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Camassa A, Barbero-Castillo A, Bosch M, Dasilva M, Masvidal-Codina E, Villa R, Guimerà-Brunet A, Sanchez-Vives MV. Chronic full-band recordings with graphene microtransistors as neural interfaces for discrimination of brain states. Nanoscale Horiz 2024; 9:589-597. [PMID: 38329118 DOI: 10.1039/d3nh00440f] [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: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Brain states such as sleep, anesthesia, wakefulness, or coma are characterized by specific patterns of cortical activity dynamics, from local circuits to full-brain emergent properties. We previously demonstrated that full-spectrum signals, including the infraslow component (DC, direct current-coupled), can be recorded acutely in multiple sites using flexible arrays of graphene solution-gated field-effect transistors (gSGFETs). Here, we performed chronic implantation of 16-channel gSGFET arrays over the rat cerebral cortex and recorded full-band neuronal activity with two objectives: (1) to test the long-term stability of implanted devices; and (2) to investigate full-band activity during the transition across different levels of anesthesia. First, we demonstrate it is possible to record full-band signals with stability, fidelity, and spatiotemporal resolution for up to 5.5 months using chronic epicortical gSGFET implants. Second, brain states generated by progressive variation of levels of anesthesia could be identified as traditionally using the high-pass filtered (AC, alternating current-coupled) spectrogram: from synchronous slow oscillations in deep anesthesia through to asynchronous activity in the awake state. However, the DC signal introduced a highly significant improvement for brain-state discrimination: the DC band provided an almost linear information prediction of the depth of anesthesia, with about 85% precision, using a trained algorithm. This prediction rose to about 95% precision when the full-band (AC + DC) spectrogram was taken into account. We conclude that recording infraslow activity using gSGFET interfaces is superior for the identification of brain states, and further supports the preclinical and clinical use of graphene neural interfaces for long-term recordings of cortical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Camassa
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Barbero-Castillo
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Bosch
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Dasilva
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Masvidal-Codina
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - R Villa
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - A Guimerà-Brunet
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - M V Sanchez-Vives
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
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2
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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.
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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
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Forner E, Ezenarro JJ, Pérez-Montero M, Vigués N, Asensio-Grau A, Andrés A, Mas J, Baeza M, Muñoz-Berbel X, Villa R, Gabriel G. Electrochemical biosensor for aerobic acetate detection. Talanta 2023; 265:124882. [PMID: 37453394 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing demand on alternatives methods to animal testing. Numerous health parameters have been already studied using in vitro devices able to mimic the essential functions of the organs, being the real-time monitoring and response to stimuli their main limitations. Regarding the health of the gut, the short chain fatty acids, and particularly acetate, have emerged as key biomarkers to evaluate gut healthiness and disease development, although the number of acetate biosensors is still very low. This article presents a microbial biosensor based on fully biocompatible materials which is able to detect acetate in aerobic conditions in the range between 11 and 50 mM, and without compromising the viability and function of either bacteria (>90% viability) or mammalian cells (>80% viability). The detection mechanism is based on the metabolism of acetate by Escherichia coli bacteria immobilized on the transducer surface. Ferricyanide is used as a redox mediator to transfer electrons from the acetate metabolism in the bacterial cells to the transducer. High bacterial concentrations are immobilized in the transducer surface (109 cfu mL-1) by electrodeposition of conductive alginate hydrogels doped with reduced graphene oxide. The results show successful outcomes to exploit bacteria as a biosensing tool, based on the use of inkjet printed transducers, biocompatible materials and cell entrapment technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Forner
- Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J J Ezenarro
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Pérez-Montero
- Basic Sciences Department. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195, Sant Cugat Del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Vigués
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Asensio-Grau
- Instituto de Ingenieria de Alimentos para El Desarrollo, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera S/n, 46022, València, Spain
| | - A Andrés
- Instituto de Ingenieria de Alimentos para El Desarrollo, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera S/n, 46022, València, Spain
| | - J Mas
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Baeza
- GENOCOV Research Group, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Edifici C-Nord, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - X Muñoz-Berbel
- Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - R Villa
- Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - G Gabriel
- Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain.
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Villa R, Ferrer-Carbonell C, Paul CE. Biocatalytic reduction of alkenes in micro-aqueous organic solvent catalysed by an immobilised ene reductase. Catal Sci Technol 2023; 13:5530-5535. [PMID: 38013840 PMCID: PMC10544049 DOI: 10.1039/d3cy00541k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Biocatalytic asymmetric reduction of alkenes in organic solvent is attractive for enantiopurity and product isolation, yet remains under developed. Herein we demonstrate the robustness of an ene reductase immobilised on Celite for the reduction of activated alkenes in micro-aqueous organic solvent. Full conversion was obtained in methyl t-butyl ether, avoiding hydrolysis and racemisation of products. The immobilised ene reductase showed reusability and a scale-up demonstrated its applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio Villa
- Biocatalysis section, Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Biotechnology van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands
| | - Claudia Ferrer-Carbonell
- Biocatalysis section, Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Biotechnology van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands
| | - Caroline E Paul
- Biocatalysis section, Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Biotechnology van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands
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Villa R, Nieto S, Donaire A, Lozano P. Direct Biocatalytic Processes for CO 2 Capture as a Green Tool to Produce Value-Added Chemicals. Molecules 2023; 28:5520. [PMID: 37513391 PMCID: PMC10383722 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28145520] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct biocatalytic processes for CO2 capture and transformation in value-added chemicals may be considered a useful tool for reducing the concentration of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Among the other enzymes, carbonic anhydrase (CA) and formate dehydrogenase (FDH) are two key biocatalysts suitable for this challenge, facilitating the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in complementary ways. Carbonic anhydrases accelerate CO2 uptake by promoting its solubility in water in the form of hydrogen carbonate as the first step in converting the gas into a species widely used in carbon capture storage and its utilization processes (CCSU), particularly in carbonation and mineralization methods. On the other hand, formate dehydrogenases represent the biocatalytic machinery evolved by certain organisms to convert CO2 into enriched, reduced, and easily transportable hydrogen species, such as formic acid, via enzymatic cascade systems that obtain energy from chemical species, electrochemical sources, or light. Formic acid is the basis for fixing C1-carbon species to other, more reduced molecules. In this review, the state-of-the-art of both methods of CO2 uptake is assessed, highlighting the biotechnological approaches that have been developed using both enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio Villa
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología, Facultad de Química, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Susana Nieto
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología, Facultad de Química, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Donaire
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro Lozano
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología, Facultad de Química, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
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Nieto S, Bernal JM, Villa R, Garcia-Verdugo E, Donaire A, Lozano P. Sustainable Setups for the Biocatalytic Production and Scale-Up of Panthenyl Monoacyl Esters under Solvent-Free Conditions. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 2023; 11:5737-5747. [PMID: 37064495 PMCID: PMC10091472 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c00266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
