Empty nose syndrome

SummaryEmpty nose syndrome (ENS) is a clinical entity without consensual definition; it is a rare complication of nose or sinus surgery, and of inferior turbinectomy in particular. Physiopathology remains unclear, but probably involves disorder caused by excessive nasal permeability affecting neurosensitive receptors and inhaled air humidification and conditioning functions. Neuropsychological involvement is suspected. Symptomatology is variable and changeable, the most common sign being paradoxical nasal obstruction. Diagnosis is founded on: (1) a range of symptoms that need to be precisely collated; (2) broad post-surgical nasal permeability. Management is problematic, deploying the full range of simple nasal cavity hygiene and humidification techniques, with surgery reserved for the most severe cases; whatever the technique, surgery aims at partial filling of the nasal airway. Prevention is the most important strategy, and seeks (1) to check, before any surgery is envisaged, the reality of nasal dyspermeability resistant to medical treatment; and (2) to prefer the most conservative surgical techniques

New diagnostic possibilities in systemic neonatal infections: metabolomics

Systemic neonatal infection is a serious complication in preterm and term infants and is defined as a complex clinical syndrome caused by bacteria, fungi and virus. Sepsis remains among the leading causes of death in both developed and underdeveloped countries above all in the neonatal period. Earlier diagnosis may offer the ability to initiate treatment to prevent adverse outcomes. There have been many studies on various diagnostic haematological markers like acute phase reactants, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, interleukins and presepsin. However, there is still no single test that satisfies the criteria as being the ideal marker for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. In this regard, metabolomic analysis seems to be a promising method for determining metabolic variations correlated with systemic neonatal infection

Attività dello squalene durante l'autossidazione di acidi grassi poliinsaturi

In this paper we have investigated the activity of squalene during the autoxidation of four different polyunsaturated fatty acids: linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids. Our results show that squalene exerts a weak but significant antioxidant activity, and that squalene hydroperoxide, the product derived from squalene oxidation, does not possess prooxidant activity. The protection exerted by squalene is higher versus linolenic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids than linoleic acid. Squalene antioxidant activity is related to its double bond system since its saturated form, squalane, does not exert any inhibitory activity. Therefore, in our experimental conditions, squalene does not act as a hydrogen atoms donor such as α-tocopherol

First molecular description of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus in wild boars from Italy with pathomorphological and epidemiological insights

Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is a zoonotic parasite affecting suids worldwide which are the definitive hosts for this helminth species. Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is of significant economic and management concern due to its pathogenicity, causing intestinal obstruction and perforation in the definitive hosts. Current study is the preliminary investigation from Sardinia, Italy, reporting the pathomorphological findings and molecular characterization of M. hirudinaceus in the wild boars (Sus scrofa meridionalis). A total of 59 wild boars were examined showing acanthocephalan infection in 8 (13.6%) animals. In total, 49 parasites were collected with a mean intensity of 6.1. Comparatively higher infection levels were observed for males (16.7%) and young boars (14.3%); however, these epidemiological differences were statistically non-significant. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of a variable number of nodules (∼5 mm) in the intestine of M. hirudinaceus infested animals surrounded by a hyperemic-hemorrhagic halo. Several parasites were recovered from the intestinal lumen attached by the means of characteristic hooks showing necrosis in muscle layers. A moderate number of plump reactive fibroblasts and lesser numbers of fibrocytes were embedded with and at the borders of the inflammatory nodules in a moderate amount of homogeneous intensely eosinophilic fibrillary material rupturing the cell membrane. For molecular characterization, six isolated worms were amplified for the partial mitochondrial cox1 gene showing distinct interindividual variations. This first pathological and molecular description from southern Europe provided new knowledge about the diffusion of M. hirudinaceus in wild boars, furthering the research into the origin and transmission status of M. hirudinaceus in endemic localities

Atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, and inflammation: the significant role of polyunsaturated fatty acids

