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Serra A, Caltabiano R, Scalia G, Palmucci S, Di Mauro P, Cocuzza S. Papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the palatine tonsil: a rare cancer of the head and neck. ACTA OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGICA ITALICA 2018; 37:341-345. [PMID: 28530265 PMCID: PMC5584108 DOI: 10.14639/0392-100x-1281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Papillary squamous neoplasms of the upper respiratory tract are rare variants of squamous cell carcinomas. They are characterised by an exophytic, papillary growth and generally have favourable prognosis. The tumour has been described in the upper aerodigestive tract. In this context, most common sites of involvement are the larynx and hypopharynx, and rarely the oral cavity and oropharynx. The limited studies and small number of published cases of papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the palatine tonsil led us to make a complete analysis of this tumour by analysing the clinical, histological, radiological, virological and therapeutic aspects that are not always present in the literature. A case of papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the palatine tonsil is reported. The lesion (T2N0M0) was located into the left palatine tonsil that hung towards the oral cavity. Both HPV 16 DNA and E6/E7 mRNA were detected in the lesion. The clinicopathological profile of the neoplasm is presented and a comprehensive review of recent literature was made by analysing all aspects of interest of this neoplasm.
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Sanchis S, Meschede-Anglada L, Serra A, Simon FX, Sixto G, Casas N, Garcia-Montaño J. Solar photo-Fenton with simultaneous addition of ozone for the treatment of real industrial wastewaters. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2018; 77:2497-2508. [PMID: 29893739 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2018.209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Simultaneous application of solar photo-Fenton and ozonation (SPFO) for the efficient treatment of real wastewaters was studied. Four different industrial effluents were selected for the study: landfill leachate, pharmaceutical effluent and two textile wastewaters, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness and versatility of the proposed technology. SPFO performance was compared with individual processes (either solar photo-Fenton or ozonation), as well as the hybrid Fenton and ozonation treatment. In highly polluted wastewaters, combined strategies led to higher organic matter removal than O3 and photo-Fenton processes applied individually. Solar light favoured catalyst regeneration, allowing removal efficiencies up to 67% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 62% of total organic carbon (TOC) (in the case of textile wastewaters) using an initial concentration of only 10 mg Fe2+ L-1. The reduction of catalyst consumption, along with the absence of sludge production (since Fe2+ removal from the effluent is not required), led to a significant decrease in operational costs (up to 1.22 € kg-1 COD removed) when combined Fenton and ozonation was applied under solar light. SPFO results in a versatile, effective and economically efficient technology, thus postulating as a promising alternative for reducing the organic load of highly polluted industrial effluents prior to biological treatment.
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Abstract
The presence of mutations activating the N-ras gene was investigated by the polymerase chain reaction technique in twenty patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) at onset and in four patients with Ph' positive chronic myelogeneous leukemia (CML) either in chronic phase or in blast crisis. Four remission samples and four relapses from the AML cases were also studied. Mutations were found in five out of twenty (25%) untreated AML cases at onset. No mutations were detected in the complete remission samples, two of them with N-ras mutations during the leukemic phase. Two out of the four leukemia relapses were positive for the same N-ras mutation shown at presentation, whereas no new mutations were found in the other two initially negative cases. An N-ras mutation appeared during the blast crisis of one of the four CML, which were all negative during the chronic phase. In conclusion, whereas some data appear to be consistent with a role of the N-ras mutations as initiating events in myeloid leukemias, in other cases N-ras activation seems to represent a factor involved in progression. These data suggest that a partial overlapping between initiation and progression factors could exist in naturally occurring tumors.
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Mastrangelo R, Stabile A, Parenti D, Cimatti G, Pesaresi A, Arpaia E, Serra A. A Specific Spontaneous Leucocyte Cycle in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 62:197-204. [PMID: 1070196 DOI: 10.1177/030089167606200209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic leukocytosis has been previously described in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The purpose of this report is to call attention to the possibility of a specific long-term cycle of approximately two months in CML, on the basis of the reported patients studied prospectively with no treatment and to describe an additional case with similar changes. Kinetic studies suggest that the leucocyte oscillation observed would reflect variation in cell production. Implications of the findings with regard to pathogenesis and therapy of the disease are discussed. A long-term cycle of the neutrophil count, showing a period of approximately two months, was also found in eight children with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in remission, analyzed retrospectively.
