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Un'analisi comparativa del ruolo della religione e della Chiesa cattolica nei due casi dell'Italia di Mussolini e della Spagna di Franco, che analizza le rilevanti differenze ma anche il ruolo del nazional-cattolicesimo in entrambi i casi. A comparative analysis of the role of religion and Catholic Church in the cases of Mussolini's Italy and Franco's Spain which analyzes the relevant differences but also the role of a national Catholicism in both cases.

Una breve introduzione ai problemi della storia comparativa, alla sua importanza, alla sua difficoltà. Allo stesso tempo un resoconto del lavoro del gruppo di ricerca internazionale italo-spagnolo che ha organizzato le "Primeras Jornadas de Estudio sobre Fascismo y Franquismo" (Roma Tre, 19-20 gennaio 2001) A brief introduction to the problems of comparative history, to its importance and difficulty. At the same time this short article gives an account of the work of the international research groups (from Italy and Spain) that worked in the organization of the "Primeras Jornadas de Estudio sobre Fascismo y Franquismo" (Roma Tre, January 19-20 2001)

PEG-electrolyte solution has been considered the method of choice for preparation to colonoscopy, but no data about cost-effectiveness have been available so far. A controlled study enrolling 722 patients has been carried out in order to compare the cost-effectiveness of PEG-electrolyte solution and a traditional method consisting of low-residue diet, sennosides, magnesium sulphate and sodium phosphate enemas for preparation to colonoscopy. As primary measure, the proportion of patients submitted to repeated colonoscopy due to insufficient bowel cleansing PEG-electrolyte solution has been used. This was significantly lower after PEG-electrolyte solution (2%) than after traditional method (9%). Direct costs, reported per 100 cases, were lower with PEG-electrolyte solution (L. 20.655.000) than with traditional preparation (L. 21.746.000) with a saving of 5%. As far as total costs (direct plus indirect) are concerned the economical savings associated with use of PEG-electrolyte solution were L. 9.684.000 (21.5%). PEG-electrolyte solution appears more cost-effective than a traditional method for preparation to colonoscopy; therefore its use is also motivated by substantial economical benefits for the National Health System.

Cell proliferation kinetics of 30 patients affected by extensive ulcerative colitis in remission have been studied with autoradiography of rectal biopsies incubated with tritiated thymidine. The results have been compared with those of 20 control subjects without evidence of colonic diseases, and of 16 patients with multiple nonfamilial colonic adenomas. The labeling index was similar in the three groups (P = NS). On the contrary, the labeling frequency (SEM) in the upper 40% of the crypt (phi h value) was 0.04 +/- 0.01 in controls, 0.16 +/- 0.02 in ulcerative colitis, and 0.10 +/- 0.01 in adenoma patients (P less than 0.001 ulcerative colitis versus controls, P less than 0.01 adenomas versus controls, P = NS ulcerative colitis versus adenomas). The distribution of phi h values in ulcerative colitis showed a bimodal trend with 22 patients having mean phi h values similar to adenoma patients (0.10 +/- 0.01) and 8 with higher values (0.30 +/- 0.02). No relationship was found between phi h values and duration of colitis, age of patients, or age at onset of symptoms. These data show that cell kinetics studies can detect patients at particularly high risk of colon cancer, and that additional factors should determine colon cancer risk level in ulcerative colitis.

AIM: To define the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in mild persistent asthma and to value the effect of pantoprazole therapy on asthmatic symptoms. METHODS: Seven of thirty-four asthmatic patients without GERD served as the non-GERD control group. Twenty-seven of thirty-four asthmatic patients had GERD (7/27 also had erosive esophagitis, sixteen of them presented GERD symptoms. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in all the subjects to obtain five biopsy specimens from the lower 5 cm of the esophagus. Patients were considered to have GERD when they had a dilation of intercellular space (DIS) >0.74 mum at transmission electron microscopy. Patients with GERD were treated with pantoprazole, 80 mg/day. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was performed at entry and after 6 mo of treatment. Asthmatic symptoms were recorded. The required frequency of inhaling rapid acting beta2-agonists was self-recorded in the patients' diaries. RESULTS: Seven symptomatic patients presented erosive esophagitis. Among the 18 asymptomatic patients, 11 presented DIS, while all symptomatic patients showed ultrastructural esophageal damage. Seven asymptomatic patients did not present DIS. At entry the mean of FEV(1) was 1.91 L in symptomatic GERD patients and 1.88 L in asymptomatic GERD patients. After the treatment, 25 patients had a complete recovery of DIS and reflux symptoms. Twenty-three patients presented a regression of asthmatic symptoms with normalization of FEV(1). Four patients reported a significant improvement of symptoms and their FEV(1) was over 80%. CONCLUSION: GERD is a highly prevalent condition in asthma patients. Treatment with pantoprazole (80 mg/day) determines their improvement and complete regression.