1
|
Menegotto PR, Soares T, Santin A, Eckert D, Hackner I, Fassina K, Morsch KT, Lindenmeyer L, Capra M. EXPERIÊNCIA DE UM SERVIÇO PÚBLICO DE PORTO ALEGRE-RS COM OS PRIMEIROS PACIENTES SUBMETIDOS AO TRANSPLANTE DE CÉLULAS TRONCO HEMATOPOIÉTICAS. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.htct.2022.09.529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
|
2
|
Besani C, Dunne A, D'Arcy-Bewick S, Owens C, Pears J, O'Marcaigh A, Malone A, Fortune G, Capra M, Smith OP. The Development of a National Paediatric Psycho-Oncology Service. Ir Med J 2021; 114:400. [PMID: 34520155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Aims To investigate the psychological care provided to children and young adolescents with cancer and their families within the National Children's Cancer Service (NCCS), Ireland, in respect of the national and international standards of care. Methods A retrospective audit of 316 referrals made over 32 months by the NCCS to the psychology service in malignant haematology and oncology was performed. Results The audit revealed that out of 316 patients, a yearly average of 189 (50%) of urgently referred patients received psychological support within the NCCS between January 2013 and August 2016. Furthermore only 20 (22%) undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), 14 (22%) referred to the paediatric palliative care team, and 84 (62%) of teenage patients received psychological input during this timeframe. Conclusion The audit revealed that the current psychology service provision is failing to meet the international standards of care. Due to the data provided by this audit, in conjunction with a clinical risk assessment of the service, funds for the post of principal psychologist have been secured. Further psychology posts (HSCT, late-effects and neuropsychology), and development of the psycho-oncology model of care are required to ensure equality of access and evidence-based psychological care for all children with cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Besani
- National Children's Cancer Service, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin
- Paediatric Psychology Department, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin
- National Children's Research Centre
| | - A Dunne
- National Children's Cancer Service, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin
- Paediatric Psychology Department, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin
- National Children's Research Centre
| | - S D'Arcy-Bewick
- Paediatric Psychology Department, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin
| | - C Owens
- National Children's Cancer Service, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin
| | - J Pears
- National Children's Cancer Service, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin
| | - A O'Marcaigh
- National Children's Cancer Service, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin
| | - A Malone
- National Children's Cancer Service, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin
| | - G Fortune
- Paediatric Psychology Department, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin
| | - M Capra
- National Children's Cancer Service, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin
| | - O P Smith
- National Children's Cancer Service, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin
- National Children's Research Centre
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zinzani PL, Capra M, Özcan M, Lv F, Li W, Yañez E, Sapunarova K, Lin T, Jin J, Jurczak W, Hamed A, Wang M, Baker R, Bondarenko I, Zhang Q, Feng J, Geissler K, Lazaroiu M, Saydam G, Szomor Á, Bouabdallah K, Galiulin R, Uchida T, Mongay Soler L, Cao A, Hiemeyer F, Mehra A, Childs BH, Shi Y, Matasar MJ. CHRONOS‐3: RANDOMIZED PHASE III STUDY OF COPANLISIB PLUS RITUXIMAB
VS
RITUXIMAB/PLACEBO IN RELAPSED INDOLENT NON‐HODGKIN LYMPHOMA (INHL). Hematol Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/hon.24_2880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. L. Zinzani
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero‐Universitaria di Bologna Istituto di Ematologia “Seràgnoli” Università di Bologna, Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica Diagnostica e Sperimentale Bologna Italy
| | - M. Capra
- Hospital Mãe de Deus Centro de Hematologia e Oncologia Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - M. Özcan
- Ankara University School of Medicine Hematology Department Ankara Turkey
| | - F. Lv
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center Department of Medical Oncology Shanghai China
| | - W. Li
- The First Hospital of Jilin University Department of Hematology Changchun China
| | - E. Yañez
- University of La Frontera, Department of Internal Medicine Oncology‐Hematology Unit Temuco Chile
| | - K. Sapunarova
- Medical University Department of Internal Medicine Hematology Division Plovdiv Bulgaria
| | - T. Lin
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Department of Medical Oncology Guangzhou China
| | - J. Jin
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University College of Medicine Department of Hematology Hangzhou China
| | - W. Jurczak
- Maria Skłodowska‐Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Department of Clinical Oncology Krakow Poland
| | - A. Hamed
- Petz Aladár Megyei Oktató Kórház Hematológiai Osztály Gyor Hungary
| | - M.‐C. Wang
- Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Kaohsiung Department of Medicine Kaohsiung Taiwan
| | - R. Baker
- Perth Blood Institute, Murdoch University Western Australia Centre for Thrombosis and Haemostasis Perth Australia
| | - I. Bondarenko
- City Dnipropetrovsk Multi‐field Clinical Hospital 4 DSMA, Chemotherapy Department Dnipro Ukraine
| | - Q. Zhang
- Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital Department of Medical Oncology Harbin China
| | - J. Feng
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital Department of Medical Oncology Nanjing China
| | - K. Geissler
- Sigmund Freud University, 5th Medical Department with Hematology Oncology and Palliative Medicine Vienna Austria
| | - M. Lazaroiu
- S.C. Policlinica de Diagnostic Rapid S.A. Department of Hematology Brasov Romania
| | - G. Saydam
- Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Division of Hematology Izmir Turkey
| | - Á. Szomor
- Pécsi Tudományegyetem Klinikai Központ 1st Department of Internal Medicine Pécs Hungary
| | - K. Bouabdallah
- University Hospital of Bordeaux Hematology and Cellular Therapy Department Bordeaux France
| | - R. Galiulin
- Clinical Oncological Dispensary of Omsk Region Department of Chemotherapy for Children and Adults Omsk Russian Federation
| | - T. Uchida
- Japanese Red Cross Nagoya Daini Hospital Department of Hematology and Oncology Nagoya Japan
| | - L. Mongay Soler
- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Clinical Development Whippany USA
| | - A. Cao
- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Clinical Statistics Whippany USA
| | - F. Hiemeyer
- Pharmaceuticals Division, Bayer AG Clinical Statistics Berlin Germany
| | - A. Mehra
- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Clinical Development Whippany USA
| | - B. H. Childs
- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Clinical Development Whippany USA
| | - Y. Shi
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College Department of Medical Oncology Beijing China
| | - M. J. Matasar
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Department of Medicine New York USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Capra M, Lodesani A, Brambilla A, Finazzi M, Duò L, Ciccacci F, Picone A. Reversible metamorphosis from Fe 3O 4 to FeO of epitaxial iron oxide films grown on the Fe-p(1 × 1)O surface. RSC Adv 2021; 11:11513-11518. [PMID: 35423610 PMCID: PMC8698807 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra10650j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The reduction and oxidation of epitaxial Fe3O4 films grown by reactive deposition on a Fe-p(1 × 1)O surface have been investigated by means of Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and scanning tunneling microcopy (STM). The as-grown iron oxide samples display a square LEED pattern with a lattice constant compatible with a p(1 × 1) bulk terminated Fe3O4(001) surface. STM topographic images of Fe3O4 are characterized by atomically flat terraces separated by highly oriented steps running along the (010) and (100) crystallographic directions of the substrate. Upon annealing at 800 K in an ultra-high vacuum, AES reveals that magnetite transforms to FeO. The sample exposes the (001) surface of the rock salt structure, with a lattice parameter close to that of bulk wüstite. The Fe3O4 phase can be recovered by oxidation at 10−6 mbar of molecular oxygen. The reduction and oxidation of epitaxial Fe3O4 films grown by reactive deposition on a Fe-p(1 × 1)O surface have been investigated by means of surface science techniques.![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. Capra