A sustainable scaling-up process for the biocatalytic production of new bioactive provitamin-B5 monoacyl esters has been demonstrated. A solvent-free reaction protocol, based on the formation of eutectic mixtures between neat substrates, renders highly efficient direct esterification of free fatty acids (i.e., from C6 to C18 alkyl-chain length) with panthenol catalyzed by lipase. The scale-up from 0.5 to 500 g was evaluated by means of using several reaction systems (i.e., ultrasound assistance, orbital shaking, rotary evaporator, and mechanical stirring coupled to vacuum). For all reactor systems, the yield in panthenyl monoacyl esters was improved by increasing the length of the alkyl chain of the fatty acid (i.e., from 63% yield for panthenyl butyrate to 83% yield for panthenyl myristate). The best results (87-95% product yield, for all cases) were obtained upon a scale-up (50-500 g size) and when a vacuum system was coupled to the biocatalytic reaction unit. Under the optimized conditions, a 5-fold reduction of the amount of biocatalysts with respect to reactors without vacuum was achieved. The recovery and reuse of the immobilized enzyme for five operation cycles were also demonstrated. Finally, different metrics have been applied to assess the greenness of the solvent-free biocatalytic synthesis of panthenyl monoesters here reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Nieto
- Departamento
de Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular B e Inmunologia. Facultad de Quimica,
Campus de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Juana M. Bernal
- Departamento
de Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular B e Inmunologia. Facultad de Quimica,
Campus de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Rocio Villa
- Departamento
de Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular B e Inmunologia. Facultad de Quimica,
Campus de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
- Department
of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Building 58 Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Eduardo Garcia-Verdugo
- Departamento
de Quimica Organica e Inorganica, Universidad
Jaume I, E-12071 Castellon, Spain
| | - Antonio Donaire
- Departamento
de Quimica Inorganica. Facultad de Quimica, Campus de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro Lozano
- Departamento
de Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular B e Inmunologia. Facultad de Quimica,
Campus de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
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Paruccini N, Villa R, Caricato P, Faccenda V, De Ponti E. Model observer: yes, we “can”! Phys Med 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1120-1797(22)00483-5] [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
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Alvarez E, Villa R, Nieto S, Donaire A, García-Verdugo E, Luis SV, Lozano P. The Suitability of Lipases for the Synthesis of Bioactive Compounds with Cosmeceutical Applications. MINI-REV ORG CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.2174/1570193x17999200805215623] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
:
Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic products containing biologically active ingredients with attractive
properties (e.g. anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, photoprotective activity, etc.).
The aim of these compounds is to offer pharmaceutically therapeutic benefits. The active ingredients
can be extracted and purified from natural sources, including plants and animals, or be obtained by
biotechnological methodologies (e.g. fermentation, enzymatic synthesis, etc.). Recent years have
been increased interest in the design and development of bioactive compounds with cosmeceutical
applications and low toxicity. The enzymatic synthesis of bioactive esters, based on esterification or
transesterification, has attracted much interest because of the interesting properties of the resulting
products and because, by replacing traditional chemical catalysts, this approach leads towards the development
of more sustainable processes that follow the principles of Green Chemistry. This review
gives an overview of the excellent suitability of lipases as biocatalysts for producing bioactive compounds
with attractive properties for the cosmetics industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Alvarez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Immunology, Faculty of Chemistry, Campus Regional de Excelencia Internacional “Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Rocio Villa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Immunology, Faculty of Chemistry, Campus Regional de Excelencia Internacional “Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Susana Nieto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Immunology, Faculty of Chemistry, Campus Regional de Excelencia Internacional “Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Donaire
- Departamento de Quimica Inorganica, Facultad de Quimica, Campus Regional de Excelencia Internacional “Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, E-30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Eduardo García-Verdugo
- Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, University Jaume I, Campus del Riu Sec, Avenida Sos Baynant s/n, E-12071, Castellon, Spain
| | - Santiago V. Luis
- Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, University Jaume I, Campus del Riu Sec, Avenida Sos Baynant s/n, E-12071, Castellon, Spain
| | - Pedro Lozano
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Immunology, Faculty of Chemistry, Campus Regional de Excelencia Internacional “Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Nieto S, Villa R, Donaire A, Lozano P. Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic synthesis of xylitol fatty acid esters in solvent-free conditions. Ultrason Sonochem 2021; 75:105606. [PMID: 34058635 PMCID: PMC8170488 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105606] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
A commercial immobilized lipase was successfully used for the synthesis of five xylityl acyl esters by means of the esterification of free fatty acids (caprylic, capric, lauric and myristic, respectively) with xylitol under solvent-free conditions. Ultrasound-assistance was shown to be a key tool to overcome the handicap imposed by both the mutual immiscibility of fatty acids and xylitol substrates, and the semisolid character of the initial reaction mixtures. In such semisolid systems, ultrasonic irradiation may enable the transport of substrate molecules to the enzyme catalytic-site, leading to the efficient synthesis of xylityl fatty ester (e.g. up to 95% yield after 90 min at 40 °C), with xylityl monoacyl ester and xylitol diacyl ester appearing as the main products (greater than 96%), assessed by HPLC and NMR analyses. The separation of products was carried out by heating and simple centrifugation of the reaction medium, which was possible due to different densities of the resulting fractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Nieto
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología. Facultad de Química, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Rocio Villa
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología. Facultad de Química, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Donaire
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica. Facultad de Química, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, E-30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro Lozano
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología. Facultad de Química, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, E-30100 Murcia, Spain.
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Villa R, Espandian A, Sáiz PA, Astals M, Valencia JK, Martínez-Santamaría E, Álvarez S, García-Portilla MP, Bobes J, Flórez G. Cognitive functioning in patients with alcohol use disorder who start outpatient treatment. Adicciones 2021; 33:161-174. [PMID: 31342077 DOI: 10.20882/adicciones.1326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The main objective of the present study is to analyze the presence of cognitive impairment associated with alcohol consumption in patients with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder seeking outpatient treatment for their dependence. To do this, we compared a sample of 111 patients with active alcohol use disorder who initiated ambulatory treatment with 100 healthy controls. We compared sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with alcohol consumption, such as alcohol craving and impulsivity. A systematized battery of cognitive tests was also used in the comparison, which allowed the evaluation of the following functions: Attention, anterograde memory, processing speed, verbal fluency, executive function and implicit attitude towards alcoholic beverages. Compared with healthy controls, patients with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder performed significantly worse in all tests used, and therefore in all cognitive functions evaluated, but for two tests, the Iowa Gambling Test and the Implicit Association Test. The analysis through a correlation matrix of the patient group indicates that patients who report more impulsivity and more chronic alcohol abuse and with more addiction are those who suffer greater deterioration in their cognitive function. Cognitive damage associated with alcohol consumption was distributed heterogeneously among patients. The present study confirms the presence of cognitive deterioration associated with alcohol consumption in patients seeking outpatient treatment.
