Mutations of the hemochromatosis gene in Italian candidate blood donors with increased transferrin saturation.

The aim of this study was to analyze the role of HFE mutations in blood donors with iron parameters suggesting iron overload, taking into account the regional distribution of HFE mutations in Italy. We studied 5880 subjects undergoing evaluation for blood donation eligibility, from different areas of Italy. Abnormal iron parameters were defined as transferrin saturation (TS) >50% or >45% and serum ferritin (SF) >300 or >250 microg/ml in males and females, respectively.

Fine-needle aspiration cytodiagnosis of the "cold" thyroid nodule.

The results of 1886 fine-needle cytoaspirations of solid, palpable thyroid nodules, "cold" on scintiscanning, performed between 1 January 1978 and 31 December 1986, were analyzed. In total 36 diagnoses of malignancy were made (1.9%).

Comparison of faecal blood loss, upper gastrointestinal mucosal integrity and symptoms after piroxicam beta-cyclodextrin, piroxicam and placebo administration.

In order to evaluate the gastric tolerance of the new piroxicam formulation CHF 1194 (piroxicam complexed with beta-cyclodextrin), a double-blind randomized trial was carried out in 21 young healthy volunteers comparing CHF 1194 with piroxicam and placebo. Faecal blood loss measurement by the Cr-51 labelled red blood cell technique, upper gastrointestinal endoscopic evaluation, titration of gastric pH and gastric biopsies before, during and after treatment were used to assess drug tolerability. Four out of 7 volunteers in the piroxicam-treated group withdrew because of severe gastrointestinal symptoms and oesophageal and/or gastroduodenal lesions, while all subjects treated with CHF 1194 or placebo completed the treatment.

Cytodiagnosis of gastric cancer by brushing: 1978-1983.

A total of 1652 endoscopic cytologic brushings from 1131 patients, 823 males aged 15 to 87 years and 358 females aged 21 to 88 years, were examined. From these we diagnosed 96 carcinomas, 69 in males and 27 in females. In 1621 samplings from 1151 patients it was possible to compare the cytologic and histologic diagnoses.