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Because of the frequent presence of corneal arcus senilis in patients affected by Dupuytren's disease in order to evaluate this association, the authors conducted a biomicroscopic examination of the cornea in 336 patients treated surgically for Dupuytren's disease, at the Hand Surgery Unit of the University of Modena from November 1985 to December 1989. They observed corneal arcus senilis in 259 patients, i.e. in 77.1% of patients with Dupuytren's disease. Due to the statistically significant correlation between arcus senilis and hyperlipidemia as reported by Tschetter (1980) and Felder (1981), the Authors collected a blood sample from all 336 patients to evaluate serum cholesterol and tryglicerides. This study revealed a dyslipidemia in 54.8% of patients with Dupuytren's disease and in 60.2% of patients suffering from both Dupuytren's disease and arcus senilis. Because of the high frequency of dislipidemia in patients with Dupuytren's disease and arcus senilis, which are apparently two well-distinguished disease, the authors suggest that a lipid disorder may be a common aetiopathogenic factor. In particular, in favour of the possible role of hyperlipidemia in Dupuytren's disease, Electron Microscope Studies revealed lipid inclusions within fibroblasts and in the extracellular connective tissue of all pathologic palmar aponeurosis from 11 patients with Dupuytren's disease: these lipid inclusions were never seen in the normal aponeurosis taken from 5 control patients treated for traumatic palmar injuries.

Subject expectancy on cannabis effects was assessed in a balanced-placebo study in experienced consumers who smoked cigarettes containing hashish (200 mg hashish with 11.5% THC per 1 g tobacco cigarette) (n = 24) or placebo (n = 24). Although statistically significant differences were not found between subjects who received the drug with positive or negative expectancy, a tendency toward more marked subjective effects was shown in subjects who expected and received the drug. This trend was supported by the significant difference observed in the mean AUC0-25 of the heart rate between subjects who smoked hashish with positive or negative expectancies. In subjects who received hashish, the sum AUC0-205 of THC and COOH-THC of those who expected the drug was greater than in those who did not expect it (p less than 0.05). The ratio THC/COOH-THC AUC0-205 was lower in those with positive expectancy than in those with negative expectancy (p less than 0.02). An increased metabolism of THC was shown in subjects with positive expectancy. Positive expectancy induced powerful subjective effects in the absence of active THC. Expectancy appeared to influence smoking behavior, as seen in higher plasma levels of cannabinoids for the group who received the drug.

A major objective of the present paper is to evaluate the activation performance of the reduced activation martensitic steel B-TAHF, in the first structural wall (FSW) of a magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) reactor. The concepts of recycling and shallow land burial (SLB) are used as indicators of the long-term radioactive behaviour. Some considerations about neutron irradiation effects in the alloy have been taken into account, in order to point out a conservative value for the FW lifetime. A comparison is also performed between the activity of B-TAHF, and that of the martensitic steel DIN 1.4914 on which that is based. The estimated lifetime of these martensitic steels results in frequent FW replacement, and consequently, a great quantity of radioactive material wastes associated with the FW is generated during the life of the plant. The DIN 1.4914 steel is unacceptable as FSW material of a commercial MCF reactor from a radiological viewpoint. The alloy B-TAHF has a much better long-term radioactive performance. Mainly due to the presence of Nb, B-TAHF cannot be qualified for SLB. Removing this element could allow the development of a reduced martensitic steel that could meet SLB conditions for the FW. Recycling of the steel in the FW is much more doubtful.

The purpose of the present work has been to evaluate the biological activity of alkaloids and tannins extracted from roots of Punica granatum L. on axenic cultures from Entamoeba histolytica and E. invadens, strains. Initially, the total aqueous extract and later some of its components obtained by thin layer chromatography were tested. These compounds were identified by chromatography as alkaloids or tannins. The density of amebic cultures was determined with a hemocytometer after 48 and 96 hours of incubation, which was calculated by the difference between number of trophozoites obtained at the times chosen and the number of amoebae inoculated. Two milliliters of aqueous extract had higher activity on cultures from E. histolytica than E. invadens strains, producing growth inhibitions of about 100 and 40 per cent respectively. Alkaloid concentrations of 1 mg/ml had no amebicide activity, however tannins at concentrations of 10 micrograms/ml for E. histolytica, and 100 micrograms/ml for E. invadens were sufficient to produce an growth inhibition about 100 per cent. Tannic acid was also tested on the cultures of E. histolytica observing an high inhibitory activity on the growth, this effect was produced at 0.01 mg/ml was similar to that observed with the tannins mixture.