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Villa R, Fergnani VGC, Silipigni R, Guerneri S, Cinnante C, Guala A, Danesino C, Scola E, Conte G, Fumagalli M, Gangi S, Colombo L, Picciolini O, Ajmone PF, Accogli A, Madia F, Tassano E, Scala M, Capra V, Srour M, Spaccini L, Righini A, Greco D, Castiglia L, Romano C, Bedeschi MF. Structural brain anomalies in Cri-du-Chat syndrome: MRI findings in 14 patients and possible genotype-phenotype correlations. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2020; 28:110-119. [PMID: 32800423 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2020.07.002] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cri-du-Chat Syndrome (CdCS) is a genetic condition due to deletions showing different breakpoints encompassing a critical region on the short arm of chromosome 5, located between p15.2 and p15.3, first defined by Niebuhr in 1978. The classic phenotype includes a characteristic cry, peculiar facies, microcephaly, growth retardation, hypotonia, speech and psychomotor delay and intellectual disability. A wide spectrum of clinical manifestations can be attributed to differences in size and localization of the 5p deletion. Several critical regions related to some of the main features (such as cry, peculiar facies, developmental delay) have been identified. The aim of this study is to further define the genotype-phenotype correlations in CdCS with particular regards to the specific neuroradiological findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fourteen patients with 5p deletions have been included in the present study. Neuroimaging studies were conducted using brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Genetic testing was performed by means of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) array at 130 kb resolution. RESULTS MRI analyses showed that isolated pontine hypoplasia is the most common finding, followed by vermian hypoplasia, ventricular anomalies, abnormal basal angle, widening of cavum sellae, increased signal of white matter, corpus callosum anomalies, and anomalies of cortical development. Chromosomal microarray analysis identified deletions ranging in size from 11,6 to 33,8 Mb on the short arm of chromosome 5. Then, we took into consideration the overlapping and non-overlapping deleted regions. The goal was to establish a correlation between the deleted segments and the neuroradiological features of our patients. CONCLUSIONS Performing MRI on all the patients in our cohort, allowed us to expand the neuroradiological phenotype in CdCS. Moreover, possible critical regions associated to characteristic MRI findings have been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Villa
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - V G C Fergnani
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - R Silipigni
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - S Guerneri
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - C Cinnante
- Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - A Guala
- Department of Pediatrics, Castelli Hospital, Verbania, Italy.
| | - C Danesino
- Molecular Medicine Department, General Biology and Medical Genetics Unit, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - E Scola
- Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - G Conte
- Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - M Fumagalli
- NICU, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - S Gangi
- NICU, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - L Colombo
- NICU, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - O Picciolini
- Pediatric Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - P F Ajmone
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy.
| | - A Accogli
- DINOGMI, Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
| | - F Madia
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
| | - E Tassano
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
| | - M Scala
- DINOGMI, Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
| | - V Capra
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
| | - M Srour
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; McGill University Health Center (MUHC) Research Institute, Montreal, Canada.
| | - L Spaccini
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, V. Buzzi Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Italy.
| | - A Righini
- Department of Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology, V. Buzzi Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Italy.
| | - D Greco
- Oasi Research Institute, IRCCS, Troina, Italy.
| | - L Castiglia
- Oasi Research Institute, IRCCS, Troina, Italy.
| | - C Romano
- Oasi Research Institute, IRCCS, Troina, Italy.
| | - M F Bedeschi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
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Gurd C, Villa R, Jefferson B. Understanding why fat, oil and grease (FOG) bioremediation can be unsuccessful. J Environ Manage 2020; 267:110647. [PMID: 32421677 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110647] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Commercial kitchen wastewaters are typically strong organic and fat-rich effluents, often identified as major contributors to fatberg formation and associated blockages in sewers. Experimental trials were done using synthetic kitchen wastewater to understand the complex reactions involved in microbial remediation in grease traps/separators prior discharge in sewers. The principle organic components (FOG, carbohydrate and protein nitrogen), were varied using ranges observed in a previous study on real kitchen wastewater characterisation. A model bacterium, Bacillus licheniformis NCIMB 9375, was used to evaluate microbial utilisation of the different organic fractions in relation to fat, oil and grease (FOG) degradation. Novel results in the treatment of these effluents showed that, the presence and concentration of alternative carbon sources and the ratio of carbon to nitrogen (COD:N) had great influence on FOG-degradation response. For example, FOG removal decreased from 24 to 10 mg/l/h when glucose was substitute for starch at equivalent concentrations (500 mg/l); and from 26 to 5 mg/l/h when initial COD:N increased from 45:1 to 147:1. The dominant influence of COD:N was validated using a commercial bioadditive and real kitchen wastewater adjusted to different COD:N ratios, confirming the strong influence of kitchen wastewater composition on bioremediation outcomes. These results can therefore have major implications for biological management of FOG in kitchens and sewers as they provide a scientific explanation for bioremediation success or failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gurd
- Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, Bedfordshire, UK
| | - R Villa
- De Montfort University, Leicester, LE1 9HB, Leicestershire, UK.
| | - B Jefferson
- Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, Bedfordshire, UK
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Whelan MJ, Ramos A, Villa R, Guymer I, Jefferson B, Rayner M. A new conceptual model of pesticide transfers from agricultural land to surface waters with a specific focus on metaldehyde. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2020; 22:956-972. [PMID: 32043103 DOI: 10.1039/c9em00492k] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Pesticide losses from agricultural land to water can result in the environmental deterioration of receiving systems. Mathematical models can make important contributions to risk assessments and catchment management. However, some mechanistic models have high parameter requirements which can make them difficult to apply in data poor areas. In addition, uncertainties in pesticide properties and applications are difficult to account for using models with long run-times. Alternative, simpler, conceptual models are easier to apply and can still be used as a framework for process interpretation. Here, we present a new conceptual model of pesticide behaviour in surface water catchments, based on continuous water balance calculations. Pesticide losses to surface waters are calculated based on the displacement of a limited fraction of the soil pore water during storm events occurring after application. The model was used to describe the behaviour of metaldehyde in a small (2.2 km2) under-drained catchment in Eastern England. Metaldehyde is a molluscicide which has been regularly detected at high concentrations in many drinking water supply catchments. Measured peak concentrations in stream water (to about 9 μg L-1) occurred in the first few storm events after application in mid-August. In each event, there was a quasi-exponential decrease in concentration during hydrograph recession. Peak concentrations decreased in successive events - responding to rainfall but reflecting an effective exhaustion in soil supply due to degradation and dissipation. Uncertain pesticide applications to the catchment were estimated using land cover analysis of satellite data, combined with a Poisson distribution to describe the timing of application. Model performance for both the hydrograph (after calibration of the water balance) and the chemograph was good and could be improved via some minor adjustments in assumptions which yield general insights into the drivers for pesticide transport. The use of remote sensing offers some promising opportunities for estimating catchment-scale pesticide applications and associated losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Whelan
- Centre for Landscape & Climate Research, School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, University of Leicester, UK.
