Biomedical subjects

R Masciangelo

Publications and source records attributed to R Masciangelo.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Volumetric evaluation of therapy response in patients with lung metastases. Preliminary results with a computer system (CAD) and comparison with unidimensional measurements.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) system in the identification of lung metastases and to compare the volumetric CAD measurements with unidimensional observer measurements in the evaluation of treatment response in oncology patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two observers (A and B) evaluated nine patients undergoing lung computed tomography (CT) just before and immediately after treatment with chemotherapy. Multislice CT scans were performed before and after the injection of contrast material with a high-resolution protocol (collimation 4x1 mm, 100 mAs, 120 kV). Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) criteria were used to consider the disease as stable, increased or decreased. Subsequently, target lesions (most significant lesions identified before and after chemotherapy) were evaluated with a computerised system (CAD) to establish volumetric measurements. Observers' unidimensional measurements and CAD volumetric measurements were analysed for comparison. RESULTS: Twenty-four nodules (diameter: 5-18 mm in the first study and 4-20 mm in the follow-up study) were included. Observers agreed in the assessment of therapy response in 21 nodules: eight were considered to have increased in size, and 13 were judged stable. Observer and CAD measurements disagreed in three nodules: two were considered stable by radiologists and increased by CAD; one was considered increased by radiologists and stable by CAD.As regards patient response, radiologists disagreed in two cases. CAD and observers did not agree in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data suggest that volumetric measurements can modify the diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of oncology patients under chemotherapy.CAD volumetric measurements allow an easy and objective evaluation, reducing interobserver variability in the evaluation of chemotherapy response.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Comparison of diagnostic methods in the diagnosis of dermatomycoses and onychomycoses.

Direct microscopic examination of potassium hydroxide (KOH)-prepared specimens is the simplest, cheapest method used for the diagnosis of mycotic infections of the skin. However, KOH preparations have been reported to have 5-15% of false-negative results, possibly because of the low visibility of scant, scattered fungal material of the nail scrapings and because the detection of fungal elements depends on the skill of the observer [Arch Dermatol133 (1997) 1317; Clin Microbiol Rev8 (1995) 240]. We compared two different KOH-based staining methods in order to obtain reliable results in shorter time than expected for cultures. A total of 124 patients with suspect diagnosis of dermatomycosis or onychomycosis were enrolled. Two scrapings from the same lesion of each patient were stained with KOH-Chlorazole and KOH-Acridine Orange (AO), respectively; cultural examination of the same specimen was considered as diagnostic gold standard. The two methods showed neither significantly different sensitivity nor specificity; however, for onychomycoses, we observed a slightly higher sensitivity for KOH-Chlorazole and a higher specificity for KOH-AO. We suggest the use of both techniques in order to improve detection of fungal infection, especially for onychomycoses.

Acridine Orange↗

PubMed2003

Adenosine deaminase and interferon gamma measurements for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: As Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolation rates in tuberculous effusions are relatively low, several biochemical and immunological markers have been proposed to diagnose tuberculous pleurisy including adenosine deaminase (ADA) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Here we summarise the literature on ADA and IFN-gamma as predictors of tuberculous pleurisy. METHODS: After a systematic review of English language studies, we used summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) analysis to determine the cumulative diagnostic accuracy of both markers and Bayes' theorem to calculate post-test probability of disease in settings with different prevalences of tuberculous pleurisy, assessed and reported the quality of primary studies. RESULTS: From 1978 to November 2000, studies containing sufficient data for the determination of both sensitivity and specificity were 31 on ADA, including 4738 patients, and 13 on IFN-gamma, including 1189 patients. SROC curve yielded a maximum joint sensitivity and specificity of 93% for ADA and 96% for IFN-gamma. In the setting of tuberculous effusion prevalence of 5%, 25% and 85%, post-test probability of a negative ADA test were 0.4%, 2.4% and 24%, and 0.22%, 1.2% and 17% for a negative IFN-gamma test. CONCLUSION: With the caveat that limitations in the design of the studies summarised here may distort estimates of test performance, ADA and IFN-gamma appear to be reasonably accurate at detecting TB pleurisy.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

PubMed2002

Factors influencing immediate and long-term results after button's technique.

