Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Endometriosis: The Role of Advanced Techniques.

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects about 10% of women, and it is characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Associated symptoms are dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. The diagnosis of endometriosis can be challenging due to various clinical and imaging presentations.

"Full factorial design of experiments dataset for parallel-connected lithium-ion cells imbalanced performance investigation".

This paper shares an experimental dataset of lithium-ion battery parallel-connected modules. The campaign, conducted at the Stanford Energy Control Laboratory, employs a comprehensive full factorial Design of Experiment methodology on ladder-configured parallel strings. A total of 54 test conditions were investigated under various operating temperatures, cell-to-cell interconnection resistance, cell chemistry, and aging levels.

The Italian National External Quality Assessment Program in Cytogenetics: 4 years of activity (2013-2016) following the introduction of poor performance criteria.

Background: Italian External Quality Assessment (IEQA) Program in Cytogenetics, established in 2001 by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), covers both Constitutional and Oncohaematological diagnosis. In 2013, performance criteria were defined and adopted. In this paper, we present the data from the first 4 years of activity (2013-2016) following the introduction of performance criteria.

First-trimester euploid miscarriages analysed by array-CGH.

It is estimated that 10-15 % of all clinically recognised pregnancies results in a miscarriage, most of which occur during the first trimester. Large-scale chromosomal abnormalities have been found in up to 50 % of first-trimester spontaneous abortions and, for several decades, standard cytogenetic analysis has been used for their identification. Recent studies have proven that array comparative genomic hybridisation (array-CGH) is a useful tool for the detection of genome imbalances in miscarriages, showing a higher resolution, a significantly higher detection rate and overcoming problems of culture failures, maternal contamination and poor chromosome morphology.

Bioefficacy of essential and vegetable oils of Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides seeds against Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae).

Experiments were conducted in the laboratory to evaluate the bioefficacy of essential and vegetable oils of Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides (Rutaceae) against Acanthoscelides obtectus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). The chemical composition of the essential oil and the fatty acid composition of the vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of Z. xanthoxyloides were determined.

Near infrared spectroscopy for high-throughput characterization of Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) nut fat profiles.

The Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is a major tree species in African agroforestry systems. Butter extracted from its nuts offers an opportunity for sustainable development in Sudanian countries and an attractive potential for the food and cosmetics industries. The purpose of this study was to develop near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibrations to characterize Shea nut fat profiles.

De novo balanced chromosome rearrangements in prenatal diagnosis.

Objective: We surveyed the datasheets of 29 laboratories concerning prenatal diagnosis of de novo apparently balanced chromosome rearrangements to assess the involvement of specific chromosomes, the breakpoints distribution and the impact on the pregnancy outcome.

Method: By means of a questionnaire, data on 269.371 analyses performed from 1983 to 2006 on amniotic fluid, chorionic villus and fetal blood samples were collected.

The Italian external quality assessment scheme in classical cytogenetics: four years of activity.

Background: The Italian external quality assessment scheme in classical cytogenetics was started in 2001 as an activity funded by the National Health System and coordinated by the Italian Public Institute of Health.

Objectives: The aim of our work is to present data from the first 4 years of activity, 2001-2004.

Methods: Italian cytogenetics public laboratories were enrolled on a voluntary basis, and this nationwide program covered prenatal, postnatal and oncological diagnosis.

Cytogenetic and molecular evaluation of 241 small supernumerary marker chromosomes: cooperative study of 19 Italian laboratories.

Purpose: We evaluated the experiences of 19 Italian laboratories concerning 241 small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) with the aim of answering questions arising from their origin from any chromosome, their variable size and genetic content, and their impact on the carrier's phenotype.

Methods: Conventional protocols were used to set up the cultures and chromosome preparations. Both commercial and homemade probes were used for the fluorescent in situ hybridization analyses.

Toward the synthesis of pyroglutamate lauroyl ester: biocatalysis versus chemical catalysis.

The synthesis of dodecyl pyroglutamate (or pyroglutamate lauroyl ester) was achieved in a two-step process involving a pyroglutamic acid alkyl ester intermediate. The reaction was carried out either by lipase or by chemical catalysis using ion exchange resin. Among the various tested lipases, the one from Candida antarctica B gave the best results allowing 73% formation of the desired ester after 6 h.

Cryptic 1p36.3/6q25.2 translocation in three generations ascertained through a foetus with IUGR and cerebral malformations.

Here we describe a foetus with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), cerebral malformations and a 46,XY,der(1),t(1;6)(p36.3;q25.2) karyotype owing to a familial cryptic translocation segregating in three generations.

[Dexketoprofene, selective cox-1 inhibitor nsaids, without gastrointestinal injury in rats].

Dexketoprofene (De) NSAID was studied as a selective COX-1 inhibitor in comparison with Ketorolac (Ke), a mainly COX-1 inhibitor. De and Ke were administered to different groups of animals in a dose-dependent manner, i.e.

