Awareness of the offense and perception of the victim among juvenile sex offenders.

INTRODUCTION: The present work presents data on research into adolescents who committed sex offenses, carried out in the Apulia Region of southern Italy and focused in particular on the perpetrators' perception of the peculiar profile of the criminal act committed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three University sections of the School of Medicine, Bari University, took part in this research: Criminology and Forensic Psychopathology, Psychiatry and Juvenile Neuropsichiatry, working in collaboration with the Department for Juvenile Justice and the Community, and the Center for Juvenile Justice in Apulia. In total, 31 subjects were included in the study, all Juvenile Sex Offenders. A detailed questionnaire was employed to obtain all the relevant information of criminological concern. DISCUSSION: Among most of the minors considered, a very poor awareness emerged of the peculiar type of offense committed, and of its consequences on the victims and the social context. RESULTS: This finding highlights an evident contradiction and confusion between legislative provisions in the area of sex offenses and rape, and the perspectives of juveniles and adolescents. CONSLUSIONS: There is an evident need for legislative norms to adopt registers that are more accessible to the complex juvenile world, that cannot be assimilated to the adult world.

Microwave inactivation of Bacillus atrophaeus spores in healthcare waste.

Public healthcare wastes from the region of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, pre-sterilized in an autoclave, were inoculated with spores of Bacillus atrophaeus for microwave processing on a laboratory scale. The influence of waste moisture (40%, 50% and 60% wet basis), presence of surfactant, power per unit mass of waste (100, 150 and 200 W/kg) and radiation exposure time (from 5 to 40 min) on the heating curves was investigated. The most favorable conditions for waste heating with respect to moisture and use of surfactant were then applied in an experimental analysis of the degree of inactivation of B. atrophaeus spores as a function of time and power per unit mass of waste. Based on Chick's and Arrhenius laws, the experimental results were adjusted by the least squares method to determine the activation energies (9203-5782 J/mol) and the Arrhenius pre-exponential factor (0.23 min(-1)). The kinetic parameters thus obtained enabled us to predict the degree of inactivation achieved for B. atrophaeus spores in typical healthcare waste. The activation energy was found to decrease as the power per waste mass increased, leading to the conclusion that, in addition to the thermal effect on the inactivation of B. atrophaeus spores, there was an effect inherent to radiation.

Microwave inactivation of Escherichia coli in healthcare waste.

Public healthcare wastes from the city of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, pre-sterilised in an autoclave, were inoculated with 5 x 10(5) microorganisms of the species Escherichia coli in vegetative form for microwave processing on a laboratory scale. An analysis was made of the influence of radiation exposure time (15, 25, 30 and 40 min) and power per waste mass unit (60, 80 and 100 W/kg) on the percentage of inactivation of the microorganisms at an incoming waste moisture level of 50%. The experimental results were adjusted based on Chick's law. The activation energies and the Arrhenius pre-exponential factors were determined by the least squares method. The kinetic parameters obtained allow one to predict the degree of inactivation achieved with E. coli in typical healthcare waste, based on the radiation exposure time and temperature. For example, the waste disinfection time required for the inactivation level equivalent to 4Log 10 was estimated to range from 48 to 53 min for wastes processed at 100 W/kg and at temperatures of 90-105 degrees C, respectively. Thus, under the operational conditions of the equipment currently used in Ribeirão Preto, the process of inactivation is probably ineffective, since the exposure time to radiation is only 30 min at the average power of approximately 80 W/kg.

Relationship between intrathecal baclofen and the central nervous system.

