Effect of respiratory acidosis on plasma and CSF free amino acids.

Acid-base data and levels of selected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) free amino acids were analyzed in a series of 8 patients in acute respiratory failure. In these patients, there were increased CSF concentrations of methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, histidine, alpha-amino-N-butyric acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, alanine, and ammonia, while arginine decreased. Phenylalanine, tryosine, and alanine were correlated with CSF PCO2; and alpha-amino-N-butyric acid to the buffer capacity of CO2 and pH. The data suggest the hypothesis that there are two metabolic phases for ammonia removal from brain tissue, that could explain some of these pathhophysiological conditions.

[Our experience with peridural anesthesia in labor]. / Nostra esperienza sulla anestesia peridurale in travaglio di parto.

A clinical study has been carried out on 86 child-bearing mothers, continuous lumbar peridural block being employed, in the light of personal experience, to induce analgesia during labour. The results were positive on the whole as regards duration and the algogenous intensity measured during the dilatation phase and during expulsion.

[Peridural anesthesia and adrenocortical function in man]. / Anestesia peridurale nell'uomo e funzione corticosurrenale.

A brief account of the stress action of anaesthetic drugs is followed by the description of an evaluation of plasma cortisol concentration in an enquiry into the effects of peridural anaesthesia with bupivacaine.

[Lumbar epidural anesthesia in peripheral arteriography]. / L'anestesia peridurale lombare nelle arteriografie periferiche.

A brief survey of the difficulties associated with the intra-arterial administration of contrast media during peripheral arteriography is followed by an assessment of anaesthesiological and arteriographic results obtained with lumbar peridural anaesthesia in a group of patients. Complete analgesia, block of the sympathic, and motor block gave particular assistance in the securing of optimum definition of the radiographical picture of the peripheral circulation. These and other advantages offered by peridural anaesthesia suggest that it is a valid technique for peripheral arteriography.

Colonization of skin by Helcococcus kunzii.

In order to investigate the role of Helcococcus kunzii as a colonizer of skin and as a possible participant in diabetic foot ulcers, we used a selective medium to culture both lower- and upper-extremity skin from a study group of podiatry patients (60 diabetics and 60 nondiabetics) and a control group of 50 healthy volunteers. Although differences in colonization were not statistically significant, a trend toward higher colonization rates in the group of podiatry patients was noted. H. kunzii appears to preferentially colonize the skin of the feet, and while its pathogenic role in diabetic foot ulcers is difficult to establish, it may be a previously unrecognized component of the polymicrobial flora characteristically isolated from patients with these infections.