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The article discusses a study on the Tillandsia L., the largest genus of Bromeliaceae with more than 620 pieces in six subgenera ranging from Southeastern U.S. to subtropical Argentine and Chile inhabiting tropical rainforests and deserts from the lowlands to the highlands. It aims to elucidate the aspects belonging to Tillandsia subs. Tillandsia and the phylogenetic relationships of taxa within the subgenus. Variation and information within 8 plastid DNA markers were assessed.

Active metabolites from plants are considered safer than synthetic chemicals for the control of plant-parasitic nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne . In the present work, 75 aqueous extracts (AEs) from different vegetative parts of 34 native plant species of the Yucatan Peninsula were evaluated against second-stage juveniles (J2s) of Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica in microdilution assays. The highest mortality (M) against both Meloidogyne species was produced by the foliar AE from Alseis yucatanensis (M ≥ 94%) and Helicteres baruensis (M ≥ 77%) at 3% w / v after 72 h. Other active AEs at 3% were from the leaves of Croton itzaeus and stems of H. baruensis (M: 87-90%) on M. javanica and the stems of Annona primigenia and the leaves of Morella cerifera on M. incognita (M: 92-97%). The AEs from A. yucatanensis had the lowest LD 50 against M. incognita (0.36% w / v ), and against M. javanica (3.80% w / v ). In an acute ecotoxicity assay of the most promising AEs using non-target earthworms ( Eisenia fetida ), the AE of A. yucatanensis had slight acute toxicity (LD 50 : 2.80% w / v ), and the rest of the most active AEs were not ecotoxic. These tropical plants are potential candidates for further studies as biorational agents for controlling Meloidogyne species.

Independent evolutionary lineages or species that lack phenotypic variation as an operative criterion for their delimitation are known as cryptic species. However, these have been delimited using other data sources and analysis. The aims of this study are: (1) to evaluate the divergence of the populations of the T. ionantha complex; and (2) to delimit the species using multilocus data, phylogenetic analysis and the coalescent model. Phylogenetic analyses, genetic diversity and population structure, and isolation by distance analysis were performed. A multispecies coalescent analysis to delimit the species was conducted. Phylogenetic analysis showed that T. ionantha is polyphyletic composed of eight evolutionary lineages. Haplotype distribution and genetic differentiation analysis detected strong population structure and high values of genetic differentiation among populations. The positive correlation between genetic differences with geographic distance indicate that the populations are evolving under the model of isolation by distance. The coalescent multispecies analysis performed with starBEAST supports the recognition of eight lineages as different species. Only three out of the eight species have morphological characters good enough to recognize them as different species, while five of them are cryptic species. Tillandsia scaposa and T. vanhyningii are corroborated as independent lineages, and T. ionantha var. stricta changed status to the species level.

Aim: The aim of the study was to set up a porcine ex vivo model of acid-induced damage and to evaluate its performance by means of multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH (MII-pH) live recording, histology, and Evans blue (EB) permeability assay., Materials and Methods: Thirteen esophagi, collected at a slaughterhouse, were ablated of their sphincters, pinned upright on a support, and placed in a thermostatic hood at 37°C with two infusion tubes and an MII-pH probe inserted in the top end. Three esophagi (histology controls) were only left in the hood for 3.5 h before sampling, while the remaining organs underwent the experimental protocol including saline infusion and recovery recording, and acid solution infusion and recovery recording., Results: MII-pH analysis highlighted a significantly stronger decrease during acid infusion when compared to saline, but a better post-infusion recovery for saline solution. At the end of the protocol, MII was still statistically lower than baseline. The acid-damaged esophagi significantly absorbed more EB dye, and histology revealed strong mucosal exfoliation., Conclusion: The proposed model of esophageal acid damage seems to be repeatable, reliable, and achievable using organs collected at the slaughterhouse. MII recording proved to have good sensitivity in detecting mucosal alterations also in ex vivo trials., (Copyright: © Ventrella, et al.)

