Health Technology Assessment for the Prevention of Peri-Operative Hypothermia: Evaluation of the Correct Use of Forced-Air Warming Systems in an Italian Hospital.

This study investigates the implications of using a system for the maintenance of normothermia in the treatment of patients undergoing surgery, determining whether the FAW (Forced-Air Warming) systems are more effective and efficient than the non-application of appropriate protocols (No Technology). We conducted Health Technology Assessment (HTA) analysis, using both real-world data and the data derived from literature, assuming the point of view of a medium-large hospital. The literature demonstrated that Inadvertent Perioperative Hypothermia (IPH) determines adverse events, such as surgical site infection (FAW: 3% vs.

Brain Metabolic DNA: A Long Story and Some Conclusions.

We have previously outlined the main properties of brain metabolic DNA (BMD) and its involvement in circadian oscillations, learning, and post-trial sleep. The presence of BMD in certain subcellular fractions and their behavior in cesium gradients have suggested that BMD originates from cytoplasmic reverse transcription and subsequently acquires a double-stranded configuration. More recently, it has been reported that some DNA sequences of cytoplasmic BMD in learning mice are different from that of the control animals.

Modulation of fronto-cortical activity by modafinil: a functional imaging and fos study in the rat.

Modafinil (MOD) is a wake-promoting drug with pro-cognitive properties. Despite its increasing use, the neuronal substrates of MOD action remain elusive. In particular, animal studies have highlighted a putative role of diencephalic areas as primary neuronal substrate of MOD action, with inconsistent evidence of recruitment of fronto-cortical areas despite the established pro-cognitive effects of the drug.

Copper deficiency elicits glial and neuronal response typical of neurodegenerative disorders.

Dysregulation of copper homeostasis has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and prion diseases. The investigation of the role of abnormal copper level in the development of neuropathological damage is essential for the understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms of these neurodegenerative disorders. Using a mouse model of perinatally induced copper deficiency, the present study analysed the response of neuronal and glial cells to copper deficiency from infancy to young adult age.

Microglia activation and cell death in response to diethyl-dithiocarbamate acute administration.

An increasing body of evidence suggests a role for activated microglia in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Hence, it would be useful to have a better understanding of the significance of microglial activation for neuronal damage. Unfortunately, most models of microglial activation use invasive or long-lasting insults, which make it difficult to evaluate the role played by microglia.

BDNF and trkB mRNAs oscillate in rat brain during the light-dark cycle.

In this study, we investigated whether in basal conditions the different functional states occurring during a 24-h cycle are reflected by the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, trkB, in rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Using semiquantitative RT-PCR assay, the levels of both BDNF and trkB mRNAs were found to undergo significant variation in a 24-h period. The strongest variation was detected in the hippocampus, where the ratio between maximum and minimum levels was about 3.

Differential expression pattern of jun B and c-jun in the rat brain during the 24-h cycle.

Data from a previous report [3] demonstrated that the proto-oncogene c-fos mRNA expression undergoes basally a circadian fluctuation in the rat brain. The present study was designed to verify by means of Northern blot hybridization the eventual occurrence of a spontaneous oscillation in the expression of other two proto-oncogenes, jun B and c-jun, during 24 h. Rats were either entrained to a light-dark photoperiod or maintained under constant darkness or light.

Environmental stimuli modulate the circadian rhythm of [3H-methyl]thymidine incorporation into brain DNA of male rats.

A circadian rhythm of DNA synthesis is present in most organs of adult mammals, with peak levels (acrophase) generally in the rest period. We have recently reported that in the rat brain the acrophase of the rhythm of thymidine incorporation into DNA occurs on the contrary during the active period. To determine whether the brain waking activity was exerting a modulatory action we measured the circadian rhythm of incorporation in the brain and kidney of young adult male rats housed in conditions of sensory and social enrichment or impoverishment for four days.

[Defibrotide versus heparin in antithrombotic prophylaxis in gynecological surgery].

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) can be a significant complication of the postoperative course in gynaecological surgery, because of traumatism and compression to which the vascular pelvic structures are subjected. A protocol was therefore designed to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of defibrotide, a new antithrombotic and profibrinolytic drug, compared with low-dose heparin. The study was conducted on 102 women, undergoing major gynaecological surgery for benign and malignant affections, randomly assigned to the following two treatment groups.

Paradoxical sleep deprivation of the mother enhances DNA synthesis in fetal rat brain: autoradiographic and biochemical evidence.

Pregnant rats were deprived of paradoxical sleep for 3 days starting on the 18th gestational day. The condition of PS-D was imposed by confinement on a small platform surrounded by water or by daily injections of clomipramine. Four hours before the killing rats received a s.

Dynamic fetoplacental unit function test with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.

The authors present their experience with the dynamic fetoplacental unit function test using a commercial product containing dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. The recent literature is cited and the results are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the practicability and applicability of the method in connection with a continuous, reliable evaluation of "at risk" pregnancy.