[Use and abuse of illicit drugs, also in the light of the new Italian legislation]. / Uso e abuso delle sostanze stupefacenti, anche alla luce delle nuove norme legislative.

After presenting the new Italian legislation on the subject, the author describes the operative procedures, employed by the "Centro Ricerche di Laboratorio e di Tossicologia Forense" of the Italian State Police, for detection of illicit drugs' use by personnel on duty. The results obtained from 1998 to 2003 (on over 15,000 subjects/year) are presented. On this sample, sporadic positive (for cannabinoids) cases were found. The number of positive individuals would probably be higher, whether randomised controls were made without notice, and whether non-conventional matrices (e.g. keratinised tissues) were utilized to identify previous abuse.

Evaluation of ovarian functionality after a dietary treatment in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

In women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) weight loss is associated with an improvement in insulin sensitivity and a reduction of the insulin concentration in the plasma. It is clear, then, that the first therapeutic approach that can be considered in obese PCOS patients for restoration of the menstrual cycle should be a diet. The aim of our study was to examine the effect of long-term caloric restriction on the clinical and biochemical abnormalities in obese PCOS women. The results obtained make it clear that caloric restriction for 4 weeks causes an increase in SHBG and decreases of free testosterone and insulin, with consequent improvement of the clinical picture.

[Reliability of ultrasound examination confirmed at autopsy in foetuses suffering from Dandy-Walker Syndrome]. / Attendibilità dell'esame ecografico confermata all'esame autoptico in feti affetti da Sindrome di Dandy-Walker.

BACKGROUND: The Dandy-Walker Syndrome (DWS) is a congenital malformation of the structures of the posterior cranial fossa with failure of the Luschka and Magendie foramina, which connect the ventricular system to the subarachnoid space, to open. In this syndrome, the cerebellar vermis may be absent or hypoplastic, the hemispheres small, the encephalic trunk and cervical spinal bone marrow flattened, complete or partial absence of cerebellar vermis, cystic dilatation of IV ventricle and frequently hydrocephalus. METHODS: We evaluated 56 cases of fetal malformations of the central nervous system from January 1998 to May 2001. Of these 56, 11 regarded the Dandy-Walker Syndrome. Ultrasound examinations were carried out at the 9(th) and 10(th) weeks, at the 21(st)-23(rd) weeks and at the 31(st) to 34(th) weeks of gestation so as to assess foetal anatomy and morphology. RESULTS: The results of the 11 pregnancies with Dandy-Walker Syndrome were as follows: 3 spontaneous miscarriages (at the 15(th), 18(th) and 20(th) weeks of gestation), 5 therapeutic abortions, 3 term pregnancies. Of the 3 newborns we were only able to follow the clinical course of two of them; both newborns underwent an intervention for ventriculo-peritoneal fluid derivation. At the moment both babies, aged respectively 30 and 25 months, are in good physical, intellectual and behavioural condition. CONCLUSIONS: Bearing in mind the notable clinical and socioeconomic importance of this malformation, we consider foetal morphological ultrasound to be a valid instrument for the correct management of pregnancy. Identification of lesions makes use of the comparison of ultrasound data with the results of histopathological examinations.

[Atelectasis following cesarean section. Personal experience]. / Atelettasia secondari a taglio cesareo. Nostra esperienza.

Purpose of this paper is to evaluate the risk of ateletasis in patients that underwent surgery of the abdomen (cesarean section), since the reflex of cough in these patients is notably altered for the limitation of the diaphragmatic excursions, due to analgesic contracture. The inhibition of cough's reflex causes retention of secretions with consequent bronchial obstruction and atelectasis. Personal experience in 6 cases of atelectasis following cesarean section is reported.