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Cancer patients (CP) typically experiment cachexia and malnutrition due to cancer type and systemic inflammation, that may cause greater treatment toxicities, impacting on prognosis, response to treatment, hospitalization and quality of life. We retrospectively analyzed consecutive data of 190 CP treated from February 2017 to July 2018 at the Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit of National Cancer Institute, Aviano. At nutritional assessment we evaluated the rate of weight loss (WL) compared to self-reported usual weight (UW) and at 6 and 1 months before the visit, performed by an expert physician and a certified dietitian. We explored the association of WL≥10% with inflammation biomarkers, total protein, albumin, diagnosis and nutritional intervention through chi-squared or Kruskal-Wallis test, as statistically appropriate (Tab.2). Patients’ characteristics were summarized through descriptive analysis (Tab.1). Noteworthy 48% of CP was ≥65 years old, 20% had BMI Prevention and treatment of cachexia still remain a critical need in CP. Therefore, integrating nutritional supportive care to oncologic treatments is crucial.

Overweight is an established risk factor of the colorectal cancer initiation and progression. Aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic role of visceral fat (VAT) in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). We retrospectively analyzed 71 consecutive MCRC patients (2013-2017) at the Oncology Department of CRO Aviano (Italy). VAT area was measured as of cross-sectional area (cm2) at the L3 level divided by the square of the height (m2). A ROC analysis was performed to define a threshold capable to identify distinct prognostic categories of patients according to VAT. Subsequently, the value of VAT in predicting overall survival (OS) was evaluated with uni- and multivariate Cox regression analyses and estimated with Kaplan-Meier curves. Patients’ characteristics before first-line chemotherapy are reported in table 1. Interestingly, 40 pts (56%) had a body mass index (BMI)>25 and 42 (59%) had median VAT of 51.94. LDH level>=480 UI/L was recorded in 12 patients (27%) reflecting the inflammatory response. The optimal cut-off value for VAT was 44. Median OS was 30.97 months. At univariate analysis, older age (HR 2.46, p=0.013), primary tumor resection (HR 0.40, p=0.029), VAT>=44 (HR 2.85, p=0.011) and metastasectomy (HR 0.22, p=0.005), were significantly associated with OS (Table 2 and Figure1). By multivariate analysis, only VAT>=44 (HR2.64; p=0.030) was significantly associated with OS (Table 2). This exploratory study supported the prognostic role of VAT evaluation in patients with MCRC. In particular, high VAT was predictor of worse outcome. Further investigations are needed to confirm these preliminary data.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by the presence circulating antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies in patients with thrombosis or pregnancy morbidity. Recently it has been shown that multiple positive results define a higher risk of clinical manifestation in APS patients. However, utilizing combined results generates challenges for a physician. Therefore, the antiphospholipid score. (aPL-S), a new variable that encompasses all aPL assays, has been described. We analyze clinical performance of different aPL-Ss based on ELISA or chemiluminescent immunoassays (CIAs).A total of 39 patients and 77 controls were included in this study. All patients were tested for lupus anticoagulant (LAC). In addition, IgM/IgG anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-β2 glycoprotein 1 (aβ2GP1) autoantibodies were tested by ELISA and CIA. Anti-β2GP1 Domain 1 IgG (D1) autoantibodies were tested by CIA. Three aPL-Ss were calculated (ELISA, CIA and CIA with D1 instead of β2GP1 IgG) using the Otomo equation: aPL-S=5×exp([OR]-5)/4.IgG assays showed a good correlation while IgM assays showed moderate correlation. The relative risk of having clinical manifestation of APS was calculated for each aPL test. All three aPL-Ss were higher in individuals with thrombosis or pregnancy morbidity than in those without APS manifestations (p0.001) and the prevalence of APS manifestations increased with increasing aPL-Ss.The CIAs are comparable with the ELISAs for the detection of aPL antibodies. aβ2GPI-D1 antibodies seem to represent a strong indicator for clinical manifestations of APS. Any of the aPL-Ss studied represents a useful quantitative index for APS diagnosis and could be helpful to physicians in managing APS.

