Detection of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli serogroups 0157 and 026 in the cecal content and lymphatic tissue of cattle at slaughter in Italy.

Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) has emerged as a foodborne pathogen that can cause severe and potentially fatal illnesses, such as hemorrhagic colitis or the hemolytic uremic syndrome. In this study, 182 cattle at slaughter (119 dairy cows and 63 feedlot cattle) were randomly selected and tested for the presence of VTEC serogroups O26, O103, O111, O145, and O157 in their cecal content and lymphatic tissue (tonsils or mesenteric lymph nodes). A total of 364 samples were evaluated with an immunomagnetic separation technique followed by slide agglutination.

Arthrolysis in the treatment of ankylosis and severe post traumatic stiffness of the elbow.

Between 1977 and 1989 the authors performed arthrolysis on 18 patients with ankylosis or severe post traumatic elbow stiffness. After an analysis of the cases, the operative technique is described and original parameters are proposed to evaluate the consequent results. The validity of arthrolysis as a possible alternative to arthroplasty or arthroprosthesis is confirmed by the 67% positive results.

Use of the Ilizarov apparatus in one case of severe congenital dysmetria of the leg with agenesis of the foot.

The authors present one case of severe congenital dysmetria of the leg with agenesis of the foot which was treated by the Ilizarov method. After a clinical and radiographic description of the case, the type of surgery used to create a new foot and the results obtained are discussed.

[Orthostatic hypotension in the elderly].

The physiological answer to the orthostatic stress and changes in the elderly are examined. Moreover therapy of orthostatic hypotension, either pharmacological or not is reviewed.

Zinc and thymic hormone-dependent immunity in normal ageing and in patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type.

Plasma zinc levels were measured in young controls, aged controls, patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type and patients with non-Alzheimer type dementia. Zinc levels decreased with age; however, no difference was found between patients with dementia and age-matched controls. Plasma levels of active or inactive thymulin, a nonapeptide produced and released by the thymus gland, were also determined in young controls, aged controls, patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type and patients with non-Alzheimer type dementia.

Stable osteosynthesis by the AO method in comminuted intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus.

The authors report their experience between 1982 and 1986 in 16 cases of comminuted supraintercondylar fractures of the elbow treated by stable osteosynthesis using the AO method with immediate or early mobilisation. They illustrate the technical possibility of obtaining stable synthesis even in fractures with numerous fragments and analyse the long-term functional results. Because of the severity of the fracture, none of the patients recovered full flexion and extension of the elbow; nonetheless in all the patients there was recovery of at least 90 degrees of movement and, most importantly, this occurred in the most useful range of movement.

Transposition of the 5th to the 4th ray by osteotomy of the hamate.

The authors present 5 cases of transposition of the 5th to the 4th ray according to Le Viet's method. This is indicated for the aesthetic and functional defects that follow total or subtotal amputation of the ring finger. The technique consists of radial transposition of the whole ray and intracarpal arthrodesis after cuneiform osteotomy of the hamate bone.

[What is in the future for geriatrics? II].

The authors point out the importance of geriatric medicine in the hospital in its traditional goals and in some new proposals: geriatric case finding, general practitioner's education, teaching in nursing schools, family education, pre-retirement courses etc.

[What is in the future for geriatrics? I].

The authors, after an evaluation of the historical course of the geriatrics in England and its contents, point out the importance of this specialty from a demografic, economical, social, epidemiological and cultural point of view.