<i>KISS1</i> and KISS1R expression in the human and rat carotid body and superior cervical ganglion

KISS1 and its receptor, KISS1R, have both been found to be expressed in central nervous system, but few data are present in the literature about their distribution in peripheral nervous structures. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate, through immunohistochemistry, the expression and distribution of KISS1 and KISS1R in the rat and human carotid bodies and superior cervical ganglia, also with particular reference to the different cellular populations. Materials consisted of carotid bodies and superior cervical ganglia were obtained at autopsy from 10 adult subjects and sampled from 10 adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Immunohistochemistry revealed diffuse expression of KISS1 and KISS1R in type I cells of both human and rat carotid bodies, whereas type II cells were negative. In both human and rat superior cervical ganglia positive anti-KISS1 and -KISS1R immunostainings were also selectively found in ganglion cells, satellite cells being negative. Endothelial cells also showed moderate immunostaining for both KISS1 and KISS1R. The expression of both kisspeptins and kisspeptin receptors in glomic type I cells and sympathetic ganglion cells supports a modulatory role of KISS1 on peripheral chemoreception and sympathetic function. Moreover, local changes in blood flow have been considered to be involved in carotid body chemoreceptor discharge and kisspeptins and kisspeptin receptors have also been found in the endothelial cells. As a consequence, a possible role of kisspeptins in the regulation of carotid body blood flow and, indirectly, in chemoreceptor discharge may also be hypothesized

The academic career of Max Clara in Padova.

The aim of the following investigation was to explore Max Clara's (1899-1966) early academic activity in Italy at the University of Padua. While Clara's career during the National-Socialist Party dictatorship was extensively studied in literature, little to no information is available regarding Clara's early academic years, with particular regard to his role at the University of Padua during his time in Italy. The scientific and didactic activities held by Clara during this timespan could sheld a light on his appointment as Professor of Anatomy at the University of Leipzig, clarifying the academic motives and political pretences behind it. To this end, systematic research has been conducted at the Historical Archives of the University of Padua, where our findings have revealed detailed records of Clara's teaching and research activity from 1929 to 1935. Our findings confirm that Clara held a paid position as free lecturer at the University of Padua, and was likely under the tutelage of Prof. Tullio Terni, who directed the Institute of Histology and General Embryology until 1933. Max Clara's didactic activity focused mainly on the teaching of microscopical anatomy, which was distinct from histology and considered within the field of anatomy. Even though Clara had a minimal amount of lectures assigned, our records suggest that he conducted part of his research in the laboratories of the University of Padua whilst also working independently in his private medical practice in Blumau (South Tyrol). It is therefore possible to speculate that the teaching of Microscopical Anatomy, rather than Histology, could have represented the pretext for appointing Clara as Professor of Anatomy, justifying his new, politically-driven role at Leipzig

Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 supplementation reduces gastrointestinal dysfunction in an animal model of IBS

We evaluated the effect of Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 on intestinal neuromuscular anomalies in an IBS-type mouse model of gastrointestinal motor dysfunctions elicited by Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) exposure.Mice were inoculated intranasally with HSV-1 (102 PFU) or vehicle at time 0 and 4 weeks later by the intragastric (IG) route (108 PFU). Six weeks after IG inoculum, mice were randomly allocated to receive oral gavage with either S. boulardii (107 CFU/day) or vehicle. After 4 weeks the following were determined: a) intestinal motility using fluorescein-isothiocyanate dextran distribution in the gut, fecal pellet expulsion, stool water content, and distal colonic transit of glass beads; b) integrity of the enteric nervous system (ENS) by immunohistochemistry on ileal whole-mount preparations and western blot of protein lysates from ileal longitudinal muscle and myenteric plexus; c) isometric muscle tension with electric field and pharmacological (carbachol) stimulation of ileal segments; and d) intestinal inflammation by levels of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-10 and IL-4.S. boulardii CNCM I-745 improved HSV-1 induced intestinal dysmotility and alteration of intestinal transit observed ten weeks after IG inoculum of the virus. Also, the probiotic yeast ameliorated the structural alterations of the ENS induced by HSV-1 (i.e., reduced peripherin immunoreactivity and expression, increased glial S100β protein immunoreactivity and neuronal nitric oxide synthase level, reduced substance P-positive fibers). Moreover, S. boulardii CNCM I-745 diminished the production of HSV-1 associated pro-inflammatory cytokines in the myenteric plexus and increased levels of anti-inflammatory interleukins.S. boulardii CNCM I-745 ameliorated gastrointestinal neuromuscular anomalies in a mouse model of gut dysfunctions typically observed with irritable bowel syndrome

