[The biological effects of the CO2 laser studied in experimental intestinal resections].

An histological and E.M. study has been performed on rat's intestinal tract resection to evaluate CO2 laser effects.

[A specific technique for ileo-anal anastomosis in restorative proctocolectomy: physiopathological evaluation and results].

The Authors report an alternative technique for ileo-anal anastomosis in total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch. Their experience and results are discussed.

[A histological and ultrastructural study of the effects of the argon laser scalpel on the kidney].

The authors carried an histological and ultrastructural study on rat kidney following polar excision by argon laser. The involvement of the remainder portion of the kidney was evaluated analysing the depth of the damage induced by the laser radiation. Restitution ad integrum was found below 360 micron thickness with a different involvement of the various kidney components.

Activation of inositol phospholipid turnover and calcium signaling in rat Sertoli cells by P2-purinergic receptors: modulation of follicle-stimulating hormone responses.

To study the role of extracellular nucleotides in the regulation of Sertoli cells, the effects of ATP and its analogs on the Ca(2+)-phospholipid- and cAMP-dependent pathways were tested. Cultured Sertoli cells from immature animals were incubated with ATP or structurally related compounds, and phosphoinositide (PI) turnover or cAMP accumulation was measured. Among the several nucleotide phosphate analogs tested, adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) was the agonist most potent in stimulating inositol phosphate accumulation.

Advances in rectal cancer surgery.

Purpose: We discuss our experience in radical rectal cancer surgery and critically review the results of the current literature. In particular, the importance of distal clearance, total excision of the mesorectum, and pelvic lymphadenectomy is stressed.

Methods And Results: The rationale for determining a pelvic lymphadenectomy is identified in the high percentage (20 percent) of lateral endopelvic metastatic nodes demonstrated in cases of extraperitoneal rectal cancers.

Rat testicular myoid cells respond to endothelin: characterization of binding and signal transduction pathway.

The presence of endothelin (ET), a vasoconstrictor peptide, in the testis suggests that it may regulate nonvascular target cells. We investigated binding ability, regulation of inositol phosphate metabolism, changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i), and induction of morphological changes by ET-1 in rat primary testicular myoid cell cultures. ET-1 specifically bound to highly purified rat testicular myoid cells in a time- and temperature-dependent manner.

[The role of echography in the determination and monitoring of ductal ectasia in nipple discharge].

In this study a good sensibility of ultrasound in identifying ductal disease was demonstrated. We evaluated the relationship between nipple discharge and ductal ectasia and the importance of the ectasia in maintaining nipple discharge. From our data the hypothesis of a possible role of oestroprogestinic hormones in the genesis or maintaining of ductal ectasia emerged.

[Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the pancreas].

The authors report a case of pancreatic malignant fibrous histiocytoma (approximately 22 cm). Clinical and instrumental approach for preoperative diagnosis is discussed and the anatomopathological features of the lesion, which is rarely localized in the pancreatic gland, are stressed. Surgical treatment is outlined as well.

Immunosuppressive molecules produced by Sertoli cells cultured in vitro: biological effects on lymphocytes.

In the present study we have analyzed the proteins secreted in vitro by murine Sertoli cells to identify immunosuppressive factors. Our data show that Sertoli cells secrete molecules capable to inhibit proliferation of lymphocytes activated in vitro. Cytophluorimetric analysis indicates that treated cells are arrested in the G1 phase of cell cycle.

[Diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of phyllodes tumor of the breast].

The Authors report 4 cases very interesting for the differential diagnosis of phyllodes tumor, a breast tumor with a mainly local malignant potential. Such tumor, although presenting histologic, clinical and instrumental features which allow for a presumptive pre-surgical diagnosis, often has characteristics comparable to other breast pathologies with a different natural history. The Authors, after analyzing clinical, mammographic, echographic and histologic features of the tumor, suggest the most appropriate therapy for the local control of the lesion.

Steroid-dependent form of Kinsbourne syndrome: successful treatment with trazodone.

We report the case of a 19 month old girl with myoclonic encephalopathy of infants (MEI) (Kinsbourne syndrome), on long-term therapy with ACTH for the occurrence of frequent relapses (steroid-dependent form). The administration of trazodone per os at low doses as an alternative to the previous treatment ensured complete remission, also on the occasion of a subsequent relapse. No rebound effects were observed after trazodone withdrawal (10 months).

Comparative studies of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity and of extracellular ATP-induced cell lysis. Different requirements in extracellular Mg2+ and pH.

