PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Tanzini

Publications and source records attributed to G Tanzini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

UFT/leucovorin and oxaliplatin alternated with UFT/leucovorin and irinotecan in metastatic colorectal cancer.

A total of 41 metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients received tegafur/uracil (UFT)+leucovorin (LV)+oxaliplatin alternated with UFT/LV+irinotecan. The overall response rate was 58.5% (95% confidence interval, 42.2-73.3%), and the median progression-free survival was 8.8 months. There were no grade 4 toxicities; 12 patients (29%) experienced grade 3 diarrhoea. There were no cases of hand-foot syndrome. This alternating regimen seems to be effective and well tolerated in the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic CRC.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

Metabolism of adenosine in human colorectal tumour.

The aim of this work is to analyse the activities of the enzymes metabolising adenosine in fragments of neoplastic and normal-appearing mucosa, surrounding the tumour in 20 patients affected by colorectal cancer. The results show that the activities of the enzymes are markedly higher in tumour in comparison to normal mucosa to coope with the accelerated purine metabolism in cancerous tissues.

Adenosine↗
PubMed2004

Enzyme activities controlling adenosine levels in normal and neoplastic tissues.

Adenosine is known to be associated with effects such as inhibition of immune response, coronary vasodilation, stimulation of angiogenesis, and inhibition of inflammatory reactions. Some authors suggest that adenosine may also have similar functions in tumor tissues. Tissue levels of adenosine are under close regulation by different enzymes acting at different levels. Adenosine is produced from AMP by the action of 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT) and is converted back into AMP by adenosine kinase (AK) or into inosine by adenosine deaminase (ADA). Inosine is converted into purine catabolites by purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), whereas AMP is converted into ADP and ATP by adenylate kinase (MK). The aim of this study was to analyze the activities of the above enzymes in fragments of neoplastic and apparently normal mucosa, obtained less than 5 cm and at least 10 cm from tumors, in 40 patients with colorectal cancer. The results showed much higher activities of ADA, AK, 5'-NT, and PNP in tumor tissue than in neighboring mucosa (p > 0.01 for ADA, AK, and PNP; p > 0.05 for 5'-NT), suggesting that the activities of purine metabolizing enzymes increase to cope with accelerated purine metabolism in cancerous tissue. The simultaneous increase in ADA and 5'-NT activities might be a physiological attempt by cancer cells to provide more substrate to accelerate salvage pathway activity.

Adenosine↗
PubMed2001

Melting temperature analysis as quantitative method for detection of point mutations.

Different methods have been devised to detect point mutations. Some are very sensitive, detecting mutations even in a background of normal tissue, but none provide information about the percentage of cells with mutant DNA. Here we describe an easy, fast and reliable method, melting temperature analysis, which not only detects point mutations but also provides quantitative information on the percentage of cells with mutant DNA. By this method we detected a G-A transition in codon 12 of the K-ras gene in DNA of subjects with colorectal cancer. The K-ras mutation was found in 9/10 bowel cancers and 8/10 normal adjacent samples. It was also detected in 4/7 stool samples from the same patients. In colorectal cancers, the proportion of K-ras mutant cells was variable: in two the mutant/wild-type DNA ratio was 30/70, in three 50/50, and in four 70/30. Melting temperature analysis was sensitive for the detection of point mutations in bowel cancer and also in apparently normal tissue, providing quantitative information about the percentage of cells with mutant DNA.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1998

[Total gastrectomy and quality of life].

We have evaluated quality of life after surgery in 24 patients (9 males and 15 females mean age 64.23 years, range 47-83 years) who underwent total gastrectomy for cancer (23 carcinomas and 1 lymphoma) in the last three years at the Department of Clinical Surgery, University of Siena. Intestinal continuity was re-established with Y jejunal loup according to Roux. All patients were studied prospectively: after the operation every six months they were interviewed using Korenaga's questionnaire. Group performance status scale was used to determine the level of activity of each patients. Comparing symptoms of patients after six months and 18 months there was a significant difference (p = 0.005) in terms of number of meals throughout the day, food tolerance and abdominal pain. Postoperative performance status revealed a complete recovery in 11 of 24 patients (45.8%) after 18 months. According to our experience patients who have undergone total gastrectomy enjoy a good quality of life and most of them return to the preoperative lifestyle in 18 months.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1998

[Total gastrectomy and malnutrition].

