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Biomedical subjects

R Vecchione

Publications and source records attributed to R Vecchione.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Histological findings and evidence of lipid conjugated dienes and malonyldialdehyde in human fetal aortas.

Recent evidence strongly suggests that peroxidative modification of lipids may play a significant role in atherogenesis. In our present research, we investigated if the oxidative stress mediated by oxygen free radicals was a pathophysiologic condition that occurred in the early stages of human development. Thus the aim of this research was to examine lipid peroxidation in human fetal aortas. Human fetal aortas and proximal iliac arteries (n = 8) were obtained from fetuses aged 7 +/- 2 months, immediately after autopsy. Lipids from the initial fatty streak lesions (LFS) and the vessels uninvolved (LUV) were extracted by the chloroform/methanol method. Lipid peroxidation levels were measured by two different methods: determination of lipid conjugate dienes (the spectrum trend was recorded from 320 to 200 nm with a spectrophotometer) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) content (TBA method). We observed that lipid conjugated dienes were present in LFS, but not in LUV, with a characteristic absorption peak at 233 nm. In addition, MDA levels were significantly higher when the LFS = 3.85 +/- 0.91 nmol than when the LUV = 0.41 +/- 0.12 nmol (p < 0.001 versus LUV). The presence of lipid peroxidation in our samples could be mediated by free radical production in the first stages of human development. Thus these data suggest that LFS peroxidation mediated by free radicals occurs in the vascular circulation in the early stages of human development. This could influence the progression of vascular damage and atherosclerotic disease.

Aorta↗

Renal tubular dysgenesis and very large cranial fontanels in a family with acrocephalosyndactyly S.C. type.

We describe the first case of renal tubular dysgenesis in a newborn female who survived 15 days. The immunohistochemical and lectin binding studies confirmed the lack of proximal tubule differentiation. Electron microscopy showed undifferentiated tubular epithelium. Widely patent cranial fontanels were present in the proposita. The father and sister showed acrocephalosyndactyly Saethre-Chotzen type. The parents were not related and there was no familial history of renal pathology.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Further researches about retinal damages and dietary protein imbalance in growing rats.

Following previous trials about hypo- and hyper-protein diets and their negative effects on some ocular structures when administered in selected stages of rats' growth, Authors have presented a comparative study of retinal alterations between light (LM) and electron (EM) microscopic analysis. LM showed a vacuolar degeneration of retinal optic fiber and ganglion cell layers where EM, performed at the same time, showed damages of the nervous tissue consisting of microtubule diminution, optic fiber molding and glial cell proliferation.

Animals↗

Glycosaminoglycans in human breast cancer: morphological and biochemical study.

The authors evaluate the distribution and the content of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in neoplastic tissue from mastectomy specimens of 15 patients treated for an infiltrating ductal carcinoma NOS, in comparison to normal tissue of the opposite quadrant. Neoplastic tissues contain a marked amount (5 mg/g dry defatted tissue) of GAG, in comparison to normal ones (2.2 mg/g dry defatted weight). In stellate carcinomas GAG are localized near the interface with the host tissue and are constituted mainly of chondroitin sulfates and hyaluronate. These data are confirmed by electrophoretic analysis.

Alcian Blue↗

Collagen in human breast cancer: morphological and biochemical study.

The authors studied the distribution and the composition of collagen in neoplastic tissue from mastectomy specimens of 15 patients treated for an infiltrating ductal carcinoma NOS, in comparison to normal tissue of the opposite quadrant. The study was performed by light microscopy, microspectrophotometry, and electrophoretic methods. The results demonstrate a characteristic stromal organization of breast cancer in relation to collagen type I content.

Breast↗

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (Sipple's syndrome): clinical and cytogenetic analysis of a kindred.

This report describes the clinical and cytogenetic analysis of a kindred with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN-2 or Sipple's syndrome) in two generations. Medullary thyroid carcinoma was present in five members either as a large or as an occult tumour. Phaeochromocytoma was demonstrated in one severely hypertensive relative and urine vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) was increased in one normotensive member. Serum parathormone (PTH) was normal in all but one normocalcaemic patient of this family who did not have a history of nephrolithiasis. Prometaphase banding failed to detect a 20p12.2 deletion or chromosome instability as observed in some MEN-2 families.

Adolescent↗

Congenital hepatic fibrosis with gastrointestinal bleeding in early infancy.

We report a case of a 19-month-old infant with congenital hepatic fibrosis. The clinical features consisted of portal hypertension with massive gastrointestinal bleeding, recurrent cholangitis, and cystic dysplasia of the kidneys, without impairment of renal function. The dramatic course of the disease required surgical treatment. Congenital hepatic fibrosis with life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding is extremely rare below three years of age. The purpose of the present report is to stress the need of looking for varices in all cases of congenital hepatic fibrosis, even when occurring in early infancy.

Female↗

Peritoneoscopy in chronic hepatitis. A retrospective evaluation of its role in the management of the asymptomatic patient.

The course of chronic hepatitis was retrospectively evaluated in 26 patients in whom both peritoneoscopy and liver biopsy were initially performed. At entry all patients were clinically asymptomatic and showed mild or moderate histological and chemical abnormalities, so that none of them needed steroid treatment. The duration of the follow-up ranged from 24-82 months. At the end of follow-up liver biopsy was obtained in all patients. In a few patients peritoneoscopy was also ultimately performed. In six patients in whom initially chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) was diagnosed both by peritoneoscopy and liver biopsy, the subsequent course of the disease was benign. In all the nine patients in whom initially peritoneoscopy suggested CPH, in contrast to the histological diagnosis of chronic aggressive hepatitis (CAH), chemical and morphological parameters of liver disease activity did not worsen to require steroid treatment. In five of six patients in whom both liver biopsy and peritoneoscopy initially showed CAH, chemical and morphological abnormalities progressed so that steroids had to be initiated. Finally in four of five patients in whom initially peritoneoscopy showed CAH and liver biopsy CPH, steroid treatment was ultimately required because of chemical and morphological worsening. In conclusion peritoneoscopy may be a useful aid in the management of the asymptomatic patient with moderate chemical and histological features of chronic liver disease.

Adolescent↗