The GABA(B) receptor agonists display a number of pharmacological effects including central muscle relaxation, decreased self-administration of cocaine and narcotic drugs, antinociception, cognitive impairment as well as enhancement of synaptic plasticity. The main relationships between intrathecal or intracerebral baclofen and the Central Nervous System (CNS) are reviewed with particular attention to actions on pain, epilepsy and basal ganglia regulation. Since baclofen may be involved in synaptic plasticity and the development of neuronal pathways, the main issues of this field are reviewed with particular attention to the effects of baclofen on the developing brain. The role of baclofen in the regulation of movement has not been clearly understood, but recent findings support its important involvement in globus pallidus and subthalamic nucleus. The neuroprotective action of baclofen in cerebral ischemia is a matter of debate. The effects of baclofen in cognition and attention are another important issue because patients with chronic intrathecal baclofen (ITB) administration often present with impairment of cognitive functions. Drug craving and its improvement after baclofen administration is also reviewed. Finally, the clinically interesting results on the regulation of food intake and blood pressure are highlighted. The preliminary experience on the effects in cortical neuron viability at different concentrations of ITB is reported.

Functionally independent subunits in the oligomeric structure of the GABA cotransporter rGAT1.

We have combined structural and functional approaches to investigate the role of oligomerization in the operation of the GABA transporter rGAT1. Xenopus laevis oocytes were induced to express, either separately or simultaneously, the wild-type form of rGAT1 and a mutated (Y140W) form, unable to translocate GABA and to generate transport currents, although its intramembrane charge movement properties are only slightly affected. These characteristics, together with the insensitivity of Y140W to the blocking action of SKF89976A, were used to study the possible functional interaction of the two forms in an heteromeric structure. The electrophysiological data from oocytes coexpressing wild-type and Y140W rGAT1 were consistent with a completely independent activity of the two forms. Oligomerization was also studied by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) in tsA201 cells expressing the transporters fused with cyan and yellow fluorescent proteins (ECFP and EYFP). All combinations tested (WT-ECFP/WTEYFP, Y140W-ECFP/Y140W-EYFP and WT-ECFP/ Y140W-EYFP) were able to give rise to FRET, confirming the formation of homo- as well as heterooligomers. We conclude that, although rGAT1 undergoes structural oligomerization, each monomer operates independently.

Removal of sulfur dioxide from a continuously operated binary fluidized bed reactor using inert solids and hydrated lime.

Sulfur dioxide pollutant was treated in the laboratory with hydrated lime particles having a mean diameter of 9.1 microm in a continuously operating binary fluidized bed reactor also containing inert sand particles with sizes varying from 500 to 590 microm. The influence of temperature (500, 600, 700 and 800 degrees C) on the reaction medium, of the superficial velocity of the gas (0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 m/s), and of the Ca/S molar ratio (1, 2 and 3) on the SO2 removal efficiency were investigated for an inflow gas concentration of 1000 ppm and an initially static bed height of 10.0 cm. The pollutant removal efficiency proved to depend on the temperature and the velocity of the gaseous flow and was strongly influenced by the Ca/S molar ratio. The maximum efficiency of 97.7% was achieved at a temperature of 700 degrees C, a Ca/S ratio of 3 and a velocity of 0.8 m/s. The lime particles' mean residence time was determined by an indirect method, which consisted of integrating the gas concentration curves normalized with respect to time. Based on a calculation of the critical transition velocities, it was concluded that the reactor operated in a bubbling regime under each condition investigated here.

Derivación lumbo-peritoneal: análisis de 18 casos y revión bibliográfica / Lumbo-peritoneal derivatons: analysis of 18 cases and bibliographic review

Se analizan 18 casos de pacientes derivados con un sistema lumbo-periotoneal (DLP) entre junio de 1991 y junio del 2000 en nuestro servicio. Siete pacientes presentaron hidrocefalia comunicante (4 post-meningiticas y 3 post-HSA), 4 fistulas de liquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR), 4 pacientes hipertensión endocraneana benigna y 2 hidrocefalía normotensiva. Catorce de los 18 casos (83,3 por ciento) resolvieron su problema con la derivación, mientras que los restantes 4 no lo hicieron y requirieron de otro tipo de sistema o tratamiento. Las complicaciones mas frecuentemente observadas fueron dolor radicular y cefaléa a la sedestación. El sistema debió ser revisado en 5 pacientes. El análisis bibligráfico muestran cifras similares a las halladas en esta serie, respecto a indices de reexploraciones y éxitos terapéuticos. En conclusión, la DLP es un metodo de derivación de LCR en las hidrocefalías comunicantes de cualquier etiología, en fístulas de LCR abiertas o cerradas y en hipertensión endocraneana benigna. Presenta indice bajo de fracasos terapéuticos, pero como contralpartida genera una relativamente alta tasa de disfunsiones y complicaciones leves, que suelen requerir reexploraciones quirúrgicas frecuentes.

