Frozen sections and complete resection in oral cancer surgery

OBJECTIVES: Although the reliability of frozen sections for the intraoperative assessment of complete tumour excision has been established, the best location for collection and the impact of the type of sampling are still debated. We retrospectively investigated the reliability of frozen sections when collected from the surgical bed as tissue strips representative of the whole superficial margin and as a bowl of tissue underlying the resection site for deep margin, and the possibility of relying on frozen section negativity to consider resections complete. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Frozen section reliability was calculated by comparing histology before and after formalin embedding and then categorised by sampling type, in 182 patients undergoing transoral resection of oral cancer. RESULTS: Comparing frozen and permanent histology, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 69%, 98% and 96%, respectively; categorisation by sampling type failed to produce statistically significant differences. Based on frozen section negativity after formalin embedding, complete resections were obtained in 91.7% of patients with multiple-strip and bowl frozen sections. CONCLUSION: Frozen sections collected as tissue strips and bowl are as reliable as point sampling in the intraoperative guidance of surgical resections. They effectively provide for margin enlargement, thereby increasing the surgeon's confidence that negative margins are clear

The role of nuclear receptors in the differentiation of oligodendrocyteprecursor cells derived from fetal and adult neural stem cells.

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) differentiation from multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) into mature oligodendrocytes is driven by thyroid hormone and mediated by thyroid hormone receptors (TRs). We show that several nuclear receptors display strong changes in expression levels between fetal and adult NSCs, with an overexpression of TR\u3b2 and a lower expression of RXR\u3b3 in adult. Such changes may determine the reduced capacity of adult OPCs to differentiate as supported by reduced yield of maturation and compromised mRNA expression of key genes. RXR\u3b3 may be the determinant of these differences, on the evidence of reduced number of mature oligodendrocytes and increased number of proliferating OPCs in RXR\u3b3-/- cultures. Such data also points to RXR\u3b3 as an important regulator of the cell cycle exit, as proved by the dysregulation of T3-induced cell cycle exit-related genes. Our data highlight the biological differences between fetal and adult OPCs and demonstrate the essential role of RXR\u3b3 in the T3-mediated OPCs maturation process

Asynchronies during mechanical ventilation are associated with mortality

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and time course of asynchronies during mechanical ventilation (MV). Prospective, noninterventional observational study of 50 patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) beds equipped with Better Care (TM) software throughout MV. The software distinguished ventilatory modes and detected ineffective inspiratory efforts during expiration (IEE), double-triggering, aborted inspirations, and short and prolonged cycling to compute the asynchrony index (AI) for each hour. We analyzed 7,027 h of MV comprising 8,731,981 breaths. Asynchronies were detected in all patients and in all ventilator modes. The median AI was 3.41 % [IQR 1.95-5.77]; the most common asynchrony overall and in each mode was IEE [2.38 % (IQR 1.36-3.61)]. Asynchronies were less frequent from 12 pm to 6 am [1.69 % (IQR 0.47-4.78)]. In the hours where more than 90 % of breaths were machine-triggered, the median AI decreased, but asynchronies were still present. When we compared patients with AI > 10 vs AI a parts per thousand currency sign 10 %, we found similar reintubation and tracheostomy rates but higher ICU and hospital mortality and a trend toward longer duration of MV in patients with an AI above the cutoff. Asynchronies are common throughout MV, occurring in all MV modes, and more frequently during the daytime. Further studies should determine whether asynchronies are a marker for or a cause of mortality

HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS and HPLC-FLD-MS as valuable tools for the determination of phenolic and other polar compounds in the edible part and by-products of avocado

Avocado is a tropical fruit increasingly cultivated around the world due to global interest and rising consumption. Thus, there is also a surge in avocado by-products that needs assessment. The aim of this work is to compare the phenolic profile of avocado pulp, peel and seed when the fruit is at optimal ripeness for consumption and when overripe. Two analytical techniques were used: (1) HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS was used for the first time to determine phenolic and other polar compounds in avocado peel and seed. Phenolic compounds quantified with these methods were in higher concentration in overripe than in pulp and seed of optimally ripe fruit. (2) HPLC-FLD-MS was used to specifically determine flavan-3-ols. Procyanidins to degree of polymerization 13 have been quantified singularly here for the first time. In addition, A- and B-type procyanidins from the degree of polymerization 2 to 6 were differentiated and quantified. The procyanidin concentration increased after ripening probably due to the release of tannins linked to cell-wall structures. Because of this situation and the presence of A-type procyanidins, avocado peel and seed from overripe fruit, the main by-products of avocado processing, hold interest for developing functional foods, nutraceuticals and cosmetics

