Biomedical subjects

G La Torre

Publications and source records attributed to G La Torre.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Predictive role of thymidylate synthase, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase and thymidine phosphorylase expression in colorectal cancer patients receiving adjuvant 5-fluorouracil.

OBJECTIVE: The combined assessment of thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) and thymidine phosphorylase (TP) gene expressions in metastatic colorectal cancer has been reported to be able to predict the efficacy of fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy. In order to evaluate the prognostic role in the adjuvant setting, we investigated the TS, DPD and TP expression in primary tumors of colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). METHODS: TS, DPD and TP expression levels were determined by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded primary tumor tissues from 62 patients with Dukes' stage B and C colorectal cancers who underwent surgery and received adjuvant systemic chemotherapy with 5-FU. The median follow-up was 90 months (range 17-127). RESULTS: Dukes' stage C cancer and high TS expression were independent markers of poor prognosis for disease-free survival (DFS; p = 0.0009 and p = 0.007, respectively) and overall survival (OS; p = 0.0005 and p = 0.011, respectively). By multivariate analysis, patients with high DPD expression had significantly shorter DFS (p = 0.007) and OS (p = 0.005) compared to patients with low DPD expression. In the combined analysis of 2 markers, patients with low TS and low DPD had the best outcome in terms of DFS (p = 0.007) and OS (p = 0.03). The analysis of all 3 proteins showed that the patients with low expression of all 3 markers had significantly longer DFS (p = 0.04) and OS (p = 0.01) than patients with a high value of any one of the protein expressions. However, the joint analysis of 3 markers (group with TS-/DPD-/TP-) could not identify a subgroup of patients with a better prognosis compared to the analysis of 2 markers (group with TS-/DPD-). The analysis of Dukes' stage C cancer patients confirmed a significant benefit in terms of DFS and OS (p = 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively) when all 3 markers had low expression. We also found a positive significant correlation between TS and TP protein expression (p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective investigation suggests that the combined assessment of TS and DPD may be useful to evaluate the prognosis of patients with Dukes' B and C colon carcinoma receiving 5-FU adjuvant chemotherapy. The role of TP as a predictor for 5-FU-based therapy needs further investigations.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Auditory attention at the onset of West syndrome: correlation with EEG patterns and visual function.

At the onset of West syndrome a specific impairment of visual function has been clearly demonstrated, while other aspects of sensorial development, and in particular of the auditory function, have been less studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate auditory function and orienting responses at the onset of West syndrome, and to relate the results with EEG patterns, visual function and neurodevelopmental competence. A prospective multicentric study was performed on 25 successively enrolled infants with West syndrome; all the patients underwent a full clinical assessment, including MRI and video-EEG, visual function and auditory orienting responses (AORs) as well as Griffiths' developmental scales. The whole assessment performed at the onset of spasms (T0) was repeated after two months (T1). AORs resulted significantly impaired both at T0 and T1. At the onset of spasms a highly significant relationship of auditory attention with visual function and neurodevelopmental competence was shown in both cryptogenic and symptomatic forms, but it was no longer present after two months. Our results may suggest a possible pervasive effect of the epileptic disorder on sensory processing, associated to a deficit of neurodevelopment. Although we failed to show a significant correlation between auditory orienting responses and EEG patterns, some evidence seems to support at least partially an influence of the epileptic disorder per se on the genesis of the sensorial impairment. A longer follow up and a larger cohort will be useful for a better clarification of these findings.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2006

Variables influencing quality of life and disability in Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) patients: Italian multicentre study.

The purpose of this study was to assess the variables that influence quality of life (QoL) and disability in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). We performed a prospective multicentre study using validated clinical disability and QoL measurements. Multivariate analysis was performed using QoL as a dependent variable and duration of symptoms, age, gender and CMT type, depression and disability measurements as independent variables. We enrolled 211 patients. QoL was highly significantly deteriorated with respect to the Italian normative sample. The physical aspect of QoL was mainly related to disability but it does not increase with the age, probably because of an adaptation between expectation and reality. The mental QoL is influenced by depression (hence we have to consider this aspect approaching CMT patients). Moreover, we observed that women complained of more severe symptoms than men. Finally, some CMT subtypes are related to more severe bodily pain symptoms than others. Multiperspective assessment of CMT showed new aspects of this disease, mainly regarding (1) differences between men and women and (2) the crucial role of pain and depression.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Alter Ego. Drug and brain--information to prevent. Compared analysis of opinions, knowledge and habits among a multicentric sample of secondary school students about drug addiction.

