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Nicosia A, Mineo P, Micali N, Villari V. Dopamine-Coated Carbon Nanodots: A Supramolecular Approach to Polydopamine Composite. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15384. [PMID: 37895064 PMCID: PMC10607924 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of biocompatible composites constituted by polydopamine and fluorescent carbon dots represents a promising way of exploiting the extraordinary adhesive properties of polydopamine for multi-purpose technologies. Here, a supramolecular complex is realized by the assembly of dopamine on the carbon dots surface, and the optical and structural properties are investigated by means of different spectroscopic techniques, from time-resolved fluorescence to Raman and NMR spectroscopies. The results suggest that the catechol unit of dopamine plays the main role in the formation of the supramolecular complex, in which carbon nanodot fluorescence emission is quenched by a photoinduced electron transfer process. The interaction with the nanodots' basic surface sites promotes the oxidation of dopamine and drives to its oligomerization/polymerization on the nanodot surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Nicosia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy; (A.N.); (P.M.)
| | - Placido Mineo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy; (A.N.); (P.M.)
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 37, I-98158 Messina, Italy;
| | - Norberto Micali
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 37, I-98158 Messina, Italy;
| | - Valentina Villari
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 37, I-98158 Messina, Italy;
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Villari V, Gaeta M, D’Urso A, Micali N. Porphyrin/carbon nanodot supramolecular complexes and their optical properties. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.129436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Abstract
Eating Disorders are common psychiatric disorders, and their occurrence is not rare in pregnancy. The aim of this presentation will be to provide an overview of eating disorders in pregnancy. I will first cover prevalence and nature of eating disorders and their symptoms in pregnancy. I will present quantitative and qualitative data from my own research. I will then present research on the effects of eating disorders on pregnancy and obstetric outcomes. I will conclude discussing issues around identification of eating disorders in pregnancy; in particular research from my lab on gaps in identification, and how to improve identification of eating disorders in pregnancy.
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
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Mazzaglia A, Di Natale G, Tosto R, Scala A, Sortino G, Piperno A, Casaletto MP, Riminucci A, Giuffrida ML, Mineo PG, Villari V, Micali N, Pappalardo G. KLVFF oligopeptide-decorated amphiphilic cyclodextrin nanomagnets for selective amyloid beta recognition and fishing. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 613:814-826. [PMID: 35074707 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.01.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Recognition and capture of amyloid beta (Aβ) is a challenging task for the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. Here, we report a novel KLVFF-modified nanomagnet based on magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) covered with a non-ionic amphiphilic β-cyclodextrin (SC16OH) and decorated with KLVFF oligopeptide for the self-recognition of the homologous amino-acids sequence of Aβ to collect Aβ (1-42) peptide from aqueous samples. MNP@SC16OH and MNP@SC16OH/Ada-Pep nanoassemblies were fully characterized by complementary techniques both as solid powders and in aqueous dispersions. Single domain MNP@SC16OH/Ada-Pep nanomagnets of 20-40 nm were observed by TEM analysis. DLS and ζ-potential measurements revealed that MNP@SC16OH nanoassemblies owned in aqueous dispersion a hydrodynamic radius of about 150 nm, which was unaffected by Ada-Pep decoration, while the negative ζ-potential of MNP@SC16OH (-40 mV) became less negative (-30 mV) in MNP@SC16OH/Ada-Pep, confirming the exposition of positively charged KLVFF on nanomagnets surface. The ability of MNP@SC16OH/Ada-Pep to recruit Aβ (1-42) in aqueous solution was evaluated by MALDI-TOF and compared with the ineffectiveness of undecorated MNP@SC16OH and VFLKF scrambled peptide-decorated nanoassemblies (MNP@SC16OH/Ada-scPep), pointing out the selectivity of KLVFF-decorated nanohybrid towards Aβ (1-42). Finally, the property of nanomagnets to extract Aβ in conditioned medium of cells over-producing Aβ peptides was investigated as proof of concept of effectiveness of these nanomaterials as potential diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Mazzaglia
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati (CNR-ISMN), c/o Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Di Natale
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia (CNR-IC), Via P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Tosto
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia (CNR-IC), Via P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; International PhD School of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Angela Scala
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sortino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati (CNR-ISMN), c/o Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Anna Piperno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Casaletto
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati (CNR-ISMN), Via U. La Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Alberto Riminucci
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati (CNR-ISMN), Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Giuffrida
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia (CNR-IC), Via P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Placido G Mineo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Catania, V. le A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Valentina Villari
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici (CNR-IPCF), Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Norberto Micali
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici (CNR-IPCF), Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Pappalardo
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia (CNR-IC), Via P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy.
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Villari V, Micali N, Nicosia A, Mineo P. Water-Soluble Non-Ionic PEGylated Porphyrins: A Versatile Category of Dyes for Basic Science and Applications. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2021; 379:35. [PMID: 34382110 DOI: 10.1007/s41061-021-00348-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This review arises from the need to rationalize the huge amount of information on the structural and spectroscopic properties of a peculiar class of porphyrin derivatives-the non-ionic PEGylated porphyrins-collected during almost two decades of research. The lack of charged groups in the molecular architecture of these porphyrin derivatives is the leitmotif of the work and plays an outstanding role in highlighting those interactions between porphyrins, or between porphyrins and target molecules (e.g., hydrophobic-, hydrogen bond related-, and coordination-interactions, to name just a few) that are often masked by stronger electrostatic contributions. In addition, it is exactly these weaker interactions between porphyrins that make the aggregated forms more prone to couple efficiently with external perturbative fields like weak hydrodynamic vortexes or temperature gradients. In the absence of charge, solubility in water is very often achieved by covalent functionalization of the porphyrin ring with polyethylene glycol chains. Various modifications, including of chain length or the number of chains, the presence of a metal atom in the porphyrin core, or having two or more porphyrin rings in the molecular architecture, result in a wide range of properties. These encompass self-assembly with different aggregate morphology, molecular recognition of biomolecules, and different photophysical responses, which can be translated into numerous promising applications in the sensing and biomedical field, based on turn-on/turn-off fluorescence and on photogeneration of radical species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Villari
- IPCF-CNR, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158, Messina, Italy.
| | - Norberto Micali
- IPCF-CNR, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158, Messina, Italy
| | - Angelo Nicosia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Placido Mineo
- IPCF-CNR, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158, Messina, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
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Nicosia A, Vento F, Marletta G, Messina GML, Satriano C, Villari V, Micali N, De Martino MT, Schotman MJG, Mineo PG. Porphyrin-Based Supramolecular Flags in the Thermal Gradients' Wind: What Breaks the Symmetry, How and Why. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2021; 11:nano11071673. [PMID: 34202150 PMCID: PMC8305271 DOI: 10.3390/nano11071673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking (SSB) phenomenon is a natural event in which a system changes its symmetric state, apparently reasonless, in an asymmetrical one. Nevertheless, this occurrence could be hiding unknown inductive forces. An intriguing investigation pathway uses supramolecular aggregates of suitable achiral porphyrins, useful to mimic the natural light-harvesting systems (as chlorophyll). Using as SSB probe supramolecular aggregates of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[p(ω-methoxypolyethyleneoxy)phenyl]porphyrin (StarP), a non-ionic achiral PEGylated porphyrin, we explore here its interaction with weak asymmetric thermal gradients fields. The cross-correlation of the experimental data (circular dichroism, confocal microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and cryo-transmission electron microscopy) revealed that the used building blocks aggregate spontaneously, organizing in flag-like structures whose thermally-induced circular dichroism depends on their features. Finally, thermal gradient-induced enantioselectivity of the supramolecular flag-like aggregates has been shown and linked to their size-dependence mesoscopic deformation, which could be visualized as waving flags in the wind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Nicosia
- Department of Chemical Sciences and INSTM UdR of Catania, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy; (F.V.); (G.M.); (G.M.L.M.); (C.S.)
