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S Greco

Publications and source records attributed to S Greco.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Familial multiple bilateral carcinoma of the kidney: clinical strategy and surgical approach].

A case of familiar bilateral multicentric RCC in a young woman is an ideal model to evaluate preoperative and intraoperative diagnostic and surgical tools in order to achieve two distinct goals: the oncologic radicalness and the renal function preserved. Radical bilateral nephrectomy, the renal hypothermia by perfusion of both kidneys, the bench high resolution sonography of parenchyma, the choose of one kidney suitable for conservative surgery, the resection of suspect lesions with intraoperative pathology, the reconstructive bench surgery, the autotransplantation, are the steps accurately performed with particular concern to eradication of all the tumoral lesions present in the kidneys. The results confirm that renal function has been preserved with this method. Radicalness should be appointed by a longlasting follow up. However, as it is discussed, conservative surgery, when accurately performed can give results not different from radical demolitive surgery. In this paper tools to improve diagnostic and therapeutic methods are described in order to increase the diagnostic accuracy and the therapeutic efficacy. The possibility that this multiple RCC can be a part of the abnormalities occurring in the Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome does not change the surgical approach, being the RCC the worst prognostic factor of the syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Vibrio in stinging seaweed: potential infection.

Toxic strains of the finely filamentous, velvety, dark-olive green to black algal organism, Microcolus Lyngbyaceus, (formerly Lyngbya majuscula Gomont, or "lyngbya") have been recognized as etiologic agent of "stinging seaweed" dermatitis (one of several forms of "swimmer's itch") in Hawaii since the late 1950s as reviewed. Lymphadenopathy, pustular folliculitus, and local infections have been reported in some persons.

Cyanobacteria↗
PubMed1992

Transcriptionally active non-ligand binding oestrogen receptors in breast cancer.

Data were obtained on soluble oestrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors from 273 primary breast tumours, using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and ligand binding assay with dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) or isoelectric focussing separations. The p29 and total cathepsin D content was also assayed in the same samples. Tumours expressing ER (by either steroid binding assay or EIA) had higher levels of p29 than those which did not express the receptor (P < 0.0001). Moreover, tumours co-expressing ER, PR and p29 appeared to have higher levels of cathepsin D than those which were negative for at least one protein (P < 0.0001). Twenty out of the 273 human breast cancer samples, containing a level of ER positive by EIA, which did not bind labelled oestradiol, were identified; isoelectric focussing showed that such a receptor was also unable to bind hydroxytamoxifen. These tumours did not significantly differ from those in the whole population in their capacity to express ER (positive by EIA), PR, p29 and cathepsin D. It was concluded that the EIA can detect both a ligand binding ER and a receptor which is able to initiate PR transcription but does not bind radio-labelled ligands in vitro; such a receptor could have a bearing on the variability of tumour response to endocrine therapy.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1992

Relation of cathepsin D level to the estrogen receptor in human breast cancer.

Seventy-three primary human breast cancers were analyzed to assess the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors, the p29 protein, and the total cathepsin D status. No significant relationship was found between cathepsin D concentration and the presence of ER or PR, either by Fisher's exact test or Spearman's rank correlation (P greater than 0.1). However, a significant association was found between cathepsin D and p29 (Fisher's exact test, P less than 0.001) and between cathepsin D and steroid receptor status in samples expressing both estrogen and progesterone receptors (positive by steroid binding assay and enzyme immunoassay) (P less than 0.05). This association was more significant in tissues expressing estrogen and progesterone receptors as well as p29 (P less than 0.001). In contrast, cathepsin D synthesis was not related to tumor size, lymph node involvement, or patient's age (P greater than 0.05). Steroid receptors and cathepsin D were also assayed in samples of non-malignant tissue from 16 mastectomies; there was a significantly higher relative concentration of cathepsin D in the malignant specimens (Student's t-test, P less than 0.001).

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Roxithromycin in dental infections].

