A simple cell proliferation assay and the inflammatory protein content show significant differences in human plasmas from young and old subjects.

Some studies showed a "rejuvenating" effect of exposing aging tissues to a young environment. In mouse heterochronic parabiosis experiments, in response to young organisms, old animals lived longer than isochrony old age-matched conjoint animals. Comparable "rejuvenating" effects were obtained by injecting young plasma in old mice.

Long-Term Outcomes Using Electron IOERT APBI for Early Stage Breast Cancer: The Verona University Hospital Experience.

Methods And Materials: From July 2006 to December 2015, 295 patients suitable for breast-conserving therapy entered a single-arm phase II study and were treated with IOERT as radical treatment. Inclusion criteria were age >50, postmenopausal status, cT1N0M0 stage, grade G1-G2, positive estrogen receptor status; unicentric and unifocal disease, histologically proven invasive ductal carcinoma no previous breast irradiation, good performance status.

Results: With a median follow-up of 7.

COVID-19 and radiation oncology: the experience of a two-phase plan within a single institution in central Italy.

Background: COVID-19 in Italy has led to the need to reorganize hospital protocols with a significant risk of interruption to cancer treatment programs. In this report, we will focus on a management model covering the two phases of the COVID-19 emergency, namely lockdown-phase I and post-lockdown-phase II.

Methods: The following steps were taken in the two phases: workload during visits and radiotherapy planning, use of dedicated routes, measures for triage areas, management of suspected and positive COVID-19 cases, personal protective equipment, hospital environments and intra-institutional meetings and tumor board management.

Predictors of Local Control for Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SAbR) in Pulmonary Oligometastases from Gastrointestinal Malignancies.

Background/aim: To assess predictors of local control (LC) for stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SAbR) in pulmonary oligometastatic disease (OMD) from gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies.

Patients And Methods: Patients with pulmonary OMD treated with SAbR from January 2016 to December 2018 were included in this observational analysis. Primary endpoint was LC.

The Cardiovascular Toxicity of Abiraterone and Enzalutamide in Prostate Cancer.

Introduction: The cardiovascular toxicity related to abiraterone and enzalutamide has been previously studied by our group. In this analysis, we aim to update our previous findings related to abiraterone and enzalutamide, including the new available evidence, both in castration-resistant and hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective studies were identified by searching the MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ASCO Meeting abstracts.

Culture Medium Supplements Derived from Human Platelet and Plasma: Cell Commitment and Proliferation Support.

Present cell culture medium supplements, in most cases based on animal sera, are not fully satisfactory especially for the expansion of cells intended for human cell therapy. This paper refers to (i) an heparin-free human platelet lysate (PL) devoid of serum or plasma components (v-PL) and (ii) an heparin-free human serum derived from plasma devoid of PL components (Pl-s) and to their use as single components or in combination in primary or cell line cultures. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) primary cultures were obtained from adipose tissue, bone marrow, and umbilical cord.

Platelet-rich plasma-based bioactive membrane as a new advanced wound care tool.

Chronic skin ulcers, consequence of diabetes and other pathological conditions, heavily compromise the patient life quality and represent a high and constantly growing cost for National Health Services. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP), has been proposed to treat these lesions. The absence of guidelines for the PRP production and the need of a fresh preparation for each treatment lead us to develop a protocol for the production of an allogenic PRP-based bioactive membrane (BAM), standardized for platelet concentration and growth factor release.

Combined platelet and plasma derivatives enhance proliferation of stem/progenitor cells maintaining their differentiation potential.

Background Aims: Platelet derivatives have been proposed as alternatives to animal sera given that for cell therapy applications, the use of fetal bovine/calf serum (FBS/FCS) is subjected to severe limitations for safety and ethical concerns. We developed a cell culture medium additive obtained by the combination of two blood-derived standardized components.

Methods: A platelet lysate (PL) and a platelet-poor plasma (PPP) were produced in a lyophilized form.

A modified rabbit ulna defect model for evaluating periosteal substitutes in bone engineering: a pilot study.

The present work defines a modified critical size rabbit ulna defect model for bone regeneration in which a non-resorbable barrier membrane was used to separate the radius from the ulna to create a valid model for evaluation of tissue-engineered periosteal substitutes. Eight rabbits divided into two groups were used. Critical defects (15 mm) were made in the ulna completely eliminating periosteum.

Technical guidelines for head and neck cancer IMRT on behalf of the Italian association of radiation oncology - head and neck working group.

Performing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) on head and neck cancer patients (HNCPs) requires robust training and experience. Thus, in 2011, the Head and Neck Cancer Working Group (HNCWG) of the Italian Association of Radiation Oncology (AIRO) organized a study group with the aim to run a literature review to outline clinical practice recommendations, to suggest technical solutions and to advise target volumes and doses selection for head and neck cancer IMRT. The main purpose was therefore to standardize the technical approach of radiation oncologists in this context.

Regenerative medicine for the treatment of Teno-desmic injuries of the equine. A series of 150 horses treated with platelet-derived growth factors.

Background/aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and the clinical outcome of platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of teno-desmic injures in competition horses.

Patients And Methods: From January 2009 to December 2011, 150 sport horses suffering from teno-desmic injuries were treated with no-gelled platelet-concentrate.

Results: No horse showed any major adverse reaction as a result of the procedure.

Relationships between bladder dose-volume/surface histograms and acute urinary toxicity after radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Background And Purpose: DUE01 is an observational study aimed at developing predictive models of genito-urinary toxicity of patients treated for prostate cancer with conventional (1.8-2Gy/fr, CONV) or moderate hypo-fractionation (2.35-2.

