Showing papers by "University of Bologna published in 1983"
TL;DR: This line of spontaneous mammary tumor cells is proposed as a useful model for studies on the heterogeneity of the neoplastic population in relation to metastatic spread, on tumor immunogenicity, and on therapy of mammary neoplasia.
Abstract: A metastasizing mouse cell line (TS/A), originated from a mammary adenocarcinoma which arose spontaneously in a BALB/c female retired breeder, has been established in vitro. It displayed a remarkable morphologic heterogeneity, which is evident in plastic adherent cultures (cell types ranging from epithelial-like to fibroblast-like) as well as in semi-solid agar cultures. The TS/A line exhibited the presence of specific cytoplasmic estradiol receptor, with a binding activity of 16 fmoles/mg cytosol protein. The in vivo growth pattern was as follows: a s.c. inoculum of 105 cells caused a 100 per cent tumor take and kill in syngeneic animals; mean survival time was 54 +/- 1 days; it did not show significant transplant immunogenicity in syngeneic animals; it was able to give rise to both spontaneous lung metastases and artificial lung colonies; it had a high capacity to grow in H-2 matched, minor histocompatibility antigen incompatible hosts (10(6) cells killed 100 per cent DBA/2 mice in 58 +/- 2 days). This line of spontaneous mammary tumor cells is proposed as a useful model for studies on the heterogeneity of the neoplastic population in relation to metastatic spread, on tumor immunogenicity, and on therapy of mammary neoplasia.
211 citations
TL;DR: Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of bone and soft tissues treated at the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli showed a poor prognosis, and no patient survived more than four years.
Abstract: Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of bone and soft tissues treated at the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli are reviewed. The skeletal locations were prominent in five cases. Only two cases were in the soft tissues. Radiographic picture in the bone shows an aggressive osteolysis, with soft tissues invasion. Histologic picture is the same in bone and soft tissues, and is highly distinctive: islands of well-differentiated chondrosarcoma embedded in undifferentiated mesenchymal cells with high malignancy characteristics. The cases showed a poor prognosis, and no patient survived more than four years.
174 citations
TL;DR: The neural crest origin of MC is in doubt both on the basis of studies of the development and regeneration of MC and from the study of Merkel cell tumours, which have a close similarity between better differentiated tumour cells and normal Merkel cells.
Abstract: A series of 15 Merkel cell tumours of skin is reported. They occur dominantly on the head and neck and on the extremities of elderly women, frequently presenting as a reddish nodule. Three cases were associated with squamous carcinoma at the same site, an association deserving further study. There are two main patterns: the commoner one takes the form of a trabecular carcinoma in the dermis mimicking metastatic carcinoma, including oat-cell carcinoma and neuroblastoma: a dissociated-cell form mimicks malignant lymphymphoma. The triad of vesicular nuclei with very small nucleoli, abundant mitotic activity and apoptosis is so characteristic as to be virtually pathognomonic in conjunction with structural features. Argyrophilia is common, but Bourn fixation is necessary to demonstrate it regularly. Small round secretory granules (89 ± 18 nm) with narrow haloes, and an abundance of intermediate size filaments are among the ultrastructural hallmarks. There is a close similarity between better differentiated tumour cells and normal Merkel cells. The neural crest origin of MC is in doubt both on the basis of studies of the development and regeneration of MC and from the study of Merkel cell tumours.
159 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that in the first branchial arch muscles this is probably not directly comparable to the situation in the typical limb muscle, and therefore their common origin with the jaw-closers cannot be responsible for the occurrence of IIM fibres in tensor veli palatini and tensor tympani in some species.
Abstract: A combination of standard histochemical techniques and immunohistochemical staining using myosin type-specific antisera was used to determine the fibre-type composition of the muscles of first branchial arch origin (that is, masseter, temporalis, pterygoideus medialis and lateralis, tensor veli palatini, tensor tympani, anterior digastricus and mylohyoideus) in a wide range of the Carnivora and the Primates.