Roxithromicin is a semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic, with similar antibacterial activity to erythromycin. It is characterized by an excellent pharmacokinetic profile and a good tissue penetration. Particularly at the dose of 300 mg per day the dental tissue diffusion is extremely good, and this is important to oppose the oral cavity infections. Oral cavity infections can be either odontogenic or non odontogenic. Odontogenic infections are typically primary and are caused by commensal bacteria (oral Streptococci, Bacteroides sp., Veillonella sp. and Fusobacterium sp.). The antibacterial spectrum of roxithromycin is very large and includes many of the most frequent strains responsible for oral cavity infections. A very interesting characteristic of roxithromycin is its penetration in macrophages (uptake) that allow a more rapid inhibition of bacterial activity. To evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerance of roxithromycin in the treatment of odontogenic infections, an open study was performed. This study evaluated both the microbiological and clinical aspects. Thirty patients (21 females and 9 males) who had not been previously treated with antibiotic or antibacterial drugs, affected by infective dysodontiasis, gingivitis and periodontal diseases, received 300 mg per day (once a day) of roxithromycin for an average period of 6 days. The symptomatology considered was: intumescence, redness, pain, lymphangitis and presence of trismus. Clinical symptomatology was assessed at the start and at the end of the treatment. The symptomatological improvement due to roxithromycin was rapid and very effective. After 6 days of therapy, the improvement was statistically significant (p < 0.01) compared to basal conditions. No adverse reactions or side-effects were complained during the study. No changement were detected in laboratory parameters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Fibrin glue in free gingival grafts].

The clinical use of tissucol in the surgery of free gingival grafts has been considered. The positive results obtained encourage continuation of its use and the extension of its fields of application.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1988

Neuronal and endothelial sites of acetylcholine synthesis and release associated with microvessels in rat cerebral cortex: ultrastructural and neurochemical studies.

We sought to establish what proportion of the cholinergic innervation of the cerebral cortex (CX) is associated with intraparenchymal blood vessels by using immunocytochemical and neurochemical techniques, and whether [3H]acetylcholine ([3H]ACh) is synthesized and released by elements associated with cortical microvessels (MV). MVs and, for comparison, tissue homogenates were prepared using sucrose gradient/differential ultracentrifugation methods. Efficacy of the separation technique was indicated by the activity of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (up to 29.2-fold enrichment), an endothelial cell marker enzyme, in the MV fraction and microscopy. The size of isolated microvessels ranged from 5 to 40 micron (o.d.) with 67.7% of the vessels less than 10 micron and 32.2% between 11 and 40 micron (690 vessels measured from 4 animals). By electron microscopy immunoreactive choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the biosynthetic enzyme for ACh, was localized to: (a) axons and axon terminals opposed to the basal laminae of capillaries and small arterioles, and (b) capillary endothelial cells. ChAT-labeled elements associated with MVs were most prominent in layers I, III and V of the CX consistent with the local pattern of cholinergic innervation. The absolute amount of ACh synthesized (pmol Ach/100 mg wet wt.) by elements associated with cortical MVs was relatively small (2.3% total cortical homogenate activity). Inhibition of MV ChAT activity to 5% of control by the specific ChAT inhibitor, 4-naphthylvinylpyridine, and HPLC analysis of the product, indicated that authentic ACh was measured. Other tissues similarly synthesized small amounts of ACh relative to the CX, caudate nucleus (CN, 2.4%), cerebellum (CRB, 1.4%) and liver (LIV, 3.9%). Consistent with the known extent of the cholinergic innervation of the tissues examined, the rank order of ChAT associated for both MVs and homogenate were: CN greater than CX much greater than CRB greater than LIV. However, based on the specific activities of ChAT, cortical MVs have the remarkable capacity to synthesize ACh at rates 95% greater than cortical (S1 fraction) homogenate (59.0 +/- 3.5 nmol/mg protein/40 min; n = 7), which is enriched in nerve terminals. Except for LV (+11%), other tissues also had remarkably high ChAT activity in MV (% above corresponding homogenate; P less than 0.05, n = 5): CN (+269) and CRB (+313). Release of [3H]ACh from MVs and, for comparison, nerve terminals were graded to K+ depolarization stimulus (5-55 mM), maximal with 55 mM K+ and Ca2+ dependent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1987

Phase II double-blind randomized study of lonidamine and radiotherapy in epidermoid carcinoma of the lung.

