[Hyperthyroidism due to the improper use of povidone-iodine]. / Ipertiroidismo da uso improprio di iodio-povidone.

A 48-year-old female was referred to Perugia Hospital because of cardiac palpitations and insomnia. The clinical history, the physical examination and laboratory tests were supportive of hyperthyroidism. Since July 1994 the patient had been combating constipation by improper use of an iodine-containing antiseptic cream for external use only. She had inserted povidone-iodine into the rectum by means of a cannula. The iodine-containing cream was suspended, and a beta-blocker prescribed. Cardiac palpitations disappeared within 2 weeks, and plasma thyroid hormone levels returned to normal within 1 month. Hyperthyroidism in this patient was probably triggered by improper long-term use of an over-the-counter cream. When investigating the etiology of hyperthyroidism, a history of long-term use of iodine-containing medication should always be considered. These medications should be used with caution for only short periods of time and, if usage is prolonged, medical supervision should be recommended; above all, they should be applied only as directed.

Low-density lipoprotein size in primary hypothyroidism. Effects of hormone replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Hypothyroidism is associated with abnormalities in lipid metabolism but its effect on LDL size is not known. This study identified the LDL particle size (pattern 'A' or 'B') in a group of 50 postmenopausal women with primary hypothyroidism before and after 2 months of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with the aim of establishing whether hypothyroidism is associated with an increased frequency of pattern B LDL compared with healthy controls, and whether euthyroid recovery modified LDL size. METHODS: Lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, apoprotein AI and B and lipoprotein(a)) were determined in a blood sample from each patient and control. LDL size was determined by gradient gel electrophoresis. Determinations were done before and after 2 months of HRT (75-150 microg L-tiroxina/daily) in patients and once in controls. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference emerged in pattern B LDL distribution: 16% in patients and 18% in controls (p = NS). After HRT no statistical variations were observed in LDL size. HRT normalized all other lipid parameters except lipoprotein(a). In conclusion, the increased risk of coronary heart disease assumed to be associated with hypothyroidism is not linked with the presence of pattern B LDL, but rather with concomitant metabolic abnormalities.

Esophageal manometric abnormalities in Parkinson's disease.

The gastrointestinal tract, and especially the esophagus, is frequently involved in neurological diseases; however, objective studies of gut motor function are few. We carried out an esophageal manometric study in 18 patients with various stages of Parkinson's disease (4 stage I, 4 stage II, 7 stage III, and 3 stage IV) to evaluate the function of the viscus in this disease. Clinical assessment showed that 61% complained of esophageal symptoms such as dysphagia, acid regurgitation, pyrosis, and noncardiac chest pain. Manometric abnormalities were documented also in 61% patients, and were represented by repetitive contractions, simultaneous contractions, reduced LES pressure, and high-amplitude contractions. However, only 33.3% of patients had both symptoms and manometric abnormalities. We conclude that esophageal motor abnormalities are frequent in Parkinson's disease, and may appear at an early stage of the disease.

Production and genetic characterization of near-isogenic lines in the bread-wheat cultivar Alpe.

Two biotypes of the bread-wheat cultivar Alpe were shown to possess contrasting alleles at each of the glutenin (Glu-B1, Glu-D1, Glu-B3 and Glu-D3) and gliadin (Gli-B1 and Gli-D1) loci on chromosomes 1B and 1D. Fourteen near-isogenic lines (NILs) were produced by crossing these biotypes and used to determine the genetic control of both low-molecular-weight (LMW) glutenin subunits and gliadins by means of one-dimensional or two-dimensional electrophoresis. Genes coding for the B, C and D groups of EMW subunits were found to be inherited in clusters tightly linked with those controlling gliadins. Southern-blot analysis of total genomic DNAs hybridized to a γ-gliadin-specific cDNA clone revealed that seven NILs lack both the Gli-D1 and Glu-D3 loci on chromosome 1D. Segregation data indicated that these "null" alleles are normally inherited. Comparison of the "null" NILs with those possessing allele b at the Glu-D3 locus showed one B subunit, seven C subunits and two D subunits, as fractionated by two-dimensional A-PAGExSDS-PAGE, to be encoded by this allele. Alleles b and k at Glu-B3 were found to code for two C subunits plus eight and six B subunits respectively, whereas alleles b and k at Gli-B1 each controlled the synthesis of two ß-gliadins, one γ and two ω-gliadins. The novel Gli-B5 locus coding for two ω-gliadins was shown to recombine with the Gli-B1 locus on chromosome 1B. The two-dimensional map of glutenin subunits showed α-gliadins encoded at the Gli-A2 locus on chromosome 6A. The use of Alpe NILs in the study of the individual and combined effects of glutenin subunits on dough properties is discussed.

Lipoprotein (a) in peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

Recent studies have shown high levels of lipoprotein (a),--Lp(a)-, an atherogenic and thrombogenic lipoprotein, are considered a risk factor for coronary heart disease. This study evaluated Lp(a) levels, as well as other lipid factors, in a group of 45 patients affected by stage II peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). An age-, sex- and Body Mass Index-matched group of healthy controls was also recruited. Exclusion criteria were diseases or drugs which could alter Lp(a) levels. Alterations in lipid profiles, which are often associated with PAOD, were observed in the patients. Lp(a) levels did not differ significantly in the two groups (median 16.4 mg/dl, range 10-104, in PAOD and 9.9 mg/dl, range 7.4-66.7, in controls and means 21.7 +/- 17.5 mg/dl and 21.2 +/- 16.8 mg/dl respectively) but in 51% of the controls Lp(a) levels were < 10 mg/dl compared with 20% of the PAOD patients (p < 0.05).