116 citations
TL;DR: Two self-rating scales of psychological distress, the SRT and the SQ, have been validated in translations in Italy and are found to be useful in research in psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine.
Abstract: Two self-rating scales of psychological distress, the Symptom Rating Test (SRT) and the Symptom Questionnaire (SQ), have been validated in translations in Italy. They were administered in several studies to psychiatric patients (neurotics and depressives), matched controls, and patients suffering from various organic illnesses (dermatologic disorders, hypertension, secondary amenorrhea and patients undergoing amniocentesis). The SRT and the SQ sensitively discriminated between psychiatric patients and normals, between different levels of psychological distress in several of the somatic illnesses, and detected significant changes in the psychological status of patients participating in medical procedures such as amniocentesis. The scales were found to be useful in research in psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine. The findings suggest that the Italian translations are valid and sensitive scales of distress and can apparently be used as effectively in research as the original. They are likely to be of value in cross-cultural research in Canada. Both scales may be helpful in the psychological assessment of Italian immigrants in North America and Australia, especially in those whose English is poor.
114 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A diagnostic assessment based on objective monitoring of respiratory behaviour during sleep and the tendency to daytime drowsiness is proposed, which establish not only the presence of a disease state, but also give a fairly accurate indication of the different stages of the disease.
Abstract: The passage from trivial snoring to heavy snorer's disease or obstructive apnea syndrome is a subtle and gradual process. The suspect clinical signs of this process are primarily the onset of intermittent snoring and daytime sleepiness. We propose a diagnostic assessment based on objective monitoring of respiratory behaviour (noise of snoring, endothoracic pressure, SaO2) during sleep and the tendency to daytime drowsiness (by means of the so-called multiple sleep latency test, MSLT). These parameters establish not only the presence of a disease state, but also give a fairly accurate indication of the different stages of the disease. The nocturnal respiratory pattern emerging from this objective assessment can be divided into four stages: stage 0 (or preclinical), with sporadic obstructive apneas; stage I (or initial), with obstructive apneas persisting during light (st. 1-2) and REM sleep; stage II (or overt), with obstructive apneas persisting for the whole length of sleep; stage III (or complicated), with alveolar hypoventilation persisting during wakefulness. In stage 0, episodes of O2 desaturation are sporadically present and linked to obstructive apneas or hypopneas. In stages I-II, phasic desaturations are correlated with the apneas. In stage II and above all stage III, phasic desaturation is associated with persistent falls of Sao2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
112 citations
TL;DR: Malignant cells in macroglobulinaemia are apparently more closely related to PLL and the corresponding normal peripheral B cells (in the corona) than to myeloma cells or the equivalent normal plasma cells in the bone marrow.
Abstract: Summary. Immunoglobulin heavy chain expression and reactivity of monoclonal antibodies RFA-1, -2, -3, -4 and OKT10 discriminate between majority B lymphocyte populations in the bone marrow and in peripheral lymphoid organs. In this study normal tissues and various B cell malignancies were studied in cell suspensions and tissue sections. Pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and multiple myeloma apparently reflect the phenotypes on normal B lineage cells of the bone marrow, while centroblastic-centrocytic lymphoma, B chronic lymphoid leukaemia (CLL) and prolymphocytic leukaemia (PLL) show the characteristics of distinct peripheral B lymphoid subsets found at different sites in the lymphoid tissue. These ‘normal equivalent’ cells are centroblasts and centrocytes in the germinal centre, CLL-like cells at the edge of the germinal centre (a minority population) and strongly Ig positive cells in the lymphocyte corona. Malignant cells in macroglobulinaemia are apparently more closely related to PLL and the corresponding normal peripheral B cells (in the corona) than to myeloma cells or the equivalent normal plasma cells in the bone marrow.
111 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the transconductance degradation effect of thin-oxide FET's due to the finite inversion-layer capacitance and the decrease of electron mobility as the electric field increases.
