Seasonal abundance and spatio-temporal distribution of the troglophylic harvestman Ischyropsalis ravasinii (Arachnida, Opiliones, Ischyropsalididae) in the Buso del Valon ice cave, Eastern Italian Prealps

We explore the population of the troglophilic harvestman Ischyropsalis ravasinii inhabiting the Buso del Valon ice cave located in the Italian Prealps. Spatial and temporal distributions of the specimens are investigated in relation to the variation of environmental abiotic conditions in the cave, such as the seasonal temperature and substrate surface typology. Our results show that I. ravasinii is distributed unevenly in the cave, most of individuals being present in the scree-covered section of the cave with superficial activities limited to the warm seasons only. In addition, our data suggests that the presence of a thick layer of rocky debris, together with high humidity and cold temperatures, are important limiting factors for the species. Seven additional species of harvestman are recorded in the cave, including the congeneric troglophilic species Ischyropsalis strandi. This is the first known record of these two troglophilic Ischyropsalis species coexisting within the same cave. An updated map of the distribution of I. ravasinii and I. strandi in the Italian Prealps is provided.

Ptomaphagus thebeatles n. sp., a previously unrecognized beetle from Europe, with remarks on urban taxonomy and recent range expansion (Coleoptera: Leiodidae)

Anthropogenic environmental change is leading to changes in distribution for many organisms. While this is frequently discussed for prominent organisms of high conservation value, the same is true for the many cryptic species that rarely figure in debates on the human impact. One such cryptic taxon is the European Ptomaphagus sericatus (Chaudoir, 1845) and related forms. During a citizen science expedition in the Vondelpark, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we obtained two forms of this species complex. We placed the examination of these specimens in the context of a re-analysis of the species group, and, using DNA barcoding and genital study on material collected thoughout Europe, found that the P. sericatus species complex consists of three distinct, partly sympatric species, one of which was previously undescribed. On the basis of collection data, at least two species, P. medius and P. thebeatles sp. n., show signs of having recently undergone (possibly anthropogenic) range changes, with P. medius even reaching North America. We describe P. thebeatles sp. n.; we raise two subspecies, viz. P. sericatus sericatus (Chaudoir, 1854) and P. sericatus medius (Rey, 1889) to the level of species, and designate a neotype for the former; we identify P. dacicus Jeannel, 1934 and P. pyrenaeus Jeannel, 1934 as junior synonyms of P. sericatus, and P. compressitarsus (Rey, 1889) as a junior synonym of P. subvillosus Goeze, 1777; we identify P. septentrionalis Jeannel, 1934 and P. miser (Rey, 1889) as junior synonyms of P. medius; we designate lectotypes for P. medius and P. miser.

Biomechanical analysis on total knee replacement patients during gait: Medial pivot or posterior stabilized design?

BACKGROUND

Total Knee Replacement surgery restores joint function in patients with advanced osteoarthritis. There are several prostheses available based on different mechanisms, which guarantee knee stability during Activities of Daily Living. The aim of this study is to compare ball-in-socket (or Medial Pivot) and post-cam mechanisms to detect possible differences in terms of biomechanical parameters between these two prosthesis designs and to evaluate which design is closer to physiological biomechanics.

METHODS

A kinematics, kinetics and electromyography lower limb analyses were performed during gait on sixty subjects: twenty with Medial Pivot prosthesis, twenty with posterior stabilized prosthesis and twenty healthy subjects to obtain a physiologic reference.

FINDINGS

Total Knee Replacement gait pattern for both patient groups were characterized by reduced walking speed, reduced stride length and increased stance time respect to control group. Comparison between Medial Pivot and Posterior Stabilized groups showed a reduction of knee flexion and flexor moment in patients with ball-in-socket mechanism. A prolonged muscular activity of rectus femoris was observed in Medial Pivot patients compared to Posterior Stabilized and control groups.

INTERPRETATION

"Stiff knee pattern" mechanism was showed for both patient groups but more enhanced in Medial Pivot patients. Even though the Posterior Stabilized design introduces the non-physiological paradoxical motion and the Medial Pivot design seems to better reproduce the physiological condylar movement as gait analysis parameters, including kinematics, kinetics and electromyographic parameters were closer to control group and, in turn, to physiological gait for the Posterior Stabilized than Medial Pivot group parameters.

