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Additive manufacturing (AM) is the process of joining materials to create layer-by-layer three-dimensional objects using a 3D printer from a digital model. The great advantage of Additive Manufacturing is to allow a freer design than traditional processes. The development of additive manufacturing processes has permitted to optimize the production of the customized product through the modeling of the geometry and the knowledge of the morphometric parameters of the body structures. 3D printing has revolutionized the field of Regenerative Medicine because, starting from computerized tomography (CT) images and using traditional materials such as plastic and metals, it can provide customized prostheses for each patient, which adapt perfectly to the needs of the subject and act as structures support. 3D printing allows you to print three-dimensional porous scaffolds with a precise shape and chemical composition suitable for medical and veterinary use. Some of these scaffolds are biodegradable and appear to be ideal for bone tissue engineering. In fact, they are able to simulate extracellular matrix properties that allow mechanical support, favoring mechanical interactions and providing a model for cellular attachment and in vivo stimulation of bone tissue formation.

A 4-month-old Thoroughbred filly was referred for evaluation of severe left forelimb lameness of 24 hours duration. Radiographic projections of the shoulder revealed mild irregularity and sclerosis of the proximal humeral apophysis. Ultrasonographic examination showed a moderate increase in the amount of anechogenic synovial fluid within the intertubercular bursa and scapulohumeral joint, and irregularity of the ossifying bone surface of the intermediate tubercle of the humerus. Computed tomographic (CT) examination revealed a circular hypoattenuating area at the level of the proximal apophysis of the humerus. CT imaging in this case was essential for an early identification of the septic foci and it allowed ultrasound-guided sample from the lesion for the selection of targeted antibiotic therapy.

An 11-year-old, 5.8-kg, male European cat was presented with a 4-month history of sneezing, nasal discharge, respiratory distress and bilateral conjunctivitis. Physical examination showed bilateral hemorrhagic mucopurulent nasal discharge and stertorous respiratory sounds. An irregular shaped mass involving the aboral portion of the right nasal cavity and sphenoidal sinus was identified by computed tomography. The mass was localized endoscopically in the medium meatus and an endoscopic-guided biopsy was performed. B-cell lymphoma was diagnosed by histopathological and immunochemistry exams. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery allowed to completely remove the tumor and restore a normal nasal flow. The cat showed no recurrence of the neoplasia for 15 months after the functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

A 6-day-old foal was evaluated for depression and inappetence. After initial stabilization, the filly developed a hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis and persistent hypercreatinemia. Abdominal ultrasound revealed fluid accumulation around the left kidney and a well-defined rounded fluid filled structure dorsal to the urinary bladder. Computed tomography revealed a partial tear of the left ureter with distension of the retroperitoneal membrane. Exploratory celiotomy was performed to allow left kidney nephrectomy. At 6 months follow-up, the filly was growing normally without complications. Ultrasound and CT imaging in this case provided an accurate diagnosis and a presurgical aid to select the appropriate therapeutic approach.

We extensively exploit advanced Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR) techniques for enhanced landslide investigations. We focus on the Ivancich area, Assisi, Central Italy, which is affected by a deep-seated landslide investigated through in-situ surveys. For this area, large data sets of SAR acquisitions were collected by the C-band ERS-1/2 and ENVISAT sensors (from April 1992 to November 2010), and by the X-band radars of the COSMO-SkyMed (CSK) constellation (from December 2009 to February 2012). We concentrate on the advanced DInSAR technique referred to as Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) approach, benefiting of its capability to generate deformation time series at full spatial resolution and from multi-sensor SAR data. This allows us to present one of the first examples for a landslide area of ERS-1/2 — ENVISAT deformation time series exceeding 18 years. The results allowed characterizing the long-term behaviour of the landslide, and identifying sectors of the unstable slope affected by different deformation dynamics. Analysis of the CSK data set, characterized by a reduced revisit time and improved spatial resolution, resulted in a 15-time larger point density with respect to the ERS-ENVISAT measurements, allowing to investigate nearly all the buildings (and, in many cases, portions of buildings) in the landslide area. Lastly, we present an innovative modelling approach based on the effective integration of the DInSAR measurements with traditional geological and geotechnical information, providing deeper insights on the kinematical evolution of the landslide. We consider our analysis a prototype example that can be extended to different geological and geotechnical conditions, providing significant advances in the understanding of ground deformations induced by active landslides.

