesion to consist of a monomorphic CD20-positive infiltrate of large blasts and rare intermingling centrocyte-like lymphoid cells. A dense area of monotypic (lambda light-chain restriction) plasma cells was found beneath the endocervical mucosa; only a few scattered lymphoepithelial lesions were present. The neoplastic cells did not stain for CD5, CD10, CD23, CD43, or cyclin D1. A bone marrow biopsy displayed a paratrabecular, centrocyte-like B-cell infiltration, but no lymphadenopathy was detected by instrumental examination (computed tomographic scan, magnetic resonance imaging). The tumor was successfully treated by multiagent chemotherapy followed by total hysterectomy. To our knowledge, this case represents the second reported example of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-type lymphoma occurring in the uterine cervix. We highlight the very unusual gross appearance of this case and emphasize the difficulty of interpreting lymphoid infiltrates in the lower genital tract by microscopy.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2001

[Congenital fetal neuroblastoma].

Neuroblastoma are pediatric tumors of neural crest origin, most often localized in adrenal glands and infrequently congenital. We report two fetal cases found at autopsy, performed at 24 and 28 weeks of gestation, respectively. The 24 week old fetus did not show any malformation; systematic histological analysis found neuroblastoma cells in both the adrenal glands and the retroperitoneal fat tissue. The 28 week old fetus was hydropic and exhibited a nodule (3 cm) in the posterior mediastinum, next to the thoracic spinal cord. This tumor responded to a neuroblastoma associated with small metastatic foci in the adrenal glands, the liver and the frontal brain cortex. The placenta was abnormally heavy and showed hemorrhagic and necrotic areas. Microscopically plugged clumps of neuroblastoma cells were found inside fetal vessels. Immunohistochemistry was employed in both cases and the cells showed immunoreactivity for NSE, NB 84, chromogranin, synaptophysin and neurofilaments, while desmin, MIC 2, and protein S-100 were negative. Congenital neuroblastomas are rare and, to our knowledge this is the thirteenth report of congenital neuroblastoma associated with placental metastasis.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

[Persistent scalp infestation by Dermanyssus gallinae in an Emilian country-woman].

A case of persistent infestation of the scalp due to Dermanyssus gallinae.--Infestation due to Dermanyssus gallinae, the common red mite of poultry, in a country-woman aged 69 years from Crevalcore (Emilia-Romagna region, Northern Italy), is described. The case was unusual either for its location, the scalp, and for its persistence, 9 months. Specimens of the mite were also found in the henhouse adjacent to the patient's house. Apparently the woman recovered by means of daily washing of camomile tea.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed2000

Histopathological evidence of North American blastomycosis in Italy: report of two cases.

No clinical reports of blastomycosis in Italy have been published until now. We here report two cases of histologically diagnosed, unexpected cutaneous involvement in patients, aged 78 and 52 years, living in North Italy and never having been abroad. The histological differential diagnosis between blastomycosis and other fungal pathogens is discussed. Even in the absence of culture the present cases can confidently be considered as genuine examples of Blastomyces dermatitidis infection in Italy.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The Italian experience of a Pap test and speculoscopy based screening programme.

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of the study was to evaluate if speculoscopy, a magnified chemiluminescent examination, combined with a Pap smear, could improve the detection of early cervical lesions compared with the Pap smear alone. SETTING: Pap tests and speculoscopies were performed in two family planning centres located in the surrounding areas of Modena. Colposcopic investigations and biopsies of the uterine cervix were performed in a second level centre (Gynaecological Prevention Centre of Modena Policlinico). Histological specimens were analysed at the Section of Pathological Anatomy of Modena Policlinico. SUBJECTS: The study population comprised 1000 women aged 25-64 years, invited to undergo a Pap smear every three years in accordance with the screening programme for cervical cancer started in Modena in 1997. METHODS: Midwives performed the Pap smear and speculoscopy in succession. Women with a positive Pap test and/or positive speculoscopy underwent colposcopy and, if colposcopic findings were positive, targeted punch biopsies were performed. RESULTS: A total of 1000 patients were subjected to cytology and speculoscopy examinations. Among these women, 10 had abnormal Pap smear findings whereas 144 had an abnormal speculoscopic pattern. Only three of 59 patients with a histological diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade I (CIN I)/human papillomavirus and only three of seven patients with CIN II/CIN III had a positive Pap test. CONCLUSIONS: Speculoscopy combined with a Pap test can significantly increase the detection of cervical lesions when included in a screening programme.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Human pulmonary dirofilariasis: the first case observed in Greece].

We report a case of human pulmonary dirofilariasis in a 31-year-old man residing in the Aigion (Pelopennesus) Greece. The patient was hospitalized for fever of unknown cause. The chest x-ray showed a coin lesion in the left lung. Lung cancer was suspected and lobectomy was performed. Pathology reported presence of a nematode in an infarcted nodule. Its morphology enabled the diagnosis of an immature female Dirofaria repens. Twenty-two cases of human subcutaneous or subconjunctival human dirofilariasis have been reported. The present case is the first located in the lung.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Human dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens: an update of world literature from 1995 to 2000.

Following on from their review of 1995 (Pampiglione et al.), the authors present an update of human cases of dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens (Nematoda, Filarioidea, Onchocercidae) reported in the world literature. Cases of the parasitosis published from 1995 to 2000 are reported country by country. The essential data are presented in tabular form and the clinical, parasitological, histopathological, epidemiological features are analysed. 372 new cases spread over 25 countries are thus added to the list published in 1995. The countries most affected are Italy, Sri Lanka, some republics of the ex-Soviet Union. The age of the patients varied from 4 months to 100 years, the majority being in their 40s. There was virtually no difference in incidence between sexes. The parasite appeared most frequently in the upper half of the body, particularly in the head and ocular region and also in the upper limbs. Cases of visceral involvement are also reported. Of the various forms of human dirofilariasis, that due to D. (N.) repens is confirmed to be the most important as regards not only the number of subjects affected and the wide geographical distribution but also the variety of organs involved, notably the lungs, the male genitals and the female breast, invariably leading to a wrong diagnosis of malignant tumour. In man, the zoonosis may be described as emerging: whereas until the middle of the last century only a few dozen cases were reported, in the last 50 years the number has gradually increased to reach the present 782.

Adolescent↗