Cholinergic receptor pathways involved in apoptosis, cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation

Acetylcholine (ACh) has been shown to modulate neuronal differentiation during early development. Both muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) regulate a wide variety of physiological responses, including apoptosis, cellular proliferation and neuronal differentiation. However, the intracellular mechanisms underlying these effects of AChR signaling are not fully understood. It is known that activation of AChRs increase cellular proliferation and neurogenesis and that regulation of intracellular calcium through AChRs may underlie the many functions of ACh. Intriguingly, activation of diverse signaling molecules such as Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt, protein kinase C and c-Src is modulated by AChRs. Here we discuss the roles of ACh in neuronal differentiation, cell proliferation and apoptosis. We also discuss the pathways involved in these processes, as well as the effects of novel endogenous AChRs agonists and strategies to enhance neuronal-differentiation of stem and neural progenitor cells. Further understanding of the intracellular mechanisms underlying AChR signaling may provide insights for novel therapeutic strategies, as abnormal AChR activity is present in many diseases

NURBS distance fields for extremely curved cracks

This paper presents the first methodology that combines a meshless method and the exact representation of cracks using Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS). The methodology consists on developing an enrichment function based on distance functions to NURBS curves.The examples show the potential of the proposed approach and demonstrate the applicability to problems involving complex cracks that appear in sol-gel films

An electronic-engineered sensory sternal retractor aimed at post-sternotomy pain reduction

none6noThe median sternotomy can rise in rib and/or sternum micro/macro-fractures and/or brachial plexus injuries, which can even evolve in chronic pain with significant impact on patient’s quality life. Post-sternotomy chronic pain is recognized as a multifactorial complex issue, and it has been assessed that sternum retraction forces, applied by the surgeons, can be considered one of these factors. In order to investigate the behavior of these forces, we developed a reliable and sterilizable system, to monitor the retraction forces along the hemisternums. Therefore, a Finochietto sternal retractor was instrumented by means of ultra-thin force sensors interfaced with ad hoc electronic circuitry. Two different sets of sensors were adopted, one of which able to support autoclave operating conditions. In-vitro tests were performed by means of a made on purpose dummy. The instrumented retractor allows monitoring the force exerted on both the arms during the opening procedure. Force versus time patterns were acquired and stored, and so we determined how the forces are distributed in terms of their mean, maximum and plateaus. Results demonstrate the reliability of the instrumented retractor in measuring forces, up to 400 N. Cost-effectiveness and feasibility can be considered further additional values of the proposed instrumented retractor.noneSaggio G.; Bianco A.; Orengo G.; Tancredi G.; Del Gaudio C.; Zeitani J.Saggio, G.; Bianco, A.; Orengo, G.; Tancredi, G.; Del Gaudio, C.; Zeitani, J