Search

Objective: To evaluate the performance of subjective assessment and the Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa (ADNEX) model in discriminating between benign and malignant adnexal tumors and between metastatic and primary adnexal tumors in patients with a personal history of breast cancer. Methods: This was a retrospective single‐center study including patients with a history of breast cancer who underwent surgery for an adnexal mass between 2013 and 2020. All patients had been examined with transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound using a standardized examination technique and all ultrasound reports had been stored and were retrieved for the purposes of this study. The specific diagnosis suggested by the original ultrasound examiner in the retrieved report was analyzed. For each mass, the ADNEX model risks were calculated prospectively and the highest relative risk was used to categorize each into one of five categories (benign, borderline, primary Stage I, primary Stages II–IV or metastatic ovarian cancer) for analysis of the ADNEX model in predicting the specific tumor type. The performance of subjective assessment and the ADNEX model in discriminating between benign and malignant adnexal tumors and between primary and metastatic adnexal tumors was evaluated, using final histology as the reference standard. Results: Included in the study were 202 women with a history of breast cancer who underwent surgery for an adnexal mass. At histology, 93/202 (46.0%) masses were benign, 76/202 (37.6%) were primary malignancies (four borderline and 72 invasive tumors) and 33/202 (16.3%) were metastases. The original ultrasound examiner classified correctly 79/93 (84.9%) benign adnexal masses, 72/76 (94.7%) primary adnexal malignancies and 30/33 (90.9%) metastatic tumors. Subjective ultrasound evaluation had a sensitivity of 93.6%, specificity of 84.9% and accuracy of 89.6%, while the ADNEX model had higher sensitivity (98.2%) but lower specificity (78.5%), with similar accuracy (89.1%), in discriminating between benign and malignant ovarian masses. Subjective evaluation had a sensitivity of 51.5%, specificity of 88.8% and accuracy of 82.7% in distinguishing metastatic and primary tumors (including benign, borderline and invasive tumors), and the ADNEX model had a sensitivity of 63.6%, specificity of 84.6% and similar accuracy (81.2%). Conclusions: The performance of subjective assessment and the ADNEX model in discriminating between benign and malignant adnexal masses in this series of patients with history of breast cancer was relatively similar. Both subjective assessment and the ADNEX model demonstrated good accuracy and specificity in discriminating between metastatic and primary tumors, but the sensitivity was low. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Novel complex integrated care models are focusing on introducing multidisciplinary perspectives and personalization of care, in line with the complex needs of chronic patients. • The predominant DHIs introduced in clinical practice in the European context are app and platform for disease monitoring and management • All the studies presenting statistically significant outcomes introduced either a new figure or a multidisciplinary team as part of the organizational change to support the technology. • The current level of integration achieved by European health services seem to remain horizontal integration, with the development of multi-disciplinary teams and/or care networks that support a specific client group. There remains the need to develop comprehensive organisational care models supported by digital health interventions (DHIs) to manage chronic conditions in primary healthcare. this review aimed to identify and map methods, interventions and outcomes investigated regarding the introduction of novel complex integrated care models supported by DHIs in the European primary care setting, as well as the level of integration achieved. a scoping review to identify literature from 2013 to 2023 in the European context was conducted across PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. DHIs description, care models and outcomes were reported using the PRISMA- ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. A total of 53 studies was included. The models introduced, along with a DHI, at least one innovation in their structure or in the modality of care delivery: either a new figure (44%), interprofessional collaboration (37%), new functions like person-centred care (59%) or population stratification (11%). As regarding the DHIs, 56% implemented monitoring/management platforms and apps for chronic conditions. The most frequent combination of care model-DHI was the introduction of an app/platform, supported by phone calls/texts and electronic health records, paired with the introduction of a new healthcare professional/person centred care/ multidisciplinary team. All the studies reaching statistically significant outcomes introduced, along with one or more DHIs, either a new figure or a multidisciplinary team as part of the organizational change to support the technology. novel complex integrated care models are focusing on introducing multidisciplinary perspectives and personalization of care, in line with the complex needs of chronic patients. The predominant development of monitoring/management platforms for patients is a further confirmation of this trend. Future research efforts should focus on the investigation of the effectiveness of current complex integrated care models integrating DHIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses and compares different layouts for the installation of pumps used