An investigation of bedside laparoscopy in the ICU for cases of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia

Background: Acute mesenteric ischemia is a rare affection with high related mortality. NOMI presents the most important diagnostic problems and is related with the higher risk of white laparotomy. This study wants to give a contribution for the validation of laparoscopic approach in case of NOMI. Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients were admitted in last 10 years in ICU of Paolo Giaccone University Hospital of Palermo for AMI. Diagnosis was obtained by multislice CT and selective angiography was done if clinical conditions were permissive. If necrosis was already present or suspected, surgical approach was done. Endovascular or surgical embolectomy was performed when necessary. Twenty NOMI patients underwent medical treatment performing laparoscopy 24 h later to verify the evolution of AMI. A three-port technique was used. In all patients we performed a bed side procedure 48-72 h later in both non-resected and resected group. Results: In 14 up 20 case of NOMI the disease was extended throughout the splanchnic district, in 6 patients it involved the ileum and the colon; after a first look, only 6 patients underwent resection. One patient died 35 h after diagnosis of NOMI. The second look, 48 h later, demonstrated 4 infarction recurrences in the group of resected patients and onset signs of necrosis in 5 patients of non-resected group. A total of 15 resections were performed on 11 patients. Mortality rate was 6/20-30% but it was much higher in resected group (5/11-45,5%). Non-therapeutic laparotomy was avoided in 9/20 patients and in this group mortality rate was 1/9-11%. No morbidity was recorded related to laparoscopic procedure. Conclusions: Laparoscopy could be a feasible and safety surgical approach for management of patient with NOMI. Our retrospective study demonstrates that laparoscopy don't increase morbidity, reduce mortality avoiding non-therapeutic laparotomy

Organoselenium compounds as functionalizing agents for gold nanoparticles in cancer therapy

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified with four organoselenium compounds, i.e., 4-selenocyanatoaniline (com- pound 1), 4,4′-diselanediyldianiline (compound 2), N-(4-selenocyanatophenyl)cinnamamide (compound 3), and N-(3-selenocyanatopropyl)cinnamamide (compound 4), were synthesized following two different approaches: direct conjugation and non-covalent immobilization onto hydrophilic and non-cytotoxic AuNPs functionalized with 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate (3MPS). Both free compounds and AuNPs-based systems were characterized via UV-Vis, FTIR NMR, mass spectrometry, and SR-XPS to assess their optical and structural properties. Size and colloidal stability were evaluated by DLS and ζ-potential measurements, whereas morphology at solid-state was evaluated by atomic force (AFM) and scanning electron (FESEM) microscopies. AuNPs synthesized through chemical reduction method in presence of Se-based compounds as functionalizing agents allowed the formation of aggregated NPs with little to no solubility in aqueous media. To improve their hydrophilicity and stability mixed AuNPs-3MPS-1 were synthesized. Besides, Se-loaded AuNPs-3MPS revealed to be the most suitable sys- tems for biological studies in terms of size and colloidal stability. Selenium derivatives and AuNPs were tested in vitro via MTT assay against PC-3 (prostatic adenocarcinoma) and HCT-116 (colorectal carcinoma) cell lines. Compared to free compounds, direct functionalization onto AuNPs with formation of Au-Se covalent bond led to non-cytotoxic systems in the concentration range explored (0–100 μg/mL), whereas immobilization on AuNPs- 3MPS improved the cytotoxicity of compounds 1, 3, and 4. Selective anticancer response against HCT-116 cells was obtained by AuNPs-3MPS-1. These results demonstrated that AuNPs can be used as a platform to tune the in vitro biological activity of organoselenium compounds

