106 research outputs found
"Figure urbane di Roma contemporanea. Il ruolo dei vuoti nel disegno della città"
No full textIl contributo vuole ripercorrere il ruolo dei vuoti nella morfologia di Roma. Dal periodo imperiale in poi, influenzata dalle mode elleniche, Roma ebbe un vero e proprio culto per parchi e giardini, sia privati che pubblici. I vuoti ebbero un importante ruolo di caratterizzazione formale della città che, da quel momento in
poi, non abbandonò più la prerogativa di essere un luogo in cui ampie distese di verde si alternano e si compenetrano al sistema costruito. Questi tratti del paesaggio romano si accentuarono ulteriormente con le sistemazioni urbane rinascimentale, barocche e illuministe, e segnano ancora oggi la città. Il verde come spazio pubblico assume in epoca moderna nuove funzioni sportive o da gioco, mentre assi prospettici e schermi arborei isolano i grandi monumenti dell’antichità e disegnano nodi nevralgici in corrispondenza di ponti e di edifici importanti. Spazi aperti verdi saranno ancora elemento caratterizzante gli interventi postbellici.
Negli anni settanta, invece, a Roma si vuole dare una nuova immagine alla città. Gli interventi si ingigantiscono e si dovrebbero dotare teoricamente di quei servizi civili necessari a scongiurare città-dormitorio. Ma i molti problemi gestionali finiscono per tradire le intenzioni iniziali e il verde è concepito come spazio bidimensionale libero tra gli edifici
Cosma, Octavian Lazár: The Romanian Music Chronicle vol. I (1973) - vol. IX (1991) [Rezension]
No full textThe nine volumes of the "Romanian Music Chronicle", printed by the Music Publishing Hause, Bucharest, in 20 years (1973-1991) are the fruit of an extremely elaborated investigation, that broke all the walls that tried to hide this real patrimony of spirituality. The author, Octavian Lazar Cosma, shouldered the responsibility of a difficult cultural mission to establish the main points of the Romanian music evolution during these two millennia
Chlorophyll/Alginate microparticles for Photodynamic Therapy applications
No full textThe goal of this study is the chemical-physical characterization of a drug delivery system for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) [1]: Chlorophyll a (Chl a) entrapped in a water-soluble matrix made of Ca2+ cross-linked alginic acid [2]. Chl a, a lipophilic natural pigments, is a molecule with characteristic photosensitising properties usable in PDT. In PDT the photosensitizer, selectively accumulated in malignant tissues, produces, upon light irradiation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are responsible for cytotoxicity of neoplastic cells and tumor regression since induce cellular damage via apoptosis, necrosis, or both. The Chl a/alginate microspheres produced were characterized by means of different techniques as UV-Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Moreover, it was estimated the ROS production, mainly singlet oxygen (1O2) by means of a selective luminescent probe, Singlet Oxygen Sensor Green [3] and in vitro tests were carried out on human adenocarcinoma cells (HT29).
[1] R.M. Szeimies, S. Karrer, S. Radakovic-Fijan. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol., 2002, 47, 259-262. [2] G.T. Grant, E.R. Morris, D.A. Rees, P.J.C. Smith, D. Thom. FEBS letters, 1973, 32,195-198. [3] A. Gollmer, J. Arnbjerg, H. Frances, F.H. Blaikie, B.Wett Pedersen, T. Breitenbach, K. Daasbjerg, P.R. Ogilby. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2011, 87, 671–679
Immunofluorescence vs immunochemiluminescent methods: AIA 2000 vs Immulite 2000
No full textThe aim of this study was to evaluate the measurement of C-peptide, insulin, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), tests of specific clinical value that are not frequently measured in routine clinical laboratories, carried out using an automated system, AIA 2000 (Tosoh). The obtained data demonstrated that the evaluated system, characterized by fluorescence system detector provides satisfactory analytical performance comparable to those of different instrument that use the well known and widely diffused chemiluminescent principle (Immulite 2000). These characteristics allow an excellent comparability between methods for the measurement of same specific hormones not frequently used in clinical practice
The Burden of Impaired Serum Albumin Antioxidant Properties and Glyco-Oxidation in Coronary Heart Disease Patients with and without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
