Collagen and fibronectin surface modification of nanoporous anodic alumina and macroporous silicon for endothelial cell cultures.

BACKGROUND: The ability to direct the cellular response by means of biomaterial surface topography is important for biomedical applications. Substrate surface topography has been shown to be an effective cue for the regulation of cellular response. Here, the response of human aortic endothelial cells to nanoporous anodic alumina and macroporous silicon with collagen and fibronectin functionalization has been studied. METHODS: Confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to analyse the effects of the material and the porosity on the adhesion, morphology, and proliferation of the cells. Cell spreading and filopodia formation on macro- and nanoporous material was characterized by atomic force microscopy. We have also studied the influence of the protein on the adhesion. RESULTS: It was obtained the best results when the material is functionalized with fibronectin, regarding cells adhesion, morphology, and proliferation. CONCLUSION: These results permit to obtain chemical modified 3D structures for several biotechnology applications such as tissue engineering, organ-on-chip or regenerative medicine.

ß-Phase Morphology in Ordered Poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) Nanopillars by Template Wetting Method.

An efficient method based in template wetting is applied for fabrication of ordered Poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) nanopillars with ß-phase morphology. In this process, nanoporous alumina obtained by anodization process is used as template. PFO nanostructures are prepared under ambient conditions via infiltration of the polymeric solution into the pores of the alumina with an average pore diameter of 225 nm and a pore depth of 500 nm. The geometric features of the resulting structures are characterized with environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), luminescence fluorimeter (PL) and micro µ-X-ray diffractometer (µ-XRD). The characterization demonstrates the ß-phase of the PFO in the nanopillars fabricated. Furthermore, the PFO nanopillars are characterized by Raman spectroscopy to study the polymer conformation. These ordered nanostructures can be used in optoelectronic applications such as polymer light-emitting diodes, sensors and organic solar cells.

[Breast feeding in the province of Padua from 1978 to 1993]. / Allattamento al seno in provincia di Padova dal 1978 al 1993.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The authors report the results of an epidemiological study on breastfeeding from 1978 to 1993, followed by the same operators using the same method in the same territory, a semi-rural area of the province of Padua. In particular, they report the results for 1993 and compare them with those of earlier years and with those in Selvazzano, a town lying on the outskirts of the city of Padua. METHODS: A total of 963 of the 1115 women who had given birth during the study period were interviewed (85.6%). RESULTS: The frequency of breastfeeding rose from 61% in 1978 to 81% in 1993 and its mean duration from 4 to 6.3 months. The frequency of breastfeeding in Selvazzano was slightly lower (72%) as was the mean duration (5.8 months). The factor which most strongly influenced breastfeeding was the mother's work: its frequency was 66.1% for factory workers, 89.9% for housewives, 79.2% for office workers and teachers, 85.7% for shopkeepers-craftworkers and 75% for managerial staff. From the overall data it was observed that the frequency of breastfeeding increased in parallel to the length of time off work after birth: it rose from 69% among working women taking 3 months off work to 86% in housewives and those taking > or = 13 months off work. The level of education had less of an effect on the decision to breastfeed: the frequency of breastfeeding in mothers with high-school diplomas or university degrees was 85% compared to 79% in those with a lower level of education. According to this study the age of the mother did not influence the frequency of breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: The authors emphasise the need to carry out concrete new initiatives in favour of working mothers.

[Health demands in adolescence. The results of 2 epidemiological studies in the Padua area in 1990-1992]. / Domanda di salute in adolescenza. Risultati di 2 indagini epidemiologiche nel padovano negli anni 1990-1992.

UNLABELLED: In order to make a detailed analysis of the specific requirements of adolescent health in this country, local health unit n. 19 in Padua performed an epidemiological survey with the collaboration of 15 general physicians who were asked to record all ambulatory visits by 13-24 year olds on a special form. The survey, which lasted two years, revealed that of a total of 4748 records, 2112 (44.48%) were male and 2636 (55.51%) were female. The age at which the greatest number of visits was recorded was 18. The majority of adolescents attended alone (68.48%) and this pattern tended to increase with age. The frequency of annual attendance was 86.64%. In order of frequency, diagnoses included: requests for certificates and prescriptions (21.76%); respiratory disease and influenza (21.61%); obstetric and gynecological problems (8.61% of the total and 15.52% of female attendance) which together with auxoendocrinological problems amounted to a frequency of 10.55%; psychological problems (6.53%); dermatological diseases (6.324%); problems involving the osteomuscular structure, problem of the digestive tract (4.93%); nervous disorders and diseases of the sense organs (4.87%); medication and requests for information (3.60%); nephro-uro-andrological problems (3.26%). IN CONCLUSION: the high rate of attendance at medical clinics does not show that adolescents are an often ill population but that the doctor has been selected as the prime interlocutor for all health-related problems. It should also be pointed out that the majority of problems tend to be reported as somatic, whereas only a minimum part (6.53%) are classified as psychological. This analysis confirms, however, that the health requirements presented as somatic often involve a psychological component.

[Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis. The therapeutic considerations and the authors' personal experience]. / La meningite da Haemophilus influenzae tipo b. Considerazioni terapeutiche ed esperienza personale.

The authors describe five clinical cases concerning meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae type b recorded in our hospital from June 1991 to April 1993. We studied the therapeutical association between ceftriaxone and dexamethasone, and we analysed, according to the newest data in the literature, its physiopathological and clinical assumptions which would advice its usual use against the meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b.

