Soy isoflavones, lactobacilli, Magnolia bark extract, vitamin D3 and calcium. Controlled clinical study in menopause.

AIM: Affective and behavioural disorders possibly concomitant to the vasomotor menopausal symptoms worsen quality of life. A rational formulation containing soy isoflavones (60 mg), lactobacilli (500 millions spores), calcium (141 mg) and vitamin D3 (5 microg) was added of Magnolia bark extract (60 mg) and magnesium (50 mg) (Estromineral serena, ES). The Magnolia extract active principles interact with GABA system and exhibit a sedative central action. Magnesium intervenes in enzymatic reactions of the energetic metabolism and protects the bone integrity. Aim of this controlled study was to compare the clinical activity and safety of ES versus calcium+vitamin D3 (Ca+D) in menopause. METHODS: A controlled, randomised, multicentre study was carried out in symptomatic menopausal women with sleep or mood alterations. Women received 1 tablet/day of ES or Ca+D for 24 weeks. Symptoms during the treatment and final judgements on efficacy and acceptability were evaluated. RESULTS: Eighty-nine women (44 ES and 45 Ca+D, mean age 53.8 years, in menopause since 56.6 months) participated to the study. Flushing, nocturnal sweating, palpitations, insomnia, asthenia, anxiety, mood depression, irritability, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and libido loss, significantly decreased in severity and frequency during ES versus Ca+D treatment even since the fourth week. Woman wellbeing (good/very good 66.7% vs 20%) judgement on efficacy (72.7% vs 17.1%) and acceptability (93.9% vs 31.4%) were significantly better for ES. CONCLUSIONS: The controlled study showed the efficacy of Magnolia extract and magnesium on psycho-affective and sleep disturbances in menopause, in addition to the effects of isoflavones on vasomotor symptoms. A global natural approach to menopause with ES evidenced its therapeutic usefulness and safety.

Evaluation of the efficacy of oral cromolyn sodium or an oligoantigenic diet in children with atopic dermatitis: a multicenter study of 1085 patients.

One thousand eighty-five children with atopic dermatitis were enrolled in a multicenter study to evaluate the efficacy of 4 weeks of oral sodium cromoglycate or 4 weeks of a restricted diet. One thousand-eleven children (93%) concluded the study. At the end of the trial there was a significant improvement in skin lesions in the two groups: 61% of the patients in the sodium cromoglycate group and 69% in the restricted diet showed a significant improvement in atopic dermatitis. We concluded that, at least in our experimental design, both sodium cromoglycate and a restricted diet are equally effective in atopic dermatitis.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in gynecological surgery.

A randomized prospective study was undertaken at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the Catholic University of Rome in order to evaluate the effectiveness of two wide spectrum antibiotics: mezlocillin and cefotetan. Both drugs were administered 2 g i.v. 15 to 20 minutes preoperatively to allow optimal serum and tissue levels of antibiotic at the moment of bacterial innoculation. 184 patients undergoing elective gynecological surgery for nonmalignant disease were considered eligible for the study (124 pts abdominal hysterectomy, 58 pts vaginal hysterectomy). We found no statistically significant differences between the results obtained with the two drugs.

Legionellosis in an infant: first case in Italy.

Among several children admitted in Hospital with febrile acute pneumonia, it has been found - by indirect immunofluorescence assay a significant seroconversion for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, compatible with a recent infection, in an 18-month-old boy. The clinical course of the disease was favourable, and a prompt recovery as observed after administration of an antibiotic (cefuroxime) stable to the bacterial beta-lactamase.

[Endotoxemia and phagocytic function in premature infants. II. Role of the blood platelets]. / Endotossemia e funzione fagogitaria in soggetti immaturi. II.- Il ruolo delle piastrine.

The AA. have studied the relationship between endotoxaemia, detected in premature children and platelets function, according to the most recent finding, supporting the presence of specific receptors for endotoxin at the surface of thrombocytes. The finding of 6 positive Limulus test on platelets over 7 cases support the ability of clearance from platelets towards endotoxin. Furthermore, the AA. suggest that the presence of endotoxaemia in the plasma is due to an impairment of more complex mechanism, as liver's detoxification, which seems the most important.

[Possible contamination of preparation of transfer factor with bacterial endotoxins]. / Considerazioni sulia possible contaminazione con endotossin batteriche di preparazioni di transfer factor.

In order to detect the possible contamination with bacterial endotoxins of some preparations of Transfer Factor, Limulus amebocyte lysate test was performed. The results obtained (TF preparations positive with L.T. for endotoxin assay) call sur detection to evaluate very carefully the immunologic responses in vitro ad in vivo, with these biological products contaminate can induce. In fact, bacterial endotoxins with their multiple potent effect on biologic system, represent a contant possible surce of variability in experimental biology and pathology.

[Verification of contamination with bacterial endotoxins in blood derivatives used in coagulative disorders: observations with the Limulus test]. / Sulla verifica della contaminazione con endotossine batteriche in emoderivati utilizzati nell'area coagulativa: osservazioni col limulus test.

The AA. expose the results of an investigation for an in vitro endotoxin assay by Limulus lysate test in blood products employed in coagulative area. The Limulus assay has been shown to be a simple, rapid, accurate and sensitive method of detecting bacterial endotoxin or endotoxin-like material in these biological products.