167 results on '"F Ferranti"'
Search Results
52. [Laparoscopic treatment of hepatic cysts]
- Author
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A L, Gaspari, N, Di Lorenzo, G, Sica, G, De Ascentis, M, Rossi, and F, Ferranti
- Subjects
Aged, 80 and over ,Male ,Time Factors ,Cysts ,Liver Diseases ,Humans ,Female ,Laparoscopy ,Middle Aged ,Tomography, X-Ray Computed ,Aged ,Follow-Up Studies ,Ultrasonography - Abstract
Laparoscopic treatment of simple hepatic cysts is reported. Recent indications to conservative surgical treatment for this benign disease are considered and different therapeutic options are analyzed. Surgical technique adopted in two cases observed is illustrated. In conclusion, the Authors consider laparoscopic treatment as an effective method for a mini-invasive surgical approach.
- Published
- 1995
53. Tentative criteria for the design and installation of electrical power systems subject to seismic hazard
- Author
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F. Ferranti, R. Colozza, and Giuseppe Parise
- Subjects
Engineering ,electrical continuity ,earthquake ,system reliability ,business.industry ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,Reliability engineering ,Electric power system ,Electricity generation ,Seismic hazard ,Control and Systems Engineering ,Building code ,Electrical equipment ,Electrical wiring ,Electric power ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,business ,Reliability (statistics) - Abstract
This paper discusses the need to study the criteria for the design and installation of electrical power systems in buildings subject to seismic hazards. Nowadays, all the recommended seismic requirements (according to the Uniform Building Code [UBC], Structural Engineers Association of California [SEAOC] and National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program [NEHRP]) do not specifically take into account the electrical or technological power systems. This paper analyzes the problems an earthquake can cause with regard to the functional reliability and continuity of supply of electrical power systems. Therefore, it proposes design and installation requirements, to be graduated according to building occupancy categories. Basically, the criteria relative to the installation of the electrical equipment are an appropriate extension of those general static ones for nonstructural components. Their consideration is essential for the settlement of the design criteria, which, as far as the configuration and the size of the electrical power system are concerned, aim at limiting the same installation problems. Other general design criteria, designed as a guarantee for supply continuity and power system reliability, have a particular use in these appliances.
- Published
- 1995
54. Temperature influence on differentiation and release of hazel pollen
- Author
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G, Frenguelli, F, Ferranti, B, Romano, E, Bricchi, G, Mincigrucci, M, Fornaciari, and F T, Spieksma
- Subjects
Air ,Temperature ,Pollen ,Cell Differentiation ,Seasons ,Trees - Abstract
The aim of the present work was to identify the classic phenological stages, and to understand its relation to catkin differentiation and growth, and its consequences for the start of pollination. Phenological observations and an aeropalynological survey on Corylus avellana, which is an example of an economically and allergologically interesting arboreal plant, were carried out during 1991-1992. The comparison between the different phenological phases and the aeropalynological data, showed that the pollen trap recorded hazel-pollen presence in the atmosphere immediately after the pollen release from the orchard. The start of catkin elongation in late winter, after the chilling requirement has been fulfilled, could be used to indicate the beginning of heat accumulation necessary for pollination.
- Published
- 1993
55. TU-E-201C-04: Quantitative Analysis of Elastography Images in the Detection of Breast Cancer
- Author
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A M Di Nallo, E. Saracca, Lidia Strigari, F Ferranti, Valeria Landoni, V. Francione, and Simona Marzi
- Subjects
Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Subtraction ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,Standard deviation ,DICOM ,Breast cancer ,medicine ,Medical imaging ,Mammography ,RGB color model ,Elastography ,Nuclear medicine ,business - Abstract
Purpose: To correlate results of quantitative analysis of real time elastographyimages (RTEI) with ascerted diagnosis to discriminate malignant from benign breast lesions. Method and Materials: More than 100 images of women (median age 52 yrs) were analyzed in this study. Images in DICOM format were exported into a home‐made software written in Visual Basic especially developed. A pixel by pixel substraction of B‐mode images from color elasticityimages was performed. The matrix of RGB values obtained from subtraction was transformed into a matrix of tone of grey (whose values vary from 0 to 255). The regions of interest (ROIs) were delineated and the color spectrum and the parameters of interest (mean value, standard deviation and softness) were calculated for each lesion. Diagnosis (gold‐standard) was assessed by an expert radiologist on the basis of conventional B‐mode US and/or mammography and in some cases by cytophatologic analysis. ROC analysis was used to assess sensitivity and specificity of quantitative approach. Results: The mean values, the standard deviation and softness calculated inside the ROIs resulted statistically different at the t test (p=0.0015, p= 0.0144 and p< 0.0001, respectively) between malignant and benign lesions. The shape and distribution of the color spectrum inside the ROIs resulted statistically different (p< 0.0001, Mann‐Whitney test) between malignant and benign lesions. The ROC analysis for the mean and the softness inside the ROIs indicated sensitivity of 95.6% and 84.4% and specificity of 30.6% and 69.4%, respectively. The area under the curve resulted 0.690 (p=0.0016) and 0.856 (p
- Published
- 2010
56. Preliminary analysis of genetic counselling activity at Regina Elena Cancer Institute of Rome - Italy
- Author
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F. Ferranti, E. Cossu, G. Maggi, F. M. Sega, Antonella Savarese, Francesco Cognetti, M. Crecco, G. Simonetti, A. Caruso, and S. Gasparro
- Subjects
Cancer Research ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Oncology ,business.industry ,Family medicine ,Genetic counseling ,Medicine ,Cancer ,business ,medicine.disease ,Preliminary analysis - Abstract
8232 Background: increasing education and surveillance among high-risk individuals is crucial. However, how subjects experience counselling and screening is under investigation. Methods: cancer pts...
- Published
- 2004
57. Alterations in the Composition of Free and Combined Amino Acids in Susceptible and Resistant Tomato Cultivars infected with Fusarium oxysporum f. lycopersici
- Author
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Antonio Zazzerini, R. Draoli, F. Ferranti, B. Barberini, and V. Raggi
- Subjects
chemistry.chemical_classification ,chemistry ,Physiology ,Fusarium oxysporum ,Botany ,Genetics ,Composition (visual arts) ,Plant Science ,Cultivar ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,Amino acid - Published
