Search results for "Medical technology"
showing 10 items of 50 documents
Polyphosphate as a metabolic fuel in Metazoa: A foundational breakthrough invention for biomedical applications
2015
In animals, energy-rich molecules like ATP are generated in the intracellular compartment from metabolites, e.g. glucose, taken up by the cells. Recent results revealed that inorganic polyphosphates (polyP) can provide an extracellular system for energy transport and delivery. These polymers of multiple phosphate units, linked by high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds, use blood platelets as transport vehicles to reach their target cells. In this review it is outlined how polyP affects cell metabolism. It is discussed that polyP influences cell activity in a dual way: (i) as a metabolic fuel transferring metabolic energy through the extracellular space; and (ii) as a signaling molecule that amp…
Mitochondrial targeting as a novel therapy for stroke
2018
Stroke is a main cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite the increasing development of innovative treatments for stroke, most are unsuccessful in clinical trials. In recent years, an encouraging strategy for stroke therapy has been identified in stem cells transplantation. In particular, grafting cells and their secretion products are leading with functional recovery in stroke patients by promoting the growth and function of the neurovascular unit – a communication framework between neurons, their supply microvessels along with glial cells – underlying stroke pathology and recovery. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been recently recognized as a hallmark in ischemia/reperfusion neur…
Evaluation of the antibacterial power and biocompatibility of zinc oxide nanorods decorated graphene nanoplatelets: New perspectives for antibiodeter…
2017
Background Nanotechnologies are currently revolutionizing the world around us, improving the quality of our lives thanks to a multitude of applications in several areas including the environmental preservation, with the biodeterioration phenomenon representing one of the major concerns. Results In this study, an innovative nanomaterial consisting of graphene nanoplatelets decorated by zinc oxide nanorods (ZNGs) was tested for the ability to inhibit two different pathogens belonging to bacterial genera frequently associated with nosocomial infections as well as biodeterioration phenomenon: the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and the Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A time- and dose-…
Unusual MRI findings in an immunocompetent patient with EBV encephalitis: a case report.
2011
Abstract Blackground It is well-known that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can affect the central nervous system (CNS). Case presentation Herein the authors report unusual timely Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain scan findings in an immunocompetent patient with EBV encephalitis. Diffusion weighted MRI sequence performed during the acute phase of the disease was normal, whereas the Fast Relaxation Fast Spin Echo T2 image showed diffuse signal intensity changes in white matter. The enhancement pattern suggested an inflammatory response restricted to the brain microcirculation. Acyclovir and corticosteroid therapy was administered. After three weeks, all signal intensities returned to normal and…
Thermo-responsive hydrogels from cellulose-based polyelectrolytes and catanionic vesicles for biomedical application.
2016
In this study, negatively charged catanionic vesicles/hydrophobically modified hydroxyethylcellulose polymers thermo-responsive hydrogels have been fabricated. Vesicular aggregates were found to act as multifunctional junctions for networking of modified-cellulose water solutions. The contributions of the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions were evaluated by changing either vesicles composition or the polymer hydrophobic substitution. Thermal-induced size and lamellarity of hydrogel-enclosed vesicles were detected, with further polygonal shape changes induced by cellulose-based polymer addition. The thermal transition was also found to tune hydrogel mechanical behaviour. The network …
CardioPulse: developments in the treatment of aortic aneurysms in 2014
2015
Since the introduction of EndoVascular Aortic Repair (EVAR) for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) more than 20 years ago, the technique has evolved rapidly, from tubular grafts for fairly simple abdominal aortic anatomy, to bifurcated, fenestrated, branched, or parallel grafts for complex aortic aneurysms, no longer confined to the infrarenal abdominal aorta.
In vivo biodistribution and lifetime analysis of cy5.5-conjugated rituximab in mice bearing lymphoid tumor xenograft using time-domain near-infrared …
2008
Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against human CD20 antigen, which is expressed on B-cell lymphocytes and on the majority of B-cell lymphoid malignancies. Herein we report the conjugate of rituximab with the near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore Cy5.5 (RI-Cy5.5) as a tool for in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo NIR time-domain (TD) optical imaging. In vitro, RI-Cy5.5 retained biologic activity and led to elevated cell-associated fluorescence on tumor cells. In vivo, TD optical imaging analysis of RI-Cy5.5 injected into lymphoma-bearing mice revealed a slow tumor uptake and a specific long-lasting persistence of the probe within the tumor. Biodistribution studies after intraperiton…
A novel flash glucose monitoring system in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2: which are the pieces of evidence for payer decision-makers?
2018
A rigorous health technology assessment is necessary to evaluate a new technology. However, healthcare regulatory agencies have less restrictive rules about medical devices, despite some recent warnings about this relevant matter. The evaluation should have at least two key issues, which require attention. The first one is its effectiveness, and the second one is its economic sustainability. In this paper, we deal with a novel glucose-sensing technology as a case study to examine the matter in depth. An evidence-based point of view is used to highlight this important issue.
3-D image analysis of fluorescent drug binding
2004
Fluorescent ligands provide the means of studying receptors in whole tissues using confocal laser scanning microscopy and have advantages over antibody- or non-fluorescence-based method. Confocal microscopy provides large volumes of images to be measured. Histogram analysis of 3-D image volumes is proposed as a method of graphically displaying large amounts of volumetric image data to be quickly analyzed and compared. The fluorescent ligand BODIPY FL-prazosin (QAPB) was used in mouse aorta. Histogram analysis reports the amount of ligand-receptor binding under different conditions and the technique is sensitive enough to detect changes in receptor availability after antagonist incubation or…
The Short-Access Mother–Baby-(SAMBA) Cholangioscopy System
2014
Conventional mother–baby cholangioscopy systems have significant limitations including poor image resolution, limited maneuverability and fragile cholangioscopes. We propose the novel short-access mother–baby-(SAMBA) cholangioscopy system that involves a very short and flexible cholangioscope that is introduced in a dedicated mother duodenoscope with an extra distal side port. Clinical feasibility of this device is demonstrated in three complex cases with cholangiopathies. The strengths of SAMBA cholangioscopy are improved imaging quality and excellent maneuverability of the baby that allows access of small intrahepatic ducts. Evaluation of suspected intrahepatic biliary disease is an excel…