Modulation of the somatotropic axis, adiponectin and cytokine secretion during highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus type 1 (HP-PRRSV-1) infection.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is known to be clinically responsible for reproductive failure in sows and post-weaning respiratory disease in growing piglets. During the last years, highly pathogenic PRRSV isolates have been discovered. In Italy, a PRRSV-1 subtype 1 strain (namely PR40/2014) characterized by high pathogenicity was isolated and experimental infection was characterized in terms of virological/clinical features and immune modulation (Canelli et al., 2017; Ferrari et al., 2018). The present study was performed in 4-week-old pigs experimentally infected with the highly pathogenic PRRSV1_PR40/2014 (HP-PR40) or with the conventional PRRSV1_PR11/2014 (PR11). The aim was to evaluate the interrelation between plasmatic hormones and cytokines in infected pigs compared to uninfected controls in order to address potential effects on the course of an experimental infection. The time-related changes of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels appear to be modulated by the infection depending on the PRRSV isolate (HP-PR40 vs. PR11). In particular, in HP-PR40 infected animals, the association between high GH levels and viremia may testify the need to block the anabolic action of GH in order to shift available energy towards the immune response. This need appeared to be delayed in PR11 animals, given the lower pathogenicity of the isolate. Adiponectin, IL-6 and TNF-α course supports the hypothesis of GH resistance mechanisms to guarantee homeostasis in HP-PR40 animals and underlines the key role of energy availability in events leading to an effective response to the virus.

Quality control of a hyperthermia system.

Characterization of the applicators, of the thermometers and of the cooling (bolus) system of hyperthermic apparatus must be made before starting hyperthermic treatment and also starting with a frequency depending on the technical features of equipments that make up the whole system. This data gives the radiotherapist some useful parameters for the selection of applicators and general knowledge of the accuracy of the system.

Three new applicators for hyperthermia.

A computerized system with automatic treatment parameters control for radiological hyperthermia, called Sapic SV03, is presented. The system has been planned and built by the "Sezione Avionica ed Equipaggiamenti" of the Aeritalia in cooperation with the Radiotherapy Department of the University of Turin. The device is supplied with a multifrequency generator system (915, 433, 2-30 MHz) connected with many kinds of applicators, with a fiber optic system for temperature control and a previsional thermometry system. In this paper the authors presented three new applicators. The first one is a concave parallel microstrip applicator at 433 MHz, with a size 16 x 9 cm; the heating pattern is homogenous until 4 cm of depth. This antenna can be used for the treatment of chest wall recurrences of breast cancer. The second is a 27 MHz inductive ring and the third applicator is a pyramidal antenna ("TEM line") that operates at a frequency around 27 MHz.

[Radiological study of renal injuries]. / Lo studio radiologico dei traumi renali.

An evaluation is made of the radiological diagnosis techniques used in the classification of renal traumas. Attention is primarily directed to arteriographical pictures, since it is felt that this examination is the most meaningful for the purposes of precise classification, above all as the prelude to possible surgery. Some cases of varying degrees of seriousness are illustrated, including one of contusion in a "pancake" kidney.