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L Cervoni

Publications and source records attributed to L Cervoni.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Intradural tumors of the cauda equina: a single institution review of clinical characteristics.

A retrospective review of 106 cases of intradural tumors of the cauda equina are presented, subdivided into 5 groups according to their histological characteristics. For each group the clinical course and long-term postoperative results were analyzed: it emerged that differential diagnosis between neurinomas, meningiomas or non-tumoral lesions is not possible based on clinical findings alone and that neuroradiological diagnosis is more accurate when MRI is employed. Long-term prognosis was always favorable with the exception of the group of ependymomas. Nevertheless, early diagnosis in the latter group of tumors gives excellent results because prognosis is apparently directly correlated to the length of preoperative clinical history.

Adolescent↗

DNA-nuclear matrix interactions analyzed by cross-linking reactions in intact nuclei from avian liver.

To detect the interactions of DNA with the nuclear matrix proteins, DNA-protein cross-linkages were induced in intact nuclei from chicken liver by the use of cis-diammine dichloroplatinum. Methods have been devised for fast purification both of the proteins and of the DNA fragments involved in the cross-linked complexes. By Southern-Western blotting a number of matrix proteins isolated from the complexes have been shown to recognize specifically DNA sequences present in the cross-linked DNA fragments. This experimental approach not only allows to identify the nuclear matrix-DNA interactions existing in the nucleus before its disruption, but also provides a preparation of matrix proteins enriched in those species which are involved in such interactions and which can therefore be detected with high sensitivity.

Animals↗

Protein-DNA interactions at the nuclear scaffold regions of DNA loops.

DNA in cell nuclei is organized in large loops, which are formed by the binding of DNA to proteins present in a nuclear structure called matrix or scaffold. There is ample evidence that these interactions have not only a structural role, but also a functional one. Studies of these interactions have so far been carried out mainly in vitro. Their relevance, therefore, for the in vivo situation is not proven. We have analyzed the DNA-protein interactions directly in the intact nucleus by means of cross-linking reactions. Cross-linking by UV irradiation and by cis-diamine dichloro platinum (II) have been performed on nuclei from chicken liver and compared. The platinum complex has been found to be more efficient. The proteins complexed to DNA have been isolated and analyzed, and have been found to be enriched in species present in the nuclear scaffold, independently from its method of preparation.

Animals↗

Recurrence of spinal ependymoma. Risk factors and long-term survival.

STUDY DESIGN: A study was conducted on 78 patients with spinal ependymoma. The authors divided the patients in two groups. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to elicit the risk factors for recurrence and the fate of patients who underwent second operations. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Group A is made up of 59 patients with no signs of recurrence at follow-up (median 14 years), and group B is made up of 19 patients who had undergone second operations because of relapses (follow-up median 12 years). METHODS: The clinical and therapeutic characteristics and survival of the two groups were compared statistically. RESULT: Analysis of the series shows that the most important points in predicting recurrence are length of clinical history (P < 0.05), gross appearance of the tumor at first operation (P < 0.05), and type of excision (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These factors proved to be closely interrelated. In the event of recurrence, spinal ependymoma has an adverse prognosis.

Adolescent↗

Post-radiation gliomas.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy is important in the treatment of neoplasm of the central nervous system, but various side effects, particularly neoplastic, have been described. Recently, post-radiation gliomas have been reported. METHODS: The authors review 88 cases of cerebral glioma following radiotherapy in patients operated for neoplasms of the nervous system, including 6 personal cases of post-radiation gliomas treated in the Neurosurgical Division of the Department of Neurological Sciences, "La Sapienza" University, Rome. The criteria used to define this unusual pathologic association are discussed. RESULTS: There was a male predominance. Post-radiation gliomas were particularly malignant, the average dose was 33 Gy, and average free latency was 9.6 years. The first disease was most frequently acute lymphatic leukemia. CONCLUSIONS: Post-radiation gliomas have particular features but do not present a histologic or clinical behavior different from analogous spontaneous gliomas. The fact that 88 cases have been reported in recent years suggests that a thorough biological, clinical studies be carried out on this association.

Adult↗

RNA polymerase II from wheat germ: a cross-linking study of subunits topography.

RNA polymerase II purified from wheat germ has been treated with a series of cleavable bifunctional reagents and the resulting crosslinked products have been analyzed by diagonal electrophoresis. The results indicate that the three largest subunits (220, 140, and 42,40 kDa, respectively) form a core around which the smaller subunits are bound. The 220- and 140-kDa subunits can be also crosslinked together in the absence of bifunctional reagents by disulfide bond(s) formation. The 27-, 16.3- and 16-kDa subunits appear to be close to the largest subunit (220 kDa). The 21-kDa subunit is close to the 27- and 25-kDa subunits. The reaction of monofunctional reagents with the enzyme shows that the 42,40-kDa subunit is partially hidden in the interior of the protein molecule. On the basis of these results a model of the quaternary structure of the enzyme is proposed.

