Comparison of the performance of a high voltage generator insulated by gas or liquid dielectric.

A module of a wireless high voltage generator was tested immersed in both gaseous and liquid environments providing electrical insulation. The overall performance of the module as well as a detailed performance of the key components are reported, and a comparison between the results in gas and liquid is given. The tests performed on the liquid dielectric show that it is a valid alternative to high pressure gas electrical insulation.

Microdosimetric Measurements in Gamma and neutron Fields with a Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter Based on a Gas Electron Multiplier.

A multi-element tissue-equivalent proportional counter (TEPC), based on a single gas electron multiplier (GEM) foil of standard geometry, has been constructed with 16 cylindrical sensitives volumes. In this article, the design of this novel counter is described and first microdosimetric measurements are presented. To study the response of the GEM-TEPC to both low and high linear energy transfer radiation fields, the microdosimetric spectra due to a 137Cs gamma-ray source and to fast neutrons from 7Li(d,n)8Be reaction have been measured using pure propane gas at low pressure, in order to simulate a tissue site of about 1 µm equivalent size. The comparison with spectra measured with a spherical TEPC and with a mini-TEPC demonstrates promising properties for application of the GEM-TEPC for microdosimetric applications.

Interleukin-3 stimulates migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells: a potential role in atherogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Cytokines released by activated T lymphocytes are key regulators of chronic inflammatory response, including atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of interleukin-3 (IL-3) in lymphocytes infiltrating the atherosclerotic plaque and the effect of this cytokine on primary vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty atherosclerotic carotid arterial specimens and 5 early atherosclerotic lesions from the internal carotid were manually minced to fragments, and T lymphocytes infiltrating the atherosclerotic plaque were isolated on solid-phase anti-CD3 polystyrene plates. Southern blot analysis demonstrated that in all samples, lymphocytes expressed IL-3 and IL-2 receptor alpha-chain transcripts, indicating that in this context, the activated T lymphocytes may release IL-3. We further analyzed the expression of the IL-3 receptor and the biological effects exerted by the ligand on vascular SMCs. ss-IL-3-transducing subunit was detected both on cultured SMCs and on endothelial cells and SMCs within atheroma. The analysis of the IL-3-induced biological effects demonstrated that it was able to trigger both mitogenic and motogenic signals. Moreover, we demonstrated that the addition of PD98059, a known inhibitor of the MAP-extracellular signaling-regulated/MAP kinase pathway, completely inhibited IL-3-mediated MAP kinase activation and IL-3-induced migration and proliferation. Finally, IL-3 was found to stimulate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene transcription. CONCLUSIONS: IL-3, expressed by activated T lymphocytes infiltrating early and advanced atherosclerotic plaques, may sustain the atherosclerotic process either directly, by activating SMC migration and proliferation, or indirectly, via VEGF production.

[Charcoal and isoflurane alveolar washout in low-flow circuit]. / Carboni attivi e washout alveolare dell'isofluorano in circuito a basso flusso.

The inclusion of charcoal filters in anaesthetic low-flow systems contributes to the acceleration of the kinetics of isoflurane (Forane). In twenty subjects, scheduled for extra- and intracranial surgery, ventilated with a low-flow system (Ohmeda Excel OAV7750 with rebreathing cassette) with a mean total flow of 0.7 l/min, awakening was complete within 5 minutes from stopping isoflurane and including charcoal in the circuit. At the awakening, the expiratory concentration of isoflurane was 0.23% (95% confidence intervals: 0.19-0.27%): these values are similar to those of MACawake of isoflurane after fast alveolar washout. The use of charcoal during low-flow anaesthesia makes low-flow systems more flexible in their use; the anaesthetic level is more easily controllable and accidental overdosing of volatile anaesthetics can be immediately removed.

[Venous complications of renal transplantation. Experience with 360 cases]. / Sulle complicanze venose dei trapianti di rene. Esperienza su 360 casi.

The Authors report three cases of renal vein thrombosis after transplantation. One of these cases has been successfully admitted to surgical treatment. They point out the pathogenetical features and underline the importance of surgery.

[An aneurysm of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery: a surgically treated case]. / Aneurisma dell'arteria pancreatico duodenale inferiore: su un caso sottoposto ad intervento chirurgico.

Aneurysms of the lower duodenal pancreatic artery are an extremely rare dilatative arterial pathology. Diagnosis is often difficult and rupture is a frequent clinical evolution; surgical therapy, especially when rupture has already occurred, entails a high risk of operative mortality. A case is described of aneurysm of the lower duodenal pancreatic artery which was treated by elective surgery with good results.

Successful vascular reconstruction after inadvertent femoral artery "stripping".

A case of total stripping of the femoral axis secondary to saphenectomy is reported. This type of accident is followed by amputation unless quickly recognised and corrected. A combined saphenous vein and PTFE graft interposed between the origin of the superficial femoral and the distal part of the posterior tibial remained patent for three months. Its eventual thrombosis, however, did not result in loss of the limb, because a sound compensatory circulation had been established in the meanwhile. It is therefore felt that repair surgery is always worth attempting, even in the case of extensive arterial lesions that will otherwise necessitate amputation.

[Cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas]. / Cistoadenocarcinoma del pancreas

After a synthetic review of the different kinds of pancreatic cysts, a particular consideration to the proliferative cysts, is given and a case of pa-papillary cystoadeno-carcinoma of the tail and body of the pancreas is reported. Stress is laid on the diagnostic difficulties of these malignant tumors and on the necessity of a radical surgical treatment.

[Clonal chromosome abnormalities in a case of pleural mesothelioma]. / Alterazioni cromosomiche clonali in un caso di mesotelioma pleurico.

The results of a chromosome study carried out on direct pleural effusion material cultures in a patient with malignant mesothelioma are reported. Two 50 chromosome cell populations displaying varied signs of karyotype reworking were noted. These had one and two large submetacentric markers respectively. The value of karyotype studies alongside cytological examinations in all instances of suspect effusion.