Three-dimensional geometrical models of the liver.

In this work we used a virtual approach to study the human liver by three-dimensional geometrical models. We built the models through computer aided geometric modelling techniques starting from pictures taken during both real dissections and diagnostic medical imaging. The results show in a complete modular synthesis and with a schematic iconology the structural organization of this organ in a logic sequence of layers and topographic and spatial relationship among its components. This approach represents an amazing support to clinical anatomy for teaching and research.

La volontà del paziente alla prova della Bioetica e del Biodiritto

Ambiente staminale e prospettive di transdifferenziamento verso il fenotipo osteoblastico

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 matrix metalloproteinase-9 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in oral leukoplakia: Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analysis

Oral leukoplakia is the most common and potentially malignant disorder of the oral mucosa. The definition of leukoplakia given by the World Health Organization is "a white plaque that cannot be characterized either from a clinical or from a histopathological point of view", thus the diagnosis of leukoplakia is based on the exclusion of other lesions of the oral mucosa. We believe it is necessary to identify molecular and immunohistochemical parameters that can contribute to discriminating between the different leukoplakia clinical subtypes coded by the epidemiology. In the present work we show the preliminary results of this research project. We investigated the expression of matrix metallo…

Human dental pulp cell apoptosis: immunohistochemical study after applying orthodontic traction.

The aim of this study was to compare human dental pulp stress and programmed cell death after 3 and 6 months of orthodontic treatments by assessing the degree of apoptosis and related proteins. Human dental pulps were collected from twenty young patients orthodontically treated by Straight Wire technique. Samples were fixed, paraffin-embedded and processed for histology and immunohistochemistry using anti-heat shock protein 60 kDa (Hsp60), -caspase 3, -caspase 9, and -PCNA antibodies, as well as TUNEL reactions. Moreover, we performed immunoprecipitation for Hsp60 and caspase 3, and for Hsp60 and caspase 9, from paraffin extracted tissues. Increased levels of both caspases and Hsp60 occurre…

Role of matrix metalloproteases 2, 9 (MMP-2, -9), orphanin FQ and others peptides in vascular tone of human umbilical cord at term

Umbilical cord is the structure that connects the fetus to the placenta. Umbilical cord at term is made of three vessels surrounded by the Wharton’s jelly, a mucous connective tissue rich in glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans and different types of collagens and other microfibrils, which are responsible for its elasticity and its mechanical properties.Umbilical cord seems to lack any capillaries or lymphatics and umbilical vessels are unique in lacking any innervation; thus endothelial cells may play the major role in the local control of the blood flow. Objectives. In this paper we investigated in human umbilical cord at term the expression of some peptides involved in the regulation of the…

Three-dimensional geometrical models of the inguinal region. Towards a new stereology.

In this work we studied the inguinal-abdominal region and the inguinal canal using three-dimensional geometrical models. We built the models through computer aided geometric modeling techniques on the basis of observations during real dissections, operations and diagnostic medical imaging. The obtained models show in a complete modular synthesis and with a schematic iconology the structural organization of the anatomical districts in a logic sequence of layers and topographic and spatial relationships among its components. The models represent an amazing support to anatomy and clinical anatomy for teaching and research purposes on organogenesis, surgery and diagnosis.

Expression and localization of matrix metalloproteinases MMPs in human umbilical cord

Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium lactis supplementation reduces tissue damage of intestinal mucosa and liver after 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid treatment in mice

Probiotics (PB) are living microorganisms that act as a commensal population in normal intestines and confer numerous beneficial effects on the host. The introduction of probiotics in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) prolongs remission. The aim of this study was to investigate the intestinal and hepatic effects of PB supplementation in an experimental IBD model in mice induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). In the first step of the experimental procedure, CD-1 male mice, 5 to 6 weeks old, were randomly divided into 3 groups and inoculated intrarectally with, respectively, saline, alcohol, or TNBS to assess the experimental IBD model. In the second step, mice…

Atrial natriuretic Peptide expression in human articular cartilage

This immunohistochemical study aims to investigate the Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-presence and localization in human articular cartilage. Fragments of articular cartilage covering the femoral head were removed from patients submitted to surgical operation after femoral neck fracture without joint disease. The samples were immunostained with anti-ANP antibody. The results demonstrate that ANP is present in chondrocytes in all the three zones of the articular cartilage. Superficial chondrocytes show strong ANP-immunopositivty. The presence of ANP in the articular cartilage suggests that ANP may play a role in cartilage metabolism by regulating transport of molecules through the differen…

Expression of remodelling enzymes (MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9) in mixed tumors of salivary gland

Cytocheratins Identification in Human Umbilical Cord at Term.

Introduction. Cytokeratins (Cks) are the proteins that constitute intermediate filaments. The pattern of expression of cytokeratins is frequently organ or tissue specific and depends mainly on the type of epithelium, the level of differentiation and the stage of development. With this study we tried to make light on the pattern of expression of a wide range of CKs in human umbilical cord at term. Materials and methods. We investigated the expression of CKs through immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR assay. Results. AE1/AE3 antibody reacts with the basic CKs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, and with the acidic CKs 10, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 19. The reactivity for this antibody is localized in the amniotic…