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing immediate and long-term results in patients undergoing aortic root replacement with a composite graft. METHODS: Between January 1989 and February 1999, 105 patients (83 males, 22 females) who underwent Bentall technique were studied. Preoperative diagnosis was annulo-aortic ectasia in 54, aortic dissection in 27, atherosclerotic aneurysm in 21, and aortitis in 3 cases. Seventeen patients were affected by Marfan's syndrome. All cases, elective, urgent, and emergency were included. Button technique was performed and the associated surgical procedures were coronary artery bypass grafting in 21, total aortic arch replacement in 15, proximal hemi arch in 5, and mitral valve replacement in 5 cases. RESULTS: The overall hospital mortality rate was 7.6% (n=8). Univariate analysis using chi(2) and/or two-sample "t"-test showed that dissection, aortitis, aneurysm rupture into-pleura or pericardium, emergency status, redo, prolonged pump times and circulatory arrest, were predictors influencing in-hospital mortality. Coagulopathy, low cardiac output, stroke, perioperative myocardial infarction, surgical bleeding leading to reoperation, were significantly related to in-hospital mortality (by correlation analysis). A multivariate analysis showed that, emergency status (p=0.027), aortic dissection (p=0.029), perioperative myocardial infarction (p=0.0021), reoperation for bleeding (p=0.0023), and pump time >180 min (p=0.011), were significant. The actuarial survival rate at 10 years follow-up was 84.7%. There were 8 late deaths. The Kaplan-Meier showed significant differences when considering dissection vs non-dissection (p=0.018), but did not reach significance in Marfan vs non-Marfan groups (p=0.83). NYHA class IV (p=0.052), previous cardiac surgery procedure (p=0.041), concomitant CABG (p=0.021), total aortic arch reconstruction (p=0.001), and mitral valve replacement (p=0.016), were identified as significant by Log Rank test. CONCLUSIONS: The Bentall procedure for aortic root replacement is safe and durable; in hospital mortality in elective status it was 1.28%; early and long-term mortality higher in patients with acute dissection. Six late deaths were procedures related. Sixty-six patients (76.4%) were in NYHA I class at follow-up. The incidence of late outcomes, thromboembolism (1.03%), graft infection (2.06%), pseudoaneurysm (0%), reoperation in ascending aorta or aortic valve (3.1%), operations on the remaining aorta (6.7%), and hemorrhage due to anticoagulant therapy (1.03%), are very low.

Actuarial Analysis↗

PubMed2001

Single brain metastasis from thyroid cancer: report of twelve cases and review of the literature.

Brain metastases from thyroid carcinoma is unusual, with a frequency of 1%. We report twelve patients, with single brain metastases and with a karnofsky performance scale score >60 at admission. No metastasis was seen during the uptake of iodine-131, even in the cases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma, suggesting absence of differentiation between primary and metastasic disease. The histopathology of thyroid carcinomas was anaplastic in five cases, differentiated in six, and medullary in one. Only in four patients, brain was the unique site of metastatic spread; in others, bones and lungs were also involved. All metastases were surgically removed, and all patients were treated with radiotherapy (45 Gy) in the postoperative course. The survival average was 19.8 months, and the quality of life was satisfactory in all patients. One patient remained alive till 5 years. Anaplastic histopathology and size of the primitive, and also bone involvement of thyroid disease were significant risk factors in our cases (p < 0.05). According to the literature, surgery is the best therapeutical choice. Alternative strategies in the management of brain metastasis, such as iodine-131 therapy, are discussed, paying particular attention to the relevant side effects.

Brain Neoplasms↗

PubMed2001

Epirubicin, cisplatin and continuous-infusion 5-fluorouracil (ECF regimen) in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.

Thirty-one patients with advanced colorectal cancer were treated with a regimen of epirubicin, cisplatin and continuous-infusion (c.i.) 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (ECF regimen). Twenty-seven patients were evaluable for response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In this study, the ECF chemotherapy yielded a 51% RR with a PFS of more than 8 months, an OS of more than 11 months and tolerable toxicity. In spite of the perplexity concerning the use of anthracyclines in colorectal cancer, the ECF regimen seems to be a possible treatment even for this malignancy. Controlled studies with ECF versus standard treatments and versus 5-FU alone in c.i. are necessary.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Apoptosis and surgical trauma: dysregulated expression of death and survival factors on peripheral lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND: Surgery and anesthesia cause depression of cell-mediated immunity in the postoperative period, including a reduction in the numbers of circulating lymphocytes. It has been claimed that this immunosuppression is associated with an increased incidence of postoperative infections. HYPOTHESIS: Lymphocytopenia following surgical trauma depends on a dysregulated expression of death/and survival factors associated with apoptosis that, in turn, interferes with the occurrence of postsurgical infections. DESIGN: Fifteen subjects undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia entered the study. The data of the patients who had infections during the postoperative outcome were compared with the data of those who did not. The data were collected prospectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Peripheral blood samples were drawn before the operation, and 24 hours and 96 hours after the operation. Lymphocytes were isolated and examined for quantification and phenotypic analysis of apoptosis using the 7-amino-actinomycin D method, as well as for Fas and Fas ligand, interleukin 1-converting enzyme p20/caspase-1, Bcl-2, and p35 expression. The rate of apoptotic cells was correlated with the incidence of postoperative infections. SETTING: University hospital. RESULTS: Twenty-four hours after surgery, CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells exhibited a significantly higher frequency of apoptosis as well as of Fas and Fas ligand and interleukin 1-converting enzyme p20/caspase-1 expressions than preoperatively. This increase was paralleled by a significant down-regulation of antiapoptotic factors such as Bcl-2. However, the expression of the proapoptotic factor p35 was reduced. In addition, we found a relationship between the rate of the apoptotic CD8(+) subset and the occurrence of infectious complications during the postoperative course. At 96 hours after surgery, the variables studied returned to the baseline levels. CONCLUSIONS: In the early postoperative period, surgical trauma under general anesthesia induces an intracellular perturbation on peripheral lymphocytes, resulting in both up-regulation of death-signaling factors and down-regulation of survival-signaling factors. The increased apoptosis of CD8(+) lymphocytes, but not of CD4(+) cells, seemed to be associated with a greater risk of postsurgical infections.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2000

