111 results on '"De Giorgio, F."'
Search Results
2. Endothelial cells require functional FLVCR1a during developmental and adult angiogenesis
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Petrillo, Sara, De Giorgio, F, Bertino, F, Garello, F, Bitonto, V, Longo, D L, Mercurio, S, Ammirata, G, Allocco, A L, Fiorito, V, Chiabrando, D, Altruda, F, Terreno, E, Provero, P, Munaron, L, Genova, T, Nóvoa, A, Carlos, A R, Cardoso, S, Mallo, M, Soares, M P, and Tolosano, E
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Cancer Research ,Angiogenesis ,Endothelial cell ,FLVCR1 ,Tumor endothelial cell ,Physiology ,Clinical Biochemistry - Abstract
The Feline Leukemia Virus Subgroup C Receptor 1a (FLVCR1a) is a transmembrane heme exporter essential for embryonic vascular development. However, the exact role of FLVCR1a during blood vessel development remains largely undefined. Here, we show that FLVCR1a is highly expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells (ECs) compared to quiescent ECs. Consistently, ECs lacking FLVCR1a give rise to structurally and functionally abnormal vascular networks in multiple models of developmental and pathologic angiogenesis. Firstly, zebrafish embryos without FLVCR1a displayed defective intersegmental vessels formation. Furthermore, endothelial-specific Flvcr1a targeting in mice led to a reduced radial expansion of the retinal vasculature associated to decreased EC proliferation. Moreover, Flvcr1a null retinas showed defective vascular organization and loose attachment of pericytes. Finally, adult neo-angiogenesis is severely affected in murine models of tumor angiogenesis. Tumor blood vessels lacking Flvcr1a were disorganized and dysfunctional. Collectively, our results demonstrate the critical role of FLVCR1a as a regulator of developmental and pathological angiogenesis identifying FLVCR1a as a potential therapeutic target in human diseases characterized by aberrant neovascularization.
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- 2023
3. Electrochemical performance of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 composite electrodes featuring carbons and reduced graphene oxide
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Monaco, S., De Giorgio, F., Da Col, L., Riché, M., Arbizzani, C., and Mastragostino, M.
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- 2015
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4. COVID-19 pandemic and days of absence from work in workers with flu-like symptoms in the City of Rome, Italy
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de Giorgio, F., Ricci, E., Arena, E., Greco, A., and Ralli, M.
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Settore MED/44 - MEDICINA DEL LAVORO ,Italy ,SARS-CoV-2 ,Rome ,COVID-19 ,Humans ,flu symptoms ,occupational medicine ,humans ,pandemics ,Occupational medicine ,Flu symptoms ,Pandemics - Abstract
COVID-19 has dramatically affected working forces. We aim to report our occupational medicine service's experience in managing suspected COVID-19 cases during the pandemic through a retrospec-tive observational study. We compared the number of days employees were absent from work due to flu-like symptoms from March 2020 to February 2021 to the same period the previous year (2019-2020). Two hundred thirty-four patients (+47.2% compared to the previous year) who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 reported flu-like symp-toms; the number of days of absence from work was 2812 (+190.2% compared to the previous year). On average, employees with flu-like symptoms lost 12.07 working days compared to 6.12 in the previous year (p0.0001). In conclusion, in our sample COVID-19 has increased the number of working day loss. However, our approach proved to be important, especially during the first months of the pandemic, to limit SARS-CoV-2 spread in workplaces.
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- 2022
5. SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence in people experiencing homelessness
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Ralli, M, De-Giorgio, F, Pimpinelli, F, Cedola, C, Shkodina, N, Morrone, A, Arcangeli, A, and Ercoli, L
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Adult ,Aged, 80 and over ,Male ,Adolescent ,SARS-CoV-2 ,COVID-19 ,Infant ,Middle Aged ,Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Settore MED/17 ,Young Adult ,Child, Preschool ,Ill-Housed Persons ,Humans ,Female ,Child ,Aged - Abstract
People experiencing homelessness have peculiar characteristics that make them more vulnerable to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and to more serious forms of Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the homeless population assisted by the primary care services of the Eleemosynaria Apostolica, Vatican City.Persons experiencing homelessness and the volunteers assisting them were tested for COVID-19 through PCR and antigen rapid test between October 1st, 2020, and June 5th, 2021, in the clinical facilities of the Eleemosynaria Apostolica.A total of 1665 subjects from 96 different countries in five continents were included in the study; age range was 1-90 years. Overall, 2315 COVID-19 tests through nasopharyngeal swab were performed; 1052 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests and 1263 antigen rapid tests. Nearly 40% of the subjects underwent both tests (n=650, 39.04%), 402 were tested with PCR test only (24.14%) and 613 with antigen test only (36.8%). PCR tests were negative in 966 cases and positive in 86 (8.17%), while antigen tests were negative in 1205 cases and positive in 58 (4.59%). The number of positive cases varied over time, with a drastic increase during the winter months of 2020 and a progressive decrease over 2021. Among positive cases, 24.41% were symptomatic; symptoms included fever, breathing difficulties, anosmia/hyposmia, cough, headache, and diarrhea.This study reported an overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in our sample slightly above 8%. Additional data on viral genome through sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in positive cases are of utmost importance to help identify variants and implement specific infection control measures.
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- 2021
6. An evaluation of the Cozart ® RapiScan system as an on-site screening tool for drugs of abuse in a non-conventional biological matrix: vitreous humor
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Fucci, N., De Giovanni, N., De Giorgio, F., Liddi, R., and Chiarotti, M.
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- 2006
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7. Impaired coronary and myocardial flow in severe aortic stenosis is associated with increased apoptosis: a transthoracic Doppler and myocardial contrast echocardiography study
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Galiuto, L, Lotrionte, M, Crea, F, Anselmi, A, Biondi-Zoccai, G G L, De Giorgio, F, Baldi, A, Baldi, F, Possati, G, Gaudino, M, Vetrovec, G W, and Abbate, A
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- 2006
8. An evaluation of the Cozart RapiScan system as an on-site screening tool for drugs of abuse in a non-conventional biological matrix: vitreous humor.
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Fucci, N., De Giovanni, N., De Giorgio, F., Liddi, R., and Chiarotti, M.
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Mandatory drug testing -- Analysis -- Research ,Drug abuse -- Research ,Vitreous humor -- Research -- Analysis ,Postmortem changes -- Research - Abstract
Abstract The aim of this project was to evaluate the Cozart® RapiScan Oral fluid Drug Testing System as an on-site screening tool for vitreous humor samples collected during post-mortem examinations. [...]
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- 2006
9. Metabolomics profiling reveals different patterns in an animal model of asphyxial and dysrhythmic cardiac arrest
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Varvarousis, D. Xanthos, T. Ferino, G. Noto, A. Iacovidou, N. Mura, M. Scano, P. Chalkias, A. Papalois, A. De-Giorgio, F. Baldi, A. Mura, P. Staikou, C. Stocchero, M. Finco, G. D'Aloja, E. Locci, E.
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Cardiac arrest (CA) is not a uniform condition and its pathophysiology strongly depends on its cause. In this work we have used a metabolomics approach to study the dynamic metabolic changes occurring in the plasma samples of a swine model following two different causes of CA, namely asphyxia (ACA) and ventricular fibrillation (VFCA). Plasma samples were collected at baseline and every minute during the experimental phases. In order to identify the metabolomics profiles characterizing the two pathological entities, all samples were analysed by 1H NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS/MS spectrometry.The metabolomics fingerprints of ACA and VFCA significantly differed during the peri-arrest period and the resuscitation phase. Major alterations were observed in plasma concentrations of metabolites related to tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, urea cycle, and anaplerotic replenishing of TCA. ACA animals showed significant metabolic disturbances during the asphyxial and CA phases, while for VFCA animals this phenomenon resulted shifted at the resuscitation phase. Interestingly, starting from the asphyxial phase, the ACA animals were stratified in two groups based on their metabolomics profiles that resulted to be correlated with the clinical outcome. Succinate overproduction was observed in the animals with the worse outcome, suggesting a potential prognostic role for this metabolite. © 2017 The Author(s).
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- 2017
10. Characterization tests for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle application of graphite/LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4 cells with two different separators and electrolytes
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Arbizzani, C., De Giorgio, F., and Mastragostino, M.
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- 2014
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11. A non-conventional fluorinated separator in high-voltage graphite/LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4 cells
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Arbizzani, C., Colò, F., De Giorgio, F., Guidotti, M., Mastragostino, M., Alloin, F., Bolloli, M., Molméret, Y., and Sanchez, J.-Y.
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- 2014
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12. Lo spettro clinico nella Fibrosi Cistica: le forme non classiche in età pediatrica
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Tosco A, Terlizzi V, Elce A, Tomaiuolo R, Sepe A, Amato N, Casale A, De Giorgio F, Raia V, Castaldo G, Tosco, A, Terlizzi, V, Elce, A, Tomaiuolo, R, Sepe, A, Amato, N, Casale, A, De Giorgio, F, Raia, V, and Castaldo, G
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- 2012
13. Use of non-conventional electrolyte salt and additives in high-voltage graphite/LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4 batteries
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Arbizzani, C., De Giorgio, F., Porcarelli, L., Mastragostino, M., Khomenko, V., Barsukov, V., Bresser, D., and Passerini, S.
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- 2013
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14. Haemophagocytic syndrome associated with mucormycosis infection
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Arena, V., De-Giorgio, F., Pennacchia, I., Raffaele Manna, Vetrugno, G., Stigliano, E., Milic, N., Gasbarrini, G., and Abenavoli, L.
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Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Pathology ,Biopsy ,Immunology ,Hemophagocytic ,Autopsy ,Disease ,Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ,Malignant lymphoma ,Fatal Outcome ,Predictive Value of Tests ,medicine ,Immunology and Allergy ,Humans ,Mucormycosis ,Immunodeficiency ,Pharmacology ,Lymphohistiocytosis ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,Haemophagocytic syndrome ,business.industry ,Settore MED/09 - MEDICINA INTERNA ,Bone Marrow Examination ,Settore MED/43 - MEDICINA LEGALE ,medicine.disease ,Dermatology ,Bone marrow examination ,Treatment Outcome ,Liver ,Renal transplant ,Gastric Mucosa ,mucormycosis infection ,business ,Immunosuppressive Agents - Abstract
Several clinical forms of mucormycosis are recognized. The tendency of mucoraceous zygomycetes to invade the blood vessels often produces a disseminated infection. A case of a disseminated mucormycosis complicated by a haemophagocytic syndrome (HS) in a 32-year-old Caucasian male is reported in this article. Few cases of infection-associated HS (IAHS), involving infections caused by fungi, have been reported. In all the recorded cases, the fungal infection coexists with malignant lymphoma, immunodeficiency and a long-term steroid therapy for renal transplant or Crohn's disease. This is the second described case of the HS due to mucormycosis.