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Gurd C, Jefferson B, Villa R. Characterisation of food service establishment wastewater and its implication for treatment. J Environ Manage 2019; 252:109657. [PMID: 31604184 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Essential for the selection of a reliable treatment system is the characterisation of the effluent to treat. Kitchen wastewater (KWW) from food service establishments (FSEs) is a strong organic and fat-rich effluent whose characterisation has not been sufficiently addressed. KWW composition is highly variable and linked to the FSE's size, the type of meals prepared and the amount of water used during the cleaning. COD, TSS and fat content (FOG) are the most common parameters found in literature. However, other physical and chemical parameters (e.g. temperature, pH, oil droplets characteristics and trace elements), correlated to commercial kitchen cleaning practices rather than the specific effluent, but equally influential on the treatment efficiencies of both physical and biological methods, have hardly been investigated. A comprehensive characterisation of wastewaters from three food service establishments was used to generate data to support the selection of appropriate FOG mitigation methods. Two novel analytical methods were used to quantify the proportion of emulsified FOG and associated droplet size from different kitchen washing effluents. The results showed that more than 90% of the FOG from the dishwasher effluent and around 35% of sink one was emulsified, with droplet sizes less than 100 μm, well below the removal capabilities of conventional grease interceptors, but easily removed using biological means. From the WW composition results, a formula for predictive modelling was derived to represent average organic matter composition for kitchen wastewater as C20H38O10N, applicable in remediation processes. These results offer a good starting point for the design, operation, and optimisation of wastewater treatment systems of oil-rich KWW.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gurd
- Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield - Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - B Jefferson
- Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield - Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - R Villa
- Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield - Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK; De Montfort University, Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, Leicester, LE1 9HB, UK.
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Escudero P, Yeste J, Pascual-Izarra C, Villa R, Alvarez M. Color tunable pressure sensors based on polymer nanostructured membranes for optofluidic applications. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3259. [PMID: 30824807 PMCID: PMC6397196 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40267-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We demonstrate an integrated optical pressure sensing platform for multiplexed optofluidics applications. The sensing platform consists in an array of elastomeric on-side nanostructured membranes -effectively 2D photonic crystal- which present colour shifts in response to mechanical stress that alter their nanostructure characteristical dimensions, pitch or orientation. The photonic membranes are prepared by a simple and cost-effective method based on the infiltration of a 2D colloidal photonic crystal (CPC) with PDMS and their integration with a microfluidic system. We explore the changes in the white light diffraction produced by the nanostructured membranes when varying the pneumatic pressure in the microfluidics channels as a way to achieve a power-free array of pressure sensors that change their reflective colour depending on the bending produced on each sensor. The structural characterization of these membranes was performed by SEM, while the optical properties and the pressure-colour relation were evaluated via UV-Vis reflection spectrometry. Maximum sensitivities of 0.17 kPa-1 is obtained when measuring at Littrow configuration (θin = -θout), and close to the border of the membranes. The reflected colour change with pressure is as well monitorized by using a smartphone camera.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Escudero
- Instituto de Microelectronica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.,PhD in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Yeste
- Instituto de Microelectronica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - R Villa
- Instituto de Microelectronica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER de Bioengineria, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Alvarez
- Instituto de Microelectronica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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Rodríguez E, Waissman J, Mahadevan P, Villa C, Flores B, Villa R. Research Article Genome-wide classification of dairy cows using decision trees and artificial neural network algorithms. Genet Mol Res 2019. [DOI: 10.4238/gmr18407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Panizza D, Villa R, Montanari G, Tremolada V, Crespi A. 162. A study on the correlation between plan parameters and gamma index analysis of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy. Phys Med 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2018.04.173] [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: 10/27/2022] Open
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18
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Villa R, Paruccini N, Spadavecchia C, Baglivi A, Signoriello M, Crespi A. 54. Spatio-temporal generalisation of Model Observer for Low Contrast Detectability assessment of dynamic angiographic images: comparison with an innovative Statistical method and 2AFC experiments. Phys Med 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2018.04.064] [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: 11/27/2022] Open
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Crippa M, Giangiobbe S, Villa R, Bestetti I, De Filippis T, Fatti L, Taurino J, Larizza L, Persani L, Bellini F, Finelli P, Bonati MT. A balanced reciprocal translocation t(10;15)(q22.3;q26.1) interrupting ACAN gene in a family with proportionate short stature. J Endocrinol Invest 2018; 41:929-936. [PMID: 29302920 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-017-0819-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Few examples of the involvement of a single gene in idiopathic short stature have been described until now. Our aim was to identify the causative gene of proportionate short stature in a large family showing co-segregation of the phenotype with the reciprocal translocation t(10;15)(q22;q24). METHODS FISH mapping was carried out with BACs and long-range PCR probes to identify the smallest genomic regions harboring the translocation breakpoints. Real-Time RT-PCR was performed in blood after pre-amplification of target genes cDNA. RESULT The affected family members presented with a final height of between - 2.41 and - 4.18 SDS and very mild skeletal dysmorphisms. Growth rates of the proband and of her cousin, whose childhood and pre-pubertal bone age corresponded to the chronological age, showed a poor growth spurt during treatment with rhGH. However, their adult height was greater than that of their untreated mothers, suggesting efficacy of GH therapy. Breakpoint mapping revealed that the translocation t(10;15)(q22.3;q26.1) disrupts, on 15q, the ACAN gene at intron 1, decreasing its transcriptional expression. CONCLUSIONS This is the first description of a chromosome rearrangement disrupting ACAN and leading to its haploinsufficiency. ACAN loss of function should be considered a potential underpinning of short patients who display a poor growth spurt and belong to families with autosomal dominant segregation of proportionate short stature. Besides this core phenotype, literature review suggests that advanced bone age, early onset osteochondritis dissecans, osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc disease as well as craniofacial dysmorphisms can be important suggestive phenotypes in affected families.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Crippa
- Medical Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, via Ariosto 13, 20145, Milan, Italy
| | - S Giangiobbe
- Clinic of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, Italy
| | - R Villa
- Clinic of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, Italy
| | - I Bestetti
- Medical Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, via Ariosto 13, 20145, Milan, Italy
| | - T De Filippis
- Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research and Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCSS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, Italy
| | - L Fatti
- Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research and Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCSS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, Italy
| | - J Taurino
- Clinic of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, Italy
| | - L Larizza
- Medical Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, via Ariosto 13, 20145, Milan, Italy
| | - L Persani
- Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research and Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCSS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinic Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi, Milan, via Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - F Bellini
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Casa di Cura Capitanio, via Giuseppe Mercalli 28, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - P Finelli
- Medical Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, via Ariosto 13, 20145, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi, Milan, via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20090, Milan, Italy
| | - M T Bonati
- Clinic of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, Italy.