Una consistente campagna di acquisizione di dati di sottosuolo (18 carotaggi con profondità da 7 a 15 m) condotta con approccio interdisciplinare, finalizzato a una rappresentazione integrata del log stratigrafico, ha permesso di incrementare in modo significativo le conoscenze del contesto paleoambientale ed insediativo della zona urbana e suburbana della città di Pisa durante gli ultimi 6000 anni circa e di valutare il reciproco condizionamento fra l’ambiente naturale e le caratteristiche dell’insediamento umano/In the urban and periurban area of Pisa, 18 cores ranging in depth between 7 and 15 m were performed and analysed through an interdisciplinary approach, which led to an improved stratigraphic log representation. In the urban and periurban area of Pisa, 18 cores ranging in depth between 7 and 15 m were performed and analysed through an interdisciplinary approach, which led to an improved stratigraphic log representation.

Dopo aver definito l’area oggetto di indagine, si passano in rassegna i metodi utilizzati per l’acquisizione di nuovi dati. Gli archeologi si confrontano con i problemi degli archivi e dello stato della documentazione; i sedimentologi individuano le aree per la realizzazione di sondaggi a carotaggio continuo, mentre i geomorfologi riconoscono nell’analisi del microrilievo, nella fotointerpretazione e nel telerilevamento la base delle loro analisi. I matematici descrivono infine il modello page rank classico, adattato al problema della determinazione del potenziale archeologico/After defining the area of investigation, the methods used for acquiring new data will be described. The archaeologists will address the problems encountered with the archives and the status of documentation, the sedimentologists will identify the areas for continuous coring, whilst the geomorphologists will base their analyses on micro-relief, photointerpretation and remote sensing techniques. Finally, the mathematicians will describe the classic page rank model, adapted to the determination of archaeological potential.

Resumen La lipoproteina (a) (Lp[a]) es una lipoproteina esferica, rica en esteres de colesterol y fosfolipidos con una apolipoproteina a que se asemeja estructuralmente a la molecula de lipoproteinas de baja densidad (LDL). Los valores elevados de Lp(a) se asocian a ataques cardiacos, apoplejias, estrechamiento de las arterias y reestenosis de vasos despues de haber establecido quirurgicamente un puente coronario. El hecho que la concentracion de Lp(a) no pueda modificarse con los hipolipemiantes habituales influye en el cumplimiento terapeutico de los pacientes, ya que el porcentaje de colesterol transportado por la Lp(a) es inmodificable, y este puede llegar a concentraciones de hasta 80-90 mg/dl. Objetivos Estudiar si los valores de Lp(a) influyen en la consecucion de los objetivos terapeuticos y, en caso afirmativo, analizar las posibles alternativas. Pacientes y metodos Se selecciono a una poblacion de 100 pacientes intervenidos de bypass aortocoronario. Todos los pacientes fueron pesados y tallados, se les tomo la presion arterial y el perimetro de cintura, se les determino un hemograma, coagulacion, perfil tiroideo, bioquimica general y un perfil de riesgo cardiovascular. Resultados Dividimos a los pacientes en funcion de la concentracion de Lp(a) al ano de seguimiento. Segun los valores de Lp(a) el cumplimiento es del 46,55% para Lp(a) 30 mg/dl. Si aplicamos el LDL corregido (colesterol unido a LDL – colesterol unido a Lp[a]) el cumplimiento en el grupo de mayor riesgo se incrementa en un 39,89%, pasando al 75,60%. Conclusiones Confirmamos que la consecucion de los objetivos terapeuticos de los pacientes puede mejorarse con un seguimiento de estos de manera mas intensiva y que esta consecucion esta influida por la elevacion de las concentraciones de Lp(a), con lo que se confirma un cumplimiento mas bajo en los pacientes con riesgo mayor en funcion de sus concentraciones de Lp(a).

