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Greco E, Gaetano AS, De Spirt A, Semeraro S, Piscitelli P, Miani A, Mecca S, Karaj S, Trombin R, Hodgton R, Barbieri P. AI-Enhanced Tools and Strategies for Airborne Disease Prevention in Cultural Heritage Sites. EPIDEMIOLOGIA 2024; 5:267-274. [PMID: 38920753 PMCID: PMC11203220 DOI: 10.3390/epidemiologia5020018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the surveillance and safety measures of indoor Cultural Heritage sites have become a paramount concern due to the unique challenges posed by their enclosed environments and high visitor volumes. This communication explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing epidemiological surveillance and health safety protocols in these culturally significant spaces. AI technologies, including machine learning algorithms and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, have shown promising potential in monitoring air quality, detecting pathogens, and managing crowd dynamics to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases. We review various applications of AI that have been employed to address both direct health risks and indirect impacts such as visitor experience and preservation practices. Additionally, this paper discusses the challenges and limitations of AI deployment, such as ethical considerations, privacy issues, and financial constraints. By harnessing AI, Cultural Heritage sites can not only improve their resilience against future pandemics but also ensure the safety and well-being of visitors and staff, thus preserving these treasured sites for future generations. This exploration into AI's role in post-COVID surveillance at Cultural Heritage sites opens new frontiers in combining technology with traditional conservation and public health efforts, providing a blueprint for enhanced safety and operational efficiency in response to global health challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Greco
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (A.D.S.); (S.S.); (P.B.)
- Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA), Viale di Porta Vercellina, 9, 20123 Milan, Italy; (P.P.); (A.M.)
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Material Science and Technology (INSTM), Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Anastasia Serena Gaetano
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (A.D.S.); (S.S.); (P.B.)
| | - Alessia De Spirt
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (A.D.S.); (S.S.); (P.B.)
| | - Sabrina Semeraro
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (A.D.S.); (S.S.); (P.B.)
| | - Prisco Piscitelli
- Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA), Viale di Porta Vercellina, 9, 20123 Milan, Italy; (P.P.); (A.M.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Alessandro Miani
- Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA), Viale di Porta Vercellina, 9, 20123 Milan, Italy; (P.P.); (A.M.)
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Saverio Mecca
- Department of Architecture, University of Firenze, Via della Mattonaia 14, 50121 Firenze, Italy;
- Italian Academy of Biophilia (AIB), Lungadige Galtarossa 21, 37133 Verona, Italy;
| | - Stela Karaj
- Faculty of Social Sciences, European University of Tirana, Rruga Xhanfize Keko, 1000 Tirana, Albania;
| | - Rita Trombin
- Italian Academy of Biophilia (AIB), Lungadige Galtarossa 21, 37133 Verona, Italy;
| | - Rachel Hodgton
- International WELL Building Institute, New York, NY 10001, USA;
| | - Pierluigi Barbieri
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (A.D.S.); (S.S.); (P.B.)
- Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA), Viale di Porta Vercellina, 9, 20123 Milan, Italy; (P.P.); (A.M.)
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Gaetano AS, Semeraro S, Greco S, Greco E, Cain A, Perrone MG, Pallavicini A, Licen S, Fornasaro S, Barbieri P. Bioaerosol Sampling Devices and Pretreatment for Bacterial Characterization: Theoretical Differences and a Field Experience in a Wastewater Treatment Plant. Microorganisms 2024; 12:965. [PMID: 38792794 PMCID: PMC11124041 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Studies on bioaerosol bacterial biodiversity have relevance in both ecological and health contexts, and molecular methods, such as 16S rRNA gene-based barcoded sequencing, provide efficient tools for the analysis of airborne bacterial communities. Standardized methods for sampling and analysis of bioaerosol DNA are lacking, thus hampering the comparison of results from studies implementing different devices and procedures. Three samplers that use gelatin filtration, swirling aerosol collection, and condensation growth tubes for collecting bioaerosol at an aeration tank of a wastewater treatment plant in Trieste (Italy) were used to determine the bacterial biodiversity. Wastewater samples were collected directly from the untreated sewage to obtain a true representation of the microbiological community present in the plant. Different samplers and collection media provide an indication of the different grades of biodiversity, with condensation growth tubes and DNA/RNA shieldTM capturing the richer bacterial genera. Overall, in terms of relative abundance, the air samples have a lower number of bacterial genera (64 OTUs) than the wastewater ones (75 OTUs). Using the metabarcoding approach to aerosol samples, we provide the first preliminary step toward the understanding of a significant diversity between different air sampling systems, enabling the scientific community to orient research towards the most informative sampling strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Serena Gaetano
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (S.S.); (E.G.); (S.L.); (S.F.)
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Sabrina Semeraro
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (S.S.); (E.G.); (S.L.); (S.F.)
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Samuele Greco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Enrico Greco
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (S.S.); (E.G.); (S.L.); (S.F.)
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Andrea Cain
- ACEGAS APS AMGA S.p.a., Via degli Alti Forni, 11, 34121 Trieste, Italy;
| | | | - Alberto Pallavicini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Sabina Licen
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (S.S.); (E.G.); (S.L.); (S.F.)
| | - Stefano Fornasaro
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (S.S.); (E.G.); (S.L.); (S.F.)
| | - Pierluigi Barbieri
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (S.S.); (E.G.); (S.L.); (S.F.)
