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We investigated whether incubation of cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) with crystalline silica at the concentration 1 cm2/ml (chosen on the basis of a pilot experiment) leads to alterations typical of apoptosis. The binding of annexin V as early, and DNA fragmentation as late events of apoptosis were measured besides the number of cells with depolarized mitochondria. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by HAEC in presence of silica was determined as well as silica ability to in vitrogenerate hydroxyl radicals was investigated. After 18 h of silica incubation, about 30% of viable cells bound annexin V. After 24 h of silica treatment, the percentage of cells with fragmented DNA (Tunel positive) was 27% and it increased up to 50% after 48 h, whereas in untreated cells this percentage was 7% and 11% after 24 and 48 h, respectively. The presence of fragmented DNA in cells treated with silica was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. In agreement with these results showing an induction of HAEC apoptosis by silica incubation, the number of cells with depolarized mitochondria was significantly higher after silica treatment as compared to the control. Apoptosis was also obtained with silica added to aliquots of anti-C5a-absorbed-medium. In the cells exposed to silica there was a significant increasing of ROS generation in comparison to the untreated cells. Apoptosis might be due to peroxidative stress since silica can generate hydroxyl radicals.

Hypersensitivity to latex gloves has often been reported in patients who have undergone surgical treatment. Recent reports suggest that latex antigens can produce cutaneous and respiratory symptoms in workers occupationally exposed to latex. Four such cases of healthcare workers who were sensitized through exposure to latex have been observed. Two of these workers presented dermatitis as well as work-related respiratory symptoms, while the others only showed symptoms suggesting occupational asthma. The subjects were diagnosed as having latex hypersensitivity after skin prick-testing, and the immunoglobulin E serum level against latex gave positive results. In addition, changes in methacholine responsiveness also took place. In one case, an occupational exposure test was carried out which resulted in a 24% drop in the FEV1 value after 25 min of inhalation exposure. At least one year after the diagnosis, two nurses (subjects A and D) who had been removed completely from latex exposure experienced no further latex-induced symptoms. The other workers, who have continued working in the same laboratories using vinyl gloves, now display less severe symptoms but require regular anti-allergy treatment.

We have studied the effect of lead on the fluidity of erythrocyte membrane to clarify if lead can interact in vivo with biological membranes. Erythrocyte membranes were chosen in our study because a decrease of red cell osmotic fragility is also evident in the absence of laboratory and clinical signs of anaemia. The study was undertaken using the Electron Spin Resonance technique with two spin labels 5-doxyl stearate and 16-doxyl-stearate, which probe the physical state of the polar surface and the inner core of the membrane respectively.

Free flaps are currently used in reconstructive surgery as a one-stage procedure to achieve optimal functional and aesthetic results. The results of free flap reconstruction performed on 23 patients, ten of whom had acute burns and 13 with secondary burn deformity, are presented. The latissimus dorsi, parascapular, dorsalis pedis, temporalis and posterior calf fascia where the free flap donor sites. Flap necrosis due to venous thrombosis occurred in only one instance.

We studied one sample of commercial sepiolite and two samples of commercial vermiculite—clay minerals proposed as replacements for asbestos—and testedin vitro their abilities to activate complement, to lyse erythrocytes, and to elicit the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) or bovine alveolar macrophages (AM); their behavior was compared with that of asbestos fibers obtained from the Union International Contra Cancer (UICC) as reference standards, as well as with kaolinite and illite, main members of the clay mineral family.

The well-known histochemical reactivity of asbestos bodies has been modified by treatment with iron extracting solutions and enzymes. Asbestos bodies did not exhibit any more Prussian blue positivity after treatment with iron extracting solutions, but showed a toluidine blue metachromasia due to hyaluronic acid. The same bodies, treated before with iron removing solutions and digested with testicular hyaluronidase, were not toluidine blue metachromatic, but exhibited again a Peris positivity. Then these same bodies became again Peris negative after a second iron extraction, and showed instead a positive hematoidin reaction. The diameter of the same body appeared progressively smaller after each treatment. Moreover the hematoidin positive layer had been so digested by trypsin that asbestos fibres were at least optically naked.

The following factors influence adaptation to neoplastic disease: ability to face stress; possibility of human support; feeling of being adequately treated. If the sum of these factors is negative, there will be a refusal of both the disease and the therapeutic treatment. In our Department an oncological patient, who must undergo radical surgery, leading to an eventual impairment of sexual activity and/or a change in the appearance of the body, is evaluated not only by the urologist but also by psychiatrists and psychologists. We refer to cases of patients who underwent urinary diversions (Carney II, Bricker, UCS), radical prostatectomies and operations for other types of tumours. We found the following to be fundamental: pre-operative talk with patients who have already undergone the same type of operation; explanation of operational methods, aims and possible complications, leaving no room for the patient's imagination and thus avoiding two elements which prevent post-operative recovery and adaptation - passivity and negativism.

Two cases of extensive loss of the lower abdominal wall, in patients with cutaneous stomas and large surgical wounds, are reported. Local flaps (i.e., rectus abdominis or TFL flaps) were not available or sufficient to repair the defects, therefore a free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was used for the reconstruction in both cases.

— A penetrating bladder injury in a youth due to impalement through the scrotum was successfully operated. Perforation was at the bottom and on the dome and the absence of a clinical uro-peritoneal picture was due to the plugging of the latter rupture by the omentum. Retrograde urethrocystography was negative and only pelvic ultrasound characterised the diagnosis, leading to an immediate explorative surgical approach.