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- 2012
15. IL CONSENSO INFORMATO IN ENDOCRINO-CHIRURGIA
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DE GIORGIO, F, Polistena, A, and Cavallaro, Giuseppe
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- 2005
16. Use of non-conventional electrolyte salt and additives in high-voltage graphite/LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4 batteries.
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Arbizzani, C., De Giorgio, F., Porcarelli, L., Mastragostino, M., Khomenko, V., Barsukov, V., Bresser, D., and Passerini, S.
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ELECTROLYTES , *ADDITIVES , *ELECTRIC potential , *GRAPHITE , *PERMANGANATES , *STORAGE batteries , *PERFORMANCE of fuel cells - Abstract
Abstract: The performance of full cells featuring high-voltage LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4 cathode and graphite anode with carbonate-based electrolytes, ethylene carbonate (EC) -dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with conventional LiPF6 and non-conventional Li[(C2F5)3PF3] (LiFAP) lithium salts with and without SEI-forming additives 1-fluoro ethylene carbonate (F1EC) and succinic anhydride (SA) is investigated. The results evidence the beneficial impact of EC-DMC-1M LiFAP electrolyte (LF30), with respect to EC-DMC-1M LiPF6 electrolyte (LP30), also in presence of 1.6% F1EC-2% SA additives, on charge retention over cycling and on self-discharge of full cells. After the 25 cycles of the charge capability test, the charge retention reached values up to 70% with LF30 and 87% with LF30 and additives, and fully charged cells with LF30-additives delivered 53% of the stored charge after one week in OCV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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- 2013
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17. A non-conventional fluorinated separator in high-voltage graphite/LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4 cells.
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Arbizzani, C., Colò, F., De Giorgio, F., Guidotti, M., Mastragostino, M., Alloin, F., Bolloli, M., Molméret, Y., and Sanchez, J.-Y.
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HIGH voltages , *GRAPHITE , *POLYVINYLIDENE fluoride , *NANOCRYSTALS , *HYBRID electric vehicles , *LITHIUM compounds , *FUEL cells - Abstract
Graphite/LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4 cells assembled with a new reinforced polyvinylidene fluoride (pVDF)–nano crystalline cellulose (NCC) separator and EC–DMC 1 M LiFAP electrolyte with additives were tested by deep charge/discharge cycles at different C-rates and by the FreedomCAR DOE protocol to simulate the dynamic functioning of the batteries in power-assist full hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The results of this study evidence the beneficial impact of the pVDF–NCC macroporous membrane with respect to the polypropylene monolayer Celgard®2400 separator on the high C-rate cell performance. The deep charge/discharge of the cell with pVDF–NCC at C/1 effective rate provided 101 W h kg−1 to be compared with 85 W h kg−1 of the cell with Celgard®2400 (the cell weight was considered twice the composite electrode weight of both electrodes). Also hybrid pulse power characterization tests based on the FreedomCAR protocol at 5 C and 10 C demonstrated the superior performance of the cells with pVDF–NCC with respect to that of the cells with Celgard®2400 even if both cells exceed the FreedomCAR goals of power and energy for minimum and maximum power-assist HEV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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18. An evaluation of the Cozart® RapiScan system as an on-site screening tool for drugs of abuse in a non-conventional biological matrix: vitreous humor
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Fucci, N., De Giovanni, N., De Giorgio, F., Liddi, R., and Chiarotti, M.
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DRUG abuse , *VITREOUS humor , *VITREOUS body , *NARCOTICS - Abstract
Abstract: The aim of this project was to evaluate the Cozart® RapiScan Oral fluid Drug Testing System as an on-site screening tool for vitreous humor samples collected during post-mortem examinations. Vitreous humor is easy to collect and as it is contained within the eye it is almost completely unaffected by post-mortem redistribution. The ability to carry out an initial drug screen on vitreous humor at the earliest stage of the death investigation process could contribute significantly to the assessment of the role drugs may have played prior to confirmation with toxicological analyses at the laboratory. Vitreous humor (n =146) was collected from autopsy examinations (111 males and 35 females) with a specific focus on cases where death occurred following a road traffic accident or where an overdose was suspected. All samples were screened using the five-panel methadone Cozart® RapiScan Cartridge with an overall positive rate of 29%. Of the positive results, 43% screened positive for benzodiazepines, 17% for cocaine, 7% for methadone and 33% for opiates. Positive samples, with the exception of benzodiazepines, and 20% of negative samples were analysed by GC/MS. This is the first reported use of this system as an on-site forensic tool in death investigation and for screening for drugs of abuse in vitreous humor. The conclusions from this study show that the Cozart® RapiScan System could play an important role in obtaining information on the toxicological state of the person at the time of death. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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- 2006
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19. Bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts from biomass and waste polysaccharides for the conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates
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Adriano Parodi, Martina Vagnoni, Lucia Frontali, Cristiano Albonetti, Francesca De Giorgio, Alessio Mezzi, Elisabetta Petri, Chiara Samorì, Francesca Soavi, Giampiero Ruani, Paola Galletti, Parodi, A, Vagnoni, M, Frontali, L, Albonetti, C, De Giorgio, F, Mezzi, A, Petri, E, Samori', C, Soavi, F, Ruani, G, and Galletti, P
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cyclic carbonate ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,heterogeneous catalyst ,General Materials Science ,General Chemistry ,pyrolysi ,lignocellulosic waste - Abstract
A four-step methodology for the valorization of polysaccharide-based materials into bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts, active in the conversion of CO2 and epoxides into cyclic carbonates, is presented. The synthesis protocol consists of (i) pyrolysis of the starting material to produce biochar; (ii) oxidation to increase the number of -OH and -COOH functionalities; (iii) anchoring of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) on the surface of the oxidized biochar; (iv) quaternarization of the amine groups into alkylammonium iodide salts. The versatility of the method was demonstrated by applying the same protocol to six different polysaccharidic materials and wastes: six catalysts with no appreciable differences in terms of chemical composition and catalytic activity were obtained. The bifunctionality given by -OH and ammonium iodide groups was confirmed by several analyses performed on the catalysts. An extensive characterization (elemental analysis composition, FTIR, Raman, SEM, XPS and porosimetry) was done on all the functionalized biochars for every synthetic step. The catalysts were widely investigated in their activity for the conversion of CO2 and epoxides into cyclic carbonates, demonstrating to be effective under mild conditions (3 bar of CO2; 70 degrees C; 7 h). TONs and TOFs were calculated for each catalyst and condition. Yields up to 96%, with >99% selectivity, were obtained for terminal epoxides. The recyclability of the bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts was also confirmed over five cycles.
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- 2023
20. Sudden coronary death, fatal acute myocardial infarction and widespread coronary and myocardial inflammation
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Pasquale Mellone, Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai, Fabio Bassan, Alfonso Baldi, Aldo Dobrina, F De Giorgio, Franco Pandolfi, Feliciano Baldi, Luigi M. Biasucci, R Sharma, Elena Barresi, Furio Silvestri, F. Crea, Antonio Abbate, Gianfranco Sinagra, Giovanna Liuzzo, George W. Vetrovec, Anna Severino, Rossana Bussani, Abbate, A, Bussani, R, Liuzzo, G, BIONDI ZOCCAI, Ggl, Barresi, E, Mellone, P, Sinagra, G, Dobrina, A, DE GIORGIO, F, Sharma, R, Bassan, F, Severino, A, Baldi, F, Biasaucci, Lm, Pandolfi, F, Silvestri, F, Vetrovec, Gw, Baldi, Alfonso, Crea, F., Bussani, Rossana, Liuzzo, MARIA GRAZIA, Biondi Zoccai, G. G, Barresi, Elena, Sinagra, Gianfranco, Dobrina, Aldo, De Giorgio, F, Bassan, Fabio, Biasucci, L. M, Silvestri, Furio, Vetrovec, G. W, and Baldi, A
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Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Myocarditis ,T-Lymphocytes ,infarction ,Myocardial Infarction ,Infarction ,Sudden death ,Coronary thrombosis ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,myocardium ,Humans ,cardiovascular diseases ,Myocardial infarction ,coronary ,thrombosis ,Aged ,Aged, 80 and over ,Arteritis ,business.industry ,Coronary Thrombosis ,Settore MED/09 - MEDICINA INTERNA ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Thrombosis ,Coronary arteries ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Death, Sudden, Cardiac ,T-lymphocites in atherosclerotic plaque ,Heart failure ,Cardiology ,Autopsy ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business - Abstract
Background: T-lymphocyte activation within atherosclerotic plaque, and widespread to the myocardium, has been shown in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Objective: To investigate the presence of T-lymphocyte infiltrate at different stages of acute coronary syndromes by studying patients with sudden coronary death, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and healed infarction, in comparison with patients with myocarditis and patients with non-ischaemic heart failure. Methods: 72 cases were studied at autopsy: 12 dying of sudden coronary death (group 1), 12 dying 4 months after AMI (group 3), 12 with active lymphocytic myocarditis (group 4), 12 with hypertensive heart disease (group 5), and 12 control subjects (group 6). Light microscopy was performed to measure the number of activated T-lymphocytes (CD3+/DR+) in the myocardium and coronary artery wall, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in the myocardium. Results: Activated T-lymphocyte infiltrates and ICAM-1 myocardial expression in both remote and peri-infarction regions and activated T-lymphocytes within the epicardial coronary artery wall of both the infarct- and non-infarct-related arteries were found in groups 1, 2 and 3, whereas myocardial, but not coronary, infiltrates were found in groups 4 (p
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- 2008
21. Deciphering the Interplay between Binders and Electrolytes on the Performance of Li4Ti5O12 Electrodes for Li-Ion Batteries
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Francesca De Giorgio, Mattia Gaboardi, Lara Gigli, Sergio Brutti, Catia Arbizzani, De Giorgio, F, Gaboardi, M, Gigli, L, Brutti, S, and Arbizzani, C
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Control and Optimization ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,Li4Ti5O12 ,Energy Engineering and Power Technology ,tetraglyme-based electrolyte ,Building and Construction ,sodium alginate binder ,LTO ,synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,tetraglymebased electrolyte ,Engineering (miscellaneous) ,Energy (miscellaneous) - Abstract
Lithium titanium oxide (Li4Ti5O12, LTO) is an attractive negative electrode for the development of safe—next-generation—lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). LTO can find specific applications complementary to existing alternatives for LIBs thanks to its good rate capability at high C-rates, fast lithium intercalation, and high cycling stability. Furthermore, LIBs featuring LTO electrodes are inherently safer owing to the LTO’s operating potential of 1.55 V vs. Li+/Li where the commonly used organic-based electrolytes are thermodynamically stable. Herein, we report the combined use of water-soluble sodium alginate (SA) binder and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI)-tetraglyme (1m-T) electrolyte and we demonstrate the improvement of the electrochemical performance of LTO-based electrodes with respect to those operating in conventional electrolyte 1M LiPF6-ethylene carbonate: dimethyl carbonate (LP30). We also tackle the analysis of the impact of combining the binder/electrolyte on the long-term cycling performance of LTO electrodes featuring SA or conventional polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) as binders. Therefore, to assess the impact of the combination of binder/electrolyte on performance, we performed post-mortem characterization by ex situ synchrotron diffraction experiments of LTO electrodes after cycling in LP30 and 1m-T electrolytes.
