Variability on the energy properties of charcoal and charcoal briquettes for barbecue

In recent years there has been a strong increase in interest in the world of barbecues and outdoor cooking in high-income countries. Referring to FAO data, an exponential growth in imports of charcoal was observed in Europe and North America. Italy is one of the major European consumers and importers. On the market it is possible to find material with different characteristics and origins. However, analysis aimed at ascertaining the quality of the material are poorly performed. This research aimed to analyze the energy properties of charcoal commonly available on the Italian market. Twenty-four bags of charcoal and charcoal briquettes were analyzed. Eighteen samples represent the products most easily found on the market, in stores and on websites. In addition, six samples were supplied directly by the producer/importing company. The samples were grouped according to the continent of origin of the material (Europe, North-Central America and South America). Charcoal briquette samples were included together in a group. Referring to the ISO 17225-1 standard, the moisture content, ash content, heating value, volatile matter and fixed carbon were determined. Except for the moisture content, the results of the tests performed on all parameters show a strong variability both between different groups and within the same group. In detail, the European charcoal samples show characteristics more suitable for their use in barbecues. These have the highest values of fixed carbon and heating value and, at the same time, low values of ash and volatile matter. On the contrary, charcoal briquettes have less suitable characteristics for barbecue. The work also highlighted some gaps in the reference standard relating to laboratory analyses. To ensure careful control of the qualitative characteristics of the products on the market, it is necessary to promote the creation of a quality brand.

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Absence of information on the characteristics of the charcoal on the market.

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Properties influenced by origin, wood species and production process.

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Presence of gaps in reference standards relating to laboratory analysis.

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High variability of the energy properties of the charcoal and briquettes.

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Poor representativeness of the HHV₀ determined as indicated by the standard.

Considering Envy and Rivalry within the nomological network of pathological narcissism: an empirical study

Introduction

Few is known regarding the intervening variables between pathological narcissism and sadism personality. Specifically, envy is a psychoanalytical construct that appears especially promising in illuminating such relationships.

Objectives

To extend the knowledge regarding the nomological network of pathological narcissism.

Methods

We administered to a sample of Italian adults a battery of self-report questionnaires including the Italian version of the Benign and Malicious Envy Scale, the Assessment of Narcissistic Personality, The Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire and the Pathological Narcissism Inventory.

Results

First, the Italian version of the Benign and Malicious Envy Scale showed good fit indexes confirming the original factorial structure as well as configural invariance. We found that only the grandiosity facet of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory, the Rivalry subscale of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire and the Malicious subscale of the Benign and Malicious Envy Scale positively and significantly predicted Assessment of Narcissistic Personality scores. Moreover, throughout a structural equation modeling approach, the hypothesis that rivalry and malicious envy both mediate the relationship between grandiosity and sadism was empirically supported.

Conclusions

The use of the Benign and Malicious Envy Scale resulted to be promising in the investigation of the nomological network of pathological narcissism. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Body Self-Perception and Sense of Agency: a systematic review of literature

Introduction

The sense of agency concerns the experience of controlling our actions, referring both to superior and lower levels of psychological functioning that are also related to the physical dimension of agency. Diverse clinical conditions affect the awareness of being a bodily and agentive self.

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the relationship between individual sense of agency and body perception.

Methods

PsycINFO, Psycharticle, Medline, Web of Science and Scopus were systematically searched for articles published until 19/10/2020.

Results

After removing duplicates, a total of 2.556 records was screened. Fifteen articles were selected based on the inclusion criteria fixed for the systematic review.

Conclusions

In the last decades, this line of research seems to attract a growing number of studies.

However, these studies are affected by a great heterogeneity in the investigation of both constructs.

Body perception and sense agency were operationalized across research in diverse ways, making the evaluation of the relationship between them very difficult. In addition, there is a paucity of studies investigating the relationship between body perception and agency among individuals suffering from specific psychopathology or physical diseases. According to literature review, the main objective for future research is to develop more robust approaches to estimate the variability of these constructs such as their relationship.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Do malignant self-regard and depressive personality account for appearance evaluation? Preliminary results

Introduction

Despite the growing number of studies focusing on the relationship between appearance evaluation and personality dimension, few is known regarding the role of depressive personality and malignant self-regard regarding this topic. Moreover, there is a lack of studies investigating the potential role of both clarity of self-concept and interpersonal exclusion feelings in this relationship.

