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Sea urchins may deeply shape the structure of macrophyte-dominated communities and require the implementation of sustainable management strategies. In the Mediterranean, the identification of the major recruitment determinants of the keystone sea urchin species Paracentrotus lividus is required, so that source areas of the populations can be identified and exploitation or programmed harvesting can be spatially managed. In this study a collection of eight possible determinants, these encompassing both the biotic (larvae, adult sea urchins, fish, encrusting coralline algae, habitat type and spatial arrangement of habitats) and abiotic (substrate complexity and nutritional status) realms was considered at different spatial scales (site, area, transect and quadrat). Data from a survey including sites subject to different levels of human influence (i.e. from urbanized to protected areas), but all corresponding to an oligotrophic and low-populated region were fitted by means of a generalized linear mixed model. Despite the extensive sampling effort of benthic quadrats, an overall paucity of recruits was found, recruits being aggregated in a very small number of quadrats and in few areas. The analysis of data detected substrate complexity, and adult sea urchin and predatory fish abundances as the momentous determinants of Paracentrotus lividus recruitment. Possible mechanisms of influence are discussed beyond the implications of conservation management., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims: Plasma concentrations of transthyretin (TTR), a negative acute-phase protein, can be influenced by many factors including aging. Under physiological circumstances, TTR concentrations are very low in the fetus, increase slowly after birth up to the fifth decade and, then, decrease slowly. Some studies have shown sex-related differences up to about 70 years, when the differences disappear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in TTR concentrations in healthy males and females aged more than sixty, including numerous centenarians living in Sardinia, a large Italian island located in the Mediterranean Sea., Methods: The study sample consisted of 211 healthy subjects grouped by age and sex (male/female ratio: 1:1). Plasma TTR was assessed using a non-competitive enzyme immunoassay (ELISA Assaypro LLC, prealbumin AssayMAX Human ELISA Kit)., Results: In subjects aged between 60 and 99 years, plasma TTR concentrations were higher compared to the reference ranges reported by CRM 470. Moreover, unlike other studies, sex-related differences in TTR concentrations were only observed in nonagenarians and centenarians., Conclusions: We hypothesize that there are TTR-related genetic differences between the Sardinian population and other Caucasian ethnic groups. Further studies and a larger sample are needed to confirm our hypothesis.

The role of Clusterin in attenuation of inflammation and reverse cholesterol transfer makes this molecule a potential candidate as a marker for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. In elderly subjects cardiovascular diseases represent the primary cause of death and different clinical studies have shown a positive correlation of these diseases with changes in the lipid pattern. This work aimed at evaluating the relationship between circulating clusterin and the biochemical parameters that characterize the lipid profile of a Sardinian population divided into five age groups including centenarians; the high frequency in Sardinia of these long-lived individuals gave us the opportunity to extend the range of the age groups to be analyzed to older ages and to better evaluate the changes in the lipid balance during ageing and its relationship with clusterin concentration in plasma. Our results showed that Clusterin concentration values of the youngest group were more similar with the centenarian's group compared to the other age groups, and a positive correlation arises with LDL. Furthermore given the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the population examined and the association of Clusterin with these pathologies we evaluated Clusterin concentration variation in two groups with or without cardiovascular diseases. In presence of cardiovascular disease, Clusterin is significantly related to the most atherogenic components of lipid profile (total cholesterol and LDL), especially in women, suggesting its potential role in modulating cardiovascular metabolic risk factors.

The lowering number of physiotherapists c/o surgery departments of Orthopaedic Institute Gaetano Pini of Milan, required the application of a new organizational model based on the centralization of government activities, in order to optimize employment of staff. A programming and reporting tool was developed throught a database. The collected data (from January to December 2013) related to the reported physiotherapists activities were analysed and matched to operating theater's activities in order to find the correlation value. The results are lined up the hypothesis stated in the planning phase of the organizational model's project (in absence of hystorical referral). Correlation between Physiotherapists and Operation Theather's activities was good (r=0.59), giving us a reliable predictional model. This study has some limitations mostly related to the resistence expressed by employees in the change management.

