Spatio-temporal modulation of cortical activity during motor deadaptation depends on the feedback of task-related error.

Motor adaptations are responsible for recalibrating actions and facilitating the achievement of goals in a constantly changing environment. Once consolidated, the decay of motor adaptation is a process affected by available sensory information during deadaptation. However, the cortical response to task error feedback during the deadaptation phase has received little attention. Here, we explored changes in brain cortical responses due to feedback of task-related error during deadaptation. Twelve healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. Right hand movement and EEG were recorded during repetitive trials of a hand reaching movement. A visuomotor rotation of 30° was introduced to induce motor adaptation. Volunteers participated in two experimental sessions organized in baseline, adaptation, and deadaptation blocks. In the deadaptation block, the visuomotor rotation was removed, and visual feedback was only provided in one session. Performance was quantified using angle end-point error, averaged speed, and movement onset time. A non-parametric spatiotemporal cluster-level permutation test was used to analyze the EEG recordings. During deadaptation, participants experienced a greater error reduction when feedback of the cursor was provided. The EEG responses showed larger activity in the left centro-frontal parietal areas during the deadaptation block when participants received feedback, as opposed to when they did not receive feedback. Centrally distributed clusters were found for the adaptation and deadaptation blocks in the absence of visual feedback. The results suggest that visual feedback of the task-related error activates cortical areas related to performance monitoring, depending on the accessible sensory information.

End-colostomy parastomal hernia repair: a systematic review on laparoscopic and robotic approaches.

INTRODUCTION: Parastomal hernia (PSH) is the most common and challenging complication after stoma creation, with an estimated 50% incidence 2 years after the index surgery. Mesh repair is the treatment of choice. Laparoscopic and/or robotic approaches allow acceptable outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature review from January 2012 to November 2023 was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Embase, PubMed, and Scopus search were performed to select articles dealing with minimally invasive surgical treatment for PSH after end colostomy. RESULTS: 603 studies were found, and 24 were chosen. When compared to open surgery, laparoscopy showed decreased postoperative complications and recurrence. The main laparoscopic approaches are the keyhole (KH), the Sugarbaker (SB), and the sandwich technique. Continuous improvement in surgery, mesh technology, and surgeons' expertise led to an amelioration of surgical outcome and recurrence rate after repair. Recent studies showed comparable outcomes for SB and KH techniques, while novel surgical approaches have been proposed in an attempt to further increase the operative and long-term results. Reports on PSH robotic repairs are scarce and describe small series results, suggesting a role of the initial learning curve as a risk factor for complications. CONCLUSION: End-colostomy PSH surgical repair still represents a challenge for surgeons. Recent evidence has not shown a significant advantage in postoperative complications and recurrence with a specific repair among SB, KH, and sandwich technique. The paucity of data on robotic surgery does not allow to draw definitive conclusion. Further primary, multicentric, and larger cohort studies are needed.

An unusual neurological presentation in a patient with primary hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Hypereosinophilic syndromes are characterized by an increased number of blood eosinophils (usually more than 1.5 × 109) infiltrating tissues and causing organ damage through over-production of pro-inflammatory cytokines with heterogeneous clinical presentation. Here we present a case of a 47 years old male, with an unremarkable previous medical history, with a sudden onset of subungual hemorrhage and low back pain. Admitted for right arm weakness and vomiting, was raised the suspicion of acute cerebrovascular syndrome, but a brain CT scan with angiogram and perfusion sequences did not show any signs of early ischaemic lesions; conversely, lab tests revealed an increased peripheral eosinophil blood count. Clinical conditions rapidly worsened and a brain MRI showed multiple sub-acute ischaemic lesions compatible with vasculitis while EEG was in favor of widespread cortical distress. Diagnosis of the hypereosinophilic syndrome was made through peripheral blood smear and osteo-medullar biopsy, which showed a rich prevalence of eosinophils. The molecular biology testing showed FIP1L1-PDGRA gene mutation. Despite the prompt therapy beginning with intravenous corticosteroids and tyrosine-kinase inhibitors with normalization of cell blood count in a few days, the patient remained in minimal consciousness. When facing unusual symptoms onset (low back pain with weakness in one limb) and a highly impaired WBC not consistent with other courses (such as infections, vasculitis, allergies, and other diseases involving the immune system) clinicians should take into account the possibility of a hematological disorder and treat it as soon as possible to avoid a poor prognosis.

