Chondroitin Sulphate-Chitosan Based Nanogels Loaded with Naringenin-β-Cyclodextrin Complex as Potential Tool for the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy: A Formulation Study.

Purpose: The main purpose of the study was the formulation development of nanogels (NHs) composed of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and low molecular weight chitosan (lCH), loaded with a naringenin-β-cyclodextrin complex (NAR/β-CD), as a potential treatment for early-stage diabetic retinopathy.

Methods: Different formulations of NHs were prepared by varying polymer concentration, lCH ratio, and pH and, then, characterized for particle size, zeta potential, particle concentration (particles/mL) and morphology. Cytotoxicity and internalization were assessed in vitro using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC).

Development of a nasal spray based on cyclodextrin/hydrophobically-modified hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose for the prevention of viral respiratory infections.

The work aims to develop mucoadhesive and thermo-responsive in situ gelling systems, using hydrophobically-modified hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose (Sangelose, SG) and beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) derivatives, for preventing viral respiratory infections. Eight SG/CD systems with varying CD concentrations were evaluated for rheological properties, mucoadhesiveness, spreadability and sprayability via nasal devices; cytotoxicity was in vitro investigated on reconstituted nasal epithelia. Additionally, droplet size distribution and spray deposition were assessed for the most promising systems.

Quantification of the Anterior-Centripetal Movement of the Ciliary Muscle During Accommodation Using Dynamic OCT Imaging.

Purpose: Although the lens undoubtedly plays a major role in presbyopia, altered lens function could be in part secondary to age-related changes of the ciliary muscle. Ciliary muscle changes with accommodation have been quantified using optical coherence tomography, but so far these studies have been limited to quantifying changes in ciliary muscle thickness, mostly at static accommodative states. Quantifying ciliary muscle thickness changes does not effectively capture the dynamic anterior-centripetal movement of the ciliary muscle during accommodation.

Synthesis and use of thermoplastic polymers for tissue engineering purposes.

Thermoplastic polymers provide a versatile platform to mimic various aspects of physiological extracellular matrix properties such as chemical composition, stiffness, and topography for use in cell and tissue engineering applications. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the most promising thermoplastic polymers, and in particular the thermoplastic polyesters, such as poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid), and polycaprolactone, and the thermoplastic elastomers, such as polyurethanes, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and poly(butyl cyanoacrylate). A particular focus has been made on the synthesis processes, the processability and the biocompatibility.

Preretinal abnormal tissue before and after pars plana vitrectomy in macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a multimodal imaging study.

Purpose: To quantitatively explore preretinal abnormal tissue (PAT) in macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) before and after surgery.

Methods: In this case-series study, PAT was detected by en-face optical coherence tomography images with custom slabs in eyes that underwent pars plana vitrectomy and SF6 for macula-on RRD.Main outcome measures were PAT area at baseline, 3-month and 6-month follow-up, and its relative change.

Development of chitosan/hydrolyzed collagen interaction product-based microparticles for the treatment of respiratory tract infections.

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) represent a significant global health issue, particularly for vulnerable population, such as children, the elderly, or patients with immunosuppression. In this context, the aim of the present work was the development of Chitosan/Hydrolyzed Collagen-based microparticles (Mps) as a pulmonary drug delivery system (PDDS) for the treatment of RTIs. Mps were produced via spray-drying and composed of chitosan (Cs), one of the most widely used polysaccharides in PDDS, and hydrolyzed collagen (HC), another promising material for the development of PDDS that has not yet been fully explored.

Choroidal and Choriocapillaris OCT-A Analysis in Patients Affected by Active Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: To analyze choroidal and choriocapillaris changes in eyes affected by active unilateral central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

Methods: A total of 17 eyes suffering from naïve CSC were enrolled. In addition, 17 healthy fellow eyes were analyzed, and 10 eyes were enrolled as controls.

Olive mill wastewater: From by-product to smart antioxidant material.

Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) is a byproduct of olive oil extraction that represents a critical environmental concern due to its potential adverse effects on ecosystems. Given these premises, spray-dried microparticles were designed and developed using maltodextrins as carriers to encapsulate OMWW bioactive compounds. The microparticles were manufactured using an easily scalable and sustainable spray-drying process.

Case series: Cervical far-lateral and combined cervical far lateral/foraminal intervertebral disk extrusions in 10 dogs.

Far-lateral intervertebral disk extrusions (IVDEs) have been reported infrequently in dogs in veterinary literature, mostly affecting the caudal lumbar intervertebral disks. We describe the clinical findings, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, treatment, and outcome in 10 dogs with cervical far-lateral IVDEs. Patient databases of 3 small animal hospitals and 1 veterinary teleradiology service were retrospectively searched for patients in which imaging studies (CT or MRI) identified the presence of intervertebral disk material outside the limits of the intervertebral foramen.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of Navina Smart on adult patients affected by neurogenic bowel dysfunction.

