Microsatellite instability and p53 expression in gallbladder carcinomas.

We studied the MSI (microsatellite instability) status and p53 expression in a series of 71 gallbladder cancers (GCs) of different histologic type. All neoplasms were examined combining a microsatellite analysis at mononucleotide locus BAT-26 and an immunohistochemical study for hMSH2, hMLH1, and p53 proteins and markers of gastric and intestinal differentiation. All the 71 GCs were MSS (microsatellite stable). The p53 protein was found in 100% of undifferentiated GCs, 67% of conventional gallbladder adenocarcinomas, 50% of mucinous adenocarcinomas, and 20% GCs with squamous differentiation. All 71 MSS tumors showed presence of immunohistochemical expression of both hMLH1 and hMSH2 gene products. We concluded that microsatellite instability does not play a role in the developing of GC while p53 seems to be the most important alteration found in a large proportion of these cancers, with the only exception of mucinous and squamous gallbladder carcinomas.     

Locomotor behaviours and respiratory pattern of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

Twenty-four Mediterranean fin whales were tracked in open sea with a method based on the assessment of the animal differential position in respect of the observer's absolute position aboard a vessel, with the concomitant recording of the respiratory activity. Short distance video recording was also performed in two whales, permitting the simultaneous determination of single breath expiratory (T_E) and inspiratory (T_I) durations. In the 24 whales swimming at an average velocity of 1.39 (0.47) m·s^–1 [mean (SD), range: 0.62–2.44 m·s^–1], 2068 breaths organized in 477 respiratory cycles were observed. Each cycle entailed a prolonged apnoea dive phase [225 (91) s, T_dive) followed by a period near the surface [62 (28) s, surfacing], during which a series of breaths [4.6 (1.8)] was performed at short intervals. On the basis of track length and swimming velocity, two groups of animals were devised differing for convolution of the course (p<0.001), extension of ranging territory (p<0.01) and horizontal swimming velocity (p<0.05), which may represent two distinct behaviours. A possibly general mechanism of control of breathing in cetaceans was found, consistent with a model of constant tidal volume and variable respiratory frequency. Coherently with this model, T_E was independent of T_I or T_dive, in line with a passive expiration, while T_I appeared to be negatively correlated with T_dive (p<0.05), otherwise suggesting, similarly with terrestrial mammals, a significant role of hypercapnic stimulation. The estimated O₂ consumption of about 150 l·min^–1 is in line with the general allometric regression for mammals and corresponds to an energetic expenditure of 85–95 kJ·kg^–1·day^–1.Partially presented as a poster at The World Marine Mammal Science Conference and 12th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society, Monaco (Montecarlo), 20–24 January 1998.Angelo Colombini provided technical assistance.     

Sensory, motor somatic, and autonomic neurons projecting to the porcine cremaster muscle

The location of sensory, somatic, and autonomic neurons projecting to the pig cremaster muscle (CM) was studied by means of the retrograde neuronal tracer Fast Blue (FB) technique. FB was randomly injected in the left CM of four impuberal pigs and serial sections of sensory and autonomic ganglia and spinal cord were examined under a fluorescence microscope. Additionally, some indications about the number and size of labeled neurons were given. Sensory pseudounipolar somata were located ipsilaterally in the L2-L6 and S1-S2 dorsal root ganglia, their total number ranging between 125 and 194, their mean diameter between 24 and 89 microm. Somatic multipolar motoneurons were located ipsilaterally in the L2-L4 neuromeres of the spinal cord, their total number ranging between 53 and 169, their mean diameter between 29 and 53 microm. Autonomic multipolar paravertebral ganglia neurons were located ipsilaterally from L1 to S4 and contralaterally from L2 to S2. Their total number ranged from 2,015 to 3,067 and their mean diameter between 25 and 55 microm. The multipolar caudal mesenteric ganglia neurons were located bilaterally, their total number ranging between 14 and 1,408 and their diameter from 22 to 39 microm. In two subjects only, multipolar neurons were also found ipsilaterally in the microganglia of pelvic plexus (2 and 13 neurons). Their mean diameter ranged between 28 and 54 microm. Our study documented that the CM-projecting neurons were located at different neural levels, with a predominance in the autonomic ganglia.     

