A novel model of CCl4-induced cirrhosis with ascites in the mouse.

Background/aims: The current approaches to study the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of liver diseases often rely on the use of transgenic mice. However, experimental models of decompensated cirrhosis have not been clearly established in mice. Thus, we aimed to set an efficient and well-tolerated protocol to induce cirrhosis in mice able to progress up to the ascitic stage.

[Relationship between reticulated platelets and megacaryocyte number in thrombocytopenic patients].

Background And Introduction: Marrow aspiration is a test that helps the pathogenic diagnosis of thrombocytopenia. Our goal was to analyze the correlation between reticulated platelets (RP) values in peripheral blood with megakaryocytic number in bone marrow in a group of thrombocytopenic patients.

Patients And Methods: Prospective observational study in thrombocytopenic patients, between June 2002 and June 2005.

Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery. A case report and review of the literature.

Cystic adventitial disease is a rare form of non-atherosclerotic stenosis and one of the main causes of claudication in young and middle-aged men. Approximately 200 case reports are available in the literature to date. It is generally located in the popliteal artery, although it may be found in other arteries and even in veins.

A screening procedure for prioritizing riparian management.

A spatially explicit linear, additive model was developed for quantifying site characteristics of riparian areas of the lower Cedar River, Washington, USA. The spatial complexity and distribution of combined habitat and anthropogenic landscape features were used to define habitat "indices" that indicate the relative quality of riparian habitats. Patches of contiguous grid cells were measured in terms of their locations, sizes, and relative degree of fragmentation.

Internal carotid artery dissection in a patient with Behçet's syndrome.

The authors report a case of internal carotid artery dissection in a young woman with Behçet's syndrome. The authors postulate that a vasculitis of the vasa vasorum already suspected as the basis of aneurysm formation in course of Behçet's syndrome can account for occurrence of arterial dissection in this inflammatory condition.

A sentinel network of general practitioners for epidemiologic surveillance in Italy.

A Computer Network of General Practitioners (GP's) has been established connecting 110 general practitioners representing a statistically selected national sample, homogeneously distributed all over Italy. The purpose of the network is to increase the epidemiologic surveillance on the health status of the Italian community, to collect useful data on the routine activity of the GP's, to promote computer use among them, and to organize some "ad hoc" investigations on specific subjects (case-control studies). To this purpose, a specific software was developed both to meet the requirements of epidemiological research and to manage general practitioners' clinical files.

An experimental network of general practitioners for purposes of epidemiological surveillance in Italy.

A Computer Network of General Practitioners (GPs) has been established, connecting 150 general practitioners representing a statistically selected national sample, homogeneously distributed all over Italy. The purpose of the network is to increase the epidemiological surveillance on the health status of the Italian community, to collect useful data on the routine activity of the GPs, to promote computer use among them, and to organize some "ad hoc" investigations on specific subjects (case-control studies). To this purpose, a specific software was developed, both to meet the requirements of epidemiological research and to manage general practitioners' clinical files.

[The general practitioner and clinical records: a survey of the knowledge of users of a software package].

The FATMA project--subproject 6, Line of Research 2--aims at implementing a new computerized information network for general practitioners using the same kind of software and homogeneously located throughout Italy. Thus, patients' case form data can be collected for public health purposes. After a study of literature in order to check whether other countries had implemented similar projects and what they consisted of, a survey based on a computerized questionnaire was carried out on a group of g.

Acute respiratory and cardiovascular effects of inhaled ketanserin in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A comparative study with intravenously administered ketanserin.

In a double-blind, crossover study, nebulized ketanserin, a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, and a placebo were given to eight patients with moderate to severe nonasthmatic COPD. Intravenous ketanserin had rapid onset of action and induced a longer lasting bronchial response than inhaled ketanserin. These results confirm that ketanserin acts as a mild bronchodilator in patients with COPD and demonstrate that the inhaled route has no advantage over the intravenous route in terms of effectiveness.

Effect of ketanserin, a new blocking agent of the 5-HT2 receptor, on airway responsiveness in asthma.

Most of the antihypertensive drugs have a liability for adverse effects in asthma. Since there are few available data on the effect of ketanserin, a new antihypertensive drug which is a type-2 serotonin receptor antagonist, on human respiratory function, we have tested whether this drug can modify bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in asthmatic patients. The protective effect of intravenous ketanserin (0.

Itraconazole activity against fungal germination.

Itraconazole was found to be superior to ketoconazole in its antifungal activity in vitro against Hyphomycetes and Candida. In particular, complete inhibition of germination of Candida albicans and Aspergillus spp. by a lower dose of itraconazole can explain the better activity in vivo of this drug.

Itraconazole: increased activity by chlorhexidine.

Chlorhexidine increases the activity of itraconazole against Candida isolates; itraconazole-chlorhexidine combinations show synergistic activity in culture media. The activity of itraconazole is discussed.

Microbiological perspective of ketoconazole.

The analysis of the results obtained in our trials, which took into account different experimental conditions, suggests that ketoconazole is a very effective anti-Candida drug. In particular, ketoconazole inhibits the development of the hyphal form of C. albicans which is highly invasive.