Engineering muscle networks in 3D gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels: influence of mechanical stiffness and geometrical confinement

In this work, the influence of mechanical stiffness and geometrical confinement on the 3D culture of myoblast-laden gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) photo-crosslinkable hydrogels was evaluated in terms of in vitro myogenesis. We formulated a set of cell-laden GelMA hydrogels with a compressive modulus in the range 1÷17 kPa, obtained by varying GelMA concentration and degree of cross-linking. C2C12 myoblasts were chosen as the cell model, to investigate the supportiveness of different GelMA hydrogels on myotube formation up to 2 weeks. Results showed that the hydrogels with a stiffness in the range 1÷3 kPa provided enhanced support to C2C12 differentiation in terms of myotube number, rate of formation and space distribution. Finally, we studied the influence of geometrical confinement on myotube orientation by confining cells within thin hydrogel slabs having different cross-sections: i) 2000×2000 m, ii) 1000×1000 m and iii) 500×500 m. The obtained results showed that by reducing the cross-section—i.e., by increasing the level of confinement—myotubes were more likely restrained and formed aligned myostructures that better mimicked the native morphology of skeletal muscle

Implantation of a poly-L-lactide GCSF-functionalized scaffold in a model of chronic myocardial infarction

A previously developed poly-l-lactide scaffold releasing granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PLLA/GCSF) was tested in a rabbit chronic model of myocardial infarction (MI) as a ventricular patch. Control groups were constituted by healthy, chronic MI and nonfunctionalized PLLA scaffold. PLLA-based electrospun scaffold efficiently integrated into a chronic infarcted myocardium. Functionalization of the biopolymer with GCSF led to increased fibroblast-like vimentin-positive cellular colonization and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration within the micrometric fiber mesh in comparison to nonfunctionalized scaffold; PLLA/GCSF polymer induced an angiogenetic process with a statistically significant increase in the number of neovessels compared to the nonfunctionalized scaffold; PLLA/GCSF implanted at the infarcted zone induced a reorganization of the ECM architecture leading to connective tissue deposition and scar remodeling. These findings were coupled with a reduction in end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes, indicating a preventive effect of the scaffold on ventricular dilation, and an improvement in cardiac performance

Feijoa Fruit Peel: Micro-morphological Features, Evaluation of Phytochemical Profile, and Biological Properties of Its Essential Oil

Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret (Feijoa) is an evergreen shrub, belonging to the Mirtaceae family. The aim of this study was to investigate the micromorphological features of the feijoa fruit peel and to evaluate the phytochemical profile, as well as the antioxidant, cytoprotective, and antimicrobial properties of its essential oil (EO), by several in vitro cell-free and cell-based assays. The micromorphological analysis showed several schizogenic secretory cavities, immediately below the epidermal layer. Forty compounds were identified and quantified by GC-FID and GC-MS analyses. Sesquiterpenes were the most abundant ones (76.89%), followed by monoterpene hydrocarbons (3.26%), and oxygenated monoterpenes (0.34%). The main compounds were \u3b3-Selinene (17.39%), \u3b1-Cariophyllene (16.74%), \u3b2-Cariophyllene (10.37%), and Germacene D (5.32%). The EO showed a strong and dose-dependent antioxidant, and free-radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, it showed cytoprotective activity on the lymphocytes, that have been pre-treated with 100 \u3bcM tert-butyl-hydroperoxide (t-BOOH), as well as a decrease in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), induced by t-BOOH on erythrocytes. A preliminary antimicrobial screening against GRAM+ and GRAM- bacteria, as well as on fungi highlighted that EO showed the best activity against S. aureus and C. albicans (MIC 2.7 mg/mL). In light of these results, feijoa fruit EO could find various applications, especially in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical fields

Effectiveness of Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy on Clinical Outcome in Patients with Primary Antibody Deficiencies: Results from a Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study

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Biomechanical Characterization at the Cell Scale: Present and Prospects

