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Biomedical subjects

G Castagna

Publications and source records attributed to G Castagna.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Ascorbic acid and intestinal metaplasia in the stomach: a prospective, randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal type metaplasia plays a role in intestinal type gastric carcinoma development. Ascorbic acid demonstrates a protective effect against gastric carcinogenesis, due to its ability to inactivate oxygen free-radicals as well as its nitrite-scavenging effects. AIM: To assess whether long-term ascorbic acid administration following Helicobacter pylori eradication could affect intestinal metaplasia regression in the stomach. METHODS: Sixty-five patients were included in the study. The inclusion criterion was the presence of intestinal metaplasia on the gastric mucosa after H. pylori eradication. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed and 3 biopsy specimens were taken in the antrum, 3 in the gastric body, and 2 in the incisura angularis. Patients were randomized to receive 500 mg of ascorbic acid o.d., after lunch (32 patients) for 6 months or no treatment (33 patients). All patients underwent to endoscopic control at the end of the 6 months. RESULTS: H. pylori infection recurrence was detected in 6 (9.4%) patients (three from each group), and these patients were excluded from further analysis. We were unable to find evidence of intestinal metaplasia in any biopsied site of the gastric mucosa in 9/29 (31%) patients from the ascorbic acid group and in 1/29 (3.4%) of the patients from the control group (P=0.006). Moreover, a further six (20.7%) patients from the ascorbic acid group presenting chronic inactive pangastritis with widespread intestinal metaplasia at entry, showed less extensive antritis with intestinal metaplasia at control, whilst a similar finding was only seen in one patient from the control group (P=0.051). CONCLUSION: The administration of ascorbic acid significantly helps to resolve intestinal metaplasia of the gastric mucosa following H. pylori eradication, and its use as a chemoprevention treatment should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Clinical and histologic predictors of Helicobacter pylori infection recurrence.

Factors influencing Helicobacter pylori infection recurrence still have not been fully clarified. The aim of this study was to determine whether, after eradication of H. pylori, any clinical or histologic features could yield information on infection relapse. We enrolled in the study 72 patients successfully treated for H. pylori infection by either dual (n = 49) or triple (n = 23) therapy. H. pylori eradication was defined as a negative bacterial finding by rapid urease test and histologic assessment at least 4 weeks after cessation of therapy. Upon eradication, gastritis grading was performed and patients were asked to return for an endoscopic control 6-8 months later. The recurrence of H. pylori infection was observed in 12 of 72 (16.7%) patients. The infection recurrence rate resulted significantly higher in nonulcer dyspepsia patients (p = 0.01 ) and in women (p = 0.03), whereas infection relapse did not differ between patients treated with dual or triple therapy. There was a strong (p = 0.0001 ) relationship between the persistence of chronic active gastritis after H. pylori eradication and recurrence of infection, whereas gastritis grade and metaplasia were not related to recurrence. In conclusion, this study found that H. pylori infection recurrence after successful dual or triple therapy is fairly high and that gastroduodenal disease, gender, and gastritis activity seem to affect infection relapse.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Epidermal growth factor receptor, MUC-1 and MUC-2 in bladder cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mucin-1 (MUC-1) and mucin-2 (MUC-2) proteins in primary bladder carcinomas and to compare EGFR and MUC staining patterns with the histological findings, grade and stage of bladder carcinoma. Fifty-six surgical specimens obtained from superficial and deeply invasive bladder carcinomas were studied. Of the 56 bladder tumors 42 (75%) expressed EGFR, 34 (60.71%) MUC-1 and 15 (26.78%) MUC-2; while 7 tumors (12.5%) coexpressed MUC-1 and MUC-2 proteins. Immunohistochemical scores showed higher levels of EGFR than of MUC-1 (P <0.05) and MUC-2 (P = 0.000) and higher levels of MUC-1 than MUC-2 (P = 0.0010). EGFR and MUC-1 expression was stronger in high-grade tumors (grade 2/3) than in low-grade (grade 1/2) ones (P <0.05) and stronger in muscle invasive tumors (T2-T4) than in superficial (Ta-T1) ones. Linear regression showed a significant (P <0.05) correlation between EGFR and MUC-1 proteins, but no correlation between EGFR and MUC-2 or between MUC-1 and MUC-2. Immunohistochemical expression of EGFR, MUC-1 and MUC-2 increases as primary bladder carcinomas acquire a more aggressive phenotype. Differences in the distribution of EGFR and mucins within the urothelium may be of diagnostic and prognostic value. These antigens may be useful as markers for bladder malignancy.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Choroidal calcification in Bartter syndrome.

