Effect of dietary supplementation with ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide in maintaining remission in cats with nonflea hypersensitivity dermatitis: a double-blind, multicentre, randomized, placebo-controlled study

Background Feline nonflea hypersensitivity dermatitis (NFHD) is a frequent cause of over-grooming, scratching and skin lesions. Multimodal therapy often is necessary. Hypothesis/Objectives To investigate the efficacy of ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide (PEA-um) in maintaining methylprednisolone-induced remission in NFHD cats. Animals Fifty-seven NFHD cats with nonseasonal pruritus were enrolled originally, of which 25 completed all study requirements to be eligible for analysis. Methods and materials Cats were randomly assigned to PEA-um (15 mg/kg per os, once daily; n = 29) or placebo (n = 28) while receiving a 28 day tapering methylprednisolone course. Cats responding favourably to methylprednisolone were then administered only PEA-um (n = 21) or placebo (n = 23) for another eight weeks, followed by a four week long treatment-free period. Cats were maintained in the study until relapse or study end, whichever came first. Primary outcome was time to relapse. Secondary outcomes were pruritus Visual Analog Scale (pVAS), SCORing Feline Allergic Dermatitis scale (SCORFAD) and owner Global Assessment Score (GAS). Results Mean relapse time was 40.5 days (+/- 7.8 SE) in PEA-um treated cats (n = 13) and 22.2 days (+/- 3.7 SE) for placebo (n = 12; P = 0.04). On Day 28, the severity of pruritus was lower in the PEA-um treated cats compared to placebo (P = 0.03). Mean worsening of pruritus at the final study day was lower in the PEA-um group compared to placebo (P = 0.04), whereas SCORFAD was not different between groups. Mean owner GAS at the final study day was better in the PEA-um than the placebo-treated group (P = 0.05). Conclusion and clinical importance Ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide could represent an effective and safe option to delay relapse in NFHD cats

Absent cardiac and muscle sympathetic nerve activities involvement in Ross syndrome: A follow-up study

Purpose Ross syndrome (RS) is characterized by selective involvement of post-ganglionic skin sympathetic nerve fibres. We report a follow-up study in 4 patients to clarify whether in RS autonomic dysfunction spreads affecting also cardiovascular system. Methods The patients underwent cardiovascular reflexes (CVR) and microneurography recording of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) for a follow-up mean period of 5 years. Results CVR and MSNA were normal at baseline and unchanged over the follow-up. Conclusions Cardiovascular autonomic system is spared in RS differently from skin autonomic activity dysfunction which progress over time. However, before drawing any definite conclusion, a large cohort of patients needs to be studied

Transcriptome analysis of phoenix canariensis chabaud in response to rhynchophorus ferrugineus olivier attacks

Red Palm Weevil (RPW, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier) threatens most palm species worldwide. Until now, no studies have analyzed the gene regulatory networks of Phoenix canariensis (Chabaud) in response to RPW attacks. The aim of this study was to fill this knowledge gap. Providing this basic knowledge is very important to improve its management. Results: A deep transcriptome analysis was performed on fully expanded leaves of healthy non-infested trees and attacked trees at two symptom stages (middle and late infestation). A total of 54 genes were significantly regulated during middle stage. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that phenylpropanoid-related pathways were induced at this stage. More than 3300 genes were affected during late stage of attacks. Higher transcript abundances were observed for lipid fatty acid metabolism (fatty acid and glycerolipids), tryptophan metabolism, phenylpropanoid metabolism. Key RPW-modulated genes involved in innate response mediated by hormone crosstalk were observed belonging to auxin, jasmonate and salicylic acid (SA) pathways. Among transcription factors, some WRKYs were clearly induced. qRT-PCR validation confirmed the upregulation of key genes chosen as validation of transcriptomic analysis. Conclusion: A subset of these genes may be further analyzed in future studies to confirm their specificity to be induced by RPW infestations

