PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R A Satriano

Publications and source records attributed to R A Satriano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Immunomodulatory effects of a set of amygdalin analogues on human keratinocyte cells.

Peptide T (PT) is an octapeptide shown to resolve psoriatic lesions. Our previous investigations suggest that keratinocytes play an important role in conditioning the therapeutic effects of the PT in psoriasis. However, peptides are not good therapeutic agents, because they exhibit poor absorption, are easily metabolized and are immunogenic. Using computational methods, the natural product amygdalin was identified as peptidomimetic of PT. However, amygdalin exhibits a toxic profile due to its cyanide group. To overcome this deleterious effect, we synthesized analogues lacking the cyanide group. Human keratinocytes were treated with PT or with three different peptidomimetics of PT. To study its effects on the expression of HSP-70, TGF-beta, alpha-v integrin, ICAM-1 and cytokines, we analysed the protein levels by Western blot and ELISA. Our results show that the different peptidomimetics of PT tested exhibit a similar biological behaviour in regard to the overexpression of HSP-70, TGF-beta and alpha-v integrin than the native peptide. TNF-alpha is overexpressed by PT and SVT-03018; between the other two analogs, SVT-03016 do not produce any significant change in regard to the control, while SVT-03017 shows only a moderate increase in regard to control. SVT-03018 provokes a remarkable upregulation of IL-10, stronger than SVT-03016, SVT-03017 and PT. All the other three analogues reduce comparably to the PT, the expression of ICAM-1 and do not increase the release of proinflammatory cytokines. The results highlighted that the three analogues of amygdalin with the cyanide group removed exhibit the same biological effects of PT. Therefore, they can be considered peptidomimetics, suggesting their possible use in the treatment of psoriasis.

Amygdalin↗
PubMed2004

Effectiveness of small-volume, intralesional, delayed-release triamcinolone injections in orofacial granulomatosis: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is an idiopathic disorder characterized by chronic orofacial swellings causing significant cosmetic and functional problems. Treatment with high-volume triamcinolone injections has been shown to be effective but requires nerve block anesthesia and causes a dramatic temporary increase of lip swelling. OBJECTIVE: We have performed a noncomparative open-label pilot study in 7 patients with OFG in order to evaluate the effectiveness of small volumes of extended-release high-concentrate triamcinolone injections in reducing lip swelling and preventing recurrences. METHODS: Seven patients with OFG were studied. Small-volume, intralesional, high-concentrate, extended-release triamcinolone was injected on the basis of a weekly schedule. A standard cycle consisted of 2 or 3 injection sessions over 14 or 21 days, depending on the clinical response. RESULTS: After cycle completion, all patients remained without recurrences or with cosmetically acceptable slight lip enlargement for a mean time of 19 months (range, 8-30 months). No side effects were observed, except in one patient with hypopigmentation of the skin of the upper lip. CONCLUSIONS: Slow-volume, intralesional, high-concentrate, extended-release triamcinolone injections appear to be effective in reducing lip enlargement in patients with OFG and do not require nerve block anesthesia or cause a temporary troublesome increase of swelling. A long disease-free period is generally obtained.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Kaposi's sarcoma: aetiopathogenesis, histology and clinical features.

UNLABELLED: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) represents today one of the most common skin cancers in transplanted Mediterranean subjects and, since the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, in young unmarried single men. The disease has been associated with the recent identified human herpesvirus (HHV)-8 or KS herpesvirus and its incidence in the general population shows a north to south gradient that parallels the HHV-8 increasing prevalence from Nordic countries to sub-Saharan regions. The identification of the aetiopathogenetic mechanisms (viral agents and immunodeficiency) involved in the pathogenesis of KS, are relevant for identifying susceptible subjects (HHV-8 seropositive subjects), monitoring the immune levels in iatrogenic immune suppressed patients, and developing new therapeutic approaches based on antiviral and immune modulators. LEARNING OBJECTIVE: This article should enable the reader: (i) to learn about the clinical and molecular aspects of KS in order to have a multidisciplinary approach to a tumour that shows unique features; (ii) to consider the role of viral agents and immunity; and (iii) to recognize properties of an opportunistic neoplasm. The identification of the HHV-8 role in KS pathogenesis should establish a relevant tool in the clinical management of KS patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2001

Detection of occult melanoma cells in paraffin-embedded histologically negative sentinel lymph nodes using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay.