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Scasso F, Ferrari G, DE Vincentiis GC, Arosio A, Bottero S, Carretti M, Ciardo A, Cocuzza S, Colombo A, Conti B, Cordone A, DE Ciccio M, Delehaye E, Della Vecchia L, DE Macina I, Dentone C, DI Mauro P, Dorati R, Fazio R, Ferrari A, Ferrea G, Giannantonio S, Genta I, Giuliani M, Lucidi D, Maiolino L, Marini G, Marsella P, Meucci D, Modena T, Montemurri B, Odone A, Palma S, Panatta ML, Piemonte M, Pisani P, Pisani S, Prioglio L, Scorpecci A, Scotto DI Santillo L, Serra A, Signorelli C, Sitzia E, Tropiano ML, Trozzi M, Tucci FM, Vezzosi L, Viaggi B. Emerging and re-emerging infectious disease in otorhinolaryngology. ACTA OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGICA ITALICA : ORGANO UFFICIALE DELLA SOCIETA ITALIANA DI OTORINOLARINGOLOGIA E CHIRURGIA CERVICO-FACCIALE 2018; 38:S1-S106. [PMID: 29967548 PMCID: PMC6056203 DOI: 10.14639/0392-100x-suppl.1-38-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY Emerging and re-emerging infectious disease in otorhinolaryngology (ENT) are an area of growing epidemiological and clinical interest. The aim of this section is to comprehensively report on the epidemiology of key infectious disease in otorhinolaryngology, reporting on their burden at the national and international level, expanding of the need of promoting and implementing preventive interventions, and the rationale of applying evidence-based, effective and cost- effective diagnostic, curative and preventive approaches. In particular, we focus on i) ENT viral infections (HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, Human Papilloma virus), retrieving the available evidence on their oncogenic potential; ii) typical and atypical mycobacteria infections; iii) non-specific granulomatous lymphadenopathy; iv) emerging paediatric ENT infectious diseases and the prevention of their complications; v) the growing burden of antimicrobial resistance in ENT and the strategies for its control in different clinical settings. We conclude by outlining knowledge gaps and action needed in ENT infectious diseases research and clinical practice and we make references to economic analysis in the field of ENT infectious diseases prevention and care.
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Fossarello M, Peiretti E, Zucca I, Serra A. Unfavorable Effect of Photodynamic Therapy for Late Subretinal Neovascularization with Chorioretinal Anastomoses Associated with Idiopathic Multiple Serous Detachments of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium. Eur J Ophthalmol 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/112067210401400620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Carta A, Sanna G, Briguglio I, Madeddu S, Vitale G, Piras S, Corona P, Peana AT, Laurini E, Fermeglia M, Pricl S, Serra A, Carta E, Loddo R, Giliberti G. Quinoxaline derivatives as new inhibitors of coxsackievirus B5. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 145:559-569. [PMID: 29339251 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.12.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Enteroviruses are among the most common and important human pathogens for which there are no specific antiviral agents approved by the US Food and Drug Administration so far. Particularly, coxsackievirus infections have a worldwide distribution and can cause many important diseases. We here report the synthesis of new 14 quinoxaline derivatives and the evaluation of their cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against representatives of ssRNA, dsRNA and dsDNA viruses. Promisingly, three compounds showed a very potent and selective antiviral activity against coxsackievirus B5, with EC50 in the sub-micromolar range (0.3-0.06 μM). A combination of experimental techniques (i.e. virucidal activity, time of drug addition and adsorption assays) and in silico modeling studies were further performed, aiming to understand the mode of action of the most active, selective and not cytotoxic compound, the ethyl 4-[(2,3-dimethoxyquinoxalin-6-yl)methylthio]benzoate (6).
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Serra A, Caltabiano R, Giorlandino A, Musumeci A, Conti A, Zanghì G, Maniaci A, Cocuzza S. Nasal metastasis as the first manifestation of a metachronous bilateral renal cell carcinoma. Pathologica 2017; 109:421-425. [PMID: 29449739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma is one of the most common tumours to spread by extranodal metastases to the head and neck. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the head and neck area has been demonstrated mostly in the paranasal sinuses, parotid gland, the mandible, larynx and hypopharinx. Renal cell carcinoma should be excluded whenever a metastatic lesion is encountered in the head and neck area, even if the metastatic lesion is the first clinical presentation. The diagnosis of metastatic RCC should be suspected in any patient with even a remote history of renal cell carcinoma. We report a case of 79 year old woman with recurrent episodes of rhinorrhea, headache, hyposmia and monolateral right epistaxis, with a history of RCC. We describe RCC nasal metastases in a metachronous bilateral neoplasm, in which a second occult lesion debuted with a homolateral nasal metastases, ten years after left nephrectomy.
