A simple method to treat post-kydney transplantation lymphocele

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with ultrasonic-guided instillation of povidone-iodine to treat post-kidney transplantation lymphocele. Patients and methods. We studied the safety and efficacy of this procedure for treatment of lymphocele in 6 male kidney transplanted recipients in which we assisted a progressive increase of creatinine and urinary proteins levels and color-Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated an increase (25,4%) of index of resistence (IR) Using eco-colorDoppler, the related-graft lymphocele location and the distance to the anterior abdominal wall were determined; then, a radiopaque double-lumen catheter was used to instillate 5% povidone-iodine 10 ml. Results. Percut…

The microbial community of the coelomic fluid of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Functional studies of regulatory genes in the sea urchin embryo.

Study of Uptake Mechanisms of Halloysite Nanotubes in Different Cell Lines

Giuseppa Biddeci,1,2 Gaetano Spinelli,1 Marina Massaro,2 Serena Riela,2 Paola Bonaccorsi,3 Anna Barattucci,3 Francesco Di Blasi1 1Institute for Innovation and Biomedical Research (IRIB), CNR, Palermo, 90146, Italy; 2Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Sect. Chemistry, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90128, Italy; 3Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, 98158, ItalyCorrespondence: Francesco Di BlasiInstitute for Innovation and Biomedical Research (IRIB), CNR, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, Palermo, 90146, ItalyTel +39 0916809514Email francesco.diblasi@irib.cnr.itPurpose: Hal…

Multifunctional Carrier Based on Halloysite/Laponite Hybrid Hydrogel for Kartogenin Delivery

[Image: see text] A novel carrier system based on halloysite nanotubes (HNT), for the potential intraarticular delivery of kartogenin (KGN) by means laponite (Lap) hydrogel (HNT/KGN/Lap), is developed. The drug was first loaded into HNT, and the hybrid composite obtained was used as filler for laponite hydrogel. Both the filler and the hydrogel were thoroughly investigated by several techniques and the hydrogel morphology was imaged by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the gelating ability of laponite in the presence of the filler and the rheological properties of the hybrid hydrogel were also investigated. The kinetic release of kartogenin from HNT and HNT/Lap hybrid hydrogel …

Obtaining mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue of murine origin: Experimental study

Stem cells have a key role in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Although not immortal, they are able to expand manyfold in culture retaining at the same time their growth and multilineage potential. They also show a migratory capacity when transplanted systemically in animal model with injuries. Thanks to their properties and their plasticity stem cells are of great importance since they can be used as a tool for repair damaged tissues and organs. Mesenchymal stem cells, in particular, have the ability to differentiate into lineages of mesodermal tissues, such as skeletal muscle, bone, tendons, cartilage, and fat under appropriate culturing conditions. Recent evidence suggest th…

Reevaluating the function of a transcription factor: MBF-1 as a sea urchin chromatin organizer ?

The Zinc-finger MBF-1 factor is involved in the expression of the early histone genes during devel-opment of the sea urchin embryo (1, 2). In spite of being a transcription activator, the DNA-binding domain of MBF-1 shares high sequence similarity with that of the chromatin organizer CTCF of vertebrates and drosophila (3). On the other hand, extensive in silico analysis failed to identify the sea urchin CTCF ortholog (4). This led us to speculate that MBF-1 somehow could have co-opted the function of CTCF during evolution of the echinoderms. Since in vertebrates CTCF binds Hox chromatin, to support our hypothesis, we first identified high-score putative binding sequences for CTCF/MBF-1 with…

Was King Arthur a King by Definition?

Current research in knowledge representation distinguishes between descriptional and assertional interpretations of semantic nets. This paper explores theoretical and applicative problems, which arise from that distinction in a historic domain. A prolog implementation of KL-ONE is used as a vehicle to compare the various alternatives available to represent knowledge related to single elements of the domain insertion or not of this knowledge in semantic nets in their descriptional sense. The final section of the paper discusses the problem in relation to the theories concerning the functioning of proper names from a logical and philosophical point of view.