Are optical indices good proxies of seasonal changes in carbon fluxes and stress-related physiological status in a beech forest?

This study investigates the functionality of a Mediterranean-mountain beech forest in Central Italy using simultaneous determinations of optical measurements, carbon (C) fluxes, leaf eco-physiological and biochemical traits during two growing seasons (2014-2015). Meteorological variables showed significant differences between the two growing seasons, highlighting a heat stress coupled with a reduced water availability in mid-summer 2015. As a result, a different C sink capacity of the forest was observed between the two years of study, due to the differences in stressful conditions and the related plant physiological status. Spectral indices related to vegetation (VIs, classified in structural, chlorophyll and carotenoid indices) were computed at top canopy level and used to track CO2 fluxes and physiological changes. Optical indices related to structure (EVI 2, RDVI, DVI and MCARI 1) were found to better track Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) variations for 2014, while indices related to chlorophylls (SR red edge, CL red edge, MTCI and DR) provided better results for 2015. This suggests that when environmental conditions are not limiting for forest sink capacity, structural parameters are more strictly connected to C uptake, while under stress conditions indices related to functional features (e.g., chlorophyll content) become more relevant. Chlorophyll indices calculated with red edge bands (SR red edge, NDVI red edge, DR, CL red edge) resulted to be highly correlated with leaf nitrogen content (R2>0.70), while weaker, although significant, correlations were found with chlorophyll content. Carotenoid indices (PRI and PSRI) were strongly correlated with both chlorophylls and carotenoids content, suggesting that these indices are good proxies of the shifting pigment composition related to changes in soil moisture, heat stress and senescence. Our work suggests the importance of integrating different methods as a successful approach to understand how changing climatic conditions in the Mediterranean mountain region will impact on forest conditions and functionality.

Ultraviolet-B radiation applied to detached peach fruit: A study of free radical generation by EPR spin trapping.

In peaches, phenolic compounds are the major sources of antioxidants, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside is the main anthocyanin present, above all in the skin. Anthocyanin content has been shown to increase after UV-B irradiation, which may be very harmful for all biological organisms due to the induction of the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Peach fruits (cv. 'Suncrest') were exposed during post-harvest to supplemental ultraviolet-B radiation. A spin-trapping technique was used to monitor the generation of free radicals under UV-B, and 5-(diethoxy-phosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DEPMPO) was used as the spin trap. The flesh of peaches was essentially unaffected by the treatment, whereas the skin was responsive at the end of the treatment, accumulating ascorbate, flavonoids, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, and showing a higher antioxidant activity. The levels of stable free radicals were also lower at the end of treatment. Carbon-centred radicals contributed the most to the total amounts of free radicals, whereas hydroxyl radicals and oxygen-centred free radicals contributed minimally. The carbon-centred free radical identified was the same as the one obtained after irradiation of authentic cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. During UV-B treatment cyanidin-3-O-glucoside increased and was capable of radicalization protecting the other organic molecules of the cell from oxidation. ROS, among which hydroxyl radicals, were thus maintained to minimal levels. This ability of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside displayed the mechanism underlined the tolerance to UV-B irradiation indicating that shelf life can be prolonged by the presence of anthocyanins. Thus, UV-B technique results a good approach to induce antioxidant production in peach fruits increasing their nutraceutical properties.

The role of intracranial hypertension in the chronification of migraine.

Besides a similar clinical presentation, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and chronic migraine (CM) also share relevant risk factors, show a higher prevalence of allodynic symptoms and both respond to topiramate. Moreover, sinus stenosis, a radiological marker of IIH, in CM patients is much more prevalent than expected. As a consequence of these striking similarities, IIH without papilledema (IIHWOP) may be easily misdiagnosed as CM. Actually, IIHWOP has been found in up to 14 % of CM clinical series. Considering that, on one hand, an asymptomatic sinus stenosis-associated raised intracranial pressure (ICP) may be highly prevalent in the general population, and on the other, that IIH clinical presentation with chronic headache may require a migraine predisposition, we have proposed that an overlooked IIHWOP could represent a risk factor for migraine progression. This hypothesis prompted us to investigate the prevalence of IIHWOP and its possible role in the process of migraine chronification in a consecutive series of CM patients selected for unresponsiveness to medical treatment and evidence of significant sinus stenosis. The main finding of our study is that the large majority of such patients actually suffer from a chronic headache secondary to IIHWOP. This implies that an IIHWOP mimicking CM is much more prevalent than believed, is commonly misdiagnosed as CM on the basis of ICHD criteria and is strictly predicted by refractoriness to preventive treatments. However, our data fully comply with the alternative hypothesis that an overlooked IIHWOP, although highly prevalent amongst healthy individuals, in migraine-prone subjects is a powerful (and modifiable) risk factor for the progression and the refractoriness of pain. The normalization of ICP by even a single LP with CSF withdrawal may be effective in a significant proportion of patients with a long history of refractory chronic headache, who represent about one-fifth of the patients screened in our study. We suggest that IIHWOP should be considered in all patients with almost daily migraine pain, with evidence of sinus stenosis and unresponsive to medical treatment, referred to specialized headache clinics.

