Direct-Write Deposition of Thermogels

The use of biocompatible hydrogels has widely extended the potential of additive manufacturing (AM) in the biomedical field leading to the production of 3D tissue and organ analogs for in vitro and in vivo studies. In this work, the direct-write deposition of thermosensitive hydrogels is described as a facile route to obtain 3D cell-laden constructs with controlled 3D structure and stable behavior under physiological conditions

Nm23 expression in endometrial and cervical cancer: inverse correlation with lymph node involvement and myometrial invasion.

The expression of nm23 has been shown to correlate in some solid tumours with their metastatic potential and to be associated with a favourable prognosis in human breast cancer and melanoma. In breast and ovarian cancer nm23 expression is also correlated with lymph node involvement. We analysed the expression of nm23-H1 and -H2 in normal endometrium and in endometrial and cervical cancer by both Northern and Western blotting. Cellular localisation of Nm23-H1 was visualised by immunohistochemistry mostly in the cytoplasm. Both isoforms of Nm23 were present in all the samples analysed, and a clear direct correlation between Nm23-H1 and -H2 levels was evident. Median nm23-H2 levels were higher than than -H1 levels in both tissues. Cervical cancer patients with lymph node involvement were shown to have significantly lower protein levels of Nm23 (P < 0.007 for H1 and P < 0.009 for H2), and a similar trend was also evident in endometrial cancer. Furthermore, the degree of myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer patients was also inversely correlated with Nm23-H1 levels of expression (P < 0.003). Nm23 level may therefore be taken into consideration as a new marker in the prognostic characterisation and in the treatment planning of uterine tumour patients

Response to the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic in Italy

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Numerical study on load-bearing capabilities of beam-like lattice structures with three different unit cells

The design and analysis of lattice structures manufactured using Additive Manufacturing (AM) technique is a new approach to create lightweight high-strength components. However, it is difficult for engineers to choose the proper unit cell for a certain function structure and loading case. In this paper, three beam-like lattice structures with triangular prism, square prism and hexagonal prism were designed, manufactured by SLM process using AlSi10Mg and tested. The mechanical performances of lattice structures with equal relative density, equal base area and height, and equal length for all unit cells were conducted by Finite Element Analysis (FEA). It was found that effective Young’s modulus is proportional to relative density, but with different affecting levels. When the lattice structures are designed with the same relative density or the same side lengths, the effective Young’s modulus of lattice structure with triangular prism exhibits the maximum value for both cases. When the lattice structures are designed with the same base areas for all unit cells, the effective Young’s modulus of lattice structures with square prism presents the maximum. FEA results also show that the maximum stress of lattice structures with triangular prisms in each comparison is at the lowest level and the stiffness-to-mass ratio remains at the maximum value, showing the overwhelming advantages in terms of mechanical strength. The excellent agreements between numerical results and experimental tests reveal the validity of FEA methods applied. The results in this work provide an explicit guideline to fabricate beam-like lattice structures with the best tensile and bending capabilities

Selective laser melting–enabled electrospinning: Introducing complexity within electrospun membranes

Additive manufacturing technologies enable the creation of very precise and well-defined structures that can mimic hierarchical features of natural tissues. In this article, we describe the development of a manufacturing technology platform to produce innovative biodegradable membranes that are enhanced with controlled microenvironments produced via a combination of selective laser melting techniques and conventional electrospinning. This work underpins the manufacture of a new generation of biomaterial devices that have significant potential for use as both basic research tools and components of therapeutic implants. The membranes were successfully manufactured and a total of three microenvironment designs (niches) were chosen for thorough characterisation. Scanning electron microscopy analysis demonstrated differences in fibre diameters within different areas of the niche structures as well as differences in fibre density. We also showed the potential of using the microfabricated membranes for supporting mesenchymal stromal cell culture and proliferation. We demonstrated that mesenchymal stromal cells grow and populate the membranes penetrating within the niche-like structures. These findings demonstrate the creation of a very versatile tool that can be used in a variety of tissue regeneration applications including bone healing

Mapping genomic loci implicates genes and synaptic biology in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia has a heritability of 60-80%1, much of which is attributable to common risk alleles. Here, in a two-stage genome-wide association study of up to 76,755 individuals with schizophrenia and 243,649 control individuals, we report common variant associations at 287 distinct genomic loci. Associations were concentrated in genes that are expressed in excitatory and inhibitory neurons of the central nervous system, but not in other tissues or cell types. Using fine-mapping and functional genomic data, we identify 120 genes (106 protein-coding) that are likely to underpin associations at some of these loci, including 16 genes with credible causal non-synonymous or untranslated region variation. We also implicate fundamental processes related to neuronal function, including synaptic organization, differentiation and transmission. Fine-mapped candidates were enriched for genes associated with rare disruptive coding variants in people with schizophrenia, including the glutamate receptor subunit GRIN2A and transcription factor SP4, and were also enriched for genes implicated by such variants in neurodevelopmental disorders. We identify biological processes relevant to schizophrenia pathophysiology; show convergence of common and rare variant associations in schizophrenia and neurodevelopmental disorders; and provide a resource of prioritized genes and variants to advance mechanistic studies

2015/16 seasonal vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation with influenza a(H1N1)pdm09 and B among elderly people in Europe: Results from the I-MOVE+ project

