Closed humeral shaft fractures treated by elastic intramedullary retrograde nail.

25 humeral shaft fractures operated on at our institute with the intramedullary elastic Marchetti-Vicenzi nail were reviewed. Three were pathologic fractures. Patients mean age was 48 ranging from 13 to 95 years. The patients were followed until consolidation and shoulder and elbow function were evaluated with respectively the Constant and the Mayo Clinic score. All the fractures eventually healed with good clinical results. There were no major complications during nail insertion. The M-V nail has been shown to be a practical and reliable device, characterised by both an easy technique and a stable fixation, with a low complication rate and low X-rays exposure times. The choice of an elastic unreamed intramedullary nail, with a retrograde insertion, that allows a solid for proximal fixation by means of a bundle of divergent pins, has proven to be useful and safe for shoulder function.

[Nursing interventions with patients who smoke, who are hospitalized with lung diseases]. / "Interventi infermieristici sul paziente fumatore ospedalizzato per malattie polmonari".

The need of prevention and diagnosis is particularly perceived in relation to all problems concerning cancer. The cigarette smoke, one of the major preventable causes of disease and mortality, is often underestimated. The Author points out that nurses must assume a major role in the prevention field, as many people apply to them for information and advice. The results of an inquiry carried out in order to know whether and in which way nurses intervene to turn away their patients from smoke, are rather deceiving. A Guide for Action is then proposed with the aim of helping the nurse to care for this kind of patient with more knowledge and awareness.

A cooperative study of epirubicin with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone (CEOP) in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our cooperative trial was to investigate whether epirubicin (EPI) at 90 mg/m2 in a CHOP-like combination (called CEOP) could increase complete response (CR) and survival rates in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients while maintaining a tolerable degree of toxicity. METHODS: Between September 1986 and July 1992, 218 patients from 12 Centers in Lombardy entered this study. The inclusion criteria were: a histological diagnosis of intermediate or diffuse large cell (DLC) NHL and no previous radio-chemotherapy. The patients in stages IA and IIA (both intermediate and DLC) received four CEOP courses followed by local/regional radiotherapy; those with intermediate NHL in stages IB, IIB, III A and B and IV A and B received six CEOP courses and, if they achieved CR, three further courses as consolidation. RESULTS: Among the 160 evaluable patients, CR was observed in 90% of the subjects with DLC-NHL (stages IA and IIA) and in 59% of those with intermediate-grade NHL (all clinical stages). If the clinical stages are considered separately, the CR rates were 92% for stages IA, IIA and 53% for stages IB, IIB, III A and B, IV A and B. Relapses occurred in 20% of the patients treated with four CEOP courses plus radiotherapy and in 31% of those who received nine CEOP courses because of the advanced stage of their disease. As of May 1994, the median follow-up was 42 months. If all of the patients are considered together, the 7-year overall survival (OS) probability was 64% and the 7-year disease-free survival (DFS) probability 67%. In comparison with stages III/IV, the patients in stages I-II had better DFS (7-year chance 77% vs 56%, p < 0.03). Hematological toxicity was acceptable, and a delay in the administration of CEOP chemotherapy was required in only three patients. No life-threatening infections were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Our cooperative study of the use of the CEOP combination in NHL patients shows that response rates and the length of DFS are equal to the best results obtained with CHOP and more intensive programs, although further confirmation must be provided by means of a longer follow-up and a more careful analysis of prognostic factors according to the recently proposed international index. In our experience, an EPI dose of 90 mg/m2 has negligible toxicity (particularly on bone marrow), even in elderly patients. These findings are interesting since it is well known that myelotoxicity is the principal limiting factor for the majority of anthracycline-containing regimens used in the treatment of potentially curable NHL.

A cooperative study on ProMACE-CytaBOM in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, etoposide, cytarabine, bleomycin, vincristine, methotrexate with leucovorin, and prednisone (ProMACE-CytaBOM) for patients with intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas (G, H and K according to the Working Formulation), was tested by the Gruppo Cooperativo Lombardo to confirm the activity of the regimen and to test the feasibility and safety of administering third-generation drug regimen in a cooperative group setting. Among 64 previously untreated patients, aged between 20 and 71 years, 7 had stage IB-IIB, 12 had stage IIIA-B, 45 (67%) had stage IVA-B. There were 44 complete remissions (CRs) (69%) and 14 partial remissions (22%); the difference between patients in stage I-II-III (84% complete remissions) and those in stage IV (62% complete remissions) was statistically significant. The median length of follow up was 20 months (range 1-60 months), with 56% of patients alive at 60 months and 53% of CRs patients free of disease at 60 months. Patients in stage I-II-III have the best survival and disease free survival compared to stage IV, 87% versus 42% and 72% versus 32% respectively (both with high statistical significance). Grade 3-4 (WHO) haematological toxicity was observed in 39% of patients, with 3 septic deaths. Two more patients died with chemotherapy related toxicity (1 stroke and 1 acute renal insufficiency). Administration of ProMACE-CytaBOM is a feasible and safe regimen although it presents moderate toxicity. ProMACE-CytaBOM may represent improved treatment for aggressive lymphomas, in terms of duration of response and survival, but a longer follow up is needed.

