A novel ultrasound methodology for estimating spine mineral density.

We investigated the possible clinical feasibility and accuracy of an innovative ultrasound (US) method for diagnosis of osteoporosis of the spine. A total of 342 female patients (aged 51-60 y) underwent spinal dual X-ray absorptiometry and abdominal echographic scanning of the lumbar spine. Recruited patients were subdivided into a reference database used for US spectral model construction and a study population for repeatability and accuracy evaluation.

Echographic imaging of tumoral cells through novel nanosystems for image diagnosis.

Since the recognition of disease molecular basis, it has become clear that the keystone moments of medical practice, namely early diagnosis, appropriate therapeutic treatment and patient follow-up, must be approached at a molecular level. These objectives will be in the near future more effectively achievable thanks to the impressive developments in nanotechnologies and their applications to the biomedical field, starting-up the nanomedicine era. The continuous advances in the development of biocompatible smart nanomaterials, in particular, will be crucial in several aspects of medicine.

Magnetically-coated silica nanospheres for dual-mode imaging at low ultrasound frequency.

Aim: To experimentally investigate the acoustical behavior of different dual-mode nanosized contrast agents (NPCAs) for echographic medical imaging at low ultrasound (US) frequency.

Methods: We synthesized three different nanosized structures: (1) Pure silica nanospheres (SiNSs); (2) FePt-iron oxide (FePt-IO)-coated SiNSs; and (3) IO-coated SiNSs, employing three different diameter of SiNS-core (160, 330 and 660 nm). Tissue mimicking phantoms made of agarose gel solution containing 5 mg of different NPCAs in 2 mL-Eppendorf tubes, were insonified by a commercial echographic system at three different low US pulse values (2.

Echographic detectability of optoacoustic signals from low-concentration PEG-coated gold nanorods.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of gold nanorod (GNR)-enhanced optoacoustic imaging employing a conventional echographic device and to determine the most effective operative configuration in order to assure optoacoustic effectiveness, nanoparticle stability, and imaging procedure safety.

Methods: The most suitable laser parameters were experimentally determined in order to assure nanoparticle stability during the optoacoustic imaging procedures. The selected configuration was then applied to a novel tissue-mimicking phantom, in which GNR solutions covering a wide range of low concentrations (25-200 pM) and different sample volumes (50-200 μL) were exposed to pulsed laser irradiation.

Serum proteomic profile of cutaneous malignant melanoma and relation to cancer progression: association to tumor derived alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity.

Currently clinical outcome in melanoma is not predictable by known serum biomarkers. The only reliable tool for the diagnosis of this tumor is the histopathological assay after surgical removing. We used a proteomic approach in order to identify novel non-invasive serum biomarkers of melanoma.

Proteomic map of peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

In the field of proteomics extensive efforts have been focused on the knowledge of proteins expressed by different cell types. In particular, enormous progress has been done in the characterization of blood cellular components. In this work, we have established a public 2-DE database for human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) proteins.

A proteomic approach for the characterization of C677T mutation of the human gene methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) catalyzes the conversion of methylenetetrahydrofolate (CH2H4folate) to methyltetrahydrofolate (CH3H4folate). The C677T mutation is a common polymorphism of the human enzyme that leads to the replacement of Ala222Val, thermolability of MTHFR, and mild elevation of plasma homocysteine levels. A mild hyperhomocysteinemia is known to be risk factor for cardiovascular and thrombotic diseases, ischemic stroke, neural tube defects, late on-set dementia, and pregnancy complications.