Electronic characterization of supramolecular materials at the nanoscale by Conductive Atomic Force and Kelvin Probe Force microscopies

The performances of organic (opto)electronic devices strongly depend on the order at the supramolecular level. Unraveling the relationship between structural and electronic properties in nanoscale architectures is therefore key for both fundamental studies and technological applications. C-AFM and KPFM provide an immediate correlation between the morphology of a material and its electrical/electronic properties such as local conductivity and surface potential. Thus, they are unrivaled techniques offering crucial information toward the optimization of the real devices, ultimately providing an important contribution to a hot field at the cross-road between nanoscience and organic (opto)electronics. Herein we focus on the application of C-AFM and KPFM on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), organic (semi)conducting materials for thin film transistors (TFTs) and organic blends for photovoltaics (OSCs)

ADAM10 Localization in Temporomandibular Joint Disk with Internal Derangement: An Ex Vivo Immunohistochemical Study

The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of ADAM10 in temporomandibular joint disk with internal derangement. Twenty-five paraffin blocks of displaced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disk specimens from earlier investigations were retrieved from the archives of the University of Catania. Of these 16 had been removed from females and 9 from males; 11 with anterior disk displacement with reduction (ADDwR) and 14 with anterior disk displacement without reduction (ADDwoR). The sections were dehydrated, embedded in paraffin and cut. Then they were incubated in 0.3% H2O2/methanol and half of sections from each sample were incubated in diluted rabbit polyclonal anti-ADAM10 antibody. Then biotinylated anti-mouse/anti-rabbit IgG was applied to the sections, followed by avidin–biotin–perioxidase complex. The results were analyzed and the results were that ADAM10 was overexpressed in the posterior band of sections from patients with ADDwR compared to the other bands of both ADDwR and ADDwoR sections. Overexpression correlated with severe histopathological degeneration. We believe these results have the potential to provide insights into the pathogenesis of TMJ disk degeneration and to help design new therapeutic approaches targeting the proteolytic events that lead to tissue degeneration. Early therapeutic block of ADAM10 activity could succeed in limiting aggrecan-rich matrix breakdown without affecting normal physiology

Guanine-based amphiphiles: synthesis, ion transport properties and biological activity

Novel amphiphilic guanine derivatives, here named Gua1 and Gua2, have been prepared through few, simple and efficient synthetic steps. In ion transport experiments through phospholipid bilayers, carried out to evaluate their ability to mediate H(+) transport, Gua2 showed high activity. When this compound was investigated for ion-selective transport activities, no major differences were observed in the behaviour with cations while, in the case of anions, selective activity was observed in the series I(-)>Br(-)>Cl(-)>F(-). The bioactivity of these guanine analogues has been evaluated on a panel of human tumour and non-tumour cell lines in preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity assays, showing a relevant antiproliferative profile for Gua2

Vulnerability of demersal fish assemblages to trawling activities: a traits-based index

Reducing the impact on vulnerable species through changes in fishing practices, such as the spatial or temporal avoidance of certain areas, is key to increase the ecological sustainability of fisheries. However, it is often hampered by the availability of sufficiently detailed data and robust indicators. Existing trawl surveys are a cost-effective data source to assess the vulnerability of fishing areas based on the quantities of vulnerable species caught. We developed a biological traits-based approach to the vulnerability of demersal assemblages using commercial trawl catch data. An expert-based approach identified a set of biological traits that are expected to condition the species' response to trawling impact and are combined to produce the vulnerability index ranked into four levels (low, moderate, high, and very high vulnerability). The approach was tested in four southern European fishing grounds showing evidence of over-exploitation, through catches being dominated by species of relatively low vulnerability to fishing impacts. The general distribution of species' biomass amongst vulnerability groups was highly homogenous across case studies, despite local differences in fishing fleet structure, target species and fishing depths. Within all areas the species with moderate vulnerability dominated and, in most instances, species of "very high" vulnerability were not recorded. Nevertheless, differences emerged when comparing the proportions of highly vulnerable species in the catches. Variability in vulnerability level of the catch was also observed at small spatial scales, which was principally explained by differences in habitat type and depth and, secondarily, by fishing effort. In fine mud in the shallower areas there was a higher presence of low vulnerable fauna. Furthermore, vulnerable organisms decreased in their presence in sandier substrates on the continental shelf. The spatial heterogeneity in assemblage vulnerability composition encourages the potential for adoption of this index in the spatial management of fishing grounds aiming at ensuring a sustainable exploitation by mitigating trawl impacts on the most vulnerable components of the demersal assemblages.MINOUW Horizon 2020 (Project ID: 634495); H2020-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action MSCA-IF-2016 (Project ID: 743545)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus with mitral regurgitation and impairment of functional capacity: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Mitral annular calcification is a common echocardiographic finding, especially in the elderly. Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus, however, is a relatively rare variant, having an echocardiographic prevalence of 0.6% in patients with mitral annular calcification. Caseous calcification needs to be differentiated from infected mitral annular calcification, mitral annular abscess and tumours. It is not malignant, and medical therapy with clinical follow-up is the therapeutic option. Surgery should be reserved for co-existent mitral valve dysfunction.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 69-year-old woman, in whom caseous calcification of the mitral annulus was found at transthoracic echocardiography. Cardiac surgery was performed because of significant mitral regurgitation and impairment of functional capacity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus needs to be considered and confirmed by transthoracic echocardiography since there is potential for diagnostic confusion or misdiagnosis. This lesion appears to have a benign prognosis but, when associated with mitral valve dysfunction, cardiac surgery appears to be the best therapeutic option.</p

