[Dietetic strategy during acute and chronic liver diseases].
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Acute Disease↗
Biomedical subjects
V Boddi
Publications and source records attributed to V Boddi.
Treatment of the clinically negative neck in laryngeal cancer patients.
BACKGROUND: Elective treatment of the NO neck in patients with laryngeal cancer remains a controversial issue. We reviewed our experience with patients who had neck dissection for NO laryngeal carcinoma with occult metastases in order to compare elective lymphadenectomy results with those achieved with therapeutic neck dissection performed subsequently when occult disease became clinically evident. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 150 NO laryngeal cancer patients who after a neck dissection had histologically positive lymph nodes and 5-year minimum follow-up. This population was divided in two subsets, including: 54 NO patients with occult neck metastases who had an elective neck surgery (ED); 96 initially NO patients who had a subsequent therapeutic neck dissection when nodal involvement became clinically detectable (STD). The two groups were compared with respect to the pattern of nodal metastasis and sites of treatment failures and also in terms of absolute, determinate, and actuarial survival. RESULTS: Overall absolute survival was 72.2% in the elective dissected (ED) group, compared with 54.1% in the group of subsequent therapeutic dissected (STD) patients (p = 0.075). Determinate survival was 74.0% after ED and 59.3% after STD (p = 0.17). Actuarial curves by the Kaplan-Meier method did not show any statistically significant differences among the two groups analyzed (logrank test, p = 0.54). Accordingly, Cox multivariate analysis confirmed that neck treatment policy had no prognostic impact on survival in our NO laryngeal cancer patients. However, a higher proportion of STD patients died of metastases at distant sites compared with ED patients (21.9% vs 7.4%, respectively) (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Elective lymphadenectomy does not significantly improve survival in NO laryngeal cancer patients with occult disease compared with those undergoing a therapeutic neck dissection when metastases subsequently appear.
Adult↗
Cyclooxygenase-2 pathway correlates with VEGF expression in head and neck cancer. Implications for tumor angiogenesis and metastasis.
We evaluated the role of COX-2 pathway in 35 head and neck cancers (HNCs) by analyzing COX-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in relation to tumor angiogenesis and lymph node metastasis. COX-2 activity was also correlated to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein expression. COX-2 mRNA and protein expression was higher in tumor samples than in normal mucosa. PGE2 levels were higher in the tumor front zone in comparison with tumor core and normal mucosa (P<.0001). Specimens from patients with lymph node metastasis exhibited higher COX-2 protein expression (P=.0074), PGE2 levels (P=.0011) and microvessel density (P<.0001) than specimens from patients without metastasis. A significant correlation between COX-2 and tumor vascularization (r(s)=0.450, P=.007) as well as between COX-2 and microvessel density with VEGF expression in tumor tissues was found (r(s)=0.450, P=.007; r(s)=0.620, P=.0001, respectively). The induction of COX-2 mRNA and PGE2 synthesis by EGF and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in A-431 and SCC-9 cell lines, resulted in an increase in VEGF mRNA and protein production. Indomethacin and celecoxib reversed the EGF- and LPS-dependent COX-2, VEGF, and PGE2 increases. This study suggests a central role of COX-2 pathway in HNC angiogenesis by modulating VEGF production and indicates that COX-2 inhibitors may be useful in HNC treatment.
Aged↗
Assessment of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in police in Florence, Italy, through personal air sampling and biological monitoring of the urinary metabolite 1-hydroxypyrene.
In this study, the authors evaluated exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in workers exposed to exhaust gas from cars, and they assessed the efficiency of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene as an indicator of exposure to pyrene and PAHs. The authors selected 2 groups of police who worked in 2 areas in the city of Florence: 1 group was highly exposed to high-density traffic emissions during the winter and summer of 1997, and the 2nd group experienced low exposure to traffic emissions during the same period. Ambient monitoring was achieved with personal sampling of airborne PAHs during each workshift. Eight hydrocarbons were used as indicators of pollution caused by PAHs (e.g., pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene). Biological monitoring was performed through dosing of 1-hydroxypyrene (pyrene metabolite) in urine samples taken at the end of each workshift. The ambient monitoring revealed that PAH concentrations were influenced by both season of sampling and varying intensities of traffic in the different areas. The median concentration of benzo[a]pyrene in winter was twice as high in the high-density traffic area as in the low-density traffic area (i.e., 4.1 ng/m3 versus 1.8 ng/m3). In summer, the high-density traffic area experienced benzo[a]pyrene concentrations that were 6 times higher than in the low-density traffic area (i.e., 1.2 ng/m3 versus 0.2 ng/m3). Benzo[a]pyrene was also correlated highly (r(s) = .92, p < .0001) with the mixture of total PAHs analyzed, thus confirming its function as a good indicator of exposure to PAHs in an urban environment. Levels of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene appeared to be generally influenced by the intensity of traffic, especially during the winter (i.e., median value in winter was 199.2 ng/gm creatinine in the high-density traffic area and 120.5 ng/gm creatinine in the low-density traffic area). An analysis of the general data revealed that 1-hydroxypyrene was, to some degree, related to pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, and airborne total PAHs, whereas analysis of separate data for the area and the season revealed an emergence of a closer correlation during the winter in the high-traffic area. Therefore, 1 -hydroxypyrene can be considered a good biological indicator of exposure to airborne PAHs in the urban environment, especially in winter and in high-density traffic areas.
