I boularchoi in Etolia

La carica del boularchos, diffusa in area microasiatica tra età tardo ellenistica e imperiale, è attestata anche in Grecia continentale (Focide, Locride Ozolia, Acarnania, Etolia, Acaia) a partire dalla fine del V e soprattutto nel corso del III-II sec. a.C. L’articolo analizza la figura del boularchos nel contesto etolico, con il duplice obiettivo di chiarire meglio le funzioni, peraltro poco note, di questa magistratura e di gettare luce sull’organizzazione stessa dello stato federale etolico. La documentazione epigrafica porta a ipotizzare che il boularchos fosse una delle cariche supreme del koinon e che potesse coadiuvare con funzioni esecutive lo stratego, e talvolta farne le veci. Il legame tra boularchos e sinedrio non appare invece assodato, mentre l’accrescimento del collegio dei boularchoi nel corso del tempo va collegato a un generale sviluppo dello stato federale etolico, piuttosto che non alla sua espansione e organizzazione in distretti. Questi boularchoi, presenti nella documentazione del koinon, vanno distinti da un’altra tipologia di boularchos, attestata in iscrizioni prodotte a livello locale: il boular-chos del Lokrikon telos, presente a Naupaktos e Delfi, e quello dello Stratikon telos, attestato Stratos, dovevano essere infatti boularchoi con competenze sui territori annessi dagli Etoli e organizzati in tele. L’analisi della documentazione epigrafica suggerisce che queste figure non fossero rappresentanti delle comunità locali all’interno degli organi centrali, ma piuttosto figure nominate a livello centrale per l’amministrazione dei territori annessi. The office of the boularchos, widespread in the Microasiatic area between late Hellenistic and imperial period, is also attested in mainland Greece (Phocis, Locris Ozolia, Acarnania, Aetolia, Achaea), starting from the end of the Vth and especially during the III-II century BCE. This paper analyzes the boularchos in the aetolian context, with the twofold aim of clarifying the functions of this official, moreover little known, and to shed light on the organization of the Aetolian federal state itself. The epigraphic evidence leads us to suggest that the boularchos was one of the supreme officials of the koinon and could assist the federal strategos in his executive functions, sometimes acting in his place. The link between boularchos and council (synedrion) should not be taken for granted, while the growth of the board of boularchoi over time must be connected to a general development of the Aetolian federal state, rather than to its expansion and organization into territorial districts. These boularchoi, mentioned in the documents issued by the koinon, should be distinguished from another type of boularchos, attested in inscriptions produced locally: the boularchos of the Lokrikon telos, attested in Naupaktos and Delphi, and that of the Stratikon telos, attested in Stratos, should probably be boularchoi with competence on the territories annexed by the Aetolians and organized into tele. Analysis of epigraphic evidence suggests that these figures were not representatives of the local communities within the central government, but rather officials nominated at the central level in order to administrate the annexed territories

Acute maculopapular eruption in Covid-19 patient: A case report

We report the case of a positive COVID-19 patient who presented to our hospital for a maculopapular skin rash which appeared 7 days after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. He was 34 years old and nothing relevant was recorded at his previous anamnesis. The patient was hospitalized for 3 days and received systemic therapy with steroid, antihistamines, tocilizumab, and hydroxicloroquine. On the third day of the hospitalization the cutaneous rash had almost completely disappeared

Direct laser interference patterning of bioceramics: a short review

Bioceramics are a great alternative to use in implants due to their excellent biocompatibility and good mechanical properties. Depending on their composition, bioceramics can be classified into bioinert and bioactive, which relate to their interaction with the surrounding living tissue. Surface morphology also has great influence on the implant biological behavior. Controlled texturing can improve osseointegration and reduce biofilm formation. Among the techniques to produce nano- and micropatterns, laser texturing has shown promising results due to its excellent accuracy and reproducibility. In this work, the use of laser techniques to improve surface morphology of biomaterials is reviewed, focusing on the application of direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) technique in bioceramics.This study was funded by FCT-Portugal through the following projects-UID/EEA/04436/2013, COMPETE 2020 with the code POCI-01-0145-FEDER-00694 and LaserMULTICER (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031035) and by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), Brazil through the project-CNPq/UNIVERSAL/421229/2018-7. B.H. acknowledges the support of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Aspect ratio of nano/microstructures determines Staphylococcus aureus adhesion on PET and titanium surfaces

