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P Rinaldi

Publications and source records attributed to P Rinaldi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Plasma antioxidants are similarly depleted in mild cognitive impairment and in Alzheimer's disease.

In order to assess peripheral levels and activities of a broad spectrum of non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), plasma levels of water-soluble (Vitamin C and uric acid) and of lipophilic (Vitamin A, Vitamin E and carotenoids including lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, alpha- and beta-carotene) antioxidant micronutrients as well as activities of plasma and red blood cell (RBC) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and of plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured in 25 patients with MCI, 63 AD patients and 53 controls. Peripheral levels and activities of antioxidants were similarly lower in MCI and AD patients as compared to controls. As MCI may represent a prodromal stage of AD, and oxidative damage appears to occur as one of the earliest pathophysiological events in AD, an increased intake of antioxidants in patients with MCI could be helpful in lowering the risk of conversion to dementia.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Thymic lesions and myasthenia gravis. Diagnosis based on mediastinal imaging and pathological findings.

PURPOSE: To achieve a better understanding of the role of CT and MR imaging in the study of the mediastinum in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mediastinal CT and MR findings were correlated with the histopathological results in 104 thymectomized MG patients. RESULTS: CT was performed in 104 patients; in 11 of them, MR was also carried out. 44 patients had hyperplasia at histology. On CT, thymic hyperplasia was confirmed in 16 cases, thymoma was diagnosed in 10 and a normal thymus in 18 (sensitivity 36%, specificity 95%). Of 52 patients with thymoma at histology, CT showed thymoma in 46, hyperplasia in 1, and normal thymus in 5. CT showed 88.5% sensitivity and 77% specificity for thymoma. In 10 patients with invasive thymoma, CT was indiscriminate, while invasiveness was detected in 7 cases at MR (70% sensitivity) and at CT in 1 case. Both CT and MR detected tumor recurrence in 5 cases, but the exact localization and degree of invasion were best defined by MR. CONCLUSION: In MG patients CT is a sensitive, specific and efficient modality for detecting thymoma, but is less so for detecting thymic hyperplasia. MR was shown to be accurate in detecting invasive thymoma both preoperatively and in postoperative follow-up.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

6-Deoxy-6-fluoro-L-ascorbic acid: crystal structure and oxidative degradation.

Ascorbic acid and its oxidation products have been implicated in non-enzymatic modification of proteins in aging and diseases of oxidative stress. We have studied the feasibility of using 6-deoxy-6-fluoroascorbic acid (6) for identification of ascorbic acid degradation products by 19F NMR spectroscopy. Crystals of compound 6 from nitromethane belonged to the space group P2(1) with a = 5.547(2), b = 6.769(3), c = 9.302(2) A, beta = 91.80(3) degrees and Z = 2. Atomic coordinates, bond lengths and angles, hydrogen coordinates, anisotropic and isotropic displacement parameters were similar if not identical with those of native ascorbic acid. Similarly, UV properties and oxidation kinetics by CuCl2 at different pH values were essentially identical with ascorbic acid. Using 750 MHz 19F NMR spectroscopy, five to six new fluorinated products were detected after overnight oxidation of 6 with Cu2+, suggesting that 6 may be a powerful and sensitive tool for assessment of its catabolism in vivo.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed2000

Impact of the earthquake of September 26, 1997 in Umbria, Italy on the socioenvironmental and psychophysical conditions of an elderly population.

