Endovascular treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms by electrothrombosis using electrically detachable coils

In a multicenter study, 120 patients with intracranial aneurysms presenting a high surgical risk were treated using electrolytically detachable coils and electrothrombosis via an endovascular approach. The results of treatment in patients with posterior fossa aneurysms (42 patients with 43 aneurysms) are presented. The most frequent clinical presentation was subarachnoid hemorrhage (24 cases). The clinical follow-up periods ranged from 1 week to 18 months. Complete aneurysm occlusion was obtained in 13 of 16 aneurysms with a small neck and in four of 26 wide-necked aneurysms. A 70% to 98% thrombosis of the aneurysm was achieved in 22 of 26 aneurysms with a wide neck and in three of 16 small-necked aneurysms. One aneurysm could not be treated due to a technical complication. Two cases required postprocedural surgical clipping of a residual aneurysm. One patient (originally in Hunt and Hess Grade V) experienced procedural rupture of the aneurysm requiring an emergency parent artery occlusion. He eventually died 5 days later. Another patient (originally in Grade IV) had coil migration and posterior cerebral artery territory ischemia. A third patient developed a permanent neurological deficit (hemianopsia) after complete occlusion of a wide-necked basilar bifurcation aneurysm. One patient, harboring an inoperable giant basilar bifurcation aneurysm, died from aneurysm bleeding 18 months after partial occlusion. Overall morbidity and mortality rates related to treatment were 4.8% (two cases) and 2.4% (one case), respectively (2.6% and 0% if considering only patients in Hunt and Hess Grades I, II, and III). It is suggested that this technique is a viable alternative in the management of patients with posterior fossa aneurysms associated with high surgical risk. Longer angiographic and clinical follow-up study is necessary to determine the long-term efficacy of this recently developed endovascular occlusion technique. Close postoperative angiographic and clinical monitoring of patients with wide-necked subtotally occluded aneurysms is mandatory to check for potential aneurysmal recanalization, regrowth, and rupture.

Carotid-cavernous fistula caused by a ruptured intracavernous aneurysm: endovascular treatment by electrothrombosis with detachable coils

A case of carotid-cavernous fistula caused by a ruptured intracavernous aneurysm is reported. The fistula was treated with electrothrombosis by the detachment of two platinum coils into the aneurysm via an endovascular transvenous approach; the fistula was closed, and the patient has recovered completely. The advantages of using electrodetachable platinum coils include thrombogenicity, controllable deposit, radiopacity, and biocompatibility.

Reference values for blood benzene in the occupationally unexposed general population

Blood benzene was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in 431 "normal" subjects, subdivided into 155 rural subjects and 276 urban subjects. Blood benzene (mean value 262 ng/l) was significantly lower in rural (200 ng/l) than in urban (296 ng/l) workers, as well as differing significantly between 293 non-smokers and 138 smokers (205 ng/l and 381 ng/l, respectively). Among non-smokers, values were significantly higher (307 ng/l) in 76 chemical workers. In the total study population, in 95% of cases blood benzene was less than 718 ng/l, the 95th percentile being 514 ng/l in non-smokers vs 901 ng/l in smokers and 576 ng/l in rural vs 822 ng/l in urban subjects. Within each population subgroup, the difference between non-smokers and smokers was statistically significant, except among office workers (non-smokers 234 ng/l, smokers 304 ng/l). Blood benzene (y) was directly proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked (x) (y = 201 + 12x; r = 0.44; n = 431), and inversely proportional to the interval between the last cigarette and the time at which the blood samples was taken (z) (log y = 6.167-0.0015z; r = -0.461; n = 135). The blood half-life of benzene was about 8h. The multiple correlation between blood benzene (Cb), number of cigarettes per day (x) and time since the last cigarette (z) is: Cb = 417 + 7.2x - 0.41z (n = 135; R = 0.20; P less than 0.00001).