Repression and control have been shown to be inadequate for drug addiction issues. Recent history, however has proved that information is one of the most effective measures against the spread of drugs. The wide range of drug circulation and the need for the spread of correct information on the effects of drugs in man, especially his brain, have led the Center for Scientific Culture Diffusion of Cassino University, to widen the scope of "Alter Ego. Drugs and the brain", a touring educational exhibition, which opened in 1994, by dedicating more attention to socially accepted drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco, and to new substances like ecstasy and similar drugs. Concurrently with the Alter Ego touring exhibition, a study was undertaken to obtain information on public awareness of the dangers of psychotropic drug abuse and to assess the effectiveness of the exhibition as an instrument of scientific information about drug addiction among its visitors, during its tour of over 60 Italian towns.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Prognostic value of ventricular arrhythmias and heart rate variability in patients with unstable angina.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prognostic value of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with unstable angina. DESIGN: Multicentre prospective study. SETTING: 17 cardiological centres in Italy. PATIENTS: 543 consecutive patients with unstable angina and preserved left ventricular function (ejection fraction >or=40%) enrolled in the SPAI (Stratificazione Prognostica dell'Angina Instabile) study. METHODS: Patients underwent 24 h ECG Holter monitoring within 24 h of hospital admission. Tested variables were frequent ventricular extrasystoles (>or=10/h), complex (that is, frequent or repetitive) VA, and bottom quartile values of time-domain and frequency-domain HRV variables. Primary end points were in-hospital and six-month total and cardiac deaths. RESULTS: Eight patients died in hospital (1.5%) and 32 (5.9%, 29 cardiac) during follow up. Both complex VA and frequent extrasystoles were strongly predictive of death in hospital and at follow up, even after adjustment for clinical (age, sex, cardiac risk factors and history of myocardial infarction) and laboratory (troponin I, C reactive protein and transient myocardial ischaemia on Holter monitoring) variables. At univariate analysis bottom quartile values of three HRV variables (standard deviation of RR intervals index, low-frequency amplitude and low to high frequency ratio) were associated with in-hospital death, and bottom quartile values of most HRV variables predicted six-month fatal events. At multivariate Cox survival analysis reduced low-frequency amplitude was consistently found to be independently associated with fatal end points. CONCLUSION: In patients with unstable angina with preserved myocardial function, both VA and HRV are independent predictors of in-hospital and medium-term mortality, suggesting that these factors should be taken into account in the risk stratification of these patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Topical immunomodulator therapy with squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE) is effective treatment for severe alopecia areata (AA): results of an open-label, paired-comparison, clinical trial.

UNLABELLED: Severe alopecia areata (AA) may have a chronic relapsing course and is often resistant to current treatments. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to evaluate whether topical immunotherapy with squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE) is able to improve the course of severe AA and to reduce the severity of relapses. METHODS: Fifty-four patients affected by severe AA treated with SADBE who were followed for a period of at least 2 years were selected as the study group. Data collected were compared with those of a matched control group of 54 patients who did not receive any treatment. Student's t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson's chi-squared test were utilized for data analysis. RESULTS: At the end of therapy, in comparison with the control group, the treatment group showed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvement. At follow-up, there was no significant change in relapse rate (treated 44% vs control 52%). However, relapses in the treated group were significantly less severe compared with the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that topical SADBE represents a valid therapeutic option in severe AA, and may prove to be disease modifying.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2005

