Abscisic acid and stress induced by salt: Effect on the phenylpropanoid, L-ascorbic acid and abscisic acid metabolism of strawberry fruits.

Strawberry is one of the most popular fruits because of its sensorial and functional properties. However, strawberry crop is sensitive to salt stress conditions. Despite plants have plasticity, high salt concentrations induce molecular, biochemical, and physiological responses in plants. There is evidence that the abscisic acid (ABA) hormone acts as a signaling molecule under stress conditions; however, the molecular mechanisms involved in the synthesis and homeostasis of ABA and in the induction of phytochemical antioxidant compounds under stress conditions remain unclear. In this study, the effect of stress induced by NaCl (salt stress - SS), with or without the simultaneous application of ABA, on the ABA, phenylpropanoids and L-ascorbic acid (AsA) metabolisms were evaluated. The physiological aspects (Na, Cl and proline concentration, photosynthetic variables) were also studied. The results showed that salt stress increases the Na and Cl content in the leaves, affects photosynthetic variables and triggers the production of proline, pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside, total phenolic compounds and AsA content, alongside the upregulation of several genes from the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways. These effects were accompanied by the induction of compounds and transcripts related to ABA biosynthesis, conjugation and catabolism. Otherwise, the exogenous application of ABA in salt stressed plants promotes a shift in gene expression and metabolism to mitigate the stress. Therefore, salt stress affects the metabolism of ABA, phenylpropanoids and AsA in strawberry increasing phytochemical composition which is strongly associated with an ABA-dependent mechanism.

The feasibility of contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the diagnosis of non-cardiac thoracic disorders of dogs and cats.

BACKGROUND: This study describes the feasibility of Contrast Enhanced Ultrasonography (CEUS) in the diagnostic work-up of non-cardiac thoracic disorders of small animals. The second aim is to assess the usefulness of CEUS as a direct guide for sample procedures. RESULTS: Forty animals, 28 dogs and 12 cats, were included in the study. Thoracic disorders included 23 pulmonary lesions [primary carcinoma (14), lymphoma (1), sarcoma (1), histiocytic sarcoma (1), abscess (1) and pneumonia (5)] and 17 mediastinal lesions [lymphoma (8), thymoma (3), mesothelioma (1), melanoma (1), carcinomatous lymphadenopathy (1), mixsosarcoma (1), lipoma (1), and abscess (1)]. The majority of neoplastic pulmonary lesions showed an inhomogeneous distribution of contrast medium, whereas inflammatory lesions had a homogenous distribution with typical pulmonary vessels ramification. The majority of mediastinal malignant lesions showed an inhomogeneous distribution pattern. The lung and mediastinal abscesses had peripheral enhancement of the wall with an avascular center. All cytological and biopsy samples obtained after CEUS were diagnostic. Quantitative analysis, performed in 19/23 pulmonary lesions, showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001) between the arrival time of the malignant (7.27 s - range 4.46-13.52 s) and benign (4.52 s - range 2.87-6.06 s) pulmonary lesions. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS may be a useful tool for the evaluation of non-cardiac thoracic lesions. The contrast medium allows for the precise definition of lesion edges, the presence of necrotic areas, and the distribution of pulmonary vessels. Based on our preliminary results, the use of ultrasonographic contrast medium can be recommended for improving the diagnostic usefulness of cytology and biopsy sampling, because CEUS may help to define necrotic areas from viable tissue.

Immunisation of mice with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae antigens P37, P42, P46 and P95 delivered as recombinant subunit or DNA vaccines.

Porcine enzootic pneumonia (PEP), which is caused by the fastidious bacterium Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, is one of the most economically important diseases in the pig industry worldwide. Commercial bacterins provide only partial protection; therefore, the development of more efficient vaccines against PEP is necessary. In this study, the cellular and humoral immune responses elicited by DNA and recombinant subunit vaccines based on the P37, P42, P46 and P95 antigens of M. hyopneumoniae were evaluated after the intramuscular inoculation of BALB/c mice. The expression of the cytokines INFγ, TNFα and IL1 was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR in splenocytes from vaccinated mice. All antigens delivered as subunit vaccines, especially P42 and P95, and the pcDNA3/P46 DNA vaccine were able to elicit strong immune responses. These vaccines induced cellular immune responses and the production of antibodies able to react with native M. hyopneumoniae proteins. Because both cellular and humoral immune responses were induced, P42 and P95 are promising candidates for a recombinant subunit vaccine and P46 is a promising candidate for a DNA vaccine against PEP.

