Publications by authors named "C Merla"
Objectives: This study introduces EMPATIC (Electro-Modulation of PAncreaTic Islet Cells), a miniaturized intraneural device designed for transversal insertion into small nerves with a mean diameter of 400 μm. EMPATIC aims to modulate glucose tolerance through intraneural vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in rats.
Materials And Methods: EMPATIC design was optimized to fit into the cervical vagus nerve of rats and was developd through thin film microtechnologies.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the risk and prevalence of hospital-acquired bacterial infections in intensive care units during the first wave of COVID-19 by using advanced deep-sequencing techniques.
- Conducted in a hard-hit region in northern Italy, the research involved collecting and analyzing samples from patients in both regular wards and ICUs to identify specific bacterial pathogens.
- The findings highlighted the effectiveness of this novel sequencing approach in tracking bacterial transmission and understanding antimicrobial resistance during a time of increased patient load.
Recent studies have indicated that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could enhance cognition in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients, but to now the molecular-level interaction mechanisms driving this effect remain poorly understood. While cognitive scores have been the primary measure of rTMS effectiveness, employing molecular-based approaches could offer more precise treatment predictions and prognoses. To reach this goal, it is fundamental to assess the electric field (E-field) and the induced current densities () within the stimulated brain areas and to translate these values tosystems specifically devoted in investigating molecular-based interactions of this stimulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn recent years, the interest in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has surged, necessitating deeper understanding, development, and use of low-frequency (LF) numerical dosimetry for TMS studies. While various ad hoc dosimetric models exist, commercial software tools like SimNIBS v4.0 and Sim4Life v7.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Glioblastoma (grade IV) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor in adults, representing one of the biggest therapeutic challenges due to its highly aggressive nature. In this study, we investigated the impact of millimeter waves on tridimensional glioblastoma organoids derived directly from patient tumors. Our goal was to explore novel therapeutic possibilities in the fight against this challenging disease.
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