1
|
Dalmonte S, Golinelli P, Oberhofer N, Strocchi S, Rossetti V, Berta L, Porzio M, Angelini L, Paruccini N, Villa R, Bertolini M, Delle Canne S, Cavallari M, D'Ercole L, Guerra G, Rosasco R, Cannillo B, D'Alessio A, Di Nicola E, Origgi D, De Marco P, Maldera A, Scabbio C, Rottoli F, Castriconi R, Lorenzini E, Pasquali G, Pietrobon F, Bregant P, Giovannini G, Favuzza V, Bruschi A, D'Urso D, Maestri D, De Novellis S, Fracassi A, Boschiroli L, Quattrocchi M, Gilio MA, Roberto E, Altabella L, Califano G, Cimmino MC, Bortoli E, Deiana E, Pagan L, Berardi P, Ardu V, Azzeroni R, Campoleoni M, Ravaglia V. Typical values of z-resolution for different Digital Breast Tomosynthesis systems evaluated in a multicenter study. Phys Med 2024; 119:103300. [PMID: 38325222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.103300] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the present study, conducted by a working group of the Italian Association of Medical Physics (AIFM), was to define typical z-resolution values for different digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) models to be used as a reference for quality control (QC). Currently, there are no typical values published in internationally agreed QC protocols. METHODS To characterize the z-resolution of the DBT models, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the artifact spread function (ASF), a technical parameter that quantifies the signal intensity of a detail along reconstructed planes, was analyzed. Five different commercial phantoms, CIRS Model 011, CIRS Model 015, Modular DBT phantom, Pixmam 3-D, and Tomophan, were evaluated on reconstructed DBT images and 82 DBT systems (6 vendors, 9 models) in use at 39 centers in Italy were involved. RESULTS The ASF was found to be dependent on the detail size, the DBT angular acquisition range, the reconstruction algorithm and applied image processing. In particular, a progressively greater signal spread was observed as the detail size increased and the acquisition angle decreased. However, a clear correlation between signal spread and angular range width was not observed due to the different signal reconstruction and image processing strategies implemented in the algorithms developed by the vendors studied. CONCLUSIONS The analysis led to the identification of typical z-resolution values for different DBT model-phantom configurations that could be used as a reference during a QC program.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Dalmonte
- Medical Physics Specialization School, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Medical Physics Unit, AUSL Romagna, Ravenna, Italy.
| | - P Golinelli
- Medical Physics Unit, Azienda USL Modena, Modena, Italy
| | | | - S Strocchi
- Medical Physics Unit, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Varese, Italy
| | - V Rossetti
- Medical Physics Unit, Città della salute e della scienza, Torino, Italy
| | - L Berta
- Medical Physics Unit, Città della salute e della scienza, Torino, Italy
| | - M Porzio
- Medical Physics Unit, ASL CN1, Cuneo, Italy
| | - L Angelini
- Medical Physics Unit, AUSL Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - N Paruccini
- Medical Physics Unit, ASST Monza, Monza, Italy
| | - R Villa
- Medical Physics Unit, ASST Monza, Monza, Italy
| | - M Bertolini
- Medical Physics Unit, Azienda AUSL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - S Delle Canne
- Medical Physics Unit, Fatebenefratelli Isola Tiberina-Gemelli Isola, Roma, Italy
| | - M Cavallari
- Medical Physics Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - L D'Ercole
- Medical Physics Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - G Guerra
- Medical Physics Unit, Studio Associato Fisici Sanitari, Lugo, Italy
| | - R Rosasco
- Medical Physics Unit, ASL3 Sistema Sanitario Regione Liguria, Genova, Italy
| | - B Cannillo
- Medical Physics Unit, AOU Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - A D'Alessio
- Medical Physics Unit, AOU Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - E Di Nicola
- Medical Physics Unit, ASUR Marche Area Vasta3, Macerata, Italy
| | - D Origgi
- Medical Physics Unit, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - P De Marco
- Medical Physics Unit, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - A Maldera
- Medical Physics Unit, P.O. Dimiccoli - ASL BT, Barletta, Italy
| | - C Scabbio
- Medical Physics Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo - Presidio San Paolo, Milano, Italy
| | - F Rottoli
- Medical Physics Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo - Presidio San Paolo, Milano, Italy
| | - R Castriconi
- Medical Physics Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele - Gruppo San Donato, Milano, Italy
| | - E Lorenzini
- Medical Physics Unit, Ospedale Civico di Carrara, Carrara, Italy
| | - G Pasquali
- Medical Physics Unit, ASST Bergamo Ovest, Treviglio, Italy
| | - F Pietrobon
- Medical Physics Unit, Ospedale di Belluno, Belluno, Italy
| | - P Bregant
- Medical Physics Unit, Ospedale Cattinara, Trieste, Italy
| | - G Giovannini
- Medical Physics Unit, ASL2 Ospedale Santa Corona, Pietra Ligure, Italy
| | - V Favuzza
- Medical Physics Unit, USL Toscana Centro, Empoli, Italy
| | - A Bruschi
- Medical Physics Unit, USL Toscana Centro, Empoli, Italy
| | - D D'Urso
- Medical Physics Unit, ULSS 2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
| | - D Maestri
- Medical Physics Unit, ULSS 2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
| | | | - A Fracassi
- Medical Physics Unit, ASL Pescara, Pescara, Italy
| | - L Boschiroli
- Medical Physics Unit, ASST Nord Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - M Quattrocchi
- Medical Physics Unit, Azienda Toscana Nord Ovest, Lucca, Italy
| | - M A Gilio
- Medical Physics Unit, Azienda Toscana Nord Ovest, Lucca, Italy
| | - E Roberto
- Medical Physics Unit, ASL CN2 Cuneo, Italy
| | - L Altabella
- Medical Physics Unit, AOUI VR, Verona, Italy
| | - G Califano
- Medical Physics Unit, AOR San Carlo Potenza, Potenza, Italy
| | - M C Cimmino
- Medical Physics Unit, USL Toscana sud est, Siena, Italy
| | - E Bortoli
- Medical Physics Unit, USL Toscana sud est, Grosseto, Italy
| | - E Deiana
- Medical Physics Unit, ASL Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - L Pagan
- Medical Physics Unit, Azienda USL Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - P Berardi
- Medical Physics Unit, Azienda USL Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - V Ardu
- Medical Physics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milano, Italy
| | - R Azzeroni
- Medical Physics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milano, Italy
| | - M Campoleoni
- Medical Physics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milano, Italy
| | - V Ravaglia
- Medical Physics Unit, AUSL Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Giovannini G, Sharma K, Boesel LF, Rossi RM. Lab-on-a-Fiber Wearable Multi-Sensor for Monitoring Wound Healing. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302603. [PMID: 37988685 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302603] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Chronic wounds are regarded as a silent epidemic, affecting 1-2% of the population and representing 2-4% of healthcare expenses. The current methods used to assess the wound healing process are based on the visual evaluation of physical parameters. This work aims to design a wearable non-invasive device capable of evaluating three parameters simultaneously: the pH and the levels of glucose and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) present in the wound exudate. The device is composed of three independent polymer optical fibers functionalized with fluorescent-based sensing chemistries specific to the targeted analytes. Each fiber is characterized in terms of detection sensitivity and selectivity confirming their suitability for monitoring the targeted parameters in ranges relevant to the wound environment. The selectivity and robustness of the multi-sensing device are confirmed with analyses using complex solutions with different pH levels (5, 6, and 7), different concentrations of glucose (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mm), and MMP (1.25, 2.5, and 5 µg mL-1 ). Given the simple set-up, the affordability of the materials used and the possibility of detecting additional parameters relevant to wound healing, such multi-sensing fiber-based devices could pave the way for novel non-invasive wearable tools enabling the assessment of wound healing from the molecular perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Giovannini
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, St.Gallen, CH-9014, Switzerland
| | - Khushdeep Sharma
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, St.Gallen, CH-9014, Switzerland
| | - Luciano F Boesel
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, St.Gallen, CH-9014, Switzerland
| | - René M Rossi
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, St.Gallen, CH-9014, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bruno F, Mo F, Meletti S, Belcastro V, Quadri S, Napolitano M, Bello L, Dainese F, Scarpelli M, Florindo I, Mascia A, Pauletto G, Pellerino A, Giovannini G, Polosa M, Sessa M, Conti Nibali M, Di Gennaro G, Gigli G, Cavallieri F, Pisanello A, Rudà R. OS02.6.A Lacosamide in monotherapy in brain tumour-related epilepsy (BTRE): results from an Italian multicentre retrospective study. Neuro Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac174.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Lacosamide (LCM) is a third-generation anti-seizure medication (ASM) approved for focal onset epilepsy in patients aged ≥4 years. Previous studies have reported an efficacy of LCM as add-on treatment in brain tumour-related epilepsy (BTRE). To date, there are no studies in the literature focusing on lacosamide used in monotherapy to treat BTRE. In our retrospective study we investigated efficacy and tolerability of LCM in monotherapy in a multicentre national cohort of primary brain tumour patients.
