[Determination of the copper content in healthy placenta and placenta in gestosis using atomic absorption spectrophotometry]. / Determinazione del contenuto di rame in placente sane e gestosiche mediante spettrofotometria ad assorbimento atomico.

Several complications in pregnancy seem to be related to the fluctuations of serum copper. In particular, values of serum copper over the normal range, have been associated to pregnancies complicated by EPH-gestosis. In this study we have evaluated the copper concentration in samples of placenta from 15 gravidas affected by EPH-gestosis and from 15 healthy gravidas with atom absorption spectrophotometry. The results of our study confirm the presence of an elevated copper concentration in the EPH-gestosis patients group (mean value: 196 micrograms/100 g of placental tissue). We can hypothesize that the result is due to a reduced copper uptake from the fetus.

[Presenile and senile vulvovaginitis. Topical hormonal treatment with estriol]. / Vulvovaginiti presenili e senili. Trattamento topico ormonale con estriolo.

A population of 39 women (average age 64.5 years) suffering from presenile or senile vulvovaginitis was subjected to topical treatment with oestriol-based vaginal cream (daily applications of 0.50 mg of oestriol corresponding to 4 g of cream for 14 days and three times a week in the three following weeks). The results of treatment were assessed on the basis of the clear-cut improvement in symptomatology and the noteworthy increase in the index and volume of maturation of the vaginal epithelium. The effectiveness of topical treatment of postmenopausal vulvovaginitis with oestriol in the absence of unwanted side-effects is confirmed.