EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL AIRWAY RESTORATION BY MESENCHYMAL STROMAL CELLS AUTOLOGOUS ENDOSCOPIC TRANSPLANTATION

Post resectional broncho-pleural fistula is a pathological connection between the airways and the pleural space that may develop after lung resection. It may be caused by incomplete bronchial closure, impediment of bronchial stump wound healing, or stump destruction by residual neoplastic tissue; its mortality ranges from 12.5 to 71.2%, therefore it is still the most feared complication after curative lung resection; for this reason the healing effects promoted by stem cells – by transformation into mature cells with a specialized function or by enhancing intrinsic repair mechanisms –may represent an effective and only partially explored therapeutic option . Mesenchymal stromal cells have the ability to migrate and engraft at sites of inflammation and injury in response to cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors at a wound site and they can exert local reparative effects through transdifferentiation into tissue-specific cell types or via the paracrine secretion of soluble factors with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activities. We proposed, on an animal model, an autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells transplantation: it allowed bronchial stump healing by extraluminal fibroblast proliferation and collagenous matrix development. Encouraged by experimental bronchial wall restoration in large animals and by functional human organ replacement elsewhere, we undertook autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells bronchoscopic transplantation to treat a patient who developed broncho-pleural fistula. The bronchoscopic transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in our patient appeared to help close this small-caliber post resectional broncho-pleural fistula, further boosting regenerative medicine approach for airway diseases. Considering the need to specifically track mesenchymal stromal cells following transplantation in order to evaluate different method of implantation, to follow their migration within the body and to quantify their accumulation at the target, we proposed magnetic resonance imaging tracking both by superparamagnetic 6 iron oxide particles and perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion formulations , demonstrating that were both effective, without altering cell viability or differentiation. Finally we proposed adipose derived mesenchymal stromal cells bronchoscopic transplantation and intra venous injection of Granulocite Colony Stimulating Factors as a faster method and a new frontier in airway restoration

Behaviour of a Large Anchored Basement in Dense Sands and Gravels

Prior to the excavation of half a million cubic meters of dense gravelly material within the city centre of Milan, a 24 to 27m long diaphragm wall was built to provide a 17m retained height to a four-level basement. Temporary support was offered by two to four rows of ground anchors with the exception of a portion adjacent to an existing multi-level cark park where a post-tensioned capping beam was installed to protect the car park and prevent it from being subject to sway. Other design challenges were posed by the proximity of a buried channel and of an urban rail tunnel. An extensive monitoring system was set up including inclinometers, load cells and topographical survey points to reveal lateral movements in the order of 10mm or less, negligible variation of anchor loads as the excavation progressed and heave behind the wall. In response to a general lack of case histories and design guidance on deep excavations in dense coarse material, especially in the region, a backanalysis of diaphragm wall monitoring data was carried out and its main results are commented on in the present paper. Lateral movements are best reproduced with pseudo-FE or full FE software if a soil stiffness compatible with the relevant shear strain level is adopted

Measurements Performance of a Bioradar for Human Respiration Monitoring

Abstract Breathing pattern monitoring of humans is very important especially during long isolation in space missions. In particular, several factors can induce some breathing anomalies during the sleep, which may cause apnea episodes; an early diagnosis of such episodes is crucial for the application of an efficient therapy. Continuous wave bioradars operating in the microwave frequency range are effective contactless tools for monitoring the respiratory activity. These active systems emit a low power electromagnetic wave at a single frequency, which is reflected by the human chest. Based on the phase difference between the incident and reflected signals, it is possible to estimate and monitor the respiratory rate. In this paper, a metrological characterization of the bioradar methodology is presented. To this end, bioradar results are compared with the ground truth data recorded by a spirometer, which is a standard medical device that measures the air volume inhaled and exhaled by the subject

Monitoring the breath through mechanical movements of the chest using continuous wave bioradar system

In space missions, during the long isolation at extreme condition for human health is most important monitoring vital signs. One of these is the breathing detection. Indeed several factors can induce some breathing anomalies during the sleep, which may cause apnea episodes. In order to act timely with the right therapy, an early diagnosis is required. A new, innovative, way to perform this kind of measurement is continuous wave bioradar, shown in Figure 1, operating in the microwave frequency. This is effective contactless tool for monitoring the respiratory activity through the measurement of chest deformation due to inhalation and exhalation. This system emit a low power electromagnetic wave at a single frequency, which is reflected by the human chest. Through to measuring of the phases shift between the incident and reflected wave is possible discovering and monitoring the respiratory rate. In this paper, the continuous wave bioradar measurement technique and test campaign experimental results are presented. Furthermore, to this end, bioradar results are compared with data recorded by a spirometer, which is a standard and noted medical device that measures the air volume inhaled and exhaled by the subject. Finally, the measurement standard uncertainty of the bioradar system is defined, and the system performance is evaluated. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Unraveling pathophysiology of Takotsubo syndrome. the emerging role of the oxidative stress's systemic status

Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS) is usually triggered by emotional or physical stressors, thus suggesting that an increased sympathetic activity, leading to myocardial perfusion abnormalities and ventricular dysfunction, plays a major pathogenetic role. However, it remains to be elucidated why severe emotional and physical stress might trigger TTS in certain individuals but not others. Clinical research has been focused mainly on mechanisms underlying the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the occurrence of myocardial ischemia in TTS. However, scientific evidence shows that additional factors might play a pathophysiologic role in the condition's occurrence. In this regard, a significant contribution arrived from metabolomics studies that followed the systemic response to TTS. Specifically, preliminary data clearly show that there is an interplay between inflammation, genetics, and oxidative status which might explain susceptibility to the condition. This review aims to sum up the established pathogenetic factors underlying TTS and to appraise emerging mechanisms, with particular emphasis on oxidative status, which might better explain susceptibility to the condition

Building Envelope Prefabricated with 3D Printing Technology

The Fourth Industrial Revolution represents the beginning of a profound change for the building sector. In the last decade, the perspective of shapes, materials, and construction techniques is evolving fast due to the additive manufacturing technology. On the other hand, even if the technology is growing fast and several 3D printed buildings are being developed worldwide, the potential of concrete 3D printing in building prefabrication remains unexplored. Consequently, the application of new digital fabrication technologies in the construction industry requires a redesign of the construction process and its components. This paper proposes a novel conception, design, and prototyping of a precast building envelope to be prefabricated with extrusion-based 3D concrete printing (3DCP). The new design and conception aim to fully exploit the potential of 3D printing for prefabricated components, especially in terms of dry assembly, speed of implementation, reusability, recyclability, modularity, versatility, adaptability, and sustainability. Beyond the novel conceptual design of precast elements, the research investigated the 3D printable cementitious material based on a magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MKPC), which was devised and tested to ensure good performances of the proposed component. Finally, a prototype has been realised in scale with additive manufacturing technology in order to verify the printability and to optimize the extruder path. This study leads us to believe that the combined use of prefabricated systems, construction automation, and innovative materials can decisively improve the construction industry's sustainability in the future

Dolphin Morbillivirus Associated with a Mass Stranding of Sperm Whales, Italy

In September 2014, 7 sperm whales stranded along the Adriatic Italian coastlines. Postmortem investigations on 3 dead females dead and in 1 fetus harbored by the largest one revealed molecular and immunoistochemical evidences of dolphin morbillivirus infection. A possible role of the virus in the stranding event was considered

Atypical primary pulmonary meningioma: A report of a case suspected of being a lung metastasis

Primary extracranial and extraspinal meningiomas are very rare tumours, and primary pulmonary ones are even more uncommon. They present as a solitary pulmonary nodule, and most of them are benign, except for three cases. We describe a primitive atypical pulmonary meningioma first suspected of being a metastasis in a patient during follow-up ten years after therapy for breast cancer. © the authors; licensee ecancermedicalscience

Myo-inositol may prevent gestational diabetes onset in overweight women: a randomized, controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate whether myo-inositol supplementation may reduce gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) rate in overweight women. Methods: In an open-label, randomized trial, myo-inositol (2 g plus 200 μg folic acid twice a day) or placebo (200 μg folic acid twice a day) was administered from the first trimester to delivery in pregnant overweight non-obese women (pre-pregnancy body mass index ≥ 25 and < 30 kg/m2). The primary outcome was the incidence of GDM. Results: From January 2012 to December 2014, 220 pregnant women were randomized at two Italian University hospitals, 110 to myo-inositol and 110 to placebo. The incidence of GDM was significantly lower in the myo-inositol group compared to the placebo group (11.6% versus 27.4%, respectively, p = 0.004). Myo-inositol treatment was associated with a 67% risk reduction of developing GDM (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.15–0.70). Conclusions: Myo-inositol supplementation, administered since early pregnancy, reduces GDM incidence in overweight non-obese women