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Abstract Dulaglutide is a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonist, which stimulates insulin release via activation of GLP‐1 receptors on pancreatic beta cells. We report the case of a 45‐year‐old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus who started dulaglutide subcutaneously and developed, a few minutes after the fourth administration, a persistent itchy reaction at the injection site, followed, after two more administrations, by a diffuse itchy delayed urticaria‐like rash, healed in 7 days after drug interruption. Skin test performed after 3 months from the event demonstrated the culprit role of the drug. Given the limited evidence in literature, there is currently no standardised protocol for testing patients sensitised to one or more glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists. Performing skin tests, especially intradermal tests, is pivotal to confirm the aetiological role of the drug in the suspected hypersensitivity reaction, and possibly to identify an alternative to be proposed before precluding the entire drug class. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of systemic hypersensitivity reaction to dulaglutide presenting as a delayed urticaria‐like rash and confirmed by positive skin test.

Abstract Laser-induced thermotherapy has shown promising potential for the treatment of unresectable primary pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumors. Nevertheless, heterogeneous tumor environment and complex thermal interaction phenomena that are established under hyperthermic conditions can lead to under/over estimation of laser thermotherapy efficacy. Using numerical modeling, this paper presents an optimized laser setting for Nd:YAG laser delivered by a bare optical fiber (300 µm in diameter) at 1064 nm working in continuous mode within a power range of 2–10 W. For the thermal analysis, patient-specific 3D models were used, consisting of tumors in different portions of the pancreas. The optimized laser power and time for ablating the tumor completely and producing thermal toxic effects on the possible residual tumor cells beyond the tumor margins were found to be 5 W for 550 s, 7 W for 550 s, and 8 W for 550 s for the pancreatic tail, body, and head tumors, respectively. Based on the results, during the laser irradiation at the optimized doses, thermal injury was not evident either in the 15 mm lateral distances from the optical fiber or in the nearby healthy organs. The present computational-based predictions are also in line with the previous ex vivo and in vivo studies, hence, they can assist in the estimation of the therapeutic outcome of laser ablation for pancreatic neoplasms prior to clinical trials.

O gavião-carijó (Rupornis magnirostris) é uma ave de rapina que apresenta ampla ocorrência e distribuição no território brasileiro. Por conta de ações antrópicas, são frequentemente avistados em áreas urbanas, não sendo raros os casos de acidentes envolvendo indivíduos dessa espécie, que acabam sendo encaminhados para atendimento nos centros de resgate e reabilitação de animais silvestres. Apresentando diversas causas, sendo a maioria relacionada com interferência humana, lesões traumáticas, especialmente fraturas, são constantemente reportadas. Casos como esses, tendo em vista a necessidade de uma recuperação eficaz após o trauma, constituem um desafio sempre que existe o objetivo de reintroduzir o animal à vida livre. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de relatar o caso de um gavião-carijó, jovem, pesando 235 gramas, atendido no Centro de Apoio à Fauna Silvestre (CAFS) e encaminhado ao Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal do Paraná, apresentando fratura transversa, completa, em diáfise distal de fêmur esquerdo. O animal foi submetido ao procedimento de osteossíntese a partir de uma abordagem combinada com pino intramedular e fixadores externos, visando-se restaurar a função do membro acometido. A retirada dos pinos ocorreu aos 42 dias de pós-operatório, após a confirmação radiográfica da não visualização da linha de fratura, além de notável formação de calo ósseo regular na região. Neste estágio o animal já apoiava completamente o peso corporal no membro afetado e demonstrava capacidade para posar de forma usual, sendo assim optado pelo seu retorno ao CAFS. Após 18 dias de ambientação em recinto maior, testes de voo e reabilitação, completando 60 dias de pós-operatório, o animal foi considerado apto, sendo realizada sua soltura em local de ocorrência da espécie. A combinação de pino intramedular com fixadores externos se mostrou eficaz por promover adequada consolidação da fratura, assim como a restauração funcional do membro em um rapinante de vida livre, tornando possível a reintrodução do animal ao seu habitat natural.

