Testosterone treatment is associated with reduced adipose tissue dysfunction and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese hypogonadal men.

PURPOSE: In both preclinical and clinical settings, testosterone treatment (TTh) of hypogonadism has shown beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and visceral and liver fat accumulation. This prospective, observational study was aimed at assessing the change in markers of fat and liver functioning in obese men scheduled for bariatric surgery. METHODS: Hypogonadal patients with consistent symptoms (n = 15) undergoing 27.63 ± 3.64 weeks of TTh were compared to untreated eugonadal (n = 17) or asymptomatic hypogonadal (n = 46) men. A cross-sectional analysis among the different groups was also performed, especially for data derived from liver and fat biopsies. Preadipocytes isolated from adipose tissue biopsies were used to evaluate insulin sensitivity, adipogenic potential and mitochondrial function. NAFLD was evaluated by triglyceride assay and by calculating NAFLD activity score in liver biopsies. RESULTS: In TTh-hypogonadal men, histopathological NAFLD activity and steatosis scores, as well as liver triglyceride content were lower than in untreated-hypogonadal men and comparable to eugonadal ones. TTh was also associated with a favorable hepatic expression of lipid handling-related genes. In visceral adipose tissue and preadipocytes, TTh was associated with an increased expression of lipid catabolism and mitochondrial bio-functionality markers. Preadipocytes from TTh men also exhibited a healthier morpho-functional phenotype of mitochondria and higher insulin-sensitivity compared to untreated-hypogonadal ones. CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest that TTh in severely obese, hypogonadal individuals induces metabolically healthier preadipocytes, improving insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial functioning and lipid handling. A potentially protective role for testosterone on the progression of NAFLD, improving hepatic steatosis and reducing intrahepatic triglyceride content, was also envisaged. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02248467, September 25th 2014.

Initial experience with laparoscopic adrenal surgery in children: is endoscopic surgery recommended and safe for the treatment of adrenocortical neoplasms?

Through a review of 83 cases reported in literature, including our experience of two successful right laparoscopic adrenalectomies performed in a 3-year-old girl for androgen-secreting adenoma and in a 9-year-old male for pheochromocitoma, we have anaIyzed the indications, the techniques and the results of laparoscopic or retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy in children. Nineteen pheochromocytomas, 18 neuroblastomas, 15 adenomas, 12 ganglioneuromas, 9 hyperplasias, 2 carcinomas, 1 teratoma and 1 adrenogenital syndrome have been treated with excellent results (follow-up 1 month to 4 years) with no evidence of recurrence. The age range is from 1 month to 16 years with an equal female/male ratio. The tumor size range from 10 mm to 80 mm with approximately a mean of 40 mm. Sixty-three laparoscopies of which 54 lateral and 9 anterior have been performed versus 14 posterior retroperitoneoscopies. Regarding right adrenalectomy, 29 were laparoscopic and only 2 retroperitoneoscopic. With regards to left adrenalectomy, 23 were laparoscopic and 9 retroperitoneoscopic. Looking at bilateral lesions, these tumors were approached laparoscopically in 6 cases alternating both sides and 1 retroperitoneoscopically (this case was already operated on the other side). The operative time ranged from 25 minutes in newborn to 320 minutes in bilateral cases with an average of 120 minutes. Conversion rate is higher in retroperitoneoscopy (30%) (4 cases out of 13), than laparoscopy (6%) (4 cases out of 63). Specifically, for right retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy conversion rate was 100% (2 cases out 2), for left retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy 22.2% (2 cases out 9), for right laparoscopic adrenalectomy 6.8% (2 cases out of 29) and for left laparoscopic adrenalectomy 8.6% (2 cases out of 23). Only in 1 case were blood transfusions requested. Hospital stays ranged from 35 hours to 17 days with an average of 4 days. In conclusion the indications of endoscopic adrenalectomy in children are not different from those of traditional surgery and the well-known advantages of laparoscopic adrenal surgery should be applied to pediatric patients. It seems that there is no age and tumor size limits for a well-trained surgical team. Lateral transperitoneal approach is the most utilized with the child positioned in 90-degree flank decubitus. Laparoscopy is undoubtly preferred for right adrenalectomy (93% of cases), while for left adrenalectomy retroperitoneoscopy has been used in 39% of the cases. Considering the conversion rate and on the basis of our experience with adults, we recommend laparoscopic adrenalectomy for both right and left adrenal lesions, but we think that the pediatric surgeon should feel free to choose the approach in which he/she is more skilled. However, the best surgical result will be achieved if the pediatric and adult surgeon collaborate with their different experiences. Lastly, we suggest the use of new technological devices such as Ultracision Harmonic Scalpel which was a critical factor in our two successful right adrenalectomies.

