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Valore prognostico delle resistenze microcircolatorie dopo angioplastica coronarica in pazienti con disfunzione ventricolare sinistra post-ischemica.
Get PDFObiettivo: Valutare se la misurazione delle resistenze microcircolatorie iperemiche dopo angioplastica coronarica (PTCA) abbia un ruolo nel predire il recupero funzionale in pazienti con disfunzione ventricolare sinistra post-ischemica.
Metodi: Quarantotto pazienti con disfunzione ventricolare sinistra post-ischemica distale a una stenosi subocclusiva coronarica sono stati sottoposti a PTCA. Gli indici di severità funzionale (fractional flow reserve [FFR] e coronary flow reserve [CFR]) e gli indici di resistenza della stenosi (hyperemic stenosis resistance [HSR]) e del microcircolo (hyperemic microvascular resistance [HMR]) sono stati misurati prima e dopo PTCA mediante filo guida intracoronarico a doppio sensore di flusso e pressione (ComboWire). La frazione d’eiezione ventricolare sinistra (FEVS) e l’indice di contrazione regionale del territorio miocardico relativo al vaso trattato (Wall Motion Score Index target [WMSI-T]) sono stati valutati mediante ecografia transtoracica prima della PTCA e a 3 mesi dall’intervento. L’indice di perfusione del territorio target (Summed Rest perfusion Score [SRS-T]) è stato valutato mediante tomoscintigrafia miocardica (SPECT) prima della PTCA e a 3 mesi dall’intervento. I pazienti sono stati suddivisi in due gruppi a seconda del valore di HMR post-PTCA utilizzando il cut-off predefinito di normalità di 2.0.
Risultati: I valori di FFR, HSR, CFR e HMR sono migliorati in maniera significativa dopo PTCA. In 17 pazienti (Gruppo I: 35.4%) i valori di HMR sono rimasti elevati (HMR>2.0) e significativamente superiori (3.29±1.77 mmHg/cm/sec vs. 1.35±0.34 mmHg/cm/sec; P<0.001) rispetto ai restanti 31 pazienti (Gruppo II: 64.6%). Non vi erano differenze tra gli indici di severità della stenosi epicardica FFR, CFR e HSR prima e dopo PTCA tra i due gruppi di pazienti. Dopo 3 mesi, nei pazienti del Gruppo I non si sono osservati cambiamenti significativi della FEVS (da 41.2 ± 9.4% a 43.1 ± 9.8%; P=0.28), del WMSI-T (da 2.27 ± 0.57 a 2.24 ± 0.58, P=0.33) e del SRS-T (da 10.6 ± 8.9 a 9.4 ± 9.2; P=0.16). I pazienti del Gruppo II hanno invece mostrato un significativo miglioramento della FEVS (da 34.8 ± 7.9% a 40.5 ± 10.3%; P<0.001), del WMSI-T (da 2.57 ± 0.59 a 2.13 ± 0.76; P<0.001) e del SRS-T (da 13.5 ± 5.7 a 10.0 ± 6.0; P<0.001). L’analisi ROC ha mostrato che l’HMR post-PTCA possiede una capacità predittiva significativa di assenza di recupero funzionale del ventricolo sinistro (ΔFE <5%) con sensibilità del 54%, specificità del 96% e valore predittivo positivo del 96% ad un valore di cut-off 1.95 (area sotto la curva 0.69, IC [0.53-0.86], P=0.038).
Conclusioni: Questo studio dimostra che l’HMR post-PTCA ha un importante valore prognostico in pazienti con disfunzione ventricolare sinistra post-ischemica; il riscontro di HMR post-PTCA ≤2 si associa infatti a un netto miglioramento sia della cinetica regionale che della perfusione miocardica a 3 mesi dalla procedura. Al contrario, il riscontro di HMR post-PTCA >2 è un predittore affidabile di mancato recupero funzionale del ventricolo sinistro a 3 mesi
Determination of serum miRNAs biomarkers of lung cancer by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Determinazione dei livelli sierici dei miRNA come biomarcatori del cancro al polmone mediante PCR quantitativa (qPCR) e droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).
