44 research outputs found
Dimer-on-mirror SERS substrates with attogram sensitivity fabricated by colloidal lithography
Nanoplasmonic substrates with optimized field-enhancement properties are a key component in the continued development of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) molecular analysis but are challenging to produce inexpensively in large scale. We used a facile and cost-effective bottom-up technique, colloidal hole-mask lithography, to produce macroscopic dimer-on-mirror gold nanostructures. The optimized structures exhibit excellent SERS performance, as exemplified by detection of 2.5 and 50 attograms of BPE, a common SERS probe, using Raman microscopy and a simple handheld device, respectively. The corresponding Raman enhancement factor is of the order 10(11), which compares favourably to previously reported record performance values
Scalable, ultra-resistant structural colors based on network metamaterials
Structural colors have drawn wide attention for their potential as a future printing technology for various applications, ranging from biomimetic tissues to adaptive camouflage materials. However, an efficient approach to realize robust colors with a scalable fabrication technique is still lacking, hampering the realization of practical applications with this platform. Here, we develop a new approach based on large-scale network metamaterials that combine dealloyed subwavelength structures at the nanoscale with lossless, ultra-thin dielectric coatings. By using theory and experiments, we show how subwavelength dielectric coatings control a mechanism of resonant light coupling with epsilon-near-zero regions generated in the metallic network, generating the formation of saturated structural colors that cover a wide portion of the spectrum. Ellipsometry measurements support the efficient observation of these colors, even at angles of 70°. The network-like architecture of these nanomaterials allows for high mechanical resistance, which is quantified in a series of nano-scratch tests. With such remarkable properties, these metastructures represent a robust design technology for real-world, large-scale commercial applications
Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries
Background
Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres.
Methods
This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and lowâmiddle-income countries.
Results
In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of âsingle-useâ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for lowâmiddle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia.
Conclusion
This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both highâ and lowâmiddleâincome countries
Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries
Abstract
Background
Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres.
Methods
This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and lowâmiddle-income countries.
Results
In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of âsingle-useâ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for lowâmiddle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia.
Conclusion
This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both highâ and lowâmiddleâincome countries
Transanal haemorridal dearterialisation: personal experience
Transanal haemorroidal dearterialisation (THD) is a nonexcisional surgical technique for the treatment of piles, consisting in the ligation of the distal branches of the superior rectal artery, resulting in a reduction of blood flow and decongestion of the haemorroidal plexus. THD for 2 degrees and 3 degrees degree haemorroids is highly effective and painless. There are few complications and the technique can be performed as a day case
Graphene oxide selectively targets cancer stem cells, across multiple tumor types: implications for non-toxic cancer treatment, via "differentiation-based nano-therapy".
Tumor-initiating cells (TICs), a.k.a. cancer stem cells (CSCs), are difficult to eradicate with conventional approaches to cancer treatment, such as chemo-therapy and radiation. As a consequence, the survival of residual CSCs is thought to drive the onset of tumor recurrence, distant metastasis, and drug-resistance, which is a significant clinical problem for the effective treatment of cancer. Thus, novel approaches to cancer therapy are needed urgently, to address this clinical need. Towards this end, here we have investigated the therapeutic potential of graphene oxide to target cancer stem cells. Graphene and its derivatives are well-known, relatively inert and potentially non-toxic nano-materials that form stable dispersions in a variety of solvents. Here, we show that graphene oxide (of both big and small flake sizes) can be used to selectively inhibit the proliferative expansion of cancer stem cells, across multiple tumor types. For this purpose, we employed the tumor-sphere assay, which functionally measures the clonal expansion of single cancer stem cells under anchorage-independent conditions. More specifically, we show that graphene oxide effectively inhibits tumor-sphere formation in multiple cell lines, across 6 different cancer types, including breast, ovarian, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancers, as well as glioblastoma (brain). In striking contrast, graphene oxide is non-toxic for âbulkâ cancer cells (non-stem) and normal fibroblasts. Mechanistically, we present evidence that GO exerts its striking effects on CSCs by inhibiting several key signal transduction pathways (WNT, Notch and STAT-signaling) and thereby inducing CSC differentiation. Thus, graphene oxide may be an effective non-toxic therapeutic strategy for the eradication of cancer stem cells, via differentiation-based nano-therapy
Biomimetic Phospholipid Membrane Organization on Graphene and Graphene Oxide Surfaces:A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study
Supported
phospholipid membrane patches stabilized on graphene
surfaces have shown potential in sensor device functionalization,
including biosensors and biocatalysis. Lipid dip-pen nanolithography
(L-DPN) is a method useful in generating supported membrane structures
that maintain lipid functionality, such as exhibiting specific interactions
with protein molecules. Here, we have integrated L-DPN, atomic force
microscopy, and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation methods
to characterize the molecular properties of supported lipid membranes
(SLMs) on graphene and graphene oxide supports. We observed substantial
differences in the topologies of the stabilized lipid structures depending
on the nature of the surface (polar graphene oxide <i>vs</i> nonpolar graphene). Furthermore, the addition of water to SLM systems
resulted in large-scale reorganization of the lipid structures, with
measurable effects on lipid lateral mobility within the supported
membranes. We also observed reduced lipid ordering within the supported
structures relative to free-standing lipid bilayers, attributed to
the strong hydrophobic interactions between the lipids and support.