Gastrointestinal damage induced by celecoxib and rofecoxib in rats.

Five experimental models were developed in different groups of Wistar rats (N = 15) to study selective COX-2-inhibitor NSAIDs such as celecoxib and rofecoxib, as follows: (1) dose-dependent oral Celecoxib and Rofecoxib for 5 days, and 24 hr after oral indomethacin; (2) Same as 1 but subcutaneously; (3) gastric ulcer induced by glacial acetic acid; (4) duodenal ulcer induced by cysteamine; and (5) stress by immobilization and immersion in water at 15 degrees C for 6 hr. Celecoxib and Rofecoxib, either orally or subcutaneously, did not produce necrotic lesions in healthy gastrointestinal mucosa (0%), showing normal histology. In contrast, previously indomethacin-induced lesions were aggravated (90%, P < 0.

Plasma levels of amyloid beta 40 and 42 are independent from ApoE genotype and mental retardation in Down syndrome.

In Down syndrome (DS) brain an early, selective accumulation of amyloid beta (Abeta) peptides ending at residue 42 (Abeta42) occurs. Whether this event depends on an altered processing of amyloid beta precursor protein (APP) or on defective clearance is uncertain. To investigate this issue, we measured Abeta species 40 and 42 in plasma from 61 patients with DS, 77 age-matched normal controls, and 55 mentally retarded subjects without chromosomal abnormalities.

[Celecoxib vs indomethacin and acute gastric lesions in rats].

In 5 random groups of Wistar rats (n = 15 for each group), ulcerogenic doses of NSAIDs COX-1-COX-2 inhibitors such as indomethacin were compared with Celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor); the production of antrum gastric ulcers and bowel and colon necrotic areas was studied. Celecoxib was given each 12 hs orally and subcutaneously during 5 days and gastrointestinal lesions were not found; in contrast, Celecoxib given after indomethacin aggravated antrum gastric ulcers (p < 0.001); intestinal massive necrosis and death were observed in all the rats.

[Gastrointestinal damage induced by celecoxib and rofecoxib in rats].

Unlabelled: Five experimental models were carried out in different groups of Wistar rats (n = 15) in order to study selective (cyclo-oxygenase) COX-2 non-steroid antiinflammatory inhibitors, such as celecoxib and rofecoxib, as follows: 1) Dose-dependent oral celecoxib and rofecoxib for 5 days, and 24 hours after oral indomethacin. 2) Same as 1, but subcutaneously. 3) Gastric ulcer induced by means of glacial acetic acid.

Opposite roles of apolipoprotein E in normal brains and in Alzheimer's disease.

We have characterized the interaction between apolipoprotein E (apoE) and amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) in the soluble fraction of the cerebral cortex of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and control subjects. Western blot analysis with specific antibodies identified in both groups a complex composed of the full-length apoE and Abeta peptides ending at residues 40 and 42. The apoE-Abeta soluble aggregate is less stable in AD brains than in controls, when treated with the anionic detergent SDS.

Early glycoxidation damage in brains from Down's syndrome.

In Down's syndrome, the presence of three copies of chromosome 21 is associated with premature aging and progressive mental retardation sharing the pathological features of Alzheimer disease. Early cortical dysgenesis and late neuronal degeneration are probably caused by an overproduction of amyloid beta-peptide, followed by an increased cellular oxidation. Interestingly, chromosome 21 codes for superoxide-dismutase and amyloid beta precursor resulting, in Down's syndrome, in an overflow of these gene products and metabolites.

Expression study of survival motor neuron gene in human fetal tissues.

In order to investigate the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) disease processes, the expression of the survival motor neuron gene (SMN) has been analyzed in human fetal tissues using RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. These studies allowed the detection of SMN RNA in all the examined tissues, with no significant variation between different developmental stages. In particular, SMN mRNA was detected in spinal cord (dorsal and ventral portions), skeletal muscle, lung, heart, kidney, liver, and spleen.

Prenatal diagnosis of 30 fetuses at risk for fragile X syndrome.

The results of 30 prenatal diagnoses for fragile X syndrome are reported. Amniotic fluid cells were examined in 1 case, fetal blood in 4, and chorionic villi samples in the others. Of the 5 fetuses analyzed by cytogenetic methods, 1 had showed 4% of fraXq27.

[Non-radioactive in situ hybridization of alpha-satellite sequences in cytogenetic diagnosis].

Non isotopic in situ hybridization with alpha-satellite DNA probes in the cytogenetic diagnosis. Standard banding cytogenetic techniques do not always allow to define the structure and the origin of chromosome rearrangements involving the centromere region. Non-isotopic in situ hybridization of alphoid sequences has allowed to determine the origin of the centromeres in the metaphases of 5 patients referred to us for: 2 structural rearrangements involving chromosome 21, 2 structural rearrangements involving chromosome Y and 1 reciprocal translocation involving on chromosome 20 and one chromosome 15.