Patients and Methods
Adult patients who were treated with LCM in monotherapy were collected from 12 Italian Centres (either mainly involved in neuro-oncology or in epileptology). Main inclusion criteria were diagnosis of primary brain tumour; at least two focal-onset seizures in the disease course; LCM used either as primary or secondary monotherapy after withdrawal of previous ASMs. For each patient, we evaluated seizure freedom at 3 and 6 months (primary endpoints), side effects and drop-out rate (secondary endpoints).
Results
We collected 132 patients. The majority of patients had a diagnosis of diffuse gliomas, being those with lower-grade glioma 66 (50.0%) and those with glioblastoma 33 (25.0%). Overall, LCM led to seizure-freedom in 64.4% of patients at 3 months and 55% at 6 months. Patients who used two or more ASMs before LCM had a worse seizure control than patients in monotherapy with LCM as first choice.In 14 patients, we observed seizure control despite tumour progression on magnetic resonance (MRI). Multivariate analysis showed that gross-total resection at diagnosis and use of steroids were significantly associated with higher seizure freedom rate at 6 months. Side effects were mainly mild (grade 1-2 according to the CTCAE classification), and the drop-out rate was low (1.5%). The main side effects were dizziness and somnolence.
Conclusion
This is the first study on the role of LCM in monotherapy in BTRE. The study has shown a good efficacy and tolerability of LCM with more than a half of patients becoming seizure-free at 6 months and with a very low rate of drop-out. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data in a prospective manner, adding quality of life and neurocognitive functions as endpoints.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Bruno
- University and City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy , Turin , Italy
| | - F Mo
- University and City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy , Turin , Italy
| | - S Meletti
- Division of Neurology, Modena University Hospital, Modena, Italy , Modena , Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences; University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy , Modena and Reggio Emilia , Italy
| | - V Belcastro
- Division of Neurology, Maggiore Hospital, Lodi, Italy , Lodi , Italy
| | - S Quadri
- Division of Neurology, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII of Bergamo, Italy , Bergamo , Italy
| | - M Napolitano
- Division of Neurology and Stroke Unit, Hospital A. Cardarelli, Napoli, Italy , Naples , Italy
| | - L Bello
- Division of Neurosurgical Oncology, Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy , Milan , Italy
| | - F Dainese
- Epilepsy Centre, Division of Neurology, Hospital of Venezia, Italy , Venice , Italy
| | - M Scarpelli
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, AOUI Verona, Verona, Italy , Verona , Italy
| | - I Florindo
- Division of Neurology, Hospital of Parma, Italy , Parma , Italy
| | - A Mascia
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy , Pozzilli , Italy
| | - G Pauletto
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, “S. Maria della Misericordia” University Hospital, Udine, Italy , Udine , Italy
| | - A Pellerino
- University and City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy , Turin , Italy
| | - G Giovannini
- Division of Neurology, Modena University Hospital, Modena, Italy , Modena , Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy , Modena and Reggio Emilia , Italy
| | - M Polosa
- Division of Neurosurgery, ASST Lariana, Como, Italy , Como , Italy
| | - M Sessa
- Division of Neurology, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII of Bergamo, Italy , Bergamo , Italy
| | - M Conti Nibali
- Division of Neurosurgical Oncology, Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy , Milan , Italy
| | - G Di Gennaro
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy , Pozzilli , Italy
| | - G Gigli
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy , Udine , Italy
- Clinical Neurology Unit, “S. Maria della Misericordia” University Hospital, Udine, Italy , Udine , Italy
| | - F Cavallieri
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy , Modena and Reggio Emilia , Italy
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy , Reggio Emilia , Italy
| | - A Pisanello
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy , Reggio Emilia , Italy
| | - R Rudà
- University and City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy , Turin , Italy
- Dept. of Neurology, Castelfranco and Treviso Hospitals, Italy , Treviso , Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pan F, Giovannini G, Zhang S, Altenried S, Zuber F, Chen Q, Boesel LF, Ren Q. pH-responsive silica nanoparticles for the treatment of skin wound infections. Acta Biomater 2022; 145:172-184. [PMID: 35417797 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chronic wounds are not only a burden for patients but also challenging for clinic treatment due to biofilm formation. Here, we utilized the phenomenon that chronic wounds possess an elevated local pH of 8.9 and developed pH-sensitive silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) to achieve a targeted drug release on alkaline wounds and optimized drug utility. Chlorhexidine (CHX), a disinfectant and antiseptic, was loaded into SiNPs as the model drug. The loaded CHX displayed a release 4 - 5 fold higher at pH 8.0 and 8.5 than at pH 6.5, 7.0 and 7.4. CHX-SiNPs furthermore exhibited a distinctive antibacterial activity at pH 8.0 and 8.5 against both Gram-negative and -positive bacterial pathogens, while no cytotoxicity was found according to cell viability analysis. The CHX-SiNPs were further formulated into alginate hydrogels to allow ease of use. The antibacterial efficacy of CHX-SiNPs was then studied with artificial wounds on ex vivo human skin. Treatment with CHX-SiNPs enabled nearly a 4-lg reduction of the viable bacterial cells, and the alginate formulated CHX-SiNPs led to almost a 3-lg reduction compared to the negative controls. The obtained results demonstrated that CHX-SiNPs are capable of efficient pH-triggered drug release, leading to high antibacterial efficacy. Moreover, CHX-SiNPs enlighten clinic potential towards the treatment of chronic wound infections. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: A platform for controlled drug release at a relatively high pH value i.e., over 8, was established by tuning the physical structures of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs). Incorporation of chlorhexidine, an antimicrobial agent, into the fabricated SiNPs allowed a distinctive inhibition of bacterial growth at alkaline pHs, but not at acidic pHs. The efficacy of the SiNPs loaded with chlorhexidine in treating wound infections was further validated by utilizing ex vivo human skin samples. The presented work demonstrates clinic potential of employing alkaline pH as a non-invasive stimulus to achieve on-demand delivery of antimicrobials through SiNPs, showcasing a valuable approach to treating bacterial infections on chronic wounds.
