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To investigate the possible alterations of spinal cord monoaminergic pathways in Parkinson's disease, the levels of dopamine, homovanillic acid, noradrenaline, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid have been measured in different subregions of the lumbar spinal cord in control subjects and parkinsonian patients. Substantial amounts of these compounds were found in the dorsal, intermediate and ventral grey matter portions and in the white matter of the spinal cord; the levels of serotonin and its metabolite being the highest. In parkinsonian patients, lumbar spinal cord dopamine and homovanillic acid levels were similar to those in the control subjects, whereas the concentrations of noradrenaline, serotonin and its metabolites were clearly subnormal in the different parts of the cord, the depletion of noradrenaline being the most pronounced. These data suggest that lumbar spinal cord noradrenergic and serotonergic, but not dopaminergic, systems are damaged in Parkinson's disease.

A case of diffuse lepromatous leprosy with lepra reaction type II-Lucio's phenomenon-in a 24 years old male patient is reported. The histological examination of the necrotic lesions and of the apparently normal skin showed the presence of dense perivascular and perianexial lymphohystiocitic infiltrates with great quantities of bacilli. The first biopsy did not show a picture a leuccocytoclastic vasculitis but only areas of necrosis. The immunofluorescence studies revealed on direct examination complement deposits on vessel walls. The complement levels in blood were lowered and circulating inmunecomplexes were also detected. These data confirm the opinion that Lucio's phenomenon is caused by circulating inmunecomplexes fixed on dermal vessel walls causing skin necrotic lesions.

The effect of curing salt on the activity of porcine muscle proteases was evaluated, within the salt concentration range found in the manufacturing process of Spanish cured ham. Salt (NaCl) acts as a strong inhibitor of proteolytic activity; sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate do not affect cathepsin D activity; cathepsin L is inhibited at levels of the salts not found in cured ham, and Ca-dependent proteolytic activity is enhanced by nitrate concentrations below 800 ppm. The appearance of phosphate precipitates in several areas of ham has led to the study of phosphate effect on enzymatic activity. Results show that phosphate is an inhibitor of proteolytic activity., (Copyright © 1989. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

A probable case of cerebral tuberculoma is described. An atypical feature was the occurence of the lesion in an apparently healthy Caucasian. Computed tomography examinations enabled the course of the disease to be followed-up during treatment.

Four cases of cerebral thrombophlebitis, 3 of which occurred during post-partum and 1 during the first trimester of pregnancy, are reported. The symptoms were misleading, being predominantly psychiatric, with secondary appearance of an epileptic attack or motor deficit. The value of cerebral angiography is stressed in the literature.

A controlled study on a pragmatic type was performed on 30 patients of both sex, all having recurrent depressions. The efficacy of Clomipramine plus Lithium Carbonate was compared to that of Clomipramine plus placebo. The control consisted in a double-blind study with random sampling of patients. Results were recorded by an independant observer using a rating scale and were analysed statistically. In spite of the bias which was observed it seems possible to conclude. The association of Clomipramine plus Lithium Carbonate has no greater global antidepressive efficacy as compared with Clomipramine plus placebo which means that Lithium does not potentialize nor antagonize the anti depressant effect of Clomipramine. In respect of the number of patients : bipolar depressions (10 cases) unipolar (20 cases) it has not been possible to study the results in these 2 sub groups.