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Gouveia N, Brito P, Bogas V, Serra A, Bento A, Lopes V, Balsa F, Sampaio L, São Bento M, Cunha P, Porto M. THE effect of different levels of degradation and DNA concentrations on the quality of genetic profiles. FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL GENETICS SUPPLEMENT SERIES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2017.09.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Serra A, Di Mauro P, Spataro D, Maiolino L, Cocuzza S. Post-laryngectomy voice rehabilitation with voice prosthesis: 15 years experience of the ENT Clinic of University of Catania. Retrospective data analysis and literature review. ACTA OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGICA ITALICA 2017; 35:412-9. [PMID: 26900247 PMCID: PMC4755057 DOI: 10.14639/0392-100x-680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This study reports our 15-year experience, in Sicily, with the use of voice prostheses, analysing the different variables that have influenced the success or failure of speech rehabilitation. The retrospective clinical analysis was carried out by reviewing the clinical histories of 95 patients with laryngeal cancer, in whom a voice prosthesis had been placed by trachea-oesophageal puncture between 1998 and 2013. Age, type of tumour, type of surgery, use of prior radiation therapy, type of puncture, prosthesis used and its duration, number of replacements, complications and causes for prosthetic success or failure were analysed. The results showed a mean of Harrison-Robillard-Schultz (HRS) TEP rating scale of 11.8 in primary TEP and 12.6 in secondary TEP (P =0.613). PORT did not affect overall rehabilitation success. In these patients, the mean HRS rating scale was 11.2, with long-term success of 85% (P =0.582). In patients over 70 years old, long-term success was 82.5%, with 78% in primary and 86% in secondary TEP, the mean HRS was 11.2 in primary and 12 in secondary TEP (P =0.648). In total, long-term success was 87.5%, with 84% in primary and 91% in secondary TEP. The results obtained by retrospective analysis of 15 years of prosthetic rehabilitation in the Sicilian territory highlighted standard rehabilitation, in terms of intra and postoperative complications, fistula related pathology and overall success.
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Ruggieri M, Praticò AD, Serra A, Maiolino L, Cocuzza S, Di Mauro P, Licciardello L, Milone P, Privitera G, Belfiore G, Di Pietro M, Di Raimondo F, Romano A, Chiarenza A, Muglia M, Polizzi A, Evans DG. Childhood neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and related disorders: from bench to bedside and biologically targeted therapies. ACTA OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGICA ITALICA 2017; 36:345-367. [PMID: 27958595 PMCID: PMC5225790 DOI: 10.14639/0392-100x-1093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 2 [NF2; MIM # 101000] is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by the occurrence of vestibular schwannomas (VSs), schwannomas of other cranial, spinal and cutaneous nerves, cranial and spinal meningiomas and/or other central nervous system (CNS) tumours (e.g., ependymomas, astrocytomas). Additional features include early onset cataracts, optic nerve sheath meningiomas, retinal hamartomas, dermal schwannomas (i.e., NF2-plaques), and (few) café-au-lait spots. Clinically, NF2 children fall into two main groups: (1) congenital NF2 - with bilateral VSs detected as early as the first days to months of life, which can be stable/asymptomatic for one-two decades and suddenly progress; and (2) severe pre-pubertal (Wishart type) NF2- with multiple (and rapidly progressive) CNS tumours other-than-VS, which usually present first, years before VSs [vs. the classical adult (Gardner type) NF2, with bilateral VSs presenting in young adulthood, sometimes as the only disease feature]. Some individuals can develop unilateral VS associated with ipsilateral meningiomas or multiple schwannomas localised to one part of the peripheral nervous system [i.e., mosaic NF2] or multiple non-VS, non-intradermal cranial, spinal and peripheral schwannomas (histologically proven) [schwannomatosis]. NF2 is caused by mutations in the NF2 gene at chromosome 22q12.1, which encodes for a protein called merlin or schwannomin, most similar to the exrin-readixin-moesin (ERM) proteins; mosaicNF2 is due to mosaic phenomena for the NF2 gene, whilst schwannomatosis is caused by coupled germ-line and mosaic mutations either in the SMARCB1 gene [SWNTS1; MIM # 162091] or the LZTR1 gene [SWNTS2; MIM # 615670] both falling within the 22q region and the NF2 gene. Data driven from in vitro and animal studies on the merlin pathway [e.g., post-translational and upstream/downstream regulation] allowed biologically targeted treatment strategies [e.g., Lapatinib, Erlotinib, Bevacizumab] aimed to multiple tumour shrinkage and/or regression and tumour arrest of progression with functional improvement.
