Application of multi-spectral CT imaging in Crohn's disease: a systematic review.

Background: No quantitative computed tomography (CT) biomarker is actually sufficiently accurate to assess Crohn's disease (CD) lesion activity, with adequate precision to guide clinical decisions.

Purpose: To assess the available literature on the use of iodine concentration (IC), from multi-spectral CT acquisition, as a quantitative parameter able to distinguish healthy from affected bowel and assess CD bowel activity and heterogeneity of activity along the involved segments.

Material And Methods: A literature search was conducted to identify original research studies published up to February 2022.

Advanced imaging and Crohn's disease: An overview of clinical application and the added value of artificial intelligence.

Purpose: The purpose of this narrative review is to describe the clinical applications of advanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MRI) techniques in patients affected by Crohn's disease (CD), giving insights about the added value of artificial intelligence (AI) in this field.

Methods: We performed a literature search comparing standardized and advanced imaging techniques for CD diagnosis. Cross-sectional imaging is essential for the identification of lesions, the assessment of active or relapsing disease and the evaluation of complications.

Cellular Signaling Pathways Activated by Functional Graphene Nanomaterials.

The paper reviews the network of cellular signaling pathways activated by Functional Graphene Nanomaterials (FGN) designed as a platform for multi-targeted therapy or scaffold in tissue engineering. Cells communicate with each other through a molecular device called signalosome. It is a transient co-cluster of signal transducers and transmembrane receptors activated following the binding of transmembrane receptors to extracellular signals.

Intracellular trafficking and therapeutic outcome of multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified with cyclodextrins and polyethylenimine.

Functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been proposed in the last years as vectors for delivery of biomolecules, proteins and DNA into various cells. In this study, a new multiwalled carbon nanotube β-cyclodextrin platform (MWCNT-CD) modified with branched polyethylenimine (PEI) and doped with Rhodamine (Rhod), MWCNT-CD-PEI-Rhod, was designed and investigated as drug delivery system. The drug binding abilities of MWCNT-CD-PEI-Rhod towards Cidofovir (Cid) and DNA plasmid encoding enhanced green fluorescence protein (pCMS-EGFP) were investigated by complementary spectroscopic techniques.

"Click" on PLGA-PEG and hyaluronic acid: Gaining access to anti-leishmanial pentamidine bioconjugates.

Pentamidine (Pent), an antiparasitic drug used for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis, has been modified with terminal azide groups and conjugated to two different polymer backbones (PLGA-PEG [PP] copolymer and hyaluronic acid [HA]) armed with alkyne end-groups. The conjugation has been performed by Copper Catalyzed Azido Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC) using CuSO /sodium ascorbate as metal source. The novel PP-Pent and HA-Pent bioconjugates are proposed, respectively, as non-targeted and targeted drug delivery systems against Leishmania infections.

Ensemble-based ADME-Tox profiling and virtual screening for the discovery of new inhibitors of the Leishmania mexicana cysteine protease CPB2.8ΔCTE.

In an effort to identify novel molecular warheads able to inhibit Leishmania mexicana cysteine protease CPB2.8ΔCTE, fused benzo[b]thiophenes and β,β'-triketones emerged as covalent inhibitors binding the active site cysteine residue. Enzymatic screening showed a moderate-to-excellent activity (12%-90% inhibition of the target enzyme at 20 μm).

Pancreatic enzyme supplementation after gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Gastrectomy for gastric cancer is a significant cause of secondary exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy may influence nutritional status and quality of life after gastrectomy, but the pertinent clinical research to date remains controversial. A randomized controlled trial to test this hypothesis was carried out.

Alterations in Red Blood Cell Functionality Induced by an Indole Scaffold Containing a Y-Iminodiketo Moiety: Potential Antiproliferative Conditions.

We have recently proposed a new erythrocyte-based model of study to predict the antiproliferative effects of selected heterocyclic scaffolds. Starting from the metabolic similarity between erythrocytes and cancer cells, we have demonstrated how the metabolic derangement induced by an indolone-based compound (DPIT) could be related to its antiproliferative effects. In order to prove the validity of our biochemical approach, in the present study the effects on erythrocyte functionality of its chemical precursor (PID), whose synthesis we reported, were investigated.

Retroperitoneal Hemangiopericytoma in a young woman. Case report and literature review.

Unlabelled: Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a primary tumor with mesenchymal vascular origin that represents 1% of all vascular neoplasm. HPC develops from the Zimmerman's pericytes around capillaries venules and it is possible to observe it frequently in the extremities, pelvis, retroperitoneum, head, neck and meninges. The only definitive parameter of malignancy is the development of recurrence or distant metastases.

Repurposing of oxazolone chemistry: gaining access to functionalized graphene nanosheets in a top-down approach from graphite.

Solvent-free 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (1,3-DC) reactions between graphite flakes and mesoionic oxazolones were carried out by heating the resulting solid mixture at mild temperatures (70-120 °C). The direct functionalization and delamination of graphite flakes into few layers of graphene nanosheets was confirmed by micro-Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, scanning transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The 1,3-DC reactions of mesoionic dipoles have been investigated with density functional theory to model graphene, exploring three different pathways: center, corner and edge.

Efficient synthesis of highly substituted tetrahydroindazolone derivatives.

A straightforward and efficient method for the synthesis of novel highly substituted and diversely functionalized indazolone derivatives has been developed. The transformation consists of a cyclocondensation of selected 1,3,3'-tricarbonyls with monosubstituted hydrazines. The starting β-triketones were prepared by an efficient chemo- and regioselective method under MW irradiation, exploiting the oxazolone chemistry.

β-Cyclodextrin-grafted on multiwalled carbon nanotubes as versatile nanoplatform for entrapment of guanine-based drugs.

