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1. Improvement or Worsening of Human Contrast Sensitivity Due to Blue Light Attenuation at 450 nm

Author

Tavazzi S, Cozza F, Nigrotti G, Braga C, Vlasak N, Larcher S, and Zeri F

Subjects
optometry practice, blue filtering, optics and spectroscopy, intraocular scattering, macular pigment, Ophthalmology, RE1-994
Abstract

Silvia Tavazzi,1,2 Federica Cozza,1,2 Gabriele Nigrotti,2 Chiara Braga,2 Natalia Vlasak,3 Silvano Larcher,4 Fabrizio Zeri1,2,5 1Department of Materials Science, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy; 2Research Centre in Optics and Optometry (COMiB), University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy; 3Hoya Vision Care, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; 4Hoya Lens Italy, Milan, Italy; 5Ophthalmic Research Group, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UKCorrespondence: Silvia Tavazzi Email silvia.tavazzi@unimib.itPurpose: The work was aimed at comparing contrast sensitivity performance in an indoor environment with two filters, which differ only in the presence of a band at 450± 20 nm in the transmittance spectrum.Patients and Methods: Thirty-nine subjects participated. The filters were the Standard (ST) and Professional (PRO) Drive lenses (Hoya, Japan), the latter showing the attenuation band at 450 nm. Photopic contrast sensitivity (CS) was measured at different spatial frequencies from 1.5 to 18 cpd through Functional Acuity Contrast Test with both lenses (LogCSST and LogCSPRO, respectively). The areas under the curves of LogCSST and LogCSPRO as a function of the spatial frequency were also considered.Results: In the range of the measured values of LogCSST for the thirty-nine participants, at each spatial frequency and also for the areas, the difference Δ = LogCSPRO – LogCSST was found to decrease and change sign from positive to negative as a function of LogCSST, thus allowing to deduce a threshold (LogCSthreshold) for LogCSST corresponding to Δ=0. Significant CS worsening was found with the PRO compared to the ST lens for the subjects showing LogCSST > LogCSthreshold. Vice versa, CS improvement was found when LogCSST < LogCSthreshold.Conclusion: In the choice of a blue-filtering lens, practitioners should take into consideration that the attenuation of light in the range 420– 470 nm is expected to produce a CS worsening in subjects showing a relatively high initial CS (higher than a threshold CS). For these subjects, the general reduction of transmitted light intensity prevails on possible advantages. On the contrary, subjects showing a relatively low initial CS are expected to show a CS improvement because the attenuation of light in the range 420– 470 nm is expected to reduce intraocular scattering and to mimic the effect as an optical filter of the human macular pigment, advantages which prevail on the reduction of the transmitted light intensity.Keywords: optometry practice, blue filtering, optics and spectroscopy, intraocular scattering, macular pigment

Published
2020

2. Organization and Activity of Italian Echocardiographic Laboratories: A Survey of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging

Author

Ciampi, Q, Pepi, M, Antonini-Canterin, F, Barbieri, A, Barchitta, A, Faganello, G, Miceli, S, Parato, V, Tota, A, Trocino, G, Abbate, M, Accadia, M, Alemanni, R, Angelini, A, Anglano, F, Anselmi, M, Aquila, I, Aramu, S, Avogadri, E, Azzaro, G, Badano, L, Balducci, A, Ballocca, F, Barbarossa, A, Barbati, G, Barletta, V, Barone, D, Becherini, F, Benfari, G, Beraldi, M, Bergandi, G, Bilardo, G, Binno, S, Bolognesi, M, Bongiovi, S, Bragato, R, Braggion, G, Brancaleoni, R, Bursi, F, Dessalvi, C, Cameli, M, Canu, A, Capitelli, M, Capra, A, Carbonara, R, Carbone, M, Carbonella, M, Carrabba, N, Casavecchia, G, Casula, M, Chesi, E, Cicco, S, Citro, R, Cocchia, R, Colombo, B, Colonna, P, Conte, M, Corrado, G, Cortesi, P, Cortigiani, L, Costantino, M, Cozza, F, Cucchini, U, D'Angelo, M, Ros, S, D'Andrea, F, D'Andrea, A, D'Auria, F, De Caridi, G, De Feo, S, De Matteis, G, De Vecchi, S, Del Giudice, C, Dell'Angela, L, Delli Paoli, L, Dentamaro, I, Destefanis, P, Di Fulvio, M, Di Gaetano, R, Di Giannuario, G, Di Gioia, A, Di Martino, L, Di Muro, C, Di Nora, C, Di Salvo, G, Dodi, C, Dogliani, S, Donati, F, Dottori, M, Epifani, G, Fabiani, I, Ferrara, F, Ferrara, L, Ferrua, S, Filice, G, Fiorino, M, Forno, D, Garini, A, Giarratana, G, Gigantino, G, Giorgi, M, Giubertoni, E, Greco, C, Grigolato, M, Marra, W, Holzl, A, Iaiza, A, Iannaccone, A, Ilardi, F, Imbalzano, E, Inciardi, R, Inserra, C, Iori, E, Izzo, A, La Rosa, G, Labanti, G, Lanzone, A, Lanzoni, L, Lapetina, O, Leiballi, E, Librera, M, Lo Conte, C, Lo Monaco, M, Lombardo, A, Luciani, M, Lusardi, P, Magnante, A, Malagoli, A, Malatesta, G, Mancusi, C, Manes, M, Manganelli, F, Mantovani, F, Manuppelli, V, Marchese, V, Marinacci, L, Mattioli, R, Maurizio, C, Mazza, G, Mazza, S, Melis, M, Meloni, G, Merli, E, Milan, A, Minardi, G, Monaco, A, Monte, I, Montresor, G, Moreo, A, Mori, F, Morini, S, Moro, C, Morrone, D, Negri, F, Nipote, C, Nisi, F, Nocco, S, Novello, L, Nunziata, L, Perini, A, Parodi, A, Pasanisi, E, Pastorini, G, Pavasini, R, Pavoni, D, Pedone, C, Pelliccia, F, Pelliciari, G, Pelloni, E, Pergola, V, Perillo, G, Petruccelli, E, Pezzullo, C, Piacentini, G, Picardi, E, Pinna, G, Pizzarelli, M, Pizzuti, A, Poggi, M, Posteraro, A, Privitera, C, Rampazzo, D, Ratti, C, Rettegno, S, Ricci, F, Ricci, C, Rolando, C, Rossi, S, Rovera, C, Ruggieri, R, Russo, M, Sacchi, N, Saladino, A, Sani, F, Sartori, C, Scarabeo, V, Sciacqua, A, Scillone, A, Scopelliti, P, Scorza, A, Scozzafava, A, Serafini, F, Serra, W, Severino, S, Simeone, B, Sirico, D, Solari, M, Spadaro, G, Stefani, L, Strangio, A, Surace, F, Tamborini, G, Tarquinio, N, Tassone, E, Tavarozzi, I, Tchana, B, Tedesco, G, Tinto, M, Torzillo, D, Totaro, A, Triolo, O, Troisi, F, Tusa, M, Vancheri, F, Varasano, V, Venezia, A, Vermi, A, Villari, B, Zampi, G, Zannoni, J, Zito, C, Zugaro, A, Di Bella, G, Carerj, S, Ciampi Q., Pepi M., Antonini-Canterin F., Barbieri A., Barchitta A., Faganello G., Miceli S., Parato V. M., Tota A., Trocino G., Abbate M., Accadia M., Alemanni R., Angelini A., Anglano F., Anselmi M., Aquila I., Aramu S., Avogadri E., Azzaro G., Badano L., Balducci A., Ballocca F., Barbarossa A., Barbati G., Barletta V., Barone D., Becherini F., Benfari G., Beraldi M., Bergandi G., Bilardo G., Binno S. M., Bolognesi M., Bongiovi S., Bragato R. M., Braggion G., Brancaleoni R., Bursi F., Dessalvi C. C., Cameli M., Canu A., Capitelli M., Capra A. C. M., Carbonara R., Carbone M., Carbonella M., Carrabba N., Casavecchia G., Casula M., Chesi E., Cicco S., Citro R., Cocchia R., Colombo B. M., Colonna P., Conte M., Corrado G., Cortesi P., Cortigiani L., Costantino M. F., Cozza F., Cucchini U., D'Angelo M., Ros S. D., D'Andrea F., D'Andrea A., D'Auria F., De Caridi G., De Feo S., De Matteis G. M., De Vecchi S., Del Giudice C., Dell'Angela L., Delli Paoli L., Dentamaro I., Destefanis P., Di Fulvio M., Di Gaetano R., Di Giannuario G., Di Gioia A., Di Martino L. F. M., Di Muro C., Di Nora C., Di Salvo G., Dodi C., Dogliani S., Donati F., Dottori M., Epifani G., Fabiani I., Ferrara F., Ferrara L., Ferrua S., Filice G., Fiorino M., Forno D., Garini A., Giarratana G. A., Gigantino G., Giorgi M., Giubertoni E., Greco C. A., Grigolato M., Marra W. G., Holzl A., Iaiza A., Iannaccone A., Ilardi F., Imbalzano E., Inciardi R., Inserra C. A., Iori E., Izzo A., La Rosa G., Labanti G., Lanzone A. M., Lanzoni L., Lapetina O., Leiballi E., Librera M., Lo Conte C., Lo Monaco M., Lombardo A., Luciani M., Lusardi P., Magnante A., Malagoli A., Malatesta G., Mancusi C., Manes M. T., Manganelli F., Mantovani F., Manuppelli V., Marchese V., Marinacci L., Mattioli R., Maurizio C., Mazza G. A., Mazza S., Melis M., Meloni G., Merli E., Milan A., Minardi G., Monaco A., Monte I., Montresor G., Moreo A., Mori F., Morini S., Moro C., Morrone D., Negri F., Nipote C., Nisi F., Nocco S., Novello L., Nunziata L., Perini A. P., Parodi A., Pasanisi E. M., Pastorini G., Pavasini R., Pavoni D., Pedone C., Pelliccia F., Pelliciari G., Pelloni E., Pergola V., Perillo G., Petruccelli E., Pezzullo C., Piacentini G., Picardi E., Pinna G., Pizzarelli M., Pizzuti A., Poggi M. M., Posteraro A., Privitera C., Rampazzo D., Ratti C., Rettegno S., Ricci F., Ricci C., Rolando C., Rossi S., Rovera C., Ruggieri R., Russo M. G., Sacchi N., Saladino A., Sani F., Sartori C., Scarabeo V., Sciacqua A., Scillone A., Scopelliti P. A., Scorza A., Scozzafava A., Serafini F., Serra W., Severino S., Simeone B., Sirico D., Solari M., Spadaro G. L., Stefani L., Strangio A., Surace F. C., Tamborini G., Tarquinio N., Tassone E. J., Tavarozzi I., Tchana B., Tedesco G., Tinto M., Torzillo D., Totaro A., Triolo O. F., Troisi F., Tusa M., Vancheri F., Varasano V., Venezia A., Vermi A. C., Villari B., Zampi G., Zannoni J., Zito C., Zugaro A., Di Bella G., Carerj S., Ciampi, Q, Pepi, M, Antonini-Canterin, F, Barbieri, A, Barchitta, A, Faganello, G, Miceli, S, Parato, V, Tota, A, Trocino, G, Abbate, M, Accadia, M, Alemanni, R, Angelini, A, Anglano, F, Anselmi, M, Aquila, I, Aramu, S, Avogadri, E, Azzaro, G, Badano, L, Balducci, A, Ballocca, F, Barbarossa, A, Barbati, G, Barletta, V, Barone, D, Becherini, F, Benfari, G, Beraldi, M, Bergandi, G, Bilardo, G, Binno, S, Bolognesi, M, Bongiovi, S, Bragato, R, Braggion, G, Brancaleoni, R, Bursi, F, Dessalvi, C, Cameli, M, Canu, A, Capitelli, M, Capra, A, Carbonara, R, Carbone, M, Carbonella, M, Carrabba, N, Casavecchia, G, Casula, M, Chesi, E, Cicco, S, Citro, R, Cocchia, R, Colombo, B, Colonna, P, Conte, M, Corrado, G, Cortesi, P, Cortigiani, L, Costantino, M, Cozza, F, Cucchini, U, D'Angelo, M, Ros, S, D'Andrea, F, D'Andrea, A, D'Auria, F, De Caridi, G, De Feo, S, De Matteis, G, De Vecchi, S, Del Giudice, C, Dell'Angela, L, Delli Paoli, L, Dentamaro, I, Destefanis, P, Di Fulvio, M, Di Gaetano, R, Di Giannuario, G, Di Gioia, A, Di Martino, L, Di Muro, C, Di Nora, C, Di Salvo, G, Dodi, C, Dogliani, S, Donati, F, Dottori, M, Epifani, G, Fabiani, I, Ferrara, F, Ferrara, L, Ferrua, S, Filice, G, Fiorino, M, Forno, D, Garini, A, Giarratana, G, Gigantino, G, Giorgi, M, Giubertoni, E, Greco, C, Grigolato, M, Marra, W, Holzl, A, Iaiza, A, Iannaccone, A, Ilardi, F, Imbalzano, E, Inciardi, R, Inserra, C, Iori, E, Izzo, A, La Rosa, G, Labanti, G, Lanzone, A, Lanzoni, L, Lapetina, O, Leiballi, E, Librera, M, Lo Conte, C, Lo Monaco, M, Lombardo, A, Luciani, M, Lusardi, P, Magnante, A, Malagoli, A, Malatesta, G, Mancusi, C, Manes, M, Manganelli, F, Mantovani, F, Manuppelli, V, Marchese, V, Marinacci, L, Mattioli, R, Maurizio, C, Mazza, G, Mazza, S, Melis, M, Meloni, G, Merli, E, Milan, A, Minardi, G, Monaco, A, Monte, I, Montresor, G, Moreo, A, Mori, F, Morini, S, Moro, C, Morrone, D, Negri, F, Nipote, C, Nisi, F, Nocco, S, Novello, L, Nunziata, L, Perini, A, Parodi, A, Pasanisi, E, Pastorini, G, Pavasini, R, Pavoni, D, Pedone, C, Pelliccia, F, Pelliciari, G, Pelloni, E, Pergola, V, Perillo, G, Petruccelli, E, Pezzullo, C, Piacentini, G, Picardi, E, Pinna, G, Pizzarelli, M, Pizzuti, A, Poggi, M, Posteraro, A, Privitera, C, Rampazzo, D, Ratti, C, Rettegno, S, Ricci, F, Ricci, C, Rolando, C, Rossi, S, Rovera, C, Ruggieri, R, Russo, M, Sacchi, N, Saladino, A, Sani, F, Sartori, C, Scarabeo, V, Sciacqua, A, Scillone, A, Scopelliti, P, Scorza, A, Scozzafava, A, Serafini, F, Serra, W, Severino, S, Simeone, B, Sirico, D, Solari, M, Spadaro, G, Stefani, L, Strangio, A, Surace, F, Tamborini, G, Tarquinio, N, Tassone, E, Tavarozzi, I, Tchana, B, Tedesco, G, Tinto, M, Torzillo, D, Totaro, A, Triolo, O, Troisi, F, Tusa, M, Vancheri, F, Varasano, V, Venezia, A, Vermi, A, Villari, B, Zampi, G, Zannoni, J, Zito, C, Zugaro, A, Di Bella, G, Carerj, S, Ciampi Q., Pepi M., Antonini-Canterin F., Barbieri A., Barchitta A., Faganello G., Miceli S., Parato V. M., Tota A., Trocino G., Abbate M., Accadia M., Alemanni R., Angelini A., Anglano F., Anselmi M., Aquila I., Aramu S., Avogadri E., Azzaro G., Badano L., Balducci A., Ballocca F., Barbarossa A., Barbati G., Barletta V., Barone D., Becherini F., Benfari G., Beraldi M., Bergandi G., Bilardo G., Binno S. M., Bolognesi M., Bongiovi S., Bragato R. M., Braggion G., Brancaleoni R., Bursi F., Dessalvi C. C., Cameli M., Canu A., Capitelli M., Capra A. C. M., Carbonara R., Carbone M., Carbonella M., Carrabba N., Casavecchia G., Casula M., Chesi E., Cicco S., Citro R., Cocchia R., Colombo B. M., Colonna P., Conte M., Corrado G., Cortesi P., Cortigiani L., Costantino M. F., Cozza F., Cucchini U., D'Angelo M., Ros S. D., D'Andrea F., D'Andrea A., D'Auria F., De Caridi G., De Feo S., De Matteis G. M., De Vecchi S., Del Giudice C., Dell'Angela L., Delli Paoli L., Dentamaro I., Destefanis P., Di Fulvio M., Di Gaetano R., Di Giannuario G., Di Gioia A., Di Martino L. F. M., Di Muro C., Di Nora C., Di Salvo G., Dodi C., Dogliani S., Donati F., Dottori M., Epifani G., Fabiani I., Ferrara F., Ferrara L., Ferrua S., Filice G., Fiorino M., Forno D., Garini A., Giarratana G. A., Gigantino G., Giorgi M., Giubertoni E., Greco C. A., Grigolato M., Marra W. G., Holzl A., Iaiza A., Iannaccone A., Ilardi F., Imbalzano E., Inciardi R., Inserra C. A., Iori E., Izzo A., La Rosa G., Labanti G., Lanzone A. M., Lanzoni L., Lapetina O., Leiballi E., Librera M., Lo Conte C., Lo Monaco M., Lombardo A., Luciani M., Lusardi P., Magnante A., Malagoli A., Malatesta G., Mancusi C., Manes M. T., Manganelli F., Mantovani F., Manuppelli V., Marchese V., Marinacci L., Mattioli R., Maurizio C., Mazza G. A., Mazza S., Melis M., Meloni G., Merli E., Milan A., Minardi G., Monaco A., Monte I., Montresor G., Moreo A., Mori F., Morini S., Moro C., Morrone D., Negri F., Nipote C., Nisi F., Nocco S., Novello L., Nunziata L., Perini A. P., Parodi A., Pasanisi E. M., Pastorini G., Pavasini R., Pavoni D., Pedone C., Pelliccia F., Pelliciari G., Pelloni E., Pergola V., Perillo G., Petruccelli E., Pezzullo C., Piacentini G., Picardi E., Pinna G., Pizzarelli M., Pizzuti A., Poggi M. M., Posteraro A., Privitera C., Rampazzo D., Ratti C., Rettegno S., Ricci F., Ricci C., Rolando C., Rossi S., Rovera C., Ruggieri R., Russo M. G., Sacchi N., Saladino A., Sani F., Sartori C., Scarabeo V., Sciacqua A., Scillone A., Scopelliti P. A., Scorza A., Scozzafava A., Serafini F., Serra W., Severino S., Simeone B., Sirico D., Solari M., Spadaro G. L., Stefani L., Strangio A., Surace F. C., Tamborini G., Tarquinio N., Tassone E. J., Tavarozzi I., Tchana B., Tedesco G., Tinto M., Torzillo D., Totaro A., Triolo O. F., Troisi F., Tusa M., Vancheri F., Varasano V., Venezia A., Vermi A. C., Villari B., Zampi G., Zannoni J., Zito C., Zugaro A., Di Bella G., and Carerj S.