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Buccioni A, Pauselli M, Minieri S, Roscini V, Mannelli F, Rapaccini S, Lupi P, Conte G, Serra A, Cappucci A, Brufani L, Ciucci F, Mele M. Chestnut or quebracho tannins in the diet of grazing ewes supplemented with soybean oil: Effects on animal performances, blood parameters and fatty acid composition of plasma and milk lipids. Small Rumin Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Moscarella E, Spitaleri G, Brugaletta S, Pernigotti A, Ortega Paz L, Cequier A, Iniguez A, Serra A, Jimenez-Quevedo P, Mainar V, Campo G, Tespili M, Valgimigli M, Serruys P, Sabate M. P5604Impact of body mass index on outcomes after everolimus-eluting stents versus bare metal stents implantation in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: insights the EXAMINATION trial. Eur Heart J 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx493.p5604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Lutz M, Messika-Zeitoun D, Steeds R, Baldus S, Schulz E, Serra A, Pohlmann C, Kurucova J, Bramlage P, Frey N. P1645Quality of care in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis across Europe. Eur Heart J 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx502.p1645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Frey N, Steeds R, Baldus S, Schulz E, Serra A, Lutz M, Pohlmann C, Kurucova J, Bramlage P, Messika-Zeitoun D. P3426Contemporary presentation of patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis in the large IMPULSE multicenter registry from 23 centers across 9 European countries. Eur Heart J 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx504.p3426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Serra A, Spinato G, Spinato R, Conti A, Licciardello L, Di Luca M, Campione G, Tonoli G, Politi D, Castro V, Maniaci A, Maiolino L, Cocuzza S. Multicenter prospective crossover study on new prosthetic opportunities in post-laryngectomy voice rehabilitation. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2017; 31:803-809. [PMID: 28958139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the clinical experience of three Italian centers using the third generation Provox Vega prosthesis, in terms of device life and voice outcome, comparing the results with the second generation Provox 2 prosthesis in the same sample. A prospective multicenter crossover study was performed in three phases. In the first phase we performed a reassessment, for enrollment purposes, of patients who were categorized into four different groups [normal – group A; radio-treated – group B; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – group C; and elderly subjects – group D]. In the second and third phases, all patients were monitored for prosthetic device life and assessed for objective and subjective voice characteristics after introducing Provox 2 and Provox Vega prostheses. In patients with Provox 2 prosthesis, the mean life was 165 days in group A, 148 days in group B, 91 days in group C and 188 days in group D. In Provox Vega patients, mean in situ prosthesis life was 213 days in group A, 182 days in group B, 118 days in group C and 227 days in group D. The perceptual voice data showed a better rating across all parameters for the Provox Vega samples compared to those of Provox 2. In this paper, we report the first multicenter crossover study comparing different prosthetic models in the same patients, categorized in relation to different typologies of tracheoesophageal rehabilitative status. Result analyses confirmed an optimal stability of the Provox Vega compared to the Provox 2, in terms of device life and perceptual voice parameters.
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Bielenica A, Sanna G, Madeddu S, Struga M, Jóźwiak M, Kozioł AE, Sawczenko A, Materek IB, Serra A, Giliberti G. New thiourea and 1,3-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives effective on the HIV-1 virus. Chem Biol Drug Des 2017; 90:883-891. [PMID: 28434186 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Thiourea derivatives have been reported to possess many biological activities, among them antiviral and antitumoral properties. As part of our continuing effort to develop new active compounds, we report the synthesis and the evaluation of new fifteen thiourea derivatives with 1,3-benzothiazole-2-yl moiety, among them a group of biologically active (1-7) also underwent cyclization to 1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones. Molecular structure of four compounds (4, 13, 15 and 3a) was determined by an X-ray crystallography. We here report the evaluation of their cytotoxicity against human leukaemia/lymphoma- and solid tumour-derived cell lines and of their antiviral activity against HIV-1 and representatives of ssRNA and dsDNA viruses. Derivative 5 showed an interesting activity against HIV-1 wild type and against variants carrying clinically relevant mutations. A colorimetric enzyme immunoassay clarified its mode of action as a non-nucleoside inhibitor of the reverse transcriptase.