We recently proposed that extracellular ATP (ATPo) may be involved in CTL-mediated cytotoxicity by acting in concert with yet unidentified cellular components (ATPo receptors/ATPo-binding proteins, ectoprotein kinases). The TCR-triggered ATPo accumulation by CTL has been demonstrated, whereas the resistance of CTL to ATPo was explained by the action of highly active ecto-ATPases or by the absence of relevant ATP-binding proteins. However, no data were available to discriminate between the possibilities of: i) ATPo acting alone as a "hit" molecule because of the cell-permeabilizing properties of ATP4- or ii) ATPo acting as a "messenger" (as MgATP2-) in concert with other molecules.

[Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (Kimura's disease): an unusual pathology].

The authors report a case of Kimura's disease recently observed. Diagnostic problems related to this rare pathologic condition as well as current and most reliable etiopathogenetic hypothesis are emphasized. Histopathological and clinical features are described in detail.

[Free microvascularized flaps in head and neck lesions: the technics of microsurgical reconstruction].

The authors report their experience of microsurgical reconstructive techniques using musculo-cutaneous free flaps after radical operations for head and neck neoplasms.

Extracellular ATP in T-lymphocyte activation: possible role in effector functions.

We hypothesized that cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) may utilize extracellular ATP (ATPo) during the effector phase of the CTL-target cell interactions and that CTL could be the source of ATPo. It is demonstrated here that incubation of CTL with activating ligands [Con A or monoclonal antibody (mAb) to the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR)] results in the extracellular Ca2(+)-independent accumulation of the ATPo. The addition of the ATP-degrading enzymes into the mixture of CTL and target cells results in a strong inhibition of the CTL-mediated, TCR-triggered lethal-hit delivery to the target cell.

[A case of carcinoma of the cervical esophagus treated with interposition of an intestinal loop revascularized using a microsurgical technique].

The Authors present a case of hypopharyngeal tumor in which digestive continuity was assured by a jejunal autotransplant. Tumoral exeresis and jejunal preparation were carried out at the same time by two surgical teams. The use of microsurgical techniques assures the revascularization of the neck transplant by implementing the superior thyroid artery and the internal jugular vein.

[Role of microsurgery in chronic distal obstructive arteriopathies].

The Authors analyze the role of microsurgery in the treatment of chronic obstructive arteriopathies. In accordance with their results, they stress the usefulness of the microtechniques in the rescue of ischaemic limbs due to distal occlusion, and how these procedures are less dangerous than amputation, even though results are not long lasting.

[Venous grafts in reimplantation of the thumb].

The Authors analyze their experience of 25 thumb reimplantations and revascularizations within 5 years. The importance of the first finger in the functional hand economy as well as the ratio between reimplantation take rate and degree of functional recovery with regard to the type of trauma, technique used, and possible and incidental complications are underlined. The venous autologous grafts are of great importance in this microsurgical area and they are more and more applied.

[Latissimus dorsi flap in reconstructive surgery of the lower limbs].

The free latissimus dorsi flap has been used to repair 10 complex losses of substance of the lower extremity. The results have shown the great reconstructive potentialities of the microvascular transfer of this muscle, considered by the authors the most versatile of the myocutaneous flaps. Among the advantages there are the extended surface, its thickness, its pedicle with adequate length and diameter as well as the absence of functional involvement, especially by preserving the upper branch of the thoracodorsal nerve.

Ecto-ATPase activity in cytolytic T-lymphocytes. Protection from the cytolytic effects of extracellular ATP.

Addition of ATP or ATP analog to the incubation media is shown to result in cell death in experiments with different cultured cell lines as evidenced by the results of several independent assays, both in the absence or presence of extracellular Ca2+. Cytolytic T-lymphocyte (CTL) clone itself was not only resistant to cytolytic effects of ATP, but was able to "rescue" antigen-nonbearing 51Cr-labeled cells from lytic effects of extracellular ATP (but not from lytic effects of adenosine 5'-thiotriphosphate) when present during assay. To test whether the resistance of CTL to ATP is due to a high activity of ecto-ATPase, four independent assays of ATPase activity were utilized to demonstrate the presence and relatively high activity of the ecto-ATPase(s) on CTL surface.

[Low-malignancy duodenal leiomyosarcoma].

The authors report a case of duodenal leiomyosarcoma presenting a low degree of histological malignancy. The main anatomoclinical features of the neoplasm are summarized. The authors conclude indicating not aggressive surgical therapy as adequate in such cases.