- Department of Physics
- Politecnico di Milano
- I-20133 Milano
- Italy
| | - A. Lodesani
- Department of Physics
- Politecnico di Milano
- I-20133 Milano
- Italy
| | - A. Brambilla
- Department of Physics
- Politecnico di Milano
- I-20133 Milano
- Italy
| | - M. Finazzi
- Department of Physics
- Politecnico di Milano
- I-20133 Milano
- Italy
| | - L. Duò
- Department of Physics
- Politecnico di Milano
- I-20133 Milano
- Italy
| | - F. Ciccacci
- Department of Physics
- Politecnico di Milano
- I-20133 Milano
- Italy
| | - A. Picone
- Department of Physics
- Politecnico di Milano
- I-20133 Milano
- Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chew S, Gleeson JP, McCarthy A, Watson GA, O'Dwyer R, Nicholson S, Capra M, Owens C, McDermott M, Daly P, Grant C. Leptomeningeal Relapse of Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma after 15 years. Ir Med J 2020; 112:1026. [PMID: 32311247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Aim Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common malignant soft tissue tumour of childhood. We present the case of a late relapse of RMS to the leptomeninges after 15 years. Methods A 20 year old male presented with a 3 week history of headaches and nausea. He previously had RMS of his right ear diagnosed at age 5 years which was treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. An MRI Brain and Spine confirmed extensive leptomeningeal disease and CSF analysis confirmed the presence of recurrent embryonal RMS. Results He completed two cycles of cyclophosphamide and topotecan followed by 45Gy/25Fr of craniospinal radiotherapy. Conclusion Late relapses beyond five years can be seen in up to 9% of patients, however very late recurrences (>10 years) are exceedingly rare. Molecular based methods such as gene expression profiling can aid risk stratification and survivorship clinics may become increasingly useful in following patients with high risk features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Chew
- Department of Medical Oncology, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - J P Gleeson
- Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - A McCarthy
- Department of Medical Oncology, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - G A Watson
- Department of Medical Oncology, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - R O'Dwyer
- Department of Medical Oncology, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - S Nicholson
- Department of Histopathology, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - M Capra
- Department of Medical Oncology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C Owens
- Department of Medical Oncology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - M McDermott
- Department of Histopathology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - P Daly
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - C Grant
- Department of Medical Oncology, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ziegler D, Doz F, Geoerger B, Dubois S, Grilley-Olson J, van Tilburg C, Italiano A, Lissat A, Kang JH, Tahara M, Boni V, Perreault S, Capra M, Nanda S, Brega N, Holynskyj A, Hong D, Hyman D, Drilon A. Activity of larotrectinib in TRK fusion cancer patients with primary central nervous system tumours. Ann Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz431.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
|
7
|
Lee KA, O'Sullivan C, Daly P, Pears J, Owens C, Timmermann B, Ares C, Combs SE, Indelicato D, Capra M. Proton therapy in paediatric oncology: an Irish perspective. Ir J Med Sci 2016; 186:577-582. [PMID: 27744643 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-016-1520-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proton therapy (PT) is a radiotherapy treatment modality that uses protons, rather than conventional photons. PT is often used in paediatric oncology due to its reported capability to reduce acute and late adverse treatment effects. As PT is unavailable in Ireland, patients are referred abroad for treatment. AIMS To: (1) produce a descriptive study of Irish children referred abroad for PT, and (2) discuss the case for PT in general. METHODS A retrospective review of all children referred for PT before October 2015 was performed. Information was gathered regarding demographics, diagnosis, referral timeline, adverse effects attributable to PT, current status and cost. A review of the relevant literature was performed. RESULTS Seventeen children treated in Ireland have been referred abroad for PT. The largest number was in the 0-4 year old group. At initial diagnosis the median age was 4.8 years. The average cost per child was €37,312. Two patients suffered disease relapse. Four have encountered PT-related adverse effects. CONCLUSION Despite the fact that >100,000 patients worldwide have been treated with PT, the level of published evidence to support superiority over conventional treatment remains low. It is debated that randomised control trials in this area would be inconsistent with the principle of clinical equipoise. In contrast, there is a call for level 1 evidence to justify drastic changes in patient care, particularly in light of recent reports of unexpected toxicities. In time, careful evaluation, follow-up and clinical trials will likely support the preferential use of PT in children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K A Lee
- St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Radiation Oncology, Dublin, Ireland. .,Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, Paediatic Oncology, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - C O'Sullivan
- St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Radiation Oncology, Dublin, Ireland.,Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, Paediatic Oncology, Dublin, Ireland
| | - P Daly
- St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network, Radiation Oncology, Dublin, Ireland.,Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, Paediatic Oncology, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J Pears
- Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, Paediatic Oncology, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C Owens
- Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, Paediatic Oncology, Dublin, Ireland
| | - B Timmermann
- Department of Radiation Sciences (DRS), Institute of Innovative Radiotherapy (iRT), HelmholtzZentrum Munchen (HMGU) Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Particle Therapy Department, West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - C Ares
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Center for Proton Therapy, 5232, Villigen Psi, Switzerland.,Hopitaux Universitaires de Geneve, Service de Radio-oncologie, Geneve, GE, Switzerland
| | - S E Combs
- Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Klinik für Radioonkologie und Strahlentherapie Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - D Indelicato
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, 32610-0385, USA
| | - M Capra
- Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, Paediatic Oncology, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Javadpour M, Giva S, Costigan C, Caird J, Crimmins D, Capra M, Pears J, Owens C, Brosnahan D, O'Sullivan C, Cody D. CR-22EARLY OUTCOMES OF ENDOSCOPIC EXTENDED TRANSSPHENOIDAL SURGERY FOR CRANIOPHARYNGIOMAS IN CHILDREN. Neuro Oncol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/now068.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
9
|
Kilday J, Massimi L, Caldarelli M, Lee Y, Chen H, Yiang M, Parkes J, Naiker T, van Veelen M, Michiels E, Pettorini B, Mallucci C, Meijer L, Dorfer C, Czech T, Diezi M, van Schouten N, Holm S, Gustavsson B, Benesch M, Hoffman A, Muller H, Escherich G, Flitsch J, Rutkowski S, Grotzer M, Spoudeas H, Capra M, Jimenez-Guerra R, MacDonald P, Johnston D, Dvir R, Constantini S, Kuo M, Yang S, Bartels U. CR-12INTRACYSTIC INTERFERON-ALPHA IN PAEDIATRIC CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA PATIENTS: AN INTERNATIONAL MULTI-CENTRE ASSESSMENT ON BEHALF OF SIOP-E AND ISPN. Neuro Oncol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/now068.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
|
10
|
Lee K, O'Sullivan C, Capra M. EP-1418: Proton therapy in paediatric oncology – An Irish perspective. Radiother Oncol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(16)32668-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
11
|
