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Biomedical subjects

S Damiani

Publications and source records attributed to S Damiani.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Analysis of blood pressure rhythms for drug efficacy evaluation.

This study analyzes some methods of evaluating the effects of antihypertensive drugs on blood pressure circadian rhythm. We reviewed four different approaches: hourly averages, trough-to-peak ratio, cosinor method, and Fourier series applied to the same data to prove the time course of the effects of isradipine administered once daily. A total of 141 patients of both sexes (mean age 53 years, range 30-76) with mild to moderate essential hypertension were enrolled in this multicenter trial after a 2-week placebo run-in. Treatment with isradipine SRO 5 mg/day administered between 8 and 9 AM was started. Each patient underwent ambulatory BP monitoring at the time of entry and after 6 weeks of treatment. Calculation of hourly averages showed decreases after 4 AM, and from about 8-9 AM, when the drug was administered, and the decreases practically did not vary until about 10 PM. Subsequently, the decreases became smaller and indicated reduced drug activity. However, this hypothesis no longer held after 4 AM. The trough-to-peak ratio was calculated including hourly averages after the dose divided by the lowest hourly average. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed constant reduction from 3 PM (time of peak) to 11 PM. However, after 11 PM, higher trough-to-peak ratios paradoxically occurred due to a major reduction obtained with placebo, and the negative percentages just before the next dose cannot be attributed to treatment. Applying the cosinor method, maximal values were greatly underestimated, nocturnal values were overestimated, and the absolute maximum occurred in proximity to the minimum relating to postprandial dip. The generalized cosinor model, known as Fourier partial series, was always curtailed to the third harmonic. Fourier analysis was able to describe the daily trend of BP both before and after isradipine administration. We used statistical tests to determine if the differences described by the models were significant. The tests indicated significant mean level reductions after therapy and no appreciable amplitude and phase-related variations. The nocturnal and periawakening intervals, in which BP changed linearly, oscillated between 3 and 4 hours. Within these intervals BP rose by 13-16 mm Hg or fell by 14-19 mm Hg. The intervals, ranges, and speed differences were tested and were never significant. The medication tested was effective only at the mean level, the variables used to characterize the time course of its effect remaining unchanged. There was no significant phase shift of the curves, and BP rhythm was preserved.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Molecular findings and classification of malignant lymphomas.

We review the problem of lymphoma classification in the light of the Revised European-American Lymphoma (REAL) scheme, recently proposed by the International Lymphoma Study Group (ILSG). The REAL classification is a list of clinicopathologic entities, all well known from the literature, upon which the ILSG members agreed. Although it contains nothing new, for the first time all the elements, including immunophenotype and molecular data, which characterise a given lymphoma entity are considered. This approach corresponds to the need for objective criteria integrating the often puzzling morphologic findings. Furthermore, better knowledge of the molecular events which contribute to tumour development and progression if of paramount importance for the development of more specific and successful therapies. Some relevant molecular findings included in the classification and additional data obtained by the ILSG members following its publication are discussed.

Chromosome Aberrations↗
PubMed1996

Impairment of non-specific immunity in patients in persistent vegetative state.

In fourteen patients in persistent vegetative state (PVS) immune responsiveness was investigated. In particular, we studied the relationship between brain lesions following traumatic injury and immune system. In this respect, phagocytosis and killing of Candida albicans by polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and monocytes were tested. In addition serum levels of Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were evaluated. The patients come out from PVS by 3-4 month were used as control group. Data shown a profound impairement of phagocytosis and killing of monocytes and low serum levels of IFN gamma when compared with normal values. Taken together, these findings suggest that brain lesions, may affect non-specific immune response.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Exfoliative conjunctival cytology in Sjögren's syndrome].

The study has been performed in order to give a contribution to the knowledge of the conjunctival cytology in Sjögren's syndrome. Exfoliated cells were obtained by a tampon from the inferior conjunctival sac of 11 patients affected by primary or secondary Sjögren's syndrome; the material was placed onto a microscope slide and it was stained with May-Grumwald-Giemsa, after the ferning test had been performed. Tear production had been previously assessed in all patients by Schirmer's I test and basic secretion test that showed an evident tear fluid hyposecretion. Cytoanalysis of tear fluid showed, in all patients, a marked lymphocytosis, presence of epithelial cells (sometimes cell-adhesion) and a number of "snake-cells", with a nucleus-cytoplasm ratio in favour of cytoplasm. Some of those cells have a thicker cytoplasmic membrane and/or a spindle-shaped peripheral nucleus, characteristic finding of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. In all cases we found mucus and fibrin (sometimes with included cells), organic debris and big crystals, some of which aggregated.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Sonographic examination of muscle herniation.

