[Normal urine levels of the aminoterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) in premature newborns in the first week of life].

Urinary excretion of type I collagen cross-linked aminoterminal telopeptide (NTx) is a specific index of bone resorption. The Authors have studied urinary NTx concentrations in 60 urine samples of preterm infants, from 32 to 36 weeks of gestation, to evaluate the trend of the bone marker in the first week of life. Urine samples were collected at 1, 3 and 7 days of life.

Procalcitonin serum levels in perinatal bacterial and fungal infection of preterm infants.

Aim: To determine reference values for procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) for gestational age and to use these parameters as diagnostic markers of perinatal bacterial and fungal infection.

Methods: PCT and CRP serum levels were measured in a case-control study in a group of 35 low birthweight infants (< 34 wk of gestation). 27 babies (77%) had clinical signs of infection confirmed by positive blood cultures and were compared to 8 (23%) uninfected matched patients.

Serial protein S-100 serum levels in preterm babies with perinatal asphyxia and periventricular white matter lesions.

In the last years new diagnostic technologies were developed to assess brain development and to identify early brain injury. Some of them are very attractive methods but invasive, expensive, and time-consuming. The availability of clinically useful serum markers of risk for perinatal brain damage will easily permit the development of rational strategies for prevention of cerebral insults in neonates and more accurate prognostic counseling.

[Normal urinary levels of telopeptide aminoterminal (NTx) of type I collagen in healthy term newborns and infants in the first month of life].

The Authors have studied urinary aminoterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx), a bone catabolism marker of recent determination, by an enzyme-linked immunoassorbent assay (OSTEOMARK) in 80 urine samples of term healthy infants in the first 3 months of life. Highly significant variations have been compared in the whole period studied (P = 0.000).

Biliary carcinoembryonic antigen in the diagnosis of occult hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

Background And Objectives: Twenty five percent of patients who undergo radical surgical treatment for colorectal cancer have occult hepatic metastases that become evident during the follow-up period. We evaluated whether biliary carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) measurements could be used in these patients to diagnose occult hepatic metastases.

Methods: Three groups of patients were enrolled in the study.

Monitoring carcinoembryonic antigen in colorectal cancer: is it still useful?

The results of a study conducted to determine the usefulness of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monitoring in the follow-up of patients with resected colorectal cancer are reported herein. The subjects of this study were 125 patients in whom CEA had been determined preoperatively and 239 patients in whom CEA had been monitored postoperatively. The results revealed increased preoperative CEA in only 24% of the subjects, and that this increment was correlated with subsequent more advanced tumor stage and a higher recurrence rate (P < 0.

[Role of dietary prevention in newborns at risk for atopy. Results of a follow-up study].

The Authors have studied the role of various preventing diet for a primary prophylaxis of allergy in 125 newborns at risk of atopy: 30 exclusively breast-fed, 50 hypoallergenic milk fed, 30 soy milk fed, and 15 with conventional milk formula. IgE values were determined at 5 days, 6 months, and 12 months of age, IgE values at 5 days were compared to newborns not at atopic risk. The clinical follow-up lasted 4 years.

[A case of late neonatal hemorrhagic disease associated with intolerance for cow's milk proteins].

The authors describe a two months aged patient affected by cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI) with serious haemorrhagic manifestations. As blood coagulative laboratory findings demonstrated a prolongation of P.T.

Repeated calcitonin treatment reduces the stimulation of inositol phospholipid by norepinephrine and serotonin in rat hippocampus and cerebral cortex.

Stimulation of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis by norepinephrine or 5-hydroxytryptamine was reduced in hippocampal or cortical slices from rats repeatedly injected with (Asu1.7)eel-calcitonin (2.5 IU/kg i.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and incidence of cataract in Sicily.

The incidence of G6PD deficiency in red blood cells of 241 Sicilian cataractous patients (138 males and 103 females) and in the lens of 32 subjects (15 males and 17 females) of the same group was evaluated. The incidence of G6PD deficiency was significantly higher than expected (p less than 0.001), both in RBCs and in lens.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Sicily. Incidence, biochemical characteristics and clinical implications.

This report deals with the incidence, type and clinical implications of G6PD deficiency in Sicily. Of 3347 male subjects examined, 56 were deficient in G6PD. They were distributed throughout the island.

Complex odontoma of the maxillary sinus: report of case.

During a screening examination for orthodontic evaluation and for possible partial anodontia, a large radiopaque mass was found in the right maxillary sinus of a 12-year-old boy. Further radiographic views were used to locate and establish a working diagnosis. The mass was removed with use of a standard Caldwell-Luc approach.