A study on macronuclear chromatin structure in Colpoda inflata (Protozoa, Ciliophora) by means of image analysis.

Resting encystment is a reversible cytodifferentiation phenomenon regularly taking place during the life cycle of Colpodidae. The encystment involves regulation of the macronuclear DNA content, accomplished via chromatin extrusion and DNA synthesis mechanisms. An analysis of macronuclear chromatin texture was carried out in Colpoda inflata logarithmically growing cells, pre-cystic cells, and increasingly aging resting cysts after Feulgen staining. Morphometric and densitometric parameters as well as Markovian chromatin texture variables were utilised for image analysis. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analyses were applied both to macronuclei and to their chromatin extrusion bodies. The results show that structural variations in chromatin appear under macronuclear functional activity conditions, suggesting a dynamic state of chromatin texture throughout a long-term resting encystment.

[A multicenter epidemiological study of burns of the head in childhood in the period of 1986-1990]. / Studio epidemiologico multicentrico delle ustioni nell'estremo cefalico in età pediatrica nel periodo 1986-1990.

A retrospective study was performed over the children admitted to three regional pediatric burn units, over a 5-year period (1986-1990). Out of 695 pediatric patients, 270 (38.8%) were admitted with burns of the head and neck. This whole childhood age group (up to 14 years of age) was examined epidemiologically. The age group presenting the highest incidence was within 0-3 years (71%); scalds were involved in high percentage (68%) and many injuries occurred at home (93%). Epidemiological aspects of the report are discussed with particular consideration of preventive programs.

Skin substitutes in the treatment of deep partial skin thickness burns in children: clinical experience and long-term results.

This report describes the use of skin substitutes in the treatment of deep partial skin thickness burns in childhood. These are lesions that, if treated inadequately, can result in severe scarring. However, if treated appropriately, they can heal without any sequelae, which is obviously crucial for aesthetic and psychological reasons. This review contains children admitted to the authors' Burn Unit over a 5-year period (1984-88) with deep partial skin thickness lesions which were treated with synthetic and/or biosynthetic skin substitutes and without surgical procedures. This group of children has been compared with another group hospitalized for burns of the same depth and treated with conventional closed wound management. First, short-term results are presented, highlighting healing time, followed by the long-term results from an aesthetic and functional viewpoint.

[Isolated burns of the hand: the experience of a pediatric burn center]. / Le ustioni isolate della mano: esperienza di un Centro ustioni pediatrico.

Localized burns to hands are very frequent in the paediatric group age. Toddlers are particularly vulnerable. These burns have a favourable prognosis "quoad vitam" but often cause contracting scar deformity leading to loss of hand function. The authors report own experience in the last five years and emphasize the need for more severe prevention especially within the home environment to decrease the frequency of these simple but dangerous burns.

[Diagnosis of duodenogastric biliary reflux: cholescintigraphy and gastroscopy compared]. / La diagnosi di reflusso biliare duodeno-gastrico: colescintigrafia e gastroscopia a confronto.

A group of 35 patients with biliary lithiasis in whom gastroscopy and/or cholescintigraphy revealed the presence of a duodenogastric reflux are examined. The comparative diagnostic value of gastroscopy and cholescintigraphy is considered. The diagnosis of reflux is only indicated by gastroscopy.

[Our experiences in the surgical treatment of post-phlebitis syndrome of the lower extremities]. / La nostra esperienza nel trattamento chirurgico della sindrome post flebitica degli arti inferiori.

One to ten year follow-up of 90 patients with post-phlebitis syndromes in various stages is reported. Stress is laid on the fact that treatment of the post-phlebitic limb has not yet been clearly defined, and that various medical and surgical measures are adopted from one case to another. A personal preference for surgical management, restricted to the superficial circulation and the "projected" interruption of incompetent communicating vessels, is expressed, though if considerable trophic lesions are present their regression by means of medical treatment only is regarded as an essential prerequisite to surgery. "Restricted" surgical management gave results that were more than satisfactory in 72.7% of cases, as in other series in the literature.