- Correspondence: (A.N.); (P.G.M.)
| | - Fabiana Vento
- Department of Chemical Sciences and INSTM UdR of Catania, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy; (F.V.); (G.M.); (G.M.L.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Giovanni Marletta
- Department of Chemical Sciences and INSTM UdR of Catania, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy; (F.V.); (G.M.); (G.M.L.M.); (C.S.)
- LAMSUN-CSGI Unit of the Interuniversity Consortium for the Development of Large Interphases Systems (CSGI), Università di Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Grazia M. L. Messina
- Department of Chemical Sciences and INSTM UdR of Catania, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy; (F.V.); (G.M.); (G.M.L.M.); (C.S.)
- LAMSUN-CSGI Unit of the Interuniversity Consortium for the Development of Large Interphases Systems (CSGI), Università di Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Cristina Satriano
- Department of Chemical Sciences and INSTM UdR of Catania, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy; (F.V.); (G.M.); (G.M.L.M.); (C.S.)
- Consorzio Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Chimica dei Metalli nei Sistemi Biologici (CIRCMSB), Università Degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, I-70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Valentina Villari
- Institute for Chemical and Physical Processes, National Research Council (IPCF-CNR), Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 37, I-98158 Messina, Italy; (V.V.); (N.M.)
| | - Norberto Micali
- Institute for Chemical and Physical Processes, National Research Council (IPCF-CNR), Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 37, I-98158 Messina, Italy; (V.V.); (N.M.)
| | - Maria Teresa De Martino
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Maaike J. G. Schotman
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Placido Giuseppe Mineo
- Department of Chemical Sciences and INSTM UdR of Catania, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy; (F.V.); (G.M.); (G.M.L.M.); (C.S.)
- Institute for Chemical and Physical Processes, National Research Council (IPCF-CNR), Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 37, I-98158 Messina, Italy; (V.V.); (N.M.)
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council (IPCB-CNR), Via P. Gaifami 18, I-95126 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.N.); (P.G.M.)
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Gaeta M, Randazzo R, Villari V, Micali N, Pezzella A, Purrello R, d'Ischia M, D'Urso A. En Route to a Chiral Melanin: The Dynamic "From-Imprinted-to-Template" Supramolecular Role of Porphyrin Hetero-Aggregates During the Oxidative Polymerization of L-DOPA. Front Chem 2021; 8:616961. [PMID: 33409269 PMCID: PMC7779627 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.616961] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chiral porphyrin hetero-aggregates, produced from meso-tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridyl) porphyrin H2T4 and copper(II) meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin CuTPPS by an imprinting effect in the presence of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), are shown herein to serve as templates for the generation of chiral structures during the oxidative conversion of the amino acid to melanin. This remarkable phenomenon is suggested to involve the initial role of L-DOPA and related chiral intermediates like dopachrome as templates for the production of chiral porphyrin aggregates. When the entire chiral pool from DOPA is lost, chiral porphyrin hetero-aggregate would elicit axially chiral oligomer formation from 5,6-dihydroxyindole intermediates in the later stages of melanin synthesis. These results, if corroborated by further studies, may open unprecedented perspectives for efficient strategies of asymmetric melanin synthesis with potential biological and technological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Gaeta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalba Randazzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Valentina Villari
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Messina, Italy
| | - Norberto Micali
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini," University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Purrello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marco d'Ischia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro D'Urso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
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Dörsam A, Giel K, Preissl H, Micali N, Zipfel S. Untersuchung des Einflusses mütterlicher Essstörungen auf die kindliche Entwicklung – die Emkie-Studie. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2020. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3402969] [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: 10/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A Dörsam
- Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen
| | - K Giel
- Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen
| | - H Preissl
- Institut für Diabetesforschung und metabolische Erkrankungen, Tübingen
| | - N Micali
- Klinik für Psychiatrie, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Genf
| | - S Zipfel
- Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen
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Pisagatti I, Barbera L, Gattuso G, Villari V, Micali N, Fazio E, Neri F, Parisi MF, Notti A. Tuning the aggregation of an amphiphilic anionic calix[5]arene by selective host–guest interactions with bola-type dications. NEW J CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c9nj01198f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Bola-type dications of different length drive the formation of head-to-tail or capsular supramolecular amphiphiles and, in turn, that of the final aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenia Pisagatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche
- Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | - Lucia Barbera
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche
- Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gattuso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche
- Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | | | - Norberto Micali
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici
- 98158 Messina
- Italy
| | - Enza Fazio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche
- Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra (MIFT)
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | - Fortunato Neri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche
- Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra (MIFT)
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | - Melchiorre F. Parisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche
- Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | - Anna Notti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche
- Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
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Micali N, Bertoldo M, Buratti E, Nigro V, Angelini R, Villari V. Interpenetrating Polymer Network Microgels in Water: Effect of Composition on the Structural Properties and Electrosteric Interactions. Chemphyschem 2018; 19:2894-2901. [PMID: 30074305 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201800707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Microgels of cross-linked interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) are very versatile systems combining the properties of colloids and polymers. Herein we study IPN microgels composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(acrylic acid) to understand how weight composition and reactant concentrations affect their structural, conformational and electrosteric properties in water. The results show that it is possible to drive the formation of microgels with the desired properties by adjusting IPN composition and preparation method during the synthesis. During synthesis, the polymerization of acrylic acid triggers the merging among IPNs via covalent linking, giving rise to microgels with larger mass and size, the effect being larger for higher concentration of the reactants. In addition, a close relation between the microgel internal conformation and the colloidal stability is observed, due to the presence of screened groups inside the microgel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norberto Micali
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, I-98158, Messina, Italy
| | - Monica Bertoldo
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Area della Ricerca, Via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Buratti
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Area della Ricerca, Via G. Moruzzi 1, I-56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Nigro
- CNR-ISC Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi, sede Sapienza, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, P.le Aldo Moro 5, I-00185, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Roberta Angelini
- CNR-ISC Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi, sede Sapienza, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, P.le Aldo Moro 5, I-00185, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Valentina Villari
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, I-98158, Messina, Italy
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11
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Lombardo M, Villari V, Micali N, Roy P, Sousa SH, Lombardo G. Assessment of trans-scleral iontophoresis delivery of lutein to the human retina. J Biophotonics 2018; 11. [PMID: 28700128 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201700095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of novel scleral iontophoresis device for in situ delivery of lutein to the human retina was assessed by Resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS) technique. Eight human donor eye globes were used for experiments, 6 of which underwent trans-scleral iontophoresis delivery of lutein and the other 2 were used as controls. The scleral iontophoresis applicator was filled with liposome-enriched 0.1% lutein solution and the generator's current was set at 2.5 mA and delivered for 4 min. A custom RRS setup was used for detecting lutein in the inner sclera, choroid, retinal periphery and macula of treated samples and controls. Forty minutes after iontophoresis, the inner sclera, choroid and retinal periphery were greatly enriched with lutein (P < .05); no lutein was found in the same ocular regions of non-treated samples. In the same period, the average concentration of lutein in the macula (4.8 ± 1.7 ng/mm2 ) of treated samples was 1.3 times greater than controls (3.7 ± 1.0 ng/mm2 ; P = .4). Scleral iontophoresis was shown to be effective in delivering lutein to the human retina. Future studies will aim at assessing if this therapeutic strategy is valuable to enrich the macular pigment in human subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Norberto Micali
