Identifying potential gene biomarkers for Parkinson's disease through an information entropy based approach.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disease and represents the most common disease of this type, after Alzheimer's dementia. It is characterized by motor and nonmotor features and by a long prodromal stage that lasts many years. Genetic research has shown that PD is a complex and multisystem disorder. To capture the molecular complexity of this disease we used a complex network approach. We maximized the information entropy of the gene co-expression matrix betweenness to obtain a gene adjacency matrix; then we used a fast greedy algorithm to detect communities. Finally we applied principal component analysis on the detected gene communities, with the ultimate purpose of discriminating between PD patients and healthy controls by means of a random forests classifier. We used a publicly available substantia nigra microarray dataset, GSE20163, from NCBI GEO database, containing gene expression profiles for 10 PD patients and 18 normal controls. With this methodology we identified two gene communities that discriminated between the two groups with mean accuracy of 0.88 ± 0.03 and 0.84 ± 0.03, respectively, and validated our results on an independent microarray experiment. The two gene communities presented a considerable reduction in size, over 100 times, compared to the initial network and were stable within a range of tested parameters. Further research focusing on the restricted number of genes belonging to the selected communities may reveal essential mechanisms responsible for PD at a network level and could contribute to the discovery of new biomarkers for PD.

Survey on basal blood plasma catecholamine concentrations in Martina Franca donkey (Equus asinus).

BACKGROUND: Catecholamines are among the most frequently investigated parameters for studying sympathoadrenal activity in response to stress conditions. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate basal plasma concentrations of catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine) in healthy donkeys. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Catecholamine concentrations from 440 Martina Franca donkeys were determined: 269 females and 171 entire males, aged from 4 months to 24 years. Animals were subdivided into four age categories: under 12 months old (64 males and 54 females), from 13 to 36 months (56 males and 75 females), from 37 to 120 months (49 males and 80 females) and over 120 months (24 males and 38 females). Indwelling jugular catheters were inserted at least 12 h before drawing blood. The data set was subjected to analysis of variance considering age, sex and the two-way interaction between them as independent variables. Pearson's correlation coefficients between the three catecholamines were evaluated. RESULTS: Confidence intervals (CI) for noradrenaline concentration ranged between 239.98 and 255.07 ng/L (mean 247.52 ng/L), for adrenaline between 129.27 and 137.90 ng/L (mean 133.59 ng/L), dopamine concentrations between 149.62 and 160.80 ng/L (mean 155.21 ng/L) and noradrenaline/adrenaline ratio between 1.91 and 2.05 (mean 1.98). Catecholamine plasma concentrations were not influenced by sex. Donkeys older than 37 months had lower adrenaline and noradrenaline plasma concentrations (P<0.001) and higher noradrenaline/adrenaline ratios (P<0.01) than younger animals. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Indwelling catheters and blood drawing procedures may have influenced catecholamine levels. CONCLUSIONS: Catecholamine concentrations were established within a large group of healthy Martina Franca donkeys.

Martina Franca donkey meat quality: Influence of slaughter age and suckling technique.

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of suckling technique and slaughter age on Martina Franca donkey meat quality. Twenty Martina Franca male foals were involved in the trial. Foals naturally assumed colostrum within 4h from birth. Afterwards, 10 foals were partially artificially suckled (AS), and 10 foals were naturally suckled (NS). All the foals were weaned at 180d, then housed indoors and fed the same diet. Ten donkeys were slaughtered at 12months and the other 10 at the age of 18months. Samples of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) were taken from each foal for chemical analysis, then rheological parameters, oxidative profile, colorimetric parameters and fatty acid profile were assessed. Older donkeys (18months) fed with natural milk presented the highest intramuscular fat (IMF) and meat protein content. From a dietary view point, IMF acid composition showed a more favourable profile in meat from artificially-reared donkeys compared to naturally-suckled ones.

Hybrid x-space: a new approach for MPI reconstruction.

