190 research outputs found
Apomorphine-Induced Behavioural Changes in an Early-Stage of the 6-OHDA Hemiparkinsonian Rat Model
No full textSex differences in type A acute aortic dissection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground: In acute aortic dissection (AAD) sex heterogeneity reports are not exhaustive and in part even conflicting. Aim: To explore sex differences in clinical features, management and outcomes among patients with type A AAD. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature were conducted for studies (2004-2022) reporting type A AAD sex differences. Among the 1938 studies retrieved, 16 (16069 patients, 7142 women and 8927 men) fulfilled all eligibility criteria. Data were aggregated used random effects model as pooled risk ratio and mean difference. Results: Due to information reported by considered manuscripts, analysis were performed only among surgically treated type A AAD patients. At the time of hospital presentation type A AAD women were older than men but had lower BMI, BSA and creatinine plasma levels. Active smoking, bicuspid aortic valve and previous cardiac surgery were less common in women while diabetes mellitus was more frequent. Furthermore women experienced more frequently pericardial effusion/cardiac tamponade than men. Interestingly, in-hospital surgical mortality did not differ between sexes (RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.53 - 1.99; p = 0.95), whereas 5 (RR 0.94; 95% CI: 0.92 - 0.97; p < 0.001) and 10-year survival (RR 0.82; 95% CI: 0.74 - 0.92; p = 0.004) was higher among men. A descriptive analysis of in-hospital outcomes among medically treated type A AAD patients confirmed prohibitive high mortality for both sexes (men 58.6% vs women 53.8%, p = 0.59). Conclusions: A female sex phenotype appears to be evident in type A AAD implying the need for a personalized management patient approach along with tailored preventive strategies. PROSPERO registry ID: CRD42022359072
Filippo Ranieri, L’invenzione della persona giuridica, Giuffrè Francis Lefebvre, Milano, 2020
No full textThe author of this review retraces the last monography written by Filippo Ranieri, recently passed away. The monography focuses on the category ‘persona giuridica’ (legal entity), from Roman law to the present time, and describes how the perception of 'legal entity' varied across ages, from the original ignorance to a general admission, between fiction and reality. The reviewer specifically underlines the precious perspective offered by the Author, due to his unique historical and comparative background
Renal Ca2+ and water handling in response to calcium sensing receptor signaling: Physiopathological aspects and role of CaSR-regulated microRNAs
No full textCalcium (Ca2+) is a universal and vital intracellular messenger involved in a diverse range of cellular and biological processes. Changes in the concentration of extracellular Ca2+ can disrupt the normal cellular activities and the physiological function of these systems. The calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) is a unique G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activated by extracellular Ca2+ and by other physiological cations, aminoacids, and polyamines. CaSR is the main controller of the extracellular Ca2+ homeostatic system by regulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion and, in turn, Ca2+ absorption and resorption. Recent advances highlight novel signaling pathways activated by CaSR signaling involving the regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are naturally-occurring small non-coding RNAs that regulate post-transcriptional gene expression and are involved in several diseases. We previously described that high luminal Ca2+ in the renal collecting duct attenuates short-term vasopressin-induced aquaporin-2 (AQP2) trafficking through CaSR activation. Moreover, we demonstrated that CaSR signaling reduces AQP2 abundance via AQP2-targeting miRNA-137. This review summarizes the recent data related to CaSR-regulated miRNAs signaling pathways in the kidney. © 2019 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
4D-Flow Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Sequence for Aortic Assessment: Multi-Vendor and Multi-Magnetic Field Reproducibility in Healthy Volunteers
No full textObjectives: Four-dimensional (4D) flow cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) represents an emerging technique for non-invasive evaluation of the aortic flow. The aim of this study was to investigate a 4D-flow CMR sequence for the assessment of thoracic aorta comparing different vendors and different magnetic fields of MR scanner in fifteen healthy volunteers. Methods: CMR was performed on three different MRI scanners: one at 1.5 T and two at 3 T. Flow parameters and planar wall shear stress (WSS) were extracted from six transversal planes along the full thoracic aorta by three operators. Inter-vendor comparability as well as scan–rescan, intra- and interobserver reproducibility were examined. Results: A high heterogeneity was found in the comparisons for each operator and for each scanner in the six transversal planes analysis (Friedman rank-sum test; p-value ≤ 0.05). Among all, the most reproducible measures were extracted for the sinotubular junction plane and for the flow parameters. Conclusions: Our results suggest that standardized procedures have to be defined to make more comparable and reproducible 4D-flow parameters and mainly, clinical impactfulness. Further studies on sequences development are needed to validate 4D-flow MRI assessment across vendors and magnetic fields also compared to a missing gold standard