The tuberositas glutaea is a rudimentary structure in the dog's os femoris. It gives attachment to the superficial gluteal muscle, and is known by veterinary anatomists and orthopedic surgeons as trochanter tertius. We report an atypical eminence exposed through a surgical approach on a Cane Corso Dog. Anatomic and radiographic investigations led us to recognize this eminence as an abnormally grown tuberositas glutaea.

Unlabelled: Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) are ligand-dependent transcription factors that mediate most of the effects elicited by the thyroid hormone, 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine (T3). TRs have been implicated in tumorigenesis, although it is unclear whether they act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, and at which stage of tumorigenesis their dysregulation occurs. Using the resistant-hepatocyte rat model (R-H model), we found down-regulation of TRβ1 and TRα1 and their target genes in early preneoplastic lesions and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCCs), suggesting that a hypothyroid status favors the onset and progression of preneoplastic lesions to HCC. Notably, TRβ1 and, to a lesser extent, TRα1 down-regulation was observed only in preneoplastic lesions positive for the progenitor cell marker, cytokeratin-19 (Krt-19) and characterized by a higher proliferative activity, compared to the Krt-19 negative ones. TRβ1 down-regulation was observed also in the vast majority of the analyzed human HCCs, compared to the matched peritumorous liver or to normal liver. Hyperthyroidism induced by T3 treatment caused up-regulation of TRβ1 and of its target genes in Krt-19(+) preneoplastic rat lesions and was associated with nodule regression. In HCC, TRβ1 down-regulation was not the result of hypermethylation of its promoter, but was associated with an increased expression of TRβ1-targeting microRNAs ([miR]-27a, -181a, and -204). An inverse correlation between TRβ1 and miR-181a was also found in human cirrhotic peritumoral tissue, compared to normal liver., Conclusion: Down-regulation of TRs, especially TRβ1, is an early and relevant event in liver cancer development and is species and etiology independent. The results also suggest that a hypothyroid status of preneoplastic lesions may contribute to their progression to HCC and that the reversion of this condition may represent a possible therapeutic goal to interfere with the development of this tumor., (© 2014 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)

We propose and demonstrate a technique for the generation of a coherent optical comb, with tunable line spacing in a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide. A single continuous wave laser is modulated to generate three phase-locked seed lines, which are injected into a PPLN waveguide, to obtain line multiplication. The line spacing is set acting on the frequency of the electrical signal driving the modulator. The quality of the comb is verified measuring the autocorrelation, the phase noise, and the linewidth of the generated lines. With the same scheme, we demonstrate optical multicasting. From a single quadrature phase shift keying signal, modulated at 12.5 and 25 GBaud, five replicas are generated, with spacing 25 and 37.5 GHz. The performance of each signal replica is measured after transmission through 80 km of a single-mode fiber, demonstrating operation with a bit error rate value lower than the forward error correction threshold.

We propose and demonstrate a technique for the generation of an optical comb with tunable line spacing in a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide. The technique is implemented with four input continuous waves (CWs), which generate a 19-line comb tuned to the spacing of 25 and 20 GHz. We show that each additional CW switched on out of the quasi phase-matching band at the PPLN waveguide input generates the growth of six new lines. The performance of the comb is tested modulating the lines with a 40 Gb/s differential quadrature phase shift keying data, demonstrating error-free operation. Nonuniform spacing of the input seed CWs improves the efficiency of the line generation process.

The next generation of radar (radio detection and ranging) systems needs to be based on software-defined radio to adapt to variable environments, with higher carrier frequencies for smaller antennas and broadened bandwidth for increased resolution. Today's digital microwave components (synthesizers and analogue-to-digital converters) suffer from limited bandwidth with high noise at increasing frequencies, so that fully digital radar systems can work up to only a few gigahertz, and noisy analogue up- and downconversions are necessary for higher frequencies. In contrast, photonics provide high precision and ultrawide bandwidth, allowing both the flexible generation of extremely stable radio-frequency signals with arbitrary waveforms up to millimetre waves, and the detection of such signals and their precise direct digitization without downconversion. Until now, the photonics-based generation and detection of radio-frequency signals have been studied separately and have not been tested in a radar system. Here we present the development and the field trial results of a fully photonics-based coherent radar demonstrator carried out within the project PHODIR. The proposed architecture exploits a single pulsed laser for generating tunable radar signals and receiving their echoes, avoiding radio-frequency up- and downconversion and guaranteeing both the software-defined approach and high resolution. Its performance exceeds state-of-the-art electronics at carrier frequencies above two gigahertz, and the detection of non-cooperating aeroplanes confirms the effectiveness and expected precision of the system.

