An in situ respirometric technique to measure pollution-induced microbial community tolerance in soils contaminated with 2,4, 6-trinitrotoluene.

Long-term exposure to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) can induce changes in the structure and activities of soil microbial communities. Such changes may be associated with an elevated microbial tolerance. An in situ respirometry technique based on the analysis of the substrate-induced respiration response to freshly added TNT was used to examine soil microbial tolerance to TNT at the community level. The specific growth rate derived by fitting an exponential equation to respiration data was taken as the measurement endpoint. Microbial tolerance was evaluated using a tolerance index defined as the ratio of the specific growth rate at a spiking dose of 2000 microg TNT/g soil to that of the control with no spiked TNT. Three soils with long-term exposure histories (TNT level in soil: 1.5, 32, and 620 microg TNT/g, respectively) exhibited significantly higher microbial community tolerance to TNT than two uncontaminated control soils. A soil containing 29,000 microg TNT/g exhibited the highest tolerance. Findings from this study support the hypothesis that pollution-induced community tolerance can be used as a means of identifying those compounds that have exerted selective pressure on the community.

[Etiologic, prognostic and social health aspects of urinary infections in hospitalized elderly with an indwelling urinary catheter]. / Aspetti etiologici, prognostici e riflessi socio-sanitari delle infezioni delle vie urinarie in soggetti anziani ospedalizzati portatori di catetere vescicale a permanenza.

The aim of the study is to evaluate, in a short case-report, the concomitant urinary tract infections in a group of institutionalized elderly people with urinary indwelling catheter. Mental, functional and sanitary status was determined. 61 subjects over 65 years old (23 male and 38 female) were recruited and subdivided into three groups. Streptococcus faecalis was the main cause of urinary tract infections, Gram negative infections were overall predominant. High levels of dysautonomia with strong, global cognitive ability compromise were present in 75% of pattern. DMI and RSS test showed a marked not self-contained in 77% of recruited people and a high stress in the relatives. A significant statistical correlation among functional, sanitary, status and outcome institutionalization was present.

[Relationship between cholesterol levels and depression in the elderly]. / Associazione tra livelli di colesterolo e depressione nell'anziano.

The aim of our study is to evaluate the possible association between lower plasma cholesterol and depression in the elderly. 140 subjects over 65 years old of both sexes were enrolled, of which 60 were affected by depression (DSM-III-R and Hamilton test) and 80 composed a control group homogeneous for sex and age with the previous one. Plasma cholesterol, HLD-cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides were measured. A statistically significant difference between cholesterol and LDL-C (p < 0.001) was noted in the total group, in both males and females. Such modifications were independent of sex. In the group with lower cholesterol (cut-off < = 160 mg/dl) a prevalence of depression three times greater than subjects with higher cholesterol was found. In conclusion, the authors recommended a prudent use of lipid-lowering medications in the elderly because of its uncertain benefits.

[Hyperuricemia and cardiac risK factors: epidemiologic study in the aged]. / Iperuricemia e rischio cardiovascolare: studio epidemiologico nell'anziano.

The aim of our study is to evaluate whether hyperuricemia may be considered a cardiovascular risk factor also in the elderly. 370 subjects over 60-years-old of both sexes were examined of which 148 presented an ischemic heart disease and 222, age and sex homogeneous, were considered as control group. Serum uric acid was determined. A strong difference among the two groups (p < 0.001) was statistically demonstrated. Such modifications were sex independent. A strict correlation of hyperuricemia and hyper trygliceridemia was present; in fact high uric acid levels were mostly found in the group with triglycerides > 200 mg/dl (p < 0.02). In the whole group and in males a stability of uric acid was noted. In females a significant increase among the first (60-69 years) and the second (70-79 years) age class was present. In conclusion, a positive role of hyperuricemia in the ischemic heart disease pathogenesis is possible.

[Electrophysiologic diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with diabetes mellitus]. / Diagnosi elettrofisiologica di sindrome del tunnel carpale in corso di diabete mellito.

The authors evaluated 406 patients affected by carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed by clinical and electromyographic data. Diabetes mellitus was recognized in 57 subjects. The others constituted the control group. The severity of the syndrome was similar in both groups. Also similar was the interval between onset and clinical diagnosis. Such parameters and the severity of the syndrome showed no modification with age in the diabetic group. In the control group, carpal tunnel syndrome was more pronounced in the aged patients, presumably for the longest latency of disease. Carpal tunnel syndrome onset was later in diabetic subjects compared the control. At lastly we found a prevalence of bilaterality in diabetics, and an M/F rate comparable in both groups, as described by other authors.

Peripheral neuropathy and multiple myeloma in aging: a case report.

A 67-year-old man affected by moderate weight loss, acral paresthesia and plantar burning sensation was admitted to our department. Electromyographic (EMG) and electroneurographic (ENG) studies confirmed a peripheral, asymmetrical, motor-sensorial polyneuropathy (PPN). Hematological data and bone marrow biopsy discovered a non-secerning multiple myeloma (MM). All other probable causes of peripheral neuropathy could be excluded, and the possible relationship between nerve damage and neoplasia was confirmed. Furthermore, all possibilities of association of MM with PPn, namely the osteosclerotic variant, the Crow-Fukase syndrome, and the amyloid one have been evaluated. The only finding of osteolytic bone areas by radiology, the absence of organomegaly, diabetes mellitus, skin alterations, and of amyloid deposition in muscles and nerves, exclude the possible connection of the case to any of the listed possibilities. On the other hand, some clinical aspects differ, in part, to others described in the literature. In conclusion, the association between PPN and MM as the result of multiform clinical variants could be considered.

[Profile of thyroid hormones in aging: evaluation of a hospitalized elderly population]. / Profilo degli ormoni tiroidei nell'invecchiamento: valutazione su di una popolazione anziana ospedalizzata.

The aim of the study is to evaluate thyroid serum levels in a geriatric community to confirm the presence of a low T3 syndrome during normal ageing. The authors consider 413 subjects (125 male and 288 female) admitted to our Geriatric Division. The group affected by thyroid and extrathyroid disease (such us malnutrition, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, etc.) was withdrawn. In the selected patients (271) was operated a statistical evaluation to correlate the hormonal parameters (T3, T4, TSH, FT3, FT4) with age and sex. According to international literature, we confirm a progressive T4 and FT4 reduction (p less than 0.05) during ageing, both in male and in female. These data range within normal values. On the contrary, TSH shows no modifications with age and sex. Unlike all other parameters, T3 presents a more evident decrement with age, confirming a low T3 syndrome.