Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS I) in the buffalo epididymis

The localization of neuronal nitric oxide (NOS I) in the buffalo epididymis have been investigated by nicotinamide adenite dinucleotide phosphatase-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemichemistry to the light microscope (LM) and NOS immunoistochemistry to the scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. Histochemistry: examination of epididymis specimens revealed an intense NADPH-d staining in the basal cell epithelium and endothelium cells of blood vessel. The NADPH diaphorase staining was diffuse and granular only along the caput epididymal epithelium. NADPH diaphorase staining was less intense or absent in the corpus and in the cauda of epididymis. Dense NADPH diaphorase is labeling in the endothelium of blood vessels along the whole buffalo epididymis. Immunoistochemistry: intense NOS I immunoreactivity was detected in the caput epididymis specimen by immuno-SEM. The basal epithelium showed intense and wide-spread immunoreactivity. In the corpus and in the cauda of the epididymis not observed NOS I immunoreactivity. The specific localization of NOS I in buffalo epididymis suggest that nitric oxide may be involved to explain epididymal function: maturation and storage

New insights into North Sea deep crustal structure and extension from transdimensional ambient noise tomography

SUMMARY The deep crustal structure beneath the North Sea is poorly understood since it is constrained by only a few seismic reflection and refraction profiles. However, it is widely acknowledged that the mid to lower crust plays important roles in rift initiation and evolution, particularly when large-scale sutures and/or terrane boundaries are present, since these inherited features can focus strain or act as inhibitors to extensional deformation. Ancient tectonic features are known to exist beneath the iconic failed rift system of the North Sea, making it an ideal location to investigate the complex interplay between pre-existing regional heterogeneity and rifting. To this end, we produce a 3-D shear wave velocity model from transdimensional ambient seismic noise tomography to constrain crustal properties to ∼30 km depth beneath the North Sea and its surrounding landmasses. Major North Sea sedimentary basins appear as low shear wave velocity zones that are a good match to published sediment thickness maps. We constrain relatively thin crust (13–18 km) beneath the Central Graben depocentres that contrasts with crust elsewhere at least 25–30 km thick. Significant variations in crustal structure and rift symmetry are identified along the failed rift system that appears to be related to the locations of Laurentia–Avalonia–Baltica palaeoplate boundaries. We constrain first-order differences in structure between palaeoplates; with strong lateral gradients in crustal velocity related to Laurentia–Avalonia–Baltica plate juxtaposition and reduced lower crustal velocities in the vicinity of the Thor suture, possibly representing the remnants of a Caledonian accretionary complex. Our results provide fresh insight into the pivotal roles that ancient terranes can play in the formation and failure of continental rifts and may help explain the characteristics of other similar continental rifts globally.</jats:p

Epiluminescence microscopy for the diagnosis of doubtful melanocytic skin lesions: Comparison of the ABCD rule of dermatoscopy and a new 7-point checklist based on pattern analysis

Objective: To compare the reliability of a new 7-point checklist based on simplified epiluminescence microscopy (ELM) pattern analysis with the ABCD rule of dermatoscopy and standard pattern analysis for the diagnosis of clinically doubtful melanocytic skin lesions. Design: In a blind study, ELM images of 342 histologically proven melanocytic skin lesions were evaluated for the presence of 7 standard criteria that we called the 'ELM 7-point checklist.' For each lesion, 'overall' and 'ABCD scored' diagnoses were recorded. From a training set of 57 melanomas and 139 atypical non-melanomas, odds ratios were calculated to create a simple diagnostic model based on identification of major and minor criteria for the '7-point scored' diagnosis. A test set of 60 melanomas and 86 atypical non-melanomas was used for model validation and was then presented to 2 less experienced ELM observers, who recorded the ABCD and 7-point scored diagnoses. Settings: University medical centers. Patients: A sample of patients with excised melanocytic lesions. Main Outcome Measures: Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the models for diagnosing melanoma. Results: From the total combined sets, the 7-point checklist gave a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 75% compared with 85% sensitivity and 66% specificity using the ABCD rule and 91% sensitivity and 90% specificity using standard pattern analysis (overall ELM diagnosis). Compared with the ABCD rule, the 7-point method allowed less experienced observers to obtain higher diagnostic accuracy values. Conclusions: The ELM 7-point checklist provides a simplification of standard pattern analysis because of the low number of features to identify and the scoring diagnostic system. As with the ABCD rule, it can be easily learned and easily applied and has proven to be reliable in diagnosing melanoma