Adult↗
Prognostic significance of microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in advanced ovarian serous carcinoma.
The aim of the study was to test the prognostic value of the microvessel density (MVD) within the tumor and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression on clinical response to chemotherapy, on brief disease-free interval, and on cause-specific survival in advanced ovarian serous carcinoma. We evaluated 83 ovarian carcinomas homogeneous for stage, type and grade histologic, surgical, and chemotherapeutic treatment. Brief disease-free interval and cause-specific survival rates (Kaplan-Meier method) were compared using the log-rank test. A multivariate analysis (Cox-proportional hazards model) was used to determine the independent effect of each variable on prognosis. Overall 60 and 120 months cause-specific survival rates were 27.7% and 2.4%, respectively. The brief disease-free interval rate was 66.2%. In univariate analysis, VEGF (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.016), MVD (P < 0.0005), and the FIGO stage IIIC even more than FIGO stage IIIA (P = 0.01 and P < 0.0005, respectively) were associated with survival and brief disease-free interval, and the residual tumor was associated with survival (P = 0.021). In multivariate analysis, the factors that were independent predictors of survival were MVD (P < 0.0005), VEGF (P = 0.027), and the FIGO stage IIIC even more than FIGO stage IIIA (P = 0.013). Moreover, MVD was an independent predictor also of brief disease relapse (P = 0.001). Both MVD and VEGF were correlated with clinical response to chemotherapy (P = 0.01 and P = 0.037). Our data suggest that MVD and VEGF may have prognostic significance in advanced ovarian serous carcinoma.
Adult↗
Somatostatin treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
Eighteen patients with psoriatic arthritis were treated for 48 hours with an infusion of somatostatin 250 micrograms/hr diluted in a 5% glucose solution. This therapy led to a reduction of joint pain and satisfactory clearing of cutaneous lesions immediately after treatment in eight patients, less marked results in four, and null in four. Two patients were dropped from the study because of negative side effects during administration of the drug. Fifteen days after treatment, the clearing of lesions and joint pain reduction were even more pronounced. The most encouraging results were obtained on erythrodermic and large plaque psoriasis and on the polyarticular involvement. We suggest that the use of this drug, whose side effects are discussed, should be limited to patients with polyarthritis showing severe cutaneous involvement.
Adult↗
Microvessel density in ovarian carcinoma: computer image analysis in patients with shorter and longer survival.
We previously reported that tumor microvessel density (MVD) may have prognostic significance in ovarian carcinoma. The aim of this study was to compare the intratumoral microvessels using a computer-aided image analysis system between FIGO stage IIIC, serous, G3, ovarian carcinomas obtained from living patients who had no evident disease 5 years after primary treatment and ovarian carcinomas, matched for stage, histopathology, grade of differentiation, and treatment, obtained from patients who had died of progression of disease no later than 1 year after primary treatment. We observed that MVD is statistically correlated, according to the logistic regression in univariate and multivariate ways, with the survival (P= 0.03 and P= 0.05, respectively) and with the progression of the disease during first-line chemotherapy (P= 0.009 and P= 0.012, respectively). In the past years, the modulation of first-line chemotherapeutic treatment has been a question of discussion, because the oncologist observes extremely unpredictable behaviors with surprisingly long survivals and also short survivals. Pathologists may give clinicians some additional prognostic information useful in the management of ovarian carcinoma patients. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the evaluation of MVD with computer image analysis can help clinicians in the choice of the tailored treatment of the single case.
Age Factors↗
Increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and P-glycoprotein-170 (MDR1) expression is associated with chemotherapy resistance and poor prognosis. Analysis in ovarian carcinoma patients with low and high survival.