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- 2022
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22. Correlating Structure and Properties of Super‐Concentrated Electrolyte Solutions: 17 O NMR and Electrochemical Characterization
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Francesca De Giorgio, Irene Ruggeri, Andrea La Monaca, Vittorio Berbenni, Chiara Ferrara, Catia Arbizzani, Piercarlo Mustarelli, Francesca Soavi, Ruggeri, I, La Monaca, A, De Giorgio, F, Soavi, F, Arbizzani, C, Berbenni, V, Ferrara, C, Mustarelli, P, and Irene Ruggeri, Andrea La Monaca, Francesca De Giorgio, Francesca Soavi, Catia Arbizzani, Vittorio Berbenni, Chiara Ferrara, Piercarlo Mustarelli
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Materials science ,solvent in salt solution ,Li NMR ,solvent in salt solutions (SIS) ,Electrolyte ,Electrochemistry ,7Li NMR ,O NMR ,Catalysis ,glyme ,Characterization (materials science) ,Chemical engineering ,17O NMR ,solvent in salt solutions ,⁷Li NMR ,¹⁷O NMR - Abstract
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Correlating Structure and Properties of Super-concentrated Electrolyte Solutions: 17O NMR and Electrochemical Characterization, Irene Ruggeri, Andrea La Monaca, Francesca De Giorgio, Francesca Soavi, Catia Arbizzani, Vittorio Berbenni, Chiara Ferrara, Piercarlo Mustarelli, ChemElectroChem 2019, 6, 4002–4009, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.201900829. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.  
- Published
- 2019
23. Overview and Comparison of Infectious Endocarditis and Non-infectious Endocarditis: A Review of 814 Autoptic Cases
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Rossana Bussani, Gianfranco Sinagra, Simone Grassi, Fabio De-Giorgio, Giuliano Pesel, Alfonso Baldi, Lorenzo Zandonà, Antonio Abbate, Furio Silvestri, Bussani, R., De-Giorgio, F., Pesel, G., Zandona, L., Sinagra, G., Grassi, S., Baldi, A., Abbate, A., and Silvestri, F.
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Male ,Cancer Research ,Infective endocarditi ,Autopsy ,Non-infective endocarditis ,0302 clinical medicine ,Diagnosis ,80 and over ,Non-Infective ,Endocarditi ,Aged, 80 and over ,Endocarditis ,Sudden death ,Bacterial ,Middle Aged ,Endocarditis, Non-Infective ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Infective endocarditis ,Female ,Human ,Research Article ,medicine.medical_specialty ,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology ,Diagnosis, Differential ,Non-infective endocarditi ,03 medical and health sciences ,Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditi ,medicine ,Humans ,General hospital ,Pathological ,Aged ,Retrospective Studies ,Pharmacology ,business.industry ,Forensic science ,Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis ,Post mortem ,Endocarditis, Bacterial ,General surgery ,medicine.disease ,Time of death ,Differential ,business ,Non infectious - Abstract
Aim: We examined evidence on infective and non-infective endocarditis obtained from a database of 50,403 clinical autopsies performed at an Italian general hospital between January 1983 and December 2006. Materials and Methods: Out of 814 endocarditis cases, 409 were of infective endocarditis (IE) and 405 non-infective (NIE). The median age at the time of death was 78 years for those with IE and 83 for those with NIE. Data were collected on gender, clinical history, comorbidities, kind of affected valve (non-prosthetic/mechanical/biological), pathological features of endocarditis, endocarditis complications and microbiological agents. Results: The diagnosis of IE was frequently missed and these conditions were often complicated by cardiovascular events. IE was more common among patients with prior valve infection or cardiovascular surgery, while malignancies were frequent comorbidities of NIE. Conclusion: In general, we found several data that differ from those generally present in the scientific literature, and this could be explained by the fact that data on IE and NIE are generally obtained from surgical and clinical databases, while we analysed only autoptic cases.
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- 2019
24. The Transcriptome of SH-SY5Y at Single-Cell Resolution: A CITE-Seq Data Analysis Workflow
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Caterina Garone, Francesca De Giorgio, Nicola Balboni, Emanuela Aleo, Daniele Mercatelli, Federico M. Giorgi, Mercatelli D., Balboni N., De Giorgio F., Aleo E., Garone C., and Giorgi F.M.
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Computer science ,QH301-705.5 ,genetic processes ,Gene regulatory network ,Computational biology ,Barcode ,Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (miscellaneous) ,Unsupervised learning ,Article ,law.invention ,Transcriptome ,03 medical and health sciences ,transcriptomics ,Neuroblastoma ,0302 clinical medicine ,Single-cell analysis ,Structural Biology ,law ,natural sciences ,Biology (General) ,Gene ,gene regulatory networks ,030304 developmental biology ,0303 health sciences ,Single-cell ,Cell sorting ,Housekeeping gene ,Workflow ,CITE-seq ,Transcriptomic ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Biotechnology - Abstract
Cellular Indexing of Transcriptomes and Epitopes by Sequencing (CITE-seq) is a recently established multimodal single cell analysis technique combining the immunophenotyping capabilities of antibody labeling and cell sorting with the resolution of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). By simply adding a 12-bp nucleotide barcode to antibodies (cell hashing), CITE-seq can be used to sequence antibody-bound tags alongside the cellular mRNA, thus reducing costs of scRNA-seq by performing it at the same time on multiple barcoded samples in a single run. Here, we illustrate an ideal CITE-seq data analysis workflow by characterizing the transcriptome of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line, a widely used model to study neuronal function and differentiation. We obtained transcriptomes from a total of 2879 single cells, measuring an average of 1600 genes/cell. Along with standard scRNA-seq data handling procedures, such as quality checks and cell filtering procedures, we performed exploratory analyses to identify most stable genes to be possibly used as reference housekeeping genes in qPCR experiments. We also illustrate how to use some popular R packages to investigate cell heterogeneity in scRNA-seq data, namely Seurat, Monocle, and slalom. Both the CITE-seq dataset and the code used to analyze it are freely shared and fully reusable for future research.
- Published
- 2021
25. Improved adhesion of Nafion™-coated separator to water-processable LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 electrodes
- Author
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Antonio Terella, Laura Malavolta, Francesca De Giorgio, Catia Arbizzani, Malavolta L., Terella A., De Giorgio F., and Arbizzani C.
- Subjects
Materials science ,modified separators ,Thin layer ,Energy Engineering and Power Technology ,Separator (oil production) ,Electrochemistry ,Modified separator ,Nafion™ layer ,LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 ,Mn ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Nafion ,lcsh:TK1001-1841 ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,Aqueous binder ,0.5 ,1.5 ,Polyolefin ,lcsh:Production of electric energy or power. Powerplants. Central stations ,lcsh:Industrial electrochemistry ,chemistry ,Chemical engineering ,Electrode ,LiNi ,lcsh:TP250-261 - Abstract
The adhesion between electrode and separator is a key feature in cell assembly. Nafion&trade, coated separators for water-processed LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) electrodes are here proposed as an alternative to the polyolefin separators. Specifically, polyolefin separators are modified with Nafion&trade, solutions and their adhesion to high-potential LNMO electrodes is investigated. The physicochemical properties of the Nafion&trade, coated separator and its electrochemical performance in Li/LNMO cells are discussed and compared to those obtained with polyolefin Celgard®, (Charlotte, NC, USA) PP2075 separator. Improved adhesion and cycling stability, which could be further enhanced by a mild lamination process, were demonstrated with a thin layer of Nafion&trade, (0.1 mg cm&minus, 2).
- Published
- 2020
26. Functional separators for the batteries of the future
- Author
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Catia Arbizzani, Maria Letizia Focarete, Elena Paolasini, Laura Malavolta, Morteza Rahmanipour, Francesca De Giorgio, Antonio Terella, Davide Fabiani, Terella A., De Giorgio F., Rahmanipour M., Malavolta L., Paolasini E., Fabiani D., Focarete M.L., and Arbizzani C.
- Subjects
Materials science ,Composite number ,Oxide ,Energy Engineering and Power Technology ,Separator (oil production) ,02 engineering and technology ,Lithium ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,law.invention ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,law ,Functional separator ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Interphase ,PVdF/GO ,Electrospinning ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,Graphene ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Cathode ,0104 chemical sciences ,Anode ,Polyolefin ,Chemical engineering ,chemistry ,0210 nano-technology - Abstract
Lithium/sulfur batteries are one of the most promising technologies for the next-generation batteries. However, this technology suffers from several problems mainly related to the instability of metallic lithium and to the polysulfides (PS) shuttle. An approach to address such issues is the design of new separators or the modification of existing commercial ones. The use of hybrid membranes is here proposed to improve the performance of Li metal anode and sulfur cathode. Composite separators are obtained by electrospinning or drop-casting a polymer solution of polyvinylidenefluoride (PVdF) containing graphene oxide (GO) on a polyolefin commercial Celgard 2300 separator. This is the first time that a thin layer of electrospun PVdF/GO composite is applied to a polyolefin separator for the use in Li metal-based batteries. We demonstrate that electrospinning is an effective method to obtain a thin polymer layer of PVdF/GO. The electrospun layer improves the wettability of the separator; it is beneficial to the growth of “soft” dendrite on Li anode and has a positive effect on the PS shuttle process. The casted layer featuring a higher GO content is also effective in increasing the separator wettability, although with a minor effect on Li interphase.