- 1974
58. Efeito do Envelhecimento na Resistência de União de Pinos de Fibra de Vidro à Dentina Radicular.
- Author
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K. N. F., Ferranti, B. E., Mazzonetto, E., Lodi, and M., Borba
- Abstract
Os tipos de falhas clínicas mais relatadas para a restaurações com pinos de fibra de vidro são a perda de retenção e a fratura do pino. Assim, o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a resistência de união imediata e mediata (12 meses) entre a dentina radicular e pinos de fibra de vidro em diferentes tratamentos de superfície e protocolos de cimentação. Quarenta dentes humanos uni-radiculares tratados endodonticamente tiveram 2/3 do canal desobturado e foram divididos em 4 grupos (n=10), de acordo com o tipo de protocolo de cimentação (condicionamento ácido total ou auto-adesivo) e tipo de tratamento de superfície do pino (com e sem silanização). Após a cimentação, foram subdivididos em dois tempos de armazenamento, imediato, por 48 horas, e mediato, por 12 meses. Os dentes foram cortados em secções de 1 mm e submetidos ao teste de push out em máquina de ensaio universal (0,5 mm/min). O modo de falha foi identificado utilizando estereomicroscópio e os dados analisados com ANOVA de três fatores e teste de Holm-Sidak (=0,05). Não encontrou-se significância para os fatores protocolo de cimentação (p=0,113), tratamento de superfície do pino (p=0,839) e para as interações entre fatores (p 0,05). O tempo de armazenamento foi significante (p 0,001). Após 12 meses, diminuíram os valores de resistência de união e aumentou a frequência de falha adesiva. O envelhecimento degradou a resistência de união entre a dentina radicular e pinos de fibra de vidro, independente do tipo de protocolo de cimentação e tratamento de superfície do pino utilizado. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
59. [Renal extra-bone marrow erythropoiesis. Correlations, echography and computerized tomography in a case]
- Author
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E, Santini, A L, Valentini, G, La Vecchia, F, Ferranti, F M, Danza, and G, Maresca
- Subjects
Humans ,Erythropoiesis ,Female ,Middle Aged ,Kidney ,Tomography, X-Ray Computed ,Ultrasonography - Published
- 1988
60. [Submucosal lateral sphincterotomy associated with hemorrhoidectomy by the Milligan-Morgan method. Clinical study]
- Author
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A, Angelici, F, Ferranti, A, Piermattei, P, Palumbo, G, Tumino, and M, Pulcini
- Subjects
Methods ,Anal Canal ,Humans ,Hemorrhoids - Published
- 1987
61. ChemInform Abstract: Kinetics of the Reactions of 5,7,7,12,12,l4-Hexamethyl-1l,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,14-dienenickel(II) and 5,7,7,12,l4,l4-Hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetra-azacyclotetradeca-4,11-dienenickel(II) with Cyanide
- Author
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F. Ferranti and M. Del Mar Graciani Constante
- Subjects
chemistry.chemical_compound ,biology ,Chemistry ,Cyanide ,Kinetics ,Tetra ,General Medicine ,biology.organism_classification ,Medicinal chemistry - Published
- 1984
62. 2. Broglio di Trebisacce
- Author
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C. Moffa, D. Gatti, I. Cassetta, M. Bettelli, A. Vanzetti, F. Ferranti, R. Peroni, A. Schiappelli, Castagna, and S.T. Levi
- Subjects
media_common.quotation_subject ,Art ,media_common - Published
- 1982
63. ChemInform Abstract: KINETICS AND MECHANISM OF THE REACTION OF NITROUS ACID WITH IODIDE ION IN AN ACID MEDIUM AT 25°C
- Author
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F. Ferranti and A. Indelli
- Subjects
Nitrous acid ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Iodide ion ,chemistry ,Inorganic chemistry ,Kinetics ,General Medicine ,Photochemistry ,Mechanism (sociology) - Published
- 1980
64. ChemInform Abstract: KINETIC MEASUREMENTS OF IONIC ASSOCIATION OF IONS OF HIGH CHARGE
- Author
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A. Indelli, M. Del Mar Graciani Constante, and F. Ferranti
- Subjects
Ionic potential ,Chemistry ,Ionic strength ,Inorganic chemistry ,Ionic bonding ,Charge (physics) ,General Medicine ,Kinetic energy ,Ion - Published
- 1979
65. ChemInform Abstract: BENZOLSELENINSAEUREN, KINETIK DER RED. DURCH DAS JODID-ION
- Author
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F. Ferranti and D. De Filippo
- Subjects
Chemistry ,General Medicine ,Nuclear chemistry - Published
- 1972
66. ChemInform Abstract: KINETISCHE UNTERSUCHUNG DER RK. ZWISCHEN OKTACYANOMOLYBDAT(V) UND JODID-IONEN
- Author
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F. Ferranti
- Subjects
Chemistry ,General Medicine ,Medicinal chemistry - Published
- 1970
67. [Congestive heart failure due to extramyocardial factors]
- Author
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F, FERRANTI
- Subjects
Heart Failure ,Humans - Published
- 1952
68. Conformation and packing of cobalt(III) sepulchrate dihydrogentriphosphate hexahydrate
- Author
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Alessia Bacchi, F. Ferranti, and Giancarlo Pelizzi
- Subjects
Bicyclic molecule ,Hydrogen bond ,Chemistry ,Inorganic chemistry ,chemistry.chemical_element ,General Medicine ,Crystal structure ,Ring (chemistry) ,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology ,Crystallography ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Icosane ,Molecule ,Hydrate ,Cobalt - Abstract
In cobalt(III) sepulchrate dihydrogenphosphate hexahydrate (sepulchrate = 1,3,6,8,10,13,16,19-octaazabicyclo[6.6.6]icosane), [Co(C12H30N8)](H2P3O10).6H2O, the cation adopts the lel3 [Δ(λλλ)] optically active conformation. The overall geometry of the cation is not significantly different from that found in other salts. A strong symmetric O⋯H⋯O hydrogen bond is responsible for the cyclic conformation of the anion, whose geometry is described as an eight-membered puckered ring. The entire crystal packing is dominated by hydrogen bonds. The cations and the anions are linked together in a three-dimensional network with six-membered meshes; the water molecules are situated into the voids, and interact only with the anions.
69. A kinetic study of the reaction between octacyanomolybdate(V) and iodide ions
- Author
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F. Ferranti
- Subjects
Inorganic Chemistry ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Reaction mechanism ,chemistry ,Iodide ,Inorganic chemistry ,Analytical chemistry ,Salt (chemistry) ,Qualitative inorganic analysis ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Kinetic energy ,Ion - Abstract
The rate of the reaction between octacyanomolybdate(V) and iodide has been measured by a microtitration method. The orders with respect to Mo(CN)83– and I– are a little larger than unity. Mo(CN)84– has a retarding effect. The reaction exhibits very specific salt effects in the order : (Et4N+ Li+ < (C2H4OH)4N+≃ Na+ < K+ < Mg++ < Ca++ < Ba++. The Olson–Simonson rule is approximately obeyed, but some specific effects due to anions are also present. A probable reaction mechanism is discussed.
- Published
- 1970
70. A study of some benzeneseleninic acids; kinetics of reduction by iodide ion
- Author
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F. Ferranti and D. De Filippo
- Subjects
chemistry.chemical_classification ,Organic Chemistry ,Kinetics ,Iodide ,Inorganic chemistry ,Aqueous ethanol ,First order ,Redox ,Iodide ion ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Reaction rate constant ,chemistry ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Seleninic acid - Abstract
The kinetics of the redox reaction of some para- and meta-substituted benzeneseleninic acids with iodide ion in acidic aqueous ethanol are reported. The acids are reduced to diaryl diselenides with the uptake of 3 equiv. of iodide ion. The reduction is of the first order in seleninic acid, iodide, and hydrogen ion. The rate constants at 25 ± 0·1°C for the H, p-Cl, p-Br, p-NO2, p-Me, m-Cl, m-Br, and m-NO2 derivatives are also reported.
- Published
- 1971
71. PO-0989: Management of breast cancer: the multidisciplinary approaches in IORT procedure at Città di Castello Hospital
- Author
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F. Corazzi, L. Carli, F. Cartaginese, M. Alessandro, M. Angelini, A. Pentiricci, F. Ferranti, F. Checcaglini, and G. Rossi
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Breast cancer ,Oncology ,Multidisciplinary approach ,business.industry ,Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging ,General surgery ,medicine ,Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging ,Hematology ,medicine.disease ,business ,Surgery - Full Text
- View/download PDF
72. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) regulates blood–testis barrier (BTB) in adult rats
- Author
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Rita Canipari, Maria Caruso, Giulia Ricci, Angela Catizone, Francesca Ferranti, M. Galdieri, A., Catizone, Ricci, Giulia, M., Caruso, F., Ferranti, R., Canipari, and THESE AUTHORS CONTRIBUTED EQUALLY, M. G. A. L. D. I. E. R. I.
- Subjects
Male ,macromolecular substances ,Biology ,Occludin ,Biochemistry ,Epithelium ,Tight Junctions ,Tissue Culture Techniques ,Endocrinology ,Transforming Growth Factor beta ,Testis ,medicine ,uPA ,Animals ,HGF ,TGF-beta ,Rats, Wistar ,Molecular Biology ,Tight junction ,Actin ,Blood-Testis Barrier ,Blood–testis barrier ,Microscopy, Confocal ,Hepatocyte Growth Factor ,Membrane Proteins ,Colocalization ,Seminiferous Tubules ,Actin cytoskeleton ,Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ,Actins ,Rats ,Cell biology ,Protein Transport ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,HGF, Tight junction, Actin, Testis, TGF-beta, uPA ,Hepatocyte growth factor ,medicine.drug - Abstract
We have studied the effects of HGF on BTB dynamics in adult rats. We demonstrate that, at stages VII–VIII of the epithelium wave when germ cells traverse the BTB, HGF reduces the levels of occludin and influences its distribution pattern and assembling. Moreover, we report that, at stages VII–VIII, HGF significantly increases the amount of active TGF-β and the amount of uPA present in the tubules. For the first time we report that, in the same stages, HGF reduces the amount of actin present in the BTB region, in which occludin levels are highest, and modifies the morphology of the actin cytoskeleton network. At the level of maximal intensity of occludin fluorescence, we report that HGF also modifies the colocalization of occludin and actin. Lastly, we demonstrate that HGF is maximally expressed at stages VII–VIII, whereas its levels fall in the subsequent stages.
