[3-year-survival and quality of life after out-of-hospital heart arrest].

Although the long- and short-term aspects of the outcome of advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation on patients have been studied to evaluate the percentage of survival up to the moment of discharge from hospital, little information has been published concerning the patients' long-term quality of life. In order to verify the efficiency of our group we retrospectively evaluated 468 subjects admitted to the Emergency Room of Rho Hospital (Milan, Italy) for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest that had occurred over a 90-month period. We studied the correlations between some variables: epidemiological (sex and age), objective (time required for advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation and type of arrhythmias in the Emergency Room) and instrumental (left ventricular ejection fraction) and post-discharge survival.

[The epidemiology and management of an acute asthmatic attack].

The mortality rate for acute asthma increased approximately 40% between 1982 and 1991 in the United States, while hospital admissions remained constant. In order to verify if inadequate therapy at home could increase hospitalization for this pathology, we evaluated retrospectively 94 subjects admitted to the Emergency Department of Rho Hospital, near Milan (Italy), for acute asthma in 1996. We studied the correlations between some epidemiological variables (sex and age) and the hospitalization of asthmatic patients and described the different therapeutic approaches at home and in the Emergency Department.

Erythrocyte antioxidant activity, serum ceruloplasmin, and trace element levels in subjects with alcoholic liver disease.

Erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and reduced glutathione, serum ceruloplasmin, and serum trace elements (copper, zinc, iron, and selenium) related to antioxidant enzymes were assayed in subjects with alcoholic liver disease of different degrees of severity. The erythrocytes of subjects with moderate and severe alcoholic liver cirrhosis had an unbalanced antioxidant system (normal superoxide dismutase, low catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and low glutathione content). Serum ceruloplasmin levels were in the normal range.

Erythrocyte antioxidant system and serum ceruloplasmin levels in welders.

The erythrocyte antioxidant system (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione) and serum ceruloplasmin were studied in workers chronically exposed to welding fumes and gases, which are thought to be oxidant pollutants. Fifty-four healthy men using two electric arc welding processes (manual metal arc on stainless steel and mild steel, and metal inert gas on mild steel) were studied. The possible effects of cigarette smoking were also considered.

Erythrocyte antioxidant system in Down syndrome.

It has been emphasized that an increased oxidative damage can exist in Down syndrome (DS), and that superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder. We have studied the antioxidant system SOD-1, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in erythrocytes of DS adults in order to evaluate if these cells are protected against oxidant stress. SOD-1 and GSH-Px were significantly increased while catalase and GSH activities were normal.

[Mortality from malignant tumors of the digestive system in an area of the province of Milan from 1980 to 1987].

In a highly populated and industrialised zone of the province of Milan (Health Area 68, Rho) a study was made of mortality due to malignant neoplasms of the digestive organs in the years 1980-1987. The highest mortality percentage in both sexes is caused by stomach cancer, followed by neoplasms of the large bowel, particularly of the colon, malignant neoplasms of the pancreas, primary liver cancer and, in males, of the oesophagus. On the whole mortality from malignant neoplasms of the digestive organs is high in subjects over 75 years and in males a little earlier.

[Mortality from malignant tumors in the industrial region of the province of Milan, 1980-1987].

For the period 1980-87 mortality data relating to residents of a densely populated area in the province of Milan was collected and elaborated. The area is heavily industrialised and had a particularly high immigration level in the 1960's and 70's. Malignant neoplasms represented the cause of death in 35.

Antioxidant system and serum trace elements in alpha-thalassaemia and Hb Lepore trait.

Erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were found to be significantly high in subjects with alpha-thalassaemia and Hb Lepore trait, as a consequence of the increased oxidant stress which is known to exist in these conditions. Among the serum trace elements present in these enzymes, selenium was increased in subjects with Hb Lepore trait and significantly low in those with alpha-thalassaemia trait, while selenium erythrocyte content was significantly increased in alpha-thalassaemic subjects.

Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase in subjects of Mediterranean origin. A family study.

Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was assayed in subjects of Mediterranean origin and the distribution of the data obtained seems to confirm the existence of two alleles coding for low and high enzyme activity. In order to define the limits of expected genotypes less arbitrarily we studied families where parents' genotypes could allow us to define that of the children. Gene frequencies were calculated from genotype frequencies of an unrelated population and from crossings distribution by the Hardy-Weinberg equation.

[Fibroplastic parietal endocarditis with Löffler's hematic oesinophilia (author's transl)].

The clinical data and autopsy findings in a case of Löffler endocarditis are reported. The differential diagnosis with endocardial fibrosis of East Africa is discussed. On the basis of their histological findings and recent literature the authors suggest that endocardial fibrosis follows the organization of successive fibrin layers.