[Videolaparoscopic adrenalectomy in Conn syndrome. Analysis of 39 case observations]. / La videolaparosurrenectomia nella sindrome di Conn. Analisi di 39 casi osservati.

The authors retrospectively analyse 39 patients affected by Conn's syndrome, which have been observed since 1985, and discuss the results of surgical approach using the new technologies. In particular, the introduction of laparoscopy, technique that has been applied almost exclusively since the last seven years, has revealed being the "gold standard" for the surgical treatment of this disease. The adrenal underlying lesions are indeed almost always monolateral, small in size and present very rarely malignancy in their biological behaviour. Furthermore, the authors, although lacking of personal experience, propose the possibility of a more conservative treatment of the adrenal lesions with a simple "enucleation", whose feasibility also in laparoscopy has recently been shown by some authors. Anyway, the Authors believe that this technique of a partial adrenalectomy could be chosen in selective cases of bilateral adenomas or hyperplasia or in those lesions which are placed in an easily accessible peripheral site.

Immunohistochemical study of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycoses.

Immunohistochemical study of inflammatory infiltrate was carried out in five cases of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis before and after therapy. The infections were due to the genus Alternaria in four cases and genus Cladosporium in one. In four cases, infiltrating T cells with helper memory phenotype were slightly more abundant after therapy (70-80% versus 75-90% of T lymphocytes) and those with suppressor cytotoxic phenotype were slightly less abundant (20-25% versus 10-15%). In one case, CD8+, Tia-1+ lymphocytes constituted 50% of the T-cell infiltrate before and after therapy. In all cases, the infiltrate contained many CD79 a+ plasma cells, which increased slightly after therapy, and a high CD1a positivity of dendritic cells (presumably Langerhans cells) before and after therapy. The CD1a+ cells were detected in the epidermis and in granulomatous infiltrate; in the dermis and subcutis, many were close to fungal structures. In four cases, intra-epidermal CD1a+ cell number was slightly lower than in control skin. CD68+ cells were not found in the epidermis.