Gene expression in snapbeans exposed to ozone and protected by ethylenediurea.

Ethylenediurea (EDU) is the most common chemical used to prevent ozone (O3) injury on vegetation. Despite considerable research, its mode of action remains elusive and gene expression has not been studied. Transcripts of major antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase) were measured for the first time in a model plant (Phaseolus vulgaris cv S156) after short-term O3 exposure (0 or 90 ppb, 5 h/d, 4 days) and a single spray with EDU (0 or 300 ppm). Visible, physiological and biochemical parameters were assessed as indices of O3-induced stress. In O3-exposed EDU-protected plants, levels of transcript, enzyme activity, H2O2 accumulation, gas exchange and foliar visible injury were similar to those in control plants. These results suggest that EDU may halt the O3-induced ROS generation within 24 h from the exposure, and thus the downstream cascade mechanisms leading to increased H2O2 production, impaired gas exchange, and occurrence of leaf lesions.

The role of dural sinus stenosis in idiopathic intracranial hypertension pathogenesis: the self-limiting venous collapse feedback-loop model.

In recent years the efficacy of endovascular venous stenting in idiopathic IIH treatment has been consistently reported, strongly suggesting that sinus stenosis should be viewed as a causative factor rather than a secondary phenomenon. We propose that in subjects carrying one or more collapsible segments of large cerebral venous collectors and exposed to a number of different promoting factors, sinus venous compression and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypertension may influence each other in a circular way, leading to a new relatively stable venous/CSF pressures balance state at higher values. The mechanism relay on self-limiting venous collapse (SVC) feedback-loop between the CSF pressure, that compresses the sinus, and the consequent venous pressure rise, that increases the CSF pressure. The result is the "coupled" increase of both pressure values, a phenomenon not expected in presence of sufficiently rigid central veins. Once the maximum stretch of venous wall is reached the loop stabilize at higher venous/CSF pressure values and become self-sustaining, therefore persisting even after the ceasing of the promoting factor. Notably, the SVC is reversible provided an adequate perturbation is carried to whichever side of the loop such as sinus venous stenting, on one hand, and CSF diversion or even a single CSF withdrawal by lumbar puncture (LP), on the other. The SVC model predicts that any condition leading to an increase of either, cerebral venous pressure or CSF pressure may trigger the feedback loop in predisposed individuals. Migraine with and without aura, a disease sharing with IIH a much higher prevalence among women of childbearing age, is associated with waves of significant brain hyperperfusion. These may lead to the congestion of large cerebral venous collectors and could represent a common SVC promoting condition in susceptible individuals. The SVC model give reason of the high specificity and sensitivity of sinus stenosis as IIH predictor and of the multiplicity of the factors that have been found associated with IIH. Moreover it might explain why, among the sinus stenosis carriers, young and overweight women are at higher risk of developing the disease. Finally, the SVC model fully explain the enigmatic longstanding remissions that can be commonly observed after a single LP with CSF subtraction in IIH with or without papilledema.

Recurrent epistaxis following stabbing headache responsive to acetazolamide.

