Translation and validation of the Visual Function and Corneal Health Status (V-FUCHS) questionnaire into Spanish language

PURPOSE

To translate and validate the V-FUCHS questionnaire into Spanish in a population of patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (DEF).

METHODS

The V-FUCHS consists of 15 short, easily understandable questions that assess visual aspects of quality of life in patients with DEF, which can be gathered into a group of seven that assess the "Visual Difficulty" factor and another group of eight that assess the "Glare Factor". For the translation and cultural adaptation, the standardized norms for this process were followed, among other phases, a translation, a back-translation and an application in patients with DEF.

RESULTS

In the first phase, consensus was reached on the Spanish translation of the V-FUCHS. Subsequently, 25 patients were included to carry out the pre-test phase with the aim of assessing the applicability and feasibility of the test. The score obtained a minimum value of -0.88 and a maximum value of +2.44, according to the Rasch probabilistic scale. The mean value obtained from the Visual Difficulty factor was 0.61 (±0.71), while the mean for the Glare Factor was 0.41 (±0.51).

CONCLUSION

The validation of the V-FUCHS questionnaire, after its translation and adaptation into Spanish, proved to be a useful tool for assessing the visual quality of patients with DEF. Patients with a more advanced stage of the disease presented a greater severity in the test result. Likewise, the Glare Factor (Glare) correlates better with the pachymetric increase than with the visual acuity of the patient.

Quantitative Proteomics of Maize Roots Treated with a Protein Hydrolysate: A Comparative Study with Transcriptomics Highlights the Molecular Mechanisms Responsive to Biostimulants

Protein hydrolysate (PH)-based biostimulants offer a cost-effective and sustainable approach for the regulation of physiological processes in plants to stimulate growth and improve stress tolerance. Understanding the mode of action of PHs is challenging, but it is indispensable to improve existing candidates and to develop novel molecules with enhanced stimulatory effects. Hence, the present study aimed to understand the proteome level responses in the B73 maize roots treated with APR, a PH biostimulant, at two increasing concentrations and to compare and integrate it with the transcriptomic data obtained previously under identical experimental conditions. Results indicate that APR induced dose-dependent global changes in the transcriptome and proteome of maize roots. APR treatment altered the expression and abundance of several genes and proteins related to redox homeostasis, stress response, glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, and other metabolic pathways of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids. Further, metabolic processes of phytohormone, secondary metabolites, especially phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and terpenoids and transport, and cytoskeletal reorganization associated mechanisms were stimulated. Our results suggest that APR treatment altered the redox homeostasis and thus triggered an oxidative signal. This could be one of the key regulators of the cascade of downstream events involving multiple signaling, hormonal, and metabolic pathways, resulting in an altered physiological and metabolic state which consequently could lead to improved growth and stress adaptation observed in biostimulant-treated plants.

A proteomic and biochemical investigation on the effects of sulfadiazine in Arabidopsis thaliana

Animal manure or bio-solids used as fertilizers are the main routes of antibiotic exposure in the agricultural land, which can have immense detrimental effects on plants. Sulfadiazine (SDZ), belonging to the class of sulfonamides, is one of the most detected antibiotics in the agricultural soil. In this study, the effect of SDZ on the growth, changes in antioxidant metabolite content and enzyme activities related to oxidative stress were analysed. Moreover, the proteome alterations in Arabidopsis thaliana roots in response to SDZ was examined by means of a combined iTRAQ-LC-MS/MS quantitative proteomics approach. A dose-dependent decrease in leaf biomass and root length was evidenced in response to SDZ. Increased malondialdehyde content at higher concentration (2 μM) of SDZ indicated increased lipid peroxidation and suggest the induction of oxidative stress. Glutathione levels were significantly higher compared to control, whereas there was no increase in ascorbate content or the enzyme activities of glutathione metabolism, even at higher concentrations. In total, 48 differentially abundant proteins related to stress/stimuli response followed by transcription and translation, metabolism, transport and other functions were identified. Several proteins related to oxidative, dehydration, salinity and heavy metal stresses were represented. Upregulation of peroxidases was validated with total peroxidase activity. Pathway analysis provided an indication of increased phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Probable molecular mechanisms altered in response to SDZ are highlighted.

