GOTeC: INTERDISCIPLINARY TUMOR BOARD FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENTS OF HEAD AND NECK CANCERS

Hydrogel scaffolds blends to host Spheroids from human adipose stem cells

INTRODUCTION Adipose stem cells represent a reliable source of stem cells for their widely demonstrated potential in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications. New recent insights show that 3D models may properly mimic the native tissue properties; in fact Spheroids from Adipose derived Stem Cells (S-ASCs) displayed enhanced regenerative abilities if compared to 2D models. Stem cell therapy success is determined by "cell-quality" thus the involvement of stress signals and cellular aging need to be deeply investigated. The development of 3D cell-laden hydrogels has enabled to mimic the peculiar scenario of a native tissue. We studied SASCs-cell quality and tested their viabil…

Hydrogel scaffolds based on k-Carrageenan/xyloglucan blends to host spheroids from human adipose stem cells

Hydrogels are water-swollen networks of hydrophilic polymer. They can be fabricated in various shapes and swell in water or aqueous solutions maintaining their original shape or undergo progressive erosion; can exibit large volume phase transitions with the change of one environmental parameter (stimuli-responsivness), shock absorption and low sliding friction properties (1). The morphology and mechanical properties of hydrogels are strongly affected by the network composition, the nature and degree of crosslinking and the degree of swelling. Indeed, when hydrogels are designed as scaffolds for human tissues remodeling, they must have sufficient mechanical integrity to provide support to th…

Idrogeli a base di xiloglucano e k-carragene con sferoidi di cellule staminali adipose umane come scaffolds per la medicina rigenerativa

Con l’obiettivo di sviluppare scaffold per la rigenerazione dei tessuti umani con sferoidi di cellule staminali adipose (S-ASC), questo lavoro indaga le proprietà degli idrogeli formati da dei polisaccaridi che subiscono transizioni sol-gel indotte dalla temperatura e le loro miscele: k-carragene (k-C) e xiloglucano parzialmente degalattosilato (Deg-XG). Gli idrogeli sono network polimerici idrofili rigonfiati dall'acqua. La morfologia e le proprietà meccaniche degli idrogeli sono fortemente influenzate dalla loro composizione, grado di reticolazione e di rigonfiamento. Quando sono progettati come scaffold, devono avere sufficiente integrità meccanica per fornire supporto alle cellule, dall…

Adipose stem cell spheroids-laden hydrogels for minimally invasive bone and cartilage regeneration interventions

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18–49, 50–69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in su…

Miscele di k-carragenina e PVA come bio-inchiostri per stampa 3D di scaffold per la ricostruzione della cartilagine

Introduzione La k-carragenina (kC) è un poligalattano solfato ottenuto da alghe rosse con un contenuto di estere-solfato dal 25 al 30% e una peso molecolare medio ben superiore a 100 kDa. È formato da unità alternate di D-galattosio e 3,6-anidro-galattosio (3,6-AG) unite da legami α-1,3 e β-1,4-glicosidici. [1] Il kC assomiglia ai glicosaminoglicani (GAG) che sono i costituenti centrali dei tessuti connettivi, può essere quindi studiato per produrre scaffold per l'ingegneria tissutale. Il kC è solubile in acqua a temperature superiori a 60 °C e può formare gel stabili raffreddandosi. Le reti di kC sono forti, fragili e l'assenza di porosità interconnesse può limitare la colonizzazione dell'…

Reconstruction of the face with skin-grafted muscle flaps: Optimizing the aesthetic outcome

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of large defects in the temporal region can be performed with skin grafts or pedicled or free flaps. Results are often not optimal because of the patch of a skin graft, lack of availability of local flaps, and distant skin from free flaps. A technique for reconstruction of these defects with local tissue is presented in this article that uses superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) plication to allow wide advancement of a cervicofacial flap. METHODS: Once the defect is outlined, a face-lift-like skin incision is used to raise the flap. The SMAS is plicated with two purse-string sutures that relieve tension on the flap and allow maximal advancement. Thirteen f…

Idrogeli con sferoidi di cellule staminali adipose per interventi mini-invasivi di rigenerazione ossea o cartilaginea