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a new medical imaging technique capable of recovering the distribution of superparamagnetic particles from their measured induced signals. In literature there are two main MPI reconstruction techniques: measurement-based (MB) and x-space (XS). The MB method is expensive because it requires a long calibration procedure as well as a reconstruction phase that can be numerically costly. On the other side, the XS method is simpler than MB but the exact knowledge of the field free point (FFP) motion is essential for its implementation. Our simulation work focuses on the implementation of a new approach for MPI reconstruction: it is called hybrid x-space (HXS), representing a combination of the previous methods. Specifically, our approach is based on XS reconstruction because it requires the knowledge of the FFP position and velocity at each time instant. The difference with respect to the original XS formulation is how the FFP velocity is computed: we estimate it from the experimental measurements of the calibration scans, typical of the MB approach. Moreover, a compressive sensing technique is applied in order to reduce the calibration time, setting a fewer number of sampling positions. Simulations highlight that HXS and XS methods give similar results. Furthermore, an appropriate use of compressive sensing is crucial for obtaining a good balance between time reduction and reconstructed image quality. Our proposal is suitable for open geometry configurations of human size devices, where incidental factors could make the currents, the fields and the FFP trajectory irregular.

Hippocampal unified multi-atlas network (HUMAN): protocol and scale validation of a novel segmentation tool.

In this study we present a novel fully automated Hippocampal Unified Multi-Atlas-Networks (HUMAN) algorithm for the segmentation of the hippocampus in structural magnetic resonance imaging. In multi-atlas approaches atlas selection is of crucial importance for the accuracy of the segmentation. Here we present an optimized method based on the definition of a small peri-hippocampal region to target the atlas learning with linear and non-linear embedded manifolds. All atlases were co-registered to a data driven template resulting in a computationally efficient method that requires only one test registration. The optimal atlases identified were used to train dedicated artificial neural networks whose labels were then propagated and fused to obtain the final segmentation. To quantify data heterogeneity and protocol inherent effects, HUMAN was tested on two independent data sets provided by the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies. HUMAN is accurate and achieves state-of-the-art performance (Dice[Formula: see text] and Dice[Formula: see text]). It is also a robust method that remains stable when applied to the whole hippocampus or to sub-regions (patches). HUMAN also compares favorably with a basic multi-atlas approach and a benchmark segmentation tool such as FreeSurfer.

Multiple RF classifier for the hippocampus segmentation: Method and validation on EADC-ADNI Harmonized Hippocampal Protocol.

The hippocampus has a key role in a number of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease. Here we present a novel method for the automated segmentation of the hippocampus from structural magnetic resonance images (MRI), based on a combination of multiple classifiers. The method is validated on a cohort of 50 T1 MRI scans, comprehending healthy control, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's Disease subjects. The preliminary release of the EADC-ADNI Harmonized Protocol training labels is used as gold standard. The fully automated pipeline consists of a registration using an affine transformation, the extraction of a local bounding box, and the classification of each voxel in two classes (background and hippocampus). The classification is performed slice-by-slice along each of the three orthogonal directions of the 3D-MRI using a Random Forest (RF) classifier, followed by a fusion of the three full segmentations. Dice coefficients obtained by multiple RF (0.87 ± 0.03) are larger than those obtained by a single monolithic RF applied to the entire bounding box, and are comparable to state-of-the-art. A test on an external cohort of 50 T1 MRI scans shows that the presented method is robust and reliable. Additionally, a comparison of local changes in the morphology of the hippocampi between the three subject groups is performed. Our work showed that a multiple classification approach can be implemented for the segmentation for the measurement of volume and shape changes of the hippocampus with diagnostic purposes.

Automated voxel-by-voxel tissue classification for hippocampal segmentation: methods and validation.

The hippocampus is an important structural biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and has a primary role in the pathogenesis of other neurological and psychiatric diseases. This study presents a fully automated pattern recognition system for an accurate and reproducible segmentation of the hippocampus in structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The method was validated on a mixed cohort of 56 T1-weighted structural brain images, and consists of three processing levels: (a) Linear registration: all brain images were registered to a standard template and an automated method was applied to capture the global shape of the hippocampus. (b) Feature extraction: all voxels included in the previously selected volume were characterized by 315 features computed from local information. (c) Voxel classification: a Random Forest algorithm was used to classify voxels as belonging or not belonging to the hippocampus. In order to improve the classification performance, an adaptive learning method based on the use of the Pearson's correlation coefficient was developed. The segmentation results (Dice similarity index = 0.81 ± 0.03) compare well with other state-of-the art approaches. A validation study was conducted on an independent dataset of 100 T1-weighted brain images, achieving significantly better results than those obtained with FreeSurfer.

