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The glymphatic system allows cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow along the brain’s perivascular spaces (PVS), aiding in the removal of harmful substances into the venous system. Previous studies have suggested that younger males with severe autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit enlarged PVS (ePVS), although the specific regions or extent of PVS enlargement remain unclear. Additionally, it is still unknown whether the localization of ePVS correlates with specific ASD symptoms. Using automated MRI-based PVS quantification, we conducted a descriptive observational study to map the number, diameter, and volume of PVS across 72 brain areas, correlating these features with the clinical severity of autism and the presence or absence of three distinct ASD symptoms: language impairment, stereotypies, and hypersensoriality. The study involved 36 children with ASD (ages 1–9 years). A thorough analysis of ePVS in the white matter underlying 72 cortical areas revealed that different ASD symptoms exhibit specific ePVS localizations. Moreover, ePVS in the white matter beneath the two rostral middle frontal regions were associated with the overall clinical severity of ASD as well as specific symptoms (verbal dysfunction, stereotypies, and hypersensoriality). When these prefrontal subregions experience excessive PVS enlargement, it may lead to hypoactivity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), contributing to the manifestation of ASD symptoms.

Our single-center case-control study aimed to evaluate the unclear glymphatic system alteration in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through an innovative neuroimaging tool which allows to segment and quantify perivascular spaces in the white matter (WM-PVS) with filtering of non-structured noise and increase of the contrast-ratio between perivascular spaces and the surrounding parenchyma. Briefly, files of 65 ASD and 71 control patients were studied. We considered: ASD type, diagnosis and severity level and comorbidities (i.e., intellectual disability, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, sleep disturbances). We also examined diagnoses other than ASD and their associated comorbidities in the control group. When males and females with ASD are included together, WM-PVS grade and WM-PVS volume do not significantly differ between the ASD group and the control group overall. We found, instead, that WM-PVS volume is significantly associated with male sex: males had higher WM-PVS volume compared to females (p = 0.01). WM-PVS dilation is also non-significantly associated with ASD severity and younger age (< 4 years). In ASD patients, higher WM-PVS volume was related with insomnia whereas no relation was found with epilepsy or IQ. We concluded that WM-PVS dilation can be a neuroimaging feature of male ASD patients, particularly the youngest and most severe ones, which may rely on male-specific risk factors acting early during neurodevelopment, such as a transient excess of extra-axial CSF volume. Our findings can corroborate the well-known strong male epidemiological preponderance of autism worldwide.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent social communication difficulties, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and frequent medical comorbidities. Although early brain development in ASD has been extensively investigated, its biological progression across adulthood and aging remains largely unexplored. Growing evidence suggests that perivascular space (PVS) abnormalities may indicate impaired neurovascular integrity and reduced glymphatic clearance in ASD. Enlarged perivascular spaces (ePVS) in children commonly present alongside increased extra-axial CSF accumulation and more severe clinical manifestations, consistent with early alterations in CSF homeostasis and neuroimmune signaling. However, whether these abnormalities persist or evolve with aging remains unknown. Given that glymphatic and vascular integrity decline with age, and adults with ASD show elevated rates of sleep, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders, PVS alterations may represent a unifying mechanism linking early neurodevelopmental divergence with later neurovascular vulnerability and cognitive aging. Advances in ultra-high-field MRI and automated segmentation now enable precise in vivo quantification of PVS burden, offering new opportunities for lifespan studies. By combining structural and functional methodologies, researchers may determine whether PVS constitute enduring traits, dynamic indicators of disease, or actionable therapeutic targets. Understanding their trajectories could provide critical insights into the continuum between neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative phenomena in autism.

Background/Objectives: The severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is clinically assessed through a comprehensive evaluation of social communication deficits, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and the level of support required (ranging from level 1 to level 3) according to DSM-5 criteria. Along with its varied clinical manifestations, the neuroanatomy of ASD is characterized by heterogeneous abnormalities. Notably, brain MRI of children with ASD often reveals an increased number of perivascular spaces (PVSs) compared to typically developing children. Our recent findings indicate that enlarged PVSs (ePVSs) are more common in younger male patients with severe ASD and that specific ePVS locations are significantly associated with ASD symptoms. Methods: In this study, we mapped ePVSs across key regions of three major cognitive networks—the Default Mode Network (DMN), the combined Central Executive/Frontoparietal Network (CEN/FPN), and the Salience Network (SN)—in 36 individuals with different symptom severities and rehabilitation needs due to ASD. We explored how the number, size, and location of PVSs in these networks are related to specific ASD symptoms and the overall need for rehabilitation and support. Results: Our results suggest that ePVSs in the DMN, CEN/FPN, and SN are strongly correlated with the severity of certain ASD symptoms, including verbal deficits, stereotypies, and sensory disturbances. We found a mild association between ePVSs and the level of support needed for daily living and quality of life. Conclusions: Dysfunction in cognitive networks associated with the presence of ePVSs has a significant impact on the severity of ASD symptoms. However, the need for assistance may also be influenced by other comorbid conditions and dysfunctions in smaller, overlapping brain networks.

