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The authors report twenty-one cases in which the Swanson prosthesis was used in the treatment of Kienböck's disease. Eighteen of the patients were followed up after between six months and seven years. The results were good in 94.5 per cent of cases. The operation resulted in all cases in the disappearance or reduction of pain. In many instances it also improved the mobility of the wrist and the strength of the muscles. The prosthesis was found to be well tolerated with time. The results were also good in the advanced stages of the disease.

The in vitro activity of ciprofloxacin against 5 strains of Chlamydia trachomatis and 5 strains of Ureaplasma urealyticum was tested. Both C. trachomatis and U. urealyticum showed a certain degree of variability in their susceptibility to the drug. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ciprofloxacin against C. trachomatis was 1 micrograms/ml, whereas the minimum bactericidal concentration was greater than or equal to 10 micrograms/ml. The MIC of ciprofloxacin against U. urealyticum was 1 micrograms/ml for 3 strains and higher than 10 micrograms/ml for two strains.

This paper reports the platelet anti-aggregating activity induced by arachidonic acid (AA) and by adenosine-diphosphate (ADP), together with the anti-inflammatory activity evaluated by the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema method, of a series of beta-aminoxypropionic acids which were projected and synthesised as analogues of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with an arylacetic structure B, in which the aromatic group is substituted by a methyleneaminoxymethylic moiety. Some of the beta-aminoxypropionic acids were evaluated for their capacity to inhibit the cyclooxygenase enzyme by measuring the malondialdehyde (MDA) produced by incubation of sodium arachidonate with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Oxidized (ONC) and hydrolyzed (HNC) nanocelluloses were prepared from high-grade pure cotton fibers (CFT), too short to be spun. They maintained the CFT crystallinity (IC=0.59). ONC and HNC were fully O-allylated affording ONC-ALL and HNC-ALL, respectively. ONC-ALL and HNC-ALL became completely amorphous. Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and ONC were graphted with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) affording BNC-GMA and ONC-GMA, respectively. Substitution degree (DS=GMA residue versus glucose unit) range in BNC-GMA and ONC-GMA is 0.4-0.6. As GMA grafting forms a new C-C bond between cellulose and GMA and keeps OH cellulose groups unchanged, GMA nanocellulose maintains the cristallinity of the starting nanocellulose. The non polar allyl and GMA appendages decrease the hydrophilicity of cellulose. ONC-ALL and HNC-ALL were further functionalized by mono 6-[(mercaptotetramethylene) thiol]-_-cyclodextrin (CySH). GMA epoxide group was opened by water and by _-cyclodextrin (Cy) affording BNC-GMA-OH and BNC-GMA-Cy. GMA and allyl appendages induce nanocellulose capability to adsorb 2-naphthol (2N) and amoxicillin (A).

The aim of this study was to carry out a quali-quantitative analysis of the presence of non-essential and essential trace elements in freshwater crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) edible tissues to establish the healthiness of this product and to evaluate the pollution status of the sampling sites included in the present study. P. clarkii is one of the most common species of freshwater crustaceans in Italy, regularly consumed by local people. Moreover, the crayfish, due to its trophic position and diet, can be considered as an excellent bioindicator of the health status of the ecosystem. We collected sixty crayfish samples from two different sites in Campania (Italy): Villa Literno and Sessa Aurunca. Concentrations of trace elements were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Our data showed low concentrations of Cd, Hg and Pb, with values below the European Commission MRL (Commission Regulation (EC) 1881/2006). We suggest that data obtained from this study showed that crayfish collected from Villa Literno and Sessa Aurunca were safe for human consumption. Furthermore, the results of this research indicated mild contamination of heavy metals of the sampling sites, indicating a good health status of the area’s aquatic ecosystem.

