PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Melato

Publications and source records attributed to M Melato.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary liver cancer in non-cirrhotic liver. Epidemiological study based on autopsies performed in Trieste, Italy and Kurume, Japan.

This study, aimed at elucidating the epidemiological features of primary liver carcinoma developing in non-cirrhotic livers, was based on 25,103 autopsies performed between 1975 and 1984 in Trieste, Italy. These autopsies correspond to approximately 70% of all deaths that occurred in this area. Various factors allegedly related to carcinomas were analysed in reference to our previous study on cirrhotic livers and in comparison with 5,603 autopsies in Kurume, Japan. There were 28 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 16 of cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) not associated with cirrhosis in Trieste, and 48 HCC and 19 CCC in Kurume. On the basis of our findings, it was concluded that cirrhosis, regardless of its cause, is the main pathogenetic factor in HCC; it is responsible for a much higher frequency (14.2:1) than in non-cirrhotic livers, as well as for early occurrence of tumours (an average of 6 years earlier in cirrhotic liver) in Trieste. Patients in Trieste were older than those in Japan, and the frequency of HCC among all autopsies was much greater in the latter. By contrast, the influence of cirrhosis on cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) was negligible, as such association appeared purely coincidental or absent. The incidence of CCC among autopsies was greater in Japan. Our data on CCC were not sufficient to demonstrate any clear aetiopathogenetic association between this tumour and alcohol abuse and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, except for a possible aetiological role of gallstones. The frequency of CCC relative to HCC was greater in Trieste than in Japan; the incidence of HCC was much less in Trieste, whereas CCC was more frequent in Japan.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the head of the pancreas: a case report and review of literature.

Among malignant neoplasms of the pancreas, lymphomas have a very low incidence. Nevertheless, the dramatic difference in prognosis and treatment between pancreatic carcinoma and lymphoma stresses the importance of a correct diagnosis, especially because most lymphomas of the biliopancreatic region are low-grade B-cell type. The case observed by us shares clinical and pathological features with the few previously reported in literature, and focuses clinicians' attention on the diagnosis of this unusual neoplasm whose clinical behaviour is characterized by obstructive jaundice and overlaps with that of epithelial tumours.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cutaneous pseudolymphoma of the breast with late homozonal relapse.

Cutaneous pseudolymphomas refer to a group of lymphoproliferative disorders of difficult classification and diagnosis. Considered as very low-grade lymphomas by some authors, they are actually able to progress to overt cutaneous lymphomas in a minority of cases. We report a case of cutaneous pseudolymphoma of the breast in a 21-year old woman which relapsed locally ten years later. The case is of interest for the unusual localisation of the lesion, for its recurrence after such a long period of time, and for the homozonal site of recurrence. The reported features support both the long course and the lymphomatous nature of such lymphocytic proliferations.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hemangiopericytoma of the nose: a case for both internal and external localization.

BACKGROUND: Nasal and paranasal cavities are sites of predilection for hemangiopericytoma (HPC), a rare vascular tumor described for the first time in 1942. Because of their characteristics, i.e. clinical presentation, age distribution and biological behavior, nasal HPCs are frequently reported as "hemangioperycitoma-like intranasal tumors" although such a distinction from other HPCs is debated. PATIENTS, METHODS AND RESULTS: out of nearly 64,000 autopsies and 336,000 surgical and endoscopic biopsies performed at the University of Trieste over 30 years, only three cases of HPC have been found, two of them affecting the external nose; for both there was a good agreement between histology--supported by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry--and biological behavior. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the sparse literature on skin HPC and of our two cases, we suggest that not only the internal, but also the external nose should be considered a predilection site for HPC.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A new "anonymous" type of haemangioendothelioma.

