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Sardella L, Merlo E, Casutt A. Endobronchial High-Grade Non-Hodgkin B-Cell Lymphoma Mimicking Small Cell Lung Cancer. Arch Bronconeumol 2024; 60:306-307. [PMID: 38461110 DOI: 10.1016/j.arbres.2024.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Sardella
- Division of Pulmonology, Ospedale Regionale di Bellinzona, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Elisabetta Merlo
- Institute of Pathology, Ospedale di Locarno, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Alessio Casutt
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland; Division of Pulmonology, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), and Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland.
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2
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Bendixen KK, Forsberg-Pho S, Dazio G, Hansen EE, Eriksen SK, Epistolio S, Merlo E, Boldorini R, Venesio T, Movilia A, Caprera C, Arnspang EC, Børgesen M, Christensen UB, Frattini M, Petersen RK. One-instrument, objective microsatellite instability analysis using high-resolution melt. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302274. [PMID: 38662796 PMCID: PMC11045061 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302274] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors have proved immense clinical progression in the treatment of certain cancers. The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors is correlated with mismatch repair system deficiency and is exceptionally administered based exclusively on this biological mechanism independent of the cancer type. The promising effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors has left an increasing demand for analytical tools evaluating the mismatch repair status. The analysis of microsatellite instability (MSI), reflecting an indirect but objective manner the inactivation of the mismatch repair system, plays several roles in clinical practice and, therefore, its evaluation is of high relevance. Analysis of MSI by PCR followed by fragment analysis on capillary electrophoresis remains the gold standard method for detection of a deficient mismatch repair system and thereby treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Novel technologies have been applied and concepts such as tumor mutation burden have been introduced. However, to date, most of these technologies require high costs or the need of matched non-tumor tissue as internal comparator. In this study, we present a novel, one-instrument, fast, and objective method for the detection of MSI (MicroSight® MSI 1-step HRM Analysis), which does not depend on the use of matched non-tumor tissue. The assay analyzes five well-described mononucleotide microsatellite sequences by real-time PCR followed by high-resolution melt and evaluates microsatellite length variations via PCR product melting profiles. The assay was evaluated using two different patient cohorts and evaluation included several DNA extraction methodologies, two different PCR platforms, and an inter-laboratory ring study. The MicroSight® MSI assay showed a high repeatability regardless of DNA extraction method and PCR platform, and a 100% agreement of the MSI status with PCR fragment analysis methods applied as clinical comparator.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giulia Dazio
- Institute of Pathology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Locarno, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Samantha Epistolio
- Institute of Pathology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Elisabetta Merlo
- Institute of Pathology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Renzo Boldorini
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Tiziana Venesio
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, Fondazione del Piemonte per l’Oncologia, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Movilia
- Hospital of Legnano, SS Biologia Molecolare, UO Anatomia Patologica, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Ovest Milanese, Ospedale di Legnano, Legnano, Italy
| | - Cecilia Caprera
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Predictive Medicine, Pathology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria di Terni, Terni, Italy
| | - Eva Christensen Arnspang
- Department of Green Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | - Milo Frattini
- Institute of Pathology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Locarno, Switzerland
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3
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Pierannunzio D, Maraschini A, Lopez T, Donati S, Amodio R, Bianconi F, Bruni R, Castaing M, Cirilli C, Fantaci G, Guarda L, Iacovacci S, Mangone L, Mazzoleni G, Mazzucco W, Melcarne A, Merlo E, Parazzini F, Peccatori FA, Rugge M, Sampietro G, Scambia G, Scarfone G, Sferrazza A, Stracci F, Torrisi A, Vitale MF, Francisci S. Cancer and Pregnancy: Estimates in Italy from Record-Linkage Procedures between Cancer Registries and the Hospital Discharge Database. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4305. [PMID: 37686581 PMCID: PMC10486505 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to describe the frequency and trend of pregnancy-associated cancer (PAC) in Italy, an increasingly relevant phenomenon due to postponing age at childbirth. To this purpose, a population-based retrospective longitudinal study design based on cohorts of women aged 15-49 diagnosed with cancer and concomitant pregnancy is proposed. The study uses 19 population-based Cancer Registries, covering about 22% of Italy, and linked at an individual level with Hospital Discharge Records. A total of 2,861,437 pregnancies and 3559 PAC are identified from 74,165 women of the cohort with a rate of 1.24 PAC per 1000 pregnancies. The most frequent cancer site is breast (24.3%), followed by thyroid (23.9%) and melanoma (14.3%). The most frequent outcome is delivery (53.1%), followed by voluntary termination of pregnancy and spontaneous abortion (both 12.0%). The trend of PAC increased from 2003 to 2015, especially when the outcome is delivery, thus confirming a new attitude of clinicians to manage cancer throughout pregnancy. This represents the first attempt in Italy to describe PAC from Cancer Registries data; the methodology is applicable to other areas with the same data availability. Evidence from this study is addressed to clinicians for improving clinical management of women with PAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Pierannunzio
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, 00162 Rome, Italy
| | - Alice Maraschini
- Technical-Scientific Statistical Service, Italian National Institute of Health, 00162 Rome, Italy
| | - Tania Lopez
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, 00162 Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Donati
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, 00162 Rome, Italy
| | - Rosalba Amodio
- Clinical Epidemiology and Cancer Registry Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico (AOUP), 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | | | - Marine Castaing
- Siracusa Cancer Registry, Health Unit of Siracusa, 96100 Siracusa, Italy
| | - Claudia Cirilli
- Dipartimento di Epidemiologia e Comunicazione del Rischio, AUSL di Modena, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | | | - Linda Guarda
- SC Osservatorio Epidemiologico ATS Valpadana, 46100 Mantova, Italy
| | - Silvia Iacovacci
- RT LT, Dipartimento di Prevenzione ASL Latina, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Lucia Mangone
- European Epidemiology Unit, Gynecologic Oncology Department, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Walter Mazzucco