A survey of the heat shock response in four Streptomyces species reveals two groEL-like genes and three groEL-like proteins in Streptomyces albus

A survey of the heat shock response was carried out in a series of streptomycetes. Four major heat shock proteins (HSPs) were observed in each of four species (Streptomyces albus, S. lividans, S. parvulus, S. viridochromogenes) after pulse labeling with [35S]methionine and analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Three corresponded to the major procaryotic HSPs Lon, DnaK, and GroEL on the basis of their apparent molecular masses (94 to 100, 70, and 56 to 58 kDa, respectively). In addition, a smaller protein (16 to 18 kDa) was detected in all species but was most dramatically induced in S. albus. Consequently, studies focused on this species. As in other procaryotic systems, thermal induction (elicited by a shift from 30 degrees C to 41 degrees C) of the 70- and 94-kDa proteins was transient and expression returned to uninduced levels after 60 min. In contrast, the 56- to 58-kDa (GroEL) and 18-kDa proteins (HSP18) remained induced for more than 2 h. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis allowed resolution of at least eight S. albus HSPs. HSP56-58 was composed of multiple acidic protein species, whereas HSP18 appeared to be basic. In spite of these differences in their physical characteristics, the N-terminal peptide sequence of HSP18 was similar to those of GroEL-like proteins found in other organisms and identical to one of the HSP56-58 species. In fact, N-terminal amino acid analysis of the S. albus 56- to 58-kDa species showed that it was composed of two proteins that differed in 3 of 10 positions, an observation that was supported by the detection of two groEL-like genes by Southern hybridization. The amino acid sequence of one of these proteins was identical to that of HSP18. Pulse-chase experiments did not reveal evidence of posttranslational processing of either HSP56-58 or HSP18.

Characterization of the groEL-like genes in Streptomyces albus

Three GroEL-like heat shock proteins (HSP56, HSP58, and HSP18) have been observed in Streptomyces albus (G. Guglielmi, P. Mazodier, C. J. Thompson, and J. Davies, J. Bacteriol. 173:7374-7381, 1991). Here we report the cloning and complete nucleotide sequence of groEL1, which encodes HSP18 and HSP58, and groEL2, which encodes HSP56. Both nucleotide sequences predicted proteins of 56,680 Da that were 70% identical. The 5' nucleotide sequence of groEL1 coded for a protein corresponding to HSP18 that may be a processed gene product. At least two groEL-like genes were present in all 12 Streptomyces species tested; they were not closely linked in the genome. groEL1, but not groEL2, was adjacent to a groES-like gene.

Electrothrombosis of saccular aneurysms via endovascular approach. Part 1: Electrochemical basis, technique, and experimental results

Eleven experimental saccular aneurysms were created on the common carotid artery of swine. Between 3 and 15 days after creation of these aneurysms, they were thrombosed via an endovascular approach, using a very soft detachable platinum coil delivered through a microcatheter positioned within the aneurysm. This detachable platinum coil was soldered to a stainless steel delivery guidewire. Intra-aneurysmal thrombosis was then initiated by applying a low positive direct electric current to the delivery guidewire. Thrombosis occurred because of the attraction of negatively charged white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and fibrinogen to the positively charged platinum coil positioned within the aneurysm. The passage of electric current detached the platinum coil within the clotted aneurysm in 4 to 12 minutes. This detachment was elicited by electrolysis of the stainless steel wire nearest to the thrombus-covered platinum coil. Control angiograms obtained 2 to 6 months postembolization confirmed permanent aneurysm occlusion as well as patency of the parent artery in all cases. No angiographic manifestation of untoward distal embolization was noted. Due to the encouraging results of this research, this technique has been applied in selected clinical cases which are described in Part 2 of this study.

Electrothrombosis of saccular aneurysms via endovascular approach. Part 2: Preliminary clinical experience

Fifteen patients with high-risk intracranial saccular aneurysms were treated using electrolytically detachable coils introduced via an endovascular approach. The patients ranged in age from 21 to 69 years. The most frequent clinical presentation was subarachnoid hemorrhage (eight cases). Considerable thrombosis of the aneurysm (70% to 100%) was achieved in all 15 patients, and preservation of the parent artery was obtained in 14. Although temporary neurological deterioration due to the technique was recorded in one patient, no permanent neurological deficit was observed in this series and there were no deaths. It is believed that this new technology is a viable alternative in the management of patients with high-risk intracranial saccular aneurysms. It may also play an important role in the occlusion of aneurysms in the acute phase of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Hormogonium Differentiation in the Cyanobacterium Calothrix: A Photoregulated Developmental Process

Hormogonium differentiation is part of the developmental cycle in many heterocystous cyanobacteria. Hormogonia are involved in the dispersal and survival of the species in its natural habitat. The formation of these differentiated filaments has been shown to depend on several environmental conditions, including spectral light quality. We report here morphological and ultrastructural changes associated with the formation of hormogonia, as well as optimal light conditions required for their differentiation in the cyanobacterium Calothrix sp PCC 7601. The action spectrum for hormogonium differentiation is similar to that which triggers complementary chromatic adaptation because red and green radiation display antagonistic effects in both cases. However, these two photoregulated processes also show major differences. Transcription analyses of genes that are specifically expressed during hormogonium differentiation, as well as of genes encoding phycobiliproteins, suggest that two different photoregulatory pathways may exist in this cyanobacterium.

