Changes in muscle esterases in genetically dystrophic and control littermate mice.

The hypothesis that the existence of a family of isoenzymes is at the basis of the heterogeneity of esterase activity among skeletal muscles from dystrophic Re 129J and control littermate mice was tested using isoelectrofocusing (IEF) in polyacrylamide gel. All muscles considered showed not only quantitative heterogeneity, as previously observed in this laboratory, but also qualitative differences with regard to their esterase isoenzymes. Differences in the number and the relative amounts of isoenzymatic bands were found between different muscles from both control and dystrophic animals. In most dystrophic muscles a new isoenzymatic band appeared at pH 6.6. Another band, identified at pH 5.12, was more pronounced in dystrophic than in control muscles. The specificity of these observations is indirectly supported by the fact that other tissue, such as heart, liver, and kidney, did not show the quantitative or qualitative abnormality present in the dystrophic skeletal muscles.

[Acute abdomen caused by spontaneous perforation of the colon]. / Addome acuto da perforazione spontanea del colon.

The literature on simple ulcer of the colon is reviewed. Three successfully treated cases of spontaneous perforation of the colon due to ulcer of the sigmoid, and single and multiple ulceration of the caecum are described, with particular reference to their aetiopathogenesis. The view that simple ulcer is caused by mechanical and circulatory factors, with or without inflammation, is expressed. Surgical management of this lesion must take the patient's age and local and general condition into account. These parameters will determine the type of operation employed, ranging from simple colorrhaphy to variously extensive resection of the perforated segment.

[Treatment of gastroduodenal ulcers perforated into the free peritoneum. Apropos of 122 cases]. / Sul trattamento delle ulcere gastro-duodenali perforate in peritoneo libero. A proposito di 122 casi.

The treatment used in 122 patients suffering from perforation of gastroduodenal ulcer in free peritoneum is presented. 77 were subjected to straightforward suture of the perforation. Hemigastrectomy was carried out in 43 and in 2 superselective vagotomy associated with removal of the duodenal ulcer and duodenoplasty. Mortality in the series was 11.04% after suture but allowance must be made here for the serious condition of the patients who underwent this form of operation. Of the patients treated with straightforward perforation suture, 36.5% were reoperated for the reappearance of ulcerous symptomatology, while the remaining 63.7% were cured. On the basis of this experience, it is considered that superselective vagotomy associated or otherwise with pyloroplasty, and subtotal gastrectomy are indicated in patients in good general condition and in whom ulcer perforation symptomatology goes back less than 12 hours.