ABSTRACT
Two meteorite pieces have been recovered in Italy, near the town of Cavezzo (Modena), on 2020 January 4th. The associated fireball was observed on the evening of New Year’s Day 2020 by eight ...all-sky cameras of the PRISMA fireball network, a partner of FRIPON. The computed trajectory had an inclination angle of approximately 68° and a velocity at infinity of 12.8 km s−1. Together with the relatively low terminal height, estimated as 21.5 km, those values were indicating the significant possibility of a meteorite dropping event, as additionally confirmed by the non-zero residual total mass. The strewn-field was computed taking into account the presence of two bright light flashes, revealing that the meteoroid had been very likely subject to fragmentation. Three days after the event, two samples, weighing 3.1 and 52.2 g, were collected as a result of a dedicated field search and thanks to the involvement of the local people. The two pieces were immediately recognized as freshly fallen fragments of meteorite. The computed orbital elements, compared with the ones of known Near-Earth Asteroids from the NEODyS database, are compatible with one asteroid only; 2013 VC10. The estimated original mass of the meteoroid, 3.5 kg, and size, approximately 13 cm, is so far the smallest among the current 35 cases in which meteorites were recovered from precise strewn-field computation thanks to observational data. This result demonstrates the effectiveness of accurate processing of fireball network data even on challenging events generated by small size meteoroids.
The classification and the most appropriate treatment of dysplastic lesions of the larynx continue to be controversial issues. Aim of present study was to evaluate the incidence of precancerous ...lesions of larynx, their potential to evolve in relation to grade of dysplasia, and the most appropriate treatment. The study is based on the review of a series of 207 patients (157 (75.9%) male, 50 (24%) female) with keratosis of the laryngeal epithelium, with or without dysplasia. Patients were divided into four groups, according to Friedmann's classification (1986), based on presence and grade of any dysplasia. The follow-up period ranged from approximately 7 to 16 years. With regard to progression of the disease, 159 of the 185 patients considered were cured following initial treatment (85.9%), whereas 26 (14.1%) had recurrences. Of the latter, 19 had a single recurrence and 7 had multiple recurrences. Progression to carcinoma occurred in a total of 12 cases, above all in patients with the highest grades of dysplasia. Results emerging from this study confirm not only that dysplastic lesions of the larynx have the potential to evolve into frankly malignant lesions, but also that this capacity to evolve is significantly correlated with grade of dysplasia of the covering epithelium. Therefore, the histological classification of precancerous lesions of the larynx, based on the presence or absence of atypical cells and on their severity, is clearly valid from a clinical standpoint, representing, above all, an important prognostic factor. As far as treatment is concerned, mucosal stripping at site of the lesion is considered to be the treatment of choice for precancerous lesions of the larynx. Nevertheless, in patients presenting keratosis with a higher grade of dysplasia, it is mandatory to consider more aggressive treatment.