Production and characterization of recombinant transmembrane proteins from Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is the etiological agent of swine enzootic pneumonia (EP), a chronic respiratory disease which causes significant economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. More efficient strategies for controlling this disease are necessary. In this study, we cloned17 genes coding for transmembrane proteins from M. hyopneumoniae, among which six were successfully expressed in Escherichia coli and had their immunogenic and antigenic properties evaluated. All proteins were immunogenic in mice and sera from naturally infected pigs reacted with the recombinant proteins, suggesting that they are expressed during infection. These antigens may contribute for the development of new recombinant vaccines and diagnostic tests against EP.

Papillary carcinoma arising in a submental-intralingual thyroglossal duct cyst.

An extremely rare case of papillary carcinoma is described arising in a submental-intralingual thyroglossal duct cyst. A 27-year-old male presented with a painless swelling in the submental region extending to the tongue which had gradually been increasing in size over the last three months. Upon examination of the neck, a tender right paramedian mass was found in the submental region just above the hyoid bone, it was mobile upon swallowing without clinical evidence of cervical nodes. The Sistrunk surgical technique, extended to the submental and intra lingual region was used to radically remove the mass. The occurrence of carcinoma of the thyroglossal duct cyst, even though rare and unexpected, should always be considered an option, and histologically ruled out mainly on account of the atypical localization, such as the submental-intralingual reported herein. The two different surgical approaches reported in the literature, one more conservative and the other more aggressive, apparently alternatives, are, instead, complementary and adequate when strict diagnostic criteria and adequate follow-up, are observed.

Correlations between transversal discrepancies of the upper maxilla and oral breathing.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between malocclusion with cross-bite and permeability of the upper airways, and to observe the cephalometric changes of the rhinopharyngeal space after rapid palatal expansion therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 17 patients (age 9-12) of which 10 were males, followed up for a period of 1 year at the Department of Paediatric Dentistry of the Dental Clinic of the University of Pisa. Clinical, radiographical and otolaryngological examinations were carried out before treatment with palatal expansor. After expansor activation, each patient underwent an otolaryngological and orthodontic evaluation followed by rhinomanometry, and, in the cooperating children, endoscopy was also performed. After 6 and 12 months from the beginning of the treatment, each patient was examined again and the radiographic examination was repeated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The cephalometric analysis exhibited an increase of the rhinopharyngeal space in 16 children. Furthermore all the 17 patients showed, after therapy, an increase of the transverse dimension of the upper jaw, measured on the postero-anterior teleradiography. On the other hand, the otolaryngological examination, and in particular rhinomanometry, exhibited an improvement of the flow and of right and left nasal resistance only in 3 children, while in 6 children the graph remained unchanged, and in 8 children it worsened. The results show that the rapid palatal expansion produces an improvement of the transversal skeletal discrepancy, and an improvement of the permeability of the upper airways. To make a correct diagnosis lateral and postero-anterior teleradiography, and a cephalometric analysis are needed; instead the otolaryngological examination in our opinion it is not an essential diagnostic examination for this kind of pathology.

Adeno-tonsillar surgery in Italy.

Indications to surgery for adeno-tonsillar inflammatory disorders and analysis of the effectiveness of surgical treatment, compared with watchful waiting strategy, continue to be the subject of scientific debate. The present investigation focuses on the surgical activity of 14 Italian Otorhinolaryngological Units between 1999 and 2004. Surgical interventions (adeno-tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy) on 26915 children (age range: 2-11 years) were considered. Data on adeno-tonsillar interventions were analysed in relation to other interventions of ENT interest, performed in the same units and in the same period. Adeno-tonsillar interventions accounted for 35.4% of all operations of ENT interest. Adeno-tonsillectomy accounted for 56.6% of overall adeno-tonsillar operations, adenoidectomy 31.6%, tonsillectomy 11.8%. The percentage for the three interventions was homogeneous in the period of the study and in the recruited units. The percentage of children who underwent adeno-tonsillar surgery in paediatric units was higher as compared to general units, as far as concerns the overall number of operations performed. In southern Italy, the number of adeno-tonsillar interventions, in general, and of adeno-tonsillectomy, in particular, was higher compared to that in northern Italy. Results of the present study suggest that environmental factors, cultural issues and local health demands, may influence indications and, therefore, the different incidence of the operations under consideration in the units taking part in the investigation.

OPN/CD44v6 overexpression in laryngeal dysplasia and correlation with clinical outcome.