Together, our results provide insight into the molecular effects of
graphene and graphene oxide surfaces on lipid bilayer membranes. This
will be important in the design of these surfaces for applications
such as biosensor devices
The treatment of breast cancer in one day surgery. A four year experience.
The number of short-stay surgery procedures has progressively increased since the concept of short-stay surgery was first introduced. Initially this type of surgery was reserved for patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair, proctological surgery, and various minor procedures. Careful patient selection makes it possible to apply one-day surgery to other surgical specialties including breast cancer surgery. Reducing the length of hospital stay lowers health care costs, and shortens waiting lists. The most important benefits for patients are a more rapid return to work and positive psychological effects. Exclusion criteria for one-day surgery are the lack of home care, excessive distance from place of treatment and the presence of any concomitant pathology that is a contraindication to this type of surgery. We report our experience in oncological surgery of the breast in one-day surger
MENZIONE D'ONORE POSTER PREVENZIONE ED IGIENE DENTALE 2 XXV CONGRESSO NAZIONALE COLLEGIO DEI DOCENTI UNIVERSITARI DI DISCIPLINE ODONTOSTOMATOLOGICHE
BACKGROUND: For many years the WHO has dealt with
the issue of prisoners health through the publication of specific reports that outline a picture made up of a rather young
population suffering mainly from psychic, infectious and oral diseases. Women in prison often come from unfavorable environments and many of them have suffered psycologic problem, from alcohol or drug addiction and inadequate health care
prior to detention. and bad condition of oral cavity are nothing
more than the direct consequence. Moreover this population
presents a greater risk of traumas of the complex gold-facial,
due to the health implications of the frequent episodes of violence and abuse that they are found. The aim of the study is
to pay particular attention to the specific health needs of the
inmates and to guarantee a system of promotion of sensitive
oral health, recognizing the opportunity to strengthen and
support the care of oneâs own person, promoting the recovery
of esteem and safety.
Methods: The study took place at the Latina District
House âin which prisoners awaiting trial are present and
those sentenced to sentences of less than five years. Inside
the prison there are also 35 prisoners belonging to the high
security AS2 and AS3 circuit, traditionally dedicated to the
detainees belonging to organized terrorist and mafia groups.
Three different questionnaires were used, administered in
a face to face interview mode: EGOHI D II - Full Standard
Clinical Survey From 2007, which collects clinical data such
as CPI and DMFT; Questionnaire OHIP-14, which assesses
the quality of life in relation to oral health and the EGOHID
Adult Questionnaire which collects data on various habits
and lifestyles. The informed consent was made verbally for
each detainee who took part in the visit, and for completing
the questionnaires.
Results: The total female sample is 26 inmates. The age
range is between 20 and 79 years with an average age of 42
and 96.4% is a smoker. 96.2% of the prisoners (25) are Italian
nationals, 3.8% (one inmate) of foreign nationality. The sample presents a DMFT of 13.84 and poor management of soft
tissue presenting generalized loss of attack in 61.6% of cases,
a plaque index corresponding to 3 in 65.5% and accumulation
of generalized tarate in 57, 7% of cases. The data related to the
OHIP-14 show the presence in more than 50% of the sample
of painful points inside the mouth, difficulty in relaxing and
chewing. In fact, in 62% of the cases the last dental visit was
requested for an emergency intervention.
Conclus ionS: Very often visit of the oral cavity is able to
intercept situations of abuse and violence otherwise silenced.
Good oral health also makes it possible to communicate effectively and relate positively with the community once the sentence has ended, also in relation to a potential job placement,
possibly incurring a minor percentage in abuses and acts of
psycho-physical violence. For this reason, the promotion of
a management and prevention campaign in the field of oral
health is desirable to improve the living conditions during and
after the period of detention