Background Detailed information on the temperature dependence of tissue thermophysical and mechanical properties is pivotal for the optimal implementation of mathematical models and simulation-based tools for the pre-planning of thermal ablation therapies. These models require in-depth knowledge of the temperature sensitivity of these properties and other influential terms (e.g., blood perfusion and metabolic heat) to maximize the treatment prediction outcome. Methodology A systematic literature review of experimental trials investigating thermophysical and mechanical properties of biological media, as well as blood perfusion and metabolic heat, as a function of temperature in hyperthermic and ablative thermal range, was conducted up to June 2021. Results A total of 61 articles was selected, thus enabling a comprehensive overview of the temperature dependence of thermophysical properties (i.e. thermal conductivity, specific heat, volumetric heat capacity, density, thermal diffusivity), and mechanical properties (shear, elastic, storage, loss and complex moduli, loss factor, stiffness) along with the principal measurement techniques. The reviewed studies considered different tissues, e.g., liver, fat, cartilage, brain, myocardium, muscle, bone, skin, pancreas tissues, and also some tumorous tissues. Conclusions The thermophysical properties of soft tissues appear rather constant until 90 °C, with slight differences ascribable to tissues characteristics and measurement methods. Conversely, the information on mechanical properties is heterogeneous because most of the articles investigated different types of properties in different biological tissues. Furthermore, most of the experiments were conducted ex vivo; only a small percentage concerned in vivo studies. Limited recent information about the temperature dependence of metabolic heat and blood perfusion was observed.

Abstract This work reports the optical properties of porcine pancreatic tissue in the broad wavelength range of 600–1100 nm. Absorption and reduced scattering coefficients (µ a and µ s′) of the ex vivo pancreas were obtained by means of Time-domain Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy. We have investigated different experimental conditions—including compression, repositioning, spatial sampling, temporal stability—the effect of the freezing procedure (fresh vs frozen-thawed pancreas), and finally inter-sample variability. Good repeatability under different experimental conditions was obtained (median coefficient of variation less than 8% and ~ 16% for µ a and µ s′, respectively). Freezing–thawing the samples caused an irreversible threefold reduction of µ s′ and no effect on µ a. The absorption and reduced scattering spectra averaged over different samples were in the range of 0.12–0.74 cm−1 and 12–21 cm−1 with an inter-sample variation of ~ 10% and ~ 40% for µ a and µ s′, respectively. The calculated effective transport coefficient (µ eff ) for fresh pancreatic tissue shows that regions between 800–900 nm and 1050–1100 nm are similar and offer the lowest tissue attenuation in the considered range (i.e., µ eff ranging from 2.4 to 2.7 cm−1). These data, describing specific light-pancreas interactions in the therapeutic optical window for the first time, provide pivotal information for planning of light-based thermotherapies (e.g., laser ablation) and instruction of light transport models for biophotonic applications involving this organ.

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common inflammatory skin disease that, especially when the condition becomes chronic, has a high impact on the quality of life and represents a significant disease burden. ACD represents a type IV delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction that is triggered by contact with an allergen in previously sensitized individuals through the activation of allergen-specific T cells. In the acute phase, it is characterized by eczematous dermatitis, which presents with erythema, edema, vesicles, scaling, and intense itch. Non-eczematous clinical forms are also described (lichenoid, bullous, and lymphomatosis). Lichenification is the most common clinical picture in the chronic phase if the culprit allergen is not found or eliminated. ACD can be associated with both occupational and non-occupational exposure to allergens, representing approximately 90% of occupational skin disorders along with irritant contact dermatitis. Patch testing with suspected allergens is required for a diagnosis. Metals, especially nickel, fragrance mix, isothiazolinones, and para-phenylenediamine, are the most commonly positive allergens in patients patch tested for suspected ACD. The treatment goal is to avoid contact with the culprit agent and use topical and/or systemic corticosteroid therapy.

