SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Exploration”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Codependency explored: a social movement in search of definition and treatment.

This article will explore why so many women, and most recently men, have been diagnosing themselves as codependent. It will be suggested that defining codependency as learned helplessness can provide the needed conceptual base to empower those codependents who are also seeking treatment. Empowerment is needed by those women and men who grew up in the types of dysfunctional families that offer them little protection from dysfunctional family rules. The alcoholic family will be explored as one of the family systems which generates large numbers of those feeling that they are codependent. Treatment guidelines will be offered for working with codependents who also decide on a course of psychotherapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

[Diagnostic and therapeutic value of intraoperative choledochoscopy. Experience in 600 common bile duct explorations].

The management of choledocholithiasis has been greatly improved by recent technological advances such as X-ray and endoscopy of the biliary tract. During the past 10 years the common bile duct has been explored in 600 operations. The incidence of retained stones was reduced to only one stone in 76 explorations. The procedure was carried out without increasing the complication rate beyond that of a standard choledochotomy.

Common Bile Duct Diseases↗

PubMed1991

Early life protein malnutrition changes exploration of the elevated plus-maze and reactivity to anxiolytics.

In order to investigate whether protein malnutrition in early life causes lasting changes in reactivity to anxiolytic drugs, exploration of the elevated plus-maze was used. Rat dams during lactation (21 days) and pups after weaning until day 49 of life were fed on 8% casein diet (M rats), while their well-nourished controls received 25% casein (W rats). From day 50 on all animals ate the same balanced diet. Experiments started on day 70. Under the non-drug condition, M rats tended to explore the open arms of the maze relatively more than W rats. Diazepam (0.5-5 mg/kg, IP) dose-dependently increased the percentage of open/total arm entries without significantly affecting the total number of arm entries in W rats. This selective anxiolytic effect of diazepam was considerably smaller in M rats. Ipsapirone (0.5-5 mg/kg) caused a similar though less pronounced anxiolytic effect in W rats, whereas the drug decreased both the % open/total and total arm entries in M rats. In contrast, ritanserin (0.05-1 mg/kg) significantly increased the % open/total arm entries in M rats only, though not in a dose-dependent way. Isamoltane (2.5-20 mg/kg) was ineffective on both M and W rats. These results indicate that early protein malnutrition causes long-lasting alterations in brain systems regulating emotional behaviour.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Laparoscopy vs inguinal exploration for nonpalpable undescended testis.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal initial surgical approach for nonpalpable undescended testis (UDT) is debated. The aim of the present study is to compare the results of initial laparoscopy and inguinal exploration in the management of unilateral nonpalpable undescended testes. METHODS: The results of 20 children with unilateral nonpalpable UDT managed by initial laparoscopy (group I) were compared with 20 age-matched children managed by inguinal exploration (group II). The location of testes and results of orchiopexy were compared in both groups. A single surgeon performed all the operative procedures. RESULTS: The majority of testes (16/20 group I, 17/20 group II) in both groups were canalicular or low abdominal. Vanishing testes accounted for one-third (13/40) of the testes, the majority (85%) of which were located in the inguinal canal. All children were discharged within 24 hours of the operation. The success of orchiopexy at 4-6 weeks post-operatively was 85% and 86% in the two groups respectively. Retrospectively, only 7/40 (18%) of the testes would benefit from laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Initial laparoscopic and inguinal approaches to nonpalpable UDT give comparable results. This report failed to demonstrate any specific advantage of initial laparoscopy in the majority of children with unilateral nonpalpable UDT.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Contralateral groin exploration is not justified in infants with a unilateral inguinal hernia.

