Laparotomic vs laparoscopic ovariectomy: comparing the two methods. The ovariectomy in the bitch in laparoscopic era

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present work is to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of ultrasound scalpel during laparoscopic ovariectomy in the bitch. METHODS: Two groups of 10 subjects each, of different races and ages, were compared. In the first group, ovariectomy was performed laparoscopically, using harmonic scalpel to remove ovary. In the second group surgery was performed by means of classical laparotomy. RESULTS: Pre-operative time was similar in both groups. Total operative time, from incision to skin suture, showed significant difference between the two groups, being laparoscopy faster than laparotomy. Partial operative time for bilateral oophorectomy resulted lower using open technique, but, considering each ovary, there was no significant difference in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of harmonic scalpel to perform ovariectomy during laparoscopy is an effective time-sparing surgical approach compared to the already great practicality of laparotomy

The detection of anti-Trichinella antibodies in free-ranging Nebrodi Regional Park black pigs from Sicily, Italy, suggests the circulation of Trichinella britovi in the island

Abstract • Zoonotic nematodes of the genus Trichinella are known to occur in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. For example, Trichinella spiralis was reported in pigs and humans at the turn of the Second World War in Sicily and Trichinella britovi in pigs, red foxes and dogs from Corsica and Sardinia since 2004. Following the discovery of T. britovi in Corsica and Sardinia, a question arose as to whether this species was also present in Sicily which is located only 3.14 km from continental Italy. To address this query, we investigated the presence of anti-Trichinella antibodies in the serum of Nebrodi black pigs, a breed that is bred in the wild in the Nebrodi Regional Park, a protected area of the island rich in flora and fauna. Blood samples were collected from 112 Nebrodi black pigs from five farms. Sera were tested by ELISA and ELISA positive sera were confirmed by Western blot (Wb) using excretory/secretory antigens. Eighteen (16.1%) serum samples belonging to 17 fattening pigs and 1 boar tested positive by Wb. Positive sera tested by Wb using crude worm extract antigens (CWE), displayed a banding pattern similar to the CWE-Wb pattern of T. spiralis and T. britovi reference pig sera but different to that of T. pseudospiralis reference pig sera. No larvae were detected in muscles of serologically positive pigs by artificial digestion. The presence of anti-Trichinella antibodies in the absence of larvae in the muscles, suggests that the pigs were infected with T. britovi and not T. spiralis whose larvae survive in the muscles for at least two years. These results suggest that T. britovi is circulating in Nebrodi Regional Park in Sicily. ELISA testing may constitute a suitable tool for large-scale screening of Trichinella spp. infection in free-ranging pigs, when ELISA-positive sera are confirmed by Wb. Free-ranging animals can act as sentinels for the presence of zoonotic nematodes of the genus Trichinella in wildlife

Dal mare al museo. Il recupero di uno scheletro di stenella striata, Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen 1833)

In 2021, the Museum of Zoology “P. Doderlein” of the University of Palermo acquired a new specimen, the complete skeleton of Stenella coeruleoalba, a striped dolphin stranded in 2018 in Marinella di Selinunte, Castelvetrano (Sicily, Southern Italy). The project herein described is the result of a collaboration among the Bio-Reconstruction Laboratory of the IAS-CNR of Capo Granitola, the IZS of Palermo, the company Naturaliter and the Museum of Zoology “P. Doderlein”. In Natural History Museums, cetaceans are an excellent tool to facilitate scientific dissemination aimed at the conservation of marine biodiversity. The work herein described is presented as an example of good practices in recovering a cetacean carcass that can otherwise be an expensive waste to manage

Unlocking hidden mineral resources: Characterization and potential of bitterns as alternative sources of critical raw materials

Mineral extraction from seawater brines has emerged as a viable solution to reduce Europe's reliance on imported Critical Raw Materials (CRM). However, the economic viability of this approach hinges on the local demand for sodium chloride, the primary product of such extraction processes. This study investigates the potential of residual brines, commonly known as "bitterns," generated during solar sea-salt extraction in traditional saltworks, as an alternative source of minerals. The Mediterranean region, encompassing South-European, NorthAfrican, Near East coasts, and parts of the Atlantic regions, is particularly conducive to exploring this prospect due to its extensive solar sea salt industry. Saltworks in the region, adopting various operational strategies based on feed quality or local climate conditions, produce different types of bitterns, each holding a latent resource potential that has remained largely unexplored. Within the framework of the EU-funded SEArcularMINE project, it was conducted an extensive analytical campaign to characterize bitterns collected from a diverse saltworks network. The analysis revealed the presence of sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate, and bromide in concentrations ranging from g/ kg, while boron, calcium, lithium, rubidium, and strontium were found in the mg/kg range. Additionally, trace elements (TEs) such as cobalt, cesium, gallium, and germanium were detected at concentrations in the order of mu g/kg. Detailed results on the composition of bitterns are presented, emphasizing the distinct characteristics observed at different sites. The estimated potential for mineral recovery from these bitterns is approximately 190 euro/m3, considering the production capacity of about 9 Mm3 per year in the Mediterranean area. This finding underscores the significant contribution that mineral recovery from bitterns could make in securing access to CRMs for the European Union

