Glycosaminoglycans in the tongue of birds

We examined the literature to verify whether adaptations and modifications in the structure and glandular secretions of birds' tongues are related to habitat and can be ascribed to evolutionary processes. The data are discussed in relation to species taxonomy, following the Sibley and Ahlquist classification [C. G. Sibley and J. E. Alquist, Philogeny and Classification of Birds. A Study in Molecular Evolution (Yale University Press, New Haven, 1990)]. The following conclusions are drawn: gustatory papillae and taste buds are present in varying numbers in most species. The composition of gland secretions is also found to be variable. Proteic secretion is documented in Larus modestus, Sula variegata, Fulica atra only. Acid proteoglycans both with sulfomucins and carboxymucins, and also glycoproteins, are consistently found. Sialic and hyaluronic acids are found in many species. Our overview indicates that the presence or absence of gustatory papillae is related to adaptation processes that these structures undergo in response to environmental factors, and that the absence of front tongue glands can be ascribed to habitat and feeding habits. Referring to the Sibley and Ahlquist classification, proteins are present in the glandular secretion of less evolved species, whereas more evolved species exhibit a gradual decrease in proteins with the exception of hyaluronic acid, which is absent, and a progressive increase in glycoproteins and acid proteoglycans

Histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical study on the growing oocytes of the abyssal teleost Hoplostethus mediterraneus (V).

The oocytes of the abyssal Teleost, Hoplostethus mediterraneus were studied. Four stages of growth were observed and the oocytes of all the stages were surrounded by follicular cells and had several nucleoli in the nucleus. In the oocytes of the II degrees stage, vacuoles without contents, in oocytes of the III degrees stage several vacuoles with a basophilic contents and small yolk globules were identified. General and basic proteins, ribonucleoproteins, acid proteoglycans with -COOH groups were recognized in the cytoplasm, in the nucleoli of oocytes in the II degrees stage and in the vacuolar contents of oocytes in the III degrees stage. In the follicular cells, in the pellucid zone, in the yolk globules, from their beginning, glycoproteins were present. Positivity, for all lectins used, was revealed in the follicular cells and in the four stages of oocytes growth. alpha-D-glucose and alpha-D-mannose binding sites were in the pellucid zone and in the initial yolk globules. In the lather galactose and beta-N-acetyl glucosamine were present too. nNOS and VIP immunopositivity revealed at the periphery of the cytoplasm and at network of nerve fibres between oocytes, suggests NO is involved in a mechanism of regulation of the gametogenesis and of the spawning

Morphological, histochemical and immunohistochemical study of the gill epithelium in the abyssal teleost fish Coelorhynchus coelorhynchus

Histochemical and immunohistochemical study was carried out on nitrinergic innervation and neuroendocrine system in the gill epithelium of the abyssal fish Coelorhynchus coelorhynchus. The results showed that nNOS-positive nerve fibers, originating from the branchial arch were present in the subepithelial tissue of branchial primary filament. nNOS-positive neuroendocrine cells were also present in the primary filaments and secondary lamellae. Numerous mucous cells in the gill epithelium were AB/PAS-positive, while sialic acid was absent as confirmed by neuraminidase reaction and WGA lectin histochemistry. The mucus compounds in abyssal teleost fish are different from those found in pelagic species, being related to their living conditions. In abyssal species, greater numbers of chloride and neuroendocrine cells are involved in the movement of water and electrolytes. Neuroendocrine cells possess oxygen receptors which mediate the cardiovascular and ventilatory response to oxygen deficiency, as reported in teleost species. Besides, NO contributes through nervous stimulation to the regulation of vascular tone and blood circulation in the gill

Glycoconjugate histochemistry and nNOS immunolocalization in the mantle and foot epithelia of Tapes philippinarum (bivalve mollusc)

Glycosaminoglycans and NO synthase probably regulate mucous cell secretion in the skin of Tapes philippinarum. We have demonstrated the presence of "protein" cells, "glycogen" cells, "phenol" cells and five types of mucous cells, with different chemical composition of the mucus in the mantle epithelium of T. philippinarum. The foot epithelium contained "protein" cells and two types of mucous cells. Using biotinylated lectins, in the mantle and foot epithelia we have shown specific sites for the following oligosaccharides: α-D-glucose, α-D-mannose, α-L-fucose, α-D-1,3-N-acetyl-galactosamine and α-N-acetyl-glucosamine. nNOS immunoreactivity in the intraepithelial and intradermal cells and in the mucocytes suggested a regulatory role of NO in mucus secretion, as demonstrated also in other invertebrates

Histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical study on the growing oocytes of the abyssal teleost Hoplostethus mediterraneus (V).

