Tissue factor over-expression in platelets of patients with anti-phospholipid syndrome: induction role of anti-ß2-GPI antibodies.

Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by arterial and/or venous thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity. It is well known that in these patients thrombosis may be the result of a hypercoagulable state related to anti-ß2-glycoprotein I (ß2-GPI) antibodies. Moreover, platelets may play a role in thrombotic manifestations by binding of anti-ß2-GPI antibodies. Platelets express tissue factor (TF), the major initiator of the clotting cascade, after activation. We primarily analyzed whether anti-ß2-GPI antibodies may trigger a signal transduction pathway leading to TF expression in human platelets. Platelets from healthy donors were incubated with affinity purified anti-ß2-GPI antibodies for different times. Platelet lysates were analyzed for phospho-interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK), phospho-p65 nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) and TF by Western blot. IRAK phosphorylation was observed as early as 10 min of anti-ß2-GPI treatment, with consequent NF-κB activation, whereas TF expression, detectable at 45 min, was significantly increased after 4 h of anti-ß2-GPI treatment. Virtually no activation was observed following treatment with control immunoglobulin IgG. We then analyzed TF expression in platelets from 20 APS patients and 20 healthy donors. We observed a significant increase of TF in APS patients versus control subjects (P < 0·0001). This work demonstrates that anti-ß2-GPI antibodies may trigger in vitro a signal transduction pathway in human platelets, which involves IRAK phosphorylation and NF-κB activation, followed by TF expression. Furthermore, ex vivo, platelets of APS patients showed a significantly increased expression of TF. These findings support the view that platelets may play a role in the pathogenesis of APS, with consequent release of different procoagulant mediators, including TF.

[Pulmonary metastasis from an eccrine carcinoma: thoracic perfusion with the aorto-caval stop-flow technique. Description of a clinical case]. / Metastasi polmonari da carcinoma eccrino: perfusione toracica con tecnica dello stop-flow aorto-cavale. Descrizione di un caso clinico.

A case of a 64-year-old man with eccrine carcinoma arising from hand skin is reported. At the time of diagnosis he showed bilateral pneumonic metastases. Although the patient underwent two systemic chemotherapy lines, he showed further progressive disease of the lung. For this reason a third chemotherapy line was started through thoracic stop-flow infusion. In this way, a five month stable disease had been achieved. The patient died 7 months later for progressive disease. The rarity of this disease, the uncertain treatment, the feasibility and efficacy of thoracic stop-flow infusion are underlined and further studies are suggested.

[New cement filled with hydroxyapatite. Preliminary clinical results]. / Un nuovo cemento caricato con idrossilapatite. Risultati clinici preliminari.

After histological, scanning-electromicroscope, stereomicroscope and transillumination controls, the clearing technique definitively demonstrated that it's really impossible to empty and entirely fill the endodontic apical extremity inside the correct limit, without running the risk to cause iatrogenesis interferences against periodontal reparation processes. Then also the "tridimensional fill" conception, as a simple "seal by physical push", must be integrated with the conception of root canal sealer materials biocompatibility toward the periodontal tissues. "Bioseal" root canal sealer which is the subject of this research is certainly an example of progress about this objective.

[Diaphanization. Testing method for endodontic technics]. / Diafanizzazione. Strumento di controllo delle techniche endodontiche.

It's a study about the principal clearing techniques, with a selection of materials and phases of execution. The purpose was to obtain transparency of mineralized structure together with preservation of pulpal contents. From this research a technique has been extracted and positively tested, with great results: a) tridimensional control of alterations pointed out in anatomy after canal preparation; b) measurement of pulpal debris size after instrumentation; c) identification of instruments dark zone; d) measurement of the empty-cleansing capacity of root canal system and the defence from eventual self-made errors, as a result of particular operating techniques, whose comparison is accessible by methodology.

[Study of canal anatomy using longitudinal sections, castings and diaphanization]. / Studio dell'anatomia endocanalre mediante sezioni longitudinali, stampi e diafanizzazione.

It is well known, that to make a correct root canal treatment, it is indispensable to know perfectly the root canal morphology. The study with the longitudinal sections M.-D. and V.-B., stamps and transparent teeth gives us an unquestionable reality. Specially the V.-B. longitudinal sections, which are impossible to observe in the patient with our Rx, are the most instructives. In spite many authors have illustrated this anatomy (Hess, De Deus, Kuttler, Riitano), it seems it has not been sufficiently considered.

[Breast pathology from the viewpoint of a breast cancer outpatient clinic]. / La patologia della mammella nell'ottica di un ambulatorio di senologia.

3450 women were examined in the Breast Cancer Clinic of the 2nd General Surgery Division of the Mantova Hospitals between November 1979 and November 1982. Cancer was found in 105 cases (3.04%). The variety of conditions observed and the tests used to discover whether they were benign or malignant are described.