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Biomedical subjects

U Prati

Publications and source records attributed to U Prati.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

How to study boron biodistribution in liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate boron distribution for a safe and effective BNCT (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) of liver metastases. Samples both from healthy and tumour liver parenchyma were analysed, after i.v. boron administration, by: alpha particles counting under neutron irradiation; morphological analysis by standard haematoxylin-eosin staining; neutron autoradiography. Our method was unaffected by the cytological heterogeneity inside tumour nodules; it demonstrated selective boron distribution in tumour tissue and predicted estimated mean therapeutic doses in tumour and safety doses in healthy tissue. The time interval for efficient BNCT was 2 to 4 hours after i.v. boron administration.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Radioimmunoassisted surgery for lung metastases from colorectal cancer: results and perspectives.

The high incidence of resectable lung metastases from colorectal cancer and the very poor prognosis of untreated patients (less than 24-month survival) has promoted the surgical approach to treatment. Since the main aims of this kind of surgery are the complete resection of the tumor, the preservation of tumor-free parenchyma, and a minimal surgical trauma, innovative surgical techniques have been developed. We report on our experience in the radioimmunoassisted pulmonary metastasectomy by the use of a hand-held gamma-detecting probe (GDP) and describe the application of the intraoperative radioimmunolocalization of tumor to video-assisted minimally invasive surgery.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1996

Potentials of liposomes in diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary metastases: an experimental study in the rat.

OBJECTIVE: The ultimate goal of the therapy of lung metastases is to destroy all malignant cells while sparing normal ones. Liposomes represent a novel approach for the selective transport of tracers and therapeutic agents to cancer cells because of their flexibility, low toxicity, wide range of possible variants, simplicity to make, and because agents can be entrapped in them in their native states in large amounts. We have studied the biodistribution of "Stealth" liposomes in the experimental model of lung metastases in the rat. METHODS: The secondaries were induced by i.v. injection 20. 10(6) cancer cells (DHD/K12/TRb line) in BD-IX rats. The study of the liposome biodistribution in the rat was carried out by the use of unilamellar liposomes with homogeneous size distribution (0.1 microns), the liposomes were labeled with Cholesteryl-Bodipy. The rats were sacrificed at scheduled times after the injection; blood, urine, metastatic and healthy lung, colon, liver and spleen were analysed by a microcytofluorimetric examination. RESULTS: Liposomes prolonged the circulation time of Cholesteryl-Bodipy. Only spleen and lung metastases exhibited an accretion of fluorescent liposomes. CONCLUSIONS: The biodistribution of such formulation of liposomes in rats with lung metastases, may be of considerable importance in diagnosis and therapy of the secondaries, for increasing the concentration of tracers and therapeutic agents in tumor tissue while minimizing the likelihood of aspecific distribution and toxicity to non target tissue.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

[Tumors of the breast in old age].

After reviewing the literature on this topic the authors studied all patients admitted to the Institute of Surgical Pathology I at the University of Pavia for breast cancer between 1-1-1974. An analysis of the findings revealed that: (a) Out of 993 patients with breast cancer, 204 (20.54%) belonged to the geriatric age group (> 65 years old) and of the latter 135 (66.17%) belonged to the 3rd age group and 69 (33.82%) belonged to the 4th age group (> 75 years old). (b) In the 3rd age group 25 (18.51%) were benign tumours and 110 (81.48%) were malignant, whereas in the 4th age group 4 (5.79%) were benign and 65 (94.20%) were malignant. (c) Familial patterns were also examined and were found to be positive in 47 (23.03%) cases in the 3rd age group and in 30 (14.71%) in the 4th age group. (d) In the physiological anamnesis it is interesting to note that there was 1 menarche before 12 (0.9%) in the 3rd age group; delayed menopause (after 50) in 66 cases (60%) in the 3 rd age group and in 29 cases (44.61%) in the 4 th age group. (e) In the pathological anamnesis of the patients in question it was observed that the most frequent site of previous tumours was the breast (72 cases, equivalent to 10.9% in the 3rd age group; 9 cases, 13.8% in the 4th age group). (f) In the next pathological anamnesis and at EOL it was observed that the tumours was most often found in the supero-external quadrant, in the right breast in the 3rd age group (66 cases, 48.89%) and in the left one in the 4th age group (42 cases, 60.87%). (g) Test included breast cancer scan, mammography, aspirated needle and biopsy where required. (h) Surgery in the form of Halsted's mastectomy was the preferred therapy and as early as possible. Some Authors use conservative therapy. (i) Histological tests were performed in all patients and revealed that the most frequent malignant tumour was ductal carcinoma. (j) Postoperative complications took the form of wound suppuration. (k) Only one tumour (carcinoma) was observed in male patient aged 83 years old, without metastasis. From the above findings it can be concluded that the most evident risk factor for breast cancer is the influence of the estrogen hormone.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

