Diabetes and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections.

Acute bacterial skin and skin structures infections (ABSSSIs) are associated with high morbidity, costs and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus. Their appropriate management should include several figures and a well-organized approach. This review aims to highlight the interplay between diabetes and ABSSSIs and bring out the unmet clinical needs in this area. Pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the increased risk of ABSSSIs in diabetes mellitus are multifactorial: high glucose levels play a crucial pathogenetic role in the tissue damage and delayed clinical cure. Moreover, the presence of diabetes complications (neuropathy, vasculopathy) further complicates the management of ABSSSIs in patients with diabetes. Multidrug resistance organisms should be considered in this population based on patient risk factors and local epidemiology and etiological diagnosis should be obtained whenever possible. Moreover, drug-drug interactions and drug-related adverse events (such as nephrotoxicity) should be considered in the choice of antibiotic therapy. Reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and prolonged length of hospital stay is of primary importance now, more than ever. To achieve these objectives, a better knowledge of the interplay between acute and chronic hyperglycemia, multidrug resistant etiology, and short and long-term outcome is needed. Of importance, a multidisciplinary approach is crucial to achieve full recovery of these patients

Dye doped, core / shell silica nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, & biotechnological applications

The aim of this thesis was to design, synthesize and develop a nanoparticle based system to be used as a chemosensor or as a label in bioanalytical applications. A versatile fluorescent functionalizable nanoarchitecture has been effectively produced based on the hydrolysis and condensation of TEOS in direct micelles of Pluronic® F 127, obtaining highly monodisperse silica - core / PEG - shell nanoparticles with a diameter of about 20 nm. Surface functionalized nanoparticles have been obtained in a one-pot procedure by chemical modification of the hydroxyl terminal groups of the surfactant. To make them fluorescent, a whole library of triethoxysilane fluorophores (mainly BODIPY based), encompassing the whole visible spectrum has been synthesized: this derivatization allows a high degree of doping, but the close proximity of the molecules inside the silica matrix leads to the development of self - quenching processes at high doping levels, with the concomitant fall of the fluorescence signal intensity. In order to bypass this parasite phenomenon, multichromophoric systems have been prepared, where highly efficient FRET processes occur, showing that this energy pathway is faster than self - quenching, recovering the fluorescence signal. The FRET efficiency remains very high even four dye nanoparticles, increasing the pseudo Stokes shift of the system, attractive feature for multiplexing analysis. These optimized nanoparticles have been successfully exploited in molecular imaging applications such as in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo imaging, proving themselves superior to conventional molecular fluorophores as signaling units

Active particles for bio-analytical applications and methods for their preparation

Nanoparticles, which are luminescent and/or electroactive and/or suitable for MRI (magnetic resonance imaging and/or PET (positron emission tomography) applications, comprise a micelle, which has a hydrophilic shell and an hydrophobic central portion, and a polysilicate core; the micelle comprises a plurality of molecules of a functionalized surfactant having the following structure: M-1-Hydro(1)-Lipo-Hydro(2)-M(2 )wherein Lipo indicates a hydrophobic chain; Hydro1 ed Hydro(2 )indicate, each, a respective hydrophilic chain; M(1 )ed M(2 )represent respective recognition functionalities

Smart Tele-Training: Problems, Methodological Support, Technological Solutions, Practical Recommendations and Safety Guidelines

One of the important tools during Covid-19 is the popularization of regular physical activity and suitable trainings at home. Appropriated training process is essential for health maintenance, especially due to its ability to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress in the population during pandemic. Lack of physical activity and increased sedentary level as a result of inability visiting public gyms and swimming pools have been observed during Covid pandemic. Consequences of insufficient physical activity, including a higher mortality rate and poorer general health and fitness level, have been disseminating. Consequently, the aim of the study was to indentify the features of using physical activity learning technologies with tele-support as a health-care priority, development of methodological support for distance education in relation to the industry “Tele-kinesiology”. Methodically, we derived the home-based physical activity program for maintaining active lifestyle at home during pandemic using tele-kinesiological support. In order to analyze the features of applying the technologies for teaching physical activity at a distance, as well as the use of various approaches to the development of methodological support of distance education on physical activity, an analysis of special scientific literature was carried out, technical and didactic possibilities for teaching physical activity at a distance were identified, safety recommendations were developed