Metabolomic responses triggered by arbuscular mycorrhiza enhance tolerance to water stress in wheat cultivars

Under global climate change forecasts, the pressure of environmental stressors (and in particular drought) on crop productivity is expected to rise and challenge further global food security. The application of beneficial microorganisms may represent an environment friendly tool to secure improved crop performance and yield stability. Accordingly, this current study aimed at elucidating the metabolomic responses triggered by mycorrhizal (Funneliformis mosseae) inoculation of durum (Triticum durum Desf.; cv. 'Mongibello') and bread wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.; cv. 'Chinese Spring') under full irrigation and water deficit regimes. Metabolomics indicated a similar regulation of secondary metabolism in both bread and durum wheat cultivars following water limiting conditions. Nonetheless, a mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) x cultivar interaction could be observed, with the bread wheat cultivar being more affected by arbuscular colonization under water limiting conditions. Discriminant compounds could be mostly related to sugars and lipids, both being positively modulated by AMF colonization under water stress. Moreover, a regulation of metabolites related to oxidative stress and a tuning of crosstalk between phytohormones were also evidenced. Among the latter, the stimulation of the brassinosteroids biosynthetic pathway was particularly evident in inoculated wheat roots, supporting the hypothesis of their involvement in enhancing plant response to water stress and modulation of oxidative stress conditions. This study proposes new insights on the modulation of the tripartite interaction plant-AMF-environmental stress.

Protein Profiling of Arabidopsis Roots Treated With Humic Substances: Insights Into the Metabolic and Interactome Networks

Background and Aim: Humic substances (HSs) influence the chemical and physical properties of the soil, and are also known to affect plant physiology and nutrient uptake. This study aimed to elucidate plant metabolic pathways and physiological processes influenced by HS activity. Methods: Arabidopsis roots were treated with HS for 8 h. Quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics analysis of root proteins was performed using the iTRAQ (Isobaric Tag for Relative and Absolute Quantification) technique. Out of 902 protein families identified and quantified for HS treated vs. untreated roots, 92 proteins had different relative content. Bioinformatic tools such as STRING, KEGG, IIS and Cytoscape were used to interpret the biological function, pathway analysis and visualization of network amongst the identified proteins. Results: From this analysis it was possible to evaluate that all of the identified proteins were functionally classified into several categories, mainly redox homeostasis, response to inorganic substances, energy metabolism, protein synthesis, cell trafficking, and division. Conclusion: In the present study an overview of the metabolic pathways most modified by HS biological activity is provided. Activation of enzymes of the glycolytic pathway and up regulation of ribosomal protein indicated a stimulation in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Regulation of the enzymes involved in redox homeostasis suggest a pivotal role of reactive oxygen species in the signaling and modulation of HS-induced responses.

Effects of different humic substances concentrations on root anatomy and Cd accumulation in seedlings of Avicennia germinans (black mangrove)

Mangrove areas are among most threatened tropical ecosystems worldwide. Among polluting agents Cadmium is often found in high concentrations in mangrove sediments. Humic substances, complex biomolecules formed in soil and sediments during animal and plant residuals decomposition, have a known biostimulant activity and can be adopted to counteract various plant stresses. This study explores, in controlled conditions, the effect of humic substances on Avicennia germinans seedlings, with or without cadmium contamination. Humic compounds significantly changed plant root architecture, and, when coupled with cadmium, root anatomy and Cortex to Vascular Cylinder diameter ratio. These modifications led to lower Cd uptake by humic substances-treated plants. Humic substances amendment could be effective, depending on their concentrations, on improving plant health in mangrove areas, for forest recuperation and/or dredged sediments phytoremediation purposes.