This retrospective, unblinded, single rater study evaluated images obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of dogs with cervical intervertebral disc extrusion before being submitted to ventral slot decompression (VSD). Dogs were re-evaluated systematically at 10 and 30 days after VSD. The objectives of this study were to investigate the associations between the following parameters: (1) The maximal spinal cord compression ratio (SCCR) as seen on transverse MRI and pre-surgical neurological status (NS) grade; we hypothesized that dogs with greater SCCR will have worse pre-surgical NS grade at presentation; (2) Pre-surgical NS grade and postoperative recovery; we hypothesized that worse pre-surgical NS grade will be associated with longer postoperative recovery time; (3) SCCR and postoperative recovery; we hypothesized that dogs with higher SCCR will have longer recovery time; (4) Location of extrusion (cranial vs. caudal) and initial NS grade and outcomes; we hypothesized that caudal cervical extrusion will have worse NS grade and longer time to recovery; (5) Longitudinal extension of ventral CSF signal loss on HASTE pulse sequence and NS grade and time to recovery; we hypothesized that dogs with longer HASTE CSF attenuation will have higher NS grade and longer time to recovery. There was no significant association between SCCR and NS grade, suggesting that this relationship in the cervical region is similar to what is observed in the thoracolumbar region, rejecting our first hypothesis. There was a significant difference between ambulatory tetraparesis dogs versus non-ambulatory tetraparesis dogs regarding complete recovery at 10 days: dogs with NS grade 1, 2, or 3 overall recovered faster than dogs with NS grade 4. However, there was no significant difference between these groups regarding complete recovery at 30 days, thereby accepting our second hypothesis at 10 days and rejecting it at 30 days. There was no correlation between SCCR and recovery time, rejecting our third hypothesis. Caudal cervical extrusion did not show higher NS grade or longer recovery time than cranial extrusion, rejecting our fourth hypothesis. CSF attenuation length ratio on HASTE images was not significantly correlated with NS grade but weakly correlate with post-surgical recovery time, partially accepting our fifth hypothesis.

This experimental study aimed to characterize the thermal properties of ex vivo porcine and bovine kidney tissues in steady-state heat transfer conditions in a wider thermal interval (23.2–92.8 °C) compared to previous investigations limited to 45 °C. Thermal properties, namely thermal conductivity (k) and thermal diffusivity (α), were measured in a temperature-controlled environment using a dual-needle probe connected to a commercial thermal property analyzer, using the transient hot-wire technique. The estimation of measurement uncertainty was performed along with the assessment of regression models describing the trend of measured quantities as a function of temperature to be used in simulations involving heat transfer in kidney tissue. A direct comparison of the thermal properties of the same tissue from two different species, i.e., porcine and bovine kidney tissues, with the same experimental transient hot-wire technique, was conducted to provide indications on the possible inter-species variabilities of k and α at different selected temperatures. Exponential fitting curves were selected to interpolate the measured values for both porcine and bovine kidney tissues, for both k and α. The results show that the k and α values of the tissues remained rather constant from room temperature up to the onset of water evaporation, and a more marked increase was observed afterward. Indeed, at the highest investigated temperatures, i.e., 90.0–92.8 °C, the average k values were subject to 1.2- and 1.3-fold increases, compared to their nominal values at room temperature, in porcine and bovine kidney tissue, respectively. Moreover, at 90.0–92.8 °C, 1.4- and 1.2-fold increases in the average values of α, compared to baseline values, were observed for porcine and bovine kidney tissue, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between the thermal properties of porcine and bovine kidney tissues at the same selected tissue temperatures despite their anatomical and structural differences. The provided quantitative values and best-fit regression models can be used to enhance the accuracy of the prediction capability of numerical models of thermal therapies. Furthermore, this study may provide insights into the refinement of protocols for the realization of tissue-mimicking phantoms and the choice of tissue models for bioheat transfer studies in experimental laboratories.