Muscle herniation is defined as a protrusion of a portion of a muscle through a defect of the muscle fascia. Although muscle herniation usually is only a cosmetic problem, the condition can lead to spontaneous pain, cramp, or local tenderness. We report eight patients in whom sonographic examination was used to diagnose a muscle herniation. The sonographic technique demonstrates the muscle bulging and the fascial defect. Dynamic examination permits the demonstration of reduction of the herniated muscle substance when pressure is applied through the probe. Although the diagnosis of muscle herniation can be suspected at physical examination, nevertheless sonography can be useful in confirmation.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Oxyphilic follicular tumor arising in struma ovarii.

The present report describes a case of a proliferative lesion developed in a struma ovarii of a 26-year-old woman who presented with asymptomatic bilateral mature ovarian teratomas. The tumor immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally proved to be an oxyphilic follicular thyroid tumor. Although it showed some histologic features which could raise a suspicion of malignancy (solid, trabecular pattern and nuclear pleomorphism), no unequivocable signs of aggressive behaviour (high mitotic activity and vascular invasion) were evidence. The patients was alive and well 1 year after a bilateral subtotal ovariectomy.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗
PubMed1994

Solitary fibrous tumour (myofibroblastoma) of the breast.

Three new cases of the spindle cell tumour of the breast, usually termed myofibroblastoma, are reported. The histology and the immunological profile (expression of vimentin, CD34 antigen and of muscular markers) appear similar to those of solitary fibrous tumours recently described in various sites. It is proposed to include these mammary lesions into the group of solitary fibrous tumours and to regard breast as an additional site of origin.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Cytologic grading of aggressive and nonaggressive variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

To distinguish preoperatively between the usual nonaggressive (classic, follicular, and mixed-papillary and follicular variants) and the aggressive (tall-cell, columnar-cell, and sclerosing diffuse) variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the fine-needle aspiration cytologic smears of 30 cases of PTC were retrospectively reviewed. A three-class grading system, based on the evaluation of four cytologic parameters (cell size, number of nuclear pseudoinclusions, nuclear pleomorphism, and type of chromatin), was applied to each case. A statistically significant association between the cytologic classes and the histologic features of the cases was found. All cytologic grade 1 cases corresponded to the nonaggressive histologic variants, whereas all cytologic grade 3 cases showed features of the aggressive variants of PTC at histologic level.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Ambulatory blood pressure recording in diabetic patients with abnormal responses to cardiovascular autonomic function tests.

The aim of our study was to analyse the 24-h periodic pattern of blood pressure (BP) in diabetic patients with abnormal responses to cardiovascular reflexes, in order to evaluate the extent of the initial autonomic damage. We studied 44 patients with diabetes mellitus (14 insulin-dependent, 30 non-insulin-dependent; mean duration of disease 6.5 +/- 1.8 years) in good metabolic control (fasting glycaemia less than 140 mg/dl, postprandial glycaemia less than 180 mg/dl, fructosamine less than 285 mg/dl), divided into two subgroups, containing 21 normotensives (13 males and 8 females aged 28-72 years) and 23 hypertensives (13 males and 10 females aged 32-70 years) respectively. All patients showed abnormal responses to at least two out of four tests: deep breathing, lying to standing, Valsalva manoeuvre and postural hypotension. Two sex- and age-matched control groups were recruited, comprising 20 normotensive and 20 hypertensive diabetic patients without dysautonomia, respectively. The reference group consisted of 248 normotensives (135 males and 113 females, aged 18-76 years) and 212 mild-moderate hypertensives (130 males and 82 females, aged 27-66 years). Each patient underwent ambulatory BP monitoring for at least 24 h, using an auscultatory automatic device. Data concerning biological rhythms were analysed by means of periodic functions. We limited the Fourier partial sums to the first three harmonics.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Granular cell tumour of the breast.

Eight cases of benign granular cell tumour of the breast are reported. Seven patients were women and one was male. The age at the time of the excision ranged from 17 to 73 (average 40.1) years. All tumours were positive for S-100 protein and negative for keratin, myoglobin and gross cystic disease fluid protein. In two cases ultrastructural studies revealed findings identical to those in the previously reported cases of granular cell tumours. None of these cases were diagnosed preoperatively. In six cases the clinical and mammographic findings, and in one case the frozen section, led to an erroneous diagnosis of malignancy. The clinico-pathological features of the cases are delineated in order to draw attention to a benign condition which closely simulates malignancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor arising in a "de novo" ganglioneuroma. A case report.

