A new generation of bio-composite thermoplastic filaments for a more sustainable design of parts manufactured by FDM

The most recent developments of Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) techniques are moving the application of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies toward new areas of investigation such as the biomedical, aerospace, and marine engineering in addition to the more consolidated industrial and civil fields. Some specific characteristics are required for the components designed for peculiar applications, such as complex geometries, lightweight, and high strength as well as breathability and aesthetic appearance specifically in the biomedical field. All these design specifications could be potentially satisfied by manufacturing with 3D printing techniques. Moreover, the development of purpose-dedicated filaments can be considered a key factor to successfully meet all the requirements. In this paper, fabrication and applications of five new thermoplastic materials with fillers are described and analyzed. They are organic bio-plastic compounds made of polylactic acid (PLA) and organic by-products. The growing interest in these new composite materials reinforced with organic by-products is due to the reduction of production management costs and their low environmental impact. In this study, the production workflow has been set up and described in detail. The main properties of these new thermoplastic materials have been analyzed with a major emphasis on strength, lightweight, and surface finish. The analysis showed that these materials can be particularly suitable for biomedical applications. Therefore, two different biomedical devices were selected and relative prototypes were manufactured with one of the analyzed thermoplastic materials. The feasibility, benefits, and performance of the thermoplastic material considered for these applications were successfully assessed

Navigating Market Authorization: The Path Holoclar Took to Become the First Stem Cell Product Approved in the European Union

Gene therapy, cell therapy, and tissue engineering have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of disease and injury. Attaining marketing authorization for such advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) requires a rigorous scientific evaluation by the European Medicines Agencyâauthorization is only granted if the product can fulfil stringent requirements for quality, safety, and efficacy. However, many ATMPs are being provided to patients under alternative means, such as âhospital exemptionâ schemes. Holoclar (ex vivo expanded autologous human corneal epithelial cells containing stem cells), a novel treatment for eye burns, is one of the few ATMPs to have been granted marketing authorization and is the first containing stem cells. This review highlights the differences in standards between an authorized and unauthorized medicinal product, and specifically discusses how the manufacture of Holoclar had to be updated to achieve authorization. The result is that patients will have access to a therapy that is manufactured to high commercial standards, and is supported by robust clinical safety and efficacy data. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2018;7:146â154

Heavily-doped Germanium on Silicon with Activated Doping Exceeding 1020 cm−3 as an Alternative to Gold for Mid-infrared Plasmonics

Ge-on-Si has been demonstrated as a platform for Si foundry compatible plasmonics. We use laser thermal annealing to demonstrate activated doping levels >1020 cm-3 which allows most of the 3 to 20 μm mid-infrared sensing window to be covered with enhancements comparable to gold plasmonics

Assessing cardiac mechanics through left ventricular haemodynamic forces

: Haemodynamic forces (HDFs), which represent the forces exchanged between blood and surrounding tissues, are critical in regulating the structure and function of the left ventricle (LV). These forces can be assessed on cardiac magnetic resonance or transthoracic echocardiography exams using specialized software, offering a non-invasive alternative for measuring intraventricular pressure gradients. The analysis of HDFs can be a valuable tool in improving our understanding of cardiovascular disease and providing insights beyond traditional diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. For instance, HDF analysis has the potential to identify early signs of adverse remodelling and cardiac dysfunction, which may not be detected by standard imaging methods such as bidimensional or speckle-tracking echocardiography. This review aims to summarize the principles of HDF analysis and to reappraise its possible applications to cardiac disorders

Advances from probabilistic tractography in connections of the limbic system with the cerebellum

The limbic system is a complex set of brain structures located on both sides of the thalamus, right under the cerebrum. It is not a separate system but a collection of structures from the telencephalon, diencephalon, and mesencephalon, including the hippocampus, amygdala, anterior thalamic nuclei, fornix, columns of fornix, mammillary body, septum pellucidum, habenular commissure, cingulate gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, limbic cortex, pars of olfactory system and limbic midbrain areas. Nevertheless, recent studies showed that the definition of anatomical structures considered part of the limbic system is a controversial subject. Although the role of the cerebellum was traditionally considered mainly associated to motion control, it has been recently suggested a cerebellar involvement in emotions control, cognitive processes and social behavior. In this regard, we have previously demonstrated that the cerebellum is interconnected with the hippocampus [1]. In this work, a wider sample of normal subjects was examined by using probabilistic Constrained Spherical Deconvolution (CSD) tractography, which represents a method able to overcome many limitations of other Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) techniques, providing more accurate data [2]. We found evidences in the human brain that the cerebellum is widely linked with limbic-related structures and provided a more reliable demonstration of direct cerebello-limbic pathways. In addition, we further extendend our analysis to the other limbic connections including uncinated fasciculus, cingulate fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, anterior thalamic connections and fornix. Although these pathways have been already described in the tractographic literature we provided reconstruction and quantitative analysis, which could be potentially useful to explore pathological conditions damaging this system. Finally, the demonstration of the existence of cerebello-limbic connections could constitute an important step in the knowledge of the anatomic substrate of non-motor cerebellar functions

Chronic constipation diagnosis and treatment evaluation: The "CHRO.CO.DI.T.E." study

Background: According to Rome criteria, chronic constipation (CC) includes functional constipation (FC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Some patients do not meet these criteria (No Rome Constipation, NRC). The aim of the study was is to evaluate the various clinical presentation and management of FC, IBS-C and NRC in Italy. Methods: During a 2-month period, 52 Italian gastroenterologists recorded clinical data of FC, IBS-C and NRC patients, using Bristol scale, PAC-SYM and PAC-QoL questionnaires. In addition, gastroenterologists were also asked to record whether the patients were clinically assessed for CC for the first time or were in follow up. Diagnostic tests and prescribed therapies were also recorded. Results: Eight hundred seventy-eight consecutive CC patients (706 F) were enrolled (FC 62.5%, IBS-C 31.3%, NRC 6.2%). PAC-SYM and PAC-QoL scores were higher in IBS-C than in FC and NRC. 49.5% were at their first gastroenterological evaluation for CC. In 48.5% CC duration was longer than 10 years. A specialist consultation was requested in 31.6%, more frequently in IBS-C than in NRC. Digital rectal examination was performed in only 56.4%. Diagnostic tests were prescribed to 80.0%. Faecal calprotectin, thyroid tests, celiac serology, breath tests were more frequently suggested in IBS-C and anorectal manometry in FC. More than 90% had at least one treatment suggested on chronic constipation, most frequently dietary changes, macrogol and fibers. Antispasmodics and psychotherapy were more frequently prescribed in IBS-C, prucalopride and pelvic floor rehabilitation in FC. Conclusions: Patients with IBS-C reported more severe symptoms and worse quality of life than FC and NRC. Digital rectal examination was often not performed but at least one diagnostic test was prescribed to most patients. Colonoscopy and blood tests were the "first line" diagnostic tools. Macrogol was the most prescribed laxative, and prucalopride and pelvic floor rehabilitation represented a "second line" approach. Diagnostic tests and prescribed therapies increased by increasing CC severity

Piano di Lavoro Nazionale Raccolta Dati Alieutici 2017-2019 Rapporto tecnico annuale

Campionamento biologico delle specie demersali e dei piccoli pelagici (GSA16