Colifagina, a novel preparation of 8 lysed bacteria ameliorates experimental colitis.

Immune reactivity towards the bacterial intestinal flora plays an important part in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Administration of probiotic bacteria has beneficial effects on infectious and inflammatory diseases, principally in bowel disorders. However, little is known about the administration of soluble bacterial antigens in intestinal inflammation. We investigated the therapeutic effects of colifagina in experimental colitis. To assess this effect, C57BL/6 mice with dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis were treated with colifagina, or with a placebo, for a period of 10 days. The mice were monitored, and inflammation was assessed by disease activity index (DAI). Analysis of fecal IgA concentration and measurement of IgA and inflammatory chemokine production in organ colonic culture was performed by ELISA. Clinically and histologically, bacterial-lysate-treated mice revealed significantly fewer DAI and a reduction of colonic histological inflammation. Treatment of healthy mice with colifagina significantly increased the fecal concentration of IgA and IgA production in organ culture. Colifagina administration in DSS-treated mice significantly increased the fecal concentration of IgA and IgA production in organ culture. MIP-1, MIP-2 and RANTES concentrations in colonic organ culture were significantly lower in colifagina-treated mice than in the placebo group. The use of colifagina is effective in amelioration of murine colitis.

[Monitoring of hepatocyte xenotransplantation. Usefulness of various laboratory parameters]. / Monitoraggio dello xenotrapianto di epatociti. Utilità di alcuni parametri di laboratorio.

The authors report a study in which they evaluate the efficacy of some laboratory parameters for monitoring intrasplenic hepatocyte xenotransplantation (mouse to rat) as an alternative to 99Tc-HIDA dynamic scan and histologic exam. Swiss mouse and wistar rat hepatocytes were obtained with collagenase digestion. Wistar male rats were used as recipient and were allocated into three groups: A) omotransplanted rats; B) xenotransplanted rats; C) xenotransplanted and immunosuppressed (Cyclosporin A: 20 mg/kg/daily orally) rats. All rats underwent > 70% hepatectomy. Blood samples were obtained daily from a femoral vein and AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, albumin and urea were measured. No statistical differences were observed among groups and the laboratory parameters tested can't be considered a valid technique to xenotransplant rejection monitoring.

[Description of a case of tuberous sclerosis in a 2-month-old girl]. / Descrizione di un caso di sclerosi tuberosa in una bambina di 2 mesi.

Tuberous sclerosis was suspected in a 2 months old infant with hemilateral convulsions and typical skin lesions. C.A.T. and fundus exams confirmed the diagnosis. The case is interesting because of the very young age at which diagnosis was possible.

[Treatment of nocturnal enuresis with a sound alarm. Study of 130 cases]. / Trattamento dell'enuresi notturna con allarme sonoro. Uno studio su 130 casi.

Nocturnal enuresis is a very common problem in childhood, various treatment have been suggested to cure bed-wetting, but the two most commonly used methods are the buzzer alarm and drugs. At Children's Hospital of Florence University, we dealt a trial to evaluate the effectiveness of conditioning treatment for nocturnal enuresis. We used a model alarm called "bell and pad". The child sleeps on a detector mechanism such as two separate metal mats that are connected with a buzzer alarm. When the voided urine wets the sheet, completing the electrical circuit, triggers the alarm and the child awakes. With repetition and unconscious inhibitory reflex is developed. 130 children were treated, 84 males and 46 females. Subjects were at least 6 years of age and not older than 15. 112 children had nocturnal primary enuresis and 18 secondary. The family history was positive in 70%. We had an initial interview with child and his parents. During this initial approach we explained the conditioning treatment. The child was given a diary card to record the bedwetting nights. We liked to see the child at three weekly intervals. After the child was dry for three consecutive weeks the metal mats was removed the bed. After a further three weeks of dryness the alarm was returned. Out of 130 cases there have been 109 cures (83%), whereas 21 (17%) haven't achieved dryness. There have been 14 relapses. Most children (77%) became dry within 12 weeks. The children with nocturnal secondary enuresis achieved later dryness. We believe that the use of enuresis alarm gives a high cure rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)