- Published
- 2012
73. Natura 2000 Network: A Comparison of the Italian and Dutch Implementation Experiences
- Author
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Maria Speranza, Francesca Ferranti, Raoul Beunen, F. Ferranti, R. Beunen, and M. Speranza
- Subjects
ITALY ,ORGANIZATIONS ,NETHERLANDS ,Landgebruiksplanning ,WASS ,netherlands ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,Public administration ,nature conservation legislation ,Political science ,Land Use Planning ,media_common.cataloged_instance ,THE NETHERLANDS ,The Netherland ,European union ,NATURA 2000 NETWORK IMPLEMENTATION ,media_common ,organizations ,nature conservation policy ,business.industry ,Corporate governance ,International comparisons ,Environmental resource management ,GOVERNANCE ,POLICY ,Directive ,Ecological network ,Habitats Directive ,BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ,Italy ,governance ,HABITAT DIRECTIVE ,NATURE CONSERVATION POLICY AND LEGISLATION ,Nature Conservation ,biodiversity conservation ,Natura 2000 ,business ,Natura 2000 Network implementation ,policy - Abstract
The implementation of Natura 2000, Ecological Network of protected areas established in the European territory under Council Directive 92/43/EEC, has encountered serious problems in many European States. This is proven by conspicuous juridical interventions initiated by the European Union against Member States failing to comply with the Directive’s requirements; by the aversion of stakeholders involved in the use of protected areas and by the criticisms that environmental non-governmental organizations expressed about the governmental approaches towards the network’s realization. This paper presents a critical reflection on the problems in the realization of Natura 2000 Network, by analysing and comparing the experiences of two Member States: the Netherlands and Italy. Despite the differences in national natural heritages and nature conservation policy traditions, the two Natura 2000 implementation processes present interesting similarities. These allowed the authors to identify theoretical and practical obstacles that are making the network’s implementation problematic and to reflect on the most important challenges to the realization of Natura 2000 Network in the two countries, as well as in other Member States that experienced similar implementation problems.
- Published
- 2010
74. Transfer of chirality by dithiophosphate ligands and chiral discrimination in the stereoselective formation of square-planar Ni(II) complexes
- Author
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Francesco Ferranti, Elisabetta Foresti, Michele Benedetti, Paolo Biscarini, Piera Sabatino, Reiko Kuroda, P., Biscarini, Benedetti, Michele, F., Ferranti, R., Kuroda, E., Foresti, P., Sabatino, BISCARINI P., BENEDETTI M., FERRANTI F., KURODA R., FORESTI E., and SABATINO P.
- Subjects
Pharmacology ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,crystal structure ,Chemistry ,Stereochemistry ,Ligand ,Organic Chemistry ,Crystal structure ,Induced CD ,Catalysis ,Analytical Chemistry ,Coordination complex ,Dissociation constant ,Crystallography ,Enantiopure drug ,Drug Discovery ,Stereoselectivity ,Enantiomer ,Chirality (chemistry) ,stereoselective synthesis ,crystal packing ,Spectroscopy ,coordination compound - Abstract
In the formation reaction of Ni(2+) with the chiral racemic ligand, (R)(R)bdtp(-)/(S)(S)bdtp(-), bdtp(-) = [SSPOCH)CH(3))CH(CH(3))O](-), cyclo- O,O'-[1,2-dimethylethylene] dithiophosphato ion, the meso-complex Ni[(R)(R)(lambda)bdtp][(S)(S)(delta)-bdtp] is stereoselectively produced. The meso-complex was compared with the enantiopure crystals of (+)(589)Ni[(R)(R)(lambda)bdtp](2) or (-)(589)Ni[(S)(S)(delta)bdtp](2), as well as racemic crystals, rac-(+/-)Ni[bdtp](2), which were prepared from the solution containing the two enantiomers in a 1:1 ratio. Dissociation constants in solutions indicate different stability of the meso and enantiopure complexes depending on the solvent, whereas a more efficient crystal packing, weak H-bonding, and nonbonding interactions contribute to stabilization of the meso-species over the racemic one. Molecular structures show that the outer five-membered ligand ring adopts the half-chair conformation C(2) with either the lambda or the delta chirality and the methyl groups are in equatorial (e) positions. Enantiopure ligands of (+)(589)Ni[(R)(R)(lambda)bdtp](2) and (-)(589)Ni[(S)(S)(delta)bdtp](2) induce chirality into the symmetric SSNiSS chromophore with slightly helical distortion. Thus, their CD spectra exhibit weak negative or positive Cotton effects at 662 nm. CD spectra in L(+)- and D(-)diethyltartrate of the meso-complex and racemic crystal, rac-(+/-)Ni[bdtp](2), exhibit different weak Cotton effects of opposite sign. Complexes dissociate in methanol; rac-(+/-)Ni[bdtp](2) in methanol undergoes a crystallization-induced second-order asymmetric transformation which finally yields crystals of the meso-Ni[(R)(R)(lambda)bdtp][(S)(S)(delta)bdtp] complex.
- Published
- 2004
75. Grape seed extract suppresses MDA-MB231 breast cancer cell migration and invasion
- Author
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Sara Proietti, Giulia Ricci, Angela Catizone, Alessandra Cucina, Alessia Pasqualato, Simona Dinicola, Fabrizio D'Anselmi, Mariano Bizzarri, Francesca Ferranti, Rita Canipari, Alessandro Palombo, Pierpaolo Coluccia, S., Dinicola, A., Pasqualato, A., Cucina, P., Coluccia, F., Ferranti, R., Canipari, A., Catizone, S., Proietti, F., D’Anselmi, Ricci, Giulia, A., Palombo, and M., Bizzarri
- Subjects
Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Medicine (miscellaneous) ,Apoptosis ,Breast Neoplasms ,Matrix metalloproteinase ,metalloproteinases ,Metastasis ,Extracellular matrix ,breast cancer ,Breast cancer ,Cell Movement ,Cell Line, Tumor ,medicine ,Humans ,Neoplasm Invasiveness ,beta Catenin ,Fascin ,Cell Proliferation ,Nutrition and Dietetics ,biology ,Grape Seed Extract ,Cell growth ,Microfilament Proteins ,NF-kappa B ,Cell migration ,invasion ,medicine.disease ,Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ,gse ,Matrix Metalloproteinases ,Cancer cell ,biology.protein ,Cancer research ,Carrier Proteins - Abstract
Breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women. In metastasis, cascade migration of cancer cells and invasion of extracellular matrix (ECM) represent critical steps. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), as well as metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, strongly contribute to ECM remodelling, thus becoming associated with tumour migration and invasion. In addition, the high expression of cytoskeletal (CSK) proteins, as fascin, has been correlated with clinically aggressive metastatic tumours, and CSK proteins are thought to affect the migration of cancer cells. Consumption of fruits and vegetables, characterized by high procyanidin content, has been associated to a reduced mortality for breast cancer. Therefore, we investigated the biological effect of grape seed extract (GSE) on the highly metastatic MDA-MB231 breast cancer cell line, focusing on studying GSE ability in inhibiting two main metastatic processes, i.e., cell migration and invasion. After MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells stimulated with GSE migration and invasion were evaluated by means of trans-well assays and uPA as well as MMPs activity was detected by gelatin zymography. Fascin, β-catenin and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression were determined using western blot technique. β-Catenin localization was observed by confocal microscopy. We observed that high concentrations of GSE inhibited cell proliferation and apoptosis. Conversely, low GSE concentration decreased cell migration and invasion, likely by hampering β-catenin expression and localization, fascin and NF-κB expression, as well as by decreasing the activity of uPA, MMP-2 and MMP-9. These results make GSE a powerful candidate for developing preventive agents against cancer metastasis.