FRP-Substrate bonding quality investigation making use of ultrasonic waves

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite systems are widely used to repair structurally deficient constructions thanks to their good immunity to corrosion, low weight and excellent mechanical properties. The quality of the FRP-substrate interface bond is a crucial parameter affecting the performance of retrofitted structures. In this framework, ultrasonic testing could be used to assess the quality of the bonding [1-2]. In the case of FRP laminates adhesively bonded to roughly inhomogeneous materials, such as concrete, high scattering attenuation occurs due to the presence of heterogeneities. The concrete behaves almost like a perfect absorber generating a considerable number of short-spaced echo peaks that make the defect echo not distinguishable. In order to avoid scattering, waves longer than the discontinuity have to be used, but this expedient makes bonding defects undetectable. The most common practices involve the use of the first echo amplitude, the peak-to-peak or the average amplitude of the signal in a given time window. It is however well known that, when a direct-contact technique is applied, the ultrasonic response in terms of pulses amplitude is affected by two main factors, i.e. the thin film of couplant between the probe and the medium and the pressure of the transducers on the sample. Furthermore the presence of fibers strongly affects the ultrasonic response. The technique developed in this study is based on the energy distribution measurement of ultrasonic signals by means of a statistical parameter, named Equivalent Time Length (ETL), whose expression is the following: ∑N A(tk)2(tk −tAIC)2 ETL= k=AIC+1 , k=[1,2,...,N] (1) Where N is the number of point samples k, A(tk) is the amplitude of the signal at the time tk, tAIC is the onset time of the signal that was selected by using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) function [3]. The ETL is sensitive to the presence of bonding defects in the sense that lower values mean higher reflection of wave energy and higher values mean lower reflection and higher penetration through the concrete bonding. In addition to that, it has the advantage not to be affected by the reflected echoes amplitude variations, which often make the amplitude not a reasonable parameter for bonding quality investigation. In order to apply the ETL to the detection of bonding defect, a preliminary numerical study involving a 1-D system with a material discontinuity was performed. A simple situation of reflection and transmission of longitudinal waves incident on the interfaces between three different media was simulated. 2D finite element (FE) analyses were also performed using the commercial software COMSOL Multiphysics 5.0. ∑N A(tk )2 k=AIC+1 The study was conducted experimentally both in vitro, on FRP reinforcements bonded to concrete substrates with imposed well-known defects, and in situ, on reinforced concrete beams in a floor slab and on Seismic retrofitted concrete walls. Laboratory tests were conducted on four concrete specimens with outer dimensions of 180x250x150 mm3, reinforced by carbon fiber reinforced polymer plates set in accordance with the manufacturer's application guideline, using commercial epoxy resin. In order to simulate the lack of bonding of the FRP, three types of defects of well-known dimensions were located on three of the samples by means of the interposition of foils of Teflon between the concrete surface and the adhesive layer (Fig. 1). The samples were named from D0 (absence of defect, i.e. pristine state) to D3 (large defect), according to the size of the employed Teflon foil(s). The setups involved the use of an excitation signal equal to five cycles of sine function generated by a house-built ultrasonic pulser-receiver, two ultrasonic transducers arranged in a pitch-catch mode, and an ultrasonic preamplifier. The experimental study confirmed the numerical findings and may pave the road towards an effective ultrasonic non-destructive approach

Key Success Factors of Brand Marketing for Creating the brand value Based on a MCDM Model Combing DEMATEL and ANP Methods

[[abstract]]When consumers purchase products, they will consider the brand first, because it indirectly leads consumers to associate with the quality, functions, and design of products. According to the smiling curve, the production of products is interacted with marketing and R&D. Therefore, the enterprises enhancing the marketing and R&D for production can create brand value. This study focuses on the marketing, and is based on the traditional marketing strategies to develop the brand marketing mix. However, there are many criteria among the strategies, and the criteria are interrelated. Thus, we want to probe the key success factors of the brand marketing to satisfy customer’s needs. A MCDM model combining DEMATEL with ANP methods is used to find the importance and influence among the dimensions and criteria, which can evaluate marketing strategy. The study results will provide the enterprises with a reference for planning brand marketing.[[journaltype]]國

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin for maintenance therapy in stiff-person syndrome: One-year follow-up in two patients

Stiff person syndrome is a rare condition characterised by prolonged stiffness with superimposed muscle spasms. Immunotherapy relies mainly on intravenous immunoglobulin, steroids and plasma exchange. Azathioprine or rituximab are other possible options. We describe two patients who showed a good clinical response with intravenous immunoglobulin and persistence of the clinical improvement after shifting to equivalent dosage of subcutaneous immunoglobulin. Both patients received a diagnosis of stiff person syndrome based on their clinical symptoms (episodes of stiffness and spasms) and presence of antiglutamic acid decarboxylase. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin was started with improvement of symptoms as reported by patients and confirmed also by the spasm frequency scale and modified Ashworth scale. After clinical stabilisation in order to avoid the hospitalisation required for intravenous immunoglobulin treatment a switch to subcutaneous immunoglobulins was made. After one year of follow-up from the switch, the patients show clinical stability. Their scores on the modified Ashworth scale, spasm frequency scale and on the 10 Meter Walking Test were also stable. Subcutaneous formulation of immunoglobulin could be as effective as intravenous immunoglobulin in the maintenance treatment of Stiff person syndrome, although studies involving a larger cohort of patients are needed in order to confirm our anecdotal experience

Skin lesions in feline leishmaniosis: A systematic review

Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) is increasingly reported throughout the world and skin lesions predominate in the clinical picture. There are, however, few evidence-based data on cutaneous feline leishmaniosis and directions are strongly needed for a better management of the disease. In this study, we systematically reviewed what is currently known about the clinical dermatological presentation of FeL through analysis of the literature and, further, by adding unpublished cases managed by Italian veterinary dermatologists. Sixty-six feline cases of cutaneous leishmaniosis published in 33 articles between 1990 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Six unpublished cases of cutaneous FeL managed by Italian dermatologists were also reviewed. The majority of cases were reported from South America, followed by Europe and North America. Nodules were the most frequently reported clinical signs and the presence of Leishmania in lesioned skin was assessed mainly by cytology. A total of six Leishmania species have been identified as being responsible for skin lesions. Coinfections by FIV or FeLV were reported in 12.1% and 9.1% of the cases, respectively. Clinical data including treatment have been analyzed and discussed to provide directives for proper management of the disease for which cats may also serve as domestic reservoirs for human infections