Pattern of mycobacterial antigen detection in leprosy.

Immunohistochemistry reaction (Peroxidase anti-peroxidase--PAP) was carried out on fifty-two skin biopsies from leprosy patients with the purpose to identify the antigenic pattern in mycobacteria and to study the sensitivity of this method. Five different patterns were found: bacillar, granular, vesicular, cytoplasmatic and deposits, classified according to the antigenic material characteristics. Deposits (thinely particulate material) appeared more frequently, confirming the immunohistochemistry sensitivity to detect small amounts of antigens even when this material is not detected by histochemical stainings.

The intelligence of American children is still rising.

Children's intelligence increased in the United States by approximately 3 IQ points per decade over the period 1932-78. New evidence shows that these increases have been sustained during the last 20 years. Two recent studies indicate that the rates of increase for 1972-89 and 1978-89 were 3.

[A clinical and anatomical-histological contribution to the study of lipofibrocalcareous myopathy. Mattioli-Foggia and Raso disease].

The paper reports the clinical and histological biopsy data of a patient suffering from lipo-fibro-calcareous myopathy (Mattioli-Foggia and Raso's disease). It affirms that this pathology may be attributed to the group of phacomatosis and that in this instance this is a case of neurovascular phacomatosis (neuroblastodermosis).

[Acute cecal diverticulitis. Presentation of 2 cases].

Two cases of acute caecal diverticulitis are reported. The Authors describe the clinical aspects, diagnostic procedures, histological pictures and surgical treatment. Particular emphasis is also placed on problem of a correct preoperative diagnosis.

[Appendectomy without inversion of the stump. A valid alternative. Our experience in 690 cases].

The paper reports the Authors' ten year experience on simple ligation in appendicectomy. After having reviewed the various surgical procedures, the Authors report their clinical experience and, considering the good postoperative results with this method, regard this procedure as an alternative to the technique of ligation with inversion of the stump in appendicectomy.