Fusarium equiseti strain FCHE and Fusarium oxysporum strain FCHJ were isolated from the roots of wilting habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) seedlings with root rot. Toward developing a biorational control of these serious phytopathogenic strains, ethanolic (EE) and aqueous (AE) extracts of different vegetative parts of 40 tropical native plants of the Yucatán Peninsula were screened for antifungal activity. Extracts of six out of 40 assayed plants were effective, and the most inhibitory extracts were studied further. EEs from Mosannona depressa (bark from stems and roots), Parathesis cubana (roots), and Piper neesianum (leaves) inhibited mycelial growth of both strains. Each active EE was then partitioned between hexane and acetonitrile. The acetonitrile fraction from M. depressa stem bark (MDT-b) had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration of 1000 µg/mL against both pathogens and moderate inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of 462 against F. equiseti and 472 µg/mL against F. oxysporum. After 96 h treatment with EE from M. depressa stem bark, both strains had distorted hyphae and conidia and collapsed conidia in scanning electron micrographs. Liquid chromatography-ultraviolet-high resolution mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the major component of the fraction was α-asarone. Its antifungal effect was verified using a commercial standard, which had an IC 50 of 236 µg/mL against F. equiseti and >500 µg/mL against F. oxysporum. Furthermore, the P. cubana hexane fraction and P. neesianum acetonitrile fraction had antifungal activity against both Fusarium pathogens. These compounds provide new options for biorational products to control phytopathogenic fungi.

The growing interest towards essential oils stems from their biological capabilities that include antibacterial and antioxidant effects. Such properties may be extremely useful in the reproductive field; nonetheless essential oils show toxic effects that can lead to cell disruption. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of tea tree oil (TTO) and its principal component terpinen-4-ol (TER) on the morpho-functional parameters of swine spermatozoa. Experimental samples were prepared by suspending 15 × 10⁷ spermatozoa in 5 mL of medium with different concentrations of the above-mentioned compounds: from 0.2 to 2 mg/mL at an interval of 0.2 for TTO, while TER concentrations were adjusted according to its presence in TTO (41.5%). After 3 h incubation at 16 °C, samples were analyzed for pH, viability, acrosome status, and objective motility. The results highlighted a concentration-dependent effect of TTO with total motility as the most sensitive parameter. TER was better tolerated, and the most sensitive parameters were related to membrane integrity, suggesting a different pattern of interaction. The study confirms the importance of evaluating the effects of natural compounds on spermatozoa before exploiting their beneficial effects. Spermatozoa seem to be good candidates for preliminary toxicological screenings in the light of their peculiar properties.

Purpose: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of vitreous humor (VH) is important to discriminate between physiological and pathological conditions and may be particularly helpful when using animal models for ophthalmologic research. The aim of the present study was to investigate the physiological qualitative/quantitative composition of the VH of the standard pig using a metabolomics approach based on 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A secondary aim was the characterization of the VH of the porcine model of photoreceptor degeneration induced with iodoacetic acid (IAA), widely used in the biomedical field, and comparison with the physiological one., Methods: VH samples were collected from 30 pigs (17 in the physiological condition and 13 treated with IAA) upon vitrectomy and analyzed by means of 1H NMR spectroscopy for characterization., Results: On all analyzed samples, 40 molecules could be identified and quantified, with lactate being the most abundant in both physiological and photoreceptor degeneration conditions. Upon comparison, only 17 molecules showed statistical differences: In the IAA group, glucose and glutamine increased, while lactate, 4-amynobutyrate, hypoxanthine, dicarboxylic acids (succinate and fumarate), amino acids with their derivatives (creatine, alanine, valine, lysine, leucine, glycine, taurine, and isoleucine), and choline with its precursor sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine decreased., Conclusions: The results validate the metabolic impairment determined by glycolysis inhibition upon systemic IAA administration. In conclusion, this work represents the first characterization of the porcine VH metabolome in physiological conditions and provides additional information for the characterization and refinement of the IAA-induced photoreceptor degeneration model.

