La vegetazione degli habitats terrestri della riserva marina protetta di Capo Carbonara (Sardegna sud-orientale)

The coastal vegetation of SE Sardinia, near Villasimius, has been studied throught the phytosociological method ad described in relation to taken stations. The syntaxonomical schema of the found vegetational units is presented. Among the several phytosociological associations founded during the field survey a new one is pointed out: Phagnalo saxatili-Calicotometum villosae. In the wole area there are 6 Community Importance Sites (C.I.S.) according to EEC Directive 92/43, with high biodiversity degree

Oxidative Imbalance in HIV-1 Infected Patients Treated with Antiretroviral Therapy

It is generally accepted that oxidative stress is involved in HIV infection. However, the role in oxidative balance of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is still debated. In our study we assessed serum oxidant and antioxidant levels in an HIV-1-infected population treated with HAART, and compared them with those of untreated HIV-1 patients and HIV-1-negative subjects. The study included 116 HIV-1-infected patients (86 HAART-treated and 30 untreated), and 46 HIV-negative controls. Serum oxidant levels were significantly higher in the HIV-1 treated group as compared to untreated and control groups. In addition, a decrease of serum total antioxidant status was observed in the HIV-1 treated group. To be noted is that patients who rigorously follow antiretroviral therapy (optimal HAART adherence) have significantly higher oxidative status than those who do not closely follow the therapy (poor HAART adherence). Analysis of variance revealed no significant further increase in oxidative status in HIV-1-infected patients taking antiretroviral and other drugs with the exception of psychiatric drugs (e.g. anxiolytics or antidepressants). Taken together, our results indicate that HAART may affect oxidative stress in HIV-1-infected patients and suggest that antiretroviral therapy plays an important role in the synergy of HIV infection and oxidative stress

Oxytocin Nasal Spray in the Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder and Obesity: A pilot, Randomized, Double Blind Trial

1.1. Background Preclinical studies suggest that the neuropeptide oxytocin reduces food intake and body weight, but only a few clinical studies have investigated the translatability of these findings in humans. The present study investigated the safety and efficacy of oxytocin nasal spray in patients affected by binge eating disorder and obesity. 1.2. Methods Seventeen outpatients affected by binge eating disorder and obesity participated in a 8 week double-blind trial and received oxytocin (n=8; 24 IU, four times a day, 20 min before each of three meals and before going to bed) or placebo (n=9) with an energy-restricted diet. Primary outcomes included adverse events and the number of binge eating episodes per week. Secondary measures included body weight, BMI, severity of BED, craving for food, quality of sleep, quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. 1.3. Results One patient of oxytocin group discontinued prematurely the trial before the first post-randomization efficacy measure. Among the other 16 participants, 13 (81.2%) completed the trial, and 3 (18.8%) discontinued [3 in the oxytocin group; 0 in the placebo group (p=0.0625, Fisher’s exact test)]. No significant difference between groups was found in any outcome evaluated. Patients of the placebo group performed slightly better than patients of the oxytocin group in some secondary outcomes, but these differences were not significant. 1.4. Conclusion Oxytocin nasal spray resulted to be safe, including in women of childbearing age but did not significantly reduce the number of binge eating episodes per week in outpatients affected by binge eating disorder and obesity. These findings are discussed in light of the human oxytocin literature. Keyword