- Clinical Epidemiology and Cancer Registry Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico (AOUP), 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Merlo
- UOC Epidemiologia, Agenzia per la Tutela della Salute (ATS) della Brianza, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Fabio Parazzini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e di Comunità, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Rugge
- Surgical Pathology & Cytopathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
- Veneto Tumor Registry (RTV), Veneto Regional Authority, 35132 Padova, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Scambia
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica Roma, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Giovanna Scarfone
- Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Ausilia Sferrazza
- ASP Ragusa-Dipartimento Medico di Prevenzione, UOSD Registro Tumori, 97100 Ragusa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Stracci
- Associazione Nazionale dei Registri Tumori—AIRTUM—Public Health Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonina Torrisi
- Registro Tumori Integrato, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico “G. Rodolico—San Marco”, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Francisci
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, 00162 Rome, Italy
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Sørensen AL, Guldmann-Christensen M, Børgesen M, Petersen RK, Flugt K, Duelund JMH, Kyneb MH, Lorenzen J, Pipó-Ollé E, Epistolio S, Riva A, Dazio G, Merlo E, Meyer T, Christensen UB, Frattini M. Detection of BRAF mutations in malignant melanoma and colorectal cancer by SensiScreen® FFPE BRAF qPCR assay. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281558. [PMID: 36758042 PMCID: PMC9910728 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in BRAF exon 15 lead to conformational changes in its activation loops, resulting in constitutively active BRAF proteins which are implicated in the development of several human cancer types. Different BRAF inhibitors have been developed and introduced in clinical practice. Identification of BRAF mutations influences the clinical evaluation, treatment, progression and for that reason a sensitive and specific identification of BRAF mutations is on request from the clinic. Here we present the SensiScreen® FFPE BRAF qPCR Assay that uses a novel real-time PCR-based method for BRAF mutation detection based on PentaBases proprietary DNA analogue technology designed to work on standard real-time PCR instruments. The SensiScreen® FFPE BRAF qPCR Assay displays high sensitivity, specificity, fast and easy-to-use. The SensiScreen® FFPE BRAF qPCR Assay was validated on two different FFPE tumour biopsy cohorts, one cohort included malignant melanoma patients previously analyzed by the Cobas® 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test, and one cohort from colorectal cancer patients previously analyzed by mutant-enriched PCR and direct sequencing. All BRAF mutant malignant melanoma patients were confirmed with the SensiScreen® FFPE BRAF qPCR Assay and additional four new mutations in the malignant melanoma cohort were identified. All the previously identified BRAF mutations in the colorectal cancer patients were confirmed, and additional three new mutations not identified with direct sequencing were detected. Also, one new BRAF mutation not previously identified with ME-PCR was found. Furthermore, the SensiScreen® FFPE BRAF qPCR Assay identified the specific change in the amino acid. The SensiScreen® FFPE BRAF qPCR Assay will contribute to a more specific, time and cost saving approach to better identify and characterize mutations in patients affected by cancer, and consequently permits a better BRAF characterization that is fundamental for therapy decision.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Samantha Epistolio
- Institute of Pathology EOC, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Alice Riva
- Institute of Pathology EOC, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Dazio
- Institute of Pathology EOC, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Elisabetta Merlo
- Institute of Pathology EOC, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Tine Meyer
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Research and Development, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Milo Frattini
- Institute of Pathology EOC, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Locarno, Switzerland
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5
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Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli B, Stirnimann G, Mertens J, Semela D, Zen Y, Mazzucchelli L, Voreck A, Kolbus N, Merlo E, Di Bartolomeo C, Messina P, Cerny A, Costantini S, Vergani D, Mieli-Vergani G. Primary biliary cholangitis with normal alkaline phosphatase: A neglected clinical entity challenging current guidelines. J Autoimmun 2020; 116:102578. [PMID: 33229138 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIM The diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), an uncommon immune-mediated cholestatic liver disease, is based on positive circulating anti-mitochondrial (AMA) and/or PBC-specific anti-nuclear autoantibodies (ANA), coupled with elevated serum alkaline phopsphatase (ALP) levels. Timely initiation of treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid prevents progression to cirrhosis and liver failure. We aimed at investigating liver histology in patients with normal ALP level and positive AMA and/or PBC-specific ANA. METHODS We searched the Swiss PBC Cohort Study database, which includes subjects with positive PBC autoimmune serology and normal ALP levels, for patients who underwent a liver biopsy. Histological slides were centrally reviewed by an expert liver pathologist, and sera were centrally re-tested for AMA and ANA. RESULTS 30 patients were included; 90% females, median age 53 (range 27-72) years. Twenty-four (80%) had liver histology typical for (n = 2), consistent with (n = 16) or suggestive of (n = 6) PBC, including three of four AMA-negative ANA-positive patients. Among 22 ursodeoxycholic acid treated patients, 14 had elevated GGT levels before treatment; a significant decrease of the median GGT level between pre- (1.46 x ULN) and post- (0.43 x ULN) treatment (p = 0.0018) was observed. CONCLUSIONS In our series, a high proportion of AMA positive patients with normal ALP levels have PBC. For the first time we show histological diagnosis of PBC in AMA-negative/PBC-specific ANA-positive subjects and the potential role of GGT as a biomarker in PBC patients with normal baseline ALP levels. Current guidelines for the diagnosis of PBC do not cover the whole extent of PBC presentation, with important clinical implications in terms of timely treatment initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guido Stirnimann
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Mertens
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David Semela
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Yoh Zen
- Institute of Liver Studies, MowatLabs, King's College London Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Andreas Cerny
- Epatocentro Ticino, Via Soldino 5, 6900, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Costantini
- Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Diego Vergani
- Institute of Liver Studies, MowatLabs, King's College London Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Giorgina Mieli-Vergani
- Paediatric Liver, GI and Nutrition Centre, MowatLabs, King's College London Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
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6
