A novel technology for disinfecting surfaces infested with Candida auris: the UVC chip

Background The fungal pathogen Candida Auris is increasingly associated with multidrug-resistant infections that are highly expensive for the Health Care System. The spreading of this pathogen can occur, among others, through contact with infected surfaces or medical instruments. This study evaluated the efficacy of a novel UVC chip, novel alternative to UVC LEDs and lamps, in inactivating Candida auris strain. Methods This experimental study was carried out between July and September 2020 at the University of Siena. Candida auris (ATCC 12372) at two known concentrations (1.5X107 and 1.5x106 CFU/ml) at a fixed distance (7,5 cm) from the chip (5.1mW radiant power) was tested, in triplicates, with three exposure times (5, 10 and 15 minutes). Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates without the plate lid and containing Candida auris were exposed to UVC light. Subsequently, the plates were incubated at 36 °C for 48 h. Log reduction between treated and positive control (not exposed to UVC light) samples was calculated. Results At 15 minutes, we had the highest inactivation result, mean 4.43 log10, starting from a 1.5x106 CFU/mL concentration. At a higher concentration, 1.5X107 CFU/mL, the reduction had a mean of 3.51 log10. Conclusions The results of the experiments showed a significant microbial reduction in relation to the exposure time. The highest level of reduction was reached after 15 minutes of exposure. UVC chip had a relevant biocidal effect on Candida auris and may represent a valuable tool in the prevention of infections caused by this pathogen, which is becoming increasingly prevalent and persistent globally. Key messages • The use of UVC Chip decreases surface contamination. • New technology against healthcare-associated infections

Microfluidic interactions between red blood cells and drug carriers by image analysis techniques

This paper was presented at the 4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2014), which was held at University College, London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute, ASME Press, LCN London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL University College London, UCL Engineering, the International NanoScience Community, www.nanopaprika.eu.Blood is a complex biological fluid composed of deformable cells and platelets suspended in plasma, a protein-rich liquid. The peculiar nature of blood needs to be considered when designing a drug delivery strategy based on systemically administered carriers. Here, we report on an in vitro fluid dynamic investigation of the influence of the microcapillary flow of red blood cells (RBCs) on micron sized carriers by high speed imaging methods. The experiments were carried out in a 50μm diameter glass capillary that mimicked the hydrodynamic conditions of human microcirculation. Spherical μ particles (μ-Ps), with sizes ranging between 0.5 and 3μm, were tested. Images of the flowing RBCs and μ-Ps were acquired by a highspeed/ high-magnification microscopy. The transport and distribution of rigid particles in a suspension of RBCs under shear flow were followed for: i) the migration of RBCs towards the vessel centerline due to their deformability; ii) the cross-flow migration of μ-Ps towards the vessel wall due to their hydrodynamic interactions with RBCs; iii) the radial distribution of μ-Ps in the presence of RBCs. This study suggests that the therapeutic efficacy of μ-Ps could be ultimately affected by their interactions with the flowing RBCs in the vasculature

An Updated Algorithm Integrated With Patient Data for the Differentiation of Atypical Nevi From Early Melanomas: the idScore 2021

Introduction: It is well known that multiple patient-related risk factors contribute to the development of cutaneous melanoma, including demographic, phenotypic and anamnestic factors. Objectives: We aimed to investigate which MM risk factors were relevant to be incorporated in a risk scoring-classifier based clinico-dermoscopic algorithm. Methods: This retrospective study was performed on a monocentric dataset of 374 atypical melanocytic skin lesions sharing equivocal dermoscopic features, excised in the suspicion of malignancy. Dermoscopic standardized images of 258 atypical nevi (aN) and 116 early melanomas (eMM) were collected along with objective lesional data (i.e., maximum diameter, specific body site and body area) and 7 dermoscopic data. All cases were combined with a series of 10 MM risk factors, including demographic (2), phenotypic (5) and anamnestic (3) ones. Results: The proposed iDScore 2021 algorithm is composed by 9 variables (age, skin phototype I/II, personal/familiar history of MM, maximum diameter, location on the lower extremities (thighs/legs/ ankles/back of the feet) and 4 dermoscopic features (irregular dots and globules, irregular streaks, blue gray peppering, blue white veil). The algorithm assigned to each lesion a score from 0 to 18, reached an area under the ROC curve of 92% and, with a score threshold ≥ 6, a sensitivity (SE) of 98.2% and a specificity (SP) of 50.4%, surpassing the experts in SE (+13%) and SP (+9%).Conclusions: An integrated checklist combining multiple anamnestic data with selected relevant dermoscopic features can be useful in the differential diagnosis and management of eMM and aN exhibiting with equivocal features