Abstract

Background: The Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) conducted a national survey to understand better how different echocardiographic modalities are used and accessed in Italy. Methods: We analyzed echocardiography laboratory activities over a month (November 2022). Data were retrieved via an electronic survey based on a structured questionnaire, uploaded on the SIECVI website. Results: Data were obtained from 228 echocardiographic laboratories: 112 centers (49%) in the northern, 43 centers (19%) in the central, and 73 (32%) in the southern regions. During the month of observation, we collected 101,050 transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) examinations performed in all centers. As concern other modalities there were performed 5497 transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examinations in 161/228 centers (71%); 4057 stress echocardiography (SE) examinations in 179/228 centers (79%); and examinations with ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) in 151/228 centers (66%). We did not find significant regional variations between the different modalities. The usage of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) was significantly higher in the northern (84%) versus central (49%) and southern (45%) centers (P < 0.001). Lung ultrasound (LUS) was performed in 154 centers (66%), without difference between cardiology and noncardiology centers. The evaluation of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction was evaluated mainly using the qualitative method in 223 centers (94%), occasionally with the Simpson method in 193 centers (85%), and with selective use of the three-dimensional (3D) method in only 23 centers (10%). 3D TTE was present in 137 centers (70%), and 3D TEE in all centers where TEE was done (71%). The assessment of LV diastolic function was done routinely in 80% of the centers. Right ventricular function was evaluated using tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion in all centers, using tricuspid valve annular systolic velocity by tissue

Published
2023

3. Tear-based vibrational spectroscopy for non-invasive biomarker discovery in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Author

Duse, A, Ambrosio, F, Ami, D, Borghesi, A, Cozza, F, Rolandi, R, Grandori, R, Lunetta, C, Mereghetti, P, Natalello, A, Pezzoli, F, Zeri, F, Ponzini, E, Tavazzi, S, Duse, A, Ambrosio, F, Ami, D, Borghesi, A, Cozza, F, Rolandi, R, Grandori, R, Lunetta, C, Mereghetti, P, Natalello, A, Pezzoli, F, Zeri, F, Ponzini, E, and Tavazzi, S

Abstract

In recent literature, tear's biomarkers analysis through spectroscopic techniques is emerging as a reliable tool to identify neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's syndromes. The focus of this work is to discuss the results of the application of Raman Spectroscopy on tears collected from patients affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), comparing to healthy controls. Showing high specificity and sensitivity, both differential and multivariate analysis have reported differences in spectral components, principally identified in two peaks related to Phenylalanine and Amide I. Furthermore, as distinctive for the neurodegenerative diseases, protein and lipids alterations have been found. The results, being confirmed by a parallel study conducted by infrared (IR) spectroscopy on the same samples, lead to the prospect of defining the technique supportive in the diagnosis of ALS, exploiting tears as a source of biomarkers.

Published
2023

4. Does blue-violet filtering in contact or ophthalmic lenses improve contrast sensitivity?

Author

Tavazzi, S, Borghesi, A, Braga, C, Cozza, F, Rizzo, G, Duse, A, Miglio, F, Nigrotti, G, Ponzini, E, Zeri, F, Tavazzi, S, Borghesi, A, Braga, C, Cozza, F, Rizzo, G, Duse, A, Miglio, F, Nigrotti, G, Ponzini, E, and Zeri, F

Abstract

The effects of blue-violet filtering lenses (yellow lenses) on visual performances and more specifically on contrast sensitivity (CS) are still debated in the literature. In this work, results obtained with contact lenses (CLs) and ophthalmic lenses (OphLs) with different optical properties are compared and discussed. A negative statistically significant (p < 0.05) moderate correlation of the CS variation with different lenses as a function of the CS of the subject with the clearer one was observed. This means that filtering is expected to produce a CS worsening in subjects showing a relatively high initial CS. On the contrary, subjects showing a relatively low initial CS are expected to show a CS improvement.

Published
2023

5. Tear-Based Vibrational Spectroscopy Applied to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Author

Ami, D, Duse, A, Mereghetti, P, Cozza, F, Ambrosio, F, Ponzini, E, Grandori, R, Lunetta, C, Tavazzi, S, Pezzoli, F, Natalello, A, Ami D., Duse A., Mereghetti P., Cozza F., Ambrosio F., Ponzini E., Grandori R., Lunetta C., Tavazzi S., Pezzoli F., Natalello A., Ami, D, Duse, A, Mereghetti, P, Cozza, F, Ambrosio, F, Ponzini, E, Grandori, R, Lunetta, C, Tavazzi, S, Pezzoli, F, Natalello, A, Ami D., Duse A., Mereghetti P., Cozza F., Ambrosio F., Ponzini E., Grandori R., Lunetta C., Tavazzi S., Pezzoli F., and Natalello A.

Abstract

Biofluid analysis by optical spectroscopy techniques is attracting considerable interest due to its potential to revolutionize diagnostics and precision medicine, particularly for neurodegenerative diseases. However, the lack of effective biomarkers combined with the unaccomplished identification of convenient biofluids has drastically hampered optical advancements in clinical diagnosis and monitoring of neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we show that vibrational spectroscopy applied to human tears opens a new route, offering a non-invasive, label-free identification of a devastating disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Our proposed approach has been validated using two widespread techniques, namely, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman microspectroscopies. In conjunction with multivariate analysis, this vibrational approach made it possible to discriminate between tears from ALS patients and healthy controls (HCs) with high specificity (∼97% and ∼100% for FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, respectively) and sensitivity (∼88% and ∼100% for FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, respectively). Additionally, the investigation of tears allowed us to disclose ALS spectroscopic markers related to protein and lipid alterations, as well as to a reduction of the phenylalanine level, in comparison with HCs. Our findings show that vibrational spectroscopy is a new potential ALS diagnostic approach and indicate that tears are a reliable and non-invasive source of ALS biomarkers.

Published
2021

6. Ocular Involvement Occurs Frequently at All Stages of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Preliminary Experience in a Large Italian Cohort

Author

Cozza, F, Lizio, A, Greco, L, Bona, S, Donvito, G, Carraro, E, Tavazzi, S, Ticozzi, N, Poletti, B, Sansone, V, Lunetta, C, Greco, LC, Sansone, VA, Cozza, F, Lizio, A, Greco, L, Bona, S, Donvito, G, Carraro, E, Tavazzi, S, Ticozzi, N, Poletti, B, Sansone, V, Lunetta, C, Greco, LC, and Sansone, VA

Abstract

Background and Purpose The study aimed to obtain optometric findings of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in different stages of the disease, and to determine the relation between ocular data and ALS-related features; that is, functional and cognitive impairment and staging. Methods The optometric protocol included tests of the ocular motility [broad-H test and Northeastern State University College of Optometry (NSUCO) test], near point of convergence (NPC), error refraction, best-corrected visual acuity, and binocular visual alignment, and an ocular symptoms questionnaire. The functional measures included the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale–revised (ALSFRS-r) and Milano-Torino staging (Mi-ToS), and cognitive impairment was assessed using the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS). Demographic and clinical features were also collected, including wheth-er the patients used an eye-tracking communication device (ETCD). Results Two-hundred consecutive ALS patients (median age of 64 years, 118 males and 82 females) in different stages of disease were recruited. Nearly 70% of patients reported at least one ocular symptom, and the use of an ETCD was found to be significantly related to the presence of most symptoms. Moreover, the severely symptomatic group was characterized by significantly lower ALSFRS-r total and subscale scores, and higher MiToS. Abnormal NPC values were significantly related to lower ALSFRS-r total and bulbar-subscale scores. Patients with acceptable NSUCO test values exhibited significantly higher ECAS scores. Conclusions The presence of ocular alteration in patients in different stages of ALS supports the idea that this is a multisystem disorder and emphasizes the importance of optometric evalua-tions in multidisciplinary assessments to address ocular impairment early in the disease process.

Published
2021

7. The effects of two longpass filters on visual performance

Author

Cozza, F, Monzio Compagnoni, M, Airoldi, C, Braga, C, Nigrotti, G, Vlasak, N, Larcher, S, Zeri, F, Tavazzi, S, Cozza, F, Monzio Compagnoni, M, Airoldi, C, Braga, C, Nigrotti, G, Vlasak, N, Larcher, S, Zeri, F, and Tavazzi, S

Abstract

Purpose: This study compared visual performance and optical properties of three filters. Method: Two groups of twenty adults were recruited: wearers of progressive addition lenses (PAL, 46–73 years) and wearers of single vision lenses (SVL, 26–55 years). Three spectacle filters (Hoya, Japan) were compared: clear control, Standard Drive (STD), and Professional Drive (PRO) lenses. Optical transmittance was measured by a Jasco V-650 spectrophotometer. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured in photopic (BCVAphotopic) and mesopic (BCVAmesopic) conditions and under glare (BCVAglare). Photopic contrast sensitivity (CS) was also measured. Results: The three longpass filters show cutoff at 426 ± 2 nm (STD/PRO) and 405 ± 2 nm (clear lens). BCVAglare improved with Drive filters compared to the clear one (p < 0.05) from 0.03 to -0.02 (STD) and to -0.01 (PRO) for PAL and from -0.08 to -0.12 (STD and PRO) for SVL. For PAL, BCVAmesopic improved from 0.15 to 0.12 (STD, p < 0.05) and 0.13 (PRO), while no substantial difference was observed for SVL. CS showed some improvements with Drive lenses at some angular frequencies between 6 and 18 cycles/deg, mainly for the PAL group. No BCVAphotopic differences were found. After testing all filters, each for two weeks, 79% (PAL) and 60% (SVL) of participants preferred Drive lenses. Conclusions: Drive lenses are found to maintain or improve some visual functions compared to the clear lens. The improvement of mesopic visual acuity, visual acuity under glare, and contrast sensitivity is mainly attributed to the reduction of intraocular light scattering as a consequence of the total light attenuation in the spectral range below the cutoff.

