Continuous stellate ganglion block in delayed cerebral ischemia: A possible supplementary approach to traditional therapy?

Delayed Cerebral Ischemia (DCI) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality after SAH. Currently the prevention of vasospasm and DCI relies on nimodipine administration and on maintaining an adequate cerebral perfusion pressure. We report a patient with initial DCI after SAH in which stellate ganglion block (SGB) was performed after nimodipine administration. Firstly the procedure was characterized by a iv and intra-arterial nimodipine administration which did not result into a normal perfusion pattern. Therefore a single-shot stellate ganglion block was performed, as suggested in literature. Because of the not sufficient but promising perfusion improvement, we decided to deliver a continuous ganglion block (cSGB) for 5 days. Consequently a further improvement of the cerebral perfusion on CTPerfusion and Real Time Angiographic Perfusion Assessment was registered. In order to treat cerebral vasospasm, SGB is known to be a further valuable treatment, despite its temporary effect. However the continuous use of SGB during initial DCI has never been described before

Interface Dipole : Effects on Threshold Voltage and Mobility for both Amorphous and Poly-crystalline Organic Field Effect Transistors

We report a detailed comparison on the role of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of dipolar molecules on the threshold voltage and charge carrier mobility of organic field-effect transistor (OFET) made of both amorphous and polycrystalline organic semiconductors. We show that the same relationship between the threshold voltage and the dipole-induced charges in the SAM holds when both types of devices are fabricated on strictly identical base substrates. Charge carrier mobilities, almost constant for amorphous OFET, are not affected by the dipole in the SAMs, while for polycrystalline OFET (pentacene) the large variation of charge carrier mobilities is related to change in the organic film structure (mostly grain size).Comment: Full paper and supporting informatio

CRYPTIC FEMALE PREFERENCE FOR COLORFUL MALES IN GUPPIES

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Physical Study by Surface Characterizations of Sarin Sensor on the Basis of Chemically Functionalized Silicon Nanoribbon Field Effect Transistor

Surface characterizations of an organophosphorus (OP) gas detector based on chemically functionalized silicon nanoribbon field-effect transistor (SiNR-FET) were performed by Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) and ToF-SIMS, and correlated with changes in the current-voltage characteristics of the devices. KPFM measurements on FETs allow (i) to investigate the contact potential difference (CPD) distribution of the polarized device as function of the gate voltage and the exposure to OP traces and, (ii) to analyze the CPD hysteresis associated to the presence of mobile ions on the surface. The CPD measured by KPFM on the silicon nanoribbon was corrected due to side capacitance effects in order to determine the real quantitative surface potential. Comparison with macroscopic Kelvin probe (KP) experiments on larger surfaces was carried out. These two approaches were quantitatively consistent. An important increase of the CPD values (between + 399 mV and + 302 mV) was observed after the OP sensor grafting, corresponding to a decrease of the work function, and a weaker variation after exposure to OP (between - 14 mV and - 61 mV) was measured. Molecular imaging by ToF-SIMS revealed OP presence after SiNR-FET exposure. The OP molecules were essentially localized on the Si-NR confirming effectiveness and selectivity of the OP sensor. A prototype was exposed to Sarin vapors and succeeded in the detection of low vapor concentrations (40 ppm).Comment: Paper and supporting information, J. Phys. Chem. C, 201

Biochemical and Fatty Acids Composition of Water Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) Follicular Fluid

Aim of this study was to characterize the biochemical and fatty acids composition of follicular fluid collected from follicles of different sizes and in different phases of ovarian cycle in water buffalo farmed in Italy. Ovaries were collected at slaughterhouse during the breeding season; follicular fluid was aspirated dividing samples in small and large follicles (< 6 mm and > 6 mm respectively) and in luteal and follicular phase. Biochemical analysis and gas-chromatography were performed. Biochemical and fatty acids composition were greatly influenced by both follicular dimension and phase of ovarian cycle. Biochemical composition and its variations were in agreement with previously study conducted in buffalo and other species. This is the first report of the fatty acids composition of buffalo follicular fluid. Twenty-two fatty acids were identified in follicular fluid; nine were saturated fatty acids, six monounsatured fatty acids and seven polyunsatured fatty acids. The most dominant fatty acids were linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and arachidonic acid. All the identified fatty acids concentrations vary at least because of follicle dimension or phase, with the exception of γ-linoleic acid and arachidonic acid which concentrations remain stable in all classes