BACKGROUND: The operation more frequently performed for gastric malignancy is total gastrectomy. METHODS: Our reconstructive technique is Roux en Y esophago-jejunostomy, jejunal interposition after gastrectomy. In the next weeks after operation there is always an important, sometimes pathologic, slimming in gastrectomized patients. But is this slimming due to malnutrition or malabsorption? This is the real question. In our Institute a quarterly perspective clinical and instrumental follow-up for these patients has been prepared. RESULTS: We started with 41 patients, but we conducted the complete study only on 23. Of these patients, 56% have lost 10 kg weight, 25% 5 kg and 18% have not lost weight after 2 weeks from discharge dimission. But after 5 weeks, all patients had stabilized their own weight, and 18 months later the first two groups regained weight again, 1-2 kg. With our follow-up, we had educated patients to a correct personal natural diet necessary to normal social and working life. With our program in 3-4 weeks the weight of each patient was stable and we were able to control the malabsorption. CONCLUSIONS: Moreover, according to personal experience, it is important to plan a follow-up to rehabilitate patients to usual social life. This program allows to evaluate malnutrition and the possible iron or vit. B12 deficiency.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Papillary thyroid carcinoma in three siblings with familial adenomatous polyposis.

The authors report three siblings (two sisters and their aunt, aged 20, 22 and 36, respectively) with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and papillary thyroid carcinoma. After diagnosis of FAP, a single, non palpable nodule was revealed in each patient by routine screening ultrasonography of the gland. The diagnosis of papillary carcinoma was made by fine-needle-aspiration biopsy of the nodules and confirmed by histologic examination of surgical specimens. A review of the literature reveals about 40 reports of such an association, that is considered not fortuitous. Nevertheless, in this family the association seems to be a distinctive, clinical feature of the syndrome, affecting three out of five members intensively screened for extracolonic lesions.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1996

[Family anamnesis, cholecystectomy and gastric resection in patients with colorectal carcinoma: a case-control study].

An increased risk of colorectal cancer has been reported in first-degree relatives of affected patients, and following cholecystectomy or partial gastrectomy for benign peptic ulcer disease. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of these potential risk factors in 197 patients (127 males, 70 females, mean age 70 years +/- 10.9, range 22-94 years) with cancer of the large bowel and 202 controls (91 males, 111 females, mean age 68 years +/- 14.06, range 17-93 years) who underwent a total colonoscopy, that revealed no colorectal neoplasms. No significant differences were found between the case and control group for a past history of cholecystectomy or gastric surgery, respectively reported by 14 and 12 patients of group 1 and 18 and 8 patients of group 2. Patients with large bowel cancer show a significant excess of both colorectal (21.31% vs 11.9%) and extracolonic malignancies (46.19% vs 26.73) in first degree relatives (p < 0.05). In approximately 7% of them the aggregation of two or more colorectal cancers among relatives is suggestive for a hereditary form of large bowel cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Heredity and colorectal cancer].

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from malignancies in Western Countries. In spite of advances in treatment, little change in survival has been accomplished in last decades and this mandates greater importance to prevention and early detection. Although dietary factors have received primary attention familial clustering suggests that susceptibility to KCR is inherited. Hereditary colorectal cancer can arise on Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (HCC) or not on polyposis (HNPCC) and members of these families are at high risk of such neoplasias. Anyway, even in "sporadic" forms of KCR first-degree relatives have a 2 to 3-fold increased risk of the same cancer. The most desirable screening protocol would be a simple procedure involving only a blood test to identify gene defect by molecular biology techniques. Unfortunately, this is not practically possible, for lack of specific genetic alterations, out of FAP, and only the study of family history can enable targeted surveillance and cost-effective management strategies.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1994

Folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil as adjuvant chemotherapy in colon cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colon cancer is one of the major health problems in industrialized countries, and its incidence appears to be increasing. Surgical resectability is the most important prognostic determinant, although despite apparently curative surgery, recurrent tumors are common. Metastatic disease cannot be cured, and thus, there is a need for better adjuvant therapies. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-nine patients with surgically resected colon cancer in Dukes' stage B2 or C were randomly assigned to chemotherapy or observation alone to determine whether adjuvant chemotherapy could effectively reduce the rate of cancer recurrence. One hundred and twenty-one patients in stage B2 and 118 patients in stage C were enrolled in the study. Adjuvant treatment consisted of folinic acid 200 mg/m2, intravenously, plus 5-fluorouracil 400 mg/m2, intravenously, on days 1-5 every 4 weeks for 12 cycles. RESULTS: In stage B2, no significant difference between the adjuvant arm and the observation arm was noted. In stage C, adjuvant chemotherapy produced an advantage over observation in terms of a reduction in cancer recurrence rate with prolongation of a disease-free interval (P = 0.0016) and an improvement in overall survival (P = 0.0025). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that folinic acid plus 5-fluorouracil adjuvant chemotherapy is effective in patients with surgically resected Dukes' stage C colon carcinoma.

Chemotherapy, Adjuvant↗
PubMed1994

[Blood gastrin and colorectal neoplasms].

