Double labelling immunohistochemical characterization of autonomic sympathetic neurons innervating the sow retractor clitoridis muscle

Retrograde neuronal tracing and immunohistochemical methods were used to define the neurochemical content of sympathetic neurons projecting to the sow retractor clitoridis muscle (RCM). Differently from the other smooth muscles of genital organs, the RCM is an isolated muscle that is tonically contracted in the rest phase and relaxed in the active phase. This peculiarity makes it an interesting experimental model. The fluorescent tracer fast blue was injected into the RCM of three 50 kg subjects. After a one-week survival period, the ipsilateral paravertebral ganglion S1, that in a preliminary study showed the greatest number of cells projecting to the muscle, was collected from each animal. The co-existence of tyrosine hydroxylase with choline acetyltransferase, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, calcitonin gene-related peptide, leuenkephalin, neuropeptide Y, substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide was studied under a fluorescent microscope on cryostat sections. Tyrosine hydroxylase was present in about 58% of the neurons projecting to the muscle and was found to be co-localized with each of the other tested substances.Within fast blue-labelled cells negative to the adrenergic marker, small populations of neurons singularly containing each of the other enzymatic markers or peptides were also observed. The present study documents the complexity of the neurochemical interactions that regulate the activity of the smooth myocytes of the RCM and their vascular components

"Dynamic Canthopexy" Drill Hole Canthal Repositioning

Background: Canthopexies can be performed to modify the eye slant, both when the lateral canthus is lower than the medial one (congenital defect) or in case the patient asks for an almond-shaped eye (cosmetic indication).Objectives: This peculiar type of canthopexy can be defined as "dynamic canthopexy," meaning that the lateral canthus is released from its original insertion and raised to a higher position. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the differences and the efficacy of the dynamic cantoplasty.Methods: The authors reviewed 30 patients treated with a "dynamic canthopexy" between January 2005 and March 2015. Eighteen patients were affected by true downslanting palpebral fissure, and 12 patients had a normal eye shape but were wishing for a more "Asian" look. Dynamic canthopexy involves a total modification of the canthal suspension system and its careful reconstruction at a higher level inside the orbital rim. To obtain a permanent result, canthal ligament and tendon had to be anchored to drill holes in the orbital rim bone with nonabsorbable sutures. Symmetry was very carefully assessed. The average surgical time was 1 hour.Results: This surgery proved extremely effective in all cases. Patients must be warned, though, that an initial hypercorrection is necessary to achieve the desired canthal position. About 6 months after surgery the result of this operation can be considered permanent. Severe complications are rare.Conclusions: Dynamic canthopexy can provide stable correction of anti-Mongolian slant. It can also be effectively employed to obtain permanent slant eyes when required by purely cosmetic patients. If precisely carried out, this technique can yield very rewarding outcomes

The Autonomic and sensitive innervation of the ostrich copulatory organ

The autonomic and sensitive innervation of the ostrich copulatory organ was studied. The former consisted by isolated and grouped ganglion cells, located along the course of nerve bundles or in the convegence point of two or more of these fascicles. The latter is represented by free and encapsulated nerve terminations. These last one, morphologically classified as Pacini, Pacini-like and genital corpuscles,showed the typical structure and could be found isolated or assembled to organize flower-sprays, opposite-polar corpuscles or poikilomorphous nerve fibres. The Pacini corpuscles were numerically prevalent, while the Pacini-like terminations represented the less numerous receptorial type

