Optical multiplexed bioassays on photonic crystals for breast cancer biomarker detection

An optical biosensor for proteomic breast cancer biomarker detection in complex media is presented. Bloch Surface Waves (BSW) excited onto one dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC) were used to probe the interaction of HER2 with three antibody species and an inert protein (Bovine Serum Albumin - BSA). The optical system combines Label-Free readings to track the bioassay real-time development and Fluorescence emission quantification to evaluate the level of specific interaction between the antigen and the antibodies. The results confirm a distinguishable level of affinity between the antibodies and the analyte according to their specificity even at low antibody surface density (about 1173 pg/mm2)

Adjustable macular buckling for full-thickness macular hole with foveoschisis in highly myopic eyes: Long-term anatomical and functional results

Purpose: To assess functional and structural outcome after adjustable macular buckling for the treatment of foveoschisis (FS), associated with full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) in highly myopic eyes. Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients who underwent adjustable macular buckling for FS associated with FTMH were included in this prospective study. Three cases were not included in the analysis due to short follow-up period (less than 3 months). Outcome measures included anatomical success rate with FS resolution and FTMH closure, bestcorrected visual acuity, mean retinal sensitivity, central retinal thickness, and fixation site and stability. Results: Foveoschisis resolution and FTMH closure were observed in all cases between 1 month to 3 months after surgery. At 24 months of follow-up visit visual acuity improved in 13/15 eyes (86.7%) and remained stable in 2 (13.3%). Mean retinal sensitivity showed significant improvement from baseline 5.69 ± 3.52 dB to final 8.35 ± 3.86 dB; P< 0.001. Fixation stability inside central 4° improved from baseline 58.5 ± 17.8% to final 73.7 ± 23.0%; P = 0.009. Central retinal thickness did not change significantly throughout follow-up. No FTMH or FS recurrence occurred and no surgical complications arose. Conclusion: Adjustable macular buckling exoplant may represent an effective surgical option for the treatment of FS associated with FTMH in highly myopic eyes. Adjustable macular buckling showed high closure rate and virtually no tendency to recur. Functional results and safety are also interesting because vision improved and retinal thickness did not reduce significantly at 24 months of follow-up

Metabolic, humoral and cellular responses in adult volunteers immunized with the genetically inactivated pertussis toxin mutant PT-9K/129G

PT-9K/129G, a nontoxic mutant of pertussis toxin (PT) obtained by genetic manipulation, has been shown in animal models to be a promising candidate for new vaccines against whooping cough. To assess the safety and the immunogenicity of PT-9K/129G in humans, a pilot study has been performed in adult volunteers. The protein was found to be safe, capable of inducing high titers of toxin-neutralizing antibodies, and capable of generating immunological memory. In fact, vaccination caused an increase of cell-mediated response to PT, PT-9K/129G, S1 subunit, and B oligomer, indicating that memory T cells are induced by the vaccine. Since PT-9K/129G is mitogenic for T lymphocytes in vitro, it was investigated whether this activity is also present in vivo. No variation was observed in the proportion of T cells (CD3+), T helper cells (CD4+), and cytotoxic T cells (CD8+), as well as in that of other lymphoid populations, by FACS analysis. Interestingly, no thorough correlation was found between humoral and cellular responses. In one case, a very high cellular response was present in absence of detectable antibodies, suggesting that the antibody response, which is the only parameter measured in most clinical trials, may not give a complete picture of the response induced by a vaccine