- Published
- 2013
76. TCam-2 seminoma cells exposed to egg-derived microenvironment modify their shape, adhesive pattern and migratory behaviour. A molecular and morphometric analysis
- Author
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Alessandro Palombo, Giulia Ricci, Angela Catizone, Simona Dinicola, Alessandra Cucina, Fabrizio D'Anselmi, Mariano Bizzarri, Francesca Ferranti, Vittorio Lei, Maria Caruso, Alessia Pasqualato, F., Ferranti, F., D’Anselmi, M., Caruso, V., Lei, S., Dinicola, A., Pasqualato, A., Cucina, A., Palombo, Ricci, Giulia, A., Catizone, and M., Bizzarri
- Subjects
Male ,Genetics and Molecular Biology (all) ,Pathology ,Biochemistry ,Cell Movement ,Actins ,Animals ,Antigens, CD29 ,Cadherins ,Cell Adhesion ,Cell Line, Tumor ,Cell Proliferation ,Cell Shape ,Cell Survival ,Connexin 43 ,Egg Proteins ,Egg White ,Focal Adhesions ,Humans ,Intercellular Junctions ,Seminoma ,Testicular Neoplasms ,Vinculin ,beta Catenin ,Agricultural and Biological Sciences (all) ,Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (all) ,Medicine (all) ,Cytoskeleton ,Multidisciplinary ,Tumor ,Integrin beta1 ,Cell migration ,Cell biology ,Medicine ,Reprogramming ,Research Article ,CD29 ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Science ,Biology ,Cell Line ,medicine ,Antigens ,Actin ,Embryogenesis ,medicine.disease ,Embryonic stem cell ,Cell culture - Abstract
Seminoma is one of the most common Testicular Germ Cell Tumours that originates during embryonic development due to an alteration of the local niche that in turn results in a delayed or blocked differentiation of Primordial Germ Cells. The block of differentiation is actually a common way to develop cancer disease as postulated by the "embryonic rest theory of cancer". In agreement with this theory different studies have demonstrated that embryonic cues display the capacity of reprogramming aggressive cancer cells towards a less aggressive phenotype. Herein we investigate the ability of a culture medium added with 10% egg albumen (EW, Egg White) to modulate seminoma cell phenotype and behaviour, by ensuring a proper set of morphogenetic signals. We chose to use the TCam-2 seminoma cell line that has been established as the only available cell line, obtained from a primary testicular seminoma. EW is able to: 1) modify TCam-2 cell spreading rate and cell-substrate adhesion without affecting proliferation and survival indexes; 2) modulate TCam-2 actin distribution pattern increasing cortical localization of actin filaments; 3) increase TCam-2 cell-cell junction capability; 4) decrease both chemo-sensitive and collective TCam-2 migratory behaviour. According to these observations morphometric fractal analysis revealed the ability of EW to increase Circularity and Solidity parameters and, consequently, to decrease Fractal dimension. Prompted by these observations we hypothesize that EW treatment could rescue, at least in part, the neoplastic-metastatic behaviour of seminoma cells.
- Published
- 2013
77. Experimental Morphogenetic Field (EMF) promotes cell adhesion, cell spreading and modifies Factin distribution pattern of TCam-2 seminoma cells
- Author
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Ferranti, Francesca, Ricci, G., Caruso, Maria, Bizzarri, Mariano, Stefanini, Mario, D’Anselmi, F., Catizone, Angiolina, F., Ferranti, Ricci, Giulia, M., Caruso, M., Bizzarri, M., Stefanini, F., Danselmi, and A., Catizone
- Published
- 2011
78. Sensitive colorimetric immunosensor using AuNP-functionalized polymer film for picogram-level detection of Tau protein intermediate aggregates.
- Author
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Di Natale C, Russo S, Graziano F, Vespini V, Luciani G, Vitiello G, Lombardi L, Ferranti F, Mari S, Luca Maffettone P, Grilli S, Coppola S, and Ferraro P
- Abstract
Here we demonstrate for the first time that an antibody-gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-polymer conjugate thin-film biosensor can easily be fabricated to selectively capture Tau protein. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are employed as sensing elements, thus capitalizing on their propensity to undergo assembly or disassembly in response to the adsorption or conjugation of various biomolecules on their surface, thereby forming robust interactions with the target analyte. We show that the Tau protein in its different aggregation phases can be detected, by restricting the reaction area on the solid thin polymer film and thus reducing the diffusion effects usually encountered in immunosensors. A limit of detection (LOD) of 460 pg/mL was reached, demonstrating a great potential for detecting Tau in aggregation states. This sensor based on thin polymer film could open new routes for sensing and monitoring Tau protein in biological assays and biomedical diagnosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
79. Special Issue: 'Advances in Space Biology'.
- Author
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Pacelli C, Ferranti F, and Del Bianco M
- Abstract
As we enter a new era of space exploration, space biology is at the forefront of both robotic and human space programs [...].
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
80. Highly sensitive detection of the neurodegenerative biomarker Tau by using the concentration effect of the pyro-electrohydrodynamic jetting.
- Author
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Di Natale C, Coppola S, Vespini V, Tkachenko V, Russo S, Luciani G, Vitiello G, Ferranti F, Mari S, Ferraro P, Maffettone PL, and Grilli S
- Subjects
- Humans, tau Proteins chemistry, Biomarkers, Biosensing Techniques, Neurodegenerative Diseases diagnosis
- Abstract
It is largely documented that neurodegenerative diseases can be effectively treated only if early diagnosed. In this context, the structural changes of some biomolecules such as Tau, seem to play a key role in neurodegeneration mechanism becoming eligible targets for an early diagnosis. Post-translational modifications are responsible to drive the Tau protein towards a transition phase from a native disorder conformation into a preaggregation state, which then straight recruits the final fibrillization process. Here, we show for the first time the detection of pre-aggregated Tau in artificial urine at femto-molar level, through the concentration effect of the pyro-electrohydrodynamic jet (p-jet) technique. An excellent linear calibration curve is demonstrated at the femto-molar level with a limit of detection (LOD) of 130 fM. Moreover, for the first time we show here the structure stability of the protein after p-jet application through a deep spectroscopic investigation. Thanks to the small volumes required and the relatively compact and cost-effective characteristics, this technique represents an innovative breakthrough in monitoring the early stage associated to neurodegeneration syndromes in different scenarios of point of care (POC) and such as for example in long-term human space exploration missions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors state that they are not aware of any financial or interpersonal conflicts that might have appeared to have an impact on the research presented in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
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- 2024
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81. A Study of High-Frequency Noise for Microplastics Classification Using Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning.
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Plazas D, Ferranti F, Liu Q, Lotfi Choobbari M, and Ottevaere H
- Abstract
Given the growing urge for plastic management and regulation in the world, recent studies have investigated the problem of plastic material identification for correct classification and disposal. Recent works have shown the potential of machine learning techniques for successful microplastics classification using Raman signals. Classification techniques from the machine learning area allow the identification of the type of microplastic from optical signals based on Raman spectroscopy. In this paper, we investigate the impact of high-frequency noise on the performance of related classification tasks. It is well-known that classification based on Raman is highly dependent on peak visibility, but it is also known that signal smoothing is a common step in the pre-processing of the measured signals. This raises a potential trade-off between high-frequency noise and peak preservation that depends on user-defined parameters. The results obtained in this work suggest that a linear discriminant analysis model cannot generalize properly in the presence of noisy signals, whereas an error-correcting output codes model is better suited to account for inherent noise. Moreover, principal components analysis (PCA) can become a must-do step for robust classification models, given its simplicity and natural smoothing capabilities. Our study on the high-frequency noise, the possible trade-off between pre-processing the high-frequency noise and the peak visibility, and the use of PCA as a noise reduction technique in addition to its dimensionality reduction functionality are the fundamental aspects of this work., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
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- 2024
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82. Metaoptics for aberration correction in microendoscopy.
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Thomas S, George JG, Ferranti F, and Bhattacharya S
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Compact and minimally invasive scanning fiber endoscopy probes with micron-level resolution have great potential in detailed tissue interrogation and early disease diagnosis, which are key applications of confocal reflectance imaging at visible wavelengths. State-of-the-art imaging probes commonly employ refractive lens triplets or gradient refractive index (GRIN) lenses as the micro-objective. However, off-axis aberration emerges as a critical factor affecting resolution, especially at the extremities of the imaging field. In response to this challenge, we propose what we believe to be a novel design integrating a metasurface with the GRIN micro-objective to address optical aberrations during beam scan. The metasurface acts as a corrector element for optical aberrations in a fiber-scanning endoscope using the same fiber for excitation and collection. Modeling such hybrid refractive-metasurface designs requires the coupling of simulation techniques across macroscale and nanoscale optics, for which we used an Ansys simulation workflow platform. Operating at a wavelength of 644 nm, this metaoptical element serves as a thin and compact aberration correction surface, ensuring uniform resolution across the entire imaging field. Experimental results from our scanning fiber endoscopy system demonstrate a notable enhancement in optical performance both on-axis and off-axis, achieving a resolution of 3 µm at the center of the imaging field. Impressively, the resolution experiences only a modest degradation by a factor of 0.13 at the edge of the field of view compared to the center.
- Published
- 2024
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83. Fabrication of multilevel metalenses using multiphoton lithography: from design to evaluation.
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Vanmol K, Abdul Nazar AA, Thienpont H, Ferranti F, and Van Erps J
- Abstract
We present a procedure for the design of multilevel metalenses and their fabrication with multiphoton-based direct laser writing. This work pushes this fast and versatile fabrication technique to its limits in terms of achievable feature size dimensions for the creation of compact high-numerical aperture metalenses on flat substrates and optical fiber tips. We demonstrate the design of metalenses with various numerical apertures up to 0.96, and optimize the fabrication process towards nanostructure shape reproducibility. We perform optical characterization of the metalenses towards spot size, focusing efficiency, and optical functionality with a fiber beam collimation design, and compare their performance with refractive and diffractive counterparts fabricated with the same technology.