BACKGROUND: Contralateral groin exploration in children with unilateral inguinal hernia is still controversial, particularly in infants. The patency rate of processus vaginalis is highest in infants but there are few data on the subsequent risk of contralateral hernia development in infants. In this retrospective study, we aimed to find out the incidence of contralateral inguinal hernia following unilateral inguinal herniotomy in infants aged less than one year. METHODS: All infants who underwent a unilateral Inguinal herniotomy between January 1990 and December 1998 were studied retrospectively. Infants with bilateral hernia (n = 7) were excluded from the study. RESULTS: One hundred and one infants (93 boys and 8 girls) were studied. Median age at operation was 23 (range 2-52) weeks. The herniotomy was right-sided in 75% of the infants. Follow-up ranged from three and a half years to 11 years. A contralateral hernia developed in nine infants (9.0%). One of the initial hernias was incarcerated. Median time from operation to occurrence of contralateral hernia was 18 (range 2-60) months. None of the contralateral hernia was incarcerated. Age, sex, incarceration and side of initial hernia did not influence the development of contralateral hernia. CONCLUSION: The low incidence and benign nature of contralateral hernia development in infants undergoing a unilateral inguinal herniotomy does not justify routine contralateral groin exploration.

Female↗

PubMed2003

Antagonism of nitrous oxide-induced anxiolytic-like behavior in the mouse light/dark exploration procedure by pharmacologic disruption of endogenous nitric oxide function.

RATIONALE: Previous studies have shown the anxiolytic-like effects of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) to be sensitive to antagonism by non-specific inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to demonstrate further the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) and ascertain whether a specific isoform of NOS is involved in N(2)O-induced behavior in mice. METHODS: Male NIH Swiss mice were tested in the light/dark exploration test to determine how N(2)O-induced behavior was affected by the following pretreatments: the NO scavenger hemoglobin (Hb); the selective nNOS-inhibitor S-methyl- l-thiocitrulline (SMTC); the selective eNOS-inhibitor N(5)-(1-iminoethyl)- l-ornithine ( l-NIO); and the selective iNOS-inhibitor 2-amino-5,6-dihydro-6-methyl-4H-1,3-thiazine (AMT). Furthermore, NOS activity was assessed in the whole brain as well as five brain areas of N(2)O- versus room air-exposed mice to determine the effects of N(2)O on NOS activity. RESULTS: The behavioral effects of N(2)O in the light/dark exploration test were significantly attenuated following pretreatment with Hb (2.0 nmol, i.c.v.), SMTC (0.3 micro g and 1.0 micro g per mouse, i.c.v.) and the higher dose of l-NIO (30 mg/kg, s.c.). However, the N(2)O-induced behavioral effect was unaltered by pretreatment with either the lower dose of l-NIO (10 mg/kg, s.c.) or AMT (1.0 mg/kg and 3.0 mg/kg, s.c.). Finally exposure to 50% N(2)O for 15 min significantly increased NOS activity in the cerebellum and corpus striatum but not in other brain regions or whole brain. CONCLUSION: These findings provide further support for the hypothesis that NO is involved in N(2)O-induced anxiolytic-like behavior and that this NO is the product of nNOS enzyme activity.

Anesthetics, Inhalation↗

PubMed2005

Targeted invalidation of CCK2 receptor gene induces anxiolytic-like action in light-dark exploration, but not in fear conditioning test.

RATIONALE: Evidence suggests that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and cholecystokinin (CCK) have opposite roles in the regulation of anxiety. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our work was to study the behaviour of CCK(2) receptor deficient mice in light-dark exploration and fear conditioning tests. Moreover, the action of diazepam and methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM), having the opposite effect on GABA(A) receptors, was evaluated on the exploratory behaviour in these mice. Expression levels of GABA(A) receptor subunit genes were also measured. METHODS: Light-dark exploration and fear conditioning tests were used to determine changes in anxiety of mice. The action of diazepam (0.5-2 mg/kg i.p.) and DMCM (0.25-1 mg/kg i.p.) was studied in the light-dark box. The effect of DMCM was also evaluated in the motor activity test to demonstrate that its anti-exploratory action was not related to motor suppression. Expression levels of GABA(A) receptor subunit genes were determined by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: Female mice lacking CCK(2) receptors displayed increased exploratory activity in the light-dark box compared to their wild-type (+/+) littermates. Locomotor activity in the motility boxes and the intensity of freezing did not differ in wild-type (+/+) and homozygous (-/-) mice. Treatment with diazepam (0.5 mg/kg) increased the number of transitions in wild-type (+/+) animals, whereas in homozygous (-/-) mice diazepam (0.5-2 mg/kg) reduced exploratory activity. Administration of DMCM (0.25-1 mg/kg) induced an anxiogenic-like effect in homozygous (-/-) mice, but did not change their locomotor activity. Gene expression analysis established a 1.6-fold increase in the expression of the alpha2 subunit of GABA(A) receptors in the frontal cortex of homozygous (-/-) mice. CONCLUSION: Genetic invalidation of CCK(2) receptors induced an anxiolytic-like action in exploratory, but not in conditioned models of anxiety. The observed reduction in anxiety in homozygous (-/-) mice is probably related to an increased function of GABAergic system in the brain.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Simulating and testing visual exploration in spatial neglect based on a new model for cortical coordinate transformation.