The present study compares the efficacy and safety of betahistine dihydrochloride to that of a placebo in recurrent vertigo resulting from Meniere's disease (MD) or in paroxysmal positional vertigo ...(PPV) of probable vascular origin. The design was double-blind, multicentre and parallel-group randomised. Eleven Italian centres enrolled 144 patients: 75 of the patients were treated with betahistine (41 MD/34 PPV) and 69 with placebos (40 MD/29 PPV). The betahistine dosage was 16 mg twice per day for 3 months. Compared to the placebo, betahistine had a significant effect on the frequency, intensity and duration of vertigo attacks. Associated symptoms and the quality of life also were significantly improved by betahistine. Both the physician's judgement and the patient's opinion on the efficacy and acceptability of the treatment were in agreement as to the superiority of betahistine. The effective and safe profile of betahistine in the treatment of vertigo due to peripheral vestibular disorders was confirmed.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Aim of this study was to examine possible relationships between several clinical aspects of paroxysmal positional vertigo and factors better defined as "intrinsic" to the patient, above all age. The ...disorder can affect essentially all age groups; nevertheless, the onset of age-linked degenerative processes, such as vascular damage, can have a negative influence--at least in theory--on the pathogenic mechanisms of cupulolithiasis or canalolithiasis. The study was based on the review of 566 patients with the typical form of paroxysmal positional vertigo. Based on age, the patients were divided into two groups, respectively < or =50 years and > 50 years. For the purposes of this study, a series of clinical-laboratory conditions associated with the risk of, or clear, vascular damage were also considered. The results indicate that if there are no clinical or case-history elements that can be attributed to an aetiological hypothesis, the clinical behaviour of paroxysmal positional vertigo is not affected by the age factor. However, the existence of generic vascular damage, hypothesised by the presence of the above-mentioned conditions, influences certain clinical aspects of the disorder, particularly recovery time, the trend of the active phase and the number of relapses. In conclusion, paroxysmal positional vertigo with a presumed vascular aetiology, the incidence of which increases with age, presents a worse prognosis, not only with respect to the "idiopathic" form in childhood but also the "idiopathic" type in the elderly. The lithiasic model responds well to pathogenic interpretation requirements, which envisage macular degeneration with a vascular component. However, the observation, via imaging, of diffuse ischaemic lesions in critical areas of the brainstem and the cerebellum in many "vascular" patients, does not exclude the possibility of alternative pathogenic mechanisms that, in the final analysis, can lead to compromised VOR on a central level.
If all degrees of permanent uni- or bilateral hypoacusis are taken into consideration, hearing impairment is the most common congenital disease. Early detection of permanent infantile hearing ...impairment has become extremely important in preventive medicine, since steps can be taken with hearing aids and rehabilitation to ensure better development of language and higher cognitive functions. Aim of this study is to provide a critical review of the time of diagnosis of hypoacusis at our audiology laboratory, where two methods were used to screen hearing of children with/without risk indicators. Results of approximately 10 years' work were re-examined during which time outpatient screening was conducted on children referred by colleagues in neonatology and paediatrics. All were carriers of congenital risk indicators associated with sensorineural and/or conductive hearing loss, based on the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing findings, or were suspected of being hypoacusic even if they had no known congenital risk factors. Hearing screening was conducted in hospital on newborns with no risk factors, within the first few days of birth. Results of the present study showed that when selective hearing screening was performed, the mean age of high-risk patients diagnosed with hypoacusis was slightly higher than that in international guidelines. Moreover, these patients represent approximately half the hypoacusic population identified in the study period. The other half of congenital hypoacusic subjects identified had no risk indicators and there was a significant delay in diagnosis due to later manifestation of symptoms indicating hypoacusis, and thus, in turn, delayed referral for hearing tests. In contrast, subjects without risk indicators who underwent in-hospital hearing screening and proved to be hypoacusic, were diagnosed early. In our experience, however, universal screening has considerable disadvantages, such as difficulty in covering the entire population, difficulty in follow-up after discharge from hospital, and last, but by no means least, significant organisational and professional commitments, making it impossible to perform in all hospitals. In order to ensure effective hearing screening for congenital hearing loss and, thus permit prompt identification of hypoacusic children, use of hearing aids and rehabilitation screening should incorporate two aspects. First, selection should be compulsory, thereby reducing waiting time between collecting case histories and performing outpatient tests; second, hospital screening of children without risk factors should be performed whenever possible. Integrating these two aspects would make it possible to approach the "utopia" of universal hearing screening.