Um gato de dois anos de idade, sem raça definida, foi atendido por manifestar inapetência e apatia. Ao exame físico foram observados taquipneia, febre e sopro cardíaco. O animal apresentava também puliciose intensa e histórico de livre acesso à rua. O exame ecocardiográfico evidenciou espessamento miocárdico no ventrículo esquerdo. A partir de amostra de sangue, foi realizada reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) para detecção de Bartonella spp., com resultado positivo. Foi realizado ainda o teste rápido (ELISA) para o vírus da imunodeficiência felina (FIV) e vírus da leucemia felina (FELV), sendo ambos negativos. O gato foi tratado por 30 dias com doxiciclina (10 mg/kg, VO, BID), mostrando boa recuperação. Após 1 ano e 4 meses do término do tratamento, um novo ecocardiograma foi realizado e revelou o ventrículo esquerdo com espessura normal, o que sugere que o gato apresentou um espessamento miocárdico transitório (EMT), por provável cardiomiopatia inflamatória, decorrente da infecção pela Bartonella spp. A bartonelose, apesar de ser uma doença pouco investigada na rotina clínica, deve ser levada em consideração no diagnóstico diferencial em gatos jovens com espessamento do miocárdio, principalmente naqueles com sinais clínicos compatíveis.

O ibuprofeno é amplamente utilizado na medicina devido suas características antipiréticas, anti-inflamatórias e analgésicas, e é relativamente seguro para humanos, mas quando administrados, de forma indevida, para animais de companhia, possuem efeitos colaterais indesejáveis. Os relatos da ingestão acidental de ibuprofeno por cães mostram que sinais gastrointestinais e renais de intoxicação são os mais comuns. O tratamento envolve a prevenção e manejo dos danos instalados. O objetivo do trabalho foi relatar o caso de uma cadela filhote que ingeriu uma cartela de ibuprofeno e manifestou alterações gastrointestinais e renais, e houve sucesso na terapêutica empregada.

Background Photothermal therapy is currently under the spotlight to improve the efficacy of minimally invasive thermal treatment of solid tumors. The interplay of several factors including the radiation wavelengths and the nanoparticle characteristics underlie the thermal outcome. However, a quantitative thermal analysis in in vivo models embedding nanoparticles and under different near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths is missing. Purpose We evaluate the thermal effects induced by different combinations of NIR laser wavelengths and gold nanorods (GNRs) in breast cancer tumor models in mice. Materials and methods Four laser wavelengths within the therapeutic window, i.e., 808, 940, 975, and 1064 nm were employed, and corresponding GNRs were intratumorally injected. The tissue thermal response was evaluated in terms of temperature profile and time constants, considering the step response of a first-order system as a model. Results The 808 nm and 1064 nm lasers experienced the highest temperature enhancements (>24%) in presence of GNRs compared to controls; conversely, 975 nm and 940 nm lasers showed high temperatures in controls due to significant tissue absorption and the lowest temperature difference with and without GNRs (temperature enhancement

Abstract is missing (Short communication)

Abstract Background Urticaria is a disorder affecting skin and mucosal tissues characterized by the occurrence of wheals, angioedema or both, the latter defining the urticaria-angioedema syndrome. It is estimated that 12–22% of the general population has suffered at least one subtype of urticaria during life, but only a small percentage (estimated at 7.6–16%) has acute urticaria, because it is usually self-limited and resolves spontaneously without requiring medical attention. This makes likely that its incidence is underestimated. The epidemiological data currently available on chronic urticaria in many cases are deeply discordant and not univocal, but a recent Italian study, based on the consultation of a national registry, reports a prevalence of chronic spontaneous urticaria of 0.02% to 0.4% and an incidence of 0.1–1.5 cases/1000 inhabitants/year. Methods We reviewed the recent international guidelines about urticaria and we described a methodologic approach based on classification, pathophysiology, impact on quality of life, diagnosis and prognosis, differential diagnosis and management of all the types of urticaria. Conclusions The aim of the present document from the Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC) and the Italian Society of Allergological, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology (SIDAPA) is to provide updated information to all physicians involved in diagnosis and management of urticaria and angioedema.

