Evaluation of chemical parameters in breast cyst.

During our studies on breast diseases, the following biochemical values were measured: chlorine, sodium, potassium and albumin. We examined 153 syringe biopsies from women aged between 34 and 55 years, and an analysis of the above mentioned parameters enabled us to classify the breast cyst fluid into 2 groups: group I was definitely benign, while group II was calculated as having a risk factor two to four times greater than the control group in developing breast cancer.

Searching for a marker for Alzheimer's disease-Apo-E.

The authors present their study of 10 patients affected by Alzheimer's disease and 10 patients with multinfarctual dementia, who are already part of a CNR study, senile dementia project, longitudinal study. The method adopted was that of DNA crossbreeding and amplification, so as to have a precise individualisation of alleles APo-E, Apo E-3, Apo E-4 and of their various phenotype combinations. These isoforms are evaluated and compared with the disease studied, in order to help to identify a timely-marker for senile dementia. On the results obtained we hypothesised an association between Apo E-4 and the disease of about 40% for Alzheimer's disease, which leads us to increase our number of cases, regarding associations between demential diseases either Alzheimer or vascular and the presence of Apo E-4.

Consideration on diminished immunologic defences in the elderly neoplastic subject.

We evaluated some useful parameters which identify immuno-depressive states in the elderly neoplastic patient, who is subject to possible associated infective diseases. Out of 27 patients followed-up over four months of chemotherapy in concomitance with an immunomodulator, it was seen that in 42.3% there was an increase in their immune defences, assessed by an increase in total lymphocytes with a lymphocyte ratio of T4/T8 and NK cells, and by checking the urinoculture for urinary infections which showed an improved performance status.

Evaluation of certain immunity parameters in rheumatoid arthritis, treated with cortisone.

The authors present their study on interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2R), transferrin receptors (R-Tr), CD-4/CD-8 ratio, T-lymphocytes after therapy with a corticosteroid (125 mg/die), in 7 female geriatric patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The study was performed with conjugated monoclonal antibody marking the lymphocytes with fluorescein (FITC) and phycoerythrin (PE). Using the considered parameters a depressant effect was presumed on T-lymphocytes and on the immune defences in the first 6 hours after starting therapeutic cortisone infusion. The proliferative effect on T-lymphocytes, CD4 and on the receptor state of the membrane, for IL-2R and Tr-R, was already evident in the 11-12th hour with a peak at 24 hours. It is therefore useful to follow the evolution of the immune state, even using the above parameters, in order to evaluate the correct therapeutic course.

[The atheromatous-fibrous plaque studied by cytofluorimetry]. / La placca ateromasica-fibrosa studiata mediante citoflorimetria.

Atherosclerosis is the most frequent disease in the majority of cardiovascular arteries. It is a complex disease with peculiar characteristics, including its principal localisation in the inner stratum of the artery (the intima). The paper examines 36 atherosclerotic lesions in elderly patients in which the presence of stenosing atherosclerotic plaque had been diagnosed. The presence of replicating DNA was demonstrated using flow cytometry together with a proliferative phenomenon within the fibrous-atherosclerotic plaque due to an hypothesised migration of smooth muscle cells inside the intima, leading to the final result, a gradual restriction of the arterial gauge and consequent alteration to blood flow. The plaques examined were localised at the bifurcation of the carotid artery, an area in which it is easier to find the physical and biochemical factors facilitating platelet adhesion, which together with other cells produce mitogenic activity since they release growth factors and create the conditions for the proliferation of fibrous tissue.