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Biomedical subjects

G Giuffrè

Publications and source records attributed to G Giuffrè.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Immunohistochemical study of Tn, sialosyl-Tn and T antigens in human meningiomas.

Since an aberrant glycosylation associated with abnormal expression of cell surface carbohydrates has been described in many human tumours, we have investigated the expression of simple mucintype carbohydrate antigens (Tn, sialosyl-Tn and T) in 30 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded surgical specimens of primary meningiomas, subdivided according to the WHO classification as follows: 18 meningotheliomatous, 7 transitional, 2 angiomatous and 3 anaplastic; in addition, 5 meningeal samples taken at autopsy were tested as control. Specific monoclonal antibodies (HB-Tn1, HB-STn1 and HB-T1, Dako) were utilized with ABC method; the percentage of immunostained cells was graded as follows: O (no staining); 1 (> 0 to 5%); 2 (> 5 to 50%); 3 (> 50%). Tn antigen was not expressed in any case. Sialosyl-Tn antigen was demonstrated only in cases of anaplastic meningiomas (score 1-3). The immunoreactivity for T antigen was found in 2 cases of meningotheliomatous (score 1) and in all the anaplastic meningiomas (score 1-2). Negative results were obtained with antisera in the control meningeal samples. Our results thus document a peculiar expression of sialosyl-Tn and T antigens in anaplastic meningiomas, suggesting a block of glycosylation as an immunophenotypic finding of malignant transformation. The sporadic immunostaining for T antigen encountered in the meningotheliomatous variety may be interpreted as an intermediate step of malignant changes.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗
PubMed1997

The AgNoR count in ulcerative colitis with and without dysplasia.

The numbers of specific intranuclear AgNOR silver precipitates (AgNORs) and their relation to the Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Dysplasia Morphology Study Group's classification were studied in 134 colonscopic biopsy specimens of ulcerative colitis (UC) with and without dysplastic findings from 73 patients with active and inactive disease. In addition, 40 cases of colonic adenocarcinomas and 22 normal colonic mucosae were also assessed for comparison with the one-step silver staining AgNOR technique. Statistical comparison of the mean AgNOR number revealed a highly significant inter-class difference (P < 0.001) between UC without dysplasia and UC with dysplasia as well as between active and inactive UC. On the contrary, the AgNORs count did not separate colonic adenocarcinomas from UC with dysplasia either high or low grade nor these three classes from the group of UC with indefinite dysplasia. The quantitative evaluation of epithelial changes occurring in UC by the AgNOR method may help to establish the clinical management of colitis patients, in addition to qualitative morphological criteria.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

Differences in AgNOR quantity between colorectal cancer and corresponding metastases: are they useful for prognostic purposes?

In order to evaluate the relationship between primary colorectal adenocarcinomas and their metastases with regard to AgNOR proteins expression, we have performed a morphometric analysis of AgNOR silver precipitates (AgNORs) in advanced colorectal carcinomas (stage III-IV) as well as in corresponding lymph node and distant metastases. Surgical specimens studied consisted of 64 primary tumours, 56 lymph node and 43 hepatic or omental metastases; for each formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimen, silver staining according Ploton et al. (1986) was performed and the AgNOR area (NORA) relative to primary site, lymph node and/or distant metastases was calculated. A significant difference (P < 0.001) among the non-neoplastic colonic control mucosae and primary or metastatic neoplastic lesions was found, but no statistically significant differences were encountered among the categories of primary colorectal carcinomas and their lymph node or distant metastases. Moreover, on the basis of NORA data case per case, three groups of patients were selected. In particular, in the group 1 NORA values of metastases were higher than those of the corresponding primary carcinomas, while in the group 2, NORA values of metastases were lower than those of the corresponding primary neoplasms; no differences of NORA values were encountered in group 3. The cumulative patient survival estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method showed a worse prognosis for patients belonging to group 1, where higher AgNOR values, not only in primary carcinomas but also in lymph node and distant metastases, were found.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1996

Detection of Tn, sialosyl-Tn and T antigens in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

The simple mucin-type carbohydrate antigens Tn, sialosyl-Tn, T and the 'cryptic' sialylated variant of the last represent the mucin core oligosaccharide structures that are produced in the initial steps of the mucin biosynthetic pathway. Utilizing monoclonal antibodies anti-Tn antigen (HB-Tn1), anti-sialosyl-Tn antigen (HB-STn1), anti-T antigen (HB-T1) and the biotinylated Amaranthus caudatus agglutinin (ACA), we have investigated the expression of the simple mucin-type carbohydrate antigens in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC; 15 cases) compared with sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC; 60 cases) and normal colonic mucosa (30 cases). A variable positivity of Tn, sialosyl-Tn, T and the cryptic sialylated form of this latter antigen was encountered in both HNPCC and sporadic CRC cases; in addition, in normal colonic mucosa a constant reactivity was encountered only for Tn and the cryptic sialylated form of T, while negative results were always obtained for sialosyl-Tn and T antigens. Statistical analysis, performed using a Chi-square test, showed significantly lower (P = 0.037) expression of sialosyl-Tn and higher (P = 0.022) expression of T in HNPCC than in sporadic CRC, suggesting a greater presence of beta 1,3 galactosyltransferase activity in HNPCC than in sporadic CRC. We were unable to identify a peculiar phenotype for HNPCC with simultaneous evaluation of reactivity for HB-Tn1, HB-STn1, HB-T1 and ACA; the biological significance of the preferential expression of T antigen in HNPCC remains to be investigated.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Immunohistochemical expression of metallothionein in normal human colorectal mucosa, in adenomas and in adenocarcinomas and their associated metastases.

