Effects of salbutamol on the contractile properties of human skeletal muscle before and after fatigue.

AIM: The study examined the effects of an oral acute administration of the ß2-agonist salbutamol (Sal) (6 mg) vs. placebo on muscle strength and fatigability in 12 non-asthmatic recreational male athletes in a randomized double-blind protocol. METHODS: Contractile properties of the right quadriceps muscle were measured during electrical stimulations, i.e. twitch, 1-s pulse trains at 20 (P(20) ) and 80 Hz (P(80) ) and during maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) before (PRE) and after (POST) a fatigue-producing protocol set by an electromyostimulation (30 contractions, frequency: 75 Hz, on-off ratio: 6.25-20s). In addition, the level of muscle voluntary activation was measured. RESULTS: In PRE and POST conditions, the peak torque (PT) of twitch, P(80) and MVIC were not modified by the treatment. The PT in POST P(20) was slightly, although not significantly, less affected by fatigue in Sal compared with placebo condition. Moreover, twitch half-relaxation time at PRE was smaller under Sal than under placebo (P < 0.05). No significant changes in the degree of voluntary activation were observed with Sal treatment in PRE or POST condition. CONCLUSION: Although these findings did not exclude completely an effect of Sal on peripheral factors of human skeletal muscle, oral acute administration of the ß2-agonist Sal seems to be without any relevant ergogenic effect on muscle contractility and fatigability in non-asthmatic recreational male athletes.

Third ventricle cavernoma associated with venous angioma. Case report and review of the literature.

A case of third ventricle cavernous angioma associated with venous angioma is reported. By a transventricular approach, the cavernoma was totally removed with successful preservation of the venous malformation. After review of the literature, the clinical characteristics and the surgical approach to third ventricle cavernous angioma are discussed; the importance of preservation of associated venous angioma is also underlined.

Ostrich meat: Physico-chemical characteristics and comparison with turkey and bovine meat.

In several European countries ostrich breeding has now become quite common. In Italy this has also given rise to the need for regulations for the slaughtering of Ratites. The present work studies and compares the physico-chemical characteristics of the meat from the thigh of the ostrich with the same anatomical cuts of turkey and bovine. The ostrich meat muscle of the thigh was imported vacuum packed from Israel and France, the muscles considered were m. flexor cruris and m. iliofibularis. The turkey thighs were from the domestic market (supermarket) and the bovine muscle m. pectineus was from spent milking animals from an EEC slaughterhouse. Needless to say that the breeding, the feeding and the system of slaughtering could influence some parameters of the different kinds of meat; however these factors could not be assessed. Due to its tenderness, low fat content and cholesterol levels ostrich meat is, in accordance with modern-day nutritional principles, a valid alternative to other kinds of meat.

Intracranial cavernous angioma. Report of two cases in the same family.

We report two cases of intracranial cavernous angioma in members of one family and discuss our clinical and surgical findings in a further 10 cases of this lesion seen in the past five years. We stress the value of RNM, which supplies a precise diagnosis of nature, site and size, especially when the lesion is surrounded by a recent hematoma. NMR is especially indicated in suspected familial cavernous angioma, as in the cases reported.

Lumbar neurinoma associated with hydrocephalus. Case report.

The authors describe the rare case of a 50-year-old man with lumbar neurinoma associated with hydrocephalus. The complete neuroradiological study is presented. The various explanations about the pathogenesis of the hydrocephalus and the management of this condition are debated.

Saccular aneurysm associated with proximal basilar artery fenestration. Case report.

When an aneurysm arises from a limb of an arterial fenestration at the vertebrobasilar junction or in the proximal third of the basilar artery, its surgical management can be an intriguing problem. We report here a case of such an aneurysm successfully clipped through a right subtemporal transtentorial approach.

Solid supratentorial haemangioblastoma. Case report.

A rare case of solid supratentorial haemangioblastoma presenting in a 67-year-old female with psyco-motory lowering, dysphasia and mild haemiparesis is reported and the pertinent literature is reviewed. The distinction between angioblastic meningioma and haemangioblastoma with the non specific radiological findings of this supratentorial uncommon tumour in are also debated.

Associated cervical schwannoma and dorsal meningioma. Case report and review of the literature.