Aspartic proteinases in normal lung and interstitial pulmonary diseases.

Two aspartic proteinases, pepsinogen II (PgII) and cathepsin E (CathE), were identified immunocytochemically in lung epithelia. In normal lung, type II pneumocytes were characterized by PgII immunoreactivity of variable intensity, while bronchiolar Clara cells reacted with CathE antibodies. With the exception of small groups of nonciliated bronchial cells overlying lymphoid follicles, no other CathE-immunoreactive cell was found in the lung. Immunoblots of crude protein extracts of lung tissue using PgII and CathE antibodies showed reactivity with single molecular species co-migrating with analogous bands obtained from gastric mucosa (molecular weight, 40,500 for PgII and 42,000 to 44,000 for CathE). In 75 cases of non-neoplastic lung disease, a highly significant correlation was found between the severity of histopathologic lesions and expression of both PgII (P < 0.001) and CathE (P < 0.001). Epithelial hyperplasia contributed more than inflammation and fibrosis to this relationship. Proteinase overexpression was not specific to any particular disease and was found in both focal and diffuse lesions. Segregation of PgII and CathE in different cells was lost in hyperplastic epithelium, where coexpression of both proteinases by the same cell was frequently observed. The location of both proteinases in distal airways and their enhanced expression in the proliferative, hyperplastic phase of several non-neoplastic pneumopathies suggest their possible involvement in the process of parenchymal remodeling that occurs in fibrosing lung diseases.

Cathepsin E↗
PubMed1992

Radioimmuno-guided endoscopy (RIGE) in the detection of primary and recurrent rectal tumor.

The usefulness of radioimmunoguided endoscopy in the detection of primary and recurrent rectal cancer was investigated. Of the 15 patients included in our study, 4 with suspected primary rectal cancer were examined preoperatively, while the remaining 11 were studied after radical resection of rectal carcinoma with the aim of detecting local recurrence. Radioimmunoguided endoscopy was performed employing a hand-held gamma-detecting probe (mod. 2 Oris, France), after the administration of a 111In labeled monoclonal antibody to CEA. Radioimmuno-guided endoscopy results detected the presence of primary or recurrent periluminal cancer in seven cases. In four it modified the preoperative stage based on the findings of conventional investigation and it influenced the surgical decision in five cases. No toxicity was noted and none of the patients developed HAMAs.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Postoperative infections. A prospective analysis of 1396 cases].

