Resistivity probability tomography imaging at the castle of Zena, Italy

We present the results of an electrical resistivity investigation performed at Castle of Zena (Castello di Zena), a 13th-century fortress located between the towns of Fiorenzuola and Piacenza in the Emilia Romagna Region (Northern Italy), in the frame of a project of restoration. Dipole-dipole resistivity tomographies were planned in three areas suspected of containing buried archaeo-architectural remnants. Data analysis has been made using a 3D tomography imaging approach based on the concept of occurrence probability of anomaly sources in the electrical resistivity distribution. The 3D tomography has allowed three interesting anomaly source areas to be identified in the 1-2 m depth range below ground level. Subsequent excavations have brought to light a giacciara, that is, a brickwork room for food maintenance, a furnace, and the basement of a wing of the castle destroyed in the 18th century, exactly in correspondence with the anomaly sources detected by the resistivity tomography

Hymenoptera Venom Immunotherapy: Tolerance and Efficacy of an Ultrarush Protocol versus a Rush and a Slow Conventional Protocol

Background and Objective. Various venom immunotherapy (VIT) protocols are available for Hymenoptera allergy. Although adverse reactions (ADRs) to VIT are widely reported, controlled trials are still needed. We conducted a randomized prospective study to evaluate ADRs and the efficacy of three VIT regimens. Methods. 76 patients with Hymenoptera allergy, aged 16–76 years, were randomized to receive an ultrarush protocol (group A: 27 patients), a rush protocol (group B: 25), or a slow protocol (group C: 24). Aqueous venom extract was used in incremental phase and an adsorbed depot in maintenance phase. ADRs and accidental Hymenoptera stings during VIT were used to evaluate efficacy. Results. During incremental treatment, ADRs occurred in 1.99%, 3.7%, and 3.9% of patients in groups A, B, and C, and in 0.99%, 1.46%, and 2.7%, respectively, during maintenance. ADRs were significantly fewer in group A (incremental + maintenance phase) than in group C (1.29% versus 3.2%; P = 0.013). Reactions to accidental Hymenoptera stings did not differ among groups (1.1%, 1.2%, and 1.1%). Conclusion. Ultrarush was as effective as the rush and slow protocols and was associated with a low incidence of reactions to stings. This study indicates that ultrarush VIT is a valid therapeutic option for Hymenoptera allergy

Formoterol Exerts Anti-Cancer Effects Modulating Oxidative Stress and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Processes in Cigarette Smoke Extract Exposed Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells

Lung cancer frequently affects patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Cigarette smoke (CS) fosters cancer progression by increasing oxidative stress and by modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes in cancer cells. Formoterol (FO), a long-acting β2-agonist widely used for the treatment of COPD, exerts antioxidant activities. This study explored in a lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) whether FO counteracted the effects of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) relative to oxidative stress, inflammation, EMT processes, and cell migration and proliferation. A549 was stimulated with CSE and FO, ROS were evaluated by flow-cytometry and by nanostructured electrochemical sensor, EMT markers were evaluated by flow-cytometry and Real-Time PCR, IL-8 was evaluated by ELISA, cell migration was assessed by scratch and phalloidin test, and cell proliferation was assessed by clonogenic assay. CSE significantly increased the production of ROS, IL-8 release, cell migration and proliferation, and SNAIL1 expression but significantly decreased E-cadherin expression. FO reverted all these phenomena in CSE-stimulated A549 cells. The present study provides intriguing evidence that FO may exert anti-cancer effects by reverting oxidative stress, inflammation, and EMT markers induced by CS. These findings must be validated in future clinical studies to support FO as a valuable add-on treatment for lung cancer management

Electrochemical Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanostructures on Flexible Substrate and Application as an Electrochemical Immunoglobulin-G Immunosensor

Immunoglobulin G (IgG), a type of antibody, represents approximately 75% of serum antibodies in humans, and is the most common type of antibody found in blood circulation. Consequently, the development of simple, fast and reliable systems for IgG detection, which can be achieved using electrochemical sandwich-type immunosensors, is of considerable interest. In this study we have developed an immunosensor for human (H)-IgG using an inexpensive and very simple fabrication method based on ZnO nanorods (NRs) obtained through the electrodeposition of ZnO. The ZnO NRs were treated by electrodepositing a layer of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to ensure an easy immobilization of the antibodies. On Indium Tin Oxide supported on Polyethylene Terephthalate/ZnO NRs/rGO substrate, the sandwich configuration of the immunosensor was built through different incubation steps, which were all optimized. The immunosensor is electrochemically active thanks to the presence of gold nanoparticles tagging the secondary antibody. The immunosensor was used to measure the current density of the hydrogen development reaction which is indirectly linked to the concentration of H-IgG. In this way the calibration curve was constructed obtaining a logarithmic linear range of 10–1000 ng/mL with a detection limit of few ng/mL and good sensitivity