Phospholipids play an essential role in cell membrane structure and function. The length and number of double bonds of fatty acids in membrane phospholipids are main determinants of fluidity, transport systems, activity of membrane-bound enzymes, and susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. The fatty acid profile of serum lipids, especially the phospholipids, reflects the fatty acid composition of cell membranes. Moreover, long-chain n-3 polyunsatured fatty acids decrease very-low-density lipoprotein assembly and secretion reducing triacylglycerol production. N-6 and n-3 polyunsatured fatty acids are the precursors of signalling molecules, termed “eicosanoids,” which play an important role in the regulation of inflammation. Eicosanoids derived from n-6 polyunsatured fatty acids have proinflammatory actions, while eicosanoids derived from n-3 polyunsatured fatty acids have antiinflammatory ones. Previous studies showed that inflammation contributes to both the onset and progression of atherosclerosis: actually, atherosclerosis is predominantly a chronic low-grade inflammatory disease of the vessel wall. Several studies suggested the relationship between long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammation, showing that fatty acids may decrease endothelial activation and affect eicosanoid metabolis

Progetto Geosoglie

Il Centro Funzionale Decentrato (CFD) della Regione Sardegna si propone di sviluppare con il Progetto GEOSOGLIE una attività di ricerca e sviluppo sui temi del rischio idrogeologico e in particolare dei processi di innesco dei fenomeni franosi in funzione di specifici valori pluviometrici di soglia e della propensione al dissesto dei versanti. In questo lavoro viene presentata la struttura e lo sviluppo del progetto nelle sue fasi funzionali.The Decentralized Functional Centre (Centro Funzionale Decentrato, CFD) of Regione Autonoma della Sardegna, through the Project GEOSOGLIE, aims to develop research activities on hydrological risk issues and, in particolar, on the trigger processes of landslides according to specific rainfall thresholds. Moreover, the susceptivity to landslide will be mapped. In this paper we present the structure and the operational development of the project describing its functional phases

Alcohol-related behaviour in freshmen university students in Sardinia, Italy

This study aims to provide a picture of University of Cagliari students’ alcohol-related behaviour and to explore factors associated with it. Data were collected by administering a questionnaire to 992 freshmen university students from different programs consisting of twelve closed questions, including three questions from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test for Consumption (AUDIT-C short form). Three subgroups of alcohol-related behaviour were distinguished (risky drinkers, social drinkers and abstainers). In order to explore factors associated with patterns of alcohol consumption, a multivariate logistic regression was performed. The prevalence of risky drinkers was 35%. A binge-drinking behaviour at least once in the last twelve months was declared by 65% (more widespread in men and in students living away from their parents). Risky consumption is significantly associated with age of onset of alcohol use, living away from parents’ home, drinking outside meals and attending health courses. Regarding the levels of daily alcohol consumption perceived as a health risk, 66% of men and 88% of women indicate values higher than those recommended. The results underline the need for tailored prevention measures. University could be a promising setting to implement actions according to a health promotion perspective, to empower students to control their alcohol consumption

Urinary gas chromatography mass spectrometry metabolomics in asphyxiated newborns undergoing hypothermia: from the birth to the first month of life.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal asphyxia is a severe clinical condition affecting around four million newborns worldwide. It consists of an impaired gas exchange leading to three biochemical components: hypoxemia, hypercapnia and metabolic acidosis. METHODS: The aim of this longitudinal experimental study was to identify the urine metabolome of newborns with perinatal asphyxia and to follow changes in urine metabolic profile over time. Twelve babies with perinatal asphyxia were included in this study; three babies died on the eighth day of life. Total-body cooling for 72 hours was carried out in all the newborns. Urine samples were collected in each baby at birth, after 48 hours during hypothermia, after the end of the therapeutic treatment (72 hours), after 1 week of life, and finally after 1 month of life. Urine metabolome at birth was considered the reference against which to compare metabolic profiles in subsequent samples. Quantitative metabolic profiling in urine samples was measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The statistical approach was conducted by using the multivariate analysis by means of principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Pathway analysis was also performed. RESULTS: The most important metabolites depicting each time collection point were identified and compared each other. At birth before starting therapeutic hypothermia (TH), urine metabolic profiles of the three babies died after 7 days of life were closely comparable each other and significantly different from those in survivors. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a plethora of data have been extracted by comparing the urine metabolome at birth with those observed at each time point collection. The modifications over time in metabolites composition and concentration, mainly originated from the depletion of cellular energy and homeostasis, seems to constitute a fingerprint of perinatal asphyxia