On the molecular and morphological evolution of continental and insular Cryptorchestia species, with an additional description of C.garbinii (Talitridae)

Semi-terrestrial talitrid amphipods of the genus Cryptorchestia (sensu Lowry and Fanini 2013) associated with freshwater-soaked leaf litter were known to occur in inland lakes of Turkey and at the shores of the Black Sea. Before 2013 they had been reported as Orchestiacavimana and later as Cryptorchestiacavimana. In our phylogenetic tree, inferred from a mitochondrial and nuclear gene dataset (cytochrome oxidase I (COI), and histone H3 (H3), respectively), we show that these Turkish populations belong to Cryptochestiagarbinii, a common and widespread continental species, which is closely related to C.cavimana (endemic to Cyprus) and C.ruffoi (endemic to Rhodes). For the Turkish and European populations of C.garbinii, we found low levels of both genetic differentiation and morphological variation, and an age-related size variability (increasing at each moult) of the small lobe in the male gnathopod I merus, the main taxonomically diagnostic character for Cryptorchestia. A mainland (C.garbinii) versus insular isolation and in situ speciation (C.cavimana, and C.ruffoi) in the two east Mediterranean islands of Cyprus and Rhodes is discussed in relation to terrestrial Cryptorchestia species endemic to North East Atlantic volcanic islands (Azores, Canary Islands, and Madeira). The incorporation of five Mediterranean and Atlantic Orchestia species in the Bayesian analysis of the two genes (COI, and H3) indicated that both genera Orchestia and Cryptorchestia are not monophyletic.

Unassisted quiet standing and walking after crutch usage in patients with total hip replacements: Does crutch length matter?

BACKGROUND

Crutch use is prescribed early in the rehabilitation process following total hip replacement (THR) surgery to improve safety and promote return to active living.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Purpose of this study was to understand mid-term effects of crutch length setup on quiet standing and walking two months post-op when crutch use was no longer required.

METHODS

Thirty patients were evaluated 2 months post-surgery when they had been walking without crutch for a month. The patients had previously been assigned randomly to elbow flexed (EF) or elbow extended (EE) crutch set-ups and evaluated 3 days post-surgery. Quiet standing stability was assessed with participants standing in a comfortable position with each foot on separated force platforms, facing forward for 10 s. In addition, participants walked on the laboratory path, instrumented with motion tracking system and force platforms. For the quiet standing trial, centre of pressure measure, acromial height and lower limbs load bearing symmetry were evaluated. For the walking trial, spatiotemporal and ground reaction force (GRF) parameters were evaluated together with side symmetry indices.

RESULTS

Results showed no significant differences in any standing trial variables between groups. For walking, GRF parameters and symmetry indices were similar for both groups. However, increased base of support width, reduced self-selected walking speed and stride length were found for the EF group.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study showed that crutch set-up influenced gait after patients started to walk unassisted. Patients that previously used crutch adjusted according to the EE setup, demonstrated a more efficient gait with higher self-selected speed and longer and narrower stride. Clinicians may use these results for a proper crutch height adjustment, which improves walking and, in turn, functional recovery in post THR patients.

Shoulder joint loadings in post total hip replacement surgery patients during assisted walking: The influence of the crutch setup

A crutch is prescribed to permit the patient to walk safely and independently immediately after total hip replacement (THR) surgery. Purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the crutch setup on upper limbs biomechanics, including shoulder joint kinematics and kinetics parameters that will be evaluated to detect possible differences related to the crutch length. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to elbow flexed (EF) or elbow extended (EE) forearm crutch setup. Subjects were asked to walk on the laboratory path, instrumented with motion tracking system and force platforms. Spatiotemporal gait parameters, crutch ground reaction force (GRF) and crutch displacement (measured as the relative distance between the crutch position on the floor and the shoulder joint center), were evaluated. A three-dimensional (3D) biomechanical model was implemented to determine shoulder joint kinematics and kinetics during crutch walking. Results showed that the stride length significantly decreased, and base of support width increased for the EF group when compared to the EE group. Crutch forces and distance to the body significantly decreased in the EE group. Furthermore, shoulder joint moments in all planes of motion, vertical and lateral forces were significantly reduced in the EE group. The present study showed that crutch setup influenced performance and upper limb loading during walking, with EE setup allowing a more stable walking and reducing stress on the shoulder joint when compared to the EF setup. Results may help therapists in rationalizing crutch length adjustments for patients after THR surgery.