Noble Metal Nanoparticles Networks Stabilized by Rod‐Like Organometallic Bifunctional Thiols

od-like organometallic dithiol containing square-planar Pt(II) centers, i. e., trans,trans- [(H3COCS)Pt(PBu3)2(C�C C6H4 C6H4 C�C)(PBu3)2Pt(SCOCH3)] was used as bifunctional stabilizing agent for the synthesis of Pd-, Au-, and AgNPs (MNPs). All the MNPs showed diameters of about 4 nm, which can be controlled by carefully modulating the synthesis parameters. Covalent MNPs stabilization occurred through a single S bridge between Pt(II) and the noble metal nanocluster surfaces, leading to a network of regularly spaced NPs with the formation of dyads, as supported by SR-XPS data and by TEM imaging analysis. The chemical nature of NPs systems was also confirmed by EDS and NMR. Comparison between SR-XPS data of MNPs and self-assembled monolayers and multilayers of pristine rod-like dithiols deposited onto polycrystalline gold surfaces revealed an electronic interaction between Pt(II) centers and biphenyl moieties of adjacent ligands, stabilizing the organic structure of the network. The possibility to obtain networks of regularly spaced MNPs opens outstanding perspectives in optoelectronics

Study of the interaction mechanism between hydrophilic thiol capped gold nanoparticles and melamine in aqueous medium

In the last years, intense efforts have been made in order to obtain colloidal-based systems capable of pointing out the presence of melamine in food samples. In this work, we reported about the recognition of melamine in aqueous solution, using gold nanoparticles stabilized with 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate (AuNPs-3MPS), with the aim of deepening how the recognition process works. AuNPs were synthesized using a wet chemical reduction method. The synthesized AuNPs-3MPS probe was fully characterized, before and after the recognition process, by both physicochemical (UV–vis, FT-IR, 1H-NMR, DLS and ζ-potential) and morphostructural techniques (AFM, HR-TEM). The chemical and electronic structure was also investigated by SR-XPS. The sensing method is based on the melamine-induced aggregation of AuNPs; the presence of melamine was successfully detected in the range of 2.5−500 ppm. The results achieved also demonstrate that negatively charged AuNPs-3MPS are potentially useful for determining melamine contents in aqueous solution. SR-XPS measurements allowed to understand interaction mechanism between the probe and the analyte. The presence of sulfonate groups allows a mutual interaction mediated by electrostatic bonds between nanoparticles surface thiols and positively charged amino groups of melamine molecules

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Silver nanoparticles as efficient tool in agrifood applications

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in several fields i.e., biomedicine, textile, cosmetic and healthcare [1]. Nowadays, there is a deep interest to use engineered nanomaterials in agrifood, as they can revolutionize agricultural systems using them in different ways [2]. This research aims to improve the production of mycorrhized plants with Tuber melanosporum (black truffle) through the controlled use of nanotechnology (Figure 1). Thus, hydrophilic AgNPs with a size range of 30-50 nm were synthesized via green synthesis approach, functionalized during their growth with 3-mercapto-1-propansulfonate sodium salt (3MPS) or poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). To study their different stabilizing efficiency through a covalently linked thiol or a polymeric matrix, DLS and UV-vis measurements. was assessed for an interval of 0-30 days and their functionalization was confirmed by FT-IR, NMR and SEM-EDX. This project belongs to the TANA Project funded by Regione Lazio. References [1] P. Fincheira, G. Tortella, A. B. Seabra, A. Quiroz, M. C. Diez, O. Rubilar, Planta, 2021, 254:66, 1–25. [2] I. Schiesaro, L. Burratti, C. Meneghini, I. Fratoddi, P. Prosposito, J. Lim, C. Scheu, I. Venditti, G. Iucci, C. Battocchio, J. Phys. Chem. C, 2020, 124, 25975−2598

Silver nanoparticles as stimulating agents for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi growth: a new perspective for agri-food