Antenatal syphilis serology in pregnant women and follow-up of their infants in northern Italy

ABSTRACTPositive syphilis serology was noted in 119 (0.49%) of the 24 053 pregnant women delivering at St Orsola Hospital in Bologna, Italy, from November 2000 through July 2007. Six presumptive cases of congenital syphilis with IgM western blot positive results were found. Two infants had a positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test result (one also had a positive CSF PCR result), another presented long-bone lesions, and the remaining three were preterm. These observations confirmed that antenatal syphilis screening facilitates treatment during pregnancy and offsets vertical transmission; moreover, the use of IgM western blot and careful CSF examination allowed the identification and treatment of high-risk newborns

Does the longevity of one or both parents influence the health status of their offspring?

According to the findings of some recent studies, the centenarians' offspring appear to represent a promising model for research on longevity and healthy aging. This study compares the health status and the functional status of three groups of subjects: 1. individuals with two long-lived parents (one of whom centenarian), 2. individuals with only one long-lived (centenarian) parent, and 3. individuals with no long-lived parents. The goal is to verify whether the centenarians' offspring display any advantage over the offspring of both non-long-lived parents and to evaluate whether the longevity of the non-centenarian parent provides a further advantage. A total of 374 subjects (mean age approximately 70 years) was examined. A threshold for longevity was established for non-centenarian parents through demographic data available for Italy (males surviving to at least 81 years of age and females to 87 years). The participants were assessed for their health and functional status by means of a standardized questionnaire and tests of physical performance. Data were analyzed using multivariate regression models adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors for age-related pathologies. The results of the study show that centenarians' offspring have a better functional status, a reduced risk for several age-related pathologies and reduced drug consumption than the offspring of non-long-lived parents. In addition, the health status of centenarians' offspring does not appear to be influenced by the longevity of the second parent. It therefore seems possible to conclude that at ages around 70 years the genetic contribution to health status deriving from having one centenarian parent is not substantially improved if the other parent is also long-lived

The Impact of Sex and Arterial Stiffness Interactions on the Outcome after an Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background/Objectives: Arterial stiffness (AS) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and is associated with a poor prognosis. While AS may represent a novel therapeutic target, recent evidence shows that it is sexually dimorphic. The aim of this study was to evaluate relative sex differences in arterial stiffness and their possible impact on the outcome of acute ischemic stroke. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of adult patients with the following inclusion criteria: acute ischemic stroke, which occurred within 24 h from the onset of symptoms, confirmed through neuroimaging examinations, additional evaluations including extracranial and transcranial arterial ultrasound examinations, transthoracic echocardiography, a 12-lead resting ECG, and continuous 24 h in-hospital blood pressure monitoring. Based on the 24 h blood pressure monitoring, the following parameters were evaluated: systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure, pulse pressure, and arterial stiffness index (ASI). The modified Rankin scale (mRS) was assessed at 90 days to evaluate the 3-month clinical outcome, defining an unfavorable outcome as an mRS score ≥ 3. To assess the factors associated with unfavorable outcomes, a stepwise logistic regression model was performed on the total sample size, and the analyses were replicated after stratifying by sex. Results: A total of 334 patients (176 males, 158 females) were included in the analysis. There was a significant sex-dependent impact of ASI on the 90-day unfavorable Rankin score (mRS score ≥ 3) as only men had a reduced likelihood of favorable outcomes with increasing arterial stiffness (OR:1.54, 95% CI: 1.06–2.23; P-interaction = 0.023). Conclusions: The influence of ASI on the 3-month functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke is at least in part sex-related, suggesting that, in males, higher ASI values are associated with a worse outcome

Experimental Study of the Effects of Three Types of Meat on Endothelial Function in a Group of Healthy Volunteers

