Gastroenteric parasite of wild Galliformes in the Italian Alps: implication for conservation management.

This study provides insights about the diversity, prevalence and distribution of alpine wild galliformes gastrointestinal parasite community, trying to fill a gap in the scientific information currently available in scientific literature. The analysis included three host species: 77 rock partridge (Alectoris graeca saxatilis), 83 black grouse (Tetrao tetrix tetrix) and 26 rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta helveticus) shot during the hunting seasons 2008-2015. Parasites isolated were Ascaridia compar, Capillaria caudinflata and cestodes. The rock ptarmigan was free from gastrointestinal parasites, whereas the most prevalent helminth (37%) was A. compar in both black grouse and rock partridge. C. caudinflata occurrence was significantly higher in black grouse (prevalence = 10%, mean abundance = 0.6 parasites/sampled animal) than in rock partridge (prevalence = 1.20%, mean abundance = 0.01 parasites/sampled animal). Significant differences were detected among hunting districts. A. compar was found with a significant higher degree of infestation in the hunting districts in the northern part of the study area whereas cestodes abundance was higher in Lanzo Valley. Quantitative analysis of risk factors was carried out using a generalized linear model (GLM) only on the most common parasite (A. compar). Latitude was the only factors associated with infestation risk (OR = 52.4). This study provides information on the composition and variability of the parasite community in the alpine Galliformes species.

High sensitivity measurement system for the direct-current, capacitance-voltage, and gate-drain low frequency noise characterization of field effect transistors.

Measurements of current fluctuations originating in electron devices have been largely used to understand the electrical properties of materials and ultimate device performances. In this work, we propose a high-sensitivity measurement setup topology suitable for the automatic and programmable Direct-Current (DC), Capacitance-Voltage (CV), and gate-drain low frequency noise characterization of field effect transistors at wafer level. Automatic and programmable operation is particularly useful when the device characteristics relax or degrade with time due to optical, bias, or temperature stress. The noise sensitivity of the proposed topology is in the order of fA/Hz(1/2), while DC performances are limited only by the source and measurement units used to bias the device under test. DC, CV, and NOISE measurements, down to 1 pA of DC gate and drain bias currents, in organic thin film transistors are reported to demonstrate system operation and performances.

Effect of dehydroleucodine on the reproductive tract of male mice.

The effects of a sesquiterpene lactone, dehydroleucodine, on the reproductive tract were investigated using adult male mice. Dehydroleucodine was dissolved in tap water and administered as drinking water for 30 days. All the parameters were compared with a control group that received only vehicle. Animals were killed by decapitation and the trunk blood, the testes and the epididymes were collected. Plasma concentrations of testosterone and oestradiol, and testicular weight and concentration of spermatids did not change by dehydroleucodine. Nevertheless, in epididymal cauda dehydroleucodine treatment caused a diminution in sperm number, a decrease in the amount of tubular fluid and a reduction in the activity of the hydrolytic enzyme N-acetyl-ß-d-glucosaminidase. However, the sperm motility was not altered by dehydroleucodine treatment, although sperm binding to zona-free oocytes increased significantly. These results suggest that dehydroleucodine, which has been implicated in the inhibition of aromatase P450, does not affect the plasma concentration of testosterone and oestradiol or testicular activity, whereas altering several epididymal parameters. The epididymis is thus a more sensitive target for dehydroleucodine action.

Antidiarrheal activity of dehydroleucodine isolated from Artemisia douglasiana.

Dehydroleucodine (DhL), a sesquiterpene lactone obtained from Artemisia douglasiana, was screened for antidiarrheal effects. DhL inhibited castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice by judged by a decrease in the number of wet faeces in the DhL-treatment groups. DhL significantly reduced intestinal transit in mice. Yohimbine and phentolamine counteracted the inhibitory effect of DhL. It is suggested that alpha2-adrenergic receptors mediate the effect of DhL in intestinal motility. DhL reduced also intraluminal accumulation of fluid. Thus, the antidiarrheal activity of DhL is possibly related, at least in part, to its inhibitory action against gastrointestinal motility and the inhibition of enteropooling property.

Effect of dehydroleucodine on meiosis reinitiation in Bufo arenarum denuded oocytes.

