12 research outputs found
Our Experience over 20 Years: Antimicrobial Peptides against Gram Positives, Gram Negatives, and Fungi
No full textAntibiotic resistance is rapidly increasing, and new anti-infective therapies are urgently needed. In this regard, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) may represent potential candidates for the treatment of infections caused by multiresistant microorganisms. In this narrative review, we reported the experience of our research group over 20 years. We described the AMPs we evaluated against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and fungi. In conclusion, our experience shows that AMPs can be a key option for treating multiresistant infections and overcoming resistance mechanisms. The combination of AMPs allows antibiotics and antifungals that are no longer effective to exploit the synergistic effect by restoring their efficacy. A current limitation includes poor data on human patients, the cost of some AMPs, and their safety, which is why studies on humans are needed as soon as possible
Less is more: Can we achieve cardiac resynchronization with 2 leads only?
No full textBackground: We compared clinical and technical outcome of CRT recipients treated either with a conventional 3-leads (3L) CRTD or with the new 2-leads (DX) CRTD that enables atrial signal detection by a floating dipole built on a pentafilar RV lead. Methods: Echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise tests were repeated either before CRTD implantation and between 6 and 12 months follow up in consecutively implanted patients who had a resting heart rate. >. 40. bpm at maximum tolerated beta-blocker dosage. HF status, reverse LV remodeling, exercise tolerance and chronotropic incompetence were assessed at 12 months FU. Device diagnostics were obtained twice yearly until December 2016. Results: 37 patients aged 66 (58-73) years were consecutively implanted in 2013-2014 according to current guidelines, 25 with a 3L CRTD and 12 with a DX CRTD. Beta-blocker dosage was similar, and no difference between the 2 groups was observed in terms of NYHA class improvement, LV reverse remodeling, peak cardiopulmonary performance and presence of chronotropic incompetence at 12 months follow up. There was no difference in: amount delivered CRT; occurrence of VT/VF; occurrence of AT/AF. No patients developed need of atrial stimulation at 3-years FU. Atrial undersensing never occurred in any patient, whereas Far-field R-wave oversensing was more common in 3L patient than in DX patients (8/25 vs none, P <. 0.05). P wave amplitude was greater in DX vs 3L patients [5.1(3.7-9.2) vs 2.9(2-3.9) mV, P <. 0.01]. Conclusion: CRT can be achieved with two-leads-only in the majority of patients, provided that indication to atrial stimulation is ruled out
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as a cause of chronic wound infections: Alternative strategies for management
No full textBiofilm formation at the level of a wound plays an important role in its chronicization. The difficulty of its eradication has driven research toward the discovery and synthesis of new molecules that can act on biofilm to promote wound healing. This narrative review focuses on alternative molecules that can act and promote the eradication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, taking into consideration its antibiotic resistance, virulence, tendency toward the tenacious colonization of wounds by biofilms, and its increased prevalence in both community and hospital settings. A selection of promising studies were reported, analyzing the in vitro and/or in vivo efficacy of bacteriophages, metal nanoparticles, RNAIII inhibiting peptide (RIP), synthetized RIP derivatives, proteinase K and hamamelitannin
Systemic Antibiotic Therapy in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Review on Treatment Landscape and Current Issues
No full textHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent, and inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful, deep-seated, nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts in sensitive areas of the body, including axillary, inguinal, and anogenital regions. Antibiotics represent the first-line pharmacological treatment of HS because of their anti-inflammatory properties and antimicrobial effects. This narrative review summarizes the most significant current issues on the role of systemic antibiotics in the management of HS, critically analyzing the main limits of their use (antibiotic resistance and toxicity). Although, in the last decades, several cytokines have been implicated in the pathomechanism of HS and the research on the use of novel biologic agents in HS has been intensified, antibiotics remain a valid therapeutic approach. Future challenges regarding antibiotic therapy in HS comprise their use in association with biologics in the management of acute flare or as a bridge therapy to surgery
Revealing the Invisible Majority
No full textThe author proposes new theoretical frameworks to approach the concept of "object biography" in ancient Egypt. The traditional reconstruction of Egyptian history has a strong "top-down" character, depending on written sources that encompass historical narratives from an elite formal perspective, but a large sector of the population, especially those who represented the motor of a society, such as artisans, craftsmen, farmers, workmen, remain largely invisible. Often scholars attempt to write social history starting from the linear biographies contained in objects, usually resulting in another elite narrative. However, the objects do not only encapsulate the biographies of their owners/commissioners/users but also those of their producers, from raw-material extraction to their final manufacture. Thus, removing the concept of a unique and authoritative biography contained within a single object, the invisible layers of population, which were believed mostly lost for ancient societies - and especially for Egypt - can become visible again
La scultura in legno policroma nella decorazione delle mostre d’altare: il caso del ‘Trittico della Candelora’ di Fontanarosa
