Characterisation of submarine groundwater discharge offshore south-eastern Sicily.

A complex approach in characterisation of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) off south-eastern Sicily comprising applications of radioactive and non-radioactive tracers, direct seepage measurements, geophysical surveys and a numerical modelling is presented. SGD fluxes in the Donnalucata boat basin were estimated by direct seepage measurements to be from 4 to 12Ls(-1), which are comparable with the total SGD flux in the basin of 17Ls(-1) obtained from radon measurements. The integrated SGD flux over the Donnalucata coast estimated on the basis of Ra isotopes was around 60m(3)s(-1) per km of the coast. Spatial variations of SGD were observed in the Donnalucata boat basin, the average (222)Rn activity concentration in seawater varied from approximately 0.1kBqm(-3) to 3.7kBqm(-3) showing an inverse relationship with salinity. The continuous monitoring carried out at the site closest to the coast has revealed an inverse relationship of (222)Rn activity concentration on the tide. The (222)Rn concentrations in seawater varied from 2.3kBqm(-3) during high tides to 4.8kBqm(-3) during low tides, thus confirming an influence of the tide on submarine groundwater discharge. Stable isotopes (delta(2)H and delta(18)O) showed that SGD samples consist up to 50% of groundwater. Geo-electrical measurements showed a spatial variability of the salt/fresh water interface and its complex transformation in the coastal zone. The presented results imply that in the studied Donnalucata site there are at least two different sources of SGD, one superficial, represented by mixed fresh water and seawater, and the second one which originates in a deeper limestone aquifer.

Immunohistological study of a case of cerebral Langerhans cell histiocytosis in brain biopsy.

Although several attempts at the immunohistochemical characterization of histiocytosis have recently been made there is only one paper which reports a case of cerebral Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) diagnosed by biopsy. This paper presents a bioptically diagnosed case of juvenile histiocytosis. The panel of antibodies used was as follows: anti-S-100, 2 different antibodies to anti-interleukin 2, anti-lysozyme, anti-LEU M1, anti-MAC 387, anti-major histocompatibility complex II and anti-GFAP. Microglia markers--Griffonia simplicifolia and RCA 1 lectins were also utilized. The proliferating cells produced a positive response to S-100, lysozyme and a partially positive response to HLA DR, but responded negatively to MAC 387, LEU M1, lectins, IL2R and GFAP. Our results were compared and analyzed in the light of those obtained by other authors.

Hypothalamo-pituitary function and dopamine dependence in untreated parkinsonian patients.

Altered prolactin and thyrotropin responses to the TRH test in parkinsonian patients are held to indicate an impairment of the tubero-infundibular dopaminergic axis (TIDA). We correlated the plasmatic prolactin (PRL), thyrotropin (TSH) and somatotropin (GH) responses to TRH and bromocriptine + TRH of 12 parkinsonian patients, who had never received anti-parkinsonian drugs, with the severity, the duration, the age of onset and the dopamine-dependence of the motor symptomatology as indicated by the therapeutic response to a six-month oral treatment with bromocriptine. Patients with basal motor impairment over 9 on the Webster Rating Scale (WRS), those with duration of the disease over 24 months and those with onset earlier than 55 years of age showed lower PRL responses than the respectively matched subgroups. Patients showing a therapeutic motor improvement over 50% on the WRS (dopamine-dependent or "responder") showed lower PRL and TSH and higher GH responses than the non-responders. These findings suggest that the TIDA impairment described in Parkinson's disease develops along with the progressive course of the extrapyramidal involvement and is strictly correlated with the dopamine-dependence of the motor impairment.

Hallucinations in Parkinson disease: neuropsychological study.