- Published
- 2019
27. Phenotypic effects of chronic and acute use of methiopropamine in a mouse model
- Author
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Federica Foti, Fabio De-Giorgio, Bruna Cerbelli, Andrea Ossato, Sabrine Bilel, Francesco Botrè, Eugenio Sangiorgi, Matteo Marti, Alfonso Baldi, Foti, F, Marti, M, Ossato, A, Bilel, S, Sangiorgi, E, Botrè, F, Cerbelli, B, Baldi, A, and De-Giorgio, F
- Subjects
Male ,0301 basic medicine ,Ischemia ,Physiology ,Socio-culturale ,Thiophenes ,Kidney ,Sudden death ,Methamphetamine ,Pathology and Forensic Medicine ,Death, Sudden ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Mice ,0302 clinical medicine ,Gastrointestinal tract ,Heart Rate ,Methiopropamine ,Novel psychoactive substances ,kidney ,methiopropamine ,mice ,myocardium ,novel psychoactive substances ,animals ,death, sudden ,heart rate ,intestines ,ischemia ,male ,methamphetamine ,mice, inbred ICR ,models, animal ,psychotropic drugs ,street drugs ,thiophenes ,vasoconstriction ,Heart rate ,medicine ,Animals ,Myocardium ,Mice, Inbred ICR ,Psychotropic Drugs ,Illicit Drugs ,business.industry ,Novel psychoactive substance ,Settore MED/43 - MEDICINA LEGALE ,Thermoregulation ,medicine.disease ,Intestines ,030104 developmental biology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,chemistry ,Vasoconstriction ,Models, Animal ,medicine.symptom ,business ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Methiopropamine (MPA) is a structural analogue of methamphetamine and belongs to the category of the novel psychoactive substances. To the best of our knowledge, no experimental study has been performed to evaluate the organ damage evoked by MPA administration in an animal model. Therefore, the main purpose of the present study was to investigate the histological changes in CD-1 male mice following the chronic administration of MPA. MPA-chronically treated mice showed myocardial damage with features consistent with repeated episodes of ischemia and a pattern of kidney damage and gastrointestinal ischemia, with ischemic-necrotic lesions of variable extent. In agreement with the analogies between MPA and methamphetamine, we link organ damage secondary to MPA administration to the vasoconstrictive effect exhibited by both compounds. Chronically MPA-treated mice did not show changes in body weight, food intake, thermoregulation, muscular strength and motor coordination in the accelerod test. However, acute MPA administration significantly increased their heart rate and promoted vasoconstriction, which were associated with the sudden death of a subset of animals (40% of all chronically treated mice). In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that MPA consumption could induce health hazards, highlighting the risk of sudden catastrophic events; therefore, clinicians should be aware of these data and consider MPA screening when no other drug is identified by a urine drug screen.
- Published
- 2018
28. Can Urine Metabolomics Be Helpful in Differentiating Neuropathic and Nociceptive Pain? A Proof-of-Concept Study
- Author
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Maurizio Evangelista, Emanuela Locci, Paola Scano, Fabio De-Giorgio, Gabriele Finco, Giovanni Landoni, Antonio Noto, Mario Musu, R Massa, Ernesto D'Aloja, Paolo Mura, Finco, G, Locci, E, Mura, P, Massa, R, Noto, A, Musu, M, Landoni, Giovanni, D'Aloja, E, De Giorgio, F, Scano, P, and Evangelista, M.
- Subjects
Male ,0301 basic medicine ,Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ,Multivariate analysis ,Physiology ,Sensory Physiology ,lcsh:Medicine ,Proof-of-Concept Study ,Urine ,Urine Metabolomics ,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine ,Spectrum analysis techniques ,Bioinformatics ,Biochemistry ,Nociceptive Pain ,0302 clinical medicine ,Drug Metabolism ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Metabolites ,Medicine ,Differentiating Neuropathic and Nociceptive Pain ,Prospective Studies ,lcsh:Science ,Prospective cohort study ,Aged, 80 and over ,Multidisciplinary ,Chronic pain ,Discriminant Analysis ,Middle Aged ,Sensory Systems ,Body Fluids ,Settore MED/26 - NEUROLOGIA ,Nociception ,Somatosensory System ,Anesthesia ,Physical Sciences ,Neuropathic pain ,Female ,Anatomy ,Statistics (Mathematics) ,Research Article ,Adult ,Pain ,03 medical and health sciences ,Signs and Symptoms ,NMR spectroscopy ,Pain Nature ,Settore MED/41 - ANESTESIOLOGIA ,Humans ,Metabolomics ,Pharmacokinetics ,Aged ,Neuropathic Pain ,Pharmacology ,business.industry ,Contingency Tables ,lcsh:R ,Biology and Life Sciences ,Pain Sensation ,medicine.disease ,Research and analysis methods ,Metabolism ,030104 developmental biology ,Multivariate Analysis ,Neuralgia ,lcsh:Q ,business ,Mathematics ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Neuroscience - Abstract
The diagnosis of pain nature is a troublesome task and a wrong attribution often leads to an increase of costs and to avoidable pharmaceutical adverse reactions. An objective and specific approach to achieve this diagnosis is highly desirable. The aim of this work was to investigate urine samples collected from patients suffering from pain of different nature by a metabolomics approach based on (1)H NMR spectroscopy and multivariate statistical analysis. We performed a prospective study on 74 subjects: 37 suffering from pain (12 with nociceptive and 25 with neuropathic pain), and 37 controls not suffering from any kind of chronic pain. The application of discriminant analysis on the urine spectral profiles allowed us to classify these two types of pain with high sensibility and specificity. Although the classification relies on the global urine metabolic profile, the individual contribution in discriminating neuropathic pain patients of metabolites such as choline and phosphocholine, taurine and alanine, suggests potential lesions to the nervous system. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a urine metabolomics profile is used to classify these two kinds of pain. This methodology, although based on a limited sample, may constitute the basis for a new helpful tool in the clinical diagnosis.
- Published
- 2016
29. Formation of the inflammasome in acute myocarditis
- Author
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Harsha Kannan, Marco Anzini, Gianfranco Sinagra, Chiara Sonnino, Rossana Bussani, Eleonora Mezzaroma, Fabio De-Giorgio, Furio Silvestri, Alfonso Baldi, Marco Merlo, Antonio Abbate, Stefano Toldo, Benjamin W. Van Tassell, Toldo, S, Kannan, H, Bussani, Rossana, Anzini, M, Sonnino, C, Sinagra, Gianfranco, Merlo, M, Mezzaroma, E, De Giorgio, F, Silvestri, Furio, Van Tassell, Bw, Baldi, A, Abbate, A., Bussani, R, Sinagra, G, Silvestri, F, and Baldi, Alfonso
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Myocarditis ,Inflammasomes ,Cardiomyopathy ,Myocarditi ,Heart failure ,Autopsy ,Inflammasome ,Interquartile range ,Humans ,Medicine ,biology ,business.industry ,Pyroptosis ,Settore MED/43 - MEDICINA LEGALE ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Toxic injury ,Acute Disease ,Immunology ,biology.protein ,Female ,Inflammation Mediators ,Antibody ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Acutemyocarditisisanin flammatorydisorderoftheheartmuscleinwhichtheseverityofinjurydependsbothonthenatureoftheoffendingagent(i.e.virus)andontheensuinginflammatoryresponse.Thede fini-tion excludes, however, the response to ischemic or toxic injury. Theheart, however, like other organs, may provide a stereotyped responsetoinjury.Followingischemicinjury,theformationoftheinfl ammasomein the heart promotes heart failure [1].Theinflammasome is a macro-molecular structure activated during injury that amplifies the responseby processing Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18, and promotion of celldeath [2]. Viral infections may lead to either death of the virus and thecell (pyroptosis), or survival of both cell and virus with persistence ofthe infection through inhibition of the inflammasome (evasion) [3].Therearenoreportsoftheinflammasomeinacutemyocarditis.Wehy-pothesize that the viral infection or the ensuing cellular destructionleads to the formation of the inflammasome, providing an opportunityto explore inflammasome-related markers for diagnostic or prognosticpurposes. Furthermore at present day, there are no specific treatmentsfor acute myocarditis, and thus inhibitors of the inflammasome couldrepresent a new therapeutic approach.We studied samples obtainedthrough endomyocardialbiopsy in11patients with acute lymphocytic myocarditis (b4 weeks of symptomsonset) in Trieste, Italy. The diagnosis was based upon pathology exam-ination and clinical scenario (Table 1). As a comparison group westudied autopsy samples of 11 patients with acute myocarditis diag-nosed post mortem, and 5 control subjects who had died withoutacute myocarditis or other acute cardiac conditions.Weemployedimmunofluorescencestainingtodetectin flammasomeaggregatesusingantibodiesraisedagainstthescaffoldprotein,ApoptosisSpeck-like protein containing a caspase-1 recruiting domain (ASC), and/or the effector protein, caspase-1, as previously described [1].Tocharac-terizethetypeofcell,weusedadoublestainingtechniquewithantibod-ies against cardiac actin to identify cardiomyocytes, S100A4 to identifyfibroblasts, andCD31 forendothelialcells. To overcomefor the auto fluo-rescence of sarcomeric proteins, we used a solution of 1% Sudan black in70% ethanol for 5 min. Images of samples were acquired with an IX70microscope and cellSens Dimension di gital imaging software (Olympus,Central Valley, PA) using a 40× objective (400× magnification). Filtersets for each separate fluorescence-conjugated antibody were layeredtorenderacompositeimage.Theinflammasome “specks” were countedby cell type (cardiomyocyte, leukocytes, fibroblasts and endothelialcells) per high power field of view (40×). Data are presented as medianand interquartile range and non-parametric Mann–Whitney test wasused.Intracellularaggregates of ASC and/ or caspase-1 indicative of the for-mation of the inflammasome were seen in leukocytes, cardiomyocytes,fibroblasts and endothelial cells in heart biopsy samples of all 11 cases(100%), and in heart samples of 10 of 11 post-mortem cases (91%), andin none of the controls (0%, P b 0.002)(Fig. 1). ASC aggregates co-localized with caspase-1 aggregates in virtually all cases. The numberof inflammasomes was variable across cases ranging between 3 and 14specks in biopsies, and between 0 and 45 specks per field in autopsies,without statistically significant differences (data not shown). Some
- Published
- 2014
30. Cardiac metastases
- Author
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R, Bussani, F, De-Giorgio, A, Abbate, F, Silvestri, Bussani, Rossana, DE GIORGIO, F, Abbate, A, and Silvestri, Furio
- Subjects
Heart Neoplasms ,Cardiac Metastases ,Humans ,Review ,heart ,General Medicine ,Settore MED/43 - MEDICINA LEGALE ,Pericardium ,Pericardial Effusion ,Pathology and Forensic Medicine - Abstract
Tumours metastatic to the heart (cardiac metastases) are among the least known and highly debated issues in oncology, and few systematic studies are devoted to this topic. Although primary cardiac tumours are extremely uncommon (various postmortem studies report rates between 0.001% and 0.28%), secondary tumours are not, and at least in theory, the heart can be metastasised by any malignant neoplasm able to spread to distant sites. In general, cardiac metastases are considered to be rare; however, when sought for, the incidence seems to be not as low as expected, ranging from 2.3% and 18.3%. Although no malignant tumours are known that diffuse preferentially to the heart, some do involve the heart more often than others--for example, melanoma and mediastinal primary tumours. This paper attempts to review the pathophysiology of cardiac metastatic disease, epidemiology and clinical presentation of cardiac metastases, and pathological characterisation of the lesions.