The rapidly growing field of mechanobiology demands for robust and reproducible characterization of cell mechanical properties. Recent achievements in understanding the mechanical regulation of cell fate largely rely on technological platforms capable of probing the mechanical response of living cells and their physico–chemical interaction with the microenvironment. Besides the established family of atomic force microscopy (AFM) based methods, other approaches include optical, magnetic, and acoustic tweezers, as well as sensing substrates that take advantage of biomaterials chemistry and microfabrication techniques. In this review, we introduce the available methods with an emphasis on the most recent advances, and we discuss the challenges associated with their implementation

Il progetto “STELLA”: Rapporto Statistico

Il CILEA, su mandato del suo Consiglio di Amministrazione, ha promosso a partire dal 2002 un’iniziativa interuniversitaria per la realizzazione di un progetto, noto con l’acronimo STELLA (Statistiche sul TEma Laureati & Lavoro in Archivio on-line) per la rilevazione, elaborazione, archiviazione e diffusione dei dati statistici dei laureati, finalizzato ad ottenere un quadro di riferimento della situazione relativa al profilo dei laureati e al loro inserimento nel mercato del lavoro. Un primo frutto di questa collaborazione è la pubblicazione annuale di un rapporto statistico sul curriculum dei laureati. All’iniziativa hanno aderito, oltre alle principali università lombarde, l’università di Pisa e la Scuola Superiore di Studi Universitari e Perfezionamento Sant’Anna di Pisa

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of <i>Citrus</i> Flavanones Mix and Its Stability after In Vitro Simulated Digestion

Recently, several studies have highlighted the role of Citrus flavanones in counteracting oxidative stress and inflammatory response in bowel diseases. The aim of study was to identify the most promising Citrus flavanones by a preliminary antioxidant and anti-inflammatory screening by in vitro cell-free assays, and then to mix the most powerful ones in equimolar ratio in order to investigate a potential synergistic activity. The obtained flavanones mix (FM) was then subjected to in vitro simulated digestion to evaluate the availability of the parent compounds at the intestinal level. Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity was investigated on a Caco-2 cell-based model stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β. FM showed stronger antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity with respect to the single flavanones, demonstrating the occurrence of synergistic activity. The LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis of gastric and duodenal digested FM (DFM) showed that all compounds remained unchanged at the end of digestion. As proof, a superimposable behavior was observed between FM and DFM in the anti-inflammatory assay carried out on Caco-2 cells. Indeed, it was observed that both FM and DFM decreased the IL-6, IL-8, and nitric oxide (NO) release similarly to the reference anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone

Synthesis of Nanogels: Current Trends and Future Outlook

Nanogels represent an innovative platform for tunable drug release and targeted therapy in several biomedical applications, ranging from cancer to neurological disorders. The design of these nanocarriers is a pivotal topic investigated by the researchers over the years, with the aim to optimize the procedures and provide advanced nanomaterials. Chemical reactions, physical interactions and the developments of engineered devices are the three main areas explored to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional nanofabrication approaches. This review proposes a focus on the current techniques used in nanogel design, highlighting the upgrades in physico-chemical methodologies, microfluidics and 3D printing. Polymers and biomolecules can be combined to produce ad hoc nanonetworks according to the final curative aims, preserving the criteria of biocompatibility and biodegradability. Controlled polymerization, interfacial reactions, sol-gel transition, manipulation of the fluids at the nanoscale, lab-on-a-chip technology and 3D printing are the leading strategies to lean on in the next future and offer new solutions to the critical healthcare scenarios

Rapporto statistico laureati 2002-2003

On the 20th of April 2005 there was a presentation on the statistical report of graduates at the Chamber of Commerce, Milan titled "An analysis on the resumes of graduates". This statistical report of the graduates is the result of a project (named STELLA an acronym which stands for "Statistiche sul TEma Laureati & Lavoro in Archivio on-line") whose aim was to obtain a complete picture of the profile of the graduates in relation to their positions in the job market