Hallucinations occur fairly frequently in the course of the pharmacological treatment of Parkinson disease. Our aim in this study was to assess first the relation between hallucinations and mental deterioration and second the correlation between the perception disorder and the profile on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Of 304 parkinsonian subjects followed as outpatients at our center 27 (8.88%) had had hallucinations and 17 of these presented marked cognitive deficits (Mini Mental State less than 18) (62.9%) compared with 32 of the other 277 patients (11.5%) (X2 = 55.16, p less than 0.0001). A group of 9 patients who had had hallucinations and 10 controls who had not, all free from marked cognitive deficits, were assessed on the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB) and on the MMPI. The two groups did not differ significantly in respect of the LNNB but did in respect of the MMPI scales. On this evidence the frequency of mental deterioration is significantly higher in patients who have hallucinated. We discuss the meaning of the MMPI differences both from the biochemical angle and from that of personality factors. These data suggest that the MMPI might be useful for predicting hallucinations in undeteriorated parkinsonian patients on pharmacological therapy.

MHC class II expression by human glioma cells after in vitro incubation with soluble antigens.

Recent studies have suggested that astrocytes share with the macrophages several properties in vitro, among which is the ability to express MHC Class II molecules and to present some antigens to syngeneic primed lymphocytes (MHC-restricted presentation). It has been claimed in the literature that astrocytes cannot start the presentation and cannot express the related MHC Class II molecules if not previously stimulated with gamma IFN. In this paper we report that 2 human GFAP + glioma cell lines, incubated in culture with various soluble antigens for at least 24 h, were able, in the absence of gamma IFN or of activated lymphocytes, to express the MHC Class II and to expose the antigens on their surfaces. Moreover, when a lysosomotropic agent such as chloroquine was added during the incubation, no MHC Class II expression was observed. This last datum suggests that in astrocytes, as is already known in macrophages, the processing of antigens and their assembling with MHC Class II molecules probably involves the lysosomal apparatus.

Does cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease result from non-dopaminergic lesions?

In order to investigate the neuronal basis of cognitive disorders in Parkinson's disease, the neuropsychological performance of 120 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease was analysed in relation to motor symptoms as a function of their response to levodopa. Cognitive impairment was poorly correlated with akinesia and rigidity, symptoms which respond well to levodopa treatment, and was not correlated at all with that part of the patients' motor score that could be improved by the drug. In contrast, strong correlations were found between all neuropsychological test scores and axial symptoms such as gait disorder and dysarthria, which respond little if at all to levodopa treatment. The neuropsychological test scores were also strongly correlated with the motor score of patients estimated when clinical improvement was maximal under levodopa treatment. This score is assumed to represent residual non-dopaminergic motor dysfunctions. The correlations suggest that much of the cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease results from the dysfunction of non-dopaminergic neuronal systems.

Cholinergic-dependent cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease.

In a double-blind cross-over study, the effects of a subthreshold dose of scopolamine (0.25 mg) on memory were compared in 32 control subjects and 32 parkinsonian patients who were without any sign of intellectual and mnemic impairment. Although the scores of the controls in the memory test battery showed no deterioration after the administration of scopolamine, the same dose resulted in significantly reduced memory performance in parkinsonian patients in two tests which involved the recognition of meaningless drawings. The selective vulnerability of parkinsonian subjects without cognitive impairment to a subthreshold dose of scopolamine suggests the existence of an underlying alteration of central cholinergic transmission. The neuropsychological findings in our study agree with postmortem biochemical data, which showed decreased cortical choline acetyltransferase activity in all parkinsonian patients, suggesting the existence of neuronal compensation in parkinsonian patients who are without cognitive impairment.

Flunarizine-pizotifen single-dose double-blind cross-over trial in migraine prophylaxis.

The results of a double-blind cross-over clinical trial involving 27 patients with classical or common migraine are described to compare the prophylactic effect of the calcium entry blocker flunarizine with that of pizotifen. Duration of the treatment was two months, with an evening single-dose administration of both drugs. For most parameters, there was no definite difference between flunarizine and pizotifen in migraine prophylaxis. It has been demonstrated previously that pizotifen is an effective drug in migraine prophylaxis, and these results suggest that flunarizine is effective, too. Weight gain as a side effect was less frequent and less severe with flunarizine than with pizotifen; other side effects showed the same incidence with both drugs.

Common migraine versus daily chronic headache: a study of the relationship between depression and anxiety scores, and dexamethasone suppression test.