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Merlo E, Perugini M. The Determinants of the Emergence of Turin as the First Capital of Italian Fashion Industry (1900–1960). Fashion Theory 2020; 24:325-348. [DOI: 10.1080/1362704x.2020.1732014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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7
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Trimboli P, Fulciniti F, Paone G, Barizzi J, Piccardo A, Merlo E, Mazzucchelli L, Giovanella L. Risk of Malignancy (ROM) of Thyroid FNA Diagnosed as Suspicious for Malignancy or Malignant: an Institutional Experience with Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Literature. Endocr Pathol 2020; 31:52-56. [PMID: 31898282 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-019-09602-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A universal recommendation does not exist for thyroid FNA suspicious for malignancy (SFM). In this context, the guidelines have estimated a risk of malignancy (ROM) from 50 to 80% and both total thyroidectomy and lobectomy may be indicated. This study aimed to (1) retrospectively evaluate the SFM (i.e., TIR4) in a single institution to estimate their cancer prevalence at histology, and (2) systematic review the literature to obtain more robust information. The study period was 2015-2018. As a major inclusion criterion, both cytology and histology had to be performed in our institution. Histological diagnosis was the gold standard. For the systematic review, the online databases of Google Scholar, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus were searched for papers using the same classification for thyroid FNA. A proportion meta-analysis was performed to obtain the pooled histological cancer rate among TIR4 and TIR5 (random-effects model). In the institutional database, there were 271 nodules with both histology and FNA and the cancer rate of TIR4 was 88.9%. By systematic review, five studies were selected for the meta-analysis. The pooled cancer rate was 85% in TIR4 and 99% in TIR5 (I2 = 0%; no publication bias). In conclusion, these new findings should prompt the guidelines board to fully revise the estimated ROM of SFM category. Clinical thyroidologists and thyroid surgeons should be aware of these data and the patients with SFM should be informed of their ROM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
| | - Franco Fulciniti
- Clinical Cytopathology Service and Pathology Institute of Locarno, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Gaetano Paone
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Barizzi
- Clinical Cytopathology Service and Pathology Institute of Locarno, Locarno, Switzerland
| | | | - Elisabetta Merlo
- Clinical Cytopathology Service and Pathology Institute of Locarno, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Luca Mazzucchelli
- Clinical Cytopathology Service and Pathology Institute of Locarno, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Luca Giovanella
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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8
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Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli B, Thompson R, Foskett P, Cerny A, Merlo E, Vergani D, Rougemont AL, Moix I, Mieli-Vergani G, Morris M. A Heterozygous ABCB4, RUNDC3B, and ABCB1 Deletion Associated With Severe Cholestatic Liver Disease in Adulthood. Hepatology 2019; 70:1484-1487. [PMID: 31127640 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli
- Epatocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland.,Institute of Liver Studies, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Thompson
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pierre Foskett
- Institute of Liver Studies, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Diego Vergani
- Institute of Liver Studies, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anne-Laure Rougemont
- Division of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Giorgina Mieli-Vergani
- Pediatric Liver, GI and Nutrition Center, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Pereira CLV, Ximenes CF, Merlo E, Sciortino AS, Monteiro JS, Moreira A, Jacobsen BB, Graceli JB, Ginsburg KS, Ribeiro Junior RF, Bers DM, Stefanon I. Cardiotoxicity of environmental contaminant tributyltin involves myocyte oxidative stress and abnormal Ca 2+ handling. Environ Pollut 2019; 247:371-382. [PMID: 30690233 PMCID: PMC7724993 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.01.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Tributyltin (TBT) is an organotin environmental pollutant widely used as an agricultural and wood biocide and in antifouling paints. Countries began restricting TBT use in the 2000s, but their use continues in some agroindustrial processes. We studied the acute effect of TBT on cardiac function by analyzing myocardial contractility and Ca2+ handling. Cardiac contractility was evaluated in isolated papillary muscle and whole heart upon TBT exposure. Isolated ventricular myocytes were used to measure calcium (Ca2+) transients, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content and SR Ca2+ leak (as Ca2+ sparks). Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as superoxide anion (O2•-) was detected at intracellular and mitochondrial myocardium. TBT depressed cardiac contractility and relaxation in papillary muscle and intact whole heart. TBT increased cytosolic, mitochondrial ROS production and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. In isolated cardiomyocytes TBT decreased both Ca2+ transients and SR Ca2+ content and increased diastolic SR Ca2+ leak. Decay of twitch and caffeine-induced Ca2+ transients were slowed by the presence of TBT. Dantrolene prevented and Tiron limited the reduction in SR Ca2+ content and transients. The environmental contaminant TBT causes cardiotoxicity within minutes, and may be considered hazardous to the mammalian heart. TBT acutely induced a negative inotropic effect in isolated papillary muscle and whole heart, increased arrhythmogenic SR Ca2+ leak leading to reduced SR Ca2+ content and reduced Ca2+ transients. TBT-induced myocardial ROS production, may destabilize the SR Ca2+ release channel RyR2 and reduce SR Ca2+ pump activity as key factors in the TBT-induced negative inotropic and lusitropic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L V Pereira
- Department of Physiology, Federal University of Espírito Santo- UFES, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - C F Ximenes
- Department of Physiology, Federal University of Espírito Santo- UFES, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - E Merlo
- Department of Physiology, Federal University of Espírito Santo- UFES, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - A S Sciortino
- Department of Physiology, Federal University of Espírito Santo- UFES, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - J S Monteiro
- Department of Physiology, Federal University of Espírito Santo- UFES, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - A Moreira
- Department of Physiology, Federal University of Espírito Santo- UFES, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - B B Jacobsen
- Department of Physiology, Federal University of Espírito Santo- UFES, Espírito Santo, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - J B Graceli
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Espírito Santo-UFES, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - K S Ginsburg
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - R F Ribeiro Junior
- Department of Physiology, Federal University of Espírito Santo- UFES, Espírito Santo, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - D M Bers
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - I Stefanon
- Department of Physiology, Federal University of Espírito Santo- UFES, Espírito Santo, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, USA.