Detecting neurodevelopmental trajectories in congenital heart diseases with a machine-learning approach

We aimed to delineate the neuropsychological and psychopathological profiles of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and look for associations with clinical parameters. We conducted a prospective observational study in children with CHD who underwent cardiac surgery within five years of age. At least 18\ua0months after cardiac surgery, we performed an extensive neuropsychological (intelligence, language, attention, executive function, memory, social skills) and psychopathological assessment, implementing a machine-learning approach for clustering and influencing variable classification. We examined 74 children (37 with CHD and 37 age-matched controls). Group comparisons have shown differences in many domains: intelligence, language, executive skills, and memory. From CHD questionnaires, we identified two clinical subtypes of psychopathological profiles: a small subgroup with high symptoms of psychopathology and a wider subgroup of patients with ADHD-like profiles. No associations with the considered clinical parameters were found. CHD patients are prone to high interindividual variability in neuropsychological and psychological outcomes, depending on many factors that are difficult to control and study. Unfortunately, these dysfunctions are under-recognized by clinicians. Given that brain maturation continues through childhood, providing a significant window for recovery, there is a need for a lifespan approach to optimize the outcome trajectory for patients with CHD

Comparison between Two Different Two-Stage Transperineal Approaches to Treat Urethral Strictures or Bladder Neck Contracture Associated with Severe Urinary Incontinence that Occurred after Pelvic Surgery: Report of Our Experience

Introduction. The recurrence of urethral/bladder neck stricture after multiple endoscopic procedures is a rare complication that can follow prostatic surgery and its treatment is still controversial. Material and Methods. We retrospectively analyzed our data on 17 patients, operated between September 2001 and January 2010, who presented severe urinary incontinence and urethral/bladder neck stricture after prostatic surgery and failure of at least four conservative endoscopic treatments. Six patients underwent a transperineal urethrovesical anastomosis and 11 patients a combined transperineal suprapubical (endoscopic) urethrovesical anastomosis. After six months the patients that presented complete incontinence and no urethral stricture underwent the implantation of an artificial urethral sphincter (AUS). Results. After six months 16 patients were completely incontinent and presented a patent, stable lumen, so that they underwent an AUS implantation. With a mean followup of 50.5 months, 14 patients are perfectly continent with no postvoid residual urine. Conclusions. Two-stage procedures are safe techniques to treat these challenging cases. In our opinion, these cases could be managed with a transperineal approach in patients who present a perfect operative field; on the contrary, in more difficult cases, it would be preferable to use the other technique, with a combined transperineal suprapubical access, to perform a pull-through procedure

SISTEMÁTICA Y DISTRIBUCIÓN DEL GÉNERO LUTICOLA D.G. MANN (BACILLARIOPHYTA) EN ARGENTINA

Los objetivos de mi tesis doctoral son evaluar la riqueza del género de diatomeas Luticola en Argentina, explorar las relaciones filogenéticas del mismo e identificar los patrones de distribución de las especies encontradas en nuestro país. Para ello mi trabajo se centra en cinco brazos principales, estos son la revisión bibliográfica, la consulta de colecciones, el análisis de muestras adquiridas a campo, los análisis moleculares a partir de cultivos unialgales y el desarrollo de mapas de distribución de las especies. Para la revisión bibliográfica analizaré los trabajos en los cuales se citen especies del género en estudio en el país. En cuanto a la consulta de colecciones, principalmente trabajaré con materiales de la Colección de la División Ficología, FCNyM, siendo de especial importancia la Colección de Diatomeas Argentinas Dr. Joaquín Frenguelli, en la cual se encuentran varios materiales tipos del género Luticola. Para la obtención de muestras se realizarán campañas de muestreo a distintas regiones del país. Se tomarán muestras cualitativas (multihábitat) de perifiton, midiendo altitud, coordenadas geográficas y parámetros físicos y químicos del agua. Las muestras colectadas serán conservadas en frío y oscuridad hasta ser llevadas al laboratorio. Parte de estas muestras serán utilizadas para realizar análisis con microscopía óptica y electrónica de barrido y otras para aislamientos y cultivos. Las muestras serán analizadas con microscopio óptico (MO) con contraste de fases e interferencia y microscopio electrónico de barrido (MEB), para esto es necesario eliminar la materia orgánica, lo cual se realizará con peróxido de hidrógeno o peróxido de hidrógeno y dicromato de potasio. El material tratado será montado en Naphrax para su observación con MO y sobre tacos de vidrio y metalizadas con oro para su estudio con MEB. Por otra parte se establecerán cultivos unialgales en medios de cultivo a temperatura y luz controladas. A partir de aquellos cultivos que prosperen se realizará la extracción del ADN y se secuenciaran distintos marcadores que se utilizarán para establecer las relaciones filogenéticas del género. Para establecer los patrones de distribución de las especies se realizará un Análisis de Parsimonia de Endemismos (PAE) basado en localidades. Los resultados de este análisis se compararán con esquemas biogeográficos establecidos a partir de otros grupos de organismos. Los datos biológicos, físicos y químicos serán reunidos en Sistema de Información Geográfica. Los mapas de distribución de las especies se realizarán usando el software QGIS