Whelan JS, Bielack SS, Marina N, Smeland S, Jovic G, Hook JM, Krailo M, Anninga J, Butterfass-Bahloul T, Böhling T, Calaminus G, Capra M, Deffenbaugh C, Dhooge C, Eriksson M, Flanagan AM, Gelderblom H, Goorin A, Gorlick R, Gosheger G, Grimer RJ, Hall KS, Helmke K, Hogendoorn PCW, Jundt G, Kager L, Kuehne T, Lau CC, Letson GD, Meyer J, Meyers PA, Morris C, Mottl H, Nadel H, Nagarajan R, Randall RL, Schomberg P, Schwarz R, Teot LA, Sydes MR, Bernstein M. EURAMOS-1, an international randomised study for osteosarcoma: results from pre-randomisation treatment. Ann Oncol 2014; 26:407-14. [PMID: 25421877 PMCID: PMC4304379 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdu526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Four international study groups undertook a large study in resectable osteosarcoma, which included two randomised controlled trials, to determine the effect on survival of changing post-operative chemotherapy based on histological response. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with resectable osteosarcoma aged ≤40 years were treated with the MAP regimen, comprising pre-operatively of two 5-week cycles of cisplatin 120 mg/m(2), doxorubicin 75 mg/m(2), methotrexate 12 g/m(2) × 2 (MAP) and post-operatively two further cycles of MAP and two cycles of just MA. Patients were randomised after surgery. Those with ≥10% viable tumour in the resected specimen received MAP or MAP with ifosfamide and etoposide. Those with <10% viable tumour were allocated to MAP or MAP followed by pegylated interferon. Longitudinal evaluation of quality of life was undertaken. RESULTS Recruitment was completed to the largest osteosarcoma study to date in 75 months. Commencing March 2005, 2260 patients were registered from 326 centres across 17 countries. About 1334 of 2260 registered patients (59%) were randomised. Pre-operative chemotherapy was completed according to protocol in 94%. Grade 3-4 neutropenia affected 83% of cycles and 59% were complicated by infection. There were three (0.13%) deaths related to pre-operative chemotherapy. At definitive surgery, 50% of patients had at least 90% necrosis in the resected specimen. CONCLUSIONS New models of collaboration are required to successfully conduct trials to improve outcomes of patients with rare cancers; EURAMOS-1 demonstrates achievability. Considerable regulatory, financial and operational challenges must be overcome to develop similar studies in the future. The trial is registered as NCT00134030 and ISRCTN 67613327.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J S Whelan
- Department of Oncology, University College Hospital, London, UK
| | - S S Bielack
- Cooperative Osteosarcoma Study Group (COSS), Klinikum Stuttgart - Olgahospital, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - N Marina
- Stanford University Medical Center, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Palo Alto, USA
| | - S Smeland
- Division of Cancer, Surgery and Transplantation, and Scandinavian Sarcoma Group, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - G Jovic
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, London, UK
| | - J M Hook
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, London, UK
| | - M Krailo
- Children's Oncology Group, Arcadia, USA
| | - J Anninga
- Department of Pediatrics and Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - T Böhling
- University of Helsinki and HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland
| | - G Calaminus
- University Hospital of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - M Capra
- Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C Deffenbaugh
- Lucile Salter Packard Childrens Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, USA
| | - C Dhooge
- University Hospital Ghent, Gent, Belgium
| | - M Eriksson
- Skane University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - A M Flanagan
- Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - H Gelderblom
- Department of Pediatrics and Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A Goorin
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston
| | - R Gorlick
- Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, USA
| | - G Gosheger
- Department of General Orthopedics and Tumor Orthopedics, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - R J Grimer
- Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - K S Hall
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Scandinavian Sarcoma Group, Oslo, Norway
| | - K Helmke
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - P C W Hogendoorn
- Department of Pediatrics and Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - G Jundt
- Bone Tumor Reference Center at the Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - L Kager
- St Anna Children's Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - T Kuehne
- University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - C C Lau
- Texas Children's Cancer Centre, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
| | - G D Letson
- H. Lee Moffit Cancer Centre & Research Institute, Tampa
| | - J Meyer
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia
| | - P A Meyers
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New?York
| | - C Morris
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New?York Orthopedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, USA
| | - H Mottl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - H Nadel
- British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - R Nagarajan
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
| | - R L Randall
- Primary Children's Hospital and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | | | - R Schwarz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - L A Teot
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - M R Sydes
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, London, UK
| | - M Bernstein
- IWK Health Center, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Nason GJ, Baker JF, Seoighe D, Irvine AD, McDermott M, Orr D, Capra M, Kelly PM. Congenital-infantile fibrosarcoma of the foot--avoidance of amputation. Ir Med J 2014; 107:148-149. [PMID: 24908860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Congenital-infantile fibrosarcoma is a rare entity with a five year survival rate of over 90%. Surgery is still the most common treatment modality with amputation often necessary. There have been reports supporting the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to debulk the tumour in an effort to facilitate limb sparing surgery. We report a case of a newborn who presented with a life threatening haemorrhage from a fibrosarcoma of the foot, successfully treated with Vincristine, Actinomycin and Cyclophosphamide (VAC) chemotherapy alone.
Collapse
|
13
|
Higgins E, Capra M, Schwartz M, Smith F, McLean W, Irvine A. Resolution of the plantar hyperkeratosis of pachyonychia congenita during chemotherapy for Ewing sarcoma. Br J Dermatol 2013; 169:1357-60. [DOI: 10.1111/bjd.12574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Higgins
- Department of Paediatric Dermatology Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin Dublin Ireland
| | - M. Capra
- Department of Oncology Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin Dublin Ireland
| | - M.E. Schwartz
- Pachyonychia Congenita Project Salt Lake City UT U.S.A
| | - F.J.D. Smith
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine College of Life Sciences and College of Medicine Dentistry and Nursing University of Dundee Dundee DD1 5EH U.K
| | - W.H.I. McLean
- Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine College of Life Sciences and College of Medicine Dentistry and Nursing University of Dundee Dundee DD1 5EH U.K
| | - A.D. Irvine
- Department of Paediatric Dermatology Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin Dublin Ireland
- National Children's Research Centre Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin Dublin Ireland
- Department of Clinical Medicine Trinity College Dublin Dublin Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Perseghin P, Incontri A, Capra M. Erythrocyte-exchange in sickle-cell disease patients. A comparison between Caridian COBE Spectra and Optia cell separators. Transfus Apher Sci 2013; 48:177. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2013.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
15
|
Gamberini M, Meloni A, Caruso V, Capra M, Cianciulli P, Chiodi E, Lombardi M, Pepe A. Endocrine Effects on Heart Function. Thalassemia Reports 2011. [DOI: 10.4081/thal.2011.s2.e19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the factors associated with thalassemic heart disease, endocrine disturbance is also a contributing factor. We present a retrospective, cross sectional study, which aims to establish the prevalence of cardiac complications in thalassaemia major (TM) patients with endocrine complications and to evaluate the influence of endocrine disease on cardiac complications. Endocrinological and cardiological parameters were considered on 957 TM patients who are enrolled in the Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia (MIOT) network in 68 sites in Italy. Patients with pubertal hypogonadism (163 males and 175 females), hypothyroidism (192), diabetes mellitus (87) and hypoparathyroidism (61), were compared according to cardiac complications: global heart T2*, cardiac dysfunction, heart failure, arrythmias, pulmonary hypertension and myocardial fibrosis. Control groups were made up according to the age range of patients with the corresponding endocrinopathy. The prevalence of cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias and heart failure was significantly increased in patients with endocrinopathies. Cardiac complications tended to increase according to the number of endocrinologies affecting the patient. Aim of our retrospective and cross sectional study was to establish the prevalence of cardiac complications in thalassemia major (TM) patients with endocrine diseases and to evaluate the influence of endocrine diseases on cardiac complications.与地中海贫血心脏疾病相关的因素中,内分泌失调也是一个促进因素。 我们进行了回顾和断面研究,旨在患有内分泌并发症的重型地中海贫血患者中建立心脏并发症的患病率,以及评估内分泌疾病对心脏并发症的影响。 曾考虑到意大利地中海贫血心肌铁过载(MIOT)网络的68个站点上注册的957名重型地中海贫血患者的内分泌和心脏病学参数。 根据以下心脏并发症对青春期性腺机能减退的患者(男性163名、女性175名)、甲状腺机能减退患者(192名)、糖尿病患者(87名)和甲状旁腺机能减退患者(61名)进行了比较: 心脏 T2*、心功能障碍、心脏衰竭、心率不齐、肺动脉高血压以及心肌纤维化。 根据相应内分泌病患者的年龄范围建立了对照组。 心功能障碍、心率不齐和心脏衰竭的患病率在内分泌病患者中明显增加。 根据影响患者的内分泌病的数量,心脏并发症倾向于增加。