Nephrology continues to be in transition. While rates of kidney diseases and injury continue to rise, changes in the general health care system and the delivery of kidney care make it unclear how increases in need will be translated into demand for nephrologists. The changes in the delivery system also raise questions as to the future roles and career paths for nephrologists. There a major interrelated workforce issues to be watched closely : how many nephrologists are needed ? The supply of nephrologists does not reflect the distribution of patients with kidney diseases or the activity and job description related to end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Looking forward, more needs to be done to systematically measure need and access, and to identify clinical areas and activity of high need for nephrologists. This review examines the laws that govern the measure of work and the needs of personnel of the Italian state and in particular in health care. Therefore, once the method is accepted and established, it will be possible communicate those findings to policy makers and fellows and to involve the politicians., (Copyright by Società Italiana di Nefrologia SIN, Rome, Italy.)

The roe deer is a seasonally breeding species with a reproductive cycle regulated by endogenous rhythms and photoperiod-sensitivity. Sexually mature bucks show hormonal and testicular activation during the reproductive season, with a peak in the rut period, and following gradual involution. Hair is a good matrix for non-invasive endocrinological analyses that provide long-term information without being influenced by the hormones’ pulsating release patterns in blood. The aim of the work was to quantify hair concentrations of testosterone and cortisol in wild roe deer bucks hunted during the pre- and post-rut period, using a radioimmunoassay methodology, and to look for differences between the two periods. The secondary objective was the evaluation of possible correlations of such hair concentrations with blood and morphometric parameters of the testes. Both hormones showed statistical differences, with opposing trends, when comparing the two periods: testosterone increased while cortisol decreased. The correlation analysis was in agreement with existing literature regarding metabolism/actions of these hormones and testicular morphometric parameters. This study represents the first report of the use of radioimmunoassay techniques to quantify testosterone and cortisol in roe deer hair, and may provide interesting insights into their reproductive physiology.

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a disturbance of the mesenchymal tissue that accounts for 2.5% of all bone tumors and more than 7% of nonmalignant bone tumors. In the craniomaxillofacial region, FD affects the calvaria, skull base, zygoma, and jaws, the prevalent site being the maxilla (50% of cases). Therapy for craniomaxillofacial FD is surgical. The goals of surgery are to prevent functional disorders and restore facial symmetry, volume, and contour. In this article, we present a case of a young female patient affected by right orbital-zygomatic-maxillary FD. She had developed facial asymmetry and malocclusion that were corrected using the Schuchardt-Kufner osteotomy technique.

Silent Sinus Syndrome is defined as a painless spontaneous and progressive enophthalmos and hypoglobus with maxillary sinus hypoplasia and orbital floor resorption. It is caused by maxillary sinus atelectasis in a setting of ipsilateral chronic maxillary sinus hypoventilation. The syndrome was first described in 1964 by Montgomery, but the term "Silent Sinus Syndrome" was not coined until 1994 by Soparkar. The aetiology is still controversial: some authors postulate a basal hypoplastic sinus, other suggest an acquired process due to an obstruction of the ostium in the medium meatus. Silent Sinus Syndrome presents in the third to fifth decades of life, very rarely in childhood with no gender predilection and it is usually a unilateral disorder. The symptoms are not shown to be related to chronic sinuses disease. The clinical signs are: enophthalmos, hypoglobus, upper lid retraction secondary to dystopia of the globe, sinking of the eye and orbital asymmetry, deepened upper lid sulcus, disappearance of the palpebral fold line, lagophthalmos, vertical diplopia, malar depression, and facial asymmetry. Extraocular muscle function is generally preserved and usually there is no visual impairment. The diagnosis is confirmed by computed tomography scan of the orbits and paranasal sinuses. The treatment consists of orbital reconstruction and functional rehabilitation of the maxillary sinuses.