The influence of the crutch setup on stability and weight-bearing parameters in post total hip replacement surgery patients during quiet standing

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the crutch setup on standing, in post total hip replacement (THR) surgery patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty patients after THR were randomly assigned to walking with the elbow flexed (EF) or elbow straight (ES) crutch setup. Subjects were asked to stand on a force platform in a comfortable position with the crutch positioned on the unaffected side, facing forward for 10 seconds. Centre of pressure total path and maximal excursion were evaluated in both medio-lateral and anterior-posterior planes. Difference in the asymmetry of left/right acromial height, measured with and without the crutch, was calculated (ACdiff). Percentage of body weight borne by the crutch (Fcr), symmetry (SIload) between operated and healthy limbs loading during the trial, together with shoulder forces and moments were measured.

RESULTS

No significant differences between the two groups (p > .05) were found for stability parameters. ACdiff, Fcr and shoulder load increased significantly (p < .05) in EF group compared to ES group. In addition leg loading symmetry was significantly reduced in the EF group.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed that the ES setup reduced the force borne by the crutch, the load on the shoulder joint and it minimized postural and loading asymmetries when compared to EF setup. Conversely, postural stability was not influenced by the crutch setup. Implications for Rehabilitation Static posture and weight-bearing parameters are influenced by crutch setup during quiet standing. Crutch setup does not influence postural stability. Adjusting the crutch according to the elbow straight setup reduces the force borne by the crutch and the asymmetry in lower limbs loading. Forces and moments at the shoulder joint were reduced for the elbow straight setup group.

Cryptorchestia ruffoi sp. n. from the island of Rhodes (Greece), revealed by morphological and phylogenetic analysis (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Talitridae)

A new Cryptorchestia species, Cryptorchestia ruffoi Latella & Vonk, sp. n. from the island of Rhodes in south-eastern Greece, can be distinguished on the basis of morphological and phylogenetic data. Morphological analysis and DNA sequencing of mitochondrial and nuclear protein-coding genes indicated that this species is related to Cryptorchestia cavimana (Cyprus) and Cryptorchestia garbinii (Mediterranean regions, with a recent northward expansion). Results supported a genetic separation between the Cryptorchestia species of the east Mediterranean regions and those of the northeast Atlantic volcanic islands examined in this study (Cryptorchestia canariensis, Cryptorchestia gomeri, Cryptorchestia guancha, and Cryptorchestia stocki from the Canary islands, Cryptorchestia monticola from Madeira, and Cryptorchestia chevreuxi from the Azores). The Mediterranean and Atlantic Cryptorchestia species appear to be also morphologically distinct. Cryptorchestia ruffoisp. n., Cryptorchestia cavimana, Cryptorchestia garbinii, and Cryptorchestia kosswigi (Turkish coast) clearly have a small lobe on the male gnathopod 1 merus. This character was the main diagnostic difference between Cryptorchestia (sensu Lowry, 2013) and Orchestia. However, among the six northeast Atlantic island Cryptorchestia species only Cryptorchestia stocki has a small lobe on the merus of gnathopod 1. Reduction or loss of the lobe in the Atlantic Island species cannot be ruled out; however, molecular phylogenetic analysis leads us to presume that this lobe independently evolved between the east Mediterranean Cryptorchestia species and Cryptorchestia stocki from Gran Canaria.

Clinical outcome of design modifications to the CLS Spotorno Stem in total hip replacement

PURPOSE

historically, the original CLS Spotorno Stem has demonstrated excellent survival. The design of this stem was recently modified, resulting in the introduction of a shorter, modular version (CLS Brevius). The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the functional, radiological and survivorship outcomes of the cementless CLS Brevius Stem in a multi-surgeon, single center, consecutive series study at two years post-surgery.

METHODS

the Authors performed 170 total hip arthroplasties in 155 patients using the shorter, triple-taper stem design (CLS Brevius). The patients' diagnoses were primary hip osteoarthritis (OA) in 74.4%, secondary hip OA in 22.6%, and post-traumatic hip OA in 3%. All operations were performed through a mini-posterior approach, with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. The mean follow-up was 32 months (24-44 months). Outcome was assessed using the Harris Hip Score (HHS).

RESULTS

the mean HHS improved from 32 preoperatively to 92 points at final follow-up, while the stem survival rate was 99.4%. Overall, the results were excellent in148 hips (87%), good in 14 hips (8.2%), fair in six hips (3.6%), and poor in two hips (1.2%). Intraoperative complications included a calcar fissure in three hips (1.7%). Correct femoral offset was reproduced in 97% while the planned center of hip rotation was achieved in 98%. Only one hip underwent early stem revision; this was due to major subsidence.