- Published
- 2007
31. Flexible, ionic liquid-based micro-supercapacitor produced by supersonic cluster beam deposition
- Author
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Catia Arbizzani, Paolo Piseri, Francesca Soavi, Luca Giacomo Bettini, Paolo Milani, F. De Giorgio, Bettini, L.G., Piseri, P., De Giorgio, F., Arbizzani, C., Milani, P., and Soavi, F.
- Subjects
Supercapacitor ,Materials science ,business.industry ,General Chemical Engineering ,micro-supercapacitor ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Nanotechnology ,Electrolyte ,Capacitance ,flexible supercapacitor ,Energy storage ,supersonic cluster beam deposition ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,chemistry ,porous carbon ,Electrode ,Ionic liquid ,Electrochemistry ,Specific energy ,Optoelectronics ,micro-supercapacitors, flexible supercapacitor, supersonic cluster beam deposition, porous carbon electrodes, ionic liquid ,business ,Carbon ,ionic liquid - Abstract
Power generation and storage in electronics require flexible, thin micro-electrochemical energy storage/conversion systems. Micro-supercapacitors (μSCs) with double-layer capacitance carbon electrodes are attracting much attention for their capability of delivering short power pulses with high stability over repeated charge/discharge cycling. Supersonic Cluster Beam Deposition (SCBD) is an effective strategy for the development of nanostructured, binder-free porous carbon electrodes on temperature sensitive substrates including polymers. We exploited SCBD for the development of a flexible, planar μSC featuring nanostructured carbon (ns-C) electrodes deposited on a plastic Mylar substrate and N-trimethyl-N-propyl-ammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (N 1113 TFSI) ionic liquid electrolyte. The electrochemical performance at different temperatures of the μSC which operates at 3 V above RT up to 80 °C with a capacitance density approaching 10 F cm −3 and delivering maximum specific energy and power densities of 10 mWh cm −3 and 8-10 W cm −3 with long cycling stability over 2 × 10 4 cycles is here reported and discussed.
- Published
- 2015
32. Effect of silica and tin oxide nanoparticles on properties of nanofibrous electrospun separators
- Author
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G. Cannucciari, Maria Letizia Focarete, Marina Mastragostino, F. De Giorgio, Catia Arbizzani, Davide Fabiani, Chiara Gualandi, Marco Zaccaria, Zaccaria, M., Fabiani, D., Cannucciari, G., Gualandi, C., Focarete, M.L., Arbizzani, C., De Giorgio, F., and Mastragostino, M.
- Subjects
Materials science ,Oxide ,Nanoparticle ,Electrolyte ,Electrochemical cell ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,NONWOVEN SEPARATORS ,Materials Chemistry ,Electrochemistry ,Silicon oxide ,LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES ,PROGRESS ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,PVDF ,technology, industry, and agriculture ,Condensed Matter Physics ,Tin oxide ,Electrospinning ,Surfaces, Coatings and Films ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Membrane ,Chemical engineering ,chemistry ,CELLS ,POLYMER ELECTROLYTES ,ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANES ,STORAGE - Abstract
Innovative separators able to improve the performance and safety of Li-ion batteries are under investigation to meet the growing demand for large-size and high energy density electrochemical cells. In this work, highly porous nanofibrous Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) separators loaded with oxide nanoparticles were produced by electrospinning. Silicon oxide and tin oxide nanoparticles were added to PVdF and membranes were characterized by SEM-EDS and TGA. The effect of nanoparticle addition on electrolyte uptake, mechanical properties and conductivity was investigated and such properties were compared to those of a commercial separator (Celgard 2400). Results showed that a small amount of additive can significantly improve the properties of PVdF electrospun membranes and that the different nanoparticles investigated in this work have different effect on membrane performances. In particular, the addition of SiO2 increases the rate of electrolyte uptake and the toughness of the electrospun membrane, while the addition of SnO2 decreases the rate of electrolyte uptake and increases the stiffness of the electrospun membrane. When loaded with nanoparticles, PVdF membranes maintain their insulating character also at high temperature. Preliminary electrochemical results on half-cell vs Li with LiFePO4 and electrospun separators showed good cycling performance, highlighting interesting features of this technology. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by ECS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 License (CC BY-NC-ND, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is not changed in any way and is properly cited. For permission for commercial reuse, please email: oa@electrochem.org. [DOI: 10.1149/2.0421506jes] All rights reserved.
- Published
- 2015
33. Increased apoptosis in remote non-infarcted myocardium in multivessel coronary disease
- Author
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BIONDI ZOCCAI, Giuseppe, Antonio, Abbate, Fortunata, Vasaturo, Scarpa, Susanna, Daniele, Santini, Antonio Maria Leone, Parisi, O., Fabio De Giorgio, Rossana, Bussani, Furio, Silvestri, Feliciano, Baldi, Biasucci, Luigi M., Alfonso, Baldi, Santini, Daniele, BIONDI ZOCCAI, Gg, Abbate, A, Vasaturo, F, Scarpa, S, Santini, D, Leone, Am, Parisi, Q, DE GIORGIO, F, Bussani, Rossana, Silvestri, Furio, Baldi, F, Biasucci, Lm, Baldi, A., Bussani, R, Silvestri, F, and Baldi, Alfonso
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Myocardial ischemia ,Myocardial Infarction ,Ischemia ,non-infarcted myocardium ,Infarction ,Autopsy ,apoptosis ,coronary artery disease ,multivessel ,myocardial infarction ,myocardial ischemia ,remodeling ,coronary disease ,Coronary artery disease ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,cardiovascular diseases ,Myocardial infarction ,Artery occlusion ,Multivessel ,Ventricular Remodeling ,business.industry ,Vascular disease ,Apoptosi ,Settore MED/43 - MEDICINA LEGALE ,medicine.disease ,Coronary Vessels ,Immunohistochemistry ,Remodeling ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,cardiovascular system ,Cardiology ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business ,Artery - Abstract
Background: Multivessel coronary disease after myocardial infarction is a major risk factor for unfavorable cardiac remodeling and death due to pump failure, but underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms are still uncompletely established. Post-infarction myocardial apoptosis has been recently implicated as a cause of ongoing cell loss leading to cardiac failure. Our aim was to assess the role of post-infarction myocardial apoptosis and pro-apoptotic factor expression in the non-infarcted remote myocardium of subjects with multivessel coronary disease. Methods: Twenty-one males dying after recent myocardial infarction with permanent occlusion of the infarct-related artery were selected at autopsy. Apoptosis was assessed at viable myocardial regions remote from infarction by co-staining for in situ end-labeling of DNA fragmentation and cleaved caspase-3. Expression of pro-apoptotic factor bax and hypoxia-induced factor-1alpha was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: Subjects with multivessel disease (N = 11) showed a significantly two-fold higher myocardial apoptosis in comparison to subjects with single vessel disease (N = 10) (0.9% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.013). Similarly, myocardial bax expression was increased in patients with multivessel disease (3.0% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.029). Stratification for the number of diseased coronary vessels confirmed the association between extent of coronary disease and apoptotic rates (p = 0.022). Even in subjects dying over 30 days after infarction multivessel disease remained predictive of enhanced myocardiocyte apoptosis at remote regions (p = 0.033). Conclusions: Post-infarction myocardial apoptosis and bax expression in remote left ventricular regions are significantly increased in male patients with multivessel coronary disease in comparison to those with isolated infarct-related artery occlusion. These findings suggest that apoptotic cell loss in the viable non-infarcted myocardium, possibly due ongoing ischemia, may play a relevant role in the unfavorable clinical course typical of multivessel disease after myocardial infarction. © 2004 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
- Published
- 2004
34. Impaired coronary and myocardial flow in severe aortic stenosis is associated with invreased apoptosis: a transthoracic Doppler and myocardial contrast echocardiography study
- Author
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Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai, Gianfederico Possati, F. Crea, Antonio Abbate, F De Giorgio, Mario Gaudino, George W. Vetrovec, Alfonso Baldi, Marzia Lotrionte, Leonarda Galiuto, Feliciano Baldi, Amedeo Anselmi, Galiuto, L, Lotrionte, M, Crea, F, Anselmi, A, BIONDI ZOCCAI, Gg, DE GIORGIO, F, Baldi, Alfonso, Baldi, F, Possati, G, Gaudino, M, Vetrovec, Gw, and Abbate, A.
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,myocardial flow ,Diastole ,apoptosis ,aortic stenosis ,Cardiovascular Medicine ,Doppler echocardiography ,Coronary circulation ,Coronary Circulation ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,Myocytes, Cardiac ,Aged ,Pressure overload ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Microcirculation ,Aortic Valve Stenosis ,medicine.disease ,Echocardiography, Doppler ,Stenosis ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Echocardiography ,Aortic valve stenosis ,Heart failure ,Circulatory system ,Settore MED/11 - MALATTIE DELL'APPARATO CARDIOVASCOLARE ,Cardiology ,Female ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business ,Blood Flow Velocity - Abstract
Objective: To test the hypothesis that impaired coronary and myocardial blood flow are linked with increased myocyte apoptosis, thus establishing a link between pressure overload and left ventricular (LV) remodelling. Methods and results: Peak diastolic coronary blood flow velocity (CBFV) was evaluated at transthoracic Doppler echocardiography, and signal intensity (SI) and the rate of SI rise (β) were measured at myocardial contrast echocardiography in 11 patients with severe aortic stenosis and LV hypertrophy. In the same patients, biopsies were obtained from the anterolateral LV free wall during surgery and analysed for cardiomyocyte apoptosis. LV mass corrected CBFV (CBFVI) was significantly lower in patients than in controls (median 0.100 cm·g/s (interquartile range 0.07–0.115) v 0.130 cm·g/s (0.130–0.160), p = 0.002). Similarly, SI*β was significantly lower in patients than in controls (11 1/s (8–66) v 83 1/s (73–95), p = 0.001). Apoptotic rate was increased in aortic stenosis more than 100-fold versus controls (1.2% (0.8–1.4) v 0.01% (0.01–0.01), p r = −0.77, p = 0.001 for both). Conclusions: Patients with severe aortic stenosis and LV hypertrophy have impaired myocardial perfusion, which is associated with enhanced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Impaired myocardial perfusion and the ensuing oxygen demand–supply imbalance may, at least partially, be responsible for increased apoptosis and possible transition to heart failure, thus establishing a link between pressure overload, LV remodelling, and heart failure.