Novel approaches for fabricating safe- and sustainable-by-design coatings are being studied to replace perfluorooctanoic acid or other fluorinated substances that are raising concerns for their potential hazard for human health [1]. In this study, a chitosan-based coating with modified functionality is developed through a solvent-free deposition method. The chitosan backbone is modified with fatty acid side groups to change the polymer wettability from hydrophilic to hydrophobic [2]. The effective chitosan functionality modification with stearoyl groups is assessed and confirmed via combined by 1H and 13C DD-MAS Solid State NMR, FTIR and TGA analysis. The modified chitosan is then deposited by a solvent-free approach consisting of: i) freeze-drying, which allow safe long-term storage, ii) sieving, iii) thermal treatment (Figure 1a). Controlling the amount of deposited coating, transparency and superhydrophobicity can be tuned based on the desired characteristics. A superhydrophobic wetting state (θA = 150°, θR = 144°) is reached for coating amount of 4.8 mg/cm2, obtaining an opaque surface, whereas for lower amount of 0.8 mg/cm2, the coating is hydrophobic (θA = 108°, θR = 67°) with very good transparency (Figure 1b). A morphological characterization by SEM and optical microscope analyses of the coating provides evidence of increased roughness along with increased hydrophobicity. Our innovative and sustainable deposition method for modified chitosan is a simple procedure for creating bio-based transparent hydrophobic coatings, which is fluorine-free and does not require any solvent during deposition. As an outlook, we envision a further development of coatings to better control surface topography to decrease scattering and increase transmittance, and mechanical durability improvement using adhesion promoters or cross-linkers.

Non-covalent interactions in supramolecular chemistry provide useful systems to understand biological processes, and self-assembly systems are suitable assets to build-up innovative products for biomedical applications. In this field, polyelectrolyte complexes are interesting, especially when polysaccharides are involved, due to their non-toxicity and bio-absorbability. In this work, we investigated a polyelectrolyte formed by hyaluronic acid (HA), a negatively charged linear polysaccharide, with Chitlac (Ch), a positively charged lactose-modified chitosan. The aim of the study was the investigation of a novel Ch–HA polyelectrolyte complex, to understand the interaction between the two polysaccharides and the stability towards enzymatic activity. By means of gel permeation chromatography–triple detector array (GPC–TDA), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), dynamic viscosity, Zeta Potential and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the polyelectrolyte complex properties were identified and compared to individual polysaccharides. The complex showed monodisperse molecular weight distribution, high viscosity, negative charge, and could be degraded by specific enzymes, such as hyaluronidase and lysozyme. The results suggest a close interaction between the two polysaccharides in the complex, which could be considered a self-assembly system.

A protocol based on the combination of different analytical methodologies is proposed to standardize the experimental conditions for reproducible formulations of hybrid hydrogels. The final hybrid material, based on the combination of gelatin and chitosan functionalized with methylfuran and cross-linked with 4-arm-PEG-maleimide, is able to mimic role, dynamism, and structural complexity of the extracellular matrix. Physical–chemical properties of starting polymers and finals constructs were characterized exploiting the combination of HP-SEC-TDA, UV, FT-IR, NMR, and TGA.

The development of 3D printable hydrogels based on the crosslinking between chitosan and gelatin is proposed. Chitosan and gelatin were both functionalized with methyl furan groups. Chemical modification was performed by reductive amination with methyl furfural involving the lysine residues of gelatin and the amino groups of chitosan to generate hydrogels with tailored properties. The methyl furan residues present in both polymers were exploited for efficient crosslinking via Diels-Alder ligation with PEG-Star-maleimide under cell-compatible conditions. The obtained chitosan-gelatin hybrid was employed to formulate hydrogels and 3D printable biopolymers and its processability and biocompatibility were preliminarily investigated.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the major causes of morbidity, mortality and hospitalization, and S. pneumoniae is the most frequently isolated etiologic agent. The pneumococcal urinary antigen test (PUAT) is among the recommended methods to identify the causative agent in CAP patients. A novel PUAT (IMMUNOCATCHTMStreptococcus pneumoniae) was compared with the Uni-GoldTMS. pneumoniae assay routinely used in our laboratory and with the widely used BinaxNOW® S. pneumoniae antigen card. A total of 218 (183 freshly harvested and 35 frozen) urine samples (US) submitted for the detection of pneumococcal urinary antigen (PUAT) between December 2016 and November 2018 were evaluated. A number of 160 negative and 41 positive concordant results were scored for all the three assays. A total of 17 US gave discrepant results. The sensitivity and specificity of Immunocatch compared with Uni-Gold were 73.2% and 98.8%, respectively, and compared with BinaxNOW were 97.6% and 98.8%, respectively. The overall percent agreement (OPA) and the Cohen’s kappa coefficient between the Immunocatch and the Uni-Gold resulted 92.2% and 0.78%, respectively, and compared with BinaxNOW were 98.6% and 0.95%, respectively. These performances suggest that the novel Immunocatch S. pneumoniae test is a useful tool for qualitative detection of S. pneumoniae capsular antigen in US.