No full textHuman serum albumin (HSA) has an important antioxidant activity due to the presence of the reduced cysteine at position 34, which represents the most abundant free thiol in the plasma. In oxidative-based diseases, HSA undergoes S-thiolation (THIO-HSA) with changes in the antioxidant function of albumin that could contribute to the progression of the disease. The aim of this study was to verify, for the first time, the different burdens of THIO-HSA, glycated HSA (GLY-HSA), and advanced glycation end products (AGE) accumulation both in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and in non-diabetic patients, with or without coronary heart disease (CHD). In this study, we assessed the presence of modified forms of HSA, THIO-HSA, and GLY-HSA by means of mass spectrometry in 33 patients with both T2DM and CHD, in 31 patients with T2DM and without CHD, in 30 patients without diabetes with a history of CHD, and 27 subjects without diabetes and CHD. All the patients’ anthropometric and clinical data were recorded including age, sex, duration of diabetes, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and history of CHD defined with anamnestic data. Metabolic parameters, such as fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids, pentosidine, AGE, receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and its soluble form (sRAGE), were measured. AGE and pentosidine are significantly higher in T2DM patients with and without CHD with respect to non-diabetic patients with CHD and control subjects. RAGE levels are significantly higher in T2DM patients with respect to non-diabetic patients, and among T2DM pa-tients, the group with CHD showed significantly higher RAGE levels than those without CHD (217 ± 171 pg/mL and 140 ± 61 pg/mL, respectively). Albumin isoforms discriminate between non-diabetic patients with CHD and T2DM patients with and without CHD and control subjects, with GLY-HSA levels higher in T2DM with and without CHD, and THIO-HSA higher in CHD patients without T2DM. Finally, we demonstrated that the oxidized forms of HSA can increase the expression of the inflammatory cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα) in monocytic cells. In patients with CHD, GLY-HSA and THIO-HSA have a different prevalent distribution, the first one prevailing in patients with T2DM and the second one in patients without T2DM. These findings suggest that albumin quality and homeostasis balance between glyco-oxidation and thiolation might have an impact on the antioxidant defense system in cardiovascular diseases
Clinical performance of cardiac Troponin I: A comparison between the POCT AQT90 FLEX and the Dimension Vista analyzer in an emergency setting
No full textNo association between the degree of liver steatosis and early signs of vasculopathy in T2DM.
No full textNon alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is both an independent and an associated risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease in the general population [1]. Whereas the association between NAFLD, and early signs of vasculopathy, such as an increased intima-media thickness (IMT) and a decreased flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), has been reported in the general population, such an association in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is controversial. In T2DM patients with NAFLD FMD was decreased [2], whereas IMT was not different, with respect to patients without liver steatosis [3]. Should a (causative) relationship between hepatic steatosis and early signs of vasculopathy exists, the degree of liver fat should be associated with a worse endothelial function and morphology. However, despite the bulk of data generated on this complex association, insufficient reports exist on T2DM.
To this aim, we measured the extent of liver fat, average IMT, the presence and type of carotid plaques, and FMD, in sixty consecutive T2DM patients largely affected by features of the MS. Liver steatosis, IMT, and presence and types of carotid plaques, were evaluated by ultrasonography (using an HDI 5000 Philips Medical Systems apparatus, Bothell, WA, USA), with a broad-band width phased array transducer (2–5 MHz). Steatosis was divided into four classes following the traditional US classification (class 0: absence; classes 1–3: increasing degrees, of steatosis) [4]. IMT was assessed using standard procedures [5]. FMD was evaluated in 45 patients using an internationally validated approach [6]. Only six patients were current smokers, and seven had a positive history for CV disease (five for ischemic heart disease, and two for cerebrovascular disease). No subject was positive for hepatitis C virus infection.
The overall prevalence of steatosis was 88% (34% mild, 34% moderate e 20% severe). Average IMT was 0.88 ± 0.03 mm (Mean ± SE), significantly greater (p < 0.0001) than the mean value of a healthy, age- and sex matched population at our Institution (0.72 ± 0.03 mm). Fifty-eight percent of patients had carotid plaques. Average FMD in the patients (5.02 ± 0.81%) was lower (p < 0.001) than the normal values of healthy, age- and sex matched individuals from our Institution (6.56 ± 0.60%). Nevertheless, there was no difference, among the four classes of steatosis, in either FMD (class 0: 5.10 ± 0.89%; class 1: 4.97 ± 0.46%; class 2: 4.73 ± 0.40%; class 3: 5.25 ± 0.17%) (p = 0.543 by ANOVA), average IMT (0.82 ± 0.08; 0.93 ± 0.05; 0.85 ± 0.05; and 0.85 ± 0.06 mm, respectively; p = 0.760 by ANOVA), or the prevalence of carotid plaques (43; 70; 60 and 69% respectively, p = 0.644).
