Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic elderly subjects living at home or in a nursing home: effects on gastric function and nutritional status.

Age and close living conditions are known to be risk factors for the acquisition of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection. It is unknown whether institutionalization of asymptomatic, elderly subjects is an additional risk factor and whether gastric function and nutritional status are affected by the HP infection. The study sample comprised 102 subjects over 65 years of age: 52 living in a nursing home and 50 at home. No subject had symptoms or previous pathology related to the upper digestive tract. In all subjects, serum levels of specific anti-HP antibodies were determined. Gastric function was evaluated by levels of pepsinogen A (PGA), pepsinogen C (PGC) and gastrin. The nutritional status of the subject was evaluated by measuring: albumin, haemoglobin, iron, ferritin, transferrin, vitamin B12, and folic acid in blood, and body mass index and mid-arm muscle area. The prevalence of anti-HP antibodies was 86.5% in institutionalized subjects (men: 100%; women:76.6%, p <0.05) and 82.0% in subjects living at home (men:86.3%; women:76.3%). No differences between the two groups were observed in levels of serum anti-HP antibodies and PGC was identified. In neither group were differences observed between serum positive (HP + ve) and negative (HP - ve) subjects with respect to the biohumoral and anthropometric indices of nutritional status. We conclude: (1) the seroprevalence of the HP infection was high (82-86%) in asymptomatic elderly patients living either at home or in an institution; (2) the presence of specific IgG anti-HP antibodies in asymptomatic elderly individuals, at home or in a nursing home, was not associated with changes in PGA levels in institutionalized subjects; (3) nutritional indices were not influenced by the presence of anti-HP antibodies.

[Evaluation of the therapeutic effectiveness of orally administered fenoterol in asthmatic children]. / Valutazione dell'efficacia terapeutica del fenoterolo per os nel bambino asmatico.

In a single blind controlled trial we evaluated the effectiveness of fenoterol, administrated by oral route, in 14 pediatric patients, suffering from allergic asthma. The study was designed through three cycles of therapy: the first with fenoterol (0.25 mg/kg), the second with placebo and the third with the active drug again. The duration of each period was of one month and every two weeks a clinical and spirometric evaluation were performed. Positive data with statistically significant differences for the spirometric parameters were found together with a good safety and tolerability.

[Influence of 2 different milk formulas on renal tubular function in full- and pre-term newborn infants]. / Influenza di due differenti formule sulla funzione tubulare renale nei neonati a termine e pretermine.

74 neonates (39 premature and 35 full term) were fed during first week of life on two available formulas: one was adapted and the other a powdered sweetened half skimmed milk. Urinary osmolarity was higher in neonates fed half skimmed milk. The study of blood parameters of renal function showed an higher urea nitrogen and a lower base excess in neonate fed half skimmed milk and in particular in prematures. Renal tubular function studied by means of volume/minute (V/m') of the clearance of free water (CH2O), of the clearance of osmotically active substances (COsm), and of the maximum tubular reabsorption of water (TcH2O), showed an increased clearance of osmotically active substances in both premature and full term neonates fed half skimmed milk and tubular reabsorption of water (TCH2O) in prematures. Such parameters of renal tubular function seem to be sensible indices for evaluating renal solute load of diet.