Publications by authors named "Meggiolaro A"

In experiments considering cell handling in microchannels, cell sedimentation in the storage container is a key problem because it affects the reproducibility of the experiments. Here, a simple and low-cost cell mixing device (CMD) is presented; the device is designed to prevent the sedimentation of cells in a syringe during their injection into a microfluidic channel. The CMD is based on a slider crank device made of 3D-printed parts that, combined with a permanent magnet, actuate a stir bar placed into the syringe containing the cells.

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Controlled splitting of liquid droplets is a key function in many microfluidic applications. In recent years, various methodologies have been used to accomplish this task. Here, we present an optofluidic technique based on an engineered surface formed by coating a -cut iron-doped lithium niobate crystal with a lubricant-infused layer, which provides a very slippery surface.

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Magnetic beads (or particles) having a size between 1 and 5 µm are largely used in many biochemical assays devoted to both purification and quantification of cells, nucleic acids, or proteins. Unfortunately, the use of these beads within microfluidic devices suffers from natural precipitation because of their size and density. The strategies applied thus far to cells or polymeric particles cannot be extended to magnetic beads, mainly due to their magnetization and their higher densities.

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Hypothesis: Droplets of yield stress fluids (YSFs), i.e. fluids that can flow only if they are subjected to a stress above a critical value and otherwise deform like solids, hardly move on solid surfaces due to their high viscosity.

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Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are double-layered lipid membrane vesicles released by cells. Currently, EVs are attracting a lot of attention in the biological and medical fields due to their role as natural carriers of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Thus, they can transport useful genomic information from their parental cell through body fluids, promoting cell-to-cell communication even between different organs.

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Background: This meta-analysis aims to assess the effectiveness of the current Sars-Cov2 vaccine regimens against Omicron infection. A secondary endpoint aims to investigate the waning effectiveness of primary vaccination against symptomatic infection and related hospitalization.

Research Design And Methods: The systematic review started on 1 December 2021 and was concluded on 1 March 2022.

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Objective: Development of an aggregate quality index to evaluate hospital performance in cardiovascular events treatment.

Methods: We applied a two-stage regression approach using an accelerated failure time model based on variance weights to estimate hospital quality over four cardiovascular interventions: elective coronary bypass graft, elective cardiac resynchronization therapy, and emergency treatment for acute myocardial infarction. Mortality and readmissions were used as outcomes.

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(1) Background: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in terms of prevention of disease and transmission in the pre-Delta era. The evaluation was narrowed to two mRNA vaccines and two modified adenovirus-vectored vaccines. (2) Methods: The overall risk of any SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by positive real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test was estimated in partially and fully vaccinated individuals.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on using iron-doped lithium niobate crystals to control the movement of water droplets through an evanescent electric field generated when illuminated.
  • An experimental method involving the elongation and detachment of a pendant droplet from a syringe needle is used to measure the attractive force of this field.
  • The results indicate that the droplet's behavior is similar to that caused by applying voltage, and the technique provides valuable data for designing optofluidic devices.
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Aims And Background: It is essential to make sure that vaccines are safe, effective, and of good quality. In the past years, there have been some reports of adverse effects regarding vaccination. One of these adverse effects is the development of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

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Introduction: The AHRQ Quality Indicators (QIs) were created in order to both identify the performance and to track the improvement of patient safety. Patient Safety Indicator 12 (PSI12) is relative to the risk of Post Operatory Pulmonary Embolism or Deep Venous Thrombosis (PO DVT/PE). This pilot study has three main objectives.

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Introduction: The error in medicine is always the subject of debate in the scientific debates. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the degree knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of health workers towards the error in the health sector.

Methods: A survey was carried out involving 435 health profes- sionals working in health facilities of the Lazio region, of which 312 females (71%) and 123 males (28%) with an age between 21 and 68 years.

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Introduction: The error in medicine has long been discussed in scientific debates. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the degree knowledge, attitude and behavior of students in Nursing for the failure in the health sector.

Methods: It was administered to 231 students of Nursing of the Sapienza University of Rome (171 females and 60 males), aged between 21 and 45 years, a structured questionnaire in three questions that explore the experiences and opinions about the errors found in medical practice, the causes underlying them and the mistakes that should never be committed.

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Introduction: The vaccination against Humanpapilloma Virus (HPV) is an effective strategy to prevent high-risk HPV infection and subsequent cervical carcinogenesis. Although the safety profile has been ascertained, the relation with the development of central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune disorders (AD) appears still controversial. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of chronic neurological impairment in young people, typically striking females.

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Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in reducing hospitalizations for infectious disease, targeted and not targeted, as well as from respiratory diseases in children in Rome.

Methods: The cohort was recomposed through record linkage of 2 archives (vaccination register and hospital discharge records.

Results: The analysis included 11,004 children.

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Objective: The first aim of this article is to quantify the role of Pap test in cervical cancer prevention, updating the pool of available studies included in a previous meta-analysis. Potential sources of meta-analysis heterogeneity were investigated as second aim. Further evidence of cost-effectiveness has been provided about age and best time interval to perform Pap test screening.

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Aim: To conduct a systematic review of the economic evaluations (EE) of HBV vaccination, taking also into account the studies published in the new millennium.

Methods: An extensive scientific literature review was conducted using two electronic medical journal databases: Scopus and PubMed engines for published studies on EE of HBV vaccination.

Results: 22 articles were reviewed, 9, 5 and 8 cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit and cost-utility analysis, respectively.

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Introduction: "Umberto I" Teaching Hospital adopted 'Conley scale' as internal procedure for fall risk assessment, with the aim of strengthening surveillance and improving prevention and management of impatient falls.

Materials And Methods: Case-control study was performed. Fall events from 1st March 2012 to 30th September 2013 were considered.

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Object: the aim of this study is to present a preliminary analysis of efficacy and effectiveness of a model of chronically ill care (Chronic Care Model, CCM).

Methods: the analysis took into account 106 territorial modules, 1016 General Practitioners and 1,228,595 patients. The diagnostic and therapeutic pathways activated (PDTA), involved four chronic conditions, selected according to the prevalence and incidence, in Tuscany Region: Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Heart Failure (SC), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and stroke.

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Objectives: To refer the current competences of Triage Nurses (TRNs) assessing the person with metal health problems in Emergency Departments (ED), and the impact of the Triage Lazio Model (TLM) upon it.

Materials And Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to ED TRNs of the Lazio Region. Standardized Cronbach's alpha was used for reliability estimation.

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Background: The aim was to evaluate the use of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses), CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) and STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) methods in reviews, clinical trials and observational studies, respectively, which were published in European journals within the field of Public Health (PH).

Methods: Papers published between 2010 and 2013 in seven PH journals were evaluated. The presence of the words PRISMA, STROBE and CONSORT was considered in the search criteria.

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