Gellan hydrogel as a powerful tool in paper cleaning process: a detailed study

Hypothesis: Wet cleaning of ancient papers is one of the most critical steps during a conservation treatment. It is used to improve the optical qualities of a graphic work and remove dust and by-products resulting from cellulose degradation. Nevertheless, washing treatment usually involves a substantial impact on the original morphological structure of paper and can sometimes be dangerous for water sensitive inks and pigments. Experiments: The use of rigid hydrogel of Gellan gum as an alternative paper cleaning treatment is developed. The application of a rigid hydrogel minimizes damages caused by the use of water, and therefore is much more respectful for the original integrity of ancient paper. Findings: Gellan hydrogel has been used to clean paper samples belonging to different centuries (from XVI to XIX) and therefore, characterized by a different story in terms of degradation condition and paper composition. Several techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and pH measurements, has been employed to assess the effectiveness and safety of the proposed cleaning method

Spin-coated La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δ Electrolyte on Infiltrated Anodes for Direct Methane Fuel Cells

Dense micrometric La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δ (LSGM) films were deposited by spin-coating on porous LSGM scaffolds characterized by homogeneous pore structure. Porous anodes were infiltrated with aqueous nickel and nickel/copper nitrate solutions, dried and fired at 700°C. Homogeneous metal coating with proper interconnection was observed by SEM, chemical stability was confirmed by XRD, and electrical characterization of anodic substrates was performed. Catalytic activity of different anodes was evaluated ex-situ in a quartz micro-reactor fed with CH4:CO2 mixtureat range 650 and 700°C. To investigate the redox properties of the metallic phases, the anodic substrates were subjected to redox ageing cycles and characterized by H2-TPR

Hemocompatibility of stent materials: alterations in electrical parameters of erythrocyte membranes

A Basoli1, C Cametti2, F Ginnari Satriani2, P Mariani3, P Severino31Department of Surgery, "P Stefanini," University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy; 2Department of Physics, University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome Italy; 3Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome, ItalyBackground: It is presently unknown if stents used in the correction of artery stenosis are fully hemocompatible or if their implantation causes alterations at the level of the plasma membrane in red blood cells.Methods: We addressed this important issue by measuring the passive electrical properties of the erythrocyte membrane before and after stent insertion by means of dielectric relaxation spectroscopy in the radiowave frequency range in a series of patients who were undergoing standard surgical treatment of arterial disease.Results: Our findings provide evidence that full hemocompatibility of stents has not yet been reached, and that there are some measurable alterations in the passive electrical behavior of the red blood cell membrane induced by the presence of the stent.Conclusion: It is possible that these changes do not have any physiological significance and simply reflect the intrinsic variability of biological samples. However, caution is urged, and the technique we describe here should be considered when investigating the hemocompatibility of a medical device at a cell membrane level.Keywords: hemocompatibility, stent, arterial disease, cell membran

Electrospun Polycaprolactone-Curcumin Scaffolds: Optimization of fiber production for enhanced Nanotopography and improved biological cell adhesion

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound with well-documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, has gained attention for its potential in tissue regeneration and other biomedical applications. Despite this, the integration of curcumin into polymeric scaffolds remains challenging due to its hydrophobic nature and stability concerns. This study aims to overcome these limitations by developing and characterizing curcumin-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds through electrospinning, a technique selected based on a comprehensive review of recent advances in the field. In this work, PCL scaffolds were fabricated with curcumin concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 mg and analyzed using advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, mechanical testing, and biological assays. Microscopy revealed that increasing curcumin concentrations improved fiber diameter uniformity and distribution. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the homogeneous incorporation of curcumin within the scaffolds, showing that up to 10 mg, the electrospinning process induces a transition of curcumin from its di-keto to its more reactive keto-enol form. This transformation facilitates hydrogen bonding with the PCL matrix, enhancing the scaffolds’ mechanical properties. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated high cell viability across all scaffolds after 24 and 72 h. Furthermore, adhesion studies with fibroblast BJ-1 cells indicated significantly improved cell adhesion on curcumin-loaded scaffolds compared to pure PCL. These findings highlight the biocompatibility and bioactivity of curcumin-loaded PCL scaffolds. This study examines the possible use of curcumin's controlled integration into PCL scaffolds for tissue regeneration applications. The innovative approach detailed here offers a scalable and effective pathway for the development of biomaterials that combine mechanical strength, bioactivity, and biocompatibility, addressing a critical need in tissue engineering

Mechanical Stimulation of Fibroblasts by Extracorporeal Shock Waves: Modulation of Cell Activation and Proliferation Through a Transient Proinflammatory Milieu

Extracorporeal shock waves (ESWTs) are \u201cmechanical\u201d waves, widely used in regenerative medicine, including soft tissue wound repair. Although already being used in the clinical practice, the mechanism of action underlying their biological activities is still not fully understood. In the present paper we tried to elucidate whether a proinflammatory effect may contribute to the regenerative potential of shock waves treatment. For this purpose, we exposed human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF1 cells) to an ESWT treatment (100 pulses using energy flux densities of 0.19 mJ/mm2 at 3 Hz), followed by cell analyses after 5 min, up to 48 h. We then evaluated cell proliferation, reactive oxygen species generation, ATP release, and cytokine production. Cells cultured in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), to induce inflammation, were used as a positive control, indicating that LPS-mediated induction of a proinflammatory pattern in HFF1 increased their proliferation. Here, we provide evidence that ESWTs affected fibroblast proliferation through the overexpression of selected cytokines involved in the establishment of a proinflammatory program, superimposable to what was observed in LPS-treated cells. The possibility that inflammatory circuits can be modulated by ESWT mechanotransduction may disclose novel hypothesis on their biological underpinning and expand the fields of their biomedical application