A case of congenital self-healing Langerhans cell histiocytosis (CSHLCH), also known as Hashimoto-Pritzker disease, is reported. The newborn presented as blueberry muffin baby at birth, showing numerous non-blanching blue-purplish and dark-red papular, nodular lesions without documented infections and systemic involvement. Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were suggestive for Langerhans cell histiocytosis. During the first 12 weeks of life, the cutaneous lesions progressively and spontaneously regressed with some atrophic scars. One-year follow-up is negative for relapse of cutaneous lesions or systemic involvement, confirming the diagnosis of CSHLCH.

Here we describe a method based on Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) that provides an accurate determination of the six main bovine milk proteins, including allelic and splicing variants, as well as isoforms resulting from post-translational modifications, with an unprecedented level of resolution. Proteins are identified from observed molecular masses in comparison with theoretical masses of intact proteins indexed in an “in-house” database that includes nearly 3000 entries. Quantification was performed either from UV (214 nm) or mass signals. Thus, up to one hundred molecules, derived from the six major milk proteins, can be identified and quantified from an individual milk sample. This powerful and reliable method, initially developed as an anchoring method to estimate the composition of the six main bovine milk proteins from MIR spectra, is transferable to several mammalian species, including small ruminants, camels, equines, rabbits, etc., for which specific mass databases are available. Keywords: Caseins, α-Lactalbumin, β-Lactoglobulin, Quantification, RP-HPLC, Mass spectrometry, Genetic polymorphisms, Phosphorylation

The ability to predict heat transfer during hyperthermal and ablative techniques for cancer treatment relies on understanding the thermal properties of biological tissue. In this work, the thermal properties of ex vivo liver, pancreas and brain tissues are reported as a function of temperature. The thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity of these tissues were measured in the temperature range from 22 to around 97 °C. Concerning the pancreas, a phase change occurred around 45 °C; therefore, its thermal properties were investigated only until this temperature. Results indicate that the thermal properties of the liver and brain have a non-linear relationship with temperature in the investigated range. In these tissues, the thermal properties were almost constant until 60 to 70 °C and then gradually changed until 92 °C. In particular, the thermal conductivity increased by 100% for the brain and 60% for the liver up to 92 °C, while thermal diffusivity increased by 90% and 40%, respectively. However, the heat capacity did not significantly change in this temperature range. The thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity were dramatically increased from 92 to 97 °C, which seems to be due to water vaporization and state transition in the tissues. Moreover, the measurement uncertainty, determined at each temperature, increased after 92 °C. In the temperature range of 22 to 45 °C, the thermal properties of pancreatic tissue did not change significantly, in accordance with the results for the brain and liver. For the three tissues, the best fit curves are provided with regression analysis based on measured data to predict the tissue thermal behavior. These curves describe the temperature dependency of tissue thermal properties in a temperature range relevant for hyperthermia and ablation treatments and may help in constructing more accurate models of bioheat transfer for optimization and pre-planning of thermal procedures.

In order to evaluate the effects of mammary health status and lactation phase on the qualitative parameters of ovinemilk, 213 individual milk samples were repeatedly collected from 40 primiparous Sarda ewes on a monthly basis. Yield,physico-chemical characteristics, casein fractions quantitative distribution, somatic cell count (SCC), cheese making propertiesand plasmin-plasminogen activity were determined on each sample. Repeated individual milk SCC were used as amarker of udder health status, allowing the definition of three classes: “Healthy” (H), “Infected” (I) or “Doubtful” (D).Samples were grouped into 4 classes of days in milk (DIM). To evaluate the influence of mammary health status andphase of lactation, a mixed model was performed using the ewe as random effect. Milk physico-chemical parameters wereinfluenced both by the udder health status and by lactation phase. In particular, the udder health status adversely affectedαs1 and β1-casein fractions (Pand 64.60% in “H”, “D” and “I,” respectively. Lactation phase influenced the overall milk composition and technologicalcharacteristics. Plasmin activity was higher in the “I” group than in the others (16.1 vs 11.8 and 11.2 U/ml; Pit significantly (Pexert a detrimental effect on milk quality since they enhance its endogenous proteolytic activity.