Background And Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the economic impact of the device Navina Smart on patients affected by neurogenic bowel dysfunction and dependent on transanal irrigation within the Italian context. This study employs the perspective of the Italian National Health Service.

Methods: The analysis was conducted through a Markov model, comparing two scenarios: standard bowel care vs.

OCT analysis and MPOD assessment in patients affected by retinitis pigmentosa.

This study aimed to analyze Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) parameters and Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) changes in patients affected by Retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Eighteen eyes of 18 patients suffering from early-stage RP were enrolled in our observational study. 18 eyes of 18 patients age and gender matched were enrolled as controls.

Smart copper-doped clays in biomimetic microparticles for wound healing and infection control.

Chronic wounds are non-healing lesions characterized by a high degree of inflammation, posing significant challenges in clinical management due to the increased risk of severe infection. This study focuses on developing a powder for cutaneous application to enhance the healing and prevent infections in chronic wounds. The smart nanocomposites-based biomimetic microparticles here developed combine the properties of chitosan and of clays and represent a significant innovation in the field of biomaterials for skin regeneration since they possess enhanced antimicrobial properties, are multi-functional scaffolds and promote cell proliferation, support tissue reconstruction by mimicking the natural extracellular matrix, and provide hemostatic properties to control bleeding during wound closure.

Development and preliminary evaluation of a novel preoperative index for quantitative analysis of photoreceptor loss in full-thickness macular holes.

Purpose: To identify novel quantitative parameters for evaluating photoreceptor loss in full-thickness macular holes (FTMH), exploring their potential clinical impact on postoperative functional and anatomical recovery.

Methods: This pilot study enrolled 38 eyes from 38 patients diagnosed with FTMH. Preoperatively, eyes underwent analysis and were subsequently followed for six months post-surgery.

Choroidal and Choriocapillaris Changes after Photodynamic Therapy and Subthreshold Micropulse Laser Treatment for Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

: The aim of the present study is to analyze choroidal and choriocapillaris structural and functional changes in eyes affected by Central serous chorioretinopathy after Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and Subthreshold Micropulse laser (SML) treatment. : Forty-two eyes of forty-two patients were analyzed in this observational study. Twenty-four patients underwent SML treatment, whereas eighteen patients were treated with PDT.

Visual and anatomical evaluation of navigated subthreshold micropulse laser versus photodynamic therapy in managing chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: To compare the visual and anatomical results of navigated subthreshold micropulse laser (nSML) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR).

Methods: Patients who underwent either half-dose PDT or nSML for the management of chronic CSCR were included in this study. Comprehensive ophthalmic examination, fundus autofluorescence, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were performed at baseline and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up visits after nSML or PDT.

Age dependence of the average refractive index of the isolated human crystalline lens.

We measured the average group refractive index (RI) of 120 isolated lenses from 120 human donors (age: 0.03 to 61 years). The average group RI was calculated from a measurement of the optical thickness of the lens using optical coherence tomography and the apparent window shift of the test chamber caused by the lens.

Wagner Syndrome-like fundus presentation of atypical Persistent Fetal Vasculature.

Purpose: To report the case of a woman with atypical Persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) accompanied by more typical findings of Wagner Syndrome.

Results: A 58-year-old woman complained about persistent flashes and floaters for more than 6 months. Multimodal retinal imaging showed Bergmeister papilla and a fibrous gray strand floating behind the macula in the right eye.

Baseline Features in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in Caucasian Patients.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate demographic, anatomical, angiographic, and functional parameters in patients suffering from polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Methods: Sixty eyes of 60 patients with a definite diagnosis of treatment-naïve exudative unilateral PCV were evaluated in this retrospective study. Fellow eyes and age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled as comparison.

One-Year Analysis of Autologous Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells as Adjuvant Therapy in Treatment of Diabetic Revascularizable Patients Affected by Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia: Real-World Data from Italian Registry ROTARI.

Wounds in diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may be poorly responsive to revascularization and conventional therapies. : This study's objective is to analyze the results of regenerative cell therapy with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) as an adjuvant to revascularization. This study is based on 168 patients treated with endovascular revascularization below the knee plus three PBMNC implants.

Early maladaptive schemas mediate the relationship between severe childhood trauma and eating disorder symptoms: evidence from an exploratory study.

Background: Childhood trauma history has frequently been linked to eating disorders (EDs); nevertheless, the scientific literature calls for extending knowledge regarding mediators between EDs and childhood trauma. This study explored whether ED symptoms and early maladaptive schemas were more severe in ED patients with severe childhood trauma than in ED patients with no/mild childhood trauma and whether early maladaptive schemas mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and ED symptom severity.

Methods: Data were extracted from the Regional Centre for Eating Disorders registry at the University Hospital of Verona.