Get PDFLung cancer (LC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, when it is not radically curable.
Minimally invasive methods allowing identification of asymptomatic subjects with early LC are urgently needed and selected microRNAs (miRNAs) have been suggested as circulating cell-free biomarkers of LC. We compared the performance of two methods, namely qPCR (both absolute and relative) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), in accurately measuring the levels of circulating miRNAs of interest for LC. It was found that ddPCR is more precise and provides higher throughput of analysis than standard qPCR, at a similar cost-per-sample; moreover, ddPCR does not rely on external calibrators or reference genes. Following systematic review of the pertinent literature, eight miRNAs of interest for LC were identified and measured by ddPCR in the serum of 85 patients with early LC (stage I and II) and 83 controls. Four miRNAs (let-7a, miR-210, miR-320a, miR-221) showed significantly different serum level in LC patients and in controls. For each of these miRNAs, the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was constructed and the Area Under the Curve showed fair accuracy in identifying LC cases (about 0.7 for each miRNA). In conclusion, ddPCR was a robust method for absolute quantification of miRNAs of interest for LC. Testing the combination of the above four miRNAs in the serum may help identifying subjects with early LC
Oral fluids and auxiliary diagnostic techniques in autoimmune and neuropathic disorders of the oral cavity. Local and systemic implications. Fluidi orali e tecniche ausiliarie diagnostiche nei disordini autoimmuni e neuropatici del cavo orale. Implicazioni locali e sistemiche.
Get PDFIn this dissertation different features of oral fluids were analyzed in order to verify whether saliva and/or the crevicular fluid may be helpful in diagnosing underlying pathologies, monitorizing systemic diseases activity or contributing to a better understanding of idiopathic oral pathologies.
- In the first study, saliva was quantitatively analyzed through the spitting method in a group of patients affected by the most common idiopathic psychosomatic disorder of the oral cavity, known as Burning Mouth Syndrome. This study showed how saliva is a complex fluid, and that the central nervous system and emotional attitudes are very strong influencing agents on the oral health.
- In the second study, 35 patients affected by Oral Lichen Planus, an autoimmune disorder, were recruite. Salivary fluid and crevicular fluid samples were collected to measure the presence of Human ß2-defensin, an antimicrobial peptide involved in immunomodulatory functions. It was observed that HBD-2 could become a very important index to measure the disease’s activity and its evolution in the future.
- In the third study it was demonstrated that periodontal pockets and saliva contain Helicobacter pylori and that oral hygiene is useful in preventing the formation of a reservoir of microorganisms involved in gastritis and gastric cancer.
- In the fourth study, a total group of 34 patients affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis were examined and several links between rheumatic factors and periodontal indices were found.
In the end, a total number of 240 patients were recruited in this experimental work and each study contributed to new topics in the research on saliva and crevicular fluid as potential diagnostic tools for oral pathologies and systemic diseases
Enzyme functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical and industrial applications. Nanoparticelle magnetiche funzionalizzate con enzimi per applicazioni biomediche ed industriali.
Get PDFIn the first part of this work two nanoparticle-enzyme (NP-enzyme) systems were designed: one for medical and one for industrial applications. The first is the NP-DAAO system that, developed for cancer therapy purpose, combines the magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3 NPs) with those of the H2O2 generating enzyme D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) in order to target the system near to the cancer and once there, to induce a local toxicity able to kill the surrounding tumor cells.
The second NP-enzyme system is the NP-LASPO and finds application in the industrial field. This NP-system, composed by magnetic Fe3O4 NPs conjugated to L-aspartate oxidase (LASPO), allows the resolution of a racemic mixture of D, L-aspartate offering many advantages such as the possibility to recover and reuse the system once the reaction in the bioreactor is over but also to obtain pure end-products without the enzyme contamination.
In the second part of this work is presented a preliminary study of the toxicity and influence of Cobalt, Iron, Nickel zerovalent NPs on the differentiation process of Adipose-derived Stem Cells (ASCs). A population of hASCs was isolated from human adipose tissue and characterized by flow cytometry before to proceed with the cytotoxicity test of CoNPs, FeNPs and NiNPs. Subsequently it was evaluated the possible hASCs adipogenic differentiation induced by CoNPs
Security in Internet of Things: networked smart objects.
