Photosensitization of wild and mutant strains of Escherichia coli by meso-tetra (N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphine.

Wild type Escherichia coli cells as well as some mutant strains lacking specific DNA repair systems are efficiently killed upon visible light-irradiation after 5 min-incubation with meso-tetra(4N-methyl-pyridyl)porphine (T4MPyP). The presence of oxygen is necessary for cell photoinactivation. The porphyrin appears to exert its phototoxic activity largely by impairing some enzymic and transport functions at the level of both the outer and cytoplasmic membrane. Thus, SDS-PAGE electrophoresis shows a gradual attenuation of some transport protein bands as the irradiation proceeds, while a complete loss of lactate and NADH dehydrogenase activities is caused by 15 min-exposure to light. On the other hand, DNA does not represent a critical target of T4MPyP photosensitization as suggested by the closely similar photosensitivity of the wild E. coli and E. coli strains defective for two different DNA repair mechanisms, as well as by the lack of any detectable alteration of the pUC19 plasmids extracted from photosensitized E. coli TG1 cells.

Evaluation of the EYTEX(TM) system in the COLIPA eye irritation program.

In the context of the 6th Amendment of the European Directive on Cosmetics, several cosmetic companies concentrate their basic research on the development of the best adapted battery of in vitro tests able to be incorporated in the ocular risk assessment process. Consequently, the European Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (COLIPA) has initiated an international multicentric study with the main purpose to validate available alternatives in vitro methods for assessing the eye irritation potential of cosmetic raw materials and formulations. The alternative methods assessed in this validation study were chosen since all of these tests had already been used and continue to be conducted in the risk assessment process. The different endpoints of these assays are mainly biological parameters except for the biochemical assay named EYTEX(TM). In this article, the defined prediction models and the different protocols used in the COLIPA study are described. Then, the EYTEX assay results are presented and discussed in details in order to understand the failure of this assay during this validation study. The relevance and the reliability of the EYTEX assay were particularly low in two laboratories, whereas one laboratory presented acceptable data with a low compatibility with tested samples. These results underline the problem of the complex qualification process of this assay, since sometimes the same sample has been qualified with different protocols in the three laboratories. This validation study also demonstrates that, in the case of EYTEX assay, the criteria used to establish a prediction model have not been rigorous enough. For instance, the mixture of all the EYTEX protocols is not suitable for the establishment of a well-adapted prediction model. Furthermore, a clearer definition of limitations of the EYTEX assay seems to be necessary to better harmonize the qualification procedure in the three laboratories. The COLIPA validation process clearly demonstrated that the EYTEX assay was first, not suitable for the assessment of the eye irritation potential of surfactants and formulations based on surfactants, and secondly not ready for a validation study requiring the establishment of adequate and well defined mathematical prediction models. However, internal comparative studies with specific benchmarks on emulsions containing a low percentage of surfactants may be more adaptable to this type of assay.

Measurement of epidermal moisture content by magnetic resonance imaging: assessment of a hydration cream.

The moisture content of the epidermis was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), using transverse relaxation time. The spatial resolution was 86 microns, allowing a quantitative, accurate and localized determination of variations in epidermal hydration. The wrists of 15 volunteers were studied before and after application of a hydration cream. Results showed an increase of 15% of epidermal T2 after application of the cream. Moisture content curves varied according to different degrees of skin dryness. This study demonstrates that MRI is a useful tool in evaluation of epidermal hydration.

[Primary lymphoma of the breast (apropos of a clinical case)]. / Il linfoma primitivo della mammella (a proposito di un caso clinico).

Taking as their starting point the observation of a case of primary lymphoma of the breast, the Authors point out that this tumour constitutes a rare disease in the context of non-Hodgkin lymphomas arising in sites other than the lymph nodes. They emphasize the clinical and instrumental diagnostic difficulties which the disease poses, as well as the uselessness of radical surgical therapy and the need for radio-chemotherapeutic management along with periodic follow-up. The Authors go on to explain how difficult it is to formulate a reliable prognosis for this type of tumour in view of the lack of homogeneity and the limited numbers of cases reported in the literature.

[Clinical results after proximal selective vagotomy (considerations on 42 cases)]. / Risultati clinici dopo vagotomia selettiva prossimale (considerazioni su 42 casi).

The authors report the results of a 6-8 year follow-up of 42 patients treated by selective proximal vagotomy with pyloroplasty for gastric or duodenal ulcer disease. On the basis of Visick's classification, the patients broke down into the following categories: Cat. 1: 66.6%; Cat. 2: 26.1%; Cat. 3: 2.3%; Cat. 4: 4.7%, with 92.7% belonging to the first two categories. These data are in agreement with other data reported in the literature, and show no significant differences as compared to follow-up one year after surgery.

[Esophagogastroplasty in the treatment of squamous carcinoma of the esophagus (our experience)]. / L'esofagogastroplastica nel trattamento del carcinoma squamoso dell'esofago (nostra esperienza).

The authors report on their experience with 42 cases of squamous carcinoma of the oesophagus subjected to oesophagectomy and oesophagogastroplasty. The patients' mean age was 55.2 years (range: 41-70) with a 13:1 male/female ratio. A positive history of cigarette smoking and of alcohol consumption was found in 87% and 80% of patients respectively. The sites of the neoplasms were as follows: 24 in the mid 3rd of the oesophagus, 9 in the lower 3rd, 6 in the upper 3rd of the thoracic oesophagus and 3 in the cervical oesophagus. In 39 patients the operation was performed in two stages according to Lewis and in 2 cases it was performed in 3 stages according to McKeown, while one patient was treated with a pull-through operation according to Akiyima. Six patients died during the first 30 days postoperatively as a result of circulatory complications or ARDS. Fistulization of the anastomosis as observed in 5 cases, though this was clinically manifest only in two. Mean survival was 5.9 months, 18.6 months and 10.5 months according to the period considered.