[Preliminary experience of the study of the hand using digital radiology with photo-excitable phosphors and direct magnification. Comparison with the traditional high resolution technique]

Photostimulable phosphor computed radiography (CR) is a new technique. The authors applied direct magnification CR to hand study (IP matrix: 1770 x 2370), and compared the results with conventional radiography ones (high MTF industrial type film, without screens, 5 x optic enlargement reading). In both cases, a mammographic unit was employed for acquiring the images. Thirty patients affected with renal osteodystrophy, psoriatic arthropathy or rheumatoid arthritis, and 20 normal subjects were examined. Digital images were processed by a particular sensitometry curve and spatial filtering with unlinear unsharp masking: we obtained good visualization of small lesions (subperiosteal resorption, cortical bone tunnelling, minute periosteal necrosis), not inferior to that obtained with conventional techniques. CR has further advantages, such as low economic and biological cost, wide exposure and recording range, image processing, easy archiving and networking.

Persistent primitive trigeminal artery-cavernous sinus fistulas: report of two cases

Two cases of persistent primitive trigeminal artery-cavernous sinus fistulas are presented. In one case, the fistula was treated by using a two-balloon tandem technique. This method was accomplished by introducing, inflating, and detaching a silicone balloon into the trigeminal artery, thus preserving the carotid and basilar blood flow. An unusual case of a similar fistula with only contralateral exophthalmos is also reported. The relationship between this type of fistula and the presence of aneurysms on the persistent primitive trigeminal artery and the relationship with traumatic events are discussed.

Vertebral hemangiomas with cord compression: the role of embolization in five cases

Five new cases of vertebral hemangioma with cord compression are reported. The role of preoperative selective angiography with embolization in the management of these lesions is discussed in the light of the most important literature on this topic.

Structure and mutation of a gene encoding a Mr 33,000 phycocyanin-associated linker polypeptide

The gene encoding a phycocyanin-associated linker polypeptide of Mr 33,000 from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 was found to be located adjacent and 3' to the genes encoding the alpha and beta subunits of phycocyanin. The identity of this gene, designated cpcC, was proven by matching the amino-terminal sequence of the authentic polypeptide with that predicted by the nucleotide sequence. A cpcC mutant strain of this cyanobacterium was constructed. The effect of the mutation was to prevent assembly of half the total phycocyanin into phycobilisomes. By electron microscopy, phycobilisomes from this mutant were shown to contain rod substructures composed of a single disc of hexameric phycocyanin, as opposed to two discs in the wild type. It was concluded that the Mr 33,000 linker polypeptide is required for attachment of the core-distal phycocyanin hexamer to the core-proximal one. Using absorption spectra of the wild type, CpcC-, and phycocyanin-less phycobilisomes, the in situ absorbances expected for specific phycocyanin-linker complexes were calculated. These data confirm earlier findings on isolated complexes regarding the influence of linkers on the spectroscopic properties of phycocyanin.

Structural and compositional analyses of the phycobilisomes of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. Analyses of the wild-type strain and a phycocyanin-less mutant constructed by interposon mutagenesis

The phycobilisomes and phycobiliproteins of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 wild-type strain PR6000 have been isolated and characterized. The hemidiscoidal phycobilisomes of strain PR6000 are composed of eleven different polypeptides: phycocyanin alpha and beta subunits; allophycocyanin alpha and beta subunits; alpha subunit of allophycocyanin B; the allophycocyanin beta-subunit-like polypeptide of Mr 18,000; the linker phycobiliprotein of Mr 99,000; and non-chromophore-carrying linker polypeptides of Mr 33,000, 29,000, 9000, and 8000. Several of these polypeptides were purified to homogeneity and their amino acid compositions and amino-terminal amino acid sequences were determined. Analyses of the phycobiliproteins of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 were greatly facilitated by comparative studies performed with a mutant strain, PR6008, constructed to be devoid of the phycocyanin alpha and beta subunits by recombinant DNA techniques and transformation of strain PR6000. The absence of phycocyanin did not greatly affect the allophycocyanin content of the mutant strain but caused the doubling time to increase 2-7-fold depending upon the light intensity at which the cells were grown. Although intact phycobilisome cores could not be isolated from this mutant, it is probable that functionally intact cores do exist in vivo.