To achieve a better understanding of CH and DCH, we used a multidisciplinary approach evaluating both the depression and anxiety scores and the ability of DEX to decrease plasma cortisol levels in patients with these two forms of headache. The Hamilton rating scale for depression, the Zung test for depression and Stai X2 for anxiety showed scores within the control range in both groups of patients without any statistically significant difference between the groups. The DEX test showed significant cortisol suppression in both groups of patients either at 8 a.m. or at 4 p.m. (after DEX administration, 1 mg orally at 11 p.m. the night before). The results obtained indicate that in CM and in DCH, normal depression and anxiety scores exist in the present of the apparent integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

[Double-blind clinical study: flunarizine versus pizotifen in a single nightly dose in hemicrania patients]. / Studio clinico in doppio cieco: flunarizina contro pizotifene in un'unica somministrazione serale in pazienti emicranici.

In this double-blind clinical trial we compared the prophylactic efficacy of the calcium-entry blocker flunarizine (15 mg nocte) with that of pizotifen (1,5 mg nocte). In 30 patients affected by classical and common migraine. During a two months treatment both drugs showed a good efficacy. Flunarizine tended to more markedly suppress severity of pain and duration of attacks than pizotifen. Daytime drowsiness and weight gain occurred with both drugs; the first side effect was more evident in the group treated with flunarizine, the second one in the group treated with pizotifen.

Changed plasma prolactin levels after etoperidone and placebo.

A neuroendocrinological study was carried out by evaluating plasma prolactin levels after etoperidone i.m. (100 mg) and placebo. Fourteen male inpatients (mean age: 35.36 +/- 11.7 years) with chronic schizophrenia were selected for the study, whose aim was to improve interpretation of the pharmacological activity of etoperidone. The results suggest that etoperidone plays the role of an atypical psychotropic drug since it does not affect prolactin levels. In addition, the drug is devoid of anticholinergic effects, which facilitates its prospective clinical use for medium-term and long-term therapy.

Therapeutic use of a selective cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor (Rolipram) in Parkinson's disease.

The effects of Rolipram, a new phosphodiesterase inhibitor, were assessed in a double-blind trial versus placebo in 10 patients with Parkinson's disease already under treatment. Contrary to previous findings with specific phosphodiesterase inhibitors, with Rolipram (at the dose of 3 mg per day), no significant deterioration of the therapeutic action of dopamine agonist Lisuride was noted.

Phospholipid liposomes in depression: a double-blind study versus placebo.

Phospholipid liposomes (PL) are capable of stimulating the activity of dopamine (DA)-sensitive adenylate cyclase in mouse brain, and inducing a modification of the noradrenergic hypothalamic system in rat. Changes of prolactin and growth hormone secretion have been observed in humans given PL. A recent double-blind clinical study suggests that liposomes have a good antidepressive effect in depressive patients. 26 patients with depressive syndrome were included in a double-blind study; 13 patients were treated with clomipramine (CI) + placebo (P), and 13 with CI + PL. The dose of CI was 75 mg orally daily, that of PL was 200 mg by intravenous infusion in 500 ml isotonic saline solution daily. The symptomatology was evaluated on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 using the Hamilton Rating Scale. The results of this controlled trial have shown that both treatment were effective on overall symptomatology but the onset of action of CI + PL was more rapid than CI + P.

[Cerebral phospholipids and Parkinson's disease: cross-over double-blind study versus placebo]. / Fosfolipidi cerebrali e morbo di Parkinson: studio in doppio cieco cross-over versus placebo.

Authors refer in this study their clinical experience with brain cortex phospholipids (BC-PL) in patients affected by Parkinson's disease and treated with L-DOPA plus IDD. It's plain from results elaborated through statistical examinations a positive influence more on motor timing performances (screw-test, gait-test, peg-board test) than each item of Webster rating scale. Moreover getting in connection high nervous functions with motor activity, authors suppose BC-PL have a primary and direct action on cortical cholinergic structures correlated with attention, learning and memory and consequently a secondary action on motor performances.