Background: There is a relationship between atherosclerotic risk factors and increased vascular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidized LDL and ROS may directly cause endothelial dysfunction by reducing endothelial nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. The semi-essential amino acid L-arginine is the only substrate for NO synthesis in vascular endothelial cells. Therefore, this amino acid improves endothelial function and plays a role in the prevention and/or treatment of multiple cardiovascular diseases: atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes and so on. To determine the effects of three different protein matrices (250 g Fillet of Beef, FB; Chicken Raised on the Ground, CRG; Free-Range Chicken, FRC) with a known content of arginine on the cardiovascular workload, vascular compliance and urinary excretion of some parameters of endothelial function as TGF–Beta, NO (nitrate e nitrite) in a group of healthy volunteers. Materials and methods: We enrolled 10 men to study the behavior of Systolic, Diastolic, Mean, and Pulse Blood Pressure, of Vascular Resistances, of Macro and Micro Vascular Elasticity, of urinary excretion of TGF-β and Nitric Oxide as ratio of creatinine before and after two hours of each meal. The cardiovascular parameters are determined by HDI/Pulse Wave CR 2000 (Hypertension Diagnostic Inc, Eagan, MN); TGF-β is analysed by Elisa method (R&D Systems) and NO by colorimetric method (Cayman). Results and Conclusion: The protein meal packed with CRG causes a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure mean pressure and vascular resistance in urinary excretion of TGF. FB resulted in a significant decrease in vascular resistance and urinary excretion of NO, while significantly increasing the Pulse Pressure, heart rate and urinary excretion of TGF-β. FRC resulted in a significant reduction of macrovascular elasticity; increase the urinary excretion of TGF and Pulse Pressure. We can conclude that CRG meat looks better both in terms of metabolic and cardiovascular load especially at endothelial level

Centenarians' offspring as a model of healthy aging: a reappraisal of the data on Italian subjects and a comprehensive overview

Within the scenario of an increasing life expectancy worldwide it is mandatory to identify determinants of healthy aging. Centenarian offspring (CO) is one of the most informative model to identify trajectories of healthy aging and their determinants (genetic and environmental), being representative of elderly in their 70th whose lifestyle can be still modified to attain a better health. This study is the first comprehensive investigation of the health status of 267 CO (mean age: 70.2 years) and adopts the innovative approach of comparing CO with 107 age-matched offspring of non-long-lived parents (hereafter indicated as NCO controls), recruited according to strict inclusion demographic criteria of Italian population. We adopted a multidimensional approach which integrates functional and cognitive assessment together with epidemiological and clinical data, including pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines, lipid profile, and insulin resistance. CO have a lower prevalence of stroke, cerebral thrombosis-hemorrhage, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and other minor diseases, lower BMI and waist circumference, a better functional and cognitive status and lower plasma level of FT4 compared to NCO controls. We conclude that a multidimensional approach is a reliable strategy to identify the health status of elderly at an age when interventions to modify their health trajectory are feasible

Atypical presentation of acute idiopathic megacolon in a 14-year-old patient

In clinical practice the term "megacolon" is used to indicate a marked dilatation of the cecum and the sigmoid colon (>12 and 6.5 cm, respectively) (1). From a clinical standpoint, a megacolon can be classified as chronic or acute depending on its clinical presentation. Chronic megacolon typically refers to a congenital disorder in which the enteric nervous system (ENS) supplying the colon does not develop properly, thereby leaving the distal segments of the viscus without myenteric and submucosal ganglia (i.e. Hirschsprung's disease) (2). Other cases of non-aganglionic chronic megacolon can be secondary to variety of conditions such as Chagas' disease and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases), leading to or associated with ENS abnormalities (3). The acute form of megacolon, also referred to as Ogilvie's syndrome, is characterized by a predominant involvement of the cecum and right colon usually affecting elderly patients undergoing surgery (e.g. orthopedic procedures) or taking medications altering gut motility (e.g. opioids or antidepressants) (4). Some forms of acute megacolon, however, can be idiopathic in origin since no underlying etiology can be identified. Patients with acute idiopathic megacolon usually have a longstanding history of constipation, often accompanied by laxative abuse, and their clinical presentation is characterized by abdominal distension and severe pain with radiological evidence of stool impacted in the colon and rectum (1, 4). The case herein reported represents an unusual form of acute idiopathic megacolon characterized by massive descending and sigmoid colon distension complicated with a volvulus in a 14-year-old boy with no Hirschsprung's disease. In addition, just to increase the peculiarity of this case report, the patient had an unremarkable clinical record, and never suffered from chronic constipation in the past