Legionnaires' disease (LD) refers to a serious form of acute pneumonia caused by Legionella species. LD can be difficult to diagnose because the signs and symptoms are nonspecific, and therefore a rapid laboratory diagnosis is of paramount importance. In this study, a recently introduced immunochromatographic test (Immunocatch Legionella; Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd.) for Legionella pneumophila (serogroup 1) urinary antigen detection was compared with the Sofia Legionella fluorescent immunoassay (FIA) (Quidel) (routinely used in our laboratory) and with the widely used BinaxNOW Legionella assay (Alere). A total of 248 urine samples (60 frozen and 188 fresh) were evaluated. All of the samples were collected from patients with high clinical suspicion of Legionnaires' disease. The three assays were performed simultaneously according to the manufacturers' instructions. A total of 180 concordant negative and 66 concordant positive results were obtained. Only 2 discrepant results were registered. The sensitivity and specificity of Immunocatch compared with Sofia were, respectively, 98.5% and 99.4%. Cohen's kappa coefficient and overall percent agreement between Immunocatch and Sofia were also calculated and resulted in, respectively, 0.97 and 99.2%. These performances suggest that the Immunocatch test is a useful tool for Legionella pneumophila (serogroup 1) urinary antigen detection.

In the last decades, microelectromechanical systems have been increasing their number of degrees of freedom and their structural complexity. Hence, most recently designed MEMSs have required higher mobility than in the past and higher structural strength and stability. In some applications, device thickness increased up to the order of tens (or hundred) of microns, which nowadays can be easily obtained by means of DRIE Bosch process. Unfortunately, scalloping introduces stress concentration regions in some parts of the structure. Stress concentration is a dangerous source of strength loss for the whole structure and for comb-drives actuators which may suffer from side pull-in. This paper presents an analytical approach to characterize stress concentrations in DRIE micro-machined MEMS. The method is based on the linear elasticity equations, the de Saint-Venant Principle, and the boundary value problem for the case of a torsional state of the beam. The results obtained by means of this theoretical method are then compared with those obtained by using two other methods: one based on finite difference discretization of the equations, and one based on finite element analysis (FEA). Finally, the new theoretical approach yields results which are in accordance with the known value of the stress concentration factor for asymptotically null radius notches.

The CB2 receptor is a therapeutic target of increasing importance for several diseases, including pain, inflammation, neurodegeneration, cancer and osteoporosis. While several compounds showing CB2-selective agonist or inverse agonist properties have been developed, only few CB2 receptor selective neutral antagonists are actually known. Such type of compounds could be useful to study more in depth the role of the CB2 receptor, because they lack the ability to counteract its “constitutive” activity. Here we describe the synthesis and biological activity of a series of biphenylic carboxamides as a new class of CB2 receptor selective ligands. In binding assays, one of these compounds showed good CB2 receptor affinity and selectivity (Ki = 11.48 nM; Selectivity Index = 130). Furthermore, in functional assays, the same compound showed a very interesting pharmacological profile as CB2 receptor selective neutral antagonist. These results pave the way to further developments, including structural optimization, with the aim to obtain more potent CB2 receptor ligands with this peculiar feature.

Concentrations of 7 different polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, and eleven organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and metabolites, including DDTs (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), HCHs (hexachlorocyclohexane isomers), Endosulfan, Endosulfan sulfate, Endrin, Dieldrin and HCB (hexachlorobenzene), were determined in adipose tissue of 57 yellow-legged gulls collected from NW and N Spain. Furthermore, the possible differences due to two endogenous factors, age and gender, were determined. All the analyzed PCBs were detected in over 66% of the samples, with levels of 291.9 (PCB 180), 34.5 (PCB 118), 0.7 (PCB 28), 432.6 (PCB 153), 225.5 (PCB 138), 1.3 (PCB 101) and 0.4 (PCB 52) µg/kg of adipose tissue. With respect to the OCPs and metabolites, only 4,4′-DDE and HCB were detected in more than 50% of the samples, with means of 360.6 and 2.5 µg/kg of adipose tissue, respectively. From all the considered contaminants, only 4,4′-DDE levels presented significant differences depending on the gender, with females showing higher values than males (p < 0.01). Significant differences (p < 0.001) were also found related to age for the levels of PCBs 180, 138, 101, 28 and 153, as well as 4,4′-DDE, with adult levels being higher than those in young birds. The results of the present study constitute a baseline to better assess the environmental impacts of PCB and OCP contamination at other coastal sites for future biomonitoring studies, with particular emphasis on gender- and age-related differences.