Behavior of Beta 2-microglobulin (B2-m) serum levels in uremic patients

This Study Was Performed In 97 Hemodialysis Patients (85 On Hd And 12 On Capd) To Investigate The Possible Correlation Between B2-M And Hemodialysis-Related Amyloidosis Syndromes (Hra-S); Differences In B2-M And Hra Behavior Between Patients Hemodialysed With Cellulose And Synthetic Membranes Were Also Included In The Present Study. Data Indicate That B2-M Levels Are Not Correlated With Dialysis Length Or With The Type Of Membrane Used For The Dialysis. On The Contrary, In 16 Patients With The Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, A Significant Correlation Was Found Between The Cts, The Dialysis Length And The Type Of Membrane (Greater Incidence With Cellulosic Membranes).

Leaching and Corrosion of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Tubes in a Dialysis Water Distribution System

PVC tubes, from the dialysis water distribution system of a 14 and a 7 year old plant, were analysed by scanner electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray microanalysis (EDAX). Results showed that the leaching of material occurs depending on time of use. The phenomenon does not modify the chemical composition of the material. Results suggest that PVC alterations, induced by time, could support bacterial proliferation thus reducing the quality of dialysate.

Biostimulant Effects of Seed-Applied Sedaxane Fungicide: Morphological and Physiological Changes in Maize Seedlings

Most crops are routinely protected against seed-born and soil-borne fungal pathogens through seed-applied fungicides. The recently released succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI), sedaxane^®, is a broad-spectrum fungicide, used particularly to control Rhizoctonia spp., but also has documented growth-enhancement effects on wheat. This study investigates the potential biostimulant effects of sedaxane and related physiological changes in disease-free maize seedlings (3-leaf stage) at increasing application doses (25, 75 and 150 μg a.i. seed^-1) under controlled sterilized conditions. We show sedaxane to have significant auxin-like and gibberellin-like effects, which effect marked morphological and physiological changes according to an approximate saturation dose-response model. Maximum benefits were attained at the intermediate dose, which significantly increased root length (+60%), area (+45%) and forks (+51%), and reduced root diameter as compared to untreated controls. Sedaxane enhanced leaf and root glutamine synthetase (GS) activity resulting in greater protein accumulation, particularly in the above-ground compartment, while glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activity remained almost unchanged. Sedaxane also improved leaf phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, which may be responsible for the increase in shoot antioxidant activity (phenolic acids), mainly represented by p-coumaric and caffeic acids. We conclude that, in addition to its protective effect, sedaxane can facilitate root establishment and intensify nitrogen and phenylpropanoid metabolism in young maize plants, and may be beneficial in overcoming biotic and abiotic stresses in early growth stages.

Possible developments for ex situ phytoremediation of contaminated sediments, in tropical and subtropical regions - Review

The growing problem of remediation of contaminated sediments dredged from harbor channels needs to be resolved by a cost effective and sustainable technology. Phytoremediation, by ex situ remediation plants, seems to have the potential to replace traditional methods in case of moderately contaminated sediments. On the other side, the need to mix sediments with soil and/or sand to allow an easier establishment of most employed species causes an increase of the volume of the processed substrate up to 30%. Moreover the majority of phytoremediating species are natives of temperate climate belt. Mangroves, with a special focus on the genus Avicennia - a salt secreting species - should represent an effective alternative in terms of adaptation to salty, anoxic sediments and an opportunity to develop ex situ phytoremediation plants in tropical and subtropical regions. The use of humic acid to increase root development, cell antioxidant activity and the potential attenuation of the "heavy metals exclusion strategy" to increase phytoextraction potentials of mangroves will be reviewed.

Proteomic insight into the mitigation of wheat root drought stress by arbuscular mycorrhizae