PURPOSE: Detection of occult metastasis before the development of clinical disease could allow more accurate staging, appropriate follow-up procedures, and adjuvant therapies in patients with malignant melanoma (MM). The sentinel lymph node (SLN) has been proposed as a reliable predictor of metastatic disease in the lymphatic basin draining the primary melanoma. In this study, we screened both paraffin-embedded SLNs and peripheral-blood (PB) samples from MM patients at various stage of disease using a multimarker reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. The prognostic significance of the presence of PCR-positive markers was also evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Total RNA was obtained from paraffin-embedded SLN sections and PB samples of 75 MM patients. RT-PCR was performed using tyrosinase and MelanA/MART1 as melanoma-associated markers. Radiolabeled PCR products were analyzed on denaturing polyacrylamide gels. RESULTS: Good sensitivity of the RT-PCR assay on archival tissues was demonstrated after comparison of RT-PCR results on frozen and paraffin-embedded SLNs from 16 MM patients. Significant correlation between the disease stage and marker expression in both PB and SLN samples was observed; the highest value was for patients who were positive for both markers in SLN (P =.006). Progression of disease was significantly associated with the total number of PCR-positive markers in both PB (P =.034) and SLN (P =.001) samples. CONCLUSION: Although sensitivity is lowered by the use of paraffin-embedded specimens, our data indicate that RT-PCR analysis of serial sections from archival SLNs may be helpful in improving detection of occult micrometastases, thus improving staging of patients with melanoma.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2000

Sensitivity and specificity of epiluminescence microscopy: evaluation on a sample of 2731 excised cutaneous pigmented lesions. The Melanoma Cooperative Study.

To evaluate the role of epiluminescence microscopy (ELM) in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous pigmented lesions, and to improve the early diagnosis of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), 15,719 pigmented lesions from 8782 consecutive patients were evaluated using ELM with a hand-held video microscope imaging system (MS 500B Micro-Scopeman, Moritex). Comparison between risk levels as inferred from ELM screening and histology was performed on 2731 surgically excised lesions. ELM sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, as well as agreement with histological results for the different subgroups of lesions, were determined. Overall agreement was 87.3% (ranging from 85.1% to 92.2% for melanocytic and non-melanocytic lesions, respectively); sensitivity and specificity were high (values ranging from 87.3% to 96.3% among different subsets of ELM-analysed lesions) and statistically significant (P < 0.0001). ELM screening identified 165 new cases of CMM with a high proportion of lesions (115; 70%) in an early phase of tumour growth (Breslow thickness </= 1.5 mm). Thus, ELM is helpful to the clinician in deciding which pigmented lesions need surgical excision, as well as in diagnosing early CMM lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Acitretin and treatment of the oral leucoplakias. A model to have an active molecules release.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of acitretin in a new topical formulation (mucoadhesive two-layer tablets) for the treatment of oral leucoplakias. METHODS: Twenty-one volunteers, 16 men, five women, with oral leucoplakia (histologically diagnosed), were included in this double-blind placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomized in three groups (A, B, C) of seven patients each. Groups A and B received tablets with different in vitro release profiles, and group C subjects (controls) received tablets without acitretin. The acitretin dose was 20 mg/day (two 10 mg tablets daily). Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, cholesterol and triglycerides were evaluated before and after treatment. At the end of therapy the concentrations of acitretin in plasma, saliva and tissue were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: At the end of the study 71% (groups A and B) of patients showed clinical remission or marked improvement. No improvement was noted in the control subjects (group C). These results were further confirmed by histological findings. There were no significant changes in laboratory values in the three groups. The acitretin concentration in plasma and tissue ranged from 0 to 50 mg with no difference between groups A and B, and it was very high in saliva (ranging from 4.9 to 43 mg) with higher concentrations in group A than in group B (due to a longer adhesion time in group A). Patients' compliance was excellent. The results show that mucoadhesive tablets of topical acitretin are efficacious in the treatment of oral leucoplakia without systemic side-effects.