An isolated anterior mitral leaflet cleft: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The anterior mitral leaflet cleft is an unusual congenital lesion most often encountered in association with other congenital heart defects. The isolated anterior leaflet cleft is quite a rare anomaly and is usually cause of mitral valve regurgitation. The importance of the lesion is that it is often correctable. When feasible, cleft suture and, eventually, annuloplasty are preferable to valve replacement. Echocardiography is the first choice technique in the evaluation of mitral valve disease, providing useful information about valve anatomy and hemodynamic parameters.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a case of an isolated anterior mitral leaflet cleft producing moderate-severe mitral regurgitation correctly identified by echocardiography and successfully surgically corrected.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Isolated cleft is a rare aberration, that has to be known in order to be diagnosed. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography is the most useful non invasive technique for cleft diagnosis and to indicate the right surgical correction.</p

Role of Arterial Hypertension and Hypertension-Mediated Organ Damage in Cardiotoxicity of Anticancer Therapies

Purpose of the review: Arterial hypertension (AH) is the most common cardiovascular (CV) risk factor in the community and in oncologic patients. It also represents the most important CV condition predisposing to anticancer treatment-related cardiotoxicity. This risk is heightened in the presence of cardiac AH-mediated organ damage (HMOD). Influence of AH and HMOD on the development of cardiotoxicity will be reviewed, with a focus on specific scenarios and implications for management of oncologic patients. Recent findings: Not adequately controlled AH before or during anticancer treatments and/or development of AH during or after completion of such therapies have detrimental effects on the clinical course of oncologic patients, particularly if HMOD is present. As overlooking CV health can jeopardize the success of anticancer treatments, the goal for clinicians caring for the oncologic patient should include the treatment of AH and HMOD

Exploring the influence of takotsubo syndrome on oncologic patients' mortality

It has been reported that patients affected by takotsubo syndrome (TTS) with a concurrent diagnosis of cancer suffer from greater mortality as compared to their non-cancer counterpart. It remains unclear whether TTS worsens the prognosis of cancer patients as well. Aim of this study was to compare outcomes of cancer patients with and without TTS. We combined data from two independent cohorts: one consisted of a prospective multicentre TTS registry; the second cohort consisted of all oncologic patients from two Cardio-Oncology Outpatient Clinics, who did not have cardiovascular conditions at the time of the cardio-oncologic visit. From the TTS registry, we selected patients with cancer (cancer-TTS patients). Next, we matched these patients with those from the cardio-oncologic cohort (cancer non-TTS patients) in a 1:2 fashion by age, sex, and type and cancer staging. Study endpoint was all-cause mortality. Among 318 TTS patients, 42 (13%) had a concurrent diagnosis of cancer. Characteristics of cancer-TTS patients and of the 84 matched cancer non-TTS subjects were comparable with the exception of diabetes mellitus, which was more common in cancer non-TTS patients. All-cause mortality was similar between cancer-TTS and cancer non-TTS patients. At Cox regression analysis TTS was not associated with mortality (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.6-3.3, p = 0.43). Our findings show that even in the presence of acute heart failure due to TTS, the prognosis of oncologic patients is driven by the malignancy itself. Our results may prove useful for integrated management of cardio-oncologic patients