as turbines (PATs) to advantageously couple pressure regulation with hydropower generation in water distribution networks (WDNs). The layouts differ in terms of the type of regulation adopted for adjusting PAT operation to time-varying conditions of available flow and head during the day. In fact, while offering a number of feasible layouts for PAT installation (hydraulic regulation, electric regulation, coupled hydraulic and electric regulation), the literature provides no clear indication as to the layout deemed most suitable. The paper contributes to resolving the open question of determining the most effective and appropriate installation layout for different flow and head patterns by means of a comparative cost-benefit analysis—specifically, technical, and economic analysis—of the layouts considered. Overall, the results from four case studies that vary in terms of available flow and head show that the hydraulic regulation-based installation layout represents the best trade-off between energy produced and installation costs. The solely electrical regulation option exhibits poor flexibility for accommodating yearly demand variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and rectus abdominis muscles (RAM) of pregnant diabetic rats exhibit atrophy, co-localization of fast and slow fibers and an increased collagen type I/III ratio. However, the role of similar PFM or RAM hyperglycemic-related myopathy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains poorly investigated. This study aims to assess the frequency of pelvic floor muscle disorders and pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence (PS-UI) 12 months after the Cesarean (C) section in women with GDM. Specifically, differences in PFM/RAM hyperglycemic myopathy will be evaluated.Methods: The Diamater is an ongoing cohort study of four groups of 59 pregnant women each from the Perinatal Diabetes Research Centre (PDRC), Botucatu Medical School (FMB)-UNESP (São Paulo State University), Brazil. Diagnosis of GDM and PS-UI will be made at 24-26 weeks, with a follow-up at 34-38 weeks of gestation. Inclusion in the study will occur at the time of C-section, and patients will be followed at 24-48 h, 6 weeks and 6 and 12 months postpartum. Study groups will be classified as (1) GDM plus PS-UI; (2) GDM without PS-UI; (3) Non-GDM plus PS-UI; and (4) Non-GDM without PS-UI. We will analyze relationships between GDM, PS-UI and hyperglycemic myopathy at 12 months after C-section. The mediator variables to be evaluated include digital palpation, vaginal squeeze pressure, 3D pelvic floor ultrasound, and 3D RAM ultrasound. RAM samples obtained during C-section will be analyzed for ex-vivo contractility, morphological, molecular and OMICS profiles to further characterize the hyperglycemic myopathy. Additional variables to be evaluated include maternal age, socioeconomic status, educational level, ethnicity, body mass index, weight gain during pregnancy, quality of glycemic control and insulin therapy.Discussion: To our knowledge, this will be the first study to provide data on the prevalence of PS-UI and RAM and PFM physical and biomolecular muscle profiles after C-section in mothers with GDM. The longitudinal design allows for the assessment of cause-effect relationships between GDM, PS-UI, and PFMs and RAMs myopathy. The findings may reveal previously undetermined consequences of GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure regulation is the most common strategy for leakage reduction in water distribution networks (WDNs). The literature also offers many studies pointing to the benefits of coupling pressure regulation with energy production in WDNs. To this end, a turbine can recover the energy that is otherwise dissipated by the Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV). However, although numerical simulations developed for various sites show high potential revenues and attractive capital payback periods, to date there are very few field installations. The main difficulty is that flow and pressure vary continuously at the network inlet, thus requiring real time control (RTC) of the valves and turbine to ensure adequate service levels. A recent paper discusses the operation of a laboratory prototype, which is able to both maximize energy production and regulate pressure in a WDN, with an optimization algorithm identifying the optimal operation of valves and turbine, commanded in real time according to the network operation. Because the earlier paper mainly discusses the theoretical framework of the optimization problem supported only with preliminary experiments, the present paper presents extensive laboratory experiments and analysis demonstrating the prototype's ability to both regulate pressure at the critical node of the WDN and maximize power generation, in any operating condition. The results were also compared with theoretical values, showing very good agreement in all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have shown that real-time control (RTC) of pressure in water distribution networks (WDNs) can be very effective for leakage reduction. The aim of RTC is to regulate the pressure level over the WDN by guaranteeing a pressure that is nearly constant and as low as possible at the critical node. To this end, a pressure reducing valve (PRV) at the network inlet can be remotely controlled to ensure the optimal service level, regardless of upstream pressure and inflow. Field experiments in a district of Benevento, Italy are carried out to assess the suitability of the proposed approach. Results show that the system guarantees the required pressure at the critical node at all times. The controller is effective in