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The authors studied 54 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis by sigma SR method. The sigma SR, unlike the ESR, often reveals inflammatory activity in patients suffering from possible or probable rheumatoid arthritis and is very useful to diagnose the disease. The sigma SR constantly increases when the disease is in active period, unlike the ESR, in patients affected by classic or definite rheumatoid arthritis. The authors conclude the sigma SR determination is useful in every case of rheumatoid arthritis, especially when the disease is at beginning and is difficult to be diagnosed, i.e. cases of possible and probable rheumatoid arthritis, and when clinical and biohumoral picture disagree.

Human peripheral blood monocytes were obtained in very pure preparations by using buoyant density gradient centrifugation followed by velocity sedimentation. We introduced several modifications in the experimental procedure in order to take advantage of the minimal differences in cell density and size between monocytes and lymphocytes. Previous methods used to isolate monocytes based on their physical properties are reviewed, and the theory of velocity sedimentation is discussed with regard to the differences in the methodology used, which account for the different results we obtained.

Two groups of patients submitted to emergency abdominal surgery were examined. The first group was treated with antibiotics before surgery whereas the second group was treated with antibiotics only following surgery. The percentage of local and general complications, the bacteria involved and recovery times were compared for the two groups. It is concluded that presurgical antibiotic cover is necessary to give sure prevention against local and general complications.

A group of 22 Australian-born mothers, 10 mothers born in Italy and 8 born in Australia of Italian parents, were tested using the Present Pain Index, the Pain Rating Index (Ranking) and the Number of Words Chosen index from the McGill Pain Questionnaire. This questionnaire consists of words that can be used to describe and measure the intensity of the pain by using weighted words that have a sensory, an evaluative and an affective component. The subjects were mothers in the same maternity ward of a suburban public hospital. No statistically significant results were obtained.

Haemorrhoid cryosurgery in 528 cases operated since the University of Genoa Colon and Rectum Diseases Centre opened is illustrated. It is shown that the complete success of this technique is dependent on careful preoperative assessment, adoption of a suitable method, and proper post-operative management. An analysis of these three parameters is followed by a description of the immediate and 1-yr follow-up results observed in the reported series. The soundness of the method is asserted. Stress is laid on the fact that cryosurgery offers a valid alternative to conventional surgical methods, provided its indications are strictly adhered to.

Mathematical modeling combined with nonlinear least-squares curve fitting provides a systematic, objective, reproducible, and consistent method to aid the interpretation of ligand-binding data. It forces the experimentalist to formulate hypotheses in an unambiguous manner and to consider alternative, closely related models as plausible counter-hypotheses. Modeling provides estimates of the "goodness-of-fit" of the theory to the data and estimates of the minimal uncertainty of the parameters. With the availability of many programs for micro- and mini-computers, as well as mainframe computers, these methods are now becoming widely used. Accordingly, we must emphasize a number of potential problems and limitations, based on our experience. Interpretation of results of modeling study should be made, in light of the following points: no amount of computer analysis will compensate for "bad" or insufficient data, or for poor experimental design; the interpretation of the computer analysis is subject to the caveat that all underlying assumptions must be satisfied; one must examine the data graphically in several coordinate systems (e.g., "raw data," as well as standardized residuals); one must continuously search for possible systematic biases or artifacts; one must closely examine the reproducibility of results between multiple experiments; and one must recognize that all of the "test tubes" in an experiment are not necessarily "independent observations" in a statistical sense. In view of these potential problems and limitations, one should always seek to corroborate results and interpretations of "modeling" studies of ligand binding by independent biochemical, biophysical, or structural evidence. In this context, ligand-binding studies, appropriately analyzed, can play a useful and constructive role.

The prevalences of delta co-infections and superinfections in 100 randomly selected subjects for each year from 1977 to 1982 and in all the subjects of subsequent years until April 1986, admitted to our Department with acute viral hepatitis B (AVHB), were evaluated and compared with the annual incidence of cases of AVHB reported in Naples during the same period. Moreover, anti-delta antibodies were determined in the sera of 25 consecutive cases of HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis and 25 consecutive cases of HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis and 25 consecutive cases of HBsAg-positive cirrhosis, respectively, for 1977, 1980, 1983 and 1986. Our data show a high, constant circulation of HDV and a decrease in its incidence in acute forms over the last 3 years, which coincides with the parallel lower incidence of AVHB, but which is not reflected in the delta prevalence in the chronic forms. They also indicate the possible existence of alternate cycles of increase and decrease in the infection, partly dissociated from HBV circulation, which present peculiar epidemiologic characteristics.

The paper shows that haemochromocytometric alterations occur at a very early stage and even in symptom-free cancer patients. This was confirmed by the examination of about 100 cases of confirmed cancer as yet not subjected to surgical, antiblastic or radiation treatment.

Salivary IgA (SlgA) levels were determined in 1,539 normal children, aged between 8 months and 6 years. In four children (0.26%), an absence and in 25 children (1.62%) a relative defect, (less than 1 mg/dl) were found. These values are similar to those encountered in an adult male population. Conversely, the mean SlgA in all age groups we examined was much lower in comparison to the adult mean. This difference is particularly great for SlgA and much smaller for total salivary proteins. There was no difference between males and females, and no relation with personal or familial history of allergic and/or infectious episodes. The conclusions of this study are as follows: Absolute and relative SlgA defects, when found, are present from birth, The complete maturation of SlgA occurs after 6 years of age, The role of SlgA in the protection against allergic or infectious episodes perhaps ought to be revised.