In amphibian oocytes meiosis, the transition from G2 to M phase is regulated by the maturation promoting factor (MPF), a complex of the cyclin-dependent kinase p34/cdc2 and cyclin B. In immature oocytes there is an inactive complex (pre-MPF), in which cdc2 is phosphorylated on both Thr-161 and Thr-14/Tyr-15 residues. The dephosphorylation of Thr-14/Tyr-15 is necessary for the start of MPF activation and it is induced by the activation of cdc25 phosphatase. Late, to complete the activation, a small amount of active MPF induces an auto-amplification loop of MPF stimulation (MPF amplification). Dehydroleucodine (DhL) is a sesquiterpenic lactone that inhibits mammalian cell proliferation in G2. We asked whether DhL interferes with MPF activation. For this question, the effect of DhL (up to 30 microM) on the resumption of meiosis was evaluated, and visualized by germinal vesicle break down (GVBD), of Bufo arenarum oocytes induced in vitro by either: (i) removing follicle cells; (ii) progesterone stimulation; (iii) VG-content injection; or (iv) injection of mature cytoplasm. The results show that DhL induced GVBD inhibition, in a dose-dependent manner, in spontaneous and progesterone-induced oocyte maturation. Nevertheless, DhL at the doses assayed had no effect on GVBD induced by mature cytoplasm injection, but exerted an inhibitory effect on GVBD induced by GV content. On the basis of these results, we interpreted that DhL does not inhibit MPF amplification and that the target of DhL is any event in the early stages of the cdc25 activation cascade.

Dehydroleucodine inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in G2 phase.

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and in the vascular changes seen in hypertension. Dehydroleucodine (DhL) is a sesquiterpene lactone that inhibits cell proliferation in plant cells. In this paper, we study the effect of DhL in the proliferation of VSMCs stimulated with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Very low concentrations of DhL (2-6 microM) inhibited VSMC proliferation and induced cell accumulation in G2. DhL did not affect the dynamics of 3H-thymidine incorporation, and did not modify either the activity of DNA polymerase or the incorporation of deoxyribonucleotides in an in vitro assay. Moreover, DhL did not induce apoptosis in VSMCs. These results indicate that DhL, in very low concentration, induces a transient arrest of VSMCs in G2. Our data show that VSMCs are especially sensitive to DhL effect, suggesting that DhL could be potentially useful to prevent the vascular pathological changes seen in hypertension and other vascular diseases.

[Subfascial endoscopic perforating-vein surgery. Personal experience]. / Complicanze da suture meccaniche in chirurgia laparoscopica: occlusione intestinale da clip. Segnalazione di un caso clinico e revisione della letteratura.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to report our personal experience in the endoscopic treatment of chronic venous insufficiency associated with incompetent perforating veins. METHODS: In the region of 400 cases of chronic venous insufficiency, classified using the new CEAP criteria, were treated over the course of one year at the General Surgery unit of Ospedale SS. Trinità in Fossano (Cuneo). Of these, 47 patients, classified between C2 and C6, underwent endoscopic treatment of insufficient perforating veins showing persistent or recidivating trophic ulcerative lesions; radical internal saphenectomy was associated in 30 cases. RESULTS: The results were reappraised at 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 month, and trophic lesions had already healed after 5 weeks in 35 patients. There was a marked clinical improvement and a noticeable change in quality of life in 10 patients, whereas treatment failed in 2 cases. No cases of recidivation have been reported in the patients who were successfully treated, but in spite of an improvement in cutaneous skin trophism, there were persistent dyschromic lesions in 40 patients who underwent SEPS. CONCLUSIONS: Having compared our experience with that of other authors, we conclude that SEPS is undoubtedly an effective method for the surgical treatment of chronic venous insufficiency with incompetent perforating veins. However, it is harder to establish the real role played by SEPS when treatment is associated with saphenectomy. In view of this, we regard SEPS as a "complementary" treatment forming part of a wider therapeutic context.

Effects of Zuccagnia punctata on the gastrointestinal tract in rats and mice.

A pharmacological evaluation of Zuccagnia punctata Cav. (Fabaceae) on the gastrointestinal tract was made in rats and mice. 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone and 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone were isolated from Zuccagnia punctata. The data reported in the present work indicate that the acetone extract and infusion of Zuccagnia punctata reduced intestinal transit in rats and mice and offered protection against ethanol-induced ulceration in rats. The Z. punctata effect could be due, in part, to the presence of 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone and 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone in this plant.

Sesquiterpene lactone dehydroleucodine selectively induces transient arrest in G2 in Allium cepa root meristematic cells.