A new species of Encyclia from Mexico, Encyclia inopinata, is described and illustrated. This species is similar to Encyclia diota but it can be distinguished by its usually more robust plants with 2-3 leaves per pseudobulb and its flowers with longer and narrower sepals (1.8±0.1 × 0.63±0.03 cm in Encyclia inopinata versus 1.48 ±0.14 × 0.65±0.06 cm in Encyclia diota) and petals (1.7±0.05 × 0.59±0.05 cm in Encyclia inopinata vs. 1.36 ±0.19 × 0.81±0.13 cm in Encyclia diota), and the labellum with narrower lateral lobes (0.18±0.02 cm in Encyclia inopinata vs. 0.41±0.10 cm in Encyclia diota). Other characters that differentiate these two species are the coriaceous sepals, pink callus, and white anther of Encyclia inopinata (versus fleshy-leathery sepals, white callus, and yellow anther of Encyclia diota). The new species can be found in deciduous forests along the Pacific slope of Oaxaca state, near of the border with Guerrero state, at about 1200 m. It blooms between March and July.

Background: Orbital blowout fractures can be managed by several surgical specialties including plastic and maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology, and ophthalmology. Recommendations for surgical fracture repair depend on a combination of clinical and imaging studies to evaluate muscle/nerve entrapment and periorbital tissue herniation., Methods: The aim of this study was to verify the applicability of regional anesthesia when repairing orbital floor fractures. A retrospective chart review was performed for isolated orbital floor fractures treated at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery in Florence between May 2011 and July 2012. The study included 135 patients who met the inclusion criteria: 96 subjects were male (71%) and 39 were female (29%). The mean age was 45.3 years, ranging from 16 to 77 years., Results: The results revealed that isolated anterior orbital floor fractures can be safely repaired under regional and local anesthesia. Regional and local anesthesia should be combined with intravenous sedation when the fracture involves the posterior floor. The surgical outcome was comparable to the outcome achieved under general anesthesia. There was a lower rate of surgical revisions due to concealed malposition or entrapment of the inferior rectus muscle (19% vs 22%). However, this result was not statistically significant (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: THERE ARE SEVERAL ADVANTAGES TO SURGICALLY REPAIRING ISOLATED ORBITAL FLOOR FRACTURES UNDER REGIONAL AND LOCAL ANESTHESIA THAT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: surgeons can check the surgical outcome (enophthalmos and extrinsic ocular muscles function) intraoperatively, thereby reducing the reoperation rate; patient discomfort due to general anesthesia is eliminated; and the hospital stay is reduced, thus decreasing overall healthcare costs.

The genera Cohniella, Lophiarella, Lophiaris, and Trichocentrum are included in the Trichocentrum-clade. These genera are distributed from Florida and Northern Mexico to Southern Brazil and Northern Argentina, growing in tropical deciduous forests or tropical rain forests and thorn scrub forests to pine-oak forest, from sea level to 1700 m. The leaf anatomical structure of 23 members of the Trichocentrum-clade was explored as a source of taxonomic and phylogenetic characters. A total of 11 species of Cohniella, three species of Lophiarella, seven species of Lophiaris, two species of Trichocentrum, and other four species were included as outgroup. Anatomical characters were studied by cross sections and paradermic observations of the middle portion of fresh leaves. Although anatomical characters were fairly homogeneous throughout the clade, twelve vegetative anatomical, phylogenetically informative characters were selected and coded for an analysis that was performed using an exhaustive search (implicit enumeration) implemented through TNT. The strict consensus of 2692 most parsimonious trees resulted in a poorly resolved polytomy, which however recovers the Trichocentrum-clade with a monophyletic, strongly supported Cohniella nested within it with unifacial leaves and the presence of cellular inclusions in the epidermis as synapomorphies. We concluded that the anatomy characters alone are insufficient to assess the relationships amongst the genera of the Trichocentrum-clade. However, the two synapomorphies recovered for Cohniella strongly support its monophyly when these are analyzed in conjunction with other data sources (e.g., molecular and morphological characters).

