ABSTRACT
In order to assess the prevalence of tissue markers of HBV infections (HBsAg and HBcAg) in HBsAg seropositive and seronegative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as compared with other advanced liver diseases (inactive cirrhosis, IC, and active cirrhosis, AC), we studied 49 patients with HCC (13 HBsAg+), 52 patients with IC (5 HBsAg+) and 53 patients with AC (14 HBsAg+). Among HBsAg seropositive patients, intrahepatic HBsAg was frequently found (26/32 cases), while HBcAg was present more rarely (5/32 cases) and correlated with serological features of high-level viral replication. HBsAg seronegative, anti-HBc +/- anti-HBs positive subjects had intrahepatic HBsAg in 8/34 cases, and HBcAg in liver cell nuclei in 14/34 cases. HBcAg was more frequent in cirrhosis than in HCC. No other differences in the intrahepatic display of HBV markers was observed, nor was a specific pattern identified for HCC. Viral components were never found in the liver in the absence of serum HBsAg or anti-HBc. Neoplastic hepatocytes did not usually support the synthesis of HBsAg or HBcAg.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology , Hepatitis B Core Antigens/analysis , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/analysis , Hepatitis B/immunology , Liver Cirrhosis/immunology , Liver Neoplasms/immunology , Antibodies, Monoclonal , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications , Female , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Hepatitis B/complications , Hepatitis B Antibodies/analysis , Humans , Liver Cirrhosis/complications , Liver Neoplasms/complications , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The clinical features of 61 patients with Neuralgic Amyotrophy are analysed with special reference to recovery time, recurrence and residual deficits in 42 of these patients. Although the etiology is still unknown, N.A. has a characteristic clinical picture with a fairly typical pattern of symptoms and signs. A correct diagnosis is important because in spite of the severity and extent of the initial symptoms the overall prognosis in good.
Subject(s)
Brachial Plexus Neuritis/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Brachial Plexus/physiopathology , Child , Electromyography , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Recurrence , Sensation , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Latencies to the trapezius (upper and lower portion), serratus anterior, latissimus dorsi and rhomboid muscles were evaluated in 66 subjects. There was a significant relation between latencies and conduction distances to the rhomboid, to the trapezius and to the serraturs anterior muscles but not to the latissimus dorsi muscle, probably due to differences in the organization of the endplate regions in the muscles in question.