Antioxidant treatment of hindlimb-unloaded mouse counteracts fiber type transition but not atrophy of disused muscles

Oxidative stress was proposed as a trigger of muscle impairment in various muscle diseases. The hindlimb-unloaded (HU) rodent is a model of disuse inducing atrophy and slow-to-fast transition of postural muscles. Here, mice unloaded for 14 days were chronically treated with the selective antioxidant trolox. After HU, atrophy was more pronounced in the slow-twitch soleus muscle (Sol) than in the fast-twitch gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles, and was absent in extensor digitorum longus muscle. In accord with the phenotype transition, HU Sol showed a reduced expression of myosin heavy chain type 2A (MHC-2A) and increase in MHC-2X and MHC-2B isoforms. In parallel, HU Sol displayed an increased sarcolemma chloride conductance related to an increased expression of ClC-1 channels, changes in excitability parameters, a positive shift of the mechanical threshold, and a decrease of the resting cytosolic calcium concentration. Moreover, the level of lipoperoxidation increased proportionally to the degree of atrophy of each muscle type. As expected, trolox treatment fully prevented oxidative stress in HU mice. Atrophy was not prevented but the drug significantly attenuated Sol phenotypic transition and excitability changes. Trolox treatment had no effect on control mice. These results suggest possible benefits of antioxidants in protecting muscle against disuse.     

Cardiac and skeletal muscle adaptations to training in systemic hypertension and effect of beta blockade (metoprolol or propranolol)

Cardiovascular and peripheral adaptations to an aerobic conditioning program were studied in 30 hypertensive adults taking either placebo, beta 1-selective beta-adrenergic blocker (metoprolol) or beta 1-nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker (propranolol). The placebo group increased aerobic capacity (VO2max) 24% (p less than 0.002), largely explained by an increased peripheral arteriovenous (AV) oxygen difference with minimal changes in cardiac size and function. Resting blood pressure and total systemic resistance also decreased. The group taking a beta 1-selective beta blocker increased VO2max 8% (p less than 0.05), reduced resting blood pressure but had no significant change of AV oxygen difference or cardiac size or function. The group taking the beta 1-nonselective beta blocker propranolol had no increase in VO2max, no decrease in resting blood pressure and no cardiovascular or peripheral adaptations to the exercise program. Thus, beta 1-selective and beta 1-nonselective beta blockers attenuate conditioning in hypertensive patients to differing degrees, in each case by blocking peripheral mechanisms of conditioning.     

Real world experience with teriflunomide in multiple sclerosis: the TER-Italy study

Journal of Neurology - To identify baseline factors associated with disease activity in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) under teriflunomide treatment. This was an...     

Barbed versus traditional suture for enterotomy closure after laparoscopic right colectomy with intracorporeal mechanical anastomosis: a case–control study

Our aim was to establish the safety and efficacy of barbed suture for enterotomy closure after laparoscopic right colectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis. This study included 47 patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal mechanical anastomosis and barbed suture enterotomy closure (barbed suture closure—BSC) for adenocarcinoma (with the exception of T4 lesions and metastasis), compared with 47 matched patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal mechanical anastomosis and conventional suture enterotomy closure (conventional suture closure—CSC) during the same period. Controls were matched for stage, age, and gender via a statistically generated selection of all laparoscopic right hemicolectomies performed from January 2009 until December 2015. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age, sex, BMI, ASA, co-morbidity, previous abdominal surgery, cancer site and cancer staging. In terms of operating time (median 120 min for BSC and 127.5 min for CSC), histopathological results, surgical site complications (2.1% for BSC and 8.5% for CSC), hospitalization (median 6 days for BSC and 5 days for CSC), readmission rate (0%), there were no differences between the groups (p > 0.05). No significant differences were noted between the two groups in terms of the postoperative course. Our results support that the use of knotless barbed sutures for enterotomy closure after laparoscopic right colectomy with intracorporeal mechanical anastomosis is safe and reproducible.     

In vitro bactericidal effect of Nd:YAG laser on Actinomyces israelii

A bactericidal effect has been reported by the use of near-infrared laser light on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Nd:YAG laser on Actinomyces israelii, filamentous bacteria causing cervicofacial actinomycosis. Experiments were realized on bacterial cells in saline suspension or streaked on Mueller–Hinton (MH) agar plates with or without India ink. Laser application was performed in Eppendorf tubes with different powers and frequencies for 40 s; bacterial suspensions were then streaked on agar plates and incubated at 35 °C in proper conditions for 5 days before colony enumeration. A reduction of colony number variable from 60.13 to 100 % for powers of 2, 4, and 6 W at 25–50 Hz of frequency was observed in comparison with growth control. For agar plates, laser application was performed with different powers at 50 Hz for 60 s. A growth inhibition was observed after 5 days of incubation on MH plates with powers of 6 W and on MH–ink plates with all applied powers. This preliminary study showed a bactericidal effect caused by Nd:YAG laser application worthy to be evaluated in further experiments in vivo.