Effect of In Vitro Exposure of Corticosteroid Drugs, Conventionally Used in AMD Treatment, on Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of legal blindness in individuals over 60 years of age, characterized by the dysfunction of retinal pigmented epithelium cells, specifically in the macular area. Despite several treatment options, AMD therapy remains difficult, especially for exudative AMD. Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), with great plasticity and immunomodulant properties, are a promising cell source for cellular therapy and tissue engineering. We evaluated the effects of steroid drugs, often used to treat AMD, in association with MSCs, in view of a possible application together to treat AMD. Morphology, viability, growth kinetics, and immunophenotype were evaluated on healthy donors' MSCs, treated with triamcinolone acetonide, alcohol-free triamcinolone acetonide, micronized intravitreal triamcinolone and dexamethasone at different concentrations, and in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line supernatant (ARPE-19). The morphological analysis of MSCs in their standard medium showed a negative correlation with drug concentrations, due to the numerous crystals. Dexamethasone was the least toxic corticosteroid used in this study. ARPE-19 seemed to help cells preserve the typical MSC morphology. In conclusion, this in vitro study demonstrated that high doses of corticosteroid drugs have a negative effect on MSCs, reduced in the presence of a conditioned media

Pandemic impact on training and mental health of medical residents: an Italian multicentre prospective study

Objective. To describe the mental health of Italian medical residents during COVID-19 pandemic and explore the impact of personal and work-related changes on their mental health.Methods. A multicentre prospective study was conducted on a sample of Italian residents across five timepoints (February-October 2021). Mental health outcomes (symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, depression, anxiety, poor sleep quality)were assessed. Regressions analysed the association between pandemic-related personal and professional changes and the mental health outcomes.Results. Participants were 451. From February to October 2021, the prevalence of symptoms ranged from 21.6% to 12.7% (PTSD), 29.8% to 16.2% (depression), 36.2% to 28.8% (anxiety), 15.2% to 5.7% (sleep). Several work-related changes were significantly associated with symptoms, e.g. a perceived negative training change was associated with all outcomes; increased working hours with PTSD, depression, and anxiety; reallocation to tasks far from expertise area with PTSD.Conclusions. Residents reported a relevant frequency of mental issues. Many workrelated changes were associated with poor mental health

Trasformazione delle olive in olio: monitoraggio di processo e qualita' del prodotto

Dottorato di ricerca in genio rurale. 11. ciclo. A.a. 1995-98. Tutore P. Spugnoli. Coordinatore M. ZoliConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7, Rome; Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale - P.za Cavalleggeri, 1, Florence / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal