The median lingual foramen in the era of orthognathic virtual surgical planning.

The median lingual foramen (MLF), which contains neurovascular bundles, is located in an area commonly considered safe for surgical procedures. However, published reports of severe complications after interventions in the mandibular symphysis area indicate the need for caution when approaching this region surgically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vertical location of the MLF and the median lingual canal (MLC) by measuring the distances of these landmarks to the root apex of the lower central incisors (LCI) and to the menton cephalometric point (Me) on pre-orthognathic surgery cone beam computed tomography scans (N = 100). The results were analyzed in relation to the patients' type of deformity, age, sex, and number of foramina (single vs multiple). The median MLF-LCI and MLF-Me distances were 5.9 mm and 15.0 mm, respectively, while the mean MLC-LCI and MLC-Me distances were 9.7 mm and 11.6 mm, respectively. The mean LCI-Me distance was 21.3 mm, while the mean MLC length was 3.4 mm. Apart from the length of the MLC, the distances were all significantly greater in the male patients than in the female patients. The MLC-Me distance and MLC length differed significantly according to the number of foramina. In preoperative planning, the vertical locations of the MLF and respective MLC appear to be relevant for avoiding neurovascular complications.

Species diversity and mycotoxin production by members of the Fusarium tricinctum species complex associated with Fusarium head blight of wheat and barley in Italy.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a global cereal disease caused by a complex of Fusarium species. In Europe, the main species responsible for FHB are F. graminearum, F. culmorum and F. poae. However, members of the F. tricinctum species complex (FTSC) have become increasingly important. FTSC fusaria can synthesize mycotoxins such as moniliformin (MON), enniatins (ENNs) and several other biologically active secondary metabolites that could compromise food quality. In this study, FTSC isolates primarily from Italian durum wheat and barley, together with individual strains from four non-graminaceous hosts, were collected to assess their genetic diversity and determine their potential to produce mycotoxins in vitro on rice cultures. A multilocus DNA sequence dataset (TEF1, RPB1 and RPB2) was constructed for 117 isolates from Italy and 6 from Iran to evaluate FTSC species diversity and their evolutionary relationships. Phylogenetic analyses revealed wide genetic diversity among Italian FTSC isolates. Among previously described FTSC species, F. avenaceum (FTSC 4) was the most common species in Italy (56/117 = 47.9%) while F. tricinctum (FTSC 3), and F. acuminatum (FTSC 2) accounted for 11.1% (13/117) and the 8.5% (10/117), respectively. The second most detected species was a new and unnamed Fusarium sp. (FTSC 12; 32/117 = 19%) resolved as the sister group of F. tricinctum. Collectively, these four phylospecies accounted for 111/117 = 94.9% of the Italian FTSC collection. However, we identified five other FTSC species at low frequencies, including F. iranicum (FTSC 6) and three newly discovered species (Fusarium spp. FTSC 13, 14, 15). Of the 59 FTSC isolates tested for mycotoxin production on rice cultures, 54 and 55 strains, respectively, were able to produce detectable levels of ENNs and MON. In addition, we confirmed that the ability to produce bioactive secondary metabolites such as chlamydosporol, acuminatopyrone, longiborneol, fungerin and butanolide is widespread across the FTSC.

Determination of free polysaccharide in Vi glycoconjugate vaccine against typhoid fever.

Glycoconjugate vaccines based on the Vi capsular polysaccharide directed against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi are licensed or in development against typhoid fever, an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Quantification of free polysaccharide in conjugate vaccines is an important quality control for release, to monitor vaccine stability and to ensure appropriate immune response. However, we found that existing separation methods based on size are not appropriate as free Vi non-specifically binds to unconjugated and conjugated protein. We developed a method based on free Vi separation by Capto Adhere resin and quantification by HPAEC-PAD. The method has been tested for conjugates of Vi derived from Citrobacter freundii with different carrier proteins such as CRM197, Tetanus Toxoid and Diphtheria Toxoid.

Changes in physical activity among coronary and hypertensive patients: A longitudinal study using the Health Action Process Approach.

OBJECTIVES: Physical activity (PA) is a key factor in cardiovascular disease prevention. Through the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), the present study investigated the process of change in PA in coronary patients (CPs) and hypertensive patients (HPs). DESIGN: Longitudinal survey study with two follow-up assessments at 6 and 12 months on 188 CPs and 169 HPs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intensity and frequency of PA. RESULTS: A multi-sample analysis indicated the equivalence of almost all the HAPA social cognitive patterns for both patient populations. A latent growth curve model showed strong interrelations among intercepts and slopes of PA, planning and maintenance self-efficacy, but change in planning was not associated with change in PA. Moreover, increase in PA was associated with the value of planning and maintenance self-efficacy reached at the last follow-up Conclusions: These findings shed light on mechanisms often neglected by the HAPA literature, suggesting reciprocal relationships between PA and its predictors that could define a plausible virtuous circle within the HAPA volitional phase. Moreover, the HAPA social cognitive patterns are essentially identical for patients who had a coronary event (i.e. CPs) and individuals who are at high risk for a coronary event (i.e. HPs).

External antirheumatic and antineuralgic herbal remedies in the traditional medicine of north-eastern Italy.

The utilization of more than 90 plant species as folk external remedies to treat rheumatic and arthritic diseases is reported, and their possible effectiveness is discussed according to present phytochemical and pharmacological knowledge. Some of the plant species used exhibit skin-irritant properties (protoanemonin, isothiocyanate or allicine yielding plants and species containing capsaicin, oleoresins, volatile oils, resinous principles, alkaloids). The effectiveness of other herbal remedies depends on their content of salicyl derivatives. A considerable number of the plant species utilized contain chemical products (triterpenoid or steroid compounds, alkaloids) for which anti-inflammatory properties have been demonstrated.