Tissue-engineered grafts from human decellularized extracellular matrices: A systematic review and future perspectives

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine involve many different artificial and biologic materials, frequently integrated in composite scaffolds, which can be repopulated with various cell types. One of the most promising scaffolds is decellularized allogeneic extracellular matrix (ECM) then recellularized by autologous or stem cells, in order to develop fully personalized clinical approaches. Decellularization protocols have to efficiently remove immunogenic cellular materials, maintaining the nonimmunogenic ECM, which is endowed with specific inductive/differentiating actions due to its architecture and bioactive factors. In the present paper, we review the available literature about the development of grafts from decellularized human tissues/organs. Human tissues may be obtained not only from surgery but also from cadavers, suggesting possible development of Human Tissue BioBanks from body donation programs. Many human tissues/organs have been decellularized for tissue engineering purposes, such as cartilage, bone, skeletal muscle, tendons, adipose tissue, heart, vessels, lung, dental pulp, intestine, liver, pancreas, kidney, gonads, uterus, childbirth products, cornea, and peripheral nerves. In vitro recellularizations have been reported with various cell types and procedures (seeding, injection, and perfusion). Conversely, studies about in vivo behaviour are poorly represented. Actually, the future challenge will be the development of human grafts to be implanted fully restored in all their structural/functional aspects

Human corpse model for video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy simulation and training

Abstract OBJECTIVES Minimally invasive surgery simulation is an integral part of surgical education and skills acquisition. Our goal was to present a new video-assisted thoracic surgery simulation model based on the human corpse as an alternative to animal models. METHODS Selective cannulation of the cadaver heart was used to fill the pulmonary vessels with a gel to improve the visibility and tactile feedback of the vessels and to simulate any bleeding complications. During surgical simulation, the tutor fills out a questionnaire designed to evaluate the duration of the procedure, the correct completion of the surgical steps and the occurrence of complications. At the end of the simulation session, in order to compare the simulation to clinical practice, all the participants were asked to answer 5 questions using a scale from 1 to 10. RESULTS We have performed 2 hands-on sessions using 2 human corpses for each session. Each surgeon performed 1 lobectomy using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) first as the operator and at least 1 lobectomy as an assistant. The median operative time was 83 min in favour of surgeons who had previously performed more than 30 video-assisted lobectomies (P = 0.03). All the surgeons were able to complete all the steps of the procedure; surgeons who had performed fewer than 10 lobectomies required more support by the tutors than the other surgeons. The median total score was 40.5 (interquartile range 39–44.8). CONCLUSIONS We believe that this model includes most of the features necessary to validate a surgical simulator and allows realistic training for performing a VATS lobectomy. This model could be an effective alternative to anaesthetized animals for VATS lobectomy training and simulation