Objectives

To extend the knowledge regarding the relationships between malignant self-regard, depressive personality and appearance evaluation.

Methods

We administered to a very large sample of adults a battery of self-report questionnaires including the subscale Appearance evaluation of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, the Self Concept Clarity Scale, the Malignant self-regard questionnaire, the Depressive Personality Inventory and the Core Exclusion Schema Questionnaire.

Results

We found that depressive personality negatively predicted positive appearance evaluation whereas the inverse pattern of results was obtained in relation to malignant self-regard. Moreover, we found that both poor self-concept clarity and feelings of exclusion mediate the relationship between malignant self-regard and positive appearance evaluation.

Conclusions

Depressive personality and Malignant self-regard appear to be promising construct to investigate in the field of eating disorders.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Italian validation of the Guilt And Shame Proneness Scale: preliminary results

Introduction

Background: Recently, a new instrument, the Guilt And Shame Proneness Scale has been developed and showed promising psychometric properties. However, the Italian version of the Instrument has not still been validated. In addition, despite the growing number of studies on the topic, the knowledge regarding the role played by guilt, shame and rivalry in the relationship between pathological narcissism facets and suicidal ideation.

Objectives

To validate the Italian version of the Guilt And Shame Proneness Scale and to extend the knowledge regarding the relationships between guilt, shame, pathological narcissism and suicidality.

Methods

We administrated, to a sample of Italian adults, the Italian versions of the GASP, the Pathological Narcissism Inventory, the Beck Suicide Inventory and the Narcissism Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire.

Results

The structural equation model testing the factorial structure of the Italian version of the GASP obtained a good fit. In addition, invariance among gender as well as other invariance tests were tested successfully. Finally, regression and mediation analyses showed that the subscale Shame Social withdraw mediate the relationship between Narcissism grandiosity and suicidal ideation. In contrast, rivalry and social withdraw in response to shame were no more predictive of suicidal ideation controlling for pathological narcissism levels.

Conclusions

The Italian version of the GASP appears promising to deepen the investigation of the pathological personality topic.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Polyamory

Introduction

Few studies investigated the role of psychological variables underlying polylove.

Objectives

To extend the knowledge regarding the psychological profile of polylovers.

Methods

We administered to a sample of individuals reporting to be polylovers and a sample of participants reporting to not be polylovers a battery of self-report questionnaires including the Attitude Towards Polylove scale (ATP), the Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ), The Experiences in Close Relationships 12 items (ECR-12), the Couple Satisfaction Inventory (CSI), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Positive (DERS-P).

Results

We found that controlling for age and gender, polylovers, compared to not polylovers, scored higher on some dimensions of the DERS-P, on the ATP scores and on some dimensions of the MSQ. No others significant differences between groups emerged. Moreover, in the group of polylovers, ATP scores were positively related to sexual satisfaction, sexual self-esteem and sexual consciousness and negatively related to avoidant attachment style and difficulties in regulating positive emotions. Finally, we found that avoidant attachment style moderated the link between ATP scores and sexual self-esteem.

Conclusions

Emotion dysregulation and attachment appear to be central variables explaining the specificity of psychological profiles of polylovers.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Circulating levels of hydrogen sulphide negatively correlate to nitrite levels in gestational hypertensive and preeclamptic pregnant women

Endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of preeclampsia and the role of nitric oxide (NO) has been extensively studied in this pregnancy complication. In recent years, hydrogen sulphide (H₂ S) has arisen as a new gasotransmitter with an impact on endothelial function. However, the involvement of H₂ S in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia is not fully understood, and only a few studies with limited sample size have investigated circulating levels of H₂ S in preeclamptic patients. Moreover, H₂ S levels have not been previously evaluated in gestational hypertension. Furthermore, the relationship between H₂ S and NO in these hypertensive disorders of pregnancy has yet to be determined. We measured H₂ S levels in plasma of 120 healthy pregnant women, 88 gestational hypertensive and 62 preeclamptic women. We also measured plasma nitrite in a subset of patients and carried out correlation analysis between plasma H₂ S and nitrite in these three groups. We found that plasma H₂ S was elevated in preeclampsia and further increased in gestational hypertension compared to healthy pregnancy. Plasma nitrite was reduced in gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, and these levels were negatively correlated with H₂ S in both gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, but not in healthy pregnancy. Our results indicate that increases in H₂ S may represent a mechanism triggered as an attempt to compensate reduced NO in gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Future studies are warranted to investigate the mechanisms underlying H₂ S/NO interaction on mediating endothelial dysfunction in these hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Effective energy exploitation from horse manure combustion