The influence of new technologies on laparoscopic adrenalectomy: our personal experience with 91 patients.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has proved to be the technique of choice for managing benign pathologies of the adrenals and isolated adrenal metastases, especially those arising from lung tumor, but the procedure should not be performed for primitive adrenal carcinoma. The Authors wanted to test the advantages of the Harmonic Scalpel in laparoscopic adrenalectomy. METHODS: From April 1995 to April 2001, the authors investigated their series of laparoscopic adrenalectomies performed at the Careggi General Hospital, Division of General and Vascular Surgery, Florence, Italy. This study enrolled 91 patients with various adrenal pathologies. The transperitoneal approach was used, with the patient in a lateral position, as suggested by Gagner. Special care was taken to improve the surgical approach to the adrenals by the use of new technological devices such as the Harmonic Scalpel. The operative time required by the surgical procedure was computed by dividing the study into three periods: 1995-1997, 1998-1999, 2000-2001. The first period was necessary to complete the learning curve. In the second period, a steady state in surgical time was reached. During the third period, the Harmonic Scalpel was introduced. The differences between the three periods were tested using a nonparametric analysis (Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis test) as appropriate. A two-tailed p value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant. The authors investigated the cost of the operation performed in each of the two groups using, respectively, the conventional laparoscopic device (1998-1999) and the Harmonic Scalpel (2000-2001). The following expenses were considered: Harmonic Scalpel impulse generator and disposable shears, operating room cost per hour, and endoclip applier. RESULTS: The 91 laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed with these indications: 31 incidentalomas (26 adenomas and 5 cysts), 25 cases of Conn's disease, 18 cases of Cushing's disease, 9 pheochromocytomas, 2 myelolipomas, 5 metastases (from lung, kidney, and breast) and 1 primitive carcinoma diagnosed preoperatively. Considering the whole series (1995-2001), there was a significant trend of reduction in operative time (p = 0.0001). Moreover looking at the first period (1995-1997), in which the learning curve was completed, the mean surgical time was 148 min, as compared with 125 mm. For the second period (1998-1999) (p = 0.0002). This represents a significant reduction in operative time. The authors noted a further reduction in the operative time when surgery was performed with the Harmonic Scalpel (2000-2001) (92 min; p = 0.001). The reduction in operative time attributable to the Harmonic Scalpel was confirmed also by a multivariate analysis of covariance general linear models procedure (GLM), which accounts for several confounders: age, gender, site and size of tumors, and histology (p = 0.0001). The rate was 3.3% for morbidity, 1.1% for mortality, and 2.2% for conversion. There was no difference in complications between patients treated with conventional devices and those treated with the Harmonic Scalpel. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic approach has proved to be an extremely reliable procedure for benign pathologies and isolated metastases. There may yet be doubts about its use for the treatment of adrenal carcinomas preoperatively diagnosed. When surgery is performed using Harmonic Scalpel, operative time is significantly reduced and surgery is easier and less expensive. Infact use of the Harmonic Scalpel allowed the cost per operation to be reduced $70. Moreover, if surgery is performed using the nondisposable clip applier, the expenses are reduced $105.

Laparoscopic decapsulation of a large epidermoid splenic cyst in a child using the UltraCision LaparoSonic Coagulating Shears.

Splenic cysts are rare in pediatric surgery. Congenital epidermoid cysts are exceptional representing only 2.5% of all splenic cysts in childhood. Nowadays, considering the short- and long-term complications of splenectomy in children, the management of epidermoid cyst consists of partial splenectomy or decapsulation of the cystic wall. To our knowledge, the case reported in this article describes the first successful laparoscopic decapsulation of an epidermoid splenic cyst in an 10-year-old child using the UltraCision LaparoSonic Coagulating Shears (LCS). Follow-up at six months confirms no recurrence. Laparoscopic splenic decapsulation provides minimal access and small surgical trauma for treating the cyst while preserving splenic function. The use of UltraCision LCS makes the laparoscopy safely, expeditiously, with minimal blood loss and short hospital stay.

