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Maximum limit of vapor concentration of the inside air that does not create mould growth and condensation on the surface of exterior walls has been analyzed in non-steady state conditions.The calculations have been carried out for three different exterior walls and various air changes.Results show that both thermal storage capacity of the walls and of the inter nal structures affect the level of the permissible vapour concentration inside the dwelling. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A theoretical analysis was carried out in order to study the influence of the thermal inertia of building struc tures on thermal comfort and energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Between January 1987 and October 1989, 561 consecutive untreated patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined clinical importance (MGUS) (n = 295) or with multiple myeloma (n = 266) were evaluated in a multicentre trial. Both bone marrow biopsy and aspiration (performed at different anatomical sites) were required at presentation. Bone marrow biopsy data indicated that changes in bone marrow composition from MGUS to early multiple myeloma and to advanced multiple myeloma followed a precise pattern, including an increased percentage of bone marrow plasma cells (BMPC%), a shift from plasmocytic to plasmoblastic cytology, an increase in bone marrow cellularity and fibrosis, a change in bone marrow infiltration (becoming diffuse rather than interstitial), a decrease in residual haemopoiesis and an increase in osteoclasts. In multiple myeloma the BMPC% of biopsy specimens and aspirate were closely related, although in 5% of cases the difference between the two values was greater than 20%. Some histological features were remarkably associated with each other. For example, BMPC% was higher in cases with plasmoblastic cytology, heavy fibrosis, or reduced residual haemopoiesis. Anaemia was the clinical characteristic most influenced by bone marrow histology. The BMPC% was the only histological variable which affected the greatest number of clinical and laboratory characteristics, including, besides haemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, radiographic skeletal bone disease, and serum concentrations of monoclonal component, calcium, beta 2-microglobulin and thymidine kinase activity. These data indicate that comparative bone marrow histology in monoclonal gammopathies has clinical importance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: May-Hegglin anomaly is a rare hereditary condition characterized by the triad of thrombocytopenia, giant platelets, and inclusion bodies in leukocytes. Clinical features and the pathogenesis of bleeding in this disease are poorly defined.Patients and Methods: From 1988 to 1996 we studied 15 new May-Hegglin anomaly patients from 7 unrelated Italian families. In addition to clinical examination and routine laboratory testing, we measured bleeding time, platelet aggregation and release reaction, and platelet staining for tubulin, and performed ultrastructural study of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.Results: Although the mean age of our patients was 33 years, May-Hegglin anomaly had not been previously recognized in any of them. Bleeding diatheses ranged from severe to absent, and platelet count from 26 to 178 x 10(9)/L. No correlation was found between bleeding tendency and platelet count. Previous therapy with corticosteroids, high-dose immunoglobulins, and splenectomy had no effect on platelet count or bleeding diathesis. Desmopressin infusion greatly shortened the bleeding time in the most severely affected patient. The in vitro function of platelets was normal except for the absence of shape change in all subjects and defective response to epinephrine in 8 of 15 patients. Platelet tubulin was distributed unevenly instead of being organized in a circumferential band at the cell periphery.Conclusion: The diagnosis of May-Hegglin is easily missed, and its frequency is probably underestimated. A qualitative defect of platelets may be responsible for mild bleeding diathesis even in the absence of thrombocytopenia, while severe bleeding results from both qualitative and quantitative platelet defects. May-Hegglin anomaly should be suspected whenever a patient has a low platelet count or a bleeding diathesis of unknown origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]