BACKGROUND: Our report may contribute to a better understanding of the different possible presentations of endothelial tumors. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report a new type of haemangioendotheliomatous tumor of uncertain aggressiveness arisen in a benign haemangioma of the scalp and represented by a proliferation of small- and medium-sized arborescent vessels whose walls were totally replaced by endothelial-like, atypical cells. CONCLUSIONS: The features of our case do not fit those of the many types previously reported in the literature. As regards the name, we prefer to consider this new variety as an anonymous type in order to avoid further confusion on a topic deserving a drastic review.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cytofluorimetric analysis of a renal tubular cell line and its resistant counterpart.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance related protein (MRP) overexpression is often responsible of the development of multidrug resistance in cancer therapy. These proteins are also expressed in normal tissues, where their physiological role is related to the extrusion of endogenous toxins or to secretory function in liver and kidney. The LLC-PK1 cell line is derived from normal pig proximal renal tubule and physiologically expresses low levels of P-gp and MRP. A resistant cell line (LLC-PK1/ADR) has been established in our laboratory by chronic exposure to increasing doses of doxorubicin. Cytofluorimetric analysis of P-gp and MRP expression performed by C219 and MRPm6 immunofluorescence detection showed that these cells overexpress P-gp but not MRP. The uptake of doxorubicin and rhodamine 123 has been quantified in LLC-PK1 and LLC-PK1/ADR cells and compared with data obtained using other tumor cell lines commonly used as reference for studying P-gp or MRP overexpression. P388 sensitive cells and its resistant counterpart P388/ADR cells, which overexpress P-gp and PANC-1 cells, which express high levels of MRP were used. A lower fluorescence intensity was evident with both doxorubicin and rhodamine 123 in LLC-PK1/ADR as well as in P388/ADR cells, that overexpresses P-gp, in comparison with the parental lines. The uptake was increased by a pretreatment with verapamil. Verapamil was completely ineffective on PANC-1 cells, confirming a selective effect of this inhibitor on P-gp. Propidium iodide staining, performed after doxorubicin treatment, confirmed a higher cytotoxicity of the antineoplastic drug in the LLC-PK1 cells compared with the resistant counterpart.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mouth diseases and dental materials: potential for study with cytofluorometry].

BACKGROUND: The potential dental materials have of inducing mouth diseases is well known, and various methods have been developed to investigate this phenomenon. Among these there are histological studies of the pulp and periodontium exposed to dental materials, both in vivo and in vitro in humans and animals. Other studies are based on the clinical observation of the effects induced by dental materials. Aim of the paper is to evaluate the use of flow cytometry to analyse crevicular fluid to study its content in terms of inflammatory cells and inflammation mediators. METHODS: Samples of crevicular fluid were collected by aspiration using a bevelled needle mounted on a 5 ml syringe from patients without periodontitis and with periodontitis and multiple heterogeneous dental restorations. This method was adopted since it allows to place the cells of the fluid in suspension. Part of the fluid was analysed by cytology and part by flow cytometry. RESULTS: In the patients without periodontal disease cytological examination revealed the presence of desquamated epithelial cells and colonies of cocci, rods and spirochaetae. In the patients with periodontal disease the same examination revealed, besides the above, the presence of inflammatory cells. Flow cytometry confirmed the findings of cytological examination, thus proving to be an effective method for studying crevicular fluid. CONCLUSIONS: This method allows to identify specific inflammatory cells or mediators of inflammation in crevicular fluid and may therefore prove to be very useful in the study of alterations induced by some dental materials at the level of the gingival sulcus.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Associated localization of morphea and lichen planus of the lip in a patient with vitiligo.

Morphea, lichen planus and vitiligo are common diseases, but seldom associated. Morphea or lichen planus in the lips have not frequently been reported, and an associated localization of both lesions in the lip mucosa is indeed a rare event. A case of morphea and lichen planus localized in the upper lip mucosa in a patient with vitiligo is reported. Immunohistochemistry revealed a clear prevalence of T-lymphocytes in the inflammatory infiltrates of morphea and in the band-like infiltrate of the lichen, a finding consistent with previous reports of morphea, lichen planus, and vitiligo. The inverse ratio found between CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes, compared to other reports, seems to confirm that the pathogenesis of morphea and lichen planus evolves through different stages. The present report, besides presenting a rare case, may prompt to consider a common pathogenesis among morphea, lichen planus and vitiligo.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gastric epithelium proliferation in early Hp+ and Hp- gastritis: a flow cytometry study.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori increases cellular turn-over causing hyperproliferation and possible assumption of neoplastic characteristics by the gastric epithelial cells. To verify whether patients at risk of cancer can be identified at the very first stages of gastric disease, we studied a sample of patients affected by early Hp+ and Hp- gastritis by flow cytometry and assessed the methods commonly adopted to study gastric cell proliferation. METHODS: 48 fresh biopsies taken from the gastric antrum and body of 24 patients who had undergone endoscopy for dyspepsia, and 48 paraffin-embedded antrum and body biopsies taken from the files of our Department were studied by flow-cytometry. The following markers and parameters were considered: S-phase, proliferation index, PCNA and ploidy. RESULTS: No correlation was found between Hp+ or Hp- gastritis and gastric cell proliferation and no cases of aneuploidy were observed. Gastric proliferation was found to vary depending on the methods, markers and type of biopsy employed. Furthermore, proliferation expressed by PCNA was significantly different in antrum and body. CONCLUSIONS: The commonly studied proliferation markers do not allow the early detection of patients at risk of gastric cancer by flow cytometry. Proliferation differences between body and antrum must be taken into account in the investigation of gastric diseases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Malignant pleural mesothelioma following chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Although the induction of malignant mesothelioma by radiotherapy, used alone or in combination with chemotherapy, has been previously reported in the literature, the number of documented cases is extremely small. We report a case of malignant pleural mesothelioma arising four years after chemotherapy for breast cancer in a 42-year-old woman without a history of exposure to asbestos. To our knowledge, this is the f rst reported case of malignant pleural mesothelioma following treatment with chemotherapy alone. It is of interest not only for the patient's young age and the absence of exposure to asbestos, but also for the very short latency period, if compared with asbestos-related mesothelioma.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pseudolymphoma of the breast involving the periareolar area].