The immunohistochemical distribution pattern of metallothionein, a low molecular weight protein with strong affinity for divalent heavy metal ions, has been investigated in normal and neoplastic conditions of the large bowel. Utilizing a monoclonal mouse antibody the following formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded surgical or biopsy samples were studied: tubulo-villous adenomas (8 cases); adenocarcinomas with various degree of differentiation (85), nine of which were mucinous-type; synchronous tubular or tubulo-villous adenomas separate from carcinomas (30); transitional mucosa (45); metastases in lymph nodes (43); and distant metastases (45). Twenty biopsies from the right and left colon of 10 patients affected by irritable bowel syndrome were also analyzed. Normal colonic mucosa as well as transitional mucosa showed metallothionein immunopositivity in enterocytes at the luminal surface and crypts. Evident nuclear and cytoplasmic staining was encountered in tubulo-villous adenomas; the same reactivity was noted in the basal glandular component of colorectal carcinomas-synchronous adenomas, while less intense staining was noted in the apical villous portions. A variable metallothionein immunostaining was observed in adenocarcinomas (62.3%), in lymph node (55.8%) and distant hepatic (17.2%) and omental (43.8%) metastases, although it was not always concordant with that reported in the corresponding primary tumour. Whether the metallothionein positivity observed in normal and neoplastic cells is the result of expression of a stable form of the protein or an accumulation in the nucleus and cytoplasm remains to be clarified.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Prevalence of glaucoma and distribution of intraocular pressure in a population. The Casteldaccia Eye Study.

IOP was measured in 1062 middle-aged and elderly subjects of a small Sicilian town, enrolled in a population based survey. The mean IOP was 15.1 +/- 3.7 mmHg without interocular or sex differences. A small but significant age-dependent increase of IOP was found. Circadian and seasonal influences were recorded: IOP was higher in the morning and in winter. The prevalence of chronic open-angle glaucoma was 1.2%, but it grew to 3.6 if only subjects aged 70 years or more were considered. IOP of 24 mmHg or more was found in 2.7%, while 4.3% of subjects showed IOP of 21 mmHg or more. This survey shows that mean IOP of the Mediterranean population studied is similar to the IOP found in other epidemiologic investigations; the prevalence of glaucoma, however, seems to be rather high.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Prevalence and causes of blindness and low vision in the Casteldaccia Eye Study.

In a population-based survey performed on the middle-aged and elderly population of Casteldaccia, Sicily, we found that the prevalence of blindness was 0.47% and the prevalence of low vision 1.22%. Unilateral blindness affected 2.81% of the population and unilateral low vision 4.12%. Visual impairment was much more frequently seen in subjects aged 70 years or more than in younger persons. The main cause of visual impairment was cataract, followed by amblyopia, which was responsible for many cases of unilateral low vision.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Vascular modifications within a choroidal osteoma.

We report a case of choroidal osteoma followed-up for 7 years. During this lapse of time the choroidal osteoma showed slight enlargement, development of subretinal hemorrhage and modifications of intratumoral vascularization. Some large intratumoral vessels visible at first examination disappeared at follow-up, while other vessels not observed before developed. The changes in the vascularization of the choroidal osteoma denote profound dynamics in the processes of osseous rearrangement of the tumor.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Immunocytochemical detection of DNA topoisomerase type II in primary breast carcinomas: correlation with clinico-pathological features.

DNA topoisomerase type II (DT-II) is a major component of interphase nuclear matrix fractions, present in S-phase of the cell cycle. A series of 80 carcinomatous breast surgical samples was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, using a polyclonal antibody in a comparison with Ki-67 antiserum. A correlation with clinico-pathological data was also performed. Infiltrating ductal and lobular carcinomas constantly express DT-II with varying intensity of nuclear staining; a similar immunohistochemical pattern is observed with Ki-67. A frequent co-expression of DT-II and Ki-67 is encountered with double immunostaining; accordingly to these data, a linear relationship is evident when linear regression is employed. In addition, significant relationships between DT-II values and tumour size, histological grade and node involvement are shown, while an inverse correlation is appreciable between DT-II and oestrogen receptors and progesterone receptors. DT-II may be considered to be an additional operational marker for the proliferating fraction of cells in breast carcinomas.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Optociliary veins and central retinal vein occlusion.

In a follow up of 94 patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) whose onset had taken place less than 1 year earlier, optociliary veins (OCVs) were found in 7.4% at first examination. Among the 79 eyes in which the fundus of the eye was very visible after a follow up of more than 1 year OCVs were found in 30.4%, showing a late development of OCVs in many cases of CRVO. No difference was found in the occurrence of OCVs between non-ischaemic and ischaemic forms of CRVO. The visual acuity of the eyes with CRVO that developed OCVs was not significantly different from the visual acuity of the eyes without OCVs. Thus, the presence of OCVs in CRVO does not seem to be associated with better visual prognosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Minute and small early gastric carcinoma with special reference to eosinophil infiltration.

The authors examined 25 minute early gastric cancers (EGC) and 13 small EGC in order to investigate the incidence and possible causes for the infiltration of eosinophils. The degree of eosinophil infiltration was higher in tumour stroma than in adjacent normal-appearing mucosa; this correlation was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Tumour-associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) was not correlated with size, histological type, necrosis of the tumour nor gastritis activity in adjacent non-tumoral mucosa. Electron microscopy, performed in 4 cases of small EGC, showed tumour stromal eosinophils with morphological evidence of activation similar to those described for tissue eosinophils in various disorders. Some tumour cells in intimate contact with activated eosinophils exhibited focal cytopathic changes. TATE represents local inflammation probably leading to tumour cell damage. The immunological role of the eosinophils against tumour cells in vivo deserves further investigation.

Adult↗