Hematologic abnormalities are common in association with collagen diseases, specially Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and include anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia with alterations in lymphocyte subpopulations. On the other hand, patients with unexplained fibrosis of the bone marrow (the syndrome of idiopathic myelofibrosis or primary myelofibrosis) have clinical and laboratory evidence of immunologic dysfunction. Clinical findings include the presence of arthritis, vasculitis and erythema nodosum. Laboratory abnormalities include the presence of circulating immune complexes, antinuclear antibodies, positive direct Coombs test, elevated latex fixation and a circulating lupus type anticoagulant. Total hemolytic complement markedly depressed has also been reported. These data suggest that immunologic mechanisms associated with activation of the complement system play an important role in the disease process of some patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosis. A review of the literature revealed that myelofibrosis occurring in the setting of collagen diseases is rare. However, a role for immunologic factors in the pathogenesis of myelofibrosis is also supported by the patients with coincident well defined collagen disease and myelofibrosis. In this report, we present two patients with such an association. Case 1 was a 58-year-old male with a two year duration history of rheumatic arthritis. He had bone erosions on hands, splenomegaly and myelofibrosis. Rheumatoid factor (latex) was positive: 1:2560. He had positive LE cells and hypocomplementemia: 37 CH50/ml (NV 70-150). The patient did not meet criteria for SLE. Case 2 was a 36-year-old female admitted because of dyspnea and fever. Diagnosis of myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosis and progressive systemic sclerosis had been made four years before hand.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We report two brothers from non-consanguineous parents who share a particular constellation of clinical and radiographic findings, including macrocephaly, mental retardation and seizures as well as megalencephaly, cavum septum pellucidum and persistence of cavum vergae. The similar characteristics of these two brothers suggest a hereditary syndrome.

5-Methylisoxazoles with electron-accepting groups at C-4 (1a-c) and 2,3-dimethylisoxazolium iodide (II) undergo ring cleavage when treated with organic bases. The nature of the open chain products which were obtained (stable enolates, β-diketones, esters) depends on the group at C-4 and the strength of the base. In some of these processes aromatic aldehydes were used in order to determine the competition between the condensation and the cleavage reaction. The mechanism of the nucleophilic ring cleavage of II is also shown.

The efficacy of a rapid detoxification schedule (8 to 10 days) with clonidine or methadone was evaluated in 30 patients addicted to heroin. The dose of study drug was preestablished according to the subject's weight and the amount of opioid consumption, and the total daily dose was reduced by approximately 15% during the study. All subjects completed the detoxification program and stayed in the hospital for at least 12 days. Clonidine and methadone therapies proved to be highly effective. There was a marked reduction in anxiety during opioid detoxification, although subjects' experiences differed according to the drug used. On the day of discharge, subjects who had received methadone still had attenuated withdrawal symptoms, whereas there were no such symptoms in the clonidine group. Muscular aching, flatulence, and daily drowsiness were more common among subjects in the methadone group, while subjects in the clonidine group had more sleep disturbances and weeping. Syncopal episodes and bradycardia occurred more frequently in the clonidine group. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1985) 38, 336–341; doi:10.1038/clpt.1985.182

The aim of this work was to observe the starting of fetal macrosomy during the gestation of the diabetic rat and whether the sex of the fetuses has any influence on it. Lesions were produced in the B cells of the pancreas by the administration of alloxan on the 4th gestation day. The length and weight of the fetuses were not altered by this treatment before the 14th day of pregnancy, suggesting that fetal macrosomy should occur after this day.

T and B lymphocytes were quantified in peripheral blood of thirty patients with South American pemphigus foliaceus according to their ability to form rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E) or sheep erythrocytes sensitized with antibody an complement (EAC). When compared with the counts obtained from thirty normal subjects, a decrease was found in the total T-lymphocyte count (32-33+/-7-7 versus 46-7+/-8-7) and in the T functional lymphocyte count as detected by the active rosette test. The mean percentage of B lymphocytes within the total number of lymphocytes was not significantly different from that of normal subjects (24-0 +/- 8-2 versus 25-3+/-8-0). Lymph node sections from three pemphigus patients examined for E or EAC adherence showed depletion of T cells in the paracortical areas. The low percentage of E cells in the peripheral blood and the depletion of E cells in paracortical areas of lymph nodes from patients with South American pemphigus foliaceus may reflect an impaired cellular immunity.