[High-resolution rapid multiplanar reconstructions in the CT study of the spine. Our experience]

The authors describe the utility of fast and high-resolution multiplanar CT reconstructions in the study of the rachis. Their experience is reported with an up-to-date software with 2 different representation modalities (CMR 01B). A "package" of contiguous axial images is obtained in a standard way; the images are then reformatted by computer to obtain (in just a few seconds) high-resolution reconstructed images in different planes (coronal, sagittal, and oblique). In the authors' opinion the method, in spite of some limitations, yields in most cases additional information which is not provided by conventional CT. Reconstructed images are most useful in the study of complex anatomical structures (such as vertebral metameres) along their anatomical planes.

Regression of an internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm after therapeutic embolization of a post-traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula secondary to gunshot injury

A case is reported of a 53-year-old woman who was hit by a bullet which penetrated the skull base and caused a left carotid-cavernous fistula of the direct type and a pseudoaneurysmal dilation of the high cervical portion of the left internal carotid artery. The fistula was successfully embolized by positioning a balloon into the fistula itself by means of the Debrun technique: unexpectedly the size of the pseudoaneurysm decreased after the embolization; the possible explanations for this event are discussed.

Occurrence and distribution of gas vesicle genes among cyanobacteria

Gas vesicles (GV) are specialized cell inclusions providing many aquatic procaryotes with buoyancy. In the cyanobacterium Calothrix sp. strain PCC 7601, at least four genes are involved in GV formation. One of those, gvpA1, encodes the major structural GV protein (70 amino acids) and belongs to a multigene family (gvpA1, gvpA2, gvpD). The fourth gene, gvpC, encodes a 162-amino-acid protein, the function of which is still unclear. We used the Calothrix gvpA1 and gvpC genes as probes to perform Southern hybridization experiments with DNA extracted from various cyanobacterial strains. The gvpA gene was found in all the strains that synthesize GV, indicating that its product is an obligatory component of GV. Furthermore, it was found to occur as multiple copies in most of the strains tested. The gvpC gene was only detected in some strains able to synthesize a large amount of GV within a short period. This suggests that the gvpC gene product is a dispensable protein for GV formation and is involved in the efficiency of the assembly process. Based on the occurrence of the gvp genes and on DNA-DNA hybridization patterns, genus assignments are discussed.

[Old and new pathologies proposed by epidemiology]

The results of a study made in the areas of Central Italy on a random community on the significant presence of cases with seroantibodies against Campylobacter, Yersinia, Legionella Pneumophila, Francisella Tularensis and Rotavirus confirm the hypothesis on the presence in the territory of microorganisms responsible. These positivities in man are not only single but also contemporaneous for at least two microorganisms. Hence the hypothesis of the presence in the environment (animals, soil, surface waters) of the microorganisms (Campylobacter, Yersinia, Legionella Pneumophila, Francisella Tularensis, and Rotavirus) responsible for the zoonoses of interest for man.

Photoregulation of gene expression in the filamentous cyanobacterium Calothrix sp. PCC 7601: light-harvesting complexes and cell differentiation

Light plays a major role in many physiological processes in cyanobacteria. In Calothrix sp. PCC 7601, these include the biosynthesis of the components of the light-harvesting antenna (phycobilisomes) and the differentiation of the vegetative trichomes into hormogonia (short chains of smaller cells). In order to study the molecular basis for the photoregulation of gene expression, physiological studies have been coupled with the characterization of genes involved either in the formation of phycobilisomes or in the synthesis of gas vesicles, which are only present at the hormogonial stage.In each system, a number of genes have been isolated and sequenced. This demonstrated the existence of multigene families, as well as of gene products which have not yet been identified biochemically. Further studies have also established the occurrence of both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. The transcription of genes encoding components of the phycobilisome rods is light-wavelength dependent, while translation of the phycocyanin genes may require the synthesis of another gene product irrespective of the light regime. In this report, we propose two hypothetical models which might be part of the complex regulatory mechanisms involved in the formation of functional phycobilisomes. On the other hand, transcription of genes involved in the gas vesicles formation (gvp genes) is turned on during hormogonia differentiation, while that of phycobiliprotein genes is simultaneously turned off. In addition, and antisense RNA which might modulate the translation of the gvp mRNAs is synthezised.