Super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) were augmented by both hyaluronic acid (HA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), each covalently conjugated to dopamine (DA) enabling their anchoring to the SPION. HA and BSA were found to simultaneously serve as stabilizing polymers of Fe₃O₄·DA-BSA/HA in water. Fe₃O₄·DA-BSA/HA efficiently entrapped and released the hydrophobic cytotoxic drug paclitaxel (PTX). The relative amount of HA and BSA modulates not only the total solubility but also the paramagnetic relaxation properties of the preparation. The entrapping of PTX did not influence the paramagnetic relaxation properties of Fe₃O₄·DA-BSA. Thus, by tuning the surface structure and loading, we can tune the theranostic properties of the system.

In forests, soils contain at least twice as much carbon than plants that mostly grow in the upper layers. Litter at the interface between soils and the atmosphere regulates a variety of biogeochemical cycles, which are important for both plants and soils and have possible implications for other environmental components. We have compared leachates collected during an incubation experiment on: a) beech and oak leaves; b) organic subhorizons OLn, OLv, OF, and mineral A horizon; c) treated with litter removal (and untreated) plots, to assess the changes in the chemical composition of the litter layers and leachates during weathering and their influence on the underlying horizons. . Two different types of broadleaves –beech and oak– become indistinguishable when they experience weathering. As a litter horizon is altered, it becomes more stable and loses fewer elements, both in gaseous and liquid form. The annual removal of litter represents a net loss of biomass from the system. Nevertheless, the effect on soil in the medium term is not significant. Leaves and litter horizons were incubated in micro-lysimeters, leached, and characterised by different analytical approaches, from elementary analyses (dissolved organic carbon, CO2 production, nitrogen forms, UV absorptivity) to solid state NMR spectroscopy. The results reveal that the removal of the litter does not degrade the underlying soils, in direct contrast to what was thought to be the case previously. Moreover, it extends previous knowledge that litter removal promotes an increase in fulvic acids activity in underlying horizons. The results demonstrate how this human disturbance, if not combined with other degradation factors, could promote podzolisation. In a wider outlook, if managed properly (for example, by burying litter removed after its use in animal husbandry), even the repeated removal of forest biomass contribute not negatively to the genesis of these soils.

The first isolation of Catabacter hongkongensis in Italy is reported. Pleomorphic Gram-positive rods were grown in blood cultures from samples obtained from a 55-year-old patient admitted to the intensive care unit with sepsis after he experienced massive thoracic and abdominal trauma. The identification was obtained by amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.

The relevance of CB2R-mediated therapeutic effects is well-known for the treatment of inflammatory and neuropathic pain and neurodegenerative disorders. In our search for new cannabinoid receptor modulators, we report the optimization of a series of 1,2-dihydro-2-oxopyridine-3-carboxamide derivatives as CB2R ligands. In particular, N-cycloheptyl-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(4- fluorobenzyl)-pyridin-2(1H)-on-3-carboxamide (17) showed high CB2R affinity (Ki = 1.0 nM), accompanied by interesting Ki(CB1R)/K i(CB2R) selectivity ratio (SI = 43.4). Compound 17 was also identified as a potent CB2R neutral antagonist/weak partial inverse agonist. Finally we found that the functionality activity of the series of 1,2-dihydro-2-oxopyridine is controlled by the presence of a substituent in position 5 of the heterocyclic nucleus. In fact when the hydrogen atom in position 5 of the unsubstituted compound 1 was replaced with a phenyl group (compound 18) the CB2R activity was shifted from agonism to inverse agonism whereas the introduction in the same position of p-methoxyphenyl group lead to compound 17 which showed a behavior as CB2R neutral antagonist/weak partial inverse agonist. © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

CB2 receptor ligands are becoming increasingly attractive drugs due to the potential role of this receptor in several physiopathological processes. Using our previously described series of 1,8-naphthyridin-2(1H)-on-3-carboxamides as a lead class, several nitrogen heterocyclic derivatives, characterized by different central cores, were synthesized and tested for their affinity toward the human CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. The obtained results suggest that the new series of quinolin-2(1H)-on-3-carboxamides, 4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxamides and 1,2-dihydro-2-oxopyridine-3-carboxamides represent novel scaffolds very suitable for the development of promising CB2 ligands. Furthermore, the newly synthesized CB2 ligands inhibit proliferation of several cancer cell lines. In particular, it was demonstrated that in DU-145 cell line these ligands exert a CB2-mediated anti-proliferative action and decrease the CB2 receptor expression levels.