Introduzione Lo xiloglucano (XG) è un polisaccaride sia di struttura che di riserva, perché svolge il ruolo di matrice nelle pareti cellulari delle piante superiori ma è anche presente in alcuni semi, tra i quali tamarindo. Lo xiloglucano da semi di tamarindo è disponibile in commercio, è un polimero biocompatibile, approvato dalla FDA per uso alimentare. È caratterizzato da uno scheletro di β-(1, 4)-D-glucano parzialmente sostituito da α-(1, 6)-D-xilosio e β-(1, 2)-D-galattossilosio. La scissione enzimatica di alcuni dei residui di galattosio fornisce allo XG proprietà di gelificazione indotte da variazioni di temperatura. In particolare, quando viene rimosso il 35% circa dei residui di ga…

Il Percorso Diagnostico Terapeutico Assistenziale del paziente con melanoma metastatico presso l’Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Paolo Giaccone di Palermo come strumento applicativo della clinical governance

L’evoluzione dello scenario internazionale relativo alla sanità identifica cinque specifiche dimensioni come driver del cambiamento: il sistema, la finanza, le persone, i processi e la tecnologia. In linea con tali elementi, il patto per la salute 2014-2016 esplicita la necessità di una rivisitazione a tutti i livelli del sistema salute, sia organizzativo che gestionale, con l’intento di aumentare l’efficienza e l’efficacia, sviluppando nuovi modelli assistenziali, anche nella logica delle reti cliniche, dove tra gli “strumenti” viene identificata l’attivazione di Percorsi Diagnostico Terapeutico Assistenziali (PDTA). I percorsi condivisi e codificati per i vari stadi di patologia, con un s…

MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS IN PH-NEGATIVE MYELOPROLIFERATIVE NEOPLASMS: IDLE OBSERVERS OR PART OF THE DISEASE?

Impact of COVID-19 on hand surgery in Italy: A comparison between the Northern and the Southern regions

The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency and elective hand surgery in four Italian regions that had either a high (Lombardy and Piemonte) or a low (Sicilia and Puglia) COVID-19 case load to discuss problems and to elaborate strategies to improve treatment pathways. A panel of hand surgeons from these different regions compared and discussed data from the centers they work in. The COVID-19 pandemic had an enormous impact on both elective and emergency surgery in Italy, not only in highly affected regions but also – and paradoxically even at a higher extent – in regions with a low COVID-19 case load. A durable and flexible redesign of hand surge…

Dupuytren's contracture and phenobarbital: Our case reports and review of the literature

Background: Dupuytren’s contracture is a fibroproliferative condition involving the superficial palmar fascia, leading to a progressive and irreversible flexion of the fingers. In literature, there are different opinions regarding the phenobarbital, a common antiepileptic drug, and its effective role in the genesis and development of Dupuytren’s disease. In our this retrospective study the association between phenobarbital and Dupuytren’s contracture is discussed. Case Reports: Three patients in treatment with phenobarbital who had no others significant risk factors for Dupuytren’s contracture were included in this study. The disease occurred after one to four years of drug therapy, at dosa…

Platform session

Injectable hydrogel formulations to host adipose stem cell spheroids for stemness maintenance and bone and cartilage regeneration

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) represent a great promise for tissue regeneration as fat is a very abundant source of stem cells (1) and owing to their ability to self-renew and differentiate into specific tissue types (2). In general, they are usually cultured as two-dimensional (2D) adherent monolayers, not representative of the in vivo condition, often entailing lower cell viability and, more in general, a lower “cell quality” in terms of regenerative potential (3, 4). When ASCs are cultured in low adhesion flasks and with a suitable culture medium, they aggregate in the form of three-dimensional spheroids (SASCs). The incorporation of these spheroids into injectable, in-si…

Skewed Differentiation of Circulating Vγ9Vδ2 T Lymphocytes in Melanoma and Impact on Clinical Outcome

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to evaluate over time circulating γδ T lymphocytes in melanoma patients in terms of frequency, effector functions, and relationship with clinical stage and evolution, by comparing preoperative values to those obtained at a mean follow-up of 36 months or in the event of recurrence or disease progression, and to those of healthy controls. Also, we correlated the presence of tumor-infiltrating γδ T lymphocytes with clinical evolution of melanoma. RESULTS:Mean frequencies of circulating γδ T cells before and after melanoma removal were very similar and comparable to healthy subjects, but patients who progressed to stage III or IV showed a significantly decrea…

k-Carrageenan and PVA blends as 3D printing bioinks for cartilage reconstruction scaffolding

isolation of non-adherent progenitors from adipose-derived stem cells(napadscs): can we finally confirm adscs stemness?

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