We investigated the exploitation of horse manure for energy recovery by combustion. First, the impact of the waste origin and management (storage conditions) was evaluated in terms of elemental analysis, moisture content, heating value, and ash melting temperature. Besides some carbon loss over the time, horse manure origin and management policy do not impact its profitable exploitation by combustion. More relevant, the ignition tests disproved the current industrial opinion that combustion of manure alone is difficult, without the addition of auxiliary fuel, like wood shavings. It has been demonstrated through ignition tests that the major limitation in manure combustion is just the high moisture content (approx. 60% w.b.). The study focused on overcoming the detrimental effect of the large moisture content, and specifically its removal efficiency. The latter requires the understanding of manure permeability which is determined by the bedding material and the stable management. Here we provide indications of the impact of the manure composition and its sample size on the efficiency of moisture removal, whose energy impact must be minimized for an effective energy recovery. The energy balance confirms that the total removal of 62% w.b. moisture reduces by 23% the potential energy content of the manure; this drying penalty on energy is largely offset by the dramatic improvement in reactivity of the residual solid fuel.

A mathematical model for the evaluation of iron transport across the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in neurodegenerative diseases

Iron plays important roles in healthy brain but altered homeostasis and concentration have been correlated to aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Iron enters the central nervous system by crossing the brain barrier systems: the Blood- Brain Barrier separating blood and brain and the Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier (BCSFB) between blood and CSF, which is in contact with the brain by far less selective barriers. Herein, we develop a two-compartmental model for the BCSFB, based on first-order ordinary differential equations, performing numerical simulations and sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, as input parameters of the model, experimental data from patients affected by Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, mild cognitive impairment and matched neurological controls were used, with the aim of investigating the differences between physiological and pathological conditions in the regulation of iron passage between blood and CSF which can be possibly targeted by therapy.

Incorporation of Cró thermal water in a dermocosmetic formulation: cytotoxicity effects, characterization and stability studies and efficacy evaluation

OBJECTIVE

Development of cosmetic formulations to provide a controlled release of hydrophilic active compounds from mineral medicinal waters constitutes an attractive challenge. The objective of this study was the development and the characterization of a dermocosmetic gel formulation with Cró thermal water, from Beira Interior of Portugal, as a major functional ingredient.

METHODS

Concentrations of mineral chemical elements of Cró thermal water were previously determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry or mass spectrometry and cytotoxicity assays using thermal water were carried out on normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) cells. Then, the Cró thermal water was included (more than 90%) in a developed gel formulation that was characterized through rheological and texture analysis and submitted to stability assays during 30 days. The effects on the skin volunteers, namely skin pH, the degree of hydration, transepidermal water loss and skin relief, were evaluated through non-invasive biometric techniques. A gel formulation including purified water was used as a control.

RESULTS

Cró thermal water is rich on several chemical elements in particular sodium, silica, potassium and calcium besides some trace elements, with important functions for the skin. NHDF cells adhered and proliferated in the presence of thermal water confirming the biocompatibility of the major component of the gel formulation. The developed gel formulation based on thermal water resulted in an improvement of textural parameters, comparing with the purified water-based one. Significant improvements in the cutaneous biometric parameters (degree of hydration, transepidermal water loss and skin relief) of volunteers were also registered for the gel formulation containing thermal water.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated for the first time the potential benefits of Cró thermal water in a gel formulation to be used in cosmetic and dermatological applications.