Effects of water restriction on growth performance, feed nutrient digestibility, carcass and meat traits of rabbits.

The study investigates the effects of a post-weaning water restriction on performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits and meat quality of 84-day-old rabbits. A total of 1388 weaned rabbits (35 days) were randomly divided into two groups on the basis of BW and sex. The two groups were fed the same diets ad libitum both in the post-weaning (35 to 60 days) and fattening (61 to 84 days) periods. In the post-weaning period, one group (AL) also received drinking water ad libitum, whereas the other (WR) had a water restriction from 35 to 41 days 2 h/day; from 42 to 48 days 2.5 h/day; from 49 to 55 days 3 h/day; and from 56 to 60 days 4 h/day. During the fattening period, both groups had water-free access. Individual live weights and feed intake per cage were recorded weekly for 32 cages randomly chosen per group (64 rabbits) to calculate the BW gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The apparent digestibility values of nutrients were measured using acid-insoluble ash. Carcass data were collected from 16 rabbits (8 males and 8 females) per group selected for similar final BW in both groups. Mortality from 35 to 60 days was higher in the AL group (10.1% v. 5.2%, for AL and WR, respectively, P < 0.0001). BW gain was higher for the AL group during both the post-weaning (+22.4%, P < 0.01) and the entire period (+7.5%, P < 0.05). Water restriction reduced feed intake both in the post-weaning (-17.4%, P < 0.0001) and in the entire period (-9.9%, P < 0.05). During the fattening period, FCR was lower for the WR group (5.15 v. 5.75 g/g, for WR and AL, respectively, P < 0.05). The apparent digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, NDF, ADF and cellulose were greater in the restricted rabbits (+4.7%, +4.5%, +10.2%, +18.8% and +12.8%, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). Perirenal and scapular fat percentages were higher in the AL rabbits (+30.7% and +116.6%, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Water restriction increased saturated fatty acids (C16:0, +12.9%, P < 0.05), lauroleic acid (C12:1, +75.0%, P < 0.01), n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (C20:5, +50.0%, P < 0.01 and C22:5, +16.6%, P < 0.05) and the n-3/n-6 ratio (+28.6%, P < 0.05). The applied water restriction between 35 and 60 days executed during the winter months improved the digestive health of rabbits, with no negative effects on carcass traits, or physical and chemical meat characteristics. However, from the animal welfare point of view, a water restriction can be criticized as a method to restrict feed intake.

Effects of two different packaging materials on veal calf meat quality and shelf life.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of 2 different packaging films on chemical, physical, and microbiological variables in veal calf meat. Slices from the right half carcass were sampled from each calf: 8 were packaged with Cryovac film (25 µm thick) and 8 were packaged with Weegal film (45 µm thick). In both packaging types, the same gas mixture was used. The samples were analyzed at these postpackaging times: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 d. Chromatic patterns, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss, drip loss, protein oxidation, and hydroperoxide concentration were influenced by the packaging type (P < 0.001). Moreover, during the postpackaging time the WHC decreased but oxidative reactions increased (P < 0.001). The film that showed better characteristics in packaging of veal calf meat was the Weegal, characterized by decreased gas permeability due to its ability to reduce and delay chemical and physical alterative processes.

Slaughtering age effect on carcass traits and meat quality of italian heavy draught horse foals.

