Suggestive evidence for an involvement of the right hemisphere in the recovery from childhood aphasia: a 3-year follow-up case study.

We describe the case of an 11-year-old, previously healthy, pre-puberal, right-handed girl with acquired aphasia following an extensive cerebral hemorrhage into a left hemisphere brain tumor. A 3-year follow-up evaluation of the girl's communicative performance showed an incomplete recovery of linguistic abilities with a good recovery of comprehensive components, but persisting severe impairment in expressive language. At the end of the follow-up period, with the aim of assessing the lateralization of some linguistic abilities, we carried out an experimental investigation using tachistoscopic reading and object naming tests along with a dichotic listening test. All these tests showed a clear left field/left ear-right hemisphere advantage. We discuss both clinical and experimental results with regard to implications for the linguistic abilities of the right hemisphere in late versus early childhood and its interaction with aetiology in the recovery from acquired childhood aphasia.

[Trial of a new spermatocidal agent in suppository form with local disinfectant action]. / Indagine su un nuovo spermicida in candelette ad azione disinfettante locale.

PIP: The in vivo spermicidal action of a pharmacological association consisting of 0.080 g of sodium tetraborate decahydrate, 0.075 g lactic acid, 0.020 g 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate, 0.005 g sodiopropionate, and hydrosoluble excipient 1820 g polyethyl englycol in the form of vaginal containers, has been investigated. The study is part of a more general investigation of alternative systems to the use of estro-progestins. The experimental scheme applied in the present study provided for the use of this association in 28 volunteer couples who were definitely fertile and during the pre- and postovulatory periods. A normal postcoital test was carried out on each, with samples taken from the posterior fornix and cervical canal using a speculum. The results showed that the preparation possesses profound spermicidal activity and is therefore considered a useful alternative to oral contraceptives. To be absolutely safe, however, other contraceptive systems should be used simultaneously during ovulation (condom, diaphragm). (author's)^ieng

[The application of Law 194/1978 in our hospital. Study of its use in the first 5 semesters]. / L'applicazione della Legge 194/1978 nel nostro ospedale. Indagine sull'utenza nei primi cinque semestri.

PIP: 5555 hospital files were examined with regard to abortion (in accordance with Article No. 194 of 1978) carried out at the San Camillo de' Lellis Hospital between July 1978-December 1980. The following characteristics of the group were studied: age group, civil status, parity, previous abortions, profession, duration of amenorrhea, certification, type of operation, and anesthesia/length of stay in hospital/complications. The following characteristics of abortion were noted: a 6-month review, the major effects, and similarities between surveys carried out on a regional, national, and international basis. In the 2nd section of this work, abortions were broken down into districts of origin in order to analyze the subsequently organized groups and to determine those areas which benefit most from the S. Camillo Hospital under the implementation of the law. By using the abortion rates, which are the basic indicators for evaluating abortion both quantitatively and qualitatively, it was possible to carry out more detailed studies of the 2 districts which benefitted most from the San Camillo Hospital. A study of the abortion rates led to a reappraisal of the surveys made of the sample group on which abortions had been carried out, thus making it possible to determine the main characteristics of the women most affected by abortion in the studied districts. (author's)^ieng

[Clinical and hormonal aspects of therapeutic ovarian inhibition with antiovulatory steroids]. / Rilievi clinici e ormonali sulla inibizione ovarica terapeutica con gli steroidi antiovulatori.

PIP: After reviewing current physiopathological theories concerning the hormonal basis of therapeutic ovarian inhibition by means of steroids preventing ovulation, the use of these compounds in the treatment of some gynecological conditions, such as functional uterine hemorrhages, endometriosis, and polycystic disease of the ovary, is analyzed. It is concluded that the prolonged administration of compounds having a negative feedback effect on the control of ovarian activity by the hypot halamus-hypophysis system is often followed by the restoration of a better balanced cyclical rhythm of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone secretion, which results in an improvement in the fu nctioning of the gonad.^ieng