Pseudolymphomas are a group of lymphoproliferative disorders which are difficult to classify and diagnose. They can affect several anatomical sites and, among these, a mammary localisation is considered rather rare. Pseudolymphomas of the breast carry an excellent prognosis, and no case of malignant degeneration has ever been described. On the contrary, cutaneous pseudolymphomas, which are considered very low-grade lymphomas by some authors, are actually able to progress to overt cutaneous lymphomas in a minority of cases. The authors present three cases of periareolar pseudolymphoma of the breast. The first two were characterised by the presence of an elevated serum antibody titer to Borrelia, and were therefore diagnosed as lymphocytoma cutis, a disorder affecting 0.6-1.3% of patients with Lyme's disease. Both cases had a benign clinical course, as confirmed by the negative follow-up after more than three years. On the contrary, the third pseudolymphoma, classifiable as an idiopathic form, relapsed locally after ten years, thus testifying to the benign nature of the lesion, but also demonstrating that the lymphoproliferative process may still be active after a long period of time. The last case emphasizes the need for long-term follow-up of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Low-dose "natural" alpha-interferon in B-cell derived chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) was found to have a good antiproliferative effect in early stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but recombinant alpha-IFN administration may induce serious side effects. Therefore low-dose "natural" IFN was evaluated in terms of efficacy and safety. METHODS: Fifteen patients affected by stage A (according to Binet) B-CLL underwent the treatment: natural IFN 1 MU three times a week for 6 months. RESULTS: Overall lymphocyte count decreased from 13,050 +/- 3,200 to 7,500 +/- 2,940 within 6 months. One patient did not respond to IFN therapy. No one complained of side effects. CONCLUSION: Low dose "natural" alpha-IFN seems useful and well tolerated in CLL, but the potential curative role of IFN in CLL remains to be established.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Verruciform xanthoma of the oral mucosa. Report of a case.

Verruciform xanthoma is a rare benign lesion of unknown etiology and pathogenesis, although an inflammatory process seems to be implicated in its origin. It usually shows a slow-growing small lesion which can be sessile or pedunculated and has a typical rough and granular surface. A clinical case of an asymptomatic verruciform xanthoma of the ventral surface of the tongue in a 24-year-old male is reported. The lesion was noticed for the first time during a routine dental examination and it appeared as a sessile whitish verrucous lump hard in texture. An incisional biopsy followed by the excision of the whole lesion was performed. The histological and immunohistochemistry examinations were carried out using antibodies CD68-KP1, CD68-PGM1, alpha-1-antitrypsin and vimentin, desmin, cytokeratins, NSE and S-100. Histology showed epithelial degeneration. The connective tissue papillae were entirely occupied by foamy cells that were positive for CD68-KP1, CD68-PGM1, alpha-1-antitrypsin and vimentin and negative for desmin, cytokeratins, NSE and S-100. The foamy cells were characterized by a large granulous cytoplasm and small picnotic nuclei. In accordance with the literature, the immunohistochemistry analysis confirmed that foamy cells are likely to have a macrophagic origin and that epithelial degeneration could be correlated with the pathogenesis of this lesion.

Adult↗