A 3-year-old English Setter dog was presented for an acute onset of coughing. Tracheobronchoscopic examination allowed localization and removal of one grass awn foreign body. A second migrated grass awn was suspected to be present in the left caudal lung lobe. Transesophageal ultrasound revealed an area of pulmonary consolidation in the dorsomedial portion of left caudal lobe and a linear hyperechoic structure consistent with a grass awn foreign body within the area of consolidation. Transesophageal ultrasonography was also used to provide anatomical landmarks that facilitated successful thoracoscopic removal of the foreign body.

Recombinant human IGF-1 currently represents the only available treatment option for the Laron Syndrome, a rare human disorder caused by defects in the gene encoding growth hormone receptor, resulting in irreversibly retarded growth. Unfortunately, this treatment therapy, poorly impacts longitudinal growth (13% in females and 19% in males), while burdening the patients with severe side effects, including hypoglycemia, in association with the unfair chore of taking multiple daily injections that cause local intense pain. In this study, we have demonstrated that a single intraperitoneal graft of microencapsulated pig Sertoli cells, producing pig insulin-like growth factor-1, successfully promoted significant proportional growth in the Laron mouse, a unique animal model of the human Laron Syndrome. These findings indicate a novel, simply, safe and successful method for the cell therapy-based cure of the Laron Syndrome, potentially applicable to humans.

Summary The case of a one-year-old colt with acute onset of neurological dysfunction and epistaxis after a traumatic event is presented. After initiating emergency treatment, the colt was anaesthetised for diagnostic imaging. Radiographic examination of the head was suggestive of soft tissue opacity in the area of the guttural pouches, but was inconclusive about osseous involvement. A computed tomography (CT) scan, used to obtain further details, showed a comminuted basilar skull fracture with 2 displaced fragments that were not detected by radiography. Because of the poor prognosis for survival and return to athletic function, the horse was subjected to euthanasia. CT imaging provided the most useful diagnostic information about type, localisation, extension and severity of the basilar skull fracture.

Lung lobe torsion is rare but life-threatening condition in the dog. Thoracic radiographs and conventional ultrasonography cannot be conclusive for the diagnosis, and computed tomography is useful but is limited by cost and availability. This report describes the findings of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in 3 dogs with lung lobe torsion. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography showed the absence or reduction of pulmonary vascularization secondary to twisting of the lung lobe around its bronchovascular pedicle in all three dogs. Moreover, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography distinguished partial pulmonary atelectasis from a lung lobe torsion. These preliminary results suggest that contrast-enhanced ultrasonography can improve the accuracy of conventional ultrasonography for detection of pulmonary blood flow compromise in dogs with lung lobe torsion.

Over the past few years, the monitoring of natural phenomena has acquired great importance for the scientific community. It aims to understand the mechanisms of disruptive processes, define adequate prevention measures for the mitigation of their effects and reduce the loss of human lives and assets. In order to detect the stability conditions of slopes belonging to different geological and environmental contexts, geotechnical investigations have been carried out since 1982. The various types of landslides to be investigated, and the diverse socio-economic contexts involved, have shown the need for constant surveillance, using the most up-to-date technology available. For this purpose, automatic recording systems connected to different sensors have been installed, (and also serve civil defence purposes). During this research activity, several problems arose, and several solutions had to be found. In this paper, some of the main problems concerning the installation and management of monitoring equipment used for the study of three landslides will be discussed.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the investigations carried out on a mudslide in the area of Cortina d'Ampezzo (Dolomites, Italy) in the framework of the TESLEC Project (the temporal stability and activity of landslides in Europe with respect to climatic change) supported by the Environment and Climate Programme of the European Union (contract no. EV5V-CT94-0454). After a brief geological and geomorphological description, the results of geotechnical investigations are presented. Several boreholes were drilled and equipped with inclinometer tubes, electric piezometers and extensiometer devices. The analysis of the rock cores allowed the identification of a main slip surface ranging from a depth of 18 to 25 m. Inclinometer measurements show a rate of movement of some centimetres per year. Another more superficial slip surface which appears very active was also identified at a depth of 5 m in the lower sector of the landslide. A detailed topographic survey was also carried out for measuring planimetric displacements and for the elaboration of a new reliable contour map and a high-detail section across the mudslide longitudinal axis. On the basis of collected data, a dynamic stability model was developed in order to determine the relationships between piezometric fluctuations and velocity variations. The model was first applied to the most superficial landslide which, owing to its geometrical characteristics, may be considered as an infinite slope.

