Effects of homeopathic arsenic on tobacco plant resistance to tobacco mosaic virus. Theoretical suggestions about system variability, based on a large experimental data set.

CONTEXT: This research aimed at verifying the efficacy of homeopathic treatments by plant-based bioassays, which may be suitable for basic research, because they lack placebo effects and provide large datasets for statistical analyses. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of homeopathic treatments of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on tobacco plants subjected to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) inoculation as biotic stress. DESIGN: Blind, randomized experiment using tobacco leaf disks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L. cultivar Samsun) carrying the TMV resistance gene N. TMV inoculated leaf disks were floated for 3 days in the following: Distilled water (control). H2O 5 and 45 decimal and centesimal potencies. As2O3 5 and 45 decimal and centesimal potencies. The main outcome measures is the number of hypersensitive lesions observed in a leaf disk. RESULTS: Homeopathic treatments of arsenic induce two effects on the plant: (i) increased resistance to TMV; (ii) decrease variability between experiments (system variability). CONCLUSIONS: In this experimental model two actions of homeopathic treatment were detected: decrease in system variability and enhancement of the natural tendency of the system towards an 'equilibrium point'.

Effects of homeopathic arsenic on tobacco plant resistence to tobacco mosaic virus. Theoretical suggestions about system variability, basead on a large experimental data set

This research aimed at verifying the efficacy of homeopathic treatments by plant-based bioassays, which may be suitable for basic research, because they lack placebo effects and provide large datasets for statistical analyses. (AU)

[Primary lymphoma of the uterus. A case report]. / Linfoma primitivo dell'utero. Caso clinico.

Primary uterine lymphoma is a rare gynecologic cancer. Usually it involves rather the cervix than the uterine corpus and most of them are B-cell lymphomas. We describe a case of a 43-year old, asymptomatic patient, arrived observed for ureter dilatation due to a pelvic mass diagnosed by urography. The history of the patient, the presurgical clinical and radiological findings did not reveal any sign of uterine lymphoma. These difficulties show that at present it is not possible to make any prevention for this kind of cancer. The diagnosis of lymphoma was done at frozen section during surgery, but the final diagnosis is reached after two weeks. The patient underwent a debulking surgery of the mass, ureter cleaning with introduction of ureteral stent and a node sampling was done. The correct staging and the surgical and/or medical management of this cancer (not yet standardized) are the most important factors to improve the survival of these patients.

[Excessive reabsorption of irrigation fluid during operative hysteroscopy for uterine myoma]. / Eccessivo riassorbimento di liquido di irrigazione durante isteroscopia operativa per mioma uterino.

Operative hysteroscopy procedures can present complications connected to necessity of kneeping, usually with low viscosity fluids, an uniform distension of uterine cavity. The instilled solutions are reabsorbed through the peritoneum and open uterine venous channels producing a hyperhydration syndrome. The case report shows the rising up of tis syndrome during a hysteroscopy for an uterine myoma resection. The physiopathology includes cardiovascular overload and haemodilution, causing pulmonary, cerebral and tissutal oedema. In this case report the volumes of arterial oxygen saturation and end tidal carbon dioxide obtained on line were the first warning signals. A high CVP value, a plasmatic reduction of Na, albumin, proteins, haemoglobin, haematocrit and osmolarity reflected the excessive fluid reabsorption. For this reason the necessity, during these surgical methods, of considering some practical indications and the absolutely necessary use of clinical and biochemical monitoring systems for these patients.