A melanin-like polymer bearing phenylboronic units as a suitable bioplatform for living cell display technology.

Surface display of functional groups with specific reactivity around living cells is an emerging, low cost and highly eco-compatible technology that serves multiple applications, ranging from basic biochemical studies to biomedicine, therapeutics and environmental sciences. Conversely to classical methods exploiting hazardous organic synthesis of precursors or monovalent functionalization via genetics, here we perform functional decoration of individual living microalgae using suitable biocoatings based on polydopamine, a melanin-like synthetic polymer. Here we demonstrate the one-pot synthesis of a functional polydopamine bearing phenylboronic units which can decorate the living cell surfaces via a direct ester formation between boronic units and surface glycoproteins.

Raman, WAXS, and Solid-State NMR Characterizations of Regenerated Silk Fibroin Using Lanthanide Ions as Chaotropic Agents.

silk fibroin (SF) has been reported as a convenient natural material for regenerative medicine, optoelectronics, and many other technological applications. SF owes its unique features to the hierarchical organization of the fibers. Many efforts have been made to set up protocols for dissolution since many applications of SF are based on regenerated solutions and fibers, but chaotropic conditions required to disassemble the packing of the polymer afford solutions with poor crystalline behavior.

Modification of halloysite lumen with dopamine derivatives as filler for antibiofilm coating.

Hypothesis: Development of nanocomposite coating with antibiofilm properties is of fundamental importance to efficient fight biofilm formation preventing infections in biomedical area. In this context, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), biocompatible and low-cost clay mineral, have been efficiently used as filler for different polymeric matrices affording several nanocomposites with appealing antimicrobial properties. The modification of HNTs surfaces represents a valuable strategy to improve the utilization of the clay for biological purposes.

Silk Fibroin Regeneration in Solution of Lanthanide Ions: A Systematic Investigation.

Silk Fibroin (SF) obtained from is a very attractive biopolymer that can be useful for many technological applications, from optoelectronics and photonics to biomedicine. It can be processed from aqueous solutions to obtain many scaffolds. SF dissolution is possible only with the mediation of chaotropic salts that disrupt the secondary structure of the protein.

Bioinspired Biomaterial Composite for All-Water-Based High-Performance Adhesives.

The exceptional underwater adhesive properties displayed by aquatic organisms, such as mussels (Mytilus spp.) and barnacles (Cirripedia spp.) have long inspired new approaches to adhesives with a superior performance both in wet and dry environments.

The role of immune PSA complex (iXip) in the prediction of prostate cancer.

Purpose: To analyse the performance of iXip in the prediction of prostate cancer (PCa) and high-grade PCa.

Methods: A consecutive series of men undergoing MRI/FUSION prostate biopsies were enrolled in one centre. Indications for prostate biopsy included abnormal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (PSA>4 ng/ml) and/or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) and/or abnormal MRI.

Bipolar Plasma Enucleation of the Prostate: 5 Years Outcomes.

Aim of our study is to assess outcomes and safety of button bipola transurethral enucleation of the prostate (B-TUEP) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) in a single-center cohort study. All patients with LUTS caused by BPE undergoing button B-TUEP between May 2012 and December 2013 were prospectively enrolled in our study. Data on clinical history, physical examination, urinary symptoms, erectile function, uroflowmetry, and prostate volume were collected at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months.

Bipolar plasma enucleation of the prostate vs. open prostatectomy in large benign prostatic hyperplasia: a single centre 3-year comparison.

Backround: Aim of our study is to compare the surgery outcomes and safety of button bipolar enucleation of the prostate vs. open prostatectomy in patients with large prostates (> 80 g) in a single-centre cohort study.

Materials And Methods: All patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement undergoing button bipolar enucleation of the prostate (B-TUEP) or open prostatectomy (OP) between May 2012 and December 2013 were enroled in our study.

Narrow Band Imaging reduces persistence of cancer in patients with pT1 high grade bladder cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate persistence rate on repeated transurethral resection of the bladder (re-TURB) 6 weeks after the first TURB in patients with pT1HG disease undergoing resection of the margins and bed on Narrow Band Imaging.

Materials And Methods: A consecutive series of patients undergoing TURB and a diagnosis of pT1 high grade disease were prospectively enrolled. On initial TURB patients underwent classic white light resection of the tumour followed by narrow band image (NBI) resection of margins and bed.

Can re-cTURBT be useful in pT1HG disease as a risk indicator of recurrence and progression? A single centre experience.

Introduction: Understaging after initial transurethral resection is common in patients with high-risk non muscle infiltrating bladder cancer (NMIBC) and can delay accurate diagnosis and definitive treatment. The rate of upstaging from T1 to T2 disease after repeated transurethral resection ranges from 0 to 28%, although the rate of upstaging may be even higher up to 49% when muscularis propria is absent in the first specimen. A restaging classic transurethral resection of bladder tumour (re-cTURBT) is the better predictor of early stage progression.

Bipolar Plasma Enucleation of the Prostate (B-TUEP) in Benign Prostate Hypertrophy Treatment: 3-Year Results.

Objective: To investigate numerous endoscopic techniques that have been described for the treatment of benign prostate enlargement. Plasma-button enucleation of the prostate (B-TUEP) is a successful treatment option because the large surface creates a fast enucleation process, vaporization, and concomitant hemostasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of bipolar button electrode transurethral adenoma enucleation (B-TUEP) in saline solution.