The aim of the study is to test the prognostic value of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and P-glycoprotein in relation to responsiveness to chemotherapy in ovarian carcinoma patients with "shorter and longer" survival. We evaluated 52 ovarian carcinomas homogeneous for stage, histologic type, grade of differentiation, and surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment. Twenty-eight of the patients had died of progression of disease no later than 2 years after primary surgical treatment, while 24 patients were alive with no evident disease 5 years after primary surgical treatment. In logistic regression analysis, COX-2 and P-glycoprotein, when analyzed one by one, are significant (P= 0.017 and P < 0.0005, respectively). P-glycoprotein is correlated with COX-2 (P= 0.008, Fisher's exact test); moreover, both COX-2 and the P-glycoprotein are correlated with clinical response to chemotherapy (P= 0.022 and P < 0.0005, respectively, Chi-square test). Our data suggest that COX-2 and P-glycoprotein may have prognostic significance in advanced ovarian serous carcinoma. The COX-2 and the P-glycoprotein overexpressions are correlated to one another and both with a progression of disease during the first-line chemotherapy. The administration of a COX-2 inhibitor in association with chemotherapy in ovarian carcinoma patients may improve the tumor chemosensibility and the overall survival.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
[The effects of training on skeletal and cardiac muscle mass in professional soccer players].
Ongoing physical exercise is able to increase skeletal and cardiac muscle mass. Echocardiography and body impedance analysis permit non-invasive evaluation of these two parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of training and detraining on the heart and skeletal muscles of professional soccer players. Twenty-one professional athletes (average age 24 +/- 3.5 years) were evaluated during five different phases of their athletic training and compared with 21 age- and height-matched healthy, non-obese sedentary subjects. All subjects underwent measurement of body mass distribution by means of bioelectrical impedance analysis and of left ventricular mass by means of echocardiography. The control group had lower values of lean and cellular body mass, as well as lower left ventricular mass than the professional athletes. Over the 13-month study period, the athletes showed no substantial modifications in fat and muscle mass parameters. Instead, left ventricular mass values increased during the playing season, evidencing physiological hypertrophy after 6 months of competitive activity. No subsequent increases were observed over the next 2 months, and after detraining, left ventricular mass returned to baseline values. We thus conclude that exercise training brings about changes in cardiac mass without producing parallel changes in skeletal muscular mass.
Adolescent↗
[Multivariate analysis of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activities of liver and hepatomas (author's transl)].
Data on the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activities in normal liver and in three transplantable rat hepatomas, viz Yoshida's AH 130 and Morris's 5123C and 7793, were studied by means of factor analysis, a powerful technique of multivariate analysis particularly suitable foridentifying factors which theoretically may account for the pattern of interrelations between several variables. The analysis has been performed on 51 patterns of enzyme activities, covering 17 out of the 20 aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases; 80% on average of the total variability of the 17 enzyme activities may be accounted for by the first 4 factors extracted. The enzymes seem to fall into different groups, depending on their relationship with the factors thus identified. The results suggest that enzymes belonging to the same group share a common control mechanism, and are independent of the enzymes belonging to different groups, both in normal liver and in hepatomas.
Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗
[Mobile phone use while driving in Florence health district area].
The practice of driving while using hand-held mobile phones is diffused in numerous countries, even though it has been demonstrated that they increase the risk of traffic accidents, and such use has consequently been prohibited. Because of the lack of Italian data on the spread of this behaviour a study was done in June 2004 on drivers' use of hand-held mobile phones in the Florence Health Authority area. The study was performed by direct observation from 4 watching-points (1 for each zone) which allowed for observation of several types of vehicles, on varying road conditions, in 5 hour time bands. Overall, 9387 vehicles were observed and the prevalence of mobile phone use while driving was found to be 1.8%. The greatest prevalence of mobile phone use was found in the following conditions: in the Northwest zone (2.8%), in the city suburbs (2.8%), on Tuesdays (3.0%), among drivers not using safety belts (3.0%), and among subjects driving alone (2.1%). Logistic regression analysis has shown a statistically significant association between mobile phone use and the zone, the number of persons in the vehicle, and seat belt use. Mobile phone use while driving is therefore a diffused practice that is particularly common among drivers who engage in other high-risk driving behaviours.
Accidents, Traffic↗
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase in mitochondrial membrane fractions.
Several arguments suggested the possibility that the stearoyl-CoA desaturase might be located in the outer mitochondrial membrane in addition to its well presence in the microsomes. In the present investigation, preparations of rat liver microsomes and submitochondrial fractions (outer and inner membranes) were comparatively studied with respect to their stearoyl-CoA desaturase activities. Each fraction has been characterized by determinations of enzymic and chemical markers. This study revealed that while the activity of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase in microsomes was comparable to that found in other laboratories, a very low level of activity was detected in the mitochondrial outer membrane. The possible implications of the lack of stearoyl-CoA desaturase in mitochondria are discussed with respect to the lipid metabolism of these organelles.
Animals↗
[A mixture of bupivacaine and fentanyl in epidural block in orthopedic surgery: effects on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis].
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Anesthesia, Epidural↗
[A case of recurrent acute pancreatitis associated with pleuropneumonia, peritonitis and arthrosynovitis].
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Acute Disease↗