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Biagini F, Botte E, Calvigioni M, De Maria C, Mazzantini D, Celandroni F, Ghelardi E, Vozzi G. A Millifluidic Chamber for Controlled Shear Stress Testing: Application to Microbial Cultures. Ann Biomed Eng 2023; 51:2923-2933. [PMID: 37713099 PMCID: PMC10632311 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-023-03361-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
In vitro platforms such as bioreactors and microfluidic devices are commonly designed to engineer tissue models as well as to replicate the crosstalk between cells and microorganisms hosted in the human body. These systems promote nutrient supply and waste removal through culture medium recirculation; consequently, they intrinsically expose cellular structures to shear stress, be it a desired mechanical stimulus to drive the cell fate or a potential inhibitor for the model maturation. Assessing the impact of shear stress on cellular or microbial cultures thus represents a crucial step to define proper environmental conditions for in vitro models. In this light, the aim of this study was to develop a millifluidic device enabling to generate fully controlled shear stress profiles for quantitatively probing its influence on tissue or bacterial models, overcoming the limitations of previous reports proposing similar devices. Relying on this millifluidic tool, we present a systematic methodology to test how adherent cellular structures react to shear forces, which was applied to the case of microbial biofilms as a proof of concept. The results obtained suggest our approach as a suitable testbench to evaluate culture conditions in terms of shear stress faced by cells or microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Biagini
- Research Center "E. Piaggio", University of Pisa, Largo L. Lazzarino 1, 56122, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ermes Botte
- Research Center "E. Piaggio", University of Pisa, Largo L. Lazzarino 1, 56122, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Calvigioni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 35, 56123, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carmelo De Maria
- Research Center "E. Piaggio", University of Pisa, Largo L. Lazzarino 1, 56122, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122, Pisa, Italy
| | - Diletta Mazzantini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 35, 56123, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Celandroni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 35, 56123, Pisa, Italy
| | - Emilia Ghelardi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 35, 56123, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Vozzi
- Research Center "E. Piaggio", University of Pisa, Largo L. Lazzarino 1, 56122, Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122, Pisa, Italy.
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De Benedetto I, Biagini F, Urbano G, Mongini TE, Cassetta I, Scaglione L, Curtoni A, Calleri G, Calcagno A, De Rosa FG, Corcione S. A case of histological diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii myositis in a person living with HIV. Infez Med 2023; 31:407-410. [PMID: 37701394 PMCID: PMC10495058 DOI: 10.53854/liim-3103-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
We report the case of a 58-year-old male with a recent diagnosis of HIV infection admitted for progressive muscular weakness and psychomotor impairment. Cerebrospinal examination documented a mild hyperproteinorrachia, with normal cells count and reduced glycorrhachia. Brain gadolinium-enhanced MRI showed bilateral T2 and FLAIR hyperintensities in the nucleo-capsular region and irregular contrast-enhancement of the globi pallidi and the right putamen. The histologic analysis of a quadriceps biopsy showed several foci of inflammatory infiltrates with concomitant muscular fiber atrophy and degeneration. Scattered intracytoplasmic inclusions were observed in muscle fibers, representing the main pathological feature. A positive PCR for Toxoplasma gondii and a Toxoplasma gondii specific monoclonal antibody immunohistochemical staining confirmed the diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria De Benedetto
- Department of Medical Sciences, Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Biagini
- Internal Medicine Unit, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Guido Urbano
- Neuromuscular Center, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Department of Neurosciences RLM, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Tiziana Enrica Mongini
- Neuromuscular Center, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Department of Neurosciences RLM, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cassetta
- Internal Medicine Unit, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Scaglione
- Internal Medicine Unit, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Curtoni
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Guido Calleri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Travel Medicine Unit, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Calcagno
- Department of Medical Sciences, Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Giuseppe De Rosa
- Department of Medical Sciences, Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Cardinal Massaia Hospital, Asti, Italy
| | - Silvia Corcione