The temporal trend of displacement of a landslide on a low-gradient clay slope in the Italian Dolomites as a function of precipitation was simulated with a combined hydrological-slope stability model based on groundwater and surficial displacement observations. Piezometric records and lithological profiles from boreholes suggest the occurrence of preferential groundwater flow through a very permeable top layer of about 1 m thickness, which overlies a less permeable, compact clay layer penetrated by dead-end cracks. To simulate groundwater levels in this system, a linear reservoir model with two outlets was applied, where the upper outlet drains the permeable top layer, and the lower outlet drains the dead-end cracks in the clay layer. The reservoir was assigned a bottom boundary level varying in time. This was done to represent an inferred yearly fluctuation of a matric groundwater level due to regional flow, which controls the thickness of the unsaturated part of the clay layer absorbing water from the cracks. Groundwater output from the model was used in a visco-plastic stability model to simulate the velocity of landslide movement, taking into account a phenomenon of strength regain that occurs in the clays along the slip surfaces. Calibration and validation on 3 years of groundwater and displacement data showed that both models yield good results. Thus, good estimates of cumulative landslide displacement were obtained as a function of precipitation. The general concepts underlying the models offer possibilities for regionalization because from a geological point of view, this landslide is typical of many others in the Dolomites.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness, in terms of analgesic efficacy and safety, of ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve block performed with bupivacaine in cats undergoing perineal urethrostomy. Eighteen client-owned male cats scheduled for perineal urethrostomy were enrolled in the study and assigned to one of two treatment groups. The pudendal nerve block was performed under general anaesthesia, as described elsewhere, with 0.3 ml/kg of either saline (group C) or 0.5% bupivacaine (group B) – the total injection volume being split equally between the two sites of injection (left and right). Intra-operatively, assessment of nociception was based on the rescue analgesics requirement, as well as on the evaluation of changes in physiological parameters in comparison with the baseline values. Postoperative pain assessment was performed using three different pain scales at recovery and then 1, 2 and 3 h after recovery. Cats in group B showed lower heart rates and required fewer analgesics during surgery than group C. Postoperatively, group B had lower pain scores and needed less rescue buprenorphine than group C. Iatrogenic block-related complications were not observed. In conclusion, the ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve block can be considered clinically useful in feline medicine as it provides reliable analgesia in cats undergoing perineal urethrostomy.

The objective of this prospective experimental cadaveric study was to develop an ultrasound-guided technique to perform an anaesthetic pudendal nerve block in male cats. Fifteen fresh cadavers were used for this trial. A detailed anatomical dissection was performed on one cat in order to scrutinise the pudendal nerve and its ramifications. In a second step, the cadavers of six cats were used to test three different ultrasonographic approaches to the pudendal nerve: the deep dorso-lateral, the superficial dorso-lateral and the median transperineal. Although none of the approaches allowed direct ultrasonographical identification of the pudendal nerve branches, the deep dorso-lateral was found to be the most advantageous one in terms of practicability and ability to identify useful and reliable landmarks. Based on these findings, the deep dorso-lateral approach was selected as technique of choice for tracer injections (0.1 ml 1% methylene blue injected bilaterally) in six cat cadavers distinct from those used for the ultrasonographical study. Anatomical dissection revealed a homogeneous spread of the tracer around the pudendal nerve sensory branches in all six cadavers. Finally, computed tomography was performed in two additional cadavers after injection of 0.3 ml/kg (0.15 ml/kg per each injection sites, left and right) contrast medium through the deep dorso-lateral approach in order to obtain a model of volume distribution applicable to local anaesthetics. Our findings in cat cadavers indicate that ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve block is feasible and could be proposed to provide peri-operative analgesia in clinical patients undergoing perineal urethrostomy.