The oocytes of the abyssal Teleost, Hoplostethus mediterraneus were studied. Four stages of growth were observed and the oocytes of all the stages were surrounded by follicular cells and had several nucleoli in the nucleus. In the oocytes of the II degrees stage, vacuoles without contents, in oocytes of the III degrees stage several vacuoles with a basophilic contents and small yolk globules were identified. General and basic proteins, ribonucleoproteins, acid proteoglycans with -COOH groups were recognized in the cytoplasm, in the nucleoli of oocytes in the II degrees stage and in the vacuolar contents of oocytes in the III degrees stage. In the follicular cells, in the pellucid zone, in the yolk globules, from their beginning, glycoproteins were present. Positivity, for all lectins used, was revealed in the follicular cells and in the four stages of oocytes growth. alpha-D-glucose and alpha-D-mannose binding sites were in the pellucid zone and in the initial yolk globules. In the lather galactose and beta-N-acetyl glucosamine were present too. nNOS and VIP immunopositivity revealed at the periphery of the cytoplasm and at network of nerve fibres between oocytes, suggests NO is involved in a mechanism of regulation of the gametogenesis and of the spawning

Therapeutic choices and disease activity after 2 years of treatment with cladribine: An Italian multicenter study (CladStop)

background and purpose: cladribine tablets, a purine analogue antimetabolite, offer a unique treatment regimen, involving short courses at the start of the first and second year, with no further treatment needed in years 3 and 4. However, comprehensive evidence regarding patient outcomes beyond the initial 24 months of cladribine treatment is limited. methods: this retrospective, multicenter study enrolled 204 patients with multiple sclerosis who had completed the 2-year course of cladribine treatment. the primary outcomes were therapeutic choices and clinical disease activity assessed by annualized relapse rate after the 2-year treatment course. results: a total of 204 patients were enrolled; most patients (75.4%) did not initiate new treatments in the 12 months postcladribine. the study found a significant reduction in annualized relapse rate at the 12-month follow-up after cladribine completion compared to the year prior to starting therapy (0.07 +/- 0.25 vs. 0.82 +/- 0.80, p < 0.001). furthermore, patients with relapses during cladribine treatment were more likely to start new therapies, whereas older patients were less likely. the safety profile of cladribine was favorable, with lymphopenia being the primary registered adverse event. conclusions: this study provides insights into therapeutic choices and disease activity following cladribine treatment. It highlights cladribine's effectiveness in reducing relapse rates and disability progression, reaffirming its favorable safety profile. real-world data, aligned with previous reports, draw attention to ocrelizumab and natalizumab as common choices after cladribine. however, larger, prospective studies for validation and a more comprehensive understanding of cladribine's long-term impact are necessary

« Bronzes grecs et romains, recherches récentes » — Hommage à Claude Rolley

Philologue, archéologue, historien, spécialiste des bronzes, Claude Rolley, disparu en 2007, occupa une place originale parmi les spécialistes du monde méditerranéen antique. Marqué par la découverte du cratère de Vix (en 1953) qu’il ne cessa d’étudier tout au long de sa carrière, il sut croiser recherches et approches sur les périodes à la fois classique et proto-historique, de la Laconie à la Bourgogne jusqu’à la Grande Grèce. Les bronzes, de toutes dimensions ou origines, dont il tint la chronique pendant près de 25 ans dans la Revue archéologique, étaient pour lui une source de réflexion multiple : stylistique, technique – il prenait en compte aussi bien les questions d’assemblage ou de fonte que la composition chimique des objets –, ou culturelle – ses travaux ont apporté des éclairages décisifs sur la formation des ateliers et la circulation des objets d’un centre de production à l’autre. À l’initiative de plusieurs de ses disciples, un colloque lui a rendu hommage (INHA, 16-17 juin 2009) : les textes qui suivent en sont le fruit

Clinical Features, Cardiovascular Risk Profile, and Therapeutic Trajectories of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Candidate for Oral Semaglutide Therapy in the Italian Specialist Care

Introduction: This study aimed to address therapeutic inertia in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) by investigating the potential of early treatment with oral semaglutide. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2021 and April 2022 among specialists treating individuals with T2D. A scientific committee designed a data collection form covering demographics, cardiovascular risk, glucose control metrics, ongoing therapies, and physician judgments on treatment appropriateness. Participants completed anonymous patient questionnaires reflecting routine clinical encounters. The preferred therapeutic regimen for each patient was also identified. Results: The analysis was conducted on 4449 patients initiating oral semaglutide. The population had a relatively short disease duration (42%  60% of patients, and more often than sitagliptin or empagliflozin. Conclusion: The study supports the potential of early implementation of oral semaglutide as a strategy to overcome therapeutic inertia and enhance T2D management

Proceedings of the Fifth Italian Conference on Computational Linguistics CLiC-it 2018

On behalf of the Program Committee, a very warm welcome to the Fifth Italian Conference on Computational Linguistics (CLiC-­‐it 2018). This edition of the conference is held in Torino. The conference is locally organised by the University of Torino and hosted into its prestigious main lecture hall “Cavallerizza Reale”. The CLiC-­‐it conference series is an initiative of the Italian Association for Computational Linguistics (AILC) which, after five years of activity, has clearly established itself as the premier national forum for research and development in the fields of Computational Linguistics and Natural Language Processing, where leading researchers and practitioners from academia and industry meet to share their research results, experiences, and challenges