The puzzle of Italian rice origin and evolution: determining genetic divergence and affinity of rice germplasm from Italy and Asia

The characterization of genetic divergence and relationships of a set of germplasm is essential for its efficient applications in crop breeding and understanding of the origin/evolution of crop varieties from a given geographical region. As the largest rice producing country in Europe, Italy holds rice germplasm with abundant genetic diversity. Although Italian rice varieties and the traditional ones in particular have played important roles in rice production and breeding, knowledge concerning the origin and evolution of Italian traditional varieties is still limited. To solve the puzzle of Italian rice origin, we characterized genetic divergence and relationships of 348 rice varieties from Italy and Asia based on the polymorphisms of microsatellite fingerprints. We also included common wild rice O. rufipogon as a reference in the characterization. Results indicated relatively rich genetic diversity (H_e = 0.63-0.65) in Italian rice varieties. Further analyses revealed a close genetic relationship of the Italian traditional varieties with those from northern China, which provides strong genetic evidence for tracing the possible origin of early established rice varieties in Italy. These findings have significant implications for the rice breeding programs, in which appropriate germplasm can be selected from a given region and utilized for transferring unique genetic traits based on its genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships.

Frequency and time-frequency analysis of intraoperative ECoG during awake brain stimulation

Electrocortical stimulation remains the standard for functional brain mapping of eloquent areas to prevent postoperative functional deficits. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the short-train technique (monopolar stimulation) and Penfield's technique (bipolar stimulation) would induce different effects on brain oscillatory activity in awake patients, as quantified by electrocorticography (ECoG). The study population was seven patients undergoing brain tumor surgery. Intraoperative bipolar and monopolar electrical stimulation for cortical mapping was performed during awake surgery. ECoG was recorded using 1 × 8 electrode strip. Spectral estimation was calculated using a parametric approach based on an autoregressive model. Wavelet-based time-frequency analysis was then applied to evaluate the temporal evolution of brain oscillatory activity. Both monopolar and bipolar stimulation produced an increment in delta and a decrease in beta powers for the motor and the sensory channels. These phenomena lasted about 4 s. Comparison between monopolar and bipolar stimulation showed no significant difference in brain activity. Given the importance of quantitative signal analysis for evaluating response accuracy, ECoG recording during electrical stimulation is necessary to characterize the dynamic processes underlying changes in cortical responses in vivo. This study is a preliminary approach to the quantitative analysis of post-stimulation ECoG signals.

Cognitive stimulation in a-MCI: an experimental study

Nowadays, preventing the effects of mental decline is an international priority, but there is little research into cognitive training in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We present the results of a program aimed at teaching memory strategies and improving metacognitive abilities. This was associated with training to ameliorate caregivers' assistance. Two groups (A and B) were compared in a crossover design. After the first evaluation, group A (but not B) participated in a 6-month cognitive stimulation program. After a second assessment, only B received treatment and then a final evaluation was carried out on both the groups. The results show that (1) both the groups improved their performance as an effect of training; (2) improvements are specific to the functions trained; (3) in the interval without intervention, performance of group B worsened; and (4) group A has maintained their results over time. In conclusion, our results show that specific training may reduce memory impairment in MCI.

The timing and the mode of evolution of wild grapes (Vitis)

Wild grapes are woody climbers, found mostly in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, comprising the genus Vitis. Despite its importance, the evolutionary history of Vitis is still contentious. Past studies have led to conflicting hypotheses about the phylogeny, speciation events, and biogeographic history of the genus. Here we investigate the evolutionary history of Vitis using data from four chloroplast spacers (trnH-psbA, trnK-rps16, trnF-nahJ, and rpl32-trnL) and the nuclear gene RPB2-I, and we explore mechanisms that could have shaped the observed distribution of current species. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses provided similar results, strongly supporting the presence of two subgenera and suggesting a species clustering within subgenus Vitis that mainly mirrors the disjunction between the Old and New World. Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris was found to be sister to the Asian species while three major clades were found in the American species. A network approach confirmed the main geographic groups and highlighted different chloroplast haplotype patterns between Asian and American species. Molecular dating analysis provided the time boundaries to discuss our results. Our study shows wild grape diversification to be a continuous and complex process that concerned the Tertiary as well as the Quaternary, most likely involving both geographical and climatic forces. Local variations in extent and timing of these forces were discussed based on observed differences between groups. In the context of the Tertiary-Quaternary debate, we provide evidence in favor of the "continuous hypothesis" to explain present diversity. Finally, two directions for future research are highlighted: (i) was the earliest grape American or Asian? and (ii) are all modern grape species real?