Low-dose curcuminoid-loaded in dextran nanobubbles can prevent metastatic spreading in prostate cancer cells

Preventing recurrences and metastasis of prostate cancer after prostatectomy by administering adjuvant therapies is quite a controversial issue. In addition to effectiveness, absence of side effects and long term toxicity are mandatory. Curcuminoids (Curc) extracted with innovative techniques and effectively loaded by polymeric nanobubbles (Curc-NBs) satisfy such requirements. Curc-NBs showed stable over 30 d, were effectively internalized by tumor cells and were able to slowly release Curc in a sustained way. Significant biological effects were detected in PC-3 and DU-145 cell lines where Curc-NBs were able to inhibit adhesion and migration, to promote cell apoptosis and to affect cell viability and colony-forming capacity in a dose-dependent manner. Since the favourable effects are already detectable at very low doses, which can be reached at a clinical level, the actual drug concentration can be visualized and monitored by US or MRI, Curc-NBs can be proposed as an effective adjuvant theranostic tool.

Enabling technologies for the preparation of multifunctional “bullets” for nanomedicine

Recent advances in nanotechnology, including modern enabling techniques that can improve synthetic preparation and drug formulations, have opened up new frontiers in nanomedicine with the development of nanoscale carriers and assemblies. The use of delivery platforms has attracted attention over the past decade as researchers shift their focus away from the development of new drug candidates, and toward new means with which to deliver therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents. This work will explore a transdisciplinary approach for the production of a number of nanomaterials, nanocomplexes and nanobubbles and their application in a variety of potential biological and theranostic protocols. Particular attention will be paid to nanobubbles, stimuli responsive nanoparticles and cyclodextrin grafted nanosystems produced under non-conventional conditions, such as microwave and ultrasound irradiation. Besides nanoparticles preparation, ultrasound can also act as an enabling technology when activating sensitive nanobubbles and nanoparticles.

Association between Caffeine Consumption in Pregnancy and Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth in the birth Cohort of Ribeirão Preto

Objective To describe caffeine consumption during pregnancy and its association with low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth in the birth cohort of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil, in 2010.

Methods Cohort study, with descriptive and analytical approach. Data included 7,607 women and their newborns in Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The women answered standardized questionnaires about reproductive health, prenatal care, life habits, sociodemographic conditions, and information about coffee intake. The independent variable was high caffeine consumption (≥300 mg/day) from coffee during pregnancy, and the dependent variables were LBW (birth weight < 2,500 g) and preterm birth (< 37 weeks of gestational age). Four adjusted polytomous logistic regression models, relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were fitted: biological and sociodemographic conditions; obstetric history; current gestational conditions; and all variables included in the previous models.

Results A total of 4,908 (64.5%) mothers consumed caffeine, 143 (2.9%) of whom reported high consumption. High caffeine intake was significantly associated with reduced education and with the occupation of the head of the family, nonwhite skin color, not having a partner, higher parity, previous abortion and preterm birth, urinary tract infection, threatened abortion, alcohol consumption and smoking. No association was found between high caffeine consumption and LBW or preterm birth in both unadjusted (RR = 1.45; 95% CI: 0.91–2.32; and RR = 1.16; 95% CI: 0.77–1.75, respectively) and adjusted analyses (RR = 1.42; 95% CI: 0.85–2.38; and RR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.65–1.63, respectively).

Conclusion In this cohort, high caffeine intake was lower than in other studies and no association with LBW or preterm birth was found.

Cyclic nigerosyl-1,6-nigerose-based nanosponges: An innovative pH and time-controlled nanocarrier for improving cancer treatment

The design and structural optimisation of a novel polysaccharide-based nanomaterial for the controlled and sustained release of doxorubicin are here reported. A cross-linked polymer was obtained by reacting a tetraglucose, named cyclic nigerosyl-1-6-nigerose (CNN), with pyromellitic dianhydride. The cross-linking reaction formed solid nanoparticles, named nanosponges, able to swell as a function of the pH. Nanoparticle sizes were reduced using High Pressure Homogenization, to obtain uniform nanosuspensions. Doxorubicin was incorporated into the CNN-nanosponges in a good extent. DSC and solid state NMR analyses proved the drug interaction with the polymer matrix. In vitro studies demonstrated pH-dependent slow and prolonged release kinetics of the drug from the nanoformulation. Doxorubicin-loaded CNN-nanosponges were easily internalized in A2780 cell line. They might considered an intracellular doxorubicin reservoir, able to slowly release the drug over time. CNN-nanosponges may be promising biocompatible nanocarriers for the sustained delivery of doxorubicin with potential localised application in cancer treatments.

