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Papers by Michele Nicolai

Research paper thumbnail of Chemoprevention in Chronic Prostatitis in BPH and in Low Grade Carcinoma

European Journal of Inflammation, 2004

Prostate cancer is the most common solid malignancy in men in the United States. As a disease pre... more Prostate cancer is the most common solid malignancy in men in the United States. As a disease predominantly affecting the elderly and with the continuing aging of the population, the importance of studying and treating prostate cancer will continue to increase. Many factors have been implicated in the development of prostate cancer. It presents a variability of incidences influenced by dietary factors. The administration of substances, such as Lycopene, Polyphenols, Iso-flavonoids, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Selenium and Zinc have a decisive role in the prevention of anti-apoptotic and pro-angiogenesis processes which are long-term developing properties of cancer cells. In this study, we will provide an overview of the current state of art between dietary habits and risk of prostate cancer.

Research paper thumbnail of Bacillus Calmette-Gu6rin potentiates monocyte responses to lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1, but not interleukin-6 in bladder cancer patients

Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1994

Research paper thumbnail of Recurrence and Progression in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Using EORTC Risk Tables

Urologia Internationalis, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Miliary Tuberculosis of the Lung in a Patient Treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin for Superficial Bladder Cancer

Research paper thumbnail of The role of hypoxia in erectile dysfunction mechanisms

International Journal of Impotence Research, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of Bacillus Calmette-Gu�rin potentiates monocyte responses to lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1, but not interleukin-6 in bladder cancer patients

Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, 1994

During the past decade, particular attention has been focused on treatment of bladder cancer pati... more During the past decade, particular attention has been focused on treatment of bladder cancer patients with the bacterial agent bacillus Calmette-Gu&in (BCG). In these studies, bladder cancer patients were instilled with BCG (75 rag/50 ml) once per week for 6 weeks, 1-2 weeks following trans-urethreal resection of the bladder. Cystoscopy was performed after 6 weeks and, unless tumor progression was present, monthly treatments were given for 1 year. Blood was drawn 2 h after the last instillation, and monocytes were isolated (5x 106 cells/ml) and treated, or not, with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (20 gg/ml) for tumor necrosis factor a (TNFo~), interleukin-lo~ (IL-la) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release. The levels of monokines were determined by a monokine-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results clearly show that, after 18 h incubation, macrophages from BCG-treated bladder cancer patients produced from 2.8-to 1.9-fold and from 2.0-to 1.3-fold greater amounts of TNFo~ and IL-lc~ respectively, compared to macrophages from healthy controls, 5-fold higher than bladder cancer patients not treated with BCG. IL-6 was not affected. In another set of experiments macrophages (5x106 cells/ml) from healthy subjects were pretreated, or not, with BCG (100 gg/ml) overnight and treated, or not, with LPS 20 gg/ml alone and in combination with interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-lra) 250 ng/ml. Macrophages treated with BCG had a strong stimulatory effect on IL-1 oc release (9.45 ng/ml) while LPS was less effective (3.59 ng/ml). The combination of BCG plus LPS produced an additive effect on IL-lo~ release (13.71 ng/ml) compared to the effect of the compound alone. The addition of IL-lra (250 ng/ml) to BCG was not effective, while when IL-lra was added to BCG plus LPS only a partial inhibition of IL-I~ release was found (9.83 ng/ml), compared to BCG plus LPS without IL-lra (13.71 ng/ml). These effects seem to be related to the inhibition of IL-lc~ stimulated with LPS, but not BCG. The

Research paper thumbnail of DNA and S-phase fraction analysis by flow cytometry in prostate cancer. Clinicopathologic implications

Research paper thumbnail of Evidence that chronic hypoxia causes reversible impairment on male fertility

