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Biomedical subjects

R Pisa

Publications and source records attributed to R Pisa.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Epithelial membrane antigen expression in cholangiocarcinoma. An useful immunohistochemical tool for differential diagnosis with hepatocarcinoma.

Twenty-two cases of primary hepatic tumours (16 hepatocarcinoma and 6 cholangiocarcinoma) have been studied by immunoperoxidase technique, for the presence of Epithelial Membrane Antigen (EMA). All 6 cases of cholangiocarcinoma showed positive reaction for the presence of EMA while 14 out of 16 hepatocarcinoma were completely negative. In two cases of hepatocarcinoma focal positive cells were present. The results obtained suggest that EMA could be of valuable use, in surgical pathology, for discriminating hepatocarcinoma from cholangiocarcinoma.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗

Synovial sarcoma enzyme histochemistry of a typical case.

A typical case of biphasic synovial sarcoma was studied using enzyme histochemistry. A marked difference between the staining characteristics of the spindle cells and the epithelial-like cells was demonstrated by reactions for various hydrolytic enzymes. The epithelial-like cells exhibited a strong reactivity for alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase and nonspecific esterase, whereas spindle-cells were completely unreactive when tested for these enzymes. This is, to our knowledge, the first report demonstrating differences in the enzymatic pattern of the two cell populations which compose synovial sarcoma.

Adolescent↗

alpha-Interferon treatment of chronic hepatitis C in young patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and iron overload are the main causes of chronic liver disease in subjects with homozygous beta-thalassemia (HBT). Iron overload can be counteracted by intensive chelation. alpha-interferon reduces viremia and necroinflammation in patients with chronic HCV hepatitis. METHODS: To assess the effectiveness and safety of alpha 2b-Interferon (IFN), we enrolled in an open pilot trial of treatment 12 patients with HBT and biopsy-proven anti-HCV positive chronic hepatitis. IFN was given at a dose of 5 MU/m2 thrice weekly for 8 weeks, then 3 MU/m2 thrice weekly for 18 weeks. Patients were followed up to 24 months after stopping treatment when a second liver biopsy was performed in subjects with sustained response (normal ALT during follow-up). RESULTS: Two patients discontinued IFN at 7 weeks because of haemolytic anemia and one after 8 weeks due to persistent fever. Among 9 subjects completing the protocol, 5 normalized ALT while on treatment and a further 2 within two months after stopping IFN. A sustained response was obtained altogether in 5 patients, since ALT relapsed in 2 responders. None of the 3 subjects who discontinued IFN and of the 2 patients who did not respond to treatment normalized ALT over a 24 months follow-up. Post-treatment liver histology in long-term responders showed a reduction of portal, periportal and lobular necroinflammation, while siderosis was essentially unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Although the pattern of response to IFN in HCV-infected subjects with HBT might differ from that of non-thalassemics, due to peculiar side effects and delayed response, the drug appears to be effective and deserves further investigation.

Adolescent↗

[Assessment of the presence of mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptors in tumors of various histologies].

Recent reports from US and Japan have established that mutations in the tyrosine kinase (TK) domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor (Egfr) occur in a subset of patients with lung cancer that respond to therapy with gefitinib, a TK inhibitor. To gain further insights into the role of Egfr in carcinogenesis of lung and tumors of diverse histology, that are currently under investigation with drugs of the same class, we have taken in examination a panel of tumors consisting in 110 pulmonary adenocarcinomas, 40 pulmonary squamous carcinomas, 40 gastric adenocarcinomas and 40 colorectal adenocarcinomas. The sequence analysis of exon 19 and 21 of the Egfr has allowed the identification of 10 cases exhibiting specific deletions in exon 19 and 1 case with point mutation in a conserved residue in exon 21. All Egfr mutations occur specifically in lung adenocarcinomas while tumors of different histology result unaffected. The rate of mutation affecting these other tumors is either very rare, involves different domains of the receptor or other tyrosine kinases. The molecular analysis of the Egfr gene can help identify patients that will benefit from gefitinib therapy.

ErbB Receptors↗

[Association of mutations of K-RAS oncogene and deletions of 18Q with lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer].

Molecular characterization of gastrointestinal cancer has greatly helped the definition of the key steps of the malignant transformation process and made it the best understood among the malignant cancers. Genetic influences on prognosis may have important implications for the management of the disease and help to design patient-tailored therapy. In order to acquire additional knowledge on this issue we have commenced an institutional study with the aim to identify the most frequent molecular alterations and make a correlation with the conventional histopathological parameters.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗

[Pregnancy in adolescence. Considerations on a clinical case].

This report deals with developing a psychotherapy with an adolescent mother who had difficulty accepting her new-born child. Descriptive elements are discussed as well as theoretical considerations regarding maternity during adolescence. More specifically, motherhood, a potentially disturbing event, capable even of producing psychosis, is studied in a person whose behaviour in relation to reality is predominantly on an acting level. Our account focuses on this theme and seeks examine how pregnancy, an important emotional event, can cause serious mental disturbances, when it is acted-out.

Adolescent↗