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- 2024
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84. Non-destructive real-time analysis of plant metabolite accumulation in radish microgreens under different LED light recipes.
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Garegnani M, Sandri C, Pacelli C, Ferranti F, Bennici E, Desiderio A, Nardi L, and Villani ME
- Abstract
Introduction: The future of human space missions relies on the ability to provide adequate food resources for astronauts and also to reduce stress due to the environment (microgravity and cosmic radiation). In this context, microgreens have been proposed for the astronaut diet because of their fast-growing time and their high levels of bioactive compounds and nutrients (vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, etc.), which are even higher than mature plants, and are usually consumed as ready-to-eat vegetables., Methods: Our study aimed to identify the best light recipe for the soilless cultivation of two cultivars of radish microgreens (Raphanus sativus, green daikon, and rioja improved) harvested eight days after sowing that could be used for space farming. The effects on plant metabolism of three different light emitting diodes (LED) light recipes (L1-20% red, 20% green, 60% blue; L2-40% red, 20% green, 40% blue; L3-60% red, 20% green, 20% blue) were tested on radish microgreens hydroponically grown. A fluorimetric-based technique was used for a real-time non-destructive screening to characterize plant methabolism. The adopted sensors allowed us to quantitatively estimate the fluorescence of flavonols, anthocyanins, and chlorophyll via specific indices verified by standardized spectrophotometric methods. To assess plant growth, morphometric parameters (fresh and dry weight, cotyledon area and weight, hypocotyl length) were analyzed., Results: We observed a statistically significant positive effect on biomass accumulation and productivity for both cultivars grown under the same light recipe (40% blue, 20% green, 40% red). We further investigated how the addition of UV and/or far-red LED lights could have a positive effect on plant metabolite accumulation (anthocyanins and flavonols)., Discussion: These results can help design plant-based bioregenerative life-support systems for long-duration human space exploration, by integrating fluorescence-based non-destructive techniques to monitor the accumulation of metabolites with nutraceutical properties in soilless cultivated microgreens., 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 © 2024 Garegnani, Sandri, Pacelli, Ferranti, Bennici, Desiderio, Nardi and Villani.)
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- 2024
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85. Simulated Microgravity Exposure Induces Antioxidant Barrier Deregulation and Mitochondria Enlargement in TCam-2 Cell Spheroids.
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Berardini M, Gesualdi L, Morabito C, Ferranti F, Reale A, Zampieri M, Karpach K, Tinari A, Bertuccini L, Guarnieri S, Catizone A, Mariggiò MA, and Ricci G
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- Humans, Male, Reactive Oxygen Species, Mitochondria, Spheroids, Cellular, Antioxidants, Weightlessness
- Abstract
One of the hallmarks of microgravity-induced effects in several cellular models is represented by the alteration of oxidative balance with the consequent accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is well known that male germ cells are sensitive to oxidative stress and to changes in gravitational force, even though published data on germ cell models are scarce. We previously studied the effects of simulated microgravity (s-microgravity) on a 2D cultured TCam-2 seminoma-derived cell line, considered the only human cell line available to study in vitro mitotically active human male germ cells. In this study, we used a corresponding TCam-2 3D cell culture model that mimics cell-cell contacts in organ tissue to test the possible effects induced by s-microgravity exposure. TCam-2 cell spheroids were cultured for 24 h under unitary gravity (Ctr) or s-microgravity conditions, the latter obtained using a random positioning machine (RPM). A significant increase in intracellular ROS and mitochondria superoxide anion levels was observed after RPM exposure. In line with these results, a trend of protein and lipid oxidation increase and increased pCAMKII expression levels were observed after RPM exposure. The ultrastructural analysis via transmission electron microscopy revealed that RPM-exposed mitochondria appeared enlarged and, even if seldom, disrupted. Notably, even the expression of the main enzymes involved in the redox homeostasis appears modulated by RPM exposure in a compensatory way, with GPX1, NCF1, and CYBB being downregulated, whereas NOX4 and HMOX1 are upregulated. Interestingly, HMOX1 is involved in the heme catabolism of mitochondria cytochromes, and therefore the positive modulation of this marker can be associated with the observed mitochondria alteration. Altogether, these data demonstrate TCam-2 spheroid sensitivity to acute s-microgravity exposure and indicate the capability of these cells to trigger compensatory mechanisms that allow them to overcome the exposure to altered gravitational force.
- Published
- 2023
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86. ERK Signaling Pathway Is Constitutively Active in NT2D1 Non-Seminoma Cells and Its Inhibition Impairs Basal and HGF-Activated Cell Proliferation.
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Gesualdi L, Berardini M, Scicchitano BM, Castaldo C, Bizzarri M, Filippini A, Riccioli A, Schiraldi C, Ferranti F, Liguoro D, Mancini R, Ricci G, and Catizone A
- Abstract
c-MET/hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) system deregulation is a well-known feature of malignancy in several solid tumors, and for this reason this system and its pathway have been considered as potential targets for therapeutic purposes. In previous manuscripts we reported c-MET/HGF expression and the role in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) derived cell lines. We demonstrated the key role of c-Src and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT adaptors in the HGF-dependent malignant behavior of the embryonal carcinoma cell line NT2D1, finding that the inhibition of these onco-adaptor proteins abrogates HGF triggered responses such as proliferation, migration, and invasion. Expanding on these previous studies, herein we investigated the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathways in the HGF-dependent and HGF-independent NT2D1 cells biological responses. To inhibit MAPK/ERK pathways we chose a pharmacological approach, by using U0126 inhibitor, and we analyzed cell proliferation, collective migration, and chemotaxis. The administration of U0126 together with HGF reverts the HGF-dependent activation of cell proliferation but, surprisingly, does not exert the same effect on NT2D1 cell migration. In addition, we found that the use of U0126 alone significantly promotes the acquisition of NT2D1 «migrating phenotype», while collective migration of NT2D1 cells was stimulated. Notably, the inhibition of ERK activation in the absence of HGF stimulation resulted in the activation of the AKT-mediated pathway, and this let us speculate that the paradoxical effects obtained by using U0126, which are the increase of collective migration and the acquisition of partial epithelium-mesenchyme transition (pEMT), are the result of compensatory pathways activation. These data highlight how the specific response to pathway inhibitors, should be investigated in depth before setting up therapy.
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- 2023
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87. [e-Health, telemedicine and applications in cardiology: state of the art in Italy and experience of the cardiology unit of the G.B. Grassi Hospital of Rome].
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Bocchino M, Santini L, Pastena G, Ferranti F, Paraggio L, Danisi N, and Ammirati F
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- Hospitals, Humans, Italy, Rome, Cardiology methods, Heart Failure therapy, Myocardial Ischemia, Telemedicine
- Abstract
e-Health (electronic health) refers to the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to promote organizational change and facilitate new healthcare skills. In the last few years, several telemedicine services using ICT have been launched and the updating of related regulations has started, also for the increase in demand for services, their complexity and the need to offer adequate care to the patient. In cardiology, the experiences concern mainly patients suffering from heart failure or the carriers of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), and few experiences are described in ischemic heart disease. In this article we present the design, the implementation and the results of the telemedicine service at the Cardiology Unit of the G.B. Grassi Hospital in Rome, concerning follow-up televisits for patients with heart failure, ischemic heart disease and for management of treatment plans, telemonitoring and telecontrol of CIEDs carriers and teleconsultation in ischemic heart disease. The considerations of this review, the experiences reported and the speed of digital evolution make the implementation of existing practices and the redesign of new pathways necessary.
- Published
- 2022
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88. Surgical management protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic in an Italian non-referral center.
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Balla A, DE Carlo A, Aguzzi D, Petrocca S, Guida A, Saraceno F, Scaramuzzo R, Fanello G, Borrello A, Ferranti F, and Lepiane P
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- Abdominal Wall surgery, COVID-19 prevention & control, COVID-19 Testing, Elective Surgical Procedures statistics & numerical data, Emergency Treatment statistics & numerical data, Humans, Italy epidemiology, Neoplasms surgery, Operating Rooms, Retrospective Studies, COVID-19 epidemiology, Pandemics, Surgical Procedures, Operative statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
Background: In the surgical scenario, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diffusion worldwide entails on the one hand the need to continue to perform surgery at least in case of emergency or oncologic surgery, in patients with or without COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); and on the other hand, to avoid the pandemic diffusion both between patients and medical and nursing team. The aim of this study was to report our surgical management protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic in an Italian non-referral center., Methods: Data retrieved during the outbreak for the COVID-19 pandemic, from March 8 to May 4, 2020 (study period) were analyzed and compared to data obtained during the same period in 2019 (control period)., Results: During the study period, 41 surgical procedures (24 electives, 17 emergency surgical procedures) underwent surgery in comparison to 99 procedures in the control period. Stratifying the procedures in elective and emergency surgery, and based on the indication for surgery, the only statistically significant difference was observed in the elective surgery regarding the abdominal wall surgery (0 vs. 13 procedures, P=0.0339). Statistically significant differences were not observed regarding the colorectal and the breast oncologic surgery. All stuff members were COVID-19 free., Conclusions: The present protocol proved to be safe and useful to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection before and after surgery for both patients and stuff. The pandemic was responsible for the reduction in number of procedures performed, anyway for the oncologic surgery a statistically significant volume reduction in comparison to 2019 was not observed.