Aims: Joint infections cause premature implant failure. The avoidance of bacterial colonization of implant materials by modification of the material surface is therefore the focus of current research. In this in vitro study the complex interaction of periodic structures on PET and titanium surfaces on the adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus is analysed. Methods and Results: Using direct laser interference patterning as well as roll-to-roll hot embossing methods, structured periodic textures of different spatial distance were produced on surfaces and S. aureus were cultured for 24 h on these. The amount of adhering bacteria was quantified using fluorescence microscopy and the local adhesion behaviour was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. For PET structures, minimal bacterial adhesion was identified for an aspect ratio of about 0·02. On titanium structures, S. aureus adhesion was significantly decreased for profile heights of < 200 nm. Our results show a significantly decreased bacterial adhesion for structures with an aspect ratio range of 0·02 to 0·05. Conclusions: We show that structuring on surfaces can decrease the amount of S. aureus on titanium and PET as common implant materials. Significance and Impact of the Study: The study highlights the immense potential of applying specific structures to implant materials to prevent implant colonization with pathogen bacteria.Fil: Meinshausen, A. K.. Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg; AlemaniaFil: Herbster, M.. Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg; AlemaniaFil: Zwahr, C.. Technische Universität Dresden; AlemaniaFil: Soldera, Marcos Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: Müller, A.. Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg; AlemaniaFil: Halle, T.. Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg; AlemaniaFil: Lasagni, A. F.. Technische Universität Dresden; AlemaniaFil: Bertrand, J.. Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg; Alemani

Correlation between dietary cadmium exposure with biochemical and metabolic parameters: A cross-sectional study in Northern Italy population

Background and aim: Cadmium is a heavy metal classified as carcinogen for humans. It accumulates in the organism, especially in kidney and liver. Recent findings suggested that cadmium could influence human metabolism acting as endocrine disruptor and high cadmium exposure has been associated with impairment of cardiovascular and endocrine systems. This study aims at assessing the dietary intake of cadmium in an Italian community of Northern Italy and to evaluate its correlation with endocrine and metabolic factors. Methods: In a sample adult population of ever smokers from Reggio Emilia Province we estimated dietary cadmium intake through a food frequency questionnaire, validated for the Northern Italy population. From each participant we collected a fasten blood sample for determination of biochemical parameters and hormones levels, including alanine transaminase, blood glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). All subjects who participated to this study signed a written informed consent. Results: We eventually recruited 104 participants (men/women: 46/58), with mean (standard deviation) dietary intake of cadmium of 16.0 (8.5) μg/day. Correlation between cadmium intake and biochemical factors demonstrated a positive association with total cholesterol levels, blood glucose and TSH. Adjustment for main confounders, including sex, age, and bass index did not substantially alter the results. No clear correlation emerged with other parameters under investigation. Discussion: The results show that in our sampled population, dietary intake of cadmium is similar with other Italian and European populations. They also suggest that cadmium intake could influence the levels of metabolic and other biochemical factor which are important risk factors for chronic cardiovascular and endocrine system diseases. Acknowledgements We acknowledge the collaboration of the personnel of Transfusion Medicine Unit of AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, staff and volunteers of AVIS – Section of Reggio Emilia, and all blood donors who participated to this study

Conditioning of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes using surface topography obtained with high throughput technology