Published
2020

8. Slit-lamp based assessment of peripheral versus central regions of the human corneal endothelium

Author

Tavazzi, S, Cozza, F, Colciago, S, Zeri, F, Tavazzi, S, Cozza, F, Colciago, S, and Zeri, F

Abstract

Purpose: : To compare the central and peripheral (< 2 mm from the limbus) endothelial regions of the human cornea of young contact lens (CL) neophytes, in terms of endothelial cell density (ECD), polymorphism through cell hexagonality (HEX), and polymegethism through the coefficient of variation of cell areas (CoV). Materials and methods: : In vivo, central, temporal, and nasal ECDs, HEXs, and CoVs were determined for thirty healthy right eyes (age: 22–30 years) using a Takagi 700 G L LED slit-lamp biomicroscope equipped with the centre-dot EndoKer© for the analysis of endothelium images. Results: : The mean central ECD (2586 ± 233 mm−2) was lower than peripheral ECDs (nasal 2733 ± 225 mm−2, temporal 2674 ± 260 mm−2) (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). The mean central HEX (53.0 ± 4.6%) was lower than peripheral HEXs (nasal 57.2 ± 4.3%, temporal 57.1 ± 4.5%) (both p < 0.005), while the mean central CoV (28.2 ± 2.5%) was higher than peripheral CoVs (nasal 25.8 ± 2.2%, temporal 26.1 ± 2.2%) (both p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: : In young healthy non-CL wearers, the peripheral corneal endothelium displays a higher ECD and significantly better cell regularity (higher HEX and lower CoV) compared to the central cornea. A clinical evaluation of the corneal endothelium requires, therefore, a full characterization of the different areas.

Published
2020

10. P1458 Recurrent endocarditis on mitral valve prosthesis

Author

Suma, S, primary, Spaziani, C, additional, Manca, T, additional, Ramelli, A, additional, Vezzani, A, additional, Nicolini, F, additional, Gherli, T, additional, Brambilla, V, additional, Sartorio, D, additional, Botti, A, additional, Cozza, F, additional, Garibaldi, S, additional, and Gaibazzi, N, additional

Published
2020
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14. Variable-Size Bead Layer as Standard Reference for Endothelial Microscopes

Author

Tufo, S, Prazzoli, E, Ferraro, L, Cozza, F, Borghesi, A, Tavazzi, S, FERRARO, LORENZO, COZZA, FEDERICA, BORGHESI, ALESSANDRO, TAVAZZI, SILVIA, Tufo, S, Prazzoli, E, Ferraro, L, Cozza, F, Borghesi, A, Tavazzi, S, FERRARO, LORENZO, COZZA, FEDERICA, BORGHESI, ALESSANDRO, and TAVAZZI, SILVIA

Abstract

Purpose: For morphometric analysis of the cell mosaic of corneal endothelium, checking accuracy and precision of instrumentation is a key step. In this study, a standard reference sample is proposed, developed to reproduce the cornea with its shape and the endothelium with its intrinsic variability in the cell size. Methods: A polystyrene bead layer (representing the endothelium) was deposited on a lens (representing the cornea). Bead diameters were 20, 25, and 30 m (fractions in number 55%, 30%, and 15%, respectively). Bead density and hexagonality were simulated to obtain the expected true values and measured using a slit-lamp endothelial microscope applied to 1) a Takagi 700GL slit lamp at 40× magnification (recommended standard setup) and 2) a Takagi 2ZL slit lamp at 25× magnification. Results: The simulation provided the expected bead density 2001 mm-2 and hexagonality 47%. At 40×, density and hexagonality were measured to be 2009 mm-2 (SD 93 mm-2) and 45% (SD 3%). At 25× on a different slit lamp, the comparison between measured and expected densities provided the factor 1.526 to resize the image and to use the current algorithms of the slit-lamp endothelial microscope for cell recognition. Conclusions: A variable-size polystyrene bead layer on a lens is proposed as a standard sample mimicking the real shape of the cornea and the variability of cell size and cell arrangement of corneal endothelium. The sample is suggested to evaluate accuracy and precision of cell density and hexagonality obtained by different endothelial microscopes, including a slit-lamp endothelial microscope applied to different slit lamps, also at different magnifications

Published
2017

15. Morphometric analyses by a new slit-lamp endothelial biomicroscope

Author

Ferraro, L, Cozza, F, Scialdone, A, Borghesi, A, Tavazzi, S, FERRARO, LORENZO, COZZA, FEDERICA, BORGHESI, ALESSANDRO, TAVAZZI, SILVIA, Ferraro, L, Cozza, F, Scialdone, A, Borghesi, A, Tavazzi, S, FERRARO, LORENZO, COZZA, FEDERICA, BORGHESI, ALESSANDRO, and TAVAZZI, SILVIA

Abstract

Purpose: A method called EndoKer was recently devised for the morphometric analysis of the cell mosaic of the corneal endothelium. Fully automatic cell recognition is performed on images acquired by a slit-lamp biomicroscope. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the EndoKer results. Methods: Analyses were performed on a polystyrene bead layer stratified on a contact lens and in vivo on 30 adults. Accuracy was evaluated by comparing the results of EndoKer with the true values obtained by manual counting of the cells in the same images. EndoKer results were also compared with those obtained with the Tomey EM3000 microscope. Results: The accuracy of the results compared with the manual counting on the same images showed a difference of a few percent for the cell density and for hexagonality. This high accuracy derives from (1) the resolution of the slit-lamp images and (2) the improved cell recognition of the fully automatic method. A good agreement was also found between EndoKer and the Tomey EM3000 microscope results. Conclusions: Based on the investigated 30 cases, the slit-lamp biomicroscope may be a viable alternative to dedicated endothelial instruments, providing the additional advantages of a larger investigated area and the possibility to take images of different portions of the cornea. The calibration was performed during the development of the method by using polystyrene beads. The user is not required to perform this calibration. However, such a calibrated sample is suggested for those interested.

Published
2016

16. Mechanically triggered solute uptake in soft contact lenses

Author

Tavazzi, S, Ferraro, L, Fagnola, M, Cozza, F, Farris, F, Bonetti, S, Simonutti, R, Borghesi, A, TAVAZZI, SILVIA, FERRARO, LORENZO, FAGNOLA, MATTEO, COZZA, FEDERICA, BONETTI, SIMONE, SIMONUTTI, ROBERTO, BORGHESI, ALESSANDRO, Tavazzi, S, Ferraro, L, Fagnola, M, Cozza, F, Farris, F, Bonetti, S, Simonutti, R, Borghesi, A, TAVAZZI, SILVIA, FERRARO, LORENZO, FAGNOLA, MATTEO, COZZA, FEDERICA, BONETTI, SIMONE, SIMONUTTI, ROBERTO, and BORGHESI, ALESSANDRO

Abstract

Molecular arrangement plays a role in the diffusion of water and solutes across soft contact lenses. In particular, the uptake of solutes in hydrated contact lenses can occur as long as free water is available for diffusion. In this work, we investigated the effect of mechanical vibrations of low frequency (200. Hz) on the solute uptake. Hyaluronan, a polysaccharide of ophthalmic use, was taken as example of solute of interest. For a specific water-hydrated hydrogel material, differential scanning calorimetry experiments showed that a large fraction of the hydration water accounted for loosely-bound water, both before and after one week of daily-wear of the lenses. The size (of the order of magnitude of few hundreds of nanometers) of hyaluronan in aqueous solution was found to be less than the size of the pores of the lens observed by scanning electron microscopy. However, solute uptake in already-hydrated lenses was negligible by simple immersion, while a significant increase occurred under mechanical vibrations of 200. Hz, thus providing experimental evidence of mechanically triggered enhanced solute uptake, which is attributed to the release of interfacial loosely-bound water. Also other materials were taken into consideration. However, the effectiveness of mechanical vibrations for hyaluronan uptake is restricted to lenses containing interfacial loosely-bound water. Indeed, loosely-bound water is expected to be bound to the polymer with bonding energies of the order of magnitude of 10-100. J/g, which are compatible with the energy input supplied by the vibrations.

Published
2015

17. Wear effects on microscopic morphology and hyaluronan uptake in siloxane-hydrogel contact lenses

Author

Tavazzi, S, Tonveronachi, M, Fagnola, M, Cozza, F, Ferraro, L, Borghesi, A, Ascagni, M, Farris, S, TAVAZZI, SILVIA, FAGNOLA, MATTEO, COZZA, FEDERICA, FERRARO, LORENZO, BORGHESI, ALESSANDRO, Farris, S., Tavazzi, S, Tonveronachi, M, Fagnola, M, Cozza, F, Ferraro, L, Borghesi, A, Ascagni, M, Farris, S, TAVAZZI, SILVIA, FAGNOLA, MATTEO, COZZA, FEDERICA, FERRARO, LORENZO, BORGHESI, ALESSANDRO, and Farris, S.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was a comparison between new and worn siloxane-hydrogel contact lenses in terms of microscopic structure, surface morphology, and loading of hyaluronan. The analyses were performed by scanning electron microscopy, with the support of the freeze-drying technique, and by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Along the depth profile of new lenses, a thin porous top layer was observed, which corresponds to the region of hyaluronan penetration inside well-defined channels. The time evolution was followed from one day to two weeks of daily wear, when a completely different scenario was found. Clear experimental evidence of a buggy surface was observed with several crests and regions of swelling, which could be filled by the hyaluronan solution. The modifications are attributed to the progressive relaxation of the structure of the polymeric network.

Published
2015

18. P130 FINGER ISCHEMIA IN A YOUNG LADY: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED FROM A PAPILLARY FIBRO–ELASTOMA

Author

Pernigo, M, Dinatolo, E, Cirillo, M, Mhagna, Z, Cozza, F, Berti, M, Cuccia, C, and Troise, G

Abstract

Case presentation: In December 2022, A 32–y old women presented to the emergency department of our institution for pain and acrocyanosis of the 3rd and 4th finger of the right hand, compared abruptly 10 hours before. Physical examination was otherwise normal, she was apyretic. Her previous medical history was unremarkable, she did not take any medication and was a light smoker. Blood samples including blood count, platelets, coagulation tests, liver and kidney function, and inflammatory markers were normal. An echocardiogram was prescribed to rule out significant cardiovascular disease. The exam showed: normal left and right ventricular dimensions and systolic function, and absence of significant valvular disease. A highly mobile, iso–echoic mass was noted inside the left ventricle, with a major diameter of 8 mm; it was attached to the antero–lateral papillary muscle, not involving the mitral valve leaflets, and it had a frond–like appearance. Findings were consistent with a fibroelastoma (PFE; figure 1, 2). Doppler examination excluded pathology of ascending aorta, right subclavian artery, and demonstrated patency of arteries of the right arm and right hand. The case was compatible with peripheral embolization from the cardiac mass. A cardiac CT scan confirmed the echo findings and ruled out significant coronary disease. The patient underwent cardiac surgery two days later. With median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass, the left ventricle was reached through aortotomy. A multilobular yellowish mass was seen attached to the antero–lateral papillary muscle, and was completely resected (figure 3); chordae tendineae were preserved. Macroscopic examination (figure 3) and histological findings confirmed the diagnosis of PFE. Post operative course was unremarkable.

Published
2023
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19. Hydrogen peroxide mechanosynthesis in siloxane-hydrogel contact lenses

Author

Tavazzi, S, Ferraro, L, Cozza, F, Pastori, V, Lecchi, M, Farris, S, Borghesi, A, TAVAZZI, SILVIA, FERRARO, LORENZO, COZZA, FEDERICA, PASTORI, VALENTINA, LECCHI, MARZIA MARIA, BORGHESI, ALESSANDRO, Tavazzi, S, Ferraro, L, Cozza, F, Pastori, V, Lecchi, M, Farris, S, Borghesi, A, TAVAZZI, SILVIA, FERRARO, LORENZO, COZZA, FEDERICA, PASTORI, VALENTINA, LECCHI, MARZIA MARIA, and BORGHESI, ALESSANDRO

Abstract

Drug-loaded contact lenses are emerging as the preferred treatment method for several ocular diseases, and efforts are being directed to promote extended and controlled delivery. One strategy is based on delivery induced by environmental triggers. One of these triggers can be hydrogen peroxide, since many platforms based on drug-loaded nanoparticles were demonstrated to be hydrogen-peroxide responsive. This is particularly interesting when hydrogen peroxide is the result of a specific pathophysiological condition. Otherwise, an alternative route to induce drug delivery is here proposed, namely the mechano-synthesis. The present work represents the proof-of-concept of the mechanosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide in siloxane-hydrogel contact lenses as a consequence of the cleavage of siloxane bonds at the interface between the polymer and water in aqueous phase. Their spongy morphology makes contact lenses promising systems for mechanical-to-chemical energy conversion, since the amount of hydrogen peroxide is expected to scale with the interfacial area between the polymer and water. The eyelid pressure during wear is sufficient to induce the hydrogen peroxide synthesis with concentrations which are biocompatible and suitable to trigger the drug release through hydrogen-peroxide-responsive platforms. For possible delivery on demand, the integration of piezoelectric polymers in the siloxanehydrogel contact lenses could be designed, whose mechanical deformation could be induced by an applied wireless-controlled voltage. (Figure Presented).

Published
2014

35. Ocular Involvement Occurs Frequently at All Stages of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Preliminary Experience in a Large Italian Cohort

Author

Elena Carraro, Stefania Bona, Christian Lunetta, Andrea Lizio, Giordana Donvito, Valeria A. Sansone, Silvia Tavazzi, Nicola Ticozzi, Federica Cozza, Lucia Greco, Barbara Poletti, Cozza, F, Lizio, A, Greco, L, Bona, S, Donvito, G, Carraro, E, Tavazzi, S, Ticozzi, N, Poletti, B, Sansone, V, and Lunetta, C

Subjects
Pediatrics, medicine.medical_specialty, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Visual acuity, ocular motility, Milano-Torino staging, Near point, Disease, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, medicine, Disease process, amyotrophic lateral sclerosi, 030212 general & internal medicine, optometric analysi, Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, optometric analysis, business.industry, Ocular motility, Cognition, medicine.disease, Neurology, Cohort, visual system, Original Article, Neurology (clinical), medicine.symptom, business, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Abstract

Background and purpose The study aimed to obtain optometric findings of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in different stages of the disease, and to determine the relation between ocular data and ALS-related features; that is, functional and cognitive impairment and staging. Methods The optometric protocol included tests of the ocular motility [broad-H test and Northeastern State University College of Optometry (NSUCO) test], near point of convergence (NPC), error refraction, best-corrected visual acuity, and binocular visual alignment, and an ocular symptoms questionnaire. The functional measures included the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-r) and Milano-Torino staging (MiToS), and cognitive impairment was assessed using the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS). Demographic and clinical features were also collected, including whether the patients used an eye-tracking communication device (ETCD). Results Two-hundred consecutive ALS patients (median age of 64 years, 118 males and 82 females) in different stages of disease were recruited. Nearly 70% of patients reported at least one ocular symptom, and the use of an ETCD was found to be significantly related to the presence of most symptoms. Moreover, the severely symptomatic group was characterized by significantly lower ALSFRS-r total and subscale scores, and higher MiToS. Abnormal NPC values were significantly related to lower ALSFRS-r total and bulbar-subscale scores. Patients with acceptable NSUCO test values exhibited significantly higher ECAS scores. Conclusions The presence of ocular alteration in patients in different stages of ALS supports the idea that this is a multisystem disorder and emphasizes the importance of optometric evaluations in multidisciplinary assessments to address ocular impairment early in the disease process.

Published
2021

36. Tear-Based Vibrational Spectroscopy Applied to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Author

Diletta Ami, Alessandro Duse, Paolo Mereghetti, Federica Cozza, Francesca Ambrosio, Erika Ponzini, Rita Grandori, Christian Lunetta, Silvia Tavazzi, Fabio Pezzoli, Antonino Natalello, Ami, D, Duse, A, Mereghetti, P, Cozza, F, Ambrosio, F, Ponzini, E, Grandori, R, Lunetta, C, Tavazzi, S, Pezzoli, F, and Natalello, A

Subjects
spectroscopy, Raman, Fourier transform infrared, amyotrophic lateral sclerosi, Tears, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared, Humans, Spectrum Analysis, Raman, Vibration, Article, Biomarkers, Analytical Chemistry
Abstract

Biofluid analysis by optical spectroscopy techniques is attracting considerable interest due to its potential to revolutionize diagnostics and precision medicine, particularly for neurodegenerative diseases. However, the lack of effective biomarkers combined with the unaccomplished identification of convenient biofluids has drastically hampered optical advancements in clinical diagnosis and monitoring of neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we show that vibrational spectroscopy applied to human tears opens a new route, offering a non-invasive, label-free identification of a devastating disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Our proposed approach has been validated using two widespread techniques, namely, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman microspectroscopies. In conjunction with multivariate analysis, this vibrational approach made it possible to discriminate between tears from ALS patients and healthy controls (HCs) with high specificity (∼97% and ∼100% for FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, respectively) and sensitivity (∼88% and ∼100% for FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, respectively). Additionally, the investigation of tears allowed us to disclose ALS spectroscopic markers related to protein and lipid alterations, as well as to a reduction of the phenylalanine level, in comparison with HCs. Our findings show that vibrational spectroscopy is a new potential ALS diagnostic approach and indicate that tears are a reliable and non-invasive source of ALS biomarkers.

Published
2021

37. The effects of two longpass filters on visual performance

Author

Chiara Airoldi, Chiara Rosa Giuseppina Braga, Natalia Vlasak, Silvia Tavazzi, Silvano Larcher, Federica Cozza, Matteo Monzio Compagnoni, Fabrizio Zeri, Gabriele Nigrotti, Cozza, F, Monzio Compagnoni, M, Airoldi, C, Braga, C, Nigrotti, G, Vlasak, N, Larcher, S, Zeri, F, and Tavazzi, S

Subjects
Adult, Male, medicine.medical_specialty, Original article, Optics and Photonics, Longpa, Visual acuity, genetic structures, Mesopic vision, media_common.quotation_subject, Longpass, Mesopic Vision, Optical transmittance, Glare, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, Macular pigment, Ophthalmology, medicine, Contrast (vision), Cutoff, Humans, Contrast sensitivity, Agudeza visual, contrast sensitivity, glare, longpass, macular pigment, visual acuity, media_common, Mathematics, Aged, Glare (vision), Light attenuation, Deslumbramiento, Middle Aged, eye diseases, Eyeglasses, 030221 ophthalmology & optometry, Pigmento macular, Female, sense organs, medicine.symptom, Sensibilidad de contraste, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery, Filtration, Optometry, Photopic vision
Abstract

Purpose: This study compared visual performance and optical properties of three filters. Method: Two groups of twenty adults were recruited: wearers of progressive addition lenses (PAL, 46–73 years) and wearers of single vision lenses (SVL, 26–55 years). Three spectacle filters (Hoya, Japan) were compared: clear control, Standard Drive (STD), and Professional Drive (PRO) lenses. Optical transmittance was measured by a Jasco V-650 spectrophotometer. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured in photopic (BCVAphotopic) and mesopic (BCVAmesopic) conditions and under glare (BCVAglare). Photopic contrast sensitivity (CS) was also measured. Results: The three longpass filters show cutoff at 426 ± 2 nm (STD/PRO) and 405 ± 2 nm (clear lens). BCVAglare improved with Drive filters compared to the clear one (p < 0.05) from 0.03 to -0.02 (STD) and to -0.01 (PRO) for PAL and from -0.08 to -0.12 (STD and PRO) for SVL. For PAL, BCVAmesopic improved from 0.15 to 0.12 (STD, p < 0.05) and 0.13 (PRO), while no substantial difference was observed for SVL. CS showed some improvements with Drive lenses at some angular frequencies between 6 and 18 cycles/deg, mainly for the PAL group. No BCVAphotopic differences were found. After testing all filters, each for two weeks, 79% (PAL) and 60% (SVL) of participants preferred Drive lenses. Conclusions: Drive lenses are found to maintain or improve some visual functions compared to the clear lens. The improvement of mesopic visual acuity, visual acuity under glare, and contrast sensitivity is mainly attributed to the reduction of intraocular light scattering as a consequence of the total light attenuation in the spectral range below the cutoff.