Introduccion La revascularizacion miocardica es una intervencion terapeutica perfectamente establecida en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria. El objetivo del presente estudio es el de comprobar el cumplimiento terapeutico de los objetivos marcados por el Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III para una poblacion de muy alto riesgo cardiovascular y la evolucion de los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Material y metodos Se han estudiado un total de 131 pacientes intervenidos de bypass aortocoronario. Para la evaluacion de su riesgo y posterior tratamiento, fueron atendidos a los 3, 6 y 12 meses tras la intervencion. Independientemente de otros datos necesarios para la historia clinica, a todos se les determino los valores de presion arterial, perimetro de cintura, peso, talla e indice de masa corporal, habito tabaquico y hemograma, un perfil bioquimico y un perfil de riesgo cardiovascular que incluye, ademas de los habituales, una ultracentrifugacion para la separacion de las lipoproteinas, los valores de apolipoproteina (apo) A-I y B-100 y diversos marcadores de riesgo e inflamacion como la lipoproteina(a) (Lp[a]), proteina C reactiva ultrasensible (PCR), el fibrinogeno y la homocisteina. Resultados Los valores de colesterol unido a lipoproteinas de baja densidad (cLDL) descendieron desde 142 a 108 mg/dl y los de apo B desde 101 a 79 mg/dl. El 44% de los pacientes cumplio los objetivos marcados por el ATP III, es decir, cLDL 102 cm, presente en el 50% de los pacientes, descendio al 19,64%, y los fumadores, que abarcaban el 58% de los pacientes, abandonaron en su totalidad el habito tabaquico. Conclusiones Tras el tratamiento con estatinas y/o estatinas-ezetimiba y modificacion de los habitos de vida, los pacientes experimentan una reduccion significativa de los principales factores de riesgo a excepcion de la homocisteina y de la Lp(a); el 44% de los pacientes estudiados cumple los objetivos marcados por el ATP III. Por otro lado, el tratamiento combinado estatina-ezetimiba parece producir mayores beneficios que el tratamiento con estatinas en monoterapia.

Neurinomas of the hypoglossal nerve extending extra-cranially are rare; a schwannoma in a 63-year-old woman causing nerve palsy is reported. The tumour presented as a slow-growing mass in the right submandibular space; a surgical approach with transcervical exploration was performed. The post-operative course was uneventful.

Experimental prostate cancer bone metastases are difficult to form in vivo, and some typical clinical patterns remain irreproducible. In our work we describe new metastatic models in vivo using different experimental approaches. Methods We injected prostate cancer cells in the left cardiac ventricle or in the medullar cavity of tibia of male nude mice. Results Mice were monitored by x-ray analysis and 70% of them revealed osteolytic lesions 40 days after heart injection. By scintigraphy and alu-PCR we were able to identify early a higher number of metastatic loci than by x-ray. Conclusions Heart and intratibial injection of prostate cancer cells in nude mice may represent a good experimental model to investigate the pathophysiology of bone and bone marrow metastases in vivo.

Fundamento La cardiopatia isquemica constituye la primera causa de mortalidad en las sociedades desarrolladas. La estrecha relacion entre la formacion de la placa de ateroma y la composicion de las lipoproteinas ha sido puesta de manifiesto por diversos investigadores. Estudiamos la posible relacion entre la concentracion serica de apolipoproteina A-I (apo A-I), apolipoproteina B (apo B) y otros parametros lipidicos, y la gravedad de la aterosclerosis coronaria evaluada mediante angiografia. Pacientes y metodo A 60 varones entre 30 y 80 anos con coronariografia reciente se les determinaron las concentraciones sericas de colesterol total, colesterol unido a lipoproteinas de baja densidad (cLDL), colesterol unido a lipoproteinas de alta densidad (cHDL), trigliceridos, apo A-I y apo B. Se compararon las concentraciones de lipidos en dos grupos de pacientes con y sin lesiones coronarias. Resultados El unico parametro que evidenciaba diferencias significativas entre los pacientes con y sin lesiones coronarias fue la apo B (114,5 ± 30 mg/dl y 94,3 ± 27 mg/dl, respectivamente; p = 0,003). Por otra parte, las concentraciones de lipidos se correlacionaron con el numero de lesiones coronarias en la angiografia. No se observo correlacion significativa entre los parametros lipidicos y el grado de aterosclerosis coronaria, excepto para las concentraciones sericas de apo B (r = 0,3356; p = 0,004), apreciandose una tendencia estadistica en el caso del cLDL (r = 0,1864; p = 0,07). Conclusion Las concentraciones sericas de apo B son el parametro lipidico que mejor predice la existencia de aterosclerosis coronaria y el que mejor se correlaciona con el grado de aterosclerosis coronaria.