We propose and characterize a simple, integrable, and wavelength-preserving scheme able to groom a 40 Gbps (D)QPSK signal with a 20 Gbps OOK one into a 20 Gbaud (60 Gbps) 8-APSK signal. The proposed all-optical scheme is based on the second-order nonlinear signal-depletion effect in a single periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide. Performance of the device, characterized by means of BER measurements, attests error-free operation and a power penalty below 4.1 dB.

As the improvement of radar systems claims for digital approaches, photonics is becoming a solution for software defined high frequency and high stability signal generation. We report on our recent activities on the photonic generation of flexible wideband RF signals, extending the proposed architecture to the independent optical beamforming of multiple signals. The scheme has been tested generating two wideband signals at 10 GHz and 40 GHz, and controlling their independent delays at two antenna elements. Thanks to the multiple functionalities, the proposed scheme allows to improve the effectiveness of the photonic approach, reducing its cost and allowing flexibility, extremely wide bandwidth, and high stability.

Background: Combined liver-kidney transplantation (LKT) is considered to be a safe procedure, but the appropriate immunosuppressive regimen is unclear., Patients and Methods: Between January 1997 and October 2011, 55 patients were listed for LKT: 45 (82%) were effectively transplanted, 5 (9.2%) died whereon here the waiting list, 3 (5.5%) temporarily out of waiting list, 1 (1.8%) was on waiting list and 1 (1.8%) refused LKT. Five LKTs treated with cyclosporine (CyA) were excluded from the analysis. Mean recipient age was 50.32 ± 10.32 years (14-65), MELD score at time of LKT was 19.22 ± 4.69 (8-29), mean waiting list time was 8.14 ± 9.50 months (0.1-35.76), and follow-up, 4.09 ± 3.02 years (0.01-10.41). Main indications for LKT were policystic disease (n = 15; 37%), hepatitis virus C (HCV)-related cirrhosis (n = 9; 22%) metabolic disease (n = 5; 13%), hepatitis virus B (HBV) cirrhosis (n = 4; 10%), alcoholic cirrhosis (n = 4; 10%), and cholestatic disease (n = 3; 8%). Immunosuppressive regimen was based on tacrolimus and steroids in 40 cases with induction therapy with alemtuzumab (Campath; 0.3 mg/kg) in 13 of 40 instances cases administered on day 0 and day 7., Results: Postoperative mortality was 2.5%. Acute cellular rejection episodes were biopsy-proven in 2 (5%) cases, post-LKT infections developed in 17 cases (42.5%), and de novo cancer developed in 3 (7.5%) cases. Similar 5-year overall survivals were obtained irrespective of the LKT indication: 100% in cholestatic and alcoholic cirrhosis patients, 86% in policystic disease, 75% in metabolic disease and HBV patients, and 66% in HCV cirrhosis. Overall survivals for the alemtuzumab vs without-induction therapy groups at 1, 3, and 5-years were 100%, 85.7%, and 85.7% vs 76%, 76%, and 70%, respectively (P = .04)., Conclusion: An immunosuppressive regimen based on tacrolimus and steroids with induction therapy with alemtuzumab was safe, with excellent long-term results for combined LKT., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study examined the effect of storage temperature on the protein profile of human plasma. Plasma samples were stored for 13 days at -80°C, -20°C, +4°C and room temperature (20-25°C) prior to proteomic analysis. The proteomic comparisons were based on the differences of mean intensity values of protein spots between fresh plasma samples (named "time zero") and plasma samples stored at different temperatures. To better understand the thermally induced biochemical changes that may affect plasma proteins during storage we identified proteins with different expressions with respect to the time zero sample., Results: Using two-dimensional electrophoresis followed by MALDI-TOF MS and /or LC-MS/MS 20 protein spots representing 10 proteins were identified with significant differences in abundance when stored at different temperatures. Our results, in agreement with various authors, indicate that during storage for a short period (13 days) at four different temperatures plasma proteins were more affected by degradation processes at +4°C compared to the other temperatures analysed. However, we founded that numerous protein spots (vitamin D binding protein, alpha-1-antitrypsin, serotransferrin, apoplipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein E, haptoglobin and complement factor B) decrease in abundance with increasing temperature up to 4°C, but at room temperature their intensity mean values are similar to those of time zero and -80°C. We hypothesize that these proteins are labile at 4°C, but at the same time they are stable at room temperature (20-25°C). Furthermore we have grouped the proteins based on their different sensitivity to the storage temperature. Spots of serum albumin, fibrinogen gamma chain and haptoglobin are more resistant to the higher temperatures tested, as they have undergone changes in abundance only at room temperature; conversely, other spots of serum albumin, fibrinogen beta chain and serotransferrin are more labile as they have undergone changes in abundance at all temperatures except at -80°C., Conclusions: Although there are many studies concerning protein stability of clinical samples during storage these findings may help to provide a better understanding of the changes of proteins induced by storage temperature.