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Moya A, Ortega-Ribera M, Guimerà X, Sowade E, Zea M, Illa X, Ramon E, Villa R, Gracia-Sancho J, Gabriel G. Online oxygen monitoring using integrated inkjet-printed sensors in a liver-on-a-chip system. Lab Chip 2018; 18:2023-2035. [PMID: 29892739 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00456k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The demand for real-time monitoring of cell functions and cell conditions has dramatically increased with the emergence of organ-on-a-chip (OOC) systems. However, the incorporation of co-cultures and microfluidic channels in OOC systems increases their biological complexity and therefore makes the analysis and monitoring of analytical parameters inside the device more difficult. In this work, we present an approach to integrate multiple sensors in an extremely thin, porous and delicate membrane inside a liver-on-a-chip device. Specifically, three electrochemical dissolved oxygen (DO) sensors were inkjet-printed along the microfluidic channel allowing local online monitoring of oxygen concentrations. This approach demonstrates the existence of an oxygen gradient up to 17.5% for rat hepatocytes and 32.5% for human hepatocytes along the bottom channel. Such gradients are considered crucial for the appearance of zonation of the liver. Inkjet printing (IJP) was the selected technology as it allows drop on demand material deposition compatible with delicate substrates, as used in this study, which cannot withstand temperatures higher than 130 °C. For the deposition of uniform gold and silver conductive inks on the porous membrane, a primer layer using SU-8 dielectric material was used to seal the porosity of the membrane at defined areas, with the aim of building a uniform sensor device. As a proof-of-concept, experiments with cell cultures of primary human and rat hepatocytes were performed, and oxygen consumption rate was stimulated with carbonyl-cyanide-4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP), accelerating the basal respiration of 0.23 ± 0.07 nmol s-1/106 cells up to 5.95 ± 0.67 nmol s-1/106 cells s for rat cells and the basal respiration of 0.17 ± 0.10 nmol s-1/106 cells by up to 10.62 ± 1.15 nmol s-1/106 cells for human cells, with higher oxygen consumption of the cells seeded at the outflow zone. These results demonstrate that the approach of printing sensors inside an OOC has tremendous potential because IJP is a feasible technique for the integration of different sensors for evaluating metabolic activity of cells, and overcomes one of the major challenges still remaining on how to tap the full potential of OOC systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Moya
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Esfera UAB, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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Villa R, Cima S, Craus A, Benelli E, Greco D. Ethical issues in national pandemic influenza plans. Eur J Public Health 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckx189.041] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
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Caruso F, Alessandri G, Cesana G, Castello G, Uccelli M, Ciccarese F, Giorgi R, Villa R, Scotto B, Olmi S. Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy for tumors of the head of pancreas; 10 cases for a single center experience. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2017; 21:3745-3753. [PMID: 28975996] [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: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The tumors of the head of the pancreas are one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in Western countries. The current gold standard for these tumors is a Whipple procedure. This procedure did not change in its surgical steps since when it was initially introduced in 1935. More recently, a laparoscopic approach with similar outcomes has been described. The aim of this paper is to describe the laparoscopic surgical technique performed in our unit, reporting single center postoperative outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS From the 1st January 2013 to the 31st December 2015 a database was created. Data about patients who underwent a laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) were collected prospectively. All patients were preoperatively assessed with blood samples, tumor markers, CT chest abdomen and pelvis and/or MRI pancreas. Only patients with specific characteristics were considered eligible for an LPD: performance status 0, body mass index (BMI) less than 30 kg/m2, a small neoplastic lesion (< 3.5 cm) confined to the pancreas, the absence of infiltrated organs and/or blood vessels (T1 or T2). Postoperative data and complications were recorded and described according to the Clavien-Dindo classification and the international study group of pancreatic surgery definitions. RESULTS In a time interval of 36 months, 31 patients with an initially considered resectable pancreatic cancer were referred. 11 patients were found to have metastasis during the preoperative workout. Only 10 patients were considered eligible for a LPD. Six of them were men (60%). The mean BMI was 25.01 kg/m2 (19.6-29.8). 5 patients, who underwent to LPD did not have any comorbidities. An overall 50% of all patients were jaundice at the time of diagnosis with a mean bilirubin level of 181.3 µmol/L (119.7-307.8). All patients with a direct bilirubin greater than 250 µmol/L underwent a preoperative percutaneous biliary drainage. In the majority of the LPD performed (50%), the histology reported a pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Other postoperative histology described were: IPMN (20%), ampullar neoplasia (20%) and neuroendocrine tumor (10%). Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy was never considered indicated. The reported postoperative complications were: 1 anastomotic bleeding, 2 pancreatic fistula, 1 infected intra-abdominal collection and 1 delay gastric emptying. The pancreatic fistulas were considered grade A and grade B. One fatality after LPD occurred because of an uncontrollable, diffuse severe hemorrhagic gastritis associated with a GJ anastomosis bleeding in the POD 25. The mean hospital stay was 12.3 days (8-25). The mean operative time was 224 min (170-310). There were no intraoperative complications. The main intraoperative blood loss was 220 ml (180-400) and intraoperative blood transfusions were not required. The resection margins were negative (R0) in 100% of cases and the mean lymph nodes harvested were 24 (18-40). The LPD is still a not common practice. Our results are comparable with those reported in literature about the open technique. These remarkable surgical outcomes are probably related to the extremely careful preoperative patient selection performed. The indication for a laparoscopic vs. an open pancreaticoduodenectomy was based on a CT scan pancreas performed less than 30 days before the planned date of surgery and a careful preoperative assessment. A low complication rate and a relative short stay in hospital were associated to a good quality of life in the early postoperative period and an early referral for postoperative chemotherapy. Good clinical outcomes were associated with outstanding oncological results. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy is a feasible surgical procedure. Remarkable oncological and surgical outcomes can be achieved with a morbidity and mortality rate in line with the data reported by the large series of open procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Caruso
- Laparoscopic Unit of Surgical Department of San Marco Hospital, Osio Sotto, Zingonia, BG, Italy.
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Frank RR, Cipullo S, Garcia J, Davies S, Wagland ST, Villa R, Trois C, Coulon F. Compositional and physicochemical changes in waste materials and biogas production across 7 landfill sites in UK. Waste Manag 2017; 63:11-17. [PMID: 27577751 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of the paper and fines across seven landfill sites (LFS) and assess the relationship between waste physicochemical properties and biogas production. Physicochemical analysis of the waste samples demonstrated that there were no clear trends in the spatial distribution of total solids (TS), moisture content (MC) and waste organic strength (VS) across all LFS. There was however noticeable difference between samples from the same landfill site. The effect of landfill age on waste physicochemical properties showed no clear relationship, thus, providing evidence that waste remains dormant and non-degraded for long periods of time. Landfill age was however directly correlated with the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of waste; with the highest BMP obtained from the most recent LFS. BMP was also correlated with depth as the average methane production decreased linearly with increasing depth. There was also a high degree of correlation between the Enzymatic Hydrolysis Test (EHT) and BMP test results, which motivates its potential use as an alternative to the BMP test method. Further to this, there were also positive correlations between MC and VS, VS and biogas volume and biogas volume and CH4 content. Outcomes of this work can be used to inform waste degradation and methane enhancement strategies for improving recovery of methane from landfills.
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Affiliation(s)
- R R Frank
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, UK; Centre for Research in Environmental, Coastal and Hydrological Engineering (CRECHE), School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa
| | - S Cipullo
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - J Garcia
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - S Davies
- Viridor Waste Management Ltd, Viridor House, Priory Bridge Road, Taunton, Somerset TA1 1AP, UK
| | - S T Wagland
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - R Villa
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - C Trois
- Centre for Research in Environmental, Coastal and Hydrological Engineering (CRECHE), School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa
| | - F Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, UK; Centre for Research in Environmental, Coastal and Hydrological Engineering (CRECHE), School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa.