Dehydroleucodine is a sesquiterpene lactone recently isolated from aerial parts of a medicinal herb, Artemisia douglasiana Besser. We have previously shown that 25 and 100 microM dehydroleucodine slowed down onion root growth by 30 and 70%, respectively, affecting neither cell viability nor cell elongation. In the present study we analyze the effect of dehydroleucodine on cell cycle phases in onion (Allium cepa L.) root meristematic cells synchronized with caffeine or caffeine and hydroxyurea. Synchronized root cells treated with 100 and 200 microM dehydroleucodine present an interphase lengthening of 5.2 h and 8.2 h, respectively. The S-phase length, estimated by [3H]thymidine incorporation assay, was 6 h for both control roots and roots that had been immersed in dehydroleucodine. The peak of [3H]leucine incorporation was observed 6 h after release from synchronization in controls and in dehydroleucodine-treated roots, indicating that protein synthesis in G2 was not affected. Thus, these results show that dose-dependently dehydroleucodine selectively induces a transient arrest of meristematic cell in G2 and that dehydroleucodine can be used experimentally as a cell cycle suppressor.

The sesquiterpene lactone dehydroleucodine reversibly inhibits Allium cepa L. root growth.

Here, we prove that dehydroleucodine, a sesquiterpene lactone, at low concentrations (25-100 microM) slowed down the Allium cepa L root growth by 22-70% respectively neither affecting cell viability nor cell size. Removal of the drug after 24 h incubation restored the normal growth rate of the roots. Higher concentrations (200 microM) of dehydroleucodine were deleterious for the roots. As cell size did not change, it is most likely that dehydroleucodine affected some event of cell division cycle making it longer. Thus, dehydroleucodine could be a useful tool to slow down cell proliferation.

Two new labdane diterpene glycosides from flowers of Baccharis medullosa DC.

From the flowers of Baccharis medullosa DC (Asteraceae) two new ent-labdane-type diterpene glycosides were isolated. Structures were established by application of various spectroscopic techniques. The sugar residues were identified after acid hydrolysis of the isolated products.

Antioxidant activity of Artemisia douglasiana besser extract and dehydroleucodine.

The charge (relative concentration) of antioxidants in aqueous extract and dehydroleucodine (DhL) from Artemisia douglasiana Besser was determined employing a procedure based on the quenching of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. Total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP) and total antioxidant reactivity (TAR) values were determined. The data reported in the present work indicate that the extract of Artemisia douglasiana Besser and DhL showed antioxidant capacity. This activity is more pronounced in the extract, suggesting the presence of several antioxidants in Artemisia douglasiana.

Icetexane and abietane diterpenoids from Salvia gilliessi.

One icetexane and two abietane diterpenes were isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia gilliesii, and characterized as 5-epi-icetexone; 12-hydroxy-11,14-diketo-6,8,12-abietatrien-19,20-olide and 6 alpha,12,19-trihydroxy-11,14-diketo-8,12-abietadien-20,7 beta-olide, respectively. The structures were established by analysis of their 1H and 13C NMR spectra with the aid of 2D experiments. The triterpene oleanolic acid was isolated from the same source.

Gastric anti-ulcer activity of several alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in rats.

The gastric cytoprotective activity of several molecules containing an alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl system is reported. We attributed this gastroprotective activity to the presence of a non-hindered Michael acceptor in the molecules assayed and suggested that the mechanism of protection would involve, at least in part, a nucleophilic attack of the sulphydryl group of the gastric mucosa to the beta carbon of the Michael acceptors of the compounds assayed.

The sesquiterpene lactone dehydroleucodine (DhL) affects the growth of cultured epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Here, we report an inhibitory effect of a sesquiterpene lactone dehydroleucodine (DhL) on the growth of Trypanosoma cruzi in culture. At concentrations of the drug between 5 and 10 microg/ml in the medium,the parasites remained alive for at least 4 days. Higher concentrations of DhL were lethal for the parasites within a few hours. The effect of DhL is irreversible. Morphological changes induced by DhL were also observed in the parasites. The effect of DhL was blocked by the presence of reducing substrates such as glutathione or dithiothreitol, but these agents were not able to reverse the effect of DhL if added 2 days after the start of drug exposure.

[Mesogastrectomy in the surgical treatment of gastric carcinoma. Experience with 61 cases]. / La mesogastrectomia nella chirurgia del carcinoma gastrico. Esperienza di 61 casi.