Pellet cores, containing d-indobufen as the active principle, were prepared by the extrusion-spheronization process and coated with an aqueous polymeric dispersion using Wurster bottom-spray equipment. The present study investigated factors affecting the film properties, such as the product temperature during the coating process and the effects of the thermal postcoating treatment (curing phase), carried out in different drying conditions. The experimental results, in terms of drug release control, confirm that the properties of the film coating depend on the substrate temperature, which directly influences the coalescence process of the polymeric dispersion. Moreover, along with time and temperature of the drying phase, the type of equipment used affects the performance of the film coating dosage form. In particular, using the fluidized bed at a high temperature for a short time produced a film coating structure that seemed to remain unchanged after storage.

Aqueous dispersion of polymers are going to take the place of the corresponding organic solution in the film forming process of tablets, pellets and granules, because of some definite advantages.Among the additives used in formulation techniques, talc, that is normally utilized as an antiadherent and polishing agent, presents some problems connected with its tendency to form sedimentation. For this reason, during the film coating operation, the dispersion must be always kept under constant and proper agitation, however, the danger of blocking the piping and the spraying system of the equipment employed cannot be completely avoided.On the bases of these observations, the aim of this research work is to evaluate the possibility of substituting talc with colloidal silica as separating agent in aqueous dispersion of film acrylic resins, normally used in the preparation of prolonged release systems.Results concerning fluid bed coating processes of pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization technique ...

A comparative analysis of the stability regimes of three different electrohydrodynamic atomization (electrospray) systems is presented. Availability of a high resolution imaging system allowed for a direct visualization of the breakup mechanisms. Both liquid flow rate and applied voltage are varied in a large grid of values in order to build up a database of the observable jet breakup regimes. The exploited conditions have been chosen with the purpose of evidencing the relative influences of geometrical, electrical and fluid_dynamical effects at various working conditions. Experimental results shed light on the complex interaction between the controlling parameters and resulted in the formulation of some necessary conditions for the occurrence of stable jet regimes. The final conclusion of the paper is the recognition of the actual limitation in the mass Row rate range where such regime can be stabilized. Nevertheless some suggestion comes for the exploitation of atomization condition different from the classical Taylor cone jet that could be successfully exploited either in combustion systems or other technological application. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

Recent recommendations from the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults, considered that an increase in serum triglyceride levels is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. Most enzymatic methods used in routine laboratories do not involve a glycerol blank and determine both glycerol and triglycerides. Patients with glycerol-kinase deficiency or decreased ability to oxidize glycerol may be diagnosed with a pseudo-hypertriglyceridemia. We report a case of a child with a pseudo hypertriglyceridemia (falsely elevated triglycerides) due to a hyperglycerolemia.

Flow past rough walls have been deeply studied in the past, initially in laboratory experiments and recently by numerical simulations. In practical applications as for instance for flow over urban settlements or past wings, the flows are turbulent and the drag largely depends on the shape of the surfaces. In general the roughness produces a drag increase. However in particular conditions, for instance riblets, the drag may decrease. The comprehension of the flow physics near the roughness and their dependence on the shape of the surfaces can be understood by the numerical simulations also for the experimental evidence that the friction coefficient do not strongly depend on the Reynolds number.

In the frame of the EC Project “RIS+ Tuscany: Transfer of innovative technologies for Cultural Heritage” we carried out a pilot restoration yard to apply and evaluate laser cleaning procedures in the conservation of stones and decorations on the facade of the church of S. Frediano (XI–XII Cent.) in Pisa. A multidisciplinary scientific committee was established, formed by art historians, architects, physicists, geologists, and conservators. Italian firms involved in conservation services and in laser technology participated in the project. The conservation has been recently completed after two years of work, providing a critical evaluation on the effectiveness and safety of optimized laser cleaning operations, the definition of an integrated conservation protocol which included the laser technique, as well as other conventional cleaning techniques, and the evaluation of time productivity and operative costs of laser operations.

