Photonic Label-Free Biosensors for Fast and Multiplex Detection of Swine Viral Diseases

[EN] In this paper we present the development of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) biosensors for the label-free detection of six emerging and endemic swine viruses, namely: African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PPRSV), Porcine Parvovirus (PPV), Porcine Circovirus 2 (PCV2), and Swine Influenza Virus A (SIV). The optical biosensors are based on evanescent wave technology and, in particular, on Resonant Rings (RRs) fabricated in silicon nitride. The novel biosensors were packaged in an integrated sensing cartridge that included a microfluidic channel for buffer/sample delivery and an optical fiber array for the optical operation of the PICs. Antibodies were used as molecular recognition elements (MREs) and were selected based on western blotting and ELISA experiments to ensure the high sensitivity and specificity of the novel sensors. MREs were immobilized on RR surfaces to capture viral antigens. Antibody-antigen interactions were transduced via the RRs to a measurable resonant shift. Cell culture supernatants for all of the targeted viruses were used to validate the biosensors. Resonant shift responses were dose-dependent. The results were obtained within the framework of the SWINOSTICS project, contributing to cover the need of the novel diagnostic tools to tackle swine viral diseases.This work was funded by the EU-2020 program under grant agreement Nº 771649-SWINOSTICS project.Gómez-Gómez, MI.; Sánchez, C.; Peransi, S.; Zurita, D.; Bellieres, L.; Recuero, S.; Rodrigo, M.... (2022). Photonic Label-Free Biosensors for Fast and Multiplex Detection of Swine Viral Diseases. Sensors. 22(3):1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/s2203070811422

Effects of hypophysectomy and replacement therapy on the Harderian gland of Rana esculenta

The Harderian gland of Rana esculenta from the surrounding of Naples shows a cyclic secretory activity during the year, being at its lowest during fall and winter and at its highest during summer. Hypophysectomy carried out when the gland is at low functional activity (low temperature) causes a stimulation of secretion. The opposite result, i.e. inhibition, is obtained when the gland is at its highest activity (high temperature). Replacement therapy with homologous pituitary homogenate restores the respective initial functional status. Also the electrophoretic modifications of the protein patterns of the Harderian gland following hypophysectomy are prevented by replacement therapy. Among the pituitary hormones tested, TSH seems to play a major role. It is suggested that the opposite effects (stimulatory or inhibitory) of hypophysectomy on the HG of Rana esculenta might be related to the functional status either of the pituitary gland or of the Harderian gland. In both cases the temperature acts as the modulating factor. © 1991 Accademia nazionale dei Lincei

Minilaparotomia versus laparoscopia nel trattamento della litiasi biliare: nostra esperienza

La chirurgia biliare tradizionale ha subito negli ultimi quarant’anni delle trasformazioni a sicuro vantaggio del paziente. La chirurgia open della calcolosi della colecisti tende oggi a ridurre la via di accesso a 5-6 cm e ad “orizzontalizzarla” il più possibile. Dal luglio 2002 ad aprile 2006 presso la nostra struttura sono state eseguite 82 colecistectomie, di cui 53 minilaparotomiche e 29 laparoscopiche. I due gruppi risultano omogenei per età, sesso, BMI, ASA. Tra i pazienti che hanno subito una colecistectomia minilaparotomica abbiamo osservato una rapida ripresa delle normali attività già dopo 24 ore dall’intervento, una durata del ricovero di 24-48 ore, un ottimo risultato estetico a distanza. L’approccio minilaparotomico per i risultati a breve e lungo termine risulta essere, a nostro parere, simile alla laparoscopia. Tuttavia, in conformità con la letteratura medica sull’argomento, preferiamo l’approccio laparoscopico ripiegando su quello laparotomico solo qu

Can a Surgical Technique Be a Risk for Post-tonsillectomy Haemorrhage? Our Point of View

Objectives: Controversies have recently arisen regarding post-operative haemorrhagic complications in relation to the surgical procedures ad- opted for tonsillectomy. The authors set out to verify the relationship between surgical techniques and post-operative haemorrhage based on the analysis of data derived from multi-centric studies. Results: Eight multi-centric studies were analysed. The mean frequency of post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage was: 1.13% for primary haemorrhage, 5.37% for secondary haemorrhage, and 6.5% as overall for cold dissection with cold haemostasis; 0.99% for primary haemorrhage, 2.91% for secondary haemorrhage, and 3.9% as overall for cold dissection with hot haemostasis; 1.31% for primary haemorrhage, 7.38% for secondary haemorrhage, and 8.69% as overall for hot dissection with hot haemostasis. The statistical comparison did not show significant differences between the frequencies of post-tonsillectomy primary, secondary, and total haemorrhage in relation to the surgical techniques employed. Conclusion: A great variability in the frequency of haemorrhagic complications reported in the selected articles was found, regardless of the surgical technique. These findings, together with the lack of a statistically significant difference in post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage between the techniques employed, must be carefully considered by professionals involved in health organizations in clinical wards and the relative problems linked to medical liability