The consequences of natural disasters on the social and health status of older people have not been deeply considered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the socioenvironmental and psychophysical conditions of an elderly population after a devastating earthquake. A randomly selected group of 332 older people (> or =64 years) was selected among 1548 eligible subjects living in the city of Nocera Umbra four months after an earthquake of 5.6 magnitude on the Richter scale. Three geriatricians evaluated the study subjects by means of a structured interview, and standardized scales, which considered physical and mental status, mood and anxiety, and self-perception of well-being, as well as the characteristics of family composition and social interactions. Of the study subjects, 11.1% lived alone, and 33.4% with the spouse only. Most were self-sufficient in the basic activities of daily life. Musculoskeletal diseases and hypertension were the most frequently observed pathologies in this geriatric population. In addition, 47.9% of the subjects lived in temporary houses; this group more frequently suffered from hypertension, and had a higher score of comorbidity as measured by Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) compared to people who remained at home. People living in the pre-fabricated huts also showed a higher score on the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Hamilton scale for anxiety, and complained more often of their health status, evaluated as self-perception of well-being, when compared to the home dwellers. Although all the studied subjects suffered from the discomforts caused by the earthquake, the precariousness of living in temporary houses, whose structural characteristics do not take the needs of elderly subjects into account, could justify the higher distress experienced by persons housed in the huts. These observations suggest that, after natural disasters, emergency programs should be more adapted to elderly people, whose needs and expectations are often different from those of young adults.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Breast involvement in immunolymphoproliferative disorders: report of two cases of multiple myeloma of the breast.

Breast involvement by immunolymphoproliferative disorders is rare. Primary and secondary malignant lymphomas of the breast are much more common than multiple myeloma, of which only 16 cases have been described. We report two cases of patients with an established diagnosis of multiple myeloma in whom breast involvement appeared during the course of the disease. We underline diagnostic difficulties caused by the lack of clinical and radiological features which allow us to differentiate between breast carcinoma and breast involvement by lymphoproliferative disease. Only fine needle aspiration and/or excisional biopsy can differentiate between immunolymphoproliferative disorders and epithelial or mesenchymal tumors of the breast.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Digital pacinian hyperplasia. Report of a case associated with foreign body reaction].

Digital Pacinian Hyperplasia is a non tumoral, very rare lesion. To date, only 31 cases have been reported, occasionally named Digital Pacinian Neuroma. Digital pain is usually associated to. Local trauma is reported in about half of the cases. We report a new case occurred in a 62 year-old male, associated with inflammatory and foreign body reaction. No recurrence was observed 6 months after surgical excision. Differential diagnosis and controversies about this lesion are discussed.

Fingers↗
PubMed1998

Protection from renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by the 2-methylaminochroman U83836E.

BACKGROUND: In a prior study the 21-aminosteroid (lazaroid) U74389F provided in vivo protection from oxidative stress when used as a preventive therapy in ischemia-reperfusion injury in the kidney. As the cell membrane is the principal site for lipoperoxidation, in the current study the very lipophilic 2-methylaminochroman U83836E, a recently developed lazaroid, was administered to rats at 3 mg/kg before renal ischemia-reperfusion. In addition to the biochemical parameters, the renal function and the histological appearance were carefully evaluated. METHODS: Glutathione, adenine nucleotides and lipid peroxidation products were determined in kidneys reperfused for 2 and 24 hours after 90 minutes of ischemia. Renal function was assessed by plasma creatinine, and renal injury by histological examination. RESULTS: Reperfusion-induced glutathione oxidation, expressed as an oxidized-to-total glutathione ratio, was significantly attenuated both after 2 and 24 hours of reperfusion by treatment with U83836E. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was still significantly depleted after 24 hours in the control group, while at the same time treated animals had already recovered to baseline values. Lipid peroxidation products were significantly lower in lazaroid-groups both after 2 and 24 hours of reperfusion. Renal function after 24 hours of reperfusion was notably better in the treated rats. Histological examination confirmed the protective action of the drug. After 24 hours the control group showed large areas of parenchymal hemorrhage and necrosis with dilated tubules and blood vessel thrombosis, while treated animals showed small necrotic areas with a background of mild interstitial inflammatory cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there is a protective effect of U83836E in ischemia-reperfusion injury, in that tissue damage due to oxidative stress is reduced, thus ameliorating renal function impairment.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Shunt-related abdominal metastasis of cerebral teratocarcinoma: report of an unusual case and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Internal drainage of cerebrospinal fluid to the abdominal cavity via a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is a common procedure for therapy of obstructive hydrocephalus; because this condition is often caused by brain tumors blocking the natural cerebrospinal fluid pathways, the VPS as an artificial anastomosis can provide the means for the spreading of tumor cells by the cerebrospinal fluid. We report the case of a VPS-related abdominal metastasis of a teratocarcinoma and review the pertaining literature. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 24-year-old man with a history of three brain tumors that were operated on when the patient was 14, 21, and 23 years of age developed an acute ileus 7 months after VPS insertion for cerebral teratocarcinoma. Intraoperatively, a massive abdominal tumor was observed, which turned out to be a peritoneal metastasis of the aforesaid brain tumor. The patient died as a result of his illness 1 month later. RESULTS: To date, 58 VPS-related metastases of brain tumors have been described. The male-to-female ratio is 1.6:1, the mean age at shunt insertion is 12.2 years, and the interval between shunt operation and diagnosis of metastases is 16.8 months. During the observation time, 69.2% of the patients died as a result of their illness or abdominal metastases. The most common sources of the metastases were germinomas (27.7%), medulloblastomas (19.1%), and endodermal sinus tumors (10.3%). CONCLUSION: The presented case is only the second VPS-related abdominal spreading of a cerebral teratocarcinoma. Metastases via VPS are rare but should be considered as a possible complication and mode of systemic spread in patients with primary intracranial malignancy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Distal hyperplastic polyps do not predict proximal adenomas: results from a multicentric study of colorectal adenomas.