Acitretin↗
PubMed1999

Oral manifestations of idiopathic lenticular mucocutaneous pigmentation (Laugier-Hunziker syndrome): a clinical, histopathological and ultrastructural review of 12 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To present a clinical, histopathological and ultrastructural study on a group of patients affected by idiopathic mucocutaneous pigmentation (Laugier-Hunziker syndrome: LHS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients were investigated: clinical examination, laboratory tests, and X-ray studies together with light microscopy and electron microscopy were performed in order to diagnose LHS. RESULTS: All cases showed acquired, benign, macular hyperpigmentation of buccal mucosa lips and nails. Histologically, pigmentations are due to an accumulation of melanin in the basal layer keratinocytes and an increase in the number of melanophages in the submucosa and/or papillary dermis. Ultrastructurally there were increased numbers of normal-appearing melanosomes in keratinocytes of the lower epithelium. No evidence of malignant changes were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of this condition relates to it being included in the differential diagnoses of pigmentary disorders of the oral mucosa with associated nail involvement. It is important to recognize this acquired benign disorder to avoid unnecessary investigations and treatments.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Epiluminescence microscopy as a useful approach in the early diagnosis of cutaneous malignant melanoma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of epiluminescence microscopy (ELM) in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous pigmented lesions in order to improve the detection of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) at earlier stages of the disease. In total, 3865 pigmented lesions from 2121 selected patients were evaluated using ELM with a hand-held video microscope imaging system (MS 500B Micro-Scopeman, Moritex). Comparison with histology was performed on the 476 surgically excised lesions. ELM sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values as well as agreement for the different risk levels of the lesions were determined. Of the 476 cutaneous pigmented lesions removed and histologically examined, 101 (21.2%) were non-melanocytic lesions and 375 (78.8%) were melanocytic lesions. Overall agreement was 83.4% (93.1% and 80.8% for non-melanocytic and melanocytic lesions, respectively). Sensitivity and specificity of ELM in the analysis of melanocytic lesions with a pigment network were both very high (92.3% and 91.2%, respectively). Sixty new cases of CMM were identified. A high proportion of melanoma at stage AJCC IA (23 out of 32; 71.8%) was diagnosed exclusively by ELM (four of these were in situ CCM lesions). ELM is therefore a powerful tool to discriminate between melanocytic and non-melanocytic lesions in order to avoid inopportune surgical treatments for low risk lesions. Unfortunately, ELM did not show 100% sensitivity in diagnosing CMM and therefore ELM features should be integrated with data from both the history and clinical evaluation. However, ELM is much more accurate than clinical examination in detecting thin CMM.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Oral pemphigus: clinical significance of esophageal involvement: report of eight cases.

The extension of the blisters of pemphigus to the esophagus is relatively uncommon, especially in patients treated with corticosteroids who appear to be in clinical remission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the esophagus in eight patients affected by oral pemphigus in various stages of the disease. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed esophageal involvement in five patients (two men and three women); three had blisters or erosions in the upper esophagus, whereas two showed red longitudinal lines along the entire organ. Direct immunofluorescence was positive in all eight patients. It is suggested that endoscopic examination of esophageal mucosa is an objective criterion by which to judge the success of therapy of pemphigus vulgaris.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1992

"Two-step" pemphigus induction by ACE-inhibitors.

Pemphigus lesions appeared in a 58-year-old man who was taking captopril for his hypertension. Drug withdrawal resulted in complete remission of the eruption. The subsequent use of enalapril as an antihypertensive agent caused a recurrence of pemphigus lesions along with onset of itching and dermographism. Intercellular antibodies were not found. Discontinuance of enalapril therapy had no effect on the clinical course. Steroid treatment was needed to resolve the eruption. Recently repeated immunofluorescent studies disclosed intercellular IgG antibodies in the serum at a low titer. Pemphigus induction could be initially related to the thiol acantholytic property of captopril. Subsequent production of intercellular antibodies and drug-activation of the kinin system could be responsible for relapsing.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed1990

[Porokeratosis palmaris et plantaris disseminata with squamous cell carcinoma].

A 53-year-old man presented porokeratosis palmaris, plantaris et disseminata with some features (exacerbation of lesions, in the sun light, zosteriform fashion of them on the trunk and extremities) distinctive of other variants of porokeratosis. Lately, four squamous cell carcinomas had arisen on the areas involved by disease. Histologic study of porokeratosis lesions showed epidermal changes typical of the disease ("cornoid lamella"), but also a mild disorder of malpighian stratification. Neoplasms were removed surgically and the patient was given etretinate orally (75 mg/day for a week, 50 mg/day for a month, 25 mg/day for six months, i.e. up to now), which proved to be effective in improving porokeratosis lesions and preventing the occurrence of other squamous cell carcinomas.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1988

Urinary neopterin and immunological features in patients with Kaposi's sarcoma.

We studied neopterin excretion levels and immunological features of 20 patients affected by Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), compared to 30 normal controls. Eighteen patients had the classic form of Kaposi's sarcoma (CKS), while two patients were anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive and affected by the epidemic form associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In CKS patients, a trend of an increase of neopterin levels with more advanced stages appeared from our data whereas a significant reduction in CD3+ and CD4+ lymphocytes subsets was observed already at early stages (P less than 0.01). CD8+ cells did not show significant variations. A significant increase in serum IgA immunoglobulins (P less than 0.05) was also observed. Comparative analysis of the two patients affected by AIDS/KS showed the profound deficit in T-cell immunity but also the prognostic value of neopterin monitoring. Furthermore these findings seem to confirm Kaposi's sarcoma as an 'opportunistic neoplasia' and indicate neopterin as a useful prognostic marker.

Aged↗