Abstract: In this work we investigate the transconductance degradation effect which occurs in thin-oxide FET's due to the finite inversion-layer capacitance and to the decrease of the electron mobility as the electric field increases. Experimental capacitance and charge measurements are performed at room and at liquid-nitrogen temperature on 10-nm oxide FET's, and the data are compared with a classical and a quantum-mechanical model extended to take into account the non-uniform doping profile in the silicon substrate. Accurate mobility determinations are performed accounting for the nonuniform distribution of the mobile charge along the channel, and a mobility expression against the average normal field is incorporated in a generalized Pao-Sah double-integral formula for the FET drain current. Design trade-offs for submicrometer FET's are finally discussed.
107 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that several months after the withdrawal of morphine, sensitization still exists to the excitatory effect of the drug while tolerance to the depressant action is slight or no longer present shortly after ceasing treatment.
94 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that asymptomatic celiac disease represents a cause of short stature that cannot be ignored, and that only by intestinal biopsy can all such patients be identified.
90 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: This study indicates that the Archive of consanguinity existing in Italy allows a reliable comparison of the frequency of Consanguineous marriages among parents of patients with that of the general population and can therefore be applied to the study of incidence of other autosomal recessive disorders in Italy.
Abstract: The frequency of consanguineous marriages up to second-cousin degree has been carefully established in the past for each of the 95 Italian provinces using the Archive of about 500,000 dispensations given by the Catholic church for such marriages over a 55-year period. It has therefore been possible to compare the frequency of consanguineous marriages observed among 83 couples of parents of Friedreich patients with the frequency of consanguineous marriages of the same degree in the different Italian provinces during the same years. From these data, an estimate of the incidence of the disease has been obtained for the whole nation (between 1/22,000 and 1/25,000). In Southern Italy, where 16 out of the 18 consanguineous marriages among Friedreich parents are concentrated, the incidence of the disease is similar (between 1/25,000 and 1/28,000). This study indicates that the Archive of consanguinity existing in Italy allows a reliable comparison of the frequency of consanguineous marriages among parents of patients with that of the general population. The same method can therefore be applied to the study of incidence of other autosomal recessive disorders in Italy.
TL;DR: In this paper, a hyperbolic system from the 3+1 system of Einstein equations with zero shift was obtained by combining the evolution equations with the constraints, and the lapse was chosen by a suitable choice of the lapse, which in a natural way is connected to the space metric.
Abstract: By a suitable choice of the lapse, which in a natural way is connected to the space metric, we obtain a hyperbolic system from the 3+1 system of Einstein equations with zero shift; this is accomplished by combining the evolution equations with the constraints.
TL;DR: In this paper, an assignment of the fundamental vibrational modes for the four molecules is proposed assuming for the liquids a gauche configuration (C2 symmetry); the assignment is based on depolarization values, isotopic shifts and classic group frequencies correlations.
Abstract: The infrared and Raman spectra of ethylenediamine and its deuterated derivatives have been studied in both the liquid and solid states. An assignment of the fundamental vibrational modes for the four molecules is proposed assuming for the liquids a gauche configuration (C2 symmetry); the assignment is based on depolarization values, isotopic shifts and classic group frequencies correlations.
TL;DR: It is suggested that low dose ARA-C can advantageously modify the proliferation to maturation imbalance of leukemic cells by slowing down cell proliferation rate, however, the proportion of patients who respond is probably low.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured a deep inelastic μ± cross section asymmetry at momentum transfers Q2 ranging from 15 to 180GeV2, which is in quantitative agreement with the WS/GIM standard electroweak model and allows to determine the muon neutral current couplings.
TL;DR: There is a high frequency of small hypothalamic masses (suspected hamartoma) in girls with true precocious puberty and it is important to confirm the presence of the mass with pneumoencephalography, and surgery for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes should be carefully considered, given the absence of any neurologic symptoms for a long time after the appearance of the first pubertal signs.
