Microfingerprinting analysis of human Ia molecules favours a three loci model

Alpha subunits from DC1 Ia molecules, when compared with DR alpha subunits, are shown to possess distinctive features revealed by differences in microfingerprinting patterns after peptic digestion. Alpha chains from BR4X7 molecules differ from DC1 alpha chains and are more similar to DR alpha chains. Since DC1 and BR4X7 beta chains (which carry the HLA-controlled alloantigenic determinants) associate with different alpha subunits, it is considered unlikely that they are controlled by alleles at the same locus. The proposed model implies the existence of three tightly linked HLA loci controlling the beta subunits of DR, DC and BR molecules respectively.     

Cognitive impairment and chronic alcohol abuse: A neuropsychological study

Twenty-eight chronic alcoholic subjects were submitted to our Mental Deterioration Battery. The scores obtained by this group, corrected for age and educational level, were compared with those achieved by a control group. Our data do not confirm a selective impairment of the functions related to the right hemisphere; they show a diffuse cerebral damage and suggest, perhaps, a major impairment of the verbal functions subserved by the left hemisphere. Therefore, according to our data the question of selective hemispheric impairment as opposed to more diffuse cerebral damage in chronic alcoholism still remains open.     

Precursors of atherosclerosis in children: The Cittadella study. Follow-up and tracking of total serum cholesterol,triglycerides, and blood glucose

As part of a WHO project, precursors of atherosclerosis in children, a survey was made in Cittadella, a town in Northern Italy. Four hundred and eight children (49.7% males) aged 6, 9, 12, and 15 were examined and a blood sample for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and blood glucose (BG) was drawn one hour after an oral glucose load of 50 g. The same procedure was performed in the same subjects 3 years later. The mean values of TC in the age groups 6, 9, 12, and 15 were 155.2, 176.1, 191.5, 170.5 mg/dl, respectively. TG values were 54.4, 53.1, 55.8, 62.2 mg/dl and BG, 108.3, 85.2, 92.1, 97.4 mg/dl, respectively. A marked fall of TC at reexamination was found in initial age groups of 12 and 15. BG levels fell significantly only in those subjects initially examined at age 6, while TG showed a longitudinal increase in all age groups, though more markedly in the younger ones. Different body composition, and possibly a secular trend, might explain these findings. The tracking analysis showed that serum TC tends to maintain its percentile with increasing age in contrast to serum TG and BG tracking which was less consistent, suggesting the influence of factors other than those affecting changes in TC.     

Adolescents and sexually transmitted infections: knowledge and behaviour in Italy

OBJECTIVE: Sexually transmitted infections (STI) among adolescents continue to be an important public health problem for many industrialized and developing countries. This study evaluated knowledge and behaviour in adolescents regarding prevention of STI. METHODS: Information was obtained by using self-reported questionnaire from a random sample of 644 undergraduate students at university and at public high schools aged 14-20 years in Catanzaro (Italy). RESULTS: Only 14.2% of respondents knew about the main STI and that they can be transmitted through sexual intercourse with HIV seropositive partners; this knowledge was significantly higher among adolescents who had had a higher number of sexual partners in their lifetime and who had received information from physicians about STI. A total of 33.8% reported having had sexual intercourse at least once and the mean age at first intercourse was 16 years. Older males and adolescents with employed mothers were more likely to have reported having had a sexual experience. The prevalence of using condoms every time during sexual intercourse was 51.8% and such behaviour was more likely in younger adolescents and males. The prevalence of condom use on the last occasion of sex was 71.9%. Younger adolescents, those with a higher perception of the risk of contracting STI and those with lesser knowledge about STI were independent predictors for using condoms. The mean total score of the respondents' perception of a risk of contracting STI was 5.8. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence to develop and implement strategies with the hope of improving adolescents' level of knowledge and reducing unsafe sexual practices.     