The use of electrochemical reactions to produce species able to initiate polymerization processes began in the years around 1950, with some pioneering work being radical polymerizations initiated by cathodic reduction of inorganic redox couples,1 cathodic reduction of H+ to atomic hydrogen,2–4 and anodic oxidation of carboxylate ions.5 Some years later, the first electroinitiated anionic polymerization was obtained by direct transfer of electrons to styrene in pyridine at a magnesium cathode, in the presence of NaI as supporting electrolyte,6 and in 1960 the first evidence of cationic polymerizations initiated by electrolysis was reported.7 The progress in the field of electroinitiated polymerization up to the beginning of 1971 has been extensively reviewed by Breitenbach.8

Skin biopsies from 4 systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, 6 SSc patients treated with D-penicillamine (from 8 to 60 months) and 4 normal subjects were analyzed by light and electron microscopy. By light microscopy, collagen bundles of SSc dermis were thicker and more compact than in age-matched controls; D-penicillamine treatment did not significantly modify their organization. On the contrary, a stereological analysis showed that the elastin volume density was higher in patients than in controls, and increased again after D-penicillamine treatment: moreover, the number of elastin fibers per unit area was significantly higher in the dermis of patients compared to controls, and became even higher after D-penicillamine treatment. The phenomena were evident in all strata of the dermis; however, the most significant increase of elastin in SSc patients compared to controls was in the superficial dermis, whereas after D-penicillamine treatment, all the strata of the dermis showed a significant increase in the percentage of elastin and in the number of elastin fibers per unit area compared to untreated patients and to controls. There were no relationships between elastin increase and time from the onset of SSc or time and dose of D-penicillamine treatment. At the ultrastructural level, collagen fibrils had rather heterogeneous diameters and formed more compact fibers, especially in the reticular and in the deep dermis of SSc patients compared to controls. After D-penicillamine, collagen fibril diameters in three of 5 patients examined were statistically wider and more heterogeneous than in controls and in untreated patients, whereas in the other 2 subjects both the mean diameter and the distribution of the class diameter were similar to both controls and untreated patients. This could suggest a specific individual reaction to the drug. Elastin fibers were smaller, more numerous and polymorphous in all patients compared to controls. After D-penicillamine, elastin fibers became even more numerous and smaller than in untreated patients. There was no correlation between the number and size of the elastin fibers and the time or dose of D-penicillamine. The internal organization of the elastin fibers was normal. These data indicate that the amount and distribution of collagen and elastin are altered in the dermis of SSc patients, and that D-penicillamine interferes with the deposition of both fibrous proteins in the dermal extracellular space.

Grafting of polystyryl and copoly(styrene-b-isopren)yl maorocarbanions onto ethylene-maleic anhydride alternating copolymer was carried out under reaction conditions such as to obtain copolymers with middle-low grafting degree and long lateral chains. In order to ascertain the absence of secondary reactions, the coupling of n-BuLi with succinic anhydride vas investigated, and no secondary reaction vas observed. The graft copolymers, wich have molecular weights and elemental composition in good agreement with those expected, were studied by IR spectroscopy and DSC. Both spectra and calorimetric curves confirm the structures assigned to the copolymers. The tensile properties of the copolymers with copoly(styrene-b-isoprene) lateral chains were also investigated, The properties appear very dependent on the degree of grafting, on the solvent (benzene or THF) from which the specimens were deposited, and on their thermal history.

Neuropsychological performance before and after a rapid (1 week) detoxification treatment, was studied in heroin addicts. Ninety-three opioid dependents (DSM-III) were evaluated with a brief test battery assessing attention, memory and verbal fluency performance prior to their admission to a Detoxification Unit. Significant differences were noted between the addicts' performance and a group of 30 comparable normals, whose intellectual ability was similar. At re-evaluation addicts showed improvement in most measures, including general clinical status. Moreover, no differences between the sample of detoxificated addicts and controls on measures of neuropsychological performance were then detected. No relationship was found between psychopathological symptoms and neuropsychological functioning after the pharmacological detoxification of addicts. The length of addiction or drug consumption were not predictive of neuropsychological impairment in the present sample of heroin addicts.

