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11 results on '"Francesca Presti"'

1. Three-Dimensional Printing of Fetal Models of Congenital Heart Disease Derived From Microfocus Computed Tomography: A Case Series

Author

Camilla Sandrini, Claudio Lombardi, Andrew I. U. Shearn, Maria Victoria Ordonez, Massimo Caputo, Francesca Presti, Giovanni Battista Luciani, Lucia Rossetti, and Giovanni Biglino

Subjects
3D printing, microfocus computed tomography, fetal heart, congenital heart disease, fetal cardiology, prenatal diagnosis, Pediatrics, RJ1-570
Abstract

This article presents a case series of n = 21 models of fetal cardiovascular anatomies obtained from post mortem microfocus computed tomography (micro-CT) data. The case series includes a broad range of diagnoses (e.g., tetralogy of Fallot, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, dextrocardia, double outlet right ventricle, atrio-ventricular septal defect) and cases also had a range of associated extra-cardiac malformations (e.g., VACTERL syndrome, central nervous system anomalies, renal anomalies). All cases were successfully reconstructed from the microfocus computed tomography data, demonstrating the feasibility of the technique and of the protocols, including in-house printing with a desktop 3D printer (Form2, Formlabs). All models were printed in 1:1 scale as well as with the 5-fold magnification, to provide insight into the intra-cardiac structures. Possible uses of the models include education and training.

Published
2020
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2. Convalescent Plasma for Pregnant Women with COVID-19: A Systematic Literature Review

Author

Massimo Franchini, Federico Prefumo, Gianpaolo Grisolia, Valentino Bergamini, Claudia Glingani, Marlene Pisello, Francesca Presti, and Marco Zaffanello

Subjects
convalescent plasma, COVID-19, fetus, newborn, hyperimmune plasma, pregnancy, Microbiology, QR1-502
Abstract

The treatment of COVID-19 is particularly critical in pregnant women, considering the potential teratogenic effects of antiviral agents and the immune-depression related with pregnancy. The aim of this review is to systematically examine the current evidence on the clinical use of convalescent plasma during pregnancy. The electronic databases Medline PubMed Advanced Search Builder, Scopus, Web Of Science and Google Scholar were searched (until 1 January 2021). Inclusion criteria were pregnant women with COVID-19 (or SARS-CoV-2 infection), in whom convalescent plasma (or hyperimmune plasma) was used as treatment. We searched clinical trial registries (censored 5 January 2021) for eligible studies under way. After elimination of duplications, the initial search yielded 79 potentially relevant records, of which 67 were subsequently excluded. The 12 remaining records were case reports involving 12 pregnancies. Six of the mothers were reported to be well, two were reported to have preeclampsia, and in one case each the maternal outcome was described as survival, clinical improvement, discharged with oxygen and rehabilitation. With regard to the neonates, two were declared to be well, four had transient morbidity, two were critically ill and one died; normal ongoing pregnancies, but no post-delivery information, were reported for the remaining three cases. Clinical trials under way or planned to investigate the use of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 during pregnancy are lacking. This is the first systematic review of the literature regarding the treatment of COVID-19 in pregnancy. The published literature data seem to indicate that convalescent plasma administered to pregnant women with severe COVID-19 provides benefits for both the mother and the fetus. The quality of the available studies is, however, very limited since they are all case reports and thus suffer from relevant reporting bias.

Published
2021
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3. Vaginal birth after caesarean section: a multicentre study on prognostic factors and feasibility

Author

Giovanni Zanconato, Giulia Bolomini, Francesco Barone-Adesi, Caterina Neri, Alessandra Familiari, Chiara Airoldi, Alessandro Caruso, and Francesca Presti

Subjects
Augmentation of labour, Adult, medicine.medical_specialty, Referral, medicine.medical_treatment, Pregnancy, medicine, TOLAC, Humans, Caesarean section, Retrospective Studies, Caesarean, Obstetrics, Vaginal delivery, business.industry, Trial of labour, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gestational age, Retrospective cohort study, General Medicine, Prognosis, medicine.disease, VBAC, Vaginal Birth after Cesarean, Gestational diabetes, Feasibility Studies, Female, business, Delivery
Abstract

Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) is an option to avoid major abdominal surgery and many consequences related to repeated caesarean delivery. In the last years, many efforts have been made to increase the number of patients attempting trial of labour after caesarean (TOLAC). The aim of our study was to identify the most important factors associated with the success of VBAC. A retrospective study was conducted in two Italian referral centres. Subjects included were singleton and morphologically normal pregnancy with previous C-section. Subjects with an inter-pregnancy interval shorter than 18 months, a large for gestational age baby, a pregnancy complicated with gestational diabetes and a previous unclassified uterine scar were excluded. The characteristics of the subjects were compared and a logistic regression was performed to evaluate variables associated with successful VBAC. Of the 300 patients included, 224 (74.7%) achieved VBAC while 76 (25.3%) underwent C-section after failed TOLAC. The number of previous C-sections was not significantly associated with the success of TOLAC. Factors positively associated with achievement of VBAC were previous vaginal delivery (OR of 6.88 for one and 9.68 for more than one) and oxytocin implementation (OR 3.32). No maternal and neonatal adverse events occurred. Our results show that attempting VBAC is a feasible option in referral centres after adequate evaluation of the potential factors affecting the probability of success. A careful record of obstetrical history and management of labour can provide clinicians useful information to counsel women before and during labour.

Published
2020

4. Shaping down syndrome brain cognitive and molecular changes due to aging using adult animals from the Ts66Yah murine model

Author

Chiara Lanzillotta, Monika Rataj Baniowska, Francesca Prestia, Chiara Sette, Valérie Nalesso, Marzia Perluigi, Eugenio Barone, Arnaud Duchon, Antonella Tramutola, Yann Herault, and Fabio Di Domenico

Subjects
Down syndrome, Mouse model, Aging, Cognitive decline, Neurodegeneration, Brain metabolism, Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry, RC321-571
Abstract

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common condition with intellectual disability and is caused by trisomy of Homo sapiens chromosome 21 (HSA21). The increased dosage of genes on HSA21 is associated with early neurodevelopmental changes and subsequently at adult age with the development of Alzheimer-like cognitive decline. However, the molecular mechanisms promoting brain pathology along aging are still missing. The novel Ts66Yah model represents an evolution of the Ts65Dn, used in characterizing the progression of brain degeneration, and it manifest phenotypes closer to human DS condition. In this study we performed a longitudinal analysis (3–9 months) of adult Ts66Yah mice. Our data support the behavioural alterations occurring in Ts66Yah mice at older age with improvement in the detection of spatial memory defects and also a new anxiety-related phenotype. The evaluation of hippocampal molecular pathways in Ts66Yah mice, as effect of age, demonstrate the aberrant regulation of redox balance, proteostasis, stress response, metabolic pathways, programmed cell death and synaptic plasticity. Intriguingly, the genotype-driven changes observed in those pathways occur early promoting altered brain development and the onset of a condition of premature aging. In turn, aging may account for the subsequent hippocampal deterioration that fall in characteristic neuropathological features. Besides, the analysis of sex influence in the alteration of hippocampal mechanisms demonstrate only a mild effect. Overall, data collected in Ts66Yah provide novel and consolidated insights, concerning trisomy-driven processes that contribute to brain pathology in conjunction with aging. This, in turn, aids in bridging the existing gap in comprehending the intricate nature of DS phenotypes.

