Gastrointestinal neuromuscular apparatus: An underestimated target of gut microbiota

Over the last few years, the importance of the resident intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of several gastro- intestinal diseases has been largely investigated. Growing evidence suggest that microbiota can influence gastro- intestinal motility. The current working hypothesis is that dysbiosis-driven mucosal alterations induce the production of several inflammatory/immune mediators which affect gut neuro-muscular functions. Besides these indirect mucosal-mediated effects, the present review highlights that recent evidence suggests that microbiota can directly affect enteric nerves and smooth muscle cells functions through its metabolic products or bacterial molecular components translocated from the intestinal lumen. Toll- like receptors, the bacterial recognition receptors, are expressed both on enteric nerves and smooth muscle and are emerging as potential mediators between microbiota and the enteric neuromuscular apparatus. Furthermore, the ongoing studies on probiotics support the hypothesis that the neuromuscular apparatus may represent a target of intervention, thus opening new physiopathological and therapeutic scenarios

Association of endometrioid ovarian carcinoma arising from endometriosis, endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, and high-grade undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma. a case report

Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects women of reproductive age. Malignant transformation in endometriosis is considered to be an unusual event, only occurring in 0.7-0.1% of cases. However the association between endometriosis and endometrial cancer is not well defined. Also in literature, rare cases of uterine sarcoma, about 3% of all uterine malignancies, associated with endometriosis have been reported. The authors report a case of a 47-years-old Italian woman with histologic diagnosis of endometrioid ovarian carcinoma arising from endometriosis, endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, and undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma. Therefore there have been few studies addressing the relationship between endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS), and endometriosis. Novel scientific findings are necessary to investigate a possible common pathway and an effective treatment, although complete tumor resection can reduce the recurrence rate

CURRENT STATUS OF RESEARCH ON THE BLACKBIRD-SUNFLOWER PROBLEM IN NORTH DAKOTA

Since 1979, the Denver Wildlife Research Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has conducted an accelerated research program on the blackbird-sunflower problem which occurs annually in the Dakotas and Minnesota. The objective is to develop effective, cost beneficial and environmentally safe methods for reducing blackbird damage to ripening sunflower. A multidisciplinary approach involving interrelated studies of problem definition, ecology, and control methods development is being used. Preliminary results are presented from several studies involving: state- and county-wide estimates of damage; frequency distribution and timing of damage; compensatory growth in early damaged sunflower heads; breeding male blackbird censuses; mass-marking migratory red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) in spring roosts; food habits of red-wings; the chemical frightening agent, 4-aminopyridine; the avian repellent, methiocarb; decoy crops for blackbirds; frightening devices; and bird-resistant varieties of sunflower. Management strategies suggested from these studies are provided

An Overview of Problem Bird Management - Rural and Urban

The economic impact of birds on agricultural crops in the U.S. is quite substantial -- perhaps as much as $100 million dollars. Methods for reducing this damage can be categorized as biological, mechanical, and chemical. The chemical approach appears to have the most potential. An avian repellent, methiocarb, has proven to be effective for reducing damage by a variety of species of birds to many sprouting and ripening crops and fruit. An avian chemical frightening agent, 4-aminopyridine (Avitrol), if federall registered for use for protecting ripening field corn and sweet corn and was shown to be effective for reducing damage in sunflowers and sorghum. An avian toxicant, 3-chloropara-toluidine hydrocloride (DRC-1339) (Starlicide) is federally registered for reducing populations of starlings in cattle and poultry feedlots

Ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma diagnosed in pregnancy. a case report

The prevalence of adnexal masses pregnancy is about 0.19-8.8%. The malignancy rate is around 1-6%, and indeed most cases are benign masses. During pregnancy adnexal masses should be accurately evaluated to identify the patients who need surgery from those who need a 'wait-and-see' strategy. The authors report a case of 36-year-old woman (gravida 2, para 2, two vaginal deliveries) referred to the Gynecologic Department with diagnosis of endometrioid ovarian adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent laparotomic surgery with left salpingo-oophorectomy, total hysterectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, and peritoneal washing for optimal surgery staging. No ascites or residual tumour in the abdominal cavity were found macroscopically. Histopathology was negative for residual ovarian cancer. Currently the treatment and the management of ovarian cancer are not well established because scientific evidence is limited