Published
2020

38. Variable-Size Bead Layer as Standard Reference for Endothelial Microscopes

Author

Simona Tufo, Federica Cozza, Erica Prazzoli, Silvia Tavazzi, Alessandro Borghesi, Lorenzo Ferraro, Tufo, S, Prazzoli, E, Ferraro, L, Cozza, F, Borghesi, A, and Tavazzi, S

Subjects
Adult, Male, Corneal endothelium, Accuracy and precision, Materials science, Microscope, genetic structures, Magnification, Cell Count, Slit Lamp Microscopy, law.invention, Bead (woodworking), Young Adult, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, Optics, endothelial microscope, law, cornea, Cornea, medicine, Humans, 030212 general & internal medicine, Slit lamp, accuracy, business.industry, Endothelium, Corneal, Reproducibility of Results, Reference Standards, Microspheres, eye diseases, Lens (optics), Ophthalmology, medicine.anatomical_structure, 030221 ophthalmology & optometry, Polystyrenes, Female, sense organs, business
Abstract

Purpose: For morphometric analysis of the cell mosaic of corneal endothelium, checking accuracy and precision of instrumentation is a key step. In this study, a standard reference sample is proposed, developed to reproduce the cornea with its shape and the endothelium with its intrinsic variability in the cell size. Methods: A polystyrene bead layer (representing the endothelium) was deposited on a lens (representing the cornea). Bead diameters were 20, 25, and 30 m (fractions in number 55%, 30%, and 15%, respectively). Bead density and hexagonality were simulated to obtain the expected true values and measured using a slit-lamp endothelial microscope applied to 1) a Takagi 700GL slit lamp at 40× magnification (recommended standard setup) and 2) a Takagi 2ZL slit lamp at 25× magnification. Results: The simulation provided the expected bead density 2001 mm-2 and hexagonality 47%. At 40×, density and hexagonality were measured to be 2009 mm-2 (SD 93 mm-2) and 45% (SD 3%). At 25× on a different slit lamp, the comparison between measured and expected densities provided the factor 1.526 to resize the image and to use the current algorithms of the slit-lamp endothelial microscope for cell recognition. Conclusions: A variable-size polystyrene bead layer on a lens is proposed as a standard sample mimicking the real shape of the cornea and the variability of cell size and cell arrangement of corneal endothelium. The sample is suggested to evaluate accuracy and precision of cell density and hexagonality obtained by different endothelial microscopes, including a slit-lamp endothelial microscope applied to different slit lamps, also at different magnifications

Published
2017

39. Slit-lamp based assessment of peripheral versus central regions of the human corneal endothelium

Author

Sara Colciago, Silvia Tavazzi, Federica Cozza, Fabrizio Zeri, Tavazzi, S, Cozza, F, Colciago, S, and Zeri, F

Subjects
Adult, Male, Corneal endothelium, medicine.medical_specialty, genetic structures, Endothelium, Cell Count, Corneal endothelium cell density, Slit Lamp Microscopy, Slit lamp biomicroscope, Young Adult, In vivo, Ophthalmology, Medicine, Humans, Cell Shape, Cell Size, Slit lamp, Central and peripheral cornea, business.industry, Endothelium, Corneal, General Medicine, Polymegethism and polymorphism, Peripheral, medicine.anatomical_structure, Female, Central cornea, business, Clinical evaluation, Optometry
Abstract

Purpose: : To compare the central and peripheral (< 2 mm from the limbus) endothelial regions of the human cornea of young contact lens (CL) neophytes, in terms of endothelial cell density (ECD), polymorphism through cell hexagonality (HEX), and polymegethism through the coefficient of variation of cell areas (CoV). Materials and methods: : In vivo, central, temporal, and nasal ECDs, HEXs, and CoVs were determined for thirty healthy right eyes (age: 22–30 years) using a Takagi 700 G L LED slit-lamp biomicroscope equipped with the centre-dot EndoKer© for the analysis of endothelium images. Results: : The mean central ECD (2586 ± 233 mm−2) was lower than peripheral ECDs (nasal 2733 ± 225 mm−2, temporal 2674 ± 260 mm−2) (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). The mean central HEX (53.0 ± 4.6%) was lower than peripheral HEXs (nasal 57.2 ± 4.3%, temporal 57.1 ± 4.5%) (both p < 0.005), while the mean central CoV (28.2 ± 2.5%) was higher than peripheral CoVs (nasal 25.8 ± 2.2%, temporal 26.1 ± 2.2%) (both p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: : In young healthy non-CL wearers, the peripheral corneal endothelium displays a higher ECD and significantly better cell regularity (higher HEX and lower CoV) compared to the central cornea. A clinical evaluation of the corneal endothelium requires, therefore, a full characterization of the different areas.

Published
2019

40. Criticality of the measurement of corneal thickness in specular reflection by digital biomicroscope

Author

Arianna Marelli, Federica Cozza, Ivan Roberto De Vita, Silvia Tavazzi, Marelli, A, De Vita, I, Cozza, F, and Tavazzi, S

Subjects
Adult, Male, Slit-lamp biomicroscope, Specular reflection, Adolescent, Corneal Pachymetry, media_common.quotation_subject, Curvature, Slit Lamp Microscopy, Asymmetry, law.invention, Slit lamp biomicroscope, Corneal Diseases, Cornea, 03 medical and health sciences, Young Adult, 0302 clinical medicine, Optics, law, Glass slide, Humans, Corneal thickne, media_common, Retrospective Studies, Physics, business.industry, Corneal Topography, Reproducibility of Results, Pachymetry, General Medicine, Radius, Lens (optics), Ophthalmology, Calibration, 030221 ophthalmology & optometry, Female, business, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery, Optometry
Abstract

Purpose The aim was to evaluate the effects on corneal thickness (t) measurement, of asymmetry of the CCD position for a digital biomicroscope in specular reflection. Methods t was deduced from the distance between reflexes from anterior and posterior corneal surfaces using a biomicroscope (Takagi SM70 N), with the illuminator either, (a) farther from sensor side (150 eyes) or, (b) closer to it (134 eyes). The distance between reflexes was also measured on a glass slide and a reference lens, with nominal thicknesses of 1580 and 520 μm, respectively. Corneal thickness (tPACH) was also measured by pachymeter (Canon TX-20 P). Results When biomicroscope asymmetry was ignored, t for the glass slide was (a) 1760 and (b) 1404 μm. Correcting for the asymmetry provided corresponding values of 1588 and 1591 μm. For the lens, t was (a) 696 and (b) 543 μm, or 642 and 497 μm, when using the approximation of parallel surfaces (APS). Correcting for the asymmetry gave 565 and 552 μm (578 and 564 μm, with APS). Mean corneal t was (a) 560 and (b) 467 μm, (564 and 468 μm, with APS). Correcting for asymmetry gave (a) 506 and (b) 529 μm (508 and 530 μm, with APS). Mean tPACH was 552 μm. Conclusion Biomicroscope asymmetry critically affects corneal thickness measurement in specular reflection. Induced errors can be accounted for and corrected, however. While the correction to the curvature radius is clinically relevant, it plays a minor role compared to asymmetry.

Published
2018

41. Care system versus transmitted light wavefront pattern of contact lenses

Author

Stefano Chiericati, Stefano Farris, Lorenzo Ferraro, Silvia Tavazzi, Federica Cozza, Maurizio Acciarri, Alessandro Borghesi, Chiericati, S, Borghesi, A, Cozza, F, Ferraro, L, Acciarri, M, Farris, S, and Tavazzi, S

Subjects
0301 basic medicine, Materials science, Contact Lenses, Scanning electron microscope, 030106 microbiology, Transmitted light, Optical Storage Devices, Optical storage, Root mean square, 03 medical and health sciences, chemistry.chemical_compound, 0302 clinical medicine, Optics, Materials Testing, Microscopy, Humans, Hydrogen peroxide, Wavefront, business.industry, Lotrafilcon B, Ophthalmology, chemistry, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning, 030221 ophthalmology & optometry, Equipment Contamination, Contact Lens Solutions, business
Abstract

Objectives: This article compares the optical performance of soft contact lenses (CLs) treated with multipurpose or hydrogen peroxide care systems. Methods: The investigated care systems were (1) 3% hydrogen peroxide solution Oxysept (Abbot Medical Optics, Abbott Park, IL) and (2) multipurpose solution Regard (Vita Research, Ariccia, Italy). Three types of silicone hydrogel CLs were studied (comfilcon A, lotrafilcon B, and balafilcon A), unworn and exposed for 30 times to the solutions, which were replaced every 8 hr. The optical performance of the CLs was evaluated through the on-eye transmitted light wavefront patterns by considering new CLs as references. The surface morphology of the CLs was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Results: Statistically significant modifications in the range 0.1 to 0.3 μm of Zernicke coefficients and modifications of the root mean square of the wavefront aberration function were found for CLs treated with multipurpose solution, in agreement with the observed modifications of the surface morphology. Statistically significant changes were also found after exposure to the hydrogen peroxide solution, but the variation of the Zernicke coefficients was found lower than 0.1 μm, thus being negligible in CL optical performances. Conclusions: In addition to disinfection ability and ocular surface reactions, CL care systems are different in solution-related CL optical performance. Multipurpose solutions may affect the CL surface morphology with significant modifications of the transmitted light wavefront pattern.