The complete DNA-A component sequence of Desmodium leaf distortion virus (DeLDV, Begomovirus) isolated in Yucatan was determined to be 2569 nucleotides (nt) in length, and it was most closely related to Cotton leaf crumple virus-California (CLCrV-[Cal]), at 76%. The complete DNA-B component sequence was 2514 nt in length, and shared its highest nucleotide identity (60%) with Potato yellow mosaic Trinidad virus (PYMTV). Phylogenetic analyses group the DeLDV DNA-A component in the SLCV clade, whereas, the DeLDV DNA-B was grouped with the Abutilon mosaic virus clade, which also contains PYMV, suggesting that the DeLDV components have distinct evolutionary histories, possibly as the result of recombination and reassortment.

Floral phenology and breeding system of Tillandsia streptophylla (Bromeliaceae) were studied in a low inundated forest in Yucatan, Mexico. During the flowering season, from March to August, terminal scapose 1-branched, paniculate inflorescences are produced with one flower per branch opening per day, over a period of 11-29 days. Flowers are tubular, light violet, with the stigma placed below the anthers, both protruding above the corolla. Flowers are protandrous, with anthers releasing pollen from 0500 hours and stigma becoming receptive around 0900 hours. Controlled experimental crosses suggest that Tillandsia streptophylla is self incompatible and therefore, pollinator-dependent.

A number of native and cultivated eudicots in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico (YPM) exhibit symptoms associated with virus infection. Symptomatic leaves were collected and assessed for begomoviral detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and universal primers that amplify a fragment of the coat protein gene (core Cp). Begomovirus were detected in nine native and seven cultivated species, representing seven eudicot families. DNA extracts from the 16 hosts were used for PCR amplification and sequencing of a fragment containing the coat protein (Cp) gene. The complete Cp sequence was used to establish provisional species identification. Results indicated that 13 distinct begomovirus species were represented. Among these, five potentially new begomovirus species were identified, for which we propose the names Anoda golden mosaic virus (AnGMV), Boerhavia yellow spot virus (BoYSV), Papaya golden mosaic virus (PaGMV), Desmodium leaf distortion virus (DeLDV), and Hibiscus variegation virus (HiVV). Five previously described begomoviral species were provisionally identified for the first time in the YPM; these include Euphorbia mosaic virus (EuMV), Melon chlorotic leaf curl virus (MCLCuV), Okra yellow mosaic Mexico virus (OkYMMV), Sida golden mosaic virus (SiGMV), and Tobacco apical stunt virus (TbASV). Additionally, viruses previously reported from this region, Bean golden yellow mosaic virus (BGYMV), Pepper golden mosaic virus (PepGMV), and Tomato mottle virus (ToMoV) were provisionally identified in cultivated hosts. Phylogenetic analysis provisionally placed all isolates from the YPM in a Western Hemisphere begomovirus clade.

The orchid genus Maxillaria is one of the largest and most common of neotropical orchid genera, but its current generic boundaries and relationships have long been regarded as artificial. Phylogenetic relationships within subtribe Maxillariinae sensu Dressler (1993) with emphasis on Maxillaria s.l. were inferred using parsimony analyses of individual and combined DNA sequence data. We analyzed a combined matrix of nrITS DNA, the plastid matK gene and flanking trnK intron, and the plastid atpB-rbcL intergenic spacer for 619 individuals representing ca. 354 species. The plastid rpoC1 gene (ca. 2600 bp) was sequenced for 84 selected species and combined in a more limited analysis with the other data sets to provide greater resolution. In a well-resolved, supported consensus, most clades were present in more than one individual analysis. All the currently recognized minor genera of "core" Maxillariinae (Anthosiphon, Chrysocycnis, Cryptocentrum, Cyrtidiorchis, Mormolyca, Pityphyllum, and Trigonidium) are embedded within a polyphyletic Maxillaria s.l. Our results support the recognition of a more restricted Maxillaria, of some previously published segregate genera (Brasiliorchis, Camaridium, Christensonella, Heterotaxis, Ornithidium, Sauvetrea), and of several novel clades at the generic level. These revised monophyletic generic concepts should minimize further nomenclatural changes, encourage monographic studies, and facilitate more focused analyses of character evolution within Maxillariinae.

