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P Castelli

Publications and source records attributed to P Castelli.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Fine needle aspiration of myofibroblastoma of the breast. Case report.

The cytologic and histologic findings of myofibroblastoma of a man's breast are reported. Cytologic specimens showed many scarcely cohesive clusters of bipolar or stellate cells. The cytoplasm was moderately eosinophilic and had clearly-defined edges. The nucleus was characterized by round or coffee-bean shape, regular chromatin and small nucleolus. Atypical features were absent. Immunocytochemical tests confirmed the mesenchymal nature of the lesion showing negativity for CAM 5.2 and positivity for vimentin. We stress the value of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in association with clinical- examination, mammography and/or echography in establishing the preoperative diagnosis of this benign tumor.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Ocular myasthenia: an etiology to consider in unexplained oculomotor paralysis].

Three cases of ocular myasthenia gravis were observed. The first patient, a 74-year-old man was found to have complete left ophthalmoplegia and ptosis unchanged at examination on month after onset. The second patient, a 42-year-old man, developed incomplete right ophthalmoplegia with pseudoanterior internuclearis ophthalmoplegia, then ptosis two days later. The third patient, a 70-year-old man, presented with sudden onset complete right palsy of the third nerve. Diabetes mellitus or intra-cranial lesions were suspected in all three patients although laboratory tests, tomodensitometry, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, or arteriography gave no confirmation. Ptosis was relieved and eye movement was improved after the intravenous edrophonium test, but electromyography was negative. The three patients were treated with anticholinesterase agents and showed unequivocal improvement. The second patient underwent thymectomy. Clinicians should inform patients of the contraindications of drugs in this disease. The diagnosis of pure oculomotor forms of myasthenia gravis is sometimes difficult to establish and should be suspected in cases of unexplained oculomotor palsy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Expression of progesterone receptors in solid-cystic tumour of the pancreas: a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of ten cases.

A role for sex hormones in the pathogenesis of solid-cystic tumour (SCT) of the pancreas is suggested by its predilection for young fertile women. Controversial data have been provided for the presence of progesterone receptors (PR) and/or oestrogen receptors (ER) in SCT. We report the immunohistochemical detection of PR in ten cases of SCT. Eight were from young women. The remaining two were from a post-menopausal woman and a young boy. All cases showed PR immunoreactivity in the large majority of neoplastic cells, whereas none exhibited ER positivity. In one tumour two types of cell populations were noted, the more anaplastic invasive-type being PR negative, whereas the more typical was PR positive. PR immunoreactivity in the absence of ER may simply reflect a lower sensitivity of ER antibody failing to reveal the biochemically detectable ER, or that the PR in cells of SCT are constitutively synthesized in an oestrogen-independent way, as in T47D breast carcinoma cell line, meningioma cells and some gastric cancer cells. Our findings support the hypothesis of a possible pathogenetic role of progesterone in SCT, independent of the patient's sex and age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Effects of choline-esterase inhibitor in experimental acute pancreatitis in rats. Preliminary results.

Choline-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), a regulatory alpha-glycoprotein, was administered at different dosages and intervals to rats with induced acute pancreatitis. When compared to controls, treated rats showed no significant differences in the severity of histopathological lesions, such as edema and single cell necrosis. On the other hand, both mortality and extent of massive necrosis were significantly affected by C1-INH administration regardless of the dosages.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Molecular pharmacology of the beta-adrenergic receptor on THP-1 cells.

The beta-adrenergic receptor, its occupancy and subsequent modulation of intracellular cAMP, and mRNA expression were characterized for the promonocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. We report that THP-1 cells appear to express a beta-1 receptor with a Kd of 1.8 +/- 0.3 x 10(-11) microM and a B max of 108 +/- 0.07 fmole/mg protein using 125I-iodocyanopindolol (125I-ICYP). The potency of various beta-adrenergic agonists to compete for the 125I-ICYP binding site followed the order: isoproterenol (0.8 microM) > dobutamine (2.1 microM) > salbutamol (3 microM) > epinephrine (3.8 microM) > soterenol (4.6 microM) > terbutaline (11.1 microM) > norepinephrine (13.8 microM). Occupancy of the beta receptor on THP-1 cells results in activation of adenyl cyclase suggesting that these cells have a functional beta-adrenergic receptor. This receptor also has specific immunoregulatory properties, reducing message levels for tumor necrosis factor--but not interleukin 1, following treatment with isoproterenol (approximate EC-50 of 0.01 microM). We conclude, based on the above criteria, that THP-1 cells express a beta-1 receptor which, following ligand binding, results in increased cAMP leading to downregulation of TNF expression.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1992

Neoplastic epithelial cells in a subset of human thymomas express the B cell-associated CD20 antigen.