TL;DR: In this article, a theory for a newtonian thermoviscous fluid is proposed, based on the ideas of the extended irreversible thermodynamics and the entropy principle in its general formulation of rational thermodynamics.
Abstract: Some critical considerations on the models of “extended irreversible thermodynamics” are given. By developing a methodology (“invariance of the generators”) based both on the ideas of the “extended irreversible thermodynamics” and the “entropy principle” in its general formulation of “rational thermodynamics”, a theory for a newtonian thermoviscous fluid is proposed. The theory has the following properties, new when compared with previous ones: a) the system of equations is hyperbolic for any value of the field variables, provided that the usual thermodynamic stability condition (maximum entropy at equilibrium) holds; all wave-propagation speeds are then real and finite; b) the system is conservative and it is possible to seek for weak solutions and, in particular, for shockwaves; moreover, the system is symmetric-hyperbolic in the sense of Friedrichs; special properties hold therefore for weak solutions and shocks; c) the only thermodynamic variables at non-equilibrium, modified with respect to the corresponding ones at equilibrium, are the entropy density and chemical potential; consequentely, there exists only a single absolute temperature, playing an important role in relaxations; d) the entropy principle is automatically satisfied.
TL;DR: A mathematical procedure for the investigation of the lattice disorder by stacking faults in polycrystalline solids has been used in studying samples of MgCl2 activated by ball milling for various times in the presence of TiCl4 as discussed by the authors.
TL;DR: Fractionation experiments suggest that this functional impairment in B‐CLL is not only due to the abnormal T‐cell subset distribution seen in the majority of cases, but point to a possible intrinsic defect within the Tμ cell population.
Abstract: The helper and suppressor capacity of T, T mu (T non gamma) and T gamma cells was assessed in a group of patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) in a pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulated system. The enriched T-cells (E-rosette positive) from all B-CLL cases showed a reduced capacity to induce the differentiation of normal B-lymphocytes compared with normal T-cells (P less than 0.005). After enrichment of the T mu cells, the helper/inducer capacity was still significantly depressed compared with the same fraction from normal controls (P less than 0.01). On the other hand, enriched T gamma cells from B-CLL were effective in suppressing the differentiation of normal B-lymphocytes to a similar degree as normal T gamma cells. These findings are indicative of a deficient T-cell helper function in B-CLL, which appears to be unrelated to the clinical stage of the disease. The fractionation experiments suggest that this functional impairment is not only due to the abnormal T-cell subset distribution seen in the majority of cases, but point to a possible intrinsic defect within the T mu cell population.
TL;DR: In this article, the equilibrium structure of nitrosyl chloride was calculated from the values of the equilibrium rotational constants Be and Ce of the two isotopic species 16O14N35Cl and 16O15N35CL.
TL;DR: The chemicals lost their toxic power in the presence of the metabolizing system with the exception of 1,2- and 1,3-dichlorobenzene which maintained in some degree their toxicity even in the absence of the S-9 mix.
TL;DR: There was a strong positive relationship between changes in free VPA fraction and FFA content of the samples, which may lead to overestimation of the actual free concentration in vivo when this is estimated by equilibrium dialysis or ultracentrifugation techniques requiring long incubation times at 37oC.
Abstract: The effect of sample incubation and storage on the protein binding of the antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) and on the concentration of free fatty acids (FFA) was investigated in serum and plasma collected from four normal volunteers. Both the free fraction of VPA and the concentration of FFA increased progressively with time when samples were incubated at 4 to 37 degrees C. These effects occurred to the same extent in both serum and heparinized plasma. At 4 degrees C and at room temperature, the increase in free drug fraction was relatively small (18 and 25% respectively at 24 h), whereas at 37 degrees C it was quite considerable (24% at 8 h and 40% at 24 h). At room temperature, FFA rose on average by 22% at 4 h, 34% at 8 h, and 86% at 24 h, whereas at 37 degrees C the increases at the same incubation times were 59, 90, and 160%, respectively. There was a strong positive relationship between changes in free VPA fraction and FFA content of the samples. The time-dependent changes in VPA binding capacity described in this study may lead to overestimation of the actual free concentration in vivo, especially when this is estimated by equilibrium dialysis or ultracentrifugation techniques requiring long incubation (centrifugation) times at 37 degrees C.