This study was conducted to assess the effects of femoral varus osteotomy on joint congruency in dogs affected by early stage hip dysplasia. Preoperative planning to move the femoral head within the acetabulum was carried out. Varisation of the femoral inclination angle (fIA) was achieved by Intertrochanteric Osteotomy (ITO). Norberg angle (NA), percent coverage (PC) of the femoral head by the acetabulum and fIA was measured from preoperative, immediate postoperative and first and second recheck radiographs of seven dogs that underwent an ITO (joint n = 9). There was significant (p < 0.05) improvement of both NA and PC in all patients as indicated by a change in the mean ± standard deviation of 78.9° ± 7.5 and 36.9% ± 5.2 to 92.2° ± 6.7 and 50.6% ± 8.3, respectively. No significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between the values of the planned femoral inclination angle (pfIA) of the femur and the effective femoral inclination angle (efIA) obtained after surgery (115.9° ± 2.5 and 111.3° ± 6.4, respectively). These findings could encourage the use of ITO in veterinary practice and indicate that intertrochanteric varus osteotomy should be re-considered for the treatment of early stage hip dysplasia in dogs with radiological signs of joint incongruency.

Objectives: Serum Fetuin A has been identified as an inhibitor of ectopic calcification. It is reduced in subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and it has been proposed as a potential link between CKD and the higher prevalence of arterial calcification observed in these patients. During aging both the stiffening of arterial wall due to calcification and a decline in kidney function are frequent. The aim of the study is to investigate if Fetuin A serum levels are associated with aging and with AHSG T256S polymorphism. Moreover, we aim at investigate whether serum Fetuin A is correlated to kidney function in this setting of senescence., Design and Methods: 256 health long-lived subjects (age 92 [81-100]) were recruited for the study. Serum Fetuin A was evaluated by ELISA, Cystatin C by immune-nephelometry. AHSG T256S was determinated by PCR-RFLP., Results: Serum Fetuin A shows a significant correlation with age (r=0.20; P=0.0048). AHSG TS and SS genotypes are associated to lower levels of serum protein (0.27 [0.19-0.29] g/L vs 0.42 [0.32-0.49] g/L; P<0.027 and 0.34 [0.25-0.41] g/L vs 0.42 [0.32-0.49] g/L; P<0.001, respectively). No significant correlation between Fetuin A and Cystatin C was observed., Conclusions: Serum Fetuin A increases with age in elder individuals and subjects with the TS or SS AHSG polymorphism have lower levels of the circulating protein. No correlation with kidney function decline was observed. Other mechanisms should be investigated to explain the increase of Fetuin A with age., (Copyright © 2012 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new extracapsular surgical technique for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in small breed dogs. Nine small breed dogs (seven females and two males) weighing ≤ 15 kg were treated with biceps femoris muscle transposition (BFT). The duration of the BFT procedure was 20 min. Each patient underwent a standard clinical protocol and a questionnaire for the owners. Follow-up (at 1, 3, and 12 months postoperative) confirmed significant improvement in all patients, especially at 1 month postoperatively (p < 0.01) and again after complete stifle joint assessment at 3 months postoperatively. After 12 months, only two patients showed a slight increase in osteoarthritis. According to our results, BFT is a simple extracapsular surgical technique that can be used for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in small breed dogs.