Collapse
|
5
|
Mo F, Meletti S, Belcastro V, Quadri S, Napolitano M, Bello L, Dainese F, Scarpelli M, Florindo I, Mascia A, Pauletto G, Bruno F, Pellerino A, Giovannini G, Polosa M, Sessa M, Conti Nibali M, Di Gennaro G, Gigli GL, Pisanello A, Cavallieri F, Rudà R. Lacosamide in monotherapy in BTRE (brain tumor-related epilepsy): results from an Italian multicenter retrospective study. J Neurooncol 2022; 157:551-559. [DOI: 10.1007/s11060-022-03998-6] [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] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
6
|
Giovannini G, Barra S, Levrero F, Cavagnetto F, Meroni S, Pignoli E, Diletto B. Implementation of cranio-spinal irradiation in VMAT for pediatric medulloblastoma. Phys Med 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1120-1797(22)00341-6] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
|
7
|
De Pascalis G, Morbelli S, Levrero F, Giovannini G, Di Palermo R, Bauckneht M, Ippoliti M, Bagnara M. Day hospital radioiodine remnant ablation: our experience. Phys Med 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1120-1797(22)00258-7] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
|
8
|
Belli G, Coniglio A, Bettarini S, Tortoli P, Fedeli L, Giannelli M, Mazzoni L, Nocetti L, Sghedoni R, Tarducci R, Belligotti E, Canzi C, Chiappiniello A, Cimolai S, Giovannini G, Lizio D, Marzi S, Mascaro L, Mazzocchi S, Meliadò G, Morzenti S, Niespolo A, Noferini L, Oberhofer N, Origgi D, Paruccini N, Quattrocchi M, Savini A, Solla I, Taddeucci A, Busoni S. Multicentre comparison of MR scanners (15T, 3T) for MR T1-T2 relaxometry. Phys Med 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1120-1797(22)00490-2] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
|
9
|
Vaudano AE, Mirandola L, Talami F, Giovannini G, Monti G, Riguzzi P, Volpi L, Michelucci R, Bisulli F, Pasini E, Tinuper P, Di Vito L, Gessaroli G, Malagoli M, Pavesi G, Cardinale F, Tassi L, Lemieux L, Meletti S. fMRI-Based Effective Connectivity in Surgical Remediable Epilepsies: A Pilot Study. Brain Topogr 2021; 34:632-650. [PMID: 34152513 DOI: 10.1007/s10548-021-00857-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simultaneous EEG-fMRI can contribute to identify the epileptogenic zone (EZ) in focal epilepsies. However, fMRI maps related to Interictal Epileptiform Discharges (IED) commonly show multiple regions of signal change rather than focal ones. Dynamic causal modeling (DCM) can estimate effective connectivity, i.e. the causal effects exerted by one brain region over another, based on fMRI data. Here, we employed DCM on fMRI data in 10 focal epilepsy patients with multiple IED-related regions of BOLD signal change, to test whether this approach can help the localization process of EZ. For each subject, a family of competing deterministic, plausible DCM models were constructed using IED as autonomous input at each node, one at time. The DCM findings were compared to the presurgical evaluation results and classified as: "Concordant" if the node identified by DCM matches the presumed focus, "Discordant" if the node is distant from the presumed focus, or "Inconclusive" (no statistically significant result). Furthermore, patients who subsequently underwent intracranial EEG recordings or surgery were considered as having an independent validation of DCM results. The effective connectivity focus identified using DCM was Concordant in 7 patients, Discordant in two cases and Inconclusive in one. In four of the 6 patients operated, the DCM findings were validated. Notably, the two Discordant and Invalidated results were found in patients with poor surgical outcome. Our findings provide preliminary evidence to support the applicability of DCM on fMRI data to investigate the epileptic networks in focal epilepsy and, particularly, to identify the EZ in complex cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A E Vaudano
- Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Via Giardini 1355, 41100, Modena, Italy. .,Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - L Mirandola
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - F Talami
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - G Giovannini
- Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Via Giardini 1355, 41100, Modena, Italy.,Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - G Monti
- Neurology Unit, AUSL Modena, Ospedale Ramazzini, Carpi, MO, Italy
| | - P Riguzzi
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Unit of Neurology, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - L Volpi
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Unit of Neurology, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - R Michelucci
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Unit of Neurology, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Bisulli
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Epilepsy Center (Reference Center for Rare and Complex Epilepsies - EpiCARE), Bologna, Italy
| | - E Pasini
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Unit of Neurology, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - P Tinuper
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Epilepsy Center (Reference Center for Rare and Complex Epilepsies - EpiCARE), Bologna, Italy
| | - L Di Vito
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Epilepsy Center (Reference Center for Rare and Complex Epilepsies - EpiCARE), Bologna, Italy
| | - G Gessaroli
- Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Via Giardini 1355, 41100, Modena, Italy
| | - M Malagoli
- Neuroradiology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - G Pavesi
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Neurosurgery Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - F Cardinale
- "Claudio Munari" Epilepsy Surgery Center, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - L Tassi
- "Claudio Munari" Epilepsy Surgery Center, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - L Lemieux
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - S Meletti
- Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Via Giardini 1355, 41100, Modena, Italy.,Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is probably the most commonly heard word of the last 12 months. The outbreak of this virus (SARS-CoV-2) is strongly compromising worldwide healthcare systems, social behavior, and everyone's lives. The early diagnosis of COVID-19 and isolation of positive cases has proven to be fundamental in containing the spread of the infection. Even though the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods remain the gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 detection, the urgent demand for rapid and wide-scale diagnosis precipitated the development of alternative diagnostic approaches. The millions of tests performed every day worldwide are still insufficient to achieve the desired goal, that of screening the population during daily life. Probably the most appealing approach to consistently monitor COVID-19 spread is the direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 from exhaled breath. For instance, the challenging incorporation of reliable, highly sensitive, and cost-efficient detection methods in masks could represent a breakthrough in the development of portable and noninvasive point-of-care diagnosis for COVID-19. In this perspective paper, we discuss the critical technical aspects related to the application of breath analysis in the diagnosis of viral infection. We believe that, if achieved, it could represent a game-changer in containing the pandemic spread.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Giovannini
- Empa,
Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, CH-9014, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Hossam Haick
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering
& The Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute (RBNI) Technion
− Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000003, Israel
| | - Denis Garoli
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, I-16163, Genova, Italy
- Faculty
of Science and Technology, Free University
of Bozen, Piazza Università
5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Giovannini G, Turchi G, Mazzoli M, Vaudano AE, Meletti S. New onset status epilepticus in influenza associated encephalopathy: The presenting manifestation of genetic generalized epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav Rep 2021; 16:100413. [PMID: 33598653 PMCID: PMC7868800 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2020.100413] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We hereby present a case of a young woman with no history of seizures or epilepsy who experienced a de novo generalized Non Convulsive Status Epilepticus (NCSE) followed by encephalopathy lasting for several days during influenza B infection. Influenza can have a broad spectrum of presentation ranging from an uncomplicated illness to many serious conditions as is the case of influenza associated encephalitis/encephalopathy (IAE). In this context however, it is possible to observe seizures and/or status epilepticus as the presenting manifestation of a genetic generalized epilepsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Giovannini
- Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Modena, Italy.,PhD Program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - G Turchi
- Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Modena, Italy
| | - M Mazzoli
- Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Modena, Italy.,Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - A E Vaudano
- Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Modena, Italy
| | - S Meletti
- Neurology Unit, OCB Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Modena, Italy.,Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Giovannini G, Rossi RM, Boesel LF. Changes in Optical Properties upon Dye-Clay Interaction: Experimental Evaluation and Applications. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2021; 11:nano11010197. [PMID: 33466754 PMCID: PMC7830015 DOI: 10.3390/nano11010197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of hybrid materials with unique optical properties has been a challenge for the creation of high-performance composites. The improved photophysical and photochemical properties observed when fluorophores interact with clay minerals, as well as the accessibility and easy handling of such natural materials, make these nanocomposites attractive for designing novel optical hybrid materials. Here, we present a method of promoting this interaction by conjugating dyes with chitosan. The fluorescent properties of conjugated dye–montmorillonite (MMT) hybrids were similar to those of free dye–MMT hybrids. Moreover, we analyzed the relationship between the changes in optical properties of the dye interacting with clay and its structure and defined the physical and chemical mechanisms that take place upon dye–MMT interactions leading to the optical changes. Conjugation to chitosan additionally ensures stable adsorption on clay nanoplatelets due to the strong electrostatic interaction between chitosan and clay. This work thus provides a method to facilitate the design of solid-state hybrid nanomaterials relevant for potential applications in bioimaging, sensing and optical purposes.
Collapse
|
13
|
Ramírez JM, Varela-Montes L, Gómez-Costa D, Giovannini G, Romero-Maroto M, Gómez de Diego R. Management of odonto-stomatological emergencies during the COVID-19 alarm state in dental clinics in the Autonomous Community of Madrid (CAM), Spain: An observational study. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2021; 26:e114-e117. [PMID: 33037804 PMCID: PMC7806342 DOI: 10.4317/medoral.24075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Odontology practice has been severely compromised by the pandemic caused by COVID-19 and Spain is one of the countries with higher incidence. Our aim with this study is to find out the number of cases and type of odonto-stomatological emergencies (OSE) treated in four dental clinics of the Madrid capital area and region (CAM) in the period covered between March 17th and 4th of May.
Material and Methods We search the cases in the demographic/epidemiological databases of the CAM regional government and the Illustrious Official College of Dentists and Stomatologists of the First Region (Madrid).
Results We found that the most prevalent pathology was acute apical periodontitis whereas odontogenic abscess showed the lowest frequency. Prosthetic-orthodontic OSE represented 14% of cases.
Conclusions In this period of time, the most prevalent pathology acute apical periodontitis, odontogenic abscess reported the lowest frequency and prosthetic-orthodontic treatments were the third in number of cases. Most of OSE were resolved, without referring the patient to a hospital emergency department. Key words:Odonto-stomatological emergencies, COVID-19, Spain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J-M Ramírez
- Oral Surgery at the School of Dentistry Universidad Rey Juan Carlos Avda. de Atenas s/n 28922 Alcorcón-Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Di Teodoro G, Averaimo D, Primavera M, Santoleri D, Giovannini G, Cocco A, Di Francesco G, Malatesta D, Defourny S, D'Alterio N, Curini V, Di Domenico M, Petrini A. Disseminated Scedosporium apiospermum infection in a Maremmano-Abruzzese sheepdog. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:372. [PMID: 33008393 PMCID: PMC7532623 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02597-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Few cases of scedosporiosis have been reported in animals, but the true prevalence is probably underestimated due to a lack of awareness. Scedosporiosis in dogs has often been associated with localized infection (i.e., nasal infection, eumycetoma, or keratomycosis) or, in rare cases, disseminated infections. Case presentation This case report describes the clinical and pathological features and the diagnostic process of a rare systemic and fatal fungal infection in a dog caused by Scedosporium apiospermum. A 10-month-old female Maremmano-Abruzzese sheepdog showing weakness, lethargy, lateral decubitus, miosis and muscular rigidity was presented. Rodenticide poisoning was clinically suspected for the differential diagnosis. However, postmortem examinations revealed the presence of a swollen and soft subcutaneous nodule located near the right inguinal breast, which was associated with massive enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes and small disseminated, cream-colored nodules in the kidneys and mesentery. Multiple fungal pyogranulomas were observed upon histological examination. Fungal isolation from the kidneys, breast and inguinal lymph nodes was performed. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences from the fungal colony DNA were searched in BLAST in the NCBI GenBank for species identification. The sequences of the fungi isolated from the kidney and breast cultures showed 100% sequence identity with sequences from Scedosporium apiospermum. Conclusions This report shows that Scedosporium apiospermum may act as a primary pathogen in young and apparently healthy dogs and represents an important pathogen that should be considered during the diagnostic process, particularly when a fungal infection is suspected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Di Teodoro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy.