CONCLUSIONS

the modified CLS stem design showed excellent short-term results with a low rate of early postoperative complications. One of the main findings of this study was the high correlation between the planned femoral offset and center of hip rotation and the final radiographic measurements. This high reproducibility, which indicates the ability of the system to restore normal hip anatomy, is indeed due to the extensive modularity that characterizes this stem system. Long-term follow-up studies are necessary to fully compare the outcomes of the new design with its highly successful predecessor.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic cases series.

Autophagy regulates satellite cell ability to regenerate normal and dystrophic muscles

Autophagy is emerging as a key regulatory process during skeletal muscle development, regeneration and homeostasis, and deregulated autophagy has been implicated in muscular disorders and age-related muscle decline. We have monitored autophagy in muscles of mdx mice and human Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients at different stages of disease. Our data show that autophagy is activated during the early, compensatory regenerative stages of DMD. A progressive reduction was observed during mdx disease progression, in coincidence with the functional exhaustion of satellite cell-mediated regeneration and accumulation of fibrosis. Moreover, pharmacological manipulation of autophagy can influence disease progression in mdx mice. Of note, studies performed in regenerating muscles of wild-type mice revealed an essential role of autophagy in the activation of satellite cells upon muscle injury. These results support the notion that regeneration-associated autophagy contributes to the early compensatory stage of DMD progression, and interventions that extend activation of autophagy might be beneficial in the treatment of DMD. Thus, autophagy could be a 'disease modifier' targeted by interventions aimed to promote regeneration and delay disease progression in DMD.

Italian natural history museums on the verge of collapse?

The Italian natural history museums are facing a critical situation, due to the progressive loss of scientific relevance, decreasing economic investments, and scarcity of personnel. This is extremely alarming, especially for ensuring the long-term preservation of the precious collections they host. Moreover, a commitment in fieldwork to increase scientific collections and concurrent taxonomic research are rarely considered priorities, while most of the activities are addressed to public events with political payoffs, such as exhibits, didactic meetings, expositions, and talks. This is possibly due to the absence of a national museum that would have better steered research activities and overall concepts for collection management. We here propose that Italian natural history museums collaborate to instate a “metamuseum”, by establishing a reciprocal interaction network aimed at sharing budgetary and technical resources, which would assure better coordination of common long-term goals and scientific activities.

Primary posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty: analysis of different instrumentation

Background

Intercondylar femoral bone removal during posterior stabilized (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) makes many cruciate substituting implant designs less appealing than cruciate retaining implants. Bone stock conservation is considered fundamental in the prevision of future revision surgeries. The purpose of this study was to compare the quantity of intercondylar bone removable during PS housing preparation using three contemporary PS TKA instrumentations.

Method

We compared different box cutting jigs which were utilized for the PS housing of three popular PS knee prostheses. The bone removal area from every PS box cutting jig was three-dimensionally measured.

Results

Independently from the implant size, the cutting jig for a specific PS TKA always resected significantly less bone than the others: this difference was statistically significant, especially for small- to medium-sized total knee femoral components.

Conclusion

This study does not establish a clinical relevance of removing more or less bone at primary TKA, but suggests that if a PS design is indicated, it is preferable to select a model which possibly resects less distal femoral bone.

New data on Apteroloma (Coleoptera: Agyrtidae) of central Asia and the Himalayas with a new synonymy

The distribution of Apteroloma anglorossicum (Semenov, 1890), A. harmandi (Portevin, 1903) and A. sillemi Jeannel, 1935 in central Asia and along the Himalayas is summarized, and the collecting circumstances and ecology of all three species from Gilgit District, Pakistan are described in detail. Revised diagnoses of all three species are provided, habitus and important morphological structures are illustrated, and available types have been examined. Apteroloma jankovskii Semenov and Znojko in Semenov, 1932 is confirmed as junior subjective synonym of A. anglorossicum. Apteroloma heinzi Schawaller, 1991 is newly treated as a junior subjective synonym of A. harmandi.

A multimodal approach in total hip arthroplasty preoperative templating

OBJECTIVES

Accurate preoperative planning is mandatory for a successful total hip arthroplasty (THA). Templating helps to achieve multiple technical goals, including offset restoration, leg-length equality, and components positioning. This study aims to measure how successful a new stepwise method for preoperative radiographic templating is in achieving postoperative restoration of anatomy.

METHODS

We measured the relationship of several radiographic landmarks on the affected limb in comparison to the unaffected limb to define the appropriate position of the components. One hundred consecutive patients with unilateral disease undergoing THA were retrospectively analyzed. The preoperative templates were compared with the postoperative radiographs.