Collapse
|
16
|
Gelosa G, Tremolizzo L, Galbussera A, Perego R, Capra M, Frigo M, Apale P, Ferrarese C, Appollonio I. Narrowing the window for ‘senile chorea’: A case with primary antiphospholipid syndrome. J Neurol Sci 2009; 284:211-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2009.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2009] [Revised: 04/24/2009] [Accepted: 05/07/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
17
|
Pepe A, Positano V, Capra M, Maggio A, Pinto CL, Spasiano A, Forni G, Derchi G, Favilli B, Rossi G, Cracolici E, Midiri M, Lombardi M. Myocardial scarring by delayed enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance in thalassaemia major. Heart 2009; 95:1688-93. [PMID: 19491092 DOI: 10.1136/hrt.2008.156497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) by delayed enhancement (DE) enables visualisation of myocardial scarring, but no dedicated studies are available in thalassaemia major. OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence, extent, clinical and instrumental correlates of myocardial fibrosis or necrosis by DE CMR in patients with thalassaemia major. PATIENTS 115 Patients with thalassaemia major consecutively examined at an MRI laboratory. METHODS DE images were acquired to quantify myocardial scarring. Myocardial iron overload was determined by multislice multiecho T2*. Cine images were obtained to evaluate biventricular function. RESULTS DE areas were present in 28/115 patients (24%). The mean (SD) extent of DE was 3.9 (2.4)%. In 26 patients the location of fibrosis was not specific and patchy distribution was prevalent. Two patients showed transmural DE following coronary distribution. The DE group was significantly older than the no-DE group (31 (7.7) years vs 26 (7.7) years, p = 0.004). No significant relation with heart T2* values and biventricular function was found. A significant correlation was found between the presence of DE and changes in ECG (ECG abnormal in the DE group 22/28 patients and in the no-DE group 30/87 patients; chi(2) = 14.9; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS In patients with thalassaemia the significant presence of myocardial fibrosis/necrosis seems to be a time-dependent process correlating with cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac complications. Levels of HCV antibodies are significantly higher in the serum of patients with thalassaemia with myocardial fibrosis/necrosis. ECG changes showed a good accuracy in predicting myocardial scarring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Pepe
- MRI Laboratory, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, and Gabriele Monasterio Foundation, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Di Marco V, Capra M, Gagliardotto F, Borsellino Z, Cabibi D, Barbaria F, Ferraro D, Cuccia L, Ruffo GB, Bronte F, Di Stefano R, Almasio PL, Craxi A. Liver disease in chelated transfusion-dependent thalassemics: the role of iron overload and chronic hepatitis C. Haematologica 2008; 93:1243-6. [DOI: 10.3324/haematol.12554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
|
19
|
Colleran MC, Capra M, Pattison S, Higgins S. A study of Irish cancer specialists’ opinions regarding sexual health for cancer patients. J Clin Oncol 2008. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2008.26.15_suppl.20673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
|
20
|
Vecchi M, Confalonieri S, Nuciforo P, Viganò MA, Capra M, Bianchi M, Nicosia D, Bianchi F, Galimberti V, Viale G, Palermo G, Riccardi A, Campanini R, Daidone MG, Pierotti MA, Pece S, Di Fiore PP. Breast cancer metastases are molecularly distinct from their primary tumors. Oncogene 2007; 27:2148-58. [PMID: 17952122 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Metastases have been widely thought to arise from rare, selected, mutation-bearing cells in the primary tumor. Recently, however, it has been proposed that breast tumors are imprinted ab initio with metastatic ability. Thus, there is a debate over whether 'phenotypic' disease progression is really associated with 'molecular' progression. We profiled 26 matched primary breast tumors and lymph node metastases and identified 270 probesets that could discriminate between the two categories. We then used an independent cohort of breast tumors (81 samples) and unmatched distant metastases (32 samples) to validate and refine this list down to a 126-probeset list. A representative subset of these genes was subjected to analysis by in situ hybridization, on a third independent cohort (57 primary breast tumors and matched lymph node metastases). This not only confirmed the expression profile data, but also allowed us to establish the cellular origin of the signals. One-third of the analysed representative genes (4 of 11) were expressed by the epithelial component. The four epithelial genes alone were able to discriminate primary breast tumors from their metastases. Finally, engineered alterations in the expression of two of the epithelial genes (SERPINB5 and LTF) modified cell motility in vitro, in accordance with a possible causal role in metastasis. Our results show that breast cancer metastases are molecularly distinct from their primary tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Vecchi
- IFOM, Fondazione Istituto FIRC di Oncologia Molecolare, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Vecchi M, Nuciforo P, Romagnoli S, Confalonieri S, Pellegrini C, Serio G, Quarto M, Capra M, Roviaro GC, Contessini Avesani E, Corsi C, Coggi G, Di Fiore PP, Bosari S. Gene expression analysis of early and advanced gastric cancers. Oncogene 2007; 26:4284-94. [PMID: 17297478 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Gastric carcinoma is one of the major causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Early detection results in excellent prognosis for patients with early cancer (EGC), whereas the prognosis of advanced cancer (AGC) patients remains poor. It is not clear whether EGC and AGC are molecularly distinct, and whether they represent progressive stages of the same tumor or different entities ab initio. Gene expression profiles of EGC and AGC were determined by Affymetrix technology and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Representative regulated genes were further analysed by in situ hybridization (ISH) on tissue microarrays. Expression analysis allowed the identification of a signature that differentiates AGC from EGC. In addition, comparison with normal gastric mucosa indicated that the majority of alterations associated with EGC are retained in AGC, and that further expression changes mark the transition from EGC to AGC. Finally, ISH analysis showed that representative genes, differentially expressed in the invasive areas of EGC and AGC, are not differentially expressed in the non-invasive areas of the same tumors. Our data are more directly compatible with a progression model of gastric carcinogenesis, whereby EGC and AGC may represent different molecular stages of the same tumor. Finally, the identification of an AGC-specific signature might help devising novel therapeutic strategies for advanced gastric cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Vecchi
- IFOM Fondazione Istituto FIRC di Oncologia Molecolare, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Piccinini A, Cucurachi N, Betti F, Capra M, Coco S, D'Avila F, Lorenzoni R, Lovisolo A. Forensic DNA typing of human nails at various stages of decomposition. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ics.2005.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
23
|
Filosa A, Valgimigli L, Pedulli GF, Sapone A, Maggio A, Renda D, Scazzone C, Malizia R, Pitrolo L, Lo Pinto C, Borsellino Z, Cuccia L, Capra M, Canistro D, Broccoli M, Soleti A, Paolini M. Quantitative evaluation of oxidative stress status on peripheral blood in beta-thalassaemic patients by means of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Br J Haematol 2005; 131:135-40. [PMID: 16173974 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2005.05734.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