| | - Daniela Averaimo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Miria Primavera
- Clinica Veterinaria Guardiese, Via Anello, 66016, Guardiagrele, Chieti, Italy
| | - Doriana Santoleri
- Clinica Veterinaria Guardiese, Via Anello, 66016, Guardiagrele, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giorgia Giovannini
- Clinica Veterinaria Guardiese, Via Anello, 66016, Guardiagrele, Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonio Cocco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Gabriella Di Francesco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Daniela Malatesta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Sabrina Defourny
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Nicola D'Alterio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Valentina Curini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Marco Di Domenico
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Antonio Petrini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Huang J, Mousavi MZ, Giovannini G, Zhao Y, Hubarevich A, Soler MA, Rocchia W, Garoli D, De Angelis F. Multiplexed Discrimination of Single Amino Acid Residues in Polypeptides in a Single SERS Hot Spot. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202000489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jian‐An Huang
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego 30 16163 Genova Italy
| | - Mansoureh Z. Mousavi
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego 30 16163 Genova Italy
| | - Giorgia Giovannini
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego 30 16163 Genova Italy
- Present address: EMPA Federal Swiss research Institute 9014 St. Gallen Switzerland
| | - Yingqi Zhao
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego 30 16163 Genova Italy
| | - Aliaksandr Hubarevich
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego 30 16163 Genova Italy
| | - Miguel A. Soler
- CONCEPT Lab Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Melen 83 16152 Genova Italy
| | - Walter Rocchia
- CONCEPT Lab Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Melen 83 16152 Genova Italy
| | - Denis Garoli
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego 30 16163 Genova Italy
- AB ANALITICA s.r.l. Via Svizzera 16 35127 Padova Italy
| | - Francesco De Angelis
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego 30 16163 Genova Italy
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Huang JA, Mousavi MZ, Giovannini G, Zhao Y, Hubarevich A, Soler MA, Rocchia W, Garoli D, De Angelis F. Multiplexed Discrimination of Single Amino Acid Residues in Polypeptides in a Single SERS Hot Spot. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:11423-11431. [PMID: 32250516 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202000489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [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: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The SERS-based detection of protein sequences with single-residue sensitivity suffers from signal dominance of aromatic amino acid residues and backbones, impeding detection of non-aromatic amino acid residues. Herein, we trap a gold nanoparticle in a plasmonic nanohole to generate a single SERS hot spot for single-molecule detection of 2 similar polypeptides (vasopressin and oxytocin) and 10 distinct amino acids that constitute the 2 polypeptides. Significantly, both aromatic and non-aromatic amino acids are detected and discriminated at the single-molecule level either at individual amino acid molecules or within the polypeptide chains. Correlated with molecular dynamics simulations, our results suggest that the signal dominance due to large spatial occupancy of aromatic rings of the polypeptide sidechains on gold surfaces can be overcome by the high localization of the single hot spot. The superior spectral and spatial discriminative power of our approach can be applied to single-protein analysis, fingerprinting, and sequencing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian-An Huang
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Mansoureh Z Mousavi
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Giorgia Giovannini
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy.,Present address: EMPA Federal Swiss research Institute, 9014, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Yingqi Zhao
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Aliaksandr Hubarevich
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Miguel A Soler
- CONCEPT Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Melen 83, 16152, Genova, Italy
| | - Walter Rocchia
- CONCEPT Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Melen 83, 16152, Genova, Italy
| | - Denis Garoli
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy.,AB ANALITICA s.r.l., Via Svizzera 16, 35127, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco De Angelis
- Plasmon Nanotechology Unit, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gubala V, Giovannini G, Kunc F, Monopoli MP, Moore CJ. Dye-doped silica nanoparticles: synthesis, surface chemistry and bioapplications. Cancer Nanotechnol 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s12645-019-0056-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Fluorescent silica nanoparticles have been extensively utilised in a broad range of biological applications and are facilitated by their predictable, well-understood, flexible chemistry and apparent biocompatibility. The ability to couple various siloxane precursors with fluorescent dyes and to be subsequently incorporated into silica nanoparticles has made it possible to engineer these fluorophores-doped nanomaterials to specific optical requirements in biological experimentation. Consequently, this class of nanomaterial has been used in applications across immunodiagnostics, drug delivery and human-trial bioimaging in cancer research.
Main body
This review summarises the state-of-the-art of the use of dye-doped silica nanoparticles in bioapplications and firstly accounts for the common nanoparticle synthesis methods, surface modification approaches and different bioconjugation strategies employed to generate biomolecule-coated nanoparticles. The use of dye-doped silica nanoparticles in immunoassays/biosensing, bioimaging and drug delivery is then provided and possible future directions in the field are highlighted. Other non-cancer-related applications involving silica nanoparticles are also briefly discussed. Importantly, the impact of how the protein corona has changed our understanding of NP interactions with biological systems is described, as well as demonstrations of its capacity to be favourably manipulated.
Conclusions
Dye-doped silica nanoparticles have found success in the immunodiagnostics domain and have also shown promise as bioimaging agents in human clinical trials. Their use in cancer delivery has been restricted to murine models, as has been the case for the vast majority of nanomaterials intended for cancer therapy. This is hampered by the need for more human-like disease models and the lack of standardisation towards assessing nanoparticle toxicity. However, developments in the manipulation of the protein corona have improved the understanding of fundamental bio–nano interactions, and will undoubtedly assist in the translation of silica nanoparticles for disease treatment to the clinic.
Collapse
|
18
|
Garoli D, Schirato A, Giovannini G, Cattarin S, Ponzellini P, Calandrini E, Proietti Zaccaria R, D’Amico F, Pachetti M, Yang W, Jin HJ, Krahne R, Alabastri A. Galvanic Replacement Reaction as a Route to Prepare Nanoporous Aluminum for UV Plasmonics. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2020; 10:E102. [PMID: 31947927 PMCID: PMC7023067 DOI: 10.3390/nano10010102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing interest in extending plasmonics applications into the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Noble metals are commonly used in plasmonic, but their intrinsic optical properties limit their use above 350 nm. Aluminum is probably the most suitable material for UV plasmonics, and in this work we fabricated substrates of nanoporous aluminum starting from an alloy of Al2Mg3. The porous metal is obtained by means of a galvanic replacement reaction. Such nanoporous metal can be exploited to achieve a plasmonic material suitable for enhanced UV Raman spectroscopy and fluorescence. Thanks to the large surface to volume ratio, this material represents a powerful platform for promoting interaction between plasmonic substrates and molecules in the UV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denis Garoli
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy (P.P.); (E.C.); (R.P.Z.); (R.K.)
| | - Andrea Schirato
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy (P.P.); (E.C.); (R.P.Z.); (R.K.)
- Deparment of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Paolo Ponzellini
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy (P.P.); (E.C.); (R.P.Z.); (R.K.)
| | - Eugenio Calandrini
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy (P.P.); (E.C.); (R.P.Z.); (R.K.)
| | - Remo Proietti Zaccaria
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy (P.P.); (E.C.); (R.P.Z.); (R.K.)
- Cixi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Francesco D’Amico
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14 km 163,5 in Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza TS, Italy; (F.D.); (M.P.)
| | - Maria Pachetti
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14 km 163,5 in Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza TS, Italy; (F.D.); (M.P.)
