[The modification of lipids in a secondary prevention program by general practice physicians]. / Studio delle modificazioni dell'assetto lipidico in un programma di prevenzione secondaria effettuato da medici di medicina generale.

This study follows a cognitive investigation about risk factor for ischemic heart disease performed in 1990 by a group of general practitioners in Pistoia, Italy. From this investigation we selected subjects with hypercholesterolemia; we also considered the association with other risk factors for ischemic heart disease. According to the frequency of risk factors subjects received a low-fat diet or diet plus cholesterol-lowering drug therapy (simvastatin). We describe changes on total cholesterol and its fractions by these therapeutic regimens.

Raised plasma fibronectin concentration is related to the presence of diabetic retinopathy.

Plasma concentrations of fibronectin were studied in 152 diabetics (77 males, 75 females), divided according to their hypoglycemic treatment, and in 60 normal subjects (30 males, 30 females) closely matched for age. In both sexes no significant difference of plasma fibronectin (PF) levels was observed between controls and treated groups. In the whole group of diabetics PF levels were weakly correlated with age (r = 0.16; p less than 0.05) and not associated with HbA1 or duration of illness. Both male and female diabetics, either on sulfonylureas or insulin, with retinopathy (background, except for 2 proliferative in the group of insulin-requiring females) were characterized by significantly higher PF concentrations than either controls or patients without retinopathy.

Calcitonin increases peripheral plasma somatostatin-like immunoreactivity levels in humans.

Even though the inhibitory effects of CT on both hormone secretion and gastrointestinal functions have been well established, the exact mechanism of action still remains unclear. Since the effects of CT can be reproduced by somatostatin, we studied in man the effect of SCT on peripheral plasma SLI levels. Immediately after the onset of CT infusion SLI rose from its mean basal value of 45 +/- 5.5 pg/ml to a peak value of 91 +/- 11 pg/ml (p less than 0.005). SLI levels were still significantly elevated at 30 (p less than 0.05), 45 (p less than 0.05), 90 (p less than 0.005) and 120 min (p less than 0.02). Our results, in good agreement with the previous report by Chiba et al. on isolated perfused rat stomach, suggest that CT effects may, at least in part, be mediated by endogenous somatostatin release.

Use of the image orthicon tube for detecting low intensity pulsed light signals.

The possibility of using an image orthicon tube (IO) for detecting low intensity light pulses where spatial resolution, high sensitivity, and high content of information are concerned is examined. A formulation of the signal-to-noise ratio is given in terms of the number of resolvable image points and the working parameters of the tube. An equivalence criterion between an IO and a set of photomultipliers is also given. An unconventional method of target scansion, employing sine modulation of the vertical scansion signal is described. The experimental device, designed for the use of 7.6-cm tubes, is described. The signal-to-noise ratio has been determined by varying the working parameters of the tube and the illumination conditions.

An improvement in Fabry-Perot spectrometry.

In Fabry-Perot interferometry a large fraction of light can be reflected by the etalon; thus, it is lost for spectroscopic purposes. The present article shows the possibility of recovering this light, collecting it by means of reflectors and sending it back to the etalon under a different angle. Some devices are examined and some experimental proofs of the device are reported. The gain achieved is of the order of five.