7,072 research outputs found
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) effects on subchorionic hematoma. Preliminary clinical results
OBJECTIVE: The clinic use of alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is linked to its capability to exert antioxidant effects and, more interestingly, to counteract the pathologic changes of complex networks of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, restoring their physiological state. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to test the contribution of oral supplementation of ALA to the standard treatment with Progesterone vaginal suppositories, in healing subchorionic hematomas in patients with threatened miscarriage. Controls were administered only Progesterone suppositories.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen pregnant women in the first trimester of gestation, with threatened miscarriage and ultrasound evidence of subchorionic hematoma, were included in the trial and randomly divided in two groups: controls, treated with 400 mg Progesterone (200 mg 2 times per day), given by vaginal suppositories, and case study treated with the same Progesterone dosage, plus ALA, given orally at the dose of 600 mg (300 mg 2 times per day, DAV®, Lo.Li. Pharma srl, Italy). Sixteen patients completed the trial. Treatment was performed until complete resolution of the clinical picture.
RESULTS: In both groups, the subjects improved significantly but, in general, a better and faster evolution in the major signs of threatened miscarriage was observed in the subjects treated with ALA and Progesterone. In these patients, the speed of resorption of subchorionic hematoma was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) superior compared to controls. The ALA and Progesterone group showed a faster decrease or disappearance of all symptoms than that observed in the control group, however the difference was not significant.
CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that ALA supplementation significantly contributes to speed up the process of restoration of physiological conditions in threatened miscarriage and ameliorates the medical conditions of both the mothers and the foetus, probably modulating the networks of cytokines, growth factors and other molecules
An in vitro investigation of the influence of self-ligating brackets, low friction ligatures, and archwire on frictional resistance
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Effect of tree density on root distribution in Fagus sylvatica stands: a semi-automatic digitising device approach to trench wall method
5Knowledge of root profiles is essential for
measuring and predicting ecosystem dynamics and function.
In the present study, the effects of management
practices on root (0.5 <= ø < 20 mm) spatial distribution
were examined in a 40-year-old coppice stand (CpS 1968)
and other two stands converted from coppice to thinned
high forest in 1994 (CvS 1994) and 2004 (CvS 2004),
respectively. The use of a semi-automatic digitising device
approach was compared with a conventional root mapping
method in order to estimate the time per person required
from fieldwork to the final digital map. In July 2009, six
trench walls per stand were established according to tree
density, i.e. as equidistant as possible from all surrounding
trees. Findings highlighted differences between the stands
with CvS 1994 showing a lower number of small roots
(2 <= ø < 5 mm), a higher mean cross-sectional area
(CSA) of coarse roots (5 <= ø < 20 mm) and different root
depth distribution as compared to CpS 1968 and CvS 2004
whose values were close to each other. The three diameter
classes selected in this study showed significant relationships
in terms of number of roots, scaling down from
coarse- to small- and fine-roots. Forest management
practices significantly affected only the number of small
roots. The number of fine roots (0.5 <= ø < 2 mm) was isometrically related to their root length density (RLD,
cm cm-3). No relationship occurred with RLD of very fine
roots (ø < 0.5 mm). In conclusion, forest management
practices in terms of conversion thinnings significantly
affected belowground biomass distribution of beech forest
in space and time. In particular, frequency of coarse roots
was related to the stand tree density, frequency of small
roots was related to the cutting age. Size of coarse roots
was related to tree density but only several years after
felling. The allometric relationship occurring between fineand
small-roots highlighted how fine root number and RLD
were only indirectly affected by forest management practices.