550 patients given abdominal or extra-abdominal surgery in the first six months of 1980 were examined to provide data on the incidence of delayed postoperative canalisation. Both general (sex, age, physical constitution) and surgical (extent of surgery, whether the peritoneal sac was opened) factors were considered. The data collected provide information on the prophylaxis and therapy of delayed postoperative canalisation.

The binding properties of opioid receptors on isolated nerve terminals (neurosecretosomes) from bovine posterior pituitaries were characterized. Both [3H]etorphine and [3H]ethylketocyclazocine ([3H]EKC) showed high-affinity binding with complex binding isotherms, consistent with the presence of multiple classes of binding sites. [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin showed no specific binding and failed to displace [3H]etorphine at high concentrations, indicating the absence of mu, delta, or benzomorphan (kappa 2) sites. Mathematical modelling of the data suggested the presence of three classes of binding sites. The first was of high affinity with Kd values of 0.9 and 2.0 nM for etorphine and EKC, respectively. The second class of sites appeared to bind etorphine with a KD of 150 nM, and EKC with extremely low affinity (unmeasurable binding). The third class of sites was characterized by KD values of 7 and 2 microM for etorphine and EKC, respectively. These results indicate that the nerve terminals of bovine posterior pituitary contain opioid binding sites of the kappa type. Furthermore, these binding sites appear heterogeneous, consisting of at least two and possibly more subtypes or states.

Fourteen ultrasonically-guided percutaneous transcholecystic cholangiographies (PTCC) were performed in subjects with biliary obstruction with different underlying diseases. No complication was observed, and the procedure permitted diagnosis in all cases, although the previously reported difficulty of visualizing proximal bile ducts was confirmed in two cases. PTCC can constitute a valid and safe diagnostic alternative in obstructive jaundice in which no dilation of intrahepatic bile ducts is revealed on US, in cases in which percutaneous trans-hepatic cholangiography fails.

Intact neurosecretosomes (NSS) from bovine posterior pituitary were prepared and characterized. Ligand binding studies were performed, using 3H-[D-Ala2-D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADL), 3H-etorphine and 3H-ethylketocyclazocine (EKC). The absence of specific binding of 3H-DADL and the inability of DADL to displace 3H-etorphine, implies the absence of mu, delta, or DADL-suppressible benzomorphan ("kappa-2") sites. Self- and cross displacement studies for etorphine and EKC suggested receptor heterogeneity. EKC fails to displace - 20% of specific binding of etorphine. Mathematical modelling indicates the presence of three classes of sites. The present findings imply that bovine posterior pituitary opioid receptors are exclusively of the kappa type.

A retrospective analysis of 3052 gastroscopies made by our Digestive Endoscopy Department from 1974 to 1979 was carried out. 14 Early Gastric Cancers out of a total of 157 gastric carcinomas were diagnosed (8.9%), with an EGC: Gastroscopies ratio = 1:218. From the macroscopic point of view 8 were found to belong to type III, 5 to type II, and 1 to type I. The main location was the lesser curvature (angulus-antrum). With regard to the degree of infiltration, 2 were found to belong to stage 0a, 8 to stage 0b, and 5 to stage I. The endoscopic observation gave reason to suspect the presence of a malignant lesion in 6 of the 14 cases. The bioptic examination proved positive in 10 cases, while in 4 the diagnosis was made on the operatory piece. The importance of multiple bioptic samples is again confirmed. Cytology performed by brushing showed malignant tumoral cells in 4 cases, and again in 4 cases the radiological examination led to suspicion of degenerated gastric ulcer. 13 patients were subjected to surgery during which no metastases to the locoregional lymphonodes were found; the patients are all alive. We started gastric carcinoma screening by selecting the patients on the basis of a worksheet covering epidemiological, clinical, biohumoural and instrumental parameters, since the prognosis for the disease is directly proportional to the earliness of its diagnosis.

Seven hundred ninety-one consecutive patients with acute viral hepatitis, 17 of whom had liver failure, and 97 healthy volunteers were examined by ultrasound. No specific patterns were found in either the uncomplicated or the complicated forms. Only 19 subjects showed a typical "bright liver" pattern, which is correlated with significant vacuolar hepatocellular degeneration. The increased brightness and clear visualization of portal vein radicle walls, previously described in this disease, were detected in only 32.2% of the hepatitis patients but were also seen in 30.9% of the normal controls.

Experiments were designed to study the cardiovascular effects of Bromocriptine (2-Br-alpha-ergocriptine) in the normotensive anesthetized rats. The intravenous administration of bromocriptine (20 micrograms/kg and 200 micrograms/kg) produced a long-lasting and not dose-dependent fall in the mean blood pressure and heart rate. The pressor response to phenylephrine, an alpha adrenergic agonist, was antagonized by bromocriptine in a dose-dependent manner. At a dose of 20 micrograms/kg bromocriptine behaved as a competitive antagonist, whereas at the dose of 200 micrograms/kg produced an insurmountable blockade of the response to phenylephrine. Previous administration of phentolamine (5 mg/kg) prevented the insurmountable blockade of alpha adrenoceptors by bromocriptine. This observation suggests that both drugs compete for the same receptor. It is concluded that blockade of peripheral alpha-adrenoceptors may contribute to cardiovascular effects of bromocriptine.

The authors discuss the problems of emergency treatment of cavernous hemangiomas of the liver. Five cases were observed and treated with different techniques, ligation of the hepatic artery, excision of the mass, embolization of the hepatic artery. The results of these procedures were strongly influenced by the patient's previous state. Treatment was successful in three patients, while the procedure adopted was able to stop the hemorrage in the other two patients. The physical state was very important for the prognosis; the two patients arriving at our Institute in deep shock both died.