PURPOSE: Bartter syndrome is characterized by hyperplasia of the renal juxtaglomerular apparatus, hyperaldosteronism, and hypokalemic alkalosis. We report a case of Bartter syndrome associated with normal serum calcium levels and posterior choroidal calcification. METHODS: Case report. A 59-year-old man with bilateral cataract and Bartter syndrome underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, including standardized echography before and after cataract surgery. RESULTS: Before cataract surgery, echography identified small, hyperreflective, multifocal, bilateral choroidal lesions with posterior shadowing. After surgery, these lesions appeared as yellow-white, barely elevated plaques with smooth edges and were diagnosed as choroidal calcification. CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal calcification may occur in patients with Bartter syndrome. This condition should be added to the differential diagnosis of posterior segment calcification.

Bartter Syndrome↗
PubMed1998

Androgen receptors in ovarian tumors: correlation with oestrogen and progesterone receptors in an immunohistochemical and semiquantitative image analysis study.

The expression and distribution of androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptors was examined by immunohistochemical staining in 31 paraffin-embedded sections from ovarian tumors and the results were assessed by semiquantitative image analysis. Immunohistochemical staining showed heterogeneous patterns of steroid receptor distribution, with mainly nuclear immunoreactivity. Eighty-four percent of benign and malignant ovarian tumors expressed androgen receptors (AR), 74.19% estrogen receptors (ER) and 41.16% progesterone receptors (PR). All benign tumors showed immunoreactivity for the three steroid receptors. Malignant tumors expressed higher AR and ER histochemical scores (H-scores) than PR (82% vs 71% vs 39%). The incidence and expression levels of the steroid receptors varied widely in the different histological types of malignant tumors. Spearman rank analysis showed a positive significant (P < 0.05) correlation between AR- and ER and between ER- and PR-H-scores. In malignant ovarian tumors, neither AR, ER nor PR immunohistochemical scores correlated with tumor FIGO stage. Densitrometric analysis of immunostained steroid receptors is a valid method for assessing the steroid status, because it reduces subjective elements in scoring sections and increases the reliability of results. The high incidence of AR expression confirms the functional role of AR in ovarian tumors and suggests that the determination of AR content in ovarian cancer could have prognostic value.

Densitometry↗
PubMed1997

Molecular genetic analysis of TGF-beta1 in ovarian neoplasia.

Malignant ovarian tumours have been associated with a loss of autocrine growth inhibition by transforming growth factor-beta. This study aimed to detect abnormalities in the gene structure, expression and localization of TGF-beta1, in paraffin-embedded samples from 31 ovarian neoplasias (21 malignant, 5 borderline and 5 benign). Gene mutations in the region coding for the active protein were detected by PCR-SSCP analysis of exons 5, 6 and 7. mRNA expression and localization was studied by nonisotopic in situ hybridization (NISH) using cDNA probes generated by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry, using antibodies against both intracellular and extracellular (matrix-associated) forms of TGF-beta1. Four mutations were found: one in exon 6 (serous adenocarcinoma), one in exon 7 (Mullerian tumor), and two in exons 5 and 6 from a serous cystoadenoma. TGF-beta1 mRNA was expressed in 87% and proteins in 90% of ovarian tumours. Most tumours expressing large amounts of TGF-beta1 mRNA, also contained a large number of protein binding sites. In malignant tumors, TGF beta1 was more strongly expressed in high-grade ovarian carcinomas with a cystic-papillary pattern than in tumours with a solid growth pattern. Normal ovarian tissue (follicles, granulosa cells) adjacent to tumor showed weak epithelial labeling and staining. Gene mutation did not correlate with histological type of tumor, mRNA or protein expression. TGF-beta1 mutation and abnormalities in its expression seem to occur in benign and malignant ovarian tumors, and could be involved in their pathogenesis. TGF beta1 gene mutations may act in multistage ovarian neoplasia, by reducing epithelial cell responsiveness to TGF-beta1 negative growth control.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

Molecular genetic analysis of TGF beta1 in breast cancer.