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are plant growth promoters that ameliorate plant-water relations and the nutrient uptake of wheat. In this work, two cultivars of Triticum spp., a bread and a durum wheat, grown under drought stress and inoculated or not by AMF, are evaluated through a shotgun proteomic approach. The AMF association had beneficial effects as compared to non-mycorrhizal roots, in both bread and durum wheat. The beneficial symbiosis was confirmed by measuring morphological and physiological traits. In our work, we identified 50 statistically differential proteins in the bread wheat cultivar and 66 differential proteins in the durum wheat cultivar. The findings highlighted a modulation of proteins related to sugar metabolism, cell wall rearrangement, cytoskeletal organization and sulphur-containing proteins, as well as proteins related to plant stress responses. Among differentially expressed proteins both cultivars evidenced a decrease in sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferas. In durum wheat oxylipin signalling pathway was involved with two proteins: increased 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid reductase and decreased jasmonate-induced protein, both related to the biosynthesis of jasmonic acid. Interactome analysis highlighted the possible involvement of ubiquitin although not evidenced among differentially expressed proteins. The AMF association helps wheat roots reducing the osmotic stress and maintaining cellular integrity.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Drought is one of the major constraints that plants must face in some areas of the world, associated to climate change, negatively affecting the worldwide plant productivity. The adoption of innovative agronomic protocols may represent a winning strategy in facing this challenge. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation may represent a natural and sustainable way to mitigate the negative effects due to drought in several crop, ameliorating plant growth and development. Studies on the proteomic responses specific to AMF in drought-stressed plants will help clarify how mycorrhization elicits plant growth, nutrient uptake, and stress-tolerance responses. Such studies also offer the potential to find biological markers and genetic targets to be used during breeding for new drought-resistant varieties.

In vitro secretomic analysis identifies putative pathogenicity-related proteins of Sporisorium scitamineum - The sugarcane smut fungus

Sporisorium scitamineum, the sugarcane smut pathogen, relies predominantly on its secretome to successfully colonise its host, in accordance with other related smut fungi. Considering the significance of deciphering its secretome, we have examined alterations in the in vitro secretome of S. scitamineum in response to synthetic and sugarcane meristem tissue-amended growth media, so as to identify host signal responsive secretory proteins. Secretory proteins that were differentially abundant and exclusively secreted in response to host extract media were identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. Of the 16 differentially abundant and exclusively secreted proteins, nine proteins were identified. Among which, six were related to cell wall modification, morphogenesis, polysaccharide degradation, and carbohydrate metabolism. In planta gene expression profiling indicated that five in vitro secreted proteins were expressed in distinct patterns by S. scitamineum during different stages of infection with relatively higher expression at 1 day after inoculation, suggesting that these proteins could be aiding S. scitamineum at early time points in penetration and colonisation of sugarcane cells. The present study has provided insights into the alterations occurring in the secretome of S. scitamineum at in vitro conditions and has resulted in the identification of secretory proteins that are possibly associated with pathogenicity of the sugarcane smut fungus.

Proteomic analysis of a compatible interaction between sugarcane and Sporisorium scitamineum

Smut caused by Sporisorium scitamineum is one of the important diseases of sugarcane with global significance. Despite the intriguing nature of sugarcane, S. scitamineum interaction, several pertinent aspects remain unexplored. This study investigates the proteome level alterations occurring in the meristem of a S. scitamineum infected susceptible sugarcane cultivar at whip emergence stage. Differentially abundant proteins were identified by 2DE coupled with MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS. Comprehensively, 53 sugarcane proteins identified were related to defence, stress, metabolism, protein folding, energy, and cell division; in addition, a putative effector of S. scitamineum, chorismate mutase, was identified. Transcript expression vis-à-vis the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase was relatively higher in the infected meristem. Abundance of seven candidate proteins in 2D gel profiles was in correlation with its corresponding transcript expression levels as validated by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, this study has opened up new perspectives on the interaction between sugarcane and S. scitamineum.

Interceptive therapy for maxillary constriction: a cast-metal-type splint expander

A new cast-metal-type splint expander was used to treat severe maxillary constriction. This new appliance has the same advantages of a rapid expander on acrylic splints, compared to a Haas or to a banded expander. Furthermore, it is characterized by greater respect for the gingival tissue, both during the therapy and immediately after the removal of the expander. It is also more comfortable for the patient, so that it is possible to maintain the expander in the mouth for several months without gingival suffering. This appliance is very versatile and well indicated for permanent, mixed and deciduous dentitions.

