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Biomedical subjects

L Cerullo

Publications and source records attributed to L Cerullo.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

The identification of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of malignant brain tumors.

A two-step strategy was developed consisting of differential display reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR) with cultured normal human fetal astrocytes and U-373MG glioma cells followed by reverse Northern analysis of normal brain and primary tumor tissues. hu-dek, alpha-NAC, ribosomal proteins L7a and L35a, and five novel genes were identified. Since none of these genes has been previously shown to be associated with malignant brain tumor formation, this approach may be useful to identify novel targets for the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors.

Astrocytes↗
PubMed2000

Beta1,6-N-acetylglucosamine-bearing N-glycans in human gliomas: implications for a role in regulating invasivity.

The metastatic potential of tumor cells has been shown to be correlated with the expression of tri- and tetra-antennary beta1,6-N-acetylglucosamine (beta1,6-GlcNAc)-bearing N-glycans, which are recognized by Phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinating lectin (L-PHA). The expression of beta1,6-GlcNAc-bearing N-glycans also has been used as a marker of tumor progression in human breast and colon cancers. In this report, the role of N-glycan branching in regulating glioma migration and invasion was examined. The expression of beta1,6-GlcNAc-bearing N-glycans was found in human glioma specimens, whereas astrocytes from normal adult brain were negative. The expression of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V) mRNA, which is responsible for the biosynthesis of beta1,6-GlcNAc-bearing N-glycans, was high in glioma cell lines with robust ets-1 expression. To study the molecular mechanism of GnT-V expression in human glioma cells, an inducible ets-1 gene was stably transfected into SNB-19 cells using a tetracycline repressor system. GnT-V mRNA expression was increased by the induction of c-ets-1, suggesting that the Ets-1 transcription factor directly regulates the transcription of GnT-V. Stable transfection of GnT-V into human glioma U-373 MG cells resulted in changes in cell morphology and focal adhesions and a marked increase in glioma invasivity in vitro. L-PHA has little effect on cell migration. On the contrary, Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinating lectin (E-PHA), which recognizes bisecting beta1,4-GlcNAc-bearing N-glycans, strongly inhibits cell migration (haptotaxis) on a fibronectin substrate in U-373 MG transfectants and other glioma cell lines tested. These results suggest that the increased beta1,6-GlcNAc-bearing N-glycan expression found in malignant gliomas is modulated by GnT-V through the Ets-1 transcription factor, and that the branching of complex type N-glycans plays a major role in glioma invasivity.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Recurrence of vestibular (acoustic) schwannomas in surgical patients where preservation of facial and cochlear nerve is the priority.

The risk of tumour recurrence was measured in a series of surgically treated vestibular (acoustic) schwannoma patients where preservation of facial and cochlear nerve function was a routine objective. This report describes the influence of this surgical philosophy on the hazards of tumour recurrence or continued growth from residual tumour cells left in situ. A series of 116 consecutive vestibular schwannoma patients underwent primary surgical resection in a general community hospital by a single neurosurgeon. Recurrence of a tumour was assessed radiologically. Eighteen patients experienced a recurrence. No relationship was found between recurrence and age, residual coagulated morsels of tumour, preoperative tumour size, or opening of the internal auditory canal. Time to recurrence ranged from six to one hundred and forty-eight months and all but two recurrent lesions were non symptomatic. Lifelong follow-up of these patients is therefore, suggested.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

alpha2,3-sialyltransferase mRNA and alpha2,3-linked glycoprotein sialylation are increased in malignant gliomas.

CMP-NeuAc: Galbeta1,3(4)GlcNAc alpha2,3-sialyltransferase (alpha2,3-ST) mRNA was expressed in human glioma specimens, human fetal astrocytes, and a panel of brain tumor cell lines. Maackia amurensis agglutinin staining revealed the presence of alpha2,3-linked sialic acids on glioma cell surfaces and extracellular matrices whereas normal human adult astrocytes were negative. Increased expression of alpha2,3-linked glycoprotein sialylation may play a role in glial tumorigenesis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

The expression of CMP-NeuAc: Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc alpha 2,6 sialyltransferase [EC 2.4.99.1] and glycoproteins bearing alpha 2,6-linked sialic acids in human brain tumours.