A case of a "de novo" ganglioneuroma showing an internal area of malignant nerve sheath tumor is described. The tumor arose in an 18-year-old girl without a history of von Recklinghausen's disease. Immunohistochemically, the ganglioneuromatous component was positive with anti-synaptophysin, anti-S100 protein and anti-vimentin antisera, whereas the malignant part was immunoreactive only with anti-S100 protein and anti-vimentin antisera. The patient is free of disease 4 years after surgery. The clinicopathologic features of this rare case are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Noise stimulus in normal subjects: time-dependent blood pressure pattern assessment.

Environmental noise may have various effects on blood pressure. The aim of our study was to verify noise impact on blood pressure in normal young subjects, using the "white noise" stimulus. Thirty subjects (16 males and 14 females, median age 22 years) were studied. The presence of hypertension, hypertensive hereditibility and loss of acoustic acuity were criteria for exclusion. Noninvasive measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure at three-minute intervals were performed with an oscillometric system (Omega 1000, In Vivo Research), for each of four phases of the trial. After an initial rest phase (9 min) to avoid the patient's "alarm reaction," "white noise" with an intensity equal to 40, 100, and 40 adjusted decibels (dBa) was administered consecutively for 18 min (2nd phase), 9 min (3rd phase), and 18 min (4th phase), respectively. Preliminary analysis with standard statistical tools was not able to analyze the blood pressure patterns during the test. On the contrary, polygonal analysis, taking into account the "time-dependent" changes, showed that noise exposure (100 dBa) significantly increased systolic blood pressure in 22/30 subjects. However, systolic blood pressure rose only at the beginning of the 100 dBa exposure, indicating that stimulus changes rather than noise are key provoking factors in blood pressure increases.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Alcian blue and epithelial membrane antigen are useful markers in differentiating benign from malignant papillae in thyroid lesions.

Immunohistochemistry for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and histochemistry for alcianophilic substances were performed in 17 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 11 cases of benign thyroid lesions showing papillary changes (7 diffuse hyperplastic goitres-Graves' disease; 4 colloid cystic goitres). In all PTCs the glycocalix of the cells lining the papillary structures was strongly positive with anti-EMA antiserum. Alcian blue pH 2.5 stain (AB 2.5) was also positive in 15 of these cases. In contrast, no cases of benign thyroid lesions showed AB 2.5 positivity in the cells lining the papillary structures and the positivity with anti-EMA antiserum, present in only 5 out the 11 cases, was focal and very weak. These results indicate that the presence and distribution of EMA and alcianophilic substances may be useful in distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid lesions containing papillae.

Alcian Blue↗
PubMed1991

Carcinoma of the thyroid showing thymoma-like features.

A new case of thyroid carcinoma with thymoma-like features, occurring in a 45-year-old lady, is reported. In order to establish the incidence of residual thymic tissue, 2575 consecutive surgically removed thyroid glands were also examined. Thymic tissue was found to be present in up to 1.4% of the cases. The clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of the case together with its possible relationship with the persistence of aberrant nodules of thymic tissue in the neck are discussed.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the ileum in an adult.

We report a case of primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the ileum occurring in a 45-year-old man. The rhabdomyoblastic nature was immunohistochemically confirmed by positivity with anti-myoglobin and anti-striated actin antisera. We discuss the differential diagnosis with similar tumors. To our knowledge, ileal rhabdomyosarcomas have not been previously reported in adults.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

Calcitonin free oat-cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland.

Two cases of primary oat-cell carcinoma of thyroid, in a 63-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man, are described. Case 1 was a compound tumour with the oat-cell component merging with a papillary component. Both tumours, in addition to histological features consistent with oat-cell carcinoma, showed immunohistochemical positivity with anti-chromagranin A and anti-synaptophysin antisera. Negative results were obtained when anti-calcitonin and anti-thyroglobulin antisera were employed. Using in situ hybridization, chromogranin A and B messenger RNAs were localized with biotinylated oligonucleotide probes. In contrast, with in situ hybridization, no localization for calcitonin messenger RNA was seen using radioactive and biotinylated probes. It is concluded that these calcitonin-free, small-cell carcinomas should be considered separately from medullary thyroid carcinomas and be regarded as a distinct entity, probably the thyroid equivalent of oat-cell carcinomas of the lung.

Aged↗