Biomedical subjects

S Sandri

Publications and source records attributed to S Sandri.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Cross-linking chitosan-Fe(III), an oral phosphate binder: studies in vitro and in vivo.

The objective was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo phosphate binding properties of cross-linked chitosan iron (III) (CH-Fe(III)-CL), a potential oral phosphate binder for treating hyperphosphatemia. At equilibrium, the in vitro phosphate binding of CH-Fe(III)-CL was 23.6 mg g(-1) for simulated gastrointestinal conditions. In hyperphosphatemic rats, CH-Fe(III)-CL was similar to iron sulfate in reducing serum phosphate by about 35%.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Urodynamic and clinical evidence of acute inhibitory effects of intravesical nociceptin/orphanin FQ on detrusor overactivity in humans: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Management of neurogenic incontinence is complex and available treatments are not satisfactory. Nociceptin/orphanin FQ, a recently discovered neuropeptide, has been reported to inhibit the voiding reflex in the rat. These experimental results prompted us to investigate the urodynamic and clinical effects of intravesical instillation of nociceptin/orphanin FQ in humans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study involved 5 normal subjects (group 1) with a mean age of 40.4 years (range 21 to 54) and 9 patients (group 2) 40.4 years (24 to 54). All patients in group 2 presented with detrusor hyperreflexia refractory to standard therapy. They were invited to undergo a filling cystometrogram with saline solution and after 30 minutes, a new one with a solution containing 1 microM. nociceptin/orphanin FQ. The urodynamic parameters that were recorded included bladder capacity, volume threshold for the appearance of detrusor hyperreflexia and maximum bladder pressure. Clinical and urodynamic followup was performed after 15 days. The data were statistically analyzed with 1-way analysis of variance followed by the Dunnett test for multiple comparison considered statistically significant with p <0.05. RESULTS: Intravesical instillation of 1 microM. nociceptin/orphanin FQ in group 1 did not produce significant functional changes. This infusion in group 2 produced a statistically significant increase in mean bladder capacity and volume threshold for the appearance of detrusor hyperreflexia from 164 plus or minus standard deviation (SD) 84 to 301 +/- 118 and 93 plus or minus SD 41 to 231 +/- 104 ml. (p <0.05, respectively). Mean maximum bladder pressure decreased from 79 plus or minus SD 25 to 54 +/- 44 cm. water but was not statistically significant (p = 0.19). After 15 days an absence of clinical improvement was noticed in group 2, and the urodynamic control did not show any significant changes compared to the values before nociceptin/orphanin FQ treatment. No severe symptomatic reactions were observed during infusion of 1 microM. nociceptin/orphanin FQ. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that nociceptin/orphanin FQ is able to elicit a robust inhibitory effect on voiding reflex in group 2 but not 1. The ideal dosage, route of administration of nociceptin/orphanin FQ and treatment interval are not yet established.

Administration, Intravesical↗

PubMed2000

Lung carcinoma in 36 patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. The Italian Cooperative Group on AIDS and Tumors.

BACKGROUND: The current study describes the clinicopathologic characteristics of 36 patients with lung carcinoma and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection observed within the Italian Cooperative Group on AIDS and Tumors (GICAT). METHODS: Patients with lung carcinoma and HIV infection collected by the GICAT between 1986-1998 were evaluated retrospectively. As a control group, the authors analyzed 102 patients age < 60 years with lung carcinoma but without HIV infection who were seen at the CRO, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy between 1995-1996. RESULTS: Patients with lung carcinoma and HIV infection were younger (38 years vs. 53 years) and previously smoked more cigarettes per day (40 vs. 20) than the control group. The main histologic subtype was adenocarcinoma. TNM Stage III-IV disease was observed in 53% of the patients. The median CD4 cell count was 150/mm(3). The median overall survival was significantly shorter in the patients with HIV compared with the control group (5 months vs. 10 months; P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study demonstrate that lung carcinoma in the HIV setting affects mainly young individuals with a history of heavy tobacco smoking and a moderately advanced immunodeficiency status. Lung carcinoma is associated with a more adverse outcome in HIV patients and represents the cause of death in the majority of these patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

[Benign hemangiopericytoma of the bladder: description of a case and review of the literature].

