Results of treatment of distal rectal carcinoma since the introduction of total mesorectal excision: a single unit experience, 1994-2003.

Background And Aims: This study reviewed the results of surgery for distal rectal cancer (where the tumour was within 6 cm of the anal verge) following the introduction of total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer in one institution.

Patients And Methods: One hundred and fifty-three patients who had undergone elective curative surgical resection of rectal cancer within 6 cm of the anal verge were included. The demographic, operative and follow-up data were collected retrospectively.

Nitric oxide increases the spontaneous firing rate of rat medial vestibular nucleus neurons in vitro via a cyclic GMP-mediated PKG-independent mechanism.

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on the discharge rate of medial vestibular nucleus neurons (MVNn) were investigated in rat brainstem slices. The NO-donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 200 microM) caused a marked enhancement (+36.7%) of MVNn spontaneous firing rate, which was prevented by the NO-scavenger, carboxy-PTIO (300 microM).

Compound and rotational damping in warm deformed rare-earth nuclei.

The gamma decay in the quasicontinuum from selected configurations of the rotational nucleus 163Er has been measured with the EUROBALL array. A new analysis technique has allowed for the first time to directly measure the compound and rotational damping widths Gamma (micro) and Gamma (rot). Values of Gamma (micro) approximately 20 keV and Gamma (rot) approximately 200 keV are obtained in the spin region I approximately 30-40 variant Planck's over 2pi, in good agreement with microscopic cranked shell model calculations.

Modulation of Ca(v)1 and Ca(v)2.2 channels induced by nitric oxide via cGMP-dependent protein kinase.

The unconventional gaseous transmitter nitric oxide (NO) markedly influences most of mechanisms involved in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. In excitable cells, Ca2+ signaling mainly depends on the activity of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs). In the present paper, we will review data from our laboratory and others characterizing NO-induced modulation of Ca(v)1 (L-type) and Ca(v)2.

Split-screen synchronized display. A useful video-EEG technique for studying paroxysmal phenomena.

Video-EEG is an indispensable and widely used technique for studying paroxysmal phenomena. We present a method of processing video recordings to compare the sequence of ictal manifestations of different episodes. Five presentations of two seizures recorded in each of five patients are shown, in which apparently different ictal features are strongly superimposed and stereotyped.

Effects of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields on voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and their role in modulation of neuroendocrine cell proliferation and death.

Possible correlation between the effects of electromagnetic fields (EFs) on voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, cell proliferation and apoptosis was investigated in neural and neuroendocrine cells. Exposure to 50 Hz EFs significantly enhanced proliferation in human neuroblastoma IMR32 (+40%) and rat pituitary GH3 cells (+38%). In IMR32 cells EF stimulation also inhibited puromycin- and H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis (-22 and -33%, respectively).

Electrophysiological and molecular evidence of L-(Cav1), N- (Cav2.2), and R- (Cav2.3) type Ca2+ channels in rat cortical astrocytes.

Changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels are an important signal underlying neuron-glia cross-talk, but little is known about the possible role of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) in controlling glial cell Ca2+ influx. We investigated the pharmacological and biophysical features of VGCCs in cultured rat cortical astrocytes. In whole-cell patch-clamp experiments, L-channel blockade (5 microM nifedipine) reduced Ba2+ current amplitude by 28% of controls, and further decrease (32%) was produced by N-channel blockade (3 microM omega-conotoxin-GVIA).

Efficacy and safety of short course (5-day) moxifloxacin vs 7-day ceftriaxone in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB).

The aim of this multicenter, open, randomized study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of a 5-day treatment course with oral moxifloxacin (MXF) vs a 7-day course with i.m. ceftriaxone (CRO) in 476 patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB), and to conduct a cost minimization analysis of the two treatments from the perspectives of both the Italian National Health Service (INHS) and society.

Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli EH 0157:H7 colitis.

0157:H7 is a known etiologic agent of hemorrhagic colitis. The clinical and histologic picture of colitis is largely similar to that of ischemic colitis, with areas of submucosal hemorrhage and edema, erosions, and ulcerations. We present a case report and review of the literature.

cGMP/protein kinase G-dependent inhibition of N-type Ca2+ channels induced by nitric oxide in human neuroblastoma IMR32 cells.

Although data from our laboratory and others suggest that nitric oxide (NO) exerts an overall inhibitory action on high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels, conflicting observations have been reported regarding its effects on N-type channels. We performed whole-cell and cell-attached patch-clamp recordings in IMR32 cells to clarify the functional role of NO in the modulation of N channels of human neuronal cells. During depolarizing steps to +10 mV from V(h) = -90 mV, the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 200 microm), reduced macroscopic N currents by 34% (p < 0.

Recent clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of thiamphenicol glycinate acetylcysteinate and thiamphenicol glycinate.

Thiamphenicol is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent active against penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus VISA strains, most methicillin-resistant isolates and atypical pathogens such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae). Thiamphenicol is present as glycinate hydrochloride (TG) and glycinate acetylcysteinate (TGA) esters in the parenteral and aerosol dosage form. This multicenter, double-blind, randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of aerosol administration of TGA, compared to TG, in the treatment of acute and/or exacerbated infections of the respiratory tract.

Randomized, double-blind study of prulifloxacin versus ciprofloxacin in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

Background: Recently the role of bacteria in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) as well as antibiotic treatment with selected drugs, especially fluoroquinolones, have been better defined.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety in patients with AECB of prulifloxacin in comparison with ciprofloxacin.

Methods: AECB was defined according to the guidelines for the evaluation of new anti-infective drugs for the treatment of respiratory tract infections (1992).

Nitric oxide inhibits neuroendocrine Ca(V)1 L-channel gating via cGMP-dependent protein kinase in cell-attached patches of bovine chromaffin cells.

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates the release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla but the molecular targets of its action are not yet well identified. Here we show that the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 200 microM) causes a marked depression of the single Ca(V)1 L-channel activity in cell-attached patches of bovine chromaffin cells. SNP action was complete within 3-5 min of cell superfusion.

TrapEase inferior vena cava filter placed via the basilic arm vein: a new antecubital access.

The authors' experience with the TrapEase vena cava filter deployed via a peripheral arm vein access in five patients is described. The filter placement, employing a 90-cm-long sheath and a modified coaxial dilator, is described in clinical and technical detail. The filter was placed successfully in five patients without complications.

Short-term supplementation therapy does not affect elastin degradation in severe alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency. The American-Italian AATD Study Group.

We evaluated the ability of intravenous supplementation therapy with alpha(1)-antitrypsin (AAT) to reduce the rate of urinary excretion of desmosine (DES), a specific marker of elastin degradation, in eight men and four women with emphysema due to severe, congenital deficiency of AAT (range 17-69 mg/dl). Nine were former cigarette smokers, two were current smokers, and one reported never smoking; their mean age was 54 (SD 12) yr and their mean FEV(1) was 41 (18%) of predicted. Urinary DES was measured by isotope dilution and HPLC.

Effect of high-flux dialysis on the anaemia of haemodialysis patients.

Background: Anaemia is one of the major clinical characteristics of patients with chronic renal failure, and has a considerable effect on morbidity and mortality. Adequate dialysis is of paramount importance in correcting anaemia by removing small and medium-sized molecules, which may inhibit erythropoiesis. However, high-molecular-weight inhibitors cleared only by means of highly porous membranes have also been found in uraemic serum and it has been claimed from uncontrolled studies that high-flux dialysis could improve anaemia in haemodialysis patients.