Gastrin has a trophic effect on the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and seems to have the potential for promoting colonic cancerogenesis through a chronic stimulation of the epithelial proliferation. Plasma gastrin has been reported to be elevated in patients with colorectal neoplasms. The aim of the present study was to verify this observation. Presurgical serum levels of gastrin were compared between 49 patients with colorectal neoplasms and 47 controls hospitalized for other surgical lesions. Results show significantly higher gastrin levels of case group than controls: 72.72 + 85.41 vs. 46.79 + 24.09 pg/ml (p < 0.05), and provide support for the hypothesis of a gastrin-stimulated neoplastic growth enhancing at the same time the potential therapeutic role of reducing gastrin secretion.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1984

[The use of prostheses in recurrent hernias].

The use of inert plastic (Prolene mesh, 0,027 inches in thickness fournited by Ethicon) as preperitoneal prosthesis in repair of incisional hernias and inguinal hernia recurrencies has been investigated in 28 patients operated upon then 1977 to 1984. In 9 patients the inguinal approach was used with one recurrence (11%). In 9 patients the posterior approach through a midline incision has been used with two recurrences (22%). In 10 patients with incisional hernias there was only one recurrence (10%). Total recurrences rate was 14%. Most recurrences occur in patients operated from 1977 to 1980 (40%). Patients operated in the last period from 1980 to 1984 had no recurrences.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Anal sphincter function following colorectal anastomosis with a stapler by transperineal-sphincter approach].

In 4 patients who under went low anterior resection for cancer of mid and lower 1/3 of the rectum, with colo-rectal anastomosis by posterior transphinteric approach, anorectal pressure profiles have been studied by open tip technique 30 d. 6 months following operation. Bowel movements, gas and feces discrimination and anal continence were also controlled. Resting pressure, delta % pressure changes during recto-anal reflex, pressure in voluntary contraction, altered in the first post-operative period, become normal in 6 months. Although volume and pressure at urgent rectal sensation, volume and rectal sensation and compliance altered after surgery did not change after 6 months, suggesting that the reservoir function of the rectum is lost, patients achieved a good control of bowel movements, and a good gas and feces discrimination and anal continence within the first 6 months of operation.

Anal Canal↗
PubMed1984

[The use of mechanical suturing in colorectal anastomoses].

In 16 patients affected by cancer of the mild or lower 3 of the rectum, has been performed a colorectal anastomosis by EEA Stapler, with abdomino-transanal approach. In the postoperative period no case of anastomotic bleeding or stenosis has been observed. 3 patients (18%) presented minor anastomotic dehiscence detected by radiologic examination, without clinical symptomatology. The EEA Stapler anastomosis seem sure almost as the traditional hand sutures, and allow the execution of anterior resection instead of abdominal perineal amputation of rectum.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[The use of mechanical suturing in esophago-jejunal anastomoses].

10 esophagojejunostomies by EEA Stapler were performed on adult patients (8 males and 2 females, mean age 54 years), after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. No postoperative bleeding or stricture were observed. 2 anastomotic leaks occurred (20%). The major cause of anastomotic failure is probably technical (incorrect assembly or lubrication of the instrument). According to the our experience and to literary data, the use of stapling devices for performance of esophagojejunostomies is recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Strain-gauge plethysmography in the evaluation of the evolution of deep vein thrombosis of the legs].

Previous research has shown that MVO (Maximum Venous Outflow), VR (Venous Reflux), VE (Venous Emptying) and the respiratory waves recording are useful in differentiating occlusion and recanalization in postphlebitic syndrome. In the present work strain-gauge plethysmography was employed to quantitate the venous function after deep venous thrombosis of the legs. The studies were performed in a vascular laboratory with controlled temperature (23 to 25 C); records were obtained by a plethysmograph Parks mod. 270 connected to a Hewlett-Packard multi-channel mod. 7700. 17 patients (12 males, 5 females), mean age 55 years (range 24-75) that presented femoropopliteal thrombophlebitis documented by phlebography at the admission to the hospital were examined. MVO with and without superficial veins occlusion was measured by a mercury in silastic strain-gauge placed circumferentially about the calf. A pneumatic cuff thigh was inflated to 60 mm Hg. VE was measured in patients lying in inclined bed with the lower extremities 100 cm below the heart level compressing the calf with a pneumatic cuff 10 times for 5 seconds; the strain-gauge was placed on the foot level. VR after Valsalva's maneuver and the respiratory waves were recorded by a strain-gauge positioned at the maximum girth about the calf in patients lying on inclinated bed with the lower extremities 50 cm below the heart level. The result are here indicated: (Table: see text) There was differences in the evolution of venous function after deep venous thrombosis of the legs for each patient. Strain-gauge plethysmography may become evaluable non invasive technique in the evaluation of deep venous thrombosis evolution in the legs. The therapeutic assessment of postphlebitic syndrome.

Adult↗