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Alfonso Valerio 2, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Wei Yang
- Shenyang National Laboraory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, China; (W.Y.); (H.-J.J.)
| | - Hai-Jun Jin
- Shenyang National Laboraory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, China; (W.Y.); (H.-J.J.)
| | - Roman Krahne
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy (P.P.); (E.C.); (R.P.Z.); (R.K.)
| | - Alessandro Alabastri
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street MS-378, Houston, TX 77005, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Mosconi D, Giovannini G, Maccaferri N, Serri M, Agnoli S, Garoli D. Electrophoretic Deposition of WS 2 Flakes on Nanoholes Arrays-Role of Used Suspension Medium. Materials (Basel) 2019; 12:ma12203286. [PMID: 31658603 PMCID: PMC6829434 DOI: 10.3390/ma12203286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Here we optimized the electrophoretic deposition process for the fabrication of WS2 plasmonic nanohole integrated structures. We showed how the conditions used for site-selective deposition influenced the properties of the deposited flakes. In particular, we investigated the effect of different suspension buffers used during the deposition both in the efficiency of the process and in the stability of WS2 flakes, which were deposited on an ordered arrays of plasmonic nanostructures. We observed that a proper buffer can significantly facilitate the deposition process, keeping the material stable with respect to oxidation and contamination. Moreover, the integrated plasmonic structures that can be prepared with this process can be applied to enhanced spectroscopies and for the preparation of 2D nanopores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Mosconi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | | | - Nicolò Maccaferri
- Physics and Materials Science Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
| | - Michele Serri
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy.
| | - Stefano Agnoli
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Denis Garoli
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Calandrini E, Giovannini G, Garoli D. 3D nanoporous antennas as a platform for high sensitivity IR plasmonic sensing. Opt Express 2019; 27:25912-25919. [PMID: 31510453 DOI: 10.1364/oe.27.025912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Nanoporous gold can be exploited as plasmonic material for enhanced spectroscopy both in the visible and in the near-infrared spectral regions. In particular, the peculiar morphology of such a substrate leads to a higher field confinement with respect to conventional plasmonic materials. This property can be exploited to achieve extremely high sensitivity to the changes in environmental conditions, making it an interesting tool for the development of sensors and biosensors. Here, we compared the sensitivity of a plasmonic resonator made of nanoporous gold with a similar structure made of homogeneous gold. To assess the enhanced sensitivity the same stoichiometric quantity of dielectric material was deposited via Atomic Layer Deposition onto the two considered structures. Experimental results proved the higher sensitivity was achievable using nanoporous gold. In particular, such 3D nanoporous structures can be proposed as a promising sensing platform in the near-infrared with a sensitivity over 4.000 nm/RIU.
Collapse
|
21
|
Zambrana-Puyalto X, Maccaferri N, Ponzellini P, Giovannini G, De Angelis F, Garoli D. Site-selective functionalization of plasmonic nanopores for enhanced fluorescence emission rate and Förster resonance energy transfer. Nanoscale Adv 2019; 1:2454-2461. [PMID: 36131984 PMCID: PMC9419820 DOI: 10.1039/c9na00077a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we use a site-selective functionalization strategy to decorate plasmonic nanopores with fluorescent dyes. Using an easy and robust fabrication method, we manage to build plasmonic rings on top of dielectric nanotubes with different inner diameters. The modulation of the dimension of the nanopores allows us to tailor their field confinement and their Purcell factor in the visible spectral range. In order to investigate how the changes in geometry influence the fluorescence emission rate efficiency, thiol-conjugated dyes are anchored on the plasmonic ring, thus forming a functional nanopore. We study the lifetime of ATTO 520 and ATTO 590 attached in two different configurations: single dye and FRET pair. For the single dye configuration, we observe that the lifetime of both single dyes decreases as the size of the nanopore is reduced. The smallest nanopores yield an experimental Purcell factor of 6. For the FRET pair configuration, we measure two regimes. For large nanopore sizes, the FRET efficiency remains constant. Whereas for smaller sizes, the FRET efficiency increases from 30 up to 45% with a decrease of the nanopore size. These findings, which have been supported by numerical simulations, may open new perspectives towards energy transfer engineering in plasmonic nanopores with potential applications in photonics and biosensing, in particular in single-molecule detection and sequencing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolò Maccaferri
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego 30 16163 Genova Italy
- Physics and Materials Science Research Unit, University of Luxembourg L-1511 Luxembourg Luxembourg
| | - Paolo Ponzellini
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego 30 16163 Genova Italy
| | | | | | - Denis Garoli
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego 30 16163 Genova Italy
- Ab Analitica Via Svizzera 13 35027 Padova Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Govoni F, Orrù E, Bonafede A, Iacobelli M, Paladino R, Vazza F, Murgia M, Vacca V, Giovannini G, Feretti L, Loi F, Bernardi G, Ferrari C, Pizzo RF, Gheller C, Manti S, Brüggen M, Brunetti G, Cassano R, de Gasperin F, Enßlin TA, Hoeft M, Horellou C, Junklewitz H, Röttgering HJA, Scaife AMM, Shimwell TW, van Weeren RJ, Wise M. A radio ridge connecting two galaxy clusters in a filament of the cosmic web. Science 2019; 364:981-984. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aat7500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Galaxy clusters are the most massive gravitationally bound structures in the Universe. They grow by accreting smaller structures in a merging process that produces shocks and turbulence in the intracluster gas. We observed a ridge of radio emission connecting the merging galaxy clusters Abell 0399 and Abell 0401 with the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) telescope network at 140 megahertz. This emission requires a population of relativistic electrons and a magnetic field located in a filament between the two galaxy clusters. We performed simulations to show that a volume-filling distribution of weak shocks may reaccelerate a preexisting population of relativistic particles, producing emission at radio wavelengths that illuminates the magnetic ridge.
Collapse
|
23
|
Mosconi D, Giovannini G, Jacassi A, Ponzellini P, Maccaferri N, Vavassori P, Serri M, Dipalo M, Darvill D, De Angelis F, Agnoli S, Garoli D. Site-Selective Integration of MoS 2 Flakes on Nanopores by Means of Electrophoretic Deposition. ACS Omega 2019; 4:9294-9300. [PMID: 31460018 PMCID: PMC6648040 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b00965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Here, we propose an easy method for site-selective deposition of two-dimensional (2D) material flakes onto nanoholes by means of electrophoretic deposition. This method can be applied to both simple flat nanostructures and complex three-dimensional structures incorporating nanoholes. The deposition method is here used for the decoration of large ordered arrays of plasmonic structures with either a single or few layers of MoS2. In principle, the plasmonic field generated by the nanohole can significantly interact with the 2D layer leading to enhanced light-material interaction. This makes our platform an ideal system for hybrid 2D material/plasmonic investigations. The engineered deposition of 2D materials on plasmonic nanostructures is useful for several important applications such as enhanced light emission, strong coupling, hot-electron generation, and 2D material sensors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Mosconi
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Università degli Studi
di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Jacassi
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Ponzellini
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Nicolò Maccaferri
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
- Physics
and Materials Science Research Unit, University
of Luxembourg, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Paolo Vavassori
- CIC
nanoGUNE, Tolosa Hiribidea,
76, E-20018 Donostia-San
Sebastian, Spain
| | - Michele Serri
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Michele Dipalo
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Daniel Darvill
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Agnoli
- Dipartimento
di Chimica, Università degli Studi
di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Denis Garoli
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
The rapid and straightforward detection of bacteria in food and human samples is becoming important, particularly in view of the development of point-of-care devices and lab-on-a-chip tools for prevention and treatment of bacterial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Giovannini
- Medway School of Pharmacy
- University of Kent
- Central Avenue
- Chatham Maritime
- Kent
| | - Vladimir Gubala
- Medway School of Pharmacy
- University of Kent
- Central Avenue
- Chatham Maritime
- Kent
| | - Andrew J. Hall
- Medway School of Pharmacy
- University of Kent
- Central Avenue
- Chatham Maritime
- Kent
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Sbarciog M, Giovannini G, Chamy R, Wouwer AV. Control and estimation of anaerobic digestion processes using hydrogen and volatile fatty acids measurements. Water Sci Technol 2018; 78:2027-2035. [PMID: 30629530 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2018.465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The anaerobic digestion (AD) technology is widely used in the treatment of waste and wastewater. To ensure the treatment efficiency and to increase the production of biogas, which can be reused as a renewable energy source, a good understanding of the process and tight control are needed. This paper presents an estimation and control scheme, which can be successfully used in the operation of the AD process. The process is simulated by the ADM1 model, the most complex and detailed model developed so far to characterize AD. The controller and the observer, which provides estimates of the unmeasurable variables needed in the computation of the control law, are designed based on a simplified model developed in a previous work. Since it has been shown that hydrogen concentration is an accurate and fast indicator of process stability, it was chosen as controlled variable. Aside from the hydrogen concentration, the only measurement employed by the proposed control structure is the volatile fatty acids concentration. Simulation results prove the effectiveness of the proposed control structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Sbarciog
- UMONS, Automatic Control Laboratory, 31 Boulevard Dolez, 7000 Mons, Belgium E-mail:
| | - G Giovannini
- UMONS, Automatic Control Laboratory, 31 Boulevard Dolez, 7000 Mons, Belgium E-mail: ; Escuela de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Av. Brasil 2085, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - R Chamy
- Escuela de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Av. Brasil 2085, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - A Vande Wouwer
- UMONS, Automatic Control Laboratory, 31 Boulevard Dolez, 7000 Mons, Belgium E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Giovannini G, Hall AJ, Gubala V. Coumarin-based, switchable fluorescent substrates for enzymatic bacterial detection. Talanta 2018; 188:448-453. [PMID: 30029400 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Enzymatically-switchable fluorescent substrates, such as the commercially available 4-methyl umbelliferones (4-MU) are used as standard indicators of enzymatic activity for the detection of various microorganisms and pathogens. However, a major disadvantage of 4-MU is its relatively high pKa leading to only partial dissociation of the fluorescent anion under the conditions where the enzymes are most effective (pH 6-6.5). Here we present a method for new, enzymatically-switchable, fluorescent substrates with improved photo-physico/chemical properties. The lead derivative, 4-AAU, shows excellent solubility in aqueous media (0.81 mg/mL) when compared to 4-MU (0.16 mg/mL), significantly improved quantum yield and wider dynamic range of its fluorescence properties. The corresponding bacterial substrate β-4-AAUG showed superior selectivity in the detection of clinically relevant amounts of E. coli, Enterococcus and K. pneumonia (1 CFU). The fluorescence intensity of β-4-AAUG was almost 5 times higher than that of the standard, the detection was possible in reasonably short time (∼ 2.5 h) and with excellent sensitivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Giovannini
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy.