The purpose of this report is to assess, on the basis of a sizeable study, the prognostic value of lymph node metastases in paranasal sinus carcinoma and, in particular, in squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus. We have reviewed the charts of 601 cases of paranasal sinus carcinoma between 1970 and 1999. All of the patients were treated surgically, alone or associated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The maxillary sinus tumors numbered 379 (153 squamous cell carcinomas, 15 undifferentiated carcinomas, 94 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 19 adenocarcinomas, 98 mesenchymal tumors and rare forms) and the ethmoidal tumors were 222 (117 adenocarcinomas, 27 squamous cell carcinomas, 16 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 13 undifferentiated carcinomas, 49 other histological forms). Lymph node metastases in ethmoidal tumors were rare, with the exception of undifferentiated carcinoma (46.1%). The percentages of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus upon presentation were: T2 15.5%, T3 7%, and T4 4%. All these patients underwent lymph node excision. The metastases successive to treatment of the primary tumor were: T2 16.9%, T3 8.8%, and T4 12%. 75% of these late metastases occurred contemporaneously with a recurrence of T and only 5 (25%) constituted the single reawakening of disease; four of these patients underwent neck surgery and were cured operatively. One had fixed, inoperable metastases. The NED survival rate at least two years after T therapy in patients free from metastases was 50.4%, against 25% in those with initial or distant metastases (T2 72.9% vs. 30.4%, T3 37.5% vs. 22.2%, and T4 28.6% vs. 0%). In conclusion, squamous cell carcinomas of the maxillary sinus which have extended to the oral cavity (T2) show greater lymph node propagation than those of the superoposterior portion (T3-T4). The presence or successive appearance of lymph node metastases indicates elevated malignancy of the tumor, with a very negative prognosis. N, however, is rarely the cause of death for these patients. Prophylactic lymph node excision in N0 patients is therefore not indicated.

The success of the neurolytic celiac plexus block, despite different approaches and methods used, depends on adequate spread of the injectate in the celiac area. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the patterns of alcohol spread and pain relief in patients with cancer or therapy-related anatomic distortion of the celiac area.From 177 cancer patients who underwent computed tomography (CT)-guided single-needle neurolytic celiac plexus block via an anterior approach, a radiologist, blind to the aim of the study, retrospectively selected 105 patients with abnormal anatomy of the celiac area as judged by CT images obtained before the block. To evaluate CT patterns of neurolytic (mixed with contrast) spread, the celiac area was divided on the frontal plane into four quadrants: upper right and left and lower right and left, as related to the celiac artery. Results were expressed as the number of quadrants into which contrast spread, ie., four, three, two, or one quadrants with contrast. The patterns of contrast spread according to the number of quadrants with anatomic distortion were analyzed. Patient assessment by visual analog scale was reviewed to evaluate the degree of pain relief. Pain relief 30 days after block was considered long-lasting. Pain relief at 30 days after block was analyzed according to the number of quadrants with contrast.Overall, four, three, two, and one quadrants with contrast were observed in 9 (8%), 21 (20%), 49 (47%), and 26 (25%) patients, respectively. An inverse correlation was observed between the number of quadrants with anatomic distortion and the number of quadrants with contrast (P0.001). Long-lasting pain relief was noticed in nine of nine patients (100%; 95% confidence interval, 66-100) with contrast in four-quadrants, and in 10 of 21 patients (48%; 95% confidence interval, 26-70) with contrast in 3 quadrants (P0.01). None of the 75 patients with contrast in two quadrants or one quadrant experienced long-lasting pain relief.These findings suggest that, using the single-needle anterior approach, the neurolytic spread in the celiac area is highly hampered by the regional anatomic alterations. It also appears that only a complete (four quadrants) neurolytic spread in the celiac area can guarantee long-lasting analgesia, and that this picture may be obtained in a very limited fraction of patients with regional anatomic alterations.