This paper describes a visco-plastic model which, using recorded groundwater levels, is capable of simulating the velocity trend in landslides. It also deals with the phenomenon of shear strength regain that occurs in montmorillonitic clays constituting slopes during periods when landslides are stationary. The model has been validated with long-term observations of a clay slope affected by a mudslide.

Background The development of secondary soft tissue sarcomas after chemo-radiotherapy is a rare and little known event, but its frequency is increasing. Patients and Methods We report two cases of secondary soft tissue sarcomas. The first is the case of a 51-year-old woman treated for Hodgkin's disease with chemotherapy and radiotherapy 15 years before she developed a high-grade malignant pleural sarcoma. The patient had no history of asbestos exposure. The second is the case of a 64-year-old woman with a giant cell malignant histiocytoma secondary to colorectal cancer treated with surgery and radiotherapy nine years before. The patients were not eligible for surgery or radiotherapy. Both were treated with chemotherapy (ifosfamide and epirubicin) without any relevant secondary effects; however, the response to therapy was poor. Conclusions The causes of secondary malignancies are multifactorial, but radiation therapy and chemotherapy are certainly implicated in the development of post-therapy neoplasms that are difficult to treat.

A skeletal segment consisting exclusively of bone is the target outcome of bone regeneration. Granular hydroxyapatites form a hydroxyapatite-bone composite, unsuitable for effectively supporting implants, which may persist for many years. This work aimed to investigate the reasons for the bone replacement of Ostim®, a recently commercialized aqueous nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite.Histology, SEM and X-ray microanalysis were employed to analyze 6- to 9-month biopsies of post-extractive sites or sinus floor lifts of the maxilla in 15 subjects.The results highlight a great bone formation, Ostim® resorption with time by osteoclasts but also interstitial fluid propagation of Ostim® masses by percolation. A possible osteocyte protoplasmic involvement was also at work in concert to reach the target.The use of Ostim® as bone regenerating material leads to the formation of a highly suitable implant support consisting exclusively of bone in less than 12 months, i.e. in a remarkably short time.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the embryological origin of the tumour on the ascitic humoral test concentrations. Patients: One hundred and twenty-four patients with extra-hepatic malignancy-related ascites were divided into three groups according to the embryological origin of the tumour: group A (mesoderm) consisted of 52 patients, group B (endoderm) of 55 and group C (ectoderm) of 17. Design: Ascitic fluid (40 ml) was aseptically aspirated and examined routinely for culture by the bedside blood-culture-bottles method for white blood cells, polymorphonuclear cell count per mm 3 , malignant cell test and chemistries. Cytological examination was performed within 2 h of ascitic fluid aspiration

Primary lung tumors are rare in dogs, whereas pulmonary metastatic neoplastic involvement is common. We describe a case of a 12-year-old male, mixed-breed dog with a 3-month history of coughing and dyspnea. The investigating protocol, which also includes transcutaneous pulmonary biopsy, allowed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma that necroscopic findings confirmed as a primary neoplasia. The tumor exhibited a nodular-disseminated growth, mimicking the metastatic involvement of the lung, instead of the single-mass appearance that has been observed by other authors. The present report indicates that, although the incidence of canine primary lung neoplasms is markedly low, this condition must be considered in the differential diagnosis of lung diseases that cause coughing and dyspnea in older dogs.