Systematic and Distribution of Genus Luticola D.G. Mann (Bacillariophyta) in Argentina

Los objetivos de mi tesis doctoral son evaluar la riqueza del género de diatomeas Luticola en Argentina, explorar las relaciones filogenéticas del mismo e identificar los patrones de distribución de las especies encontradas en nuestro país. Para ello mi trabajo se centra en cinco brazos principales, estos son la revisión bibliográfica, la consulta de colecciones, el análisis de muestras adquiridas a campo, los análisis moleculares a partir de cultivos unialgales y el desarrollo de mapas de distribución de las especies. Para la revisión bibliográfica analizaré los trabajos en los cuales se citen especies del género en estudio en el país. Encuanto a la consulta de colecciones, principalmente trabajaré con materiales de la Colección de la División Ficología, FCNyM, siendo de especial importancia la Colección de Diatomeas Argentinas Dr. Joaquín Frenguelli, en la cual se encuentran varios materiales tipos del género Luticola.Universidad Nacional de La Plat

Effect of preoperative pulmonary hemodynamic and cardiopulmonary bypass on lung function in children with congenital heart disease

In children with congenital heart disease (CHD), pulmonary blood flow (Qp) contributes to alterations of pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange, while cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces lung edema. We aimed to determine the effect of hemodynamics on lung function and lung epithelial lining fluid (ELF) biomarkers in biventricular CHD children undergoing CPB. CHD children were classified as high Qp (n = 43) and low Qp (n = 17), according to preoperative cardiac morphology and arterial oxygen saturation. We measured ELF surfactant protein B (SP-B) and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) as indexes of lung inflammation and ELF albumin as index of alveolar capillary leak in tracheal aspirate (TA) samples collected before surgery and in 6 hourly intervals within 24 h after surgery. At the same time points, we recorded dynamic compliance and oxygenation index (OI). The same biomarkers were measured in TA samples collected from 16 infants with no cardiorespiratory diseases at the time of endotracheal intubation for elective surgery. Preoperative ELF biomarkers in CHD children were significantly increased than those found in controls. In the high Qp, ELF MPO and SP-B peaked 6 h after surgery and tended to decrease afterward, while they tended to increase within the first 24 h in the low Qp. ELF albumin peaked 6 h after surgery and decreased afterwards in both CHD groups. Dynamic compliance/kg and OI significantly improved after surgery only in the High Qp. Conclusion: In CHD children, lung mechanics, OI, and ELF biomarkers were significantly affected by CPB, according to the preoperative pulmonary hemodynamics.What is Known:• Congenital heart disease children, before cardiopulmonary run, exhibit changes in respiratory mechanics, gas exchange, and lung inflammatory biomarkers that are related to the preoperative pulmonary hemodynamics.• Cardiopulmonary bypass induces alteration of lung function and epithelial lining fluid biomarkers according to preoperative hemodynamics.What is New:• Our findings can help to identify children with congenital heart disease at high risk of postoperative lung injury who may benefit of tailored intensive care strategies, such as non-invasive ventilation techniques, fluid management, and anti-inflammatory drugs that can improve cardiopulmonary interaction in the perioperative period