3 cases of post-stapedectomy labyrinthine fistula

Three cases are presented of labyrinthine fistula which suddenly arose in patients who had undergone stapedectomy interposing a vein graft from the back of the hand. These patients had all enjoyed 12-15 years apparently problem free period before the fistula occurred. In all three cases the fistula was accompanied by objective dizziness and varying degrees of sensorineural or mixed hearing loss. The patients underwent revision surgery which identified the fistula and the endolymph oozing out of the graft from the previously installed prosthesis. The authors present the cases, describe how the symptoms arose and the results obtained with revision surgery. Finally, they discuss the need to first perform stapedotomy with a platinar hole; they indicate that the number of cases of total or partial stapedectomy should be limited only to those cases characterized by anatomical variations and/or whenever complications arise during surgery.     

Engineered Multifunctional Albumin‐Decorated Porous Silicon Nanoparticles for FcRn Translocation of Insulin

The last decade has seen remarkable advances in the development of drug delivery systems as alternative to parenteral injection‐based delivery of insulin. Neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn)‐mediated transcytosis has been recently proposed as a strategy to increase the transport of drugs across the intestinal epithelium. FcRn‐targeted nanoparticles (NPs) could hijack the FcRn transcytotic pathway and cross the epithelial cell layer. In this study, a novel nanoparticulate system for insulin delivery based on porous silicon NPs is proposed. After surface conjugation with albumin and loading with insulin, the NPs are encapsulated into a pH‐responsive polymeric particle by nanoprecipitation. The developed NP formulation shows controlled size and homogeneous size distribution. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show successful encapsulation of the NPs into pH‐sensitive polymeric particles. No insulin release is detected at acidic conditions, but a controlled release profile is observed at intestinal pH. Toxicity studies show high compatibility of the NPs with intestinal cells. In vitro insulin permeation across the intestinal epithelium shows approximately fivefold increase when insulin is loaded into FcRn‐targeted NPs. Overall, these FcRn‐targeted NPs offer a toolbox in the development of targeted therapies for oral delivery of insulin.     

Investigation of the mechanisms governing doxorubicin and irinotecan release from drug-eluting beads: mathematical modeling and experimental verification

Drug-eluting beads (DEBs) are embolising devices in clinical use for the treatment of liver cancer by transarterial chemoembolisation. In this study, release kinetics of doxorubicin (DOX) and irinotecan (IRI) were investigated by experimental evaluations and mathematical modeling, based on Langmuir isotherm and two phenomenological models (Boyd/Bhaskar) developed to determine the actual mechanisms controlling drug release rate. The model was validated through release studies, in particular by assessing how drug loading, ionic strength of the release medium and device swelling during release influence drug release kinetics. Results demonstrated that IRI is released much faster than DOX, and that DEB volume strongly depends upon drug loading and fractional release. This effect was properly taken into account in developing the mathematical model. Experimental results were well fit by numerical simulations, and two different rate-controlling mechanisms were found to govern DOX and IRI delivery.     

Live‐Cell Imaging with Water‐Soluble Aminophenoxazinone Dyes Synthesised through Laccase Biocatalysis

Aminophenoxazinone dyes with variable water solubilities were assayed for the first time in a live‐cell imaging application. Among a library of ten sulfonylated chromophores, one compound gave excellent results as an endocytic marker, showing a precise subcellular distribution. The compound was compared to four commercial vital tracers, including Lucifer Yellow. The first laccase‐mediated regioselective synthesis of a diphosphorylated 2‐aminophenoxazinone dye was also described. This compound, water‐soluble at 10^?2 M , displayed modest fluorescence properties and the ability to complex Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ cations, therefore giving fluorescence quenching.     

Proteins from extremophiles as stable tools for advanced biotechnological applications of high social interest

Extremophiles are micro-organisms adapted to survive in ecological niches defined as 'extreme' for humans and characterized by the presence of adverse environmental conditions, such as high or low temperatures, extreme values of pH, high salt concentrations or high pressure. Biomolecules isolated from extremophiles possess extraordinary properties and, in particular, proteins isolated from extremophiles represent unique biomolecules that function under severe conditions, comparable to those prevailing in various industrial processes. In this article, we will review some examples of recent applications of thermophilic proteins for the development of a new class of fluorescence non-consuming substrate biosensors for monitoring the levels of two analytes of high social interest, such as glucose and sodium.     

Effect of standard rest periods on apnea and weight gain in preterm infants

This study determined the effect of modifying a single aspect of the intermediate care environment on the incidence of apnea and rate of weight gain in convalescent preterm infants. Twenty-two preterm infants were assigned to experimental and control groups using a randomized, matched-pair design. Over a three-week period, infants in the experimental group were provided a 1 1/2-hour nap period four times a day during which their beds were covered and they were left undisturbed. Control infants received standard nursing care. The infants in the experimental group had more apnea at the start of the study than the control infants but showed a significantly more rapid decline in the incidence of apnea. These infants also gained significantly more weight per day than the control infants. Thus, a simple modification of nursing care that involved minimal increases in nursing time had a beneficial effect on preterm infants.     

X-band technology applications at FERMI@Elettra FEL project

The current activities and future perspectives involving the use of X-band technology at the Elettra Laboratory are presented. These are mainly related to the development of the FERMI@Elettra FEL project, a fourth generation light source facility, now under commissioning in Trieste. The facility, based on a seed scheme, requires sub-ps electron bunches (∼1 kA), with very high optical qualities, at the entrance of the undulator chain. This is achieved by compressing the beam with two magnetic chicanes.A large effort has been undertaken to develop an X-band accelerating structure, to be installed downstream the first bunch compressor, before the magnetic chicane. In addition, we are also evaluating the possibility of extending the FERMI FEL wavelength capabilities beyond the foreseen limit of 4 nm, by increasing the linac energy from 1.5 GeV to 2.4-2.5 GeV, using the X-band technology.     

Relevant thermalhydraulic aspects of new generation LWRs

The present paper deals with the evaluation of thermalhydraulic aspects retained of importance for the assessment of safety of the new generation nuclear plants.Following a survey of the reactor concepts proposed for the future, the attention will be focused toward SBWR, AP-600 and PIUS whose characteristics, under many respects, bound the features introduced in the largest part of the new reactors.Expected relevant phenomena typical of the mentioned plants will be discussed in the paper: on this basis a critical overview of the experimental activities planned or in progress is presented and a judgement about the suitability of available computer codes is formulated.Conclusions are drawn in relation to the assessment of the new design proposals from a thermalhydraulic point of view.