[Laparoscopic approach to the "acute" and "chronic" bowel obstruction]. / Approccio laparoscopico alle occlusioni "acute" e "croniche" del piccolo intestino.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To retrospectively evaluate a series of patients with acute and chronic small bowel obstruction and discuss the indications of laparoscopic vs laparotomic approach and the outcome of both these techniques. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 85 patients with acute and chronic small bowel obstruction who underwent to either emergency or elective surgery since January 1999 up to October 2001 were enrolled. Subjects were divided into three groups: 39 treated with emergency laparotomy (group I), 13 with emergency laparoscopy (group II) and 33 with elective laparoscopy for chronic/subacute obstructions (group III). RESULTS: 1) the most frequent indication of the laparotomic approach was either multiple or major previous surgery as well as neoplastic diseases; 2) patients of the second group had frequently previous either minor or laparoscopic surgery; 3) the incidence of previous emergency surgery were maximum among the III group; 4) both post-operative ileus and mean hospital stay lasted less in the II than in the I group. The mean operative time and the morbidity was equal in the two groups; 5) we observed more intra-operative complications, a higher conversion rate and a longer both post-operative ileus and mean hospital stay in the II than in the III group. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the role of laparoscopy in patients with chronic/subacute small bowel obstruction. Patients with acute obstruction may undergo laparoscopy after a careful selection, excluding subjects with previous either multiple or major surgery as well as neoplastic diseases. Such results need future confirmations from prospective randomized studies.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Personal experience in 78 patients.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has proved to be the technique of choice for the treatment of benign pathologies of the adrenals and also for the treatment of isolated adrenal metastases, especially arising from lung tumor, but it shouldn't be performed for primitive adrenal carcinoma. The harmonic scalpel is very useful for laparoscopic adrenalectomy showing a significant reduction in operative time. The Authors retrospectively investigated 78 laparoscopic adrenalectomies performed from April 1995 to April 2000 using a transperitoneal approach with the patient on a lateral position as suggested by Gagner. Special care was taken to improve the surgical approach to the adrenals also by means of new technological devices as the Harmonic scalpel. The 78 laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed in 70 cases for benign neoplasms: incidentalomas 24, Cushing's disease 16, Conn's disease 20, pheochromocytomas 9, myelolipoma 1. In the remaining 8 patients laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed in 7 cases for isolated adrenal masses (5 metastases, 2 adenomas) in neoplastic patients, and in 1 patient for a preoperatively diagnosed adrenal carcinoma. Patients operated for functioning neoplasms had all remission or improvement of symptoms and humoral parameters; patients operated for isolated adrenal metastases showed this survival: 3 patients 3 years asymptomatic and disease free, 1 patient 18 months, and 3 patients are still alive and healthy after 6-12-15 months. A fast onset of local recurrence was seen in a patient operated for a preoperatively diagnosed adrenal carcinoma. We analyzed the operating time dividing the patients in three groups: a) 14 patients operated in the first semester of 1998 when we completed the training curve (average operative time 120.7 minutes); b) 14 patients operated from 1998-1999 (average operative time 118 minutes); c) the last 14 patients (operated from December 1999 to April 2000) where surgery was performed using the Harmonic scalpel (HS) (average operative time 94 minutes). The analysis of the average operative time comparing groups B and C using T-Student Test showed a significant reduction (p = 0.004). The morbility rate was 2.6%, mortality 1.3%, and a conversion rate of 2.6%. Laparoscopic approach results to be an extremely reliable procedure also for the treatment of incidentalomas up to 4-5 cm in which the incidence of adrenal carcinoma is about 13%. Doubts may yet result for the treatment of adrenal carcinomas preoperatively diagnosed. When laparoscopic adrenalectomy in performed using HS the operative time is significantly reduced and surgery is easier.

Cell proliferation, cell death, E-cadherin, metalloproteinase expression and angiogenesis in gastric cancer precursors and early cancer of the intestinal type.

The aim of this study was to analyse the morphological, kinetic and molecular characteristics of low-grade (LGD) and high-grade dysplasias (HDG) in comparison with intestinal metaplasia type III (IM III) and normal mucosa (NM) as well as with early gastric cancer of the intestinal type (EGC). Based on this it was verified whether these categories are distinct, progressive proliferative steps from IM III to LGD, HGD and EGC, according to Correa's sequence of events. The morphology, mitotic index (MI), and the apoptotic index (AI) were assessed. The E-cadherin expression (E-Cad), matrix-metalloproteinase activity (MMP2), and the number of microvessels (NV) were also evaluated. Among the categories, MI increases from NM to IM III and LGD, and from LGD to HGD and EGC, while AI continues to increase also from HGD to EGC. E-cad decreases from NM to EGC, although not significantly from LGD to HGD; MMP2 is significantly more expressed only in EGC. Three groups are obtained by means of cluster analysis. The first group includes all the NMs and IM IIIs, all except 1 LGD, about half of HGDs, and 1 EGC. E-Cad is highly expressed, MMP2 and angiogenesis are low, the proliferative activity is low and mitoses are partly balanced by apoptoses. The second group includes some EGCs and HGDs and is characterised by a very high proliferative activity and cell death; there is an initial loss of cell adhesion, an increase of MMP2 and NV. The third group includes the majority of EGCs, but also 1 HGD: it has intermediate MI and AI, the lowest expression of E-Cad, the highest expression of MMP2 and the most numerous microvessels. These results underscore the necessity of evaluating each case individually within the same singular category of Correa's sequence. The use of kinetic and molecular parameters in addition to the morphological analysis may give important information on the behaviour of the various lesions.