The present work describes the effect of slaughtering age on horse carcass traits and on meat quality. Eighteen male Italian heavy draught horse (IHDH) breed foals were employed in the study. Soon after foaling they were randomly subdivided in 3 groups according to 3 age at slaughtering classes: 6 months old, 11 months old and 18 months old. Live weight, hot carcass weight and dressing percentage of each animal were recorded. After slaughtering, meat samples were collected from Longissimus Dorsi muscle between 13th and 18th thoracic vertebra of each animal and then analyzed. The right half carcass of each animal was then divided in cuts. Each one was subdivided into lean, fat and bones. Then, the classification of the lean meat in first and second quality cuts was performed according to the butchers' customs. Older animals were characterized by a lower incidence of first quality cuts (p<0.01) on carcass. Younger animals showed greater content in protein (p<0.01). Fatty acid profile showed an increasing trend of PUFA connected to the increasing of slaughtering age (p<0.05). The unsaturation index of intramuscular fatty acids was not affected by slaughtering age, confirming that horse meat, if compared to beef, is more suitable from a nutritional point of view. Season influenced reproduction, birth as well as production aspects of this species. The different slaughtering age could represent the way to produce meat of IHDH foals during the entire year without change in the qualitative standard expected by consumers.

Application of Wood's model to lactation curve of Italian Heavy Draft horse mares.

The aim of this work was to study, using Wood's model, the lactation curve in Italian Heavy Draft horse (IHDH) mares, both for milk yield and composition. Interest in mare's milk has grown for use in human nutrition, as a substitute for human and cow milk for premature newborns and allergic children. For this study, 7 IHDH mares were used. Milk yield was evaluated from d 15 to 180 postpartum (every 15 d). Wood's lactation model was used to describe milk yield, fat, protein, and lactose lactation curves in the first 180 d in milk (DIM), with a prediction to 210 DIM. Mean values recorded across the considered lactation period for milk yield and constituents were 16.11 kg of milk/d, 11.38 g of fat/kg, 15.54 g of protein/kg, and 69.72 g of lactose/kg. The lactation curve showed a peak at 69 DIM, with a persistence index of 6.26. Fat (g/kg) and protein (g/kg) lactation curves decreased during the lactation period; instead, the lactose (g/kg) curve increased from the first to the last DIM. The coefficient of determination values indicated a good model fit by Wood's model application to IHDH mare lactation. The research showed good aptitude of a heavy horse breed, such as IHDH, for milk production.

Use of dietary mannanoligosaccharides during rabbit fattening period: effects on growth performance, feed nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, and meat quality.

This study was conducted to compare the effects of mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) and antibiotics as a dietary supplement on ADG, ADFI, G:F, and feed nutrient digestibility of rabbits during the fattening period, as well as on carcass traits and meat quality. A total of 512, sixty-day-old hybrid Hyla rabbits were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups based on BW and sex. The 4 treatment groups consisted of a control group and 3 MOS groups. The control group was fed a diet that contained apramycin (50 mg/kg), but diets for the 3 MOS groups contained 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 g/kg of MOS instead of apramycin. The rabbits were fed experimental diets for 22 d and all rabbits were slaughtered at the end of the experiment when they were 82 d old. Individual BW and feed intake per cage were recorded weekly for 32 cages randomly chosen per group (64 rabbits) to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. The apparent digestibility values of OM, CP, ether extract, crude fiber, NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose were measured using AIA as an inert marker. Carcass data were collected from 16 randomly chosen rabbits (8 males and 8 females) per group. The control group had less G:F (P < 0.001) than the MOS groups and a linear increase (P < 0.001) in G:F was observed as the concentration of MOS increased from 0.5 to 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, crude fiber, NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) as the concentration of MOS in the diets increased. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, crude fiber, NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose was also greater (P < 0.05) in the diets containing MOS than in the control diet and the digestibility of these nutrients was greater (P < 0.05) in the diet containing 1.5 g/kg of MOS compared with the control diet. The concentration of palmitic acid, stearic acid, and SFA was greater (P < 0.05) in the meat from rabbits fed the control diet than rabbits fed the MOS diets. The concentration of stearic acid decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05) in the meat of rabbits as the concentration of MOS in the diet increased. Meat from rabbits fed diets containing MOS also had greater contents of oleic acid (P < 0.05) and MUFA (P < 0.001) than those rabbits fed the diet containing apramycin. The thrombogenic index was greater (P < 0.05) in the meat from the control group rabbits than the MOS group rabbits. In conclusion, the inclusion of MOS in diets fed to rabbits during the fattening period may improve G:F and modify the fatty acid profile of meat.