Therapeutic embolization of an ascending pharyngeal artery-internal jugular vein fistula. Case report

The authors report a case of an arteriovenous fistula between the ascending pharyngeal artery and the internal jugular vein. The importance of an exact diagnosis and some precautions to be taken during therapeutic embolization are emphasized, as well as the need for superselective cannulation of the feeding artery. The problem of differential diagnosis with glomus tumors is discussed, and a brief mention is made of the anatomy of the jugular foramen and embryology of these tumors. Only one similar case treated by embolization with solid particles was found in the literature. To date, embolization using solid particles rather than liquid agents appears to be the best treatment of fistulas of this type.

Successful embolization of a spontaneous carotid cavernous fistula fed only by the external carotid artery. Case report and literature review

To the 38 cases previously reported of spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistulas (SCCF) fed only by the external carotid artery (ECA), we add one case in which a successful therapeutic embolization was performed. The importance of an exact angiographic diagnosis to differentiate between SCCFs fed by the ECA and those fed by both the ECA and the internal carotid artery (ICA), is emphasized.

Cystic meningiomas

Twenty-two cases of unusual intracranial meningioma associated with a cyst are reported and 144 published cases reviewed. The complex mechanisms leading to the formation of the cyst within the meningioma are analyzed on the basis of the surgical and histopathological evidence. The neuroradiological features (Computed Tomography and Angiography) which supply a correct preoperative diagnosis are discussed. It is clear from the literature how difficult preoperative diagnosis is, being possible only in 38% of cases with CT scanning and in 13% with angiography. It is necessary to remove not only the solid portion of the meningioma but also the cyst wall in order to prevent a recurrence. This is technically difficult for the type II intratumoural variety of Nauta's classification.

Functional expression of plastid allophycocyanin genes in a cyanobacterium

In Cyanophora paradoxa, the allophycocyanin apoprotein subunits, alpha and beta, are encoded in the cyanelle (plastid) genome. These genes were transferred to the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 on a plasmid replicon. Phycobilisomes isolated from transformed cyanobacteria were found to contain C. paradoxa allophycocyanin subunits. Thus, these plastid genes are expressed in the cyanobacterium as polypeptides which become linked to a chromophore and are incorporated into the light-harvesting apparatus.

A developmentally regulated gvpABC operon is involved in the formation of gas vesicles in the cyanobacterium Calothrix 7601

In the filamentous cyanobacterium Calothrix PCC7601, gas-vesicle (GV) formation is restricted to specialized filaments, called hormogonia. The differentiation of these cells is controlled by environmental factors, such as light intensity and/or wavelength. The structural gene (gvpA) encoding a GV protein in this cyanobacterium has been previously cloned and sequenced. Two other genes, gvpB and gvpC have been found in the sequence downstream from gvpA. The gvpB gene corresponds to a second copy of gvpA, encoding an identical protein. Unlike the GV protein, the product of the gvpC gene is predominantly hydrophilic, as deduced from nucleotide sequence. Interestingly, the internal part of the gvpC gene is composed of four contiguous repeats, each containing 99 bp, forming highly homologous repeats in the deduced amino acid sequence. Another kind of periodicity has been detected inside the 99-bp repeats, suggesting that the gvpC gene might have evolved by amplification of a 33-bp-long primordial building block. The function of this gene remains to be elucidated. Finally, we have shown that the three genes, gvpA, gvpB, and gvpC, are organized in an operon that is exclusively expressed during GV formation in hormogonia.

Green light induces transcription of the phycoerythrin operon in the cyanobacterium Calothrix 7601

Phycobilisomes, the major light-harvesting complexes of cyanobacteria are multimolecular structures made up of chromophoric proteins called phycobiliproteins and non chromophoric linker polypeptides. We report here the isolation and nucleotide sequence of the genes, cpeA and cpeB, which in Calothrix PCC 7601 encode the alpha and beta subunits of phycoerythrin, one of the major phycobiliproteins. In Calothrix PCC 7601, modulation of the polypeptide composition of the phycobilisomes occurs in response to changes of the light wavelength, a phenomenon known as complementary chromatic adaptation. Under green illumination, cells synthesize phycoerythrin and its two specifically associated linker polypeptides (LR35 and LR36), while under red illumination none of these proteins are detected. Using specific probes, a single transcript (1450 nucleotide long) corresponding to the cpe genes was detected but only in green-light-grown cells, establishing the occurrence of transcriptional regulation for the expression of this operon in response to light wavelength changes. The size of this transcript excludes the possibility that the phycoerythrin-associated LR35 and LR36 could be cotranscribed with the cpeA and cpeB genes.