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10
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Forcella M, Mozzi A, Stefanini FM, Riva A, Epistolio S, Molinari F, Merlo E, Monti E, Fusi P, Frattini M. Deregulation of sialidases in human normal and tumor tissues. Cancer Biomark 2018; 21:591-601. [PMID: 29278877 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-170548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant sialylation is a characteristic feature associated with cancer. The four types of mammalian sialidases identified to date have been shown to behave in different manners during carcinogenesis. While NEU1, NEU2 and NEU4 have been observed to oppose malignant phenotypes, the membrane-bound sialidase NEU3 was revealed to promote cancer progression. OBJECTIVES With the aim of improving the knowledge about sialidases deregulation in various cancer types, we investigated the amount of NEU1, NEU3 and NEU4 transcripts in paired normal and tumor tissues from 170 patients with 11 cancer types. METHODS mRNA was extracted from patients' tissue specimens and retrotranscribed into cDNA, which was quantified by Real-Time PCR. RESULTS We found NEU1 and NEU3 to be up regulated, while NEU4 was down regulated in most cancer types. In particular, colorectal cancer tissues showed the highest increase in NEU3 expression. Both NEU1 and NEU3 showed a strong up-regulation in ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that human sialidases are expressed at different levels in healthy tissues and are strongly deregulated in tumors. Moreover, sialidases expression in our European cohort showed significant differences from Asian populations. Some of these peculiar features open potential applications of sialidases in cancer diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Forcella
- Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Mozzi
- Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico M Stefanini
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alice Riva
- Institute of Pathology, Locarno, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Eugenio Monti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paola Fusi
- Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Milo Frattini
- Institute of Pathology, Locarno, Switzerland.,Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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11
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Abstract
The revised Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology (ICCRTC) was published in 2014. Very recently, a high reliability of ICCRTC in classifying low and high risk indeterminate nodules (Tir 3A and Tir 3B, respectively) was demonstrated. This finding prompted us to review our case series of thyroid indeterminate lesions to verify these data. Only lesions undergone FNAC from December 2014 to October 2017 with subsequent histology at our institutions were eligible for the study. All cytologic samples had originally been classified according to ICCRTC in the subcategories of indeterminate lesion, such as Tir 3A and Tir 3B by three cytopathologists and another one with more than 10 years experience, when necessary. Sixty-three indeterminate FNAC were diagnosed during the study period, of which 51 were subsequently surgically treated. Overall, 9 carcinomas (7 follicular and 2 papillary) and 42 benign lesions were found at histology. The cancer rate observed in the Tir 3A category (3/40, 7.5%) was significantly (p = 0.0015) lower than that found in Tir 3B (6/11, 54.5%). No significant differences were found in age and size of the sampled nodules between the two subcategories. We can confirm in our series that the Italian reporting system for thyroid cytology shows high reliability in discriminating low risk indeterminate lesions from those at high risk of malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Via Ospedale 12, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
| | - Franco Fulciniti
- Clinical Cytopathology Service and Pathology Institute of Locarno, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Elisabetta Merlo
- Clinical Cytopathology Service and Pathology Institute of Locarno, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Barizzi
- Clinical Cytopathology Service and Pathology Institute of Locarno, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Luca Mazzucchelli
- Clinical Cytopathology Service and Pathology Institute of Locarno, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Luca Giovanella
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Via Ospedale 12, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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12
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Dodero D, Frascani F, Angelucci M, Bernabei G, Merlo E, Locatelli F, Murina F. Solid State Vaginal Laser for the Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A Preliminary Report. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.4236/ojog.2018.82015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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13
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Barizzi J, Merlo E, Schönegg R, Pelloni R, Mazzuchelli L, Fulciniti F. Pure intraductal carcinoma of the parotid gland: Cytologic findings on FNA sample. Report of one case. Diagn Cytopathol 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/dc.23770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Barizzi
- Service of Clinical Cytopathology, Istituto Cantonale di Patologia; Locarno Switzerland
| | - Elisabetta Merlo
- Service of Clinical Cytopathology, Istituto Cantonale di Patologia; Locarno Switzerland
| | - Rene Schönegg
- Institute fur Pathologie, Cytopathology Service; Arau Switzerland
| | | | - Luca Mazzuchelli
- Service of Clinical Cytopathology, Istituto Cantonale di Patologia; Locarno Switzerland
| | - Franco Fulciniti
- Service of Clinical Cytopathology, Istituto Cantonale di Patologia; Locarno Switzerland
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14
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Riva A, BØrgesen M, Guldmann-Christensen M, Hauge Kyneb M, Voogd K, Andersen C, Epistolio S, Merlo E, Yding Wolff T, Hamilton-Dutoit S, Lorenzen J, Christensen UB, Frattini M. SensiScreen®KRAS exon 2-sensitive simplex and multiplex real-time PCR-based assays for detection of KRAS exon 2 mutations. PLoS One 2017. [PMID: 28636636 PMCID: PMC5479524 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating mutations in codon 12 and codon 13 of the KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) gene are implicated in the development of several human cancer types and influence their clinical evaluation, treatment and prognosis. Numerous different methods for KRAS genotyping are currently available displaying a wide range of sensitivities, time to answer and requirements for laboratory equipment and user skills. Here we present SensiScreen® KRAS exon 2 simplex and multiplex CE IVD assays, that use a novel real-time PCR-based method for KRAS mutation detection based on PentaBase's proprietary DNA analogue technology and designed to work on standard real-time PCR instruments. By means of the included BaseBlocker™ technology, we show that SensiScreen® specifically amplifies the mutated alleles of interest with no or highly subdued amplification of the wild type allele. Furthermore, serial dilutions of mutant DNA in a wild type background demonstrate that all SensiScreen® assays display a limit of detection that falls within the range of 0.25-1%. Finally, in three different colorectal cancer patient populations, SensiScreen® assays confirmed the KRAS genotype previously determined by commonly used methods for KRAS mutation testing, and notably, in two of the populations, SensiScreen® identified additional mutant positive cases not detected by common methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Riva
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Locarno, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Kirsten Voogd
- Laboratory of Research and Development, Department of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Samantha Epistolio
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Elisabetta Merlo
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Tine Yding Wolff
- Life Science Division, Danish Technological Institute, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Stephen Hamilton-Dutoit
- Laboratory of Research and Development, Department of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jan Lorenzen
- Life Science Division, Danish Technological Institute, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Milo Frattini
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Locarno, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (UBC); (MF)
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15
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Moreira X, Abdala-Roberts L, Zas R, Merlo E, Lombardero MJ, Sampedro L, Mooney KA. Masting behaviour in a Mediterranean pine tree alters seed predator selection on reproductive output. Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2016; 18:973-980. [PMID: 27500664 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Context-dependency in species interactions is widespread and can produce concomitant patterns of context-dependent selection. Masting (synchronous production of large seed crops at irregular intervals by a plant population) has been shown to reduce seed predation through satiation (reduction in rates of seed predation with increasing seed cone output) and thus represents an important source of context-dependency in plant-animal interactions. However, the evolutionary consequences of such dynamics are not well understood. Here we describe masting behaviour in a Mediterranean model pine species (Pinus pinaster) and present a test of the effects of masting on selection by seed predators on reproductive output. We predicted that masting, by enhancing seed predator satiation, could in turn strengthen positive selection by seed predators for larger cone output. For this we collected six-year data (spanning one mast year and five non-mast years) on seed cone production and seed cone predation rates in a forest genetic trial composed by 116 P. pinaster genotypes. Following our prediction, we found stronger seed predator satiation during the masting year, which in turn led to stronger seed predator selection for increased cone production relative to non-masting years. These findings provide evidence that masting can alter the evolutionary outcome of plant-seed predator interactions. More broadly, our findings highlight that changes in consumer responses to resource abundance represent a widespread mechanism for predicting and understanding context dependency in plant-consumer evolutionary dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Moreira
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Pontevedra, Spain.