Weakly nonlinear theory for a gate-type curved array in waves

We analyse the effect of gate surface curvature on the nonlinear behaviour of an array of gates in a semi-infinite channel. Using a perturbation-harmonic expansion, we show the occurrence of new detuning and damping terms in the Ginzburg-Landau evolution equation, which are not present in the case of flat gates. Unlike the case of linearised theories, synchronous excitation of trapped modes is now possible because of interactions between the wave field and the curved boundaries at higher orders. Finally, we apply the theory to the case of surging wave energy converters (WECs) with curved geometry and show that the effects of nonlinear synchronous resonance are substantial for design purposes. Conversely, in the case of subharmonic resonance we show that the effects of surface curvature are not always beneficial as previously thought

Esophageal resection in the ederly

The aging of the population and longer life expectancy entails an increased number of elderly patients with esophageal cancer and benign pathologies referred for surgical treatment. Esophageal cancer is a pathology that mainly involves elderly patients. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of age on the outcome of surgery for esophageal cancer and benign pathologies in patients treated in our departmen

Endoscopic Pilonidal Sinus Treatment. A Tertiary Care Academic Center Experience

Background: Pilonidal disease (PD) represents one of the most common proctological diseases in young adults. Although several approaches to treating PD have been described, there is still a lack of agreement on which is the best. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (EPSiT) at a tertiary care academic center. Methods: Between June 2017 and January 2021, a total of 32 patients [12 women (37.5%) and 20 men (62.5%)] with a mean age of 29.22 ± 12.98 years were treated with EPSiT. Pre- and post-operative symptoms were assessed with a score of 0–5. Success was defined as the absence of any subjective symptoms, as well as by complete post-operative wound healing. Results: Most of the patients had a midline external opening (17/32; 53.1%), with a mean number of external openings of 2.41 (1–4) ± 1.04. The median post-operative pain score was 0, and the mean follow-up period was 22 (4–42) ± 11.49 months. The time to wound healing was reduced in patients with one opening (28.14 ± 4.06 days) compared to patients with two or more openings (33.64 ± 7.3 days) (p = 0.067). The mean operative time was longer in patients who subsequently had a recurrence (41.75 ± 6.24 vs. 34.18 ± 6.24 min; p = 0.031). The overall success rate was 87.5% (28/32), and the mean time to recurrence was 3.25 (2–5) ± 1.26 months. Conclusions: EPSiT represents a viable option for the treatment of PD. More evidence and a longer follow-up period are needed to validate the results

Palliative treatment of malignant esophageal-cardiac stricture in the ederly

The aging of the population and longer life expectancy entails an increased number of elderly patients with esophageal cancer and benign pathologies referred for surgical treatment. Esophageal cancer is a pathology that mainly involves elderly patients. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of age on the outcome of surgery for esophageal cancer and benign pathologies in patients treated in our department

Motion-resonant modes of large articulated damped oscillators in waves

This paper was accepted for publication in the Journal of Fluids and Structures. The definitive published version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfluidstructs.2014.06.012Using a semi-analytical approach, we show that an articulated system of large damped oscillators in the open ocean can be resonated by incoming waves at multiple frequencies. As an application, energy extraction from the system is modelled when the oscillators are used as flap-type wave energy converters. A new parameter – the absorption efficiency – is introduced to analyse the performance of the system at resonance. This allows us to identify the occurrence of detrimental processes near the resonant frequencies, which reduce the sustainability of the energy conversion process. This result challenges the diffused belief that large flap-type wave energy converters must be designed to resonate, which is based on the use of inappropriate performance descriptors