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Biomedical subjects

G Anselmo

Publications and source records attributed to G Anselmo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Production of epidermal growth factor in human prostatic cells cultured in vitro.

The Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) plays an important role in the regulation of in vitro growth of prostate cells inducing a strong mitogenic effect. Nevertheless in our previous study we observed that the treatment of human hypertrophic prostate cell line U285 with exogenous EGF produces a restricted effect on the cellular growth rate. This phenomenon could be due to the capacity of the cells to produce EGF. In this study we aimed to verify this hypothesis by evaluating the presence of mRNA of EGF and EGF receptor (EGF-R) and of their translation products in U285 cells, before and after the treatment with suramin and exogenous EGF. Moreover we studied the effects exerted by these substances on the proliferative rate of the cells U285 after different treatment protocols. The presence in the cells of mRNA for EGF and EGF-R and of their translation products was demonstrated by means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemical methods respectively. The modification of growth rate induced by these drugs was studied by FRAME Cytotoxicity Test. The operative modalities adopted to carry out these growth assays tended to 1) focus the effects of suramin in relation to in vitro cellular growth phase; 2) verify the reversibility of its effects; 3) ascertain if it was possible to antagonize the action of suramin by adding exogenous EGF. The results obtained from the RT-PCR showed the presence, in the control cells and in the treated ones, of mRNA coding for EGF and EGF-R. The immunocytochemical analysis indicated that 20% of the control cells are EGF positive, and 83% are EGF-R positive, confirming the results obtained with RT-PCR. Moreover, these stainings showed that the treatment with EGF does not significantly modify the percentage of cells marked by the anti-EGF antibody, while treatments with suramin and suramin plus EGF double this percentage. None of the treatments modifies the percentage of EGF-R positive cells. The growth assays showed that the exposition to highest doses of suramin in the first 24 h of cultures causes a decrease (p < 0.05) of the cellular proliferation during the following 48 h and 72 h and that these effects are irreversible. Moreover, a contemporaneous exposition of the cells to EGF and suramin at seeding strengthens the cytotoxic action of the last drug. To sum up, the demonstration of the presence in the U285 cells of mRNA coding for EGF and EGF-R and of the corresponding proteins, confirms the hypothesis that these cells can produce EGF. Moreover, the cytotoxicity experiments allowed a focusing of the role of the endogenous EGF in the regulation of the U285 cells proliferation and confirmed the importance of biological events that take place in U285 cells during the first 24 h of culture.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

[Cost analysis of ultrasound-guided transrectal needle biopsy in prostatic carcinoma].

INTRODUCTION: The literature mortality and morbidity rates from prostatic carcinoma prompt to the better use of some routine diagnostic tools such as transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy. We evaluated the overall cost of transrectal ultrasound biopsy (TRUSB) of the prostate and investigated the economic impact of the procedures currently used to diagnose prostatic carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The total cost of TRUSB was calculated with reference to 247 procedures performed in 1996. The following cost factors were evaluated: personnel, materials, maintenance-equipment depreciation, energy consumption and hospital overheads. A literature review was also carried out to check if our extrapolated costs corresponded to those of other authors worldwide and to consider them in the wider framework of the cost effectiveness of the strategies for the early diagnosis of prostatic cancer. RESULTS: The overall cost of TRUSB was Itl. 249,000, obtained by adding together the costs of: personnel (Itl. 160,000); materials (Itl. 59,000); equipment maintenance and depreciation (Itl. 12,400); energy consumption (Itl. 100); hospital overheads (Itl. 17,500). The literature review points out TRUSB as a clinically invasive tool for diagnosing prostatic carcinoma whose cost-effectiveness is debated. Cadaver studies report the presence of cancer cells in the prostate of 50% of 70-year-old men, while extrapolations calculate a morbidity from prostatic carcinoma in 9.5% of 50-year-old men. It is therefore obvious that randomized prostatic biopsies, methods apart, are very likely to be positive. This probability varies with the patient's age, the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA), the density of PSA/cm3 of prostate volume (PSAD), and the positivity of exploration and/or transrectal ultrasound findings. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the strict application of all these criteria and the critical assessment of the patient's general conditions, TRUSB is indicated for 16% of the male population over 50, with obvious implications. It has been recently suggested that the ratio between free PSA (antigen fraction of the total serum PSA) and total PSA could be clinically useful as an effective predict of TRUSB positivity or negativity. Free PSA evaluation might thus help reduce the number of TRUSB.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Uptake and intracellular distribution of idarubicin in secondary cultures of normal and neoplastic urothelium.