| | - L Abdala-Roberts
- Departamento de Ecología Tropical, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autόnoma de Yucatán, Mérida, México
| | - R Zas
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Pontevedra, Spain
| | - E Merlo
- Madera Plus Company, Ourense, Spain
| | - M J Lombardero
- Departamento de Producción Vegetal, Universidad de Santiago, Lugo, Spain
| | - L Sampedro
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Pontevedra, Spain
| | - K A Mooney
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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16
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Veronese F, Celasco M, Meli F, Zavattaro E, Ramponi A, Merlo E, Colombo E. Tief penetrierender Nävus an der Fußsohle: Fallbericht und dermatoskopische Merkmale. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2016; 14:516-8. [PMID: 27119477 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.12718_g] [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: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Veronese
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità -Hospital, Novara, Italien
| | - Melissa Celasco
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità -Hospital, Novara, Italien
| | - Francesca Meli
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità -Hospital, Novara, Italien
| | - Elisa Zavattaro
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità -Hospital, Novara, Italien
| | - Antonio Ramponi
- Pathology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità -Hospital, Novara, Italien
| | - Elisabetta Merlo
- Pathology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità -Hospital, Novara, Italien
| | - Enrico Colombo
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità -Hospital, Novara, Italien
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17
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Barizzi J, Merlo E, Grassi P, Togni B, Bruderer V, Müller F, Fulciniti F. Vaginal colonisation by Mucor circinelloides. Case report with cytopathology, molecular sequencing and epidemiology. Cytopathology 2016; 27:491-494. [PMID: 27000466 DOI: 10.1111/cyt.12327] [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] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Barizzi
- Laboratorio di Citopatologia Clinica, Istituto Cantonale di Patologia, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - E Merlo
- Laboratorio di Citopatologia Clinica, Istituto Cantonale di Patologia, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - P Grassi
- Laboratorio di Citopatologia Clinica, Istituto Cantonale di Patologia, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - B Togni
- Laboratorio di Citopatologia Clinica, Istituto Cantonale di Patologia, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - V Bruderer
- Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Universität Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - F Müller
- Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Universität Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - F Fulciniti
- Laboratorio di Citopatologia Clinica, Istituto Cantonale di Patologia, Locarno, Switzerland
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18
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Veronese F, Celasco M, Meli F, Zavattaro E, Ramponi A, Merlo E, Colombo E. Deep penetrating nevus of the plantar surface: report of a case with dermatoscopic features. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2016; 14:517-8. [PMID: 26861411 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.12718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Veronese
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Melissa Celasco
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Francesca Meli
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Elisa Zavattaro
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Antonio Ramponi
- Pathology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Merlo
- Pathology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Enrico Colombo
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
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19
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Bongiovanni M, Molinari F, Eszlinger M, Paschke R, Barizzi J, Merlo E, Giovanella L, Fasolini F, Cattaneo F, Ramelli F, Mazzucchelli L, Frattini M. Laser capture microdissection is a valuable tool in the preoperative molecular screening of follicular lesions of the thyroid: an institutional experience. Cytopathology 2014; 26:288-96. [PMID: 25487739 DOI: 10.1111/cyt.12226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The application of molecular tests to thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) has been shown to be a valuable tool to better refine the pre-operative malignant risk of patients with indeterminate cytology results. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using the laser capture microdissection (LCM) technique to obtain DNA and RNA for molecular tests in routine thyroid FNA smears. METHODS Nine coupled FNA and histological retrospective cases and 31 prospective FNA cases with a follicular neoplasm/suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN) diagnosis were included in this study. Both cytological and histological specimens were investigated by direct sequencing and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for BRAF and RAS mutations and for PAX8/PPARG and RET/PTC rearrangements, respectively. RESULTS LCM yielded good DNA and RNA quality in all cases (100%) in both series, irrespective of the staining used (Giemsa, Papanicolaou, immunostain for thyroglobulin) and the cytology technique (conventional or liquid-based preparations). Total mutations found in the FNA and in the corresponding histological specimen in both series were: one PAX8/PPARG rearrangement in a follicular carcinoma (FC), four NRAS mutations [in two FCs, one papillary carcinoma and one follicular adenoma (FA)] and one HRAS mutation in one FA. The sensitivity was 67% and the specificity was 91%. CONCLUSIONS LCM is a valuable tool to obtain good quality DNA and RNA for molecular tests in cytological material from thyroid FNA, and can be a useful option in the management of patients with an FN/SFN FNA diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - F Molinari
- Institute of Pathology, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - M Eszlinger
- Division of Endocrinology and Nephrology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - R Paschke
- Division of Endocrinology and Nephrology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - J Barizzi
- Institute of Pathology, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - E Merlo
- Institute of Pathology, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - L Giovanella
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - F Fasolini
- Department of Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Mendrisio, Switzerland
| | - F Cattaneo
- Private Practice Endocrinologist, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - F Ramelli
- Private Practice Endocrinologist, Locarno, Switzerland
| | | | - M Frattini
- Institute of Pathology, Locarno, Switzerland
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20
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Treglia G, Ceriani L, Merlo E, Ruberto T, Paone G, Giovanella L. Added value of fused somatostatin receptor imaging/magnetic resonance imaging in a rare case of paraganglioma of the urinary bladder. Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.remnie.2014.02.009] [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: 11/28/2022]
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21
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Arenas IA, Tremblay J, Deslauriers B, Sandoval J, Šeda O, Gaudet D, Merlo E, Kotchen T, Cowley AW, Hamet P. Dynamic genetic linkage of intermediate blood pressure phenotypes during postural adaptations in a founder population. Physiol Genomics 2012; 45:138-50. [PMID: 23269701 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00037.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood pressure (BP) is a dynamic phenotype that varies rapidly to adjust to changing environmental conditions. Standing upright is a recent evolutionary trait, and genetic factors that influence postural adaptations may contribute to BP variability. We studied the effect of posture on the genetics of BP and intermediate BP phenotypes. We included 384 sib-pairs in 64 sib-ships from families ascertained by early-onset hypertension and dyslipidemia. Blood pressure, three hemodynamic and seven neuroendocrine intermediate BP phenotypes were measured with subjects lying supine and standing upright. The effect of posture on estimates of heritability and genetic covariance was investigated in full pedigrees. Linkage was conducted on 196 candidate genes by sib-pair analyses, and empirical estimates of significance were obtained. A permutation algorithm was implemented to study the postural effect on linkage. ADRA1A, APO, CAST, CORIN, CRHR1, EDNRB, FGF2, GC, GJA1, KCNB2, MMP3, NPY, NR3C2, PLN, TGFBR2, TNFRSF6, and TRHR showed evidence of linkage with any phenotype in the supine position and not upon standing, whereas AKR1B1, CD36, EDNRA, F5, MMP9, PKD2, PON1, PPARG, PPARGC1A, PRKCA, and RET were specifically linked to standing phenotypes. Genetic profiling was undertaken to show genetic interactions among intermediate BP phenotypes and genes specific to each posture. When investigators perform genetic studies exclusively on a single posture, important genetic components of BP are missed. Supine and standing BPs have distinct genetic signatures. Standardized maneuvers influence the results of genetic investigations into BP, thus reflecting its dynamic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- I A Arenas
