[Intrahepatic cholestasis]. / Colestasi intraepatica.

The intrahepatic cholestasis is not an common syndrome, in particular way in people between 50 and 60 years of age. It is often unknown or confused, because of itching, with allergic or dermatologic diseases. The most frequent causes of intrahepatic cholestasis are primary sclerosing cholestasis, primary biliary cirrhosis and hepatic cirrhosis. The pathogenetic mechanism is the faulty secretion of bile and, more bile salts. The diagnosis is allowed by anamnesis, objective examination and, above all, biochemical markers of cholestasis, echography, TC, NMR and liver biopsy. Therapy consist of generic (hypolipidic diet, liposoluble vitamin and others) and specific (UDCA, SAMe) measures.

[Chronic viral hepatitis: diagnosis and treatment]. / Epatiti virali croniche: diagnosi e trattamento.

HBV and HCV cause most of chronic hepatitis; the HDV is a co-infectious virus and it rend the help of HBV to duplicate; HAV and HEV do not induce chronic hepatitis. Etiology is not the same, without apparent reasons, in all the world and the distinction between persistent chronic hepatitis and active idiopathic chronic hepatitis is meaningless, because one can shift in the other. Diagnosis is possible using serologic tests and by determination of the DNA of the HBV and RNA of the HCV. Interferon is a good therapeutic tool either for B hepatitis than for C hepatitis in about 50% of case. On the contrary, the results obtained with liver transplantation are disappointing and those achieved with ribavirin have not been conclusive yet. The treatment with INF for more than one year and with full dosages, gives good results in about 50% of patients with hepatitis D. In the other patients it is not useful a second cycle with INF or the introduction of pure antiviral drugs alone or in association with INF.

[Possible use of stable tracers in hematological research. Preliminary note]. / Indagine sulla possibilita' di impiego, in campo ematologico, di traccianti stabili. Note preliminari.

The aim of the paper was to verify the possible use in blood cells labeling both of stable K analogue elements and of stable compounds employed in nuclear medicine. The technique of analysis by XRF has been utilized. The paper presents some data obtained labeling red cells with Rb. The results indicate that in vitro red cells labeling with stable elements is a valid tool in the field of haematology.

[Report on dietary medium chain fatty acids (MCT) and chicken growth]. / Rapporti tra acidi grassi a media catena (MCT) della dieta e crescita del pulcino.

From the results, obtained from the comparison between diet containing medium chain triglycerides (MCT) and the growth of chicks, emerged the importance of the qualitative composition of the diet; most of all it became evident the influence that MCT exert on the amount of energy rendered per ration consumed. Less body growth is obtained due to the adapting, probably temporary, of oxidative metabolism to the increased quantity of medium chain fatty acid consumption.

[Carcadian variations of plasma delta4-androstenedione in normal and castrated adult males].

The plasma concentration of delta4-androstenedione has been assayed by a radioimmunological method, preceded by chromatographic purfication, in 11 normal adult and 4 adult castrated males at various times of day. The circadian variations observed are critically evaluated.

[Dynamic tests with GnRH, L-dopa, clomiphene, cyclophenyl, HCG and HMG in 98 cases of dysspermia due to a variety of causes].

Radioimmunological methods have been used to assay the plasma concentrations of gonadotropins, androgens (expressed as the sum of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) and 17beta-oestradiol in 98 patients suffering from dysspermia of variable etiology, after stimulation with GnRH, Clomiphene, L-Dopa, Cyclophenyl, HCG in various dosage schemes, and HMG. Results show L-Dopa and HMG tests to be of little value in assessing the endocrine function in infertile men. They also confirm, in keeping with data found in the literature the usefulness of dynamic stimulation with GnRH, Clomiphene, and HCG for purposes of andrologic diagnosis. The GnRH proved useful for the distinction between primary and secondary hypogonadotropism as well as for assessing the therapeutic efficacy of releasing factors. The functional efficacy of the endocrine axis which is often impaired in patients with dysspermia can be evaluated by the Clomiphene test. In the small number of cases in which it was applied, Cyclophenyl brought about changes in gonadotropin concentration which require further study. The HCG tests, to be performed in patients with lower than normal testosterone plasma lavels, permits the discrimination between primary and secondary Leydig cell deficiencies as well as the assessment of interstitial tissue sensitivity to chorionic gonadotropin stimulation. Of the three dosage schemes (5000 IU, 7500 IU "step up", 10.000 IU) the last one is most suitable for clinical use.

[Dynamic tests with GN-RH L-dopa, clomiphene, HCG and HMG in normal adult men]. / Test dinamici con GN-RH- L-dopa, clomifene, HCG ed HMG in uomini adulti normali

The plasma levels of gonadotrophins, androgens (expressed as testosterone) and 17beta-oestradiol in response to GnRH, L-dopa, clomiphene, HCG and HMG administration have been assayed by radioimmunological mehtods in 70 normal adult males. In keeping wih findings reported in the literature, the results obtained confirm the usefulness of dynamic stimulation with GnRH, clomiphene, and HCG in andrology for the purpose of evaluating the efficiency and integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular system and of its individual glandular components. On the other hand, the administration of L-dopa and HMG does not appear to yield clinically useful findings.