Peripheral effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and its main metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) in the rat.

The effect of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and its main metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium ion (MPP+) on catecholamine concentrations was tested in some peripheral organs of the rat. Acute injection of either compound caused a marked depletion of heart noradrenaline (NA). MPP+ had more effect than the parent compound. MPTP had no effect on adrenal catecholamines while its metabolite was effective, but only after several hours. Repeated MPTP and MPP+ injections (20 mg/kg X 5) resulted in marked depletion of heart NA and adrenal gland adrenaline. Clear recovery was observed in both organs 10 days after treatment.

Different toxicity of N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic pathways.

The influence of MPTP (30 mg/kg X 2) on dopamine content and tyrosine hydroxylase activity in striatal, limbic and cortical areas of C-57/B16 mice was studied. General dopamine depletion was observed 24 h after the treatment, but 30 days after administration recovery was complete in all but the striatum. At 24 h, tyrosine hydroxylase activity was decreased only in striatum. It is proposed that MPTP acts differently in striatum and in other dopaminergic areas.

Methylergonovine maleate: a proposal for its more specific use.

Seven hundred cases of spontaneous or operative vaginal delivery were studied at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Florence. The purpose was to evaluate the frequency of complications such as hemorrhage and/or infections during the immediate post-partum period and the first two weeks after childbirth.

[Repair of inguinocrural hernias with subperitoneal prostheses]. / La riparazione delle ernie inguino-crurali recidive con protesi sottoperitoneali.

An original technique for the repair of recurrent inguinocrural hernia destruction of the inguinal ligament is presented. A prosthetic lamina is applied in the subperitoneal space against the deep fascia of the inguinocrural musculature. It is held in place by intra-abdominal pressure and ordinary stitches. The subumbilical median route is used and the peritoneum and hernia sac are stripped from the abdominal wall.

[Perforated duodenal ulcer. Personal experience]. / Ulcera duodenale perforata. Nostra esperienza.

Reference is made to personal experience in affirming that the treatment of perforated duodenal ulcer should set out to resolve both the perforation and the ulcer at the same time. Troncular vagotomy combined with pyroloplasty is put forward as an effective way of achieving this, and long-term results on a par with those obtained electively are described.

[Current trends in the therapy of bleeding duodenal ulcer]. / Orientamenti attuali di terapia nell'ulcera duodenale sanguinante.

A distinction is drawn between two main groups of patients with continuous and massive haemorrhage respectively in bleeding duodenal ulcer, and the criteria upon which this distinction is based are described. The two main types of surgery proposed for the treatment of this complication of duodenal ulcer (vagotomy and gastric resection) are examined. The conclusion is drawn that vagotomy (truncular with drainage, or superselective with or without drainage) is to be preferred to gastric resection in the light of personal experience, and with particular reference to operative mortality and the recurrence of haemorrhage and ulcers.

[Internal hernia through an orifice of the broad ligament of the uterus]. / Ernia interna di un orificio del legamento largo dell'utero.

A case of hernia-induced occlusion of the small intestine through an orifice of the broad ligament of the uterus is reported. After reviewing the literature, the pathogenetic aspects are considered, with reference to the congenital or acquired origin of the defect. Clinically, the most significant factors for diagnosis are the patient's multipara condition, previous obstetrico-gynaecological operations, signs of mechanical type intestinal occlusion and palpation of a parauterine mass. Surgical treatment involves straightforward mechanical ileus with repair of the occluding orifice.

[Rupture of the pericardium caused by closed thoracic injuries]. / Rottura del pericardio da trauma chiuso del torace.

Rupture of the pericardium due to closed thoracic trauma is a very rare event which is hard to diagnose. It occurs in the form of two main clinical pictures: 1) severe chest trauma with massive haematoma requiring surgery and which permits diagnosis, and 2) precordial pain and clinical signs of pericardiac origin. Surgery is essential in view of the risk of lethal complications from cardia luxation. Operation consists of closure of the pericardiac lesion.