Traditional antileukodermic herbal remedies in the Mediterranean area.

More than 100 antileukodermic recipes, involving about 80 plant species used in Italy through the centuries, were collected from Renaissance texts, folk medicine and contemporary herbal usage. The possible efficacy of the recorded plants in stimulating physiological skin pigmentation is discussed in the light of present phytochemical and pharmacological knowledge. Many plants contain erythemogenic substances, some of which (furocoumarins, hypericin) induce light-mediated hypermelanogenesis. Other plants can colour the epidermal keratin (tannins, anthraquinones) or the subcutaneous fat depot (beta-carotene). The usefulness of other plants remains obscure.

Production of anthocyanins by Catharanthus roseus.

A stable cell suspension line of Catharanthus roseus producing anthocyanin was obtained. In this strain it was found that approximately 30% of cells regularly accumulated these metabolites and that anthocyanin accumulation occurred between the second half of log phase and the stationary phase of the culture growth cycle. The anthocyanins in the suspension cultures were compared with those biosynthetized in the flowers both of regenerated by somatic embryogenesis and field-grown plants. Six anthocyanins were identified in all the examined samples, three 3-O-glucosides and three 3-O-(6-O-p-coumaroyl) glucosides of petunidin, malvidin and hirsutidin. The hirsutidin coumaroyl glucoside has not been reported previously, and was predominat in all samples. The anthocyanin relative content was similar for cell suspensions and flowers from regenerated plants but different from field-grown plant flowers; instead, the total content was almost the same for the two flower types and higher compared to suspension culture content.

Relative stability of meningococcal serogroup A and X polysaccharides.

Prior to the introduction of the MenAfriVac™ serogroup A glycoconjugate vaccine in September 2010, serogroup A was the major epidemic disease-causing meningococcal serogroup in the African meningitis belt. However, recently serogroup X meningococcal (MenX) disease has received increased attention because of outbreaks recorded in this region, with increased endemic levels of MenX disease over the past 2 years. Whereas polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W and Y (MenA, MenC, MenW, MenY) are on the market, a vaccine able to protect against MenX has never been achieved. The structure of serogroup A, C, W and Y meningococcal polysaccharides has been already fully elucidated by NMR. MenX capsular polysaccharide (MenX CPS) structure is also documented but fewer characterization data have been published. We have applied here (1)H NMR, (31)P NMR and HPLC to evaluate the stability of MenX CPS in aqueous solution as compared to MenA capsular polysaccharide (MenA CPS). The stability study demonstrated that MenA CPS is more susceptible to hydrolytic degradation than MenX CPS. The different stereochemistry of the N-acetyl group at position C(2) of mannosamine (MenA CPS) and glucosamine (MenX CPS) respectively might play a fundamental role in this susceptibility to polysaccharide chain degradation. The satisfactory stability of MenX CPS predicts the possibility that a stable fully-liquid MenX polysaccharide or glycoconjugate vaccine could be developed.

A bald superfertile U.V.-resistant strain in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2).

The 'bald'(bld) mutants of filamentous bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) are characterized by a lack of aerial myceliumand spores. A 'bald' mutant was isolated exhibiting unusual features. It forms slightly sculptured colonies producing a red-orange mycelial pigment, large amounts of agarase and methylenomycin A; it is also highly resistant to U.V. killing. The bld mutation (bld F1) never reverted to bld+ phenotype and was localized very closed to met A.

Determination of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Senecio inaequidens D.C. by capillary gas chromatography.

A study of the toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids contained in Senecio inaequidens D.C., an infestant species of the Senecio genus, widespread in the North East of Italy, is reported. Five of these compounds, senecivernine, senecionine, integerrimine, retrorsine and an analogue of retrorsine, were identified by means of capillary gas chromatography and capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Possible ecological significance of within-fruit and seed furocoumarin distribution in twoPsoralea species.

Furocoumarin distribution patterns in the fruits and seeds ofPsoralea macrostachya andP. onobrychis were investigated. Both species contain the linear furocoumarin psoralen and its angular isomer, angelicin. In the monospermous indehiscent fruit ofP. macrostachya, furocoumarins occur in the pericarp and all seed parts. InP. onobrychis, the pericarp of which is easily detached at ripeness, no furocoumarins were found in the pericarp tissues and only traces occur in the embryo axis; cotyledons are the preferential accumulation site. The within-fruit and -seed furocoumarin variations associated with the developmental stages of fruit were followed inP. onobrychis, in view of changes in the defensive value of the pericarp before and after ripening. Rapid furocoumarin biosynthesis after fertilization was observed in both pericarp and seed; ripening is associated with furocoumarin decrease in the seed and complete disappearance in the pericarp tissues. Such findings are consistent with the chemical defense role of these substances. The cooccurrence of linear and angular isomers seems to be a chemical marker of the genusPsoralea: the biosynthetic pathway leading to the angular isomer as an evolutionary response to selective pressure from herbivore insects is suggested.

In vivo and in vitro production of alkaloids by Haplophyllum patavinum.

A protocol for shoot induction from callus of Haplophyllum patavinum was established. Two known furoquinoline (skimmianine and haplopine), and three quinolone (edulinine, ribalinine and isoplatydesmine) alkaloids were isolated for the first time from plant material, callus and shoot cultures of this species. The structures of these compounds have been characterised on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.