The intestinal ecosystem and probiotics

The term "probiotic" comes from the greek "pro bios" and means "pro life": Nowadays, an increasing number of pharmaceutical preparations and functional foods are enriched with probiotics and for the patients it is increasingly important to receive information needed to know how to orient in the choice. The benefits from probiotics are many and include the modulation of the intestinal microflora (stimulation of beneficial bacteria and inhibition of pathogens), the support of bowel function and the stimulation of the immune system. This broad spectrum of beneficial effects to maintain efficient the intestinal ecosystem. Therefore, probiotics are an useful tool to prevent the formation of diso…

Probiotics, prebiotics and symbiotics in inflammatory bowel diseases: state-of-the-art and new insights

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consists of two distinct clinical forms, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), with unknown aetiology, which nevertheless are considered to share almost identical pathophysiological backgrounds. Up to date, a full coherent mechanistic explanation for IBD is still lacking, but people start to realize that the pathogenesis of IBD involves four fundamental components: the environment, gut microbiota, the immune system and the genome. As a consequence, IBD development might be due to an altered immune response and a disrupted mechanism of host tolerance to the non-pathogenic resident microbiota, leading to an elevated inflammatory response. Consideri…

[Gastric leiomyosarcoma: case report and review of literature].

True smooth muscle neoplasms of the wall of digestive tract are rare, in particular in the stomach, and the benign ones are prevalent. We report a case of gastric leiomyosarcoma (LMS) that we observed, diagnosed to a 71 years-old man, with important comorbidities, who had already underwent the amputation of the right lower limb. In consequence of the discovery of anaemia and melaena he underwent an endoscopy of the upper GI tract and CT scan, which showed the presence of a neoformation of the gastric wall, but because of the thrombosis of the common iliac artery and the occurrence of the clinical picture of critical ischaemia, at first the patient underwent the amputation of the left lower …

BRAFV600E mutation, TIMP-1 upregulation, and NF-κB activation: closing the loop on the papillary thyroid cancer trilogy.

BRAFV600E is the most common mutation found in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB have been shown to play an important role in thyroid cancer. In particular, TIMP-1 binds its receptor CD63 on cell surface membrane and activates Akt signaling pathway, which is eventually responsible for its anti-apoptotic activity. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether interplay among these three factors exists and exerts a functional role in PTCs. To this purpose, 56 PTC specimens were analyzed for BRAFV600E mutation, TIMP-1 expression, and NF-κB activation. We found that BRAFV600E mutation occurs selectively in PTC nodules an…

Renal transplantation by automatic anastomotic device in a porcine model

Automatic vascular staplers for vascular anastomoses in kidney transplantation may dramatically reduce the operative time and, in particular, warm ischemia time, thus increasing the outcome of transplantation. Ten pigs underwent kidney auto-transplantation by automatic anastomotic device. Kidneys were collected by laparotomy with selective ligations at the renal hilum and perfused with cold storage solution. To overcome the shortage in length of renal hilum, a tract of the internal jugular vein was harvested to increase the length of the vessels. The anastomoses were totally performed by the use of the anastomotic device. On 10 kidney transplants, nine were successful and no complications o…

Intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: What role?

Aim: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has increased the number of iatrogenic lesion of the biliary tree. In this study, we evaluate the role of intra-operative cholangiography in prevention of biliary tree iatrogenic lesions and early identification of choledocolithiasis, during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Material of study: 169 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were evaluated by means of intra-operative cholangiography. Patients were divided into two groups basing on the risk to develop biliary tree lithiasis. Discussion: Patients with a higher risk of postoperative complications effectively showed cholangiographic anomalies, including duct stones, dilations, anatomical va…

Changes in the morphology of sea urchin embryos exposed during specific stages of development to 50 Hz electric and magnetic fields

Identification of GABA receptor genes and evidence of GABA signaling during embryogenesis of the sea urchin

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system and acts via ionotropic (GABAA-Rs) and metabotropic (GABAB-Rs) receptors. GABAA-Rs are Cl- selective hetero-pentameric channels assembled by combinations of 19 distinct gene products. Instead, GABAB-Rs are bi-subunit G-protein coupled receptors linked to K+ or Ca2+ channels. Dysfunctions of GABA-signaling (GS) cause psychotic disorders and correlate with epigenetic alterations, such as over-expression of DNA methyl transferase-1 which in turn imposes iper-methylation of GABA-regulated genes. The sea urchin embryo, which presents a rudimentary nervous system, offers a big oppor…