Get PDFInternet of Things (IoT) is an innovative paradigm approaching both industries and humans every-day life. It refers to the networked interconnection of every-day objects, which are equipped with ubiquitous intelligence. It not only aims at increasing the ubiquity of the Internet, but also at leading towards a highly distributed network of devices communicating with human beings as well as with other devices. Thanks to rapid advances in underlying technologies, IoT is opening valuable opportunities for a large number of novel applications, that promise to improve the quality of humans lives, facilitating the exchange of services.
In this scenario, security represents a crucial aspect to be addressed, due to the high level of heterogeneity of the involved devices and to the sensibility of the managed information. Moreover, a system architecture should be established, before the IoT is fully operable in an efficient, scalable and interoperable manner.
The main goal of this PhD thesis concerns the design and the implementation of a secure and distributed middleware platform tailored to IoT application domains. The effectiveness of the proposed solution is evaluated by means of a prototype and real case studies
Ruthenium and rhodium catalyzed C-N bond formation reactions in the synthesis of nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds
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Development of an enzymatic tool-box for lignin oxidation/degradation. Sviluppo di un tool-box enzimatico per l’ossidazione e la degradazione della lignina.
Get PDFLignin is an amorphous polymer characterized by a wide range of molecular mass components, a disordered and branched three-dimensional structure, insoluble in water and in most common solvents. In order to perform lignin degradation, enzymatic treatment could represent an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical methods.
The main purpose of this PhD project was to develop an "enzymatic tool-box" for an efficient oxidation and degradation of lignin into aromatic monomers. Biochemical properties of available commercial and recombinant ligninolytic enzymes (laccase, Mn peroxidase and lignin peroxidase) were evaluated under identical experimental conditions, with the final goal to identify interesting biocatalysts for lignin degradation. The effect of pH, temperature, NaCl, DMSO and Tween-80 on the enzymatic activity has been investigated. The activity of novel enzymes, such as the membrane-bound polyphenol oxidase from the marine bacterium Marinomonas mediterranea (MmPPOA) and a peroxidase produced by Nonomuraea gerenzanensis, was also evaluated.
A new high-throughput colorimetric screening to assay the oxidation/degradation of lignin by different enzymes was developed: this method facilitates the identification of optimal conditions for a lignin treatment based on the combined use of various laccases and peroxidases. On this side, coupling the colorimetric assay with a size-exclusion chromatography analysis allows to identify changes in lignin molecular mass distribution due to enzymatic treatment.
Finally, based on recent literature, a chemo-enzymatic process to depolymerise lignin was carried out on two lignin linkage model compounds and on four technical lignins. This could represent an innovative and feasible way for valorisation of lignin under mild conditions
Studio della qualità dell'aria indoor in un'area altamente inquinata della Sicilia
No full textBoth indoor and outdoor air pollution have significant impact and risk for human health. Fossil fuel burning by power stations, chemical industry and motor vehicle emission represent major outdoor air polluting sources which may result in health effects.
Outdoor and indoor air pollution have been implicated in the epidemic of asthma and respiratory problems affecting up to 15% of the populations, with some complaints, such as allergic rhinitis, possibly exceeding 50%.
Studies in Sicily have confirmed a high prevalence of respiratory diseases. However, while the relation to outdoor pollution was to some extent explored, the role of indoor pollution was not.
This project assessed a sample of the Gela communities in the Mediterranean area of south Sicily (Gela, Niscemi, Mazzarino, Butera) for known respiratory diseases, using standardized scientific questionnaires, and making measurements of lung function and level and type of allergies of these populations. Specific measurements of indoor air pollution were made while routine data for outdoor air pollution were obtained.
This project aimed to re-assess and compare the situation of respiratory health determining the relationship between exposure to pollutants and health effects, also attempting to establish risk factors related to lifestyle, and the type of pollution, with a special innovative focus on sources of indoor air pollution.
Such data will be of importance in planning and regulating sources of both indoor and outdoor air pollution, and taking the necessary measures to reduce the impact on human health
