On factoriality of threefolds with isolated singularities

We investigate the existence of complete intersection threefolds $X \subset \mathbb{P}^n$ with only isolated, ordinary multiple points and we provide some sufficient conditions for their factoriality.Comment: 18 pages. To appear in the Michigan Mathematical Journa

A safe transoral surgical approach to parapharyngeal tumor arising from deep lobe of parotid gland

The management of parapharyngeal tumor is surgical, but the approach remains a challenge. Attention should be paid to avoidance intra-operative bleeding or cranial nerves damage. We report a case of a 67-year-old male complaining of left-ear fullness. A submucosal mass arising from the lateral wall of oropharynx on the left side was observed. Magnetic resonance imaging detected a mass arising from the parotid gland, in particular from the deep lobe, and a fine needle biopsy was compatible with "Warthin tumor." We performed a mini-invasive transoral approach under magnification, previous isolation of homolateral vessels. The decision on which surgical approach to be used is determined by site, size vascularity, and histology of the tumor. A literature review of the main surgical approaches was performed. We performed a combined transoral dissection under magnification with cervicotomic exposure of the neck vascular bundle allowing to dissect the tumor and manage any intra-operative complications

Hyaluronic acid: perspectives in upper aero-digestive tract. A systematic review

Background: To date, topical therapies guarantee a better delivery of high concentrations of pharmacologic agents to the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT). The use of topical drugs, which are able to reduce mucosal inflammation and to improve healing tissues, can represent a relevant therapeutic advance. Topical sodium hyaluronate (SH) has recently been recognized as adjuvant treatment in the chronic inflammatory disease of the UADT. Aims: The aim of our work was to review the published literature regarding all the potential therapeutic effects of SH in the chronic inflammatory disease of UADT. Methods: Relevant published studies were searched in Pubmed, Google Scholar, Ovid using ("sodium hyaluronate" and "upper airways") or Medical Subject Headings. Results: At the end of our selection process, sixteen publications have been included. Six of them in the post-operative period of nasal-sinus surgery, 2 of them in pediatric patients affected by recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, 4 of them in reducing symptoms and preventing exacerbations of chronic upper airways in adult population, 4 of them in patients with chronic inflammatory disease of UADT, including gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Conclusions: Topical administration of SH plays a pivotkey role in the postoperative phase of patients undergoing FESS and nasal surgery, and positive results are generally observed in all the patients suffering from UADT chronic inflammatory disease

Water mites of the World by Harry Smit, a book review

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A modification of the leaf-nets method for sampling benthic invertebrates in spring habitats

The full ecological potential of spring habitats remains relatively unexplored mostly because of the lack of standardized sampling procedures and difficulties to collect representative biological samples, especially in small-sized springs. Recent studies on sampling methodologies in spring habitats indicated that a modified Surber net with a reduced frame area, reliably describes the structure and composition of spring communities. This method, however, is very invasive and may severely impact the spring, especially when a large number of samples is required. The paper presents a new quantitative method (leaf-nets) for sampling crenic invertebrates which combines a rather high efficiency with negligible impacts on spring habitat structure and biota. The effectiveness of the new methodology was tested in a medium-size rheocrene spring in Central Apennine, where spring assemblages were sampled in parallel with a modified Surber net and with the new method. Taxa richness and density were higher in the Surber net, while no between-method differences were recorded for the number of insect taxa and Simpson diversity. Furthermore, the overall functional organization of Surber net and leaf-nets assemblages was very similar. The new method sampled only 25% of the individuals cumulatively collected, but 75% of the total richness, with a good representation of the structure and the functional organization of spring assemblages. In comparison with the Surber net, the negligible loss of information of the new method is highly compensated by its minor invasivity, lower impacts on spring microhabitats and invertebrate populations and by its higher versatility. Leaf-nets could also be used to assess leaf-detritus breakdown in springs, thus allowing a better ecological characterization of these ecosystems. </p

Observational evidence of intensified nocturnal urban heat island during heatwaves in European cities

