Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among blood donors in Torino, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is one of the most common infections world-wide. A cohort effect model has been proposed to clarify the differences in the prevalence among the different age-class with a rate of infection higher in old individuals than in younger ones. The source of bacterial acquisition as well as the mode of transmission (oral-oral or fecal-oral) are still unknown and studies have confirmed the role of socio-economic factors and characteristics of childhood living conditions for the acquisition of H. pylori. In this study we analysed the age and gender-specific prevalence of H. pylori infection in a population of apparently healthy subjects, i.e. blood donors attending the blood bank of our hospital. METHODS: From April 1995 to July 1995, 619 consecutive volunteer blood donors (523 males, 96 females, mean age 47+/-5.3 years, range 18-65 years), attending the Molinette Hospital's Blood Bank (Torino), were recruited. H. pylori seroprevalence was assessed by presence of antibodies (IgG) against the bacterium in serum, by means of a commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, Helori-test Eurospital). RESULTS: The overall H. pylori seroprevalence in the population was 47%: 265/523 males (51%) were seropositive versus 26/96 females (27%) (p<0.0001, OR 2.77 [confidence interval 95% 1.674.61]). When subdivided into sex and decade of age-groups the difference was significative in three subgroups: among male subjects between 20-29 years, male subjects between 40-49 years and male subjects between 50-59 years. The seroprevalence was also significatively higher in older than younger both in males than females. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the cohort effect and for a future survey an equilibrated number of persons belonging to the different groups will be planned.

Removal of cytokines and activated complement components in an experimental model of continuous plasma filtration coupled with sorbent adsorption.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is associated with enhanced cytokine production. Here, we examined the in vitro removal of plasma cytokines during continuous plasmafiltration coupled with sorbent adsorption. METHODS: Proinflammatory (tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukins-1, -8) and anti-inflammatory (interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor type I and II) cytokines in whole blood spiked with Escherichia coli endotoxin were determined during 2-h recirculation in the ultrafiltrate (condition A), plasma filtrate (condition B), before and after different sorbents (of the Amberlite-, Amberchrome- Ambersorb -type and charcoal). We studied the maximal adsorbing capacity, the 1% leakage test for cytokines and C3a des Arg and the adsorption of complement-dependent leukocyte chemiluminescence. Plasma proteins eluted from the resins were examined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting with an anti-human alpha2-macroglobulin. RESULTS: In condition B, we observed a 40- and 121-fold % increase (vs condition A) in the removed mass and clearance of tumour necrosis factor-alpha. For all other cytokines, the removed mass and the clearance increased from 2.3- up to 6-fold. The Amberchrome but not the Amberlite or Ambersorb resins could remove the highest amount of cytokines and could reduce complement-dependent chemiluminescence. Two protein bands of approximately 400,000 D and 200,000 D were eluted only from Amberchrome resins and immunoprecipitated by anti-human alpha2-macroglobulin and anti-human C3c antibodies, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These studies suggest an efficient removal of cytokines in continuous plasmafiltration with sorbent adsorption. The binding of alpha2-macroglobulin, a carrier of cytokines in plasma, might be a additional mechanism in the removal of cytokines from plasma.

Prevalence of Yersinia antibodies in blood donors.

Agglutinins titers against Y. enterocolitica 0:3, 0:5, 0:9 and Y. pseudotuberculosis I were determined by the microagglutination method in 777 blood donor sera. Titers of < or = 1/10 were observed in 93.5% of the subjects for Y. enterocolitica 0:3, in 87.8% for Y. enterocolitica 0:9 and in 95.1% for Y. enterocolitica 0:5 and for Y. pseudotuberculosis I. Low level titers (1/10 - 1/20) were found in 11.4% to 23.1%. Titers of > or = 1/40 were observed in 1.7% for Y. enterocolitica 0:3, in 1.4% for Y. enterocolitica 0:5, in 5.1% for Y. enterocolitica 0:9 and in 1.2% for Y. pseudotuberculosis I. Titers of > or = 1/80 were seen in 0.2% for Y. enterocolitica 0:3, in 0.1% for Y. enterocolitica 0:5 and in 1.3% for Y. enterocolitica 0:9. Only in one donor's serum was a titer of 1/160 against Y. enterocolitica 0:9 found. The upper limit of normal titer at 15% cutoff level against Yersinia antigens, found in blood donor sera by the microagglutination test, was 1/10.

Evolution of the bandwidth of the principal states of polarization in single-mode fibers.

The bandwidth in which the first-order approximation of the principal states of polarization of a single-mode fiber can be assumed valid is examined. The principal states of polarization and their bandwidth are found for a fiber with both constant coupling and birefringence, and the relationship with the fiber's eigenmodes is examined. On the basis of these results, a fiber cascade is analyzed, and a Monte Carlo simulation provides theoretical values of the bandwidth that have been experimentally verified on a 2-km-long concatenation of single-mode dispersion-shifted fibers.

Measurement of the group-delay difference between the principal states of polarization on a low-birefringence terrestrial fiber cable.

We report some results of measurements of the frequency dependence of the state of polarization at the end of a low-birefringence long-cabled (50-km) optical fiber. The principal states of polarization and their group-delay difference were determined by making use of the Poincaré sphere representation.

[Recurring anterior dislocation of the shoulder]. / Lussazione recidivante anteriore di spalla.

The paper makes a pathogenetic study of habitual dislocation of the shoulder, an analysis of the surgical techniques most widely used, and a review of the case histories collected at the G. Pini Orthopaedic Hospital for patients operated by the Bankart-Delitala method. After a short introduction on the general features of the lesion, and on normal human anatomy, the paper sets out the pathological anatomy, aetiopathogenesis and the radiological and clinical picture. Lastly consideration is given to the most widely known and diffused procedures for treatment, divided into: --Operations on the anterior capsule and the glenoidal pad. --Arthroereisis operations. --Tendinous transposition operations. --Tendinous suspension operations. The case histories cover nineteen subjects treated by the Bankart-Delitala method and rechecked at a distance ranging from a year to six years after the date of the operation. Statistical data are presented on age, sex, side affected and final functional data. These results comprise fifteen perfect cases with total recovery of activity and absence of pain. Three cases reported occasional pain, and one a slight sensation of hindrance of movements. No fresh dislocation. The Authors conclude by stressing the complete efficacy of the Bankart-Delitala method, as regards both functional recovery and the capacity for preventing further dislocations.