- Centre de recherche, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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22
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Secco GG, Bortnik M, Occhetta E, Dell’Era G, Merlo E, De Luca G, Marino PN. An unusual case of ECG ST-segment elevation. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2012; 13:289-91. [DOI: 10.2459/jcm.0b013e32834264a9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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23
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Imenpour H, Castagnola M, De Silva G, Zupo S, Truini M, Merlo E, Anselmi L. Incidental finding of peripheral B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lymphocytic/CLL type, of the gallbladder in a patient with chronic cholecystitis. Pathologica 2011; 103:307-310. [PMID: 22393688] [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: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Although lymphoma involvement of the gallbladder, especially by MALT and large-cell types, is rare, this possibility should be considered in patients with symptoms of acute cholecystitis. A cholecystectomy was performed in a 79-year-old male patient with a clinical diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis. Histologically, the specimen showed an incidental finding of a small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL) by morphologic and immunophenotyping studies, subsequently confirmed with flow cytometric analysis of blood. During follow-up, multiple lymph node enlargement was detected. An axillary node, excised and submitted to our department, was positive for lymphoma involvement. The bone marrow was negative.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Cholecystitis/complications
- Cholecystitis/pathology
- Cholecystitis/surgery
- Chronic Disease
- Gallbladder Neoplasms/metabolism
- Gallbladder Neoplasms/pathology
- Gallbladder Neoplasms/surgery
- Humans
- Immunophenotyping
- Incidental Findings
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/surgery
- Lymph Nodes/pathology
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/metabolism
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/pathology
- Lymphoma, B-Cell/surgery
- Male
- Neoplasms, Multiple Primary
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Affiliation(s)
- H Imenpour
- U.O. Anatomy, Pathological Histology and Cytodiagnostic Department, Padre Antero Micone Hospital, Genova, Italy.
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24
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Mesin L, Merlo E, Merletti R, Orizio C. Investigation of motor unit recruitment during stimulated contractions of tibialis anterior muscle. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2009; 20:580-9. [PMID: 20044273 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2009.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2009] [Revised: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 11/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This work investigated motor unit (MU) recruitment during transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle, using experimental and simulated data. Surface electromyogram (EMG) and torque were measured during electrically-elicited contractions at different current intensities, on eight healthy subjects. EMG detected during stimulation (M-wave) was simulated selecting the elicited MUs on the basis of: (a) the simulated current density distribution in the territory of each MU and (b) the excitation threshold characteristic of the MU. Exerted force was simulated by adding the contribution of each of the elicited MUs. The effects of different fat layer thickness (between 2 and 8mm), different distributions of excitation thresholds (random excitation threshold, higher threshold for larger MUs or smaller MUs), and different MU distributions within the muscle (random distribution, larger MU deeper in the muscle, smaller MU deeper) on EMG variables and torque were tested. Increase of the current intensity led to a first rapid increase of experimental M-wave amplitude, followed by a plateau. Further increases of the stimulation current determined an increase of the exerted force, without relevant changes of the M-wave. Similar results were obtained in simulations. Rate of change of conduction velocity (CV) and leading coefficient of the second order polynomial interpolating the force vs. stimulation level curve were estimated as a function of increasing current amplitudes. Experimental data showed an increase of estimated CV with increasing levels of the stimulation current (for all subjects) and a positive leading coefficient of force vs. stimulation current curve (for five of eight subjects). Simulations matched the experimental results only when larger MUs were preferably located deeper in the TA muscle (in line with a histochemical study). Marginal effect of MU excitation thresholds was observed, suggesting that MUs closer to the stimulation electrode are recruited first during TES regardless of their excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Mesin
- Laboratorio di Ingegneria del Sistema Neuromuscolare e della Riabilitazione Motoria (LISiN), Dipartimento di Elettronica, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
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25
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Farinelli P, Gattoni M, Delrosso G, Boggio P, Raselli B, Merlo E, Valente G, Colombo E. Eosinophilic granules in subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn: what do they mean? J Cutan Pathol 2009; 35:1073-4. [PMID: 18976400 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2007.00975.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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26
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Merlo E, Romano A. Long-term memory consolidation depends on proteasome activity in the crab Chasmagnathus. Neuroscience 2007; 147:46-52. [PMID: 17521826 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2006] [Revised: 04/11/2007] [Accepted: 04/12/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Long-term memory formation depends on protein and mRNA synthesis that subserves synaptic reorganization. The removal of pre-existing inhibitory proteins by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is proposed as a crucial step to support these modifications. The activation of the constitutive transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) depends on the degradation of the inhibitor of NF-kappaB (IkappaB) by the UPS. Here we study the effect of a UPS inhibitor, MG132, on long-term memory consolidation and NF-kappaB activation in the learning paradigm of the crab Chasmagnathus, a model in which this transcription factor plays a key role. Here we found that administration of MG132 interferes with long-term memory but not with short-term memory, and no facilitatory effects were found. Then we studied the effect of the UPS inhibitor on NF-kappaB pathway, finding that MG132 blocks the activation of NF-kappaB induced by training. These results suggest that the UPS is necessary for long-term memory consolidation, allowing for the activation of NF-kappaB as one of the target molecular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Merlo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología de la Memoria, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular,Universidad de Buenos Aires, IFIByNE, CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, PAb. II, 2do piso (1428EHA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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27
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Castroflorio T, Icardi K, Becchino B, Merlo E, Debernardi C, Bracco P, Farina D. Reproducibility of surface EMG variables in isometric sub-maximal contractions of jaw elevator muscles. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2006; 16:498-505. [PMID: 16291500 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2005.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2004] [Revised: 07/27/2005] [Accepted: 08/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The aims of this study were: (1) to develop and assess reproducibility of a new method for measuring masticatory force in the intercuspal position; (2) to test the reproducibility of surface EMG signal amplitude and spectral variables in constant force contractions of jaw elevator muscles and its dependency on inter-electrode distance. The study was performed on the masseter and temporalis anterior muscles of both sides of nine healthy volunteers. An intraoral compressive-force sensor was used to measure maximal voluntary contraction forces in the intercuspal position and to provide a visual feedback on sub-maximal forces to the subject. Three experimental sessions were performed in three days. In each session, three isometric contractions at 80% of the maximal force were sustained by the subjects for 30s. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) of the maximal force measure was 71.9%. ICC of average rectified value and mean power spectral frequency of the EMG signal increased with inter-electrode distance, with values larger than 70% with 30 mm inter-electrode distance. It was concluded that surface EMG variables measured in isometric contractions of the jaw elevator muscles with the proposed force recording system show good reproducibility for clinical applications when a 30 mm inter-electrode distance is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Castroflorio
- Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana, Scuola di Specializzazione in Ortognatodonzia, Corso A.M. Dogliotti 14, Torino 10126, Italy.