Lack of association of CCR gene polymorphisms and left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a major determinant of heart damage. Scientific evidence suggests the influence of genetic factors, but these have yet to be completely clarified. This study investigates a possible relationship between LVH and two chemokine receptor (CCR) gene polymorphisms: CCR5delta32 and CCR264I. Essential hypertensive out-patients (n=118, grade I-II, age 27-54) were recruited from the Catholic University Hypertension Centre. For each subject, clinical data on office blood pressure and M-mode/2D echocardiography were collected. Statistical analysis did not show a significant association between the CCR polymorphisms and LVH in the study population.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Relationship between the tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNF-RII) gene polymorphism and sTNF-RII plasma levels in healthy controls and in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNF-RII) gene polymorphisms and sTNFRII plasma levels in healthy blood donors (HBDs) and in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. 113 HBDs and 49 RA patients were genotyped for the T/G polymorphism in exon 6 of the TNF-RII gene. In the same cases, sTNF-RII plasma levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedure. sTNF-RII levels were higher in RA patients than in HBDs (p < 0.0001). No difference in sTNF-RII levels arose between RA patients on low oral doses of glucocorticoids versus those not taking glucocorticoids. In healthy controls, we observed lower levels of the sTNF-RII in carriers of the TT genotype compared to TG/GG genotype (p = 0.04). In RA there was the same behaviour between TT and TG/GG carriers, even though the difference was not statistically significant. When analyzing the correlation between sTNF-RII plasma levels and disease activity parameters, significant correlations were seen with disease activity score (r = 0.40, p = 0.01), swollen joint count (r = 0.38, p = 0.01), and tender joint count (r = 0.42, p = 0.01), but not with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.22, p = ns) nor with C-reactive protein (r = 0.14, p = NS). The correlation remained significant only in the RA subgroup carrying the TT genotype. Healthy donors carrying the TT genotype showed lower sTNF-RII plasma levels than carriers of the TG/GG genotypes, while in RA patients we observed only a trend.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus antibodies in blood donors from the province of Latina, Italy.

In order to calculate the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies in blood donors and to verify the efficacy of the pre-donation method (testing blood samples of potential donors at least 3 months in advance of their first donation), we performed a retrospective cohort study in 1995 and in the period 1996-2000 at the blood transfusion unit in Latina (Italy). Third generation ELISA method as well as RIBA-3 were used. 5,978 donors in 1995 and 20,741 in the 1996-2000 period were analysed. The age of donors (prevalently male, 78.5%) was between 18 and 65 (median 38). A total of 110 borderline and 62 positives were found with ELISA, of which 75 borderlines and 42 positives in 1995, and the remaining in the 1996-2000 period (p > 0.5). Percentage of HCV antibodies dropped from 8.5% in 1995 to 5.45% in the 1996-2000 period. The non reactivity and undetermined status were found in 82.1 and 9.4% respectively in 1995, and 69.1 and 25.45% respectively in the 1996-2000 period. The incidence of HCV antibodies was 167.28 cases per 100,000 person-years in 1995 and 4.13 per 100,000 person-years in the 1996-2000 period, 2.5 times lower than the national one. There was a statistically significant association between dental care and RIBA positivity (RR: 2.63; p = 0.045). This study, moreover, evidences how pre-donation practices, if extended to a national basis, may be able to nullify the dangers associated with post-transfusional hepatitis and to reduce the number of false positives and of blood packs donated but either unused or destroyed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Fatty acid synthase expression in melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Fatty acid synthase (FAS), the key enzyme responsible for the synthesis of fatty acids, is weakly expressed in some normal human tissues. Recently, FAS has been demonstrated to be overexpressed in many non-neoplastic highly proliferative lesions and in aggressive carcinomas with poor outcome, including colon, breast and ovary carcinomas. METHODS: In order to evaluate the prognostic significance of FAS in human melanoma, we analysed by means of immunohistochemistry, using a monoclonal anti-FAS antibody, 77 primary melanomas and 30 nodal and cutaneous metastasis. Thirty nevi (15 dermal and 15 junctional nevi) were used as controls. All patients were followed-up for 5 years. RESULTS: Thirty-four melanomas expressed strong FAS immunostaining; the remaining 43 cases showed weak expression or were negative. All cutaneous and nodal metastasis were strongly positive. All patients with metastases deceased during the follow up period. Control specimens expressed weak staining. None of these patients developed recurrence. Statistical analysis revealed significant association of FAS expression with Breslow thickness (p = 0.012). The intensity of FAS immunostaining was also predictive of prognosis (p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: FAS is a reliable prognostic marker in human melanomas. FAS predictive strength is increased when associated with Breslow thickness. The observation of FAS in human melanomas may stratify patients for stricter follow-ups and suggest different therapeutic approaches.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Light-emitting diodes (LED) technology applied to the photopolymerization of resin composites].