- Published
- 2021
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89. Interplay between COVID-19, pollution, and weather features on changes in the incidence of acute coronary syndromes in early 2020.
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Versaci F, Gaspardone A, Danesi A, Ferranti F, Mancone M, Mariano E, Rotolo FL, Musto C, Proietti I, Berni A, Trani C, Sergi SC, Speciale G, Tanzilli G, Tomai F, Di Giosa A, Marchegiani G, Romagnoli E, Cavarretta E, Carnevale R, Frati G, and Biondi-Zoccai G
- Subjects
- Aged, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Incidence, Italy epidemiology, Male, Middle Aged, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors, Acute Coronary Syndrome epidemiology, COVID-19 epidemiology, Environmental Pollution adverse effects, Pandemics, SARS-CoV-2, Weather
- Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused an unprecedented change in the apparent epidemiology of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, the interplay between this disease, changes in pollution, climate, and aversion to activation of emergency medical services represents a challenging conundrum. We aimed at appraising the impact of COVID-19, weather, and environment features on the occurrence of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in a large Italian region and metropolitan area., Methods and Results: Italy was hit early on by COVID-19, such that state of emergency was declared on January 31, 2020, and national lockdown implemented on March 9, 2020, mainly because the accrual of cases in Northern Italy. In order to appraise the independent contribution on changes in STEMI and NSTEMI daily rates of COVID-19, climate and pollution, we collected data on these clinical events from tertiary care cardiovascular centers in the Lazio region and Rome metropolitan area. Multilevel Poisson modeling was used to appraise unadjusted and adjusted effect estimates for the daily incidence of STEMI and NSTEMI cases. The sample included 1448 STEMI and 2040 NSTEMI, with a total of 2882 PCI spanning 6 months. Significant reductions in STEMI and NSTEMI were evident already in early February 2020 (all p<0.05), concomitantly with COVID-19 spread and institution of national countermeasures. Changes in STEMI and NSTEMI were inversely associated with daily COVID-19 tests, cases, and/or death (p<0.05). In addition, STEMI and NSTEMI incidences were associated with daily NO2, PM10, and O3 concentrations, as well as temperature (p<0.05). Multi-stage and multiply adjusted models highlighted that reductions in STEMI were significantly associated with COVID-19 data (p<0.001), whereas changes in NSTEMI were significantly associated with both NO2 and COVID-19 data (both p<0.001)., Conclusions: Reductions in STEMI and NSTEMI in the COVID-19 pandemic may depend on different concomitant epidemiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms. In particular, recent changes in STEMI may depend on COVID-19 scare, leading to excess all-cause mortality, or effective reduced incidence, whereas reductions in NSTEMI may also be due to beneficial reductions in NO2 emissions in the lockdown phase., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Prof. Biondi-Zoccai has consulted for Cardionovum, Bonn, Germany, InnovHeart, Milan, Italy, Meditrial, Rome, Italy, and Replycare, Rome, Italy., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2021
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90. 339 Interplay between COVID-19, pollution, and weather features on changes in the incidence of acute coronary syndromes in early 2020.
- Author
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Griffo S, Gaspardone A, Danesi A, Ferranti F, Mariano E, Rotolo F, Musto C, Di Giosa A, Marchegiani G, Zoccai GB, and Versaci F
- Abstract
Aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused an unprecedented change in the apparent epidemiology of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, the interplay between this disease, changes in pollution, climate, and aversion to activation of emergency medical services represents a challenging conundrum. We aimed at appraising the impact of COVID-19, weather, and environment features on the occurrence of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in a large Italian region and metropolitan area., Methods and Results: Italy was hit early on by COVID-19, such that state of emergency was declared on January 31, 2020, and national lockdown implemented on March 9, 2020, mainly because the accrual of cases in Northern Italy. In order to appraise the independent contribution on changes in STEMI and NSTEMI daily rates of COVID-19, climate and pollution, we collected data on these clinical events from tertiary care cardiovascular centers in the Lazio region and Rome metropolitan area. Multilevel Poisson modeling was used to appraise unadjusted and adjusted effect estimates for the daily incidence of STEMI and NSTEMI. The sample included 1448 STEMI and 2040 NSTEMI, with a total of 2882 PCI spanning 6 months. Significant reductions in STEMI and NSTEMI were evident already in early February 2020 (all P < 0.05), concomitantly with COVID-19 spread and institution of national countermeasures. Changes in STEMI and NSTEMI were inversely associated with daily COVID-19 tests, cases, and/or death ( P < 0.05). In addition, STEMI and NSTEMI incidences were associated with daily NO2, PM10, and O3 concentrations, as well as temperature ( P < 0.05). Multi-stage and multiply adjusted models highlighted that reductions in STEMI were significantly associated with COVID-19 data ( P < 0.001), whereas changes in NSTEMI were significantly associated with both NO2 and COVID-19 data (both P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Reductions in STEMI and NSTEMI in the COVID-19 pandemic may depend on different concomitant epidemiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms. In particular, recent changes in STEMI may depend on COVID-19 scare, leading to excess all-cause mortality, or effective reduced incidence, whereas reductions in NSTEMI may also be due to beneficial reductions in NO2 emissions in the lockdown phase., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2020. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)
- Published
- 2020
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91. Impact of temporary traffic bans on the risk of acute coronary syndromes in a large metropolitan area.
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Versaci F, Gaspardone A, Danesi A, Ferranti F, Mancone M, Mariano E, Rotolo FL, Musto C, Proietti I, Berni A, Trani C, Sergi SC, Speciale G, Tanzilli G, Tomai F, DI Giosa AD, Marchegiani G, Calcagno S, Romagnoli E, Frati G, and Biondi Zoccai G
- Subjects
- Aged, COVID-19 epidemiology, COVID-19 virology, Female, Humans, Italy epidemiology, Male, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, SARS-CoV-2 isolation & purification, Acute Coronary Syndrome epidemiology, Motor Vehicles
- Abstract
Background: Strong epidemiologic evidence has highlighted the role of pollution, on top of adverse climate features, as a novel cardiovascular risk factor. However, mechanistic proof that reducing pollution may be beneficial to prevent atherothrombotic events is limited. We aimed at appraising the impact of temporary traffic bans in a large metropolitan area on the risk of acute coronary syndromes., Methods: Aggregate and anonymized data from 15 tertiary cardiac care centers were obtained detailing precoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) daily cases of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), including those treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Data on pollutants and climate were sought for the same days. Mixed level regression was used to compare the week before vs after the traffic ban (Fortnight analysis), the 3 days before vs. after (Weekly analysis) and the Sunday before vs. after (Sunday analysis)., Results: A total of 8 days of temporary traffic bans were included, occurring between 2017 and 2020, totaling 802 STEMI and 1196 NSTEMI in the Fortnight analysis, 382 STEMI and 585 in the Weekly analysis, and 148 STEMI and 210 NSTEMI in the Sunday analysis.Fortnight and Sunday analyses did not disclose a significant impact of traffic ban on STEMI or NSTEMI (all P>0.05). Conversely, Weekly analysis showed non-significant changes for STEMI, but a significant decrease in daily NSTEMI when comparing the 3 days before the traffic ban with the ban day (P=0.043), as well as the 3 days before vs. the 3 days after the ban (P=0.025). No statistically significant effect of traffic ban was found at Fortnight, Weekly or Sunday analyses for daily mean concentrations of benzene, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter (PM) <2.5 µm or PM <10 µm (all P>0.05). However, minimum daily concentrations showed a significant reduction of ozone during the ban in comparison to the week preceding it (P=0.034), nitric oxide during the ban in comparison to the 3 days preceding it (P=0.046), and an increase in benzene during the ban in comparison to the Sunday before (P=0.039)., Conclusions: Temporary traffic ban may favorably reduce coronary atherothrombotic events, and in particular NSTEMI, even if not globally and immediately impacting on environmental pollution. Further controlled studies are required to confirm and expand this hypothesis-generating results.