Asian Journal of Andrology, 2008

Aim: To evaluate the effect of chronic hypoxia on human spermatogenic parameters and their recove... more Aim: To evaluate the effect of chronic hypoxia on human spermatogenic parameters and their recovery time. Methods: Seminological parameters of six male healthy mountain trekkers were evaluated in normoxia at sea level. After 26 days exposure to altitude (ranging from 2 000 m to 5 600 m, Karakorum Expedition) the same parameters were again evaluated after returning to sea level. These parameters were once again evaluated after 1 month and then again after 6 months. Results: Sperm count was found to be lower immediately after returning to sea level (P = 0.0004) and again after a month (P = 0.0008). Normal levels were reached after 6 months. Spermatic motility (%) shows no reduction immediately after returning to sea level (P = 0.0583), whereas after 1 month this reduction was significant (P = 0.0066). After 6 months there was a recovery to pre-hypoxic exposure values. Abnormal or immature spermatozoa (%) increased immediately after returning to sea level (P = 0.0067) and then again after 1 month (P = 0.0004). After 6 months there was a complete recovery to initial values. The total number of motile sperm in the ejaculate was found to be lower immediately after returning to sea level (P = 0.0024) and then again after 1 month (P = 0.0021). After 6 months there was a recovery to pre-hypoxic exposure values. Conclusion: Chronic hypoxia induces a state of oligospermia and the normalization of such seminological parameters at the restoration of previous normoxic conditions after 6 months indicate the influence of oxygen supply in physiological mechanisms of spermatogenesis and male fertility.

Research paper thumbnail of CHROMOSOMAL ABNORMALITIES AND MICRODELETIONS IN INTERVAL 6 OF Yq11 IN PATIENTS AFFECTED BY IDIOPATHIC OLIGOAZOOSPERMIA

The Journal of Urology, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of Primary Vaginal Calculus in a Woman with Disability: Case Report and Literature Review

Journal of endourology case reports, 2017

Vaginal stones are rare and often unknown entities. Most urologists may never see a case in their... more Vaginal stones are rare and often unknown entities. Most urologists may never see a case in their careers. We present the case of a 34-year-old bedridden Caucasian woman with mental and physical disabilities who presented with a large primary vaginal calculus, which, surprisingly, had remained undiagnosed until the patient suffered a right renal colic caused by a ureteral stone. The vagina was completely filled and a digital examination was not possible. For this reason, the stone was removed using surgical pliers with some maneuvering. A vesicovaginal fistula was excluded, as well as foreign bodies or other nidi of infection. After, urethral lithotripsy was performed as planned. The postoperative course and follow-up were uneventful. Although vaginal calculi are extremely rare in literature, their differential diagnosis should be considered in women with incontinence and associated disabilities, paraplegia, or prolonged immobilization in recumbent position.

Research paper thumbnail of Chemoprevention in Chronic Prostatitis in BPH and in Low Grade Carcinoma

European Journal of Inflammation, 2004

Prostate cancer is the most common solid malignancy in men in the United States. As a disease pre... more Prostate cancer is the most common solid malignancy in men in the United States. As a disease predominantly affecting the elderly and with the continuing aging of the population, the importance of studying and treating prostate cancer will continue to increase. Many factors have been implicated in the development of prostate cancer. It presents a variability of incidences influenced by dietary factors. The administration of substances, such as Lycopene, Polyphenols, Iso-flavonoids, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Selenium and Zinc have a decisive role in the prevention of anti-apoptotic and pro-angiogenesis processes which are long-term developing properties of cancer cells. In this study, we will provide an overview of the current state of art between dietary habits and risk of prostate cancer.

Research paper thumbnail of Bacillus Calmette-Gu6rin potentiates monocyte responses to lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1, but not interleukin-6 in bladder cancer patients

Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1994

Research paper thumbnail of Recurrence and Progression in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Using EORTC Risk Tables

Urologia Internationalis, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Miliary Tuberculosis of the Lung in a Patient Treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin for Superficial Bladder Cancer

Research paper thumbnail of The role of hypoxia in erectile dysfunction mechanisms

International Journal of Impotence Research, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of Bacillus Calmette-Gu�rin potentiates monocyte responses to lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1, but not interleukin-6 in bladder cancer patients

Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, 1994

During the past decade, particular attention has been focused on treatment of bladder cancer pati... more During the past decade, particular attention has been focused on treatment of bladder cancer patients with the bacterial agent bacillus Calmette-Gu&in (BCG). In these studies, bladder cancer patients were instilled with BCG (75 rag/50 ml) once per week for 6 weeks, 1-2 weeks following trans-urethreal resection of the bladder. Cystoscopy was performed after 6 weeks and, unless tumor progression was present, monthly treatments were given for 1 year. Blood was drawn 2 h after the last instillation, and monocytes were isolated (5x 106 cells/ml) and treated, or not, with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (20 gg/ml) for tumor necrosis factor a (TNFo~), interleukin-lo~ (IL-la) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release. The levels of monokines were determined by a monokine-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results clearly show that, after 18 h incubation, macrophages from BCG-treated bladder cancer patients produced from 2.8-to 1.9-fold and from 2.0-to 1.3-fold greater amounts of TNFo~ and IL-lc~ respectively, compared to macrophages from healthy controls, 5-fold higher than bladder cancer patients not treated with BCG. IL-6 was not affected. In another set of experiments macrophages (5x106 cells/ml) from healthy subjects were pretreated, or not, with BCG (100 gg/ml) overnight and treated, or not, with LPS 20 gg/ml alone and in combination with interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-lra) 250 ng/ml. Macrophages treated with BCG had a strong stimulatory effect on IL-1 oc release (9.45 ng/ml) while LPS was less effective (3.59 ng/ml). The combination of BCG plus LPS produced an additive effect on IL-lo~ release (13.71 ng/ml) compared to the effect of the compound alone. The addition of IL-lra (250 ng/ml) to BCG was not effective, while when IL-lra was added to BCG plus LPS only a partial inhibition of IL-I~ release was found (9.83 ng/ml), compared to BCG plus LPS without IL-lra (13.71 ng/ml). These effects seem to be related to the inhibition of IL-lc~ stimulated with LPS, but not BCG. The

Research paper thumbnail of DNA and S-phase fraction analysis by flow cytometry in prostate cancer. Clinicopathologic implications

Research paper thumbnail of Evidence that chronic hypoxia causes reversible impairment on male fertility

Asian Journal of Andrology, 2008

Aim: To evaluate the effect of chronic hypoxia on human spermatogenic parameters and their recove... more Aim: To evaluate the effect of chronic hypoxia on human spermatogenic parameters and their recovery time. Methods: Seminological parameters of six male healthy mountain trekkers were evaluated in normoxia at sea level. After 26 days exposure to altitude (ranging from 2 000 m to 5 600 m, Karakorum Expedition) the same parameters were again evaluated after returning to sea level. These parameters were once again evaluated after 1 month and then again after 6 months. Results: Sperm count was found to be lower immediately after returning to sea level (P = 0.0004) and again after a month (P = 0.0008). Normal levels were reached after 6 months. Spermatic motility (%) shows no reduction immediately after returning to sea level (P = 0.0583), whereas after 1 month this reduction was significant (P = 0.0066). After 6 months there was a recovery to pre-hypoxic exposure values. Abnormal or immature spermatozoa (%) increased immediately after returning to sea level (P = 0.0067) and then again after 1 month (P = 0.0004). After 6 months there was a complete recovery to initial values. The total number of motile sperm in the ejaculate was found to be lower immediately after returning to sea level (P = 0.0024) and then again after 1 month (P = 0.0021). After 6 months there was a recovery to pre-hypoxic exposure values. Conclusion: Chronic hypoxia induces a state of oligospermia and the normalization of such seminological parameters at the restoration of previous normoxic conditions after 6 months indicate the influence of oxygen supply in physiological mechanisms of spermatogenesis and male fertility.

Research paper thumbnail of CHROMOSOMAL ABNORMALITIES AND MICRODELETIONS IN INTERVAL 6 OF Yq11 IN PATIENTS AFFECTED BY IDIOPATHIC OLIGOAZOOSPERMIA

The Journal of Urology, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of Primary Vaginal Calculus in a Woman with Disability: Case Report and Literature Review

Journal of endourology case reports, 2017

Vaginal stones are rare and often unknown entities. Most urologists may never see a case in their... more Vaginal stones are rare and often unknown entities. Most urologists may never see a case in their careers. We present the case of a 34-year-old bedridden Caucasian woman with mental and physical disabilities who presented with a large primary vaginal calculus, which, surprisingly, had remained undiagnosed until the patient suffered a right renal colic caused by a ureteral stone. The vagina was completely filled and a digital examination was not possible. For this reason, the stone was removed using surgical pliers with some maneuvering. A vesicovaginal fistula was excluded, as well as foreign bodies or other nidi of infection. After, urethral lithotripsy was performed as planned. The postoperative course and follow-up were uneventful. Although vaginal calculi are extremely rare in literature, their differential diagnosis should be considered in women with incontinence and associated disabilities, paraplegia, or prolonged immobilization in recumbent position.