Derivación lumbo-peritoneal: análisis de 18 casos y revión bibliográfica / Lumbo-peritoneal derivatons: analysis of 18 cases and bibliographic review

Se analizan 18 casos de pacientes derivados con un sistema lumbo-periotoneal (DLP) entre junio de 1991 y junio del 2000 en nuestro servicio. Siete pacientes presentaron hidrocefalia comunicante (4 post-meningiticas y 3 post-HSA), 4 fistulas de liquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR), 4 pacientes hipertensión endocraneana benigna y 2 hidrocefalía normotensiva. Catorce de los 18 casos (83,3 por ciento) resolvieron su problema con la derivación, mientras que los restantes 4 no lo hicieron y requirieron de otro tipo de sistema o tratamiento. Las complicaciones mas frecuentemente observadas fueron dolor radicular y cefaléa a la sedestación. El sistema debió ser revisado en 5 pacientes. El análisis bibligráfico muestran cifras similares a las halladas en esta serie, respecto a indices de reexploraciones y éxitos terapéuticos. En conclusión, la DLP es un metodo de derivación de LCR en las hidrocefalías comunicantes de cualquier etiología, en fístulas de LCR abiertas o cerradas y en hipertensión endocraneana benigna. Presenta indice bajo de fracasos terapéuticos, pero como contralpartida genera una relativamente alta tasa de disfunsiones y complicaciones leves, que suelen requerir reexploraciones quirúrgicas frecuentes. (AU)

Embolisation of Orbital Varix via the Superficial Temporal Vein.

SUMMARY: A case of orbital varix is presented, in which the lesion was successfully treated by means of embolisation with Guglielmi detachable coils, via the superficial temporal vein. Reports of endovascular treatment via transvenous route of orbital varix are lacking, only one case having previously been presented in the literature.We stress endovascular management for such an entity.

Recovery of third nerve palsy after endovascular packing of internal carotid-posterior communicating artery aneurysms.

SUMMARY: Endovascular packing of intracranial aneurysm with preservation of the parent vessel has become in many cases a valid alternative to surgical clipping. Regression of oculomotor disorders after clipping of internal carotid-posterior communicating artery (ICA-PCoA) aneurysms has been well assessed. This report focuses on the reversal of third nerve palsy after endovascular packing of ICA-PCoA aneurysms. To this end, clinical appearances, neuroradiological features, and endovascular interventional procedures of six treated patient are reported and discussed in the light of the very few previous case observations found in the literature. Results indicate that endovascular packing of ICA-PCoA aneurysms may produce effective recovery of correlated third nerve dysfunction.

Thoracic epidural hematoma after spinal manipulation therapy.

Posttraumatic spinal epidural hematoma is an unusual pathology. The authors report the case of a 64-year-old woman who experienced thoracic epidural hematoma during a session of spinal manipulation therapy (SMT). In the literature, such an event has been reported previously only twice. This case represents the first spinal epidural hematoma occurring after a chiropractic manipulation in the lumbar region. Surgical evacuation of the spinal hematoma resulted in complete recovery in the patient. Complications of SMT are reviewed, and the etiology and features of spinal epidural hematoma are discussed.

Long-term survival of a patient with a giant-cell tumor of the sphenoid body: a case report.