Laryngeal dysplasia is a common clinical concern. Despite major advancements, a significant number of patients with this condition progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted glycoprotein, whose expression is markedly elevated in several types of cancers. We explored OPN as a candidate biomarker for laryngeal dysplasia. To this aim, we examined OPN expression in 82 cases of dysplasia and in hyperplastic and normal tissue samples. OPN expression was elevated in all severe dysplasia samples, but not hyperplastic samples, with respect to matched normal mucosa. OPN expression levels correlated positively with degree of dysplasia (P=0.0094) and negatively with disease-free survival (P<0.0001). OPN expression was paralleled by cell surface reactivity for CD44v6, an OPN functional receptor. CD44v6 expression correlated negatively with disease-free survival, as well (P=0.0007). Taken as a whole, our finding identify OPN and CD44v6 as predictive markers of recurrence or aggressiveness in laryngeal intraepithelial neoplasia, and overall, point out an important signalling complex in the evolution of laryngeal dysplasia.

Oncocytic cyst of the larynx: an unusual occurrence.

Oncocytic cysts of the larynx are rare benign, slow growing lesions that are lined predominantly or exclusively by oncocytes, the cytoplasm of which contains a considerable number of hypertrophied mitochondria, which accounts for their eosinophilia and swollen appearance. The oncocytic change is a phenomenon of metaplasia which occurs frequently in epithelial endocrine cells with high metabolic activity and it is also associated with inflammation, degenerative process or cellular ageing. In the larynx, oncocytic metaplasia is very uncommon, but it is occasionally seen in the lining of laryngeal cysts, which are found most commonly in the ventricles or in the false vocal cords, where seromucinous glands are more abundant. Oncocytic cysts typically occur in the elderly and are usually solitary, with involvement of an isolated site, whereas diffuse involvement with multiple cysts is extremely rare. Hoarseness is the most common presenting symptom, while pain, stridor or laryngeal obstruction are unusual complaints. Management of these lesions is conservative and consists of local excision, endoscopic removal being the treatment of choice. Although oncocytic cysts are benign lesions, follow-up is recommended, as recurrence is possible, especially in the case of patients with multiple involvement, since they may show a tendency to develop new cysts. To date, approximately 150 cases of laryngeal oncocytic cysts have been published. Herein, a very unusual case is presented occurring in a 43-year-old male patient, therefore, "epidemiologically" atypical for developing oncocytic lesions. Causes of oncocytic changes and pathogenesis of laryngeal cysts are discussed.

Abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) following pulsatile dopaminergic stimulation: severe deterioration and morphological correlates following the loss of locus coeruleus neurons.

Parkinsonian patients are treated with dopamine replacement therapy (typically, intermittent administration of the dopamine precursor L-DOPA); however, this is associated with the onset of abnormal involuntary movements, which seriously impair the quality of life. The molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal involuntary movements represent an intense field of investigation in the area of neurobiology of disease, although their aetiology remains unclear. Apart from the fine cellular mechanisms, the pathways responsible for the generation of abnormal involuntary movements may involve changes in neurotransmitter systems. A potential candidate is noradrenaline, since a severe loss of this neurotransmitter characterizes Parkinson's disease, and noradrenergic drugs produce a symptomatic relief of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. In previous studies we found that pulsatile dopamine release, in the absence of the physiological noradrenaline innervation, produces motor alterations and ultrastructural changes within striatal neurons. In the present study we demonstrate that a unilateral damage to the noradrenaline system anticipates the onset and worsens the severity of L-DOPA-induced contralateral abnormal involuntary movements in hemi-parkinsonian rats. Similarly, ubiquitin-positive striatal ultrastructural changes occur in unilaterally dopamine-depleted, noradrenaline-deficient rats following chronic L-DOPA administration. This study confirms a significant impact of the noradrenergic system in the natural history of Parkinson's disease and extends its role to the behavioural and morphological effects taking place during pulsatile dopamine replacement therapy.

Papillomatosis of the larynx: treatment with CO2 laser.

OBJECTIVES: We report our experience treating papillomatosis of the larynx using CO2 laser which has a lower risk of post surgical complications. Papillomatosis has a high incidence of recurrence after surgical treatment. METHODS: We treated 42 patients (10 adults and 32 children) affected by multiple papillomatosis of the larynx. Smaller papillomas were vaporized with a 7-8 Watt CO2 laser and larger papillomas were resected at the base of their implantation. A strict follow-up during the first 3 years after surgical treatment was necessary to manage recurrences with CO2 laser endoscopy. RESULTS: All patients presented with recurrences after the first surgical treatment, but within 18-60 months all patients presented a solution of their pathology. Post-operative complications were observed in patients who did not comply with the strict follow-up protocol and presented with large lesions requiring more invasive surgery. CONCLUSIONS: CO2 laser endoscopy, although it did not prevent recurrences of papillomatosis in the larynx, is a valid surgical approach in the management of this pathology.