A clinical case of a pulmonary involvement in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex is reported. This rare involvement (1%) is characterized by either interstitial disease or bullae; therefore, pneumothorax is likely to happen in lung parenchyma. Furthermore this complication induces a progressive serious respiratory failure until the death of the patient.

After a general discussion about the optimum laser pulse duration for laser cleaning of stone artworks, we present a basic study aimed to state a methodological approach to optimize restoration interventions. As representative examples we investigated the cleaning problem of black crust removal from pliocene sandstone and marble of Siena. The trials were performed with a shot free running Nd:YAG on quarry samples, and on sample from historical buildings. Optical and thermal analyses, associated with petrological diagnostics of the irradiation effects, allowed to derive the damage thresholds and to understand the nature of any invasive phenomenon. The analysis of the experimental results provided the best irradiation conditions and the laser parameter ranges for a safe laser cleaning intervention of the lithotypes and degradation typologies here investigated.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Indobufen pellets, previously prepared by direct pelletization employing the rotary tangential spray fluidized bed (Rotoprocessor), were coated using the same equipment setup as for the film coating process. Different amounts of the aqueous-based ethylcellulose dispersion (Aquacoat) were easily applied on the active cores of different compositions with no spray blocking or pellet sticking. The coating process was not influenced by changing the ethylcellulose (Aquacoat ECD-30) formulation with soft acrylic resin (Eudragit NE 30D) or by adding water-soluble polymers (Pharmacoat 606 and PEG 6000) to the coating dispersions. Simple setup, flexibility of operation, and short manufacturing times were the advantageous features of the tangential spray equipment. These benefits were verified during the pellet coating process. The composition of the cores and membranes were confirmed as the determining parameters with respect to the performances in terms of the drug release rate. The morphological and functional results clearly demonstrated the tangential spray rotary system as a promising one-step technique for the preparation of indobufen prolonged-release multiple-unit dosage forms.

Objectives Moral disengagement (MD) consists of those social-cognitive strategies by which people disengage themselves from norms and responsibility. Through “dehumanization” victims are divested of human dignity so that they no longer arouse any feelings of identification, empathy and solidarity. In disengagement by “attribution of blame”, all responsibility for a given detrimental event is attributed to a presumed provocative attitude of the victim. This study aims to assess whether sex offenders (SO) have higher moral disengagement than non-offenders (NO) and if they show higher scores for “dehumanization” and “attribution of blame” than non-sexual offenders (NSO). Methods Participants were fifty-three male subjects: 13 convicted of sexual offences, 15 convicted of non-sexual offences and 25 non-offenders. After an interview regarding personal history and crime committed (offenders only) the “Moral Disengagement Scale” was administered. ANOVA and post hoc analysis were performed on total disengagement score, on “dehumanization” and on “attribution of blame”. Repeated measure ANOVA was performed among SO. Results The SO yielded a significantly lower score on total disengagement and “dehumanization”. The NSO scored significantly more highly on “attribution of blame”. Also, SO mostly utilize mechanisms of moral disengagement different from “dehumanization” and “attribution of blame”, i.e. “advantageous comparison”, “euphemistic labelling” and “moral justification”. Conclusions Such unexpected results may be explained by SO being more susceptible to social norms and expectations in the specific judicial contest (social desirability), although it cannot be ruled out that the instrument used is not sufficiently sensitive to detect MD among the specific population of SO.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of Tolrestat, an aldose-reductase inhibitor, on both oesophageal and cholecystic motility in Type-2 diabetic patients with asymptomatic diabetic neuropathy. Sixty-six patients were randomly assigned to receive Tolrestat 200 mg once daily (33 patients) or were left without specific treatment (33 patients) for 12 months. Efficacy and safety evaluation were done at 4.5 and 12 months by persons blinded to the patient treatment regimen. Scintigraphic evaluation of oesophageal motility showed significant changes in transit time for Tolrestat at 12 months (p0.001). There was no significant effect of Tolrestat on cholecystic function in cholecystography, although diabetic patients taking Tolrestat showed a trend toward improvement. The vibration perception threshold at two sites of the dominant leg improved by at least 3 volts in the Tolrestat group and remained unchanged or slightly deteriorated in the control group. Tendon reflexes and blood pressure fall after standing were improved in the Tolrestat group. In conclusion, one-year treatment with Tolrestat significantly improved oesophageal motility and vibration perception in Type-2 diabetic patients with asymptomatic diabetic neuropathy.