These findings suggest that future investigations on
the effect of forest thinning practices on fine-root traits like
number, length and biomass several years after felling
cannot ignore those on small roots.openDi Iorio, A.; Montagnoli, A.; Terzaghi, M.; Scippa, G.S.; Chiatante, D.DI IORIO, Antonino; Montagnoli, A.; Terzaghi, M.; Scippa, G. S.; Chiatante, Donat
Fine-root seasonal pattern, production and turnover rate of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stands in Italy Prealps: Possible implications of coppice conversion to high forest
The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of coppice conversion to high forest on the beech fine-root
systems. We compared the seasonal pattern of live and dead fine-root mass (d<2 mm), production and turnover in three
beech stands that differed in management practices. Tree density was higher in the 40-year-old coppice stand than in the
stands that were converted from coppice to high forest in 1994 and 2004, respectively. We found that a reduction in tree
density reduced the total fine-root biomass (Coppice stand, 353.8 g m-2; Conversion 1994 stand, 203.6 g m-2;
Conversion 2004 stand, 176.2 g m-2) which continued to be characterised by a bimodal pattern with two major peaks,
one in spring and one in early fall. Conversion to high forest may also affect the fine-root soil depth distribution. Both
fine-root production and turnover rate were sensitive to management practices. They were lower in the Coppice stand
(production 131.5 g m-2 year-1; turnover rate 0.41 year-1) than in the converted stands (1994 Conversion stand:
production 232 g m-2 year-1, turnover rate 1.06 year-1; 2004 Conversion stand: production 164.2 g m-2 year-1,
turnover rate 0.79 year-1)
The Endocannabinoid System: A Putative Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases
BACKGROUND: Following the characterization of the chemical structure of D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of marijuana, researchers have moved on with scientific valuable explorations. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review is to highlight the role of endocannabinoid system in neurodegenerative diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The article is a critical analysis of the most recent data currently present in scientific literature on the subject; a qualitative synthesis of only the most significant articles has been performed. RESULTS: In central nervous system, endocannabinoids show a neuromodulatory function, often of retrograde type. This way, they play an important role in synaptic plasticity and in cognitive, motor, sensory and affective processes. In addition, in some acute or chronic pathologies of central nervous system, such as neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases, endocannabinoids can perform a pro-homeostatic and neuroprotective function, through the activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors. Scientific evidence shows that an hypofunction or a dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system may be responsible for some of the symptoms of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The important role played by endocannabinoid system promises interesting developments, in particular to evaluate the effectiveness of new drugs in both psychiatry and neurology
Transannular patching is a valid alternative for tetralogy of Fallot and complete atrioventricular septal defect repair
Objective: We report our experience with repair of tetralogy of Fallot associated with complete atrioventricular
septal defect, addressing in particular the need for a pulmonary valve in the right ventricular outflow tract.
Methods: Between 1992 and 2006, 33 children with tetralogy of Fallot and complete atrioventricular septal defect
were admitted; 26 had Down’s syndrome (79%). Thirty-two children had complete repair (18 primary, 14
staged); of the 15 who received initial palliation, 1 died before complete repair. Right ventricular outflow tract
obstruction was relieved by transannular patch in 14 cases (42%), infundibular patch with preservation of the
pulmonary valve in 7 (21%), and right ventricle–to–pulmonary artery conduit in 11 (33%).
Results: There were no hospital deaths. Actuarial survival was 96% 3.9% at 5 years and 85.9 1.1% at 10
years. Multivariate analysis showed that type of relief of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction did not influence
survival (P ¼ .16), nor did the choice to use a valved conduit (P ¼ .82). Primary correction (P ¼ .05) and
lower weight at repair (P ¼ .05) were associated with higher probability of survival. Mean follow-up was 69.3
5.9 months (range 0.2–282 months). There were 2 late deaths. Overall freedom from reoperation was 69% at 5
years and 38%at 10 years. Right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction without use of a valved conduit allowed
a significantly higher freedom from reinterventions (P<.05).
Conclusions: Tetralogy of Fallot associated with complete atrioventricular septal defect can be corrected at low
risk with favorable intermediate survival. Use of right ventricle–to–pulmonary artery conduit can be avoided in
two thirds of patients with no impact on survival, possibly improving overall freedom from reintervention
Transannular patching is a valid alternative for tetralogy of Fallot and complete atrioventricular septal defect repair
Objective: We report our experience with repair of tetralogy of Fallot associated with complete atrioventricular
septal defect, addressing in particular the need for a pulmonary valve in the right ventricular outflow tract.