Most studies of object and space perception have focused on neural representations of either object-centered or egocentric coordinate systems. But daily life requires interactions of both kinds of coordinates. We have recently proposed an 'integrated space-object (ISO-) map' combining both coordinate systems in one representation. Based on a lesioned version of this model, here we present results from visual search simulations demonstrating that the model accounts for contralesional neglect during space-centered and object-centered exploration tasks. Interestingly, the model simulations also predicted an amelioration of neglect symptoms during exploration with more ipsilesional object positions. By measuring the eye movements of neglect patients during different exploratory tasks, we confirmed all model predictions. These results corroborate the view that the brain might combine coordinates for object and space perception in an integrated coordinate system as suggested by the ISO-map model.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Long-term follow-up of patients with elevated PTH levels following successful exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism.

Several studies have documented elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels after seemingly successful exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). It is not known if this is a transient phenomenon after pHPT surgery or if it predisposes to recurrent disease. A series of 99 consecutive patients with pHPT who had solitary parathyroid adenomas were followed for 5 years. Serum levels of PTH and biochemical variables reflecting PTH activity were measured before operation, at 8 weeks postoperatively, and then yearly for 5 years. All patients were normocalcemic after exploration. At 8 weeks after operation 28% of the patients had elevated serum PTH levels; at 5 years this figure decreased to 16%. During the 5-year follow-up one group of patients normalized their PTH levels, another group's PTH levels fluctuated, and still another group had consistently normal PTH levels. Patients with fluctuating PTH levels had increased levels of serum calcium and phosphate. Some of these patients (15%) showed signs of impaired renal function. Two patients with consistently elevated PTH levels showed signs of mild renal dysfunction, and one of them developed recurrent HPT. Elevated PTH levels after successful parathyroid surgery is not a transient phenomenon. An increased risk for recurrent disease is postulated for some of the patients who do not normalize their PTH levels postoperatively, and long-term surveillance of these patients is suggested.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1999

Bioequivalence of two tablet formulations of capecitabine and exploration of age, gender, body surface area, and creatinine clearance as factors influencing systemic exposure in cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to assess the bioequivalence of two tablet formulations of capecitabine and to explore the effect of age, gender, body surface area and creatinine clearance on the systemic exposure to capecitabine and its metabolites. METHODS: The study was designed as an open, randomized two-way crossover trial. A single oral dose of 2000 mg capecitabine was administered on two separate days to 25 patients with solid tumors. On one day, the patients received four 500-mg tablets of formulation B (test formulation) and on the other day, four 500-mg tablets of formulation A (reference formulation). The washout period between the two administrations was between 2 and 8 days. After each administration, serial blood and urine samples were collected for up to 12 and 24 h, respectively. Unchanged capecitabine and its metabolites were determined in plasma using LC/MS-MS and in urine by NMRS. RESULTS: Based on the primary pharmacokinetic parameter, AUC(0-infinity) of 5'-DFUR, equivalence was concluded for the two formulations, since the 90% confidence interval of the estimate of formulation B relative to formulation A of 97% to 107% was within the acceptance region 80% to 125%. There was no clinically significant difference between the t(max) for the two formulations (median 2.1 versus 2.0 h). The estimate for C(max) was 111% for formulation B compared to formulation A and the 90% confidence interval of 95% to 136% was within the reference region 70% to 143%. Overall, these results suggest no relevant difference between the two formulations regarding the extent to which 5'-DFUR reached the systemic circulation and the rate at which 5'-DFUR appeared in the systemic circulation. The overall urinary excretions were 86.0% and 86.5% of the dose, respectively, and the proportion recovered as each metabolite was similar for the two formulations. The majority of the dose was excreted as FBAL (61.5% and 60.3%), all other chemical species making a minor contribution. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis to explore the influence of age, gender, body surface area and creatinine clearance on the log-transformed pharmacokinetic parameters AUC(0-infinity) and C(max) of capecitabine and its metabolites revealed no clinically significant effects. The only statistically significant results were obtained for AUC(0-infinity) and C(max) of intact drug and for C(max) of FBAL, which were higher in females than in males. CONCLUSION: The bioavailability of 5'-DFUR in the systemic circulation was practically identical after administration of the two tablet formulations. Therefore, the two formulations can be regarded as bioequivalent. The variables investigated (age, gender, body surface area, and creatinine clearance) had no clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine or its metabolites.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2006