A new telemetric system for the electrochemical monitoring of dissolved oxygen is showed. The device, connected with two amperometric sensors, has been successfully applied to the wireless detection of the extracellular oxygen in the central complex of freely-walking Gromphadorhina portentosa. The unit was composed of a potentiostat, a two-channel sensor conditioning circuit, a microprocessor module, and a wireless serial transceiver. The amperometric signals were digitalized and sent to a notebook using a 2.4 GHz transceiver while a serial-to-USB converter was connected to a second transceiver for completing the communication bridge. The software, running on the laptop, allowed to save and graph the oxygen signals. The electronics showed excellent stability and the acquired data was linear in a range comprised between 0 and -165 nA, covering the entire range of oxygen concentrations. A series of experiments were performed to explore the dynamics of dissolved oxygen by exposing the animals to different gases (nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide), to low temperature and anesthetic agents (chloroform and triethylamine). The resulting data are in agreement with previous O2 changes recorded in the brain of awake rats and mice. The proposed system, based on simple and inexpensive components, can constitute a new experimental model for the exploration of central complex neurochemistry and it can also work with oxidizing sensors and amperometric biosensors.

Several dermal substitutes are available on the market, but there is no precise indication that helps surgeons choose the proper one. Few studies have tried to compare different xenogeneic bioengineered products, but no objective bio-parametric comparison has been made yet. Fifteen patients who underwent skin reconstruction with Integra® or Pelnac® were retrospectively evaluated. After at least 12 months of follow-up, an objective and quantitative assessment of several skin biophysical properties, such as color, texture, elasticity, hydration, glossiness and trans-epidermal water loss, were measured with non-invasive skin measurement devices. The grafted skin showed a reduction of the superficial hydration level and a tendency to lower values of trans-epidermal water loss with both dermal substitutes. Melanic and hemoglobin pigmentation were higher in comparison to the donor site in both groups, while a melanic pigmentation increase versus the surrounding skin was seen just with Integra®. Finally, the skin was found to be more elastic when reconstructed with Integra®. The skin barrier appeared to be intact in both groups. Hence, these substitutes are valuable means of skin regeneration. Integra® seems to be more advantageous for reconstructing areas that need more skin flexibility.

Near peer teaching (NPT) is becoming recognized as a valuable instrument with advantages for both students and teachers. Despite the recognized benefits, NPT programmes are not usually embedded within university healthcare curricula and, to our knowledge, there have been few studies assessing medical students’ attitudes towards NPT for histology courses. Our study is the first that assess medical students’ perceptions concerning the value of NPT for a course in the human organ histology component of anatomy. A NPT programme was provided for second-year medical students and delivered during laboratory sessions for microscopic anatomy. The NPT tutors were recruited from third-, fourth- or fifth-year medical students. The medical tutees completed a questionnaire to assess their attitudes towards NPT. The initial hypothesis tested was that students preferred to be taught by their professional teachers and not by NPT tutors. A total of 113 students completed the questionnaire (46% response rate). Of these, 70% of respondents rated the support of the NPT tutors as being excellent or good. Furthermore, 60% of respondents agreed that the NPT programme should be introduced officially into the medical curriculum. The findings are not consistent with our initial hypothesis, and suggest that NPT could be a valuable instrument for the understanding of histological concepts.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Several authors report MS affecting not only young adults but also children and adolescents. Sardinia is one of the regions at the highest risk for MS worldwide in the adult population; to date, no definite data exist on the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and prevalence of pediatric MS (pMS) in northern Sardinia. Patients with diagnosis of optic neuritis, myelitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), demyelinating disorders, MS, or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) according to McDonald criteria were enrolled, when disease onset occurred within the range of 0–18 years. From January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2012, 21 cases of pMS and 5 cases of CIS were found in northern Sardinia. The annual mean pMS incidence was 2.85 cases per 100,000 pediatric population, and the annual mean CIS incidence was 0.68 cases per 100,000 pediatric population. The pMS and CIS prevalence computed on 31 December 2012 was 26.92 and 6.41 per 100,000 pediatric population, respectively. Conclusion : Our pMS data among Sardinians corroborate the epidemiological scenario described in the adult population being the incidence estimates significantly higher than those reported elsewhere. What is Known: • Sardinia is one of the regions at the highest risk for MS worldwide in the adult population. • To date, no definite data exist on the pediatric population . What is New: • The pediatric MS incidence in Sardinia is estimated to be significantly higher than those reported elsewhere. • The pediatric MS prevalence in Sardinia is among the highest values worldwide.

The case study (T.27) is a multiple burial containing the remains of a young adult female and a fetus (estimated gestational age: 38 weeks to 1 month post-birth). The association of these macroscopic changes with microscopic alterations, analyzed using a Scanning Electron Microscope, was subsequently examined. Journal of Archaeological Science 38:1308-1313 Holden J.L. , Phakey P.P. , Clementa J.G. (1995) Scanning electron microscope observations of incinerated human femoral bone : a case study Forensic Science International 74: 17-28 McKinley J. (1993)Bone Fragment Size and Weights of Bone from Modern British Cremations and the Implications for the Interpretation of Archaeological Cremations.