Effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation on repetitive finger movements in healthy humans

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a noninvasive neurophysiological technique that can entrain brain oscillations. Only few studies have investigated the effects of tACS on voluntary movements. We aimed to verify whether tACS, delivered over M1 at beta and gamma frequencies, has any effect on repetitive finger tapping as assessed by means of kinematic analysis. Eighteen healthy subjects were enrolled. Objective measurements of repetitive finger tapping were obtained by using a motion analysis system. M1 excitability was assessed by using single-pulse TMS and measuring the amplitude of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). Movement kinematic measures and MEPs were collected during beta, gamma, and sham tACS and when the stimulation was off. Beta tACS led to an amplitude decrement (i.e., progressive reduction in amplitude) across the first ten movements of the motor sequence while gamma tACS had the opposite effect. The results did not reveal any significant effect of tACS on other movement parameters, nor any changes in MEPs. These findings demonstrate that tACS modulates finger tapping in a frequency-dependent manner with no concurrent changes in corticospinal excitability. The results suggest that cortical beta and gamma oscillations are involved in the motor control of repetitive finger movements

Comparison of pain perception between open and minimally invasive surgery in total knee arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was a well-established procedure that had shown excellent long-term results in terms of reduced pain and increased mobility. Pain was one of the most important outcome measures that contributed to patient dissatisfaction after TKA. After a computerized search of the Medline and Embase databases, we considered articles from January 1st, 1997 to October 31st, 2009 that underlined the impact on patient pain perception of either standard open total knee arthroplasty or minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty. We included articles that used the visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Knee Score, Hospital for Special Surgery Score (HSS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS) as postoperative pain indicators, and we included studies with a minimum follow-up period of two months. We excluded studies that monitored only functional postoperative knee activities. It was shown that TKA with the open technique was a better treatment for knees with a positive effect on pain and function than the minimally invasive technique

A Novel Skin-Stretch Haptic Device for Intuitive Control of Robotic Prostheses and Avatars

Without proprioception, i.e., the intrinsic capability of a body to perceive its own limb position, completing daily life activities would require constant visual attention and it would be challenging or even impossible. This situation is similar to the one experienced after limb amputation and in robotic tele-operation, where the natural sensory-motor loop is broken. While some promising solutions based on skin stretch sensory substitution have been proposed to restore tactile properties in these conditions, there is still room for enhancing the intuitiveness of stimulus delivery and integration of haptic feedback devices within user's body. To contribute to this goal, here, we propose a wearable device based on skin stretch stimulation, the Stretch-Pro, which can provide proprioceptive information on artificial hand aperture. This system can be suitably integrated in a prosthetic socket or can be easily worn by a user controlling remote robots. The system can imitate the stretching of the skin that would naturally occur on the intact limb, when it is used to accomplish motor tasks. Two versions of the system are presented, with one and two actuators, respectively, which deliver the stretch stimulus in different ways. Experiments with able-bodied participants and a preliminary test with one prosthesis user are reported. Results suggest that Stretch-Pro could be a viable solution to convey proprioceptive cues to upper limb prosthesis users, opening promising perspectives for tele-robotics applications

Effects of Anionic Liposome Delivery of All–Trans–Retinoic Acid on Neuroblastoma Cell Differentiation

All–trans–retinoic acid (ATRA) has long been known to affect cell growth and differentiation. To improve ATRA’s therapeutic efficacy and pharmacodynamics, several delivery systems have been used. In this study, free ATRA and anionic–liposome–encapsulated ATRA were compared for their effects on SK–N–SH human neuroblastoma cell growth and differentiation. Anionic liposomes made of L–α –phosphatidylcholine (PC) and L–α –phosphatidic acid (PA), empty (PC–PA) and loaded with ATRA (PC–PA–ATRA), were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electrophoretic mobility measurements, and drug entrapment efficiency (EE%) was measured to evaluate the applicability of the new colloidal formulation. The results of brightfield microscopy and cell growth curves indicated that ATRA, whether free or encapsulated, reduced growth and induced differentiation, resulting in SK–N–SH cells changing from epithelioid to neuronal–like morphologies, and producing a significant increase in neurite growth. To further characterize the neuro-differentiation of SK–N–SH cells, the expression of βIII–Tubulin and synaptophysin and mitochondria localization were analyzed via immunofluorescence. Increased expression of neuronal markers and a peculiar localization of mitochondria in the neuritic extensions were apparent both in ATRA– and PC–PA–ATRA–differentiated cells. As a whole, our results strongly indicate that ATRA treatment, by any means, can induce the differentiation of parent SK–N–SH, and they highlight that its encapsulation in anionic liposomes increases its differentiation ability in terms of the percentage of neurite–bearing cells. Interestingly, our data also suggest an unexpected differentiation capability of anionic liposomes per se. This work highlights the importance of developing and carefully testing novel delivery nanocarriers, which are a necessary first “step” in the development of new therapeutic settings

Feline lungworms unlock a novel mode of parasite transmission.