Adrenal masses in neoplastic patients: the role of laparoscopic procedure.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of complications resulting from fine-needle biopsy of adrenal masses in patients already treated by radical procedures for primitive neoplasms of the lungs and kidneys substantiates our opinion concerning laparoscopy as both a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. METHODS: We performed 70 laparoscopic adrenalectomies from April 1995 to December 1999. In five patients, the adrenal mass appeared at follow-up evaluation in patients submitted to surgery for a spinocellular lung cancer. One patient underwent surgery for renal adenocarcinoma. In two patients, the adrenal mass was present already at the time primitive lung tumor was diagnosed, so adrenalectomy was performed at the first lung surgery in one patient and 2 weeks before lung surgery in the other patient. All the patients were placed in a lateral position for a transperitoneal approach. Right adrenal masses were present in seven patients, whereas one patient had an adrenal mass in a left location. RESULTS: No laparotomy was required. The average surgical time was 160 min. (range, 115-120 min). No morbility or mortality occurred, and the average hospital stay was 4 days (range, 3-11 days). All the patients had a complete removal of their masses, which averaged 4.5 cm (range, 2.5-6 cm) in size. Histology confirmed the metastatic origin of the mass in five of seven patients with primary lung cancer, and in one patient with previous kidney cancer. At this writing, three patients were disease free and still alive respectively at 3, 5, and 18 months. Three patients died of brain metastases respectively at 16, 36, and 36 months. An adenoma was proved in the other two cases. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy allows us to propose a much more aggressive approach to adrenal masses demonstrated at follow-up evaluation or in patients with primary lung or kidney cancer and no masses at other locations. Nevertheless a much larger study is required for definitive conclusions on a survival rate. We believe that a mini-invasive procedure such as laparoscopy may allow us to replace a rational surgical approach with a more certain pathologic diagnosis.

Interdigital intertrigo of the feet due to therapy-resistant Fusarium solani.

We report a case of bilateral intertrigo of the third and fourth interdigital spaces of the feet in a 34-year-old immunocompetent Senegalese male. A diagnosis of Fusarium solani infection was made. Systemic and topical therapy with terbinafine led to clinical but not mycological recovery. As this mould is potentially dangerous for immunodepressed subjects, early diagnosis and rigorous follow-up of skin diseases caused by this agent are advisable.

Kinetic patterns in advanced gastric cancer as related to histotype and tumor extension.

Kinetic patterns of advanced gastric cancers were analyzed for comparison between intestinal- and diffuse-types by using the mean values of mitotic index (MI), apoptotic index (AI), the sum of the two [i.e., the turnover index (TI)] and growth index (GI), and the values of the same parameters in the three layers (upper, intermediate, lower) in which cancers were subdivided from surface to depth. Site and extent of tumors, lymph node invasion, and p53 and PCNA expression were not different between the two histotypes; tumor cell dissociation (TCD) was higher in diffuse-type cancers. Mean MI, AI, TI, and GI were not different between the two histotypes, while MI, AI, TI, and GI were higher in the upper layer of intestinal-type cancers than in that of diffuse-type. MI and GI decreased while AI increased from upper to deeper layers in intestinal-type tumors; MI, AI, and TI increase from upper to lower layers in diffuse-type tumors. In intestinal-type cancers, but not in diffuse cases, TI and GI were higher in the T2 group than in T3. This different behavior between the two histotypes is discussed.

[New issues in surgery of adrenal pheochromocytoma]. / Nuove problematiche in tema di chirurgia del feocromocitoma a sede surrenalica.