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) of the viscera is very rare and only six of these tumors arising in the urinary bladder have been previously reported. The differentiation of HPC from other neoplasms with prominent vascular pattern may be a diagnostic problem. The difficulty is further enhanced by the lack of distinctive immunohistochemical features of this tumor. Here is presented a case of benign HPC occurring in the right lateral wall of the bladder of a 37-year-old woman. The mass is completely transurethrally resected. Histologically, the tumor is characterized by a monomorphic population of polygonal or spindle-shaped cells packed around branching vascular channels, with "staghorn" configuration. There are no foci of necrosis or hemorrhage. The mitotic count is 2 per 10 HPF. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells react with anti-bodies against Vimentin. Cytokeratin, Actin HHF35, S-100, CD 34, Factor VIII-related antigen are not expressed within the lesion. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells surround endothelium-lined vascular channels. There are pinocytotic vesicles on the cell borders. The cells are separated from one another by deposits of basal lamina-like material and collagen. On the basis of clinical, histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural observations, we believe that the case reported is a primary benign HPC of the bladder. There is no evidence of recurrence or metastasis 32 months later.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Concomitant therapy with subcutaneous interleukin-2 and zidovudine plus didanosine in patients with early stage HIV infection.

A phase II study was performed to evaluate the feasibility and activity of subcutaneous (SC) interleukin-2 (IL-2) administration plus zidovudine (ZDV) and didanosine (ddI) in patients with early stage HIV infection. Between October 1995 and October 1996, 12 patients completed 6 cycles of the following scheduled therapy: ZDV plus ddI and SC self-administration of 6 mIU of IL-2 at days 1 to 5 and 8 to 12 of a 28-day cycle for a total of 6 cycles (24 weeks). After 6 cycles, patients received only ZDV plus ddI and they were observed up for an additional 24 weeks. Our schedule was well tolerated as an outpatient regimen and led to a significant elevation in CD4 count, which lasted for 24 weeks after the end of IL-2 therapy. Moreover, CD4/CD25, as well as CD4/CD45RO and CD4/CD45RA, cell levels were significantly increased at the end of the therapy and remained significantly elevated after 24 weeks. During the 6 cycles, HIV-associated viremia was significantly decreased and, accordingly, we observed a significant decline of proviral DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). During follow-up, 10 of 12 treated patients continued to show levels of HIV-related viremia <500 copies/ml. Our results demonstrated that IL-2 and ZDV plus ddI is a well tolerated and effective therapy for patients with HIV in early stages of the disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Therapy of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients with HIV infection. GICAT. Cooperative Group on AIDS and Tumors.

Incidence and mortality of AIDS patients have significantly declined in the developed countries due to the very active anti-HIV combination therapy available today. Because of the prolongation of the survival expectancy of these patients, other non-AIDS defining tumours have been recently reported in several cohort studies with increased frequency. We want to report the clinico-pathological features and the outcome of 39 patients with lung cancer and HIV infection, collected by the Italian Cooperative Group on AIDS and Tumors (GICAT) between 1986 and December 1997. As a control group, we decided to evaluate patients, less than 60 years of age, with lung cancer but without HIV infection seen at the CRO, Aviano, during 1995 and 1996. The median age of the study group patients was 38 years (range 28-58) and 90% of them were males. Sixty-nine percent of patients were intravenous drug users and HIV infection was asymtomatic in 41% of patients. NSCLC was observed in 78% of patients, SCLC in 13% and mesothelioma in 8%. Among NSCLC, adenocarcinoma was the most frequently observed histological subtype (48%). No differences were found as regards the stage of disease at diagnosis and the histologic subtype in comparison with the control group. The median overall survival was significantly shorter for patients with HIV infection when compared to that of the control group (5 months vs. 10 months, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, the outcome of patients with SNCLC and HIV infection seems worse than that of the general population, suggesting a synergistic and/or addictive adverse effect of HIV on the outcome of lung cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Hodgkin's disease in HIV-infected individuals.