- Department of Medical Sciences, Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Calvigioni M, Panattoni A, Biagini F, Donati L, Mazzantini D, Massimino M, Daddi C, Celandroni F, Vozzi G, Ghelardi E. Development of an In Vitro Model of the Gut Microbiota Enriched in Mucus-Adhering Bacteria. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0033623. [PMID: 37289064 PMCID: PMC10433972 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00336-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Culturing the gut microbiota in in vitro models that mimic the intestinal environment is increasingly becoming a promising alternative approach to study microbial dynamics and the effect of perturbations on the gut community. Since the mucus-associated microbial populations in the human intestine differ in composition and functions from their luminal counterpart, we attempted to reproduce in vitro the microbial consortia adhering to mucus using an already established three-dimensional model of the human gut microbiota. Electrospun gelatin structures supplemented or not with mucins were inoculated with fecal samples and compared for their ability to support microbial adhesion and growth over time, as well as to shape the composition of the colonizing communities. Both scaffolds allowed the establishment of long-term stable biofilms with comparable total bacterial loads and biodiversity. However, mucin-coated structures harbored microbial consortia especially enriched in Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, and Faecalibacterium, being therefore able to select for microorganisms commonly considered mucosa-associated in vivo. IMPORTANCE These findings highlight the importance of mucins in shaping intestinal microbial communities, even those in artificial gut microbiota systems. We propose our in vitro model based on mucin-coated electrospun gelatin structures as a valid device for studies evaluating the effects of exogenous factors (nutrients, probiotics, infectious agents, and drugs) on mucus-adhering microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Calvigioni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Adelaide Panattoni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Biagini
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Research Center “Enrico Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Donati
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Diletta Mazzantini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mariacristina Massimino
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Costanza Daddi
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Research Center “Enrico Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Celandroni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Vozzi
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Research Center “Enrico Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Emilia Ghelardi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health – Nutrafood”, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Calvigioni M, Panattoni A, Biagini F, Donati L, Mazzantini D, Massimino M, Daddi C, Celandroni F, Vozzi G, Ghelardi E. Impact of Bacillus cereus on the Human Gut Microbiota in a 3D In Vitro Model. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1826. [PMID: 37512998 PMCID: PMC10385275 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro models for culturing complex microbial communities are progressively being used to study the effects of different factors on the modeling of in vitro-cultured microorganisms. In previous work, we validated a 3D in vitro model of the human gut microbiota based on electrospun gelatin scaffolds covered with mucins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Bacillus cereus, a pathogen responsible for food poisoning diseases in humans, on the gut microbiota grown in the model. Real-time quantitative PCR and 16S ribosomal RNA-gene sequencing were performed to obtain information on microbiota composition after introducing B. cereus ATCC 14579 vegetative cells or culture supernatants. The adhesion of B. cereus to intestinal mucins was also tested. The presence of B. cereus induced important modifications in the intestinal communities. Notably, levels of Proteobacteria (particularly Escherichia coli), Lactobacillus, and Akkermansia were reduced, while abundances of Bifidobacterium and Mitsuokella increased. In addition, B. cereus was able to adhere to mucins. The results obtained from our in vitro model stress the hypothesis that B. cereus is able to colonize the intestinal mucosa by stably adhering to mucins and impacting intestinal microbial communities as an additional pathogenetic mechanism during gastrointestinal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Calvigioni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Adelaide Panattoni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Biagini
- Department of Information Bioengineering, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Research Centre "Enrico Piaggio", University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Donati
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Diletta Mazzantini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Mariacristina Massimino
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Costanza Daddi
- Department of Information Bioengineering, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Research Centre "Enrico Piaggio", University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Celandroni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Vozzi
- Department of Information Bioengineering, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Research Centre "Enrico Piaggio", University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Emilia Ghelardi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
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Toso A, Leoncini M, Magnaghi G, Biagini F, Martini O, Maioli M, Villani S, Comeglio M, Bellandi F. Rationale and design of COLchicine On-admission to Reduce inflammation in Acute Coronary Syndrome (COLOR-ACS) study. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2023; 24:52-58. [PMID: 36473121 DOI: 10.2459/jcm.0000000000001389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of the colchicine on-admission to reduce inflammation in acute coronary syndrome (COLOR-ACS) study is to evaluate the effects of the addition of short-term, low-dose colchicine to high-dose atorvastatin in limiting levels of inflammatory markers, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). METHODS The COLOR-ACS study is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, two-arm trial. Statin-naive patients with NSTE-ACS, scheduled for an early invasive strategy, are randomized on admission to receive standard treatment of atorvastatin 80 mg or standard treatment plus colchicine (1 mg loading dose followed by 0.5 mg/day until discharge). The main exclusion criteria are prior statin and/or colchicine treatment, current treatment with potent inhibitors of CYP3A4, P-glycoprotein or immunosuppressive drugs, known active malignancy, severe kidney, cardiac, liver disease. There is clinical and biochemical follow-up at 30 days after discharge and telephone interview at 6 months. The primary end point is the change in hs-CRP from admission to discharge. Secondary end points include: incidence of acute kidney injury; MB fraction of creatine kinase peak value; glomerular filtration rate change from baseline to 30 days; persistence of hs-CRP ≥2 mg/dl at 30 days; adverse clinical events within 30 days; tolerance to colchicine. CONCLUSION The COLOR-ACS study will provide evidence on the efficacy of early short-term treatment with colchicine in addition to high-dose atorvastatin compared to atorvastatin alone in ACS patients. The potential anti-inflammatory action of colchicine plus atorvastatin is expected to limit hs-CRP increase with resultant clinical benefits. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT05250596.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Toso