[Stage classification of chronic lymphatic leukemia. A retrospective analysis of 263 cases]. / La classificazione in stadi della leucemia linfatica cronica. Analisi retrospettiva di 263 casi.

We have analyzed 263 consecutive patients with chronic-lymphocytic leukemia. They all have been studied according to five different staging systems respectively proposed by Rai (1975), Binet (1977), Binet again (1981), Baccarini (1982) and Rozman (1984). All these procedures proved to be effective, because they divided our cases in groups with significant differences in survival time. The paper displays features and usefulness of each staging system.

Association of ulcerative colitis, sclerosing cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma in a patient with IgA deficiency.

A case of an unusual association of ulcerative colitis, sclerosing cholangitis, cholangiocarcinoma and IgA deficiency in a 22-year-old man is reported. The patient was admitted to the hospital with jaundice. Ulcerative colitis had been diagnosed 4 years before. The association of sclerosing cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma was demonstrated. In addition IgA deficiency was discovered. Possible pathogenetic implications are discussed.

Cephalosporins IV. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of new 7 alpha-methoxy-7 beta-vinylenethioacetamido cephalosporins.

The synthesis and in vitro activity of 7 alpha-methoxy-7 beta-vinylenethioacetamido cephalosporins with various substituents at the 3-position are described. These cephalosporins showed good activity against beta-lactamase producing Gram-negative bacteria. 7 alpha-Methoxy-7-[(Z)-beta-cyano-vinylenethioacetamido]-3-[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol -5-yl)thiomethyl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (3) was several times more active in vitro than cefoxitin and comparable to cefmetazole.

Cephalosporins. III. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 7-vinylenethioacetamid:o cephalosporins with a tetrazolo-pyridazine at the 3-position.

The synthesis and in vitro activity of 7-vinylenethioacetamido cephalosporins with a tetrazolo-pyridazine at the 3-position are described. These cephalosporins showed good activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. 7-[(Z)-beta-carboxyvinylenethio-acetamido]-3-[(tetrazolo[1,5-b]pyridazin-8- amino-6-yl)-thiomethyl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (K 13176, 21) was significantly more active in vitro and in vivo than cefazolin against Gram-negative bacteria.

[2 cases of hairy cell leukemia]. / Osservazioni su due casi di tricoleucemia.

Two cases of tricholeukaemia are reported. In both, onset and course of the disease were dominated by infectious episodes of varying gravity. Diagnosis was based on the finding in the blood and bone marrow of mononucleate cells containing the characteristic cytoplasmatic projections, best recognised in the phase contrast microscope, and on the cytochemical finding of intense positivity of the acid phosphatase reaction, that a very serious septic state starting from a dental abscess was possible in a patients by associating infusions of paps of leucocyte concentrates with massive target antibiotic therapy. Splenectomy carried out in the same patient led to an increase in the number of circulating platelets and leukocytes. After operation, two episodes of cutaneous inflammation presented by the same patient were less serious than similar previous infectious episodes.

[Phallin syndrome. Reports on 28 cases]. / Sindrome fallinica. Osservazione su 28 casi.

28 cases of phallinic syndrome have been studied: 24 out of them were from amanita phalloides poisoning and 4 from amanita verna poisoning. After a lag phase lasting from 7 to 30 hours, symptomatology characterized by starting gastroenteric troubles as vomit, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, meteorism and pain following abdomen palpation. In one case the syndrome started with parasympathicomimetic crisis, probabily due to ingested amanita containing muscarinic type poison. Subsequent evolution of clinical picture included signs of hepatic and renal involvement. As far as laboratory diagnosis is concerned, high levels of serum aminotransferases were found and, less frequently, hyperbilirubinmia and high BUN levels occurred. In severe cases, in addition, lowered values for plasma prothrombine, fibrinogen and cholinesterase were found. Low therapeutic effect followed rehydration, equilibration of electrolytic unbalance and administration of thioctic acid, coagulants and so on. As a matter of fact 3 out or 28 patients, treated only with such therapy, died. On the contrary good therapeutic effect followed to peritoneal dialysis, in two cases coupled to exchange transfusion: 10 patients were treated in such a way and no one died but all of them quickly recovered. Forced diuresis also appeared greatly useful and practical in therapeutic treatment of phallinic syndrome: results compared favourably with those obtained by means of peritoneal dialysis. As a matter of fact 15 patients, 5 of them having ingested a great amount of amanita phalloides, were treated with forced diuresis and no one of them died. Finally, the need is stressed for a very quick therapeutic intervention (exchange transfusion; plasmapheresis; peritoneal dialysis; forced diuresis, and so on) in order to lower the plasma concentration of the toxins responsible for the phallinic syndrome. Only in such a way diffusion of toxins from blood to tissues is avoided.