Cluster-like headache. A comprehensive reappraisal.

Among the primary headaches, cluster headache (CH) presents very particular features allowing a relatively easy diagnosis based on criteria listed in Chapter 3 of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II). However, as in all primary headaches, possible underlying causal conditions must be excluded to rule out a secondary cluster-like headache (CLH). The observation of some cases with clinical features mimicking primary CH, but of secondary origin, led us to perform an extended review of CLH reports in the literature.

Isolated distal deep vein thrombosis: efficacy and safety of a protocol of treatment. Treatment of Isolated Calf Thrombosis (TICT) Study.

Aim: The optimal treatment of isolated distal deep vein thrombosis (ID-DVT) is still controversial. A complete anticoagulation as soon as the diagnosis is made is recommended by some authors. Alternatively, other authors suggest to perform serial ultrasonography assessments to detect the possible extension of DVT towards proximal veins.

Headache and soccer: a survey in professional soccer players of the Italian "Serie A".

The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence and the clinical features of primary headaches in a sample of players of the Italian Soccer League first division. The design of the study allowed a retrospective and prospective diagnosis of primary headaches according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders-II edition (ICHD-II), using anonymous questionnaires, which had to be filled out at regular times during the playing season. A total of 83 athletes playing in four different clubs were involved; four of them changed football team during the season and so did not complete the study.

Headache attributed to airplane travel ("airplane headache"): first Italian case.

A new form of headache, whose attacks seem to be stereotyped, has been recently reported; because of the peculiarity of its onset, strictly related to airplane travel, the name of "Airplane headache" was proposed. A total of 7 cases have been published. Here we present the first Italian one.

Unexpected phenotypes and predominant TCR V gene usage in random selected subjects.

The presence of a subset of T lymphocytes with an irregular phenotype has been identified in the peripheral blood of 22 subjects, selected among more than 5000 individuals evaluated for peripheral blood lymphocyte subset distribution as part of a routine procedure. By Southern Blot Analysis 13 out of 14 of the analysed samples presented additional non-germline bands, indicative of monoclonal or oligoclonal T cell expansions. Moreover, the cytometric analysis showed that 7 out of 19 analysed samples were restricted for a subfamily of the TCR variable regions.

Cytofluorimetric identification of two populations of double positive (CD4+,CD8+) T lymphocytes in human peripheral blood.

Two different subsets of CD4+,CD8+ T lymphocytes have been identified in peripheral blood collected from normal subjects and from patients with different diseases. The subpopulations differed in the degree of CD4 and CD8 antigen expression. Hence, it was possible to distinguish by cytofluorimetric analysis cells with a low (dim) or with a high (bright) fluorescence intensity after the staining with anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 mAbs.

ACTH-like molecules in gastropod molluscs: a possible role in ancestral immune response and stress.

The presence of immunoreactive ACTH molecules on phagocytic cells from the freshwater snails Planorbarius corneus and Lymnaea stagnalis was shown by cytofluorimetric analysis. The role of ACTH in phagocytosis and in the release of biogenic amines, two biological responses that may be taken as ancestral types of immune response and stress, respectively, has also been evaluated. ACTH markedly increased the phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by P.