Neurotrophin-like immunoreactivity in the human pre-term newborn, infant, and adult cerebellum

The immunohistochemical occurrence of the neurotrophin (NT) proteins nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is shown in the pre-term newborn, infant, and adult human post-mortem cerebellum. The NT-like immunoreactive structures were unevenly distributed and showed regional differences among cerebellar lobules and folia. NGF-, NT-4-, and NT-3-positive neuronal perikarya were observed in all specimens examined. At variance with the other neurotrophins, the BDNF antiserum labelled neuronal cell bodies only in newborn life and infancy, as well as extensive nerve fibre systems, whose density increased with age. The NT-antibodies, tested by Western blot on human cerebellum homogenates, revealed immunoreactive bands corresponding to proteins of heterogenous molecular weight. The results obtained provide a first demonstration of the tissue localization of the NTs in the human cerebellum from perinatal to adult age, thus suggesting their involvement in the development, differentiation and maintenance of the cerebellar connectivity. Codistribution of the four NTs or sets of them was observed in cortical and deep nuclei neurons. Multiple trophic roles for NTs, encompassing the classic target-derived and local mechanisms of support, are envisaged as significant in development, differentiation, and maintenance of the human cerebellar connectivity.     

WAIS-R verbal-performance IQ discrepancies in persons with lateralized lesions: utility of a seven subtest short form.

WAIS-R Verbal-Performance IQ difference scores for Ward's (1990) seven subtest short form and the complete WAIS-R were examined in patients with lateralized and diffuse lesions. For both versions, the expected Performance > Verbal pattern was observed in the right hemisphere lesion group, while no summary score differences were seen in the left hemisphere group. Verbal-Performance IQ discrepancies for the short form fell within +/- 5 points of the WAIS-R discrepancy scores in about 75%of the cases, regardless of lesion location. Statistically reliable IQ differences between the complete and abbreviated WAIS-R attained 66%, 91%, and 89% agreement for the left, right, and diffuse groups, respectively. The results support the clinical utility of the seven subtest short form.     

Two-step endoscopic resection of gastric leiomyomas

Summary Our two-step technique for endoscopic treatment of gastric leiomyomas is illustrated. From January 1979 to June 1991, nine symptomatic patients with sessile leiomyomas of the stomach were treated at the Endoscopy Division of Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan.The diagnosis was achieved by means of endoscopic observation of the lesion and, when possible, by ultrasound endoscopy.This new technique consists of first removing superficial portion of the tumor by electrosurgical snare. Second, a cleavage plane is found within the proper muscle layer; the tumor is enucleated as much as possible by tightening the snare around it and creating a pseudo-stalk. No major complication occurred nor were any recurrences observed at 21.8 months in the 7/9 patients treated by endoscopy alone. Endoscopic therapy was performed on an outpatient basis and only large lesions required short hospitalization.     

Blue Hue in the Dermoscopy Setting: Homogeneous Blue Pigmentation, Gray-Blue Area, and/or Whitish Blue Veil?

In dermoscopy, the correct recognition of the single parameters is fundamental to achieve great diagnostic accuracy, but the scarce morphologic expression of a parameter may lead to diagnostic errors. We report the case of a 27-year-old white man presenting a pigmented lesion of the back, which was present since puberty. Clinical examination revealed on the back the presence of a flat, gray-blue lesion and at the periphery a small dark-brown papule. An assessment of the lesion by means of dermoscopy was performed. The purpose of this report was to analyze the Blue Hue in dermoscopy with its histopathologic correlates, starting with the discussion of a clinical case.     

MR findings in pituitary haemosiderosis

A girl with Diamond-Blackfan syndrome and hypopituitarism was suspected of having pituitary haemosiderosis because of the clinical picture and the long history of blood transfusions. On T1-weighted MR images the pituitary exhibited a markedly hypointense anterior lobe (mimicking the empty sella), suggesting iron deposition, while on T2W MRI the low signal of the pituitary was surrounded by the high signal of the CSF. MR may be considered the examination of choice for detecting iron overload in the pituitary. Received: 10 November 1997 Accepted: 21 November 1997     

Human isolated small intestine: motor responses of the longitudinal muscle to field stimulation and exogenous neuropeptides

