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A survey network for congenital toxoplasmosis (TOXO-NET) was set up in December 1996 in Piedmont (Italy). Participants were asked to classify the infections in pregnant mothers and newborns by the criteria of the European Network on Congenital Toxoplasmosis published by Lebech in 1996. Because the IgG Avidity test is largely employed as a 2nd level test in toxoplasmosis diagnosis and it could be helpful to date infection, the co-ordinators of TOXO-NET suggested including it in the "case definition" of "probable" infection and "unlikely" infection. 117 cases of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy divided into the risk categories under Lebech's criteria were re-examined using the "new" case definitions. 77 out of 117 (65.8%) Toxoplasma gondii infections during pregnancy could be defined with only one serum sample using the IgG Avidity test. The IgG Avidity test proved a useful method to classify the Toxoplasma gondii infections in pregnancy, especially when we had only one serum sample.

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One-hundred and thirteen Candida albicans strains isolated from patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and twenty five from HIV-negative individuals were studied. The C. albicans strains isolated from different sites of the body were tested for germ-tube (GT), phospholipase production and serotype. The results obtained indicate that the serotype A was predominant in all the groups except for the vaginal strains. No correlation was observed between phospholipase activity and serotype distribution. Germ tube (GT) production was higher among the serotype B strains. A positive correlation between GT induction and phospholipase activity was observed only for the isolates from the oral cavity. It is possible that the correlation between phospholipase activity and high GT production in C. albicans strains can facilitate the penetration through the mucosa.

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The above study was intended to evaluate certain pharmacokinetic properties as well as the pharmacological activity of fluconazole in patients with cryptococcal meningitis. The results obtained show satisfactory bioavailability of the drug in the cerebrospinal fluid and marked reduction of the number of fungi found in the liquor.

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To determine whether obesity associated with "primary empty sella" (PES) had a characteristic hormonal pattern, we evaluated the hormonal profile in 24 simple obese and 19 obese-PES women. The latter group showed a significant delta-GH and LH impaired levels as well as plasma beta-EP significantly higher. Hence, the beta-EP measurement could be used to predict the hormonal response in these women.

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In a sample of 107 patients with classic or definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we examined the convergent and divergent validity of measures of disability and depression. Scores on the self-report Disability index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire were highly correlated with physical therapist and spouse ratings of disability. Although Health Assessment Questionnaire disability scores were significantly correlated with self-reported and interviewer-assessed ratings of depression, these correlations were significantly smaller. Factor analyses of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and rheumatologist ratings of BDI items indicated that this measure is highly contaminated by the inclusion of items reflecting RA disease severity. A dysphoric mood subcomponent of the BDI may be a more valid measure of depression in RA populations. Although depression and disability are clearly positively correlated in RA patients, depression scales that include somatic items are likely to yield an overestimate of the association. Finally, self-reported pain intensity was more clearly related to disability and reported recent disease activity than to depression.

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As a diagnostic tool in infectious diseases by CANDIDA species, two different commercial kits have been tested. A LATEX agglutination-test for CANDIDA circulating antigens and an E.L.I.S.A. for detecting specific antibodies. We have examined 107 sets of anti-HIV + subjects (63 with positive culture and 44 negative) against 44 health controls. All controls were negative for circulating antigens, where as 27% resulted positive for specific antibodies. In the group of anti-HIV +, with positive culture for CANDIDA the 45% proved positive for CANDIDA circulating antigens, whereas only the 9.5% resulted negative. The results, shown in the present work, suggests the weight of LATEX test for its diagnostic reliability, its simplicity, while the E.L.I.S.A. for detection of specific antibodies turns out of difficult interpretation in distinguishing between common colonization and infection by CANDIDA species.

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It has been valued a new quick latex method (Staphaurex Wellcome) for the identification of the aureus Staphylococcus. This shown simultaneously the Clumping Factor (CF) and the A protein; the production of the free Coagulase (CL) and the Thermonuclease (TNase), has been utilized as methods of remarking. On 120 bacterial stocks isolated by many biological materials, belonging to the family of the Micrococcaceae, 56 stocks was identified as aureus. St. and 64 as not aureus St. For what concerns the quick Staphaurex method, it has shown a sensitivity of 83.4, with 8 false negatives on 120 cases, while it proved very satisfactory as specification with one false positive.

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Ten patients with myofascial trigger point pain were entered into a double-blind cross-over study of the reversibility of myofascial trigger point injection (TPI) effects with naloxone versus placebo in order to test the hypothesis that the benefits of TPI are mediated, at least in part, through activation of an endogenous opioid system. Injection of trigger points with 0.25% bupivacaine decreased pain in all subjects and increased range of motion in subjects who, on initial assessment, demonstrated limitations of movement of the affected part(s). Allodynia and palpable bands preceding TPI when present also showed reduction after TPI. All improvements afforded by TPI were significantly reversed with intravenous naloxone (10 mg) compared to intravenous placebo. These results demonstrate a naloxone-reversible mechanism in TPI therapy. This suggests an endogenous opioid system as a mediator for the decreased pain and improved physical findings following injection of myofascial trigger points with local anesthetic.

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Admission for measles and related complications in three hospitals of the city of Turin (Italy), during the period 1973-1983, have been examined. The aim of our research was to evaluate the frequency of admission, the more affected age class, the rate of hospital acquired infections, the mean cost of admission. 1790 admissions were observed during 11 years (1507 for measles and 283 for measles complications), for a total of 15092 days of stay. The age class less than 3 was found to be the more affected by measles complications, while the rate of nosocomial infections was 3.5%.

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Though goniometric measurements are commonplace in the field of physical medicine, their reliability has not been adequately established. The present study examined the reliability of placing and reading a universal goniometer under controlled conditions. Two registered physical therapists each obtained repeated angular measurements on 22 separate joint positions. Major joints of the upper and lower extremities were chosen, and for each, multiple positions representing different parts of full range of motion were designated. A healthy young adult man was measured by using a rigidly standardized procedure for positioning his joints. Results indicated extremely high inter- and intraobserver reliability coefficients (r = 0.97, r = 0.98, respectively). When percentage agreement (agreement = +/- 5 degrees) reliability was calculated, the interobserver ratio was 64% and the intraobserver reliability ratios were 73% and 77%. Additionally, 95% confidence intervals were constructed around average differences (interobserver differences = therapist 1-therapist 2; intraobserver differences = observation 1-observation 2) collapsed across all joints and positions. This analysis indicated that, regardless of whether difference scores are derived from within or between observers, repeated measurements under controlled conditions can confidently be expected to fall within approximately four angular degrees of each other. Results were compared to those from other studies, limitations of generalizability were discussed, and recommendations for future research were proferred. The authors suggested that the present findings be construed as global upper limit estimates of applied goniometric reliability.

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In this work the finding of a monoclonal band in two brothers is communicated. The electroimmunoprecipitation has been used for the typification. This technique seemed to be simple, rapid and of immediate interpretation.

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Thin metal films ( approximately 100 A) have been studied for application to Schottky barrier solar cells (SBSC). Metal films having >55% transmission over the solar spectrum and resistance of 20 ?/? have been applied to Si to form a rectifying contact. A 9.5% sunlight efficient SBSC was produced using 50-A Cr adjacent to the Si for good adhesion and high open circuit voltage and a 50-A Cu overlayer to produce low sheet resistance. Film quality has been related to evaporation rate, metal layer selection, and substrate conditions. Solar cell performance is determined by the transmission and resistance of the thin metal films. Spectral response data show the SBSC to exhibit improved short wavelength sensitivity compared to the p-n Si solar cell.