The co-occurrence of epistaxis and headache is not uncommon in migraine patients, although only few case reports have been published. A trigeminovascular activation may be causally involved although the exact mechanisms linking epistaxis and migraine remain unclear. Significant dural sinus stenosis may sustain or worsen an increased cerebral venous pressure and is considered a radiological predictor of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. We report a 49-year-old female patient with chronic migraine associated to stabbing headache-like attacks followed by epistaxis and by the resolution or the significant improvement of pain. As she also reported adjunctive symptoms suggestive of raised intracranial pressure and showed a bilateral narrowing of transverse sinuses at MR-venography, a possible intracranial hypertension was hypothesized despite the lack of papilledema. Acetazolamide 250 mg twice/day was added to therapy and the patient reported sudden reduction of headache severity and frequency and complete resolution of both the stabbing pain and the recurrent epistaxis, maintained for 5 months. At treatment discontinuation she complained the worsening of migraine headache and the reoccurrence of the superimposed stabbing pain followed by epistaxis. The mechanism linking the sequential occurrence of painful stabs, epistaxis and relief from pain with raised intracranial pressure in our patients remains unclear. We speculate that the sudden reopening of collapsed collateral veins of the anterior venous circle, possibly prompted by periodic waves of central venous hypertension coupled with intracranial hypertensive peaks, could explain the unusual strict time succession of painful stabs, epistaxis, and subsequent resolution of pain.

Cortical spreading depression and central pain networks in trigeminal nuclei modulation: time for an integrated migraine pathogenesis perspective.

The role of the cortical spreading depression (CSD)-dependent trigeminovascular activation in migraine etiopathogenesis, long considered paradigmatic, has remained substantially unproven in humans. The parallel advancement of functional neuroimaging techniques promoted the extensive exploration of the brain networks involved in pain processing in search of a possible central migraine generator. However, despite initial enthusiasms, it has not been possible to clarify whether the functional central "markers" of pain observed in primary headaches could be considered as causative or just the neural correlates of the ongoing pain. Nonetheless, our knowledge on the complex interactions between CSD, neurogenic inflammation, peripheral trigeminovascular input, central cortico-trigeminal nuclei direct modulation and pain processing and limbic system networks has enormously grown, allowing the reconceptualisation of migraine from a neurovascular to a pure neurolimbic pain disorder, therefore relocating it in the much broader frame of the brain and whole organism homeostatic control. In this work, the available evidences currently supporting the relevance of CSD, of peripheral trigeminovascular input and of direct cortico-trigeminal nuclei modulation in migraine pathogenesis are reviewed in the light of a possible integrated migraine etiopathogenetic perspective.

Primary stabbing headache: a new dural sinus stenosis-associated primary headache?

Primary stabbing headache (PSH) is a primary syndrome of unknown aetiology, characterised by brief, jabbing stabs predominantly felt in the orbital, temporal and parietal areas, whose frequency may vary from one to many per day, usually responding to indomethacin. PSH frequency in the general population is not well defined, but recent evidence suggests it could be more frequent than previously thought. In clinical series, PSH incidence was 33/100,000 per year, while in a population study 35.2 % prevalence was found. PSH was previously described as isolated or associated to other headache syndromes, most frequently with migraine. There is evidence that an idiopathic intracranial hypertension without papilledema, a condition usually associated to significant stenosis of dural sinuses (93 % sensitivity and specificity), is much more prevalent than believed and may run asymptomatically in up to 11 % of otherwise healthy individuals. In migrainous prone people, a sinus stenosis-associated intracranial hypertension without papilledema (ss-IHWOP) comorbidity may represent a powerful risk factor for progression of pain. Besides migraine, significant sinus stenosis has been found overrepresented also in chronic tension type headache as well as in exertional, cough, sexual activity-associated headaches (all indomethacin responsive primary headaches) and in altitude headache (an acetazolamide responsive condition). To explore the possible association between venous outflow disturbances and PSH, we retrospectively investigated the co-occurrence of sinus venous stenosis in patients referring to our headache centre since 2004 diagnosed with PSH who completed the diagnostic protocol. Out of 50 consecutive patients reporting PSH as the main or as accessory complaint, 8 (6 females, 2 males) performed MR venography (MRV). All MRV revealed significant unilateral or bilateral sinus stenosis. Mean age at PSH onset was 35.3 ± 18.9 years (range 11-67 years). Duration of attacks ranged 1-3 s. Median daily frequency of attacks was 4 (range 2-20); median number of days per month with PSH presentation was 14 (range 4-30). Six patients described attacks in temporal or parietal areas, one at the top of the head, and one in the occipital area. Only one patient had isolated PSH; all the others were diagnosed also with migraine without aura. Seven out of eight patients responded to indomethacin 75 mg/die, and one to topiramate 100 mg/die. Interestingly, both drugs share with acetazolamide a CSF pressure lowering effect. Our findings indicate that PSH is associated with central sinus stenosis and suggest that an undiagnosed ss-IHWOP might be involved in PSH pathogenesis.