Cross-Linking Reagents↗

Ossifying fibroma of the skull: clinical and therapeutic study.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Ossifying fibroma is a tumor with benign course that rarely affects the cranial bones. METHODS: The authors report 5 cases of ossifying fibroma of the skull and analyze the clinical course and treatment of this lesion. RESULTS: 3 patients were females and 2 males. The mean clinical history was 3.2 years. 4 patients underwent total removal and 1 partial. At mean follow-up of 19 years, all patients who underwent total removal showed improvement of neurological deficit, whereas the patient who underwent partial removal had clinical regrowth. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that total removal of fibroma should be extended to normal bone and in cases in which total removal is not possible the residue should be checked for regrowth by serial MRI.

Adult↗

Glycoproteins of the nuclear matrix from chicken liver cells.

The nuclear matrix from chicken liver cells contains a small amount of glycoproteins recognized by Concanavalin A. These proteins are present not only in the peripheral matrix, but also in the internal one. In this latter localization many glycoprotein species appear, by cross-linking experiments, to be placed in the proximity of DNA. The effect of a partial enzymatic deglycosylation of matrix preparations suggests that these proteins contribute to the stabilization of the native matrix structure.

Animals↗

Epileptic seizures in intracerebral hemorrhage: a clinical and prognostic study of 55 cases.

Fifty-five cases of epileptic siezures associated with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage are reported. Seizures appeared as the first symptom in 23 patients, early (within two weeks after HI) in 18 and late (later than 2 weeks after HI) in 14. From the analysis of the observed cases we noticed that: 1) partial seizures were most frequent type (63%). These appeared mainly in cases with lobar hemorrhage above all; 2) development chronic epilepsy occurred frequently in the case of patients affected by late seizures. We compare our data with those reported in literature in order to highlight main factors which affect the onset and development of seizures associated with spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage.

Adolescent↗

Primary intracranial arachnoid cyst in the elderly.

Sixteen cases of symptomatic arachnoid cyst in elderly patients (> 65 years of age) including of our own case are considered and their clinical and therapeutic features compared with those of the larger series comprising younger patients. From this study, no clinical differences emerged between arachnoid cysts in elderly patients and those of their younger counterparts. Surgical treatment was confirmed as being necessary for a good outcome in this age group when the cysts became symptomatic.

Aged↗

Metastasis of breast carcinoma to intracranial meningioma. Case report.

A case of metastasis from breast carcinoma found within a cerebral meningioma is reported. Histological diagnosis of the cerebral tumor prompted radiological investigation that visualized the asymptomatic malignant systemic tumor and excluded other metastases elsewhere. The pathogenetic aspects of this exceptional occurrence are discussed in the light of the relevant literature.

Aged↗

Solitary cerebral metastasis from ovarian carcinoma: report of 4 cases.

Four cases of solitary cerebral metastasis from ovarian carcinoma are reported. Although systemic metastases from this type of tumor are frequent, they rarely affect the nervous system. From the 4 cases presented and a review of the literature, it appears that a better outcome may be obtained by a combined treatment of the cerebral metastasis, comprising surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Neurinomas of the cauda equina clinical analysis of 40 surgical cases.

We report a retrospective study conducted on 40 patients with neurinoma of the cauda equina, assessing the clinical features and treatment. Neurinomas are clinically indistinguishable from other tumours localized in the same region. It is possible, but not simple, to differentiate neurinoma of the cauda equina from more common lumbar disc herniations. In the early stage, neurinomas provoke sciatic pain that is unilateral and monoradicular, worsened in decubitus and hard to define, whereas in the later stage pain becomes bilateral, polyradicular and is mostly accompanied by motor and sensory disturbances. Moreover, Lasegue's sign was often absent. Therapeutically, total removal of the tumour seems to be the most appropriate form of treatment given that even the sacrifice of a root does not worsen any pre-existing neurological deficit.

Adolescent↗

Solitary plasmacytoma of the skull: report of two cases.

We report two cases of solitary plasmacytoma of the skull, a very unusual presentation and location of this tumor. There seems to be no difference in prognosis between the tumor originating from the skull (osseous form) and from the dura mater (non-osseous form), differently from the data of other parts of the body. The risk of secondary multiple myeloma appears to be low but the mean follow-up is too short for any conclusion on this point.

Aged↗

Solitary cerebral metastasis as first symptom of lung cancer.

The authors report 35 cases of solitary brain metastasis from lung cancer manifesting clinically before the primary tumor. Surgical removal was total in 27 cases and partial in 8. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy. The primary tumor was diagnosed during the hospital stay in 12 cases, within two months of discharge in 18 cases, at necropsy in 5 cases. Median survival of patients was 16 months and the main cause of death was progression of the primary cancer (72% of cases). The clinical and pathological characteristics of solitary brain metastasis from lung cancer are reported in the light of the present 35 cases and those reported in the literature.

Adult↗

Medulloblastoma in late adults: report of two cases and critical review of the literature.

The authors describe two cases of medulloblastoma occurring in two men aged 71 and 67 years respectively. Medulloblastoma in late adults (older than 65 years) is an exceptional occurrence, and in this age group is generally of the classic type. Our first case was exceptional for the long survival of the patient compared with those so far reported for the same age group.

Aged↗