ACTH, cortisol and PRL plasma levels were determined on day 7, 14, and 21 of the menstrual cycle in 20 females with hypertrichosis of whom 10 were smokers and 10 non-smokers. Significantly raised levels of all hormones considered were found in smokers throughout the cycle. These findings suggest a possible relationship between objective symptoms (hypertrichosis) and nicotine, mediated by complex changes in the endocrine pattern and presumably also due to the action of nicotine on the central nervous system.

Liquid gastric emptying has been evaluated in 17 normal human subjects during basal conditions, after mild physical stress at 50% of the maximum predictable heart rate, and after maximal physical stress at 70% maximum heart rate. Each subject exercised on a treadmill for 30 min, its speed and inclination varied in order to obtain the desired heart rate. Immediately after the exercise, 400 ml of mineral water were drunk by each subject. Gastric emptying was evaluated by real-time ultrasonography (11 subjects) and scintigraphy (six subjects) through previously described methods. The results show similar data with both techniques. Gastric emptying of the water, considered either as reduction in gastric measurements at ultrasonography or decay in radioactivity in the region of interest corresponding to the stomach at scintigraphy, follows a linear relationship under basal conditions and during physical stress. Compared with basal conditions, gastric emptying of water after maximal stress was prolonged; after mild stress, gastric emptying of the water was accelerated. These findings may support the common belief that mild physical activity favors the digestive process.

Blood pressure, echocardiography, and aortic and peripheral arterial pulse-wave velocity were studied in 40 hypertensive patients on long-term hemodialysis during a 24-week administration of nitrendipine (1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-[m-nitrophenyl]-3,5-pyridine-dicarboxylic acid ethyl methylester) monotherapy. In a double-blind placebo-randomized study, nitredipine effectively lowered the blood pressure (p less than 0.001) before hemodialysis without causing postdialysis hypotension. The antihypertensive effect of nitrendipine was greater in patients with significant salt and water retention, as indicated by interdialytic body weight gain (delta BW), that is, a significant correlation was observed between delta BW and the decrease in blood pressure (r = 0.72; p less than 0.001). The antihypertensive effect was not related to age, pretreatment plasma renin activity, or serum-ionized calcium concentration. After nitrendipine, a time-related decrease in aortic (p less than 0.005) and femoral (p less than 0.05) pulse-wave velocity was observed with a significant time-treatment interaction (p less than 0.01). Nitrendipine treatment did not influence left ventricular mass (which was positively correlated with delta BW; p less than 0.01) but was associated with an increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction. The increase in ejection fraction was correlated with changes in aortic pulse-wave velocity (r = 0.548; p less than 0.02) but not with changes in blood pressure (r = 0.352; p = 0.19) or delta BW.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood and plasma viscosity, erythrocyte filtrability and blood gas analysis were determined in 25 subjects with arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs before and after a muscle exercise test. Thirty-six shear rates between 0 and 230 s1 were studied to obtain viscosity curves, and regression analysis was performed for each curve. Mean viscosity curves for pathologic and control populations were plotted. The purpose of the study was to determine whether viscosity curves for blood and plasma before and after exercise, based on a high number of measurements, can provide information on rheological changes during intermittent claudication. Practically all viscosity curves in pathologic and control subjects could be described using a hyperbolic equation. Plasma as well as blood viscosity increased in pathologic subjects after exercise. However, erythrocyte filtrability and blood gas analysis in pathologic and control subjects, and blood and plasma viscosity in control subjects, showed no statistically significant changes after exercise. It is suggested that muscle exercise in reduced blood flow conditions can alter the aggregation of macromolecular complexes of plasma proteins, which could have an influence on cell components by modifying blood rheological behavior during claudication.