ENDOSCOPIC FINDINGS IN CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE: REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Chronic kidney Disease (CKD) is associated with several gastrointestinal diseases, documented with endoscopy. we revisited internation experience about endoscopic pictures in these patients, analyzing only the pre-transplantation period. Gastritis, esophagitis, duodenitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal ischaemia, angiodysplasia and diverticula are the most common findings, but others are reported too. Every author has different data and percentages, and further studies are necessary to assess the relation between CKD and gastrointestinal diseases. CKD is often part of a multisystem damage, that makes the management of the patinet critical. The aim of this review is to consider patie…

Halloysite nanotubes loaded with peppermint essential oil as filler for functional biopolymer film

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to show how a functional bionanocomposite film with both antioxidant and antimicrobial activities was successfully prepared by the filling of a pectin matrix with modified Halloysite nanotubes (HNT) containing the essential peppermint oil (PO). Firstly, HNT surfaces were functionalized with cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) molecules with the aim to enhance the affinity of the nanofiller towards PO, which was estimated by means of HPLC experiments. The HNT/CB[6] hybrid was characterized by several methods (thermogravimetry, FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy) highlighting the influence of the supramolecular interactions on the composition, therma…

Dissecting the different biological effects of oncogenic Ras isoforms in cancer cell lines: could stimulation of oxidative stress be the one more weapon of H-Ras? Regulation of oxidative stress and Ras biological effects

Ras proteins are small GTPase functioning as molecular switches that, in response to particular extracellular signalling, as growth factors, activate a diverse array of intracellular effector cascades regulating cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Human tumours frequently express Ras proteins (Ha-, Ki-, N-Ras) activated by point mutations which contribute to malignant phenotype, including invasiveness and angiogenesis. Despite the common signalling pathways leading to similar cellular responses, studies clearly demonstrate unique roles of the Ras family members in normal and pathological conditions and the lack of functional redundancy seems to be explainable, at least in par…

Argon plasma coagulation in the treatment of post-radiotherapy rectal bleeding

Introduction: Chronic radiation proctitis is often associated to radiotherapy for treatment of pelvic cancer. The most common side effect of this pathological condition is rectal bleeding but despite the great number of clinical approaches and techniques that have been employed no consensus for the management of it is available. Although prospective randomized trials about hemorrhagic radiation proctitis are still lacking, endoscopic approach delivering an Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) seems to be a successful and available option. Patients and Methods: Sixteen patients suffering from post-radiotherapy rectal bleeding were followed. In the nine cases presenting a rectum ulcerative colitis …

Enteral nutrition: Our experience with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and revision of literature

Enteral nutrition (EN), as parenteral nutrition (PN), can be used in cases of patients whose medical conditions prevent the intake of food by mouth; unlike PN, EN keeps the functionality of the digestive tract and it makes home management of patients easier. However, the experience and literature have documented a number of serious complications, fortunately rare, which depend on the methods used in EN realization. We report in this paper our experience in 44 cases of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), concluding that it is a safe and complications-free procedure. We believe that a nutritional intervention is indicated when, improving nutritional status, patients can obtain a better…

Feeding the brain: the importance of nutrients for brain functions and health

‘We are what we eat’, said the philosopher Feuerbach. In fact, the quality of the food we eat affects our mind as well: the brain, which represents 2% of our body weight, consumes about 20% of the calories we eat each day. Follow a few rules could therefore help to feed properly our brain, so it works to the best of its ability. It is important to know properties of foods especially regarding their aminoacidic composition because aminoacids are components of neurotransmitters, molecules needed for brain transmission and function. It is also possible to choose specific food to prevent or support different diseases that affects nervous system.

Use of tailored intraperitoneal ePTFE dual mesh in permagna inguinal hernia

Here we report a case of a giant inguinoscrotal hernia in an elderly patients treated by means of an open positioning of intraperitoneal ePTFE dual mesh. In patients with giant inguinoscrotal hernia the forceful introduction of viscera in abdominal cavity and primary wall closure is burnened from respiratory complication, abdominal compartment syndrome, and defects in wound healing thus exposing the patients to further morbidity and mortality risk. The management of these patients is difficult because of the high occurrence of morbidity factors that affect the success on intervention independently of the technique of surgical repair. The tension- free technique we adopted consented us to ob…

Biocompatibility and biodegradability of electrospun phea-pla scaffolds: Our preliminary experience in a murine animal model