Luminescent silica nanoparticles: Extending the frontiers of brightness

Silica nanoparticles are versatile platforms with many intrinsic features, such as low toxicity. Proper design and derivatization yields particularly stable colloids, even in physiological conditions, and provides them with multiple functions. A suitable choice of dyes and synthetic strategy may, in particular, yield a very bright nanosystem. Silica nanoparticles thus offer unique potential in the nanotechnology arena, and further improvement and optimization could substantially increase their application in fields of high social and economic impact, such as medical diagnostics and therapy, environmental and food analysis, and security. This paper describes silica-based, multicomponent nanosystems with intrinsic directional energy- and electron-transfer processes, on which highly valued functions like light harvesting and signal amplification are based

Dual-Mode, Anisotropy-Encoded, Ratiometric Fluorescent Nanosensors: Towards Multiplexed Detection

A nanosensor with dual\u2010mode fluorescence response to pH and an encoded identification signal, was developed by exploiting excitation energy transfer and tailored control of molecular organization in core\u2013shell nanoparticles. Multiple signals were acquired in a simple single\u2010excitation dual\u2010emission channels set\u2010up

Effects of online and face-to-face exercise training compared in healthy older adults: a feasibility study

Background: Supervised online exercise training (OET) may help to counteract physical inactivity in healthy older adults. Few studies to date have compared the effect of OET and traditional face-to-face exercise training (TET). Aims: With this study we compared the effect of OET and TET on physical function in healthy older adults and investigated the feasibility of OET. Methods: Power analysis indicated that a sample size of n = 20 per group was necessary to detect a moderate effect size. Of 80 individuals potentially interested in the study, 32 did not meet the inclusion criteria and 22 declined participation; 26 were assigned to receive OET via Zoom© and 19 to receive TET twice a week for 12 weeks. The exercise training program was the same for both groups: fine finger and muscle strengthening and balance exercises. Performance was measured using the 400-m Walk, Timed Up and Go, Four Square Step, One Leg Stance, Five Time Chair Stand, and Hand Grip tests. Results and conclusions: In general, physical function was improved after OET and TET (ηp2 range, 0.349–0.642). No improvement in upper limb strength was observed in either group (p > 0.05), whereas endurance on the 400-m Walk Test was increased for the OET group and decreased for the TET group (Time × Group interaction F 5.540, ηp2 0.187; p = 0.007). Good adherence was noted for the OET group (82%). No adverse events during the 12-week study period were recorded. Our findings suggest a positive effect of exercise training on physical function over time, regardless of how delivered. OET was found to be feasible and acceptable, making it a viable alternative to conventional exercise programs for older adults. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag Italia S.r.l., part of Springer Nature 2024

Luminescent chemosensors based on silica nanoparticles

The field of nanoparticles is amazingly many-sided and consequently their applications range between many different areas from industry to bio-analysis and catalysis. In particular, luminescent nanoparticles attract close attention in the areas of biology, medical diagnosis and therapy, where they already find many applications. In this so fascinating and wide framework we have focussed our attention on luminescent silica nanoparticles able to act as sensing materials. We highlight here the importance, especially with the aim of sensing, of gaining precise knowledge and control of their structures; the performance of a chemosensor is, in fact, totally dependent on its design. We then briefly present the state of the art and the progress both in the synthetic protocols and in the application of luminescent silica nanoparticles as chemosensors. We present many recent examples, organized into two main sections, the first dealing with systems presenting the signalling units on the surface (dye coated silica nanoparticles, DCSNs) and the second with systems entrapping the dyes inside the silica matrix (dye doped silica nanoparticles, DDSNs)

A versatile strategy for tuning the color of electrochemiluminescence using silica nanoparticles

Colour emission of core-shell silica-PEG nanoparticles in water is tuned with an electrochemically induced energy transfer approach. The lack of solubility problems, side electrochemical reactions involving donors and acceptors within the nanoparticle, and the possibility of using many classes of dyes in ECL applications confirm the validity of this strategy