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Sara H Sousa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Giuseppe Lombardo
- Vision Engineering Italy srl, Rome, Italy
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Messina, Italy
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Manganaro N, Pisagatti I, Notti A, Pappalardo A, Patanè S, Micali N, Villari V, Parisi MF, Gattuso G. Ring/Chain Morphology Control in Overall-Neutral, Internally Ion-Paired Supramolecular Polymers. Chemistry 2017; 24:1097-1103. [PMID: 29124821 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201703342] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The self-assembly of internally ion-paired, neutral AA/BB-type supramolecular polymers composed of complementary di-ionizable homoditopic pairs of monomers is reported. Host-to-guest double-proton transfer mediates the recognition between bis-calix[5]arenedicarboxylic acids and α,ω-diaminoalkanes to yield cyclic, doughnut-shaped assemblies with morphologies (i.e., cyclic vs. linear) that can be controlled by means of external chemical stimuli. The behavior of these intriguing aggregates, both in solution and on surfaces, has been investigated by a combination of 1 H and DOSY NMR spectroscopy, light-scattering, and atomic force microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Manganaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Ilenia Pisagatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Anna Notti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Pappalardo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Patanè
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Norberto Micali
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158, Messina, Italy
| | - Valentina Villari
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158, Messina, Italy
| | - Melchiorre F Parisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gattuso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
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Villari V, Tosto R, Di Natale G, Sinopoli A, Tomasello MF, Lazzaro S, Micali N, Pappalardo G. A Metalloporphyrin-Peptide Conjugate as an Effective Inhibitor of Amyloid-β Peptide Fibrillation and Cytotoxicity. ChemistrySelect 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201701148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Villari
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici; V.le F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37 98158 Messina Italy
| | - Rita Tosto
- CNR-IBB Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini; Via Paolo Gaifami 18 95126 Catania Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Natale
- CNR-IBB Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini; Via Paolo Gaifami 18 95126 Catania Italy
| | - Alessandro Sinopoli
- PhD Program in Translational Biomedicine, Università di Catania; Viale A. Doria 6 95125 Catania Italy
| | - Marianna F. Tomasello
- CNR-IBB Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini; Via Paolo Gaifami 18 95126 Catania Italy
| | - Serena Lazzaro
- Marie Curie action Incipit-Cofund project; PhD Program in Chemical Sciences, CNR-IBB Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini Via Paolo Gaifami 18; 95126 Catania Italy
| | - Norberto Micali
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici; V.le F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37 98158 Messina Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pappalardo
- CNR-IBB Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini; Via Paolo Gaifami 18 95126 Catania Italy
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Mazzaglia A, Micali N, Villari V, Zagami R, Pennisi RM, Mellet CO, Fernández JMG, Sciortino MT, Scolaro LM. A novel potential nanophototherapeutic based on the assembly of an amphiphilic cationic β-cyclodextrin and an anionic porphyrin. J PORPHYR PHTHALOCYA 2017. [DOI: 10.1142/s108842461750033x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of cyclodextrin nanoassemblies as useful carriers for photosensitizer drugs (PS) delivery in biological environment is a topic of increasing interest. In this paper, we present a spectroscopic investigation on a nanosystem based on an amphiphilic cationic β-cyclodextrin derivative (CD-N) and an anionic porphyrin (TPPS). Nanoassemblies were prepared by hydration of an organic film containing the two species. The system was characterized by complementary techniques such as UV-vis, stationary and time-resolved fluorescence, and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) at different TPPS/CD-N molar ratios. Time-resolved fluorescence data showed that, at all the investigated molar ratios, TPPS is present both as self-aggregated species and monomers forming supramolecular adducts with CD-N. Moreover, DLS measurements evidenced families of aggregates having hydrodynamic radii ranging between 50 and 350 nm and the size distribution profile depending on the TPPS/CD-N molar ratio. At the highest CD-N concentration, the hydrodynamic radii of the aggregates were nearly the same as those of neat CD-N in the absence of TPPS (50 nm). No aging phenomena were registered, pointing out the high stability of these nanoassemblies in aqueous solution for at least a month. Preliminary studies on the internalization in tumoral cells and subsequent irradiation for PDT application were carried out. The results support the feasibility of these nanoaggregates to promote PS internalization in HeLa cells, inducing cell death upon visible light irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Mazzaglia
- CNR-ISMN Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, c/o Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali dell’Università di Messina, Viale, Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Norberto Micali
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Valentina Villari
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Roberto Zagami
- CNR-ISMN Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, c/o Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali dell’Università di Messina, Viale, Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Pennisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmen Ortiz Mellet
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Sevilla, c/ Profesor García González 1, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - José Manuel Garcia Fernández
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas (IIQ), CSIC — Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Américo Vespucio 49, E-41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Maria Teresa Sciortino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Luigi Monsù Scolaro
- CNR-ISMN Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, c/o Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali dell’Università di Messina, Viale, Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali, Università di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 98166, Messina, Italy
- CIRCMSB, Unità di Messina, Italy
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Frangou S, Micali N, Natalie R, Gaelle D, Bruce M. Effect of BMI on Resting-state Functional Architecture of the Brain in Healthy Individuals and Patients with Psychosis. Eur Psychiatry 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased multi-morbidity and mortality. The investigation of the relationship between BMI and brain organization has the potential to provide new insights relevant to clinical and policy strategies for weight control. Here, we quantified the effect of BMI on the functional connectivity of the Default-Mode (DMN), Central Executive (CEN), Sensorimotor (SMN) and Visual (VN) networks in 496 healthy individuals that were studied as part of the Human Connectome Project. We found that elevated BMI was associated with disrupted functional integration of sensory-guided (SMN, VN) with internally controlled (DMN, CEN) networks, implicating increased attention to sensory stimuli as a possible mechanism underpinning overeating and weight gain. Our results suggest that weight control strategies should expand to include wider societal policies that incorporate modifications to eating environments and to the visual presentation and branding of food products.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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Easter A, Taborelli E, Bye A, Zunszain PA, Pariante CM, Treasure J, Schmidt U, Micali N. Perinatal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation among women with eating disorders and their infants. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 76:127-134. [PMID: 27914245 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychiatric illness is associated with heightened hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity during pregnancy which may have long term effects on infant stress regulation. HPA axis regulation has not previously been investigated in women with eating disorders (ED) or their infants during the perinatal period. METHODS Women were recruited to a prospective longitudinal study in three groups: 1) current or active ED (C-ED=31), 2) past ED (P-ED=29) and healthy control (HC=57). Maternal psychopathology, diurnal cortisol levels, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and CRH binding protein (CRH-BP) were measured during the third trimester of pregnancy. At eight weeks postpartum infant cortisol was obtained before and after routine immunisations to determine infant hormonal response to a stressful situation. RESULTS Women with current ED had a significantly lower cortisol decline throughout the day compared to HC, in both adjusted and unadjusted analyses. Lower cortisol decline among women with a current ED were associated with higher levels of psychopathology during pregnancy. Women's cortisol awakening response, CRH and CRH-BP levels did not differ across the three groups. Infants' stress response was also significantly higher among those in the C-ED group, although this effect was attenuated after controlling for confounders. CONCLUSIONS During pregnancy women with ED have lower cortisol declines, suggestive of blunted diurnal cortisol rhythms. Postnatally, their infants also have a heightened response to stress. This is the first study to identify HPA axis dysfunction in pregnancy in women with ED, and to show an intergenerational effect. Since dysfunctions in HPA activity during childhood may represent a risk factor for psychological and physical health problems later in life, further investigation of the potential long-term implications of these findings is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Easter
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK; Department of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, UK; Health Services Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, UK.