Comparison between tail suspension swing test and standard rotation test in revealing early motor behavioral changes and neurodegeneration in 6-OHDA hemiparkinsonian rats
No full textThe unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most commonly used in rodents. The anatomical, metabolic, and behavioral changes that occur after severe and stable 6-OHDA lesions have been extensively studied. Here, we investigated whether early motor behavioral deficits can be observed in the first week after the injection of 6-OHDA into the right substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), and if they were indicative of the severity of the dopaminergic (DAergic) lesion in the SNc and the striatum at different time-points (day 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21). With this aim, we used our newly modified tail suspension swing test (TSST), the standard rotation test (RT), and immunohistochemical staining for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The TSST, but not the standard RT, revealed a spontaneous motor bias for the 6-OHDA-lesioned rats from the day 1 post-surgery. Both tests detected the motor asymmetry induced by (single and repeated) apomorphine (APO) challenges that correlated, in the first week, with the DAergic neuronal degeneration. The described TSST is fast and easy to perform, and in the drug-free condition is useful for the functional assessment of early motor asymmetry appearing after the 6-OHDA-lesion in the SNc, without the confounding effect of APO challenges.peer-reviewe
Pulsed electric fields processing of apple tissue: Spatial distribution of electroporation by means of magnetic resonance imaging and computer vision system
No full textThe optimal application of Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) technology, used by food industry to assist mass transfer processes, depends on the effectiveness of the induced electroporation. The present work aimed at exploring the application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) combined with Computer Vision System (CVS) analysis to assess the spatial distribution of electroporation in apple tissue. PEF-treated apple samples were compared with Dipping (Dip) and Vacuum Impregnation (VI) to gain insight into the spatial distribution of mechanisms that lead to microstructural modifications over time. CVS showed that electroporation modified heterogeneously apple microstructure, causing enzymatic browning unevenly across the samples. MRI transverse relaxation times (T2) maps and longitudinal relaxation times (T1)-weighted images throughout apple tissue confirmed the inhomogeneous distribution and extent of the cell disruption, along with the release of intracellular content toward the external solution. Industrial relevance: The novel applications of pulsed electric fields require fast and reliable methods to detect and estimate the breakage of the membranes integrity in order to boost their industrial adoption and optimization. The present study provided analytical tools able to monitor the spatial distribution of electroporation in plant tissue samples within minutes and consequently to speed up and improve the assessment of different PEF treatments
A performance edition of thirty instructive and melodic exercises for French horn by Vincenz Ranieri
No full text"The primary purpose of this study was to edit and publish a performance edition of Thirty Instructive and Melodic Exercises for French Horn by Vincenz Ranieri. Corrections were made of typographical note errors and rhythms, unification of parallel stylistic markings, and modernization in the appearance and notation of the etude book. Each etude was compared to a list of inconsistencies found throughout the etude book and corrected to unify compositional style. Range of the rudimental exercises preceding each etude was corrected to encompass the corresponding etude range. Phrases markings, slurs, articulation markings, dynamic markings, and ornamentations were standardized. Typographical errors including notes, rhythms, and stylistic markings were corrected. Aesthetic changes and additions were made to note beaming, courtesy accidentals, excessive articulation markings, and overall layout and format. The secondary purpose was to discover biographical information about the composer and historical information about the etude book. Biographical information about the composer and history about the etude book was researched through general literature survey and inquiries made to horn historians, performers, and teachers. Specific information about Vincenz Ranieri including birth and death dates, life, and profession were sought, as well as purpose, inspiration, and date of composition for his etude book. The outcome of this project is to publish the performance edition in the United States in hopes that the etude book will become an accessible, reputable, and valuable addition to horn literature."--Abstract from author supplied metadata
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