The adrenal pheochromocytoma still arouses great interest among the experts. The Authors give here a report of a study carried out on the personal case history of 32 patients and the concerning literature. A correct clinical and diagnostic approach is important to detect, at a preoperative level, the benign forms from the malignant ones (10-15% of cases according to literature) and the polyendocrine syndromes (21% of our series). Video-laparoscopy technique is recommended in pheochromocytomas surgery, mainly in asymptomatic and incidental forms and in all benign symptomatic forms less than 5 cm in size. At least, uni- or bilateral adrenalectomy associated with total thyroidectomy is also suggested in case of a polyendocrine syndrome.

cagA positive and negative Helicobacter pylori strains are simultaneously present in the stomach of most patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia: relevance to histological damage.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Infection with Helicobacter pylori strains harbouring the cagA gene (cagA+) is associated with an increased risk of developing peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to assess whether H pylori isolates with different cagA status were present in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia, and whether a variable cagA status is relevant to histological gastric mucosal damage and glandular cell proliferation. METHODS: Well separated H pylori colonies (between 2 and 25) from primary plates, per gastric area, for each of 19 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia were examined for cagA by hybridisation. Western blotting was used to examine both representative colonies for CagA expression and the patients' sera for antibody response to CagA. Glandular gastric cell proliferation was assessed immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Of the 747 colonies examined, 45.3% were cagA+. All colonies from four patients were cagA+, and all colonies from two patients were cagA-. In 13 patients (68%) both cagA+ and cagA- colonies were found. CagA expression of isolates corresponded to their cagA status. H pylori strains with different CagA molecular masses were present in three patients. Results based on all 19 patients studied showed that the prevalence of cagA+ colonies in areas with mucosal atrophy associated or not with intestinal metaplasia (67.9%) was significantly higher than in normal mucosa (44.7%) and mucosa from patients with chronic gastritis (44.0%) (p < 0.001). High levels of cell proliferation were associated with histological atrophy with or without intestinal metaplasia, but not with the possession of cagA by organisms colonising the same mucosal sites. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with nonulcer dyspepsia are infected by both cagA+ and cagA- H pylori colonies. The cagA status of infecting organisms may play a role in the development of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia.

Portal thrombosis. A rare complication of laparoscopic splenectomy.

Portal thrombosis is a rare complication of splenectomy. We performed 12 laparoscopic splenectomies and observed this complication only in one patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenia (ITP). The right branch of the portal vein presented a partial thrombosis, while the left branch was completely obstructed by thrombi. Abdominal ultrasonography and an ultrasound doppler exam allowed us to diagnose this event and a retrograde angiography performed afterward confirmed our diagnosis. A 48-h intravenous heparin treatment was promptly begun, followed by anticoagulant drugs (dicumarol). The patient was dismissed 5 days afterward, presenting a steady-state ultrasound doppler pattern and a complete normalization of liver parameters. An ultrasound doppler exam performed 1 month after anticoagulant therapy showed a complete resolution of portal thrombosis. We believe that early diagnosis of this rare complication, prompt beginning of anticoagulant therapy, and care in surgical procedures may reduce patient life-threatening risks and assure complete remission.

Cell kinetic patterns in early gastric cancer.

Early gastric cancers (EGC) may be subdivided into 2 groups by means of the use of mitotic index, apoptotic index and cell density: EGCs with high cell turnover and low cell density, which show high cell dissociation and, more frequently, lymph node invasion; EGCs with low cell turnover and high cell density. The same parameters discriminate among intestinal type tumors, when separately considered from diffuse ones. No correlation is noted of these 2 groups with transforming growth factor-alpha, epidermal growth factor receptor and p53 expression, gross type, entity of neoangiogenesis, and submucosal invasion.

New acquisitions in Helicobacter pylori characteristics.