High oxidative stress status (OSS) is known to be one of the most important factors determining cell injury and consequent organ damage in thalassaemic patients with secondary iron overload. Using an innovative hydroxylamine 'radical probe' capable of efficiently trapping majority of oxygen-radicals including superoxide we measured, by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, OSS in peripheral blood of 38 thalassaemic patients compared with sex-/age-matched healthy controls. Thalassaemic patients showed sixfold higher EPR values of OSS than controls. Significantly higher EPR values of OSS were observed in those with a severe phenotype (thalassaemia major, transfusion-dependent) with respect to mild phenotype (sickle-cell/beta-thalassaemia, not transfusion-dependent) or thalassaemia intermedia. In patients with thalassaemia major, EPR values of OSS were positively correlated with serum ferritin and with alanine aminotransferase levels. In patients with sickle cell/beta-thalassaemia, there was no correlation between EPR value of OSS and all parameters considered. The type of chelating therapy (desferrioxamine or deferiprone) did not have an effect on EPR value of OSS. In conclusion, EPR 'radical probe' seems to be a valid innovative method to determine total OSS in patients affected by thalassaemia and might be used for evaluating new strategies of chelation, new chelators, or the efficacy of antioxidant formula.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Filosa
- Department of Paediatrics, 'A. Cardarelli' Hospital, Naples, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
We report a 14-year-old girl in whom a diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma was confirmed while receiving growth hormone (GH) for GH deficiency, detected after presenting with short stature. MRI revealed an enhancing and thickened pituitary stalk with absence of the normal bright signal in the posterior pituitary. Regular MRI surveillance detected progression of the neurohypophyseal changes 13 months into GH treatment. Biopsy confirmed this to be B-cell large cell lymphoma. This case highlights the diagnostic and management challenges inherent in treating such children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Capra
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
Adolescents with brain tumours have been, and in most cases still are, haphazardly assigned, on referral, to either 'paediatric' or 'adult'-based treatment centres. In this age group, there is therefore a history of inconsistent treatment, delivery of inappropriate 'maturity-related' care and a reduced chance of gathering vital biological, clinical and treatment-related information germane to this group of patients and their tumours. These days, adolescents with brain tumours should be actively targeted for recruitment into clinical trials and admission into dedicated neuro-oncology centres or programmes that can deliver the necessary and age appropriate multidisciplinary management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Capra
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 1X8
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Di Girgenti C, De Angioletti M, Messineo R, Carestia C, Capra M. Observation of the codon 27 (GCC-->TCC) delta-thalassemia allele in cis to the IVS-I-6 (T-->C) beta-thalassemia allele in a family from West Sicily. Hemoglobin 2001; 25:453-5. [PMID: 11791882 DOI: 10.1081/hem-100107886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Di Girgenti
- 7a Pediatria per le Emopatie Ereditarie Azienda di Rilievo Nazionale ad Alta Specializzazione Civico Ascoli, G. Di Cristina, Palermo, Italia
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Di Marco V, Capra M, Gagliardotto F, Ferraro D, Di Stefano R. Schistosomiasis and antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology 2001; 34:850-1. [PMID: 11584389 DOI: 10.1002/hep.510340437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
|
28
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Extracorporeal circuits made of artificial substances may induce blood cells and humoral activation. Negatively charged surfaces may activate Factor XII and the prekallikrein-kinin cascade, resulting in bradykinin (BK) production. BK has been considered to be involved in severe hypotensive reactions occurring during therapeutic apheresis in patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or in those receiving platelet transfusion. In this study we investigated BK production during donor plasmapheresis procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighteen volunteer donors entered the study protocol. Nine of them were taking ACE inhibitors. Their blood pressure (BP) was monitored both pre- and post-apheresis, and BK determination was carried out using a competitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA), in plasma samples collected both during and at completion of the procedure. In addition, a limited number of thawed plasma units were checked for BK. RESULTS No side-effects were observed during the procedures. However, donors taking ACE inhibitors showed a higher variation of their systolic BP compared to those who were not taking ACE inhibitors, while diastolic BP percentage variations did not differ significantly between the two groups. The BK concentration was considerably higher in donors taking ACE inhibitors: 183 +/- 26 versus 82 +/- 6 ng/ml (P < 0.0001) after the first collection cycle and 142 +/- 20 versus 65 +/- 11 ng/ml (P < 0.0001) in the final samples. BK was also detected, at a lower concentration (15 ng/ml), in one out of four thawed plasma units obtained from donors taking ACE inhibitors and at 1 ng/ml in one out of two thawed plasma units from the control group. CONCLUSION Donors taking ACE inhibitors and undergoing plasmapheresis showed higher levels of BK compared to the control group. Furthermore, the detection of BK in plasma units after a freeze-thaw procedure might explain the sudden hypotensive reaction occurring during therapeutic plasma exchange when plasmapheresis units are adopted as substitution fluids. Further investigations are needed to assess the real clinical importance of the presence of BK in plasma units.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Perseghin
- Servizio di Immunoematologia e Trasfusionale, Unità di Aferesi, Ospedale San Gerardo de' Tintori, Monza (MI), Italy.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Vago L, Nebuloni M, Bonetto S, Pellegrinelli A, Zerbi P, Ferri A, Lavri E, Capra M, Grassi MP, Costanzi G. Rantes distribution and cellular localization in the brain of HIV-infected patients. Clin Neuropathol 2001; 20:139-45. [PMID: 11495002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the immunochemical distribution ofRantes chemokine and its correlation with HIV-p24 expression, in brains with HIV-related lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS 17 HIV-positive cases of HIV-related brain lesions, 7 HIV-positive cases without cerebral HIV-related lesions (5 with opportunistic brain diseases), and 7 HIV-negative cases as controls (4 with brain lesion) were selected. RESULTS High expression of Rantes was observed in the cases with inflammatory brain lesions (22/24 HIV-positive and 2/7 HIV-negative patients). Positivity was observed in the diffuse and nodular microglial cells and lymphocytes. In the patients with HIV-related lesions, the presence of Rantes-stained microglia did not correlate with that of HIV-p24-positive cells. Positive astrocytes were only found in the HIV-positive patients. Multinucleated giant cells were always Rantes-negative. CONCLUSIONS Our results seem to demonstrate the role of Rantes chemokine in inducing inflammatory brain perivascular and microglial reactions both in HIV-positive and -negative patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Vago
- Pathology Unit, L. Sacco Institute of Medical Science, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
This paper examines various control locations in heavy mining vehicles. Three trucks have been tested on a skid pad in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions. The skid lengths were measured after each trial. The primary focus of the study was the positioning of various controls and their relevance to various skid lengths. Some additional measures such as NASA-TLX scales were also used to make subjective evaluations. The results are presented in this paper. The findings clearly indicate the relevance of control locations to actual skid lengths. The poorly located controls resulted in greater skid lengths. This is an important finding as skid lengths are related to greater reaction times in a skidding situation and hence greater risk of accidents on relevant trucks. Such accidents can incur large repair bills for damaged equipment whereas more importantly, jeopardizing the life and safety of heavy mining vehicle drivers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Hubbard