A series of 36 human thymomas have been immunohistochemically analyzed using a panel of antibodies recognizing B-cell markers including CD20. Most thymomas exhibiting the cortical pattern, according to the criteria of Marino and Muller-Hermelink, were characterized by areas of medullary differentiation containing variable numbers of CD20+ B lymphocytes, thus mimicking the medulla of normal thymus. On the other hand, B cells were absent or rare in thymomas recognized as mixed using the same morphological criteria. Surprisingly, we observed in most mixed thymomas variable numbers of CD20+ spindle cells, characterized by long slender processes. Using double-marker analysis we could demonstrate the epithelial nature of these cells (expression of keratin and lack of lymphoid and B-cell-related markers). The immunoreactivity of thymoma epithelial cells with L26, an antibody widely used in the characterization of B-cell lymphomas, can represent a drawback of practical relevance in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumors.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

Cytogenetic analysis reveals clonal proliferation of smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic plaques.

Cytogenetic analysis of primary cell cultures from human atherosclerotic fibrous plaques revealed clonal chromosome abnormalities in 13 of the 18 cases studied. Loss of the Y chromosome and del(13)(q14) were present as single clonal abnormalities in eight cases; in five cases separate clones were found involving loss of the Y and a XXY karyotype, trisomy 10 and 18, loss of the Y and trisomy 7. A variety of single numerical and structural abnormalities were present in all but two of the 18 cases. Immunocytochemical studies were performed on cells from the same cultures used for cytogenetic analysis using monoclonal antibodies to human leucocyte common antigen, to human vimentin and to muscle actin. The immunoreactivity was positive for actin in 70-80% of the cells; 100% of the cells were positive for vimentin and all cells were ALC negative. These results indicated that the chromosomal abnormalities are present in the smooth muscle cells of the plaque. The hypothesis is proposed that the proliferation leading to the atherosclerotic lesion may primarily represent a hyperplastic response to mechanical and biological injuries and that this reactive proliferation is, in turn, associated with a tendency to chromosome instability.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Protective, restorative, and therapeutic properties of recombinant colony-stimulating factors.

Pretreatment of mice with recombinant murine (rM) colony-stimulating factor-granulocyte-macrophage (CSF-gm) or recombinant human (rH) CSF-g provides partial protection from the lethal effects of ionizing radiation or the alkylating agent cyclophosphamide (CTX). In addition, these agents can significantly prolong survival if administered following lethal doses of irradiation or CTX. To induce protective activity, cytokines were injected 20 hours before lethal irradiation or CTX administration. To accelerate recovery from lethal irradiation, the cytokines must be administered shortly following irradiation, and the induction of maximal levels of activity is dependent on chronic administration. In contrast, because of their longer half-lives, accelerated recovery from alkylating agents requires a delay of at least 24 to 48 hours to allow complete clearance of CTX before administration of a CSF. Studies quantitating peripheral blood leukocytes and bone marrow cellularity as well as colony-forming units per culture (CFU-C) frequency and CFU-C per femur revealed a significant correlation between these parameters and the ability to survive lethal irradiation. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Functional and surface phenotype study of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood and lymph nodes of breast cancer patients.

