Circadian organization of serum electrolytes in physiological aging

Age-related structural and neurochemical changes occurring in the central nervous system have been related to changes in some rhythmometric parameters. In spite of their clinical importance, only a few studies have investigated the modifications over time of serum electrolytes in senescence. The aim of our study was to evaluate the circadian pattern of serum potassium, chloride, sodium, calcium and phosphorus in 30 clinically healthy elderly subjects, with no cognitive impairment, and to compare the findings with those given by 24 healthy young controls. The subjects were synchronized as regards their daily activities, sleeping/waking habits, time/quality of meals and dietary electrolyte intake. After an overnight fast, samples were taken beginning at 08.00 and every 4 h thereafter until 20.00, and every 2 h from 20.00 to 04.00. Both the young and the elderly subjects exhibited statistically significant circadian rhythms for all serum electrolytes considered. Our findings suggest that circadian organization of serum electrolytes is maintained in physiological aging, even though it should be noted that sodium and phosphorus acrophases differed significantly in the two experimental groups.     

Epidemiological monitoring of legionellosis: a case-control study in an university general hospital

The authors report the early results of a case-control study carried out about the risk of legionellosis. During the first year, they have tested urine samples from patients with unknown pneumonia, using a legionella-sensitive test for the detection of its antigen. Out of 171 samples, 9 have turned out to be positive (5.3%). Lifestyles, predisposing factors, possible sources of infection and stressful events were investigated.     

An antibody‐free strategy for screening putative HDM2 inhibitors using crude bacterial lysates expressing GST‐HDM2 recombinant protein

Targeting the interaction of p53 with its natural inhibitor MDM2 by the use of small synthetic molecules has emerged as a promising pharmacological approach to restore p53 oncosuppressor function in cancers retaining wild‐type p53. The first critical step in the experimental validation of newly synthesized small molecules developed to inhibit MDM2‐p53 interaction is represented by the evaluation of their efficacy in preventing the formation of the MDM2‐p53 complex. This can be achieved using the in vitro reconstructed recombinant MDM2‐p53 complex in cell‐free assays. A number of possible approaches have been proposed, which are however not suitable for screening large chemical libraries, due to the high costs of reagents and instrumentations, or the need of large amounts of highly pure recombinant proteins. Here we describe a rapid and cheap method for high‐throughput screening of putative inhibitors of MDM2‐p53 complex formation – based on the use of GST‐recombinant proteins – that does not require antibodies and recombinant protein purification steps from bacterial cell lysates. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Arthroscopic treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation with double flip button

The ideal treatment for acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation is still controversial, both in terms of indications and surgical technique. The clinical and radiographic outcomes of 16 patients affected by acute AC joint dislocation (type III–V) and arthroscopically treated with a coracoclavicular double flip button are presented. Despite the excellent clinical results both in terms of Constant score (mean 97 points) and patient satisfaction, at a mean follow-up of 31 months the radiographs showed partial loss of reduction due to distal migration of the flip button within the upper third of the clavicle in one-fourth of the cases. The technique presented here proved to be safe and minimally invasive while delivering good aesthetic results and allowing for the treatment of associated lesions. Furthermore, the technique could benefit from more advanced retention devices, which ought to reduce or avoid migration of the flip buttons.     

Primary mammary focus of malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Apropos of 10 cases

The authors describe 10 cases of malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a mammary site in women aged 38 to 82 years. The clinical examination and the sometimes suggest an adenocarcinomatous lesion, thus leading to a useless surgical exeresis. An initial histological study provides the diagnosis. A complete assessment of extension allows an accurate staging and the refinement of the therapeutic schedule. Exclusive radiation therapy seems to be justified in low-malignancy forms remaining strictly confined to the breast. For the high- and medium-malignancy forms, the essential weapon is chemotherapy, which seems to improve the duration and rate of remission.     

Role of p27 in Prostate Carcinogenesis

The cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p27 binds to and inhibits preferentially S-phase kinases thereby halting cell cycle progression. Loss of p27 expression has been shown to be associated with aggressive behavior in a variety of human epithelial tumors including prostate cancer. In this review, the role of p27 in cell cycle progression as well as its regulation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway are discussed. The experimental evidence pointing to the role of p27 as a tumor suppressor gene is outlined. The data generated to date on the prognostic significance of loss of p27 protein expression in human prostate cancers are summarized. Finally, the implications of the changes in p27 expression which occur as a result of androgen ablation in normal and neoplastic prostate are discussed.     

EFFECTS OF RATION/SIZING DRUG TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY AND MENTAL RETARDATION

Eighty patients with epilepsy and mental retardation were observed for a mean period of 12.5 months to assess the effects of 'rationalisation' of their drug treatment on both epilepsy and behaviour. Anticonvulsant drugs were modified to provide the best seizure control with the lowest toxicity, and psychotropic drugs also were monitored and modified if necessary to obtain the best results. At the end of the follow-up period the number of anti-epileptic drugs had fallen from 1.84 to 1.05 per patient. On admission to the study 47 patients were being treated with 85 psychotropic drugs: at the end of the follow-up 44 patients were taking 63 drugs. Seizures were significantly reduced in 16 of 39 patients with unsatisfactory control on admission to the study. Among 41 patients with initial satisfactory control, only 16 had relapse of seizures. Behavior did not change significantly.