Electrochemical sensor for evaluating oxidative stress in airway epithelial cells

Cigarette smoke exposure induces oxidative stress within the airways. Increased oxidative burden contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic lung disorders and is associated with aging and chronic inflammation. Airway epithelial cells highly contribute to Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation within injured and inflamed lung tissues. Among ROS, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can be monitored in the extracellular space. Herein, we present an amperometric/voltammetric sensor based on gold nanoparticles and graphene oxide able to detect H2O2 with good sensitivity and selectivity. Using this sensor, H2O2 release was measured in conditioned medium from primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC), bronchial epithelial cell line, 16HBE, and adenocarcinoma alveolar basal epithelial cell line, A549, exposed to cigarette smoke extracts (CSE). 16HBE were also treated with resveratrol, an anti-oxidant compound. The results were compared with those obtained by flow cytometry using the same cells stained with Carboxy-H2DCFDA and MitoSOX Red, which detect intracellular ROS and mitochondrial superoxide, respectively. The exposure to CSE resulted in a significant increase of the cathodic current due to the reduction of H2O2 indicating an increased release. Addition of resveratrol decreased CSE-induced release of H2O2 in 16HBE. All the results paralleled those obtained by flow cytometry. The proposed sensor is highly sensitive and selective, fast and cost effective and can potentially be applied for real time and easy monitoring of oxidative stress

Galvanic deposition of Chitosan-AgNPs as antibacterial coating

Thanks to mechanical properties similar human bones, metallic materials represent the best choice for fabrication of orthopedic implants. Although metals could be widely used in the field of biomedical implants, corrosion phenomena could occur, causing metal ions releasing around periprosthetic tissues leading, in the worst cases, to the development of infections. In these cases, patients need prolonged antibiotic therapies that may cause bacterial resistance. Preventing bacterial colonization of biomedical surfaces is the key to limiting the spread of infections. Antibacterial coatings have become a very active field of research, strongly stimulated by the increasing urgency of identifying alternatives to the traditional administration of antibiotics. Nowadays, the research was focused on coating science to deal with these issues. In particular, the development of the antibacterial composite coatings could be a viable way to provide not only a corrosion resistance but also an antibacterial action and biocompatibility. Chitosan is a great biomaterial used in medicine. It is a natural bioactive polymer and is the second most abundant in nature polysaccharide after cellulose. Chitosan comes from the deacetylation of chitin, a homopolymer of beta-(1-4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, derived from exoskeleton of crustaceans. It is high biocompatible and it is also used in drug delivery. In addition, chitosan has chelating properties due to the amino groups of polysaccharide that are responsible of selective chelation with metal ions. In particular, the attention has been paid to silver nanoparticles for their high stability, low toxicity, biocompatibility and antibacterial properties. These ones are incorporated in polymeric matrix (e.g. chitosan) and they are capable to interact physically with cell walls of bacteria. In this study Chitosan-Silver nanoparticles composite coating on AISI 304L was investigated. These coatings were realized by an alternative method of deposition respect to traditional ones based on galvanic coupling. This process doesn’t request any external power supply and is very easy to carried out. The difference of the electrochemical redox potential between the substrate (cathode) and a sacrificial anode is the pivotal role of the process. Deposition rate is controlled by the ratio of cathodic and anodic area. In practice, electrons generated by anode corrosion flow towards to more noble metal thanks to a short-circuit. As soon electrons arrive to the cathode, the base electrogeneration reactions of nitrate ions and water molecules occur. Production of hydroxyl ions causes an increasing of pH at substrate/solution interface. Hence, deprotonation of amine group leads precipitation of chitosan (pKa=6.4) onto surface. At the same time, silver nanoparticles are incorporated in polymeric matrix of chitosan. Physical-chemical characterizations of the coatings were carried out in order to investigate morphology and chemical composition. In addition, corrosion tests (potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) were executed in a simulated body fluid to scrutinize the corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the release of silver nanoparticles from coating in SBF were studied

Implementation of the MASK-Air® App for Rhinitis and Asthma in Older Adults: MASK@Puglia Pilot Study