Demographic processes exert different degrees of control as individuals grow, and in species that span several habitats and spatial scales, this can influence our ability to predict their population at a particular life-history stage given the previous life stage. In particular, when keystone species are involved, this relative coupling between demographic stages can have significant implications for the functioning of ecosystems. We examined benthic and pelagic abundances of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus in order to: 1) understand the main life-history bottlenecks by observing the degree of coupling between demographic stages; and 2) explore the processes driving these linkages. P. lividus is the dominant invertebrate herbivore in the Mediterranean Sea, and has been repeatedly observed to overgraze shallow beds of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica and rocky macroalgal communities. We used a hierarchical sampling design at different spatial scales (100 s, 10 s and <1 km) and habitats (seagrass and rocky macroalgae) to describe the spatial patterns in the abundance of different demographic stages (larvae, settlers, recruits and adults). Our results indicate that large-scale factors (potentially currents, nutrients, temperature, etc.) determine larval availability and settlement in the pelagic stages of urchin life history. In rocky macroalgal habitats, benthic processes (like predation) acting at large or medium scales drive adult abundances. In contrast, adult numbers in seagrass meadows are most likely influenced by factors like local migration (from adjoining rocky habitats) functioning at much smaller scales. The complexity of spatial and habitat-dependent processes shaping urchin populations demands a multiplicity of approaches when addressing habitat conservation actions, yet such actions are currently mostly aimed at managing predation processes and fish numbers. We argue that a more holistic ecosystem management also needs to incorporate the landscape and habitat-quality level processes (eutrophication, fragmentation, etc.) that together regulate the populations of this keystone herbivore.

Background: Data from the literature have suggested that bortezomib is the only effective agent in the treatment of plasma cell leukemia (PCL), a type of plasma cell dyscrasia characterized by poor prognosis despite conventional chemotherapy including autologous and allogeneic transplantation., Objective: This case series examined the antineoplastic activity of the bortezomib-based regimens in a small cohort of patients with PCL., Case Summaries: We describe a retrospective review of the 3 cases of PCL diagnosed at Antonio Perrino Hospital, Brindisi, Italy, between July 2004 and October 2006 (2 women and 1 man, all white, ages 71, 64, and 42 years; 2 with primary PCL and 1 with secondary PCL). These patients were treated with bortezomib variously combined with other drugs outside of clinical trials. Patients 1 and 2 received bortezomib-based regimens (bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 i.v. once daily on days 1, 4, 8, and 11; dexamethasone 20 mg i.v. once daily on days 1-4 and 8-11; oral cyclophosphamide 50 mg once daily on days 1-21, every 28 days) after 2 previous chemotherapeutic treatments. Patient 3 received a bortezomib-based regimen (bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 i.v. once daily on days 1, 4, 8, and 11; doxorubicin 9 mg/m2 i.v. once daily on days 1-4; and dexamethasone 40 mg i.v. once daily on days 1-4, 8-11, and 15-18 during cycle 1 and days 1-4 during subsequent cycles) after one previous chemotherapeutic regimen. In all 3 patients, circulating plasma cells persisted. Patients 1 and 2 were not considered candidates for autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) because of their nonresponse to the bortezomib-based regimens and severe deterioration of their clinical conditions (kidney and liver failure) due to disease progression. The overall survivals after administration of the bortezomib- based regimens were 4 months in patient 1 and 1 month in patient 2. After further treatment according to the modified protocol for patients with acute lymphatic leukemia (cyclophosphamide 800 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1 and 200 mg/m2 i.v. on days 2-5; vincristine 1.5 mg/m2 i.v. once daily on days 1, 8, and 15; doxorubicin 40 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1; methotrexate 1200 mg/m2/h i.v. + 240 mg/m2/h i.v. for 23 hours [modified CODOX-M protocol]) due to the unavailability of a human leukocyte antigen-identical donor, patient 3 received high-dose (200 mg/m2) melphalan with autologous PBSCT, obtaining partial remission lasting 9 months. The patient died 5 months later because of disease progression., Conclusion: These 3 patients with primary or secondary PCL who received a bortezomib-based regimen as rescue medication did not respond to treatment., (Copyright 2010 Excerpta Medica Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To report a new technique for repairing traumatic cranio-dorsal coxofemoral luxation in dogs., Methods: Stabilisation of hip luxation was carried out in two dogs: a one-year-old male Border Collie and an eight-year-old female American Staffordshire Bull Terrier. A caudal approach was performed to expose the hip joint. Following this, a 2.5 mm hole was drilled through the acetabular wall at the original attachment of the round ligament, followed by a tunnel between the fovea capitis and the proximal third of the femur. Nylon tape was tied in a clove hitch knot around the femoral neck. The tape was placed as a bridge over the ischial spine to create an acetabular roof in order to increase articular stabilisation., Results: Follow-up examinations were performed at 10, 40 and 90 days after surgery.The dogs did not show any signs of lameness, pain or reoccurrence of the luxation during any of the follow-up examinations., Clinical Significance: This tape-technique enabled reinforcement of the acetabular roof which in turn increased the stability of the joint.