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
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Di Tonno D, Martena L, Taurisano M, Perlin C, Loiacono AC, Lagravinese S, Marsigliante S, Maffia M, Esposito S, Villa G, Gori G, Bray L, Distante A, Miani A, Piscitelli P, Argentiero A. The Requirements of Managing Phase I Clinical Trials Risks: The British and Italian Case Studies. EPIDEMIOLOGIA 2024; 5:137-145. [PMID: 38534806 DOI: 10.3390/epidemiologia5010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Phase I clinical trials represent a critical point in drug development because the investigational medicinal product is being tested in humans for the first time. For this reason, it is essential to evaluate and identify the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) and the safety of the new compound. To mitigate the possible risks associated with drug administration and treatment, the European Competent Authority issued various guidelines to provide provisions and harmonize risk management processes. In the UK and Italy, particular attention should be paid to the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) phase I accreditation scheme and the specific rules set by the Italian Drug Authority through the AIFA Determination no. 809/2015. Both reference documents are based on the concept of quality risk management while conducting phase I clinical studies. Moreover, the AIFA determination outlines specific requirements for those sites that want to conduct non-profit phase I clinical trials. Indeed, the document reports peculiar activities to the "Clinical Trial Quality Team", which is a team that should support the clinical site researchers in designing, starting, performing, and closing non-profit phase I studies. In this paper, we provide a general overview of the main European guidelines concerning the management of risks during phase I trials, focusing on the main peculiarities of the schemes and rules set by the MHRA and AIFA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Di Tonno
- ClinOpsHub srl., 72023 Mesagne, Italy
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | | | - Manuela Taurisano
- ClinOpsHub srl., 72023 Mesagne, Italy
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Caterina Perlin
- ClinOpsHub srl., 72023 Mesagne, Italy
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Anna Chiara Loiacono
- ClinOpsHub srl., 72023 Mesagne, Italy
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | | | - Santo Marsigliante
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Michele Maffia
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Susanna Esposito
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
| | - Gianluca Villa
- Section of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50100 Florence, Italy
- Clinical Trial Unit for Phase 1 Studies, Careggi University Hospital, 50100 Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Gori
- Clinical Pharmacology Center for Drug Experimentation, University Hospital of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Bray
- School of Medicine, St. Camillus International University for Health Sciences, 00042 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Distante
- Euro Mediterranean Scientific Biomedical Institute (ISBEM), 72023 Mesagne, Italy
| | | | - Prisco Piscitelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
- Italian Society of Environmental Medicine, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Argentiero
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
- Euro Mediterranean Scientific Biomedical Institute (ISBEM), 72023 Mesagne, Italy
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Integration of Different Graphene Nanostructures with PDMS to Form Wearable Sensors. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12060950. [PMID: 35335764 PMCID: PMC8949288 DOI: 10.3390/nano12060950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a substantial review of the fabrication and implementation of graphene-PDMS-based composites for wearable sensing applications. Graphene is a pivotal nanomaterial which is increasingly being used to develop multifunctional sensors due to their enhanced electrical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics. It has been able to generate devices with excellent performances in terms of sensitivity and longevity. Among the polymers, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been one of the most common ones that has been used in biomedical applications. Certain attributes, such as biocompatibility and the hydrophobic nature of PDMS, have led the researchers to conjugate it in graphene sensors as substrates or a polymer matrix. The use of these graphene/PDMS-based sensors for wearable sensing applications has been highlighted here. Different kinds of electrochemical and strain-sensing applications have been carried out to detect the physiological signals and parameters of the human body. These prototypes have been classified based on the physical nature of graphene used to formulate the sensors. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives of these graphene/PDMS-based wearable sensors are explained in the final part of the paper.
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Liu Z, Liu L, Zhong Z, Ran Y, Xi J, Wang J. Ultralight hybrid silica aerogels derived from supramolecular hydrogels self-assembled from insoluble nano building blocks. RSC Adv 2021; 11:7331-7337. [PMID: 35423243 PMCID: PMC8695017 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra00418b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Supramolecular hydrogels are a type of hydrogel cross-linked by non-chemical bonds and they have been widely applied in the field of smart systems, sensors, tissue engineering, and controlled drug delivery. Most supramolecular hydrogels are formed by soluble molecules, polymers, and metal ions. In this work, supramolecular hydrogels self-assembled between two insoluble nano building blocks (ISNBBs), graphene oxide (GO) and amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SiO2-NH2), have been discovered and synthesized. The gelation conditions of the two ISNBBs have been investigated. A step further, ultralight hybrid silica aerogels are obtained by supercritical drying of the physical hydrogels. No visible volume shrinkage is observed, due to the fact that the hydrogel networks are formed by rigid ISNBBs. Thus the hybrid aerogels possess ultralow density (down to 7.5 mg cm-3), high specific surface areas (178.6 m2 g-1), and extremely high porosity (99.6%). The present work shows an alternative strategy to design and synthesize supramolecular hydrogels and aerogels using predetermined building blocks, together with designable morphology and physical properties for the target aerogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongjian Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University Beijing 100144 P. R. China
| | - Ling Liu
- Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Suzhou 215123 P. R. China
| | - Zhenggen Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Suzhou 215123 P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Ran
- Department of Rehabilitation, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University Beijing 100144 P. R. China
| | - Jianing Xi
- Department of Rehabilitation, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University Beijing 100144 P. R. China
| | - Jin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Suzhou 215123 P. R. China
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Wang J, Wang J. Advances on Dimensional Structure Designs and Functional Applications of Aerogels. ACTA CHIMICA SINICA 2021. [DOI: 10.6023/a20110531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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