A temporal forecast of radiation environments for future space exploration missions.

The understanding of future space radiation environments is an important goal for space mission operations, design, and risk assessment. We have developed a solar cycle statistical model in which sunspot number is coupled to space-related quantities, such as the galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) deceleration potential (phi) and the mean occurrence frequency of solar particle events (SPEs). Future GCR fluxes were derived from a predictive model, in which the temporal dependence represented by phi was derived from GCR flux and ground-based Climax neutron monitor rate measurements over the last four decades. These results showed that the point dose equivalent inside a typical spacecraft in interplanetary space was influenced by solar modulation by up to a factor of three. It also has been shown that a strong relationship exists between large SPE occurrences and phi. For future space exploration missions, cumulative probabilities of SPEs at various integral fluence levels during short-period missions were defined using a database of proton fluences of past SPEs. Analytic energy spectra of SPEs at different ranks of the integral fluences for energies greater than 30 MeV were constructed over broad energy ranges extending out to GeV for the analysis of representative exposure levels at those fluences. Results will guide the design of protection systems for astronauts during future space exploration missions.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed2003

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration.

BACKGROUND: Herein I describe my >12-year experience with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE). METHODS: From 21 September 1989 through 31 December 2001, 3,580 patients presented with symptomatic biliary tract disease. Laparoscopic cholecystecomy (LC) was attempted in 3,544 of them (99.1%) and completed in 3,527 (99.5%). Laparoscopic cholangiograms (IOC) were performed in 3,417 patients (96.4%); in 344 cases (9.7%), the IOC was abnormal. Forty-nine patients (1.4%) underwent preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and 33 patients (0.9%) underwent postoperative ERCP. LCBDE was attempted in 326 cases and completed in 321 (98.5%). It was successful in clearing the duct in 317 of the 344 patients with abnormal cholangiograms (92.2%). RESULTS: The mean operating time for all patients undergoing LC with or without cholangiograms or LCBDE or other additional surgery was 56.9 min. Mean length of stay was 22.1 h. The mean operating time for LC only patients ( n = 2530)--that is, those not undergoing LCBDE or any other additional procedure--was 47.6 min; their mean postoperative length of stay was 17.2 h. Ductal exploration was performed via the cystic duct in 269 patients, (82.5%) and through a choledochotomy in 57 patients (17.5%). T-tubes were used in patients in whom there was concern for possible retained debris or stones, distal spasm, pancreatitis, or general poor tissue quality secondary to malnutrition or infection. In cases where choledochotomy was used, a T-tube was placed in 38 patients (67%), and primary closure without a T-tube was done in 19 (33%). There were no complications in the group of patients who underwent choledochotomy and primary ductal closure without T-tube placement or in the group in whom T-tubes were placed. CONCLUSIONS: Common bile duct (CBD) stones still occur in 10% of patients. These stones are identified by IOC. IOC can be performed in >96.4% of cases of LC. LCBDE was successful in clearing these stones in 97.2% of patients in whom it was attempted and in 92.2% of all patients with normal IOCs. Most LCBDEs in this series were performed via the cystic duct because of the stone characteristics and ductal anatomy. Selective laparoscopic placement of T-tubes in patients requiring choledochotomy (67%) appears to be a safe and effective alternative to routine T-tube drainage of the ductal system. ERCP, which was required for 5.8% of patients with abnormal cholangiograms, and open CBDE, which was used in 2.0%, still play an important role in the management of common bile duct pathology. The role of ERCP, with or without sphincterotomy, has returned to its status in the prelaparoscopic era. LCBDE may be employed successfully in the vast majority of patients harboring CBD stones.