Placental Growth Measures in Relation to Birth Weight in a Latin American Population

Introduction The placenta, translates how the fetus experiences the maternal environment and is a principal influence on birth weight (BW). Objective To explore the relationship between placental growth measures (PGMs) and BW in a public maternity hospital. Methods Observational retrospective study of 870 singleton live born infants at Hospital Maternidad Sardá, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina, between January 2011 and August 2012 with complete data of PGMs. Details of history, clinical and obstetrical maternal data, labor and delivery and neonatal outcome data, including placental measures derived from the records, were evaluated. The following manual measurements of the placenta according to standard methods were performed: placental weight (PW, g), larger and smaller diameters (cm), eccentricity, width (cm), shape, area (cm(2)), BW/PW ratio (BPR) and PW/BW ratio (PBR), and efficiency. Associations between BW and PGMs were examined using multiple linear regression. Results Birth weight was correlated with placental weight (R(2) = 0.49, p < 0.001), whereas gestational age was moderately correlated with placental weight (R(2) = 0.64, p < 0.001). By gestational age, there was a positive trend for PW and BPR, but an inverse relationship with PBR (p < 0.001). Placental weight alone accounted for 49% of birth weight variability (p < 0,001), whereas all PGMs accounted for 52% (p < 0,001). Combined, PGMs, maternal characteristics (parity, pre-eclampsia, tobacco use), gestational age and gender explained 77.8% of BW variations (p < 0,001). Among preterm births, 59% of BW variances were accounted for by PGMs, compared with 44% at term. All placental measures except BPR were consistently higher in females than in males, which was also not significant. Indices of placental efficiency showed weakly clinical relevance. Conclusions Reliable measures of placental growth estimate 53.6% of BW variances and project this outcome to a greater degree in preterm births than at term. These findings would contribute to the understanding of the maternal-placental programming of chronic diseases.

Plasma levels of increased miR-195-5p correlates with the sFLT-1 levels in preeclampsia

Although the role of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT-1) in preeclampsia is well-established, the mechanism related to its synthesis remains poorly understood. We evaluated the association among the circulating microRNAs (miRs) and sFLT-1 levels in preeclampsia pregnant women. For this purpose, we measured the plasma sFLT-1 levels in 24 preeclampsia women and selected from these, three subjects with the lowest and three with the highest levels of sFLT-1 in order to screen for potential miRs associated with plasmatic sFLT-1 concentrations using a polymerase chain reaction-array (PCR-array) methodology. From screening results, we found three statistically different expressed miRs with fold change (FC-high/low levels) ≥3.0: miR-195-5p (FC = 5.2 increase in group with high sFLT-1 levels), miR-16-5p (FC = 3.2; increase in group with high sFLT-1 levels), and miR-375 (FC = -3.0; decrease in group with high sFLT-1 levels) which were later validated in all samples (n = 24). To correlate these miRs and plasma sFLT-1 levels, we used two extremes of analysis. In one part, we compared 12 preeclampsia women with the lowest sFLT-1 levels (L-50% group) to 12 with the highest levels (50% H group); and in the second analysis, 6 preeclampsia women (L-25%) from the L group to 6 preeclampsia women from the H group (H-25%). Our results showed increased expression of miR-195-5p in the H group, considering both the analyses with 50%, FC = 2.1 and 25%, FC = 4.2. Regarding other miRs, lack of correlation was found in both analyses (50% and 25%). In conclusion, our data demonstrate an association of higher levels of sFLT-1 with increased expression of miR-195-5p in preeclampsia pregnant women.