Snail-borne lungworms exert an enormous toll on the health and welfare of animals and humans. Of these parasites, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior affect the respiratory tract of felids. These lungworms share both the ecological niche and the species of snail (Helix aspersa) acting as intermediate host. Recently, the ability of H. aspersa to shed infective third-stage larvae (L3s) of A. abstrusus and T. brevior in the environment has been demonstrated, matching previous knowledge of mode of transmission of zoonotic lungworms. Here, we evaluated, for the first time, the ability of A. abstrusus and T. brevior L3s to infect new, susceptible snail hosts following their release from experimentally infected molluscs, and refer to this novel route of parasite transmission as intermediesis. The implications of snail-to-snail transmission in the epidemiology of snail-borne diseases are also discussed.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Nature Publishing Group via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep1310

Feline lungworms unlock a novel mode of parasite transmission

Snail-borne lungworms exert an enormous toll on the health and welfare of animals and humans. Of these parasites, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior affect the respiratory tract of felids. These lungworms share both the ecological niche and the species of snail (Helix aspersa) acting as intermediate host. Recently, the ability of H. aspersa to shed infective third-stage larvae (L3s) of A. abstrusus and T. brevior in the environment has been demonstrated, matching previous knowledge of mode of transmission of zoonotic lungworms. Here, we evaluated, for the first time, the ability of A. abstrusus and T. brevior L3s to infect new, susceptible snail hosts following their release from experimentally infected molluscs, and refer to this novel route of parasite transmission as intermediesis. The implications of snail-to-snail transmission in the epidemiology of snail-borne diseases are also discussed

New concept in urologic surgery: The total extended genital sparing radical cystectomy in women

Introduction and objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate genital sparing radical cystectomy surgery in female patients from the point of view of both oncologic and functional outcomes (with emphasis on urinary and sexual outcomes) in a single high-volume center for the treatment of muscular invasive bladder cancer. Materials and methods: Between January 2014 and January 2018, 14 female patients underwent radical cystectomy with preservation of genital organs (the entire vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries) and orthotopic urinary neobladder (Padua neobladder). Inclusion criteria were recurrent T1G3 tumors; refractory tumors after BCG therapy without associated carcinoma in situ (CIS); T2 or T3a tumors entirely resected at endoscopic transurethral resection of the bladder and not involving urethra/bladder trigone. Exclusion criteria were: T3b or higher bladder cancer, associated CIS and involvement of urethra or bladder trigone. Oncological and histopathological outcomes (Overall Survival - OS, Recurrence Free Survival - RFS), urinary outcomes (day and night incontinence, intermittent catheterization use, Sandvik Score) and sexual outcomes (Female Sexual Function Index 19 FSFI-19) were considered. The average follow-up time was 56 months. Results: Considering oncological outcomes, histologic examination reported urothelial carcinoma in 13/14 patients; 8/13 patients (61.5%) had high grade T1 stage, 3/13 patients (23%) had high grade T2 stage and finally 2/13 patients (15.5%) had high-grade T3 stage. One patient presented with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma completely excised after surgery (PT2aN0M0). No patient developed local or metastatic recurrence (RFS 100%); OS was 100%. Considering urinary continence outcomes, 12/14 patients retained daytime and nighttime continence (85.5%); 2/14 (14.5%) complained of low stress urinary incontinence daily and nighttime urinary leakage. The Sandvik Score showed complete continence in 7/14 patients (50%); mild degree incontinence in 6/14 patients without use of incontinence devices (43%); moderate degree of incontinence in one patient (7%). The FSFI administered at 1 year from the surgery showed sexual desire in all patients (100%); subjective arousal, achievement of orgasm and sexual satisfaction in 12/14 patients (85.5%); sufficient lubrication in 11/14 patients (78.5%). Only one patient (7%) complained about dyspareunia during sexual intercourse. Conclusions: Our study aims to demonstrate that genital-sparing radical cystectomy is a safe surgery in terms of oncologic outcomes and, most importantly, that it is beneficial in terms of urinary and sexual function. Indeed, patients’ quality of life together with their psychological and emotional health should be put on the same level as oncological safety. However, it is a treatment reserved for selected patients who are strongly motivated to preserve fertility and sexual function and thoroughly informed about the benefits and complications of such a procedure

From 3D Hierarchical Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering to Advanced Hydrogel-Based and Complex Devices for in situ Cell or Drug Release☆

Abstract In the past few years, researchers have focused on the development of three-dimensional (3D) advanced scaffolds and multifunctional hydrogel-based materials. As reported in literature, 3D polymer-based composite scaffolds for tissue engineering have been manufactured through conventional and advanced manufacturing techniques, and different injectable materials and hydrogel-based systems have been proposed and studied. The aim of the current research was to define an approach in the development of multifunctional tools spanning from 3D hierarchical scaffolds for soft tissue engineering to advanced hydrogel-based devices for in situ cell or drug release. The mechanical/rheological behaviour as well as the structural/functional features of the designed devices were discussed and analyzed