A crossbreed dog was presented with non-weight bearing on the right hindlimb and a semi-flexed stifle. Clinical examination and radiographic investigation showed a grade 3 medial patellar luxation, characterised by hypoplasia of the medial trochlear ridge. No other significant skeletal abnormalities were detected. A 180 degrees rotation of the femoral trochlea was the surgical technique chosen to treat the trochlear dysplasia, the aim being to move the normal lateral ridge to the medial side and thereby prevent patellar luxation. This technique was able to restore correct conformation of the femoral trochlea and preserve the integrity of the trochlear groove cartilage, thus potentially retarding the progression of degenerative joint disease. The dog recovered fully and postoperative radiographic examinations showed healing of the rotated trochlea with only mild signs of degenerative joint disease.

We report the case of an elderly patient affected by Philadelphia positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (Ph(+) ALL) who developed meningeal leukaemia during imatinib monotherapy, despite bone marrow molecular remission. Aggressive central nervous system (CNS)-directed therapy in combination with continued imatinib treatment might be, at the moment, the most effective salvage therapy for imatinib-responsive elderly patients with isolated CNS relapse. In view of the inefficacy of imatinib at preventing meningeal leukaemia for its poor penetration into the CNS, CNS prophylactic therapy should always be an integral part of any imatinib-based treatment strategy for Ph(+) ALL.

The ability of a cellular construct to guide and promote tissue repair strongly relies on three components, namely, cell, scaffold and growth factors. We aimed to investigate the osteopromotive properties of cellular constructs composed of poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) and rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), or BMSCs engineered to express bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4). Highly porous biodegradable PCL scaffolds were obtained via phase inversion/salt leaching technique. BMSCs and transfected BMSCs were seeded within the scaffolds by using an alternate flow perfusion system and implanted into non-critical size defects in New Zealand rabbit femurs. In vivo biocompatibility, osteogenic and angiogenic effects induced by the presence of scaffolds were assessed by histology and histomorphometry of the femurs, retrieved 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. PCL without cells showed scarce bone formation at the scaffold-bone interface (29% bone/implant contact and 62% fibrous tissue/implant contact) and scarce PCL resorption (16%). Conversely, PCL seeded with autologous BMSCs stimulated new tissue formation into the macropores of the implant (20%) and neo-tissue vascularization. Finally, the BMP4-expressing BMSCs strongly favoured osteoinductivity of cellular constructs, as demonstrated by a more extensive bone/scaffold contact.