Congo River sand and the equatorial quartz factory

A never solved problem in sedimentary petrology is the origin of sandstone consisting exclusively of quartz and most durable heavy minerals. The Congo River offers an excellent test case to investigate under which tectonic, geomorphological, climatic, and geochemical conditions pure quartzose sand is generated today. In both upper and lowermost parts of the catchment, tributaries contain significant amounts of feldspars, rock fragments, or moderately stable heavy minerals pointing at the central basin as the main location of the "quartz factory". In Congo sand, quartz is enriched relatively to all other minerals including zircon, as indicated by Si/Zr ratios much higher than in the upper continental crust. Selective elimination of old zircons that accumulated radiation damage through time is suggested by low percentages of grains yielding Archean U-Pb ages despite the basin being surrounded by Archean cratonic blocks. Intense weathering is documented by the lack of carbonate grains in sand and by dominant kaolinite and geochemical signatures in mud. In sand, composed almost entirely of SiO2, the weathering effect is masked by massive addition of quartz grains recycled during multiple events of basin inversion since the Proterozoic. Changes in mineralogical, geochemical, and geochronological signatures across Bas-Congo concur to suggest that approximately 10% of the sand supplied to the Atlantic Ocean is generated by rapid fluvial incision into the recently uplifted Atlantic Rise. The Congo River connects with a huge canyon similar to 30 km upstream of the mouth, and pure quartzose sand is thus funnelled directly toward the deep-sea to feed a huge turbidite fan. Offshore sediments on both sides of the canyon are not derived from the Congo River. They reflect mixed provenance, including illite-rich dust wind-blown from the arid Sahel and augite, hypersthene, and smectite ejected from volcanic centres probably situated along the Cameroon Line in the north. Because mixing of detritus from diverse sources and supply of polycyclic grains almost invariably occurs in the terminal lowland tract of a sediment-routing-system, no ancient sandstone can be safely considered as entirely first-cycle. Moreover, the abundance of pure quartzarenite in the rock record can hardly be explained by chemical weathering or physical recycling alone. The final cleansing of minerals other than quartz, zircon, tourmaline, and rutile requires one or more cycles of chemical dissolution during diagenesis, which operates at higher temperatures and over longer periods than weathering at the Earth's surface

On the autonomic and sensitive nervous components of digital, metacarpal and metatarsal pads of the coypu (<i>Myocastor coypus</i>)

The innervation of the coypu foot pads (digital, metacarpal and metatarsal) is represented by an autonomic and a sensitive components. The former is constituted by isolated or grouped ganglion cells located along the course of nerve bundles, while the latter is composed by free and encapsulated nerve endings morphologically classified as Pacini, Pacini-like and Golgi-Mazzoni corpuscles. The above named corpuscles show the typical structure and can be found isolated or grouped to organize simple and complex flower-sprays, opposite-polar corpuscles and poikilomorphous fibres. The AA. notice the morphological variability of the encapsulated receptors found in this and previous similar investigations but point out also that they are functionally mechanoreceptors and so compatible with the role of the considered anatomical district

Effectiveness, Longevity, and Complications of Facelift by Barbed Suture Insertion

Background Minimally invasive facelift techniques involving barbed suture insertion have become popular among patients who wish to correct facial tissue ptosis.Objectives The authors sought to determine the effectiveness, longevity, complications, and postoperative sequelae associated with facelift by means of barbed polydioxanone (PDO) threads.Methods A total of 160 consecutive patients who underwent facelift with barbed threads were evaluated retrospectively. For malar augmentation and correction of nasolabial grooves, 2 or 3 PDO threads (23 gauge) were placed per side; for treatment of mandibular lines, 2 to 4 PDO threads (21 gauge) were inserted per side.Results Immediately after suture placement and for 1 month postoperatively, patients experienced improvement in facial tissue ptosis. This aesthetic result declined noticeably by 6 months and was absent by 1 year. The overall complication rate in the early postoperative period was 34% (55 of 160 patients). Eighteen patients (11.2%) had superficial displacement of the barbed sutures, 15 (9.4%) experienced transient erythema, 10 (6.2%) had infection, 10 (6.2%) experienced skin dimpling, and 2 (1.2%) had temporary facial stiffness.Conclusions Placement of barbed threads yields instantaneous improvement in facial ptosis that is no longer apparent by 1 year. Given this transient benefit and the complication rate of 34%, we recommend limiting this procedure to patients with contraindications for more invasive facial surgery.Level of Evidence: 4</p

L\u2019utilizzo dei farmaci analgesici oppiacei per il trattamento del dolore in Italia: un\u2019analisi empirica

The International association for the study of pain and the World medical association stated that receiving a fair treatment of pain is a right of each individual. Moderate or high intensity cases of pain are treated with opiates. In Italy, in 2010, a new legislation has been issued, one of the most advanced on the topic of the treatment of pain and the usage of opiates. Although the legislative progresses, the consumption of opiates is not so common and ranks far behind the other European countries. The analysis of the spread of opiates in the treatment of pain pointed out relevant differences in terms of gender, age, region, cancer, type of opioid prescribed. It should then take action to make consistent use of opiates in pain therapy, focusing in particular on cancer patients and territorial differences. The analysis of religiosity as a potential barrier to pain management and opiates usage allowed us to conclude, however, that it is a factor that influences the number of prescriptions of opiates, even if the moderate effect. Public policies should respect personal choices (also religious ones), but it is important broadcasting some appropriate information campaigns which allow to make independent and informed choices. Key words. Opioids, pain, religiosity. JEL classification. I18

