1,721,093 research outputs found
3D exoscopic surgery of lateral skull base
No full textPurpose: The aim of the study is to assess whether the 3D exoscopic surgery technique could be used in lateral skull base surgery and if it could ultimately replace the microscope in the future. Methods: This is a retrospective study in which were included 24 patients affected by lateral skull base pathologies, who underwent surgery using the 3D exoscope or the operative microscope at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University Hospital of Verona. The exoscope and microscope groups each included 12 cases. The feasibility of all the surgical steps solely using the 3D exoscope was evaluated. The exoscope group and microscope group were compared taking into account the following factors: time of the surgery, facial and hearing functions outcomes, as well as the intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results: No intraoperative complication occurred during all the procedures. Postoperatively, only one minor complication emerged. The average operative time was 289 in the exoscope group and 313 min in the microscope one. No significant statistical differences were identified between the two groups (p > 0.05). The facial and hearing function outcomes were fully comparable. Conclusion: Our experience demonstrated that the exclusive use of the 3D exoscope, as that of the traditional microscope during lateral skull base surgery, is feasible for all open approaches. The use of the 3D exoscopic technique is very promising for future lateral skull base surgeries
Valutazione dell’efficacia di alcuni insetticidi su Dociostaurus maroccanus (Thunberg) e sul suo predatore oofago Mylabris variabilis Pallas
No full text
Prove di efficacia di funghi entomopatogeni su Dociostaurus maroccanus (Thunberg) e sul suo predatore oofago Mylabris variabilis Pallas
No full textPathophysiology of Lung Disease and Wound Repair in Cystic Fibrosis
No full textCystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive, life-threatening condition affecting many organs and tissues, the lung disease being the chief cause of morbidity and mortality. Mutations affecting the CF Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene determine the expression of a dysfunctional protein that, in turn, triggers a pathophysiological cascade, leading to airway epithelium injury and remodeling. In vitro and in vivo studies point to a dysregulated regeneration and wound repair in CF airways, to be traced back to epithelial CFTR lack/dysfunction. Subsequent altered ion/fluid fluxes and/or signaling result in reduced cell migration and proliferation. Furthermore, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition appears to be partially triggered in CF, contributing to wound closure alteration. Finally, we pose our attention to diverse approaches to tackle this defect, discussing the therapeutic role of protease inhibitors, CFTR modulators and mesenchymal stem cells. Although the pathophysiology of wound repair in CF has been disclosed in some mechanisms, further studies are warranted to understand the cellular and molecular events in more details and to better address therapeutic interventions
The impact of spiders (Araneae) on Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) population density
No full textThe role of spiders in regulating phytophagous pest populations is very difficult to investigate in open fields. In 2001 we began to observe the activity of these predators upon grapevine moth, and we continued this study in 2006-2007 with research to quantify their impact on the key pest of vineyards in Southern Italy, i.e. Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera Tortricidae). The research was realized in an experimental screenhouse vineyard completely covered by one single piece of insect-proof net. The screenhouse was subdivided into two isolated equal parts by a vertical net. The experiment consisted in collecting the spiders from each vine of one half of the vineyard and transferring them into the second half, then evaluating the variation of population density both of L. botrana and spiders over the seasons. In order to evaluate the spider population density, we randomly selected three plots in each half vineyard; each plot consisting of 10 cv Italia vines. Spiders were collected weekly from each vine of the plot using an entomological umbrella. From bloom to harvest, grapevine moth infestation was assessed by collecting one inflorescence or one cluster per vine and counting the numbers of infested berries and live larvae. Grapevine moth adults were collected weekly using sex pheromone traps and then counted. The regular transfer of spiders from one half of the vineyard to the other caused a noticeable variation in their density. The total number of spiders in the enriched vineyard was about double that in the depleted vineyard in 2006, and more than four times the number in 2007. As a consequence of spider enrichment in the release plot, the grapevine moth adults diminished, reaching the lowest density in the second year of study, when the number of adults trapped was less than one half of the number trapped in the plot where spiders were removed. The usefulness of spider activity in limiting L. botrana adults was not followed by a similar effect on phytophagous larvae, mainly because predators have poor possibilities of reaching the endophytic larvae of L. botrana carpophagous generations
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