Fast method for the determination of short-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (scl-PHAs) in bacterial samples by In Vial-Thermolysis (IVT).

A new method based on the GC-MS analysis of thermolysis products obtained by treating bacterial samples at a high temperature (above 270°C) has been developed. This method, here named "In-Vial-Thermolysis" (IVT), allowed for the simultaneous determination of short-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (scl-PHA) content and composition. The method was applied to both single strains and microbial mixed cultures (MMC) fed with different carbon sources. The IVT procedure provided similar analytical performances compared to previous Py-GC-MS and Py-GC-FID methods, suggesting a similar application for PHA quantitation in bacterial cells. Results from the IVT procedure and the traditional methanolysis method were compared; the correlation between the two datasets was fit for the purpose, giving a R2 of 0.975. In search of further simplification, the rationale of IVT was exploited for the development of a "field method" based on the titration of thermolyzed samples with sodium hydrogen carbonate to quantify PHA inside bacterial cells. The accuracy of the IVT method was fit for the purpose. These results lead to the possibility for the on-line measurement of PHA productivity. Moreover, they allow for the fast and inexpensive quantification/characterization of PHA for biotechnological process control, as well as investigation over various bacterial communities and/or feeding strategies.

[Liposarcoma of the oral cavity: description of a case and review of the literature]. / Liposarcoma del cavo orale: descrizione di un caso e revisione della letteratura.

A case of well differentiated lipoma like and sclerosing liposarcoma in a 66 years old women is reported. The review of literature showed the rare occurrence of this neoplasia in the head and neck region especially in the floor of the mouth. C-T Scans and MRI can be helpful in addressing to the diagnosis of a fot tissue neoplasia, but only microscopic examination of a wide incisional biopsy makes the differential diagnosis from a liposarcoma possible. The elective treatment fundamental to present any relapses, as stressed in literature, is the complete removal of the lesion.

[Surgical protection: anatomic and diagnostic contribution of a new CT techniques in preoperative study of the temporal bone]. / La proiezione chirurgica: l'apporto anatomo-diagnostico di una nuova proiezione TC nello studio preoperatorio del temporale.

In the last ten years, CT study of the temporal bone has become, finer and has enriched itself with new projections. The objective of this paper fruit of collaboration between radiologist and otologist, is the search for CT projections, which evidentiate, with the same order and progression, the most important reference points that otologists find in temporal bone surgery. The study was conducted on fresh temporal bone extracted from cadavers which underwent tomography according to a projection very similar to a surgical plane defined precisely as "surgical". The Authors comment on what they consider the three most significant tomographies: those taken from the cortical mastoid at 15, 23 and 32 mm. The various anatomical structures and the relationships between them are identified with an operatory logic; this would afford in the surgical planning phase a better evaluation of the most appropriate approach, of the risks this approach would involve and of the length of the surgical procedure. The Authors also studied and developed an accessory that allows the application of surgical projection in living patients.