BACKGROUND: The association between distal hyperplastic polyps and proximal adenomas is still a matter of debate. We investigated this association while taking into account patient characteristics. METHODS: After exclusion of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, familial adenomatous polyposis, or any cancer, 3088 eligible consecutive subjects aged 18 to 69 years underwent total colonoscopy in four gastroenterology units. The odds ratios (OR) of having proximal adenomas according to patient characteristics (age, sex, medical center, year of endoscopy, reasons for referral, and distal findings) were estimated in univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Patients with distal polyps of any type showed an adjusted OR of 2.5 (95% CI [1.9, 3.1] p < .001) of having proximal adenomas as compared with those without distal polyps. When distal adenomas and distal hyperplastic polyps were included in the multivariate model as independent factors, the presence of adenomas significantly increased the risk of proximal adenomas (OR = 2.8: 95% CI [2.2, 3.6] p < .001), whereas the presence of hyperplastic polyps did not (OR = 1.1: 95% CI [0.8, 1.5] p = .64). No association with number, size, or location of distal hyperplastic polyps was seen. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that the presence of hyperplastic polyps should not be the sole indication for total colonoscopy because they are not associated with proximal adenomas when adjusting for patient characteristics and presence of distal adenomas.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1997

[Regression of primary gastric lymphoma after treatment with ranitidine].

In a 60 years old patient affected by primary gastric MALT lymphoma stage IE, we observed a complete regression after aspecific treatment with ranitidine 150 mg x 2/day; after regression we treated the patient with anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy for 30 days. Nowadays, after 3 years of clinical and endoscopical follow-up we observe no relapse of disease. The elimination of antigenic stimulation of Helicobacter pylori, stopping T-lymphocytes' effect on B-lymphocytes, stopped neoplastic proliferation, causing the complete regression of neoplastic lesion. This clinical case, according to biological data about primary gastric lymphomas, suggests different ways of treatment for primary gastric lymphomas at the lowest stage of disease.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1996

Levels of dissociation in detoxified substance abusers and their relationship to chronicity of alcohol and drug use.