Assisted phytoremediation of mixed metal(loid)-polluted pyrite waste: effects of foliar and substrate IBA application on fodder radish

Exogenous application of plant-growth promoting substances may potentially improve phytoremediation of metal-polluted substrates by increasing shoot and root growth. In a pot-based study, fodder radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. oleiformis Pers.) was grown in As-Zn-Cu-Co-Pb-contaminated pyrite waste, and treated with indolebutyric acid (IBA) either by foliar spraying (10 mgL(-1)), or by direct application of IBA to the substrate (0.1 and 1 mgkg(-1)) in association, or not, with foliar spraying. With the exception of foliar spraying, IBA reduced above-ground biomass, whilst direct application of IBA to the substrate surface reduced root biomass (-59%). Trace element concentrations were generally increased, but removals (mg per plant) greatly reduced with IBA application, together with greater metal leaching from the substrate. It is concluded that, in our case, IBA had a negative effect on plant growth and phytoextraction of trace elements, possibly due to unsuitable root indoleacetic acid concentration following soil IBA application, the direct chelating effect of IBA and the low microbial activity in the pyrite waste affecting its breakdown.

Chemical and biological characterization of dissolved organic matter from silver fir and beech forest soils

Despite a growing attention to the dissolved organic matter (DOM) in terrestrial ecosystems and evidence of the fact that vegetation affects the quality of both undissolved and dissolved organic matter in soil, the role of DOM as a biological indicator is still poorly understood. In this work, the fertility of 59 sites, divided into eight key alliances of the order Fagetalia sylvaticae Pawl., was studied considering chemical and biological parameters such as soil DOM, hormone-like activity, low-molecular-weight (LMW) aliphatic and phenolic acids, and floristic data. Both non-parametric tests and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed differences between silver fir and beech forests and within each type of forest. There were also differences between neutrophilous and acidophilous types. What's more, PCA reveals the dominance of the auxin (IAA)-like activity, and of some phenolic acids in distinguishing the acidophilous beeches (ACI) form the other types, whereas the gibberellin (GA)-like activity is more relevant in neutrophilous conditions such as thermophilous (THE) and mesophilous (MESO) beeches and montane (MO), high montane (HMA), high montane (HMC) silver fir forests. The GA-like activity is also related to the succinic, fumaric, malonic, and l-malic acids in the MO, HMA and HMC silver fir forests. Moreover, the role of LMW aliphatic acids in mobilizing the hormone-like activity, which improves forest growth, is stressed. The growth of seedlings of Picea abies was influenced by the phenolic acid content. At concentrations between 1 and 100 microM, phenylacetic and protocatechuic acids inhibited root growth to the same extent as indoleacetic acid, while p-hydroxybenzoic acid had a stimulating effect comparable to that of gibberellic acid. The aliphatic and phenolic acids appear to be related to plant strategies that influence soil fertility affecting plant growth through rhizodeposition. The role of LMW aliphatic and phenolic acids as molecular markers of ecosystem function is noted.

[Echo-Doppler in chronic kidney transplant rejection. The diagnostic prospects using indices of the ascending systolic phase]

To date, Doppler US has been rarely used to diagnose chronic renal transplant rejection because of its low sensitivity. Nevertheless, all the results have been obtained from the analysis of flow-metric indices, mainly considering the diastolic phase of the Doppler waveform, e.g., the resistance index (RI) and the pulsatility index (PI). This study was aimed at investigating if Doppler diagnostic accuracy in renal transplant monitoring can be increased by studying the systolic phase, considering peak arterial systolic velocity (Vp), acceleration time (AT) and acceleration index (AI). Seventy-six renal transplant recipients were examined with color-Doppler and duplex Doppler US, which showed 47 well-functioning and 29 hypofunctioning kidneys. The diagnosis was confirmed with perfusion scintigraphy with 99mTc DTPA, biopsy and 6-month clinical-laboratory follow-up. The means of Vp, AI, AT and RI relative to the group of patients with normal renal function were compared with those in the group of patients with chronic rejection. Critical values were measured at the segmental arteries (Vp = 70 cm/s, AI = 7 m/s2, AT = 100 ms), at the interlobar arteries (Vp = 45 cm/s, AI = 4 m/s2, AT = 100 ms) and at the arcuate arteries (Vp = 35 cm/s, AI = 3 m/s2, AT = 100 ms). On the basis of these values, normal functioning transplants were differentiated from hypofunctioning ones. RIs were altered (> 0.75) in 8 of 17 chronic rejections and in 3 of 47 normal transplants, with 47.1% sensitivity and 93.6% specificity. The combination of RI with Vp and AI strongly increased both sensitivity (100%) and specificity (82.98%). Combined AI and RI exhibited 94.1% sensitivity and 89.3% specificity. In conclusion, the indices of the ascending systolic phase, in peripheral vascular samplings, are clearly more efficacious than RI alone and index combination exhibits the highest diagnostic accuracy.