- Published
- 2005
35. Infarct-related artery occlusion, tissue markers of ischemia, and increased apoptosis in the peri-infarct viable myocardium
- Author
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Giovanna Liuzzo, Antonio Abbate, Fortunata Vasaturo, Fabio De Giorgio, Gianfranco Sinagra, Daniele Santini, Susanna Scarpa, Rossana Bussani, George W. Vetrovec, Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai, Furio Silvestri, Filippo Crea, Alfonso Baldi, Antonio Maria Leone, Feliciano Baldi, Anna Severino, Alessandro Petrolini, Luigi M. Biasucci, Abbate, A, Bussani, Rossana, BIONDI ZOCCAI, Gg, Santini, D, Petrolini, A, DE GIORGIO, F, Vasaturo, F, Scarpa, S, Severino, A, Liuzzo, G, Leone, Am, Baldi, F, Sinagra, Gianfranco, Silvestri, Furio, Vetrovec, Gw, Crea, F, Biasucci, Lm, Baldi, A., Bussani, R, Sinagra, G, Silvestri, F, and Baldi, Alfonso
- Subjects
Male ,Pathology ,Heart disease ,Myocardial Ischemia ,Ischaemia ,infarct myocardium ,Occlusion ,Myocytes, Cardiac ,remodelling ,Myocardial infarction ,Aged, 80 and over ,TUNEL assay ,Ventricular Remodeling ,Caspase 3 ,apoptosis ,Immunohistochemistry ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,myocardial infarction ,Caspases ,Circulatory system ,Cardiology ,Female ,Autopsy ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,Artery ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Ischemia ,ischemia ,Internal medicine ,In Situ Nick-End Labeling ,medicine ,Humans ,Artery occlusion ,cardiovascular diseases ,cyclo-oxygenase-21 ,Aged ,business.industry ,Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 ,Coronary Stenosis ,Remodelling ,Apoptosi ,Settore MED/43 - MEDICINA LEGALE ,medicine.disease ,Actins ,hypoxia-inducible factor-1 ,Case-Control Studies ,Cyclo-oxygenase-2 ,business ,Biomarkers - Abstract
Aims: Unfavourable cardiac remodelling often complicates acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as a result of increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis. It is currently unclear whether ongoing or recurrent ischaemia is an independent determinant for increased apoptosis in peri-infarct viable myocardium. Methods and results: In order to assess the link between infarct-related artery (IRA) occlusion, ischaemia, and apoptosis, 30 subjects dying 7-120 days after AMI (16 with IRA occlusion and 14 with patent IRA) and five control subjects were selected at autopsy. Cardiomyocytes were defined as apoptotic if co-expressing TUNEL and activated caspase-3. Expression of both hypoxia-inducible factor-1 and cyclo-oxygenase-2 was assessed in the peri-infarct myocardium and considered as tissue markers of ischaemia. Evidence of ischaemia was significantly more frequent in cases with IRA occlusion (53%) than in cases with patent IRA (15%) or control hearts (0%, P = 0.026). The finding of IRA occlusion and markers of ischaemia identified cases with higher apoptotic rates (ARs) in the peri-infarct viable myocardium [12.2% (8.2-14.0), P < 0.001 vs. others], whereas IRA occlusion without ischaemia was associated with lower AR, not significantly different from patent IRA [3.0% (1.0-7.9) vs. 2.2% (1.0-5.8), respectively, P = 0.42] Conclusion: Ischaemia in the peri-infarct viable myocardium is present in over 50% of subjects dying late after AMI with IRA occlusion, and it is associated with increased apoptosis. Relief of ischaemia after AMI may prove of benefit in preventing apoptosis and its consequences. © The European Society of Cardiology 2005. All rights reserved.
- Published
- 2005
36. Dysregulation of FLVCR1a-dependent mitochondrial calcium handling in neural progenitors causes congenital hydrocephalus.
- Author
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Bertino F, Mukherjee D, Bonora M, Bagowski C, Nardelli J, Metani L, Zanin Venturini DI, Chianese D, Santander N, Salaroglio IC, Hentschel A, Quarta E, Genova T, McKinney AA, Allocco AL, Fiorito V, Petrillo S, Ammirata G, De Giorgio F, Dennis E, Allington G, Maier F, Shoukier M, Gloning KP, Munaron L, Mussano F, Salsano E, Pareyson D, di Rocco M, Altruda F, Panagiotakos G, Kahle KT, Gressens P, Riganti C, Pinton PP, Roos A, Arnold T, Tolosano E, and Chiabrando D
- Subjects
- Animals, Humans, Mice, Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors metabolism, Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors genetics, Neurogenesis genetics, Calcium metabolism, Hydrocephalus metabolism, Hydrocephalus genetics, Hydrocephalus pathology, Membrane Transport Proteins metabolism, Membrane Transport Proteins genetics, Mitochondria metabolism, Neural Stem Cells metabolism, Neural Stem Cells pathology, Receptors, Virus metabolism, Receptors, Virus genetics
- Abstract
Congenital hydrocephalus (CH), occurring in approximately 1/1,000 live births, represents an important clinical challenge due to the limited knowledge of underlying molecular mechanisms. The discovery of novel CH genes is thus essential to shed light on the intricate processes responsible for ventricular dilatation in CH. Here, we identify FLVCR1 (feline leukemia virus subgroup C receptor 1) as a gene responsible for a severe form of CH in humans and mice. Mechanistically, our data reveal that the full-length isoform encoded by the FLVCR1 gene, FLVCR1a, interacts with the IP3R3-VDAC complex located on mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) that controls mitochondrial calcium handling. Loss of Flvcr1a in mouse neural progenitor cells (NPCs) affects mitochondrial calcium levels and energy metabolism, leading to defective cortical neurogenesis and brain ventricle enlargement. These data point to defective NPCs calcium handling and metabolic activity as one of the pathogenetic mechanisms driving CH., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests E.T., V.F., D.Chiabrando, S.P., F.B., and A.L.A. are inventors in a patent filed by the University of Torino, not related to the research reported here., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
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- 2024
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37. FLVCR1a Controls Cellular Cholesterol Levels through the Regulation of Heme Biosynthesis and Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Flux in Endothelial Cells.
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Manco M, Ammirata G, Petrillo S, De Giorgio F, Fontana S, Riganti C, Provero P, Fagoonee S, Altruda F, and Tolosano E
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- Mice, Animals, Membrane Transport Proteins metabolism, Cell Membrane metabolism, Mice, Knockout, Heme metabolism, Endothelial Cells metabolism, Citric Acid Cycle
- Abstract
Feline leukemia virus C receptor 1a (FLVCR1a), initially identified as a retroviral receptor and localized on the plasma membrane, has emerged as a crucial regulator of heme homeostasis. Functioning as a positive regulator of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase 1 (ALAS1), the rate-limiting enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway, FLVCR1a influences TCA cycle cataplerosis, thus impacting TCA flux and interconnected metabolic pathways. This study reveals an unexplored link between FLVCR1a, heme synthesis, and cholesterol production in endothelial cells. Using cellular models with manipulated FLVCR1a expression and inducible endothelial-specific Flvcr1a -null mice, we demonstrate that FLVCR1a-mediated control of heme synthesis regulates citrate availability for cholesterol synthesis, thereby influencing cellular cholesterol levels. Moreover, alterations in FLVCR1a expression affect membrane cholesterol content and fluidity, supporting a role for FLVCR1a in the intricate regulation of processes crucial for vascular development and endothelial function. Our results underscore FLVCR1a as a positive regulator of heme synthesis, emphasizing its integration with metabolic pathways involved in cellular energy metabolism. Furthermore, this study suggests that the dysregulation of heme metabolism may have implications for modulating lipid metabolism. We discuss these findings in the context of FLVCR1a's potential heme-independent function as a choline importer, introducing additional complexity to the interplay between heme and lipid metabolism.
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- 2024
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38. Enhancing the interpretation of genetic observations in KCNQ1 in unselected populations: relevance to secondary findings.
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Novelli V, Faultless T, Cerrone M, Care M, Manzoni M, Bober SL, Adler A, De-Giorgio F, Spears D, and Gollob MH
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- Humans, Genetic Testing, Mutation, Missense, Phenotype, Mutation, KCNQ1 Potassium Channel genetics, Long QT Syndrome diagnosis, Long QT Syndrome genetics
- Abstract
Aims: Rare variants in the KCNQ1 gene are found in the healthy population to a much greater extent than the prevalence of Long QT Syndrome type 1 (LQTS1). This observation creates challenges in the interpretation of KCNQ1 rare variants that may be identified as secondary findings in whole exome sequencing.This study sought to identify missense variants within sub-domains of the KCNQ1-encoded Kv7.1 potassium channel that would be highly predictive of disease in the context of secondary findings., Methods and Results: We established a set of KCNQ1 variants reported in over 3700 patients with diagnosed or suspected LQTS sent for clinical genetic testing and compared the domain-specific location of identified variants to those observed in an unselected population of 140 000 individuals. We identified three regions that showed a significant enrichment of KCNQ1 variants associated with LQTS at an odds ratio (OR) >2: the pore region, and the adjacent 5th (S5) and 6th (S6) transmembrane (TM) regions. An additional segment within the carboxyl terminus of Kv7.1, conserved region 2 (CR2), also showed an increased OR of disease association. Furthermore, the TM spanning S5-Pore-S6 region correlated with a significant increase in cardiac events., Conclusion: Rare missense variants with a clear phenotype of LQTS have a high likelihood to be present within the pore and adjacent TM segments (S5-Pore-S6) and a greater tendency to be present within CR2. This data will enhance interpretation of secondary findings within the KCNQ1 gene. Further, our data support a more severe phenotype in LQTS patients with variants within the S5-Pore-S6 region., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None declared., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)
- Published
- 2023
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39. Effect of Repeated Administration of ɣ-Valerolactone (GVL) and GHB in the Mouse: Neuroadaptive Changes of the GHB and GABAergic System.