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Serra A, Spinato G, Cocuzza S, Licciardello L, Pavone P, Maiolino L. Adaptive psychological structure in childhood hearing impairment: audiological correlations. ACTA OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGICA ITALICA : ORGANO UFFICIALE DELLA SOCIETA ITALIANA DI OTORINOLARINGOLOGIA E CHIRURGIA CERVICO-FACCIALE 2017; 37:175-179. [PMID: 28516959 PMCID: PMC5463505 DOI: 10.14639/0392-100x-1291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The present research deals with the clinical and social problems present during linguistic and cognitive development of deaf children. Currently, the development of Theory of Mind represents an important research field in deafness studies. These international studies highlighted a significant alteration in the development of Theory of Mind in deaf children compared to normal hearing children, especially in cases of congenital or preverbal hearing loss. In particular, the research focuses on the skills of deaf children in recognising emotions and desires, through both perceptive and cognitive methods, by evaluation of psycho-cognitive skills of children with severe hearing loss using a set of questions to be administered to hearing loss patients. The experiment was performed on a group composed of 10 children (5 males and 5 females) aged 4 to 9 years and 54 to 108 months, affected by bilateral congenital hearing loss (severe to total), or hearing loss that developed in preverbal children the year before entering elementary school, or during the fourth year of elementary school. The selection criteria were based on: audiologic evaluation, neuro-psychological tests administered to assess general, cognitive as well as praxis and perceptive abilities, and clinical observations performed to assess psychopathology using tests that assess development of both visual perceptive (Coloured Progressive Matrices) and graphic representational abilities (Test of Human Figure Drawings and the Family Drawing Test). The instrument "cognitive" was the "Deaf Children Series", arranged by us, that consists of a mental status examination (MSE) that evaluates: level of cognitive (knowledge-related) ability, emotional mood, and speech and thought patterns at the time of evaluation. Deaf children show a reduced responsiveness to the expressions of sadness on the perceptive side. Through the test, we observed a psychodynamic defense mechanism considering perceptive understanding performance. On the contrary, in normal hearing children, the emotion 'fear' is the most difficult to identify. Deaf children seem to be more susceptible to recognition of visual emotions. Furthermore, deaf children present significant problem-solving skills and emotional recognition skills, possibly as a result of their hearing impairment.
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Bettini S, Giancane G, Pagano R, Bonfrate V, Salvatore L, Madaghiele M, Buccolieri A, Manno D, Serra A, Maruccio G, Monteduro AG, Syrgiannis Z, Valli L, Prato M. A simple approach to synthetize folic acid decorated magnetite@SiO2 nanostructures for hyperthermia applications. J Mater Chem B 2017; 5:7547-7556. [DOI: 10.1039/c7tb02002c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Folic Acid decorated SPIONs selective internalization was monitored by an innovative Ellipsometry imaging approach.
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Minieri S, Buccioni A, Serra A, Galigani I, Pezzati A, Rapaccini S, Antongiovanni M. Nutritional characteristics and quality of eggs from laying hens fed on a diet supplemented with chestnut tannin extract (Castanea sativa Miller). Br Poult Sci 2016; 57:824-832. [PMID: 27636857 DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2016.1216944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The trial was performed with 80 laying hens belonging to two Tuscan autochthonous breeds: 40 birds of the Mugellese (MU) breed and 40 of the White Leghorn (WL) breed. The animals were allotted to 4 groups of individually caged 20 hens each: two groups were fed on a commercial diet and worked as the control groups (MUC and WLC); the other two groups received the same diet, integrated with 2 g of chestnut tannin (CT) extract per kg of diet (MUT and WLT). A sample of 70 eggs were randomly collected and analysed for cholesterol content, fatty acid (FA) profile, weight, thickness of shell and colour of yolk. Physical parameters, including yolk colour, and indices of egg quality were not affected by the treatments. The concentration of unsaturated FAs increased, whereas cholesterol was significantly decreased: -17% in WLT and -9% in MUT. Dietary supplementation with CT extract resulted in a modification of lipid composition, towards a more healthy quality of eggs.