Postoperative infections are the most frequent complications in surgery and are the commonest cause of the lengthening of hospital stay. The purpose of this study is to prospectively evaluate the incidence and predisposing factors of postoperative infections in 1396 surgical patients admitted to our Institute from 1984 to 1988. Patients undergoing minor surgical procedures (wound less than 2 cm) were excluded from the study. Patients were evaluated daily during hospital stay for onset of infections and results recorded on data sheet. Hemocultures in septic patients and samples of exudate at site of infection were taken whenever possible for aerobic and anaerobic cultures. 368 patients (26.36%) had at least one postoperative septic complication; (79 of them [5.65%] had two or more infections). The following infections were recorded: wound infections: 148 (10.60%); respiratory tract infections: 144 (10.31%); urinary tract infections 125 (8.95%); miscellaneous infections 11 (0.78%); thrombophlebitis 23 (1.64%); FUO 10 (0.71%). The most important predisposing factor for wound infection was endogenous contamination (wound infections: 18/499 [3.60%] in clean, 42/594 [7.67%] in potentially contaminated, 57/217 [26.26%] in contaminated and 31/86 [36.04%] in dirty operations). The duration of the anaesthesia was found to correlate with an increased incidence of respiratory tract infections (4.49% anaesthesia less than 60 min; 7.21% anaesthesia greater than 60 less than 120 min; 15.31% greater than 120 min anaesthesia). Urinary infections were more frequent when the patients where catheterized at least once in the postoperative period (24.86% vs 3.2%).

Fever of Unknown Origin↗
PubMed1991

Radioimmunolocalization of pelvic recurrences from rectosigmoid cancer employing 111In anti-CEA F(ab')2.

Thirty-two immunoscintigraphic studies have been performed in 26 patients previously operated upon for rectosigmoid cancer, for an early detection of pelvic recurrence, employing 111In anti-CEA, F(ab')2. The sensitivity was 1, specificity 0.76 and accuracy 0.84, leading to a positive predictive value of 0.69 and a negative value of 1. The combined use of a non-imaging surgical probe in 6 of the 10 patients who underwent second look surgery, detecting the 111In radioactivity used for RIS, improved diagnostic accuracy, ruling out the presence of tumors in 3 patients with false positive RIS.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1990

Successful bronchial revascularization in experimental single lung transplantation.

It is the purpose of this paper to report our experience with bronchial artery revascularization in an experimental model of single lung transplantation in swine. Thirty-three large white pigs weighing 20-40 kg underwent left lung allotransplantation. In 24 animals, bronchial artery revascularization was attempted by anastomizing the aortic patch containing the bronchial artery orifice with the recipient descending aorta. Eight survivors were put to death on postoperative days 11-15; five animals were put to death or died on postoperative days 2-9; the other animals died intra-operatively or within a few hours. Preservation of left bronchial vascularization was achieved in all cases attempted, as documented by post-mortem injection of dye (methylene blue) or contrast medium. Five of the 8 animals surviving for 11-15 days showed diffuse graft hepatization, associated with diffuse vascular thrombosis. Whether this was caused by damage to the endothelium due to poor graft preservation or by rejection was unclear. In animals surviving for 11-15 days without gross lung pathology, the anastomosis and bronchial mucosa were completely normal; in contrast, bronchial ischaemic changes were found in nonrevascularized animals and in survivors with graft hepatization. Our experience confirms that re-anastomosis of the bronchial arteries can prevent bronchial healing problems in single lung transplantation. The pig is an ideal model for these experiments since the bronchial arteries have a constant common aortic origin, allowing easy identification and preservation of left bronchial vascularization.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1988

Temporary intraluminal bypass for superior vena cava reconstruction after cancer invasion.

We report a case of right upper lobe bronchogenic cancer widely infiltrating the superior vena cava (SVC) in which right pneumonectomy was performed with partial resection of the SVC wall. The SVC was reconstructed by means of a pericardial patch; during reconstruction a temporary intraluminal bypass was set up to obtain a proper venous return to the right atrium.

Blood Vessel Prosthesis↗
PubMed1985

Effect of Intralipid on some immunological parameters and leukocyte functions in patients with esophageal and gastric cancer.