- Published
- 2020
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92. A laser emitting contact lens for eye tracking.
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Khaldi A, Daniel E, Massin L, Kärnfelt C, Ferranti F, Lahuec C, Seguin F, Nourrit V, and de Bougrenet de la Tocnaye JL
- Subjects
- Biosensing Techniques methods, Contact Lenses, Humans, Eye-Tracking Technology, Lasers
- Abstract
In this paper, we present the first realisation and experimentation of a new eye tracking system using an infrared (iR) laser pointer embedded into a wireless smart contact lens. We denote this contact lens prototype as the cyclops lens, in reference to the famous hero of the X-Men comics. The full eye tracker device combines the smart contact lens and its eyewear, which provides a primary source of energy and the beam detection system. We detail the assembling and encapsulation process of the main functionalities into the contact lens and present how a gaze tracking system is achieved, compared to existing conventional eye-tracking ones. Finally, we discuss future technical improvements.
- Published
- 2020
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93. Irisin prevents microgravity-induced impairment of osteoblast differentiation in vitro during the space flight CRS-14 mission.
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Colucci S, Colaianni G, Brunetti G, Ferranti F, Mascetti G, Mori G, and Grano M
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- Animals, Bone Resorption metabolism, Bone Resorption physiopathology, Cells, Cultured, Endothelial Cells metabolism, Endothelial Cells physiology, Gene Expression physiology, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Osteoblasts physiology, Osteoclasts metabolism, Osteoclasts physiology, Osteogenesis physiology, Space Flight methods, Cell Differentiation physiology, Fibronectins metabolism, Osteoblasts metabolism, Weightlessness adverse effects
- Abstract
Understanding molecular mechanisms responsible for bone cells unbalance in microgravity would allow the development of better countermeasures for astronauts, and eventually advancing terrestrial osteoporosis treatments. We conduct a unique investigation by using a controlled 3D in vitro cell model to mimic the bone microenvironment in microgravity aboard the SpaceX Dragon cargo ferry to the ISS. Osteoblasts (OBs), osteoclasts (OCs), and endothelial cells (ECs), seeded on Skelite discs, were cultured w/ or w/o rec-Irisin and exposed to 14 days of microgravity in the eOSTEO hardware. Gene expression analysis was assessed, and results were compared to ground controls treated within identical payloads. Our results show that the microgravity-induced downregulation of mRNA levels of genes encoding for OB key transcription factors (Atf4 -75%, P < .01; RunX2 -87%, P < .001, Osterix -95%, P < .05 vs ground) and proteins (Collagen I -84%, P < .05; Osteoprotegerin -94%, P < .05) were prevented by irisin. Despite it was not effective in preventing Trap and Cathepsin K mRNA increase, irisin induced a 2.8-fold increase of Osteoprotegerin (P < .05) that might act for reducing osteoclastogenesis in microgravity. Our results provide evidence that irisin supports OB differentiation and activity in microgravity and it might represent a countermeasure to prevent bone loss in astronauts., (© 2020 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.)
- Published
- 2020
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94. The Chiral 1:2 Adduct ( S ) S ( S ) C (-) 589 -Ethyl 2-Phenylbutyl Sulphide-Mercury (II) Chloride:(-) 589 [( S ) S ( S ) C -Et(2-PhBu)S.(HgCl 2 ) 2 ]. Stereoselective Synthesis, Asymmetric Oxidation, Crystal and Molecular Structure and Circular Dichroism Spectra.
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Biscarini P, Bilotti I, Ferranti F, Bacchi A, Pelizzi G, Mikołajczyk M, and Drabowicz J
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- Circular Dichroism methods, Crystallography, X-Ray, Models, Molecular, Molecular Structure, Oxidation-Reduction, Stereoisomerism, Mercuric Chloride chemistry, Organometallic Compounds chemistry, Sulfhydryl Compounds chemistry
- Abstract
Optically active (-)
589 ethyl ( S )-2-phenylbutyl thioether, (-)( S )C -Et(PhBu)S ( I ), and its new diastereoisomeric mercury (II) chloride adduct, 1:2, (-)[( S )S ( S )C -Et(PhBu)S.(HgCl2 )2 ]2 , ( II ) were stereoselectively synthesized; the absorbance (UV) and circular dichroism (CD) spectra were measured and the crystal and molecular structure of complex ( II ) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Two different Hg centres are present whose coordination environments are built by two short bonds to chloride ligands in one case, and to one chloride and one sulphur in the other one. These originate digonal units. Electroneutrality is achieved by a further chlorine, which can be considered prevalently ionic and bonded to the two Hg centres, forming square bridging systems nearly perpendicular to the digonal molecules. The coordination polyhedra can be interpreted as 2 + 4 tetragonally-compressed octahedra with the four longer contacts lying in the equatorial plane. IR spectroscopic data are consistent with the presence of one bent and one linear Cl-Hg-Cl moiety. The absolute configurations at both stereogenic centres of the formed diastereoisomeric complex ( II ) are ( S ). The ( S )S absolute configuration at the stereogenic sulphur atom bonded to the mercury(II) atom in complex ( II ) has been related with the negative Cotton effect assigned in its circular dichroism (CD) spectrum to a charge-transfer transition at ca. 230 nm. The stereoselective oxidation of ( I ) and ( II ) with hydrogen peroxide, induced by the stereogenic carbon atom ( S )C of the enantiopure sulphide, gave (-)598 ethyl ( S )C -2-phenylbutyl( S )S -sulphoxide, (-)598 [( S )S ( S )C -Et(PhBu)SO], ( III ), having 18.1% de. Oxidations carried out in the presence of a 200 molar excess of mercury(II) chloride gave (-)598 ethyl ( S )C -2-phenylbutyl( R )S -sulphoxide, (-)598 [( R )S ( S )C -Et(PhBu)SO], ( IV ) with 31% de, showing the cooperative influence of mercury(II) chloride on the selectivity of the oxidation reaction.- Published
- 2020
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95. The Influence of Light on Olive ( Olea europaea L.) Fruit Development Is Cultivar Dependent.
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Reale L, Nasini L, Cerri M, Regni L, Ferranti F, and Proietti P
- Abstract
In olive, the response to environmental conditions, such as light availability, is under genetic control and requires a combination of biochemical and physiological events. We investigated the effect of irradiance in fruit development in two Italian cultivars, Leccino and Frantoio. Morphological and cyto-histological analyses, as well as water and oil content determination, were carried out in fruits exposed to a different light regime (named as light and shade fruits). Results demonstrated that the influence of light availability on fruit development depends on the cultivar. In Leccino, the fresh and the dry weight, the percentage of dry matter, the kernel and fruit diameter, the mesocarp thickness and the mesocarp cell size were higher in the light exposed fruits than in the ones grown in the shade. In Frantoio, differences between light and shade fruits were observed only at 140 DAF (Days After Flowering) and only in the kernel and fruit diameter and in the dry and fresh weight, which were higher in the light exposed fruits. Leccino, therefore, showed a greater sensitivity to the light availability. This may be related to the observed delay in the endocarp lignification as compared to the Frantoio cultivar. In each cultivar, moreover, shade and light fruits did not show differences in the timing of cell differentiation. Finally, the investigation of oil storage carried out in cyto-histological studies demonstrated that differences in oil content between fruit subjected to different light regimes correlated with the number of oil containing cells, rather than the oil content per cell. A different behaviour was observed in the two cultivars: in Leccino, the mesocarp cell size was almost twice of Frantoio, while oil drops were only 30% larger; therefore, the percentage of cell volume occupied by the oil drops was lower in Leccino than in Frantoio. The chemical analysis confirmed this observation.
- Published
- 2019
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96. Geoarchaeological Evidence of Middle-Age Tsunamis at Stromboli and Consequences for the Tsunami Hazard in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea.
- Author
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Rosi M, Levi ST, Pistolesi M, Bertagnini A, Brunelli D, Cannavò V, Di Renzoni A, Ferranti F, Renzulli A, and Yoon D
- Abstract
Large-scale landslides at volcanic islands are one of the most dangerous geological phenomena, able to generate tsunamis whose effects can propagate far from the source. However, related deposits are scarcely preserved on-land in the geologic records, and are often difficult to be interpreted. Here we show the discovery of three unprecedented well-preserved tsunami deposits related to repeated flank collapses of the volcanic island of Stromboli (Southern Italy) occurred during the Late Middle Ages. Based on carbon datings, on stratigraphic, volcanological and archaeological evidence, we link the oldest, highest-magnitude investigated tsunami to the following rapid abandonment of the island which was inhabited at that time, contrary than previously thought. The destructive power of this event is also possibly related to a huge marine storm that devastated the ports of Naples in 1343 (200 km north of Stromboli) described by the famous writer Petrarch. The portrayed devastation can be potentially attributed to the arrival of multiple tsunami waves generated by a major landslide in Stromboli island, confirming the hypothetical hazard of these phenomena at a regional scale.
