Prove sperimentali di elettrodi innovativi per l'elettroporazione di tessuti

Tesi in cui si è testato un primo prototipo di elettrodo a maglia per l'applicazione di trattamenti di ECT in aree estese. Le prove sono state effettuate su tessuto di patata applicando impulsi di tensione variabili. Si è osservato l'effetto dell'elettroporazione dopo 24 e 30 ore dal trattamento tramite la colorazione assunta dal tubero e tramite microscopio ottico. Alcune prove sono state condotte col simulatore numerico a elementi finiti e si sono testati gli elettrodi su cellule in vitroopenEmbargo per motivi editorial

A cohort study on acute ocular motility disorders in pediatric emergency department

Background: Acute ocular motility disorders (OMDs) in children admitted to Emergency Department (ED) represents a not so rare condition with a wide spectrum of different etiologies. The emergency physician must be skilled in rapidly identifying patients with potentially life threatening (LT) forms, requiring further diagnostic procedures. The aim of the study was to assess characteristics of children with acute Ocular Motility Disorders (OMDs), and to identify "red flags" for recognition of underlying life-threatening (LT) conditions. Methods: A retrospective cohort study evaluated children (2 months-17 years) admitted to a tertiary Emergency Department in 2009-2014. A subgroup analysis was performed comparing children with and without LT conditions. Results: Of 192 visits for OMDs, the isolated strabismus occurred most frequently (55.6%), followed by pupil disorders (31.8%), ptosis (5.2%) and combined OMDs (11.5%). The majority of acute OMDs involved no underlying LT conditions (n = 136) and most of them were infants or toddlers (50%). In a multivariable analysis, LT conditions included especially children over 6 years of age, increasing the odds ratio by 2% for each months of age (p = 0.009). LT etiologies were 16 times more likely in combined OMDs (p = 0.018), were over 13 times more likely to report associated extra-ocular signs/symptoms (p = 0.017) and over 50 times more likely to report co-morbidity (p = 0.017). Conclusion: OMDs are not an uncommon presentation at ED. Although most of them involve non-LT conditions, the ED physician should consider potential "red flags" for appropriate management of children such as age > 6 years, combined OMDs, extra-ocular symptoms and co-morbidity

Gallbladder adenomyomatosis: imaging findings, tricks and pitfalls

Gallbladder adenomyomatosis (GA) is a benign alteration of the gallbladder wall that can be found in up to 9% of patients. GA is characterized by a gallbladder wall thickening containing small bile-filled cystic spaces (i.e., the Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses, RAS). The bile contained in RAS may undergo a progressive concentration process leading to crystal precipitation and calcification development. A correct characterization of GA is fundamental in order to avoid unnecessary cholecystectomies. Ultrasound (US) is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing GA; the use of high-frequency probes and a precise focal depth adjustment enable correct identification and characterization of GA in the majority of cases. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can be performed if RAS cannot be clearly identified at baseline US: RAS appear avascular at CEUS, independently from their content. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be reserved for cases that are unclear on US and CEUS. At MRI, RAS can be identified with extremely high sensitivity, but their signal intensity varies widely according to their content. Positron emission tomography (PET) may be helpful for excluding malignancy in selected cases. Computed tomography (CT) and cholangiography are not routinely indicated in the suspicion of GA

Not only a small liver - The pathologist's perspective in the pediatric liver transplant setting

open8Pediatric liver transplantation represents a safe and long-lasting treatment option for various disease types, requiring the pathologist's input. Indeed, an accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial in reporting and grading native liver diseases, evaluating donor liver eligibility and identifying signs of organ injury in the post-transplant follow-up. However, as the procedure is more frequently and widely performed, deceptive and unexplored histopathologic features have emerged with relevant consequences on patient management, particularly when dealing with long-term treatment and weaning of immunosuppression. : In this complex and challenging scenario, this review aims to depict the most relevant histopathologic conditions which could be encountered in pediatric liver transplantation. We will tackle the conditions representing the main indications for transplantation in childhood as well as the complications burdening the post-transplant phases, either immunologically (i.e., rejection) or non-immunologically mediated. Lastly, we hope to provide concise, yet significant, suggestions related to innovative pathology techniques in pediatric liver transplantation.openGambella, Alessandro; Mastracci, Luca; Caporalini, Chiara; Francalanci, Paola; Mescoli, Claudia; Ferro, Jacopo; Alaggio, Rita; Grillo, FedericaGambella, Alessandro; Mastracci, Luca; Caporalini, Chiara; Francalanci, Paola; Mescoli, Claudia; Ferro, Jacopo; Alaggio, Rita; Grillo, Federic