[Epithelial splenic cysts]. / Cisti splenica epiteliale.

The authors describe a case of an epithelial cyst of the spleen treated successfully by splenectomy. Diagnostic techniques and the principles adopted in treatment this rare disease are discussed.

[Gastric metastasis of melanoma (report of a clinical case)]. / Metastasi gastrica da melanoma (presentazione di un caso clinico).

The Authors report a case of gastric metastasis from melanoma of the skin, occurring 6 years after removal of the primary neoplasm. The metastasis, which was characterized by conspicuous alimentary tract haemorrhage, called for emergency surgery consisting in a total gastrectomy with oesophago-jejunal anastomosis according to Roux. The Authors then go on to review the literature on the subject, stressing the frequency of gastrointestinal metastases in skin melanomas with an incidence affecting up to 60% of cases in autopsy series. After examining the main clinical aspects, endoscopic appearances and r-ray findings, the Authors deal at some length with prognosis, pointing out that isolated metastases may constitute a surgical indication in view of the cases of fairly good long-term survival reported in the literature.

[Pancreas transplant today: review of the literature]. / Il trapianto di pancreas oggi: revisione della letteratura.

The authors, after analysing the world literature concerning the pancreatic transplantation, dwell in considering the problems involved in the indications and techniques of the transplantation itself. Among the several problems expecting an ultimate solution, the improvement of prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of rejection seems to heavily affect the future of this surgery.

[Nd-YAG laser disobstruction of esophageal endoprostheses occluded by neoplastic development in the palliative treatment of esophageal cancer]. / La disostruzione tramite Nd. YAG laser di endoprotesi esofagee occluse dalla evoluzione neoplastica nel trattamento palliativo del cancro esofageo.

Since August 1984 18 patients suffering from inoperable esophageal cancer have been treated by Nd. Yag Laser therapy under endoscopic control in the Verona University Institute of Clinical Surgery. Three patients, all males ranging in age from 68 to 80 years, had endo-esophageal prostheses which were occluded as a result of the neoplasms. Occlusion of the prostheses had been ascertained by both x-rays and endoscopy. The symptoms consisted of severe dysphagia of solid foods in 2 cases and of solids and liquids in 1 case. The original sites of the tumors were the lower 3rd in two cases and the mid 3rd in 1 case. Histologically, the tumors were identified as 2 squamous-cell carcinomas and 1 adenocarcinoma. Laser treatment was given on average once every 7 days. Patients were admitted to the day hospital, thus avoiding negative repercussions in terms of quality of life or length of hospital stay. In 2 cases there was an improvement in symptoms with the possibility of semi-solid nutrition after a single treatment with 6000-5032 Joules. In the third case, to obtain the same result, 2 treatments were necessary at an interval of 7 days with a total of 9396 J. One patient died of cardiorespiratory failure 24 days after the first treatment. A second patient was treated a further 3 times with a total of 12356 J and is now on a liquid and solid diet 5 months after the first treatment. The third patient was treated 4 times with a total of 15769 J; this patient was on a liquid and solid diet, but died of cardiorespiratory failure 3 months after the first treatment. In the light of our experience, Nd. Yag Laser disocclusion of endo-esophageal prostheses occluded by neoplasms presented no complications and was an appropriate indication in these cases with satisfactory long-term results.

[Benign pathology of the breast. Diagnostic protocol and therapeutic indications]. / La patologia benigna della mammella. Protocollo diagnostico ed indicazioni terapeutiche.

The frequency of benign mammary disease and the need to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors without the indiscriminate use of instrumental examinations and biopsies have prompted the Cooperative Interdisciplinary Group on Mammary Neoplasms to adopt the diagnostic protocol and propose a number of therapeutic indications. Though involving a progressive reduction in biopsies, the use of the protocol has not led to failure to recognize carcinomas, the number of identified malignancies being maintained within the anticipated limits.

[The ND-Yag laser in the treatment of non-resectable esophageal neoplasms: evaluation and results]. / Il laser N.D. Yag nel trattamento delle neoplasie esofagee non resecabili: valutazione e risultati.

The Authors show a set of 9 cases of patients suffering from oesophagus flaky carcinoma, judged radically non-operable, and treated with endoscopic laser-therapy by N.D. Yag Laser. They illustrate the patients' main clinical data, method followed, complications observed and results obtained. What seems to emerge from the analysis of the data is: the effectiveness of laser-therapy in the control of disphagia, simplicity of the technique and its acceptability by the patient, as well as the rareness of complications. Three are the clinical parameters used for the checking of patients before and after the laser treatment: disphagia, odynophagia and thoracic ache. The intenseness of symptoms was classed from 0 up to 3. Before the treatment, six patients out of nine showed class 3 disphagia; after the treatment, two could assume fluids (class 2), two fed also on minced foods (class 1), and two fed normally; in the two cases with initial class 2 disphagia a normal feed could be adopted; in one case no initial disphagia was present. Odynophagia was initially present in one case only at class 3, in three cases at class 1, and in all the other cases it was absent (0). After the treatment, odynophagia disappeared totally, except in one class 1 case, which remained unchanged. The presence of thoracic ache before the treatment was class 1 in four cases, class 3 in one case, and absent in four cases. After the treatment, the class 3 ache turned into class 1: in one class 1 case it was not modified; in the remaining cases the ache, if present, disappeared. Some questions remain opened, concerning the effect on survival, even in relation to other palliative methods, to the duration of the palliation obtained and to the eventual associability of lasertherapy to radiotherapy.