This study analyzes the uptake and endocellular distribution of idarubicin (IDA) in normal and neoplastic urothelial secondary cultures in relation to the changes in concentration and time of exposure. The urothelial lines were isolated by Freshney's method from biopsy fragments taken from five patients with superficial bladder cancer. Pharmacological experiments were carried out on subcultures previously immunophenotypically characterized and did not exceed ten passages. The uptake and endocellular distribution of IDA was analyzed by densitometric image analysis on cells treated for 10, 20, 30 and 60 min and 2 h with scalar dosages from 10 ng/ml to 2430 ng/ml. Microscopic observations and densitometric analyzes revealed that in the cells treated with IDA, fluorescence was higher in the cytoplasm compared to the nucleus and increased with the change in dosage. Moreover, densitometric data showed that IDA uptake in the first 20 min was higher in the neoplastic cells, but after that period its behavior became heterogeneous at 30 and 60 min, while at 2 h there was an inversion of the trend. These results suggest that the in vitro cytotoxicity should be evaluated in order to verify whether the elevated uptake of IDA in the first 20 min of treatment is really correlated to a more elevated toxicity in the neoplastic cells with respect to the normal cells. This is presently under investigation.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed1997

Effects of DHT and EGF on human hyperplastic prostate cells cultured in vitro: growth, morphology and phenotype characterisation.

This work studies the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the growth, morphology and phenotype characterisation of the U285 line obtained from human prostate hyperplastic tissue. Modifications of growth rate induced by these two substances have been evaluated by means of the neutral red assay formulated by Borenfreund and Puerner (1985) as well as by means of Kenacid blue assay described by Knox et al. (1986), culturing cells for 24, 48 and 72 hr with scalar doses of DHT (0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10 microM) and EGF (5, 10, 20, 100 ng/ml). An optical microscope connected to a computer aided system and a scanning electron microscope were used to monitor morphological changes induced by DHT and EGF. The immunophenotype characterisation of the treated and control cells was carried out by using a monoclonal antibody panel. Our results show that the expression of anti-cytokeratin 5+6+18, anti-cytokeratin 8+18+19 and anti-proline-4-hydroxylase antibodies varied in relation to the type of treatment undergone by the cells. Moreover, exogenous DHT does provoke a flattening of the U285 cells without modifying their rate of growth, while EGF both shortens the lag phase reactivating the quiescent cells and regulates the subsequent log growth phase, thus causing no cellular overgrowth.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1994

Growth, morphology, and morphometry of human hypertrophic prostate cells treated with suramin in vitro.

This work studies the effects of suramin on the growth and morphology of cell strain U285, obtained from human prostate hypertrophic tissue and cultured in vitro. The FRAME cytotoxicity test was performed to evaluate the inhibition of growth induced by suramin. Cells were exposed to suramin at the time of seeding and 24 hours later; neutral red was added with and without suramin. An optical microscope connected to a computer-aided system and a scanning electron microscope were used to study morphological changes induced by suramin. Growth inhibition depends on drug concentration and exposure period. Moreover, the effect of suramin on neutral red uptake is reversible. Suramin 1,000 microM causes the cells to become spheroid, and they fail to form a monolayer. Our data indicate that the addition of suramin during the lag phase decreases the rate of cell proliferation.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1994

Effect of alkaline citrate therapy on clearance of residual renal stone fragments after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in sterile calcium and infection nephrolithiasis patients.

The natural history of post-extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy residual stone fragments (clearance, growth and aggregation) is incompletely known, even though they are believed to constitute a risk in terms of new stone formation and persistent infection of the urinary tract. We addressed this issue and the hypothesis that alkaline citrate therapy improves residual stone fragment clearance in a 12-month followup study. There were 40 sterile calcium and 30 struvite stone patients with residual fragments after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (diameter less than 5 mm.) consecutively enrolled and randomly assigned to a citrate therapy (6 to 8 gm. per day) or control (hygienic measures only) group. Infection stone patients also received adequate antibiotic therapy throughout the study. Among the patients in the untreated sterile group 21% and 32% were stone-free at 6 and 12 months, respectively. In the infection group these figures were 27% and 40%, respectively. Among the untreated sterile calcium stone patients in whom clearance was not achieved a high percentage experienced residual fragment growth or reaggregation. Citrate therapy significantly improved the stone clearance rate in the sterile (at 6 and 12 months 65% and 74% were stone-free, respectively) and infection (71% and 86%, respectively) stone patients, and prevented residual fragment growth or reaggregation in subjects in whom clearance was not achieved. The data show that growth and persistence are common in the natural history of residual stone fragments. Citrate ameliorated the outcome of these residual fragments by reducing the growth or agglomeration, and by increasing the clearance rate in calcium oxalate and in infection stone patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Persistent sciatic artery aneurysm. Case report].