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Hamet P, Merlo E, Seda O, Broeckel U, Tremblay J, Kaldunski M, Gaudet D, Bouchard G, Deslauriers B, Gagnon F, Antoniol G, Pausová Z, Labuda M, Jomphe M, Gossard F, Tremblay G, Kirova R, Tonellato P, Orlov SN, Pintos J, Platko J, Hudson TJ, Rioux JD, Kotchen TA, Cowley AW. Quantitative founder-effect analysis of French Canadian families identifies specific loci contributing to metabolic phenotypes of hypertension. Am J Hum Genet 2005; 76:815-32. [PMID: 15800845 PMCID: PMC1199371 DOI: 10.1086/430133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2004] [Accepted: 03/04/2005] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Saguenay-Lac St-Jean population of Quebec is relatively isolated and has genealogical records dating to the 17th-century French founders. In 120 extended families with at least one sib pair affected with early-onset hypertension and/or dyslipidemia, we analyzed the genetic determinants of hypertension and related cardiovascular and metabolic conditions. Variance-components linkage analysis revealed 46 loci after 100,000 permutations. The most prominent clusters of overlapping quantitative-trait loci were on chromosomes 1 and 3, a finding supported by principal-components and bivariate analyses. These genetic determinants were further tested by classifying families by use of LOD score density analysis for each measured phenotype at every 5 cM. Our study showed the founder effect over several generations and classes of living individuals. This quantitative genealogical approach supports the notion of the ancestral causality of traits uniquely present and inherited in distinct family classes. With the founder effect, traits determined within population subsets are measurably and quantitatively transmitted through generational lineage, with a precise component contributing to phenotypic variance. These methods should accelerate the uncovering of causal haplotypes in complex diseases such as hypertension and metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Hamet
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Centre de recherche, Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montréal, Montéal, Québec, Canada.
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Pozzo M, Merlo E, Farina D, Antonutto G, Merletti R, Di Prampero PE. Muscle-fiber conduction velocity estimated from surface emg signals during explosive dynamic contractions. Muscle Nerve 2004; 29:823-33. [PMID: 15170615 DOI: 10.1002/mus.20049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Muscle-fiber conduction velocity (CV) was estimated from surface electromyographic (EMG) signals during isometric contractions and during short (150-200 ms), explosive, dynamic exercises. Surface EMG signals were recorded with four linear adhesive arrays from the vastus lateralis and medialis muscles of 12 healthy subjects. Isometric contractions were at linearly increasing force from 0% to 100% of the maximum. The dynamic contractions consisted of explosive efforts of the lower limb on a sledge ergometer. For the explosive contractions, muscle-fiber CV was estimated in seven time-windows located along the ascending time interval of the force. There was a significant correlation between CV values during the isometric ramp and explosive contractions (R = 0.75). Moreover, CV estimates increased significantly from (mean +/- SD) 4.32 +/- 0.46 m/s to 4.97 +/- 0.45 m/s during the increasing-force explosive task. It was concluded that CV can be estimated reliably during dynamic tasks involving fast limb movements and that, in these contractions, it may provide important information on motor-unit control properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pozzo
- Laboratorio di Ingegneria del Sistema Neuromuscolare, Dipartimento di Elettronica, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino 10129, Italy
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Abstract
Evidence for the participation of Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors in long-term memory has recently been reported in the context-signal learning paradigm of the crab Chasmagnathus, in which a high correlation between long-term memory formation and NF-kappaB activation was observed. Two components of the NF-kappaB pathway in the crab brain have now been identified by cross-immunoreactivity using mammalian antibodies for IkappaB-alpha and IkappaB kinase alpha. Furthermore, IkappaB kinase-like phosphotransferase activity, which was inhibited by the IkappaB kinase inhibitor sulfasalazine, was detected in brain extracts. We have evaluated the effect of sulfasalazine administration on long-term memory tested at 48 h. Amnesia was found when sulfasalazine was administered pre-training and 5 h after training but not at 0 or 24 h after training. Thus, two periods for sulfasalazine-induced amnesia were found in coincidence with the two phases of NF-kappaB activation previously described (immediately and 6 h after training). The cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin did not induce amnesia when administered pre-training. Thus, the possibility that sulfasalazine induces amnesia by means of cyclooxygenase inhibition is unlikely to be tenable. In vivo sulfasalazine inhibition of basal NF-kappaB activity was found between 30 and 45 min after injection, as assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. On the other hand, in vivo sulfasalazine administration 6 h after training inhibited the second phase of training-induced NF-kappaB activation, providing evidence that the sulfasalazine effect on memory is due to a direct effect of the drug on the NF-kappaB pathway. These results provide the first evidence that IkappaB kinase and NF-kappaB activation are necessary for memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Merlo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología de la Memoria, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Pabellón II, Universidad de Buenos Aires, (1428), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Merlo E. Do tobacco companies encourage young people to smoke? Accusations against Philip Morris USA are untrue. BMJ 2001; 322:237. [PMID: 11159630 PMCID: PMC1119486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
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Merlo E. Do tobacco companies encourage young people to smoke? West J Med 2001. [DOI: 10.1136/bmj.322.7280.237] [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: 11/04/2022]