Trends in HIV prevalence among drug-users attending public drug-treatment centres in Italy: 1990-2000

The occurrence of HIV infection among drug-users in Italy between 1990 and 2000 is described; the data concern drug-users attending a nation-wide network consisting of 510 public drug-treatment centres. We included only individuals with written documentation of an HIV-test result. Of the 1,299,972 attendees, 54.5% had a documented HIV-test result. The overall HIV prevalence among those with a test result was 19.8%. The annual prevalence decreased from 30.8% in 1990 to 15.8% in 2000 (chi-square for linear trend P < 0.0001); the decrease was more evident between 1990 and 1996, whereas the prevalence apparently levelled-off after 1996. The annual prevalence was significantly higher among females compared to males throughout the study period. The annual prevalence was consistently three to four times higher for prior attendees, compared to new entrants. Although information on whether or not the attendees injected drugs was not available for the entire study period, the proportion of attendees with a documented HIV-test result can be considered as an approximation of the proportion who inject drugs. Although HIV infection was widespread among injecting drug-users in Italy beginning in the mid-1980s, since the early 1990s it has been somewhat contained. However, the levelling-off of the prevalence after 1996 may conceal an increase in the number of new infections and should be more thoroughly investigated. Aggregated national-level data, despite their limitations, represent a reliable tool for monitoring the temporal trend of HIV prevalence among injecting drug-users in Italy.     

Protecting embryos and burdening women: assisted reproduction in Italy

BACKGROUND: A new law in Italy imposes strict conditions on assisted reproduction at a time when many other countries have become more accepting of these techniques. The law has been criticized both in and outside of the country because of its excessive concern with the status of embryos and disregard for the interests of women and infertile couples. METHODS: Bioethical, legal and policy analysis based on published materials. RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS: This article shows that ethical concerns about respect for human life and protection of the family and offspring need not burden women and infertile couples to the extent that the new Italian law does. Defining embryos as existing only at syngamy, allowing unpaid sperm and oocyte donation, and permitting the screening of embryos for genetic disease would greatly improve the situation of infertile women in Italy without greatly compromising the values and goals of the Italian law.     

Direct medical costs unequivocally related to diabetes in Italian specialized centers

This study estimated the resource utilization and direct medical costs in Italian diabetes centers (DCs). Hospital admissions for major chronic complications were not considered since DCs deliver primary care and follow up only complications unequivocally related to diabetes-acute complications and diabetic foot. The multicenter, prospective, observational study involving 31 Italian DCs included a total of 1,910 patients classified into eight prognostic groups by type of diabetes (types 1 and 2), metabolic control (HbA1c >7.5%, HbA1c 7.5%) and age (60, >60). The average total cost of type 1 diabetes per patient per year ranged from € 762 in group 2 (age 60, HbA1c >7.5%) to € 1,060 in group 4 (age >60, HbA1c >7.5%), and that the cost of type 2 diabetes from € 423 in group 5 (age 60, HbA1c 7.5%) to € 613 in group 8 (age >60, HbA1c >7.5%). The study brought to light the wide variability in the single cost components across clinically defined groups of patients. The cost of diabetes management in the strict sense was significantly affected by the type of diabetes and metabolic control.Data monitoring: E. Negri.E. Ansaldi, Alessandria; C. Baggiore, Florence; M. Balsanelli, Ostia; C. Bertoni, La Spezia; V. Borzì, Catania; A. Boscolo Bariga, Chioggia; A. Bruno, Turin; S. Caronna, Parma; F. Chiaromonte, Rome; S. Ciaccio, Pisa; G. Cicioni, Terni; M. Di Mauro, Catania; S. Gamba, Turin; L. Gentile, Asti; S. Giannini, Florence; D. Giorgi Pierfranceschi, Piacenza; T. Lavagnini, Padua; M. Lunetta, Catania; M. Marchesi, Bolzano; I. Meloncelli, San Benedetto del Tronto (Ascoli Piceno); G. Micali, Messina; M. Orrasch, Treviso; C. Pacchioni, Modena; M. Parillo, Caserta; G. Perriello, Perugia; S. Pistone, Potenza; G. Rinaldi, Naples; G. Sessa, Naples; M. Tagliaferri, Larino; P. Tatti, Marino (Rome); P. Ubaldi, Genua; M. Velussi, Monfalcone (Triest); E. Vitacolonna, Pescara; G. Zoppini, Verona; P. Zucchi, Asola (Mantua).