In order to assess protection level against tetanus, the antitoxin titre was evaluated, by indirect haemagglutination test, in a sample, stratified by sex and age, of 805 subjects of three communes of Tuscany. On the whole the frequency of the serum protected is the 46.1% and it varies according to sex and age: under 20 years it is more than 90%, but it decreases in the successive ages, less in the male sex, probably owing to the vaccination made during the military service. The greatest percentage of immune subjects was observed in the most industrialized area. The less protected professional categories were pensioned people and housewives (25.8%). No differences of serum protection were found between those who practise or do not, recreative activities at the risk (sport, horticulture and gardening). No correlation was observed between the vaccinal anamnesis and the serological test.

Finger and palm prints of 220 Cuban mongols, all trisomic 21, were statistically compared with those of a group of 400 normal Cuban individuals. The most important dermatoglyphic findings in the patients were: an excess of ulnar loops on the 2nd and 3rd fingers, and radial loops on the 4th and 5th fingers; a paucity of patterns in the thenar/I area; more hypothenar true patterns, specially ulnar loops, higher percentages of patterns in the II and III interdigital spaces with less true patterns in the IV interdigital space; distal position t" of the axial triradius and large atd angles of more than 70 degrees; high values of the main-line index; predominance of radial type of the C line and higher frequencies of type 11 of the D line. The simian crease, especially the complete variety, had more diagnostic value than the Sydney line. Parathenar patterns which did not seem to have been described previously in mongols, were significantly more frequent in the patients than in controls. The results are very similar to those observed in other countries and it seems that the peculiar dermatoglyphic pattern of patients with Down syndrome is not affected by ethnic influences.

The serum hexosamine levels of 39 patients with Pênfigo Foliáceo Brasileiro were determined. The mean value obtained, compared with the mean value found in 30 normal individuals in our laboratory, by Santos et al. (1977), shows that in this disease, the levels of serum glycosamine are higher than in the normal group. The application of Student's test (/t/) indicates a significant difference in the mean values (/t/) = 9,02 P greater than 0,001). Although little is known about the fundamental processes concerned with the increase of serum glycosamines, the authors based on the suggestions of Seibert et al. (1947) reason on the possibility that the essential lesion, i.e., the destruction of the intercellular cement (of glycoprotein nature) is an important factor in the increase of glycoproteins rich in glicosamines.

BACKGROUND: Findings are presented of the second phase of a European longitudinal study of families created by assisted reproduction. The present investigation reports on data obtained during the child’s transition to adolescence. METHODS: A total of 102 IVF families, 94 donor insemination (DI) families, 102 adoptive families, and 102 families with a naturally conceived child were compared on standardized interview and questionnaire measures of parenting and children’s psychological well-being. RESULTS: The assisted reproduction families were similar to the adoptive and natural conception families for many of the measures of the quality of parent–child relationships. To the extent that differences were found between the assisted reproduction families and the other family types, these reflected mainly more positive functioning among the assisted reproduction families, with the possible exception of the overinvolvement with their children of a small proportion of assisted reproduction mothers and fathers. The assisted reproduction children were functioning well and did not differ from the adoptive or naturally conceived children on any of the measures of psychological adjustment. However, only 8.6% had been told about their genetic origins. CONCLUSIONS: IVF and DI families with an early adolescent child appear to be functioning well.

The aim of this work was the morphological, physicochemical, mechanical and biological characterization of a new composite system, based on gelatin, gellan and hydroxyapatite, and mimicking the composition of natural bone. Porous scaffolds were prepared by freeze-drying technique, under three different conditions of freezing. The morphological analysis showed a homogeneous porosity, with well interconnected pores, for the sample which underwent a more rapid freezing. The elastic modulus of the same sample was close to that of the natural bone. The presence of interactions among the components was demonstrated through the physicochemical investigation. In addition, the infrared chemical imaging analysis pointed out the similarity among the composite scaffold and the natural bone, in terms of chemical composition, homogeneity, molecular interactions and structural conformation. Preliminary biological characterization showed a good adhesion and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells.