[Hyperostotic spondylopathy and diabetes mellitus]. / Spondilopatia iperostosica e diabete mellito.

The Authors evaluated the prevalence of hyperostosis of the spine in 31 diabetic patients and in a control group of 32 non-diabetics. All of them underwent X-ray examination of the spine in the posteroanterior and lateral projections. Radiological signs of the disease were detected in 10 diabetics (32.25%) and in only 2 non-diabetics (6.25%). There was no statistical difference in the prevalence of the disease between insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent patients, between males and females. The Authors reviewed recent papers published on this subject and conclude that there is no clear explanation for this pathological process to occur. The hypothesis of increased GH secretion in diabetic patients did not find enough evidence but the disease is probably due to an abnormal synthesis of mucopolysaccharides.

[Cryptogenetic liver cirrhosis with hypobetalipoproteinemia. Typing of the HLA histocompatibility system]. / Cirrosi epatiche criptogenetiche con ipobetalipoproteinemia. Tipizzazione del sistema di istocompatibilità HLA.

One hundred and forty-six patients with chronic liver disease have been studied. Some of them (15) showed a clinical picture characterized by cryptogenetic liver cirrhosis associated with hypotriglyceridemia and hypobetalipoproteinemia. These patients had compensated cirrhosis and no history of alcohol abuse; they did not suffer major illness in the past and had no signs of portosystemic encephalopathy. The pathogenetic mechanism of this association and the possible role of genetic factors are discussed. The HLA system has been studied and the A2 antigen found with high frequency, raising the possibility that patients with this syndrome may represent a particular subgroup among these with liver cirrhosis.

[Is serotonin implicated in the pathogenesis of the alcohol abstinence syndrome?]. / E la serotonina implicata nella patogenesi della sindrome da astinenza alcoolica?

5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), the main metabolite of 5-hydroxytryptamine or serotonin, excreted in the urine over a 24 hour period was systematically measured in 35 patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). The level of excreted urinary 5-HIAA ac. was high in only a few patients. The pathogenic mechanisms involved are discussed and though the role of serotonin in the pathogenesis of AWS seems of secondary importance, some 5-hydroxytryptamine methyl analogues may have a major role in the pathogenesis of hallucinations caused by alcohol withdrawal.