Catheterization↗

PubMed2004

Laparoscopic exploration of common bile duct in difficult choledocholithiasis.

BACKGROUND: This review investigated the role played by laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct (LECBD) in the management of difficult choledocholithiasis. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed a prospective database of LECBD for difficult choledocholithiasis during the period 1995 to 2003. RESULTS: Of the 97 LECBDs performed in the authors' center from 1995 to 2003, 25 were performed for difficult choledocholithiasis. Difficult choledocholithiasis was defined as failure of endoscopic stone retrieval for the following reasons: access and cannulation difficulty, the difficult nature of common bile duct (CBD) stones, and the presence of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related complications. There were seven unsuccessful cannulations because of previous gastrectomy (n = 5) and periampullary diverticulum (n = 2). Among the 18 patients with failed endoscopic extraction, there were 10 impacted stones, 2 incomplete stone clearances after multiple attempts, 2 type 2 Mirizzi syndromes, 1 proximal stent migration, 1 repeated post-ERCP pancreatitis, 1 situs inversus, and 1 stricture at the distal common bile duct. There were 14 male and 11 female patients with a mean age of 67.8 +/- 15 years. Initial presentations included cholangitis (n = 14, 56%), biliary colic (n = 3, 12%), jaundice/deranged liver function ( n = 5, 20%), cholecystitis (n = 2, 8%), and pancreatitis (n = 1, 4%). Regarding the approach for LECBD, there were 2 transcystic duct explorations and 23 choledochotomies. The mean operative time was 149.4 +/- 49.3 min, and there were three conversions (12%). The stone clearance rate was 100%, and no recurrence was detected during a mean follow-up period of 16.8 months. Five complications were encountered, which included bile leak (3 patients) and wound infection (2 patients). When the results were compared with the remaining 72 LECBDs for nondifficult stones during the same period, the complication rate, conversion rate, and rate of residual stones were similar despite a longer operation time (149.4 +/- 49.4 min vs 121.6 +/- 50.5 min). CONCLUSION: When ERCP is impossible or stone retrieval is incomplete, LECBD is the solution to difficult CBD stones.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Does laparoscopy used in open exploration alleviate pain associated with chronic intractable abdominal wall neuralgia?

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of diagnostic laparoscopy and open exploration of trigger points (scar revision and neurectomy) in the treatment of intractable chronic abdominal wall pain. METHODS: This prospective nonrandomized study enrolled 24 patients (21 women) with an average age of 59 +/- 11 years. Abdominal wall pain was diagnosed by excluding other causes of pain and using multiple injections of bupivacain. The patients' demographic data and long-term postoperative course (37 +/- 13 months) were carefully recorded. RESULTS: Using laparoscopy, intraabdominal adhesions close to trigger points were found and lysed in 15 patients (63%). Next, a subcutaneous nerve resection was performed. After 1 month, 33% of the patients were completely pain free, and 42% reported alleviation of pain. After 3 years, chronic abdominal pain was totally healed in 25%, diminished in 50%, and unchanged or increased in 25% of the patients. A total of 23 patients (96%) reported that surgery was beneficial for their intractable pain. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy used in open exploration is beneficial for 75% of carefully selected patients with chronic abdominal wall pain.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMed1997

A stratified intraoperative surgical strategy is mandatory during laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for common bile duct stones. Lessons and limits from an initial experience of 92 patients.