Persistent sciatic artery is a rare vascular anomaly particularly interesting for possible complications as buttock aneurysm and ischemic or embolic. Authors describes a case of buttock aneurysm of persistent sciatic artery personally observed analyse its anatomic and clinical features, and lay stress on the importance of angiography as essential examination in order to an exact surgical treatment.

Aneurysm↗
PubMed1992

Epistaxis in renal carcinoma.

A 62-year-old man presented with recurrent epistaxis and a mass in the left nostril. Histological examination of the excised tissue showed clear cell carcinoma and he was found to have an asymptomatic carcinoma of the right kidney. A year after right nephrectomy, excision of the left maxilla, and radiotherapy he was well with no sign of recurrence. Early recognition of this rare condition and excision of both primary and metastatic tumours are recommended.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1991

Recombinant alpha interferon in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. A cooperative phase II study.

A total of 61 evaluable patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma have been treated with 3 x 10(6) IU per square meter of body surface with recombinant alpha 2b interferon three times a week within a Cooperative Phase II Study. Toxic death for terminal renal failure occurred in 1 patient (1.63%), and toxicities greater than WHO grade 2 were present in 10 cases (16%). The overall response rate after six months of treatment was 13.1% (partial response 4, minor response 4). Two complete responses were obtained at nine and fifteen months (3.3%). Long-lasting stabilization of disease was 13.1 percent.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Fractures of the penis: therapeutic approach and long-term results.

Injury to the external male genitalia is considered, with attention focused on accidental fracture of the corpora cavernosa (by coitus or masturbation). Such injuries are often complicated by urethral lesions. We present 13 patients with either simple or complicated fracture of the penis, all of whom were operated on between 2 h and 8 days following injury, with excellent functional results. The need for immediate surgery is emphasised, in order to avoid erectile failure and curvature, which are typical complications of conservative treatment. Surgery consists of complete evacuation of haematoma, curettage and repair of the albuginea. If the fracture is associated with urethral disruption, the latter is also repaired.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Antegrade ureterolitholapaxy in the treatment of obstructing or incarcerated proximal ureteric stones.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) and retrograde ureterorenoscopy (RU) have transformed the management of ureteric calculi. Nevertheless, patients with obstructing proximal ureteric calculi are not suitable for ESWL or RU. From January 1986 to September 1988, 17 patients with fixed upper ureteric stones underwent antegrade renoureteroscopy and percutaneous surgery. The technique was effective in removing incarcerated proximal ureteric calculi: all patients were stone-free at follow-up 3 months later.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Cancer of the prostate. Clinical estimation and results of radical prostatectomy].

The authors present their experience about the accuracy of staging and the results of radical prostatectomy in prostatic cancer. From january 1978 to september 1988, 47 patients with clinically localized prostatic carcinoma underwent staging pelvic lymphadenectomy, of whom 36 had proven negative pelvic lymph nodes and 1 had only a micrometastasis in the obturatory nodes. We reviewed the surgical results and survival of these 37 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. The postoperative complications were compared to those reported in Literature: partial incontinence occurred in 3 patients and there were no symptomatic urethral strictrues. 1 patient died in the early postoperative period by DIC. 35 patients are alive, 27 free of disease, with average follow-up of 36 months. The over-all accuracy of staging was 87%. Our experience suggests that radical prostatectomy with staging bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy can be performed in a safe manner with minimal postoperative morbidity.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1987

Multiple simultaneous bilateral urothelial tumours of the renal pelvis.

Three cases of simultaneous bilateral transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis are reported. In one case the bladder and urethra were also involved. The information provided by radiological studies (particularly renal angiography) and cytology allowed us to define with accuracy not only tumour sites but also the tumour itself and the degree of malignancy. Based on the latter finding, the surgical approach was adapted to each individual case and consisted of papillectomy, partial pyelectomy or heminephrectomy associated with contralateral nephroureterectomy. In one case total cystourethrectomy was performed. Long-term follow-up showed no recurrence in the residual urinary tract 5 to 8 years post-operatively.

Aged↗