Effect of dietary mannan-oligosaccharides on in vivo performance, nutrient digestibility and caecal content characteristics of growing rabbits.

To evaluate the effect of mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) on in vivo performance, nutrient digestibility, fermentation characteristics and caecal microbial populations of rabbits, 144 thirty-five days old hybrid Hyla were equally divided into three groups, one of which was fed the same diet without additives (control group), one with antibiotics (colistin sulphate, 144 mg/kg; tylosin, 100 mg/kg; oxytetracyclin, 1000 mg/kg) and one with MOS (1 g/kg of diet). Mortality rate, live weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were recorded up to 62 days of age. At 60 days nutrient digestibility was measured by acid insoluble ash method. The caecal content of 10 rabbits per group was collected at 62 days and analysed for volatile fatty acids production, ammonia content and microbial count. Rabbits from the control group had a significantly (p < 0.01) lower body weight at 62 days (1638.9 g vs. 1779.4 g and 1862.5 g, respectively for the control, MOS and antibiotic groups) while the antibiotic group showed a higher (p < 0.05) feed intake than the control group (127.9 g/day vs. 109.3 g/day). Rabbits from the MOS group had a higher apparent digestibility of cellulose (34.27% vs. 29.61% and 27.49%, respectively for the MOS, control and antibiotic groups) and, as a consequence a higher level of acetate in the caecal content (39.93 mmol/l vs. 34.21 mmol/l and 23.09 mmol/l, respectively for the MOS, control and antibiotic groups). Caecal microflora of the MOS group rabbits also had a higher fermentative activity in respect of protein source, as demonstrated by the higher productions of branched chain fatty acids. MOS and antibiotics significantly reduced the colonies of Coliformis (2.32 vs. 3.20 vs. 2.40 logCFU/g, respectively for the MOS, control and antibiotic groups, p < 0.01). Mannan-oligosaccharides at 1 g/kg of diet can be used as an alternative to antibiotics during the rabbit's growth period.

Colour Changes in Meat of Foals as Affected by Slaughtering Age and Post-thawing Time.

The aim of the present work was to investigate how colour changes of foal meat can vary after thawing out in relation to the slaughtering age of the horses and to the post-thawing time. Eighteen Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH) foals were used for the trial. They were subdivided in three groups according to their slaughtering age (6, 11 and 18 months). Two different surfaces were investigated for each sample: a fresh cut surface (daily renewed cutting surface: DRCS), and not-renewed cutting surface (NRCS). The redness of both investigated surfaces increased with slaughtering age (p<0.01). Moreover, this parameter decreased during post-thawing time (p<0.01) only on the NRCS, probably due to the myoglobin oxidation processes. Colour is an important visual cue denoting perceived quality by consumers. So, by a chromatic perspective the thawed meat of IHDH foals slaughtered at 6 and 11 months proved to be that which best meets the market requirements.

Physicochemical properties of meat of Italian Heavy Draft horses slaughtered at the age of eleven months.

To investigate rheological and chemical characteristics of the meat from Italian Heavy Draft horse, 24 foals (12 males and 12 females) were weaned at 6 mo, reared and fed in the same way, and slaughtered at 11 mo of age. The results obtained showed that there were no significant differences between the sexes but that the muscle type is a significant variation source. The rectus femoris muscle was lighter, and the biceps femoris had a lower a* index than longissimus dorsii, rectus femoris, and semimembranosus muscle. The most tender muscle was the semitendinosus, and the toughest even after cooking was the biceps femoris. The male animals had a greater protein and lipid percentage. The acidic composition of the intramuscular fat showed a greater presence of MUFA (P < 0.05) in the females and of PUFA (P < 0.01) in the males. Colorimetry analysis of the subcutaneous and perirenal fat from these animals indicated the unfavorable yellow color seen in adult animals had not yet been acquired. The meat produced had low redness due to the low myoglobin content and high lightness. Besides, the low collagen content and its high solubility indicates an appreciable tenderness. The high level of unsaturation of the intramuscular fat resulted in a high ratio of unsaturated to saturated fat, making horse meat favorable from a health point of view.

