Multi-environment and multi-parameter screening of stability and coating efficiency of gold nanoparticle bioconjugates in application media.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and their biocompatible conjugates find wide use as transducers in (bio)sensors and as Nano-pharmaceutics. The study of the interaction between AuNPs and proteins in representative application media helps to better understand their intrinsic behaviors. A multi-environment, multi-parameter screening strategy is proposed based on asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4)-multidetector.

Native characterization and QC profiling of human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cell vesicular fractions for secretome-based therapy.

Human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs) have unique immunomodulatory properties making them attractive candidates for regenerative applications in inflammatory diseases. Most of their beneficial properties are mediated through their secretome. The bioactive factors concurring to its therapeutic activity are still unknown.

Emerging Microfluidic Tools for Simultaneous Exosomes and Cargo Biosensing in Liquid Biopsy: New Integrated Miniaturized FFF-Assisted Approach for Colon Cancer Diagnosis.

The early-stage diagnosis of cancer is a crucial clinical need. The inadequacies of surgery tissue biopsy have prompted a transition to a less invasive profiling of molecular biomarkers from biofluids, known as liquid biopsy. Exosomes are phospholipid bilayer vesicles present in many biofluids with a biologically active cargo, being responsible for cell-to-cell communication in biological systems.

Field-Flow Fractionation in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

Field-flow fractionation (FFF) is a family of single-phase separative techniques exploited to gently separate and characterize nano- and microsystems in suspension. These techniques cover an extremely wide dynamic range and are able to separate analytes in an interval between a few nm to 100 µm size-wise (over 15 orders of magnitude mass-wise). They are flexible in terms of mobile phase and can separate the analytes in native conditions, preserving their original structures/properties as much as possible.

Vascular Accesses in Cardiac Stimulation and Electrophysiology: An Italian Survey Promoted by AIAC (Italian Association of Arrhythmias and Cardiac Pacing).

Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implants and electrophysiological procedures share a common step: vascular access. On behalf of the AIAC Ricerca Investigators' Network, we conducted a survey to outline Italian common practice regarding vascular access in EP-lab. All Italian physicians with experience in CIED implantation and electrophysiology were invited to answer an online questionnaire (from May 2020 to November 2020) featuring 20 questions.

The role of atrial sensing for new-onset atrial arrhythmias diagnosis and management in single-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients: Results from the THINGS registry.

Introduction: Atrial tachycardia/fibrillation (AT/AF) episodes are common in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) recipients and can be undetected by standard single-chamber devices. This study aims to explore whether a single-lead ICD with an atrial dipole (ICD DX; BIOTRONIK SE & Co, Berlin, Germany) could improve the AT/AF diagnosis and management as compared to standard ICD (ICD VR).

Methods And Results: We selected patients without AT/AF history from the THINGS registry which included consecutive patients implanted with ICD for standard indications.

The achievement of boar sperm in vitro capacitation is related to an increase of disrupted disulphide bonds and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels.

The aim of this work was to determine the relationship of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the disulphide bonds established between sperm proteins with the achievement of capacitation in boar spermatozoa. With this purpose, spermatozoa were incubated in a specifically designed in vitro capacitation medium (CM) in the presence or absence of reduced glutathione (GSH). Incubation of boar spermatozoa in CM for 4 h significantly (p < 0.

Melatonin affects the motility and adhesiveness of in vitro capacitated boar spermatozoa via a mechanism that does not depend on intracellular ROS levels.

This work sought to address the effects of melatonin during in vitro capacitation (IVC) and progesterone-induced acrosome exocytosis (IVAE) in boar spermatozoa. With this purpose, two different experiments were set. In the first one, IVC and IVAE were induced in the absence or presence of melatonin, which was added either at the start of IVC or upon triggering the IVAE with progesterone.

Internal Jugular Vein Complete Thrombosis After Dual Chamber Pacemaker Implant.

Venous thrombosis after pacemaker implant is a known, although often underrecognized condition that can challenge system revision or upgrading, leading occasionally to thromboembolic complications. Several factors are considered to promote thrombus formation. Among them, alteration of blood flow mechanics due to the presence of catheters in the vessel lumen may itself play a pivotal role.

[ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in a patient with thrombophilia taking new oral anticoagulants].

We report the case of a 65--year-old woman admitted for inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated by complete atrioventricular block. The patient was under treatment with a novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC, rivaroxaban) because of a history of recurrent idiopathic pulmonary embolism. Emergency angiography showed complete acute thrombotic occlusion of the right coronary artery.

Anabolic androgenic steroid-induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Anabolic steroid abuse, aimed at increasing muscle mass, has been growing in recent years. We describe a case of a 25-year-old bodybuilder who, after taking nandrolone and stanozolol, presented with Takotsubo syndrome. The angiography showed a normal coronary anatomy with the absence of stenosis.

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries in an 83-year-old asymptomatic patient: description and literature review.

We describe the case of an 83-year-old asymptomatic man followed in our centre. Transoesophageal echocardiography disclosed congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries (CCTGA) with no associated anomalies and only mild aortic regurgitation. Cardiac MR confirmed the diagnosis and revealed preserved systemic ventricle systolic function with a normal perfusional pathway.

Pericardial, pleural and diaphragmatic endometriosis in association with pelvic peritoneal and bowel endometriosis: a case report and review of the literature.

Diaphragmatic endometriosis is a rare entity, often asymptomatic, which has been described only in small series. It is almost always associated with severe pelvic involvement. The most plausible theory about this condition is based on retrograde menstruation and subsequent transportation of viable cells in peritoneal fluid from the pelvis up the right gutter to the right hemidiaphragm, thus demonstrating its asymmetric distribution on the diaphragm.

Papillary fibroelastoma of the mitral valve in an 8-month-old infant.

Papillary fibroelastomas, the third most common primary cardiac tumor in adults, are extremely rare in children. These tumors grow slowly and are histologically benign but with high potential for life-threatening complications. We report an 8-month-old asymptomatic female infant with papillary fibroelastoma of the mitral valve, discovered by echocardiograph examination.

First results from the CERN axion solar telescope.

Hypothetical axionlike particles with a two-photon interaction would be produced in the sun by the Primakoff process. In a laboratory magnetic field ("axion helioscope"), they would be transformed into x-rays with energies of a few keV. Using a decommissioned Large Hadron Collider test magnet, the CERN Axion Solar Telescope ran for about 6 months during 2003.

[Late-appearing cholestatic icterus after a month of treatment with ticlopidine].

A 65-year-old man was submitted to coronary angioplasty and stent implantation for stable angina. The treatment included a 30-day therapy with ticlopidine (in addition to aspirin, metoprolol, ramipril, amlodipine and nitrates). One month after ticlopidine withdrawal a progressive cholestatic jaundice took place.

Surgical treatment of secundum atrial septal defect in patients older than 50 years.

Background: The aim of this study was to verify if surgery is beneficial for patients older than 50 years.

Methods: Sixty-five patients older than 50 years were operated for a secundum atrial septal defect between November 1974 and November 1998. Preoperative data were obtained from hospital records; postoperative data from written questionnaires or direct telephone interviews.