Surface functionalization of polymers aims to introduce novel properties that favor bioactive responses. We have investigated the possibility of surface functionalization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheets by the combination of laser ablation with hot embossing and the application of such techniques in the field of stem cell research. We investigated the response of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) to topography in the low micrometer range. HiPSC-CMs are expected to offer new therapeutic tools for myocardial replacement or regeneration after an infarct or other causes of cardiac tissue loss. However, hiPSC-CMs are phenotypically immature compared to myocytes in the adult myocardium, hampering their clinical application. We aimed to develop and test a high-throughput technique for surface structuring that would improve hiPSC-CMs structural maturation. We used laser ablation with a ps-laser source in combination with nanoimprint lithography to fabricate large areas of homogeneous micron- to submicron line-like pattern with a spatial period of 3 µm on the PET surface. We evaluated cell morphology, alignment, sarcomeric myofibrils assembly, and calcium transients to evaluate phenotypic changes associated with culturing hiPSC-CMs on functionalized PET. Surface functionalization through hot embossing was able to generate, at low cost, low micrometer features on the PET surface that influenced the hiPSC-CMs phenotype, suggesting improved structural and functional maturation. This technique may be relevant for high-throughput technologies that require conditioning of hiPSC-CMs and may be useful for the production of these cells for drug screening and disease modeling applications with lower costs.Fil: Cortella, Lucas R. X.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Cestari, Idágene A.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Lahuerta, Ricardo D.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Arana, Matheus C.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Soldera, Marcos Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: Rank, Andreas. Technische Universität Dresden; AlemaniaFil: Lasagni, Andrés F.. Technische Universität Dresden; AlemaniaFil: Cestari, Ismar N.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

TTRV30M oligomeric aggregates inhibit proliferation of renal progenitor cells but maintain their capacity to differentiate into podocytes in vitro

Publicado em: The Proceedings of the XIIIth International Symposium on Amyloidosis, May 6-10, 2012, Groningen, The NetherlandsIn Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy, the amyloid deposition of mutant transthyretin TTR V30M can lead to renal complications. An unexplored mechanism is the toxicity of oligomeric TTR aggregates. A subset of renal progenitor cells (RPC) in the adult human kidney can induce regeneration of podocytes and tubular structures of the nephron, which can be critical for preventing irreversible renal failure. We assessed whether RPC are vulnerable, in vitro, to TTRV30M oligomers. RPC proliferation was reduced by 16.3±9.7% and 32.6±6.3% after 48 and 72 hours, respectively, in the presence of the oligomers. However, oligomers did not induce apoptosis or alterations in cell cycle to any significant extent, and did not influence RPC differentiation into podocytes. From this first attempt, we can say that TTRV30M oligomers inhibit RPC proliferation but do not influence their capacity to differentiate into mature podocytes, and thus should not compromise tissue regeneration.FC

Outcome following a short period of adalimumab dose escalation as rescue therapy in psoriatic patients

Background: Advances in biologic treatments have led to a new therapeutic frontier for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Nevertheless, the efficacy of anti-TNFα decreases with time, requiring adjustments to maintain valuable Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) responses. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adalimumab dose escalation (40 mg, subcutaneous, once a week for 24 weeks) in psoriatic adult patients with secondary loss of response (PASI ≥50 to ≤75 or PASI≥75 and DLQI ≥5). Materials and Methods: A multicentre, observational study involving different Italian third-level referral centres for psoriasis enrolled a total of 64 adult patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who were treated with adalimumab and experienced a secondary loss of response. Primary end-points were PASI&lt; 75 or PASI ≥50 to ≤ 75 with DLQI ≤ 5, and the secondary end-point was the ability to maintain a therapeutic response, resuming adalimumab every other week. Results: At Week 16 and Week 24, 29/64 (45.3%) and 35/64 (54.6%) responded based on PASI, and mean DLQI was 4.9 and 4.09, respectively. At Week 36 and Week 48, 45.3% and 28.1% patients achieved the second end-point, respectively. No adverse events were recorded except for one patient with recurrent tonsillitis. Conclusion: Adalimumab escalation could be considered in cases with loss of response before switching to alternative biologic therapy