Brainstem cells of origin of the cervical vagus and cardiopulmonary nerves in the neonatal pig (Sus scrofa).

The distribution of the cells of origin of the cervical vagus and cardiopulmonary nerves has been studied in neonatal piglets (Sus scrofa) ranging in age from 1 to 60 days. Cardiopulmonary nerves were identified physiologically and anatomically prior to injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the nerves. Following injection of HRP into the cervical vagus nerve retrogradely labeled neurons were present in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMV), the nucleus of the solitary tract, the nucleus ambiguus (NA), ventrolateral to the NA and in an intermediate zone between the DMV and the NA. Two unique clusters of neurons were also retrogradely labeled after injections into the vagus nerve. One group was located lateral to the most caudal levels of the DMV and extended as far caudally as the C1 spinal segment. The second distinctive group was located ventrolateral to the nucleus ambiguus in a cell column identified as the ventrolateral nucleus ambiguus (VLNA). After injections of HRP into cardiopulmonary nerves, the majority of neurons were found in the VLNA and the distinct clusters of neurons in this cell column were particularly heavily labeled. Small numbers of cells were labeled in the DMV and NA and none were labeled in the solitary nucleus after cardiopulmonary nerve injections. There were no apparent age-related differences in the degree or distribution of retrograde labeling. The distribution of neurons in the medulla oblongata projecting into cardiopulmonary nerves in the piglet is similar to that described in other species, i.e., the nucleus ambiguus, particularly its ventrolateral cell column, is the primary site of cardiomotor neurons. In addition, in the piglet there is a morphologically distinct cluster of cells related to the heart, and possibly the lungs, which does not appear to be present in other species.

[Allergy to cow's milk proteins: the sensitivity of specific and nonspecific laboratory tests]. / Allergia alle proteine del latte vaccino: sensibilità dei tests di laboratorio specifici ed aspecifici.

Authors report their experience of a population of 308 children affected by cow's milk allergy who presented gastrointestinal, respiratory and cutaneous symptoms. Diagnosis was based on challenge with cow's milk proteins and on laboratory specific tests (RAST, prick test) and non specific ones (PRIST, eosinophil count, 1-h xylose test, occult blood in the stools), following ESPGAN criteria. The patients were subdivided in 3 groups: a) patients with prevalent gastrointestinal symptoms; b) patients with prevalent cutaneous symptoms and c) patients with both, gastrointestinal and cutaneous symptoms. The sensitivity of the employed tests was evaluated either in the whole patient population or in the there group according to symptoms. Our data show a high sensitivity of the RAST for cow's milk (70%) versus a lower sensitivity of prick test (53%) when the whole patients population was considered. Moreover statistically important differences of the sensitivity of the various tests were found when the three groups of patients were considered, as well as when such a comparison was done in patients subdivided according to age (more or less than 6 months). Finally the concord between RAST and prick test was evaluated in the three groups.