AHRQ prevention quality indicators to assess the quality of primary care of local providers: a pilot study from Italy.

Background: Outside the USA, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) prevention quality indicators (PQIs) have been used to compare the quality of primary care services only at a national or regional level. However, in several national health systems, primary care is not directly managed by the regions but is in charge of smaller territorial entities. We evaluated whether PQIs might be used to compare the performance of local providers such as Italian local health authorities (LHAs) and health districts.

Biological activity of a standardized freeze-dried platelet derivative to be used as cell culture medium supplement.

Serum of animal origin and in particular fetal bovine serum is the most commonly utilized cell culture medium additive for in vitro cell growth and differentiation. However, several major concerns have been raised by the scientific community regarding the use of animal sera for human cell-based culture applications. Among the possible alternatives to the animal serum, platelet-derived compounds have been proposed since more than 10 years.

A platelet-rich plasma-based membrane as a periosteal substitute with enhanced osteogenic and angiogenic properties: a new concept for bone repair.

The periosteum plays a pivotal role during bone development and repair contributing to bone vascularization and osteoprogenitor cells source. We propose a periosteal substitute engineered using a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) membrane incorporating autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PRP/BMSC gel membrane) to be wrapped around an osteoconductive scaffold for regeneration of compromised bone defects. The PRP/BMSC gel membrane was optimized using different compositions for optimal release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB).

TGF β-1 administration during ex vivo expansion of human articular chondrocytes in a serum-free medium redirects the cell phenotype toward hypertrophy.

Cell-based cartilage resurfacing requires ex vivo expansion of autologous articular chondrocytes. Defined culture conditions minimize expansion-dependent phenotypic alterations but maintenance of the cells' differentiation potential must be carefully assessed. Transforming growth factor β-1 (TGF β-1) positively regulates the expression of several cartilage proteins, but its therapeutic application in damaged cartilage is controversial.

Regeneration of mandibular osteoradionecrosis defect with platelet rich plasma gel.

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandible is a major complication of radiation therapy of head and neck cancer with a potential of occurrence ranging from 5 to 15% of the irradiated patients. Due to the gradual necrotic process, the mandibular bone becomes necrotic and looses its spontaneous regeneration ability. Containing an elevated content of mitogenic and osteogenic growth factors, the use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) from autologous source has been suggested to re-activate the healing process of osteogenesis.

A two-variable linear model of parotid shrinkage during IMRT for head and neck cancer.

Purpose: To assess anatomical, clinical and dosimetric pre-treatment parameters, possibly predictors of parotid shrinkage during radiotherapy of head and neck cancer (HNC).

Materials: Data of 174 parotids from four institutions were analysed; patients were treated with IMRT, with radical and adjuvant intent. Parotid shrinkage was evaluated by the volumetric difference (DeltaV) between parotid volumes at the end and those at the start of the therapy, as assessed by CT images (MVCT for 40 patients, KVCT for 47 patients).

Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells on surface-modified titanium alloys for orthopedic and dental implants.

Purpose: Surface properties of titanium alloys, used for orthopedic and dental applications, are known to affect implant interactions with host tissues. Osteointegration, bone growth and remodeling in the area surrounding the implants can be implemented by specific biomimetic treatments; these allow the preparation of micro/nanostructured titanium surfaces with a thickened oxide layer, doped with calcium and phosphorus ions. We have challenged these experimental titanium alloys with primary human bone marrow stromal cells to compare the osteogenic differentiation outcomes of the cells once they are seeded onto the modified surfaces, thus simulating a prosthetic device-biological interface of clinical relevance.

DLX5 overexpression impairs osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells.

The transcription factor DLX5 belongs to a family of homeoproteins required for craniofacial morphogenesis and forebrain development. DLX5 is expressed during formation of several skeletal elements such as cartilage, teeth and bone, and its knockout causes severe craniofacial malformations with a delay in the ossification process. Bone marrow contains mesenchymal progenitor cells which may differentiate along multiple pathways, therefore representing an interesting in vitro and in vivo model to study the mesodermal lineage differentiation.

Regeneration of large bone defects in sheep using bone marrow stromal cells.

Bone repair was addressed in a critical-sized defect model in sheep, combining a ceramic biomaterial and mesenchymal progenitor cells. The defects in the tibial mid-diaphysis were treated with autologous bone or with a silicon-stabilized tricalcium phosphate biomaterial, implemented or not by the addition of expanded bone marrow stromal cells. An internal locking compression plate and an external fixator were applied for stabilization.

Tissue engineering of bone: search for a better scaffold.

Background: Large bone defects still represent a major problem in orthopedics. Traditional bone-repair treatments can be divided into two groups: the bone transport (Ilizarov technology) and the graft transplant (autologous or allogeneic bone grafts). Thus far, none of these strategies have proven to be always resolving.

Formation of a chondro-osseous rudiment in micromass cultures of human bone-marrow stromal cells.

Bone-marrow stromal cells can differentiate into multiple mesenchymal lineages including cartilage and bone. When these cells are seeded in high-density 'pellet culture', they undergo chondrogenesis and form a tissue that is morphologically and biochemically defined as cartilage. Here, we show that dual chondro-osteogenic differentiation can be obtained in the same micromass culture of human bone-marrow stromal cells.

Bone marrow stromal cells and their use in regenerating bone.

Tissue engineering approaches have recently been devised to repair large bone losses. Tissue engineering takes advantages of the combined use of cultured living cells and 3D scaffolds to deliver vital cells to the damaged site of the patient. Cultured bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) can be regarded as a mesenchymal progenitor/precursor cell population derived from adult stem cells.