This study has been undertaken to investigate if the intravenous (i.v.) infusion of fat emulsions may be associated with impairment of some immunological functions thus increasing the risk of septic complications. Fifteen malnourished patients with advanced gastric or esophageal cancer received for 2 weeks preoperatively and 1 week after surgery an isocaloric and isonitrogenous TPN treatment with Intralipid (group A: n=8) or glucose alone (group B: n=7) as energy substrate. Cluster analysis of 11 nutritional parameters and some tests of the humoral and cellular immunity (IgG, IgM, C3c, Factor B; polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells, total lymphocytes, T and B lymphocyte counts; 'in vitro' PMN chemotaxis, adherence to nylon fibers, phagocytosis of latex particles) were sequentially determined. The incidence and severity of post-operative infections were investigated and a 'sepsis score' was calculated for each patient. Pre- and postoperative TPN were not associated with an improvement of the nutritional status. The humoral and cellular immune parameters showed the same behaviour in patients receiving Intralipid and in controls. The chemotactic activity of PMN cells was constantly normal, granulocyte adherence fluctuated below the normality range in controls, whereas phagocytosis of latex was similar in both groups. Post-operative infectious episodes were less severe in patients receiving Intralipid. Our results do not confirm that Intralipid adversely affects some aspects of the humoral and cellular immune response.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1982

[Adhesivity and chemotaxis of leukocytes during infusion of Intralipid].

The effect of an intravenously administered lipid emulsion (Intralipid) on granulocyte functions has been studied. The study has been carried out in 20 healthy individuals, divided into two groups: 10 individuals have been infused with Intralipid 10% i.v.; the other 10 individuals (controls) have not been infused with any pharmacologically active solution. In all the subjects the following parameters have been studied: blood granulocyte count, granulocyte adherence and leucocyte chemotaxis. The results showed a transient fall of granulocyte adherence during the intralipid infusion; no alterations of granulocyte count and leucocyte chemotaxis were found.

Adhesiveness↗
PubMed1982

[Leukocyte adhesiveness and chemotaxis during infusion of Intralipid].

The effect of an intravenously administered lipid emulsion (Intralipid) on granulocyte functions has been studied. The study has been carried out in 20 healthy individuals, divided into two groups: 10 individuals have been infused with Intralipid 10% i.v.; the other 10 individuals (controls) have not been infused with any pharmacologically active solution. In all the subjects the following parameters have been studied: blood granulocyte count, granulocyte and leucocyte chemotaxis. The results showed a transient fall of granulocyte adherence during the intralipid infusion; no alterations of granulocyte count and leucocyte chemotaxis were found.

Adhesiveness↗
PubMed1981

[Glucose-1-phosphate associated with total parenteral feeding. Study of various metabolic effects and leukocyte functions].

The effects of glucose-1-phosphate (250-500 ml given by i.v. infusion over a period of 3-4 h for 3-5 days) on the quantity of exogenous insulin administered and on leukocyte adhesion and chemotaxis were studied in 4 groups of post-operative patients submitted to TPN (total parenteral nutrition), TPN + glucose-1-phosphate, standard infusion therapy and standard infusion therapy + glucose-1-phosphate respectively. With the use of glucose-1-phosphate the quantity of insulin administered could be significantly reduced (P less than 0.01) thereby an increased utilization of glucose, induced by the phosphorylated saccharide, was confirmed. Moreover, glucose-1-phosphate, through its action on intracellular sugar metabolism, increased leukocyte adhesion during TPN. This phenomenon might have a favourable effect on some of the functions carried out by these cells on the inflammatory response.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1981

[Possible causal factors in postoperative immunodepression].

The relationships between postoperative immunodepression and duration of general anesthesia, volume of blood transfusions, cortico-steroid administrations and amount of surgical trauma have ben studied, in cancer patients undergoing radical operations. Postoperative depression of cellular immunity, assayed by the lymphocyte blastogenic response to phytohemagglutinin, was significantly correlated with the amount of surgical trauma and did not correlate with blood transfusions and corticosteroid administrations, nor with the duration of anesthesia.

Adult↗