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Frisoni P, Corli G, Bilel S, Tirri M, Gasparini LC, Alfieri L, Neri M, De-Giorgio F, and Marti M
- Abstract
Background: Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) at low dosages has anxiolytic effects and promotes REM sleep and low-wave deep sleep. In the U.S., the legal form of GHB is prescribed to adults suffering from narcolepsy-associated cataplexy; the sodium salt of GHB is reserved for alcohol-addiction treatment. GHB is also a molecule of abuse and recreational use, it is a controlled substance in several countries, so gamma-valerolactone (GVL) has frequently been used as a legal substitute for it. GHB's abuse profile is most likely attributable to its anxiolytic, hypnotic, and euphoric properties, as well as its widespread availability and inexpensive/low cost on the illicit market., Methods: Our study is focused on evaluating the potential effects on the mouse brain after repeated/prolonged administration of GHB and GVL at a pharmacologically active dose (100 mg/kg) through behavioral study and immunohistochemical analysis using the markers tetraspanin 17 (TSPAN17), aldehyde dehydrogenase 5 (ALDH5A1), Gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA-A), and Gamma-aminobutyric acid type B receptor (GABA-B)., Results: Our findings revealed that prolonged administration of GHB and GVL at a pharmacologically active dose (100 mg/kg) can have effects on a component of the mouse brain, the intensity of which can be assessed using immunohistochemistry. The findings revealed that long-term GHB administration causes a significant plastic alteration of the GHB signaling system, with downregulation of the putative binding site (TSPAN17) and overexpression of ALDH5A1, especially in hippocampal neurons. Our findings further revealed that GABA-A and GABA-B receptors are downregulated in these brain locations, resulting in a greater decrease in GABA-B expression., Conclusions: The goal of this study, from the point of view of forensic pathology, is to provide a new methodological strategy for better understanding the properties of this controversial substance, which could help us better grasp the unknown mechanism underlying its abuse profile.
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- 2023
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40. Medical Professional Liability in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Pilot Study of Criminal Proceedings in the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Court of Rome.
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Bergamin E, Fiorillo A, Grassi VM, Lodise M, Vetrugno G, and De-Giorgio F
- Abstract
Criminal trials and claims against physicians for malpractice-related damages have increased dramatically in recent years, and, with Obstetrics and Gynecology being one of the medical specialties that is at the highest risk, we carried out a retrospective analysis aimed at examining all Obstetrics- and Gynecology-related medical professional liability prosecutions within the General Register of Criminal Records of the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office between the years 2000 and 2014. The number of prosecutions increased steadily in the years 2000-2005, with varying trends in the following years. A total of 727 healthcare professionals were involved in criminal charges, and most prosecuted crimes were related to Articles 590 and 589 of the Italian Penal Code, followed by violations of Article 17 of Law 194/78. In most cases, filing was requested and granted without opposition. In 95 cases, an expert witness was appointed by the Court, and in 68 cases, the technical consultants of the State Prosecutor found culpable conduct. Public hospitals, private nursing homes and outpatient clinics, or private practices were mostly involved; in 45% of the cases, the physicians were hospital employees. In this setting, Italy is prepared to introduce new measures and regulations to address the issues posed by defensive medicine and charges of professional liability for healthcare providers.
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- 2023
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41. Acute Cardiovascular and Cardiorespiratory Effects of JWH-018 in Awake and Freely Moving Mice: Mechanism of Action and Possible Antidotal Interventions?
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Marchetti B, Bilel S, Tirri M, Corli G, Roda E, Locatelli CA, Cavarretta E, De-Giorgio F, and Marti M
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- Humans, Male, Animals, Mice, Wakefulness, Tachycardia chemically induced, Tachycardia drug therapy, Atropine Derivatives, Antidotes pharmacology, Antidotes therapeutic use, Cannabinoids pharmacology
- Abstract
JWH-018 is the most known compound among synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) used for their psychoactive effects. SCs-based products are responsible for several intoxications in humans. Cardiac toxicity is among the main side effects observed in emergency departments: SCs intake induces harmful effects such as hypertension, tachycardia, chest pain, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, breathing impairment, and dyspnea. This study aims to investigate how cardio-respiratory and vascular JWH-018 (6 mg/kg) responses can be modulated by antidotes already in clinical use. The tested antidotes are amiodarone (5 mg/kg), atropine (5 mg/kg), nifedipine (1 mg/kg), and propranolol (2 mg/kg). The detection of heart rate, breath rate, arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), and pulse distention are provided by a non-invasive apparatus (Mouse Ox Plus) in awake and freely moving CD-1 male mice. Tachyarrhythmia events are also evaluated. Results show that while all tested antidotes reduce tachycardia and tachyarrhythmic events and improve breathing functions, only atropine completely reverts the heart rate and pulse distension. These data may suggest that cardiorespiratory mechanisms of JWH-018-induced tachyarrhythmia involve sympathetic, cholinergic, and ion channel modulation. Current findings also provide valuable impetus to identify potential antidotal intervention to support physicians in the treatment of intoxicated patients in emergency clinical settings.
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- 2023
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42. A Fifteen-Year Survey for Orthopedic Malpractice Claims in the Criminal Court of Rome.
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Bernardinangeli C, Giannace C, Cerciello S, Grassi VM, Lodise M, Vetrugno G, and De-Giorgio F
- Abstract
The number of legal disputes in the field of medical liability has increased exponentially in the last decades. The aim of this study is to investigate the outcomes of criminal cases against healthcare professionals in Italian criminal courts. The hypothesis is that the majority of cases are dismissed and/or most professionals in these cases are acquitted. This retrospective analysis considers criminal proceedings related to medical professional liability registered with the general register of crime reports of the Public Prosecutor's Office of Rome in the time interval between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2015. A total of 4793 criminal proceedings were ultimately identified. Proceedings related to the field of orthopedic trauma were then examined and identified. A complete analysis of 132 of the identified files (76.7%) was carried out. The field with the highest risk of disputes was determined to be the field of trauma. The most frequent complaint was found to arise from unsatisfactory surgical outcomes following elective surgery. The most affected anatomical district is the lower limb in both elective and trauma cases, followed by the upper limb in traumatology and spine cases. The surgeon is the most frequently quoted role of the professional involved. The number of physicians actually convicted (3.93%) and for whom liability was thus recognized, i.e., the existence of a causal link between their conduct and the event that took place was established, appears to be extremely small when compared with the far more significant values related to dismissals (53%) and acquittals (14.2%). Adequate legal reform aiming to reduce this disproportion is necessary to ensure physicians experience a more relaxed daily profession and to restore the original connotations of the doctor-patient relationship with the abolition of defensive medicine.
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- 2023
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43. The Old and the New: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Alterations Induced by Acute JWH-018 Administration Compared to Δ 9 -THC-A Preclinical Study in Mice.
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Marchetti B, Bilel S, Tirri M, Arfè R, Corli G, Roda E, Locatelli CA, Cavarretta E, De Giorgio F, and Marti M
- Subjects
- Animals, Male, Mice, Bradycardia chemically induced, Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1, Cannabinoids pharmacology, Dronabinol pharmacology, Hypertension
- Abstract
Several new psychoactive substances (NPS) are responsible for intoxication involving the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Among NPS, synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) provoked side effects in humans characterized by tachycardia, arrhythmias, hypertension, breathing difficulty, apnoea, myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest. Therefore, the present study investigated the cardio-respiratory (MouseOx Plus; EMKA electrocardiogram (ECG) and plethysmography TUNNEL systems) and vascular (BP-2000 systems) effects induced by 1-naphthalenyl (1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-methanone (JWH-018; 0.3-3-6 mg/kg) and Δ
9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9 -THC; 0.3-3-6 mg/kg), administered in awake CD-1 male mice. The results showed that higher doses of JWH-018 (3-6 mg/kg) induced deep and long-lasting bradycardia, alternated with bradyarrhythmia, spaced out by sudden episodes of tachyarrhythmias (6 mg/kg), and characterized by ECG electrical parameters changes, sustained bradypnea, and systolic and transient diastolic hypertension. Otherwise, Δ9 -THC provoked delayed bradycardia (minor intensity tachyarrhythmias episodes) and bradypnea, also causing a transient and mild hypertensive effect at the tested dose range. These effects were prevented by both treatment with selective CB1 (AM 251, 6 mg/kg) and CB2 (AM 630, 6 mg/kg) receptor antagonists and with the mixture of the antagonists AM 251 and AM 630, even if in a different manner. Cardio-respiratory and vascular symptoms could be induced by peripheral and central CB1 and CB2 receptors stimulation, which could lead to both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems activation. These findings may represent a starting point for necessary future studies aimed at exploring the proper antidotal therapy to be used in SCs-intoxicated patient management.- Published
- 2023
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44. Main Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake among Italian Healthcare Workers in Relation to Variable Degrees of Hesitancy: Result from a Cross-Sectional Online Survey.
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Trabucco Aurilio M, Mennini FS, Ferrari C, Somma G, Di Giampaolo L, Bolcato M, De-Giorgio F, Muscatello R, Magrini A, and Coppeta L
- Abstract
Background: Hesitancy remains one of the major hurdles to vaccination, regardless of the fact that vaccines are indisputable preventive measures against many infectious diseases. Nevertheless, vaccine hesitancy or refusal is a growing phenomenon in the general population as well as among healthcare workers (HCWs). Many different factors can contribute to hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccination in the HCWs population, including socio-demographic characteristics (female gender, low socio-economical status, lower age), individual beliefs regarding vaccine efficacy and safety, as well as other factors (occupation, knowledge about COVID-19, etc.). Understanding the determinants of accepting or refusing the COVID-19 vaccination is crucial to plan specific interventions in order to increase the rate of vaccine coverage among health care workers. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey on HCWs in seventeen Italian regions, between 30 June and 4 July 2021, in order to collect information about potential factors related to vaccine acceptance and hesitancy. Results: We found an overall vaccine uptake rate of 96.4% in our sample. Acceptance was significantly related to job task, with physicians showing the highest rate of uptake compared to other occupations. At univariate analysis, the HCWs population’s vaccine hesitancy was significantly positively associated with fear of vaccination side effects (p < 0.01), and negatively related to confidence in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine (p < 0.01). Through multivariate analysis, we found that only the fear of possible vaccination side effects (OR: 4.631, p < 0.01) and the confidence in vaccine safety and effectiveness (OR: 0.35 p < 0.05) remained significantly associated with hesitancy. Conclusion: Action to improve operator confidence in the efficacy and safety of the vaccine should improve the acceptance rate among operators.
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- 2022
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45. Malpractice Claims and Incident Reporting: Two Faces of the Same Coin?