Characterization of a new trabectedin-resistant myxoid liposarcoma cell line that shows collateral sensitivity to methylating agents

Myxoid Liposarcomas (MLS), characterized by the expression of FUS-CHOP fusion gene are clinically very sensitive to the DNA binding antitumor agent, trabectedin. However, resistance eventually occurs, preventing disease eradication. To investigate the mechanisms of resistance, a trabectedin resistant cell line, 402-91/ET, was developed. The resistance to trabectedin was not related to the expression of MDR related proteins, uptake/efflux of trabectedin or GSH levels that were similar in parental and resistant cells. The 402-91/ET cells were hypersensitive to UV light because of a nucleotide excision repair defect: XPG complementation decreased sensitivity to UV rays, but only partially to trabectedin. 402-91/ET cells showed collateral sensitivity to temozolomide due to the lack of O(6) -methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) activity, related to the hypermethylation of MGMT promoter. In 402-91 cells chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays showed that FUS-CHOP was bound to the PTX3 and FN1 gene promoters, as previously described, and trabectedin caused FUS-CHOP detachment from DNA. Here we report that, in contrast, in 402-91/ET cells, FUS-CHOP was not bound to these promoters. Differences in the modulation of transcription of genes involved in different pathways including signal transduction, apoptosis and stress response between the two cell lines were found. Trabectedin activates the transcription of genes involved in the adipogenic-program such as c/EBPα and β, in 402-91 but not in 402-91/ET cell lines. The collateral sensitivity of 402-91/ET to temozolomide provides the rationale to investigate the potential use of methylating agents in MLS patients resistant to trabectedin.

Tetrafocal leg reconstruction using combined Ilizarov/TSF technique

Treatment of segmental tibial bone defects after high-energy trauma or atrophic nonunion resection is challenging. In the last two decades, distraction osteogenesis Ilizarov bone transport has become a gold standard for the treatment of segmental tibial bone defects and lengthening in spite of the fact that frequent frame modifications and the need for sequential correction of deformities during bone transport are the main limitations of the device itself. The Taylor Spatial Frame applies the concept of the Stewart platform to the standard Ilizarov frame while applying the same principles of distraction osteogenesis postulated by Ilizarov. We report the case of a patient with two problems we could treat simultaneously: an ankle equinus contracture (a consequence of limb leg discrepancy) and infected tibial nonunion and soft-tissue damage complication after plating in a 41A3 type II Gustilo fracture of the left leg.

Circumscribed palmar or plantar hypokeratosis: report of an italian case

Circumscribed palmar or plantar hypokeratosis is a rare benign epidermal malformation of the skin. Clinically it shows asymptomatic, well-circumscribed, and depressed erythema persisting for many years on the palms or soles. Its main histopathologic feature shows a characteristic epidermal depression with an abrupt decrement in the thickness of the stratum corneum, with a sharp stair between normal and involved skin. We describe a case of a 68-year-old woman who presented with an erythematous, asymptomatic, well-circumscribed, depressed patch, on the right thenar eminence which had been present for years.

Latency time in cutaneous leishmaniasis

Latency period in cutaneous leishmaniasis was very rarely studied so far. We describe three patients, aged 71, 50 and 32 years, respectively, who contracted cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sicily. In all patients, clinical diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination and polymerase chain reaction: the latter was positive for Leishmania infantum in two patients and Leishmania canis in one. All cases were characterized by a very long period of latency, ranging from 11 to 16 months. These cases suggest that latency time of cutaneous leishmaniasis acquired in Sicily may be sometimes very long. The reasons of this latency time are unknown: latency depends neither by the involved species of sandflies and Leishmania nor by the immunological response of the patients: all laboratory tests, including immunological ones, were normal.

Sequential reconstruction of complex femoral fractures with circular hybrid Sheffield frame in polytrauma patients

The timing of definitive fixation for major fractures in polytrauma patients is controversial. We investigated the outcome of the Sheffield hybrid system (SHF) as a solution in the role of primary and definitive fixator for patient with open femoral fractures in whom definitive osteosynthesis with intramedullary nail can be associated with higher rate of complications. Eleven patients (7 men and 4 women), mean age of 40.4 years (range 14-75 years) with previous injury severity score (ISS) greater than or equal to 16 were treated from a damage control orthopedics perspective. Time in the fixator averaged 28 weeks (range 10-64 weeks). Mean follow-up was 3 years (2-4.5). All fractures united. Paley functional and bone results in most cases were good to excellent. Final mean knee range of motion was 113 degrees. We found that SHF for complex fractures of the femur combine maximum support for the bone and preservation of soft tissues. SHF is an effective technique compared to internal nails and earlier external fixator devices, attributable to its advantages such as continuity of frame till union, preventing any second-hit phenomenon, early mobilization, and restoration of primary defect due to bone loss by differential distraction osteogenesis without additional surgery.

