Impaired L-arginine uptake in platelets from type-2 diabetic patients.

The L-arginine uptake of resting platelets from type-2 diabetic patients and control subjects was measured and the kinetic parameters defined. The effect of platelet stimulation with agonists was also investigated. Kinetic studies showed that the K(m) value for L-arginine transport was not different in patients compared with control subjects, while V(max) was significantly decreased in patients compared with controls. Moreover, agonists able to mobilize Ca(2+) produced a further decrease in the L-arginine uptake in controls and in patients, suggesting that Ca(2+) intracellular levels down-regulate L-arginine transport in platelets from both control subjects and patients. Data suggest that drugs designed to control intracellular Ca(2+) might restore platelet function in diabetic patients.

Ultrasonographic imaging and Doppler analysis of renal changes in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We used ultrasonographic imaging and Doppler analysis to assess renal changes in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and normal renal function, as established by normal serum creatinine levels and the absence of macroalbuminuria. METHODS: Renal parenchymal echogenicity, renal volume, and resistive index (RI) were blindly evaluated for 85 NIDDM patients and 42 age-matched control subjects (C). Results were analyzed and correlated with the following clinical parameters: patient age, duration of diabetes, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and the presence of microalbuminuria. RESULTS: Normal renal parenchymal echogenicity was seen in all but one NIDDM patient; however, in comparison with C, diabetic patients had significantly higher renal volume (mean +/- standard deviation, 314.01 +/- 72.74 vs 227.64 +/- 58.76) and RI (mean +/- standard deviation, 0.71 +/- 0.05 vs 0.64 +/- 0.02). An RI higher than 0.70 was found in 55 of 85 (65%) NIDDM patients; an increased RI was directly correlated with patient age, whereas an inverse correlation existed between an increased RI and renal volume. No statistically significant differences were observed for the duration of diabetes, arterial hypertension, blood levels of glucose and cholesterol, and the presence of microalbuminuria. CONCLUSIONS: NIDDM patients with normal renal function show a significant increase in renal volume and RI in comparison with C. Demonstration of these findings may aid in the detection of early renal involvement in NIDDM patients. However, further investigations are needed to understand fully the correlation of such changes with the pathology of diabetic nephropathy and to provide an interpretation of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying changes in intrarenal vascular impedance in NIDDM patients.

[A clinical and anatomical-histological contribution to the study of lipofibrocalcareous myopathy. Mattioli-Foggia and Raso disease]. / Contributo clinico e anatomo-istologico allo studio della miopatia lipo-fibro-calcarea. Malattia di Mattioli-Foggia e Raso.

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).

[Lymphoma of the bladder. Description of 2 cases and review of the literature]. / Linfomi a localizzazione vescicale. Descrizione di due casi e revisione della letteratura.

Two case reports and review of the literature. The authors describe one case of primary lymphoma and one case of secondary lymphoma of the bladder. They evaluate the differences, underline the rarity of the primitive type and make a review of the literature.

[Appendectomy without inversion of the stump. A valid alternative. Our experience in 690 cases]. / L'appendicectomia senza affondamento del moncone. Una valida alternativa. Nostra esperienza su 690 casi.

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.

[Acute cecal diverticulitis. Presentation of 2 cases]. / Diverticolite acuta del cieco. Presentazione di due casi.

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.

[Examination of the early phase of insulin secretion with 3 successive small overloads of glucose (5 g) in normal and obese subjects]. / Esplorazione della fase precoce della secrezione insulinica con tre successivi piccoli carichi di glucosio (5 g) in soggetti normali ed obesi.

We studied the E.I.R. in eight normal subjects and fifteen obese ones with three successive small glucose pulses (5 g.) e.v. at 30' interval. In normal subjects the three successive loads gave rise to identical responses for both glucose and I.R.I. Obese could be divided, on the basis of their E.I.R. to the first load, into normal responders (group I), hyper-responders (group II) and hypo-résponders (group III); on the basis of the E.I.R. to the second load, group I could be divided in two subgroups: Ia and Ib. We found an identical E.I.R. to all glucose loads in group Ia; a reduced E.I.R. to successive loads in groups Ib and II. Group III didn't have any insulin response to all glucose loads.