Optimal photoperiod for indoor cultivation of leafy vegetables and herbs

In Vertical Farms with Artificial Lighting (VFALs), optimal light management is a crucial determinant of both economic and environmental viability. Applications of LED technologies to plant cultivation are still recent, and research has to date mainly targeted the definition of optimal spectral and light intensity features. On the other hand, despite the relevant implications on production costs, literature on optimal photoperiod management is to date limited. Indeed, the number of hours per day correlates with the total light supplied to the crop \u2013 expressed as Daily Light Integral (DLI) \u2013 and the associated energetic costs. The present study aims at defining how photoperiods of 16 h d-1 (DLI= 14.4 mol m-2 d-1), 20 h d-1 (DLI= 18 mol m-2 d-1) and 24 h d-1 (DLI= 21.6 mol m-2 d-1)of light affect growth performances and resource use efficiency in leafy vegetables and herbs, represented by lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), rocket (Eruca sativa Mill.), and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). Plants were cultivated indoor under a red (R) and blue (B) LED light (RB=3, photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD)= 250 mmol m-2 s-1). Photoperiod variations\u2019 effects differed according to the considered plant species. In lettuce and chicory, the adoption of a DLI of 14.4 mol m-2 d-1 at 16 h d-1 photoperiod resulted in a greater plants fresh biomass and leaf area, which also contributed to generally obtain higher energy use efficiency (fresh biomass per unit of electricity input), light use efficiency (dry biomass per unit of light input) and, in chicory, also water use efficiency (fresh biomass per liter of water consumed). Contrarily, although photoperiod variations did not affect basil and rocket growth parameters (e.g., fresh biomass and leaf area) and the plant capacity to transform resources (e.g., water use efficiency and light use efficiency), energy use efficiency in basil also presented a downward trend in response to growing DLI. Accordingly, the adoption of a DLI of 14.4 mol m-2 d-1 at 16 h d-1 photoperiod resulted to be the optimal option among the ones tested in the presented research

Altilix\uae Supplement Containing Chlorogenic Acid and Luteolin Improved Hepatic and Cardiometabolic Parameters in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome: A 6 Month Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

The objective was to evaluate the eects of 6 months of supplementation with Altilix\uae, containing chlorogenic acid and its derivatives, and luteolin and its derivatives, on cardiovascular risk and hepatic markers in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed in 100 subjects with MetS with a follow-up period of 6 months; 50 subjects were randomized to Altilix\uae (26 men and 24 women, mean age 63 8 years) and the other 50 to placebo (28 men and 22 women, mean age 63 11 years). Anthropometric, cardiometabolic, and hepatic parameters were assessed at baseline and at the end of follow-up. Carotid intima-media thickness and endothelial function were assessed by doppler ultrasound and by flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, respectively. The presence and degree of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was assessed by the fatty liver index (FLI), and subjects were divided into three subgroups: (1) without NAFLD; (2) with borderline NAFLD; and (3) with NAFLD. After 6 months of Altilix\uae supplementation, we found a significant improvement vs. placebo in most of the evaluated parameters, including body weight (2.40% (95% CI 3.79, 1.01); p < 0.001), waist circumference (2.76% (95% CI 4.55, 0.96); p = 0.003), HbA1c (0.95% (95% CI 1.22, 0.67); p < 0.001), plasma lipids, FLI (21.83% (95% CI 27.39, 16.27); p < 0.001), hepatic transaminases, flow-mediated dilation (10.56% (95% CI 5.00, 16.12); p < 0.001), and carotid intima-media thickness (39.48% (95% CI 47.98, 30.97); p < 0.001). Further, the improvement in cardiometabolic variables was independent of the degree of hepatic steatosis. Altilix\uae supplementation improved hepatic and cardio-metabolic parameters in MetS subjects. Altilix\uae supplementation was a beneficial approach in the management of hepatic and cardiometabolic alterations in MetS subjects

Taking advantage from phenotype variability in a local animal genetic resource: identification of genomic regions associated with the hairless phenotype in Casertana pigs