The design of β-cyclodextrin/multiwalled carbon nanotubes hybrid (β-CD-MWCNT) as nanoplatform for the entrapment and delivery of guanine based drugs is described here. The functionalized carbon nanomaterials have been characterized by XPS spectroscopy, electron microscopy (FEG-SEM and TEM), AFM, TGA, and FT-IR to achieve insights on structure, morphology and chemical composition. The drug binding abilities of nanocarrier towards the guanine (G) and Acyclovir (Acy) were proved by UV-vis and DSC experiments.

A new erythrocyte-based biochemical approach to predict the antiproliferative effects of heterocyclic scaffolds: The case of indolone.

Background: The indole core is a key structural feature of many natural products and biomolecules with broad spectrum chemotherapeutic properties. Some of us have recently synthesized a library of biologically promising indolone-based compounds. The present study focuses on the effects of one of them, namely DPIT, on human erythrocytes.

Poly[(μ4-decanedio-ato)cobalt(II)].

In the title compound, [Co(C10H16O4)] n , the Co(II) atom is bonded in a slightly distorted tetra-hedral environment by four O atoms from the bridging sebacate dications, comprising two separate half-ligands which lie across crystallographic inversion centres. In the three-dimensional network coordination polymer, there are two different spatial extensions of Co(II) atoms, one with the Co(II) atoms lying parallel to (100) [Co⋯Co = 4.653 (1) Å], the other lying parallel to (010) [Co⋯Co = 4.

The SIC-GIRCG 2013 Consensus Conference on Gastric Cancer.

The topic chosen by the Board of the Italian Society of Surgery for the 2013 annual Consensus Conference was gastric cancer. With this purpose, under the direction of 2 chairmen, 36 experts nominated by the Regional Societies of Surgery and by the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer (GIRCG) participated in an experts consensus exercise, preceded by a questionnaire and mainly held by telematic vote, in accordance with the rules of the Delphi method. The results of this Consensus Conference, presented to the 115th National Congress of the Italian Society of Surgery, and approved in plenary session, are reported in the present paper.

Direct synthesis of C3-mono-functionalized oxindoles from N-unprotected 2-oxindole and their antileishmanial activity.

A novel approach for the synthesis of unprecedented C3-mono-functionalized indolin-2-ones is reported, starting from 2-oxindole and chalcones. The reactions proceed regioselectively under mild conditions, without di- and tri-alkylated side products. The new compounds have been evaluated in vitro for their antiproliferative effects against the protozoan Leishmania infantum.

Aldol-type compounds from water-soluble indole-3,4-diones: synthesis, kinetics, and antiviral properties.

A straightforward transformation of indole-3,4-diones is reported. The reaction feasibility is evidenced by kinetic studies on a model substrate, revealing a double phase process with a first faster pseudo-first-order step (i.e.

Self-catalyzed Mannich-type reaction of enolizable cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls to acyclic nitrones: an entry to functionalized β-enamino diones.

A new method for the preparation of highly functionalized β-enamino diones has been developed. The protocol involves an initial self-catalyzed Mannich-type reaction of enolizable cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls to nitrones, followed by a spontaneous intramolecular reorganization of the resulting nonisolated hydroxylamine to enamino derivatives. These compounds retain the features of unnatural α-amino acids.

Recent advances in carbon nanotubes as delivery systems for anticancer drugs.

Problems associated with the administration of anticancer drugs, such as limited solubility, poor biodistribution,lack of selectivity, and healthy tissue damage, can be overcome by the implementation of drug delivery systems. A wide range of materials, including liposomes, microspheres, polymers and recently, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have been investigated for delivering anticancer drugs on the purpose of reducing the number of necessary administrations, providing more localized and better use of the active agents, and increasing patient compliance. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted particular attention as carriers of biologically relevant molecules due to their unique physical, chemical and physiological properties.

A facile and ecofriendly functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes by an old mesoionic compound.

This work reports for the first time a straightforward solvent-free chemical procedure to gain access to Δ-1-pyrroline grafted onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes by the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the mesoionic 4-methyl-2-phenyloxazol-5(4H)-one.

Diastereoselective multicomponent synthesis and anti-HSV-1 evaluation of dihydrofuran-fused derivatives.

Enolizable 6-membered cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls undergo an efficient and diastereoselective domino condensation/addition/heterocyclization reaction with arylaldehydes and phenacyl chloride, producing highly substituted dihydrofuran-fused derivatives. Ring size of the cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls and the presence of at least one keto group are crucial to the reaction's success. The new compounds were evaluated in vitro for antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1).

Long-term results of tailored D(2) lymph node dissection after R(0) surgery for gastric cancer.

Implementation of extended lymph node dissection for gastric cancer in western non-specialized centers through tailoring its extent upon disease stage and patient comorbidities was suggested as a wise policy to reduce morbidity and mortality rates, albeit with a potential for undertreatment in elderly and/or comorbid patients. Current definition of R(0) resection for gastric cancer lacks consideration of treatment-related variables such as extended lymph node dissection. Few studies to date have tried to fill this gap in such a clinical context.

Lymph node retrieval and examination during the implementation of extended lymph node dissection for gastric cancer in a non-specialized western institution.

The optimal degree of lymph node dissection for gastric cancer is still matter of debate. Particularly, there are serious doubts about the reproducibility of extended lymph node dissection in western surgical units, and no studies to date have investigated factors influencing lymph node retrieval and examination during the learning curve. Univariate and multivariate retrospective analysis of 21 variables were carried out on a prospective series of 313 consecutive resections for gastric cancer performed by ten different surgeons, with lymph node retrieval and analysis performed by ten different pathologists.