Advancing Thalamic Nuclei Segmentation: The Impact of Compressed Sensing on MRI Processing.

The thalamus is a collection of gray matter nuclei that play a crucial role in sensorimotor processing and modulation of cortical activity. Characterizing thalamic nuclei non-invasively with structural MRI is particularly relevant for patient populations with Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, dementia, and schizophrenia. However, severe head motion in these populations poses a significant challenge for in vivo mapping of thalamic nuclei.

Systematic review for the development of a core outcome set for monofocal intraocular lenses for cataract surgery.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to define a core outcome set (COS) to be measured following cataract surgery for the postoperative evaluation of monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs). Compared to current COSs, the present work provides updates considering the advances in the technology due to the development of new generation monofocal IOLs, which are characterized by a safety profile comparable to standard monofocal IOLs but with an extended range of intermediate vision.

Methods: Healthcare professionals (ophthalmologist surgeons) and patients were involved in the selection of outcomes to be included in the COS, starting from a list of indicators retrieved from a systematic literature search.

Organization and Activity of Italian Echocardiographic Laboratories: A Survey of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging.

Background: The Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) conducted a national survey to understand better how different echocardiographic modalities are used and accessed in Italy.

Methods: We analyzed echocardiography laboratory activities over a month (November 2022). Data were retrieved via an electronic survey based on a structured questionnaire, uploaded on the SIECVI website.

The role of the default mode network in longitudinal functional brain reorganization of brain gliomas.

The study of patients after glioma resection offers a unique opportunity to investigate brain reorganization. It is currently unknown how the whole-brain connectomic profile evolves longitudinally after surgical resection of a glioma and how this may be associated with tumor characteristics and cognitive outcome. In this longitudinal study, we investigate the impact of tumor lateralization and grade on functional connectivity (FC) in highly connected networks, or hubs, and cognitive performance.

In vivo Correlation Tensor MRI reveals microscopic kurtosis in the human brain on a clinical 3T scanner.

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) has become one of the most important imaging modalities for noninvasively probing tissue microstructure. Diffusional Kurtosis MRI (DKI) quantifies the degree of non-Gaussian diffusion, which in turn has been shown to increase sensitivity towards, e.g.

Longitudinal Changes in Brain Diffusion MRI Indices during and after Proton Beam Therapy in a Child with Pilocytic Astrocytoma: A Case Report.

Proton beam therapy (PBT) is an effective pediatric brain tumor treatment. However, the resulting microstructural changes within and around irradiated tumors are unknown. We retrospectively applied diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and free-water imaging (FWI) on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) data to monitor microstructural changes during the PBT and after 8 months in a pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM).

Collagenous colitis and atezolizumab therapy: an atypical case.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4), anti-PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1), and PD-L1 (programmed cell death protein-ligand 1) are emerging drugs that have radically changed treatment and prognosis of different types of tumors. However, despite their considerable benefits, immune checkpoint inhibitors are associated with numerous side effects involving several organs. Gastrointestinal toxicities represent some of these most common adverse events.

Judicial outcome and follow up of abused child protection acts in a pediatric emergency department: 12-year experience in a third level pediatric hospital.

Background: Italian laws allow the protection of a child who is suspected to be a victim of abuse through a procedure that can be put in motion by the attending physician in any Emergency Department (article nr. 403 Civil Code) with a temporarily suspension of parental authority. This study aims at evaluating both the appropriateness of the activation of the protection procedure by ED doctors in cases of suspected child abuse in terms of judicial confirmation and how it impacts children in the long-term.

[Bilateral peritonsillar abscess in children: case report].

Peritonsillar abscess is the most common complication of acute bacterial tonsillitis, defined as the presence of purulent exudate between the peritonsillar capsule and the superior constrictor muscle of the pharynx. Usually, its presentation is unilateral; its bilateral involvement is rare. It is more common in adults, being uncommon in children.

White matter connectivity between occipital and temporal regions involved in face and voice processing in hearing and early deaf individuals.

Neuroplasticity following sensory deprivation has long inspired neuroscience research in the quest of understanding how sensory experience and genetics interact in developing the brain functional and structural architecture. Many studies have shown that sensory deprivation can lead to cross-modal functional recruitment of sensory deprived cortices. Little is known however about how structural reorganization may support these functional changes.

Premature Adrenarche.

Adrenarche is when a child's adrenal cortex starts to secrete adrenal androgen precursors. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant product of the adrenal cortex, and is a weak androgen agonist thought to be responsible for the clinical signs of pubarche by conversion to more potent androgens, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone. DHEA's extra-adrenal sulfation product, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, is a stable marker for adrenal androgenic activity.

Successful primary staple-repair of thoracic oesophagus after delayed presentation of a spontaneous perforation.

Introduction: Spontaneous perforation of the oesophagus is diagnosed late in over 50% of cases. Misdiagnosis may be due to atypical presentations. Primary repair is technically demanding in this setting and the risk of failure is high.