The association between spinal meningiomas and neurinomas without clinical signs of neurofibromatosis is very rare with only four cases reported in literature. A case of 70-year-old woman with a history of progressive paraparesis is presented. A cervico-dorsal magnetic resonance with contrast showed two tumors with different enhancement. The patient had examination negative for neurofibromatosis. At histological examination cervical schwannoma and a dorsal meningioma were found. The Authors debate the rarity of this association, the possible pathogenesis and the MR findings.

Intramedullary cervical cavernoma. Case report.

A rare case of intramedullary cervical cavernoma with complete neuroradiological examination is described. The Authors debate about clinical course, radiological examination and surgical indications.

Intraventricular subependymoma presenting as subarachnoid hemorrhage. Case report.

The Authors describe the case of an intraventricular subependymoma presenting as subarachnoid hemorrhage in a 42-year-old woman. The preoperative and postoperative CT-scans and Magnetic Resonance Images of this rare benign neoplasm are presented. The pathology, the clinical findings and the prognosis of this tumour are discussed.

Treatment and long-term follow-up results of prolactin secreting pituitary adenomas.

The authors have reported data on a retrospective study, carried out in order to evaluate the short- and the long-term follow-up results of transsphenoidal microsurgery for prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas; and to point out the indications for an eventual additional bromocriptine treatment. Prior to surgery, the patients were tested according to the study protocol. Patients were grouped differently according to their adenoma size. We found a good correlation between adenoma size and hormonal values. The surgical treatment led to an immediate endocrine cure in 47 patients (48.9%), with the majority occurring in microprolactinomas. Post-operatively, the cure rate was maintained in 45 patients. The Authors deem the transphenoidal microsurgery the therapy of first choice for microadenoma and mesoadenoma treatment, especially whenever there is bromocriptine intolerance. On the contrary, in invasive macroadenomas, bromocriptine is a necessary additional therapy both to shrink large tumors sufficiently for subsequent transsphenoidal approach and in incompletely removed tumors or persistent hyperprolactinemia.

Occlusion of the carotid artery as presenting symptom of acute promyelocytic leukemia.

In a 44-year-old female acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) presented with abrupt onset of right hemiplegia and aphasia due to occlusion of the left carotid artery at bifurcatio. There was laboratory evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Thrombotic complications are unusual in APL, even in cases with evidence of DIC. This report aims at underlying the important implication of a correct timely diagnosis in young patients presenting with stroke.

An useful accessory device for nasal speculum utilized in the trans-sphenoidal approach to the sella turcica. Technical note.

We present an accessory device for nasal speculum utilized in the transphenoidal approach to the sella turcica. It, stopping the bulging of the superior lip and the soft tissues viciniori between the two opening valves, permits perfect visibility of the operating field and a greater space for surgical manoeuvres.

A fast, simple, and satisfactory method of cranioplasty.

A cranioplastic technique is described that is easy to do by making a series of molds and an acrylic prosthesis identical to the bone segment.

[Selective arteriography of the carotid and vertebral arteries by the femoral route: review of 225 patients (author's transl)]. / L'arteriografia selettiva delle arterie carotidi e vertebrali per via femorale: bilancio su 225 pazienti.

Selective arteriography of the carotid and vertebral arteries by the femoral route was carried out in 225 cases. The technique, results, indications and contraindications are reported and discussed together with complications.

Intracranial neurinomas of the nerves of the jugular foramen. Report of 12 personal cases.

12 patients, 10 women and 2 men, were operated on for removal of a jugular foramen neurinoma. Removal was total in 11 cases and operative mortality was 16.6%. As there are no clinical or instrumental signs that permit sure distinction between these tumours and those of the cerebellopontine angle, only a thorough radiological study of the jugular foramen allows correct diagnosis. Often, however, the diagnosis is made during the operation.

RATE OF FREEZING AND INTEGRITY OF VEGETABLE TISSUES: IV: Observations on Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.).

This paper reports histological observations on blanched and unblanched summer squash tunnel frozen at different rates. The detected textural damage consisted of detached cell layers, cell tearings, cavities, and various changes in the cytoplasm, nucleous, and starch granules. The number and extent of these damages increased as the freezing rate decreased. Blanching made the tissue more sensitive to freezing damage. With 5 mm thick slices, the critical freezing time is less than 15 min at - 35°C.