Milk-derived bioactive peptides exhibit antioxidant activity through the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway

Abstract Bioactive peptides are relevant nutritional factors that exhibit many functions including antioxidant, antihypertensive, anticancer and antimicrobial properties. In this paper, four synthetic peptides ARHPHPHLSFM (A-11-M), AVPYPQR (A-7-R), NPYVPR (N-6-R) and KVLPVPEK (K-8-K) with sequences present in milk proteins were examined for their antioxidant properties. The compounds show moderate free radical scavenging activity in the ABTS and crocin assays (A-7-R and N-6-R) and lipid peroxidation inhibition in Caco-2 cells (N-6-R and K-8-K). All peptides, in particular K-8-K, activate the Keap1-Nrf2 system by allowing the translocation of the transcription factor Nrf2 from the cytosol to nucleus. This activation triggers the overexpression of the antioxidant enzymes Trx1, TrxR1, GR, NQO1 and SOD1. Furthermore, molecular modeling shows that K-8-K is able to hinder the interaction of Nrf2 with Keap1. The reported results show that the antioxidant action in cells of these bioactive peptides is mostly due to the activation of Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway

Eficiencia energética en el sector de agua y saneamiento: estimaciones utilizando una función de requerimientos de insumo

We analyze by means of frontier methods (input requirement function) the relative energy efficiency of urban water and sanitation providers in Brazil. We estimate energy savings through measures the sector could implement on variables which control. We find a 63 percent efficiency average, with respect to best practices in the sample (the frontier). We estimate that a 10 percent reduction in unaccounted-for water can reduce 4.2 percent the electricity consumption for the whole sample; also, a reduction in 10 percent of the breach of coverage between sanitation and water can achieve reductions of 1.45 percent in the input under study

Eficiencia energética en el sector de agua y saneamiento: estimaciones utilizando una función de requerimientos de insumo

We analyze by means of frontier methods (input requirement function) the relative energy efficiency of urban water and sanitation providers in Brazil. We estimate energy savings through measures the sector could implement on variables which control. We find a 63 percent efficiency average, with respect to best practices in the sample (the frontier). We estimate that a 10 percent reduction in unaccounted-for water can reduce 4.2 percent the electricity consumption for the whole sample; also, a reduction in 10 percent of the breach of coverage between sanitation and water can achieve reductions of 1.45 percent in the input under study

Pathologist's approach to paediatric and neonatal eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders

Children are not simply miniature adults. The evaluation of their gastrointestinal disorders is therefore different from that in full-grown adults and requires a particular clinical/pathologic approach. : Different studies have tried to assess the normal eosinophil distribution in the gastrointestinal tract in adults while very few studies have investigated the paediatric population, consequently complicating the pathologist's ability in identifying an abnormal number of eosinophils in this setting of patients. : When evaluating gastrointestinal tract biopsies with eosinophilia, eosinophilic count must be considered along with other histological features like eosinophil distribution in the gastrointestinal wall, their degranulation, cryptitis and crypt abscesses, other accompanying inflammatory cells, apoptotic bodies, foreign material or microorganisms; these findings, although rarely specific, may be a useful aid for diagnosis. : Reports should not include a diagnosis of primary eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EoGID) if clinical data and test results do not rule out other forms of gastrointestinal eosinophilia. A more descriptive definition like "with eosinophilic pattern" should be favoured over a specific diagnosis of "eosinophilic disorder" in order to avoid potential confusion between different entities