In this paper, two benthic habitats have been investigated in a fully protected site and two control sites at the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo marine protected area (MPA) (NE Sardinia). Overall, a protection effect on the benthic assemblages was highlighted in the shallow subtidal (5 m deep) rather than at intertidal algal turf habitat. Structure of assemblages at the shallow subtidal habitat is different in the fully protected site vs. controls, while this was not true for the intertidal habitat. At the subtidal, this finding is probably linked to indirect effects due to an increase of consumers in the protected site (e.g., sea urchins), while the lack of direct impacts in the intertidal at control sites is indicative of very similar assemblages. Cover of encrusting algae was significantly higher at the subtidal protected site suggesting a possible higher grazing pressure. Possible causes underlying the inconsistency of results obtained between habitats include the possibility that trophic cascade effects have a different influence at different heights on the shore. The need to estimate the interconnection among benthic habitats through trophic links is also highlighted to provide an estimate of the vulnerability to protection of various habitats.

A modified technique is presented for surgical and diagnostic arthroscopy of the shoulder joint in the dog. The technique involves access to the joint through two points only; one was created in place of the drainage needle-cannula, which was replaced with a portal, while the second was located more caudally compared with previous techniques. Using a changing guide rod system the two portals are completely interchangeable in order to perform easier arthroscopic surgery either in the cranial or caudal aspect of the joint. The presence of only one portal caudal to the lateral collateral ligament allows more freedom of movement and avoids interference between the arthroscope and the instruments. The modified procedure was performed on 33 joints affected by osteochondritis dissecans or tenoligament diseases and facilitated straightforward diagnostic examinations, and simple and rapid surgical procedures.

Sildenafil shows an intense and prolonged inhibitory effect on the smooth muscle cells of corpus cavernosum arterioles by blocking phosphodiesterase type 5 that inactivates the nitric oxide-stimulated cyclic guanosine monophosphate. We investigated if this inhibitory effect is also displayed on smooth muscle cells of the esophagus. In 16 normal subjects (9 men and 7 women, mean age 34 years, range 22-56) esophageal motility was recorded by means of a low-compliance manometric system with side holes for the esophageal body and a sleeve for the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). After a basal period of 60 min, a tablet of sildenafil 50-mg ground and dissolved in water was infused in the stomach in eight subjects (group A) and a placebo tablet in the other eight subjects (group B), randomly and in a double-blind manner; the recording continued for another 60 min. LES tone and postdeglutitive residual pressure, as well as amplitude, propagation velocity, and onset latency of contractions were measured each minute, the values averaged every 5 min, and the mean of the entire basal and postinfusion periods was calculated. The postinfusion values were compared with the basal values in each group and with the corresponding values of the other groups. The percent variations of postinfusion values with respect to basal values were also compared. Sildenafil induced a statistically significant decrease of LES tone, residual pressure, wave amplitude, and propagation velocity and a significant increase of onset latency of pressure waves in comparison with the values of the basal period and placebo. The inhibitory effect reached its maximum 10-15 min after the infusion and lasted about 1 hr. In conclusion, sildenafil markedly inhibits the motor activity of the esophageal musculature by decreasing LES pressure, wave amplitude, and propagation velocity and increasing the onset latency of pressure waves.

The authors report data related to 212 surgical patients at risk because immunocompromised. Patients were divided in two homogeneous groups, one treated with Thymostimulin and the other as a control group, all affected by severe pathologies. Patients presenting postoperative complications directly related to technical reasons were excluded. Morbidity, postoperative hospitalization and mortality were the parameters considered. Positive results were obtained in the treated group compared to controls. Therefore, it is Authors' opinion that the treatment with Thymostimulin in immunocompromised patients is important in order to avoid or reduce postoperative infection rates.

After reporting the general features of renal angiomyolipoma (AML), either isolated or associated to other conditions (Bourneville sclerosis, Wunderlich's syndrome), the Authors discuss a case complicated by perirenal spontaneous hematoma, undergone emergency operation (simple nephrectomy). At a 3 year follow-up the patient is in good general and local conditions (negative TC, normal renal function, preexistent hypertension disappeared). Literature is reviewed and some considerations about diagnosis and surgical tactics are reported.