In conclusion, in T2DM patients largely exhibiting features of the MS, the degree of liver steatosis is not associated with early signs of (sub)clinical atherosclerosis and altered vascular function. These data question the role of liver fat as a direct determinant of early signs of vasculopathy in T2DM. Alternatively, it is possible that the burden of cardiovascular risk factors already present in these T2DM patients, obscure the possible contribution given by the degree of steatosis, on early signs of arteriosclerosis
MUSIC THERAPY REDUCES ANXIETY AND PAIN AND IMPROVES SATISFACTION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING PERCUTANEOUS RENAL BIOPSY
No full textBACKGROUND AND AIMS
Percutaneous kidney biopsy (PRB) is an invasive procedure performed under local anaesthesia that often creates anxiety, stress and pain in the patient before, during and after the procedure. Music therapy (MT), defined as the clinical- and evidence-based use of music, is administered by a trained professional to achieve individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship between patient, music and music therapist. MT can be used as a complementary non-drug intervention to prevent and treat emotional distress and pain. The main objectives of the study were
1. evaluate the effectiveness of MT in managing anxiety, pain and satisfaction in patients undergoing PRB.
2. investigate the effect of MTI on heart rate variability (HRV).
METHOD
This study was a two-arm, single-centre, parallel-group and pre–post PRB randomized controlled trial. Patients programmed for PRB were enrolled (n = 80) and assigned to the MT intervention group (MG, n = 40) or standard treatment [control group (CG), n = 40]. MG received, from a FAMI-certified music therapist, a personalized playlist administered during the PRB, adapted to the individual patient. Patient anxiety was assessed before and after PRB using the State Y-1 Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y1). A visual analog scale (VAS) was used for self-assessment of pain (VAS-P) and satisfaction (VAS-S). Physiological stress parameters (PRE–POST) were assessed using HRV (SDNN, RMSSD, LH/HF, SD1, SD2) from E4 wristbands—Empatica Inc.1. The bracelet was placed 5 min before the patient entered the operating room for the procedure and removed after the completion of the PRB. The data of each session were divided into two segments: (1) pre, before the administration of the local anesthetic and (2) post, after the conclusion of the biopsy.
RESULTS
A statistically significant difference in anxiety levels was observed between the MG and CG groups (35.35 ± 6.208 versus 42.83 ± 9.027; P < 0.001, Fig. 1). The MG group showed significantly lower VAS-P values (4.95 ± 1.377 versus 6.28 ± 1.281; P < 0.001, Fig. 2) and higher VAS-S values (7.75 ± 0.981 versus 6.03 ± 0.800; P < 0.001) after PRB compared with the CG group (Fig. 3). The SDNN (P < 0.034), RMSDD (P < 0.04) and SD2 (P < 0.027) measurements of HRV were significantly higher in MG than in CG, while LF/HF decreased (P < 0.033).
CONCLUSION
This study supports the efficacy of MT in reducing anxiety and pain and improving satisfaction in patients undergoing PRB. MT modulates the autonomic nervous system, reducing sympathetic activity, increasing parasympathetic activity and inducing physiological relaxation
Chlorophyll a in cyclodextrin supramolecular complexes as a natural photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications
No full textChlorophyll a (Chl a), an amphipathic porphyrin, was employed as natural photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy applications. Due to its lacking solubility in water and high tendency to aggregate, Chl a was included into different modified cyclodextrins (CDs) to form stable water-soluble supramolecular complexes. To achieve this aim, 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2-HP-β-CD), 2-Hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (2-HP-γ-CD), Heptakis(2,6-di-o-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DIMEB) and Heptakis(2,3,6-tri-o-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (TRIMEB) were used. The chemical physical properties of Chl a/CD complexes in cellular medium were studied by means of UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. Results demonstrated the good aptitude of 2-HP-γ-CD, and more particularly of 2-HP-β-CD, to solubilize the Chl a in cell culture medium in monomeric and photoactive form. Then, Chl a/2-HP-β-CD and Chl a/2-HP-γ-CD complexes were evaluated in vitro on human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT-29 cell line, and cytotoxicity and intracellular localization were respectively assessed. Further tests, such as phototoxicity, ROS generation, intracellular localization and mechanism of cell death were then focused exclusively on Chl a/2-HP-β-CD system. This complex exhibited no dark toxicity and a high phototoxicity toward HT-29 cells inducing cell death via necrotic mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to affirm that Chl a/2-HP-β-CD supramolecular complex could be a promising and potential formulation for applications in photodynamic therapy
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