Body weight estimation in the Italian elderly.

We have developed two different equations, for each sex of the elderly italian population to predict weight from selected measures of recumbent anthropometry, using data of 172 females (72.8 +/- 8 years old) and 113 males (73.4 +/- 8 years old). The independent variables for both sexes were knee stature. subscapular skinfold, arm and calf circumferences. Cross validation was conducted on a free-living sample of 54 females and 30 males. The recommended equations have a 95% probability of predicting the weight of an elderly man or woman to be within plus or minus 4.9 or 6.1 Kg respectively.

Prediction of stature in the Italian elderly.

Adequate quantification of weight and stature is essential in order to determine levels of nutritional support and to monitor the effects of nutritional intervention. Traditional anthropometric techniques are difficult to apply in elderly or handicapped patients chair or bed-bound. The purpose of the present study is to elaborate regression equations for the estimation of stature in the italian elderly population from other anthropometric measures that can be more easily determined. We have found a single model valid for both sexes (in which the value of the variable "sex" equals 0 if woman and 1 if man) to predict stature in italian elderly: Stature = 94.87 + 1.58 knee-height - 0.23 age + 4.8 sex. Cross validation on a control sample of 30 males and 54 females yielded pure errors of 3.1 cm for men and 2.74 cm for women.

[A clinical study of prevention of stress ulcer]. / Studio clinico sulla profilassi nelle ulcere "da stress".

The authors have studied the possibilities of preventing digestive bleedings caused by "stress ulcers" in a large number of risk-patients recovered in the Reanimation Center of St. Camillo in Rome. On 1012 patients recovered from 1985 to 1987 the authors have pointed out 69 cases of bleeding by "stress ulcer" (6.9%). The mortality was in these patients 75%. In every patient with risk factors the Authors have performed a prophylactic treatment. This treatment, achieved with randomized standards, has been performed in a group of 311 patients with ranitidine and in a second group of 170 patients with ranitidine and somatostatin joined. In the group of patients treated with ranitidine alone the incidence of digestive bleeding was of 30 patients (9.9%), in the second group treated with ranitidine and somatostatin the incidence was of 18 patients (10%). In a previous study the authors have noted an incidence of digestive bleeding by "stress ulcers" in the 16.6% of patients prophylactically treated with cimetidine and in the 8.66% in a first group of patients treated with anti-acids and in the 11.92% of a second group of patients equally treated with anti-acids. The authors point out that their results are disappointing in opposition to the good results relieved by other Authors possibly in connection with the seriousness, the number and the length of the risk factors in the patients they have treated. They believe that the results will be better when it will be possible to dispose of effective treatment able to increase the defensive powers of the gastric mucosa, seriously impaired by the stress factors.

[Total parenteral nutrition: a study of the microbial contamination of the bags and the infusion lines]. / Nutrizione parenterale totale: studio sulla contaminazione microbica delle sacche e delle linee di infusione.

The authors have examined during 60 groups of patients submitted to TPN each for a period of 10-15 days. In the first group the whole infusional set became replaced after 24 h., in the second and in the third group such replacement was done, respectively, after 48 and 72 h. The bacteriological examination of the fluid in the was always sterile 6 h. after preparation except in one case of the third group. The bacteriological examination of the terminal part of the infusional set was always negative in the first group, it was positive in the 3.33% of the cases, in the second group and in the 6.66% of the cases in the third group. The authors, consequently, believe that the infusional set has to be replaced after a period no longer than 24 h. Total parenteral nutrition: study on microbial contamination of bags and infusion lines.

[Chronic exposure to inhalation anesthetics and immunity]. / Esposizione cronica agli anestetici inalatori ed immunità.

The existence of a professional disease caused by exposure to general anesthetics has been reported by a number of studies, but opinions still differ as to the effective implications of this type of exposure. The aim of the present study was to analyse alterations in cellular and humoral immunity in anesthetists regularly exposed to general anesthetics. Regression analysis showed that IgA and NK lymphocytes were significantly increased whereas total T lymphocytes reduced in parallel with age and length of service. It can therefore be supposed that the increase in IgA might suggest chronic liver disease, while alterations in the lymphocyte populations, even if closely associated to chronic exposure leading to the hypothesis of a cause-and-effect relationship, do not alter immune system functions since they are similar to those that occur with ageing.