Brain Mass and Encephalization Quotients in the Domestic Industrial Pig (Sus scrofa)

open6siIn the present study we examined the brain of fetal, newborn, and adult pigs raised for meat production. The fresh and formalin-fixed weights of the brain have been recorded and used, together with body weight, to calculate the Encephalization Quotient (EQ). The weight of the cerebellum has been used to calculate the Cerebellar Quotient (CQ). The results have been discussed together with analogue data obtained in other terrestrial Cetartiodactyla (including the domestic bovine, sheep, goat, and camel), domesticated Carnivora, Proboscidata, and Primates. Our study, based on a relatively large experimental series, corrects former observations present in the literature based on smaller samples, and emphasizes that the domestic pig has a small brain relative to its body size (EQ = 0.38 for adults), possibly due to factors linked to the necessity of meat production and improved body weight. Comparison with other terrestrial Cetartiodactyla indicates a similar trend for all domesticated species.openMinervini, Serena; Accogli, Gianluca; Pirone, Andrea; Graïc, Jean-Marie; Cozzi, Bruno; Desantis, SalvatoreMinervini, Serena; Accogli, Gianluca; Pirone, Andrea; Graic, JEAN-MARIE; Cozzi, Bruno; Desantis, Salvator

A Rational Approach Towards a New Ferrocenyl Pyrrolidine for Stereoselective Enamine Catalysis

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The Treatment of Acute Diaphyseal Long-bones Fractures with Orthobiologics and Pharmacological Interventions for Bone Healing Enhancement: A Systematic Review of Clinical Evidence

The healing of long bones diaphyseal fractures can be often impaired and eventually end into delayed union and non-union. A number of therapeutic strategies have been proposed in combination with surgical treatment in order to enhance the healing process, such as scaffolds, growth factors, cell therapies and systemic pharmacological treatments. Our aim was to investigate the current evidence of bone healing enhancement of acute long bone diaphyseal fractures

Dual Photoredox and Nickel Catalysed Reductive Coupling of Alkynes and Aldehydes

A regioselective vinylation of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes promoted by the merging of photoredox and nickel catalysis is here reported. A comprehensive investigation on the reaction conditions allowed the disclosure of a valid and reproducible protocol based on a nickel-mediated reductive coupling approach under visible light irradiation. The employment of 3CzClIPN (2,4,6-tris(carbazol-9-yl)-5-chloro-isophthalonitrile) as the photocatalyst and Hantzsch's ester as the sacrificial organic reductant replace the use of boron-, silicon- or zinc-based reducing agents, making this method a worthy alternative to the already known protocols. The developed mild reaction conditions allow the access to a wide range of substituents decorating both the aldehyde and the alkyne. Moreover, careful photophysical investigations shed light on the mechanism of the reaction

Case Report: Simil-Appendicitis Presentation May Precede Cardiac Involvement in MIS-C Patient

Introduction: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a new clinical entity characterized by a systemic hyperinflammation triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents. This condition could potentially involve all organs with main complications concerning cardiovascular system. Despite up to 90% of patients complain gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomit, and diarrhea), a presentation mimicking acute appendicitis has rarely been reported, and can be the presenting feature of the disease, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Case Description: A 15-year-old boy presented to the Emergency Department for a 2-day history of fever, vomiting, and mild abdominal pain. One month before, the patient complained ageusia and anosmia while his mother tested positive for Sars-CoV2 nasopharyngeal swab. At admission, laboratory tests showed leukocytosis with lymphopenia and elevation of inflammatory markers, while cardiac enzymes, electrocardiogram and echocardiography were unremarkable. An abdominal ultrasound displayed a thickening of terminal ileus and cecum with ascites. Because of the worsening abdominal pain and a physical examination suggestive of acute appendicitis, a laparoscopy was performed but no surgical condition was found. After surgery, fever and generalized malaise persisted, so a cardiac evaluation was repeated, showing a relevant increase in inflammatory markers and cardiac enzymes. Electrocardiogram demonstrated a QTc prolongation with mild decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction at echocardiogram. A MIS-C was diagnosed and intravenous immunoglobulin along with a steroid treatment started. After 36 h, the patient presented a complete clinical recovery with fever cessation. Cardiac anomalies normalized in 3 weeks. Conclusion: MIS-C has been defined as a systemic inflammation, involving at least two organs, after a previous SARS-CoV2 infection in children and adolescents. Physicians should be aware that while gastrointestinal manifestations are common, a pseudo appendicitis presentation may also occur, leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. This report suggests that in patients with symptoms suggestive of an acute appendicitis, the presence of lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia and ultrasound images of terminal ileus inflammation, should raise the suspect for MIS-C even without initial overt signs of cardiac involvement

Determination of Fe2+ and Fe3+ species by FIA-CRC-ICP-MS in Antarctic ice samples

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The Survival of Total Knee Arthroplasty: Current Data from Registries on Tribology: Review Article

BACKGROUND: Polyethylene (PE) wear is a major contributor to implant loosening following total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and advanced bearings in TKA are being investigated with hopes of reducing or eliminate wear-related loosening. Currently, information on knee tribology is available from national joint registries and may be the best tools to evaluate the efficacy and safety of design innovations in joint arthroplasty. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We performed a review of national joint registries trying to answer the following questions: “Which is the main factor directly related to revisions rate in TKA?” and “Are there new bearing options better than conventional ones?” METHODS: A review was performed of all published annual reports of National Joint Registers, as well as of the literature. The search was carried out using and comparing the National Joint Registers. RESULTS: Current data from registries for total knee arthroplasty indicates that age is the major factor affecting the outcome of primary total knee replacement. The 10-year cumulative revision rate for non-cross-linked PE was 5.8% and for XLPE it was 3.5%. The effect of cross-linked polyethylene was more evident in the younger patients. The survival of the oxidized zirconium (OxZr) femoral component appears better when compared to a similar age group of patients with conventional group of prostheses. Our review suggests that the revision rates are half for the OxZr components compared to conventional CoCr femoral components. CONCLUSIONS: Age is the most relevant single factor related to revision rate. Cross-linked PE has a statistical lower revision rate at 10 years compared to conventional PE and, in the OxZr group, the revision rate is 2 times lower than Co-Cr in the same group of age. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11420-016-9513-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Clinical Results of Oxidized Zirconium Femoral Component in TKA. A Review of Long-Term Survival: Review Article

BACKGROUND: Oxidized zirconium (OxZr) femoral component for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been introduced in an attempt to reduce polyethylene wear and secondary osteolysis and improve longevity of implants. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We reviewed clinical studies in literature evaluating OxZr femoral component for TKA. The aim of this review was to evaluate the clinical outcome and survival rate of TKA with an OxZr femoral component. METHODS: A review of the existing literature was undertaken to collect data on the OxZr femoral component in order to provide a better understanding of its performance. Of 34 studies published in the literature, 8 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: Findings indicated that the mean Knee Society knee score improved in all series from preoperative to postoperative evaluation. The postoperative Knee Society knee score reported range from 84 to 95 and mean postoperative Knee Society functional score range from 74 to 90. The revision rate with this implant is low with up to 12.6 years of follow-up, with three revisions in total. The survival rate ranged from 100–98.7% at 5–7 years to 97.8% at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent clinical outcome and high survival rate has been demonstrated for OxZr femoral component in TKA. No adverse reaction has been described for this new material. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11420-016-9512-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users