- School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Affiliation(s)
- R O Robinson
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Guy's Hospital, St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
|
33
|
|
34
|
Maggio C, Giuffrè M, Cuccia L, Borsellino Z, Capra M, Liotta A. [Pattern of spontaneous and post-stimulation FSH and LH in male adolescents with thalassemia]. Minerva Pediatr 1998; 50:147-50. [PMID: 9842210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last years thalassemic patients gained a good improvement in prognosis and life style. However, short stature and hypogonadism are still frequent endocrine problems in this population. METHODS In a group of eleven thalassemic males (14-18 years old), the spontaneous nocturnal endocrine patterns of LH and FSH and plasma gonadotropins in response to GnRH were studied. The profiles were analyzed using a computer program (PULSAR) to determine the secretion pattern (number and amplitude of peaks) and the area under the curve above the secretion baseline (AUC). The endocrine status was compared with liver fibrosis, iron overload and transfusional regimen. RESULTS A regular and homogeneous transfusion and chelation management often does not prevent pubertal failure; it is related with the degree of liver fibrosis and often it is due to hypothalamic and/or pituitary dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Spontaneous gonadotropin profiles can be useful to evaluate hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in order to start the correct treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Maggio
- Istituto di Pediatria, Università degli Studi, Palermo
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Caruso-Nicoletti M, De Sanctis V, Capra M, Cardinale G, Cuccia L, Di Gregorio F, Filosa A, Galati MC, Lauriola A, Malizia R, Mangiagli A, Massolo F, Mastrangelo C, Meo A, Messina MF, Ponzi G, Raiola G, Ruggiero L, Tamborino G, Saviano A. Short stature and body proportion in thalassaemia. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 1998; 11 Suppl 3:811-6. [PMID: 10091151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Short stature and short trunk have been reported in thalassaemic patients. We report a study on stature and body proportions in 476 patients (2-36 years old) with beta-thalassaemia major, followed in 12 Italian centres. Auxological data (standing height, sitting height, subischial leg length, target height), haematological data (age at first transfusion, age at start of desferrioxamine [DFX] chelation, mean dose of DFX, ferritin values) and information regarding the presence of endocrine disorders and of bone lesions, were collected and analysed according to the age of the patients, in order to investigate the natural history of the disproportion and the role of siderosis, DFX toxicity and endocrine disorders. Our data indicate that about 18% of thalassaemic patients exhibit short stature; disproportion between the upper and lower body segments is present in 14%; however, a short trunk despite normal stature is present in another 40% of patients. This is due to a spinal growth impairment which starts in infancy and progressively aggravates. We think that a short trunk is peculiar to the disease itself; however, other factors such as hypogonadism, siderosis, or DFX-induced bone dysplasia are probably involved in aggravating the body disproportion in these patients.
Collapse
|
36
|
Parravicini C, Olsen SJ, Capra M, Poli F, Sirchia G, Gao SJ, Berti E, Nocera A, Rossi E, Bestetti G, Pizzuto M, Galli M, Moroni M, Moore PS, Corbellino M. Risk of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus transmission from donor allografts among Italian posttransplant Kaposi's sarcoma patients. Blood 1997; 90:2826-9. [PMID: 9326251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a newly discovered herpes virus found in all forms of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) including KS among immunosuppressed transplant patients. It is unknown whether this virus is transmitted by organ transplantation or is reactivated during immunosuppression among those patients infected before transplantation. To investigate the risk of KSHV transmission during organ transplantation, we conducted a case-control study of transplant recipients with and without KS matched to their respective donors. Sera were collected at time of transplantation and tested in a randomized and blinded fashion using four KSHV serologic assays testing for antibodies to both latent and lytic phase antigens. Ten (91%) of 11 organ recipients who developed KS were seropositive prior to transplantation by one or more of the assays compared with two (12%) of 17 control organ recipients (OR = 75, 95% CI = 4.7, 3500). KS cases were more likely to have been born in southern Italy where KS is endemic than the recipient controls or either donor group. Only four (36%) of 11 donors to case patients and three (18%) of 17 donors to control patients were seropositive (P = .38, two-tailed Fisher's exact test). KSHV transmission could not be ruled out for the single KS patient seronegative at transplantation and clear evidence for organ-related transmission was found for another KS patient outside of the case-control study. Antibodies to KSHV are detectable in the sera from most transplant recipients before initiation of immunosuppressive treatment suggesting that KS among immunosuppressed transplant patients is primarily due to virus reactivation. KSHV transmission, however, from an infected allograft can occur, and our study reports the first documented case of person-to-person transmission of KSHV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Parravicini
- Department of Pathology, Ospedale L. Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Di Marco V, Lo Iacono O, Almasio P, Ciaccio C, Capra M, Rizzo M, Malizia R, Maggio A, Fabiano C, Barbaria F, Craxì A. Long-term efficacy of alpha-interferon in beta-thalassemics with chronic hepatitis C. Blood 1997; 90:2207-12. [PMID: 9310471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a common cause of liver disease among polytransfused thalassemics. We treated a cohort of subjects with beta-thalassemia major and chronic hepatitis C with alpha-interferon. The aims of the study were to assess the long-term biochemical and virologic efficacy of alpha-interferon and to evaluate the influence of HCV type and liver siderosis on the outcome of therapy. Seventy subjects (mean age, 14.1 years) with chronic HCV infection and abnormal aminotransferases received recombinant alpha-interferon for 12 months and were observed after therapy for at least 24 months. Sixty-three subjects (90%) were HCV-RNA positive at the start of therapy. HCV type 1b was found in 41 subjects (65.1%), non-1b types in 13 (20.6%), and mixed HCV types in 9 (14.3%). Liver biopsy showed cirrhosis in 11 subjects (15.7%) and siderosis grade 3-4 in 24 patients (34.2%). Three patients stopped therapy due to adverse events. Twenty-eight subjects (40%) had normal aminotransferases and had cleared HCV-RNA when last observed (mean follow-up, 36.5 months; range, 25 to 49 months). Of 41 patients who did not normalize aminotransferases, 9 had become HCV-RNA negative at the end of follow-up. The absence of cirrhosis, low liver iron content, and infection with non-1b HCV type were independently associated to complete sustained response upon multivariable analysis. In conclusion, alpha-interferon may induce a sustained virologic and biochemical remission of hepatitis in beta-thalassemic patients with chronic HCV infection and nonadvanced liver disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Di Marco
- Cattedra di Medicina Interna (CLOPD), Istituto di Clinica Medica I, Università di Palermo, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Berti E, Marzano AV, Decleva I, Bestetti G, Pizzuto M, Poirel L, Capra M, Parravicini C, Corbellino M. Simultaneous onset of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma and human herpesvirus 8-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. Br J Dermatol 1997; 136:924-9. [PMID: 9217827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
We report the simultaneous occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) of the leg in a 79-year-old woman, seronegative for HIV-1, HTLV-1 and HTLV-2. The CBCL underwent complete clinical remission after local radiotherapy, whilst the KS became disseminated within a year following diagnosis. However, 2 years after the diagnosis of KS, the patient died with neurological symptoms. These were presumed to be due to involvement of the central nervous system by lymphoma, although in the absence of an autopsy, this could not be proven. Skin biopsies from the original KS and CBCL lesions, as well as short-term culture of spindle cells from the KS lesion and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), were studied by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers specific for DNA sequences of a novel gamma-herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8). PCR studies were strongly positive for the virus on KS cells and PBMC; conversely, a low viral load was found on CBCL cells. A high titre of serum IgG antibodies reacting with the nuclei of the HHV-8 positive cell line BCP-1 was found. These data suggest that reactivation of latent infection with HHV-8 had occurred in this patient, and that HHV-8 is directly involved in KS, but not in CBCL of the leg, an aggressive variant of CBCL.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Aged