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González ME, González VM, Montaño MF, Medina GE, Mahadevan P, Villa C, Villa R. Genome-wide association analysis of body conformation traits in Mexican Holstein cattle using a mix of sampled and imputed SNP genotypes. Genet Mol Res 2017; 16:gmr-16-02-gmr.16029597. [PMID: 28407191 DOI: 10.4238/gmr16029597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In arid and semi-arid zones, animal health and production are closely correlated with body conformation traits. These selected traits, in turn, allow livestock to adapt unfavorable soil and environmental conditions. The primary objective of this study was to perform a genome-wide association analysis for a set of sampled and imputed SNPs with 16 conformation traits in a population of Holstein cows from a desert area of Northwestern Mexico. Imputation from 6K to 50K SNPs was performed as a low-cost optimization strategy. Results show eight SNPs associated with two conformation traits. The Udder Depth trait resulted in seven associated SNPs from chromosome 10, that related to Marbling Score, Milk Yield, Fat Yield, Protein Yield, and Protein Percentage Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs). The Body Depth trait resulted in one associated SNP from chromosome 2, although no QTL relation was found. The discovery of genes associated with conformation traits may be indicative of the adaptive selection pressures the Holstein breed has undergone in response to the extreme weather conditions found in the northwestern areas of Mexico. Results of this study indicate that traits such as stature and body depth may be used as indicators of cows' potential genetic merits for milk, fat, and protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E González
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Biofotonics, Engineering Institute, , , Mexico
| | - V M González
- Veterinary Science Research Institute, , , Mexico
| | - M F Montaño
- Veterinary Science Research Institute, , , Mexico
| | - G E Medina
- Veterinary Science Research Institute, , , Mexico
| | | | - C Villa
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Biofotonics, Engineering Institute, , , Mexico
| | - R Villa
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Biofotonics, Engineering Institute, , , Mexico
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Abstract
In the first phases of an infectious outbreak, health authorities have to face the challenge of communicating uncertainty. Just when the attention of the public is at the top, information about what is going on is usually still missing. This is the case of Zika crisis in Latin America, where an association with microcephaly in newborns and neurological complications have been described, but not yet confirmed. Despite this, and even if the risk would be mainly limited to pregnant women, Zika threat is perceived by the general public as greater than others, such as those from dengue or flu. Some peculiarities of this outbreak explain such a gap between real and perceived risk. Nevertheless, in such a situation, WHO and other health authorities have the duty to act out of an abundance of caution, aware of the lose-lose game they are going through: if they raise alarm, and this subsided, they could be accused to fuel people's fears because of economic interests, as it happened in 2009 A(H1N1) pandemic; if they underestimate the threat, they could find themselves in front of a global tragedy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Villa
- ASSET project, Zadig, Milano
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Cagnardi P, Villa R, Ravasio G, Lucatello L, Di Cesare F, Capolongo F, Boccardo A, Pravettoni D. Pharmacokinetics and sedative effects of dexmedetomidine in dairy calves. N Z Vet J 2016; 65:14-18. [DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2016.1237313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P Cagnardi
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - R Villa
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - G Ravasio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - L Lucatello
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, Università degli Studi di Padova, Legnaro (Padua) 35020, Italy
| | - F Di Cesare
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - F Capolongo
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, Università degli Studi di Padova, Legnaro (Padua) 35020, Italy
| | - A Boccardo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - D Pravettoni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
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Radice A, Paruccini N, Spadavecchia C, Villa R, Baglivi A, Crespi A. A statistical method for low-contrast detectability analysis in angiography systems. Phys Med 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.07.728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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García J, Davies S, Villa R, Gomes DM, Coulon F, Wagland ST. Compositional analysis of excavated landfill samples and the determination of residual biogas potential of the organic fraction. Waste Manag 2016; 55:336-344. [PMID: 27290632 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to assess the biogas potential of landfilled materials and to further validate the suitability of the enzymatic hydrolysis test EHT as a valuable alternative to substitute the standardised test currently in use (BMP). Both tests were applied to a range of landfill waste samples. The waste composition and volatile solids content (VS) profile together with the BMP test results showed that the biogas potential of the waste samples was directly related to their VS content, as expected. The positive correlation between the VS and the BMP test (r=0.67) suggests that the first could be used as a primary indicator of biogas potential of waste samples. Nevertheless, it should be validated against the BMP test because, occasionally, the VS content does not equate to the biogas production. This was mainly due to the paper content of the samples which also correlates positively (r=0.77) with the BMP biogas production. The EHT results showed a higher correlation with the BMP test (r=0.91) than in previous studies which used a wider mixture of enzymes containing cellulase, hemicellulase and carbohydrase. This finding positions the EHT as a quick assessing method for the biodegradability of waste samples in future sample regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J García
- School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - S Davies
- Viridor Waste Management Ltd, Viridor House, Priory Bridge Road, Taunton, Somerset TA1 1AP, UK
| | - R Villa
- School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - D M Gomes
- School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - F Coulon
- School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
| | - S T Wagland
- School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
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Frank RR, Davies S, Wagland ST, Villa R, Trois C, Coulon F. Evaluating leachate recirculation with cellulase addition to enhance waste biostabilisation and landfill gas production. Waste Manag 2016; 55:61-70. [PMID: 27397800 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Revised: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The effect of leachate recirculation with cellulase augmentation on municipal solid waste (MSW) biostabilisation and landfill gas production was investigated using batch bioreactors to determine the optimal conditions of moisture content, temperature and nutrients. Experimentation was thereafter scaled-up in 7L bioreactors. Three conditions were tested including (1) leachate recirculation only, (2) leachate recirculation with enzyme augmentation and (3) no leachate recirculation (control). Cumulative biogas production of the batch tests indicated that there was little difference between the leachate and control test conditions, producing on average 0.043m(3)biogaskg(-1) waste. However the addition of cellulase at 15×10(6)Utonne(-1) waste doubled the biogas production (0.074m(3)biogaskg(-1) waste). Similar trend was observed with the bioreactors. Cellulase addition also resulted in the highest COD reduction in both the waste and the leachate samples (47% and 42% COD reduction, respectively). In both cases, the quantity of biogas produced was closer to the lower value of theoretical and data-based biogas prediction indicators (0.05-0.4m(3)biogaskg(-1) waste). This was likely due to a high concentration of heavy metals present in the leachate, in particular Cr and Mn, which are known to be toxic to methanogens. The cost-benefit analysis (CBA) based on the settings of the study (cellulase concentration of 15×10(6)Utonne(-1) waste) showed that leachate bioaugmentation using cellulase is economically viable, with a net benefit of approximately €12.1million on a 5Mt mixed waste landfill.
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Affiliation(s)
- R R Frank
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom; Centre for Research in Environmental, Coastal and Hydrological Engineering (CRECHE), School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa
| | - S Davies
- Viridor Waste management Ltd, Viridor House, Priory Bridge Road, Taunton, Somerset TA1 1AP, United Kingdom
| | - S T Wagland
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - R Villa
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - C Trois
- Centre for Research in Environmental, Coastal and Hydrological Engineering (CRECHE), School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa
| | - F Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom; Centre for Research in Environmental, Coastal and Hydrological Engineering (CRECHE), School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa.