Bacterial vaginosis and contraceptive methods.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate if bacterial vaginosis is associated with the use of specific contraceptives. METHODS: The study population consisted of 1314 women attending for periodical preventive examinations at our gynecology unit at the II Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University 'La Sapienza' in Rome. The patient's history and any current genital symptom were recorded on a structured protocol. Current users of contraceptives were compared with non-users. The chi(2) test and the t-test were used in the statistical analysis; a stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the simultaneous effect of more than one variable and to identify for possible confounding factors. RESULTS: Both oral contraceptive and condom use showed a significant protective effect against bacterial vaginosis. Our results also showed a significant increase of BV among IUD users, either before or after adjustments. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a significant negative association between BV and OC and condom use, respectively, and a significant positive association between BV and IUD use. Therefore, we suggest that it is advisable to carry out a systematic microscopic evaluation in order to identify BV for IUD users.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Local invasion of gastric cancer: CT findings and pathologic correlation using 5-mm incremental scanning, hypotonia, and water filling.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the accuracy of CT with drug-induced hypotonia and water filling in revealing the depth of tumor invasion of the gastric wall, according to the T factor of TNM classification, and to verify the capability of this technique in differentiating diffuse from intestinal gastric cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty patients (age range, 35-78 years) with histologically proven gastric tumors underwent CT, in the prone position, with drug-induced hypotonia and water filling. The images were prospectively reviewed by two radiologists who were asked to assess the depth of tumor invasion in the gastric wall. The thickening of the hypodense layer and the contrast enhancement of lesion were measured. RESULTS: CT correctly assessed gastric wall invasion in 77% and 82% of cases for observers A and B, respectively; overstaging was 20% and 15%, respectively; and understaging occurred in 3% of cases for both observers. Diagnostic sensitivity for serosal invasion was 100% for both observers; specificity was 80% and 87%, respectively. Substantial agreement between the observers was obtained (kappa = .6). Diffuse and intestinal cancers could be differentiated by CT in 92% of cases, considering the thickening of the hypoattenuating layer of the gastric wall (diffuse cancer: 7 +/- 1.2 mm; intestinal cancer: 1.4 +/- 0.4 mm) and contrast enhancement (diffuse cancer: 85 +/- 8.2 H; intestinal cancer: 51 +/- 3 H). CONCLUSION: CT with patients in a drug-induced hypotonia and in a prone position, and using water filling, is a promising technique for evaluating the depth of tumor invasion and for differentiating intestinal from diffuse gastric cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

General anesthesia mode does not influence endocrine or immunologic profile after open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

To verify the impact on stress response and the influence of anesthesia on endocrine/immunologic changes, we have investigated the plasma level of norepinephrine, cortisol, TNFalpha, and IL-6 in 46 patients scheduled for laparotomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after the operation. Among subjects who underwent open approach, 9 received fentanyl anesthesia and 13 received isoflurane anesthesia. In the laparoscopy group, 14 patients were given fentanyl anesthesia and 10 were given isoflurane anesthesia. The results obtained confirmed that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a lesser immunoendocrine response, and the two anesthesia models do not interfere with plasma changes of the assessed hormones and cytokines.

Anesthesia, General↗

PubMed1996

Endocrine and physical determinants of bone mass in late postmenopause.