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- DNA, Viral/analysis
- Female
- HIV Seronegativity
- HIV-1
- Herpesvirus 8, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 8, Human/immunology
- Human T-lymphotropic virus 1
- Human T-lymphotropic virus 2
- Humans
- Leg
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/virology
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/complications
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/pathology
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/virology
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sarcoma, Kaposi/complications
- Sarcoma, Kaposi/pathology
- Sarcoma, Kaposi/virology
- Skin/pathology
- Skin Neoplasms/complications
- Skin Neoplasms/pathology
- Skin Neoplasms/virology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Berti
- Institute of Dermatologic Sciences-IRCCS H Maggiore, Sacco, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Corbellino M, Bestetti G, Poirel L, Aubin JT, Brambilla L, Pizzuto M, Capra M, Berti E, Galli M, Parravicini C. Is human herpesvirus type 8 fairly prevalent among healthy subjects in Italy? J Infect Dis 1996; 174:668-70. [PMID: 8769636 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/174.3.668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
|
40
|
Corbellino M, Poirel L, Bestetti G, Pizzuto M, Aubin JT, Capra M, Bifulco C, Berti E, Agut H, Rizzardini G, Galli M, Parravicini C. Restricted tissue distribution of extralesional Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 1996; 12:651-7. [PMID: 8744575 DOI: 10.1089/aid.1996.12.651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Specific herpesvirus-like DNA sequences have been found in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions of AIDS patients, suggesting that a novel gamma herpesvirus, homologous to Epstein-Barr virus and herpesvirus saimiri, could be implicated in the pathogenesis of KS. To better understand the role of this putative etiological agent, named Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) or human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), we investigated by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the presence of viral DNA sequences in various organs obtained at autopsy from seven AIDS patients with KS and six without KS. For each sample, to exclude positive results due to visceral KS dissemination, the presence of microscopic foci of KS cells was rules out by histology and CD34 immunohistochemistry on serial frozen sections immediately adjacent to those employed for DNA extraction. PCR and nested PCR were performed with primers specific for the HIV-8 330 Bam fragment originally described by Chang et al. (Science 1994;266:1865-1869). As quality control, the extracted DNA was amplified with primers for human beta-globin. All KS legions were HHV-8 positive. In addition, extralesional KSHV DNA sequences were detected in seven of seven lymphoid organs and in five of five prostate glands of KS patients. Normal skin was positive in three of five cases and bone marrow in two of three tested cases, all other tissues being negative by PCR and nested PCR. By contrast, no virus was detected in tissue samples of AIDS cases without KS. The restricted organ distribution here documented argues for a selective tissue tropism of HHV-8 in vivo in AIDS patients and suggests that in the infected host lymphoid organs and the prostate gland may represent privileged sites of viral latency and persistence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Corbellino
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Milano, L. Sacco Hospital, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Corbellino M, Poirel L, Bestetti G, Aubin JT, Capra M, Berti E, Galli M, Parravicini C. Human herpesvirus-8 in AIDS-related and unrelated lymphomas. AIDS 1996; 10:545-6. [PMID: 8724048 DOI: 10.1097/00002030-199605000-00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
|
42
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Percutaneous injection of alcohol was recently proposed as an alternative to surgical and radioiodine treatments of autonomous thyroid nodules. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of this procedure and to define its limitations and indications when used for this purpose. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-one patients with autonomous thyroid nodules underwent a cycle of treatment with percutaneous injection of ethanol in multiple sessions (three to seven) on alternate days depending on the diffusion of the ethanol in the nodule. Fifteen patients were hyperthyroid, and 16 were euthyroid but had inhibited secretion of thyrotropin. The treatment results were evaluated by thyroid scintigraphy and sonography, by triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and thyrotropin assays, and by a thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test 6 months after the end of treatment. Baseline scintigraphy demonstrated exclusive radionuclide uptake in the nodule in 29 patients and partial uptake in the extranodular tissue in two. The volume of the nodules ranged from 0.8 to 34.0 ml (mean +/- SD, 11.8 +/- 8.8 ml). Patients were monitored clinically for 24 hr after each session of ethanol injection to evaluate complications. Fifteen patients underwent a second cycle of ethanol injection when the results 6 months after the first cycle were unsatisfactory. The mean +/- SD follow-up was done at 26.9 +/- 12.3 months. RESULTS Scintigraphy showed recovery of extranodular uptake of radionuclide in 72% of patients with nodules less than 13 ml in volume (maximum diameter [mean +/- SD], 2.7 +/- 0.7 cm; range, 1.4-4.0 cm) after one cycle of treatment and in 83% after two cycles. Among subjects with larger nodules, radionuclide uptake returned to normal in 9% after one cycle of treatment and in 9% after two cycles. For hyperthyroid patients, levels of thyroid hormones returned to normal in 69% after one cycle and in 77% after two cycles, and levels of thyrotropin returned to normal in 38% after one cycle and in 69% after two cycles; normal levels of thyrotropin were achieved in 93% of the euthyroid patients after one cycle of treatment and in 100% of these patients after two cycles. Symptoms resolved in 73% of the hyperthyroid subjects after the first cycle of treatment and in 93% of these subjects after the second. No important complications were observed; the most common side effects were acute pain at the injection site, referred pain, fever, transient dysphonia (< 12 hr), local hematoma, palpitations, and sinus tachycardia. CONCLUSION Our results show that percutaneous injection of ethanol is appropriate therapy for autonomous thyroid nodules less than 13 ml in volume. The treatment should be considered successful when levels of thyroid hormones and thyrotropin return to normal. Nodule size appears to be the most important determinant of the success of the treatment. No complications that required termination of the treatment occurred.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Di Lelio
- Diagnostic Radiology Service, Ospedale S. Gerardo, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
In this open, pilot study, interferon (IFN) alpha-2b seemed effective in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with beta-thalassaemia. In seven of nine patients who completed the study alanine aminotransferase activities returned to normal, and a completely stable response 24 months after treatment was seen in five. Liver biopsy specimen showed a clear reduction in portal, periportal, and lobular necroinflammation in all five cases. Three patients stopped treatment early because of side effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Di Marco