Introduction: MASK-air® is an app whose aim is to reduce the global burden of allergic rhinitis and asthma. A transfer of innovative practices was performed to disseminate and implement MASK-air® in European regions. The aim of the study was to examine the implementation of the MASK-air® app in older adults of the Puglia TWINNING in order to investigate (i) the rate of acceptance in this population, (ii) the reasons for refusal and (iii) the evaluation of the app after its use. Methods: All consecutive geriatric patients aged between 65 and 90 years were included by the outpatient clinic of the Bari Geriatric Immunoallergology Unit. After a 1-h training session, older adults used the app for 6 months. A 6-item questionnaire was developed by our unit to evaluate the impact of the app on the management of the disease and its treatment. Results: Among the 174 recruited patients, 102 accepted to use the app (mean age, SD: 72.4 ± 4.6 years), 6 were lost to follow-up, and 63 had a low education level. The reasons given not to use the app included lack of interest (11%), lack of access to a smartphone or tablet (53%), low computer literacy (28%), and distrust (8%). At follow-up, the overall satisfaction was high (89%), the patient considered MASK-air® “advantageous” (95%), compliance to treatment was improved (81%), and the rate of loss to follow-up had decreased to 6%. Conclusion: Older adults with a low level of education can use the MASK-air® app after a short training session

Galvanic Deposition of Calcium Phosphate/Bioglass Composite Coating on AISI 316L

Calcium phosphate/Bioglass composite coatings on AISI 316L were investigated with regard to their potential role as a beneficial coating for orthopedic implants. These coatings were realized by the galvanic co-deposition of calcium phosphate compounds and Bioglass particles. A different amount of Bioglass 45S5 was used to study its effect on the performance of the composite coatings. The morphology and chemical composition of the coatings were investigated before and after their aging in simulated body fluid. The coatings uniformly covered the AISI 316L substrate and consisted of a brushite and hydroxyapatite mixture. Both phases were detected using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Additionally, both analyses revealed that brushite is the primary phase. The presence of Bioglass was verified through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, which showed the presence of a silicon peak. During aging in simulated body fluid, the coating was subject to a dynamic equilibrium of dissolution/reprecipitation with total conversion in only the hydroxyapatite phase. Corrosion tests performed in simulated body fluid at different aging times revealed that the coatings made with 1 g/L of Bioglass performed best. These samples have a corrosion potential of −0.068V vs. Ag/AgCl and a corrosion current density of 8.87 × 10−7 A/cm2. These values are better than those measured for bare AISI 316L (−0.187 V vs. Ag/AgCl and 2.52 × 10−6 A/cm2, respectively) and remained superior to pure steel for all 21 days of aging. This behavior indicated the good protection of the coating against corrosion phenomena, which was further confirmed by the very low concentration of Ni ions (0.076 ppm) released in the aging solution after 21 days of immersion. Furthermore, the absence of cytotoxicity, verified through cell viability assays with MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells, proves the biocompatibility of the coatings

Wearable Sensor for Real-time Monitoring of Hydrogen Peroxide in Simulated Exhaled Air

In this work, an innovative and cheap electrochemical sensor for hydrogen peroxide quantification in exhaled breath was developed. H2O2 is the most used biomarker among the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) for monitoring the level of oxidative stress in the respiratory system. This is due to its stability and ability to cross biological membranes and also because it is detectable in extracellular space. The electrochemical sensor was obtained using the silver layer of wasted compact discs (CDs). All three electrodes, working (WE), counter (CE), and pseudo-reference electrode (RE), were fabricated using a laser cutter. The working electrode was used directly, while an Ag/AgCl paste and a graphite paste were applied respectively on the RE and the CE. In addition, a chitosan layer was deposited by Electro-Phoretic Deposition (EPD) on the surface of the sensor. This biopolymer improves the wettability of the sensor in presence of a humid atmosphere such as that given by exhaled air. The sensor was tested in both liquid and nebulized solutions containing different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The detection of H2O2 was evaluated using Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) as electrochemical technique. The results show that the peak current increases linearly with hydrogen peroxide concentration from 100 to 500 μM with a sensitivity of 0.068 µA µM−1 cm−2 and 0.108 µA µM−1 cm−2, a Limit Of Detection (LOD) of 60 μM and 30 μM respectively for liquid and nebulized solutions. Therefore, the use of the electrochemical sensor can allow the monitoring of hydrogen peroxide in real time with good results