Equine amniotic membrane transplantation in some ocular surface diseases in the dog and cat: a preliminary study R. Arcelli & P. Tibaldini & G. Angeli & E. Bellezza Published online: 5 August 2009 # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2009

A cutaneous metaplastic synovial cyst is a rare entity that is probably caused by trauma or surgery. We report the second case of cutaneous metaplastic synovial cyst in a child with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. His father is also affected with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and his diagnosis is substantiated by the demonstration of reduced synthesis of collagen type V.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is known to play a fundamental role in cervical and other ano-genital human cancers. The recent identification of HPVs in human breast tumors and the immortalization of normal breast cancer cells by HPV high risk types 16 and 18 suggest that the virus could be implicated in the pathogenesis of human mammary tumors. In this study, we investigated the presence of high and low risk HPV genotypes in 30 human breast cancers of different histotypes by PCR with specific HPV primers (MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+) and by line probe assay (LiPA) reverse hybridization. Since the only positive case (untypable HPVX+) was a papillary breast carcinoma, a rare tumor variant, we analyzed a further cohort of 32 papillary cancers and found one additional HPV DNA-positive case (HPV66+). Our results suggest that HPV infection is not significant in mammary tumorigenesis, with the exception of particular tumor histotypes, such as papillary cancer.

Background/Methods: In order to define the clinical significance of borderline levels of IgM anti-HBc in chronic hepatitis B patients, we followed up 89 untreated hepatitis B patients (19 HBeAg pos and 70 anti-HBe pos) for 1 year, with monthly monitoring of IgM anti-HBc using a highly sensitive quantitative microparticle enzyme immunoassay (IMx CORE-M, Abbott). As a control group we used 304 healthy subjects: 150 HBsAg negative and anti-HBc/anti-HBs positive, and 154 without markers of HBV infection. The statistical analysis performed by Receiver Operating Characteristic curve indicated the 100% sensitivity cut-off at 0.081 IMx index and 100% specificity cut-off at 0.358 IMx index. Results: We could define the range of a chronic hepatitis B "gray-zone" between 0.100 [80.6% specificity (95% CI, 76.2%–85%), 96.6% sensitivity (95% CI, 92.8%–100%)] and 0.200 [95.7% specificity (95% CI, 93.4%–98%) and 78.7% sensitivity (95% CI, 70.2%–87.2%)] of the IgM anti-HBc-IMx index. In fact, none of the chronic hepatitis B patients had IgM anti-HBc-IMx values persistently below 0.100 during the follow-up, whereas 57.3% had values persistently higher than 0.200. In 38.2%, IgM anti-HBc values occasionally fell within the "gray-zone" limits. In the remaining four patients (4.4%), the results overlapped the "gray-zone" values. Conclusions: These results suggest that the use of a chronic hepatitis B "gray-zone" for values of quantitative IgM anti-HBc assays helps to distinguish "true healthy carriers" from asymptomatic chronic anti-HBe positive hepatitis B patients who have been shown to have temporary remissions of liver disease and frequently undetectable serum HBV-DNA.

One hundred forty-one patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with recombinant interferon alpha 2a (r-IFNα2a) (3MU three times/week for 12 months). Alanine aminotransferase levels returned to normal in 85 of them during treatment. Eleven out of 85 (12.9%) had cytolytic relapses) (breathrough) between the 2nd and 7th month of IFN therapy (median, 4 months), indicating loss of clinical efficacy of r-IFNα2a. Most of these patients (6/9) developed neutralizing antibodies to r-IFNα2a before the breakthrough occurred. Continuing the treatment or increasing the r-IFN dose did not have any effect. Switching to natural lymphoblastoid IFN (l-IFNαN1) rapidly restored a complete response, independent of the dose (3 or 6 MU, three times/week). In conclusion, careful biochemical monitoring is recommended in the first period of r-IFNα2a treatment, and if breakthrough occurs, the switch to l-IFNαN1 is indicated to restore the clinical response.