Casertana is an endangered autochthonous pig breed (raised in south-central Italy) that is considered to be the descendant of the influential Neapolitan pig population that was used to improve British breeds in the 19th century. Casertana pigs are characterized by a typical, almost complete, hairless phenotype, even though a few Casertana pigs are normal haired. In this work, using Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip data, we carried out a genome-wide association study and an FST analysis with this breed by comparing animals showing the classical hairless phenotype (n\ua0=\ua081) versus pigs classified as haired (n\ua0=\ua015). Combining the results obtained with the two approaches, we identified two significant regions: one on porcine chromosome (SSC) 7 and one on SSC15. The SSC7 region contains the forkhead box N3 (FOXN3) gene, the most plausible candidate gene of this region, considering that mutations in another gene of the same family (forkhead box N1; Foxn1 or FOXN1) are responsible for the nude locus in rodents and alopecia in humans. Another potential candidate gene, rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 10 (ARHGEF10), is located in the SSC15 region. FOXN3 and ARHGEF10 have been detected as differentially expressed in androgenetic and senescent alopecia respectively. This study on an autochthonous pig breed contributes to shed some light on novel genes potentially involved in hair development and growth and demonstrates that local animal breeds can be valuable genetic resources for disclosing genetic factors affecting unique traits, taking advantage of phenotype variability segregating in small populations

Ovinos alimentados con raciones que incluyen tagasaste (Chamaecytisus proliferus subsp. palmensis) en reemplazo de heno de alfalfa. II. Digestibilidad y consumo de nutrientes

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate digestibility in vivo and nutrient consumption of rations for sheep that include increasing quantities of tagasaste (Chamaecytisus proliferus subsp. palmensis) to replace alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Twenty-four young Suffolk Down rams with a initial live weight of 38 kg were fed with alfalfa pellets and increasing levels of tagasaste soiling. The diets were: 100% alfalfa (T0); 70% alfalfa and 30% tagasaste (T30); 40% alfalfa and 60% tagasaste (T60); and 10% alfalfa and 90% tagasaste (T10). The total intake of digestible dry matter and digestible organic matter were of 1.191; 1.102; 855 and 687 and of 1.108; 1.046; 820 and 670 g animal-1 d-1 for the four treatments, respectively. The coefficients of digestibility (D) of dry matter (59.4 to 61.3%), organic matter (60.9 to 62.3%), and total protein (PT) (72.4 to 73.3%) were similar (P > 0.05) on increasing the proportion of tagasaste; on the other hand, the digestibility (D) of acid detergent fiber (ADF) had a tendency to diminish (P 64 0.05). The increase from 0 to 90% of tagasaste in the ration produced a decrease (P 64 0.05) of PT, ADF and metabolizable energy (ME) intake. The PT intake, in all treatments (188.4 to 368.3 g animal -1 d-1), supplied fattening nutrient requirements. The ME intake in T60 and T90 (3.43 and 2.69 Mcal animal-1 d-1, respectively) was not sufficient to supply nutrient requirements for a quick fattening.El experimento tuvo como objetivo evaluar la digestibilidad in vivo y el consumo de nutrientes en raciones para ovinos, que incluyen cantidades crecientes de tagasaste (Chamaecytisus proliferus subsp. palmensis) en reemplazo de heno de alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Se utilizaron 24 carnerillos Suffolk Down, con un peso vivo promedio inicial de 38 kg, los que fueron alimentados con pellet de alfalfa y niveles crecientes de soiling de tagasaste. Las raciones fueron: 100% alfalfa (T0); 70% alfalfa y 30% tagasaste (T30); 40% alfalfa y 60% tagasaste (T60); y 10% alfalfa y 90% tagasaste (T90). El consumo total de materia seca digestible y materia org\ue1nica digestible fue de 1,191; 1,102; 855; y 687 y de 1,108; 1,046; 820; y 670 g animal-1 d-1 para los cuatro tratamientos, respectivamente (P 64 0,05). Los coeficientes de digestibilidad (D) de la materia seca (59,4 a 61,3%), materia org\ue1nica (60,9 a 62,3%), y prote\uedna total (PT ) (72,4 a 73,3%) fueron similares (P > 0,05) al aumentar la proporci\uf3n de tagasaste; en cambio, la digestabilidad (D) de la fibra detergente \ue1cido (FDA) tendi\uf3 a disminuir (P 64 0,05). El aumento de 0 a 90% de tagasaste en la raci\uf3n produjo una disminuci\uf3n (P 64 0,05) del consumo de PT, de FDA y de energ\ueda metabolizable (EM). El consumo de PT, en todos los tratamientos (188,4 a 368,3 g animal -1 d-1), cubri\uf3 los requerimientos de engorda. El consumo de EM en T60 y T90 (3,43 y 2,69 Mcal animal -1 d-1, respectivamente) no fue suficiente para satisfacer los requerimientos de engorda r\ue1pida de ovinos

Ovinos alimentados con raciones que incluyen tagasaste (Chamaecytisus proliferus subsp. palmensis) en reemplazo de heno de alfalfa. I. Consumo y variaciones de peso vivo