| | - E Taborelli
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK; Department of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - A Bye
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK; Department of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, UK; Health Services Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - P A Zunszain
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Section of Perinatal Psychiatry and Stress, Psychiatry and Immunology (SPI-lab), King's College London, London, UK
| | - C M Pariante
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Section of Perinatal Psychiatry and Stress, Psychiatry and Immunology (SPI-lab), King's College London, London, UK
| | - J Treasure
- Department of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - U Schmidt
- Department of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - N Micali
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA; Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the effect of maternal eating disorders (ED) on childhood psychopathology, early delays in cognitive, motor and language development, mother and child relationship, and child temperament in a community-based cohort: the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC). METHOD Data were obtained prospectively on 48 403 children at 18 months and 46 156 children at 7 years. Data on cognitive, motor and language development, temperament and attachment were obtained at 18 months; data on child psychopathology were obtained at 7 years of age, using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Children of mothers with lifetime diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN, n = 931), lifetime diagnosis of bulimia nervosa (BN, n = 906) and both (AN & BN = 360) were compared to children of mothers without an ED (n = 46 206). RESULTS Girls of women with lifetime AN had higher odds of having emotional problems, and girls of women with lifetime BN of having conduct problems compared with children of healthy women. Boys of women with lifetime AN had higher odds of total, emotional and conduct problems; boys of women with lifetime BN had higher odds of total, conduct, hyperactivity and peer difficulties compared to children of women without an ED. Boys of women with lifetime AN and BN had higher odds of total, emotional and peer problems compared to children of healthy women. CONCLUSION Maternal ED is associated with childhood psychopathology in both boys and girls. Boys seemed at higher risk for psychopathology in this sample. Associations between emotional disorders across genders in children of mothers with lifetime AN, and hyperactivity and peer difficulties in boys of mothers with lifetime BN confirm and extend previous findings and point to possible shared risk between ED and other psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Barona
- Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK.
| | | | - N Micali
- Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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18
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Lombardo M, Micali N, Villari V, Serrao S, Pucci G, Barberi R, Lombardo G. Ultraviolet A: Visible spectral absorbance of the human cornea after transepithelial soaking with dextran-enriched and dextran-free riboflavin 0.1% ophthalmic solutions. J Cataract Refract Surg 2016; 41:2283-90. [PMID: 26703306 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2015.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 04/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the stromal concentration of 2 commercially available transepithelial riboflavin 0.1% solutions in human donor corneas with the use of spectrophotometry. SETTING University of Calabria, Rende, Italy. DESIGN Experimental study. METHODS The absorbance spectra of 12 corneal tissues were measured in the 330 to 700 nm wavelength range using a purpose-designed spectrophotometry setup before and after transepithelial corneal soaking with a 15% dextran-enriched riboflavin 0.1% solution (n = 6) or a hypotonic dextran-free riboflavin 0.1% solution (n = 6). Both ophthalmic solutions contained ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and trometamol as enhancers. In addition, 4 deepithelialized corneal tissues underwent stromal soaking with a 20% dextran-enriched riboflavin 0.1% solution and were used as controls. All the riboflavin solutions were applied topically for 30 minutes. The stromal concentration of riboflavin was quantified by analysis of absorbance spectra of the cornea collected before and after application of each solution. RESULTS The mean stromal riboflavin concentration was 0.012% ± 0.003% (SD), 0.0005% ± 0.0003% (P < .001), and 0.004% ± 0.001% (P < .01) in tissues soaked with 20% dextran-enriched, 15% dextran-enriched, and hypotonic dextran-free solutions, respectively. The difference of stromal riboflavin concentration between the 2 transepithelial solutions was statistically significant (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Dextran-enriched solutions required complete corneal deepithelialization to permit effective stromal soaking with riboflavin. Nevertheless, riboflavin in hypotonic dextran-free solution with enhancers permeates across stroma through an intact epithelium. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Lombardo
- From the Fondazione G.B. Bietti-IRCCS (M. Lombardo, Serrao), Vision Engineering Italy srl (G. Lombardo), Rome, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici (Micali, Villari, G. Lombardo), Messina, and the Department of Physics (Pucci, Barberi), University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.
| | - Norberto Micali
- From the Fondazione G.B. Bietti-IRCCS (M. Lombardo, Serrao), Vision Engineering Italy srl (G. Lombardo), Rome, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici (Micali, Villari, G. Lombardo), Messina, and the Department of Physics (Pucci, Barberi), University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Valentina Villari
- From the Fondazione G.B. Bietti-IRCCS (M. Lombardo, Serrao), Vision Engineering Italy srl (G. Lombardo), Rome, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici (Micali, Villari, G. Lombardo), Messina, and the Department of Physics (Pucci, Barberi), University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Serrao
- From the Fondazione G.B. Bietti-IRCCS (M. Lombardo, Serrao), Vision Engineering Italy srl (G. Lombardo), Rome, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici (Micali, Villari, G. Lombardo), Messina, and the Department of Physics (Pucci, Barberi), University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pucci
- From the Fondazione G.B. Bietti-IRCCS (M. Lombardo, Serrao), Vision Engineering Italy srl (G. Lombardo), Rome, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici (Micali, Villari, G. Lombardo), Messina, and the Department of Physics (Pucci, Barberi), University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Riccardo Barberi
- From the Fondazione G.B. Bietti-IRCCS (M. Lombardo, Serrao), Vision Engineering Italy srl (G. Lombardo), Rome, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici (Micali, Villari, G. Lombardo), Messina, and the Department of Physics (Pucci, Barberi), University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lombardo
- From the Fondazione G.B. Bietti-IRCCS (M. Lombardo, Serrao), Vision Engineering Italy srl (G. Lombardo), Rome, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche-Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici (Micali, Villari, G. Lombardo), Messina, and the Department of Physics (Pucci, Barberi), University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
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Abstract
This study aimed to determine if relatives of children with autism and less severe pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) have higher rates of various components of the broad autistic phenotype. Psychiatric and medical disorders were investigated. Parents of children with PDDs were selected from an epidemiological survey and compared with parents of control children with non-autistic developmental problems. Rates of abnormalities and disorders were compared in relatives of 79 cases and 61 controls. Medical and autoimmune disorders in both groups were endorsed by few relatives. Specific developmental disorders were commoner in parents of controls. Depression and anxiety were significantly more prevalent in mothers of children with PDDs. Significantly more PDD children had at least one firstdegree relative with anxiety and one second-degree relative with OCD. PDDs were commoner in first-degree relatives. The implications of the findings for the definition of the broad phenotype of autism are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Micali
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
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Nicholls D, Statham R, Costa S, Micali N, Viner RM. Childhood risk factors for lifetime bulimic or compulsive eating by age 30 years in a British national birth cohort. Appetite 2016; 105:266-73. [PMID: 27263069 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2016.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine whether previously identified childhood risk factors for bulimia or compulsive eating (BCE) predict self-reported lifetime BCE by age 30 years in a prospective birth cohort. METHOD Using data from the 1970 British Cohort Study at birth, 5, and 10 years, associations between 22 putative childhood risk factors and self-reported lifetime BCE at 30 years were examined, adjusting for sex and socioeconomic status. RESULTS Only female sex (odds ratio (OR): 9.2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-43.7; p = 0.005), low self-esteem (OR:2.9; 95%CI: 1.1-7.5; p = 0.03) and high maternal education (OR:5.4; 95%CI: 2.0-14.8; p = 0.001) were significantly associated with higher risk of BCE, whereas high SES at 10 years was significantly protective (OR:0.2; 95%CI: 0.1-0.8; p = 0.022) of BCE in fully adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis. DISCUSSION Our findings do not support a strong role for childhood weight status and eating behaviours in the development of bulimia and compulsive eating pathology, rather suggesting a focus on self esteem may have greater relative importance. Findings in relation to maternal education and SES need further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Nicholls
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, WC1N 3JH, UK; UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK.
