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To evaluate the change over time of vision-related quality of life (QoL) and glaucoma symptoms in a population of newly-diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. Multicenter, prospective study. Consecutive newly-diagnosed POAG patients were enrolled and followed-up for one year. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 6 and 12 months from baseline. At each visit, vision-related QoL and glaucoma-related symptoms were assessed by the means of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) and the Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS), respectively. Trends over time for NEI-VFQ-25 and GSS scores were evaluated with longitudinal linear mixed models. One-hundred seventy-eight patients were included in the analysis. At baseline, early to moderate glaucoma stages were associated with higher scores for most GSS and NEI-VFQ-25 items, while lower best-corrected visual acuity was associated with lower scores for 4 of the 12 NEI-VFQ-25 items. During the follow-up, all the GSS scores, the NEI-VFQ-25 total score, and 7 of the 12 NEI-VFQ-25 scores significantly improved (p

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to evaluate the potential association between sociodemographic factors with clinical characteristics, vision-related quality of life (QoL), and glaucoma-related symptoms scores in a large cohort of primary open-angle glaucoma patients. Materials and Methods: Multicenter, cross-sectional study involving academic and nonacademic centers. Previously diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma patients aged >18 years were enrolled. At baseline, information on demographic characteristics, social, medical and ocular history, clinical presentation and treatments was collected. Vision-related QoL was evaluated by means of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25), while glaucoma-related symptoms were evaluated using the Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS) questionnaire. The associations between sociodemographic factors with clinical characteristics (mean deviation, pattern standard deviation, best-corrected visual acuity), NEI-VFQ-25, and GSS scores were evaluated by means of univariate and multivariate general linear models. Results: A total of 3227 patients were enrolled. Older age and male sex were significantly associated with lower mean deviation (P

Hydrothermal synthesis represents a simple route for the preparation of geomimetic nanomaterials. Within this class, we are focusing on chrysotile nanotubes, as they demonstrate high capability to be surface functionalized [1] together with high biocompatibility and preservation under in vivo conditions [2]. Stoichiometric chrysotile [Mg3Si2O5(OH)4] nanotubes are constituted by a rolled-up double layer of silica, SiO2, and brucite, Mg(OH)2, creating a tubular structure with inner diameter of ca. 7 nm, external diameter of ca. 50 nm, and tunable length ranging from 50 to 1000 nm. Due to the intrinsic strain originating from the crystallographic mismatch between the two layers, the outer one, i.e. that exposed to the external environment, is the brucitic layer. This confers to the nanoparticles dispersed in water solution at pH 7 a z-potential of the order of +30 mV, ensuring stability of colloidal solutions and a useful propensity to form adducts by coulombic interactions with a range of negatively charged functional species [3]. Among them, we selected pH-sensitive fluorescent molecules and ferromagnetic nanoparticles, with the aim to fabricate composite nanomaterials to be employed as i) solid state chemical-optical sensors of pH [4]; ii) multimodal probes for the imaging and targeting of sick tissues [2]; iii) active agents in the X-ray inducible photo dynamic therapy (X-PDT). The acquired magnetic properties permit their use as contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging, and enable the tracking of tumor cell migration and infiltration responsible for metastatic growth and disease recurrence. Their organic component, changing its fluorescence attitude as a function of local pH, targets the cancer distinctive acidity, and allows localizing and monitoring the tumor occurrence and progression by mapping the acidic spatial distribution within biopsy tissues. The anchored organic component can also act as photosensitizer for the production of singlet oxygen, the reactive species used for the tumor treatment in X-PDT, provided the inorganic nanotube, serving as scintillator, emits light well within the absorption band of the sensitizer. [1] G. De Luca et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc.2009, 131, 6920. [2] C. Villa et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 2018, 28, 1707582 [3] M. Campione et al., Composite Functional Nanomaterials Assembled via Electrostatic Interactions of Inorganic Surfaces and Organic Molecules, Ed.: Klaus Wandelt, in: Encyclopedia of Interfacial Chemistry, Elsevier, 2018, p. 32-37. [4] A. Monguzzi et. al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2014, 16, 2491.

Purpose To optimize signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in fast spin echo (rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement [RARE]) sequences and to improve sensitivity in 19F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a 7T preclinical MRI system, based on a previous experimental evaluation of T 1 and T2 actual relaxation times. Materials and Methods Relative SNR changes were theoretically calculated at given relaxation times (T1, T2) and mapped in RARE parameter space (TR, number of echoes, flip back pulse), at fixed acquisition times. T1 and T 2 of KPF6 phantom samples (solution, agar mixtures, ex vivo perfused brain) were measured and experimental SNR values were compared with simulations, at optimal and suboptimal RARE parameter values. Results The optimized setting largely depended on T1, T2 times and the use of flip back pulse improved SNR up to 30% in case of low T 1/T2 ratios. Relaxation times in different conditions showed negligible changes in T1 (below 14%) and more evident changes in T2 (-95% from water solution to ex vivo brain). Experimental data confirmed theoretical forecasts, within an error margin always below 4.1% at SNR losses of ∼20% and below 8.8% at SNR losses of ∼40%. The optimized settings permitted a detection threshold at a concentration of 0.5 mM, corresponding to 6.22 × 1016 fluorine atoms per voxel. Conclusion Optimal settings according to measured relaxation times can significantly improve the sensitivity threshold in 19F MRI studies. They were provided in a wide range of (T1, T2) values and experimentally validated showing good agreement.

One of the tremendous areas of growth on the research side involves using nanomaterials both as imaging agents and as drug delivery vehicles. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a particular attractive imagin modality: it provides high-resolution, detailed structural images, three-dimensional spatial reconstruction, and no ionizing radiation.[1] Moreover, MRI is superior to optical bio-imaging in living systems for the visualization of deep tissues. 1H and 19F are the most sensitive nucleai for MRI, with the 1H signal suited for collecting information about the body for diagnostic purposes due to its high sensitivity. However, 1H MRI often suffers from a low contrast-to-noise ratio because of the large background signals from water protons. Therefore, for specific imaging both in vivo and ex vivo, there is still an obvious need to develop new methodologies. In particular, 19F holds great promise as an alternative nuclide for MRI as it is highly sensitive in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (83% relative to 1H) and has 100% natural abundance. A more important advantage of 19F is that in animal bodies essentially no endogenous 19F is detectable by MRI, which therefore eliminates interference from background signals. Moreover, unlike other prototypical metal-based contrast agents, 19F MRI also enables image quantification.[2] As 19F imaging agents, a variety of fluorinated small molecule compounds have been proposed, perfluoro-15-crown-5-ether (PFCE) or perfluorobenzene (PFB) being the most commonly used perfluorocarbons (PFCs) in 19F-MRI research. These PFC molecules have poor solubility in water and, as such, are typically emulsified into lipid micro/NP formulations for biological applications. Moreover, such lipid-based formulations sometimes have drawbacks, which limit imaging capabilities to the vasculature with intravenous administration. In the last years we have reported examples of water soluble gold nanoparticles (NPs) protected by homoligand and heteroligand fluorinated-/hydrogenated ligands.[3] We will reported in this communication the design, synthesis, and characterization of gold nanoparticles (NPs) protected by fluorinated ligands which are endowed with 19F NMR properties suitable for applications in diagnostic imaging. Considering that gold NPs are excellent scaffold for medical uses and that they can be easily modified introducing pro(drugs) and specific recognition elements, our fluorinated NPs may behave both as imaging and therapeutic agents.

Pterygium is a degenerative and hyperplastic ocular surface disorder characterized by excessive cell proliferation, inflammation, fibrosis, extracellular matrix remodelling and angiogenesis. Several factors have been thought to be involved in the development of pterygium, however the exact mechanism of its pathogenesis is still unclear. Nestin is almost an acronym for “neuroepithelial stem cell protein”. It is an intermediate filament (IF) protein expressed in proliferating cells during the developmental stages in a variety of embryonic and fetal tissues. It is also expressed in some adult stem/progenitor cell populations, such as newborn vascular endothelial cells and it is reactivated in response to injuries or other pathological conditions. CD34 is a hematopoietic progenitor antigen expressed on hematopoietic progenitors as well as on small vessels endothelial cells and embryonic fibroblasts. CD34 is thought to function as an adhesion molecule for early hematopoietic progenitors mediating the attachment of stem cells to extracellular matrix or stromal cells. Some authors have already demonstrated the presence of some stemness markers in pterygial tissues, suggesting the involvement of bone marrow originated stem cells in the pathogenesis of pterygium. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, by immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded sections of primary pterygium, the presence of some more stem cells markers, such as nestin and CD34 in order to support the classification of pterygium as proliferative disorder. The results will be discussed., Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, Vol 117, No 2 (Supplement) 2012

Questions: The human hippocampal formation is morphologically affected in many neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease or mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE). Its internal structure remains, however, difficult to recognize at 1.5T or 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We aimed to [for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 57th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Neuropathology and Neuroanatomy (DGNN)

Background The role of vascular risk factors in glaucoma is still being debated. To assess the importance of vascular risk factors in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), data from the medical history of 2,879 POAG patients and 973 age-matched controls were collected and analyzed. Methods Design: observational survey. Setting: 35 Italian academic centers. Study population: POAG patients and age-matched controls. In order to reduce bias consecutive patients were included. Observation procedures: data concerning vascular risk factors were collected for all patients with a detailed questionnaire. A complete ophthalmological examination with assessment of intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field, optic disc, and systemic blood pressure was performed. Main outcome measures: the ESH-ESC (European Society of Hypertension-European Society of Cardiology) guidelines were used to calculate the level of cardiovascular risk. Crude and adjusted estimates of the odds ratios (OR) were calculated for all cardiovascular risk factors in POAG and controls. Results The study included 2,879 POAG patients and 973 controls. POAG cases had a significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.001) and systolic perfusion pressure (p=0.02) as compared with controls. Also mean IOP was significantly higher in the POAG group (p=0.01), while diastolic perfusion pressure was not significantly different in the two groups. Myopia was more prevalent in the POAG group (23 vs 18%, p=0.005) as well as a positive family history for glaucoma (26 vs 12%, p= 0.004). POAG patients tended to have a higher cardiovascular risk than controls: 63% of glaucoma cases vs 55% of controls (OR: 1.38, p=0.005) had a “high” or “very high” cardiovascular risk. Conclusions The level of cardiovascular risk was significantly higher in glaucoma patients than in controls.

The field dependence of the magnetization above the transition temperature Tc in MgB2 is shown to evidence a diamagnetic contribution consistent with superconducting fluctuations reflecting both the sigma and pi bands. In particular, the upturn field Hup in the magnetization curve, related to the incipient effect of the magnetic field in quenching the fluctuating pairs, displays a double structure, in correspondence with two correlation lengths. The experimental findings are satisfactorily described by the extension to the diamagnetism of a recent theory for paraconductivity, in the framework of a zero-dimensional model for the fluctuating superconducting droplets above Tc.