BACKGROUND: Open exploration and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) remain the preferred treatment of common bile duct stones (CBDS). The recent spread of laparoscopy has worsened the dilemna of choosing between surgical and endoscopic treatment of CBDS. The aim of this study was to critically evaluate the results of our preliminary experience with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (CBDE) for CBDS. METHODS: Ninety-two consecutive patients were prospectively submitted to laparoscopic CBDE. Surgical strategy included an initial transcystic approach or laparoscopic choledochotomy. Failure of stone clearance was managed by conversion to open CBDE or by postoperative ES. Electrohydraulic lithotripsy and papillary balloon dilatation were selectively used. Stone clearance was assessed by choledochoscopy and control cholangiography. RESULTS: The overall laparoscopic stone clearance in this series was 84% (transcystic route 63% and choledochotomy 93%). Conversion to laparotomy was mandatory in 12% of the patients because of incomplete stone clearance and in 5% because of intraoperative complications. Postoperative ES was required in 4% of the patients, giving an overall surgical success rate of 96%. When indicated (small and limited number of stones located below the cysticocholedochal junction, with a dilated and patent cystic duct) the transcystic route had the lower success rate, the higher complication rate, and the shorter operative time and postoperative hospital stay. When indicated (accessible and dilated common bile duct over 7 mm), laparoscopic choledochotomy had the higher success rate, the lower complication rate, the longer operative time, and the longer postoperative hospital stay, which is related to associated external biliary drainage. The hospital mortality included two high-risk patients (2%) and the complications rate was 15%. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic CBDE is safe in selected patients. A stratified intraoperative surgical strategy is mandatory in deciding between a transcystic route and choledochotomy with specific indications for each approach. When feasible, laparoscopic choledochotomy is more efficient and safe than the transcystic route, but it is associated with a longer postoperative hospital stay, which is due to external biliary drainage.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Percutaneous mesenteric stenting followed by laparoscopic exploration for visceral malperfusion in acute type B aortic dissection.

A 55-year-old man underwent percutaneous mesenteric and left renal stenting for malperfusion in acute type B aortic dissection. Laparoscopic exploration was performed immediately after percutaneous revascularization to ensure the integrity of the abdominal viscera. Because the diagnosis of mesenteric infarction may sometimes be difficult and its delay can be fatal, we advocate laparoscopic exploration as a mini-invasive method after percutaneous management of visceral malperfusion, if the integrity of the abdominal viscera needs to be verified.

Aortic Dissection↗

PubMed2025

Exploring the associations between preen oil bacterial, chemical and proteomic profiles of passerines.

Preen gland bacteria are thought to be the key producers of preen oil components such as chemosignalling molecules including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and antimicrobial compounds including peptides and antimicrobial VOCs. However, data on the preen oil bacteriome and chemical composition are limited to a small subset of bird species, and the presence of antimicrobial peptides is largely unexplored. Here, we performed an exploratory study to characterize, for the first time, the preen oil chemical and proteomic profiles and to explore the possible contribution of the bacteriome to the production of preen oil VOCs and antimicrobial peptides (bacteriocins) in eight passerine species, each represented by a single individual. Preen oil bacteriome, chemical and proteomic profiles varied among birds. The bacterial profiles were dominated by the genera Streptococcus, Lactococcus, Corynebacterium and Cutibacterium. The chemical profiles mainly consisted of alcohols, ketones and carboxylic acids. The biological functions primarily associated with the proteomic profiles were proteolysis and response to oxidative stress. Although we were unable to explore a direct association between the bacteriome and chemical profiles, the preen oil contained bacteriocin- and VOC-producing bacterial genera capable of producing detected microbially-derived VOCs (mVOCs), the relative abundance of which varied between birds. Riparian species showed the highest chemical diversity and high abundances of putative preen oil mVOC-producing bacteria, which could suggest habitat-specific adaptations. This exploratory study may significantly contribute to the formulation of hypotheses on the potential role of host ecological factors in the variation of preen oil bacterial, chemical and proteomic profiles in passerines.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Galileo Avionica's technologies and instruments for planetary exploration.

Several missions for planetary exploration, including comets and asteroids, are ongoing or planned by the European Space Agencies: Rosetta, Venus Express, Bepi Colombo, Dawn, Aurora and all Mars Programme (in its past and next missions) are good examples. The satisfaction of the scientific request for the mentioned programmes calls for the development of new instruments and facilities devoted to investigate the body (planet, asteroid or comet) both remotely and by in situ measurements. The paper is an overview of some instruments for remote sensing and in situ planetary exploration already developed or under study by Galileo Avionica Space & Electro-Optics B.U. (in the following shortened as Galileo Avionica) for both the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and for the European Space Agency (ESA). Main technologies and specifications are outlined; for more detailed information please refer to Galileo Avionica's web-site at: http://www.galileoavionica.com .

Astronomy↗