Leaching and corrosion of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes in a dialysis water distribution system

PVC tubes, from the dialysis water distribution system of a 14 and a 7 year old plant, were analysed by scanner electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray microanalysis (EDAX). Results showed that the leaching of material occurs depending on time of use. The phenomenon does not modify the chemical composition of the material. Results suggest that PVC alterations, induced by time, could support bacterial proliferation thus reducing the quality of dialysate.

Behavior of beta 2-microglobulin (B2-m) serum levels in uremic patients

This study was performed in 97 hemodialysis patients (85 on HD and 12 on CAPD) to investigate the possible correlation between B2-m and hemodialysis-related amyloidosis syndromes (HRA-S); differences in B2-m and HRA behavior between patients hemodialysed with cellulose and synthetic membranes were also included in the present study. Data indicate that B2-m levels are not correlated with dialysis length or with the type of membrane used for the dialysis. On the contrary, in 16 patients with the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a significant correlation was found between the CTS, the dialysis length and the type of membrane (greater incidence with cellulosic membranes).

Does anemia correction by rHuEPO improve uremic cardiopathy?

The correction of renal anemia by recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) makes it possible to assess the effect of anemia on uremic cardiopathy (UC). So far, conflicting results have been reported. We studied 10 hemodialyzed patients aged (51 +/- 18 years, dialytic age 47 +/- 18 months) before and after rHuEPO treatment. All patients underwent an echocardiogram before, and six months after stable hematocrit (31 +/- 2) was obtained. The results show a reduction in LVDD. No improvement in ejection fraction and in ventricular hypertrophy was observed, probably owing to an increase in blood pressure. Finally, there is a possibility that the myocardium of hemodialyzed patients undergoes anatomical changes which may not improve, even after anemia correction.

Epidemiology of viral hepatitis in dialysis centers: a national survey

Because of the great problem of viral hepatitis in hemodialysis patients, the Italian Society of Nephrology decided to perform a national epidemiologic survey. We contacted 467 nephrological centers by a questionnaire which let us have information on 25,746 uremic patients: 18,338 on HD, 2,250 on PD and 5,176 with kidney transplant, respectively 78.5% of the total Italian dialysed patients and 91.4% of the total transplanted patients. Statistical analyses were performed. HBV infections occur in 7.8% of the patients (2,008 cases) but considering that 485 cases became spontaneously negative, the true overall incidence of chronic carriers falls to 4.9%. The main causes of the infection are reported as transfusions (64.3%) and dialysis environment (12%). The vaccination program performed by 93.2% of the centers, obtained an efficacious seroconversion in 4,626 of 7,790 cases vaccinated: the vaccine currently most utilized is the recombinant type administered by means of 3 versus 4 boosters. In the 2nd part of the survey, we report information concerning the presence of nephropaties associated with HBV infections in nonuremic patients (208 cases). We present and discuss the clinical picture of the nephropaties, the hystologic bioptic pattern and the prognosis of the kidney pathology.

HBV infection in hemodialysis patients: monitoring and prevention

From 1986 to 91, 174 dialysis patients were studied. The prevalence of previous HBV infection and of chronic carriers was 33.3 and 4.6%, respectively. Immunization rate after vaccination (3 doses) was 63%. In 1991, we proposed a vaccination with 4 doses and recommend a 6-monthly anti-HBs evaluation to assess the timing of any booster dose needed.