Methods: Between 1992 and 2006, 33 children with tetralogy of Fallot and complete atrioventricular septal defect
were admitted; 26 had Down’s syndrome (79%). Thirty-two children had complete repair (18 primary, 14
staged); of the 15 who received initial palliation, 1 died before complete repair. Right ventricular outflow tract
obstruction was relieved by transannular patch in 14 cases (42%), infundibular patch with preservation of the
pulmonary valve in 7 (21%), and right ventricle–to–pulmonary artery conduit in 11 (33%).
Results: There were no hospital deaths. Actuarial survival was 96% 3.9% at 5 years and 85.9 1.1% at 10
years. Multivariate analysis showed that type of relief of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction did not influence
survival (P ¼ .16), nor did the choice to use a valved conduit (P ¼ .82). Primary correction (P ¼ .05) and
lower weight at repair (P ¼ .05) were associated with higher probability of survival. Mean follow-up was 69.3
5.9 months (range 0.2–282 months). There were 2 late deaths. Overall freedom from reoperation was 69% at 5
years and 38%at 10 years. Right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction without use of a valved conduit allowed
a significantly higher freedom from reinterventions (P<.05).
Conclusions: Tetralogy of Fallot associated with complete atrioventricular septal defect can be corrected at low
risk with favorable intermediate survival. Use of right ventricle–to–pulmonary artery conduit can be avoided in
two thirds of patients with no impact on survival, possibly improving overall freedom from reintervention
Autosomal-dominant myopia associated to a novel P4HA2 missense variant and defective collagen hydroxylation
We recently described a complex multisystem syndrome in which mild-moderate myopia segregated as an independent trait. A plethora of genes has been related to sporadic and familial myopia. More recently, in Chinese patients severe myopia (MYP25, OMIM:617238) has been linked to mutations in P4HA2 gene. Seven family members complaining of reduced distance vision especially at dusk underwent complete ophthalmological examination. Whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify the gene responsible for myopia in the pedigree. Moderate myopia was diagnosed in the family which was associated to the novel missense variant c.1147A > G p.(Lys383Glu) in the prolyl 4-hydroxylase,alpha-polypeptide 2 (P4HA2) gene, which catalyzes the formation of 4-hydroxyproline residues in the collagen strands. In vitro studies demonstrated P4HA2 mRNA and protein reduced expression level as well as decreased collagen hydroxylation and deposition in mutated fibroblast primary cultures compared to healthy cell lines. This study suggests that P4HA2 mutations may lead to myopic axial elongation of eyeball as a consequence of quantitative and structural alterations of collagen. This is the first confirmatory study which associates a novel dominant missense variant in P4HA2 with myopia in Caucasian patients. Further studies in larger cohorts are advisable to fully clarify genotype-phenotype correlations.We recently described a complex multisystem syndrome in which mild-moderate myopia segregated as an independent trait. A plethora of genes has been related to sporadic and familial myopia. More recently, in Chinese patients severe myopia (MYP25, OMIM:617238) has been linked to mutations in P4HA2 gene. Seven family members complaining of reduced distance vision especially at dusk underwent complete ophthalmological examination. Whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify the gene responsible for myopia in the pedigree. Moderate myopia was diagnosed in the family which was associated to the novel missense variant c.1147A > G p.(Lys383Glu) in the prolyl 4-hydroxylase,alpha-polypeptide 2 (P4HA2) gene, which catalyzes the formation of 4-hydroxyproline residues in the collagen strands. In vitro studies demonstrated P4HA2 mRNA and protein reduced expression level as well as decreased collagen hydroxylation and deposition in mutated fibroblast primary cultures compared to healthy cell lines. This study suggests that P4HA2 mutations may lead to myopic axial elongation of eyeball as a consequence of quantitative and structural alterations of collagen. This is the first confirmatory study which associates a novel dominant missense variant in P4HA2 with myopia in Caucasian patients. Further studies in larger cohorts are advisable to fully clarify genotype-phenotype correlations
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