Cognitive profile in idiopathic autonomic failure: relation with white matter hyperintensities and neurofilament levels

To disclose the nature of cognitive deficits in a cohort of patients with idiopathic autonomic failure (IAF) by exploring the relation among cognitive functions, cardiovascular autonomic failure (AF) and clinical progression to another α-synucleinopathy (phenoconversion)

The carboniferous paleobotanical collection of the �Centro Caprense Ignazio Cerio� (Capri, Italy): a taxonomic revision

stampato a settembre 200

An Early Cretaceous flora from Cusano Mutri, Benevento, southern Italy

International audienceA new Early Cretaceous, late Aptian plant assemblage collected near the village of Cusano Mutri in the southern Apennines (Campania, Italy) is examined. The fossils consist mainly of impressions and compressions of sterile foliage shoots and reproductive structures of conifers, and a few angiosperm leaves. Cuticular analyses are provided. The genera Cupressinocladus, Pagiophyllum, Araucarites, Frenelopsis and Montsechia are documented. The occurrence of Montsechia vidalii outside of Spain is recorded for the first time. A description of a new cheirolepidiacean species, Frenelopsis cusanensis is supplied and macroscopical and cuticular characters as seen under light and scanning electron microscopes are given. Xeromorphic features displayed by almost all taxa suggest semi-arid or arid conditions in a subtropical or tropical climate. The floral assemblage displays a strong affinity with the Euro-Sinian Province of the Northern Hemisphere, which is confirmed by the absence of typical Gondwanan representatives. The discovery of this new late Aptian flora in the Apenninic Carbonate Platform domain and its palaeoecological significance provide new insights into the relationships between the platform and the mainland within the Early Cretaceous Tethyan real

The Early Cretaceous flora from Profeti, Caserta, Southern Italy

An examination has been carried out of the floral assemblage from the lower–middle Aptian locality of Profeti village, near Caserta, Campania, Southern Italy. The assemblage consists of vegetative and reproductive remains belonging to conifers and to isolated angiosperm leaves. The genera Brachyphyllum, Araucarites, Nageiopsis, Frenelopsis, and Cupressinocladus? are documented. Macroscopical and cuticular analyses with light and scanning electron microscopes enable the description of a new cheirolepidiacean species: Frenelopsis profetiensis. The assemblage shows the classical features of xeromorphy. Sedimentological analysis together with macroscopical and cuticular features of the studied samples, suggests a subtropical climate, probably under semi-arid or arid conditions. The floristic composition shows close affinities with other coeval Tethyan communities, but no similarity with the Gondwanan flora

Pharmacokinetics of a new extended-release nifedipine formulation following a single oral dose, in human volunteers

This study aimed to define the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine following oral administration of a new extended-release formulation. Twelve healthy volunteers of both sexes, aged 39 +/- 4 years, were treated with a single oral tablet of a new extended-release formulation containing 40 mg of nifedipine. Samples of venous blood were taken before dosing, after 30 min and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 h after administration. Nifedipine concentration was measured by means of a high-performance liquid chromatography method. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetics parameters were then calculated. The plasma concentration of nifedipine increased slowly and in seven subjects biphasic peaks occurred. The mean values were as follows: t(max) 8.5 +/- 1.2 h; C-max: 36.55 +/- 6.76 ng/ml, AUC: 347.06 +/- 51.61 ng/h/ml, AUC(infinity): 409.99 +/- 61.08 ng/h/ml; A(half-life): 2.26 +/- 0.36 h; Dhalf-life: 2.43 +/- 0.44 h; Ehalf-life: 4.62 +/- 0.79 h. Twenty-four hours after administration nifedipine was still detectable (3.17 +/- 0.67 ng/ml). Arterial blood pressure decreased and heart rate increased concurrently and proportionally to the increase in nifedipine concentration. Extended-release nifedipine formulations have better tolerability profiles than immediate-release formulations, which are at present not recommended in the treatment of hypertension, hypertensive crises or myocardial infarction. This new extended-release formulation has interesting pharmacokinetic parameters and may be effective in conditions in which dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are indicated

Is the oocyte quality affected by endometriosis? A review of the literature

Abstract Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory condition that affects women in their reproductive period causing infertility and pelvic pain. The disease, especially at the ovarian site has been shown to have a detrimental impact on ovarian physiology. Indeed, sonographic and histologic data tend to support the idea that ovarian follicles of endometriosis patients are decreased in number and more atretic. Moreover, the local intrafollicular environment of patients affected is characterized by alterations of the granulosa cell compartment including reduced P450 aromatase expression and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species generation. However, no comprehensive evaluation of the literature addressing the effect of endometriosis on oocyte quality from both a clinical and a biological perspective has so far been conducted. Based on this systematic review of the literature, oocytes retrieved from women affected by endometriosis are more likely to fail in vitro maturation and to show altered morphology and lower cytoplasmic mitochondrial content compared to women with other causes of infertility. Results from meta-analyses addressing IVF outcomes in women affected would indicate that a reduction in the number of mature oocytes retrieved is associated with endometriosis while a reduction in fertilization rates is more likely to be associated with minimal/mild rather than with moderate/severe disease. However, evidence in this field is still far to be conclusive, especially with regards to the effects of different stages of the disease and to the impact of patients’ previous medical/surgical treatment(s)

Influence of volcanic gases on the epidermis of Pinus halepensis Mill. in Campi Flegrei,Southern Italy: A possible tool for detecting volcanism in present and past floras

Cuticle micromorphology together with epidermal and epistomatal wax, in both current- and first-year-old needles of conifer Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) trees growing under volcanic gas fumigation was analysed in Pisciarelli area, Campi Flegrei, Southern Italy. As a control, current- and first-year-old needles growing far from volcanic gas emission were also sampled. Using a multidisciplinary approach with SEM, TEM and X-ray, volcanic gases were shown to cause degradation on epicuticular and epistomatal waxes. Significant statistical variations of ultrastructural components of the cuticle, with 30 measurements, including total thickness of the cuticle, and details and proportions of all different layers, and use of confidence interval, revealed a high degree of sensitivity of Aleppo pine to this extreme environment. In the present study, non-significant thickness variations of the cell wall plus cuticle among current- and first-year-old needles of both fumigated and non fumigated trees have been found. However, at the ultrastructural level, significant variations in cell wall and total cuticle thickness, especially within the three zones of B1 fibrillar layer, revealed different equilibria for each of the four types of material. Using energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, no sulphur was found in either cuticle or epidermal cells, but the presence of H2S in the fumarole gas is suspected to cause indirect and/or direct cuticle alterations of wax structure. Ultrastructural characters of plant cuticles related to emission of volcanic gases during the geological past are also discussed. Among these considerations, an identification key enabling distinction between non fumigated and fumigated materials with 9 characters, provides a good tool detecting the influence of volcanism for extant and fossil plants