Development and validation of a bioanalytical method for the quantification of CHF6550 and its metabolite (CHF6671) in rat plasma and lung homogenate using LC-MS/MS.

A selective and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for accurate determination of CHF6550 and its main metabolite in rat plasma and lung homogenate samples. All biological samples were prepared by simple protein precipitation method using deuterated internal standards. The analytes were separated on a HSS T3 analytical column with 3.2 min run time at flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The detection was performed on a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer equipped with positive-ion electrospray ionization by selected-reaction monitoring of the transitions at m/z 735.3 â†’ 98.0 for CHF6550 and m/z 638.3 â†’ 319.2 and 638.3 â†’ 376.2 for CHF6671. The calibration curves for plasma samples were linear between 50 and 50000 pg/mL for both analytes. The calibration curves for lung homogenate samples were linear within 0.1-100 ng/mL for CHF6550 and 0.3-300 ng/mL for CHF6671. The method was successfully applied to a 4-week toxicity study.

Impact of COVID-19 epidemic on maxillofacial surgery in Italy.

Maxillofacial departments in 23 surgical units in Italy have been increasingly involved in facing the COVID-19 emergency. Elective surgeries have been progressively postponed to free up beds and offer human and material resources to those infected. We compiled an inventory of 32 questions to evaluate the impact of the SARS-COV2 epidemic on maxillofacial surgery in 23 selected Italian maxillofacial departments. The questionnaire focused on three different aspects: the variation of the workload, showing both a reduction of the number of team members (-16% among specialists, -11% among residents) due to reallocation or contamination and a consistent reduction of elective activities (the number of outpatient visits cancelled during the first month of the COVID-19 epidemic was about 10 000 all over Italy), while only tumour surgery and trauma surgery has been widely guaranteed; the screening procedures on patients and physicians (22% of maxillofacial units found infected surgeons, which is 4% of all maxillofacial surgeons); and the availability of Personal Protective Equipment, is only considered to be partial in 48% of Maxillofacial departments. This emergency has forced those of us in the Italian health system to change the way we work, but only time will prove if these changes have been effective.

Development and validation of a bioanalytical method for quantification of LNA-i-miR-221, a 13-mer oligonucleotide, in rat plasma using LC-MS/MS.

LNA-i-miR-221, a 13-mer oligonucleotide, is a new miR-221 inhibitor that could be used as a novel drug for multiple myeloma. Herein, an ion-pair reversed phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the quantification of LNA-i-miR-221 in rat plasma. Plasma samples were prepared with an initial phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol liquid-liquid extraction followed by a solid phase extraction. Chromatographic separation was performed with a gradient system on a HALO C18 column using hexafluoro-2-propanol/triethylamine buffer and methanol as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Under these conditions LNA-i-miR-221 and the analogue internal standard are co-eluted at 1.2 min. The detection was carried out in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using a negative electrospray ionization (ESI) interface. The assay showed a good linearity within the calibration range 10-10000 ng/mL. The precision, accuracy, and recovery values were found to be <15% (<20% at LLOQ), 100 ±â€¯15%, and 97.6-103.7%, respectively. This method was successfully applied to measure the concentrations of LNA-i-miR-221 in plasma samples following the intravenous administration during a 4-week toxicity study in rats.

[Membrane platelet fatty acids: biochemical characterisation of the ischemic cardiovascular disease, characteristics of the paediatric age, through an artificial neural network interpretation]. / Acidi grassi di membrana delle piastrine: tipizzazione biochimica della cardiopatia vascolare ischemica e caratteristiche dell'età pediatrica nell'interpretazione di una Rete Neurale Artificiale.

During the last 30 years, a huge research has been performed about the markers involved in the atherogenetic process and in the fatty acid thrombogenetic effect. More recently many studies have been made on the biochemical aspects of the saturated fatty acids with respect to the cardiovascular risk, in particular, the Stearic Acid (SA). Because of the peculiar characteristic of the platelets in the control of the thrombogenetic risk, we have investigated the platelet fatty acid profile in three groups of subjects: supposed healthy (n = 60), ischemic (n = 50), young children (n = 118). The aim of the study was to understand wich of the fatty acids could be evaluated as markers of the ischemic cardiovascular pathology and to have the possibility to classifie the subjects using the artificial neural network (ANN) system. The results highlight the peculiar position of the Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid and Arachidonic Acid. According to the ANN results of the ischemic subjects, the young children were in the same position. Because this result is not commonly accepted, as children are healty, we have looked for a reason. There are well strong reasons to believe that all this is due to the stearic acid wich is extremely higher than the stearic acid of all the other subjects investigated. Particularly it has been underlined the possibility to modify the platelet stearic and oleic acid to obtain a better saturation index (Stearic/Oleic ratio). This could bring to a better control of the cardiovascular risk. It is possible, according with the results obtained, to open a new field of research on the lipid metabolism of the young children in relation to the atherogenesis. It is the first time that an observation on the platelet membrane phospholipid stearic acid is made in comparison to other adult subjects and a plausible explanation is given about the protection of the young children against the cardiovascular disease.

[Adenophlegmons of the neck area. A case report and review of the literature]. / Adenoflemmoni della regione cervicale. Presentazione di un caso e revisione della letteratura.