The expression of CMP-NeuAc: Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc alpha 2,6 sialyltransferase (alpha 2,6-ST) [EC 2.4.99.1] and glycoproteins bearing alpha 2,6-linked sialic acids were examined in primary human brain tumours and cell lines. 79% (19/24) of the meningiomas expressed alpha 2,6-ST mRNA, 42% (10/24) of which showed very high expression. alpha 2,6-ST mRNA expression was undetectable in normal brain tissue. In contrast, only 1/13 of the gliomas examined expressed detectable alpha 2,6-ST mRNA. Metastases to the brain did not express measurable amounts of alpha 2,6-ST mRNA. Less expression was found in malignant (i.e. anaplastic) compared to benign (i.e. meningothelial) meningiomas. Two-dimensional SDS-PAGE of glioma and meningioma proteins, followed by Sambucus nigra lectin staining, revealed the presence of a glycoprotein bearing alpha 2,6-linked sialic acids, M(r) = 53 kDa and a pI = 7.0 (MEN-1) that appeared in all seven of the meningiomas examined, but was expressed at barely detectable levels, if at all, in seven out of the seven glioblastomas examined. Thus, decreased alpha 2,6-ST expression may play a role in the aggressive nature of anaplastic meningiomas, but appears to be virtually absent in all tumours of glial origin.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Plastic artificial eyes: overview and technique.

Eye prosthetics and its practitioners have evolved through self-development studies, to become an integral part of the ophthalmic plastic surgery multidisciplinary team. Eye prosthetics is a distinct art and science in dealing with the many facets of eye surgery. The ocularist must have in his armamentarium alternate procedures, flexibility, cooperation, and become knowledgeable of all the options available to him. This in turn will offer opportunities for providing the plastic artificial eye patients with the best final results possible.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1987

Brain surface exposure to CO2 and NdYag laser application: effect on pulmonary endothelium response in the rat.

Pulmonary endothelial cells and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system respond to different types of injury (direct or indirect) with variations in their functions. These variations influence the regulatory mechanisms of pulmonary and systemic blood pressure, electrolyte balance and fibrinolysis. Concentration changes of some components of the RAA system and lung plasminogen activator were observed following NdYag laser application to the brain surface in rats. These changes were similar to those observed in cutaneous burn and haemorrhagic hypotension. CO2 laser application did not cause the same changes.

Aluminum Silicates↗
PubMed1987

Phenylpropanolamine: an over-the-counter drug causing central nervous system vasculitis and intracerebral hemorrhage. Case report and review.

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is the major ingredient in more than 70 over-the-counter preparations including diet pills, nasal decongestants, and the legal "look-alike" stimulants. Structurally and functionally similar to amphetamine and ephedrine, PPA has recently been associated with several neurological manifestations including psychosis, stroke, severe headache, seizures, and intracerebral hematoma. We report a case of intracerebral hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage in a young woman with angiographic and biopsy-proven vasculitis of the central nervous system (CNS) induced by PPA in her diet pills. From review of the literature, we distinguish drug-induced vasculitis as a separate entity from primary CNS vasculitis, both clinically and pathologically. This report should alert physicians, in general, to this potentially fatal side effect of PPA, a commonly used over-the-counter drug. Also, neurosurgeons in particular should consider the possibility of drug-induced vasculitis when faced with cases of intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage without apparent cause.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Complications of sublaminar wiring.

Complications of sublaminar wiring are reported, including four cases that involved the cervical spine and one case that included the thoracolumbar spine. The complication rate at our institution involving the cervical spine was about 7% and less than 1% for the thoracic spine. A direct correlation exists between the degree of anterior bowing, number of consecutive laminae the wire passes beneath, and the complication rate. The clinical presentations, radiologic findings, and indications for surgical removal of the wires are discussed. To our knowledge, nothing has been reported in the literature regarding the complications caused by sublaminar wiring of consecutive vertebrae.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Clinical and laboratory investigation of the effects of epsilon-aminocaproic acid on hemostasis.

We previously reported that epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) prolonged the bleeding time in patients with intracranial aneurysms when given in doses of 36 to 48 gm/day. We now show that doses of 24 gm/day also prolong the bleeding time, but only after 72 hours of continuous infusion. The effect on the bleeding time correlates with the duration of EACA therapy but not with the plasma level of the drug. Bleeding times return toward normal within 72 hours of discontinuing EACA infusions. The factors responsible for the bleeding time prolongation were investigated. In vitro, EACA inhibited adenosine diphosphate- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation and the release of platelet adenosine triphosphate and serotonin. It also prevented the adenosine diphosphate-stimulated binding of fibrinogen to intact as well as to chymotrypsin-treated platelets. However, platelets obtained from patients who had received EACA showed little functional impairment. This observation indicates that the focus of EACA activity in vivo is probably not the platelet per se, but the platelet-vessel wall interaction or a vascular component alone. EACA did not enhance prostacyclin production or release from cultured bovine endothelial cells. The fact that the effects of the drug on the bleeding time were related to the duration of EACA therapy suggests that an accumulation of the drug on the vessel wall may be required before alterations in hemostasis are observed. EACA in a daily dose of 24 gm significantly impaired fibrinolysis, but supranormal levels of fibrinolytic activity were observed within 72 hours of stopping the drug.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aminocaproates↗