Patients with non metastatic squamous cell lung cancer were treated with radiotherapy (RT) plus lonidamine (LND) or placebo (PLAC), according to a randomized double-blind study design. Treatment with lonidamine 150 mg t.i.d. (27 patients) or placebo (23 patients) started 3 days before RT, lasted up to 7 months. Partial responses were observed in 14 and 6 patients respectively in the LND + RT and PLAC + RT groups. Statistical analysis of the survival curves showed no significant difference between the LND + RT (median 311 days) and PLAC + RT (median 193 days) groups. Stage III patients survived significantly longer (p less than 0.05) when treated with LND + RT (median 318 days) than with PLAC + RT (median 163 days). No synergistic toxic effects between radiation and LND were noted. To confirm these data a new and larger multicentric study is now in progress.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Cosmid vectors for high efficiency DNA-mediated transformation and gene amplification in mammalian cells: studies with the human growth hormone gene.

We have constructed two new recombinant cosmid vectors that can be used for direct expression and amplification of genomic DNA in mammalian cells. The vectors allow cloning of DNA fragments up to 40 kb in size. Each carries two dominant selectable markers: the bacterial neo gene and the mouse DHFR gene. In the first vector, pCV001, the neo and DHFR genes are regulated by the SV40 early promoter, and in the second, pAVCV007, by the avian sarcoma virus LTR promoter. The neo gene served as a dominant marker for the selection of transformants in all mammalian cell types, and we demonstrate here that the LTR promoter significantly improved the efficiency of DNA-mediated transformation of a human cell line. We isolated the human growth hormone genes from genomic libraries prepared in these cosmid vectors and used these recombinant cosmids for direct transfections of cultured cells. Selection of transformants in increasing concentrations of methotrexate led to the outgrowth of resistant cell populations carrying amplified copies of the DHFR marker. A 40-1000-fold coamplification of the hGH genes was observed in the different transfected cell lines, along with a corresponding increase in transcription and translation activity of the hGH gene. Gene amplification could be achieved in both DHFR deficient or normal cell lines. High level expression of a cloned gene mediated by gene amplification should facilitate characterization of DNA sequences, as well as isolation of specific gene products for biochemical, functional, and pharmacological studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Resistant ovary syndrome and premature ovarian failure in young women with galactosaemia.

Three young women with galactosaemia presented with amenorrhoea and elevated plasma levels of FSH and LH. Two of these women are sisters and ovarian biopsy confirmed premature ovarian failure in one and resistant ovary syndrome in the other. The history and ovarian histology suggested that the sister with ovarian failure may have progressed through a stage of 'follicle resistance' prior to follicular atresia. All subjects had specific bioassays for LH which were grossly elevated, and higher than the levels recorded by immunoassay.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Pyknodysostosis].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1983

Limitations of qualitative serum beta-HCG assays in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

Seventy-four patients had ectopic pregnancies proven by surgery. Three of them had a serum beta-HCG test for pregnancy that was reported as negative (less than 25-35 mIU/ml). We sought a threshold for positive in the serum beta-HCG test that would maximize its usefulness in diagnosing ectopic pregnancy. Sera from 52 of the patients were available for reanalysis. Quantitative values of beta-HCG were determined. Lowering the threshold for positive from 25-35 to 10 mIU/ml might increase the test's sensitivity without sacrificing specificity but would still not ensure detection of all ectopic pregnancies. Of 445 cases of ectopic pregnancy described in the literature, 6 had serum beta-HCG values reported as negative. In the published reports and in our own cases, clinical histories and histologies indicated that a nonviable ectopic pregnancy can be expected to have an associated serum concentration of beta-HCG that may be below the sensitivity of detection even with current, commercially available quantitative tests.

Adult↗