Seasonal fluctuations of DIN/DIP and DON/DOP ratio in the northern Adriatic Sea

Within the frame of PRISMA 1 "Biogeochemical cycles" research project (April 1995-January 1996) the quantities and the compartments of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus have been studied in the northern Adriatic basin, considering also the organic pools. The research aimed to provide a better understanding of nutrient availability and to investigate the possible factors which promote the phenomenon of mucilage formation. For this purpose, the availability and the ratios between dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus considering both inorganic and organic fractions have been studied in relation to variations of river outflow and of biological activities. The results obtained reveal the large importance of organic nitrogen (annual average 16 microM) and phosphorus (annual average 0.13 microM) in contributing to the total nutrient availability (annual average total dissolved nitrogen: 29 microM and phosphorus: 0.18 microM) and the pronounced seasonal variability mainly ascribable to biological processes of uptake and remineralization. Furthermore, beside the well documented unbalanced ratio between inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, the results obtained point out, for the first time, the unbalance also in the organic compartment (ratio between organic nitrogen and phosphorus ranges between 50 and 530), whose consequences might be important in relation to the phenomenon of mucilage formation.     

A novel 23-bp deletion in exon 5 of the p53 tumor suppressor gene

We report a novel p53 deletion in a 63-year-old female with breast cancer. Mutation screening of DNA samples, obtained from tumor specimens from 98 individuals with breast cancer, by a combined polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis showed that the index case had a somatic mutation identified to be a 23-bp deletion in exon 5 of the p53 gene. This deletion would be expected to yield a truncated and functionally inactive p53 protein molecule, probably resulting in cell transformation. The existence of 6-bp palindromic-like sequences encompassing the deleted fragment suggests that the slipped mispairing mechanism is not involved in producing the deletion, which probably resulted from palindromic pairing during replication.     

Excess of high activity monoamine oxidase A gene promoter alleles in female patients with panic disorder

A genetic contribution to the pathogenesis of panic disorder has been demonstrated by clinical genetic studies. Molecular genetic studies have focused on candidate genes suggested by the molecular mechanisms implied in the action of drugs utilized for therapy or in challenge tests. One class of drugs effective in the treatment of panic disorder is represented by monoamine oxidase A inhibitors. Therefore, the monoamine oxidase A gene on chromosome X is a prime candidate gene. In the present study we investigated a novel repeat polymorphism in the promoter of the monoamine oxidase A gene for association with panic disorder in two independent samples (German sample, n = 80; Italian sample, n = 129). Two alleles (3 and 4 repeats) were most common and constituted >97% of the observed alleles. Functional characterization in a luciferase assay demonstrated that the longer alleles (3a, 4 and 5) were more active than allele 3. Among females of both the German and the Italian samples of panic disorder patients (combined, n = 209) the longer alleles (3a, 4 and 5) were significantly more frequent than among females of the corresponding control samples (combined, n = 190, chi2 = 10.27, df = 1, P = 0.001). Together with the observation that inhibition of monoamine oxidase A is clinically effective in the treatment of panic disorder these findings suggest that increased monoamine oxidase A activity is a risk factor for panic disorder in female patients.     

Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in evaluation of chronic pancreatitis. Part I: techniques and methods

Until recently, MR examinations of the pancreas were limited by motion artifacts, vascular pulsatility and poor spatial resolution. Today, new techniques have been developed, which allow to overcome these problems and provide additional information such as selective images of biliary and pancreatic ducts and vascular structures. MR examinations of the pancreas need to include either breath-hold or nonbreath-hold morphological T1- and T2-weighted images; a contrast agent is required when the study is performed with fast imaging which allow the acquisition of dynamic images in arterial and portal venous phases. Recently, a new liver-specific contrast agent (Mn-DPDP) has been demonstrated to provide selective pancreatic enhancement. As a complement to baseline sequences, MR cholangiopancreatography images can be acquired, possibly integrated by functional examination after secretin administration. Finally, contrast-enhanced MR angiography opens new perspectives for vascular studies, particularly for the locoregional staging of pancreatic cancer.     

Localization of pancreatic insulinomas with MR imaging at 0.5 T

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of MR imaging in the localization of pancreatic insulinomas in patients with clinical and laboratory diagnosis of insulin-producing tumor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients presenting with signs and symptoms of pancreatic insulinomas were prospectively included in our study. Twenty-six patients underwent surgery, and pathologic specimens were examined: 5 patients, in whom the initial diagnosis of insulinoma was excluded, were also studied and then followed up. All patients were studied with a high gradient power 0.5 T magnet. Images were evaluated by 2 radiologists blinded to previous investigations, tests and results. RESULTS: MR imaging correctly localized 24 of the 26 insulinomas (2 were false-negative and 1 false-positive) and was correctly negative in the 5 control patients. The interobserver agreement had a kappa value of 0.89. CONCLUSION: MR imaging was accurate in localizing pancreatic insulinomas and as a consequence, patients in our institution are now submitted to surgery directly after the MR examination. Invasive methods are considered only in cases in which, despite clear biochemical results, MR imaging has not demonstrated a pancreatic focal lesion.     