- Cardiology Division of Santo Stefano Hospital, Prato
| | | | - Gaia Magnaghi
- Cardiology Division of Santi Cosma e Damiano Hospital, Pescia
| | | | | | - Mauro Maioli
- Cardiology Division of Santo Stefano Hospital, Prato
| | - Simona Villani
- Section of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Neurosciences, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Pavia University, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Comeglio
- Cardiology Division of Santi Cosma e Damiano Hospital, Pescia.,Cardiology Division of San Jacopo Hospital, Pistoia
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Biagini F, Daddi C, Calvigioni M, De Maria C, Zhang YS, Ghelardi E, Vozzi G. Designs and methodologies to recreate in vitro human gut microbiota models. Biodes Manuf 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42242-022-00210-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe human gut microbiota is widely considered to be a metabolic organ hidden within our bodies, playing a crucial role in the host’s physiology. Several factors affect its composition, so a wide variety of microbes residing in the gut are present in the world population. Individual excessive imbalances in microbial composition are often associated with human disorders and pathologies, and new investigative strategies to gain insight into these pathologies and define pharmaceutical therapies for their treatment are needed. In vitro models of the human gut microbiota are commonly used to study microbial fermentation patterns, community composition, and host-microbe interactions. Bioreactors and microfluidic devices have been designed to culture microorganisms from the human gut microbiota in a dynamic environment in the presence or absence of eukaryotic cells to interact with. In this review, we will describe the overall elements required to create a functioning, reproducible, and accurate in vitro culture of the human gut microbiota. In addition, we will analyze some of the devices currently used to study fermentation processes and relationships between the human gut microbiota and host eukaryotic cells.
Graphic abstract
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Biagini F, Calvigioni M, De Maria C, Magliaro C, Montemurro F, Mazzantini D, Celandroni F, Mattioli-Belmonte M, Ghelardi E, Vozzi G. Study of the Adhesion of the Human Gut Microbiota on Electrospun Structures. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:bioengineering9030096. [PMID: 35324785 PMCID: PMC8945341 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9030096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the adhesion of bacteria on surfaces is a widely studied process, to date, most of the works focus on a single species of microorganisms and are aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial properties of biomaterials. Here, we describe how a complex microbial community, i.e., the human gut microbiota, adheres to a surface to form stable biofilms. Two electrospun structures made of natural, i.e., gelatin, and synthetic, i.e., polycaprolactone, polymers were used to study their ability to both promote the adhesion of the human gut microbiota and support microbial growth in vitro. Due to the different wettabilities of the two surfaces, a mucin coating was also added to the structures to decouple the effect of bulk and surface properties on microbial adhesion. The developed biofilm was quantified and monitored using live/dead imaging and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the electrospun gelatin structure without the mucin coating was the optimal choice for developing a 3D in vitro model of the human gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Biagini
- Research Center “E. Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 55122 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (C.D.M.); (C.M.); (F.M.)
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Calvigioni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 37, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.); (D.M.); (F.C.); (E.G.)
| | - Carmelo De Maria
- Research Center “E. Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 55122 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (C.D.M.); (C.M.); (F.M.)
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Magliaro
- Research Center “E. Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 55122 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (C.D.M.); (C.M.); (F.M.)
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Montemurro
- Research Center “E. Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 55122 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (C.D.M.); (C.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Diletta Mazzantini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 37, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.); (D.M.); (F.C.); (E.G.)
| | - Francesco Celandroni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 37, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.); (D.M.); (F.C.); (E.G.)
| | - Monica Mattioli-Belmonte
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Science—DISCLIMO Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Emilia Ghelardi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 37, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.); (D.M.); (F.C.); (E.G.)
| | - Giovanni Vozzi
- Research Center “E. Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 55122 Pisa, Italy; (F.B.); (C.D.M.); (C.M.); (F.M.)