Published
2017

42. Hydrogen Peroxide Mechanosynthesis in Siloxane-Hydrogel Contact Lenses

Author

Alessandro Borghesi, Marzia Lecchi, Federica Cozza, Lorenzo Ferraro, Stefano Farris, Valentina Pastori, Silvia Tavazzi, Tavazzi, S, Ferraro, L, Cozza, F, Pastori, V, Lecchi, M, Farris, S, and Borghesi, A

Subjects
Materials science, Eye Diseases, Siloxanes, Contact Lenses, Nanoparticle, Nanotechnology, Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate, Fenton reaction, chemistry.chemical_compound, Drug Delivery Systems, Controlled delivery, Humans, General Materials Science, Hydrogen peroxide, Mechanochemistry, chemistry.chemical_classification, Aqueous two-phase system, Hydrogen Peroxide, Polymer, Water/polymer interface, Contact lense, chemistry, Chemical engineering, Siloxane, Drug delivery, Materials Science (all), Mechanosynthesis
Abstract

Drug-loaded contact lenses are emerging as the preferred treatment method for several ocular diseases, and efforts are being directed to promote extended and controlled delivery. One strategy is based on delivery induced by environmental triggers. One of these triggers can be hydrogen peroxide, since many platforms based on drug-loaded nanoparticles were demonstrated to be hydrogen-peroxide responsive. This is particularly interesting when hydrogen peroxide is the result of a specific pathophysiological condition. Otherwise, an alternative route to induce drug delivery is here proposed, namely the mechano-synthesis. The present work represents the proof-of-concept of the mechanosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide in siloxane-hydrogel contact lenses as a consequence of the cleavage of siloxane bonds at the interface between the polymer and water in aqueous phase. Their spongy morphology makes contact lenses promising systems for mechanical-to-chemical energy conversion, since the amount of hydrogen peroxide is expected to scale with the interfacial area between the polymer and water. The eyelid pressure during wear is sufficient to induce the hydrogen peroxide synthesis with concentrations which are biocompatible and suitable to trigger the drug release through hydrogen-peroxide-responsive platforms. For possible delivery on demand, the integration of piezoelectric polymers in the siloxanehydrogel contact lenses could be designed, whose mechanical deformation could be induced by an applied wireless-controlled voltage. (Figure Presented).

Published
2014

43. Morphometric analyses by a new slit-lamp endothelial biomicroscope

Author

Alessandro Borghesi, Antonio Scialdone, Federica Cozza, Lorenzo Ferraro, Silvia Tavazzi, Ferraro, L, Cozza, F, Scialdone, A, Borghesi, A, and Tavazzi, S

Subjects
Adult, Male, Corneal endothelium, Microscope, Materials science, Image processing, Cell Count, law.invention, 03 medical and health sciences, Young Adult, 0302 clinical medicine, Optics, law, Cornea, medicine, Calibration, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Slit-lamp, Humans, Accuracy, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Slit lamp, Slit Lamp, business.industry, Endothelial microscope, Resolution (electron density), Endothelium, Corneal, Reproducibility of Results, Middle Aged, Microspheres, Contact lens, Ophthalmology, medicine.anatomical_structure, 030221 ophthalmology & optometry, Polystyrenes, Female, business, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery, Biomedical engineering
Abstract

Purpose A method called EndoKer was recently devised for the morphometric analysis of the cell mosaic of the corneal endothelium. Fully automatic cell recognition is performed on images acquired by a slit-lamp biomicroscope. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the EndoKer results. Methods Analyses were performed on a polystyrene bead layer stratified on a contact lens and in vivo on 30 adults. Accuracy was evaluated by comparing the results of EndoKer with the true values obtained by manual counting of the cells in the same images. EndoKer results were also compared with those obtained with the Tomey EM3000 microscope. Results The accuracy of the results compared with the manual counting on the same images showed a difference of a few percent for the cell density and for hexagonality. This high accuracy derives from (1) the resolution of the slit-lamp images and (2) the improved cell recognition of the fully automatic method. A good agreement was also found between EndoKer and the Tomey EM3000 microscope results. Conclusions Based on the investigated 30 cases, the slit-lamp biomicroscope may be a viable alternative to dedicated endothelial instruments, providing the additional advantages of a larger investigated area and the possibility to take images of different portions of the cornea. The calibration was performed during the development of the method by using polystyrene beads. The user is not required to perform this calibration. However, such a calibrated sample is suggested for those interested.

Published
2016

44. Wear effects on microscopic morphology and hyaluronan uptake in siloxane-hydrogel contact lenses

Author

Silvia, Tavazzi, Martina, Tonveronachi, Matteo, Fagnola, Federica, Cozza, Lorenzo, Ferraro, Alessandro, Borghesi, Miriam, Ascagni, Stefano, Farris, Tavazzi, S, Tonveronachi, M, Fagnola, M, Cozza, F, Ferraro, L, Borghesi, A, Ascagni, M, and Farris, S

Subjects
contact len, Siloxane, Siloxanes, Surface Properties, Surface Propertie, Medicine (all), Biomedical Engineering, Hydrogels, Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic, Biomaterial, hyaluronan, siloxane-hydrogel, Hydrogel, freeze-drying, Materials Testing, Humans, Hyaluronic Acid, scanning electron microscopy, Human
Abstract

The purpose of this study was a comparison between new and worn siloxane-hydrogel contact lenses in terms of microscopic structure, surface morphology, and loading of hyaluronan. The analyses were performed by scanning electron microscopy, with the support of the freeze-drying technique, and by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Along the depth profile of new lenses, a thin porous top layer was observed, which corresponds to the region of hyaluronan penetration inside well-defined channels. The time evolution was followed from one day to two weeks of daily wear, when a completely different scenario was found. Clear experimental evidence of a buggy surface was observed with several crests and regions of swelling, which could be filled by the hyaluronan solution. The modifications are attributed to the progressive relaxation of the structure of the polymeric network.

Published
2015

45. Postinfectious Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children: A Multicenter Prospective Study

Author

Federica Altomare, Francesca Graziano, Mariateresa Sanseviero, Antonio Marseglia, Antonella Falvo, Valentina Talarico, Carlo Di Lorenzo, Elvira Cozza, V. Rutigliano, Domenico Ciliberto, Annamaria Staiano, Daniela Concolino, Elisabetta Gatta, Angelo Campanozzi, Domenica De Venuto, Teresa Gentile, Bianca Virginia Palermo, Licia Pensabene, Silvia Salvatore, A. Ripepi, Rossella Turco, Pensabene, L., Talarico, V., Concolino, D., Ciliberto, D., Campanozzi, A., Gentile, T., Rutigliano, V., Salvatore, S., Staiano, A., Lorenzo, Di, Graziano, C., Palermo, F., Sanseviero, B. V., Altomare, M., Cozza, F., Falvo, E., Marseglia, A., Gatta, A., Venuto, De, Ripepi, D., and Turco, A.

Subjects
Male, medicine.medical_specialty, Adolescent, Gastrointestinal Diseases, medicine.disease_cause, Infections, Gastroenterology, Functional gastrointestinal disorder, Internal medicine, Rotavirus, Surveys and Questionnaires, medicine, Humans, Prospective Studies, Prospective cohort study, Child, Irritable bowel syndrome, business.industry, Incidence (epidemiology), Incidence, medicine.disease, Relative risk, Child, Preschool, Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health, Etiology, Norovirus, Female, business, Follow-Up Studies
Abstract

Objectives To prospectively investigate the occurrence of postinfectious functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria, in children with acute diarrhea of different infectious etiology. Study design This was a prospective cohort multicenter study. Children 4-17 years of age presenting with acute diarrhea who tested positive for an enteric infection were recruited within 1 month from the episode and matched with control subjects of similar age and sex. Symptoms were evaluated with a validated questionnaire for FGIDs at the time of enrollment in the study and after 3 and 6 months. Results A total of 64 patients (36 boys; median age 5.3 years; age range 4.1-14.1 years) were recruited, 32 subjects in each arm. Infections included rotavirus (56.8%), salmonella (30%), adenovirus (6.6%), norovirus (3.3%), and Giardia lamblia (3.3%). FGIDs were significantly more common in exposed patients compared with controls within 1 month from acute diarrhea (40.6% vs 12.5% [ P = .02, relative risk (RR) = 1.9]), 3 months (53% vs 15.6% [ P = .003, RR = 2.2]), and 6 months (46.8% vs 15.6% [ P = .01, RR = 1.9]) later. No correlation was found between different etiologies, age, or sex, and any type of FGIDs. Among exposed children, abdominal pain–related FGIDs were significantly more frequent compared with controls after 6 months from infection ( P = .04, RR = 1.7). Conclusion This prospective cohort multicenter study supports postinfectious FGIDs as a true entity in children. There seems to be a significant increase in abdominal pain–related FGIDs after acute diarrhea in children within 1 month and 3 and 6 months later.

