A modified algorithm for the management of ureteral calculi: 100 consecutive cases

We treated 100 consecutive ureteral calculi requiring intervention with a previously described algorithm. There were 16 ureteropelvic junction, and 18 upper, 22 mid and 44 lower ureteral calculi. Treatment was by a stent and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in 10 ureteropelvic junction, 10 upper ureteral and 3 mid ureteral calculi, ureteroscopy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in 6 upper and 6 mid ureteral calculi, and ureteroscopy alone in 5 ureteropelvic junction, 2 upper and 12 mid ureteral calculi. All 44 lower ureteral calculi were treated successfully by ureteroscopy. Of the 100 patients studied 98 were treated by endourological methods (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy), while 2 required an operation (1 with a ureteropelvic junction calculus and 1 with a mid ureteral calculus). Over-all, 100 patients required a total of 125 procedures to accomplish successful stone removal. An algorithm is developed in which lower ureteral calculi are treated by ureteroscopy, mid ureteral calculi (large and dense) by stent bypass and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or (lucent and fragile) by ureteroscopy, upper ureteral calculi by stent bypass and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy without manipulation, and impacted ureteral stones initially by ureteroscopy and, if necessary, then by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.     

Restriction fragment length polymorphism of human mitochondrial DNA in a sample population from Apulia (Southern Italy)

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of human mitochondrial DNA was analysed in a sample of 87 subjects from Apulia (South Italy) by the restriction enzymes Hpa I, Bam HI, Hae II, Msp I, Ava II, and Hinc II using total blood cell DNA probed by human mtDNA from placenta. Five BamHI morphs were observed, two of which are new ( Bam HI-4 and -5), as well as one new Ava II morph ( Ava II-28). The association Bam HI-4/ Ava II-28 enables us to demonstrate for the first time two polymorphic Bam HI sites present together in the same mtDNA molecule. In agreement with historical data the Apulian sample has been shown to be the most heterogeneous Italian population so far tested.     

Synthesis of TPH-13, a new tridecapeptide from Phyllomedusa rohdei

The synthesis of TPH-13 (Glp-Glu-Lys-Pro-Tyr-Trp-Pro-Pro-Pro-Ile-Tyr-Pro-Met-OH), a tridecapeptide isolated from the skin of the South American frog Phyllomedusa rohdei, is described and alternative approaches are discussed.     

A new method for producing temporary complete cerebral ischemia in rats

A new model of temporary complete cerebral ischemia was developed and tested in 64 rats. With use of microsurgical techniques, both pterygopalatine and external carotid arteries were occluded and the basilar artery was coagulated to reduce potential collateral CBF during ischemia. After this preliminary five-vessel occlusion, temporary global ischemia was induced by occluding the common carotid arteries (CCAs) with microclips. To validate the method, CBF was measured autoradiographically in 24 anatomical regions at death after 5 min of ischemia or after 15 min of ischemia followed by 5 min of reperfusion. Mean arterial blood pressure and arterial blood gases remained stable under controlled endotracheal ventilation and anesthesia (halothane, 70% N2O, and 30% O2) throughout the CBF experiments, except for a 10-15% increase in mean arterial blood pressure for 1-5 min after bilateral CCA occlusion. After the initial five-vessel occlusion, the EEG did not change, and local CBF levels were comparable to those in anesthetized non-surgical controls. When the CCAs were occluded, the EEG flattened rapidly; after 5 min of ischemia, autoradiography showed no detectable blood flow in the forebrain and cerebellum. The local CBF levels measured after 15 min of temporary global ischemia and 5 min of reperfusion demonstrated relatively homogeneous postischemic hyperperfusion; only two of eight rats had several 1- to 3-mm areas of no-reflow. Survival studies showed increasing motor impairment after 10, 15, 30, and 60 min of temporary CCA occlusion. Ischemic neuronal damage was observed histologically in the hippocampus and basal ganglia 24 h after 10 min of temporary ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Acquired Cutis Laxa in Childhood Sweet's Syndrome

Abstract:  In Sweet's syndrome, the essential features are the characteristic morphology of the lesions, their histologic appearance, the dramatic response to corticosteroids and the absence of scarring. We report an 8-month-old infant in whom Sweet's syndrome was diagnosed and who developed acquired cutis laxa in the skin lesions.