Blood Cell-Bound C4d as a Marker of Complement Activation in Patients With the Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a chronic and disabling condition characterized by recurrent thrombosis and miscarriages mediated by antibodies against phospholipid-binding proteins (aPL), such as beta2glycoprotein I (β2GPI). Complement is involved in APS animal models and complement deposits have been documented in placenta and thrombotic vessels despite normal serum levels. Analysis of circulating blood cells coated with C4d displays higher sensitivity than the conventional assays that measure soluble native complement components and their unstable activation products in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As C4d-coated blood cell count has been reported to be more sensitive than serum levels of complement components and their activation products in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, we decided to evaluate the percentage of C4d positive B lymphocytes (BC4d), erythrocytes (EC4d), and platelets (PC4d) in primary APS patients and asymptomatic aPL positive carriers as marker of complement activation in APS. We assessed by flow cytometry the percentages of BC4d, EC4d, and PC4d in primary APS (PAPS; n. 23), 8 asymptomatic aPL positive carriers, 11 APS-associated SLE (SAPS), 17 aPL positive SLE, 16 aPL negative SLE, 8 aPL negative patients with previous thrombosis, 11 immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients, and 26 healthy subjects. In addition, we used an in vitro model to evaluate the ability of a monoclonal anti-β2GPI antibody (MBB2) to bind to normal resting or activated platelets and fix complement. EC4d and PC4d percentages were significantly higher in PAPS and aPL carriers as well as aPL positive SLE and SAPS than in aPL negative controls. The highest values were found in PAPS and in SAPS. The EC4d and PC4d percentages were significantly correlated with serum C3/C4 and anti-β2GPI/anti-cardiolipin IgG. In vitro studies showed that MBB2 bound to activated platelets only and induced C4d deposition. The detection of the activation product C4d on circulating erythrocytes and platelets supports the role of complement activation in APS. Complement may represent a new therapeutic target for better treatment and prevention of disability of APS patients

Vinorelbine, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil as initial treatment for previously untreated, unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck Results of a Phase II multicenter study

BACKGROUND. The combination of vinorelbine (VNR), cisplatin (CDDP), and 5-fluoro- uracil (5-FU) has previously been shown to be active in recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCHNC). This multicenter Phase II study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of this combination in patients with previously untreated, unresectable locally advanced SCHNC. METHODS. Sixty patients with previously untreated, unresectable SCHNC were treated with CDDP 80 mg/ m2 on Days 1, 5-FU 600 mg/ m2 as a 4-hour infusion on Days 2–5, and VNR 25 mg/ m2 iv bolus on Days 2 and 8. There were 15 patients with laryngeal carcinoma, 19 patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma, 15 with carci- noma in the oral cavity, 5 with carcinoma in the hypopharynx, and 4 with carci- noma in the maxillary sinus. Most patients (78%) had Stage IV disease. After achievement of the best possible objective response, patients were subjected to definitive locoregional treatment, i.e., radiotherapy and/or surgery, as appropriate. RESULTS. All patients completed the induction chemotherapy. After a mean of 3.86 cycles per patient, the overall response rate was 88% (95% confidence interval [CI], 82–94%), with a complete response rate of 23% (95% CI, 14–26%). Complete responses were more frequently seen in patients with N0-1 disease than in those with N2–3 disease (P = 0.037). No other statistically significant correlation between type of response and extent of disease was noted. Toxicity consisted mainly of myelosuppression and gastrointestinal side effects. After definitive locoregional treatment, 58% of patients were clinically free of disease. These patients included those who had complete response after induction chemotherapy, 19 of 39 patients who had partial response, and 2 with stable disease. Median disease free survival was 16 months, and median overall survival was 23 months. CONCLUSIONS. The combination regimen of CDDP, 5-FU, and VNR was very active in previously untreated SCHNC. It was well tolerated in most cases, and neurotoxic- ity was not a major side effect. This regimen, which does not require hospitalization, should be compared with standard chemotherapy, such as the combination of CDDP and continuous-infusion 5-FU

* Premio a titolo Rimborso spese, 1988. * Comune di Quartu S.Elena (Cagliari) / Concorso nazionale di idee per la redazione del P.R.G. del Comune di Quartu S.Elena, Motto: “Isacco”, 1976 (in collaborazione).

* Comune di Quartu S.Elena (Cagliari) / Concorso nazionale di idee per la redazione del P.R.G. del Comune di Quartu S.Elena (CA). * Motto: “Isacco”, 1976 (in collaborazione)

Concorso nazionale di idee per la redazione del PRG del Comune di Quartu S.Elena (CA), 1976.

Concorso nazionale di idee per la redazione del PRG del Comune di Quartu S.Elena (CA), 1976. * Progetto: Motto ‘Isacco’