An adequate polymerization of resin composites can significantly contribute to increase the longevity of a restoration. In this field, the choice of the operative technique and the characteristics of the lamp are very important. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of cure of the light-emitting diodes (LED) lamps comparing them to the others currently available for resin composites photopolymerization. At present, halogen lamps are the most commonly used light sources, but this technology does not allow further developments; even plasma arc and laser lamps have some drawbacks. The innovative LED technology, based on semiconductors, opened new and interesting views in the field of photopolymerization; to the advantages of a soft-start polymerization they add the safety, efficiency, economy and long lifetime of LED light. A careful review of the literature revealed that, although their lower emission of light, these lamps are capable of a polymerization qualitatively comparable to other light sources. Physical and mechanical properties, degree of conversion, depth of cure and final hardness of the composites cured with a LED light are similar to the values achieved with the halogen lamp, whereas the temperature increase is significantly lower and does not pose a threat to the pulp tissue. Undoubtedly, more tests of the mechanical properties of composites processed with LED units need to be carried out but, as the technology improves, LED curing will become an interesting alternative to existing curing methods.

Biopolymers↗

PubMed2000

Appropriateness of hospital utilisation in Italy.

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of inappropriate hospital admission and inappropriate days of stay and the effect of variables on such inappropriateness on an adult population in Italy. A review was made of medical records of patients admitted to any one of the following specialities: medicine, surgery, gynaecology or traumatology/orthopaedics at one of five hospitals located respectively in Siena, Frosinone, Rome and Catanzaro, and who were in-patients during one of four pre-selected index days. To determine the appropriateness of hospital admission and length of hospitalisation, a retrospective application was made using the Italian version of Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP). A total of 1299 patient days were reviewed. 14.2% of the hospital admissions and 37.3% of the number of hospitalisation days were judged to be inappropriate. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that inappropriate admission was significantly increased with relation to: greater distance from hospital to patient's home; admission to a medical ward; planned admissions; and admission over a weekend. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the inappropriate number of days of hospitalisation was significantly higher for medicine and for patients who were inappropriately admitted. The main reason for categorising an admission as inappropriate was that the patient's problems could be treated on an out-patient basis, and, for inappropriate days of care, the physician was overtly cautious in the management of a patient. Changing the physicians' behaviour and the organisation of hospital activities may be effective in improving the quality and efficiency of hospital care.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Tension-free laparoscopic and open hernia repair: randomized controlled trial of early results.

The aim of the study was prospectively to compare the early results and outcome in 105 patients randomly allocated to undergo tension-free laparoscopic hernia repair (LHR) with transabdominal preperitoneal technique (53 patients) or open hernia repair (OHR) with mesh apposition (52 patients). The mean (SD) operation time was longer in the LHR group than in the OHR group: 49.6 (5.4) versus 33. 9 (6.2) minutes; p < 0.001. One laparoscopic case was converted to open repair to deal with a hemorrhage from an aberrant obturatory artery at the level of Cooper's ligament. Groin discomfort or pain was the most common complication after both procedures. The patients requiring none, one, two, or more than two doses of intramuscular diclofenac were, respectively, 40.4%, 40.4%, 15.4%, and 3.8% after LHR and 50.0%, 30.8%, 17.3%, and 1.9% after OHR (p = 0.69; NS). The mean +/- SEM (range) postoperative visual analog scale score, ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable), was 3.1 +/- 0.2 (1-7) in the LHR subset and 2.7 +/- 0.2 (1-5) in the OHR group (p = 0.14; NS); on the second postoperative day the score was 2.3 +/- 0.2 (1-6) and 1.8 +/- 0.1 (1-4), respectively (p < 0.03). The time +/- SEM (range) of resumption of pain-free normal activities and work was faster in OHR group: 6.1 +/- 0.2 (4-8) weeks versus 6.5 +/- 0.1 (4-8) weeks; p < 0.03. Our results showed that tension-free open hernia repair is superior to LHR in terms of postoperative pain with no important differences in recovery. </HEA

Disease-Free Survival↗

PubMed1999

Overweight and Obesity among secondary school children in Central Italy.