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Pazè C, Zecchina A, Spera S, Cosma A, Merlo E, Spanò G, Girotti G. Comparative IR and 1H-MAS NMR study of adsorption of CD3CN on zeolite H-β: evidence of the presence of two families of bridged Brnsted sites. Phys Chem Chem Phys 1999. [DOI: 10.1039/a902621e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Roggi C, Merlo E, Minoia C. [Nickel food exposure]. Ann Ig 1997; 9:221-7. [PMID: 9312246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C Roggi
- Dip. di Medicina Preventiva Occupazionale e di Comunità, Università di Pavia
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Roggi C, Merlo E, Minoia C. [Dietary lead exposure]. Ann Ig 1997; 9:59-65. [PMID: 9333307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C Roggi
- Dip. di Medicina Preventiva Occupazionale e di Comunità, Università di Pavia
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Roggi C, Merlo E, Maccarini L, Minoia C, Ronchi A, Gatti A. [Effects of alcohol consumption, smoking, and dietary habits on blood concentrations of lead and cadmium]. Ann Ig 1996; 8:657-65. [PMID: 9312233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C Roggi
- Dip. di Medicina Preventiva Occupazionale e di Comunità, Università di Pavia
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Roggi C, Simonetti P, Maccarini L, Merlo E, Brusamolino A, Pellegrini N, Pietta PG. [Antioxidants in the diet of a general population]. Ann Ig 1996; 8:547-57. [PMID: 9244466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C Roggi
- Dip. di Medicina Preventiva, Occupazionale e di Comunità, Sez. di Igiene, Università di Pavía
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Roggi C, Maccarini L, Merlo E. [An epidemiologic study in the evaluation of exposure to micropollutants and intake of nutrients. 1. Study of total diet. Methodology]. Ann Ig 1995; 7:97-107. [PMID: 8814669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C Roggi
- Dip. di Medicina Preventiva, Università di Pavia
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Roggi C, Maccarini L, Melzi D'Eril GV, Merlo E, Pastore R, Simonetti P. [Alcohol, smoking and the plasma lipid picture: the results of a study conducted on a general adult population]. Ann Ig 1994; 6:139-48. [PMID: 7532958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C Roggi
- Dip. di Medicina Preventiva Occupazionale e di Communità, Università di Pavia
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Roggi C, Maccarini L, Merlo E, Silva S, Minoia C. [The use of discriminant analysis in the classification of the alcohol intake in a general adult population]. G Ital Med Lav 1993; 15:145-151. [PMID: 7615175] [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: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Different studies have highlighted the efficacy of some laboratory parameters as markers of the abuse of alcohol in alcoholics populations. The intent of the present study has been to verify if the same variables are able to discriminate the intake of alcohol also in a general population. The survey has been carried out on 510 subjects (224 males and 286 females), between 20 and 70 years old, living in a rural area in the North of Italy. Statistically relevant differences have been found amongst mean values of mean globular volume (VGM), containing hemoglobin (MCH), gamma-glutamil transferase (GGT), HDL cholesterol (ColHDL), tryglycerides, apoproteins-A (APO-A), serum glutamic-ossalacetic transaminase (SGOT), leukocyte, lead blood level in subgroups of population stratified according to drinking habits (heavy, moderate and medium drinkers). The discriminant function analysis, applied using all the 18 parameters as continuous variables, allows the correct classification of 57.84% of the cases amongst moderate, medium and heavy drinkers. The most influent selected variables result lead blood level, GGT, hematocrit and MCH. If we leave out the lead blood level (not weighted as a routine) the percentage falls to 52.35%. The analysis carried out on "extreme" groups (moderate and heavy drinkers) identifies as most influent the lead blood level, GGT, APO-A, and VGM variables, allowing the correct classification of 90.14% of the cases (83.39% excluding the lead blood level, selecting GGT, hematocrit, VGM and serum glutammic-piruvic transaminase. The casual reselection of samples confirms the obtained data, giving evidence of the independence of the used variables from particular characteristics of the sampled population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- C Roggi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Preventiva Occupazionale e di Comunità, Università di Pavia
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Milani R, Merlo E, Scalambrino S, Viganò R. A double-blind trial of fentonium bromide in the treatment of incontinent unstable bladder. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1986; 24:421-4. [PMID: 3531034] [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: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The effects of fentonium were compared with those of placebo in a double-blind, cross-over trial involving 28 incontinent women with unstable bladder. Fentonium bromide proved significantly more effective in reducing urgency and urge incontinence (p less than 0.05), in reducing detrusor pressure rise during bladder filling (p less than 0.01) and in increasing bladder volume at first stimulus (p less than 0.05). Well tolerated, fentonium bromide proved useful in the treatment of unstable bladder.
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Abstract
Between 1970 and 1979, 103 women below 35 years of age with invasive cervical cancer were treated at the First Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic of the University of Milan. Nine patients were pregnant or less than 3 months postpartum. Estimated 10-year disease-free survival, determined by the life-table method, was 100% in stage IA (37 patients), 79% in stage IB (45 patients), 67% in stage II (15 patients), 0% in stages III (5 patients) and IV (1 patient). Prognosis was also strongly associated with lymph-node involvement, 10-year actuarial survival decreasing from 93% in lymph-node-negative to 44% in lymph-node-positive patients (P less than 0.001). The prognostic relevance of the clinical stage decreased after adjustment for lymph-node involvement, but the statistical significance of lymph-node involvement was unaffected when stage was allowed for. In the present series, the estimated 10-year disease-free survival was 80% in patients treated by radical hysterectomy compared with 62% in the group treated by total hysterectomy (stage IB to IV patients only); this difference, however, was not statistically significant when the data were adjusted for clinical stage (P = 0.10). None of the 20 patients with recurrent disease could be managed successfully.
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