A prospective, randomised, investigator-blind, controlled, clinical study on the clinical efficacy and tolerability of two highly purified hMG preparations administered subcutaneously in women undergoing IVF.

The aim of this multicentre, prospective, randomised, investigator blind, controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of a highly purified human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) preparation (Merional-HG) when administered to patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure enrolled in hospital departments. One hundred fifty-seven patients were randomised in two parallel groups: 78 started COS with Merional-HG and 79 with Menopur. Results of the study showed that both highly purified hMG preparations were equivalent in terms of number of oocytes retrieved (primary endpoint: 8.8 ± 3.9 versus 8.4 ± 3.8, p = 0.54). In the patients treated with Merional-HG, we observed a higher occurrence of mature oocytes (78.3% versus 71.4%, p = 0.005) and a reduced quantity of gonadotrophins administered per cycle (2.556 ± 636 IU versus 2.969 ± 855 IU, p < 0.001). Fertilisation, cleavage, implantation rates and the number of positive ß-human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG; pregnancy) tests and the clinical pregnancy rate were comparable in the two groups. Both treatments were well tolerated. In conclusion, the results of this study support the efficacy and safety of Merional-HG administered subcutaneously for assisted reproduction techniques. Efficiency of Merional-HG appears to be higher due to reduced quantity of drug used and the higher yield of mature oocytes retrieved.

Microbially-enhanced composting of wet olive husks.

The production of a compost from olive wet husks is described. The process is enhanced through the use of starters prepared with virgin husks enriched with selected microbial cultures. This approach, with respect to composting without the use of starters, allows to achieve faster start of the process (10 vs. 45 days), deeper humification (humification rate 19.2 vs. 12.2), shorter maturation time (2 vs. 4-5 months) and better detoxification of the starting material. Furthermore, the compost produced can effectively substitute for turf as a cultivation substrate in horticulture at greenhouse level, with beneficial effects on nutraceutical traits of tomato fruits.

Who needs LH in ovarian stimulation?

LH plays a key role in the intermediate-late phases of folliculogenesis. Although ovarian stimulation is efficiently achieved in most cases by the administration of exogenous FSH alone, specific subgroups of women may benefit from LH activity supplementation during ovarian stimulation. Some authors have found improved outcome with LH activity supplementation in advanced reproductive age women. Experience suggests that in about 10-12% of young normogonadotrophic patients treated with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) long protocol plus recombinant FSH human (r-hFSH), a 'steady response' is observed. In this subgroup of women, a higher number of oocytes is retrieved when daily LH activity supplementation is given from stimulation day 8, if compared with the standard FSH dose increase. Another subgroup of patients who may benefit from LH activity supplementation are those at risk for poor ovarian response treated with GnRH antagonist. Recent data demonstrate that in these women, when GnRH is administered in a flexible protocol, the concomitant addition of recombinant human LH improves the number of mature oocytes retrieved, when compared with the standard GnRH-a flare-up protocol. Thus, well calibrated LH administration improves the ovarian outcome in patients >35 years, in those showing an initial abnormal ovarian response to r-hFSH monotherapy, and in 'low prognosis' women treated with GnRH antagonists.

Suboptimal response to GnRHa long protocol is associated with a common LH polymorphism.

The aim of this observational preliminary trial was to estimate the association between the most common polymorphism of LH (LH-ß variant: v-ßLH), with different profiles of ovarian response to recombinant human FSH (rhFSH). A total of 60 normogonadotrophic patients undergoing a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue long down-regulation protocol followed by stimulation with recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) for IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and in whom at least five oocytes were retrieved were retrospectively included. On the basis of the total rhFSH consumption, patients were divided into three groups: Group A: 22 women requiring a cumulative dose of rhFSH >3500 IU; Group B: 15 patients requiring 2000-3500 IU; Group C (control): 23 women requiring <2000 IU. The presence of v-ßLH was evaluated using specific immunoassays. Peak oestradiol concentrations were significantly lower in Group A when compared with both groups B (P < 0.05) and C (P < 0.001). Group A had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) number of oocytes retrieved (7.3 ± 1.5, 11.7 ± 2.4 and 14.7 ± 4.1 in the three groups, respectively). Seven carriers (31.8%) of v-ßLH were found in Group A, whereas only one variant (6.7%) was observed in Group B; no variant was detected in Group C. These preliminary results suggest that v-ßLH is more frequent in women with ovarian resistance to rhFSH.

