Duloxetine for the treatment of mood disorder in cancer patients: a 12-week case-control clinical trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of duloxetine in cancer patients with mood disorder (MD) by means of a comparison with a matched control group of patients with MD without medical illness.

Methods: Fifty-nine consecutive patients with MD were enrolled in this prospective case-control study and received duloxetine 60/120 mg per day for 12 weeks. Twenty-seven patients were affected by cancer, whereas 32 had an MD without cancer.

Natural radionuclides measurements and total dose indicative evaluation in drinking waters of an Italian central region.

A study of radioactivity content in drinking waters collected in some areas of geological interest in an Italian central region was performed to check the compliance with recent European regulations. Gross alpha and beta activities, 226Ra, 238U, 234U, 210Po and 3H concentrations were measured. Gross alpha and beta, 226Ra and 3H activities were determined using an ultra-low-level scintillation counter, 238U, 234U and 210Po by alpha spectrometry after radiochemical separation.

Amisulpride in the short-term treatment of depressive and physical symptoms in cancer patients during chemotherapies.

Introduction: Amisulpride is a substituted benzamide that, at low doses, selectively blocks D2 and D3 presynaptic dopamine receptors, enhancing dopaminergic transmission in frontal cortex and limbic areas. Many clinical studies versus placebo, tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors showed amisulpride antidepressant effect, supporting its safety and rapid onset of action. In oncological population, depression is quite frequent and difficult to treat because of the particular sensitivity of cancer patients to the antidepressants' side effects.

Combined TL and 10B-alanine ESR dosimetry for BNCT.

The dosimetric technique described in this paper is based on electron spin resonance (ESR) detectors using an alanine-boric compound acid enriched with (10)B, and beryllium oxide thermoluminescent (TL) detectors; with this combined dosimetry, it is possible to discriminate the doses due to thermal neutrons and gamma radiation in a mixed field. Irradiations were carried out inside the thermal column of a TRIGA MARK II water-pool-type research nuclear reactor, also used for Boron Neutron Capture therapy (BNCT) applications, with thermal neutron fluence from 10(9) to 10(14) nth cm(-2). The ESR dosemeters using the alanine-boron compound indicated ESR signals about 30-fold stronger than those using only alanine.

Sedimentable mineral organic detritus as radioecological indicator.

The sedimentable mineral organic detritus (SMOD) drawn by rivers can be considered an important matrix for the monitoring of contaminants in aquatic environments. In Italy the collection and radioactivity analysis of SMOD has been introduced and standardised in the 80s. However hydrological parameters, like the flow and the amount of suspended matter close to the sampling points, must be considered to improve the methodology.

Lack of association between vigabatrin and impaired cognition.

Of 14 patients with a history of partial epilepsy who received vigabatrin 2 g daily for 6 months, eight were newly diagnosed and received vigabatrin as monotherapy, while the remaining six received vigabatrin in addition to pre-existing treatment with phenobarbitone. Neurophysiological and neuropsychological evaluations, done before and after the therapeutic period, included the Luria-Nebraska neuropsychological battery (LNNB), electroencephalograms (EEGs) and evoked potentials. The results for each item of the test battery at baseline were compared with those after 6 months' treatment.

Evaluation of 137Cs activity in plant drugs and in some phytoderivatives from Chernobyl accident up to present (1986-1994).

The accident to the nuclear power plant of Chernobyl (in April 1986) caused a radioactive contamination in large areas of the majority of European countries. During the first transient time the fall-out phenomenon was the most important method of contamination, particularly from 131I whose relative isotopic abundance with respect to other released radionuclides was very high. Thereafter, 137Cs, owing to its long half-time and its large presence in environmental matrixes and so in the food chain, became the element on which the attention was to be focused.

[Rubidium chloride in the treatment of major depression].

The present study evaluated 20 patients (18 females and 2 males: mean age 55 +/- 8.8 years) suffering from major depression who had been treated with 360/720 mg/die rubidium chloride for 60 days. A gradual and significant improvement in depressive symptoms (HDRS and Zung Scale) and anxiety (Stai X1 and HamARS) was reported.

Clinical outcome and emotional-behavioural status after isolated coronary surgery.

In order to evaluate clinical and psychosocial results of isolated coronary artery by-pass graft (CABG) we studied 626 consecutive patients, mean age 61 +/- 8 years (86% men), in a follow-up (median: 58 months) with a complete questionnaire about cardiosurgical problems (post-operative vital status, angina relapse, infarction, heart failure, PTCA, redo, PM) and psychosocial variables (mood, irritableness, job satisfaction, hobby satisfaction, family relations, sexual activity, general well-being and work status). Global evaluation improvement of psychosocial variables was found in 71% of patients without cardiac events (group A) and 11% of patients with cardiac events (group B); worsening was found in 2% of group A and 1% of group B; no referred variations in 13% and 2% respectively (p < or = 0.05.

[Schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis].

On the basis of published data on the frequent incidence of psychiatric disorders in demyelinating diseases, the paper report the case of a 22 year old patient who was brought to the Authors' attention with a schizophrenia-type disorder, with prevalently negative symptoms, and suffering from the advanced stages of a demyelinating pathology. Anamnestic and clinical characteristics reported by other Authors were also evident in this patient: the absence of familiarity for schizophrenic disorders, the absence of earlier psychiatric pathologies, the constant progress of psychosis and limited response to pharmacological therapy. The main results of clinical and instrumental tests are discussed.

Uptake of radiocesium by mushrooms.

After the Chernobyl accident in April 1986 the 134Cs, 137Cs and 40K activity of mushrooms of different genera and their corresponding soils from woods located in the province of Umbria (Italy) was determined. The results indicated: a temporally increasing trend for 137Cs up to a "limit value" depending on local fallout in 1986; different cesium concentrations in various mushroom genera; and uptake of potassium from soil that did not appear to compete with cesium uptake. No reliable correlation can be inferred between the cesium content of the soil and those of mushrooms.

[Clinico-nosographic considerations on the relation of depression and alcoholism in a population of 450 hospitalized alcoholics].

The presence of depressive symptomatology in alcoholics has frequently been encountered in clinical practice, but the relationship running between the two pathologies remains a subject for discussion. The methodological difficulty of this evaluation is seen in a major discordance of reported data. Against this background, a group of subjects hospitalized in a neuropsychiatric environment has been assessed for incidence of alcoholic and depressive pathologies and their possible correlations.

Radioactivity from 137Cs in plant drugs and their preparations after Chernobyl.

The 137 Cs content was determined in 406 plant drug samples harvested in 1986 and 1987 after the Chernobyl accident and in their preparations. Very high values were found in drugs produced in Eastern Europe and in Italy. The decoctions contain about 80% of 137Cs present in the drugs.

Radioactivity connected with coal burning.

The enhanced environmental radioactivity resulting from the operation of a 72 MWe brown coal-fired power plant in central Italy is considered. A source-related control procedure is suggested. The calculated values for the atmospheric dispersion of radioactive effluents and the results of some measurements on brown coals, ash, environmental samples and gamma-exposure levels performed at representative points are reported.

Radon and radon daughter evaluation in a natural radioactivity survey indoors.

An indoor survey in order to estimate the population exposure in five towns of an Italian Region is presented. A particular methodology for the campaign was planned and is being applied. Gamma spectrometry of building materials, exposure rate measurements indoors and outdoors and radon concentration measurements indoors were taken with different techniques.