Echographic study of the muscular fasciae

Today there is a great interest about the muscular fasciae and their possible role in myofascialpain, but it is still unclear what are their main features in living. For example the thickness of the thoracolumbar fascia, that is probably the most studied fascia, varies from 0.37 mm [1] to 0.68 mm [2]. The lack of a standard value for the fascial thickness has a great clinical relevance, indeed it seems that their increased thickness could be related to myofascial pain or reduction of the range of motion. Therefore, the definition of standard values of fascial thickness is the first step to investigate fascial alterations that may play a role in myofascial pain. The fascial thickness was evaluated in 24 subjects with a mean age of 30.46 years (SD ± 9.241).The mean BMI was of 22.08 (SD ± 3.696),in particular women with an BMI of 20.30 and 25.08 for men. The measurement was performed with the portable ultrasound system of SonoSite®, linear probe of 15 Hz. For each subject 13 deep fasciae were analyzed, both in the trunk, superior and inferior limbs. The collected data showed that the average thickness of the fasciae ranges from 0.71 ± 0.15 mm (deep fascia of the anterior region of the arm) and 1.62 ± 0.39 mm (plantar fascia). The fasciae of the anterior compartments are thinner respect to the fasciae of the posterior ones (p valu

Neurotransmitter and receptor systems in the subthalamic nucleus

The Subthalamic Nucleus (STh) is a lens-shaped subcortical structure located ventrally to the thalamus, that despite being embryologically derived from the diencephalon, is functionally implicated in the basal ganglia circuits. Because of this strict structural and functional relationship with the circuits of the basal ganglia, the STh is a current target for deep brain stimulation, a neurosurgical procedure employed to alleviate symptoms in movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and dystonia. However, despite the great relevance of this structure for both basal ganglia physiology and pathology, the neurochemical and molecular anatomy of the STh remains largely unknown. Few studies have specifically addressed the detection of neurotransmitter systems and their receptors within the structure, and even fewer have investigated their topographical distribution. Here, we have reviewed the scientific literature on neurotransmitters relevant in the STh function of rodents, non-human primates and humans including glutamate, GABA, dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline with particular focus on their subcellular, cellular and topographical distribution. Inter-species differences were highlighted to provide a framework for further research priorities, particularly in humans

Post mortem computed tomography of heart

Post mortem Computed tomography (CT) has been increasingly used in routine forensic practice and research. While radiological examination is generally considered to be a good complement for conventional autopsy, it was thought to have limited application in cardiovascular pathology. The aim of the present study is to show our experience of radiological analysis of the heart as single organ, as an integrative tool for research and forensic applications. The anatomo-radiologic study for forensic purpose was performed on 10 hearts sampled at autopsy (8M, 2 F, mean age 45 years old). The specimens underwent CT examinations. In 5 out of 10 of cadavers, a myocardial infarction was found at macroscopic and microscopic analysis. In these same cases, the CT examination showed the presence and the localization of calcifications, corresponding to the infarct area. In 90% of cases the presence of calcifications allowed the visualization of the coronary arteries and their branches. Basing on our experience, isolated single-organ CT could be considered a useful integrative tool in addition to traditional autopsy investigation (macroscopic sections and histology) in identifying the cause of death by recognizing the presence and degree of coronary artery pathology

Anatomical study of the pre-segmental and segmental arteries of the kidney and their impact in the nephronsparing surgery

Clamping of the main renal artery (RA) is still regarded as a commonly used technique to decrease haemorrhage in partial nephrectomy, but it causes warm ischaemic injury. The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of pre-segmental and segmental branches of the RA. To obtain vascular corrosions casts, twenty kidneys were injected with acrylic resins and underwent to computed tomography examination. Analysis of images and of casts showed that the pattern of vascularisation of posterior renal segment was constant (except that in one case), presenting one segmental artery. The vascularisation of the anterior parenchyma (apical, superior, middle and inferior segments) originated directly from an anterior branch of the RA (70%) or thorough pre-segmental arteries (PSA) (30%). In 20% two middle segmental artery originated from two different PSAs. A series of vascular renal patterns have been identified, that the surgeon must know before to conduct the selective clamping, i.e. the selective clamping of segmental artery originating from a PSA could more difficult, because the surgeon can wrongly close the PSA with subsequent ischemia of the more parenchymal segments. Moreover, in case of multiple segmental arteries, originating from two PSA, the surgeon can wrongly clamp only one of them with subsequent intraoperative hemorrhage