Sida acuta and Corchorus siliquosus plants showing yellow mosaic and yellow vein symptoms, respectively, were collected in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Total DNA was isolated from both plant species and used for the amplification, cloning, and sequencing of the Begomovirus genome. Nucleotide comparison of the complete DNA-A component isolated from S. acuta and C. siliquosus confirmed the presence of two distinct begomoviruses species. Based on phenotypic symptoms observed in infected field plants, the names Sida yellow mosaic Yucatan virus (SiYMYuV) and Corchorus yellow vein Yucatan virus (CoYVYuV) were proposed. The SiYMYuV DNA-A shared the highest nucleotide identity (86%) with the Okra yellow mosaic Mexico virus (OkYMMV). The complete DNA-B component shared the highest nucleotide identity (80%) with CoYVYuV. The CoYVYuV DNA-A shared the highest nucleotide identity (84%) with SiYMYuV. The 166-nt common region (CR) sequence for the DNA-A and DNA-B components of SiYMYuV shared a high nucleotide identity of 99%, and the 151 nt of CoYVYuV CR shared 95% of nucleotide identity. The organization and the iterated sequence of the putative AC1 binding site (located within the common region) of both isolates, were similar to that of the begomoviruses of the Western Hemisphere. Phylogenetic analyses placed the DNA-A and DNA-B of SiYMYuV and CoYVYuV in the clade containing the Abutilon mosaic virus (AbMV).

Introduction: We report the results of a multicenter study of 184 cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and compare our results with those reported in the literature., Material and Methods: We treated 184 cirrhotic FNB-proved HCC patients with TACE in a 2 years' period; 159 were men and 25 women and their mean age was 59 years (range: 46-75 years). TACE was performed with selective or superselective injection of Doxorubicin chlorhydrate (20-50 mg) mixed with Lipiodol Ultrafluid before embolization with Spongostan. This procedure was repeated after 4-6 weeks for at least 3 cycles. Follow-up was performed by means of periodic US, CT and MR scans and by assessment of the clinical status and serum biochemical tests--alpha-fetoprotein, platelet and blood cell counts, protein electrophoresis, bilirubin and other standard liver and renal function tests. TACE results were assessed comparing site, size and local spread of tumor and TACE technique (lobar or segmental, number of performed procedures) with survival in each patient. The lesion was single in 85 (46.2%) and multiple in 99 (53.8%) patients. It exceeded 5 cm in 128 patients (69.5%) and was < 5 cm in 57 (30.5%)., Results: Angiography, CT and MRI showed complete necrosis in 148 patients (80.4%) and an unchanged pattern in 36 (19.6%). Overall survival rates were 95.7% at 6 months, 78.3% at 1 year, 46.0% at 2 years, 40.0% at 3 years. The best responses were obtained with lesions < 5 cm--with 100% survival at 6 months, 94.8% at 12 months, 71.4% at 18 months, 54.7% at 24 months and 50.0% at 36 months. Other factors affecting treatment response were singleness of lesion (96.4% at 6 months, 93.9% at 12 months, 71.4% at 18 months, 58.9% at 24 months, and 50.0% at 36 months) and at least 3 cycles of TACE (100% at 6 months, 87.8% at 12 months, 70.1% at 18 months, 48.7% at 24 months and 37.5% at 36 months). Abdominal pain and fever were the most frequent complications, particularly in the first TACE procedure, but both were mild and transient. Lipiodol cholecystitis was found in 3 patients but they were asymptomatic. No patients had evidence of cardiac toxicity or experienced significant leukopenia or thrombocytopenia as a result of systemic toxicity from Doxorubicin., Conclusions: We can conclude that TACE proves to be an efficacious treatment in the HCC patients who cannot undergo surgery.