Some qualitative and chromatic aspects of thawed buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) meat.

After thawing, the meat of beef calves (Italian Frisian breed) and buffalo calves (Mediterranean breed) slaughtered at 4, 8 and 12 months of age was examined. Both the pH and the thawing loss confirmed that the meat of buffalo calves is more suitable for preservation by freezing. With increased age and time of exposure to air the lightness of the non-renewed surface was reduced. The lightness of the fresh cut surface remained stable in the various thawing phases though it was less in the older animals. The a(∗) index increased with animal age but decreased during the 4 days post-thawing. The fresh cut surface of buffalo meat from calves slaughtered at 4 and 8 months was not darker than beef slaughtered at the same age. On the contrary at 12 months of age, the buffalo meat had a lower redness index than beef and a higher haematin concentration.

Influence of free-stall flooring on comfort and hygiene of dairy cows during warm climatic conditions.

An evaluation of behavioral and hygienic conditions was carried out with 4 materials used as free-stall flooring for dairy cows: polyethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polypropylene vinyl acetate (PVA) mats, wood shavings, and solid manure. The free-stall type selected by cows was evaluated in response to changes in environmental temperature and humidity. Two tests were used: 1) a preference test, in which 8 cows were housed in a pen with 32 free stalls and 4 types of flooring; and 2) an aversion test, in which 32 cows were placed in 4 pens, each with 8 free stalls. The free stalls in each pen had a single type of bedding material. These tests showed that the comfort of dairy cows was predominantly influenced by environmental conditions. The preference test for lying showed that cows preferred free-stall floors with EVA mats over those with PVA mats, wood shavings, and solid manure (332.4 +/- 24.0 vs. 130.8 +/- 6.2, 160.9 +/- 23.7, and 102.6 +/- 23.2 min/d, respectively), but under conditions of heat stress, with a temperature-humidity index > 80, they chose wood shavings and solid manure lying areas. These results were confirmed by the aversion test. In all experimental and environmental conditions, the PVA mats were the least suitable. The mats contaminated with organic manure and the free stalls bedded with wood shavings and organic solids did not differ in either the coliform load on the lying surfaces (EVA mats: 290 +/- 25; PVA mats: 306 +/- 33; wood shavings: 290 +/- 39; and solid manure: 305 +/- 23 log(10) cfu/mL) or the total bacterial count in the raw milk (EVA mats: 232 +/- 22; PVA mats: 233 + 24; wood shavings: 221 +/- 24; and solid manure: 220 +/- 25 log(10) cfu/mL). These results demonstrate that the comfort of dairy cows housed in barns with free stalls as resting areas does not depend only on the material used, but also on the value of the material in microenvironmental conditions.

Use of V-Y flap for vulvar reconstruction.

Less extensive surgical treatment has become possible for limited vulvar cancer. However, primary closure is advisable only when the defect is minimal and tissue replacement is always needed in radical excisions. Local flaps are always considered the first choice because of their characteristics of similarity to the resected area. The V-Y island flaps from the medial side of thigh constitute one of the numerous options. Clinical experience and anatomical studies demonstrate that this procedure is extremely safe thanks to the rich subcutaneous vascular network. After illustrating the theoretical bases and the indications of this surgical procedure, we report our experience. The V-Y technique is reliable, ensures good healing, and provides almost normal sensation. We conclude that, in most instances, it can be considered a good option for vulvar reconstruction for its versatility and rapidity of execution.

[Reconstructive problems after radical vulvectomy in carcinoma: current trends]. / Problematiche ricostruttive dopo vulvectomia radicale per carcinoma: moderni orientamenti.

The most recent techniques of vulvar reconstruction after radical excision for carcinoma are here reported and evaluated. The analysis of the different Authors' experiences leads to different indications and limits concerning each method. Therefore it is necessary for the surgeon to be able to apply different reconstructive solutions after considering the initial local and general conditions.