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have recently been used in several fields, such as biomedicine, environmental treatment, food packaging and health care, due to their known antibacterial properties [1]. Nowadays, there is a widespread interest to use engineered nanomaterials in agriculture due to the possibility to obtain formulations for various agrochemicals, i.e., formulations of nanopesticides, nanofertilizers, nanosensors, and nanovectors [2,3]. The aim of the work is to enhance and increase the production of mycorrhized plants, a technique whereby fungi attach to the roots of a specific plant creating a symbiotic relationship, with Tuber melanosporum, also known as black truffle, through the controlled use of nanotechnology. This project belongs to TANA Regione Lazio activities. For this purpose, AgNPs with size of 50 nm were obtained through green synthesis approach using water as a solvent and following a bottom-up method. Two different ligands were used to prevent the aggregation of AgNPs during their growth: 3-mercapto-1-propansulfonate sodium salt (3MPS) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), to obtain negatively charged AgNPs-3MPS and AgNPs-PAA. Their size and stability in both aqueous and buffer media were evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV-vis for an interval of 0-30 days in the range of 5-50 ug mL-1. References [1] N. Baig, I. Kammakakam, W. Falath, I. Kammakakam, Mater. Adv., 2021, 2, 1821–1871. [2] C. An, C. Sun, N. Li, B. Huang, J. Jiang, Y. Shen, C. Wang, X. Zhao, B. Cui, C. Wang, X. Li, S. Zhan, F. Gao, Z. Zeng, H. Cui, Y. Wang, J. Nanobiotechnology, 2022, 20, 1–19. [3] I. Schiesaro, L. Burratti, C. Meneghini, I. Fratoddi, P. Prosposito, J. Lim, C. Scheu, I. Venditti, G. Iucci, C. Battocchio, J. Phys. Chem. C 2020, 124, 25975−25983

Silane-functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles decorated with Ag nanoparticles for dual antimicrobial effects

TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to the interesting antibacterial application of a single nanoplatform of these two components [1,2]. The direct TiO2-Ag conjugation is still challenging and opens applicative perspectives as a multifunctional nanotool for dual antimicrobial activity. In the present work, (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (3MPTMS) was selected as a bifunctional linker bearing –SH and –O moieties to mediate the chemical attachment of soft AgNPs to hard TiO2NPs. Moreover, the 3MPTMS linker can improve the stability and biocompatibility of TiO2-Ag nanoconjugate. Regarding the synthesis, commercially available TiO2NPs with a mean size of 50 nm were firstly functionalized with 3MPTS (hydrolyzed form of 3MPTMS) through the formation of Ti–O–Si bonds and then Ag ions were coordinated to the –SH groups of the TiO2NPs-3MPTS followed by reduction to the AgNPs forming the final TiO2-3MPTS-Ag nanohybrid. Different reducing agents were tested for both reduction of the coordinated-Ag+ and stabilization of the resultant AgNPs on the surface of TiO2NPs-3MPTS. The stability, size, morphology, and chemical composition of the nanoparticles were evaluated by extensive characterizations including FTIR-ATR, FESEM-EDS, and DLS. Thanks to multidisciplinary collaborations, the in vitro antibacterial property of this TiO2-Ag nanohybrid is in progress

Synthesis and characterizations of highly stable magnetite-silver (Fe3O4-Ag) nanohybrid for recyclable antibacterial materials

Due to their excellent antimicrobial activity, silver nanoparticles are considered as promising candidates against resistant pathogens. For such biological applications, it is of great importance to separate these nanoparticles from the surrounding media to prevent the potential contamination or aggregation. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) are the mostly used magnetic materials in such fields, due to their biocompatibility, well-known chemistry/synthesis methods, and high surface area which allows to load many antibacterial agents on their surface [1]. In this research, highly stable silver nanoparticles, AgNPs-3MPS (3-MPS: 3- mercapto-1-propanesulfonate) were chemically decorated on the surface of silane-functionalized Fe3O4NPs. The (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTS) was used for the silane functionalization to provide the free –SH groups on the Fe3O4NPs suitable for the chemical conjugation of AgNPs-3MPS with the magnetite surface. The Fe3O4NPs were synthesized by a coprecipitation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) ions in the presence of polyacrylic acid (PAA) as coating agent, followed by the surface silanization using a sol-gel method. Then AgNPs-3MPS were prepared in situ (reducing agent: NaBH4) and directly attached to the free –SH groups of Fe3O4NPs-PAA@MPTS forming the final nanohybrid. The stability, size, morphology, and chemical composition of both Fe3O4-PAA@MPTS and nanohybrid were evaluated by FT-IR/ATR, FESEM-EDS, DLS characterizations