- Published
- 2019
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97. Applying predictive models to decipher rhizobacterial modifications in common reed die-back affected populations.
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Bacci G, Cerri M, Lastrucci L, Ferranti F, Ferri V, Foggi B, Gigante D, Venanzoni R, Viciani D, Mengoni A, Reale L, and Coppi A
- Subjects
- Ecology, Italy, Microbiota, Plant Roots, Poaceae, Models, Theoretical, Rhizosphere, Soil Microbiology
- Abstract
The microbiota inhabiting the soil, as well as the rhizosphere, represents a key determinant of several plant functions. Like for humans, dysbiosis of the plant-associated microbiota may be a co-causal agent in disease with still obscure eziology. In the last decades, the common reed Phragmites australis has been deeply studied for its disappearance from natural stands, but no clear causative agents have been identified and no laboratory models of such "reed die-back syndrome" (RDBS) have been developed. In this study, we try to shed light on the RDBS, by comparing the rhizosphere microbiota of five Italian P. australis populations with different degrees of decline. Results obtained showed a biogeographical meaningful pattern of rhizosphere microbiota, coupled with an impact of RDBS. Obtained data allowed to construct a two-steps predictive model which enabled the prediction of the plant health status from the microbiota taxonomic composition, independently from their geographic location. In conclusion, this study represents one of the first overviews that statistically links RDBS to alteration of rhizosphere microbiota and suggests a model for the analysis of plant-bacteria relationships in nature., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2018
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98. Observational study of coagulation activation in early breast cancer: development of a prognostic model based on data from the real world setting.
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Mandoj C, Pizzuti L, Sergi D, Sperduti I, Mazzotta M, Di Lauro L, Amodio A, Carpano S, Di Benedetto A, Botti C, Ferranti F, Antenucci A, D'Alessandro MG, Marchetti P, Tomao S, Sanguineti G, Giordano A, Maugeri-Saccà M, Ciliberto G, Conti L, Vici P, and Barba M
- Subjects
- Biomarkers, Tumor blood, Breast Neoplasms pathology, Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Multivariate Analysis, Prognosis, Risk Factors, Survival Analysis, Blood Coagulation, Breast Neoplasms blood
- Abstract
Background: Cancer and coagulation activation are tightly related. The extent to which factors related to both these pathologic conditions concur to patient prognosis intensely animates the inherent research areas. The study herein presented aimed to the development of a tool for the assessment and stratification of risk of death and disease recurrence in early breast cancer., Methods: Between 2008 and 2010, two hundreds thirty-five (N: 235) patients diagnosed with stage I-IIA breast cancer were included. Data on patient demographics and clinic-pathologic features were collected in course of face-to-face interviews or actively retrieved from clinical charts. Plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), thrombin antithrombin complex (TAT), factor VIII (FVIII), and D-dimer (DD) were measured at breast cancer diagnosis and prior to any therapeutic procedure, including breast surgery. The risk of death was computed in terms of overall survival (OS), which was the primary outcome. For a subset of patients (N = 62), disease free survival (DFS) was also assessed as a measure of risk of disease recurrence., Results: Median follow up was 95 months (range 6-112 months). Mean age at diagnosis was 60.3 ± 13.4 years. Cancer cases were more commonly intraductal carcinomas (N: 204; 86.8%), pT1 (131; 55.7%), pN0 (141; 60%) and G2 (126; 53.6%). Elevated levels of PAI-1 (113; 48.1%) represented the most frequent coagulation abnormality, followed by higher levels of F1 + 2 (97; 41.3%), DD (63; 27.0%), TAT (34; 40%), and FVIII (29; 12.3%). In univariate models of OS, age, pT, DD, FVIII were prognostically relevant. In multivariate models of OS, age (p = 0.043), pT (p = 0.001), levels of DD (p = 0.029) and FVIII (p = 0.087) were confirmed. In the smaller subgroup of 62 patients, lymph node involvement, percent expression of estrogen receptors and levels of FVIII impacted DFS significantly., Conclusions: We developed a risk assessment tool for OS including patient- and cancer-related features along with biomarkers of coagulation activation in a cohort of early BC patients. Further studies are warranted to validate our prognostic model in the early setting and eventually extend its application to risk evaluation in the advanced setting for breast and other cancers.
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- 2018
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99. AFLP Approach Reveals Variability in Phragmites australis : Implications for Its Die-Back and Evidence for Genotoxic Effects.
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Coppi A, Lastrucci L, Cappelletti D, Cerri M, Ferranti F, Ferri V, Foggi B, Gigante D, Venanzoni R, Viciani D, Selvaggi R, and Reale L
- Abstract
Phragmites australis is a subcosmopolitan species typical of wetlands being studied in Europe for its disappearance from natural stands, a phenomenon called reed die-back syndrome (RDBS). Although it is conjectured that low genetic variability contributes to RDBS, this aspect remains neglected to this day. Using a molecular fingerprinting approach and a sequence analysis of the trnT-trnL/rbcL-psaI regions of cpDNA, this study aimed to compare the genetic structure of stable vs. RDBS-affected P. australis stands from five wetlands of central Italy. Beforehand, in order to characterize the health condition of reed populations, the occurrence of the main macromorphological descriptors for RDBS was considered on 40 reed stands. Soil samples were also collected to examine the total content of heavy metals. The current study analyzed cpDNA in 19 samples and AFLP profiles in 381 samples to investigate the genetic structure of Phragmites populations. Based on the multinomial-Dirichlet model, an analysis of candidate loci under selective pressure was also performed. The relationships among AFLP data, RDBS descriptors and chemicals were evaluated with the use of Linear Mixed Models. The analysis of the cpDNA shows the occurrence of the haplotypes M (the most widespread), and K here recorded for the first time in Italy. Three new haplotypes were also described. The DNA fingerprinting analysis has produced a total of 322 loci (98% polymorphic) and shows the medium-to-high amount of genetic diversity. The significant genetic differentiation among wetlands ( F
st = 0.337) suggests either low gene flow or small effective population size. Moreover, the low amount of outlier loci (only 5; l.5% of the total), seems to indicate the scarce occurrence of selective pressure upon the reed's genome. Genetic diversity increased in relationship to the decrease in diameter and of flowering buds of the reed, two of the trends associated with the die-back. The current study rejects the hypothesis that genetic diversity massively contributed to RDBS. Moreover, significant relationships between genetic diversity and the total concentration of some heavy metals (Cr, Cu, and Zn) were highlighted, indicating possible genotoxic effects on P. australis . The current study represents a fact-finding background useful for the conservation of common reed.- Published
- 2018
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100. Oomycete Communities Associated with Reed Die-Back Syndrome.
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Cerri M, Sapkota R, Coppi A, Ferri V, Foggi B, Gigante D, Lastrucci L, Selvaggi R, Venanzoni R, Nicolaisen M, Ferranti F, and Reale L
- Abstract
Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. die-back is a widely-studied phenomenon that was first discovered in northern Europe and that, until recently, was almost unknown in the Mediterranean basin. It has been described as a complex syndrome affecting reed populations leading to their retreat and decline, with significant impacts on valuable ecosystem services. Among the factors that cause the decline, soil-living microorganisms can be crucial. The aims of this study were to analyze the diversity of oomycetes communities associated with reed stands, and to understand whether they could play a key role in the decline. Variations in the structure of oomycetes communities were studied by metabarcoding of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 region of ribosomal DNA, from the sediments of five Italian freshwater ecosystems. They were chosen to cover a large variability in terms of surface area, water depth, microclimate, and presence of documented reed retreat. From 96 samples collected from reed roots, rhizosphere, and bulk soil, we assembled 207661 ITS1 reads into 523 OTUs. We demonstrated that oomycete communities were structured by several factors, among which the most important was die-back occurrence. Our study also indicates that Pythiogeton spp. could be potentially involved in the development of die-back. The role of heavy metals in the soil was also explored, and cadmium concentration was shown to affect oomycetes distribution. This study represents a significant step forward for the characterization of microbial communities associated with reed die-back syndrome and helps to gain knowledge of the complexity of these important wet ecosystems.
- Published
- 2017
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