Mallory-Weiss syndrome. Outcome of 160 cases

The Mallory-Weiss (M-W) syndrome is responsible for about 7.5% of all bleedings of oesophageal origin. Emergency endoscopic treatment allows to obtain a rapid diagnosis as well as an effective treatment. Personal experience on 160 cases of M-W tears (14.2% of all oesophageal bleeding) is reported. The tears were classified in three groups: IA and IB (30 cases); IIA and IIB (48 cases); IIC and III (82 cases). In the first two groups a complete haemostasis was obtained in 73 out of 78 cases (93.6%) with a single session and in 5/78 cases with two sessions of sclerotherapy. The third group was treated with medical therapy. There was no procedure related mortality. An analysis of etiologic factors, anatomic conditions and pathogenetic correlations has highlighted the role of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients in favouring the bleeding in some of these patients and the role of hiatal hernia and cardial incontinence in determining the site of the lesions.     

Endometriosis externa and interna: endoscopic diagnosis

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of the endometrium outside the endometrial cavity. If the ectopic mucosa is located within the endometrium, the disease is defined as endometriosis interna, or adenomyosis, whereas the localization of the endometrium outside the uterus is defined as endometriosis externa, or pelvic endometriosis. The diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis requires invasive techniques, such as laparoscopy or laparotomy, with histologic confirmation on the surgical specimen. The diagnosis of adenomyosis should be based on histology of hysterectomy specimen, since the endoscopic diagnosis is still too inaccurate. Laparoscopy allows the visualization of the different aspects of pelvic endometriosis, i.e. superficial implants, deep lesions, and associated adhesions. Staging is based on a score attributed to each location in order to establish a prognosis in terms of the patient's reproductive performance.     

Operative laparoscopy

Operative laparoscopy has replaced the conventional approach by laparotomy to the treatment of most benign gynecological diseases (benign adnexal cysts, ectopic pregnancy, tubal infertility, polycystic ovarian disease, endometriosis, myomas), with advantages in terms of shorter hospital stay, less discomfort and complications for the patient, minor social costs due to the early resumption of normal working activities, and comparable results in terms of reproductive outcome.     

Free tissue transfer for skull base reconstruction analysis of complications and a classification scheme for defining skull base defects

OBJECTIVE: The role of free flaps in skull base reconstruction is discussed in detail. Twenty-six microvascular free tissue transfers performed in 22 patients are reviewed in detail. A classification scheme for skull base defects is presented. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Twenty-two patients with neoplasms that involve the skull base underwent a combined craniotomy and facial approach for resection. The resultant defects were reconstructed with a variety of microvascular free flaps. RESULTS: All 22 patients were ultimately successfully reconstructed with a free flap. One patient required a second free flap following ablative surgery for a recurrent tumor. The initial free flaps in three patients were unsuccessful and a second flap was required. The classification scheme was applied to all defects. CONCLUSIONS: The creation of a functional separation of the intracranial and extracranial cavities can be extremely difficult to accomplish, especially when multiple cavities (nasal, oral, pharyngeal) are violated. Free flaps provide a solution to this problem in select cases. Skull base defects can and should be classified for the purpose of communication, treatment planning, prognosis of reconstruction, and judging therapeutic outcome.     

Reproductive outcome after ovarian surgery: suturing versus nonsuturing of the ovarian cortex

The purpose of this study was to ascertain if microsurgical approximation of the ovarian edges after ovarian surgery alters postoperative results, as determined by both adhesion formation and reproductive outcome. Sixteen female white New Zealand rabbits were anesthetized, and the ovaries were exposed. Each ovary was longitudinally bivalved with a scalpel, but only one ovary was reconstructed microsurgically, whereas the contralateral ovary was left open. Four weeks after surgery, the rabbits were mated, and two weeks later, a laparotomy was performed to evaluate postoperative adhesions, the number of corpora lutea in each ovary, and the number of embryos in each uterine horn. The nidation index was calculated. No significant differences were found between the microsurgically sutured and the nonsutured ovaries for all the parameters evaluated. Our data suggest that not closing the ovarian incision does not alter either postoperative adhesion formation or reproductive outcome.