A heatwave (HW) is a large-scale meteorological event characterised by persistent and extremely high-temperature condition. At the local scale, the urban heat island (UHI) is another thermal-related phenomenon defined as an urban area warmer than its surrounding regions due to different surfaces’ capabilities to absorb and store heat. However, the assessment about the effect produced on UHI by HW events is not homogeneous. Indeed, regarding the capability of HWs to influence the urban-rural temperature difference, several studies report different conclusions describing both an exacerbation and a reduction of UHI during HW events. In this context, the present study analyses in situ long records of temperature measurements (20 years) to provide observational shreds of evidence of UHI modification under HW conditions. We examine data from the European Climate Assessment &amp; Dataset and World Meteorological Organization computing the UHI index (UHII) to quantify the UHI effect intensity in 37 European cities during the last 20 summers. The results show an UHII intensification for 28 of the 32 cities affected by positive UHI during extremely high temperatures at night, while substantial variations are not observed during the daytime. The time evolution of UHI during a HW highlights that a more significant and persistent urban-rural temperature gradient explains the UHI intensification. Finally, the relationship between the large and local-scale temperature phenomena reveals that continental high-temperature periods are often associated with prominent temperature differences between small-scale urban and rural environments, assessing the impact of large-scale features on thermal stress at the local scale

Stigmatisation and resilience in inflammatory bowel disease

© 2019, The Author(s). Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is an immune-mediated, chronic relapsing disorder characterised by severe gastrointestinal symptoms that dramatically impair patients’ quality of life, affecting psychological, physical, sexual, and social functions. As a consequence, patients suffering from this condition may perceive social stigmatisation, which is the identification of negative attributes that distinguish a person as different and worthy of separation from the group. Stigmatisation has been widely studied in different chronic conditions, especially in mental illnesses and HIV-infected patients. There is a growing interest also for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, in which the possibility of disease flare and surgery-related issues seem to be the most important factors determining stigmatisation. Conversely, resilience represents the quality that allows one to adopt a positive attitude and good adjustments despite adverse life events. Likewise, resilience has been studied in different populations, age groups, and chronic conditions, especially mental illnesses and cancer, but little is known about this issue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, even if this could be an interesting area of research. Resilience can be strengthened through dedicated interventions that could potentially improve the ability to cope with the disease. In this paper, we focus on the current knowledge of stigmatisation and resilience in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Effects of Propionyl-L-Carnitine on Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury in Hamster Cheek Pouch Microcirculation

Background and purpose Propionyl-l-carnitine (pLc) exerts protective effects in different experimental models of ischemia–reperfusion (I/R). The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of intravenously and topically applied pLc on microvascular permeability increase induced by I/R in the hamster cheek pouch preparation. Methods The hamster cheek pouch microcirculation was visualized by fluorescence microscopy. Microvascular permeability, leukocyte adhesion to venular walls, perfused capillary length, and capillary red blood cell velocity (VRBC) were evaluated by computer-assisted methods. E-selectin expression was assessed by in vitro analysis. Lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation were determined by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and 2′-7′-dichlorofluorescein (DCF), respectively. Results In control animals, I/R caused a significant increase in permeability and in the leukocyte adhesion in venules. Capillary perfusion and VRBC decreased. TBARS levels and DCF fluorescence significantly increased compared with baseline. Intravenously infused pLc dose-dependently prevented leakage and leukocyte adhesion, preserved capillary perfusion, and induced vasodilation at the end of reperfusion, while ROS concentration decreased. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase prior to pLc caused vasoconstriction and partially blunted the pLc-induced protective effects; inhibition of the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) abolished pLc effects. Topical application of pLc on cheek pouch membrane produced the same effects as observed with intravenous administration. pLc decreased the E-selectin expression. Conclusions pLc prevents microvascular changes induced by I/R injury. The reduction of permeability increase could be mainly due to EDHF release induce vasodilatation together with NO. The reduction of E-selectin expression prevents leukocyte adhesion and permeability increase

Long term remodeling of rat pial microcirculation after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the in vivo structural and functional remodeling of pial arteriolar networks in the ischemic area of rats submitted to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and different time intervals of reperfusion. Methods and results: Two closed cranial windows were implanted above the left and right parietal cortex to observe pial microcirculation by fluorescence microscopy. The geometric characteristics of pial arteriolar networks, permeability increase, leukocyte adhesion and capillary density were analyzed after 1 h or 1, 7, 14 or 28 days of reperfusion. MCAO and 1-hour reperfusion caused marked microvascular changes in pial networks. The necrotic core was devoid of vessels, while the penumbra area presented a few arterioles, capillaries and venules with severe neuronal damage. Penumbra microvascular permeability and leukocyte adhesion were pronounced. At 7 days of reperfusion, new pial arterioles were organized in anastomotic vessels, overlapping the ischemic core and in penetrating pial arterioles. Vascular remodeling caused different arteriolar rearrangement up to 28 days of reperfusion and animals gradually regained their motor and sensory functions. Conclusions: Transient MCAO-induced pial-network remodeling is characterized by arteriolar anastomotic arcades. Remodeling mechanisms appear to be accompanied by an increased expression of nitric oxide synthases