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Biomedical subjects

N Fiore

Publications and source records attributed to N Fiore.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Chordoma of the lumbar L2 vertebra: case report and review of the literature.

We report four new cases of chordoma of "the mobile spine", all at the L2 level. Diagnosis was often delayed due to predominantly nonspecific low back symptoms; however, neurological involvement is more frequent than in chordoma with a sacrococcygeal localization. No pathognomonic images have been described for any imaging modality, and differential diagnosis should include metastases, chondrosarcoma, and giant-cell tumor. Histopathological analysis can be performed on CT-guided puncture biopsy samples, but a high level of suspicion must be present and, if there is any doubt, immunohistochemical studies should be carried out. Despite being the treatment of choice, complete tumor resection by a double-approach spondylectomy is barely feasible at the L2 level.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Intraepithelial neoplasms of the pancreas.

Intraepithelial neoplasms of the pancreas have been recently described and relatively rare, but these lesions represent a distinct, however pathologically heterogeneous entity with shared clinical features. We analyzed the clinicopathologic and cytogenetic characteristics of eight patients with intraepithelial neoplasms. Based on our hypothesis that tumor ploidy pattern correlates with ploidy, synthetic (S) phase and proliferative fractions of each neoplasm by flow cytometry. Analysis of the nuclear DNA content of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasms in this study supports our hypothesis. Each neoplasm demonstrated diploid stemline, with a low S-phase fraction. The diploid DNA pattern and the low proliferative activity are consistent with the nonaggressive behavior of the tumors and, in part, explain the favorable prognosis of intraepithelial neoplasms. Intraepithelial neoplasms of the pancreas constitute a rare, but surgically curable, localized disease with a good prognosis following radical resection. The most valuable tool in the diagnosis of these preinvasive lesions is ERCP combined with brush cytology. This study supports the potential value of flow cytometric DNA analysis in determining outcome, as the diploid DNA pattern and low S-phase fractions correlate with the nonaggressive biological behavior.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Anterior vertebral reconstruction of the thoracic and lumbar spine using Hall-Dwyer instrumentation with distraction].

The Hall-Dwyer instrumentation was used in 64 patients presenting with anterior lesions of the spine. The system was applied on the vertebral bodies; it included Dwyer screws and staples and the Hall rigid rod. Manual distraction on the rod returned normal intervertebral spaces. Results are presented according to the aetiology. In fractures (15 cases) the mean kyphosis was reduced from 24 degrees to 6 degrees. When posterior ligaments were damaged, a complementary posterior osteosynthesis was necessary to provide stability. In kyphosis (5 cases) the kyphosis was reduced from 52 degrees to 21 degrees. At 24 months follow-up, the angular loss was 1 degree. In tumors (36 cases) a corporectomy was performed in 33 cases and a total vertebrectomy in 3 using methylmethacrylate or bone graft for reconstruction. A good postoperative stability was observed in all patients. In discopathies (5 cases) bony fusion was observed in all cases. Distraction improved the intervertebral height and the lumbar lordosis. Lastly the instrumentation was used in 3 patients with Pott's disease. One injury of the aorta was observed at removal of the instrumentation 18 months later. Mechanical complications occurred: rupture of the head of the screw (1 case), sliding of the rod in the eyelet with loss of correction (2 cases), fractures of the rod (1 case) or screws (5 cases). These complications suggest the magnitude of load applied on the material.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Endotoxin causes hydrogen peroxide-induced lung lipid peroxidation and prostanoid production.

We studied the role of hydrogen peroxide release on endotoxin-induced lung injury in unanesthetized sheep with chronic lung lymph fistulas. We also further defined the relationship between endotoxin injury, lipid peroxidation, and prostaglandin production. Sheep were given endotoxin alone (1 microgram/kg) or pretreated with catalase (32,500 U/kg) or ibuprofen (12.5 mg/kg). Endotoxin alone resulted in an early prostanoid release, lipid peroxidation measured as circulating conjugated dienes both one and four hours after the administration of endotoxin, pulmonary hypertension, hypoxia, and increased protein permeability. Permeability was monitored by lymph flow and lymph protein content. Catalase pretreatment significantly attenuated all of these aspects of the endotoxin response. Ibuprofen prevented the early lung changes and blocked prostanoid release but did not attenuate the increased permeability. In addition, cyclo-oxygenase inhibition had a dual effect on lipid peroxidation, increasing initial conjugated diene levels while suppressing the later release. The initial effect was clearly related to cyclo-oxygenase blockade. The early conjugated diene release appears to be related to arachidonic acid metabolism and does not correspond to the degree of increased permeability. We conclude that H2O2 plays a major role in lung injury after endotoxin.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Treatment of lumbar and dorso-lumbar scoliosis using the Boston orthosis and the 3-valve orthosis. Comparative study of the results in the frontal and horizontal planes].