What is the definition of intraoperative hypotension in dogs? Results from a survey of diplomates of the ACVAA and ECVAA.

Objective: Determine arterial blood pressure range that diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA) and European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (ECVAA) use to define intraoperative hypotension in dogs and identify the threshold values used for intervention.

Study Design: Survey of veterinary anesthesia specialists.

Population: Diplomates of the ACVAA and ECVAA.

ERIC-PCR genotyping of paenibacillus larvae in southern Italian honey and brood combs.

Given the considerable economic loss to beekeepers worldwide and the possible public health implications related to the presence of antibiotics in honey, an American Foulbrood (AFB) monitoring/prevention program for Paenibacillus larvae is regarded as essential. This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of P. larvae genotypes in honey and brood combs from Apulia (Italy).

Survey of the current use of pharmacokinetic model-driven drug delivery in small animal anaesthesia and analgesia in Italy.

Veterinary surgeons in Italy were surveyed about their current practice with regard to the use of propofol and intravenous opioids during anaesthesia and for treatment of acute pain in small animals. Questionnaires were e-mailed to all 171 members of the Italian Society of Veterinary Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine. Information was requested on the type of practice the veterinarians worked in, the administration techniques used and the perceived benefit of pumps with target-controlled infusion (TCI) capability implementing small animal pharmacokinetic models.

Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods from supermarkets in Southern Italy.

The study provides data on the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods from supermarkets in Southern Italy. The pathogen was detected in 105/1045 (10%) RTE food samples. In particular, it was highlighted in 4/392 (1%) pastries, 23/112 (20.

Ciprofloxacin-modified electrosynthesized hydrogel coatings to prevent titanium-implant-associated infections.

New promising and versatile materials for the development of in situ sustained release systems consisting of thin films of either poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) or a copolymer based on poly(ethylene-glycol diacrylate) and acrylic acid were investigated. These polymers were electrosynthesized directly on titanium substrates and loaded with ciprofloxacin (CIP) either during or after the synthesis step. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to check the CIP entrapment efficiency as well as its surface availability in the hydrogel films, while high-performance liquid chromatography was employed to assess the release property of the films and to quantify the amount of CIP released by the coatings.

Hypobaric intrathecal anaesthesia for partial hemipelvectomy in a dog.

Objective: To report the intrathecal use of a hypobaric anaesthetic solution for partial hemipelvectomy in a nine-year-old, neutered female, Golden Retriever dog, weighing 34 kg.

Methods: Under inhalational anaesthesia, with the dog lying in lateral recumbency and the surgical side uppermost, 1.9 ml of a hypobaric solution containing 3.

Safety, pharmacokinetics, and antiviral activity of HGS004, a novel fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody against CCR5, in HIV-1-infected patients.

Background: HGS004 is a fully human immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 monoclonal antibody against CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) with robust in vitro activity against a diverse panel of CCR5-tropic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolates.

Methods: A single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in patients infected with CCR5-tropic HIV-1 to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and antiviral activity of HGS004. Sixty-three subjects were randomized into 5 dose cohorts (0.

Sparing effect of a low dose of intrathecal morphine on fentanyl requirements during spinal surgery: a preliminary clinical investigation in dogs.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of preoperative intrathecal administration of a low dose of morphine on intraoperative fentanyl requirements in dogs undergoing cervical and thoracolumbar spinal surgery.

Study Design: Prospective randomized clinical study.

Animals: Dogs (n=18) matched by surgical procedure administered intrathecal morphine (MG) or no-treatment (control group, CG).

Correlation between induction of DNA fragmentation in lung cells from rats and humans and carcinogenic activity.

Six chemicals, known to induce lung tumors in rats, were examined for their ability to induce DNA fragmentation in primary cultures of rat and human lung cells, and in the lung of intact rats. Significant dose-dependent increases in the frequency of DNA single-strand breaks and alkali-labile sites, as measured by the single-cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay, were obtained in primary lung cells from male rats with the following, minimally toxic, concentrations of the six test compounds: N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA; 2.5-10 mM), hydrazine (HZ; 0.

Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia in a dog.

Objective: To report use of combined spinal epidural anesthesia for tail resection and surgical exploration of the pelvic canal and the perineal-pararectal area in a dog.

Animal: A 4-month-old, 13 kg male Collie dog.

Methods: Under inhalant anesthesia, an epidural catheter was threaded through a Tuohy needle at L5-L6.

Synthesis, analytical characterization and bioactivity of Ag and Cu nanoparticles embedded in poly-vinyl-methyl-ketone films.

The electrosynthesis of copper and silver core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) by the sacrificial anode technique, employing tetraoctylammonium (TOA) salts as base electrolyte for the first time, is described. These surfactants were selected because they combine high NP stabilizing power with useful disinfecting properties. The resulting colloids were mixed with a solution of an inert dispersing polymer and used to prepare nanostructured composite thin films.