BACKGROUND: In gastric cancer surgery, to search for a technique to remove the entire posterior mesogastric region using a standardised operation using well defined methods and anatomic-embryological planes. METHODS: A concise description of the embryological evolution of the posterior mesogastrium allow the formation of the mesogastric fascia (and the supramesocolic fascia of the omentum--which is a continuation) to be documented. It is also clear that the mesogastric fascia is the embryological--anatomical equivalent of Treitz's fascia, pancreatic retro-head, and Toldt's retrocolic fascia, of which it is a structural continuation. Like Treitz's and Toldt's fascias, the mesogastric fascia also represents the surgical plane for the detachment of the region in question and allows maximum safety and radicality. By carrying out primary ligature of the arteries at the origin and the veins at the outlet, the entire posterior mesogastric region, with the relative lymph node stations, can be removed en bloc with maximum radicality and safety, and also in line with the principle of "no touch isolation". We used this technique to operate 61 cases, 17% of all cases of gastric carcinomas between 1973 and 1994. RESULTS: Mesogastrectomy was required in 87% of cases with carcinoma in a high localisation or widespread nature of the linitis plastica type. Only 23 cases (37%) were at pTNM II and III A stages. Thirty-eight cases (63%) were at stages III B and IV. In non-selected cases and those with severe associated pathologies and undergoing emergency surgery, and those cases that were extended beyond mesogastrectomy, morbidity was above all linked to pleural effusion. There were only 2 cases (3%) of operating mortality owing to two technical errors: an esophago-jejunal anastomotic dehiscence (the only case in the series, 1.6%) caused by esophageal cancer nests in the suture and a case of necrosis in the left hepatic region following the section of the left gastric artery at the origin despite the existence of a large hepatic collateral vessel. The results for stages II and III A were excellent: stage II, 100% survival at 5, 10 and 15 years; stage III A 88% survival at 5 years, 70% at 10 years, 55% at 15 years, but only two deaths from neoplasia at 2.7 and 4.6 years. The results for stages III B and IV are comparable to large series undergoing traditional forms of surgery. Postoperative conditions of nutrition and quality of life were good and patients resumed activities with the aid of constant chlorhydric-peptic replacement treatment and the total extraction of gastric mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that mesogastrectomy represents a real advance in both technical terms and results for stages II and III A; it is debatable for stages III B and IV, although individual cases who survived for more than 10 years were also reported. The case of a stage pT3N0M1 = IV pathology, with a single hepatic metastasis that increased until one year and then spontaneously resolved leaving the patient alive and in good health 20 years and 6 months after the operation is truly amazing.

Phytochemical study and anti-inflammatory properties of Lampaya hieronymi Schum. ex Moldenke.

The chemical study of aerial parts of Lampaya hieronymi Schum. ex Moldenke yielded oleanolic acid, epi-oleanolic acid, epi-maslinic acid, 4'7-dimethoxyapigenin, p-hydroxyacetophenone, and p-hydroxyacetophenone-beta-glucoside. In searching for natural products as potential anti-inflammatory agents, all the compounds, except 4'7-dimethoxyapigenin were evaluated in vivo for their ability to inhibit acute inflammation. Our studies demonstrated that p-hydroxyacetophenone and the triterpenes produced protective effects in carrageenan induced paw edema in mouse, at 1-3 h and 3-5 h, respectively, after the injection of carrageenan. These results indicated that their effects might correlate with the release of histamine, serotonin, kinin and prostaglandins.

Diterpenes from Laennecia sophiifolia.

From the aerial parts of Laennecia sophiifolia (Kunth) G.L. Nesom, a neo-clerodane and an acyclic furano diterpene were isolated, along with four known compounds, 2beta-hydroxyhardwickiic acid, hawtriwaic acid, apigenin, and beta-sitosterol. Their structures were established as 12-epi-bacchotricuneatin A and (2E,6E)-9-(3-furyl)-6-methyl-2-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)-nona-2,6-dienoic acid, by analysis of spectral evidence. The absolute structure of 12-epi-bacchotricuneatin A was determined by a circular dichroism spectral comparison with that of bacchotricuneatin A.

Effect of dehydroleucodine in experimental colitis in rats and mice.

Dehydroleucodine (DhL), a sesquiterpene lactone (SQL) of the guaianolide type isolated from Artemisia douglasiana Besser, shows a pharmacological cytoprotective effect and significantly prevents the formation of gastric and duodenal lesions induced by various necrotising agents in rodents. The effects of DhL, on two models of experimental colitis were examined. Colitis was produced in male Wistar rats by rectal instillation of 5 and 10% acetic acid, following the methods of Eliakim et al. and Le Duc et al., respectively. In mice colitis was produced by rectal instillation of 0.1 ml of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (5 mg in 50% ethanol) (TNB) as previously described by Chin et al. In this study, the administration of DhL 40 mg kg(-1)(1 h before the induction of colitis) significantly decreased mucosal damage. This effect was consistent in both models. The protection provided by DhL was accompanied by significant decreases in diarrhoea and colon weight; and histologically normal mucosa without ulceration and mucus production were observed. This study shows that both TNB and acetic acid colitis can be pharmacologically controlled by DhL. Our results suggest that the protective activity of DhL in experimental colitis is mediated, at least in part, through the increase of glycoprotein synthesis, anti-inflammatory effect and inhibition of COX-2 induction, and by inhibiting the degranulation of cells containing monoamines.