[Hyperlipidemia findings in workers in an oil refinery]

During a cross sectional epidemiologic study the cholesterol and triglyceride plasmatic levels were measured in 207 workers employed in an oil refinery. Our results show high levels both for cholesterol and triglyceride. Emphasis has been laid on the serious dietary and hygienic problems for these workers. The finding of hyperlipidemia as well as obesity and over-weight do not seem to be related to exposure to any occupational chemical hazard.

[From a randomized assay, Francisella turned out to be epidemiologically present in the studied areas]

In the past Tularemia has largely affected animals, nowadays' in our country it could become actual one more because of wild animals repopulation actuated in many areas. Unlike the other countries, in Italy it's not well known if there are any consequences on population. The authors has conducted a research on this subject studying seroimmunologically samples taken randomly in some areas of south-central Italy. Their results confirm endemism and therefore announce the problem and the consequent pathology.

[Epidemiology of rotavirus infections in a randomized study in various central-southern areas of our country]

The etiology of diarrhea and intestinal deficiency relative to the absorbency of glucose and some enzymes can be found in Rotavirus infection. The epidemiology of this infection has been derived by the authors even if the research was limited to some areas of central-south Italy, analyzing seroimmunologically serums randomly selected. The research outcomes fully explain the first mentioned disease because antibody markers have been founded in most of the examined people.

[Randomized epidemiologic assay of Campylobacter infections in various areas of central-south Italy]

The authors on the basic of the diffusion of pediatric and gastroenterological pathologies in Italy, have conducted a research on the epidemiology diffusion of Campylobacter infection analyzing seroimmunologically sample randomly chosen and coming from some areas of central-south Italy. Their results confirm that in such areas the infection is endemic therefore they hypothesize that enteric vascular, bacterial pathologies and spontaneous abortions are related with it.

Chromatic adaptation in a mutant of Fremyella diplosiphon incapable of phycoerythrin synthesis

A mutant of the chromatically adapting cyanobacterium Fremyella diplosiphon, incapable of phycoerythrin synthesis but responding to wavelength modulation of its biliprotein content, was isolated. The biliprotein composition of the mutant and of the wild type were identical after growth in red light, but green light induced, in the mutant, the synthesis of a biliviolin-type chromophore bound to some of the alpha subunits of its phycocyanin. Implications of the results on the regulation and possible pathways of biliprotein biosynthesis are discussed.

[Yersinia enterocolitica infection has taken hold even in our country]

The Yersinia enterocolitis is a kind of disease whose diffusion is gradually increasing in North Europe. The authors relates about the outcomes of a serum-immunologic research conducted during the period 1982-84 on a sample of 965 adults coming from three different italian districts (Roma, Siena, Napoli) and 65 children coming from Napoli. They interpret antibody titers painted out by their research comparing them with ones reported in bibliography. The issue of this research, even if it was conducted only in three bordering central-southern Italy regions, can anticipate an indicative epidemiological image of this Country.

[Investigations on herpes 1 and 2 infections]

The authors carried out a research on diffusion of Herpes virus 1 and 2 investigating specific serous antibodies over a sample of 1660 women living in Roma and in the surrounding area aged between 14 and 40 years; 595 of them were suspected to have an Herpes infection. The results of this research confirmed an high frequency of Herpes 1 and 2 infection in the examined sample. In order to correlate better the outcomes obtained by the investigation on the suspected sample 102 vaginal smear, executed on women suspected to have a developed infection, have been examined. The issues confirmed that it's useful to execute cytoimmunologic research in so far as such method seems to give more certainty in infection and disease identification than seroconversion investigation.