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Vitaliti G, Pavone P, Giugno GR, Vecchio M, Cocuzza S, Serra A, Maiolino L, Di Mauro P, Lubrano R, Falsaperla R. Parasympathetic nervous system involvement in food allergy: description of a paediatric case. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2016; 30:1137-1140. [PMID: 28078865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The latest research data emphasize the interaction between the nervous and the immune systems. It has been demonstrated that the central nervous system (CNS) can be involved secondarily due to blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption via pro-inflammatory cytokines released in allergy. More recently it was demonstrated that the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) could also be equally involved in models of peripheral inflammation such as food allergy; although this last clinical presentation has rarely been described. Herein, the authors report the case of a five-year-old Caucasian female who was admitted to our Pediatric Acute and Emergency Operative Unit for cyclic vomiting. Her vomiting, which was preceded by objective torque vertigo, headache and weakness, had been recurring with constant frequency every two months since she was 3 years old. After a complex diagnostic flow-chart, it was found that this spectrum of neurologic symptoms was due to a food allergy syndrome, which postulates some etiopathogenic hypotheses to explain the relationship between the two mentioned diseases.
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Korychenska O, Acebo C, Bezuglyi M, Serra A, Grazulevicius J. Epoxy-thiol thermosets modified by carbazole decorated hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) for optical applications. REACT FUNCT POLYM 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2016.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Serra A, Lopes V, Balsa F, Brito P, Corte-Real F, Bento A, Anjos M, Bogas V. Genetic anomaly and clinical history and its implication in paternity analysis. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2016.1194475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Trovato A, Siracusa R, Di Paola R, Scuto M, Ontario ML, Bua O, Di Mauro P, Toscano MA, Petralia CCT, Maiolino L, Serra A, Cuzzocrea S, Calabrese V. Redox modulation of cellular stress response and lipoxin A4 expression by Hericium Erinaceus in rat brain: relevance to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. IMMUNITY & AGEING 2016; 13:23. [PMID: 27398086 PMCID: PMC4938991 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-016-0078-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Background There has been a recent upsurge of interest in complementary medicine, especially dietary supplements and foods functional in delaying the onset of age-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Mushrooms have long been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, being now increasingly recognized as antitumor, antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and hepatoprotective agent also capable to stimulate host immune responses. Results Here we provide evidence of neuroprotective action of Hericium Herinaceus when administered orally to rat. Expression of Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) was measured in different brain regions after oral administration of a biomass Hericium preparation, given for 3 month. LXA4 up-regulation was associated with an increased content of redox sensitive proteins involved in cellular stress response, such as Hsp72, Heme oxygenase −1 and Thioredoxin. In the brain of rats receiving Hericium, maximum induction of LXA4 was observed in cortex, and hippocampus followed by substantia Nigra, striatum and cerebellum. Increasing evidence supports the notion that oxidative stress-driven neuroinflammation is a fundamental cause in neurodegenerative diseases. As prominent intracellular redox system involved in neuroprotection, the vitagene system is emerging as a neurohormetic potential target for novel cytoprotective interventions. Vitagenes encode for cytoprotective heat shock proteins 70, heme oxygenase-1, thioredoxin and Lipoxin A4. Emerging interest is now focussing on molecules capable of activating the vitagene system as novel therapeutic target to minimize deleterious consequences associated with free radical-induced cell damage, such as in neurodegeneration. LXA4 is an emerging endogenous eicosanoid able to promote resolution of inflammation, acting as an endogenous “braking signal” in the inflammatory process. In addition, Hsp system is emerging as key pathway for modulation to prevent neuronal dysfunction, caused by protein misfolding. Conclusions Conceivably, activation of LXA4 signaling and modulation of stress responsive vitagene proteins could serve as a potential therapeutic target for AD-related inflammation and neurodegenerative damage.
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Laranjo M, Almeida N, Serra A, Abrantes A, Pineiro M, Gonçalves A, Casalta-Lopes J, Sarmento-Ribeiro A, Botelho M. The role of reactive oxygen species in photodynamic therapy combined with acetylsalicylic acid in colon and esophagus cancer cells. Eur J Cancer 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(16)61402-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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