| | - R Statham
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - S Costa
- UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - N Micali
- UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - R M Viner
- UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
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Fazio B, D'Andrea C, Foti A, Messina E, Irrera A, Donato MG, Villari V, Micali N, Maragò OM, Gucciardi PG. SERS detection of Biomolecules at Physiological pH via aggregation of Gold Nanorods mediated by Optical Forces and Plasmonic Heating. Sci Rep 2016; 6:26952. [PMID: 27246267 PMCID: PMC4887892 DOI: 10.1038/srep26952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Strategies for in-liquid molecular detection via Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) are currently based on chemically-driven aggregation or optical trapping of metal nanoparticles in presence of the target molecules. Such strategies allow the formation of SERS-active clusters that efficiently embed the molecule at the “hot spots” of the nanoparticles and enhance its Raman scattering by orders of magnitude. Here we report on a novel scheme that exploits the radiation pressure to locally push gold nanorods and induce their aggregation in buffered solutions of biomolecules, achieving biomolecular SERS detection at almost neutral pH. The sensor is applied to detect non-resonant amino acids and proteins, namely Phenylalanine (Phe), Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and Lysozyme (Lys), reaching detection limits in the μg/mL range. Being a chemical free and contactless technique, our methodology is easy to implement, fast to operate, needs small sample volumes and has potential for integration in microfluidic circuits for biomarkers detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Fazio
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, I-98156, Messina, Italy
| | - Cristiano D'Andrea
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, I-98156, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Foti
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, I-98156, Messina, Italy
| | - Elena Messina
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, I-98156, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessia Irrera
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, I-98156, Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Donato
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, I-98156, Messina, Italy
| | - Valentina Villari
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, I-98156, Messina, Italy
| | - Norberto Micali
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, I-98156, Messina, Italy
| | - Onofrio M Maragò
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, I-98156, Messina, Italy
| | - Pietro G Gucciardi
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, I-98156, Messina, Italy
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Robinson L, Aldridge V, Clark EM, Misra M, Micali N. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between eating disorders and bone density. Osteoporos Int 2016; 27:1953-66. [PMID: 26782684 PMCID: PMC7047470 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-015-3468-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This meta-analysis investigates the effect of an eating disorder on bone mineral density in two eating disorder subtypes. Following conflicting findings in previous literature, this study finds that not only anorexia nervosa, but also bulimia nervosa has a detrimental effect on BMD. Key predictors of this relationship are discussed. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates bone mineral density (BMD) in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) in comparison to healthy controls (HCs). AN has been associated with low BMD and a risk of fractures and mixed results have been obtained for the relationship between BN and BMD. Deciphering the effect these two ED subtypes on BMD will determine the effect of low body weight (a characteristic of AN) versus the effects of periods of restrictive eating and malnutrition which are common to both AN and BN. We conducted a systematic search through the electronic databases MedLine, EMBASE and PsychInfo and the Cochrane Library to investigate and quantify this relationship. We screened 544 articles and included 27 studies in a random-effect meta-analysis and calculated the standardised mean difference (SMD) in BMD between women with a current diagnosis of AN (n = 785) vs HCs (n = 979) and a current diagnosis of BN (n = 187) vs HCs (n = 350). The outcome measures investigated were spinal, hip, femoral neck and whole body BMD measured by DXA or DPA scanning. A meta-regression investigated the effect of factors including age, duration since diagnosis, duration of amenorrhea and BMI on BMD. The mean BMI of participants was 16.65 kg/m(2) (AN), 21.16 kg/m(2) (BN) and 22.06 kg/m(2) (HC). Spine BMD was lowest in AN subjects (SMD, -3.681; 95 % CI, -4.738, -2.625; p < 0.0001), but also lower in BN subjects compared with HCs (SMD, -0.472; 95 % CI, -0.688, -0.255; p < 0.0001). Hip, whole body and femoral neck BMD were reduced to a statistically significant level in AN but not BN groups. The meta-regression was limited by the number of included studies and did not find any significant predictors. This meta-analysis confirms the association between low BMD and AN and presents a strong argument for assessing BMD not only in patients with AN, but also in patients with BN.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Robinson
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - V Aldridge
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - E M Clark
- Musculoskeletal Research Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - M Misra
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - N Micali
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
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23
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Solmi F, Hotopf M, Hatch SL, Treasure J, Micali N. Eating disorders in a multi-ethnic inner-city UK sample: prevalence, comorbidity and service use. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2016; 51:369-81. [PMID: 26631229 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-015-1146-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE No studies have investigated the prevalence of eating disorders (ED) according to DSM-5 criteria and few have explored their comorbidity and service use in the general population in the UK. We aimed to estimate the prevalence, comorbidity, and service use in individuals with ED in a multi-ethnic inner city sample. METHODS A total of 1698 individuals (age 16/90) were screened for ED in the first phase of the South East London Community Health Study and 145 were followed up with a diagnostic interview. Data was weighed for survey design and Chi Square tests were used to investigate socio-demographic distribution, comorbidity and service use in participants with ED. RESULTS The point prevalence of ED was 4.4 % (Binge Eating Disorder (BED) 3.6 %; Bulimia Nervosa (BN) 0.8 %) and 7.4 % when including sub-threshold diagnoses (Purging Disorder (PD) 0.6 %; Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED) 2.4 %). No cases of AN were identified. Purging Disorder was the ED with the highest proportion of comorbid disorders. A minority of participants with ED had accessed specialist care services. CONCLUSIONS ED are common, the comorbidity of ED was in line with previous studies and no ethnic differences were identified. Although PD is not a full diagnosis in DSM-5, we found some evidence of high comorbidity with other disorders, that needs to be replicated using larger samples. Service use was low across ED diagnoses, despite high levels of comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Solmi
- Behavioural and Brain Science Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK.
| | - M Hotopf
- Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - S L Hatch
- Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - J Treasure
- Eating Disorders Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - N Micali
- Behavioural and Brain Science Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
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24
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Di Mauro A, Randazzo R, Spanò SF, Compagnini G, Gaeta M, D'Urso L, Paolesse R, Pomarico G, Di Natale C, Villari V, Micali N, Fragalà ME, D'Urso A, Purrello R. Vortexes tune the chirality of graphene oxide and its non-covalent hosts. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 52:13094-13096. [PMID: 27549164 DOI: 10.1039/c6cc05177d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The ability of vortexes to tune the chirality of graphene oxide in water sheds light on its complex supramolecular organization allowing for selective noncovalent deposition of a predetermined handedness on a solid surface.
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25
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Micali N, Stemann Larsen P, Strandberg-Larsen K, Nybo Andersen AM. Size at birth and preterm birth in women with lifetime eating disorders: a prospective population-based study. BJOG 2015; 123:1301-10. [DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.13825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N Micali
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit; Institute of Child Health; UCL; London UK
- Department of Psychiatry and Mindich Child Health and Development Institute; Icahn Medical School at Mount Sinai; New York NY USA
| | - P Stemann Larsen
- Section of Social Medicine; Department of Public Health; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - K Strandberg-Larsen
- Section of Social Medicine; Department of Public Health; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - A-M Nybo Andersen
- Section of Social Medicine; Department of Public Health; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
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26
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Micali N, De Stavola B, Ploubidis G, Simonoff E, Treasure J, Field AE. Adolescent eating disorder behaviours and cognitions: gender-specific effects of child, maternal and family risk factors. Br J Psychiatry 2015; 207. [PMID: 26206865 PMCID: PMC4589663 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.152371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eating disorder behaviours begin in adolescence. Few longitudinal studies have investigated childhood risk and protective FACTORS. AIMS To investigate the prevalence of eating disorder behaviours and cognitions and associated childhood psychological, physical and parental risk factors among a cohort of 14-year-old children. METHOD Data were collected from 6140 boys and girls aged 14 years. Gender-stratified models were used to estimate prospective associations between childhood body dissatisfaction, body mass index (BMI), self-esteem, maternal eating disorder and family economic disadvantage on adolescent eating disorder behaviours and cognitions. RESULTS Childhood body dissatisfaction strongly predicted eating disorder cognitions in girls, but only in interaction with BMI in boys. Higher self-esteem had a protective effect, particularly in boys. Maternal eating disorder predicted body dissatisfaction and weight/shape concern in adolescent girls and dieting in boys. CONCLUSIONS Risk factors for eating disorder behaviours and cognitions vary according to gender. Prevention strategies should be gender-specific and target modifiable predictors in childhood and early adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Micali
- Correspondence: Nadia Micali, UCL, Institute of Child Health, Behavioral and Brain Sciences Unit, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH.