Versatility of Taylor Spatial Frame in Gustilo-Anderson III C femoral fractures: report of three cases

Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) combines a multiplanar external fixator and software accuracy for reduction of acute long-bone fractures. The frame gives stability, soft-tissue preservation, adjustability and functionality allowing bone to realize its full osteogenic potential. Three patients with multiple injuries and femoral Gustilo-Anderson type III C have been treated in our center. Initial surgery was performed within 6 h of injury with help of vascular surgeon. We used TSF as definitive fixation method. The results were assessed using the functional and radiological scoring system described by Paley and Maar. Fracture union occurred in all limbs and average fixation time was 151.6 days. All three patients had excellent outcome in terms of bony and functional ASAMI criteria. The TSF is a valuable tool. It is a definitive method of femoral Gustilo-Anderson type III C fracture care using external fixation with several advantages over previously used devices.

Influenza A (H1N1) encephalitis with severe intracranial hypertension

The swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus was responsible for the pandemic infection in 2009. We report a case of encephalitis diagnosed as the H1N1 virus infection in a young child. The H1N1 virus infection can be causative of the encephalitis, as with other influenza virus infections. For patients presenting with influenza-like illness accompanied by mental status changes or seizures, high suspicion for unusual presentations of influenza A virus infection and careful monitoring, including EEG and intracranial pressure monitoring, are essential for reducing complications.

Wild grapevine: silvestris, hybrids or cultivars that escaped from vineyards? Molecular evidence in Sardinia

Vitis vinifera ssp. silvestris, the spontaneous subspecies of V. vinifera L., is believed to be the ancestor of present grapevine cultivars. In this work, polymorphism at 13 SSR loci was investigated to answer the following key question: are wild plants (i) true silvestris, (ii) hybrids between wild and cultivated plants or (iii) or 'escapes' from vineyards? In particular, the objective of the present study was to identify truly wild individuals and to search for possible hybridization events. The study was performed in Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, which is characterized by a large and well-described number of both grape cultivars and wild populations. This region was ideal for the study because of its spatial isolation and, consequently, limited contamination from outside material. The results of this study show that domesticated and wild grapevine germplasms are genetically divergent and thus are real silvestris. Pure lineages (both domesticated and wild) show very high average posterior probabilities of assignment to their own clusters, with a low level of introgression.

Intraoperative neurophysiology of the motor system in children: a tailored approach

INTRODUCTION

Intraoperative neurophysiology has moved giant steps forward over the past 15 years thanks to the advent of techniques aimed to reliably assess the functional integrity of motor areas and pathways.

INTRAOPERATIVE NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES

Motor evoked potentials recorded from the muscles and/or the spinal cord (D-wave) after transcranial electrical stimulation allow to preserve the integrity of descending pathways, especially the corticospinal tract (CT), during brain and spinal cord surgery. Mapping techniques allow to identify the motor cortex through direct cortical stimulation and to localize the CT at subcortical levels during brain and brainstem surgery. These techniques are extensively used in adult neurosurgery and, in their principles, can be applied to children. However, especially in younger children, the motor system is still under development, making both mapping and monitoring techniques more challenging. In this paper, we review intraoperative neurophysiological techniques commonly used in adult neurosurgery and discuss their application to pediatric neurosurgery, in the light of preliminary experience from our and other centers. The principles of development and maturation of the motor system, and especially of the CT, are reviewed focusing on clinical studies with transcranial magnetical stimulation.

Intraoperative electrical stimulation in awake craniotomy: methodological aspects of current practice

There is increasing evidence that the extent of tumor removal in low-grade glioma surgery is related to patient survival time. Thus, the goal of resecting the largest amount of tumor possible without leading to permanent neurological sequelae is a challenge for the neurosurgeon. Electrical stimulation of the brain to detect cortical and axonal areas involved in motor, language, and cognitive function and located within the tumor or along its boundaries has become an essential tool in combination with awake craniotomy. Based on a literature review, discussions within the European Low-Grade Glioma Group, and illustrative clinical experience, the authors of this paper provide an overview for neurosurgeons, neurophysiologists, linguists, and anesthesiologists as well as those new to the field about the stimulation techniques currently being used for mapping sensorimotor, language, and cognitive function in awake surgery for low-grade glioma. The paper is intended to help the understanding of these techniques and facilitate a comparison of results between users.