Desfechos perinatais e alterações na cavidade bucal: coortes brasileiras de Ribeirão Preto e São Luís

RESUMO: Estudos vêm mostrando uma possível associação das doenças bucais no período gestacional com o nascimento pré-termo (NPT) e o baixo peso ao nascer (BPN). Esses desfechos perinatais parecem se associar com defeitos de desenvolvimento do esmalte (DDE) na dentição decídua, que, por sua vez, parecem predispor ao desenvolvimento futuro de lesões de cárie nas crianças. Assim, é relevante a inclusão de variáveis de saúde bucal do binômio mãe/filho nos estudos de coorte para a compreensão de como esses fatores se associam. Os objetivos deste estudo são: 1) verificar se existe associação entre doenças da cavidade bucal da gestante e o NPT; 2) testar a hipótese de associação entre desfechos perinatais e defeitos de esmalte/cárie dentária nas crianças; 3) analisar se existem associações entre desfechos perinatais e distúrbios de erupção dentária nas crianças; 4) construir modelos teóricos para estudo das iniquidades sociais como fator comum entre os desfechos perinatais e condições bucais. Utilizou-se abordagem integrada e colaborativa entre duas cidades brasileiras com condições socioeconômicas contrastantes: São Luís, MA; e Ribeirão Preto, SP - estudo BRISA (Brazilian Birth Cohort Studies, Ribeirão Preto-São Luís ). Duas coortes foram avaliadas: uma iniciada ao nascimento, representativa da população de nascidos vivos; e outra iniciada no pré-natal. Os participantes foram reavaliados a partir do início do segundo ano de vida. Espera-se que estas coortes contribuam para fomentar o desenvolvimento e consolidação de pesquisas de seguimento, de base populacional, no Brasil.

Preparation and in vitro characterization of chitosan nanobubbles as theranostic agents

Theranostic delivery systems are nanostructures that combine the modality of therapy and diagnostic imaging. Polymeric micro- and nanobubbles, spherical vesicles containing a gas core, have been proposed as new theranostic carriers for MRI-guided therapy. In this study, chitosan nanobubbles were purposely tuned for the co-delivery of prednisolone phosphate and a Gd(III) complex, as therapeutic and MRI diagnostic agent, respectively. Perfluoropentane was used for filling up the internal core of the formulation. These theranostic nanobubbles showed diameters of about 500nm and a positive surface charge that allows the interaction with the negatively charged Gd-DOTP complex. Pluronic F68 was added to the nanobubble aqueous suspension as stabilizer agent. The encapsulation efficiency was good for both the active compounds, and a prolonged drug release profile was observed in vitro. The effect of ultrasound stimulation on prednisolone phosphate release was evaluated at 37°C. A marked increase on drug release kinetics with no burst effect was obtained after the exposure of the system to ultrasound. Furthermore, the relaxivity of the MRI probe changed upon incorporation in the nanobubble shell, thereby offering interesting opportunity in dual MRI-US experiments. The ultrasound characterization showed a good in vitro echogenicity of the theranostic nanobubbles. In summary, chitosan drug-loaded nanobubbles with Gd(III) complex bound to their shell might be considered a new platform for imaging and drug delivery with the potential of improving anti-cancer treatments.

Beta-blockers for hemangiomas

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common tumors in infancy. Their typical natural history is characterized by an early rapid growth in the first months of life and by a slow spontaneous involution in the first years of life. Even though spontaneous regression of IHs could suggest therapeutic abstention, systemic treatment is the therapy of choice in many patients in which these situations occur: 1) rapid growth of IHs; 2) location of IHs in aesthetically critic areas; 3) recurrent hemorrhages, ulcerations or infections of IHs; 3) IHs interfering with important physiological functions (breathing, feeding, vision, hearing, etc.); 4) large or multicentric IHs that can cause heart failure. Since 2008, systemic administration of propranolol, an old non‑selective β‑blocker, was found, serendipitously, to improve the treatment of IHs replacing older and more dangerous therapies like oral steroids, vincristine, interferon‑alpha or vascular lasers. At present, oral propranolol has dramatically changed the approach of IHs because its efficacy is almost 100% and its action is rapid, without important side effects. The formal approval by FDA and EMA has been obtained in Spring 2014.