Between 1995 and 2001, eight Italian clinical centres used the same diagnostic and therapeutic protocol in order to assess the clinical progress of paroxysmal positional vertigo and the benefits of ...an appropriate follow-up in prevention of relapse. The study population comprises 794 patients affected by paroxysmal positional vertigo. The study protocol comprised diagnostic staging including a complete otoneurological test, an anamnestic questionnaire aimed at identifying any possible risk factor, a blood test in basal conditions and monitoring of blood pressure. If necessary, more specific instrumental tests have been carried out. Appropriate rehabilitative manoeuvres were performed from 1 to 3 times within the same session. The patient was checked 3-5 days later: in the presence of a positive result, the treatment was repeated; if negative, patients were seen at clinical follow-up 7, 30, 180 and 365 days after recovery. Wherever possible, patients have been contacted 2 years after the first treatment and asked to answer a questionnaire and to attend for a clinical check-up. The incidence of paroxysmal positional vertigo appeared to be higher in females and in patients aged 50-70 years, being low in patients under 30. In 88.8% of cases posterior semicircular canals showed a significant involvement; in 6.8% of cases, only involvement of lateral semicircular canals; monolateral (2.7%) and bilateral (1.7%) multicanalar forms were rare. Paroxysmal positional vertigo forms involving posterior semicircular canals have been treated with Semont (simplified by Toupet), Epley, Parnes Price-Jones manoeuvres; those, involving lateral semicircular canals with Vannucchi-Vicini forced position and "barbecue" or Gufoni manoeuvre. Whilst all these manoeuvres were equally effective, longer recovery times have been observed in paroxysmal positional vertigo forms involving lateral semicircular canals when the Vannucchi-Vicini forced position was ineffective. Any relapses have been evaluated at least 15 days after a negative clinical pattern. Possible involvement of other semicircular canals (recurrence) some time after the first onset has been considered separately. Follow-up at 6 months showed recurrence in 12.4% of cases, while being chronic in 1.5% of cases. Only 9.3% of cases showed recurrence at 6 months, no statistically significant difference being observed between vertical (8.9%) and lateral canal (9.6%), forms. Relapses occurred in 3.1% of cases, in one third of which at least two risk factors were detected.
Thiols are important molecules to control apoptosis. This study examined the effect of N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) on in vitro spontaneous apoptosis of human tonsillar B lymphocytes (TBL). Results show ...that NAC inhibits TBL apoptosis and maintains their survival in vitro. The antiapoptotic action of NAC is progressively reduced when its addition to culture is delayed, is reversible, and is not blocked by cycloheximide. The antiapoptotic activity of NAC is associated with its ability to inhibit caspase‐3 and ‐7 proteolytic processing, DNA‐fragmentation factor 45 cleavage, and DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, NAC inhibits BID cleavage and cytochrome c release from mitochondria and increases the expression of Bcl‐2 and BclXL survival proteins. However, it has no effect on caspase‐9 cleavage and increases that of caspase‐8 and poly(adenosine 5′‐diphosphate‐ribose)polymerase. We conclude that NAC‐induced inhibition of TBL apoptosis is associated with inhibition of caspase‐3 and ‐7 processing and is accompanied by changes in several regulatory components of the apoptotic process. These results pose the question of whether microenvironment thiols may in part contribute to in vivo B cell survival.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
von Hippel Lindau disease is a familial syndrome transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with variable penetrance and expression. It presents with vascular tumours that involve the central nervous ...system, visceral organs and other tissues. Although sporadic cases have been described, it usually affects several members of a family. We report two young male twins with simultaneously manifesting haemangioblastomas of the right cerebellar hemisphere. In one, the neoplasm was associated with medullary and spinal cord solid tumours; in the other, with a nasopharyngeal bleeding fibroangioma, an association not described previously. No other member of the family had retinal lesions. A grand mother had bilateral high myopia and glaucoma. A third sib, two years older, presented on his right forearm with a cafè au lait skin spot The preliminary findings of the molecular study still in progress on all the living members of the family have evidenced DNA mutation in the twins only, i.e. an A/G transition in the exon 1B of the VHL gene. This base change determines an asparagine substitution with a serine at codon 446 of the protein.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
This paper reports a case of giant cell reparative granuloma of the right maxillary bone of a 13-year-old caucasian girl. It may be very difficult to distinguish this entity from other lesions of ...mandible, maxilla and skull bones which contain multinucleated giant cells. The differential diagnosis, especially from giant cell tumors of the bone, is discussed. Accurate diagnosis lies on correct integration of clinical, radiographical and histopathological data.
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