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Mineo P, Villari V, Scamporrino E, Micali N. New Evidence about the Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking: Action of an Asymmetric Weak Heat Source. J Phys Chem B 2015; 119:12345-53. [PMID: 26315854 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b07199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we show how, in a stagnant water solution of uncharged aggregated achiral porphyrin-based molecules, a mirror-symmetry breaking (SB) can be induced and controlled by means of a weak asymmetric thermal gradient. In particular, it is shown that the optical activity of the aggregate porphyrin solution can be generated and reversed, in sign, only acting on the thermal ramp direction (heating or cooling). In order to avoid data misinterpretation, the aggregate structure modifications with the temperature change and the linear dichroism contribution to circular dichroism spectra were evaluated. A model simulation, using a finite element analysis approach describing the thermal flows, shows that small thermal gradients are able to give rise to asymmetric heat flow. The results reported here can be considered new evidence about the spontaneous symmetry breaking phenomenon induced by very weak forces having an important role in the natural chiral selective processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Placido Mineo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche and I.N.S.T.M. UdR of Catania, Università di Catania , Viale Andrea Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy.,CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici , Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, I-98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Valentina Villari
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici , Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, I-98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Emilio Scamporrino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche and I.N.S.T.M. UdR of Catania, Università di Catania , Viale Andrea Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Norberto Micali
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici , Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, I-98158 Messina, Italy
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28
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Bould H, Sovio U, Koupil I, Dalman C, Micali N, Lewis G, Magnusson C. Do eating disorders in parents predict eating disorders in children? Evidence from a Swedish cohort. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2015; 132:51-9. [PMID: 25572654 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated whether parental eating disorders (ED) predict ED in children, using a large multigeneration register-based sample. METHOD We used a subset of the Stockholm Youth Cohort born 1984-1995 and resident in Stockholm County in 2001-2007 (N = 286,232), The exposure was a diagnosed eating disorder in a parent; the outcome was any eating disorder diagnosis in their offspring, given by a specialist clinician, or inferred from an appointment at a specialist eating disorder clinic. A final study sample of 158,697 (55.4%) had data on these variables and confounding factors and contributed a total of 886,241 person years to the analysis. RESULTS We found good evidence in support of the hypothesis that ED in either parent are independently associated with ED in their female children (HR 1.97 (95% CI: 1.17-3.33), P = 0.01) and that ED in mothers are independently associated with ED in their female children (HR 2.35 (95% CI: 1.39-3.97) P = 0.001). Numbers were too low to permit separate analysis of ED in parents and their male children. CONCLUSION Eating disorders in parents were associated with ED in children. This study adds to our knowledge about the intergenerational transmission of ED, which will help identify high-risk groups and brings about the possibility of targeted prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Bould
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - U Sovio
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - I Koupil
- Centre for Health Equity Studies, Stockholm University/Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - C Dalman
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - N Micali
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - G Lewis
- Mental Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Brain Sciences, UCL, London, UK
| | - C Magnusson
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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29
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Micali N, Vybornyi M, Mineo P, Khorev O, Häner R, Villari V. Hydrodynamic and Thermophoretic Effects on the Supramolecular Chirality of Pyrene-Derived Nanosheets. Chemistry 2015; 21:9505-13. [PMID: 26012534 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201500932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Chiroptical properties of two-dimensional (2D) supramolecular assemblies (nanosheets) of achiral, charged pyrene trimers (Py3 ) are rendered chiral by asymmetric physical perturbations. Chiral stimuli in a cuvette can originate either from controlled temperature gradients or by very gentle stirring. The chiroptical activity strongly depends on the degree of supramolecular order of the nanosheets, which is easily controlled by the method of preparation. The high degree of structural order ensures strong cooperative effects within the aggregates, rendering them more susceptible to external stimuli. The samples prepared by using slow thermal annealing protocols are both CD and LD active (in stagnant and stirred solutions), whereas for isothermally aged samples chiroptical activity was in all cases undetectable. In the case of temperature gradients, the optical activity of 2D assemblies could be recorded for a stagnant solution due to migration of the aggregates from the hottest to the coldest regions of the system. However, a considerably stronger exciton coupling, coinciding with the J-band of the interacting pyrenes, is developed upon subtle vortexing (0.5 Hz, 30 rpm) of the aqueous solution of the nanosheets. The sign of the exciton coupling is inverted upon switching between clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation. The supramolecular chirality is evidenced by the appearance of CD activity. To exclude artefacts from proper CD spectra, the contribution from LD to the observed CD was determined. The data suggest that the aggregates experience asymmetrical deformation and alignment effects because of the presence of chiral flows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norberto Micali
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, Messina (Italy)
| | - Mykhailo Vybornyi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
| | - Placido Mineo
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, Messina (Italy).,Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche and I.N.S.T.M. UdR of Catania, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania (Italy)
| | - Oleg Khorev
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
| | - Robert Häner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern (Switzerland).
| | - Valentina Villari
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, Messina (Italy).
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30
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Randazzo R, Di Mauro A, D’Urso A, Messina GC, Compagnini G, Villari V, Micali N, Purrello R, Fragalà ME. Hierarchical Effect behind the Supramolecular Chirality of Silver(I)–Cysteine Coordination Polymers. J Phys Chem B 2015; 119:4898-904. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b00847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Valentina Villari
- CNR-IPCF Istituto
per i Processi Chimico-Fisici Viale F, Stagno d’Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Norberto Micali
- CNR-IPCF Istituto
per i Processi Chimico-Fisici Viale F, Stagno d’Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
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31
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Sardahaee FS, Micali N, Holmen TL, Kvaløy K. Genetic Markers and Disordered Eating Amongst Adolescents- the Hunt Study. Eur Psychiatry 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(15)30283-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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32
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Paganini C, Krug I, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M, Peterson G, Anderluh M, Collier D, Fernandez-Aranda F, Karwautz A, Wagner G, Micali N, Treasure J. The Role of Personality and Pubertal Development in Eating Disorders: a European Discordant Sister-pair Study. Eur Psychiatry 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(15)30154-1] [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: 11/26/2022] Open
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33
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Barbera L, Gattuso G, Kohnke FH, Notti A, Pappalardo S, Parisi MF, Pisagatti I, Patanè S, Micali N, Villari V. Self-assembly of amphiphilic anionic calix[4]arenes and encapsulation of poorly soluble naproxen and flurbiprofen. Org Biomol Chem 2015; 13:6468-73. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ob00703h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The ability of an anionic calix[4]arene amphiphile to aggregate and to solubilize, as a result, the poorly water-soluble drugs naproxen and flurbiprofen is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Barbera
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gattuso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | - Franz H. Kohnke
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | - Anna Notti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | | | | | - Ilenia Pisagatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | - Salvatore Patanè
- Dipartimento di Fisica e di Scienze della Terra
- Università di Messina
- 98166 Messina
- Italy
| | - Norberto Micali
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici
- 98158 Messina
- Italy
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Sonneville KR, Calzo JP, Horton NJ, Field AE, Crosby RD, Solmi F, Micali N. Childhood hyperactivity/inattention and eating disturbances predict binge eating in adolescence. Psychol Med 2015; 45:2511-2520. [PMID: 26098685 PMCID: PMC4655585 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291715000148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying childhood predictors of binge eating and understanding risk mechanisms could help improve prevention and detection efforts. The aim of this study was to examine whether features of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as childhood eating disturbances, predicted binge eating later in adolescence. METHOD We studied specific risk factors for the development of binge eating during mid-adolescence among 7120 males and females from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a cohort study of children in the UK, using data from multiple informants to develop structural equation models. Repeated assessment of eating disturbances during childhood (mid-childhood overeating, late-childhood overeating and early-adolescent strong desire for food), as well as teacher- and parent-reported hyperactivity/inattention during mid- and late childhood, were considered as possible predictors of mid-adolescent binge eating. RESULTS Prevalence of binge eating during mid-adolescence in our sample was 11.6%. The final model of predictors of binge eating during mid-adolescence included direct effects of late-childhood overeating [standardized estimate 0.145, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.038–0.259, p = 0.009] and early-adolescent strong desire for food (standardized estimate 0.088, 95% CI −0.002 to 0.169, p = 0.05). Hyperactivity/inattention during late childhood indirectly predicted binge eating during mid-adolescence (standardized estimate 0.085, 95% CI 0.007–0.128, p = 0.03) via late-childhood overeating and early-adolescent strong desire for food. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that early ADHD symptoms, in addition to an overeating phenotype, contribute to risk for adolescent binge eating. These findings lend support to the potential role of hyperactivity/inattention in the development of overeating and binge eating.