optimizing pressure levels over the entire WDN by also reducing excessive pressure in the other nodes. Experiments show that the pressure control is effective in reducing leakage, as confirmed by the minimum night flow (MNF) measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) is the most pathogenic hantavirus in Europe with a case-fatality rate of up to 12%. To detect changes in risk for humans, the prevalence of antibodies to DOBV has been monitored in a population of Apodemus flavicollis in the province of Trento (northern Italy) since 2000, and a sudden increase was observed in 2010. In the 13-year period of this study, 2077 animals were live-trapped and mean hantavirus seroprevalence was 2·7% (s.e. = 0·3%), ranging from 0% (in 2000, 2002 and 2003) to 12·5% (in 2012). Climatic (temperature and precipitation) and host (rodent population density, rodent weight and sex, and larval tick burden) variables were analysed using Generalized Linear Models and multi-model inference to select the best model. Climatic changes (mean annual precipitation and maximum temperature) and individual body mass had a positive effect on hantavirus seroprevalence. Other possible drivers affecting the observed pattern need to be studied further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1 - The accurate evaluation of benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomic diversity in transitional water ecosystems is strictly related to sampling effort and, usually, biomonitoring protocols define the sampling effort needed to the elaboration of a specific ecological indicator. The time-lag between the sampling event and the final assessment of ecological status, and to overall costs for sampling, personnel and sample treatment suggest a reduction of sampling effort. 2 - How to simplify methods and to reduce efforts without compromising the ecological validity of taxonomic diversity indicators is a topic recurrently debated in the procedures for sampling protocol implementation. Regarding this topic, the identification of optimal sample unit size (SUS) and sieve mesh size (SMS) is still lacking, mainly for benthic macroinvertebrates of Mediterranean transitional water ecosystems. 3 - The present study analyzes the effect of the increasing the sampling effort in terms of sample unit size (SUS; 0.0225 m, 0.0450 m², 0.0675 m², 0.0900 m²) and sieve mesh size (SMS; 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm) on the estimation of taxonomic diversity in a Mediterranean lagoon. Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected in September 2009 at two locations, considering a perturbed and a relatively unperturbed study site of Lesina lagoon (South-East Italy). Samples were sieved on a column of three decreasing mesh sizes of sieves. Taxonomic richness (S), Shannon-Weaver index (H'), Simpson index (λ) and Taxonomic distinctness (TD) were calculated for each study site, SUS and SMS combination, and replicate. The difference between perturbed and relatively unperturbed site was tested according to the variation of sampling effort using three-way ANOVA tests. 4 - As expected, the accuracy of the results increased with increasing of SUS and SMS, the difference between perturbed and relatively unperturbed study site were always highlighted by each taxonomic diversity index, independently by used SUS and SMS. The variation of taxonomic diversity indicators seems to depend mainly by used sieve mesh size suggesting the reduction of sampling effort through the reduction of sample unit size. 5 - Finally, this contribution could be useful in harmonizing sampling methodologies for the cost-effectiveness taxonomic diversity estimation and biomonitoring programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1 - Coastal marine and transitional water ecosystems are threatened world-wide by invasions of non-indigenous invertebrate species, altering community structure and ecosystem functioning. 2 - Here, we report on the occurrence of the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus in transitional water ecosystems of the Apulia coast line (Salento peninsula, SE Italy). 3 - Blue crabs were sampled seasonally, every three months over a whole-year period in the Torre Colimena basin (Ionian Sea) and Acquatina lagoon (Adriatic Sea). Specimens were identified and enumerated. In addition, their hemolymph was screened for parasite infect ions using histological techniques. 4 - Callinectes sapidus was sampled in the Torre Colimena basin, where no other crab species were collected during the whole experimental period. In contrast, in the Acquatina Lagoon four crab species were sampled, including C. sapidus. 5 - The parasitic dinoflagel late Hematodinium sp., known to determine in C. sapidus the degenerative "bitter crab syndrome" in its native habitats, was ubiquitously detected in the hemolymph of blue crabs from both habitats and in autochthonous brachyurans collected in the Acquatina Lagoon. 