Giant-cell tumors (osteoclastomas) of the sphenoid body are rare, histologically benign lesions that can grow in different directions within the bony structures of the skull base. To date, the precise role of the different surgical strategies (radical versus partial resection; biopsy) and of supplementary postoperative radiotherapy remains undefined due to the short follow-up of the majority of the reported cases. We present a patient who is alive without symptoms or signs of recurrence 44 years after a macroscopically radical excision of the neoplasm followed by radiotherapy.

Intracranial insertion of a nasogastric tube in a case of homicidal head trauma.

A case of accidental intracranial penetration of a 29-cm-long portion of nasogastric tube (NGT) in a 27-year-old female victim of a severe homicidal skull and brain trauma is reported. Accidental penetration of the NGT occurred through a large fracture of the ethmoid lamina cribrosa. In addition to a systematic review of previously reported cases, circumstantial data, clinical aspects, and autopsy data have been analyzed to draw medicolegal considerations concerning the connection between death and insertion of an NGT, which may also contribute to the ascertaining of any possible professional responsibility of medical staff, in a case fraught with numerous legal complications.

Entrapment neuropathy of the internal pudendal nerve. Report of two cases.

Entrapment neuropathy of the internal pudendal nerve in the Alcock canal is a rare entity and literature on the subject is lacking. The pathogenesis of this disease is probably related to repeated microtraumatisms of the perineal region acting on the Alcock canal or dysmetabolic diseases favouring compression of the pudendal nerve inside the Alcock canal. In this article two new cases which have come to our attention are described and literature on the topic, with special regard to diagnosis and treatment, is reviewed.

Multi-layer neural network analysis of cerebrospinal fluid pressure patterns in idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure patterns have been reported as one of the most relevant indexes for the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (INPH). Forty consecutive patients coming from our observations with the classic Hakim's triad underwent continuous CSF pressure monitoring via lumbar puncture for at least 12 hours. Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed as having INPH and underwent CSF shunt. A multi-layer neural network (perceptron) was employed to study the pressure patterns in order to try an alternative classification to the "expert" neurosurgeon one. Differences between expert and neural network classifications were indeed observed. Such differences may depend on the small group studied or on the inadequacy of CFS pressure patterns in correctly individuating those INPH patients who benefit from shunt surgery. The authors think that neural network processing of INPH could add relevant information to select the "responder" patients to surgery: in fact neural networks represent a powerful methodology for aiding the expert to select the proper choice on the basis of "what learnt" by the networks themselves.

Third ventricular meningiomas of infancy. A case report.

Intraventricular location of meningiomas is impressively higher in childhood and adolescence than in adult patients, respectively 15 to 22% versus 0.2 to 4%. However, location of this tumor within the third ventricle is extremely rare in the pediatric population, since, as far as we know, 17 cases have been reported so far. A case of meningioma of the third ventricle in a 9-year-old boy and its clinical and pathological finding are discussed.

Study on aneuploidy and p53 mutations in astrocytomas.

To determine whether a correlation exists between aneuploidy and p53 status in astrocytic tumors we analyzed 48 astrocytomas with different grades of malignancy for the presence of p53 mutations and aneuploidy of chromosomes 10 and 17 (Ch10, Ch17), known to be particularly involved with this type of tumor. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis on exons 5-8 of the p53 gene, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on interphase nuclei using chromosome specific pericentromeric probes, respectively. Our results showed that Ch10/Ch17 aneuploidy is a common early event in astrocytomas (90% of low grade tumors are aneuploid). p53 mutations and Ch17 aneuploidy are early events, but their incidence is not dependent on tumor grade. Loss of Ch10 is the only alteration that significantly correlates with tumor progression. No significant correlation between the presence of Ch10/Ch17 aneuploidy and p53 mutations was found. However, the coexistence of p53 mutations and aneuploidy, was observed in a subset of cases. The presence of p53 mutations appeared to be a significant predictor of a poor prognosis. In conclusion, genomic instability may or may not be associated with p53 mutations in astrocytomas, thus suggesting that other cellular determinants can also be responsible for the aneuploidy observed.