RESULTS

Accuracy in achieving the desired offset, leg-length discrepancy within 5 mm, was 93 % and 100 % respectively. Acetabular component positioning within 2° was replicated in 92 %.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that this technique can help the surgeon to accurately reproduce the anatomy of the contralateral unaffected hip.

Two new species of the genus Anemadus Reitter, 1885, from the Near East (Coleoptera: Cholevidae)

Two new species of Anemadus from the Near East are described and illustrated. Anemadus lucarellii sp. nov., from South-Western Anatolia, belongs to the Anemadus pellitus species-group (sensu Giachino & Vailati, 1993) and Anemadus kadleci sp. nov., from North-Western Syria, belongs to the Anemadus strigosus species-group (sensu Giachino & Vailati, 1993). The description of these new species markedly increases the knowledge of the distribution of this genus in the Near East.

Candida glabrata prosthetic hip infection

We present a case of a 60-year-old Caucasian woman carrying a 2-year-old hip prosthesis infected by Candida glabrata dose-dependent susceptible to fluconazole and voriconazole. Resection arthroplasty was performed. Six weeks of caspofungin plus liposomal amphotericin combination therapy achieved joint sterilization and allowed a successfully reimplantation arthroplasty. In addition we review 9 cases of C. glabrata prosthetic joint infection described to date in the literature.

Reconstitution of cyclin D1-associated kinase activity drives terminally differentiated cells into the cell cycle

Terminal cell differentiation entails definitive withdrawal from the cell cycle. Although most of the cells of an adult mammal are terminally differentiated, the molecular mechanisms preserving the postmitotic state are insufficiently understood. Terminally differentiated skeletal muscle cells, or myotubes, are a prototypic terminally differentiated system. We previously identified a mid-G(1) block preventing myotubes from progressing beyond this point in the cell cycle. In this work, we set out to define the molecular basis of such a block. It is shown here that overexpression of highly active cyclin E and cdk2 in myotubes induces phosphorylation of pRb but cannot reactivate DNA synthesis, underscoring the tightness of cell cycle control in postmitotic cells. In contrast, forced expression of cyclin D1 and wild-type or dominant-negative cdk4 in myotubes restores physiological levels of cdk4 kinase activity, allowing progression through the cell cycle. Such reactivation occurs in myotubes derived from primary, as well as established, C2C12 myoblasts and is accompanied by impairment of muscle-specific gene expression. Other terminally differentiated systems as diverse as adipocytes and nerve cells are similarly reactivated. Thus, the present results indicate that the suppression of cyclin D1-associated kinase activity is of crucial importance for the maintenance of the postmitotic state in widely divergent terminally differentiated cell types.

DNA damage-activated kinase Chk2 is independent of proliferation or differentiation yet correlates with tissue biology

The Chk2 kinase is a tumor suppressor and key transducer of DNA-damage checkpoints. We show that the human Chk2 protein is relatively stable, nuclear, and responding to gamma-radiation throughout the cell cycle. Contrary to the retinoblastoma protein-regulated, labile Chk1 kinase restricted to S-G(2) phases, Chk2 remains activatable even in quiescent and differentiating cells. In human tissues, Chk2 is homogeneously expressed in renewing cell populations such as epidermis or intestine, heterogeneous in conditionally renewing tissues, and absent or cytoplasmic in static tissues such as muscle or brain. These data highlight striking differences between Chk2 and Chk1 and show unexpected correlation of Chk2 expression with tissue biology.

Long-term fate of terminally differentiated skeletal muscle cells following E1A-initiated cell cycle reactivation

We have previously shown that E1A reactivates the cell cycle in 'irreversibly' growth arrested, terminally differentiated (TD) cells. The molecular events following E1A-mediated reactivation of TD skeletal muscle cells have been extensively investigated. However, the long-term fate of the reactivated cells has not been directly determined. In this paper, E1A is used to reactivate TD myotubes derived from established cell lines or primary myoblasts. We show that the reactivated muscle cells continue proliferating beyond the end of the first cell cycle and progress through at least a second one. Experiments performed with an inducible E1A/estrogen receptor chimera indicate that the reactivated cell cycle is self-sustained, since E1A is exclusively necessary to reactivate TD cells, but is dispensable for both the continuation of the first cycle and the progression into the following one. Finally, we report that E1A-mediated reactivation of muscle cells results in apoptotic cell death that can be delayed by the antiapoptotic, adenoviral E1B 55 kDa oncogene.