ASASSN-18aan revisited

The light curve of the cataclismic variable ASASSN-18aan is studied using recent observations of the MC589 Observatory, giving an orbital Period and Epoch fully consistent with the data obtained after the discovery flare in 2018. Archival data from ASASSN, ZTF and Gaia were used to check if its flares have a quasi-periodic behaviour. A recurrency time scale of about 11 months is found, confirming a previous tentative result using the historic plate archive of the Asiago Observatory. The next outbursts are expected by April 2023 and March 2024.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, published on OEJ

Decrease in n-acetylaspartate following concussion may be coupled to decrease in creatine

Objectives: To assess the time course changes in brain N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and creatine (Cr) in athletes who suffered a sport-related concussion. Participants: Eleven non-consecutive concussed athletes and 11 sex and age-matched control volunteers. Main outcome measures: At 3, 15, 30 and 45 days post-injury, athletes were examined by proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-MRS) for the determination of NAA,(Cr) and choline (Cho). 1H-MRS data recorded in the control group were used for comparison. Results: Compared to controls (2.18 ± 0.19), athletes showed an NAA/Cr increase at 3 (2.71 ± 0.16; p < 0.01) and 15 days (2.54 ± 0.21; p < 0.01), followed by a decrease and subsequent normalization at 30 (1.95 ± 0.16, p < 0.05) and 45 days(2.17 ± 0.20; p <0.05) post-concussion. NAA/Cho decreased at 3, 15 and 30 days post-injury (p < 0.01 compared to controls), with no differences from controls at 45 days post-concussion. Significant increase in the Cho/Cr after 3 (+33%, p < 0.01) and 15 (+31.5%, p < 0.01) days post-injury was observed, whilst no differences compared to controls were recorded at 30 and 45 days post-impact. Conclusions: This cohort of athletes indicates that concussion may cause concomitant decrease in cerebral NAA and Cr. This occurrence provokes longer time of metabolism normalization, as well as longer resolution time of concussion-associated clinical symptoms

Antonio Pacchioni (1665-1726): pioneer studies on the dura mater [Antonio Pacchioni (1665-1726): studi pionieristici sulla dura madre.]

Clustering of arachnoid villi along the sagittal sinus gives rise to the so-called "Pacchionian Granulations". These structures were originally described in 1705 by Antonio Pacchioni, an Italian scientist. Born in Reggio Emilia in 1665, he graduated in Medicine in his hometown and later moved to Rome were he built up a successful career by dedicating to medical practice as well as to research and teaching. He became friend and often collaborated with some of the leading scientists of his age: Lancisi, Malpighi and Morgagni among the others. Moreover he carefully followed research developments in Europe as testified by frequent quoting of foreign authors in his works. He devoted himself to the elucidation of structure and function of Dura Mater, often by using new techniques of maceration of anatomic specimens in various fluids. Among Pacchioni's works, the "Dissertatio epistolaris de glandulis conglobatis Durae Meningis humanae" (1705) is particularly well known and contains the first description of arachnoidal granulations. He compared Dura to cardiac muscle and attributed to its "glandulae" (glands) the faculty of secreting lymph for lubrification of the sliding movements between meninges and brain during contractions. He died in Rome in 1726. Three centuries after Pacchioni's death fine structure of arachnoid villi hasn't been fully elucidated; moreover many questions on mechanisms underlying CSF absorption remain unanswered

Epidermoids of the Cerebellopontine Angle : uselfulness of CT scan

The AA report their experience of 8 cases of epidermoids of the cerebellopontine angle (cpa). In analyzing the various clinical, radiological and operating aspects and the results they emphasize the diagnostic pre-operative value of CT scan. Fulltext Previe

CONCUSSION OCCURRENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IN ITALIAN FOOTBALL (SOCCER)

The purpose of the study was to investigate concussion history, knowledge, injury identification, and management strategies among athletes, coaches, and medical staff in Italian club level football (soccer) clubs. Surveys (N=727) were distributed among Italian football clubs. Athletes' surveys were designed to evaluate athlete knowledge of concussive signs and symptoms and injury reporting. Coaches' surveys explored the understanding of concussive signs and symptoms and management practices. Medical staff surveys explored the standard of care regarding concussions. A total of 342 surveys were returned, for a 47% response rate. Descriptive analyses indicated 10% of athletes sustaining a concussion in the past year and 62% of these injuries were not reported, primarily due to the athletes not thinking the injury was serious enough. Coaches consistently identified non-concussion related symptoms (98.7%), but were unable to identify symptoms associated with concussion (38.9%). Most understood that loss of consciousness is not the sole indicator of injury (82.6%). Medical staff reported a heavy reliance on the clinical exam (92%) and athlete symptom reports (92%) to make the concussion diagnosis and return to play decision, with little use of neurocognitive (16.7%) or balance (0.0%) testing. Italian football athletes appear to report concussions at a rate similar to American football players, with a slightly higher rate of unreported injuries. Most of these athletes were aware they were concussed, but did not feel the injury was serious enough to report. Although coaches served as the primary person to whom concussions were reported, the majority of coaches were unable to accurately identify concussion related symptoms. With little use for neurocognitive and postural control assessments, the medical personnel may be missing injuries or returning athletes to play too soon. Collectively, these findings suggest that athletes, coaches, and medical personnel would benefit from concussion based educational materials on the signs, symptoms, and evaluative techniques of concussio

The Pathophysiology of Concussive Brain Injury

CONCUSSION AND TRAUMATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY: CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMEN

Concussion occurence and knowledge in Italian Football (soccer)

The purpose of the study was to investigate concussion history, knowledge, injury identification, and management strategies among athletes, coaches, and medical staff in Italian club level football (soccer) clubs. Surveys (N= 727) were distributed among Italian football clubs. Athletes' surveys were designed to evaluate athlete knowledge of concussive signs and symptoms and injury reporting. Coaches' surveys explored the understanding of concussive signs and symptoms and management practices. Medical staff surveys explored the standard of care regarding concussions. A total of 342 surveys were returned, for a 47% response rate. Descriptive analyses indicated 10% of athletes sustaining a concussion in the past year and 62% of these injuries were not reported, primarily due to the athletes not thinking the injury was serious enough. Coaches consistently identified non-concussion related symptoms (98.7%), but were unable to identify symptoms associated with concussion (38.9%). Most understood that loss of consciousness is not the sole indicator of injury (82.6%). Medical staff reported a heavy reliance on the clinical exam (92%) and athlete symptom reports (92%) to make the concussion diagnosis and return to play decision, with little use of neurocognitive (16.7%) or balance (0.0%) testing. Italian football athletes appear to report concussions at a rate similar to American football players, with a slightly higher rate of unreported injuries. Most of these athletes were aware they were concussed, but did not feel the injury was serious enough to report. Although coaches served as the primary person to whom concussions were reported, the majority of coaches were unable to accurately identify concussion related symptoms. With little use for neurocognitive and postural control assessments, the medical personnel may be missing injuries or returning athletes to play too soon. Collectively, these findings suggest that athletes, coaches, and medical personnel would benefit from concussion based educational materials on the signs, symptoms, and evaluative techniques of concussion