Tb3+-doped LaF3 nanocrystals for correlative cathodoluminescence electron microscopy imaging with nanometric resolution in focused ion beam-sectioned biological samples.

Here, we report the use of rare earth element-doped nanocrystals as probes for correlative cathodoluminescence electron microscopy (CCLEM) bioimaging. This first experimental demonstration shows potential for the simultaneous acquisition of luminescence and electron microscopy images with nanometric resolution in focused ion beam cut biological samples.

Ultra-thin resin embedding method for scanning electron microscopy of individual cells on high and low aspect ratio 3D nanostructures.

The preparation of biological cells for either scanning or transmission electron microscopy requires a complex process of fixation, dehydration and drying. Critical point drying is commonly used for samples investigated with a scanning electron beam, whereas resin-infiltration is typically used for transmission electron microscopy. Critical point drying may cause cracks at the cellular surface and a sponge-like morphology of nondistinguishable intracellular compartments. Resin-infiltrated biological samples result in a solid block of resin, which can be further processed by mechanical sectioning, however that does not allow a top view examination of small cell-cell and cell-surface contacts. Here, we propose a method for removing resin excess on biological samples before effective polymerization. In this way the cells result to be embedded in an ultra-thin layer of epoxy resin. This novel method highlights in contrast to standard methods the imaging of individual cells not only on nanostructured planar surfaces but also on topologically challenging substrates with high aspect ratio three-dimensional features by scanning electron microscopy.

Theranostic body fluid cleansing: rationally designed magnetic particles enable capturing and detection of bacterial pathogens.

We report on theoretical and experimental considerations on bacteria capturing and enrichment via magnetic separation enabling integrated diagnosis and treatment of blood stream infections. We show optimization of carrier-pathogen interactions based on a mathematical model followed by an experimental proof-of-concept study along with investigations on the process safety.

Differentiating sepsis from non-infectious systemic inflammation based on microvesicle-bacteria aggregation.

Sepsis is a severe medical condition and a leading cause of hospital mortality. Prompt diagnosis and early treatment has a significant, positive impact on patient outcome. However, sepsis is not always easy to diagnose, especially in critically ill patients. Here, we present a conceptionally new approach for the rapid diagnostic differentiation of sepsis from non-septic intensive care unit patients. Using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, we measure infection-specific changes in the activity of nano-sized cell-derived microvesicles to bind bacteria. We report on the use of a point-of-care-compatible microfluidic chip to measure microvesicle-bacteria aggregation and demonstrate rapid (≤1.5 hour) and reliable diagnostic differentiation of bacterial infection from non-infectious inflammation in a double-blind pilot study. Our study demonstrates the potential of microvesicle activities for sepsis diagnosis and introduces microvesicle-bacteria aggregation as a potentially useful parameter for making early clinical management decisions.

Bioactivation of alumina by surface modification: a possibility for improving the applicability of alumina in bone and oral repair.

OBJECTIVES: In regenerative medicine, surface engineering of bioinert synthetic materials is often required in order to introduce bioactive species that can promote cell adhesion, proliferation, viability and enhanced ECM-secretion functions. The aim of this work is to study cell interaction with alumina-modified surfaces. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this work, chemical properties of alumina surface were changed by a reaction at the surface of alumina with low molecular weight dicarboxylic acid, which produced carboxyl groups. RESULTS: These carboxyl groups were able to complex with Ca2+ on the surface, forming sites of precipitation for calcium phosphates that make alumina biocompatible, as indicated by cell culture of pre-osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cell line). CONCLUSIONS: The procedure presented in this work shows that the insertion of specific functional groups on the surface of alumina increases cell interaction with the surface of alumina. This knowledge can be important in oral science and orthopedics, for the construction of prosthesis.

[Cost-benefit of upper digestive endoscopy. Frequency of early gastric cancer and negative endoscopy in relation to indications]. / Costi-benefici dell'endoscopia digestiva superiore. Frequenza degli early gastric cancers e delle endoscopie negative in rapporto alle indicazioni.

The increasing demand for upper gastrointestinal endoscopies (184% from 1974 to 1985) led to a review of cases in an attempt to improve the cost-benefit ratio of this diagnostic procedure (E.G.C.). Two parameters were evaluated: the frequency of early gastric cancers and, on the other hand, the incidence of negative endoscopic findings with respect to indications. The increase in the number of endoscopies performed was not matched by an increased frequency of E.G.C. diagnosed: 8.9% in 1974-1979 and 7.5% in 1980-1985 with an E.G.C./endoscopy ratio of 1:218 and 1:415 respectively; in the second period the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopy was enhanced from 42.8% to 100%. The overall frequency of negative endoscopic findings on 500 patients undergoing endoscopy in 1985, was 40.4%. The greatest number of negative findings was observed in patients with non-ulcerous dyspepsia under 50 years of age and in those with ulcerous dyspepsia with prior duodenal ulcer; on the other hand, a significant prevalence of cancerous and precancerous lesions was observed in patients over 50 with non-ulcerous dyspepsia. The results of this study suggest that patients over 50 years with non-ulcerous dyspepsia should receive early endoscopic investigation, in those under 50 an initial therapeutic approach appears reasonable. In the patients with prior duodenal ulcer endoscopy is of limited value for the assessment of response to therapy.

[Thyroid nodular pathology: retrospective study of 917 surgical interventions]. / Patologia nodulare tiroidea: studio retrospettivo su 917 interventi chirurgici.

A retrospective investigation of the surgical cases of seven hospitals in the Veneto region was made in order to assess the malignancy rate in thyroid nodular pathology, and the predictive value of scintiscanning with positive indicator.

[Early gastric cancer: a retrospective study of our cases (1974-1979)]. / Early gastric cancer: studio retrospettivo sulla nostra casistica (1974-1979).

A retrospective analysis of 3052 gastroscopies made by our Digestive Endoscopy Department from 1974 to 1979 was carried out. 14 Early Gastric Cancers out of a total of 157 gastric carcinomas were diagnosed (8.9%), with an EGC: Gastroscopies ratio = 1:218. From the macroscopic point of view 8 were found to belong to type III, 5 to type II, and 1 to type I. The main location was the lesser curvature (angulus-antrum). With regard to the degree of infiltration, 2 were found to belong to stage 0a, 8 to stage 0b, and 5 to stage I. The endoscopic observation gave reason to suspect the presence of a malignant lesion in 6 of the 14 cases. The bioptic examination proved positive in 10 cases, while in 4 the diagnosis was made on the operatory piece. The importance of multiple bioptic samples is again confirmed. Cytology performed by brushing showed malignant tumoral cells in 4 cases, and again in 4 cases the radiological examination led to suspicion of degenerated gastric ulcer. 13 patients were subjected to surgery during which no metastases to the locoregional lymphonodes were found; the patients are all alive. We started gastric carcinoma screening by selecting the patients on the basis of a worksheet covering epidemiological, clinical, biohumoural and instrumental parameters, since the prognosis for the disease is directly proportional to the earliness of its diagnosis.