Publications by authors named "Bruno Zani"

Telocytes are recently categorised CD34-positive interstitial cells that comprise the cells which were previously called interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs). These were detected in the stroma of various organs such as the prostate, lungs, mammary glands, liver, gallbladder, and jejunum, among others. Several functions have been proposed for telocytes, such as a supportive role in smooth muscle contraction and immune function in adult organs, and tissue organisation and paracrine signalling during development, as well as others.

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Telocytes are CD34-positive interstitial cells, known to exert several functions, one of which is a role in tissue organisation, previously demonstrated by telocytes in the myocardium. The existence of telocytes in the prostate has recently been reported, however, there is a lack of information regarding the function of these cells in prostate tissue, and information regarding the possible role of these cells in prostatic development. This study used immunofluorescence techniques in prostate tissue and prostatic telocytes in culture to determine the relationship between telocytes and prostate morphogenesis.

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We employed histological techniques to assess the effects of intrauterine exposure to different dosages of E2 on male and female Mongolian gerbils on the postnatal development of the prostate. E2 promotes alterations this gland branches in the female, but not in males, even at low dosage, at higher dosages, acini of altered aspect are verified in the male and female prostate, as well as a decrease in branching number, reduced cell proliferation and staining for FGF10, simultaneously to the increased labelling for TGFβ1, which may account for alterations on branching of the prostate. The sensitivity of the female prostate to intrauterine exposure to E2, which can reflect the E2 dependence of female prostate development.

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The development of the prostate gland in females has not yet been clearly elucidated, and the sexual dimorphism associated with such gland development in general is far from being understood. In the present study, we used tridimensional (3D) reconstructions and histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques to describe the sexual dimorphism and its causes in the early postnatal development of the prostate in male and female Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). We observed that the female prostate was smaller, had fewer branches throughout the development, and underwent differentiation earlier than that in males.

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The development of the prostate in male rodents, which involves complex epithelial-mesenchymal interactions between the urogenital sinus epithelium (UGE) and the urogenital sinus mesenchyme (UGM), has been deeply studied. In females, however, this process is not very clear. In this study, the postnatal development of the prostate in female Mongolian gerbils employing three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions, histochemical, and immunohistochemical techniques was characterized.

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Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of applying exclusive intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) after conservative surgery in limited-stage breast carcinoma and to evaluate late effects and cosmetic results after this new conservative treatment.

Patients And Methods: From October 2000 to November 2002, 47 consecutive patients with unifocal breast carcinoma up to a diameter of 2 cm received conservative surgery followed by IORT with electrons as the sole adjuvant local therapy. Three different dose levels were used: 20 Gy (seven patients), 22 Gy (20 patients), and 24 Gy (20 patients).

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Therapeutic options for management of blunt hepatic trauma include both non-operative and operative management, until liver transplantation. The presence of associated intraabdominal lesions increases mobility and mortality. A total of 58 patients with blunt hepatic injury, observed at the 2nd Surgical Unit of the "Santa Chiara Hospital" of Trento over a four-year period (1999-2003), were analyzed.

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