In an attempt to identify lymphocyte subsets possibly involved in the response to malignant cells, we have studied the lymphocyte surface phenotype by using a panel of monoclonal antibodies on both peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and histologically proven metastatic and nonmetastatic (i.e., "hyperplastic") axillary lymph node lymphocytes (LNL) from eight breast cancer patients. Furthermore, we carried out a functional study by evaluating the response to polyclonal mitogens of the PBL and of the LNL of the same patients. A group of 30 healthy subjects, age and sex matched, were selected as controls for PBL. Six of them, who underwent surgery for nonneoplastic conditions, were selected as controls for LNL. The responsiveness of breast cancer patients' PBL to polyclonal mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A) was significantly lower as compared with the control response. The responsiveness of breast cancer patients' metastatic LNL was not different from control LNL for PHA, and it was lower than control LNL for Con A, while the responsiveness of the same metastatic LNL was higher than that of nonmetastatic (i.e., hyperplastic) LNL of patients. Furthermore, the response of hyperplastic LNL was always lower than that of control LNL. The responsiveness of patients' PBL was always lower than that of metastatic LNL, while the responsiveness of patients' PBL vs. hyperplastic LNL was at variance. Regarding the surface phenotype of PBL, there was no difference between those of breast cancer patients and controls concerning the T-cells subsets, while the Leu 7, CD 21 and DR antigens were significantly higher among the breast cancer patients. No significant differences were found between patient metastatic and hyperplastic LNL or between control LNL and patient metastatic or hyperplastic LNL, respectively; only the CD 4 antigen was higher in metastatic than in hyperplastic LNL. A comparison of this surface phenotype between PBL and either metastatic or hyperplastic LNL of breast cancer patients showed values almost constantly significantly higher for PBL vs. either metastatic or hyperplastic LNL, respectively. The results of our study suggest that there is no change in the local-regional immunocompetent cell subsets that may be related to metastasis of breast cancer to regional nodes and to the progression of disease and that circulating T cells in breast cancer include cells expressing activation markers but not showing significant changes in the proportion of entire subpopulations.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Autologous blood transfusion in elective heart surgery: prospective study of 189 consecutive patients].

Blood autotransfusion has entered a new phase in blood transfusion technique, since it represents an important alternative in eliminating the risks connected with blood transfusion: viral hepatitis, AIDS, blood transfusion reactions, and alloimmunization. Transfusion requirements during cardiac surgical procedures have steadily decreased; nowadays most adult patients require no transfusion during surgery. Patients (pts) receiving bank-blood may develop infectious diseases (hepatitis, AIDS, etc.). We have studied how to avoid the risk of infections with homologous blood transfusions. We present our experience of day-hospital pre-operative autologous blood collection. One-hundred-eighty-nine patients undergoing primary myocardial revascularization or valvular replacement were submitted to the drainage of 350 ml of blood three times every four days before surgery. The blood was centrifuged at once, to separate red cells from plasma. Surgeries were performed 21 days after the first drainage; iron therapy was recommended. After surgery pts received blood only if haematocrit was lower than 28%. The following data were recorded: no. of pts who received homologous blood; blood loss and homologous total blood volume used for each pt. Average blood loss was 1230 cc for ischemic pts and 701 cc for valvular pts. Non-A non B hepatitis occurred in 3/189 pts (1.5%). All of them had received homologous blood transfusions. Our data show clearly that autotransfused pts had a better post-operative period; less bank-blood and fewer transfusions have been used. No pt had collateral effects such as angina or hypotension from blood drawing. Our data show that severe cardiac diseases do not represent an absolute contraindication to heavy blood drainage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Transfusion, Autologous↗
PubMed1988

Effects of antiestrogen and progestin on immune functions in breast cancer patients.

Several immunologic variables were evaluated in 14 patients with untreated primary breast cancer and 20 postmastectomized patients undergoing tamoxifen (TAM) or high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) treatment. Immunologic evaluation in the peripheral blood included lymphocyte count, definition of T-lymphocyte subsets by monoclonal antibodies (OKT3, OKT11, OKT4, and OKT8), and lymphocyte blastogenic response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and Concanavalin A (Con A). Moreover, the in vitro effect of TAM and MPA on the blastogenic response of peripheral lymphocytes from normal female subjects was tested. Primary breast cancer patients did not differ from controls in any of the variables tested. Similarly, the immunologic variables of the group treated with TAM were normal, with the exception of a slight reduction of the OKT4+/OKT8+ ratio. In MPA-treated patients, a reduction of the percentage of OKT4+ cells and a decrease of the OKT4+/OKT8+ ratio were observed. Moreover, response to PHA was reduced sharply. However, the addition of interleukin-2 (IL-2) to the culture medium restored PHA response. Likewise, the in vitro addition of MPA to peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal female subjects resulted in a sharp dose-dependent depression of PHA response while TAM was ineffective completely. The inhibitory effect of MPA was not evident when IL-2 was added simultaneously to the culture medium. These results show that the administration of high-dose MPA may alter immunocompetence as defined by T-lymphocyte subsets and response to mitogens. The latter effect may be related to a diminished production of IL-2. In contrast, TAM does not appear to have a significant immunodepressant action either in vitro or in vivo.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