Twelve-month psychosis-predictive value of the ultra-high risk criteria in children and adolescents

Objective The validity of current ultra-high risk (UHR) criteria is under-examined in help-seeking minors, particularly, in children below the age of 12 years. Thus, the present study investigated predictors of one-year outcome in children and adolescents (CAD) with UHR status. Method Thirty-five children and adolescents (age 9–17 years) meeting UHR criteria according to the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes were followed-up for 12 months. Regression analyses were employed to detect baseline predictors of conversion to psychosis and of outcome of non-converters (remission and persistence of UHR versus conversion). Results At one-year follow-up, 20% of patients had developed schizophrenia, 25.7% had remitted from their UHR status that, consequently, had persisted in 54.3%. No patient had fully remitted from mental disorders, even if UHR status was not maintained. Conversion was best predicted by any transient psychotic symptom and a disorganized communication score. No prediction model for outcome beyond conversion was identified. Conclusions Our findings provide the first evidence for the predictive utility of UHR criteria in CAD in terms of brief intermittent psychotic symptoms (BIPS) when accompanied by signs of cognitive impairment, i.e. disorganized communication. However, because attenuated psychotic symptoms (APS) related to thought content and perception were indicative of non-conversion at 1-year follow-up, their use in early detection of psychosis in CAD needs further study. Overall, the need for more in-depth studies into developmental peculiarities in the early detection and treatment of psychoses with an onset of illness in childhood and early adolescence was further highlighted

Cure of Chronic Viral Infection and Virus-Induced Type 1 Diabetes by Neutralizing Antibodies

The use of neutralizing antibodies is one of the most successful methods to interfere with receptor–ligand interactions in vivo. In particular blockade of soluble inflammatory mediators or their corresponding cellular receptors was proven an effective way to regulate inflammation and/or prevent its negative consequences. However, one problem that comes along with an effective neutralization of inflammatory mediators is the general systemic immunomodulatory effect. It is, therefore, important to design a treatment regimen in a way to strike at the right place and at the right time in order to achieve maximal effects with minimal duration of immunosuppression or hyperactivation. In this review, we reflect on two examples of how short time administration of such neutralizing antibodies can block two distinct inflammatory consequences of viral infection. First, we review recent findings that blockade of IL-10/IL-10R interaction can resolve chronic viral infection and second, we reflect on how neutralization of the chemokine CXCL10 can abrogate virus-induced type 1 diabetes

Deleted in Liver Cancer 1 (DLC1) Negatively Regulates Rho/ROCK/MLC Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Aims: Deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1), a member of RhoGTPase activating protein (GAP) family, is known to have suppressive activities in tumorigenicity and cancer metastasis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of how DLC1 suppresses cell motility have not been fully elucidated. Rho-kinase (ROCK) is an immediate down-stream effector of RhoA in mediating cellular cytoskeletal events and cell motility. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of DLC1 on Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methodology/Principal Findings: We demonstrated that DLC1 negatively regulated ROCK-dependent actomyosin contractility. From immumofluorescence study, we found that ectopic expression of DLC1 abrogated Rho/ROCK-mediated cytoskeletal reorganization including formation of stress fibers and focal adhesions. It also downregulated cortical phosphorylation of myosin light chain 2 (MLC2). These inhibitory events by DLC1 were RhoGAP-dependent, as RhoGAP-deficient mutant of DLC1 (DLC1 K714E) abolished these inhibitory events. In addition, from western study, DLC1 inhibited ROCK-related myosin light chain phosphatase targeting unit 1 (MYPT1) phosphorylation at Threonine 853. By examining cell morphology under microscope, we found that ectopic expression of dominant-active ROCK released cells from DLC1-induced cytoskeletal collapse and cell shrinkage. Conclusion: Our data suggest that DLC1 negatively regulates Rho/ROCK/ MLC2. This implicates a ROCK-mediated pathway of DLC1 in suppressing metastasis of HCC cells and enriches our understanding in the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. © 2008 Wong et al.published_or_final_versio