A Filmless Radiology Department in a Full Digital Regional Hospital: Quantitative Evaluation of the Increased Quality and Efficiency

Reggio Emilia hospital installed Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS) as the final step towards a completely digital clinical environment completing the HIS/EMR and 1,400 web/terminals for patient information access. Financial benefits throughout the hospital were assessed upfront and measured periodically. Key indicators (radiology exam turnaround time, number of radiology procedures performed, inpatients length of stay before and after the PACS implementation, etc.) were analyzed and values were statistically tested to assess workflow and productivity improvements. The hospital went “filmless” in 28 weeks. Between the half of 2004 and the respective period in 2003, overall Radiology Department productivity increased by 12%, TAT improved by more than 60%. Timelier patient care resulted in decreased lengths of stay. Neurology alone experienced a 12% improvement in average patient stay. To quantify the impact of PACS on the average hospital stays and the expected productivity benefits to inpatient productivity were used a “high level” and a “detailed” business model. Annual financial upsides have exceeded $1.9 millions/year. A well-planned PACS deployment simplifies imaging workflow and improves patient care throughout the hospital while delivering substantial financial benefits. Staff buy-in was the key in this process and on-going training and process monitoring are a must

Dysfunction of voltage-gated K + Channels Kv1.1 in sciatic nerve causes spontaneous and stress-induced neuromuscular hyperexcitability

Episodic ataxia type 1 (EA1) is an autosomal dominant neurological disorder characterized by myokymia and attacks of ataxic gait precipitated by stress events. Several genetic mutations have been identified in the Shaker-like K+ channel Kv1.1 (KCNA1) of EA1 individuals, including the V408A which results in remarkable channel dysfunction. By inserting heterozygous V408A mutation in one Kv1.1 allele, a mouse model of EA1 has been generated (Kv1.1 V408A/+). Here, we hypothesized that dysfunction of Kv1.1 channels in sciatic nerve of Kv1.1V408A/+ ataxia mice leads to neuromuscular hyperexcitability and to abnormal susceptibility to different stressors. By using in vivo preparations of lateral gastrocnemius (LG) nerve–muscle from Kv1.1+/+ and Kv1.1V408A/+ mice, we show that the mutant animals exhibit spontaneous myokymic discharges consisting of repeated singlets, duplets or multiplets, despite sciatic nerve axotomy. Two-photon laser scanning microscopy from the sciatic nerve, ex vivo, revealed spontaneous Ca2+ signals that occurred abnormally only in preparations dissected from Kv1.1V408A/+ mice. The spontaneous bursting activity, as well as that evoked by motor nerve stimulation, was exacerbated by muscle fatigue, ischemia and low temperatures. These stressors also increased the amplitude of muscle compound action potential. Such abnormal neuromuscular transmission did not alter fiber type composition neuromuscular junction and vascularization of LG muscle analyzed by light and electron microscopy. These findings indicate that dysfunction of Kv1.1 channels results in sciatic nerve hyperexcitability and myokymia/neuromyotonia in Kv1.1V408A/+ ataxia mice. Moreover, this study sheds new light on the functional role played by K + channels segregated under the myelin sheath, which becomes crucial in certain situations of physiological stress.peer-reviewe

Annali storici di Principato Citra, A. 9, n. 1.1 (2011)

A.9, n.1.1(2011): G. Guardia, Editoriale, P. 3 ; A. Botti, D.L. Thurmond, F. La Greca, Un palmento ben conservato a Novi Velia ed altri palmenti nel territorio del Cilento. Osservazioni ed ipotesi, P. 5 ; G. Aromando, Una dipendenza cavense: Sant'Arsenio e la badia della SS. Trinità di Cava, P. 53 ; C. Schiavo, Avventure etimologiche in forma di prosa nelle terre del Cilento, P. 81 ; A. Capano, Caselle in Pittari: note storiche e il catasto murattiano del 1815, P. 104 ; A. Di Gennaro, Il porto romano di San Marco di Castellabate, P. 134 ; F. De Nigris, I comunisti in parrocchia: il Sessantotto cattolico in Italia, P. 147 ; S. De Divitiis, Il '68 dei cattolici: l'Azione cattolica a Salerno, P. 165 ; C. Schiavo, Santa Maria di Vito a Fogna, P. 176 ; P. Romanelli, La cappella dei SS. Pietro e Paolo nel palazzo vescovile di Novi Velia, P. 182 ; A. Tesauro, Vietri. Dalla guerra alla vigilia della Costituzione, P. 188