We obtained a nano-fibrillar scaffold starting from a polymeric solution which, through electrospinning, gave a biodegradable material with optimal mechanical features and the capacity to allow cell adhesion. In this paper we report the in-vivo application on a murine animal model of two electrospun biodegradable materials, specifically designed to create tubular structures. In one case PHEA-PLA was co-spun with silk fibroin (Fibro-PHEAPLA) by a parallel electrospinning process to obtain a scaffold with two different polymeric fibers. In the other case, PHEA-PLA was mixed with polycaprolactone (PCLPHEA-PLA) to obtain a hybrid fibers scaffold. The in-vitro assay showed fibroblast colonizatio…

Fentanyl and sufentanyl in fast track anaesthesia for major intra-abdominal surgery

Background and aim: Major intra-abdominal surgery is estimated to have high costs annually in Italy. In an attempt to decrease surgery costs and improve outcome for patients, fast-track programs have become popular. This is especially due both to the improvement of surgery and to the new anesthetic agents (regarding pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic) resulting in better care for patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate two different anesthetic protocols in patients undergoing scheduled anesthesia including the combination of two different opioids (fentanyl or sufentanil) with the same hypnotic and muscle relaxant. Material and Methods: 40 patients, with an American Society of Anest…

Analisi dei fattori di rischio dell'ipoparatiroidismo transitorio e definitivo nei pazienti sottoposti a tiroidectomia

Obiettivi. Con questa revisione della letteratura ci proponiamo di valutare quali sono i fattori che possono essere valutati nei pazienti da sottoporre a tiroidectomia ai fini di una migliore gestione preoperatoria e post-operatoria dell’ipoparatiroidismo transitorio e definitivo. Discussione. L’ipoparatiroidismo transitorio è una complicanza potenzialmente grave che include una vasta gamma di segni e sintomi che permane solo per poche settimane dopo l’intervento chirurgico. L’ipoparatiroidismo definitivo si verifica quando è necessario un trattamento medico per un periodo maggiore di 12 mesi. I fattori di rischio che ne possono influenzare l’insorgenza in seguito ad interventi di tiroidect…

Omics approaches to elucidate the molecular physiology of lantibiotc NAI-107 production in Microbispora ATCC-PTA-5024

A SIMPLE TECHINIQUE TO IMPROVE RESIDUAL SKIN PLASTICITY FOR SCROTAL RECONSTRUCTION IN FOURNIER'S GANGRENE

A 50 years-old man developed 24 hours after hemorrhoidectomy a severe Fournier's gangrene of the scrotum necessitating surgical exeresis of more than 2/3 of scrotal skin followed by hyperbaric oxygen therapy. After the resolution of the septic phase, scrotum reconstruction was obtained by tissue expansion to avoid more invasive advanced reconstructive techniques. The procedure consisted of an enzymatic and mechanical debridement and progressive skin expansion by package of gauzes of increasing volume covered with a collagenasecloramphenicol ointment (Iruxol®- Smith and Nephew, Italy), then closing the wound edges by temporary stitches to put under tension the skin. The reestablishment of th…

The value of diagnostic ultrasound for detecting occult inguinal hernia in patients with groin pain

Aims: chronic groin pain caused by an occult hernia can be a difficult clinical diagnosis and may require additional investiga- tive modalities. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing occult hernia in patients with recurrent inguinal pain and a negative clinical examination. Patients and methods: over a period of three years, a total of 76 patients were referred for ultrasound examination with clini- cally suspected occult inguinal hernia. Patients with positive US scans were offered surgery, while those with negative US findings were offered further imaging or other diagnostic tests. The ultrasound examination of the inguinal region was conducted …

Hybrid supramolecular gels of Fmoc-F/halloysite nanotubes: Systems for sustained release of camptothecin

Supramolecular gel hybrids obtained by self-assembly of Fmoc-L-phenylalanine (Fmoc-F) in the presence of functionalized halloysite nanotubes (f-HNT) were obtained in biocompatible solvents and employed as carriers for the delivery of camptothecin (CPT) molecules. The synthesis of the new f-HNT material as well as its characterization are described. The properties of the hybrid hydrogels and organogels were analyzed by several techniques. The presence of small amounts of f-HNT allows good dispersion of the tubes and the subsequent formation of homogeneous gels. The experimental results show that f-HNT functions only as an additive in the hybrid gels and does not demonstrate gelator behavior.…