Published
2024
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6. Influence of Ulipristal Acetate therapy on Uterine Fibroid-Related Symptoms and on Uterine and Fibroid Volumes and Vascularity Indices Assessed by Ultrasound

Author

Silvia, Baggio, Paola, Pomini, Fabiana, Galeone, Francesca, Presti, Lorenza, Santi, Ricciarda, Raffaelli, and Massimo, Franchi

Subjects
Adult, Norpregnadienes, Fibroids, Leiomyoma, Doppler (techniques/physics), fibroids, ulipristal acetate, ultrasound techniques/physics, vascularization, Uterus, Ultrasonography, Doppler, Organ Size, Middle Aged, Ultrasound techniques/physics, Treatment Outcome, Ulipristal acetate, Vascularization, Contraceptive Agents, Female, Humans, Female, Longitudinal Studies, Prospective Studies
Abstract

To investigate the modifications of uterine and fibroid volume, to study Doppler changes in uterine arteries and fibroid-supplying vessels, and to assess possible symptomatic relief after 3 months of treatment with ulipristal acetate.Forty-two premenopausal women with symptomatic fibroids were included in the study. They were evaluated clinically for the symptoms reported and underwent ultrasound examinations before starting treatment and after 3 months of therapy with ulipristal acetate. Transvaginal scanning was performed by the same sonographer, who measured the uterine volume and uterine artery pulsatility index and resistive index. Considering that some patients had more than 1 fibroid, the vascularization (supplying vessel pulsatility and resistive indices), locations, and sizes of a total of 73 fibroids were also recorded.After 3 months of ulipristal acetate, patients had a significant improvement of all symptoms (P .05). The percentage of uterine volume reduction was 14% (P = .03), with fibroid volume reduction of 32.8% (P = .01). Uterine artery vascular indices decreased after treatment, but their reduction did not reach significant results, whereas all fibroid vascular indices decreased significantly after 3 months of ulipristal acetate (P .05). When the fibroids were divided according to their localization, all had significant volume reduction after therapy, but type 5 had the highest decrease (42%) compared to other fibroid types (P = .03).Fibroid treatment with ulipristal acetate resulted in a significant improvement of fibroid-related symptoms; moreover, it proved to be effective in decreasing both uterine and fibroid volumes and fibroid vascularization. Type 5 fibroids seem to have the most major response to treatment.

Published
2018

8. Role of Ground and Excited Singlet State Oxygen in the Red Light-Induced Stimulation ofEscherichia coliCell Growth

Author

Giulio Jori, Giulio Bertoloni, Francesca Presti, Andreas Schindl, Liesbeth Schindl, and Laura Polo

Subjects
Azides, Time Factors, Light, Biophysics, chemistry.chemical_element, Photochemistry, medicine.disease_cause, Biochemistry, Oxygen, chemistry.chemical_compound, Escherichia coli, medicine, Histidine, Deuterium Oxide, Molecular Biology, Cell damage, Singlet Oxygen, Singlet oxygen, Cell growth, Lasers, Tryptophan, Water, NADH Dehydrogenase, Cell Biology, NAD, medicine.disease, Photobiology, chemistry
Abstract

Irradiation of selected Escherichia coli defective strains with red-light induces a stimulation of the cell growth rate. Such effect is wavelength-dependent and is accompanied by a transient increase of the cell volume and some enzymic activities. The presence of oxygen appears to be essential for the occurrence of a significant photostimulatory effect. The results obtained upon irradiation in the presence of quenchers (tryptophan, histidine, azide) or enhancers (deuterium oxide) of singlet oxygen (1O2) strongly suggest that this activated oxygen derivative is generated by excitation of endocellular chromophores (possibly cytochromes). The reaction of 1O2 with nearby cellular targets could induce a sublethal cell damage which in turn promotes an accelerated cell metabolism.