The authors describe their experience in the treatment of dumbbell neurogenic tumours, intrathoracic and intraspinal, with particular reference to clinical presentation, diagnostic for imaging, anatomo-pathological classification and surgical treatment, comparing their clinical cases (9) with the international literature, accurately reviewed. The authors think that the best surgical treatment is the combined approach, in only one stage, of thoracic surgeon and neurosurgeon by hemilaminectomy and extended costotrasversectomy, reserving hemilaminectomy and thoracotomy only for the tumours with big dimension of intrathoracic portion.

A splenic arteriovenous fistula is a situation often presenting with signs of portal hypertension and with a characteristic murmur. Though rare, the possibility of a splenic arteriovenous fistula must be borne in mind in differential diagnosis, since it can be corrected surgically by resolving the portal hypertension.

Obturator hernia, which is a rare cause of intestinal occlusion, generally presents non-specific signs and symptoms. Radiology may be sometimes useful for the diagnosis. Four cases of obturator hernia are described, and the possible surgical access routes are illustrated, emphasizing the use of prosthetic mesh.

The Authors report their experience with stapling devices in gastric resection according to Billroth I. The operative technique for the restoration of the gastroduodenal continuity, the data concerning 39 cases observed from January 1, 1982 to May 30, 1989, and the relative indications are described.

The level of immune complexes has been detected with the C1q binding test in 179 subjects positive by Latex agglutination test (titre greater than 1/20). The average of C1q binding was 5.36%, significantly higher than in 30 normal blood donors. A positive correlation was observed between the percent of C1q binding and, respectively, the titre of the latex test and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Of the 36 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 16 (45.7%) showed an high level of C1q binding activity (greater than 5%), as well as 4 of the 8 patients with chronic hepatitis (50%) and 11 of the 31 patients with infectious diseases. No immune complexes were detected among the 11 healthy latex positive subjects.

The Authors report on three cases of Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms of the pancreas. These tumours are rare and the diagnosis is based on echography and CT scanning. After a radical excision the prognosis is good although these tumours are "all" potentially malignant.

The distinctive features of true and false filling defects in the radio-opaque image of the upper urinary tract are discussed. The differential diagnosis of intrinsic intraluminal and parietal lacune is examined and several cases are presented by way of illustration.

A series of 96 patients who underwent "eventration repair" using Mersilene-Mesh, according to Rives technique between jan 1983 and june 1988 is reported. The Authors stress the excellent results and the low cost of this method: there were no recurrences, postoperative complications were rare (18.7%) and their recover was complete, the patient was allowed to return to work earlier after easy and prompt convalescence.

Five cases of colorectal cancer associated with ovarian neoplasma are reported: three of them are multiple primary malignant lesions and the others are colorectal carcinoma with ovarian metastasis. Problems of its frequency are then discussed as well as and ethiopathogenesis in multiple primary malignant neoplasma and in ovarian metastasis.

The subject of this work is an analysis of the mitotic activity in the developing spinal cord and rhombencephalon of the oviparous teleost Jordanella floridae and the viviparous teleost Gambusia affinis (Cyprinodontoidei). In Gambusia there is considerable and long lasting mitotic activity that decreases gradually and is still present 20 days after birth. In Jordanella the mitotic activity is concentrated in the early stages of development, it then decreases drastically and practically disappears even before hatching and reappears 20 days later. These differences are probably due to the variations in speed and pattern of development in the two teleosts. As regard the localization of mitoses, it emerged that migration towards the lumen may be prevented by physiological conditions related to normal development. It emerged moreover, that migration towards the lumen is not a generalised phenomenon in development of the central nervous system since it is related, in the spinal cord of teleosts at least, to the modality and speed of embryo development.