No full textL’attenzione del contributo è posta sulla storia conservativa del ‘Trittico della Candelora’ nella chiesa di Santa Maria della Misericordia a Fontanarosa. Il recente restauro della cona in legno scolpita, dorata e dipinta ha rinnovato la preziosa decorazione con motivi fitomorfi, come le grottesche di matrice romana. La creazione della macchina, dei primi anni del XVII secolo, può essere rintracciata nella bottega periferica di Giovan Tommaso Guarini, grazie ai suoi contatti a Napoli con lo scultore Giovan Battista Vigilante. Guarini, attivo come intagliatore e pittore, realizzò sia l’intaglio che la tela con il Padre Eterno. Le sculture della Madonna, Sant’Antonio da Padova e San Biagio, decorate con la tecnica dell’estofado, parlano un linguaggio vicino alla produzione napoletana della bottega di Aniello Stellato, il cui autore potrebbe essere identificato nel suo giovane collaboratore Giovan Battista Gallone.The focus of the contribution is on the conservation history of the ‘Trittico della Candelora’ in the church of Santa Maria of Misericordia in Fontanarosa. The recent restoration on the carved, gilded and painted wooden cone has renewed its precious decoration with phytomorphic motifs, like the grotesques of Roman origin. The creation of the machine, in the early seventeenth century, can be traced back to the peripheral workshop of Giovan Tommaso Guarini, thanks to his contacts in Naples with the sculptor Giovan Battista Vigilante. Guarini, active as a carver and painter, made both the carving and the canvas with the Eternal Father. The sculptures of the Madonna, Sant’Antonio da Padova and San Biagio, decorated with the estofado technique, speak a language close to the Neapolitan production of the Aniello Stellato workshop, whose author could be identified in his young collaborator Giovan Battista Gallone
Bullous Pemphygoid and Novel Therapeutic Approaches
No full textBullous pemphigoid is a subepidermal blistering disease associated with autoantibodies (auto-ab) to BP180 and BP230 which affects elderly patients, predominately. Although it is a rare disease, bullous pemphigoid is the most common among the autoimmune bullous skin diseases. Systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressants represent milestones in the treatment of patients suffering from bullous pemphigoid; however, therapeutic management of patients still represents a clinical challenge, owing to the chronic nature of the disease and to potential adverse effects related to the long-term use of systemic treatments. Recent discoveries on the pathogenesis of bullous pemphigoid have allowed investigation of new target therapies against selective pro-inflammatory mediators. These therapies appear to yield satisfactory results with fewer side effects in cases of refractory disease. The review discusses current evidence on these new therapeutic targets and specific drugs under investigation
Oxidative Stress, High Density Lipoproteins and Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Prospective Study
No full textHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory, immune-mediated skin disease associated with several comorbidities and vascular risk factors. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and altered high-density lipoprotein (HDL) functions play key roles in inflammatory skin diseases. However, the relationship between these factors and HS is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between HS and oxidative stress, inflammation, and HDL functions, focusing on inflammatory markers and HDL-related antioxidant properties. We evaluated the serum levels of inflammation markers serum amyloid A (SAA) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in 44 HS patients and 16 healthy controls. Additionally, we assessed the activity of the antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase-1 (PON1) associated with HDL, as well as the HDL redox properties using a cell-free method. HS patients showed significantly higher serum levels of MCP-1 and SAA compared to controls. PON1 activity was considerably lower in HS patients, suggesting impaired antioxidant functions of HDL. These changes in HDL correlated with the severity of HS but occurred without significant alterations in plasma HDL levels. Our findings indicate that inflammation and oxidative stress could contribute to the dysfunction of HDL in HS patients. Identifying dysfunctional HDL could provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of HS and its associated complications, offering potential targets for new therapeutic strategies
Vitiligo, from Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Advances: State of the Art
No full textVitiligo is an acquired hypopigmentation of the skin due to a progressive selective loss of melanocytes; it has a prevalence of 1–2% and appears as rounded, well-demarcated white macules. The etiopathology of the disease has not been well defined, but multiple factors contribute to melanocyte loss: metabolic abnormalities, oxidative stress, inflammation, and autoimmunity. Therefore, a convergence theory was proposed that combines all existing theories into a comprehensive one in which several mechanisms contribute to the reduction of melanocyte viability. In addition, increasingly in-depth knowledge about the disease’s pathogenetic processes has enabled the development of increasingly targeted therapeutic strategies with high efficacy and fewer side effects. The aim of this paper is, by conducting a narrative review of the literature, to analyze the pathogenesis of vitiligo and the most recent treatments available for this condition
The Role of Nutrition in Immune-Mediated, Inflammatory Skin Disease: A Narrative Review
No full textImmune-mediated inflammatory skin diseases are characterized by a complex multifactorial etiology, in which genetic and environmental factors interact both in genesis and development of the disease. Nutrition is a complex and fascinating scenario, whose pivotal role in induction, exacerbation, or amelioration of several human diseases has already been well documented. However, owing to the complexity of immune-mediated skin disease clinical course and breadth and variability of human nutrition, their correlation still remains an open debate in literature. It is therefore important for dermatologists to be aware about the scientific basis linking nutrition to inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, bullous diseases, vitiligo, and alopecia areata, and whether changes in diet can influence the clinical course of these diseases. The purpose of this narrative review is to address the role of nutrition in immune-mediated inflammatory skin diseases, in light of the most recent and validate knowledge on this topic. Moreover, whether specific dietary modifications could provide meaningful implementation in planning a therapeutic strategy for patients is evaluated, in accordance with regenerative medicine precepts, a healing-oriented medicine that considers the whole person, including all aspects of the lifestyle