This study compared the frequency and types of dissociative experiences reported by detoxified alcoholics and drug abusers, and examined the relationship between dissociation and recent and lifetime use of alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and heroin. One hundred thirty-eight self-referred male veterans detoxified from alcohol (N=62) and drugs (N=76) on inpatient units at a Veterans Affairs hospital completed questionnaires including the Dissociative Experiences Scale. Three types of dissociative experiences were examined: amnesia, depersonalization/derealization, and absorption. Ninety-one of the patients were also given the Addiction Severity Index interview to determine their histories of recent (past 30 days) and lifetime drug and alcohol use. High levels of dissociation were found in both groups, with alcoholics reporting higher levels of all three types of dissociative experiences than drug addicts. Chronicity (lifetime years) of both alcohol and cocaine use was significantly correlated with dissociation scores. The amnestic effect of chronic cocaine use persisted even after controlling for the effects of chronic alcohol use. In contrast, no dissociative effects of recent (past month) use of alcohol or drugs were found. These findings suggest that dissociation may be a chronic residual effect of long-term substance abuse, including both alcohol and cocaine. Implications are discussed for the treatment of chronic substance abusers.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Influence of the 21-aminosteroid U74389F on ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat.

We examined the effects of the administration of 21-[4-(2,6-di-1-pyrrolidinyl-4-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl]-pregna-1,4,9( 11)-triene-3,20-dione, monomethansulfonate (U74389F), a 21-aminosteroid and so-called lazaroid, that is characterized by an inhibitory activity against iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, on ischemia-reperfusion renal injury in a rat model. After either 60 or 90 min of ischemia, plus 2 or 24 h of reperfusion, kidneys were assayed for glutathione, adenine nucleotides and lipid peroxidation products. 60 min of ischemia produced too little oxidative stress and/or too much spontaneous recovery to allow visualization of the protective effect of the drug. 90 min of ischemia followed by reperfusion induced significant glutathione oxidation, the free oxidized glutathione to total glutathione redox ratio (%) being enhanced from 4.6 +/- 0.7% before kidney clamping to 11 +/- 1 and 8.6 +/- 1.4% at 2 and 24 h reperfusion, respectively. Treatment with the lazaroid provided significant protection against this oxidation (4.9 +/- 1.05% at 24 h reperfusion). Results of lipid peroxidation confirmed the antioxidant effect of the lazaroid. In conclusion this study provides evidence for a protective role of the tested lazaroid against ischemia-reperfusion renal injury in the rat.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1995

[Inflammatory pseudotumor of the urinary bladder. Study of 4 cases and review of the literature].

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory pseudotumour (IPT) of the urinary bladder is a benign proliferative lesion which can simulate clinically and histologically a sarcoma. Aim of this study is to report four new cases and to review the literature. CASES: Two patients were male, aged 2 and 4 years respectively (cases 1 and 2); cases 3 was a 26 year old woman and case 4 was a 40 year old man. Three patients presented with gross haematuria. One patient (case 4) presented with abdominal pain. On cystoscopy all the lesions presented as polypoid masses, ranging from 0.5 to 3 cm. in greatest axis. All patients were treated with conservative surgery. Case 1 died of unrelated causes 7 years later; at autopsy no evidence of residual bladder lesion was found. All the remaining three patients are alive and free of disease 8, 4, and 3 years respectively. RESULTS: On histology all the lesions had similar features. They were characterized by a submucosal growth of spindle cells with little pleomorphism, immersed in abundant myxoid stroma. In all cases immunoreactivity with vimentin was obtained; smooth muscle actin was focally positive in two cases and cytokeratin in one case. Bladder muscular wall was involved in three cases. CONCLUSION: The present four cases showed same histological and immunohistochemical feature of the IPTs previously described in the literature. IPT of the urinary bladder must be differentiated from malignant lesions such as rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, inflammatory fibrosarcoma, sarcomatoid carcinoma. Differential diagnosis is based mainly on the characteristic histological picture of IPT. Immunohistochemistry can be misleading as IPT shares in common with those malignant conditions, positivity with some markers, such as desmin with rhabdomyosarcoma and cytokeratin with sarcomatoid carcinoma.

Adult↗