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Villa R, Paruccini N, Pasquali C, Spadavecchia C, Baglivi A, Radice A, Crespi A. Low contrast detectability assessment with homemade software and dedicated phantom: evaluation of results and comparison with cdmam analysis. Phys Med 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.07.727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Spadavecchia C, Villa R, Pasquali C, Paruccini N, Crespi A. Low contrast detectability in digital mammography: Comparison between two systems through a statistical method. Phys Med 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.01.315] [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: 10/22/2022] Open
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Villa R, Spadavecchia C, Radice A, Pasquali C, Paruccini N, De Ponti E, Crespi A. Low contrast detectability assessment through a statistical method: Homemade software and dedicated phantom. Phys Med 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.01.331] [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: 11/17/2022] Open
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Villa R, Ravasio G, Ferraresi C, Zonca A, Carli S, Borghi L, Cagnardi P. Pharmacokinetics of intravenous ketorolac in cats undergoing gonadectomy. N Z Vet J 2015; 63:162-6. [DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2014.987329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Cagnardi P, Ferraresi C, Zonca A, Pecile A, Ravasio G, Zani D, Villa R. Clinical pharmacokinetics of tramadol and main metabolites in horses undergoing orchiectomy. Vet Q 2014; 34:143-51. [DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2014.963208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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Bajón Fernández Y, Soares A, Villa R, Vale P, Cartmell E. Carbon capture and biogas enhancement by carbon dioxide enrichment of anaerobic digesters treating sewage sludge or food waste. Bioresour Technol 2014; 159:1-7. [PMID: 24632434 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Revised: 02/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere and the stringent greenhouse gases (GHG) reduction targets, require the development of CO2 sequestration technologies applicable for the waste and wastewater sector. This study addressed the reduction of CO2 emissions and enhancement of biogas production associated with CO2 enrichment of anaerobic digesters (ADs). The benefits of CO2 enrichment were examined by injecting CO2 at 0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 M fractions into batch ADs treating food waste or sewage sludge. Daily specific methane (CH4) production increased 11-16% for food waste and 96-138% for sewage sludge over the first 24h. Potential CO2 reductions of 8-34% for sewage sludge and 3-11% for food waste were estimated. The capacity of ADs to utilise additional CO2 was demonstrated, which could provide a potential solution for onsite sequestration of CO2 streams while enhancing renewable energy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Bajón Fernández
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - A Soares
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - R Villa
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - P Vale
- Severn Trent Water, 2 St. John's Street, Coventry CV1 2LZ, UK
| | - E Cartmell
- Cranfield Water Science Institute, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
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Cagnardi P, Locatelli C, Ferraresi C, Bronzo V, Carli S, Villa R, Zonca A. Pharmacokinetics in foremilk and antimicrobial activity of cephapirin following intramammary administration in healthy andStaphylococcus aureus-infected cows. N Z Vet J 2014; 62:146-51. [DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2013.865295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Moya A, Zine N, Illa X, Prats-Alfonso E, Gabriel G, Errachid A, Villa R. Flexible Polyimide Platform based on the Integration of Potentiometric Multi-sensor for Biomedical Applications. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2014.11.661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Ferraresi C, Lucatello L, Meucci V, Intorre L, Grilli G, Piccirillo A, Russo E, Villa R, Montesissa C, Cagnardi P. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic evaluation of the efficacy of flumequine in treating colibacillosis in turkeys. Poult Sci 2013; 92:3158-65. [DOI: 10.3382/ps.2013-03460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Eduok S, Martin B, Villa R, Nocker A, Jefferson B, Coulon F. Evaluation of engineered nanoparticle toxic effect on wastewater microorganisms: current status and challenges. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2013; 95:1-9. [PMID: 23769127 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2013.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Revised: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The use of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in a wide range of products is associated with an increased concern for environmental safety due to their potential toxicological and adverse effects. ENPs exert antimicrobial properties through different mechanisms such as the formation of reactive oxygen species, disruption of physiological and metabolic processes. Although there are little empirical evidences on environmental fate and transport of ENPs, biosolids in wastewater most likely would be a sink for ENPs. However, there are still many uncertainties in relation to ENPs impact on the biological processes during wastewater treatment. This review provides an overview of the available data on the plausible effects of ENPs on AS and AD processes, two key biologically relevant environments for understanding ENPs-microbial interactions. It indicates that the impact of ENPs is not fully understood and few evidences suggest that ENPs could augment microbial-mediated processes such as AS and AD. Further to this, wastewater components can enhance or attenuate ENPs effects. Meanwhile it is still difficult to determine effective doses and establish toxicological guidelines, which is in part due to variable wastewater composition and inadequacy of current analytical procedures. Challenges associated with toxicity evaluation and data interpretation highlight areas in need for further research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Eduok
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, UK
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Cagnardi P, Zonca A, Gallo M, Villa R, Carli S, Beccaglia M, Fonda D, Ravasio G. Pharmacokinetics and perioperative efficacy of intravenous ketorolac in dogs. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2013; 36:603-8. [DOI: 10.1111/jvp.12044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Accepted: 01/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Cagnardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milano Italy
| | - A. Zonca
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milano Italy
| | - M. Gallo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milano Italy
| | - R. Villa
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milano Italy
| | - S. Carli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milano Italy
| | - M. Beccaglia
- Ambulatorio Veterinario Beccaglia, Lissone; Monza Brianza Italy
| | - D. Fonda
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie e Sanità Pubblica; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milano Italy
| | - G. Ravasio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie e Sanità Pubblica; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milano Italy
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Navarro X, Calvet S, Butí M, Gómez N, Cabruja E, Garrido P, Villa R, Valderrama E. Peripheral nerve regeneration through microelectrode arrays based on silicon technology. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2012; 9:151-60. [PMID: 21551843 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-1996-9303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes some developments, made to obtain a chronic neural interface to record signals from regenerated peripheral nerves. Microperforated silicon dices, fabricated by techniques compatible with CMOS processes, were coupled in silicone nerve chambers and implanted between the severed ends of peripheral nerves in rats. Three configurations of perforated dices with 25 via-holes of 100 μm diameter, 121 via-holes of 40 μm and 400 via-holes of 10 μm were assessed. The feasibility of axonal regeneration through the dices via-holes was proved by histological and physiological methods over 3 months post-implantation. The regenerated nerves were organized in fascicles corresponding to the grid pattern of the via-holes. However, nerve regeneration was difficult and distal re-innervation delayed with respect to simple tubulization repair. The size of the via-holes and the total open area are determinants of the degree and quality of regeneration. Further improvements are needed in both the microelectrode dice design and in neurobiological stimulation of regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Navarro
- Departament de Biologia Cellular i Fisiologia, Facullat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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Razzuoli E, Faggionato E, Dotti S, Villa R, Lombardo T, Boizza L, Ferrari M, Amadori M. Isolation and culture of pig tonsil lymphocytes. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2012; 148:320-5. [PMID: 22608094 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2012.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2012] [Revised: 04/18/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Tonsils are secondary lymphoid organs that play an important role in host defense. The aim of our study was to develop reliable procedures for isolation and culture of pig tonsil cells, and to validate their possible use in functional immunoassays. Using our isolation procedure, we recovered on average 238.7 ± 107.1 × 10(6) cells per tonsil couple with a mean vitality of 89.8 ± 2.7%. These values significantly decreased 8 months after freezing at -80°C along with the subsequent spontaneous release of both IgA and IgG in culture. These results suggest to use pig tonsil cells within 2 months from thawing to maintain suitable conditions in terms of recovery, vitality and release of antibody in vitro. Tonsil mononuclear cells also showed the ability to secrete antimicrobial peptides and to respond in vitro to immunological stimuli. On the whole, our study has defined operating conditions for tonsil processing, control of bacterial contaminations, time limits of storage at -80°C, as well as for evaluating polyclonal Ig production in vitro. Such procedures are likely to be of some importance in studies on regional immunity and in the development of large animal models for biomedical sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Razzuoli