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Biagini F, Ferro Desideri L, Giannaccare G, Traverso C, Vagge A. Tanfanercept. Recombinant variant of human TNFR1, TNF-alpha modulator, Treatment of dry eye disease. DRUG FUTURE 2022. [DOI: 10.1358/dof.2022.47.7.3413463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Biagini F, Calvigioni M, Lapomarda A, Vecchione A, Magliaro C, De Maria C, Montemurro F, Celandroni F, Mazzantini D, Mattioli-Belmonte M, Ghelardi E, Vozzi G. A novel 3D in vitro model of the human gut microbiota. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21499. [PMID: 33299026 PMCID: PMC7725811 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78591-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical trials and animal studies on the gut microbiota are often limited by the difficult access to the gut, restricted possibility of in vivo monitoring, and ethical issues. An easily accessible and monitorable in vitro model of the gut microbiota represents a valid tool for a wider comprehension of the mechanisms by which microbes interact with the host and with each other. Herein, we present a novel and reliable system for culturing the human gut microbiota in vitro. An electrospun gelatin structure was biofabricated as scaffold for microbial growth. The efficiency of this structure in supporting microbial proliferation and biofilm formation was initially assessed for five microbes commonly inhabiting the human gut. The human fecal microbiota was then cultured on the scaffolds and microbial biofilms monitored by confocal laser and scanning electron microscopy and quantified over time. Metagenomic analyses and Real-Time qPCRs were performed to evaluate the stability of the cultured microbiota in terms of qualitative and quantitative composition. Our results reveal the three-dimensionality of the scaffold-adhered microbial consortia that maintain the bacterial biodiversity and richness found in the original sample. These findings demonstrate the validity of the developed electrospun gelatin-based system for in vitro culturing the human gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Biagini
- Research Center "E. Piaggio", University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 55122, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Calvigioni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 37, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Lapomarda
- Research Center "E. Piaggio", University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 55122, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Vecchione
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 37, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Magliaro
- Research Center "E. Piaggio", University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 55122, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carmelo De Maria
- Research Center "E. Piaggio", University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 55122, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Montemurro
- Research Center "E. Piaggio", University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 55122, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Celandroni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 37, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Diletta Mazzantini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 37, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Monica Mattioli-Belmonte
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Science-DISCLIMO, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Emilia Ghelardi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 37, 56127, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Vozzi
- Research Center "E. Piaggio", University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 55122, Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122, Pisa, Italy.
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Fortunato GM, Da Ros F, Bisconti S, De Acutis A, Biagini F, Lapomarda A, Magliaro C, De Maria C, Montemurro F, Bizzotto D, Braghetta P, Vozzi G. Electrospun Structures Made of a Hydrolyzed Keratin-Based Biomaterial for Development of in vitro Tissue Models. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:174. [PMID: 31380365 PMCID: PMC6650943 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is the analysis and characterization of a hydrolyzed keratin-based biomaterial and its processing using electrospinning technology to develop in vitro tissue models. This biomaterial, extracted from poultry feathers, was mixed with type A porcine gelatin and cross-linked with γ-glycidyloxy-propyl-trimethoxy-silane (GPTMS) to be casted initially in the form of film and characterized in terms of swelling, contact angle, mechanical properties, and surface charge density. After these chemical-physical characterizations, electrospun nanofibers structures were manufactured and their mechanical properties were evaluated. Finally, cell response was analyzed by testing the efficacy of keratin-based structures in sustaining cell vitality and proliferation over 4 days of human epithelial, rat neuronal and human primary skin fibroblast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Maria Fortunato
- Research Centre ‘E. Piaggio', Department of Ingegneria dell'Informazione of University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Gabriele Maria Fortunato
| | - Francesco Da Ros
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Samuele Bisconti
- Research Centre ‘E. Piaggio', Department of Ingegneria dell'Informazione of University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Aurora De Acutis
- Research Centre ‘E. Piaggio', Department of Ingegneria dell'Informazione of University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Biagini
- Research Centre ‘E. Piaggio', Department of Ingegneria dell'Informazione of University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Lapomarda
- Research Centre ‘E. Piaggio', Department of Ingegneria dell'Informazione of University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Magliaro
- Research Centre ‘E. Piaggio', Department of Ingegneria dell'Informazione of University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carmelo De Maria
- Research Centre ‘E. Piaggio', Department of Ingegneria dell'Informazione of University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Montemurro
- Research Centre ‘E. Piaggio', Department of Ingegneria dell'Informazione of University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Dario Bizzotto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Paola Braghetta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Vozzi