6 - An assessment of the diverse spectrum of potential ecological effects triggered by the Callinectes Hematodinium interact ion on autochthonous brachyuran species is presented, together with a preliminary evaluation of the molecular approaches to be implemented in order to verify the species-specificity of the host-parasite interact ion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of diabetes in pregnancy leads to hormonal and metabolic changes making inappropriate intrauterine environment, favoring the onset of maternal and fetal complications. Human studies that explore mechanisms responsible for changes caused by diabetes are limited not only for ethical reasons but also by the many uncontrollable variables. Thus, there is a need to develop appropriate experimental models. The diabetes induced in laboratory animals can be performed by different methods depending on dose, route of administration, and the strain and age of animal used. Many of these studies are carried out in neonatal period or during pregnancy, but the results presented are controversial. So this paper, addresses the review about the different models of mild diabetes induction using streptozotocin in pregnant rats and their repercussions on the maternal and fetal organisms to propose an adequate model for each approached issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The FAST is a 2 × 2 factorial trial addressing two questions: (1) the role of replacing cisplatin (P) with a non-platinum agent, vinorelbine (N), and (2) the role of adding a third agent, ifosfamide (I), in a doublet based on gemcitabine (G).Methods: A total of 433 stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were randomised to one of four arms: gemcitabine-cisplatin (GP), gemcitabine-vinorelbine, gemcitabine-ifosfamide-cisplatin or gemcitabine-ifosfamide-vinorelbine. Two comparisons were performed: N- vs P-containing regimens and I-triplets vs non-I doublets.Results: For N- vs P-containing regimens, adjusted overall survival was 9.7 vs 11.3 months (P=0.044), progression-free survival was 4.9 vs 6.4 months (P=0.020) and response rate was 24% vs 31% (P=0.124), respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed between doublets and triplets. Grade 3-4 haematological toxicity was significantly more frequent in P-containing therapy; grade 3-4 leucopenia was significantly more common in triplets. Concerning non-haematological toxicity, grade 3-4 nausea-vomiting was significantly increased in P-containing regimens.Conclusions: This trial provides evidence of a slight survival superiority of GP-containing regimens over platinum-free N-containing chemotherapy. This trial also confirms that the addition of a third chemotherapy agent (I) to a standard G-based doublet does not improve treatment outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:The FAST is a 2 × 2 factorial trial addressing two questions: (1) the role of replacing cisplatin (P) with a non-platinum agent, vinorelbine (N), and (2) the role of adding a third agent, ifosfamide (I), in a doublet based on gemcitabine (G).Methods:A total of 433 stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were randomised to one of four arms: gemcitabine-cisplatin (GP), gemcitabine-vinorelbine, gemcitabine-ifosfamide-cisplatin or gemcitabine-ifosfamide-vinorelbine. Two comparisons were performed: N- vs P-containing regimens and I-triplets vs non-I doublets.Results:For N- vs P-containing regimens, adjusted overall survival was 9.7 vs 11.3 months (P=0.044), progression-free survival was 4.9 vs 6.4 months (P=0.020) and response rate was 24% vs 31% (P=0.124), respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed between doublets and triplets. Grade 3-4 haematological toxicity was significantly more frequent in P-containing therapy; grade 3-4 leucopenia was significantly more common in triplets. Concerning non-haematological toxicity, grade 3-4 nausea-vomiting was significantly increased in P-containing regimens.Conclusions:This trial provides evidence of a slight survival superiority of GP-containing regimens over platinum-free N-containing chemotherapy. This trial also confirms that the addition of a third chemotherapy agent (I) to a standard G-based doublet does not improve treatment outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol and cocaine abuse result in unsatisfactory treatment outcomes for heroin and illicit opioid addicts engaged in Methadone Maintenance Treatment Programs (MMTPs). This study aims to clarify the impact of MMT, which focuses on cessation of opioid abuse and diminishing psychopathology to acceptable levels (stabilization) on alcohol and cocaine abuse. Of specific interest was whether reduction of polysubstance abuse and associated psychopathological complications diminished illicit opioid abuse and/or increased retention in treatment. Changes in cocaine and alcohol use that occurred in 53 heroin addicts who had been stabilized were monitored. A control group was composed of patients terminated from treatment due to noncompliance with treatment recommendations, poor attendance, or failure to have opioid abuse stabilized, within a year. The association of psychiatric severity with alcohol and cocaine abuse in these methadone maintained patients was assessed. Cessation of illicit opioid abuse and retention in treatment are positively correlated with decrease in alcohol and cocaine abuse and the absence of the psychosocial complications associated with such abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ferroelectric switching characteristics of binary blends of an equimolar P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer with PMMA have been investigated, for PMMA contents ranging from 0 to 40 wt.