[There exists an epidemiology of Legionella pneumophila in our country]

The authors, after a brief relation on contribution given by international publications, relates about their study on Legionellosis epidemiology based on seroconversion results obtained comparing six different serotypes, precisely the ones from 1 to 6, over a sample of people living in the areas surrounding the two italian cities of Rome and Siena. This study has given proof of an high, and unaspected, seroconversion (over 27%) caused by Legionella Pneumophila. Titer was equal to or higher than 64, and there was a significantly higher incidence given by serotype 6 in both the examined areas.

Computed tomography in the management of spinal cord arteriovenous malformations

This is a report of two cases of intramedullary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) where computed tomography (CT) was used as a complementary diagnostic investigation. CT scan features in these two cases are briefly discussed.

[Toxoplasmic infection-disease in suspected cases and healthy subjects]

A short epidemiological presentation of the toxoplasmic infectious disease in our country on suspected cases compared with a clinically healthy group shows the importance of the phenomenon, especially for its various preventative and therapeutic implications.

[Type B viral encephalitis: HBsAg testing in saliva and cerebrospinal fluid]

The AA, taking the latest reports as a starting point, are attempting a first epidemiological reconsideration of Hepatitis, Virus B. They have found that the disease, which was generally thought not to be contagious, is actually deceptive in its potential for transmission from person to person. Hospital personnel, in particular, are greatly at risk as are their families.

[Toxotoxin can be etiologically determinant in toxoplasmic infections-diseases]

There have been some results of the antitoxotoxin investigation into antibodies in cases variously positive to the Dye test for the toxoplasmic infectious disease. The results point to various etiological considerations, therapeutic and therapeutic-prophylactic, on which the AA dwell briefly. They touch upon the possibility of a timely recourse to desensitization which, however, is sometimes not excluded even in cases which show a negative result to the toxotoxin.

97Ru-transferrin uptake in tumor and abscess

The uptake of 97Ru-transferrin (Ru-TF) in tumor and abscess bearing animals was compared with 67Ga-citrate (Ga), 123I-transferrin (I-TF), and several other plasma proteins. Maximal concentration in tumor of Ru-TF in mice was three times higher than 67Ga-citrate (16.80 +/- 4.20 vs 5.08 +/- 0.58% D/g) although it occurred later (24 h compared with 67Ga which reached its maximum 2 h after injection). Whole body autoradiography (WBARG) with 103Ru-transferrin (103Ru-TF) in tumor and abscess bearing rats demonstrated details of the distribution within these lesions. Turpentine-induced abscesses in the rabbits could be visualized with the gamma camera as early as 30 min post-injection of Ru-TF. It seems, therefore, that Ru-TF can be used for tumor and abscess localization. The results indicate that Ru-TF may have some advantages over 67Ga-citrate because of the higher concentration in the lesions. 123I-transferrin reached a concentration in tumor similar to 67Ga (6.89 +/- 1.67 vs 5.08 +/- 0.58% D/g) but had a very low tumor to blood ratio (0.64). The three compounds investigated (Ru-TF, I-TF and ionic Ga, which binds instantaneously to TF in vivo) have a common ligand, transferrin. It appears, therefore, that tumor affinity is a property of the radionuclide-ligand complex rather than of the radionuclide itself.

[Clinical study of dantrolene sodium in the treatment of spastic and dystonic syndromes]

Dantrolene sodium has been given to 45 patients suffering from dyskinetic syndromes: 33 were suffering from spastic syndromes, either secondary to cerebral lesions at birth, or to other cerebral lesions, or to cord lesions; 9 were affected by infantile dystonic syndromes; 1 by dystonia muscolorum deformans and the last 2 patients were suffering from parkinsonism. The best dosage schedule was individual and ranged from 50 mg to 300 mg a day. In this range, the majority of the spastic patients showed reduction of spasticity, unrelated with the site of pathology: a slight one in 12 patients, a moderate one in 9 and a marked one in 2. On the contrary, slight improvement has been noticed in only two of the patients suffering from dystonic syndromes. In no case side effects has been noticed. In all patients who underwent slight or moderate improvement only, we tried to obtain better results on spasticity by growing the dosage schedules; but we have always noticed side effects, that is weakness or drowsiness and, sometimes, urinary uncontinence. Moreover 2 patients showed evidence of transitory metabolic side effects. Therefore our experience shows that dantrolene sodium is an useful drug into the therapy of spasticity, even if often a slight of moderate improvement only is achieved. Slow increase in dosage schedule, repeated laboratory controls and alternate periods of treatment and suspended treatment should be observed.