IgM anti-HBc levels were measured by the IMx Core-M Abbott assay in 939 serum samples in order to define a specific and sensitive cut-off value for diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B. The sera used were obtained from 52 chronic HBV patients and 10 HBV carriers with HCV or HDV co-infections and 155 asymptomatic subjects without evidence of liver disease. A Youden index value of 95.4% with 98% sensitivity and 97.4% specificity was obtained for an IMx Index value of 0.204 as cut-off. A one-year follow-up study with monthly tests has shown that quantitative analysis of IgM anti-HBc can serve as a non-invasive tool for monitoring HBV infection, and provides an accurate diagnosis of hepatitis B exacerbations. Significant elevations of IgM anti-HBc levels were associated with hepatitis B excerbations in 96.2% of the cases but with none of the ALT flare-ups observed in HCV or HDV infected individuals. These results suggest that quantitative analysis of IgM anti-HBc provides the highest degree of confidence in definition of spontaneous and therapy-induced exacerbations or remissions of hepatitis B.

Research and academic computer networks provide e-mail and other services to all members of participating institutions. Their usage by biomedical researchers and clinicians is still limited because of several reasons, including limited awareness of the available network resources. An increased use of these networks within the biomedical community would allow fast, effective communications and convenient remote access to information sources. As an example and pilot study, we prepared two network tools to make some information services maintained by our institution also accessible through e-mail. Both tools were implemented using PMDF e-mail software on a DEC MicroVAX connected to the Italian academic and research network (GARR), which is linked to the U.S. Internet. A network server takes care of automatic distribution of documents (files) reporting results of an oncology research/education project. An information server provides for semiautomated support of a consulting service on use of drugs. The feasibility of implementing these tools, based on existing software, further illustrates the potential usefulness of research computer networks for the dissemination of biomedical information.

Several investigators have reported high levels of gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) in the diabetic population. Therefore, we undertook a study to see the prevalence of ‘isolated’ high GGT in a large population of diabetics without chronic liver disease (CLD), as compared to an age- and sex-matched control group of non-diabetic subjects without CLD, and the role of extrahepatic factors in ‘isolated’ high GGT, as possible etiopathogenetic causes. We selected 351 diabetics with normal hepatologic screening, without echographic abnormalities of the hepatic parenchyma or the biliary tract. Age, duration and therapy of diabetes, body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1), and the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were studied to see if they are related to high GGT. The control group included 260 age- and sex-matched non-diabetic subjects. We did not find any significant difference between diabetics and the control group in the prevalence of high GGT (men: 17.5% vs. 23%; women: 16% vs. 14.5%). Multiple regression analysis showed that alcohol consumption plays the major role in the high GGT of both men and women.

In the literature there is no agreement on the prevalence of chronic liver disease (CLD) and the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in diabetics. We undertook an epidemiological case-control study of the prevalence of CLD and HBV infection in 394 diabetics and 265 healthy subjects from Seriate and Como. The results did not show any significant differences between: 1) the prevalence of CLD in the diabetic population and in controls (4.8% vs 4.5%); 2) the prevalence of HBV infection in diabetics (HBsAg+: 8.3%; HBVAb+: 55.8%) and in controls (HBsAg+: 8.6%; HBVAb+: 54.7%); 3) the prevalence of HBV infection in diabetics with CLD (HBsAg+: 21%; HBVAb+: 52.6%) and in controls with CLD (HBsAg+: 16.6%; HBVAb+: 50%); 4) the prevalence of HBV infection in diabetics with and without CLD (HBsAg+: 21% vs 7.7%; HBVAb+: 52.6% vs 56%); 5) the prevalence of HBV infection in diabetics treated by injection and orally (HBsAg+: 6.9% vs 8.6%; HBVAb+: 58.3% vs 55.2%). The relative risk of CLD for the factor HBsAg+ was 3.2 in the diabetic population vs 1.4 in controls. In view of the presence of antidelta antibodies (HDVAb) in 25% of HBsAg+ diabetics with CLD and the lack of HBV markers in 26.3% of diabetics with CLD, we assume that other viruses (Delta, nonA-nonB) may play roles. Probably the interaction of all possible etiopathogenetic factors (alcohol, viruses, glycometabolic derangement) is determinant for CLD in diabetics.