%. The results were correlated with thermal and dielectric responses of the materials. The data revealed that the ferroelectric reversal polarization follow a "master-response" curve, when considered the crystallinity variations with blending and poling. Thermal treatment and/or poling stabilize the ferroelectric phase, even for the samples with the lowest degree of crystallinity investigated. These results imply that ferroelectric stable domains were formed for all compositions. The blended amorphous phase participates of the establishment of the stable domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thalamic reticular nucleus (NRT) consists of a large pool of GABAergic neurons located on each side on the anterior, lateral, and ventral surfaces of the dorsal thalamus. The NRT is divided up into sectors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bilateral lesions of the NRT on sleep and sleep oscillations. Only the results concerning delta oscillations will be reported here. As a first step we produced stereotaxically placed electrolytic lesions. The rats presented continuous circling behavior with electroencephalographic (EEG) theta and delta activity and subsequent sudden death. To avoid disruption of the bundles of fibers that pass through the NRT to and from the cerebral cortex, we used the excitotoxic ibotenic acid. Given its high toxicity, we concentrated on the rostral pole of the NRT, which is believed to have powerful effects on the synchronization of oscillatory activity during sleep. Immediately after surgery, the rats fell into a deep sleep during which there was an increase in EEG slow-wave activity and no spindles. On postoperative day 2, corresponding to the destruction period, the sleep/wake cycle partially recovered, but NREM sleep was quantitatively diminished and showed abnormalities (increased latency to sleep onset, sleep fragmentation, gradual elimination of the delta rhythm). It is concluded that the rostral pole of the NRT contributes to normal and pathological EEG synchronization and the organization of sleep in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultrasound examiner was uncertain to the diagnosis: the first hypothesis was a metastatic tumour due to the personal history, bilateral tumours and negative CA 125. Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon tumour that can be difficult to diagnose and there are no studies describing the ultrasound feature of ovarian malignant mesothelioma. [Extracted from the article]

High-dose therapy with bone marrow (BM) or blood stem cell (BSC) support is a high-technology technique usually administered in specialized tertiary centers. The use of BSC has made this technique simpler and accessible also to smaller hospitals. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with lymphoma, leukemia and other tumors who received high-dose therapy and BM or BSC transplantation in our district hospital, looking at the type of procedure performed, complications, use of growth factors, and progression-free and overall survival. A total of 40 patients were transplanted over 6 years. No procedure-related deaths and no permanent organ toxicities were seen. The use of BSC brought about a great reduction in the duration of hospital stay, septic complications and transfusion of blood components. For patients with lymphoma (n = 20) the probabilities of progression-free survival and of overall survival at 2 years are 48% (95% C.I. 28–68%) and 68% (95% C.I. 46–84%), respectively. Based on these data, we believe that ABMT and BSC transplantation are feasible and safe in a peripheral hospital when the appropriate human and technical conditions are present. Treatment outcome is then comparable to that of specialized centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhythmic flexion-extensions of ipsilateral hand and foot are easily performed ('easy' association) when the two segments are moved in phase (isodirectionally), whereas great care and attention are required ('difficult' association) to move them in phase opposition. We searched for features distinguishing the two types of coupling by analyzing, on ten subjects: 1) the frequency limit in each association; and, 2) if coupling is modified by inertial or elastic loading of the hand. 1) Subjects were asked to oscillate hand and foot at various paced frequencies, in the easy or in the difficult association for one minute at least. In the easy coupling, the task was performed up to 2.0-2.5 Hz, the duration being thereafter shortened by muscular fatigue. In the difficult coupling when the frequency was increased above 0.7-1.7 Hz, the performance rapidly shortened, not because of fatigue but because of an inevitable reversal to the in-phase movement. The frequency-duration curve always followed a similar decay, although it covered different frequency ranges in the various subjects. 2) The effect of charging the hand with inertial or elastic loads was studied at the subject's preferred frequency, chosen when the hand was unloaded. Without loading, in the easy association the hand cycle slightly lagged the foot cycle while in the difficult one an almost perfect phase opposition was maintained. Under inertial load (inertial momentum: 9 gm), in the easy association the hand lag was increased by 10° to 45°, despite a compensatory advanced activation of the forearm EMG; in the difficult association, instead, the hand lag was small (less than 10°), thanks to an even earlier onset of the forearm EMG. The elastic load (torque: 4 gm) had negligible effects on the phase relation between movements but improved the phase relation between EMGs. These findings show that coupling is tighter in the difficult than in the easy association, a feature that is emphasized by the effect of the load. This supports the idea that kinaesthetic afferences have more pronounced influences on control of the anti-phase than the in-phase coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a ventrobasal neuronal population surviving chronic ablation of somatosensory and motor cortices, the input-output properties of cells activated by ML fibers and showing functional characteristics of interneurons (large peripheral receptive fields, convergence of different types of receptor afferents, repetitive discharge) were studied. Since intracellular recordings showed the presence of excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, it