| | - Andrew J Hall
- Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent, Central Ave, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, United Kingdom.
| | - Vladimir Gubala
- Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent, Central Ave, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Garoli D, Mosconi D, Miele E, Maccaferri N, Ardini M, Giovannini G, Dipalo M, Agnoli S, De Angelis F. Hybrid plasmonic nanostructures based on controlled integration of MoS 2 flakes on metallic nanoholes. Nanoscale 2018; 10:17105-17111. [PMID: 30179242 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr05026k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Here, we propose an easy and robust strategy for the versatile preparation of hybrid plasmonic nanopores by means of controlled deposition of single flakes of MoS2 directly on top of metallic holes. The device is realized on silicon nitride membranes and can be further refined by TEM or FIB milling to achieve the passing of molecules or nanometric particles through a pore. Importantly, we show that the plasmonic enhancement provided by the nanohole is strongly accumulated in the 2D nanopore, thus representing an ideal system for single-molecule sensing and sequencing in a flow-through configuration. Here, we also demonstrate that the prepared 2D material can be decorated with metallic nanoparticles that can couple their resonance with the nanopore resonance to further enhance the electromagnetic field confinement at the nanoscale level. This method can be applied to any gold nanopore with a high level of reproducibility and parallelization; hence, it can pave the way to the next generation of solid-state nanopores with plasmonic functionalities. Moreover, the controlled/ordered integration of 2D materials on plasmonic nanostructures opens a pathway towards new investigation of the following: enhanced light emission; strong coupling from plasmonic hybrid structures; hot electron generation; and sensors in general based on 2D materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denis Garoli
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Piffanelli A, Pelizzola D, Giovannini G, Catozzi L, Faggioli L, Giganti M. Characterization of Laboratory Working Standard for Quality Control of Immunometric and Radiometric Estrogen Receptor Assays. Clinical Evaluation on Breast Cancer Biopsies. Tumori 2018; 75:550-6. [PMID: 2482565 DOI: 10.1177/030089168907500607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the study was to characterize a low-cost and reliable working standard material for quality control of estrogen receptor (ER) determination with dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) methods. Human fibromatous uterine lyophilized cytosol demonstrated good characteristics of stability and applicability for this purpose. Eleven laboratories participated in the intralaboratory and interlaboratory quality control study, and they achieved slightly higher coefficients of variation for ER-EIA (interlaboratory, 37.7 %; intralaboratory, 22.9 %) than for ER-DCC (Interlaboratory, 24.2 %; intralaboratory, 15.7 %). There was an excellent correlation between ER results with ER-EIA and ER-DCC for 268 breast cancer biopsies. Quality assurance for ER assays using DCC techniques and immunometric methods with monoclonal antibodies (ER-EIA) can be set up with this available material of human origin to satisfy the characteristics of both techniques and the species specificity of monoclonal antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Piffanelli
- Institute of Radiology, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Montesco MC, Pluchinotta A, Piffanelli A, Pelizzola D, Giovannini G, Pagnini CA. Hormone Receptors and Breast Cancer: Correlations with Clinical and Histologic Features. Tumori 2018; 70:445-50. [PMID: 6506229 DOI: 10.1177/030089168407000510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The possible relationships between hormone receptor status and several clinical (age, gynecologic history, clinical stage) and morphologic aspects (histologic grade, vascular invasion, lymphocytic infiltration, necrosis, fibrosis, elastosis and lymph node metastasis) were evaluated. A highly significant correlation between estrogen receptor levels, patient age, menses regularity and postmenopausal status was found. The histologic features most significantly related to tumor receptor status were histologic grade, lymphocytic infiltrate, necrosis and elastosis. Since these same histologic aspects appear to influence prognosis in breast cancer, the prognostic significance attributed to tumor receptor levels is substantiated. Therefore the importance of this assay is confirmed, not only for its diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, but also for its prognostic value.
Collapse
|
30
|
Gion M, Mione R, Becciolini A, Balzi M, Correale M, Piffanelli A, Giovannini G, Saccani Jotti G, Fontanesi M. Relationship between Cytosol Tps, Tpa and Cell Proliferation. Int J Biol Markers 2018; 9:109-14. [PMID: 7930761 DOI: 10.1177/172460089400900208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The serological tumor marker tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) and the more recently identified tissue-specific polypeptide antigen (TPS) have been reported to be indicators of the proliferation rate of the tumor. In the present investigation we compared the cytosol level of the two markers with the proliferative activity of the tumor measured using the 3H-thymidine labelling index. The preliminary results presented here show that higher TLI is associated with lower cytosol levels of both TPA and TPS. TPA and TPS in the cytosol were significantly associated. These findings are in agreement with the previously demonstrated association between high TPA cytosol levels and better prognosis in breast cancer. Further studies are ongoing in order to: 1. confirm these findings in a larger patient series; 2. investigate any possible prognostic indication provided by TPS; 3. evaluate any possible biological meaning of the negative association between TPA/ TPS and TLI in the cytosol of breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Gion
- Center for the Study of Biological Markers of Malignancy, General Hospital, Venezia, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Piffanelli A, Giovannini G, Pelizzola D, De Bortoli M. Estrogen and Progesterone Measurement and its Quality Control in Breast Cancer: A Reappraisal. Int J Biol Markers 2018; 1:15-28. [PMID: 3320222 DOI: 10.1177/172460088600100104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This article illustrates the two main methods for routine measurement of cytoplasmic estrogen receptor status in neoplastic biopsy. The first is the Dextran Coated Charcoal Technique (D.C.C. Assay) which is still the method of choice in the majority of clinical laboratories for its simplicity, reproducibility and low cost. The second is a more advanced technique based on the specific binding, enzimatically displayed, of commercially available antiestrogen monoclonal antibodies (Enzyme Immuno Assay - ABBOTT). The sui generis characteristics of endocrine sensitivity assessment on tumor tissues and the importance of decision-making connected with the assay justify rigorous quality assurance schemes. The quality control design proposed by the Italian Committee concerned the evaluation of several lyophilized preparations with scalar receptor content; this permits the identification through linear regression analysis of systematic and non-systematic errors. The Italian Committee has currently connected 50 labs from most regions of the country.
Collapse
|
32
|
Agrimonti F, Berruto GP, Fornaro D, De Bortoli M, Fumero S, Frairia R, Pelizzola D, Giovannini G, Piffanelli A. Quality Control for Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Assay in Human Breast Cancer: The Influence of Computation Methods on Intra and Interlaboratory Variability. Tumori 2018; 71:597-602. [PMID: 4082293 DOI: 10.1177/030089168507100613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The importance of evaluating receptors for estrogen and progestin in human breast cancer has been pointed out by many authors. In the absence of a reference standard, receptor assays must be controlled by intra and interlaboratory quality control programs. Much interlaboratory variability exists due to non-uniform analytical protocols, non-uniform ligands, intrinsic errors and also errors in computation methods. The goals of our Italian Quality Control Program on Multicenter Trials are to standardize the analytical procedures and computation methods. Twenty Italian laboratories participated in the Quality Control Program. Each specimen was assayed for steroid receptor content according to the standardized dextran-coated-charcoal method. Data were subjected to computerized analyses by 5 different methods of calculation (Scatchard plot, direct plot, Lineweaver-Burk method, Brunauer-Emmet-Teller analysis, single-point approach). The results were than evaluated to identify intra- and inter-assay variation coefficients and to define other statistical parameters. The authors suggest different calculation methods depending on the specific experimental and/or physiopathological conditions.