Multiple cutaneous and hepatic infantile hemangiomas having a successful response to propranolol as monotherapy at neonatal period

Infantile hepatic hemangioma (IHH) is a common liver tumors of infancy with a higher incidence in females. Various treatments for infantile hepatic hemangioma such as systemic corticosteroids, interferon-alpha, vincristine and cyclophosphamide have been suggested, though no consensus exists about the first-choice treatment. Recent evidences suggest that propranolol, a nonselective β-blocker, may be effective and safe as first-line therapy for infantile hepatic hemangioma. We report a case of female born at term with a weight of 2.450 g started to develop multiple cutaneous IHs at 10 days of age and presenting concomitant multiple cutaneous and hepatic infantile hemangiomas confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging. Propranolol, used as monotherapy, was started at 14 days of age at a dose of 2 mg/kg/day orally and maintained for 6 months. Patient was monitored in the hospital during first days of treatment with propranolol, and discharged after no side-effects were detected. Hepatic and cutaneous lesions had complete resolution in three months, although the fibro-fatty residuum of largest cutaneous nodule was still palpable at month 6. A further control after 6 months showed no recurrences. Our report case suggests that propranolol can be a safe and effective first-line therapy for neonates with concomitant multiple cutaneous and hepatic infantile hemangiomas.

[A new location of angiokeratoma circumscriptum]

BACKGROUND

Angiokeratomas are papular telangiectasias having a common histology of ectasia of the superficial dermal vessels surmounted by a hyperkeratotic epidermis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The patient was a 9-year-old girl born of non-consanguineous parents after a well-followed pregnancy with problem-free delivery at term. From birth, she had a tumefaction of the left side of the nose and the left half of the upper lip that gradually increased in size without obstructing the nasal orifice and bled easily. Examination revealed the presence of tumefaction of the left nostril and the left half of the upper lip projecting towards the contralateral side especially in the nose. It was soft and painless, with the presence at the surface of dull red keratotic papules of 1 to 2 mm in diameter. Examination of the nasal mucosa revealed the same appearance of papules.

DISCUSSION

Angiokeratoma circumscriptum is a rare congenital malformation, the rarest of five types. Since its initial description in 1890, few cases have been reported. However, female predominance has been noted with a male/female sex ratio of 1/3. It appears to be due to a genetic mutation that is probably autosomal, but the site of which is still unknown. In view of the special features of this case, several diagnoses were suggested, including Rendu Osler's disease, superficial lymphangioma and verrucous angioma.

CONCLUSION

The particularity of this case is that it includes the first description of this site, which posed a therapeutic problem, especially concerning the choice of laser type to be used.

Electrospray technique for solid lipid-based particle production

BACKGROUND

Different preparation methods for the production of lipid micro- and nanoparticles as controlled release formulations have been widely developed. Novel techniques are attracting increasing attention for their preparation.

METHOD

The objective of the present investigation was to produce solid lipid-based micro-nanospheres using the electrohydrodynamic atomization (electrospraying) and to evaluate whether it is a suitable method to prepare drug-loaded particles.

RESULTS

Narrowly dispersed spherical particles lower than 1 mum, easily internalized in cells, were obtained using stearic acid and ethylcellulose in a 4.5:0.5 (w/w) ratio. Tamoxifen, as model drug, was encapsulated with good entrapment efficiency. The in vitro release, after an initial burst effect, showed a prolonged drug release.

CONCLUSION

The electrospraying method might be proposed to prepare in a single-step monodisperse lipid-based micro- and nanoparticles in powder form for drug delivery.

Capillary blood viscosity in microcirculation

As known, at the arteriolar level there is the highest resistance to the flow due to the section and to the velocity with an average pressure fall of 50 mmHg (from 85 to 35 mmHg). This resistance is expressed in sec(-1) by the ratio W/2r. This ratio is very high with an average value of 332 sec(-1) and viscosity at this high shear-rate is negligible. At the capillary level the pressure fall is 11.5 mmHg but the vascular resistance W/2r is much lower, on average 32 sec(-1). We can say that if a resistance of 333 sec(-1) corresponds with a pressure fall of 50 mmHg, then a resistance of 32 sec(-1) should correspond with a pressure fall of 4.8 mmHg. The highest pressure fall is due to another kind of resistance which we can define as "Capillary Blood Viscosity" because it depends on the rheological and structural characteristics of the blood. Our instrument reproduces the structure of the capillary district in an experimental model and measures the General Blood Viscosity (GBV) and the Capillary Blood Viscosity (CBV) at the same shear-rate and in particular at the low shear-rate when in non-Newtonian fluids the highest increase in viscosity appears. Consequently, at the capillary, viscosity is dominant with respect to the other geometric and physical resistances. Moreover, the percentage ratio between the GBV and the CBV gives a physical measure of erythrocyte deformability. Knowing viscosity at shear-rate present in the circulatory system, we can obtain the size of RBCs aggregates in the different circulatory districts and their characteristics expressed like "aggregation bond". Changes in CBV are the only possibility in clinical practice to improve the circulatory flow in the capillary district because it is not sure that changes in the arteriolar section can improve the capillary flow or rather open arterio-venous anastomosis. Moreover, in the systemic circulation the aggregate size allows us to point out the phenomenon of cell adhesion because the presence of several receptors involves also the other blood cells. Finally the size and the stability of the RBCs aggregates can modify the endothelial thrombo-resistance.

Cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs incorporated in solid lipid nanoparticles on HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) carrying cholesteryl butyrate (chol-but), doxorubicin and paclitaxel had previously been developed, and the antiproliferative effect of SLN formulations versus conventional drug formulations was here evaluated on HT-29 cells. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50) values were interpolated from growth curves obtained by trypan blue exclusion assay. In vitro cytotoxicity of SLN carrying chol-but (IC(50 72 h) 0.3 +/- 0.03 mM vs >0.6 mM) and doxorubicin (IC(50 72 h) 81.87 +/- 4.11 vs 126.57 +/- 0.72 nM) was higher than that of conventional drug formulations. Intracellular doxorubicin was double after 24 h exposure to loaded SLN versus the conventional drug formulation, at the highest concentration evaluated by flow cytometry. In vitro cytotoxicities of paclitaxel-loaded SLN and conventional drug formulation (IC(50 72 h) 37.36 +/- 6.41 vs 33.43 +/-1.17 nM) were similar. Moreover, the combination of low concentrations of chol-but SLN (0.1-0.2 mM) and doxorubicin (1.72 nM) or paclitaxel (1.17 nM) exerted a greater-than-additive antiproliferative effect at 24 h exposure, while the combination of Na-but and doxorubicin or paclitaxel did not. These preliminary in vitro results suggest that SLN could be proposed as alternative drug delivery system.

Solid lipid micro-particles carrying insulin formed by solvent-in-water emulsion–diffusion technique

The study aimed to produce solid lipid insulin-loaded micro-particles by the solvent-in-water emulsion-diffusion technique, using isobutyric acid as solvent phase, glyceryl monostearate or cetyl palmitate as lipid, soya lecithin and taurodeoxycholate as emulsifiers. Isobutyric acid, a partially water-miscible solvent with low toxicity, was used due to its high insulin-solubilization capacity. Solid lipid micro-particles of spherical shape were prepared by simple dilution of the emulsion with water. To increase the lipid load the process was conducted at 50 degrees C, and in order to reach sub-micron size, a high-shear homogeniser was used. Insulin encapsulation efficiency was about 80%. Analysis of microsphere content after processing showed that insulin did not undergo any chemical modification within the micro-particles. The in vitro release of insulin from the micro-particles was very low, and an initial burst effect of 20% of the dose was observed. After treatment of the solid lipid micro-particles with pepsin solution, an insulin loss of about 24% of the total englobed insulin was observed. The solid lipid micro-particles appear to have interesting possibilities as delivery systems for oral administration of insulin.

Temperature monitoring using ultrasound contrast agents: in vitro investigation on thermal stability

Invasiveness of temperature monitoring devices is presently one of the most serious limitations to the application of oncological hyperthermia (HT). A promising approach aims at detecting temperature variations by monitoring the mean grey level (MGL) of the ultrasonographic image of the tissue. Gaseous ultrasound contrast agents (UCA), enhancing Ultrasonic (US) imaging, are expected to be sensitive to temperature, and are therefore a good candidate as temperature monitoring medium. The present study evaluates the 'in vitro' temporal and thermal stability and the correlation between temperature and MGL using a gaseous UCA (SonoVue) as phantom. No statistical differences were detected between the MGL value of the phantom kept at 43.5 degrees C before (215.2+/-3.5) and after 1 h (214.8+/-2.5), showing good stability at HT temperatures. Data of MGL image vs. temperature were obtained during both heating and cooling experiments in the HT range (30-43 degrees C). A good linearity of MGL vs. temperature (R2=0.976) was found with a good accuracy (2.5%) and a sensitivity of about 6.6 MGL/degrees C.