is argued that inhibitory interneurons also receive inhibitory inputs, suggesting that data processing in VB is more complex than hitherto postulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cats, either decerebrated or under chloralose anaesthesia, Purkinje cells (P-cells) of the cerebellar nodulus have been examined with the animal under static lateral tilt (roll±20°). The cell activity was extracellularly recorded and both 'simple' and 'complex' spike discharge patterns were studied. In 20 cells out of a population of 198, 'simple' spike firing was found to be affected by static roll. Ten cells had an α-type response, 8 a β-type, while only single examples of γ and δ activations were found. Out of 67 Purkinje cells tested for 'complex' spike activation, 5 were found to be sensitive to static roll, 4 with an α or β response and one with a γ response. The results are to be attributed to pure otolith activation and show that this input is able to modulate P-cell activity in the nodulus through both the mossy fibre and the climbing fibre systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the cat, inspiratory opening of the paralyzed glottis recovered after unilateral or bilateral reinnervation of the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscles by phrenic axons. The morphometric analysis of the regenerated recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLNs), showed that proliferation was abundant; 4 months after the nerve anastomosis, more than 500 myelinated axonal branches repopulated the RLNs. The mean diameter of motor axons (3.5 to 5.0 μm) was lower than in normal phrenic and RLN (8 to 10 μm), and the mean internode length was about half that of the normal RLN. Histochemical examination of the PCA muscle revealed that muscle fiber composition (44% type I and 56% type II muscle fiber) was fairly similar to that of normal PCA. The contraction time of the reinnervated muscles was as long as 60 msec at the time of movement recovery, but it shortened to 25 to 30 msec when the reinnervation time increased. These anatomical and functional results support the choice of the phrenic nerve for laryngeal reinnervation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to provide the bilateral reinnervation of the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscles by the superior root of the right phrenic nerve. In six adult cats, the right phrenic root was anastomosed to the distal stump of the transected recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) on the same side. The RLN adductor branch was then cut and anastomosed to a nerve graft whose end was carried contra-laterally and sutured to the left RLN or to the left PCA muscle. The phrenic fibers regrowing along the RLN abductor branch reinnervated the right PCA muscle and restored the inspiratory abduction of the right vocal cord in all the animals. In five of the six cats, the fibers regenerated through the RLN adductor branch and the graft reached the left PCA muscle and also restored the inspiratory opening of the larynx on the left side. Histological nerve examination revealed a fairly symmetrical distribution of the regenerated phrenic axons to the right and left PCA muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to reestablish the respiratory function of the paralyzed larynx through reinnervation of the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle by phrenic motoneurons. In nine adult cats the adductor branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) of one side was cut and ligated, while the abductor branch was left intact. The whole RLN was then transected lower in the neck and its distal stump anastomosed to the upper branch of the phrenic nerve. Periodical laryngoscopies under ketamine anesthesia assessed that the inspiratory abduction of the paralyzed vocal cord recovered within 45 days to 60 days in all cats. Abduction was caused by reinnervation of the PCA muscle from phrenic motoneurons, as demonstrated by electrophysiological and anatomical (retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase) testings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Neurochirurgica is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Neurochirurgica is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Neurochirurgica is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Coupling pressure management and energy recovery in water distribution networks (WDNs) is an appealing topic in the field of optimal management of water systems. The use of turbines or pumps as turbines (PATs) allows for reducing leakage within the network while also recovering energy that would otherwise dissipate, by means of pressure reducing valves (PRVs). Unlike water supply systems, where operating conditions remain essentially constant over time, a real-time control (RTC) is required in WDNs because of the variability of pressure and flow discharge during the day. To this end, a prototype for RTC of a WDN was presented and discussed in a recent paper, in which constant rotational speed of the impeller was considered. To overcome such a limitation and maximize energy recovery, an inverter was coupled to the prototype. A mathematical model of the prototype was developed and the decision variables were calculated by solving an optimization problem via the YALMIP tool of MATLAB at varying conditions of inflow discharge, pressure head at the inlet, and desired pressure head at the control node. The mathematical model was further validated through preliminary laboratory experiments, showing good agreement between simulated and actual values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]