Sinus venous stenosis-associated IIHWOP is a powerful risk factor for progression and refractoriness of pain in primary headache patients: a review of supporting evidences.

Reported prevalence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension without papilledema (IIHWOP) in series of patients with chronic or transformed migraine is significantly higher than expected; yet, IIHWOP is not included among the risk factors for migraine progression. However, several studies provided evidences suggesting that IIHWOP could represent a possible, largely underestimated, risk factor for progression of pain in migraine and, possibly, in other primary headaches. Data from two recent studies, albeit aimed to different end-points, strongly support this hypothesis. In the first study, conducted on a large series of neurological patients without any sign or symptom of raised intracranial pressure (ICP), including chronic headache, the prevalence of bilateral central venous stenosis at magnetic resonance venography (MRV) was 23% and an IIHWOP at opening pressure was found in 48% of this subgroup (11% of the whole sample) while it was not detected in any of the subjects with normal MRV. This indicates that IIHWOP may be much more prevalent than believed in general population and that it can run without any symptom or sign of raised ICP in most of affected subjects. In the second paper, sinus venous stenosis-associated IIHWOP has been found in about one half of a large chronic primary headache patients series with poor response to treatments and in none of those with normal MRV. Moreover, after the diagnostic lumbar puncture, a transient improvement of headache frequency has been observed in the majority of intracranial hypertensive chronic headache subjects. Taken together, the data of these two recent papers rise the following hypothesis: (1) asymptomatic IIHWOP is much more prevalent than expected in general population; (2) IIHWOP is a powerful and largely unrecognized risk factor for progression of pain in primary headache patients; (3) sinus venous stenosis at MRV is a reliable predictor of raised intracranial hypertension also in asymptomatic patients; (4) sinus venous stenosis has a causative role in IIH pathophysiology. These assumptions share a potential high clinical impact and need to be urgently tested in adequately designed controlled studies.

Suboptimal response to GnRHa long protocol is associated with a common LH polymorphism.

The aim of this observational preliminary trial was to estimate the association between the most common polymorphism of LH (LH-beta variant: v-betaLH), with different profiles of ovarian response to recombinant human FSH (rhFSH). A total of 60 normogonadotrophic patients undergoing a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue long down-regulation protocol followed by stimulation with recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) for IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and in whom at least five oocytes were retrieved were retrospectively included. On the basis of the total rhFSH consumption, patients were divided into three groups: Group A: 22 women requiring a cumulative dose of rhFSH >3500 IU; Group B: 15 patients requiring 2000-3500 IU; Group C (control): 23 women requiring <2000 IU. The presence of v-betaLH was evaluated using specific immunoassays. Peak oestradiol concentrations were significantly lower in Group A when compared with both groups B (P < 0.05) and C (P < 0.001). Group A had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) number of oocytes retrieved (7.3 +/- 1.5, 11.7 +/- 2.4 and 14.7 +/- 4.1 in the three groups, respectively). Seven carriers (31.8%) of v-betaLH were found in Group A, whereas only one variant (6.7%) was observed in Group B; no variant was detected in Group C. These preliminary results suggest that v-betaLH is more frequent in women with ovarian resistance to rhFSH.

Detoxification and repair process of ozone injury: from O3 uptake to gene expression adjustment.

Plants react to O(3) threat by setting up a variety of defensive strategies involving the co-ordinated modulation of stress perception, signalling and metabolic responses. Although stomata largely controls O(3) uptake, differences in O(3) tolerance cannot always be ascribed to changes in stomatal conductance but cell protective and repair processes should be taken into account. O(3)-driven ROS production in the apoplast induces a secondary, active, self-propagating generation of ROS, whose levels must be finely tuned, by many enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, to induce gene activation without determining uncontrolled cell death. Additional signalling molecules, as ethylene, jasmonic and salicylic acid are also crucial to determine the spreading and the containment of leaf lesions. The main recent results obtained on O(3) sensing, signal transduction, ROS formation and detoxification mechanisms are here discussed.