Published
1999

9. Oral misoprostol vs. vaginal gemeprost prior to surgical termination of pregnancy in nulliparae

Author

Claudio, Celentano, Federico, Prefumo, Osvaldo, Di Andrea, Francesca, Presti, Quirino, Di Nisio, and Sigi, Rotmensch

Subjects
Adult, Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal, Administration, Oral, Abortion, Induced, Medical Records, Administration, Intravaginal, Pregnancy Trimester, First, Postoperative Complications, Pregnancy, Humans, Female, Alprostadil, Israel, Misoprostol, Retrospective Studies
Abstract

To compare the efficacy and side-effects of intravaginal gemeprost with those of oral misoprostol for cervical ripening prior to first-trimester pregnancy termination in nulliparous women.Retrospective analysis of surgical terminations of pregnancy performed before 90 days of gestation. Intravaginal gemeprost 1 mg or oral misoprostol 800 micro g was administered 2 h before the procedure.In total, 746 women were enrolled into the study, 84 received intravaginal gemeprost and 662 oral misoprostol. Median baseline cervical dilatation was significantly greater in women who received misoprostol before the operation than in those who received gemeprost (7 mm vs. 3 mm; p0.0001). The incidence of fever, vomiting and diarrhea was not different between the two groups. The incidence of abdominal pain with request for pain medication, emergency admission to operating room due to vaginal bleeding, hospital stay longer than 24 h and surgical repair of cervical injury due to Hegar dilatation was significantly higher among the gemeprost group than the misoprostol group.In cervical priming prior to first-trimester pregnancy termination in nulliparous women, oral misoprostol is more effective and is associated with fewer side-effects and complications than intravaginal gemeprost.

Published
2004

10. Acute Presentation of Fetal Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in a Type 1 Diabetic Pregnancy

Author

Claudio Celentano, Pier Luigi Venturini, Francesca Presti, Pierangela De Biasio, and Federico Prefumo

Subjects
Adult, Polyhydramnios, medicine.medical_specialty, Cardiomyopathy, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Population, Pregnancy in Diabetics, Asymptomatic, Endocrinology, Pregnancy, Internal Medicine, Advanced and Specialized Nursing, Internal medicine, Diabetes mellitus, Diabetes Mellitus, medicine, Fetal macrosomia, Humans, Interventricular septum, education, education.field_of_study, Cesarean Section, business.industry, Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Delivery, Obstetric, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1, Female, Infant, Newborn, Pregnancy Outcome, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Infant, Obstetric, Newborn, medicine.disease, Diabetes and Metabolism, medicine.anatomical_structure, Hypertrophic, Heart failure, Cardiology, medicine.symptom, business, Delivery, Type 1
Abstract

The incidence of intrauterine fetal death in type 1 diabetic patients is significantly higher than in the general population (1). Although vascular disease, poor glycemic control, polyhydramnios, fetal macrosomia, and preeclampsia are associated with a higher incidence of fetal death, the etiology of the increased stillbirth rate remains unknown. Besides other complications, infants of diabetic mothers have long been recognized to be at risk of having hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition that is characterized by thickening of the interventricular septum and ventricular walls, and by systolic and diastolic dysfunction of the neonatal heart. This condition is normally asymptomatic in utero and may only result in congestive heart failure …

Published
2005

11. Antitumoral Activities of Curcumin and Recent Advances to ImProve Its Oral Bioavailability

Author

Marta Claudia Nocito, Arianna De Luca, Francesca Prestia, Paola Avena, Davide La Padula, Lucia Zavaglia, Rosa Sirianni, Ivan Casaburi, Francesco Puoci, Adele Chimento, and Vincenzo Pezzi

Subjects
curcumin, cancer cells, bioavailability, curcumin derivatives, curcumin analogues, curcumin delivery systems, Biology (General), QH301-705.5
Abstract

Curcumin, a main bioactive component of the Curcuma longa L. rhizome, is a phenolic compound that exerts a wide range of beneficial effects, acting as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer agent. This review summarizes recent data on curcumin’s ability to interfere with the multiple cell signaling pathways involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and the migration of several cancer cell types. However, although curcumin displays anticancer potential, its clinical application is limited by its low absorption, rapid metabolism and poor bioavailability. To overcome these limitations, several curcumin-based derivatives/analogues and different drug delivery approaches have been developed. Here, we also report the anticancer mechanisms and pharmacokinetic characteristics of some derivatives/analogues and the delivery systems used. These strategies, although encouraging, require additional in vivo studies to support curcumin clinical applications.

Published
2021
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