The Prognostic Value of Serum Biomarkers for Survival of Children with Osteosarcoma of the Extremities

Background: Osteosarcoma is a highly aggressive malignant bone tumor that affects mainly adolescents and young adults. We analyzed serum biomarkers for their prognostic significance in children with osteosarcoma. Methods: In this retrospective study, we investigated the prognostic factors in 210 children who were treated for appendicular osteosarcoma, including patient age and sex, tumor site and size (& GE;8 cm or <8 cm), presence of metastasis, chemotherapy-induced tumor necrosis, serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (AP), C-reactive protein, serum hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), leukocyte counts, platelet count, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio. Results: A multivariate Cox regression model showed that high level of AP [HR of 1.73; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.94], poor chemotherapy-induced tumor necrosis [HR of 2.40; 95% CI, 1.41 to 4.08] and presence of metastases at presentation [HR of 3.71; 95% CI, 2.19 to 6.29] were associated with poor prognosis at 5 years (p < 0.05). Inadequate surgical margins [HR 11.28; 95% CI, 1.37 to 92.79] and high levels of ESR [HR 3.58; 95% CI, 1.29 to 9.98] showed a greater risk of local recurrence at 5 years follow-up (p < 0.05). Conclusions: AP and ESR can identify osteosarcoma-diagnosed children with a greater risk of death and local recurrence, respectively

Meta-analysis of thyroidectomy with ultrasonic dissector versus conventional clamp and tie

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the role of Ultrasonic dissector (UAS) versus conventional clamp and tie in thyroidectomy.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>We searched for all published RCT in into electronic databases. To be included in the analysis, the studies had to compare thyroidectomy with UAS versus conventional vessel ligation and tight (conventional technique = CT). The following outcomes were used to compare the total thyroidectomy group with UAS versus CT group: operative duration, operative blood loss, overall drainage volume during the first 24 hours, transiet laryngeal nerve palsy, permanent laryngeal nerve palsy, transiet hypocalcaemia and permanent hypocalcaemia.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There are currently 7 RCT on this issue to compare thyroidectomy with UAS versus CT. From the analysis of these studies it was possible to confront 608 cases: 303 undergoing to thyroidectomy with UAS versus 305 that were treated with CT. Actually, it was shown a relevant advantage of cost-effectiveness in patients treated with UAS; there is a statistically significant reduction of the operative duration (weighted mean difference [WMD], -18.74 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], (-26.97 to -10.52 minutes) (P = 0.00001), intraoperative blood loss (WMD, -60.10 mL; 95% CI, -117.04 to 3.16 mL) (P = 0.04) and overall drainage volume (WMD, -35.30 mL; 95% CI, -49.24 to 21.36 mL) (P = 0.00001) in the patients underwent thyroidectomy with UAS. Although the analysis showed that the patients who were treated with USA presented more favourable results in incidence of post-operative complications (transient laryngeal nerve palsy: P = 0.11; permanent laryngeal nerve palsy: not estimable; transient hypocalcaemia: P = 0.24; permanent hypocalcaemia: P = 0.45), these data didn't present statistical relevance.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This meta-analysis shown a relevant advantage only in terms of cost-effectiveness in patients treated with UAS; it is subsequent to statistically significant reduction of operation duration, intraoperative blood loss and of overall drainage volume during the first 24 hours. Although the analysis showed that the patients who were treated with UAS presented more favourable results in incidence of post-operative complications (transiet laryngeal nerve palsy; transiet hypocalcaemia and permanent hypocalcaemia), these data didn't present statistical relevance.</p

Definitions, pathophysiology, and epidemiology of acute cholangitis and cholecystitis: Tokyo Guidelines

This article discusses the definitions, pathophysiology, and epidemiology of acute cholangitis and cholecystitis. Acute cholangitis and cholecystitis mostly originate from stones in the bile ducts and gallbladder. Acute cholecystitis also has other causes, such as ischemia; chemicals that enter biliary secretions; motility disorders associated with drugs; infections with microorganisms, protozoa, and parasites; collagen disease; and allergic reactions. Acute acalculous cholecystitis is associated with a recent operation, trauma, burns, multisystem organ failure, and parenteral nutrition. Factors associated with the onset of cholelithiasis include obesity, age, and drugs such as oral contraceptives. The reported mortality of less than 10% for acute cholecystitis gives an impression that it is not a fatal disease, except for the elderly and/or patients with acalculous disease. However, there are reports of high mortality for cholangitis, although the mortality differs greatly depending on the year of the report and the severity of the disease. Even reports published in and after the 1980s indicate high mortality, ranging from 10% to 30% in the patients, with multiorgan failure as a major cause of death. Because many of the reports on acute cholecystitis and cholangitis use different standards, comparisons are difficult. Variations in treatment and risk factors influencing the mortality rates indicate the necessity for standardized diagnostic, treatment, and severity assessment criteria

2013 WSES guidelines for management of intra-abdominal infections

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