Collapse
|
33
|
Piffanelli A, Pelizzola D, De Bortoli M, Agrimonti F, Frairia R, Giovannini G, Fumero S. Quality Assurance for Steroid Receptor Assay in Human Breast Cancer: Six Years Experience of the Italian Committee. Tumori 2018; 71:589-95. [PMID: 4082292 DOI: 10.1177/030089168507100612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Since 1979 the quality control design proposed by the Italian ad hoc Committee has evaluated several lyophilized preparations with scalar receptor content; this permits the identification by linear regression analysis of systematic and non systematic errors. At present 41 laboratories from most of the national regions have joined the Italian Committee. The overall results of five years application of quality assurance in Italy show that there was a different pattern of imprecision with satisfactory indexes for intralaboratory performances but major variations in interlaboratory controls. There was also a remarkable difference of variability indices between the so-called "expert" and "new" laboratories; this problem can be reduced with practical seminars for new centers. On the basis of the results and experience achieved the Committee is starting another program of quality assurance for different new methodologies to provide guidelines for international working reference standards.
Collapse
|
34
|
Giovannini G, Warncke P, Fischer D, Stranik O, Hall AJ, Gubala V. Improving colloidal stability of silica nanoparticles when stored in responsive gel: application and toxicity study. Nanotoxicology 2018; 12:407-422. [DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2018.1457729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Warncke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Institute of Pharmacy, Jena, Germany
| | - Dagmar Fischer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Institute of Pharmacy, Jena, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Moore CJ, Giovannini G, Kunc F, Hall AJ, Gubala V. ‘Overloading’ fluorescent silica nanoparticles with dyes to improve biosensor performance. J Mater Chem B 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7tb01284e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Using dye-doped silica nanoparticles (DSNP) as reporter probes, we describe a simple method of enhancing fluorescent signal and the extension of the detectable target concentration range in a proof-of-concept ‘dissolution immunoassay’.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colin J. Moore
- Medway School of Pharmacy
- University of Kent
- Chatham Maritime
- Kent
- UK
| | | | - Filip Kunc
- Medway School of Pharmacy
- University of Kent
- Chatham Maritime
- Kent
- UK
| | - Andrew J. Hall
- Medway School of Pharmacy
- University of Kent
- Chatham Maritime
- Kent
- UK
| | - Vladimir Gubala
- Medway School of Pharmacy
- University of Kent
- Chatham Maritime
- Kent
- UK
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Giovannini G, Kunc F, Piras CC, Stranik O, Edwards AA, Hall AJ, Gubala V. Stabilizing silica nanoparticles in hydrogels: impact on storage and polydispersity. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra02427d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
For successful nanomedicine, it is important that the unique, size-dependent physico-chemical properties of the nanomaterial remain predictably constant during both the storage and the manipulation of the material.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Filip Kunc
- Medway School of Pharmacy
- University of Kent
- Chatham
- UK
| | | | - Ondrej Stranik
- The Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT)
- 07745 Jena
- Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Tutinelli F, Bisbano A, Cremona G, Giovannini G, Musumeci V, Ciappi G. Haemorheological changes in chronic respiratory failure. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2016. [DOI: 10.3233/ch-1986-6408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. Tutinelli
- Istituto di Patologia Speciale Medica e Metodologia Clinica
| | - A. Bisbano
- Istituto di Patologia Speciale Medica e Metodologia Clinica
| | - G. Cremona
- Istituto di Patologia Speciale Medica e Metodologia Clinica
| | - G. Giovannini
- Istituto di Patologia Speciale Medica e Metodologia Clinica
| | - V. Musumeci
- Istituto di Patologia Speciale Medica e Metodologia Clinica
| | - G. Ciappi
- Istituto di Clinica Medica, Servizio di Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, Universita Cattolica del Sacra Cuore, Rome
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Gensicke H, Frih AA, Strbian D, Zini A, Pezzini A, Padjen V, Haueter M, Seiffge DJ, Mäkitie L, Traenka C, Poli L, Martinez-Majander N, Putaala J, Bonati LH, Sibolt G, Giovannini G, Curtze S, Beslac-Bumbasirevic L, Vandelli L, Lyrer PA, Nederkoorn PJ, Tatlisumak T, Engelter ST. Prognostic significance of proteinuria in stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Eur J Neurol 2016; 24:262-269. [DOI: 10.1111/ene.13179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H. Gensicke
- Stroke Center and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - A. A. Frih
- Stroke Center and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - D. Strbian
- Clinical Neurosciences; Neurology; University of Helsinki, and Department of Neurology; Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
| | - A. Zini
- Stroke Unit; Department of Neuroscience; Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, AUSL Modena; Modena Italy
| | - A. Pezzini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences; Neurology Clinic; University of Brescia; Modena Italy
| | - V. Padjen
- Neurology Clinic; Clinical Centre of Serbia; Beograd Serbia
| | - M. Haueter
- Stroke Center and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
- Neurorehabilitation Unit; Felix Platter Hospital; University of Basel and University Center for Medicine of Aging; Basel Switzerland
| | - D. J. Seiffge
- Stroke Center and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - L. Mäkitie
- Clinical Neurosciences; Neurology; University of Helsinki, and Department of Neurology; Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
| | - C. Traenka
- Stroke Center and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - L. Poli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences; Neurology Clinic; University of Brescia; Modena Italy
| | - N. Martinez-Majander
- Clinical Neurosciences; Neurology; University of Helsinki, and Department of Neurology; Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
| | - J. Putaala
- Clinical Neurosciences; Neurology; University of Helsinki, and Department of Neurology; Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
| | - L. H. Bonati
- Stroke Center and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - G. Sibolt
- Clinical Neurosciences; Neurology; University of Helsinki, and Department of Neurology; Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
| | - G. Giovannini
- Stroke Unit; Department of Neuroscience; Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, AUSL Modena; Modena Italy
| | - S. Curtze
- Clinical Neurosciences; Neurology; University of Helsinki, and Department of Neurology; Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
| | | | - L. Vandelli
- Stroke Unit; Department of Neuroscience; Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, AUSL Modena; Modena Italy
| | - P. A. Lyrer
- Stroke Center and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - P. J. Nederkoorn
- Department of Neurology; Academic Medical Center Amsterdam; The Netherlands
| | - T. Tatlisumak
- Clinical Neurosciences; Neurology; University of Helsinki, and Department of Neurology; Helsinki University Hospital; Helsinki Finland
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology; Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg Sweden
- Department of Neurology; Sahlgrenska University Hospital; Gothenburg Sweden
| | - S. T. Engelter
- Stroke Center and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
- Neurorehabilitation Unit; Felix Platter Hospital; University of Basel and University Center for Medicine of Aging; Basel Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Gensicke H, Wicht A, Bill O, Zini A, Costa P, Kägi G, Stark R, Seiffge DJ, Traenka C, Peters N, Bonati LH, Giovannini G, De Marchis GM, Poli L, Polymeris A, Vanacker P, Sarikaya H, Lyrer PA, Pezzini A, Vandelli L, Michel P, Engelter ST. Impact of body mass index on outcome in stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Eur J Neurol 2016; 23:1705-1712. [DOI: 10.1111/ene.13071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H. Gensicke
- Stroke Centre and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - A. Wicht
- Stroke Centre and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - O. Bill
- Department of Neurology; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne; Lausanne Switzerland
| | - A. Zini
- Stroke Unit; Department of Neuroscience; Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, AUSL Modena; Modena Italy
| | - P. Costa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences; Neurology Clinic; University of Brescia; Brescia Italy
| | - G. Kägi
- Department of Neurology; Kantonsspital St Gallen; St Gallen Switzerland
| | - R. Stark
- Department of Neurology; Kantonsspital St Gallen; St Gallen Switzerland
| | - D. J. Seiffge
- Stroke Centre and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - C. Traenka
- Stroke Centre and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - N. Peters
- Stroke Centre and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - L. H. Bonati
- Stroke Centre and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - G. Giovannini
- Stroke Unit; Department of Neuroscience; Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, AUSL Modena; Modena Italy
| | - G. M. De Marchis
- Stroke Centre and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - L. Poli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences; Neurology Clinic; University of Brescia; Brescia Italy
| | - A. Polymeris
- Stroke Centre and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - P. Vanacker
- Department of Neurology; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne; Lausanne Switzerland
- Department of Neurology; University Hospital Antwerp; Edegem Belgium
| | - H. Sarikaya
- Department of Neurology; University Hospital Berne; Berne Switzerland
