224 research outputs found
Design of an Optical Trapping Device Based on an Ultra-High Q/V Resonant Structure
No full textA novel photonic/plasmonic cavity based on a 1-D photonic crystal cavity vertically coupled to a plasmonic gold structure is reported. The design has been optimized to achieve an ultra-high Q/V ratio, therefore improving the light–matter interaction and making the device suitable for optical trapping applications. Accurate 3-D finite element method (FEM) simulations have been carried out to evaluate the device behavior and performance. The device shows Q 1⁄4 2:8 103 and V 1⁄4 4 104ð=nÞ3, which correspond to a Q=V 1⁄4 7 106ð=nÞ3 with a resonance transmission around 50% at R 1⁄4 1589:62 nm. A strong gradient of the optical energy has been observed in the metal structure at the resonance, inducing a strong optical force and allowing a single particle trapping with a diameter less than 100 nm. The device turns out very useful for novel biomedical applications, such as proteomics and oncology
Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer: Current and emerging therapy strategies
No full textNeuroendocrine differentiation (NED) secondary to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) may be frequent in various stages of prostate cancer (PC), particularly in castration-resistant PC (CRPC). NED generally involves more aggressive PC clinical behavior and an unfavorable prognosis. The identification of neuropeptides secreted by NE cells and of different proliferative and anti-apoptotic pathways has led to attention being focused on probable diagnostic targets and therapeutic options for a subtype of PC. Emerging evidence suggests that the acquisition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype are associated with the development of NED in PC, responsible for a complex interaction between ADT, the onset of CRPC and NED, in which EMT and CSC could play a central role, providing potential therapeutic targets. In this article, we review the pathogenetic, prognostic and predictive significance of NED in human PC, providing an insight into innovative agents capable of treating and perhaps preventing NED occurrence. © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd
Precancerous colorectal lesions (Review).
No full textColorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and often lethal tumor. Over the last 25 years, remarkable progress has been made in understanding its biological and molecular features and in elucidating the steps involved in colon carcinogenesis. This, in turn, has led to a more rational and effective clinical approach to the treatment of CRC. While colorectal adenoma is the most frequent precancerous lesion, other potentially premalignant conditions, including chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and hereditary syndromes, such as familial adenomatous polyposis, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and juvenile polyposis, involve different sites of the gastrointestinal tract with an overall incidence of less than 5%. In all such cases, disease recognition at an early stage is essential to devise suitable preventive cancer strategies. These topics are addressed in this review, along with the most important epidemiological, pathogenetic and clinical features that lead to malignant transformation. Novel biomarkers for early cancer prediction, detection, prognostic evolution, and the response to treatment are critically assessed as well. Continued improvements in our knowledge of the molecular basis of CRC and the transfer of this information into daily clinical practice will reduce the burden of this disease
An update on our ability to monitor castration-resistant prostate cancer dynamics with cell-free DNA
No full textIntroduction: Prostate cancer is one of the most frequent tumors worldwide. Due to the lack of reliable markers, patients are usually diagnosed at a late stage when it becomes castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with a worse outcome. Thus, it is essential to ameliorate the clinical management of these patients. Nowadays, the use of liquid biopsy represents a minimally invasive way to provide a complete molecular landscape of prostate cancer. Thus, this review aims to outline the clinical value of cell-free DNA in real-time monitoring of metastatic CRPC (mCRPC). Areas covered: This comprehensive review explores in detail the characteristics as well as clinical applications of plasma DNA analysis in mCRPC. Expert opinion: The assessment of circulating tumor DNA fraction is a valid and robust biomarker in mCRPC able to predict clinical outcome and monitor disease evolution during treatment. Recently, several methods (i.e. next generation sequencing and digital droplet PCR) are used to investigate genomics in cell-free DNA and novel nanotechnology-based approaches are currently under evaluation in order to improve clinical management of mCRPC patients
Design of a low-cost photonic filter for coarse wavelength division multiplexing in polymer materials
No full text
Therapy of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in the era of direct-acting and host-targeting antiviral agents
No full textObjectives: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a leading worldwide medical and social problem. The expanding knowledge of HCV lifecycle has led to the development of novel antiviral agents that: a) specifically target a viral function (direct-acting antivirals), or b) specifically inhibit viral replication. The present review describes the novel anti-HCV drugs that have been better studied at the time of this writing and the current two types of treatment, namely interferon-based and interferon-free regimens. In addition, predictive factors, virological responses, side-effects, and resistance mechanisms of the novel agents are summarized. Conclusions: The introduction of novel antiviral agents is remarkably changing the therapeutic combinations aimed at improving virological responses both for easy-to-cure and difficult-to-treat patients. Since additional, effective drugs are under advanced development, it seems reasonable to expect that further therapeutic and prognostic improvements will be achieved in the near future. © 2013 The British Infection Association
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