Risk factors and clinical expression of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients

In our Dialytic Unit, the prevalence of antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) was 16.4% in 1990 (73 hemodialyzed) and 21% in 1991 (105 hemodialyzed). The incidence of seroconversion was 13.1%. The transaminase behavior was similar in a group of anti-HCV-positive and a group of anti-HCV-negative patients and with previous HBV infection. Blood transfusions and dialytic age did not affect anti-HCV positivity.

LY 171555-induced catalepsy and defensive behavior in four strains of mice suggest the involvement of different D2 dopamine receptor systems

The D2 dopamine receptor agonist LY 171555 (0.5 to 5 mg/kg) induces dose-dependent catalepsy in C57BL/6, DBA/2 and BALB/c inbred strains of mice. This effect shows marked strain-dependent differences, since the response of C57BL/6 is significantly lower than those presented by the other two inbred strains at all doses tested. In previous studies we have shown that the D2 agonist at doses ranging from 0.5 to 5 mg/kg induces hyperdefensive responses toward nonaggressive opponents in mice of the C57BL/6 and BALB/c but not of the DBA/2 strain. Here we report that the outbred CD1 mice present both cataleptic and hyperdefensive responses when challenged with LY 171555. Forty-five percent of individuals presenting high defensive response and 11% high cataleptic scores. No correlation was found between catalepsy and hyperdefensiveness in CD1 mice following administration of 1 mg/kg of the D2 agonist. These results suggest that D2 receptor stimulation results in different behavioral responses, possibly mediated by different dopaminergic systems, depending on the genetic make up.

Sympathetic skin response in chronic renal failure and correlation with sensorimotor neuropathy

Twenty subjects suffering from chronic renal failure and undergoing continual treatment by haemodialysis were examined, and the following values assessed: maximum conduction velocity of the sensory and motor fibres of the common peroneal nerve, the relative electromyographic parameters, and the sympathetic skin response at the level of the foot. The results obtained have shown that autonomic neuropathy involving the sympathetic sudomotor is less frequent than sensorimotor neuropathy. The autonomic failures are scanty in the mild forms of sensorimotor neuropathy, with minor latency in the onset of uremia.

[Growth hormone after baclofen in normal and acromegalic subjects]

Serum growth hormone (GH) levels in basal conditions (two samples) and 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes after oral administration of baclofen (20 mg) were evaluated in 6 healthy subjects and in 6 acromegalic patients. The effect of cimetidine (400 mg i.v.) administrated 45 minutes after baclofen (20 mg by mouth) were evaluated in 9 healthy women. Baclofen was able to significantly rise serum GH levels in normal subjects but no in acromegalic patients. Cimetidine suppress GH increase induced by baclofen. It was concluded that: 1) baclofen, GABAb receptor agonist, stimulate GH secretion by inhibition of GIF secretion or by stimulation of GRF secretion; 2) istamine, through H2 receptors in the hypothalamus, is important to mediate GH release induced by stimulation of GABAb receptors.

[Prolactin after baclofen in healthy subjects and prolactinoma patients]

Serum prolactin (PRL) levels in basal conditions (two samples) and 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 e 180 minutes after oral administration of baclofen (20 mg) were evaluated in 6 healthy subjects and in 10 patients with prolactinoma. The effect of baclofen (20 mg by mouth) on the PRL secretion cimetidine (400 mg i.v.) or domperidone (20 mg i.v.) induced were evaluated in 9 healthy women by administration of baclofen 60 minutes before cimetidine or domperidone. Baclofen was unable to significantly rise serum PRL levels in healthy subjects and in patients affected by prolactinoma and furthermore did not interfere with PRL rise domperidone induced. On the contrary baclofen decreased PRL rise cimetidine induced. It was concluded that: in basal condition, GABAb receptor don't play an obvious role in modulation of PRL secretion; when H2 istaminergic inhibition on PRL secretion is blocked (at an hypothalamic site), a GABA inhibition, b receptor mediated, on PRL secretion became more clear; the domperidone blockade of hypophysial dopaminergic receptors suggests that GABAb modulation of prolactin secretion don't obtain itself by dopaminergic pathways.

[Neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus. Anatomo-clinical correlations]

Eighteen patients aged between 14 and 60 years suffering from diabetes insipidus were studied. Diabetes insipidus was diagnosed by means of Robertson's test. All patients underwent C.T. scanning and evaluation of PRL basally and after TRH (200 mcg e.v.). Twelve patients (66%) showed neurological lesions (secondary central diabetes insipidus). Six of these patients had hyperprolactinaemia. Our data suggest that most of central diabetes insipidus are associated with central system nervous (S.N.C.) damage. In same cases the presence of hyperprolactinaemia suggests a brain damage. Therefore neuroradiological study is very important in all cases of neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus.

[Evaluation of TSH secretion after GnRh in patients with primary hypothyroidism]

6 women (mean age 38 years) with high Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) serum levels because affected from primary hypothyroidism were studied. 6 healthy women (mean age 31 years) represented the control group. All subjects underwent evaluation of serum TSH, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), basally and 20, 30, 60, 120 minutes after administration of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH: 100 meg. IV). Seric FSH and LH show a large increase 30 minutes after GnRH either in healthy or in hypothyroid subjects. TSH is unresponsive to GnRH in normal condition, while shows a clear decrease (-78%) 30 minutes after GnRH in primary hypothyroidism. Rarely the hypothalamic releasing hormones possess an inhibitory effect on anteipophyseal secretions. Previously a GnRH inhibitory effect on prolactin (PRL) release from PRL secreting tumors in rat. The GnRH inhibitory effect on TSH release in pathological conditions such as primary hypothyroidism is difficult to explain: it may be that GnRH acts on Central Nervous System or at pituitary level: in the last case it could bind sites which are not quite different in the different glycoprotein secreting cells.

[GH after baclofen and diazepam]

It has been proposed that GABAergic receptors possess two functionally distinct, but strictly co-operating binding sites, one for GABA itself, another for benzodiazepines. The activation of GABA receptor is followed by opening of the Cl- channels. This action is strengthened if both binding sites of GABA receptor are contemporaneously engaged by their respective agonists. Baclofen, a GABAergic drug, is able, in acute administration, to determine an increase of serum GH in man. The aim of this work was to control if benzodiazepines can strengthen this metabolic effect of Baclofen in vivo. Five healthy voluntary women were studied. Blood samples for serum GH evaluation were collected basally and 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 minutes after oral administration of 20 mg. of Baclofen. This test was repeated one week after oral administration of 12 mg. die of Diazepam. The results were analyzed for paired data. The finding show that the metabolic effect of Baclofen on GH secretion are prolonged in time after Diazepam premedication and suggest that GABA-benzodiazepines interaction is effective at hypothalamo-hypophyseal level in man.

[Plasma cortisol levels after acute administration of baclofen]

Plasma cortisol levels after acute administration of Baclofen, a Gaba agonist drug, were evaluated in eight healthy volunteer subjects. After 10 mg. of such drug, cortisol levels did not change appreciably. On the contrary after 20 mg. Baclofen elicited a rise in cortisol plasma levels. Baclofen increases striatal levels of dopamine. Therefore it is possible that metabolic effects of the drug are a consequence of increased levels of dopamine.

[Hypophyseal gonadotropins after GnRH in patients with hypophyseal tumors and after hypophysectomy]

The effects of GnRH administration on serum FSL and LH concentrations were evaluated in 6 patients with pituitary tumors before and after surgical ablative treatment. After surgical therapy LH is suppressed, while FSH concentrations are not statistically different before and after surgical procedure. These data suggest that FSH and LH may be controlled by two different physiological mechanisms of their secretion.

[Hypophyseal gonadotropins after GnRH in patients with pituitary tumors]

The effects of exogenous GnRH on plasma FSH and LH concentrations were evaluated in 12 patients with pituitary macroadenomas and in 11 patients with pituitary microadenomas. In patients of the former group the mean values of FSH were not increased as compared with healthy controls, while LH was significantly lower. In patients of the latter group FSH was strongly greater than in normal controls, while serum LH concentrations were included in the normal range. These findings suggest that the exaggerated response of FSH can be useful to the diagnosis of the pituitary microadenomas.