| | - P. A. Lyrer
- Stroke Centre and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - A. Pezzini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences; Neurology Clinic; University of Brescia; Brescia Italy
| | - L. Vandelli
- Stroke Unit; Department of Neuroscience; Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, AUSL Modena; Modena Italy
| | - P. Michel
- Department of Neurology; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne; Lausanne Switzerland
| | - S. T. Engelter
- Stroke Centre and Neurology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
- Neurorehabilitation Unit; University Centre for Medicine of Aging and Rehabilitation; Felix Platter Hospital; Basel Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Bauer J, Giovannini G, Böhlen T, Gabal G, Tessonnier T, Frey K, Debus J, Mairani A, Parodi K. Variable RBE in proton therapy: comparison of model predictions and their impact on clinical-like cranial lesions. Radiother Oncol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(16)30015-9] [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: 10/22/2022]
|
41
|
Giovannini G, Flöck A, Nellessen C, Mayer K, Gembruch U, Merz W. Akute Promyelozytenleukämie in der Schwangerschaft: erfolgreiche Behandlung mit ATRA Monotherapie. Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol 2015. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1566617] [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: 10/22/2022]
|
42
|
Lico R, Casadio C, Gómez J, Giroletti M, Orienti M, Giovannini G, Blasi M, Cotton W, Edwards PG, Fuhrmann L, Jorstad S, Kino M, Kovalev Y, Krichbaum T, Marscher A, Paneque D, Perez-Torres M, Piner G, Sokolovsky K. Very Long Baseline Polarimetric monitoring at 15 GHz of the TeV blazar Markarian 421. EPJ Web of Conferences 2013. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/20136107004] [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: 11/14/2022] Open
|
43
|
Orienti M, D’Ammando F, Giroletti M, Dallacasa D, Venturi T, Giovannini G. On the connection between radio and gamma rays. EPJ Web of Conferences 2013. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/20136104009] [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: 11/14/2022] Open
|
44
|
Giovannini G, Liuzzo E, Giroletti M, Boccardi B, Tamburri S, Casadio C, Taylor G, Kadler M, Tosti G, Mignano AA. Exploring the bulk of the BL Lac object population: parsec scale radio properties and gamma ray emission. EPJ Web of Conferences 2013. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/20136108006] [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: 11/14/2022] Open
|
45
|
Folletti I, Belardinelli V, Giovannini G, Cresta B, Fabrizi G, Tacconi C, Stopponi R, Ferrari L, Siracusa A. [Prevalence and determinants of low back pain in hospital workers]. G Ital Med Lav Ergon 2005; 27:359-61. [PMID: 16240595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the prevalence and determinants of low back pain (LBP) in Terni hospital workers. Each ward sister completed a questionnaire about potential determinants of LBP associated with physical loads. Moreover, a trained ward sister administered a questionnaire about the characteristics of low back pain to 512 subjects. In the previous year the prevalence of LBP was 58.8%. It was more common in subjects under 45 years of age. >3 LBP episodes annually were more frequent in operating rooms and medical wards. LBP lasted >1 week in 29% of females and in 23% of males. LBP caused change of duties or time off work in 11% of females and in 8% of males.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I Folletti
- Medico del lavoro, Monteleone di Orvieto, Terni
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Vesce F, Scapoli C, Giovannini G, Tralli L, Gotti G, Valerio A, Piffanelli A. Cytokine imbalance in pregnancies with fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Hum Reprod 2002; 17:803-8. [PMID: 11870140 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/17.3.803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the present study is to investigate the levels of some of the cytokines which may be involved in the mechanisms leading to the impairment of placental perfusion and to the onset of uterine contractions in pregnancies with fetal genetic abnormalities compared with controls. METHODS The amniotic fluid and maternal plasma levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumour necrosis factor-beta in patients with fetal chromosomal abnormalities were measured, as well as in euploid pregnancies in the seventh week of gestation. RESULTS An increase of interleukin-6 (P = 0.034) and a decrease of interleukin-8 (P < or =0.0001) in amniotic fluid, and a decrease of interleukin-6 in the maternal plasma (P = 0.026) was shown in pregnancies with fetal chromosomal abnormalities. A positive correlation was observed between amniotic interleukin-8 and serum interleukin-6 in the presence of fetal aneuploidy (P < 0.006). CONCLUSION Further investigations of cytokine imbalance in pregnancies with poor outcome as a consequence of genetic disorders rather than infection is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Vesce
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Advanced Therapy, Section of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Piffanelli A, Morganti A, Mantero F, Cianetti A, Zucchelli GC, Giovannini G, Pelizzola D. Supraregional interlaboratory quality-control survey for an immunoradiometric renin assay. Clin Chem 2001; 47:2148-50. [PMID: 11719480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Piffanelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Nuclear Medicine University, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
Mycotic aneurysms of the thoracic aorta rarely occur in children. We report an unusual case of a mycotic aneurysm of the descending aorta in a 4-year-old boy presenting with respiratory tract infection, which was rapidly complicated by atelectasis of the left lung. The patient's mycotic aortic aneurysm was diagnosed by contrast-enhanced spiral CT, whereas conventional chest radiographs did not detect its presence. An unsuspected mild aortic coarctation was also diagnosed at the time of admission. This case demonstrates that an aortic aneurysm may clinically and radiologically manifest itself with respiratory tract infection and atelectasis and that contrast-enhanced spiral CT is a fast and powerful tool for establishing the diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Mengozzi
- 1st Department of Radiology, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Vesce F, Scapoli C, Giovannini G, Piffanelli A, Geurts-Moespot A, Sweep FC. Plasminogen activator system in serum and amniotic fluid of euploid and aneuploid pregnancies. Obstet Gynecol 2001; 97:404-8. [PMID: 11239646 DOI: 10.1016/s0029-7844(00)01144-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare euploid and aneuploid pregnancies with respect to maternal serum and amniotic fluid (AF) levels of the components of the plasminogen system. METHODS The study population consisted of 123 single pregnancies at the 17th gestational week, 16 with minor chromosomal abnormalities, 15 aneuploid, and 92 euploid. RESULTS Both groups with chromosomal abnormalities had significantly higher serum levels of urokinase plasminogen activator and its complexed form with its type-1 inhibitor compared with euploid pregnancies. In AF, tissue plasminogen activator was significantly lower in the aneuploid than the euploid group, whereas type-1 inhibitor of plasminogen activator was significantly higher in the cases with minor chromosomal abnormalities compared with euploid. At cutoff levels set at 100% sensitivity, the complexed form of urokinase plasminogen activator with its type-1 inhibitor had the strongest specificity (66.3%); after logarithmic transformation, its serum level was 7.53 times higher in aneuploidies than euploidies. CONCLUSION Aneuploid pregnancies appear to be accompanied by abnormalities of the plasminogen activation system, which could lead to impaired placental perfusion and thus to abortion, fetal death, and fetal growth restriction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Vesce
- Department of Biomedical Science and Advanced Therapy, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Zecconi A, Hamann J, Bronzo V, Moroni P, Giovannini G, Piccinini R. Relationship between teat tissue immune defences and intramammary infections. Adv Exp Med Biol 2001; 480:287-93. [PMID: 10959436 DOI: 10.1007/0-306-46832-8_33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The teat is the main entrance for pathogens into the mammary gland. It also acts as a sensory, motor and primary defence organ. This latter function is important in preventing intramammary infections while efficiency in preventing new infections is determined by teat tissue integrity. Machine milking may evoke mechanical and circulatory impairment in teat tissues. These local metabolic disorders may decrease the efficiency of the local immune defence mechanisms. Teat tissue changes can be estimated by measuring teat thickness before and after milking. Experimental and field studies showed a high correlation between changes in thickness and infection risk. Teats with > 5% change in thickness have significantly increased teat duct colonisation rates and intramammary infection rates. The link between changes in teat thickness and infections should be found in changes in local immune defences and measurable changes in cytological and biochemical immune factors are expected. Indeed, the application of experimental milking conditions (i.e. no pulsation milking and positive pressure milking) showed to have a significant influence on some non specific immune factors in teat secretion. Positive pressure milking increases PMNs content and decreases macrophages content of teat secretion. Some enzymes such as NAGase and lysozyme were decreased by positive pressure milking, the concentration of the same enzymes were higher after no pulsation milking. A better knowledge on the interaction between the teat apex immune defense mechanisms and the machine milking process is necessary to reduce the new infection rate of the bovine mammary gland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Zecconi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Infectious Diseases, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|