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Villari V, Attanasio F, Micali N. Control of the structural stability of α-crystallin under thermal and chemical stress: the role of carnosine. J Phys Chem B 2014; 118:13770-6. [PMID: 25356752 DOI: 10.1021/jp5092009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The structural properties of α-crystallin, the major protein of the eye lens of mammals, in aqueous solution are investigated by means of small angle X-ray and dynamic light scattering. The research interest is devoted in particular to the effect of carnosine in protecting the protein under stress conditions, like temperature increase and presence of denaturant (guanidinium-HCl). The results suggest that carnosine interacts, through mechanisms involving hydrophobic interactions, with α-crystallin and avoids the structural changes in the quaternary structure induced by thermal and chemical stress. It is also shown that, if mediated by carnosine, the self-aggregation of α-crystallin induced by the denaturant at higher temperature can be controlled and even partially reversed. Therefore, carnosine is effective in preserving the structural integrity of the protein, suggesting the possibility of new strategies of intervention for preventing or treating pathologies related to protein aggregation, like cataracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Villari
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158, Messina, Italy
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36
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Tantussi F, Fuso F, Allegrini M, Micali N, Occhiuto IG, Scolaro LM, Patanè S. Linear and circular dichroism in porphyrin J-aggregates probed by polarization modulated scanning near-field optical microscopy. Nanoscale 2014; 6:10874-10878. [PMID: 25117553 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr00918e] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Polarization modulated scanning near-field optical microscopy (PM-SNOM) is effective in detecting circular and linear dichroism with sub-wavelength resolution. PM-SNOM investigation of the chiroptical properties of single ribbon-like nanosized J-aggregates formed by acid induced aggregation of tris-(4-sulfonatophenyl)phenylporphyrin is reported. Linear dichroism maps give evidence of well-organized chromophores packed in linear arrays within the structure of the nanoribbons. Circular dichroism maps indicate that the molecules forming the nanoribbon have an inherently chiral structure at the local scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Tantussi
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Enrico Fermi" and CNISM, Università di Pisa, Istituto Nazionale di Ottica INO-CNR, Sezione di Pisa, Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, I-56127 Pisa, Italy
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37
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Swanson SA, Aloisio KM, Horton NJ, Sonneville KR, Crosby RD, Eddy KT, Field AE, Micali N. Assessing eating disorder symptoms in adolescence: is there a role for multiple informants? Int J Eat Disord 2014; 47:475-82. [PMID: 24436213 PMCID: PMC4183354 DOI: 10.1002/eat.22250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 10/16/2013] [Revised: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies of adolescent psychiatric disorders often collect information from adolescents and parents, yet most eating disorder epidemiologic studies only rely on adolescent report. METHOD We studied the eating disorder symptom reports, from questionnaires sent at participants' ages 14 and 16 years, provided by 7,968 adolescents from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), and their parents. Adolescents and parents were asked questions about the adolescent's eating disorder symptoms (binge eating, vomiting, laxative use, fasting, and thinness). We assessed cross-sectional concordance and prevalence using kappa coefficients and generalized estimating equations. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess prospective associations between symptom reports and adolescent weight outcomes measured at a face-to-face assessment at 17.5 years. RESULTS Parents and adolescents were largely discordant on symptom reports cross-sectionally (kappas < 0.3), with the parent generally less likely to report bulimic symptoms than the adolescent but more likely to report thinness. Female adolescents were more likely to report bulimic symptoms than males (e.g., two to four times more likely to report binge eating), while prevalence estimates according to parent reports of female vs. male adolescents were similar. Both informants' symptom reports were predictive of body mass and composition measures at 17.5 years; compared to adolescent report, parentally reported binge eating was more strongly predictive of body mass index. DISCUSSION Parent report of eating disorder symptoms seemed to measure different, but potentially important, aspects of these symptoms during adolescence. Epidemiologic eating disorder studies should consider the potential value added from incorporating parental reports, particularly in studies of males.
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Affiliation(s)
- SA Swanson
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston MA
| | - KM Aloisio
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - NJ Horton
- Department of Mathematics, Amherst College, Amherst, MA
| | - KR Sonneville
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - RD Crosby
- Neuropsychiatric Research Institute and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, ND
| | - KT Eddy
- Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - AE Field
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston MA,Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - N Micali
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
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Abstract
We show that the unexpected chirality of aggregated structures based on an uncharged achiral porphyrin system originates from small temperature gradients that act as an asymmetrical physical perturbation; the consequent thermal force gives rise to the thermophoretic motion of the aggregates. We establish that the induced optical activity can be controlled, and even vanished, by minimizing the thermal force.
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Affiliation(s)
- Placido Mineo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche and I.N.S.T.M. UdR of Catania, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy.
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Mineo P, Faggio C, Micali N, Scamporrino E, Villari V. A star polymer based on a polyethylene glycol with a porphyrinic core as a photosensitizing agent for application in photodynamic therapy: tests in vitro on human erythrocytes. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c3ra47913g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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Solmi F, Hatch SL, Hotopf M, Treasure J, Micali N. Prevalence and correlates of disordered eating in a general population sample: the South East London Community Health (SELCoH) study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2014; 49:1335-46. [PMID: 24441522 PMCID: PMC4108843 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-014-0822-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Disordered eating has been shown to be more prevalent than full eating disorders diagnoses. However, research on its prevalence, socio-demographic, psychological correlates, and patterns of service use in multi-ethnic samples is still limited. This paper explores these associations in a South London-based (UK) sample. METHODS The South East London Community Health (SELCoH) study is a general population survey (N = 1,698) of individuals aged 16+. Disordered eating was defined as ≥2 positive answers at the SCOFF questionnaire. Crude and adjusted logistic and multinomial logistic regression models were fit to investigate associations between socio-demographic characteristics, disordered eating, psychiatric comorbidity, and service use. RESULTS A total of 164 (10 %) participants reported disordered eating and the majority were from ethnic minorities. In adjusted models, Asian ethnicity was associated with purging, loss of control eating and preoccupation with food. Individuals with disordered eating had higher odds of screening positive for post-traumatic stress disorder and personality disorders and of having anxiety/mood disorders, suicidal ideation/attempts, hazardous levels of drinking, and used drugs in the previous year. Only 36 % of individuals with disordered eating had sought professional help in the previous 12 months mostly through their general practitioner (27.4 %), followed by psychotherapists (12.8 %) and mental health specialists (5.5 %). CONCLUSION This study found a high prevalence of disordered eating, especially amongst ethnic minorities, and associations with a number of psychiatric conditions. Overall few participants accessed specialist services. These findings suggest that both disordered eating manifestations amongst ethnic minorities and access to care need better investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Solmi
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, WC1N 1EH, London, UK
| | - S. L. Hatch
- Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - M. Hotopf
- Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - J. Treasure
- Eating Disorders Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - N. Micali
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, WC1N 1EH, London, UK