Conflicting data suggest that TGF-beta1 can either inhibit or promote the progression of breast cancer. To determine the biological role of TGF beta1 in mammary carcinoma, in this study we examined the gene structure, expression and localization of TGF-beta1 using paraffin-embedded samples from 32 (27 IDC, 1 ILC, 1 DCIS, 1 ADH) breast lesions. Gene mutations in the region coding for the active protein were investigated by PCR-SSCP of exons 5, 6, and 7. mRNA -TGF-beta1 expression and distribution was examined by NISH using cDNA probes generated by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. We detected two mutations in exon 6 TGF-beta1 from IDC; and TGF beta1 mRNA and proteins in 28 (87%) of the tumors. Invasive breast carcinomas had more intense TGF-beta1 activity than CIS and than normal tissue adjacent to tumor. TGF beta1 mRNA and proteins were higher at the edge of the tumor than in the center and were also higher in less differentiated breast neoplasms. TGF-beta1 mRNA transcription and protein levels did not correlate either with TGF-beta1 exon 6 mutation or type and grade of differentiation of breast tumors. These observations suggest that TGF beta1 mutations in breast neoplasms might cause loss or inactivation of the growth inhibitory effects of TGF-beta1. They also support the proposed role of TGF-beta1 in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

Ultrasonographic findings in endophthalmitis.

Ultrasonographic findings are reported in 7 cases of endophthalmitis (6 of bacterial and 1 of fungal origin) resulting from perforating injuries (2 cases), severe corneal ulcers (2 cases) and open-eye surgery (3 cases). The most frequent ultrasonographic picture was characterized by a series of low reflectivity echoes in the vitreous with a high degree of mobility (7/7), fairly large endovitreal vacuoles (3/7) and hyaloid thickening (3/7). In one case the vitreous involvement was confined to only one quadrant. Choroidal thickening both of a homogeneous-diffuse (2/7) and nodular-multifocal type (3/7) was found. Localized choroidal detachment (1/7) and exudative pre-equatorial retinal detachment (1/7) were detected in only two cases. Ultrasonography proved useful both for detecting involvement of the posterior segment and for monitoring the time course of the infection process.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Pre-Cushing's syndrome: a case report.

A 67-year-old man affected by prostate cancer was incidentally found to have a nodular enlargement of the left adrenal gland without apparent changes in hormonal status. The adrenal mass was found to be scintigraphically active, the radiolabelled compound being concentrated in its context with a consensual suppression of the contralateral uptake. The patient underwent a resection of the adrenal tumor. Histologically and biochemically, the adrenal mass was found to be a non-functioning adenoma. The radioisotopic uptake along with the non-hormonal activity prompted us to call this tumor "Pre-Cushing's syndrome" of the adrenal cortex.

Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

Immunohistochemical study of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in gastric tumors: correlation with preoperative serum levels, histologic type, and grade of anaplasia of the tumor.

The occurrence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was studied in 45 cases of gastric tumors by the immunoperoxidase technique. CEA-positive staining was found in 48.8% of tumors. A correlation was found between preoperative CEA values and tumor CEA staining. All patients with serum CEA values below 2.5 ng/ml showed CEA-negative staining of tumor. In patients with serum CEA values between 2.6 and 10 ng/ml, the tumors showed a minority of CEA-positive cells; but in patients with serum CEA values above 10 ng/ml, the tumors contained a majority of CEA-positive cells. CEA-positive staining was found in 34.4% of tumors of the diffuse type, and in 75% of tumors of the intestinal type. A high percentage of CEA positivity was seen in well-differentiated tumors (87.7%) compared to the moderately differentiated (69.2%), and to the undifferentiated (28.7%). A faint CEA-positivity was observed in intestinal metaplasia, while normal gastric mucosa was CEA-negative.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Immunocytochemical study of a trabecular carcinoma of the skin (Merkel cell tumor). Case report.