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, IZSLER, Brescia, Italy
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Zonca A, Ravasio G, Gallo M, Montesissa C, Carli S, Villa R, Cagnardi P. Pharmacokinetics of ketamine and propofol combination administered as ketofol via continuous infusion in cats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2012; 35:580-7. [PMID: 22283551 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2012.01377.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The pharmacokinetics of the extemporaneous combination of low doses of ketamine and propofol, known as 'ketofol', frequently used for emergency procedures in humans to achieve safe sedation and analgesia was studied in cats. The study was performed to assess propofol, ketamine and norketamine kinetics in six female cats that received ketamine and propofol (1:1 ratio) as a loading dose (2 mg/kg each, IV) followed by a continuous infusion (10 mg/kg/h each, IV, 25 min of length). Blood samples were collected during the infusion period and up to 24 h afterwards. Drug quantification was achieved by HPLC analysis using UV-visible detection for ketamine and fluorimetric detection for propofol. The pharmacokinetic parameters were deduced by a two-compartment bolus plus infusion model for propofol and ketamine and a monocompartmental model for norketamine. Additional data were derived by a noncompartmental analysis. Propofol and ketamine were quantifiable in most animals until 24 and 8 h after the end of infusion, respectively. Propofol showed a long elimination half-life (t(1/2λ2) 7.55 ± 9.86 h), whereas ketamine was characterized by shorter half-life (t(1/2λ2) 4 ± 3.4 h) owing to its rapid biotransformation into norketamine. The clinical significance of propofol's long elimination half-life and low clearance is negligible when the drug is administered as short-term and low-dosage infusion. The concurrent administration of ketamine and propofol in cats did not produce adverse effects although it was not possible to exclude interference in the metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Zonca
- Department of Veterinary Science and Technologies for Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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Guimera A, Gabriel G, Plata-Cordero M, Montero L, Maldonado M, Villa R. A non-invasive method for an in vivo assessment of corneal epithelium permeability through tetrapolar impedance measurements. Biosens Bioelectron 2012; 31:55-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2011.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Revised: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 09/23/2011] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Abstract
A few studies provided convincing evidence of constitutive expression of type I interferons (IFNs) in humans and mice, and of the steady-state role of these cytokines under health conditions. These results were later confirmed in pigs, too. In line with this tenet, low levels of IFN-α/β can be detected in swine tissues in the absence of any specific inducer. These studies are compounded by the utmost complexity of type I IFNs (including among others 17 IFN-α genes in pigs), which demands proper research tools. This prompted us to analyse the available protocols and to develop a relevant, robust, reverse transcription (RT) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection system for the amplification of porcine IFN-α/β genes. The adopted test procedure is user-friendly and provides the complete panel of gene expression of one subject in a microtitre plate. Also, a proper use of PCR fluorochromes (SYBR(®) versus EvaGreen(®) supermix) enables users to adopt proper test protocols in case of low-expression porcine IFN-α genes. This is accounted for by the much higher sensitivity of the test protocol with EvaGreen(®) supermix. Interestingly, IFN-β showed the highest frequency of constitutive expression, in agreement with its definition of 'immediate early' gene in both humans and mice. Results indicate that the outlined procedure can detect both constitutively expressed and virus-induced IFN-α/β genes, as well as the impact of environmental, non-infectious stressors on the previous profile of constitutive expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Razzuoli
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
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Zonca A, Gallo M, Locatelli C, Carli S, Moroni P, Villa R, Cagnardi P. Cefquinome sulfate behavior after intramammary administration in healthy and infected cows. J Dairy Sci 2011; 94:3455-61. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2010-4109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2010] [Accepted: 03/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Petrini S, Ramadori G, Corradi A, Borghetti P, Lombardi G, Villa R, Bottarelli E, Guercio A, Amici A, Ferrari M. Evaluation of safety and efficacy of DNA vaccines against bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) in calves. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2011; 34:3-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2009.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Whelan MJ, Everitt T, Villa R. A mass transfer model of ammonia volatilization from anaerobic digestate. Waste Manag 2010; 30:1808-1812. [PMID: 19781929 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2009.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2009] [Revised: 08/07/2009] [Accepted: 08/16/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is becoming increasingly popular for treating organic waste. The methane produced can be burned to generate electricity and the digestate, which is high in mineral nitrogen, can be used as a fertiliser. In this paper we evaluate potential losses of ammonia via volatilization from food waste anaerobic digestate using a closed chamber system equipped with a sulphuric acid trap. Ammonia losses represent a pollution source and, over long periods could reduce the agronomic value of the digestate. Observed ammonia losses from the experimental system were linear with time. A simple non-steady-state partitioning model was developed to represent the process. After calibration, the model was able to describe the behaviour of ammonia in the digestate and in the trap very well. The average rate of volatilization was approximately 5.2 g Nm(-2)week(-1). The model was used to extrapolate the findings of the laboratory study to a number of AD storage scenarios. The simulations highlight that open storage of digestate could result in significant losses of ammonia to the atmosphere. Losses are predicted to be relatively minor from covered facilities, particularly if depth to surface area ratio is high.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Whelan
- School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK.
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Guimera A, Ivorra A, Gabriel G, Villa R. Non-invasive assessment of corneal endothelial permeability by means of electrical impedance measurements. Med Eng Phys 2010; 32:1107-15. [PMID: 20832346 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2010.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [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] [Received: 03/16/2010] [Revised: 07/26/2010] [Accepted: 07/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The permeability of the corneal endothelial layer has an important role in the correct function of the cornea. Since ionic permeability has a fundamental impact on the passive electrical properties of living tissues, here it is hypothesized that impedance methods can be employed for assessing the permeability of the endothelial layer in a minimally invasive fashion. Precisely, the main objective of the present study is to develop and to analyze a minimally invasive method for assessing the electrical properties of the corneal endothelium, as a possible diagnostic tool for the evaluation of patients with endothelial dysfunction. A bidimensional model consisting of the main corneal layers and a four-electrode impedance measurement setup placed on the epithelium has been implemented and analyzed by means of the finite elements method (FEM). In order to obtain a robust indicator of the permeability of the endothelium layer, the effect of the endothelium electrical properties on the measured impedance has been studied together with reasonable variations of the other model layers. Simulation results show that the impedance measurements by means of external electrodes are indeed sufficiently sensitive to the changes in the electrical properties of the endothelial layer. It is concluded that the method presented here can be employed as non-invasive method for assessing endothelial layer function.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Guimera
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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Marinelli M, Gianesin B, Balocco M, Beruto P, Bruzzone C, Carrara P, Gallusi P, Macco A, Musso M, Oliveri E, Pelucchi S, Sobrero G, Villa R, Forni GL. Total Iron-Overload Measurement in the Human Liver Region by the Magnetic Iron Detector. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2010; 57:2295-303. [DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2010.2053204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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