The advantage of sleeve lobectomy over pneumonectomy

Answer to Dr. Ludwig about lower sleeve lobectomy, the so-called “Y” sleeve

A Novel Technique for Laryngotracheal Reconstruction for Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis

Idiopathic subglottic stenosis is the most challenging condition in the field of upper airway reconstruction. We describe a successful novel technique for enlarging the airway space at the site of the laryngotracheal anastomosis in very high-level reconstructions

Embryonic and foetal mortality in buffalo species.

The aim of this study was to verify the incidence of late embryonic mortality (between 25 and 45 days post-insemination; LEM) and foetal mortality (between 45 and 70 days postinsemination; FM) in buffaloes synchronized and mated by AI during the transitional period. The trial was performed on 288 multiparous Mediterranean Buffaloes, synchronized and inseminated by AI. Trans-rectal ultrasonography was performed 25, 45, and 70 days post-insemination to assess embryonic development. Milk samples were collected on Days 10, 20, 25, 30, and 45 post-insemination to determine progesterone concentration in whey. Pregnancy rate on Day 25 after AI was 48.6% but declined to 35.4% and to 30.6% by Day 45 and 70 respectively, representing a LEM of 27.1% and a FM of 13.7%. Progesterone concentration was higher (P<0.01) in pregnant compared to LEM buffaloes after 20 days post-insemination. Differences (P<0.05) were found between FM and LEM buffaloes on Days 25 and 30. Furthermore, progesterone concentration in pregnant buffaloes was higher (P=0.09) than that of FM buffaloes on Day 30 and 45. In conclusion, the success of application of reproductive biotechnologies in the transitional period depends from the incidence of embryonic and foetal mortality

ESI-MS and thermal melting studies of nanoscale platinum(ii) metallomacrocycles with DNA

The hydrophilic, long-chain diamine PEGda (O,O′-bis(2-aminoethyl)octadeca(ethylene glycol)), when complexed with cis-protected Pt(II) ions afforded water-soluble complexes of the type [Pt(N,N)(PEGda)](NO3)2 (N,N = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,2-diaminoethane (tmeda), 1,2-diaminoethane (en), and 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bipy)) featuring unusual 62-membered chelate rings. Equimolar mixtures containing either the 16-mer duplex DNA D2 or the single-stranded D2a and [Pt(N,N)(PEGda)]2+ were analyzed by negative-ion ESI-MS. Analysis of D2-Pt(II) mixtures showed the formation of 1:1 adducts of [Pt(en)(PEGda)]2+, [Pt(tmeda)(PEGda)]2+ and the previously-described metallomacrocycle [Pt2(2,2′-bipy)2{4,4′-bipy(CH2)44,4′-bipy}2]8+ with D2; the dinuclear species bound to D2 most strongly, consistent with its greater charge and aromatic surface area. D2 formed 1:2 complexes with the acyclic species [Pt(2,2′-bipy)(Mebipy)2]4+ and [Pt(2,2′-bipy)(NH3)2]2+. Analyses of D2a-Pt(II) mixtures gave results similar to those obtained with D2, although fragmentation was more pronounced, indicating that the nucleobases in D2a play more significant roles in mediating the decomposition of complexes than those in D2, in which they are paired in a complementary manner. Investigations were also conducted into the effects of selected platinum(II) complexes on the thermal denaturation of calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) in buffered solution. Both [Pt2(2,2′-bipy)2{4,4′-bipy(CH2)64,4′-bipy}2]8+ and [Pt(2,2′-bipy)(Mebipy)2]4+ stabilized CT-DNA. In contrast, [Pt(tmeda)(PEGda)]2+ and [Pt(en)(PEGda)]2+ (as well as free PEGda) caused negligible changes in melting temperature (ΔTm), suggesting that these species interact weakly with CT-DNA

Metabolic profile in growing buffalo heifers fed diet with different energy content

Aim of this study was to verify the relation among the mediators and indicators of nutritional status like insulin, glucagon, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides and total proteins in growing buffalo heifers, fed diets with different energy density. 12 Murrah heifers were randomly allocated into two dietary treatments (High, Group H; Low, Group L) that differed in energetic levels (Group H: 5.8 UFL/d; Group L: 3.6 UFL/d). Every 30 days, for a total of five times, blood samples were collected at 08.00 h, before feeding, from the jugular vein in vacutainer tubes and analysed to determine metabolic profile. Data on haematic constants were analysed by ANOVA for repeated measures with treatment as the main factor. Low energy availability and low NSC reduced the glucose and insulin and increased glucagone and urea blood levels. The increase of NSC in the diet of group H during the experiment may caused a reduction of the fibre digestibility after the period of adaptation of the rumen microflora and, as a paradox effect, suffered for an energetic lack with a subsequent activation of lipolysis and mobilization of their body reserves. Liver and muscular synthesis increase in group with a high energy availability

Estrogen receptors in colorectal cancer: Facts, novelties and perspectives

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cause of cancer-related death in both sexes worldwide. As pre-menopausal women are less likely to develop CRC compared to age-matched men, a protective role for estrogens has been hypothesized. Indeed, two isoforms of nuclear estrogen receptors (ER) have been described: ERα and ERβ. While the binding of 17beta-estradiol to ERα activates anti-apoptotic pathways, the interaction with ERβ activates caspase-3, inducing apoptosis. In this regard, several pieces of evidence show that ERβ tends to be under-regulated in advanced adenomas and CRC, with an opposite trend for ERα. Furthermore, ERβ stimulation slows adenomatous polyp growth and modulates relevant CRC pathways. Based on such considerations, dietary modulation of ER is promising, particularly in subjects with genetic predisposition for CRC. Nevertheless, the main limitation is the lack of clinical trials on a large population scale