We conducted a multicentre test-negative caseâ\u80\u93control study in 27 hospitals of 11 European countries to measure 2015/16 influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against hospitalised influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B among people aged â\u89¥ 65 years. Patients swabbed within 7 days after onset of symptoms compatible with severe acute respiratory infection were included. Information on demographics, vaccination and underlying conditions was collected. Using logistic regression, we measured IVE adjusted for potential confounders. We included 355 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 cases, 110 influenza B cases, and 1,274 controls. Adjusted IVE against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was 42% (95% confidence interval (CI): 22 to 57). It was 59% (95% CI: 23 to 78), 48% (95% CI: 5 to 71), 43% (95% CI: 8 to 65) and 39% (95% CI: 7 to 60) in patients with diabetes mellitus, cancer, lung and heart disease, respectively. Adjusted IVE against influenza B was 52% (95% CI: 24 to 70). It was 62% (95% CI: 5 to 85), 60% (95% CI: 18 to 80) and 36% (95% CI: -23 to 67) in patients with diabetes mellitus, lung and heart disease, respectively. 2015/16 IVE estimates against hospitalised influenza in elderly people was moderate against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B, including among those with diabetes mellitus, cancer, lung or heart diseases

Mapping genomic loci prioritises genes and implicates synaptic biology in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia has a heritability of 60–80%1, much of which is attributable to common risk alleles. Here, in a two-stage genome-wide association study of up to 76,755 individuals with schizophrenia and 243,649 control individuals, we report common variant associations at 287 distinct genomic loci. Associations were concentrated in genes that are expressed in excitatory and inhibitory neurons of the central nervous system, but not in other tissues or cell types. Using fine-mapping and functional genomic data, we identify 120 genes (106 protein-coding) that are likely to underpin associations at some of these loci, including 16 genes with credible causal non-synonymous or untranslated region variation. We also implicate fundamental processes related to neuronal function, including synaptic organization, differentiation and transmission. Fine-mapped candidates were enriched for genes associated with rare disruptive coding variants in people with schizophrenia, including the glutamate receptor subunit GRIN2A and transcription factor SP4, and were also enriched for genes implicated by such variants in neurodevelopmental disorders. We identify biological processes relevant to schizophrenia pathophysiology; show convergence of common and rare variant associations in schizophrenia and neurodevelopmental disorders; and provide a resource of prioritized genes and variants to advance mechanistic studies

Il Ruolo dell'Università nei processi di innovazione sociale: un progetto di rigenerazione urbana a Roma

Negli ultimi decenni a causa della competizione globale, dei sempre più evoluti avanzamenti tecnologici e dei mutamenti sociali, il ruolo delle Università è sostanzialmente cambiato. Infatti, le Università sono dovute uscire fuori dalle loro “torri d’avorio”, creando una sempre più simbiotica convivenza sia dal punto di vista istituzionale che sociale con vari stakeholders e comunità di riferimento. In tale ambito si è sviluppata la cosiddetta “Terza Missione” dell’università, in aggiunta alle tradizionali attività di alta formazione e ricerca, attraverso la quale può essere dato un contributo importante per la realizzazione di innovazioni sociali. Il presente articolo è teso ad approfondire le dinamiche e le modalità con cui i due temi di “Terza Missione” ed “innovazione sociale” si intersecano, attraverso un case study che analizza un caso concreto, ancorché in via di sviluppo, riguardante un’idea progettuale di rigenerazione urbana avviata in partnership dall’Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata” su tre ambiti vasti omogenei del Comune di Roma. In particolare, mettendo in risalto i contributi che possono essere forniti dall’Università nella realizzazione della riqualificazione urbana, architettonica, ambientale, sociale, culturale ed economica di territori con particolari bisogni sociali insoddisfatti, si è voluto identificare in maniera più chiara come la stessa – nello svolgimento della sua Terza Missione – si possa porre come attore in un processo di innovazione sociale, con particolare attenzione agli aspetti organizzativi che ne sottendono la realizzazione. Nonostante la letteratura abbia già individuato l’Università quale attore dell’innovazione sociale, lascia tale coinvolgimento abbastanza generico. Invece, grazie al nostro case study è stato possibile aggiungere un ulteriore tassello definitorio alla ricerca precedente sul tema, indicando più chiaramente ruoli e task specifici che l’università può ricoprire magistralmente.The Third Mission has been added to teaching and research, acquiring an increasingly central role among the activities conducted by the University. Even if this theme has involved a wide research trend, the case studies in which the University in implementing the Third Mission also realizes social innovation are less thorough. By means of a case study concerning an urban redevelopment project on territories located in the Municipality of Rome, the specific tasks and functions that can be performed by the University were identified, with attention also to the related organizational aspects. Therefore, in relation to the various phases of the analyzed urban redevelopment project (territorial analysis, meta-project and regeneration program), a model was developed that analyzes the role of the University as an actor, orchestrator and promoter of "social" culture. This model helps to highlight the factors that allow the transformation of the role of the University from a secondary subject to a strategic player of primary importance

ESPERIENZE DEPRESSIVE E SVILUPPO COGNITIVO IN ADOLESCENZA

Questo studio cerca di definire qualitativamente le diffrenti esperienze depressive nei pazienti adoplescenti