- Clinica Medica R and Anat Patologica, Ospedale Cervello, Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Di Marco V, Lo Iacono O, Capra M, Grutta S, Ciaccio C, Gerardi C, Maggio A, Renda D, Almasio P, Pisa R. alpha-Interferon treatment of chronic hepatitis C in young patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia. Haematologica 1992; 77:502-6. [PMID: 1289187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and iron overload are the main causes of chronic liver disease in subjects with homozygous beta-thalassemia (HBT). Iron overload can be counteracted by intensive chelation. alpha-interferon reduces viremia and necroinflammation in patients with chronic HCV hepatitis. METHODS To assess the effectiveness and safety of alpha 2b-Interferon (IFN), we enrolled in an open pilot trial of treatment 12 patients with HBT and biopsy-proven anti-HCV positive chronic hepatitis. IFN was given at a dose of 5 MU/m2 thrice weekly for 8 weeks, then 3 MU/m2 thrice weekly for 18 weeks. Patients were followed up to 24 months after stopping treatment when a second liver biopsy was performed in subjects with sustained response (normal ALT during follow-up). RESULTS Two patients discontinued IFN at 7 weeks because of haemolytic anemia and one after 8 weeks due to persistent fever. Among 9 subjects completing the protocol, 5 normalized ALT while on treatment and a further 2 within two months after stopping IFN. A sustained response was obtained altogether in 5 patients, since ALT relapsed in 2 responders. None of the 3 subjects who discontinued IFN and of the 2 patients who did not respond to treatment normalized ALT over a 24 months follow-up. Post-treatment liver histology in long-term responders showed a reduction of portal, periportal and lobular necroinflammation, while siderosis was essentially unchanged. CONCLUSIONS Although the pattern of response to IFN in HCV-infected subjects with HBT might differ from that of non-thalassemics, due to peculiar side effects and delayed response, the drug appears to be effective and deserves further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Di Marco
- Istituto di Medicina Generale e Pneumologia, Università di Palermo, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Lissoni P, Mainini E, Rovelli F, Mazzi C, Ardizzoia A, Gelosa M, Capra M, Rivolta MR. A clinical study of the pineal hormone melatonin in patients with growth hormone or prolactin secreting pituitary tumours. Eur J Med 1992; 1:407-10. [PMID: 1341480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite the well documented influence of the pineal gland on pituitary function, the evaluation of pineal activity is not generally included in the clinical investigation of patients with pituitary tumours. The present study analyzed the circadian secretion of melatonin, the main pineal hormone, in patients with pituitary adenomas. METHODS The study included 36 patients with pituitary tumours (acromegaly: 11; prolactinoma: 25), by comparing the results with those seen in 42 healthy controls. Moreover, patients were endocrinologically investigated after oral administration of 10 mg of melatonin. RESULTS Abnormally high serum levels of melatonin during the period of maximum light and abnormally low increases during the night were seen in 7/36 and 16/36 patients, respectively, without any relation to tumour histotype. Moreover, night serum mean levels of melatonin were significantly lower in patients than in controls. Finally, the exogenous administration of melatonin did not influence growth hormone and prolactin secretions in patients with acromegaly and prolactinomas, respectively. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the existence of an altered pineal function in patients with pituitary tumours. Further studies will be required to establish the pathogenetic and prognostic significance of pineal disorders in neoplastic disease of the pituitary gland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Lissoni
- Division of Radiation Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Capra M, Houghton S, Hattie J. RNs' utilisation of research findings. AUST J ADV NURS 1992; 10:21-5. [PMID: 1340791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between methods of disseminating research findings and their subsequent utilisation. Results indicated that registered nurses with access to a summary of research findings were more likely to consider putting them into practice than their colleagues with no access to the research.
Collapse
|
47
|
Allegra A, Capra M, Cuccia L, Pulejo ML, Raineri L, Corselli F, Traina MC, Giannola C, La Grutta A. Hypogonadism in beta-thalassemic adolescents: a characteristic pituitary-gonadal impairment. The ineffectiveness of long-term iron chelation therapy. Gynecol Endocrinol 1990; 4:181-91. [PMID: 2126662 DOI: 10.3109/09513599009009805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The pituitary-gonadal function was studied in 18 beta-thalassemic female adolescents, 8 with delayed puberty and 10 with primary amenorrhea,treated with repeated transfusions and long-term iron chelation therapy by subcutaneous infusion. A 100 micrograms gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) test, a double-bolus GnRH test after estradiol administration in non-responders, a 400 micrograms thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test and a 'high dose' human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) test were performed. LH and FSH peak levels were significantly lower in thalassemic patients than in controls, both in the 100 micrograms GnRH test (LH was 4.3 +/- 0.7 mIU/ml vs 40.8 +/- 6.0 mIU/ml and FSH 3.3 +/- 0.5 mIU/ml vs 9.6 +/- 1.1 mIU/ml, respectively) and in the double-bolus GnRH test (LH was 2.3 +/- 0.2 mIU/ml vs 59.0 +/- 4.9 mIU/ml and FSH 1.8 +/- 0.3 mIU/ml vs 14.0 +/- 1.0 mIU/ml). The mean prolactin response to the TRH test was 27.8 +/- 3.2 ng/ml. After the 'high dose' hMG test 12 out of 14 admitted patients showed a poor response, lower than 250 pg/ml. Our data suggest that the hypogonadotropic condition of the thalassemic adolescents is due to pituitary hyporesponsiveness to GnRH and that most of these patients also have an impairment of ovarian function. Both conditions are a consequence of iron deposits in glands. Moreover, there is evidence that pituitary-gonadal function cannot be preserved by long-term iron chelation therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Allegra
- II Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ospedale Civico, Sicily, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
The prevalence and characteristics of polyneuropathy were assessed using standard clinical and electrophysiological criteria in 39 consecutive outpatients with primary hypothyroidism, 15 of whom were previously untreated. Subjective complaints, mainly paraesthesiae, were recorded from 25 cases (64%) and objective findings supporting a clinical diagnosis of polyneuropathy were present in 13 (33%). Using standard electrophysiological criteria, a definite diagnosis of polyneuropathy was made in 28 cases (72%). The commonest sites of abnormal nerve conduction were the sensory nerves, especially the sural nerve. Polyneuropathy was generally mild. None of the clinical and biochemical indicators of hypothyroidism were significantly correlated with the electrophysiological signs of peripheral nerve impairment or the diagnosis of polyneuropathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Beghi
- Neurological Clinic, General Hospital of Monza, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Pozzi M, Rivolta M, Gelosa M, Capra M, Poggioli G, Bernasconi A, Lomuscio G. Upper gastrointestinal involvement in diabetes mellitus: study of esophagogastric function. Acta Diabetol Lat 1988; 25:333-41. [PMID: 3245393 DOI: 10.1007/bf02581132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The aim of our study was to evaluate in 18 diabetic patients (11 with and 7 without evidence of autonomic neuropathy as revealed by common cardiovascular tests) alterations indicative of autonomic nervous involvement of the gastrointestinal tract, independently of the presence of suggestive symptoms. All patients, without evidence of obstructive or mucosal pathology of the upper gastrointestinal tract, underwent the following: 1) study of gastric emptying time of nonabsorbable radiopaque markers (90, 120, 150 and 210 min); 2) study of gastric acid secretion: basal (BAO) and peak (PAO) acid output after sham-feeding (PAOSF) and peak acid output after pentagastrin (PAOPENT).PAOSF/PAOPENT ratio is an index of vagal integrity; 3) esophageal manometry. Our data confirm that a delayed gastric emptying of undigestible solids is a frequent finding in diabetic subjects. This was highly significant (p less than 0.01) at 150 min after a standard meal, in patients with signs of autonomic neuropathy and was often associated with asymptomatic esophageal motor abnormalities. No correlation was found with index of vagal integrity, hormonal pattern and degree of glycemic control. Autonomic neuropathy cannot be considered the only explanation for gastric and esophageal abnormalities in decompensated diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Pozzi
- Divisione di Medicina I, Ospedale Multizonale S. Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Liotta A, Cassata N, Ferrara D, Capra M, Pinzone F. [Evaluation of somatomedin C and liver pathology in Cooley's disease]. Minerva Pediatr 1985; 37:583-6. [PMID: 4079878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|