Prevalence and pathogenesis of dental and periodontal lesions in children with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets.

AIM: To assess the prevalence and to investigate the pathogenetic mechanisms of dental and periodontal lesions in children with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) examined at diagnosis or during treatment. METHODS: Nine children with XLH (age 7.2 +/- 3.3 years) were enrolled in the study (at diagnosis, n = 2; during treatment with oral inorganic phosphate salts combined with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, n = 7). Oral examination was performed according to the evidence of carious and gingival lesions. Decayed or filled teeth (dft) index for primary teeth, and the decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMFT) index for permanent teeth was assessed. All patients with a history of spontaneous dental abscesses underwent orthopantomography examination. RESULTS: d/D ranged from 0 to 9 and f/F from 0 to 3. DMFT/dft index was 0 in the three youngest patients. One patient had enamel hypoplasia and two had enamel dyschromic alterations. Six out of nine patients (67%) had a history of spontaneous fistulae as a consequence of periapical abscesses occurring in the absence of dental decay or history of injury. In these patients, orthopantomographies showed enlarged pulp chambers associated with prominent pulp horns extending up to the dentino-enamel junction in both primary and permanent dentition. CONCLUSION: XLH patients show some peculiar dentinal abnormalities. Treatment prevents only in part dental and periodontal lesions. Genetic mechanisms have a main role in causing defective dentin mineralisation.

Outcome assessment in patients with chronic obstructive rhinitis CO2 laser treated.

Surgical lasers have been used to restore nasal flow in chronic obstructive rhinitis, with a significant improvement in symptoms having been reported in almost all cases. However, evidence supporting the efficacy at long-term, and studies on the assessment of quality of life remain limited. In the present study, efficacy at long term and improvement in the quality of life were assessed in patients with chronic obstructive rhinitis, treated with CO2 laser. A total of 308 patients with chronic obstructive rhinitis were enrolled. The primary outcome measure assessed was the change in score regarding specific and general symptoms, between baseline to 2-4.5 and 7.8 mean years follow-up. Laser turbinotomy restored nasal flow and induced a change in total score which was statistically significant, for specific and general symptoms at the first, second and third follow-up, p < 0.01. CO2 laser turbinate surgery improved symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive rhinitis as observed at 2-4.5 and 7.8 mean years follow-up.

Submandibular gland myoepithelioma.

Benign myoepithelioma is a very rare form of salivary gland tumor, composed entirely of myoepithelial cells. It accounts for approximately 1% of all salivary gland tumors and is most frequently located in the parotid gland and in the minor salivary glands of the hard palate. We describe herein the ninth reported case of myoepithelioma of the submandibular gland. Benign myoepithelioma must be differentiated from several benign and malignant epithelial and mesenchymal tumors. Immunohistochemical staining can help differentiate between these conditions, but histopathology remains the gold standard for diagnosing this neoplastic process.

Chondrosarcoma of the epiglottis: report of a case treated with CO2 laser epiglottectomy.

Chondrosarcoma of the larynx is a rare slow-growing malignant tumour with approximately 240 cases reported in the literature: the cricoid cartilage is the most commonly affected site (72-75%), in rare case was described of epiglottis (1-2%). We report a case of a chondrosarcoma of the epiglottis treated with CO2 laser epiglottectomy. The patient was referred with dysphonia, dysphagia and halitosis that started four months before. Indirect laryngoscopy revealed a large smooth mass with a roundish appearance and a pearly-grey colour, as big as a nut, apparently arising from the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis, causing obliteration of the piriform fossa. The definitive histopathological report showed microscopically, the tumour was low-grade (grade I) chondrosarcoma. A literature review regarding chondrosarcomas of the epiglottis is presented. The diagnosis, histology and treatment of these tumours are discussed. In particular we examine the controversy of conservative surgery vs. total laryngectomy. A conservative surgical approach is typically appropriate in light of this tumour's low-aggressive nature.

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of dextromethorphan, guaifenesin and benzoate in a cough syrup for stability testing.

A method has been developed for the analysis of a cough syrup containing dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, benzoic acid, saccharin and other components. Forced degradation was also studied to demonstrate that the method could be employed during a stability study of the syrup. Final conditions were phosphate buffer (25 mM, pH 2.8) with triethylamine (TEA)-acetonitrile (75:25, v/v). In such conditions, all the actives, excipients and degradation products were baseline resolved in less than 14 min, and different wavelengths were used for the different analytes and related compounds.

Dysphonia and laryngopharyngeal reflux.