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate intake and live weight (LW) variations of young rams of one year of age average, fed with tagasaste (Chamaecytisus proliferus subsp. palmensis) and alfalfa. Young Suffolk Down rams with an initial LW of 38 kg were fed with increasing quantities of tagasaste soiling - 0, 30, 60 y 90% - as a replacement for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), hay which originated four treatments. The total intake of DM was 1,880; 1,745; 1,374; and 1,033 g DM animal-1 d-1 in the four treatments, respectively; the LW gains were lower as tagasaste was incorporated into the rations (354, 270, 120 and 134 g animal-1 d-1 in the whole experimental period). The animals fed with rations that included tagasaste increased its consumption as the experiment advanced, with the consequent increment in the daily LW gains in the treatments with 60 and 90% tagasaste.El experimento tuvo como objetivo evaluar el consumo y variaciones de peso vivo (PV) de carnerillos de un a\uf1o de edad promedio, alimentados con tagasaste (Chamaecytisus proliferus subsp. palmensis) y heno de alfalfa. Se utilizaron carnerillos Suffolk Down, con un PV promedio inicial de 38 kg, los que fueron alimentados con cantidades crecientes de soiling de tagasaste - 0, 30, 60 y 90% - en reemplazo de heno de alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), lo que origin\uf3 cuatro tratamientos. El consumo total de MS fue de 1.880; 1.745; 1.374; y 1.033 g MS animal-1 d-1 en los cuatro tratamientos, respectivamente; las ganancias de PV fueron menores a medida que se incorpor\uf3 tagasaste en las raciones (354; 270; 120; y 134 g animal-1 d-1 en todo el per\uedodo experimental). Los animales alimentados con raciones que incluyeron tagasaste aumentaron el consumo de \ue9ste a medida que avanzaba el experimento, con el consiguiente incremento en las ganancias diarias de PV en los tratamientos con 60 y 90% de tagasaste

Atributos y Antecedentes del Comportamiento de Biserrula pelecinus L. Nueva Leguminosa Forrajera Anual Para Chile Mediterr\ue1neo

In Chile Biserrula pelecinus L. is a new legume forage species for acidi soils, with medium - light texture, in dryland areas of the humid and sub-humid Mediterranean zone. Due to its high rate of hardseedness (99% at the beginning of the second growth season), it is an especially appropriate annual pasture for agricultural systems where the pasture is in rotation with cereals ('ley farming system'). It is an intermediate maturing plant (132 to 136 days to flowering), with a semi-erect growth habit, blue flowers, small seed size (674 to 842 seeds g-1), and has a high index of reproductive force (superior to 1.6). The DM and seed production is comparable, and in some years superior, to that of species traditionally used in these areas, such as subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and burr medic (Medicago polymorpha L.). However, its productivity in the second year of growth is very low due to the high percentage of hardseedness (99%). Currently, there is cv. Casbah , developed by a team of researchers of the Center for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA), Western Australia. The phenological background and phytomass productive behavior permit its recommendation in areas of the interior and coastal dryland of the 7th and 8th region o Chile.Biserrula pelecinus L. es en Chile una nueva especie leguminosa forrajera para suelos \ue1cidos de texturas liviana a media, en zonas de secano mediterr\ue1neo subh\ufamedo y h\ufamedo. Debido a su alta dureza seminal (99% al inicio de la segunda temporada de crecimiento), es una pradera anual, especialmente apropiada para sistemas agr\uedcolas donde la pradera se encuentra en rotaci\uf3n con cereales ('ley farming system'). Posee una fenolog\ueda intermedia (132 a 136 d\uedas a floraci\uf3n), de h\ue1bito de crecimiento semi-erecto, flores de color azul, destac\ue1ndose por poseer un tama\uf1o de semilla peque\uf1o (674 a 842 semillas g-1), y presenta alto \uedndice de esfuerzo reproductivo (superior a 1,6). La producci\uf3n de materia seca y de semillas es comparable, y en algunos a\uf1os superior, a la de las especies de uso tradicional en estas zonas como tr\ue9bol subterr\ue1neo (Trifolium subterraneum L.) y hualputra (Medicago polymorpha L.). Sin embargo, su aporte en producci\uf3n al segundo a\uf1o es muy bajo debido al alto porcentaje de dureza seminal (99%). Actualmente existe el cv. Casbah, desarrollado por el equipo de investigadores del Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA) del oeste de Australia. Los antecedentes de fenolog\ueda y comportamiento productivo de fitomasa permiten su recomendaci\uf3n en zonas de secano interior y costero de las regiones 7a y 8a de Chile