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Vetrugno G, Foti F, Grassi VM, De-Giorgio F, Cambieri A, Ghisellini R, Clemente F, Marchese L, Sabatelli G, Delogu G, Frati P, and Fineschi V
- Subjects
- Humans, Risk Management, Insurance Claim Review, Databases, Factual, Malpractice
- Abstract
Incident reporting is an important method to identify risks because learning from the reports is crucial in developing and implementing effective improvements. A medical malpractice claims analysis is an important tool in any case. Both incident reports and claims show cases of damage caused to patients, despite incident reporting comprising near misses, cases where no event occurred and no-harm events. We therefore compare the two worlds to assess whether they are similar or definitively different. From 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2021, the claims database of Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS collected 843 claims. From 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021, the incident-reporting database collected 1919 events. In order to compare the two, we used IBNR calculation, usually adopted by the insurance industry to determine loss to a company and to evaluate the real number of adverse events that occurred. Indeed, the number of reported adverse events almost overlapped with the total number of events, which is indicative that incurred-but-not-reported events are practically irrelevant. The distribution of damage events reported as claims in the period from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021 and related to incidents that occurred in the months of the same period, grouped by quarter, was then compared with the distribution of damage events reported as adverse events and sentinel events in the same period, grouped by quarter. The analysis of the claims database showed that the claims trend is slightly decreasing. However, the analysis of the reports database showed that, in the period 2020-2021, the reports trend was increasing. In our study, the comparison of the two, malpractice claims and incident reporting, documented many differences and weak areas of overlap. Nevertheless, this contribution represents the first attempt to compare the two and new studies focusing on single types of adverse events are, therefore, desirable.
- Published
- 2022
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46. Effect of Lockdowns on Hospital Staff in a COVID Center: A Retrospective Observational Study.
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Vetrugno G, Sanguinetti M, Murri R, Sali M, Marchetti S, Santangelo R, Fantoni M, Cingolani A, Scoppettuolo G, Di Donato M, Grassi VM, Foti F, Marchese L, De-Giorgio F, Oliva A, Staiti D, De Simone FM, Pascucci D, Cascini F, Pastorino R, Pires-Marafon D, Cambieri A, Laurenti P, Boccia S, Ricciardi W, Franceschi F, and On Behalf Of Gemelli-Against-Covid
- Abstract
At the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, individual and social measures were strengthened through restrictive non-pharmaceutical interventions, labelled with the term “lockdown”. In Italy, there were two lockdowns (9 March 2020−3 May 2020 and 3 November 2020−27 March 2021). As part of preventive measures, healthcare workers and the administrative staff population of Policlinico A. Gemelli underwent nasopharyngeal swab tests from 1 March 2020 to 9 February 2022, a long time interval that includes the two aforementioned lockdowns. The population included 8958 people from 1 March 2020 to 31 December 2020; 8981 people from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021; and 8981 people from 1 January 2022 to 9 February 2022. We then analysed pseudo-anonymized data, using a retrospective observational approach to evaluate the impact of the lockdown on the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections within the population. Given the 14 day contagious period, the swab positivity rate (SPR) among the staff decreased significantly at the end of the first lockdown, every day prior to 18 May 2020, by 0.093 (p < 0.0001, CI = (−0.138−−0.047)). After the fourteenth day post the end of the first lockdown (18 May 2020), the SPR increased daily at a rate of 0.024 (p < 0.0001, 95% CI = (0.013−0.034)). In addition, the SPR appeared to increase significantly every day prior to 17 November 2020 by 0.024 (p < 0.0001, CI = (0.013−0.034)). After the fourteenth day post the start of the second lockdown (17 November 2020), the SPR decreased daily at a rate of 0.039 (p < 0.0001, 95% CI = (−0.050−−0.027)). These data demonstrate that, in our Institution, the lockdowns helped to both protect healthcare workers and maintain adequate standards of care for COVID and non-COVID patients for the duration of the state of emergency in Italy.
- Published
- 2022
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47. The Influence of Eyelid Position and Environmental Conditions on the Corneal Changes in Early Postmortem Interval: A Prospective, Multicentric OCT Study.
- Author
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Nioi M, Napoli PE, Demontis R, Chighine A, De-Giorgio F, Grassi S, Scorcia V, Fossarello M, and d'Aloja E
- Abstract
In the current study, using portable optical coherence tomography, we evaluated 46 corneas of 23 individuals in a multicenter setting during the first 17 h after death. Twenty-three eyes were kept open, and twenty three were kept closed. Furthermore, the experiment was carried out for 12 samples in summer and 11 in winter. Our data show that postmortem corneal alterations largely depend on the phenomena of dehydration (in particular in open eyes) and swelling of the stroma in closed eyes, probably due in the first phase to hypoxia/anoxia and subsequently to the passage by osmosis of the aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the corneal tissue. Our findings could have significant repercussions in forensic pathology for estimating the postmortem interval and transplantation to optimize the conservation of the tissue before the explant.
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- 2022
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48. In Vivo Bio-Activation of JWH-175 to JWH-018: Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Studies in Mice.
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Tirri M, Arfè R, Bilel S, Corli G, Marchetti B, Fantinati A, Vincenzi F, De-Giorgio F, Camuto C, Mazzarino M, Barbieri M, Gaudio RM, Varani K, Borea PA, Botrè F, and Marti M
- Subjects
- Animals, Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists pharmacology, Humans, Indoles chemistry, Male, Mice, Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1, Cannabinoids chemistry, Cannabinoids pharmacology, Naphthalenes chemistry
- Abstract
3-(1-Naphthalenylmethyl)-1-pentyl-1H-indole (JWH-175) is a synthetic cannabinoid illegally marketed for its psychoactive cannabis-like effects. This study aimed to investigate and compare in vitro and in vivo pharmacodynamic activity of JWH-175 with that of 1-naphthalenyl (1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-methanone (JWH-018), as well as evaluate the in vitro (human liver microsomes) and in vivo (urine and plasma of CD-1 male mice) metabolic profile of JWH-175. In vitro binding studies showed that JWH-175 is a cannabinoid receptor agonist less potent than JWH-018 on mouse and human CB1 and CB2 receptors. In agreement with in vitro data, JWH-175 reduced the fESPS in brain hippocampal slices of mice less effectively than JWH-018. Similarly, in vivo behavioral studies showed that JWH-175 impaired sensorimotor responses, reduced breath rate and motor activity, and increased pain threshold to mechanical stimuli less potently than JWH-018. Metabolic studies demonstrated that JWH-175 is rapidly bioactivated to JWH-018 in mice blood, suggesting that in vivo effects of JWH-175 are also due to JWH-018 formation. The pharmaco-toxicological profile of JWH-175 was characterized for the first time, proving its in vivo bio-activation to the more potent agonist JWH-018. Thus, it highlighted the great importance of investigating the in vivo metabolism of synthetic cannabinoids for both clinical toxicology and forensic purposes.
- Published
- 2022
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49. Epigenetic Studies for Evaluation of NPS Toxicity: Focus on Synthetic Cannabinoids and Cathinones.
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Mazdai L, Fabbri M, Tirri M, Corli G, Arfè R, Marchetti B, Bilel S, Bergamin E, Gaudio RM, Rubini M, De-Giorgio F, and Marti M
- Abstract
In the recent decade, numerous new psychoactive substances (NPSs) have been added to the illicit drug market. These are synthetized to mimic the effects of classic drugs of abuse (i.e., cannabis, cocaine, etc.), with the purpose of bypassing substance legislations and increasing the pharmacotoxicological effects. To date, research into the acute pharmacological effects of new NPSs is ongoing and necessary in order to provide an appropriate contribution to public health. In fact, multiple examples of NPS-related acute intoxication and mortality have been recorded in the literature. Accordingly, several in vitro and in vivo studies have investigated the pharmacotoxicological profiles of these compounds, revealing that they can cause adverse effects involving various organ systems (i.e., cardiovascular, respiratory effects) and highlighting their potential increased consumption risks. In this sense, NPSs should be regarded as a complex issue that requires continuous monitoring. Moreover, knowledge of long-term NPS effects is lacking. Because genetic and environmental variables may impact NPS responses, epigenetics may aid in understanding the processes behind the harmful events induced by long-term NPS usage. Taken together, "pharmacoepigenomics" may provide a new field of combined study on genetic differences and epigenetic changes in drug reactions that might be predictive in forensic implications.
- Published
- 2022
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50. Effect of -NBOMe Compounds on Sensorimotor, Motor, and Prepulse Inhibition Responses in Mice in Comparison With the 2C Analogs and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: From Preclinical Evidence to Forensic Implication in Driving Under the Influence of Drugs.
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Tirri M, Bilel S, Arfè R, Corli G, Marchetti B, Bernardi T, Boccuto F, Serpelloni G, Botrè F, De-Giorgio F, Golembiowska K, and Marti M
- Abstract
In the last decade, the market for new psychoactive substances has been enriched by numerous psychedelic phenethylamines, which mimic the psychoactive effect of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). In particular, the -NBOMe series, which are more potent than their 2C compounds analogs, are considered worthy substitutes for LSD by users. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of 25 H -NBOMe and its halogenated derivatives (25 I -NBOMe and 25 B -NBOMe) in comparison to their 2C compounds analogs and LSD on the sensorimotor (visual, acoustic, and overall tactile), reaction time, spontaneous (total distance traveled) and stimulated (drag, accelerod test) motor activity, grip strength test, and prepulse inhibition (PPI) responses in mice. Systemic administration of -NBOMe, 2C compounds analogs, and LSD (0.001-10 mg/kg) differently impaired the sensorimotor, reaction time, motor, and PPI responses in mice. In particular, halogenated (25I and 25B)-NBOMe derivatives appear to be more effective than the entire class of 2C compounds analogs in altering visual and acoustic responses, affecting reaction time, and motor and sensory gating in PPI test. In fact, the specific rank order of compounds potency for nearly all of the experiments showed that (25I and 25B)-NBOMe were more potent than 2C compounds analogs and LSD. -NBOMe and 2C compounds analogs impaired not only the reception of incoming sensory stimuli (visual and acoustic), but their correct brain processing (PPI) in an equal and sometimes stronger way than LSD. This sensory impairment directly affected the spontaneous motor response and reaction time of mice, with no change in performance in stimulated motor activity tests. These aspects should be carefully considered to better understand the potential danger that psychedelic phenethylamines, in particular -NBOMe, may pose to public health, with particular reference to decreased performance in driving and hazardous works that require special sensorimotor skills., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Tirri, Bilel, Arfè, Corli, Marchetti, Bernardi, Boccuto, Serpelloni, Botrè, De-Giorgio, Golembiowska and Marti.)
- Published
- 2022
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