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Micali N, dos-Santos-Silva I, De Stavola B, Steenweg-de Graaff J, Steenweg-de Graaf J, Jaddoe V, Hofman A, Verhulst FC, Steegers E, Tiemeier H. Fertility treatment, twin births, and unplanned pregnancies in women with eating disorders: findings from a population-based birth cohort. BJOG 2013; 121:408-16. [PMID: 24206173 PMCID: PMC4155863 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.12503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective To investigate fertility treatment, twin births, and unplanned pregnancies in pregnant women with eating disorders in a population-based sample. Design A longitudinal population-based birth cohort (Generation R). Setting Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Sample Women from the Generation R study who reported a history of (recent or past) anorexia nervosa (n = 160), bulimia nervosa (n = 265), or both (n = 130), and a history of psychiatric disorders other than eating disorders (n = 1396) were compared with women without psychiatric disorders (n = 4367). Methods Women were compared on the studied outcomes using logistic regression. We performed crude and adjusted analyses (adjusting for relevant confounding factors). Main outcome measures Fertility treatment, twin births, unplanned pregnancies, and women's feelings towards unplanned pregnancies. Results Relative to women without psychiatric disorders, women with bulimia nervosa had increased odds (odds ratio, OR, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI, 1.1–5.2) of having undergone fertility treatment. Women with all eating disorders had increased odds of twin births (anorexia nervosa, OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0–7.7; bulimia nervosa, OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1–6.6; anorexia and bulimia nervosa, OR 3.795% CI 1.3–10.7). Anorexia nervosa was associated with increased odds of unplanned pregnancies (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.6) and mixed feelings about these pregnancies (adjusted OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.7–14.4). Pre-pregnancy body mass index did not explain the observed associations. Conclusions Eating disorders are associated with increased odds of receiving fertility treatment and twin births. Women with anorexia nervosa were more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy and have mixed feelings about the unplanned pregnancy. Fertility treatment specialists should be aware that both active and past eating disorders (both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa) might underlie fertility problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Micali
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a large body of evidence indicating that eating disorders (EDs) are characterized by particular neuropsychological profiles. We aimed to further explore whether impairments in neuropsychological functioning previously found in ED groups are present prior to onset, or are secondary to the disorder. Method This is the first study to explore neuropsychological functioning in children born to a mother with a lifetime ED, who are therefore at high risk of developing an ED, in a large cohort sample. We investigated intelligence and attention at age 8 years (n = 6201) and working memory (WM) and inhibition at age 10 years (6192) in children who are at high risk of developing an ED, compared to children who are not. RESULTS The children of women with lifetime anorexia nervosa (AN) showed high full-scale and performance IQ, increased WM capacity, better visuo-spatial functioning, and decreased attentional control. The children of women with lifetime bulimia nervosa (BN) showed comparatively poor visuo-spatial functioning. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that high intelligence, increased WM capacity and impaired attentional control might be intermediate phenotypes on the pathway between genetic vulnerability and the development of an ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kothari
- Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, UK.
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Villari V, Mazzaglia A, Darcy R, O’Driscoll CM, Micali N. Nanostructures of Cationic Amphiphilic Cyclodextrin Complexes with DNA. Biomacromolecules 2013; 14:811-7. [DOI: 10.1021/bm3018609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Villari
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres
37, I-98158, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Mazzaglia
- CNR-ISMN Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, c/o Dip.
Scienze Chimiche dell’ Università di Messina, Viale
F. Stagno d’Alcontres
31, I-98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Raphael Darcy
- School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | | | - Norberto Micali
- CNR-IPCF Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres
37, I-98158, Messina, Italy
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Taborelli E, Krug I, Karwautz A, Wagner G, Haidvogl M, Fernandez-Aranda F, Castro R, Jiménez-Murcia S, Anderluh M, Collier D, Treasure JL, Micali N. Maternal Anxiety, Overprotection and Anxious Personality as Risk Factors for Eating Disorder: A Sister Pair Study. Cogn Ther Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10608-012-9518-8] [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] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Micali N, De Stavola B, dos-Santos-Silva I, Steenweg-de Graaff J, Jansen PW, Jaddoe VWV, Hofman A, Verhulst FC, Steegers EAP, Tiemeier H. Perinatal outcomes and gestational weight gain in women with eating disorders: a population-based cohort study. BJOG 2012; 119:1493-502. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03467.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Mineo P, Micali N, Villari V, Donato MG, Scamporrino E. Reading of protein surfaces in the native state at micromolar concentrations by a chirogenetic porphyrin probe. Chemistry 2012; 18:12452-7. [PMID: 22903268 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201200784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The recognition of some globular proteins was carried out in aqueous solution, at micromolar concentrations, by using an uncharged symmetrical cobalt-porphyrin (Co-P). By means of UV/Vis, induced circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques, it was ascertained that the interactions between specific amino acid residues and Co-P occurred on the protein surface. In particular, spectroscopic evidence showed the formation of supramolecular complexes without disruption of the native structure of the proteins and, furthermore, that signal changes were characteristic of each Co-P/protein system, so that they could be used as a highly sensitive analytical tool for protein recognition. The relative association constants were proportional to the protein molecular masses (and then to the number of amino acid residues).
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Affiliation(s)
- Placido Mineo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.
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Stancanelli R, Løjkner LD, Larsen KL, Guardo M, Cannavà C, Tommasini S, Ventura CA, Calabrò ML, Micali N, Villari V, Mazzaglia A. Structural and spectroscopic features of lutein/butanoyl-β-cyclodextrin nanoassemblies. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2012; 71:214-8. [PMID: 22938801 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2012.07.034] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2012] [Revised: 07/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Lutein, the primary carotenoid present in the central area of the retina of eye appears to be associated with the protection against age-related macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in older adults). Its lipophilicity and consequently its scarce water solubility (1.3×10(-9)M) represent a drawback for bioavailability. To circumvent these unfavorable characteristics, in this work lutein (Lut) have been encapsulated in amphiphilic cyclodextrin (ACyD) by following the well-established strategy of entrapping a lipophilic drug in CyD carriers. Primary face butyrate modified β-cyclodextrins (C(4:7)) form in water nanoaggregates with a average size of 250nm and a ζ-potential of about -6mV. They are able to entrap lutein at 1:6 Lut/ACyD molar ratio by yielding nanoassemblies of vesicular aspect (320nm and -8mV) such as observed by static, dynamic and electrophoretic light-scattering. UV-vis measurements revealed that electronic properties of lutein were maintained when interact with ACyD nanoaggregates. The monitoring of the entapped carotenoid leaking from ACyD nanostructures was investigated suggesting the potential of Lut/ACyD nanoassemblies in drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Stancanelli
- Dipartimento Farmaco-Chimico, Università di Messina, V.le Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
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Leone N, Villari V, Micali N. Modulated heterodyne light scattering set-up for measuring long relaxation time at small and wide angle. Rev Sci Instrum 2012; 83:083102. [PMID: 22938269 DOI: 10.1063/1.4739775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We present a simple, compact, and versatile experimental setup working in the heterodyne detection mode with modulation of the reference beam. The system is implemented with a collection optics based on a unimodal optical fiber coupler. This choice allows the heterodyne to be used in a wide range of scattering angles, even for very small ones, without losing the optical beating. The apparatus can be successfully used to study translational diffusive dynamics of dispersed particles at scattering angles smaller than 5° and it is suitable for exploring slow relaxation processes in sub-Hertz frequency domain, for example, in glass-forming systems. It is also possible to measure the electrophoretic mobility by applying an electric field into a charged particles solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Leone
- CNR-Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, V.le F. Stagno D'Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
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Villari V, Mineo P, Scamporrino E, Micali N. Amino acids recognition by water-soluble uncharged porphyrin tweezers: Spectroscopic evidences in high optical density solutions. Chem Phys 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphys.2012.04.018] [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] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Mineo P, Alicata R, Micali N, Villari V, Scamporrino E. Water-soluble star polymers with a phthalocyanine as the core and poly(ethylene glycol) chains as branches. J Appl Polym Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/app.36631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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