A study was made of 30 patients presenting with lumbar and thoracolumbar scoliosis; 15 patients had been treated with a 3-valve orthosis and 15 with a Boston brace. The mean age at the commencement of treatment was 14 years for the 3-valve orthosis and 14 years 4 months for the Boston brace. The total duration of treatment was 11.1 months for the 3-valve orthosis and 11.8 months for the Boston brace. The patients with the 3-valve orthoses presented with an initial mean curve of 30 degrees and with the Boston braces a curve of 24 degrees. The mean follow-up after removal of the brace was 17 months for the 3-valve orthosis and 12 months for the Boston braces. The efficacy of the two orthoses was studied in the frontal and horizontal planes, taking into account the overall rotation of the curve and the segmental rotation of each vertebra in the curve. The Boston brace and the 3-valve orthosis were identical in the correction of the curve. The overall derotation was better with the 3-valve orthosis. Segmentally, the 3-valve orthosis was more effective at the apex of the curve whilst the Boston brace was more effective at the extremities of the curve. The ilio-lumbar angle and the trunk instability were corrected better by the Boston brace. The specific indication for the 3-valve orthosis seems, therefore, to be scolioses in which there is a predominance of rotation at the apex of the curve. The Boston brace has its main indication in cases where rotation is considerably close to or at the ends of the curve.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Epidemiological data, cytology and colposcopy in IUD (intrauterine device), E-P (estro-progestogens) and diaphragm users. Study of cytological changes of endometrium IUD related.

The author compares the epidemiological, cytological and colposcopical data found in IUD users, with a control population of estro-progestogens and condom users. The age, parity and clinical symptomatology, mainly leukorrhea, was higher in IUD users. At the colposcopic examination a normal pattern was found in condom users more frequently, but the suspect colposcopic signs were frequently associated with the use of the IUD. The oncologic evaluation of smears showed a slight dysplasia in 17.65% and 10.53% in IUD users and estro-progestogen users respectively. The only case of carcinoma in situ was found in the IUD users group. The bacteriological diagnosis on the smears did not reveal a quantitative difference in the three groups, while a qualitative difference was found, particularly with a high frequency of Trichomonas vaginalis and Corynebacterium vaginalis, and one case of Actinomyces in IUD users. The cytological study of the endometrium obtained by mono-use devices, revealed an aspect of aspecific non plasmacellular endometritis in 75% of the cases; a dysfunctional hormonal cytological aspect in 32.50%, and the oncological evaluation in 60% of the cases revealed atypical endometrial cells IUD related. No neoplastic lesion was found. The author concludes that the use of IUD must be prudent and accurate follow up must be carried out.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1985

Incidence of dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma in colposcopic findings of atypical re-epithelization zone (A.R.Z.) and atypical transformation zone (A.T.Z.).

The Authors report their experience on 5518 colposcopic examinations and consider especially the findings of A.R.Z. and A.T.Z. and the correlation with cytologic and histologic aspects. They found a significant incidence of CIN (I, II, III) and invasive carcinoma by means of association of directed punch biopsies under colposcopic vision. Finally the importance of histological examination also in presence of negative cytologic findings is evidenced.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Is electrodiathermy coagulation (EDC) of cervical ectropion effective in the prevention of cervical carcinoma?

The Authors report their experience on the treatment of cervical ectropion by electrodiathermy coagulation (EDC). The effectiveness of this therapeutic approach in the prevention of cervical carcinoma is examined. Finally, it seems that this treatment can be a preventive measure of the precancerous lesions of the cervix, while it results unjustified the EDC treatment of cervical ectropion and TRZ .

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Endotoxin-induced tumor necrosis factor.

The serum of BCG-infected mice treated with endotoxin contains a substance (tumor necrosis factor, TNF) which mimics the tumor-necrotizing action of endotoxin itself. TNF is not residual endotoxin, but a factor released from host cells, probably macrophages. TNF induced in the same way in rats and rabbits also causes necrosis of transplanted murine tumors. Unlike endotoxin, TNF is toxic in vitro for neoplastic murine and human cell lines but not for mouse embryo culture. TNF has striking effects on immunologic reactions in vitro, some like those of endotoxin and others unlike those of endotoxin. TNF is a glycoprotein; its molecular weight is less than 70,000. Highly purified preparations do not contain lysosomal or nonlysosomal serum enzymes, interferon or prostaglandin E1.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Partial purification of a serum factor that causes necrosis of tumors.

Tumor necrosis can be induced in transplanted mouse methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma by a tumor necrosis factor in the serum of mice infected with bacillus Calmette-Guérin and given bacterial endotoxin. Sera from normal mice, endotoxin-treated mice, and mice infected with bacillus Calmette-Guérin do not contain this factor. A 20- to 30-fold purification of the serum factor has been achieved by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, Sephadex G-100 and G-200 gel filtration, and preparative polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Tumor necrosis factor is not bacterial endotoxin. It migrates with alpha-globulins, is made up of at least four subunits, and has a molecular weight of about 150,000. The active factor is a glycoprotein that contains sialic acid and galactosamine.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMed1975

An endotoxin-induced serum factor that causes necrosis of tumors.

In studying "hemorrhagic necrosis" of tumors produced by endotoxin, it was found that the serum of bacillus Calmette--Guerin (BCG)-infected mice treated with endotoxin contains a substance (tumor necrosis factor; TNF) which mimics the tumor necrotic action of endotoxin itself. TNF-positive serum is as effective as endotoxin itself in causing necrosis of the sarcoma Meth A and other transplanted tumors. A variety of tests indicate that TNF is not residual endotoxin, but a factor released from host cells, probably macrophages, by endotoxin. Corynebacteria and Zymosan, which like BCG induce hyperplasia of the reticulo-endothelial system, can substitute for BCG in priming mice for release of TNF by endotoxin. TNF is toxic in vitro for two neoplastic cell lines; it is not toxic for mouse embryo cultures. We propose that TNF mediates endotoxin-induced tumor necrosis, and that it may be responsible for the suppression of transformed cells by activated macrophages.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