Publications (90) View all
-
Article: Minor salivary gland biopsy and Sjögren's syndrome: comparative analysis of biopsies among different Italian rheumatologic centers.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES: The minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) is widely considered an important component of the diagnostic algorithm of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and is mentioned in all the classification criteria sets for the disease. The aim of this study, coordinated by the Italian Society of Rheumatology, was to verify the inter-observer agreement on the evaluation of MSGB among different experienced Italian rheumatologic centres, in order to better standardise the diagnostic methodology. METHODS: Seven centres participated in the study, providing a total of 50 MSGB samples. Each center blindly classified all the samples according to the Chisholm and Mason (CM) grading. The results were collected and analysed. RESULTS: The inter-observer agreement was satisfactory when the samples were stratified as consistent and non-consistent with the final diagnosis of pSS (median κ =0.75; mean κ =0.70). Nonetheless, significant discrepancies in the histopathologic evaluation of MSGB emerged when the agreement was assessed on the single scores. Considering the modal CM grading for each sample as the correct grading, upon re-examination, a potential bias in the final clinical diagnosis was detected in 7 out of 50 samples. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown significant discrepancies in the evaluation of MSGB among different rheumatologic centres in the same country. Greater standardisation of the procedure is clearly necessary, both to improve the diagnostic performance and scientific communication.Clinical and experimental rheumatology 10/2012; · 2.15 Impact Factor -
Article: Expression of P2X7 receptor increases in vivo tumor growth.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The P2X7 receptor is an ATP-gated ion channel known for its cytotoxic activity. However, recent evidence suggests a role for P2X7 in cell proliferation. Here, we found that P2X7 exhibits significant growth-promoting effects in vivo. Human embryonic kidney cells expressing P2X7 exhibited a more tumorigenic and anaplastic phenotype than control cells in vivo, and the growth rate and size of these tumors were significantly reduced by intratumoral injection of the P2X7 inhibitor-oxidized ATP. The accelerated growth of P2X7-expressing tumors was characterized by increased proliferation, reduced apoptosis, and a high level of activated transcription factor NFATc1. These tumors also showed a more developed vascular network than control tumors and secreted elevated amounts of VEGF. The growth and neoangiogenesis of P2X7-expressing tumors was blocked by intratumoral injection of the VEGF-blocking antibody Avastin (bevacizumab), pharmacologic P2X7 blockade, or P2X7 silencing in vivo. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong P2X7 positivity in several human cancers. Together, our findings provide direct evidence that P2X7 promotes tumor growth in vivo.Cancer Research 04/2012; 72(12):2957-69. · 7.86 Impact Factor -
Article: Comment on: Sarcoid-like granulomatosis in patients treated with tumour necrosis factor blockers: 10 cases.
Rheumatology (Oxford, England) 05/2010; 49(5):1019-21; author reply 1021-2. · 4.24 Impact Factor -
Article: West Nile Virus encephalitis in intensive care: a small mosquito, a tremendous danger.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The authors describe two of three cases of West Nile virus (WNV) meningoencephalitis admitted to ICU in Ferrara (south of Po River) underlying the main common features. They focus on the difficulties in diagnosis, with key-points including seasonality (late summer in Italy), unspecific flu-like symptoms at the beginning, as hyperpyrexia, myalgia and asthenia, followed by neurological impairment, and use of steroids in the patient clinical history. Special attention is deserved to the poor outcome at both short and long term.Minerva anestesiologica 05/2011; 77(12):1224-7. · 2.66 Impact Factor -
Article: BRAF V600E mutation analysis increases diagnostic accuracy for papillary thyroid carcinoma in fine-needle aspiration biopsies.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) represents the majority of differentiated thyroid cancers, presenting the V600E activating BRAF mutation in 29-83% of cases. The aim of our study is to analyze the influence of BRAF mutation analysis on the diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in patients with suspected PTC. Thyroid cytoaspirates from 469 nodules (size: 1.1+/-0.8 cm) with ultrasonographic features suspicious of malignant lesion, performed in 374 patients, were submitted to cytological evaluation and to biomolecular analysis, carried out after somatic DNA isolation, specific PCR amplification, and subsequent automated direct sequencing. All PCR fragments were also processed by specific enzyme restriction analysis. BRAF V600E mutation was found in 48 samples, 41 of which were also cytologically diagnosed as PTC, with histologic confirmation after thyroidectomy. Total thyroidectomy was perfomed also in seven patients with negative cytology but positive BRAF mutation, with histological confirmation of PTC in all. Among the 429 BRAF-negative samples, 407 had negative cytology for PTC, while 22 were diagnosed as suspected PTC and underwent total thyroidectomy with histological diagnosis of PTC in 17 and benign lesion in five. The prevalence of BRAF V600E mutation among histologically diagnosed PTC patients was 64%. Biomolecular analysis significantly increased cytology sensitivity for PTC from 77.3 to 86.7% (P<0.01). These data indicate that BRAF V600E mutation analysis can significantly improve FNAB diagnostic accuracy. However, biomolecular analysis is complementary to cytology, which should always be performed.European Journal of Endocrinology 08/2009; 161(3):467-73. · 3.42 Impact Factor
