Usefulness of image guidance in the surgical treatment of petrous apex cholesterol granuloma

The petrous apex is a pyramid-shaped structure, located medial to the inner ear and the intrapetrous segment of the internal carotid artery. Lesions of the petrous apex can be surgically treated through different surgical routes. Because of the important neurovascular structures located inside the temporal bone, anatomical 3D knowledge is paramount. For this reason, image-guided surgery could represent a useful tool. We report the case of a young woman who came to our observation for a trigeminal neuralgia due to a petrous apex cholesterol granuloma. The lesion was treated through the placement of a drainage tube via an infracochlear approach, with the aid of neuronavigation and intraoperative MRI. Preoperative CT scan images and intraoperative MRI images were fused for surgical planning. The accuracy of the neuronavigation system has proved to be good, and the safety of the procedure was enhanced. Therefore, neuronavigation and intraoperative MRI, though not available in all neurootological centres, should be considered useful tools in these challenging procedures

Antiplane Stoneley waves propagating at the interface between two couple stress elastic materials

We investigate antiplane Stoneley waves, localized at the discontinuity surface between two perfectly bonded half-spaces. Both half-spaces are elastic linear isotropic and possess a microstructure that is described within the theory of couple stress materials with micro-inertia. We show that the microstructure deeply affects wave propagation, which is permitted under broad conditions. This outcome stands in marked contrast to classical elasticity, where antiplane Stoneley waves are not supported and in-plane Stoneley waves exist only under very severe conditions on the material properties of the bonded half-spaces. Besides, Stoneley waves may propagate only beyond a threshold frequency (cuton), for which an explicit expression is provided. For a given frequency above cuton, this expression lends the admissible range of material parameters that allows propagation (passband). In particular, significant contrast between the adjoining materials is possible, provided that Stoneley waves propagate at high enough frequency. Therefore, micro-inertia plays an important role in determining the features of propagation. Considerations concerning existence and uniqueness of antiplane Stoneley waves are given: it is found that evanescent and decaying/exploding modes are also admitted. Results may be especially useful when accounting for the microstructure in non-destructive testing (NDT) and seismic propagation

2- and 8-alkynyl-9-ethyladenines: Synthesis and biological activity at human and rat adenosine receptors

The synthesis of a series of 9-ethyladenine derivatives bearing alkynyl chains in 2- or 8-position was undertaken, based on the observation that replacement of the sugar moiety in adenosine derivatives with alkyl groups led to adenosine receptor antagonists. All the synthesized compounds were tested for their affinity at human and rat A1, A2A, and A3 adenosine receptors in binding assays; the activity at the human A2B receptor was determined in adenylyl cyclase experiments. Biological data showed that the 2-alkynyl derivatives possess good affinity and are slightly selective for the human A2A receptor. The same compounds tested on the rat A1 and A2A subtypes showed in general lower affinity for both receptors. On the other hand, the affinity of the 8-alkynyl derivatives at the human A1, A2A, and A2B receptors proved to be lower than that of the corresponding 2-alkynyl derivatives. On the contrary, the affinity of the same compounds for the human A3 receptor was improved, resulting in A3 selectivity. As in the case of the 2-alkynyl-substituted compounds, the 8-alkynyl derivatives showed decreased affinity for rat receptors. However, it is worthwhile to note that the 8-phenylethynyl-9-ethyladenine was the most active compound of the two series (Ki in the nanomolar range) at both the human and rat A3 subtype. Docking experiments of the 2- and 8-phenylethynyl-9-ethyladenines, at a rhodopsin-based homology model, gave a rational explanation of the preference of the human A3 receptor for the 8-substituted compound

New 2,6,9-trisubstituted adenines as adenosine receptor antagonists: a preliminary SAR profile

A new series of 2,6,9-trisubstituted adenines (5–14) have been prepared and evaluated in radioligand binding studies for their affinity at the human A1, A2A and A3 adenosine receptors and in adenylyl cyclase experiments for their potency at the human A2B subtype. From this preliminary study the conclusion can be drawn that introduction of bulky chains at the N6 position of 9-propyladenine significantly increased binding affinity at the human A1 and A3 adenosine receptors, while the presence of a chlorine atom at the 2 position resulted in a not univocal effect, depending on the receptor subtype and/or on the substituent present in the N6 position. However, in all cases, the presence in the 2 position of a chlorine atom favoured the interaction with the A2A subtype. These results demonstrated that, although the synthesized compounds were found to be quite inactive at the human A2B subtype, adenine is a useful template for further development of simplified adenosine receptor antagonists with distinct receptor selectivity profiles

Nb3_3Sn conductor development and characterization for NED

The main purpose of Next European Dipole (NED) project is to design and to build an Nb$_{3}$Sn ~ 15 T dipole magnet. Due to budget constraints, NED is mainly focused on superconducting cable development and production. In this work, an update is given on the NED conductor development by Alstom-MSA and SMI, which uses, respectively, Internal-Tin-Diffusion and Powder-In-Tube methods, with the aim of reaching a non-copper critical current density of ~ 3000 A/mm2 at 12 T and 4.2 K. Characterization results, including critical current and magnetization data, are presented and discussed, as well, for conductors already developed by both companies for this project. SMI succeeded to produce a strand with 50 µm diameter filaments and with a critical current of ~ 1400 A at 4.2 K and 12 T, corresponding to a non-copper critical current density of ~ 2500 A/mm2. Cabling trials with this strand were successfully carried out at LBNL

