Hydrogen peroxide is a neuronal alarmin that triggers specific RNAs, local translation of Annexin A2, and cytoskeletal remodeling in Schwann cells

Schwann cells are key players in neuro-regeneration: They sense "alarm" signals released by degenerating nerve terminals and differentiate toward a proregenerative phenotype, with phagocytosis of nerve debris and nerve guidance. At the murine neuromuscular junction, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a key signal of Schwann cells' activation in response to a variety of nerve injuries. Here we report that Schwann cells exposed to low doses of H2O2 rewire the expression of several RNAs at both transcriptional and translational levels. Among the genes positively regulated at both levels, we identified an enriched cluster involved in cytoskeleton remodeling and cell migration, with the Annexin (Anxa) proteins being the most represented family. We show that both Annexin A2 (Anxa2) transcript and protein accumulate at the tips of long pseudopods that Schwann cells extend upon H2O2 exposure. Interestingly, Schwann cells reply to this signal and to nerve injury by locally translating Anxa2 in pseudopods, and undergo an extensive cytoskeleton remodeling. Our results show that, similarly to neurons, Schwann cells take advantage of local protein synthesis to change shape and move toward damaged axonal terminals to facilitate axonal regeneration

Endo-therapies for biliary duct-to-duct anastomotic stricture after liver transplantation: outcomes of a nationwide survey

BACKGROUND: The most appropriate endo-therapeutic approach to biliary anastomotic strictures is yet to be defined. AIM: To retrospectively report on the endo-therapy of duct-to-duct anastomotic strictures during 2013 in Italy. METHODS: Data were collected from 16 Endoscopy Units at the Italian Liver Transplantation Centers (BASALT study group). RESULTS: Complete endo-therapy and follow-up data are available for 181 patients: 101 treated with plastic multistenting, 26 with fully covered self-expandable metal stenting (SEMS) and 54 with single stenting. Radiological success was achieved for 145 patients (80%), i.e. 88% of plastic multistenting, 88% of SEMS and 61% of single stenting (p<0.001 vs plastic multistenting; p<0.05 vs SEMS)]. After first-line endo-therapy failure, the patients underwent a second-line endo-therapy with plastic multistenting for 25%, fully covered SEMS for 53% and single stenting for 22% of cases, and radiological success was achieved for 84%, i.e. 100%, 85%, and 63% with plastic multistenting, SEMS and single stenting (p<0.05 vs plastic multistenting or SEMS), respectively. Procedure-related complications occurred in 7.8% of ERCP. Overall clinical success was achieved in 87% of patients after a median follow-up of 25 months. CONCLUSION: Plastic multistenting is confirmed as the preferred first-line treatment, while fully covered SEMS as rescue option for biliary anastomotic strictures. Single stenting has sub-optimal results and should be abandoned. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Development of an optical sensor for the measurement of surface roughness and waviness

Development of an optical sensor for the measurement of surface roughness and wavines

Dredged Sediment Reuse Plan In Ravenna Territory (Emilia-Romagna, Italy)

The paper discusses the reuse of dredged sediments for Porto Corsini harbor, according to their chemical and physical features, considering the distances from the harbor to the possible sites of interventio

Dredged Sediment Reuse Plan In Ravenna Territory (Emilia-Romagna, Italy)

The paper discusses the reuse of dredged sediments for Porto Corsini harbor, according to their chemical and physical features, considering the distances from the harbor to the possible sites of interventio

La ‘diabolica’ colpa di Edipo. Rinarrare il mito oggi fra letteratura e cinema: dal romanzo noir ad Angel Heart di Alan Parker.

Sophocles’ Oedipus the King is considered the prototype of modern detective stories. Alain Robbe-Grillet, in his novel Les Gommes, transforms the story of Oedipus into a typical noir and William Hjortsberg uses it as a hypotext for his ‘demonic’ crime novel Falling Angel. On this book Alan Parker based his movie Angel Heart, where the main elements of the myth of Oedipus are rendered through original solutions, closely linked to the peculiarities of film language

Regional variability of coastal dunes observed along the Emilia-Romagna littoral, Italy

The knowledge of the evolution and conservation of the coastal dunes inside a beach-dune system is fundamental for their protection and for appropriate coastal management. We analyze and classify the coastal frontal dunes present along the Emilia-Romagna according to beach and dune characteristics as well as human activities by using aerial photographs and field measurements. Aeolian sand transport was calculated using a simple predictive equation. The results show that 62 coastal dune systems extending for 31 km are still bordering the 130 km coastline of the Emilia-Romagna region and we observe an alongshore variability of the dune's characteristics. This variability is controlled by the sedimentary budget, beach orientation to the wind-wave direction and human impacts. Four groups of frontal dunes are identified through factorial analysis: two groups are natural dunes, while the other two display characteristics that demonstrate the consequences of human activities. However, the dunes that present the worst conditions are natural dunes corresponding to regressive forms. It also appears that human intervention, when the human impacts have cancelled the original characteristics of the dunes or have obstructed the formation and growth of incipient dunes, have allowed their conservation and protection. We therefore suggest that the dunes presenting the worst conditions, which are often bordered by a narrow beach, need to be protected, considering that the most efficient protection of the dune is provided by a wide, stable beach. This highlights how successful beach nourishment has a positive impact on the foredune's systems favoring their development and conservation