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P Marcato

Publications and source records attributed to P Marcato.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Update and perspectives on non-surgical treatment of salivary gland malignancies.

Surgery is the treatment of choice for major and minor salivary gland malignancies. Herein, the role of radiation and medical treatment in the multidisciplinary management of salivary gland tumours is discussed. Neutron irradiation and hyperfractionated external beam mega voltage irradiation improve local control. Combination of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensive-modulated radiation therapy provide better local tumour delineation, better field design to encompass the tumour allowing dose escalation to target while sparing the surrounding normal tissue. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy provides a response rate > or = 45%, in a palliative setting. Concomitant chemo-radiotherapy could improve local control. Recent studies evaluated the expression of molecular targets in salivary gland carcinomas (c-kit = 53-90%, EGFR = 25-85%, c-erb-B2 = 11-58%, p53 = 11-67%, H ras = 18%); these targets are very important since new targeted drugs are now available. Anti-androgen therapy might have a role in the management of patients with ductal carcinoma. These new targeted drugs could be integrated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced/metastatic salivary gland malignancies.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Glycan mimicry as a basis for novel anti-infective drugs.

The idea of using carbohydrate-based drugs to prevent attachment of microbial pathogens to host tissues has been around for about three decades. This concept evolved from the observation that many pathogenic microbes bind to complex carbohydrate sequences on the surface of host cells. It stands to reason, therefore, that analogs of the carbohydrate sequences pathogens bind to could be used to competitively inhibit these interactions, thereby preventing microbial damage to the host. This article will summarize some of the recent advances in developing such carbohydrate-based anti-infective drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Is pressure dressing necessary after ear surgery?

Compressive bandages carry intrinsic risks and complications. The purpose of this study was to assess whether compressive head bandages are necessary after ear surgery to prevent complications such as hematoma or wound infection. A prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted from August 1, 1993, to June 1, 1999. We randomly assigned 420 consecutive middle ear or mastoid operations to either a pressure bandage group or to a no-pressure bandage group. A careful follow-up was planned, and complications were recorded. In the pressure bandage group, 3 patients had bruising over the pinna and 70 patients had minor skin erythema when the dressing was removed. No patient had bruising or erythema in the no-pressure bandage group. No patient had hematoma, wound infection, or any other wound complication in either group. As a result of this study, we have decided to abandon the use of compression bandages after uncomplicated ear surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Immunoprophylactic potential of cloned Shiga toxin 2 B subunit.

The Shiga toxins Stx1 and Stx2 contribute to the development of enterohemorrhagic O157:H7 Escherichia coli-mediated colitis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome in humans. The Stx2 B subunit, which binds to globotriaosylceramide (GB3) receptors on target cells, was cloned. This involved replacing the Stx2 B subunit leader peptide nucleotide sequences with those from the Stx1 B subunit. The construct was expressed in the TOPP3 E. coli strain. The Stx2 B subunits from this strain assembled into a pentamer and bound to a GB3 receptor analogue. The cloned Stx2 B subunit was not cytotoxic to Vero cells or apoptogenic in Burkitt's lymphoma cells. Although their immune response to the Stx2 B subunit was variable, rabbits that developed Stx2 B subunit-specific antibodies, as determined by immunoblot and in vitro cytotoxicity neutralization assays, survived a challenge with Stx2 holotoxin. This is thought to be the first demonstration of the immunoprophylactic potential of the Stx2 B subunit.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Vestibular rehabilitation of patients suffering of vertigo: literature review and personal experience].

The paper reports the results of a study on the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation therapy in patients suffering from vertigo, mostly in those cases in which spontaneous compensation is only slight or not achieved at all. The main aim or rehabilitation training is to foster functional compensation between the two vestibular hemisystems. Fifty patients were divided into two groups: those with labyrinthine vertigo, who underwent therapy which included vestibular habituation training (VHT); those with disequilibrium, who received balance coordination training. The results turned out successfully in 75% of those patients belonging to the first group, whereas patients in the second group showed relevant improvement of subjective symptoms related to imbalance, confirmed by the results of post-urographic assessment. Moreover, the severity of vertigo decreased by about 50% with regard to initial intensity after the first week of treatment and reduced considerably by the end of the second week.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Prevalence of squamous carcinoma of the larynx].

A study was made to determine how prevalent laryngeal cancer proved to be in 2000 E.N.T. out-patients upon their initial examination. The aim was to ascertain which population was at high risk for laryngeal cancer through the use of computerized analysis of the risk factors. Furthermore, the authors wanted to determine the sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and safety of fiberoptic laryngoscopy as a diagnostic tool to be used in screening. By scanning risk factors for laryngeal cancer, subjects were classified into 3 risk classes: low, medium and high. A total of 71 positive endoscopic tests were found in the high risk class alone. Further diagnostic procedures carried out on these subjects revealed 38 cases of invasive cancer, 43 'in situ' carcinoma and 24 precancerous lesions of the larynx. These data are discussed and the suggestion made that screening for laryngeal cancer only include males over the age of 40. Scanning risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol consumption could also be effective in identifying the high risk groups for laryngeal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Natural killer-mediated cytotoxicity in patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

Natural killer (NK)-mediated cytotoxicity against the K562 cell line was evaluated in normal subjects and in patients with laryngeal cancer. Results showed reduced lymphocyte cytotoxicity in patients with neoplastic disease and further reduction in NK activity following postoperative radiation therapy. The authors discuss the possibility of using this test in the immunological monitoring of patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

Cell Line↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Chronic cholesteatomatous otitis media: the histopathological and clinical aspects].

In recent years the immunologic aspects of the normal and pathological ear have been studied by several authors, with particular attention given to the histopathologic aspects of the epidermis of the tympanic membranes of the outer ear canal and of the middle ear mucosa in normal physiologic as well as in inflammatory conditions. Such studies may help in giving a more precise definition to the pathogenesis and clinical behavior of middle ear cholesteatoma. In this paper we report the results of an immunohistopathologic study carried out using the immunohistochemical technique of monoclonal antibodies on cholesteatoma matrix samples taken during radical mastoidectomy or tympanoplasty. In particular, the presence of T-lymphocytes and Langerhans cells was evaluated using selective monoclonal antibodies and a relationship between the data collected and the clinical expression of the disease in each case was sought. In this study it was not possible to establish a close relationship between clinical behavior and immunohistopathological findings, which appeared rather similar in all the cases. The presence of Langerhans' cells may confirm the hypothesized role they play in phlogistic reactions and bone reabsorption due to the presence of the cholesteatoma in the middle ear. Yet, in order to evaluate their true role correctly, more detailed studies should be carried out on the spatial distribution of T-lymphocytes and Langerhans' cells in the cholesteatoma matrix as well as on their ultrastructural characteristics.

Adult↗