Childhood and adolescent obesity prevalence rates have steadily increased in industrialised countries in the last 20 years. Current rates of obesity range between 6 and 30%. Several studies showed that risk factors for weight gain in school age are strongly linked to low physical activity and family environmental factors (parents' education and job, number of family members, number of hours spent on watching television, etc.). In order to plan a nutritional and health educational programme, a study was conducted on the nutritional status of the school age population of the Province of Frosinone, Central Italy, and family factors that can influence it. Three percentage of the school age population of the Province of Frosinone (2053 students) and their families were randomly sampled from the Province school district database. In each of the 12 recruited schools, a meeting with teachers and students was arranged to discuss aims and methods of research and to collect informed consent by students. Each student was interviewed about physical activity, and underwent the following measurements: height, weight, bicipital, tricipital, sub-scapular and over-iliacal skinfolds, sexual development. Students' parents were asked to answer a questionnaire about family structure, parents' educational level and job, parents' height and weight, presence in the family of pathologies as hypertension or diabetes. One thousand three hundred fifty-seven students (66% of the target population) and 1802 parents (66.5% of the responders' population) agreed to enter the study. Students' age range was 8 years (11-19 years; mean age was 14.9, SD, 2.55). Among them 8.4% were considered obese, with a higher prevalence in male population (9.8%) as compared to female population (6.5%). Of these responders, 21.4% were considered at risk of overweight with no statistical difference due to gender. Statistically significant correlations of teenagers' risk of overweight and obesity with nutritional conditions of parents, mother's educational level and amount of weekly physical activity were observed. Number of children in the family, parents' age and job do not appear to be correlated to obesity or risk of overweight. Our results show that, although the prevalence of obesity in the students population in the Province of Frosinone is comparable to other Italian Provinces and lower than other industrialised countries such as USA, the percentage of students at risk of overweight is particularly high. Main risk factors for developing obesity seem to be linked to parents' nutritional conditions, mother's educational level and children's physical inactivity and this should lead to intensify efforts for preventive interventions both at family level (focused on parents) and at school.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Detection of breast implant rupture with aspiration cytology.

A new method for diagnosis of ruptured silicone gel-filled implants was developed. The method uses a recently described technique for insertion of a catheter into an implant capsule. This allows irrigation with saline and recovery of cells for cytopathologic diagnosis. Cytopathologic diagnosis was both sensitive (94 percent) and specific (95 percent) in the detection of intracellular foreign material accompanying ruptured implants. The intracellular material has been positively identified as silicone. This laboratory study included 42 samples obtained at three time intervals on 5 rabbits, each of which had one "ruptured" and one intact implant for a total of 10 implants.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy used to identify foreign materials related to breast implants.

Clinically useful methods to identify and document the presence of foreign material in tissues surrounding breast implants are needed. Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy is an ideal technique for examining tissue for the presence of implantable biomaterials. Because the spectroscopy is microscopically guided, the pathologist is assured that the obtained spectrum is from the region of interest in a tissue section. Scanning electron microscopy yields elemental data but cannot be used to identify compounds. Because each compound has a unique spectrum by Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy, the spectrum obtained enables identification of the various foreign materials observed by light microscopy in tissues surrounding breast implants. Histopathology from implant capsules demonstrating a silicone gel-filled implant, a saline-filled textured implant, a polyurethane foam-covered gel-filled implant, a Dacron fixation patch, and a paraffin injection granuloma are presented with corresponding Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy spectra.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Solution effects on the surface reactions of a bioactive glass.

The in vitro surface reactions of a 45S5 bioactive glass in three simulated body fluids (SBF) are analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Five reaction stages are observed. Calcium and phosphate ions in SBF accelerate to a small extent the repolymerization of silica (Stage 3) and formation of an amorphous calcium-phosphate (a-CP) layer (Stage 4) on the glass surface. The a-CaP layer is crystallized to form hydroxy-carbonate apatite (HCAp) (Stage 5) more rapidly in the Ca- and P-containing SBF solutions (in 90 min rather than 120 min). However, Mg ions in SBF slow down formation of the a-CaP layer and greatly retard crystallization of HCAp on the glass surface.

Biocompatible Materials↗

PubMed1992

K-opioid receptor changes in experimental models of cerebral ischaemia and atherosclerosis in the rabbit.

Thromboembolic phenomena and transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) are considered the basis of ischaemic pathologies. The aim of the present research is to investigate the involvement of k-opioid receptors in cerebral blood flow (CBF) impairment which results in experimental stroke or dietary atherosclerosis in rabbits. CBF measurement showed a significant decrease in rabbits submitted to embolization and/or atherosclerosis. Binding studies showed that massive cerebral ischaemia and atherosclerosis produced a significant increase in the number of k-opioid receptors (Bmax), without changing (KD) affinity values. In conclusion, the results obtained seem to indicate that the increase in k-opioid receptors might play a crucial role in a common cerebral biochemical mechanism both in ischaemic and atherosclerotic pathologies.

Animals↗