The correlation between laryngo-pharyngeal reflux and dysphonia has been evaluated in patients without significant laryngoscopic findings and without vocal misuse. Studies were performed, using a validated questionnaire on typical reflux symptoms as well as instrumental means, e.g. videolaryngoscopy, multi-electrode 24-hr oesophageal pH monitoring, vocal acoustic analysis, gastro-oesophagoscopy, on 62 patients (51 male, 11 female) with dysphonia for > or = 3 months, selected from 350) consecutive patients presenting with voice disorders. Standard criteria were: absence of laryngeal neoformation (benign or malignant) and correct use of voice. Anti-reflux treatment was prescribed in all selected patients. A group of 62 selected patients without laryngo-pharyngeal disease were studied as controls. Mean values of the harmonic to noise ratio and maximum phonation time were pathological in all patients with dysphonia and significantly correlated (p = 0) with the entity of the larynx alteration. The 24-hour pH monitoring revealed gastro-oesophageal reflux in all cases with a clear prevalence of episodes in the upright, compared to supine, position. From a multiple regression analysis of pH-metric values, considered important in predicting maximum phonation time and harmonic to noise ratio alteration. the significant predictors (p < 0.01) were those parameters indicating the existence of a laryngo-pharyngeal reflux disease: in an upright position, the prevalence of the number of refluxes and of time of pH < 4. In conclusion, the association between electro-acoustic reliefs and laryngoscopic data, as well as an alteration in maximum phonation time and harmonic to noise ratio in patients with pH-metric indicative parameters of laryngo-pharyngeal reflux disease led to the hypothesis of a possible correlation between entity and duration of the reflux and dysfunction of the arytenoid muscles, upon which chronic vocal fatigue, with consequent laryngeal compensatory stress, depends.

Parapharyngeal ectopic thyroid: the possible persistence of the lateral thyroid anlage. Clinical case report.

The accessory midline thyroids are ascribed to an arrest of migration of the median thyroid anlage, while the lateral ectopic thyroids have induced a hypothesis of the presence of lateral thyroid anlage. We report the case of a 67-year-old man who presented with dyspnea and dysphagia of 1 year's duration. The clinical examination and radiological investigations (CT and MRI) showed a solid heterogeneous mass in the right parapharyngeal space. The fine needle aspiration biopsy was inconsistent. The mass (3x2.5x3.5 cm) was excised via a transoral approach. It was capsulated with an elastic consistency and showed a nodular appearance on the cut surface. Histological examination revealed thyroid tissue with the characteristics of colloid goiter. The postoperative (99m)Tc-pertechnetate scan showed the normal thyroid gland located in the usual pretracheal site. The absence of malignancy, at histology and immunohistochemistry, allows a metastatic nature of the mass to be ruled out, and accounts for a supernumerary thyroid. The occurrence of a parapharyngeal thyroid, although extremely rare, is worth bearing in mind as a possible ectopic location. This case also supports the hypothesized role of the lateral thyroid anlage in man deriving from the ultimo-branchial body in the morphogenesis of the lateral lobe of the thyroid gland.

Tonsillolith. Case report and review of the literature.

Large oropharyngeal concretions--giant tonsillolith--are not very common. Over the last few years only some 50 cases have been reported in the literature. Many tonsilloliths, especially small concretions, are asymptomatic; large concretions, on the contrary, may produce several symptoms. The case is described of a 56-year-old female complaining of dysphagia, odynophagia, sore throat, right otalgia and swelling in right tonsillar fossa. Routine panoramic radiography revealed a radio-opaque area in right tonsil region. Computed tomography of oropharynx was performed and axial slices revealed a calcified cylindrical lesion in posterior pharyngeal region, between palatoglossus and palatopharyngeus muscles. The tonsillolith was easily excised under local anaesthesia. The post-operative course was good with no recurrence. Microscopic examination of the specimen revealed necrotic debris, "ghost" cells, calcifications and inflammatory cells, confirming the diagnosis of tonsillolith. Authors stress that large tonsillar concretions are uncommon, and may be difficult to diagnose since the tonsillolith can also be mistaken for other anatomic and pathologic structures in the oropharyngeal area.

Montgomery thyroplasty. Case report focusing on endoscopic and functional findings.

The case is described of a 58-year-old male with cord paralysis submitted to Montgomery thyroplasty, attention being focused on the electro-acoustical findings. The usefulness is underlined of these indices which provide the opportunity to establish the phonatory advantages and results of this surgical procedure: Videolaryngostroboscopy and spectrographic analyses were carried out before and after surgery. Phonatory results were, in fact, evaluable 24 hours after surgery and found to be excellent whereas the perceptive evaluation and subjective symptoms were seen to be comparable to those in normal subjects one week after surgery.