- Research Centre ‘E. Piaggio', Department of Ingegneria dell'Informazione of University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Chiesa I, Fortunato GM, Lapomarda A, Di Pietro L, Biagini F, De Acutis A, Bernazzani L, Tinè MR, De Maria C, Vozzi G. Ultrasonic mixing chamber as an effective tool for the biofabrication of fully graded scaffolds for interface tissue engineering. Int J Artif Organs 2019; 42:586-594. [DOI: 10.1177/0391398819852960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
One of the main challenges of the interface-tissue engineering is the regeneration of diseased or damaged interfacial native tissues that are heterogeneous both in composition and in structure. In order to achieve this objective, innovative fabrication techniques have to be investigated. This work describes the design, fabrication, and validation of a novel mixing system to be integrated into a double-extruder bioprinter, based on an ultrasonic probe included into a mixing chamber. To validate the quality and the influence of mixing time, different nanohydroxyapatite–gelatin samples were printed. Mechanical characterization, micro-computed tomography, and thermogravimetric analysis were carried out. Samples obtained from three-dimensional bioprinting using the mixing chamber were compared to samples obtained by deposition of the same final solution obtained by manually operated ultrasound probe, showing no statistical differences. Results obtained from samples characterization allow to consider the proposed mixing system as a promising tool for the fabrication of graduated structures which are increasingly being used in interface-tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Chiesa
- Research Center “E. Piaggio,” University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Maria Fortunato
- Research Center “E. Piaggio,” University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Ingegneria dell’Informazione, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Lapomarda
- Research Center “E. Piaggio,” University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Ingegneria dell’Informazione, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Licia Di Pietro
- Research Center “E. Piaggio,” University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Ingegneria dell’Informazione, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Biagini
- Research Center “E. Piaggio,” University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Ingegneria dell’Informazione, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Aurora De Acutis
- Research Center “E. Piaggio,” University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Ingegneria dell’Informazione, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Bernazzani
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Tinè
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carmelo De Maria
- Research Center “E. Piaggio,” University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Ingegneria dell’Informazione, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Vozzi
- Research Center “E. Piaggio,” University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Ingegneria dell’Informazione, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Abstract
The ‘change of numéraire’ technique has been introduced by Geman, El Karoui and Rochet for pricing and hedging contingent claims in the case of complete markets. In this paper we study the ‘change of numéraire’ using the ‘locally risk-minimizing approach’, when the market is not complete. We prove that, if the stochastic process which represents the prices is continuous, the l.r.m. strategy is invariant by a change of numéraire (this result is false in the right-continuous case, as is shown by some counterexamples).We also give an extension of Merton's formula to the case of stochastic volatility.
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Nesti N, Pieraccioli M, Mossello E, Sgrilli F, Bulgaresi M, Crescioli E, Biagini F, Caleri V, Tonon E, Cantini C, Biagini CA, Marchionni N, Ungar A. Tolerability of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in cognitively impaired elderly. Blood Press 2014; 23:377-80. [PMID: 24919578 DOI: 10.3109/08037051.2014.916064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent guidelines have widened clinical indications for out-of-office blood pressure measurement, including home blood pressure monitoring and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), suggesting the latter as recommended method in cognitively impaired patients. There is, however, a widespread belief that ABPM could be poorly tolerated in dementia, often leading to withdraw from its use in these patients. AIM To assess the actual tolerability of ABPM in a group of cognitively impaired elderly, affected by dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS We evaluated 176 patients aged 65 + years, recruited in two different memory clinics, with a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) between 10 and 27. Behavioral and psychological symptoms were assessed with Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). A patient was considered tolerant if able to keep the device on continuously for 24 h. The minimum number of correct measurements required was 70% of the predicted total number. RESULTS 16% of patients wore the device for less than 24 h. Dividing the study population in tertiles of MMSE performance, 29% failed to tolerate the device in the lowest, 12% in the middle and 7% in the highest tertile (p < 0.01). Dividing the study population in tertiles of NPI performance, 30% of patients failed in the highest, 19% in the middle and 8% in the lowest tertile (p = 0.02); 31% of patients who tolerated the device did not achieve the minimum number of measurements required, with a mean number of 63% of predicted measurements. CONCLUSION The ABPM proved a generally well-tolerated technique even in cognitively impaired elderly. Only a minority of subjects with poorer cognitive performances and greater behavioral symptoms did not tolerate the monitoring. Among most patients who failed to achieve the minimum number of measurements needed, the number of valid measurements was very close to the minimum required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Nesti
- Division of Geriatric Medicine and Cardiology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi and University of Florence , Italy
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14
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Biagini F, Martini F. [Oro-dental considerations in 2 cases of acquired brain disorders in children. Uncooperative handicapped children]. G Anest Stomatol 1985; 14:35-7. [PMID: 2936659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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