Correlation between beta-endorphin/beta-lipotropin-immunoreactivity and cortisol plasma concentrations.

Plasma Cortisol and Beta-Endorphin/Beta-Lipotropin-immunoreactivity concentrations were measured in 51 healthy aged subjects. A direct correlation was found between the plasma concentrations of the two hormones. The data suggest that beta-endorphin/beta-lipotropin is not only released during stress but also in resting conditions.

[Usefulness of plasma cell acid phosphatase in the differential diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathies]. / Utilità della fosfatasi acida plasmacellulare nella diagnostica differenziale delle gammopatie monoclonali.

The acid phosphatase activity has been studied cytochemically in bone marrow plasma cells of 12 patients with multiple myeloma and 15 with non-myeloma plasmocytosis. The acid phosphatase activity has been significantly higher in the myeloma group. The utilization and usefulness of this cytochemical reaction for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma are proposed.

[Neurological changes in aged patients with fractures of the femur: prevalence and clinical aspects]. / Le alterazioni neurologiche nel paziente anziano con frattura di femore: prevalenza e aspetti clinici.

This study evaluates the prevalence and clinical significance of the main neurological diseases in 246 hospitalized elderly patients with hip fracture, who have to undergo rehabilitative treatment. Eighty-three patients already had clinically noticeable neurological diseases before fracture; they were compared to other components the survey. As for the type of fracture and surgical treatment, differences have not been found. Medical conditions have proved worse among neurological disease bearers; the same patients also had to run into more complications. What results from the study, considering the high prevalence of neurological diseases in patients with hip fractures, suggests that these neurological diseases are important risk factors for accidental falls and it's necessary to provide these patients with careful, continuous hospital assistance.

Social and family integration of hemiplegic elderly patients 1 year after stroke.

We interviewed 120 elderly hemiplegic patients 1 year after their acute stroke to assess cognitive impairment using the Mini-Mental State Examination, functional autonomy using the Barthel Index, mood disorders using the Hamilton Rating Depression Scale, and social integration using the Social Functioning Exam. Of the 76 patients admitted to this study, eight (12.1% of those testable) had significant cognitive impairment, 41 (53.9%) were functionally self-sufficient, 27 (35.5%) showed depressive symptoms, and 44 (57.9%) had problems in social and family integration. We suggest that a complete rehabilitation program aimed at producing a good quality of life for elderly hemiplegic patients should take into account all these aspects of human existence.

[Microbiological aspects of urinary infections in hospitalized and ambulatory elderly patients]. / Aspetti microbiologici delle infezioni urinarie nell'anziano ospedalizzato ed ambulatoriale.

The authors studied the microorganisms found in urocultures of three groups of elderly patients giving an exact map of the microbiology and epidemiology of the urinary tract infections of elderly patients. They shown also the calibrated loop seeding method as the most efficient to evaluate low bacterial concentration in urines which in these patients are significant.

Is it possible to recognize portal hypertension with continuous-wave Doppler ultrasonography?

Continuous-wave (CW) Doppler ultrasonography is a well-known technique in the assessment of peripheral and central circulation. The purpose of this study was to find out whether the technique can be used to demonstrate portal hypertension (PH) from liver disease through the evaluation of flow reversal in the veins of the round ligament. One hundred eight patients (50 controls and 58 with PH) underwent abdominal sonography, endoscopic examination, and CW Doppler flowmetry of the umbilical region. In 53 of 58 patients with PH, hepatofugal venous flow was found in the round ligament; this sign was absent in all of the controls. There was remarkable agreement between the results of CW Doppler examination and those of endoscopy and abdominal sonography: its sensitivity was about 91%, and we encountered no false positives. The Doppler ultrasound method is specific for diagnosing PH, simple to perform, and repeatable.