To analyze the relative contribution of endocrine and physical factors to bone mineral density (BMD) in late menopause, we studied biochemical markers of bone turnover as well as sex and calciotropic hormones in 53 women (mean age 61 +/- 5.3 years), 5 to 23 years after natural menopause. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine and proximal femur by dual energy radiography. Stepwise regression analysis showed that age and PTH levels were the two major factors that significantly accounted for spinal BMD, with a final r2 = 0.27. Plasma androstenedione was the only other variable that contributed, albeit not significantly, to spine BMD increasing the r2 by 2%. Conversely, body mass was the main contributor to femoral BMD at all sites. While serum calcium and urinary hydroxyproline were significant determinants of neck BMD, urinary hydroxyproline and age provided significant source of variation for trochanteric BMD, and circulating FSH for BMD in the Ward's area. The final models gave r2 values of 0.35, 0.31, and 0.23, for neck, trochanter and Ward's areas, respectively. Thus, determinants of bone density differentially affect the vertebral and proximal femoral sites. While increasing age and PTH, probably reflecting a subclinical vitamin D deficiency, explain a decreased vertebral bone density, body mass appears to affect mostly the proximal femur. Circulating androgens play a secondary role. A persistently increased bone turnover state is conducive to lower bone density in late postmenopausal women.

Androstenedione↗

PubMed1991

Synaptophysin in human breast carcinomas.

Synaptophysin expression was studied immunohistochemically in 109 female and in three male breast carcinomas. Positivity was demonstrated in 10 female and in two male tumours in a high percentage of neoplastic cells. Synaptophysin positive breast carcinomas also expressed other neuroendocrine markers such as chromogranin and neuron-specific enolase.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Comparison of cytology and ELISA in the research on cervical Chlamydia infection].

Papanicolaou smears from 100 woman with ELISA Chlamydia-positive (42) and negative (58) endocervical smears were examined. Chlamydial endocellular inclusions were found in 3 ELISA positive and 2 negative smears, with an evident low sensitivity (7%) of cytology in the diagnosis of the endocervical infection. Furthermore, by statistical analysis it is clear that a negative test doesn't add anything to the pre-test probability (prevalence) of the infection. On the other hand a positive pap-smear adds a poor information, if compared with immunoenzimathic assay and IF staining. Thus, the Papanicolaou smear can't be considered of diagnostic value for Chlamydial infection. Furthermore, it proves unsuitable even for screening programs on high-risk patients, concerning which the immunoenzymatic assay appears, as previously affirmed, the most suitable effort.

Chlamydia Infections↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of Crohn disease activity with magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating Crohn disease (CD) activity. The intestinal inflammatory activity is usually present in patients under pharmacologic treatment, despite their clinical remission. METHODS: Twenty patients with CD, all under pharmacologic treatment, were prospectively studied by MRI at 1.5 T as a periodic control. Positivity of three acute-phase reactants was considered an index of biologic activity (BA). T2-weighted, T2-weighted fat-suppressed turbo spin-echo, and breath-hold T1-weighted turbo field-echo sequences, before and after gadolinium intravenous injection, were obtained. A negative superparamagnetic contrast agent was orally administered. The following MRI parameters were qualitatively evaluated by three radiologists at the level of the affected bowel and compared with clinical data: wall thickness (WT), wall T2-weighted signal (T2W), wall contrast enhancement (WE), amount of fibrofatty proliferation (FP), and T2-weighted signal of fibrofatty proliferation on fat-suppressed images (T2FP). The kappa coefficient of agreement was calculated. The Spearman rank correlation was used for the analysis of clinical and radiologic data. RESULTS: Nineteen of 20 patients were in clinical remission (Crohn Disease Activity Index < 150). On the basis of laboratory tests, nine of 20 patients had biologically active disease. An excellent correlation was found between BA and WE, T2W, and T2FP (0.900, 0.927 and 0.961, respectively; p < 0.0001), and a lower correlation was found between BA and WT and between BA and FP (0.78 and 0.62). Excellent statistical correlation was also found between WE and T2W and between WE and T2FP (0.876 and 0.892). CONCLUSIONS: An excellent statistical correlation was found between biologically "active" disease and the following MRI parameters: wall gadolinium enhancement, wall hyperintensity on T2-weighted fat-suppressed images, and hyperintensity of fibrofatty proliferation on T2-weighted fat-suppressed images. Therefore, MRI can be valuable in assessing CD activity.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Failure in intrauterine contraception. Analysis of 137 cases of unfavourable outcome.

137 cases of unfavourable outcome in IUD insertion (i.e. early removal or expulsion because of complications) were investigated as regards age, parity, previous intrauterine contraception, previous induced abortion, type of device inserted, and type of complications observed. Moreover, this group was compared for each feature mentioned with a control group of 454 women who successfully concluded the prescribed period from the insertion. All the devices were inserted with a significantly higher rate of favourable outcome in pluriparous versus nulliparous patients; age probably didn't affect the outcome, but strongly conditioned the prevalence of particular complications such as PID and abnormal bleeding. Progesterone-loaded IUD didn't show a more favourable outcome than copper devices.

Adult↗