TL;DR: Hemodynamic effects of orally-administered nffedipme were evaluated in 12 patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to severe COPD after short-term and long-term treatment and then again in eight of these 12 patients after long- term treatment.
TL;DR: Three patients showing clinical and electrophysiological evidence of peripheral neuropathy also suffered from the syndrome of "painful legs and moving toes", consistent with the hypothesis that pathological afferent discharges arising peripherally may induce, via the spinal cord, motor excitation and pain.
Abstract: Three patients showing clinical and electrophysiological evidence of peripheral neuropathy also suffered from the syndrome of "painful legs and moving toes". Polygraphic recordings during wakefulness and sleep were consistent with the hypothesis that pathological afferent discharges arising peripherally may induce, via the spinal cord, motor excitation and pain. A severe disruption of the pattern of sleep was found in all cases.
TL;DR: The data suggest that, contrary to recent reports, hyposplenism in adult coeliac disease is improved by a gluten-free diet, and that environmental factors may be important in determining and maintaining this complication.
Abstract: Splenic function has been serially measured by counting pitted red cells in 15 coeliac patients, before and during a gluten-free diet. The basal percentage values of pitted cells decreased significantly during treatment but no correlation was observed between the duration of the gluten-free diet and the percentage of recovery of splenic function over basal values. Out of six coeliacs with pitted cell values consistent with splenic hypofunction, three showed a total recovery after gluten withdrawal. Our data suggest that, contrary to recent reports, hyposplenism in adult coeliac disease is improved by a gluten-free diet, and that environmental factors may be important in determining and maintaining this complication.
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that the presence of two chirally-distorted aromatic groups is the principal factor determining the twisting power of optically-active trans-stilbene oxide and analogous molecules in nematic liquid crystals.
TL;DR: The results indicated that the time course of the rat motility response to a single dose of apomorphine may constitute a useful model for detecting selective influences on different dopamine receptors.
Abstract: The present work proposes a simple behavioral method for studying the ability of certain neuroleptics to block preferentially dopamine receptors subserving sedation. The model is based on the temporally biphasic motor response induced in rats by a single critical dose of apomorphine. It was chosen from a preliminary apomorphine dose-response study which showed that the same doses between 6.25 and 625 micrograms/kg affected rat motility differently according to whether the animals were "naive" or "familiarized" to the apparatus for 90 min before administering the drug. When the motility response of naive rats to 300 micrograms/kg of apomorphine was recorded immediately after SC injection, an initial (1--5 min) inhibition and a subsequent (20--45 min) stimulation of motility were obtained. (--)-Sulpiride (1.25--50 mg/kg) was found to be approximately 6-fold more effective in counteracting the apomorphine inhibition than stimulation of locomotion. Haloperidol (0.005--0.1 mg/kg) incompletely antagonized apomorphine inhibition and markedly blocked stimulation, which suggests that it has no preferential activity on dopamine receptors subserving sedation. The results were in accordance with those obtained by other authors with different paradigms, and indicated that the time course of the rat motility response to a single dose of apomorphine may constitute a useful model for detecting selective influences on different dopamine receptors.
TL;DR: The decrease in infectious HSV-1 yield seems to correlate with overall reduced ability to synthesize glycoproteins, and polycaryocytosis was reduced or abolished in BHK and in Ric21 cells exposed to neuraminidase, indicating that the presence of sialic acid residues in the cell surface glycans is essential for cells to interact in a fashion that brings cell fusion.