[Lipoprotein(a), parameters of lipid metabolism and hemostasis in obese patients].

Background: The prevalence of obesity is increasing in the population of industrialized countries and this condition is today considered a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases because, at least partly, it represents a prothrombotic state.

Methods: For this reason we have studied plasma lipid concentrations (C, TG, HDL-C), Lp(a) and some parameters of haemostasis (PAI-1, t-PA, D-dimer) in 41 non diabetic obese patients (38 females and 3 males) and in 36 healthy normal weight subjects.

Results: Lipid pattern has resulted in overlapping both in the two studied populations and in the two subgroups of pre- and postmenopausal women, while greater concentrations of Lp(a), (p < 0.

[Obesity and insulin resistance].

Obesity is a problem of increasing epidemiological importance in industrialized western countries, that is linked with several metabolic disorders, especially of glucose metabolism. We have evaluated the insulin resistance and the existence of relation with overweight and markers of lipidic metabolism; for this purpose body mass index (BMI), plasma glucose and insulin at fasting (G-O' and IRI-O' respectively) have been measured together with fasting cholesterol (C), C-HDL, C-LDL and triglycerides (TG) in 27 obese female outpatients and in 18 normal age-matched women. Diabetic subjects had been previously excluded from the study.

[Dyslipidemia in obesity: pathogenetic considerations and our experience].

The prevalence of obesity is increasing today in western industrialized countries: therefore, many authors are focusing their attention on its multiple endocrine and metabolic effects. Because of the pathogenetic linkage between obesity and dyslipidemia, we have studied serum lipid pattern in a group of obese women: HDL-Cholesterol (HDL-C) deficiency was the most striking lipoproteinemic disorder. This fact points out, in our opinion, that obesity must be considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

[Osteocalcin and hyperthyroidism].

Osteoporosis may be induced by hyperthyroidism through an increase of bone turnover, because bone resorption exceeds formation in this condition. Also therapy with 1-thyroxine, especially by TSH-suppressive doses, may induce a reduction in bone mineral content. Circulating osteocalcin (sBGP) significantly increases both in endogenous and exogenous hyperthyroxinemia and is considered a reliable non invasive marker of bone turnover.

[Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and mucinous-like tumor associated antigen (MAC). Statistic correlation in advanced breast carcinoma].

In this study we have determined the plasmatic values of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and mucinous like tumor associated antigen (MCA) in 20 women with metastatic breast cancer. CEA and MCA were determined by enzyme immunoassay technique. The results were analyzed by test r for the statement of statistical correlation.

[Prognostic significance of hypereosinophilia in surgically treated breast carcinoma. Our experience].

Several Authors have published that hypereosinophilia is often related to solid carcinoma and mostly to mucin secreting epithelium carcinoma. Such hypereosinophilia has been considered a negative prognostic symptom. In this trial we have studied our out-patients affected by breast cancer who showed hypereosinophilia during their post-surgical follow-up or therapy.

Changes in beta-endorphin in fetal membranes and placenta in normal and pathological pregnancies.

Several studies indicated that trophoblast tissue synthesizes pro-opiomelanocortin-related peptides. These peptides are also present in amniotic fluid, but their origin remains unknown. The present study evaluated the presence of and the possible changes in beta-endorphin (beta-EP) in amnion and chorion during pregnancy, at parturition and in spontaneous abortion.

Loss of fibronectin in human breast cancer.

The distribution of fibronectin was studied in normal human breast tissue and in breast tumors. In normal tissues and in benign tumors, fibronectin was present in basal laminae and on the cellular surfaces of myoepithelial and secretory cells. A partial loss of (pericellular) fibronectin was seen in atypical dystrophies, and a complete disappearance of pericellular and basement membrane-bound fibronectin was observed in invasive adenocarcinoma.