Published
2015

46. Mechanically triggered solute uptake in soft contact lenses

Author

Alessandro Borghesi, Matteo Fagnola, Roberto Simonutti, Simone Bonetti, Stefano Farris, Lorenzo Ferraro, Silvia Tavazzi, Federica Cozza, Tavazzi, S, Ferraro, L, Fagnola, M, Cozza, F, Farris, F, Bonetti, S, Simonutti, R, and Borghesi, A

Subjects
Water/polymer interface Contact lenses Mechanical vibrations Hyaluronan Controlled release, Materials science, Siloxanes, Scanning electron microscope, Surface Properties, Diffusion, Vibration, law.invention, Colloid and Surface Chemistry, Differential scanning calorimetry, law, Humans, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Hyaluronic Acid, Particle Size, chemistry.chemical_classification, Aqueous solution, Calorimetry, Differential Scanning, Water, Hydrogels, Surfaces and Interfaces, General Medicine, Polymer, Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic, Lens (optics), Solutions, Crystallography, Chemical engineering, chemistry, Self-healing hydrogels, Hydrodynamics, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning, Particle size, Stress, Mechanical, Porosity, Biotechnology
Abstract

Molecular arrangement plays a role in the diffusion of water and solutes across soft contact lenses. In particular, the uptake of solutes in hydrated contact lenses can occur as long as free water is available for diffusion. In this work, we investigated the effect of mechanical vibrations of low frequency (200. Hz) on the solute uptake. Hyaluronan, a polysaccharide of ophthalmic use, was taken as example of solute of interest. For a specific water-hydrated hydrogel material, differential scanning calorimetry experiments showed that a large fraction of the hydration water accounted for loosely-bound water, both before and after one week of daily-wear of the lenses. The size (of the order of magnitude of few hundreds of nanometers) of hyaluronan in aqueous solution was found to be less than the size of the pores of the lens observed by scanning electron microscopy. However, solute uptake in already-hydrated lenses was negligible by simple immersion, while a significant increase occurred under mechanical vibrations of 200. Hz, thus providing experimental evidence of mechanically triggered enhanced solute uptake, which is attributed to the release of interfacial loosely-bound water. Also other materials were taken into consideration. However, the effectiveness of mechanical vibrations for hyaluronan uptake is restricted to lenses containing interfacial loosely-bound water. Indeed, loosely-bound water is expected to be bound to the polymer with bonding energies of the order of magnitude of 10-100. J/g, which are compatible with the energy input supplied by the vibrations.

Published
2014

47. Unraveling the Enigma of Moderate Aortic Stenosis: Challenges and Future Prospects.

Author

Santangelo G, Tumminello G, Barbieri L, Mallardi GPF, Faggiano A, Moscardelli S, Rossi A, Cozza F, Carugo S, and Faggiano P

Abstract

According to current guidelines, only clinical surveillance is recommended for patients with moderate aortic valve stenosis (AS), while aortic valve replacement may be considered in patients undergoing surgery for other indications. Recent studies have shown that moderate AS is associated with a high risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including death, especially in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. In this context, multimodality imaging can help to improve the accuracy of moderate AS diagnosis and to assess left ventricular remodeling response. This review discusses the natural history of this valve disease and the role of multimodality imaging in the diagnostic process, summarizes current evidence on the medical and non-medical management, and highlights ongoing trials on valve replacement.

Published
2024
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48. Who watches the WATCHMAN? A case of recurrent strokes after transcatheter left atrial appendage closure.

Author

Cambise N, Cozza F, Pernigo M, Troise G, Berti MLL, and Maggi A

Subjects
Humans, Left Atrial Appendage Closure, Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors, Treatment Outcome, Cardiac Catheterization adverse effects, Anticoagulants, Stroke diagnostic imaging, Stroke etiology, Atrial Appendage diagnostic imaging, Atrial Appendage surgery, Atrial Fibrillation therapy
Published
2024
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49. Stress Echocardiography in Italian Echocardiographic Laboratories: A Survey of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging.

Author

Ciampi Q, Pepi M, Antonini-Canterin F, Barbieri A, Barchitta A, Faganello G, Miceli S, Parato VM, Tota A, Trocino G, Abbate M, Accadia M, Alemanni R, Angelini A, Anglano F, Anselmi M, Aquila I, Aramu S, Avogadri E, Azzaro G, Badano L, Balducci A, Ballocca F, Barbarossa A, Barbati G, Barletta V, Barone D, Becherini F, Benfari G, Beraldi M, Bergandi G, Bilardo G, Binno SM, Bolognesi M, Bongiovi S, Bragato RM, Braggion G, Brancaleoni R, Bursi F, Dessalvi CC, Cameli M, Canu A, Capitelli M, Capra ACM, Carbonara R, Carbone M, Carbonella M, Carrabba N, Casavecchia G, Casula M, Chesi E, Cicco S, Citro R, Cocchia R, Colombo BM, Colonna P, Conte M, Corrado G, Cortesi P, Cortigiani L, Costantino MF, Cozza F, Cucchini U, D'Angelo M, Da Ros S, D'Andrea F, D'Andrea A, D'Auria F, De Caridi G, De Feo S, De Matteis GM, De Vecchi S, Del Giudice C, Dell'Angela L, Paoli LD, Dentamaro I, Destefanis P, Di Bella G, Di Fulvio M, Di Gaetano R, Di Giannuario G, Di Gioia A, Di Martino LFM, Di Muro C, Di Nora C, Di Salvo G, Dodi C, Dogliani S, Donati F, Dottori M, Epifani G, Fabiani I, Ferrara F, Ferrara L, Ferrua S, Filice G, Fiorino M, Forno D, Garini A, Giarratana GA, Gigantino G, Giorgi M, Giubertoni E, Greco CA, Grigolato M, Marra WG, Holzl A, Iaiza A, Iannaccone A, Ilardi F, Imbalzano E, Inciardi RM, Inserra CA, Iori E, Izzo A, La Rosa G, Labanti G, Lanzone AM, Lanzoni L, Lapetina O, Leiballi E, Librera M, Conte CL, Monaco ML, Lombardo A, Luciani M, Lusardi P, Magnante A, Malagoli A, Malatesta G, Mancusi C, Manes MT, Manganelli F, Mantovani F, Manuppelli V, Marchese V, Marinacci L, Mattioli R, Maurizio C, Mazza GA, Mazza S, Melis M, Meloni G, Merli E, Milan A, Minardi G, Monaco A, Monte I, Montresor G, Moreo A, Mori F, Morini S, Moro C, Morrone D, Negri F, Nipote C, Nisi F, Nocco S, Novello L, Nunziata L, Perini AP, Parodi A, Pasanisi EM, Pastorini G, Pavasini R, Pavoni D, Pedone C, Pelliccia F, Pelliciari G, Pelloni E, Pergola V, Perillo G, Petruccelli E, Pezzullo C, Piacentini G, Picardi E, Pinna G, Pizzarelli M, Pizzuti A, Poggi MM, Posteraro A, Privitera C, Rampazzo D, Ratti C, Rettegno S, Ricci F, Ricci C, Rolando C, Rossi S, Rovera C, Ruggieri R, Russo MG, Sacchi N, Saladino A, Sani F, Sartori C, Scarabeo V, Sciacqua A, Scillone A, Scopelliti PA, Scorza A, Scozzafava A, Serafini F, Serra W, Severino S, Simeone B, Sirico D, Solari M, Spadaro GL, Stefani L, Strangio A, Surace FC, Tamborini G, Tarquinio N, Tassone EJ, Tavarozzi I, Tchana B, Tedesco G, Tinto M, Torzillo D, Totaro A, Triolo OF, Troisi F, Tusa M, Vancheri F, Varasano V, Venezia A, Vermi AC, Villari B, Zampi G, Zannoni J, Zito C, Zugaro A, Picano E, and Carerj S

Abstract

Background: The Italian Society of Echography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) conducted a national survey to understand the volumes of activity, modalities and stressors used during stress echocardiography (SE) in Italy., Methods: We analyzed echocardiography laboratory activities over a month (November 2022). Data were retrieved through an electronic survey based on a structured questionnaire, uploaded on the SIECVI website., Results: Data were obtained from 228 echocardiographic laboratories, and SE examinations were performed in 179 centers (80.6%): 87 centers (47.5%) were in the northern regions of Italy, 33 centers (18.4%) were in the central regions, and 61 (34.1%) in the southern regions. We annotated a total of 4057 SE. We divided the SE centers into three groups, according to the numbers of SE performed: <10 SE (low-volume activity, 40 centers), between 10 and 39 SE (moderate volume activity, 102 centers) and ≥40 SE (high volume activity, 37 centers). Dipyridamole was used in 139 centers (77.6%); exercise in 120 centers (67.0%); dobutamine in 153 centers (85.4%); pacing in 37 centers (21.1%); and adenosine in 7 centers (4.0%). We found a significant difference between the stressors used and volume of activity of the centers, with a progressive increase in the prevalence of number of stressors from low to high volume activity ( P = 0.033). The traditional evaluation of regional wall motion of the left ventricle was performed in all centers, with combined assessment of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) in 90 centers (50.3%): there was a significant difference in the centers with different volume of SE activity: the incidence of analysis of CFVR was significantly higher in high volume centers compared to low - moderate - volume (32.5%, 41.0% and 73.0%, respectively, P < 0.001). The lung ultrasound (LUS) was assessed in 67 centers (37.4%). Furthermore for LUS, we found a significant difference in the centers with different volume of SE activity: significantly higher in high volume centers compared to low - moderate - volume (25.0%, 35.3% and 56.8%, respectively, P < 0.001)., Conclusions: This nationwide survey demonstrated that SE was significantly widespread and practiced throughout Italy. In addition to the traditional indication to coronary artery disease based on regional wall motion analysis, other indications are emerging with an increase in the use of LUS and CFVR, especially in high-volume centers., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Journal of Cardiovascular Echography.)

Published
2023
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50. Finger ischemia in a young lady: an unusual presentation of papillary fibroelastoma with intraventricular location.

Author

Pernigo M, Dinatolo E, Cirillo M, Mhagna Z, Filippini A, Cozza F, Berti M, Bazzani R, Sabatini T, Cuccia C, and Troise G

Subjects
Female, Humans, Adult, Papillary Muscles diagnostic imaging, Papillary Muscles pathology, Heart Ventricles diagnostic imaging, Heart Ventricles pathology, Cardiac Papillary Fibroelastoma pathology, Heart Neoplasms diagnosis, Heart Neoplasms diagnostic imaging, Fibroma diagnosis, Fibroma diagnostic imaging
Abstract

An otherwise healthy 32-year-old woman suffered from finger ischemia. An echocardiogram and computed tomography scan revealed a mobile mass in the left ventricle that was attached to the anterior papillary muscle and did not involve the valve leaflets. The tumor was resected, and histopathology confirmed it to be a papillary fibroelastoma. Our case emphasizes the significance of a comprehensive diagnostic work-up for a peripheral ischemic lesion. This resulted in the discovery of an unusual intra-ventricular origin for a commonly benign tumor.

Published
2023
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