Summary (1) Longitudinal muscle strips from the human small intestine (jejunum/ileum) responded to electrical field stimulation (1–50 Hz) with frequency-related primary contractions which were largely atropine- (3 M) sensitive. When the tone was raised by addition of galanin (0.3 – 1 M), prostaglandin (PG) E₂ (1–10 M) or neurokinin A (NKA, 0.1 M), a frequency-related relaxation was evident which was potentiated by atropine. All the responses to field stimulation were abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 M), thus indicating their neural origin. (2) The atropine-sensitive primary contraction to field stimulation was virtually abolished by omega conotoxin fraction GVIA (CTX, 0.1–0.3 M) while the relaxations were CTX-resistant. The field stimulation-induced relaxations, which were observed in the presence of atropine and guanethidine (3 M), were also unaffected by apamin (0.1 M). (3) NKA and substance P (SP) produced a concentration- (1 nM–1 M for both peptides) related contraction, NKA being about 53 times more potent than SP. [Pro⁹]SP sulphone and [MePhe⁷]-NKB, selective agonists of the NK-1 and NK-3 receptor, respectively, were barely effective. On the other hand, [\Ala⁸]NKA(4–10), a selective NK-2 receptor agonist, had a potent contractile activity, similar to that of NKA. (4) Galanin (1 nM–1M) produced an atropine- and tetrodotoxin-resistant concentration-related contraction of longitudinal muscle of human isolated small intestine. The response to galanin did not show any sign of fading and was particularly suitable to study the evoked relaxations. (5) Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) (10–100 nM) consistently inhibited the nerve-mediated contractions of strips from the ileum while the effect on the jejunum was less pronounced. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP, 0.1–1 M) inhibited nerve-mediated contractions both in the ileum and the jejunum. (6) These experiments indicate that both cholinergic excitatory and non-adrenergic non-cholinergic nerves affect motility of the longitudinal muscle of the human small intestine. Furthermore, several neuropeptides produce potent motor effects, the contractile response to tachykinins being apparently mediated by activation of NK-2 receptors.     

The Sesto Fiorentino study: point and one-year prevalences of psychiatric disorders in an Italian community sample using clinical interviewers

BACKGROUND: It has been argued that lay interviewers' use of fully-structured interviews could lead to a diagnostic pattern different to that by treating physicians. Clinical interviewers in community samples should probably identify cases that are closer to those seen in clinical settings. The greatest advantage of using clinical interviewers consists of the immediate assessment of a possible psychopathology, i.e. the evaluation of current disorders. METHODS: Two thousand three hundred and sixty-three citizens from the community of Sesto Fiorentino, Italy, were interviewed by their own general practitioners using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Positive cases for any lifetime psychiatric disorder as well as a random sample of the negative cases were re-interviewed by psychiatrists or trained residents in psychiatry using the Florence Psychiatric Interview (FPI). RESULTS: The point prevalence for any current disorder was 8.7%; the two disorders with the highest prevalence were generalised anxiety disorder (2.9%) and major depressive episode (2.7%). The figures increase about 50% when the sub-threshold sequelae of previous disorders are considered. Current comorbidity was generally high. The one-year prevalence of any disorder was 10.6%. Ninety-two percent of the cases sought help, 82% were being treated at the moment of interview. Social impairment was considerable. CONCLUSIONS: The period prevalence rates for most of the disorders considered were generally comparable with the range defined by previous studies conducted in other Western countries, despite using different methodologies. Conversely, the use of health facilities, the treatment received and the social impairment were much higher than those reported by the other studies, suggesting a greater similarity with the clinical samples.     

Levothyroxine treatment in thyroid peroxidase antibody-positive women undergoing assisted reproduction technologies: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: Infertile women positive for thyroid antibodies suffer from a poor pregnancy/delivery outcome, although conflicting data have been published. Our objective was to investigate if levothyroxine (LT4) exerts any effect on pregnancy and/or delivery rates in thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb)-positive (+) women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. METHODS: Patients undergoing treatment were screened for TPOAb, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4). A total of 72 (15%) out of the 484 euthyroid women selected were TPOAb (+). These 72 patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A (n = 36) underwent LT4 treatment, group B (n = 36) placebo. Group C consisted of 412 women (85%) who were TPOAb negative (-). All patients received controlled ovarian stimulation. The endpoints of treatment were pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and delivery rate. RESULTS: No differences in pregnancy rate were observed between the three groups. Miscarriage rate was higher in TPOAb (+) in comparison to TPOAb (-) [relative risk: 2.01 (95% CI = 1.13-3.56), P = 0.028]. CONCLUSIONS: The pregnancy rate is not affected either by presence of TPOAb or treatment with LT4. However, TPOAb (+) women show a poorer delivery rate compared to TPOAb (-). LT4 treatment in TPOAb (+) does not affect the delivery rate.