The existence of different neuroendocrine markers was investigated by immunocytochemistry in a case of Merkel cells tumor. Neuroplastic cells contain NSE,NF,CK and chromogranin A i.r. On the basis of the results the neuroendocrine nature of this uncommon neoplasm of the skin is confirmed and it is suggested that chromogranin A could represent an additional marker for Merkel cells tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1985

CEA tissue staining in colorectal cancer patients. A way to improve the usefulness of serial serum CEA evaluation.

The evaluation of serial plasma carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels is one of the most important parameter used to establish the prognosis of surgically cured colorectal cancer patients. Carcinoembryonic antigen is particularly useful in the identification of recurrences and metastasis. However, to improve the usefulness of this assay, it would be helpful to accurately determine, if possible, those patients whose cancers produce CEA. The evaluation of the presence of CEA in these cancer specimens by means of immunoperoxidase staining technique does seem to improve the sensitivity of the CEA test. Fifty-seven patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgical treatment were studied. Tissue CEA evaluation was correlated with the plasma CEA levels, the pathologic stage and grade, and histologic type of the cancers. Results demonstrate that 66.6% of Dukes' B cancers, 78.9% of Dukes' C, and 77.7% of Dukes' D cancers stained positively for CEA by immunoperoxidase. Thirty of 57 patients with preoperative pathologic plasma CEA levels had positive tissue CEA, whereas 8/57 patients did not. Of patients with a well-differentiated cancer (G1), 81.4% had positive tissue CEA versus the 64% of G2 and 60% of G3 cancers. The authors conclude that the use of the immunoperoxidase stain to measure CEA in tissue, so that the CEA serum assay may be used in those patients known to produce CEA, results in a major increase in the sensitivity of the test.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1985

Tissue CEA detection by immunoperoxidase (PAP) test in colorectal polyps: correlations with the degree of dysplasia.

We study the presence of Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) on 39 colorectal polyps by the immunoperoxidase technique. The histological examination demonstrated 15 tubular adenomas, one villous adenoma, two tubulo-villous adenomas, six tubular adenomas with slight dysplasia, one tubular adenoma with moderate dysplasia, four tubular adenomas with severe dysplasia, three tubulo-villous adenomas with severe dysplasia, five tubular adenomas with neoplastic degeneration, and two tubulo-villous adenomas with neoplastic degeneration. Twenty-eight of thirty-nine polyps (71.79%) showed a positive staining reaction for CEA. Regarding the intensity of the reaction (classified as absent or negative [-], slightly positive [+], and markedly positive [+ +]), 11/39 polyps presented a negative reaction (28.21%), 19/39 (48.71%) presented a slight reaction, and 10/39 polyps (25.64%) presented a marked reaction. Results demonstrated a higher intensity of the staining reaction in severely dysplastic polyps and in neoplastic degeneration. In conclusion, it is possible that the presence of CEA can be useful to show an initial cellular restlessness of certain polyps.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1983

Usefulness of preoperative CEA levels in the assessment of colorectal cancer patient stage.

In order to demonstrate a prognostic value of preoperative CEA levels, we have tried to define a correlation between CEA and histologic stage of tumor in 124 patients with colorectal carcinoma. CEA concentration has been evaluated by radioimmunologic assay and the histologic stage following Dukes' classification. The results show a 25.0% positivity rate for patients in stage A, 48.2% for stage B, 61.1% for stage C, and 85.7% for stage D. The mean CEA values are 7.8 ng/ml in the first group, 30.3 ng/ml in the second, 58.1 ng/ml in the third, and 134.3 ng/ml in the last group. Furthermore, we have tried to relate the histopathologic grade of the tumor (G) with CEA levels in 54 patients of the 124. We conclude that preoperative CEA has a prognostic value, and it is useful in the staging of colorectal cancer patients. A low concentration indicates an early stage of the tumor, while a high concentration indicates a wide spread of disease; on the other hand, there are not significant correlations with cancer grading.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen↗