Are there individual concepts? Proper names and individual concepts in SI—Nets

We discuss some aspects of the role played by descriptional knowledge in expressions denoting individual objects. In knowledge representation systems such as KL-ONE and KRYPTON which use semantic networks to express descriptional information, the problem is to establish whether the use of individual concepts in a network is justified. In the light of theoretical and applicational considerations, in the proposed solution only definite descriptions are considered as being characterizable by means of definitions. Vice versa, proper names, in the strict sense, will be treated as having no definitional dimension, and as such only appear in the assertional knowledge base. A description is given o…

Halloysite nanotubes-carbon dots hybrids multifunctional nanocarrier with positive cell target ability as a potential non-viral vector for oral gene therapy

Abstract Hypothesis The use of non-viral vectors for gene therapy is hindered by their lower transfection efficiency and their lacking of self-track ability. Experiments This study aims to investigate the biological properties of halloysite nanotubes-carbon dots hybrid and its potential use as non-viral vector for oral gene therapy. The morphology and the chemical composition of the halloysite hybrid were investigated by means of high angle annular dark field scanning TEM and electron energy loss spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The cytotoxicity and the antioxidant activity were investigated by standard methods (MTS, DPPH and H2O2, respectively) using human cervical cancer HeLa cells …

A case report of a difficult dissection of the iliac vessels conducted by means of the harmonic scalpel during a kidney transplantation

Background. The “difficult” preparation of iliac vessels in the kidney transplant recipient caused by a perivascular fibrosis with satellite lymphadenopathy is sometimes burdened by post-transplant complications (lymphocele, seroma and hematoma). Both iliac vascular adhesions and satellite lymphoadenopaty are often due to reiterate femoral cannulation aimed to hemodialysis. Patients and Methods: The case report concerns a 60 years old female uremic patient, on dialysis for about 4 years with perivascular fibrosis and pelvic lymphadenopathy caused by bilateral femoral artery catheterization. In the course of kidney transplant, preparation of the iliac vessels was performed by ultrasonic scal…

Homeobox genes and sea urchin development.

We describe the expression of three Paracentrotus lividus homeobox-containing genes of the dispersed class during sea urchin embryogenesis and discuss their possible roles in the mechanisms of cell specification and embryo morphogenesis. PIHbox12 represents the first regulator identified in sea urchin that belongs to the zygotic class of transcription factors. Its early and transient expression and the localization of transcripts suggests that PIHbox12 is involved in cell fate specification of the oral or aboral ectodermal territories at the early cleavage stages. PIHbox9 is expressed just after the completion of gastrulation in a narrow stripe of cells at the ectoderm-endoderm boundary. It…

Proteomics to elucidate the molecular physiology of Microbispora sp. ATCC-PTA-5024, the producer of NAI-107, a very promising lantibiotic

The filamentous actinobacterium Microbispora sp. ATCC-PTA-5024 produces the lantibiotic NAI-107 (Maffioli et al., 2014), which is effective against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens (Jabés et al., 2011). In actinomycetes, the biosynthesis of antibiotics is generally elicited as a physiological response controlled by a complex regulatory network involving global regulators, playing pleiotropic roles, and pathway-specific regulators, which activate the biosynthesis of biologically active molecules (Bibb, 2005)

An unexpected surprise at the end of a "quiet" cholecystectomy. A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Anatomic unexpected variations in biliary tree may be discovered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. CASE REPORT: A 57-year-old man was admitted for abdominal pain, vomiting and mild jaundice. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a gallbladder containing multiple stones and biliary sludge. All pre-operative investigations showed no anatomical variations in extrahepatic biliary tree. During surgical intervention an accessory extrahepatic duct, connecting the IV segment of the liver to the fundus of gallbladder, was discovered. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative routine investigations for gall stones diseases may not reveal anatomic variations of biliary tree.

The management of postoperative pain after hemorrhoidectomy: Analysis of three methodics

Postoperative pain is one of the most common and disabling complications following hemorrhoidectomy. This study divided a total of 90 patients, undergone Milligan and Morgan hemorrhoidectomy, in three groups of 30 patient: Group A, undergone internal sphincterotomy after hemorrhoidectomy; Group B, treated with Diosmin 500 mg; Group C, treated with Paracetamol 1000 mg when required. The analysis of the median VAS score (Visual Analogic Scale) of postoperative pain, in every group pointed out a relationship between postoperative pain reduction and time at the three set checkpoints (1st, 3rd, 9th postoperative day) (R2= 0.9231 for Group A; R2= 0.9423 for group B; R2= 0.9423 for group C). Mean …