The protection of Helicobacter pylori from the gastric acid exerted by urease is based on an increase of the bacterial periplasmic pH and membrane potential. Ammonia generated from urea induces apoptosis of gastric cells in vitro, and inhibits gastric somatostatin release in animals, which could have consequences on the physiology of digestion in general. The type s1/m1 structure of the vacA gene is associated with the production of high levels of cytotoxin. Strains with m2 region type, formerly considered devoid of toxic activity, are fully toxic when assayed with cell lines other than HeLa cells, which possibly lack receptors for m2 VacA type. The enhanced gastric mucosa damage associated with infection by cytotoxic organisms could be explained by the varying of effects exerted by VacA on target cells: extracellular secretion of acidic hydrolases, cytoskeletal alterations, actin rearrangement, reduction of epidermal growth factor binding to its receptor, inhibition of the stimulation of CD4+ T cells proliferation induced by the antigen presenting cells. Organisms that possess the pathogenicity island cag (cag+) induce an increased inflammation and transduction of signals to the host cells; however, they reduce the apoptosis of colonised cells. The results of an investigation on the possible influence of a variable cagA status on the extension of apoptosis have indicated that this kind of programmed death is disengaged from the possession of cagA by Helicobacter pylori organisms colonising the same gastric areas. It is likely that the whole pathogenic potential of cag+ organisms is far from being completely explored, as suggested by the recent finding that the expression of a bacterial adhesin (called BabA) involved in binding to the blood group antigen Lewis b is associated with the presence of cag.

Villous adenoma of the bladder.

Villous adenomas of the bladder are rare tumors and up to now they have not been seen to undergo malignant transformation. We report a case of villous adenoma of the bladder with areas of adenocarcinoma in a 72-year-old man. We describe all the morphological, histochemical and immunohistochemical features characterizing this tumor. We recommend adequate pathological sampling and a thorough follow-up of patients with villous adenoma. The prognosis and the behaviour of these adenomatous papillary lesions, morphologically similar to colonic adenomas, in the bladder is unclear. We report a case with focal area of adenocarcinoma and review the literature.

Cell proliferation, cell death and angiogenesis in early and advanced gastric cancer of intestinal type.

Mitotic (MI) and apoptotic index (AI), the sum of the 2, i.e., the turnover index (TI), tumor neovascularization (NV) and p53 expression, as well as tumor grading and node status, are evaluated in early and advanced gastric-cancer cases. T1 cases show significantly less frequent lymph-node invasion and lower tumor grade, and, taken together, have significantly lower MI, Al and TI and higher values of NV than the T2-3 cases. However, correlation of the variables shows that the above-mentioned discrimination is due to a minority of T1 cases (11 out of 33), while the majority of them are allocated in the same 95% ellipse of tolerance of the T2-3 cases.

Simultaneous total aortic replacement from valve to bifurcation: experience with 21 cases.

From June 1985 to December 1991, 21 patients (12 men and 9 women; mean age, 60 years) underwent total simultaneous aortic replacement that extended from the valve to the bifurcation. The causes of the diseased aorta were: medial degeneration with total aortic dilatation or multiple aneurysms (n = 7) and either acute (n = 4) or chronic (n = 10) dissection. Clinical evaluation and investigation in all patients consisted of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging as well as angiography. Only patients with combined thoracic and abdominal emergencies were selected, and these comprised worsening of cardiac conditions resulting from aortic regurgitation, and rapid dilatation of the ascending aorta and arch with impending rupture in conjunction with ischemia of the abdominal viscera, kidney, or either leg. The surgical technique consisted of inducing deep hypothermia by means of femoral vein-femoral artery cardiopulmonary bypass. During the cooling time, the aortic root was replaced under cardioplegia. Once lowering of the body temperature attained electroencephalographic silence, circulation was stopped and the aorta was replaced from the arch to the bifurcation. Circulation and rewarming were resumed only after the operation was completed. In our most recent patient, the operating time was reduced by opening the thoracic and the abdominal incisions during cooling; the cardioplegic solution as not injected but, instead, the myocardium was cooled down along with the whole body. In these patients, the hypothermy at electroencephalographic silence ranged from 14 degrees to 19 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)