Adenopathies in general and cervicofacial adenopathies in particular are a pathology that can affect both medical and surgical disciplines. They may be found in both acute and chronic disorders, in children and in adults, and in local or systemic forms with benign or malignant pathogenesis. It is clear that the differential diagnosis and consequently the therapeutic approach may be complicated at times by the variety of pathological processes. Interest in the case reported her is, in our opinion, justified by the rare finding in the age of antibiotics of such striking symptoms. The severity of local symptoms and the general conditions of the patient resulted in the need for surgery under anesthesia in order to enable the extensive collection of purulent matter to be drained. The postoperative course showed a marked and progressive improvement of the patient's general and local conditions, even a few hours after surgery. Given that several factors contribute to determining the evolution of septic conditions (patient's general and in particular immunological status) and given that, owing to the aspecific nature of symptoms, the diagnosis and relative specific therapy may be delayed, it can be seen that the clinical picture may evolve and be complicated by massive general manifestations, sufficient in extreme cases to endanger the patient's life, in the form of acute and sudden respiratory disorders and or more gradually with generalised septic conditions (encephalitis, mediastinitis and generalised sepsis). The objective to be attained is therefore a careful diagnosis and the immediate implementation of medical procedures in order to remove the cause that has triggered off the pathology.

[Dermoid cysts of the oral floor. A clinical case report and review of the literature]. / Cisti dermoidi del pavimento orale. Presentazione di una casistica clinica e revisione della letteratura.

The authors report two cases of dermoid cysts of the oral floor. The incidence of this pathology in this region is difficult to assess due to the rarity of reported cases. In particular, dermoid cysts appear to derive from the inclusion of epithelial cells on the median line in the fusion point between the first and second branchial arch. Other pathogenetic causes are however reported in the literature, namely traumatic epidermal implants during fetal development in utero. Dermoid cysts are most frequently manifested between the second and sixth decade of life, although cases of younger and older patients have been reported. All the authors agree that there is no sex-related preference. In general, the patient becomes aware of the pathology due to the gradual deterioration of locoregional functional signals: difficulties related to speech, chewing and swallowing. These symptoms are closely correlated to the size of the lesion. The development of the cyst is usually slow and does not involve painful symptoms, but it may become rapid and painful in the presence of concomitant phlogistic processes. In the first case an 18-year-old patient reported the appearance some 4 years earlier of a swelling measuring approximately 4 x 2 cm, involving the entire front portion of the oral floor; the swelling was spontaneously painful. Having been referred to the authors'attention the patient showed a swelling which was localized on the mid oral floor, the size of a tangerine and with a hard elastic consistency and taut, shiny mucous covering; the swelling was apparently normotrophic.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Fractures of the temporo-zygomatic arch. The clinical and therapeutic aspects]. / Fratture dell'arcata temporo-zigomatica. Considerazioni cliniche e terapeutiche.

Fractures of the orbito-maxillo-zygomatic complex are often associated with fractures of the temporo-zygomatic arcade. After a brief discussion, the authors describe a simple method to support the fractured arcade in the event of inadequate containment and/or the precarious stability of the latter.

[Surgical experience of complex fractures of the middle third of the facial skeleton treated without an intermaxillary block]. / Esperienza chirurgica di fratture complesse del terzo medio dello scheletro della faccia trattate senza blocco intermascellare.

Having illustrated the functional and anatomical aspects of the upper jaw and the importance of the anterior and posterior pillars as load-bearing structures for the middle third of face, the paper reports a series of fractures of the upper jaw treated with plaque osteosynthesis without an intermaxillary block. The functional and esthetic advantages are underlined.

[Reconstructive surgery of the ventral surface of the mobile tongue. The authors' personal experience]. / La chirurgia ricostruttiva della faccia ventrale della lingua mobile. Esperienza personale.

The neoplastic pathology of the cervico-cephalic district in an advanced stage of the disease often of necessity involves radical, mutilating operations. Following some brief remarks, personal experience in the reconstructive surgery of the ventral face of the mobile tongue and the oral floor is presented.

[The problem of the mandible in surgery of tonsillar tumors: proposal of a technique]. / Il problema della mandibola nella chirurgia dei tumori tonsillari: proposta di una tecnica.

The Authors report a technique of a conservative transmandibular approach for the surgical treatment of tonsillar region malignancies. The procedure is based upon the preparation of a vascular mandibular flap through two osteotomies, which are performed, the first above the mandibular foramen and the second below the mental foramen. The main advantages of present technique are: lip-chin-splitting is avoided and, due to the preservation of mandibular vascular and nervous supply, it is possible to accomplish, without risk, postoperative radiotherapy. Moreover, if dictated by oncologic reasons, this conservative procedure may easily be transformed into a radical surgery (commando or neck-jaw operation).

[Multiple lipomatosis or Launois-Bensaude disease. Technics for surgical treatment in our clinical experience]. / La lipomatosi multipla o morbo di Launois-Bensaude. Tecniche di trattamento chirurgico nella nostra esperienza clinica.

Only 200 cases of this extremely rare disease of unknown etiology have been reported in the literature. The paper examines the various surgical techniques and describes two cases operated by the authors.

[Carcinoma of the oral cavity: integrated treatment]. / Carcinoma del cavo orale: trattamenti integrati.

An integrated chemoradio-surgical technique for treating carcinoma of the oral cavity is described. The results obtained are particularly promising. Longer-term follow-ups are needed for final assessment.

[Intra-arterial chemotherapy. Presentation of a method to insure patency of the catheter]. / Chemioterapia endoarteriosa. Presentazione di una metodica per assicurare la pervietà del catetere.

Following some brief remarks on the main techniques of antineoplastic chemotherapy, a simple technique for guaranteeing patency of the endarterial catheter is presented. Using a special microchannel infusor, it was possible to prevent catheter obstruction in 100% of the cases treated.

[Clinical and therapeutic considerations on a case of hemangiopericytoma of the cheek]. / Considerazioni cliniche e terapeutiche su di un caso di emangiopericitoma della guancia.

The paper reports on a case of recurrent hemangiopericytoma of the cheek, discusses the results of hyperthermia combined with intra-arterial chemotherapy after the postoperative recurrence and draws significant conclusions about the therapeutic approach to this type of tumour.