Phenotypic spectrum of MFN2 mutations in the Spanish population

INTRODUCTION: The most common form of axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is type 2A, caused by mutations in the mitochondrial GTPase mitofusin 2 (MFN2). OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study is to establish the incidence of MFN2 mutations in a cohort of Spanish patients with axonal CMT neuropathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-five families with suspected axonal CMT were studied. All MFN2 exons were studied through direct sequencing. A bioenergetics study in fibroblasts was conducted using a skin biopsy taken from a patient with an Arg468His mutation. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients from 14 different families were identified with nine different MFN2 mutations (Arg94Trp, Arg94Gln, Ile203Met, Asn252Lys, Gln276His, Gly296Arg, Met376Val, Arg364Gln and Arg468His). All mutations were found in the heterozygous state and four of these mutations had not been described previously. MFN2 mutations were responsible for CMT2 in 16% +/- 7% of the families studied and in 30.8 +/- 14.2% (12/39) of families with known dominant inheritance. The bioenergetic studies in fibroblasts show typical results of MFN2 patients with a mitochondrial coupling defect (ATP/O) and an increase of the respiration rate linked to complex II. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that mutations in MFN2 are the most frequent cause of CMT2 in this region. The Arg468His mutation was the most prevalent (6/14 families), and our study confirms that it is pathological, presenting as a neuropathy in a mild to moderate degree. This study also demonstrates the value of MFN2 studies in cases of congenital axonal neuropathy, especially in cases of dominant inheritance, severe clinical symptoms or additional symptoms such as optic atrophy

Efecto de extractos de hojas y frutos de Schinus molle sobre la estabilidad oxidativa de aceites mediante oxidación acelerada

The most highly recommended oils for the diet are those which are rich in unsaturated fatty acids. However, the presence of these components in the oils is related to oxidation, which can be determined by the induction period. Further safety and the prolongation of the storage period for such oils can be achieved by the addition of efficient antioxidants, which today are preferably from natural sources. In order to contribute to the related research, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Schinus molle extracts compared to synthetic antioxidants (BHT) in delaying the oxidation of some vegetable oils. The results of the present study showed that the fruit and leaf extracts of Schinus molle presented activities and potential for being used as antioxidants in vegetable oils based on the tested methods (DPPH and ABTS). The extracts were also characterized as containing phenolic compounds by the Folin Ciocalteau method and by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The action of the extracts as natural antioxidants was proven in the vegetal oils of chia (Salvia hispanica) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea) by the Rancimat method. It was observed that the oils increased their resistance to oxidation when incorporated with the extracts of Schinus molle, and the extract from the leaves increased the induction period of peanut oil by more than three hours (from 19.5 to 22.9 hours) with an extract concentration of 2.5%. The fruit extract was more efficient in delaying the oxidation of chia oil, prolonging its induction period by more than one hour with a concentration of 2.5% (from 3.1 to 4.3 hours). According to the results, the extracts of Schinus molle have favorable properties for possible use as an additive which inhibits the oxidation process of the tested vegetables oils.Los aceites más recomendados para la dieta son los ricos en ácidos grasos insa­turados. Sin embargo, la presencia de estos componentes está relacionada con la oxidación del aceite, que puede determinarse por el período de inducción. La seguridad adicional de tales aceites y la prolongación del almacenamiento se pueden lograr mediante la adición de antioxidantes eficientes, que hoy en día se prefieren los provenientes de fuentes naturales. Para contribuir con estas investigaciones, el objetivo principal de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de los extractos de Schinus molle en comparación con el antioxidante sintético BHT, para retrasar la oxidación de algunos aceites vegetales. Los resultados del presente estudio mostraron que los extractos de frutas y hojas de Schinus molle presentan potencial para ser utilizados como antioxidan­tes en aceites vegetales, presentando actividades basadas en métodos probados, DPPH y ABTS. Los extrac­tos también se caracterizaron por la presencia de compuestos fenólicos determinados mediante el método de Folin Ciocalteau y por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC). La acción de los extractos como antioxidantes naturales se evidenció en aceites vegetales de chía (Salvia hispanica) y maní (Arachis hypogaea) por el método Rancimat. Se observó que los aceites aumentan la resistencia a la oxidación cuando se le incor­poran extractos de Schinus molle, aumentando el periodo de inducción en más de tres horas (de 19,5 a 22,9 horas) del aceite de cacahuete con una concentración de extracto del 2,5%. El extracto de fruta fue más efi­ciente en retrasar la oxidación del aceite de chia, prolongando el período de inducción de este aceite en más de una hora con una concentración del 2,5% (de 3,1 a 4,3 horas). De acuerdo con los resultados, los extractos de Schinus molle tienen propiedades favorables para un posible uso como un aditivo inhibidor del proceso de oxidación de los aceites vegetales ensayados