The clinical and pathologic characteristics of Hodgkin's disease as they are diagnosed in patients with HIV infection differ from those of the general population. In fact, a higher frequency of unfavorable histologic subtypes, advanced stage, and poor therapeutic outcome have been reported in the HIV setting. Complete response rate after chemotherapy ranges from approximately 45% to 70%, although the disease-free survival is very short, and the median overall survival is only 18 months. The survival of these patients may be improved by the optimal combination of antineoplastic and antiretroviral treatment with the support of hematologic growth factors. However, new strategies of therapeutic intervention must be explored.

HIV Infections↗

PubMed1998

[Malformations of the scrotum and its contents].

To introduce we report the embryological origin of the male genitals and we present the endocrine control of the sex phenotypic differentiation and the most important features of the sexual differentiation abnormalities (ambiguous genitalia of newborn, gonadal dysgenesis, chromosome anomalies). Subsequently we report the classification of cryptorchidism and its correlation with hormonal and histological abnormalities. Furthermore we tried to expose the various different thoughts about testicular descent, anomalies associated with cryptorchidism and implications with malignant degeneration and infertility. Finally we describe the Magenta hospital experience from 1972 to 1998 reporting the surgical procedures for undescended testicle and for scrotal anomalies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

[Psychogenic urinary retention in childhood. A severe case treated by an integrated global approach].

Micturating dysfunctions with urinary retention and with diurnal and nocturnal enuresis in children sometimes have a psychogenic genesis. They can appear during the period of development of complete control of micturition. A late recognition of this condition makes the prognosis worse, since high pressure and infections in the urinary tract can cause end-stage renal failure. Here we describe a dramatic case of a 3 year-old boy affected by a psychogenic urine and faecal retention with recurrent pyelonephritis, that was favourably treated for five years by an integrated approach involving clinicians, psychologist, educational and social operators and adoptive parents.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1992

[New methods for the evaluation of cervico-prostatic obstruction].

To study outflow obstructions Schafer (1989) has recently proposed a simplified method based on a graph derived from over 1000 pre and post-op. P/F studies. 42 patients with BPH were evaluated according to this method. 11 patients had no outlet obstruction (26%). Surprisingly, only 15 had a normal detrusor, while 27 had a weak detrusor. The second part of the study concerns 24 patients with post-prostatectomy frequency-dysuria syndrome. Only 21% of these patients showed an outlet obstruction; while 58% showed a weak detrusor as responsible for their symptoms.

Electromyography↗

PubMed1989

Clinical, urodynamic and neurophysiological findings in patients with neuropathic bladder due to a lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion.

UNLABELLED: Sacral nerve roots are affected in 1 to 15% of reported cases of lumbar disc protrusions (mainly posterior) (Scott, 1965). Urinary retention is the commonest symptom. In the last 6 years, we have observed 22 patients (18 males and 4 females) with a neuropathic bladder due to this condition in the acute phase. They underwent intermittent catheterisation (IC), and manoeuvres such as Credé and Valsalva's at fixed times. Almost all obtained a balanced bladder. ( FOLLOW-UP: 24 months.) The most common urodynamic finding at the onset was bladder areflexia with severe denervation of the perineal floor. At follow-up, 65% still had bladder areflexia and 29% normoreflexia, all with normal compliance. Perineal floor innervation showed a fair recovery, mainly in the efferent part. An hypothesis is presented to explain why this kind of neuropathic bladder has a normal compliance.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

The neuropathic bladder in children with spinal cord injury.

The occurrence of spinal cord lesions in children has been reported to be rare. In the literature, there is little information about the management of the neurovesical dysfunction. We report our experience in the treatment of the neuropathic bladder in 18 children with spinal cord injury. The long-term follow-up shows that there is a good recovery and the complication rate is low.

Catheterization↗

PubMed1987