Results of photorefractometric screening for amblyogenic defects in children aged 20 months.

This report evaluates the validity of a preventive programme in a population which underwent refractometric screening at the ages of 20 months and 4 years. In 1987, 1,046 children born in 1985 in the territory of the Veneto National Health Unit No. 19 were invited to undergo screening for amblyogenic factors such as meridional hyperopia greater than or equal to +2.50 diopters (D), myopia less than or equal to -2.50 D, anisometropia greater than or equal to 2 D, opacity of the dioptric media and strabismus. The test method was non-cycloplegic photorefractometry (PhR). Seven hundred and ninety-five children were tested (76%); positive cases underwent subsequent cycloplegic autorefractometry (AR) and corrective lenses were prescribed as necessary. In 1989, an eye test was performed on 653 children who had taken part in the previous PhR screening and on 350 similar children who had not: the test included evaluation of visual acuity, stereopsis and AR. An eye with a corrected visual acuity of less than 0.7 was considered amblyopic. PhR demonstrated a sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 96% and a positive prediction rating of 46% in the identification of amblyogenic factors. The prevalence of amblyopia at 4 years of age in the group which had undergone previous screening was 1.07% vs. 2.57% in the group which had not (P: not significant). The progress of the myopia was studied in a group with full optical correction used continuously (Group A) and in a control group under-corrected by at least 1.5 D (Group B).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Description of a clinical case of pseudotruncus arteriosus: considerations on the diagnostic role of ECG in congenital heart disease]. / Descrizione di un caso clinico di pseudotruncus arteriosus: considerazioni sul ruolo diagnostico dell'ECG nell'ambito delle cardiopatie congenite.

We recently observed a newborn affected by a Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. We describe clinical presentation, diagnostic and therapeutic topics of such congenital heart disease. Particularly we focused our attention on the utilization of EKG in "silent" cardiovascular disease in children.

[Experience with pediatric cardiology in a regional hospital]. / Esperienze di cardiologia pediatrica in un presidio ospedaliero di 2o livello.

Since 1986 we have studied the occurrence of various congenital heart diseases in our neonatal population. 43 (9.7%) newborn infants were admitted in our Pediatric Department by cardiovascular involvement. We have also used echocardiography as diagnostic tool to reach clinical information.

[Gastroduodenal ulcer: apropos of 2 cases in childhood]. / L'ulcera gastro duodenale: a proposito di 2 casi in età pediatrica.

Authors describe two cases concerning primary peptic disease: gastric and duodenal ulcer, observed in two children. Clinical pictures, diagnostic and therapeutic methods are described. In this paper we discuss particularly new etiopathogenetic and therapeutic factors about peptic disease.

[Hematocolpos from an imperforate hymen in children. Clinical and ultrasonic aspects]. / L'ematocolpo da imene imperforato in età pediatrica. Aspetti clinici ed ecografici.

A case of hematocolpos due to imperforate hymen in a 13-year-old girl has been studied by means of ultrasounds. The images speak clearly. The primary amenorrhoea combined with abdominal colics should always suggest to the surgeon and the specialist in paediatrics the possible existence of a genital malformation.

[Congenital adrenogenital syndrome and virilizing adrenocortical tumor in prepuberal females. Problems of diagnosis and therapy in 2 cases of virilization]. / La sindrome adreno-genitale congenita e il tumore corticosurrenale virilizzante nella femmina prepubere. Problemi di diagnosi e terapia in due casi di virilizzazione.

After reviewing the causes of virilization in the newborn and grown female child, the Authors describe a case of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (S.A.G.C.) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency in a newborn and a case of virilizing adrenal tumor in a four and half years old female child. The diagnostic and therapeutical approach of these unhealthy forms is argued and, on the ground of the personal observation and literature data, the frequent incidence of virilizing adrenocortical tumors within the same family is remarked and underlined.

[Revision of diagnostic and therapeutic activities in neonatal respiratory distress at a second-level intensive care center]. / Revisione dell'attività di diagnosi e terapia del distress respiratorio neonatale in un centro di terapia intensiva di secondo livello.

From January 1980 till June 1987, 62 children with important respiratory problems were hospitalized in the neonatal pathology department. They were the 4.6% of the patients. Subjects suffering from heart-disease were no taken into consideration because they were transferred to a third level centre. The newborn infants who showed a respiratory distress cleared up with the only oxygen therapy were not studied. 39 newborn infants were treated with C.P.A.P., 12 of these ere cured with mechanical ventilation. 23 new-born infants immediately needed the use of the mechanical ventilation. The pathologies which caused the respiratory distress were in frequency order: hyaline membrane disease (41), pulmonary hypoatelectasis (16), serious dismaturity (2), connatal bronchopneumonia (1), post-asphyxial syndrome (1), endocranial haemorrhage (1). The global mortality was of the 32.2%. The mortality among the new-born infants who had been subjected to mechanical ventilation was of the 51.4%. The new-born infants who have suffered sequela that cause disability were 4: bronchopulmonary dysplasia (2), retrolental fibroplasia (1), spastic tetraparesis (1).

[Connatal neuroblastoma IV-S. Clinical and therapeutic considerations on a case]. / Neuroblastoma connatale IV-S. Considerazioni cliniche e terapeutiche su di un caso.

The authors describe an original case of connatal neuroblastoma (stage IV-S), observed at birth, for the presence of subcutaneous nodules, in rapid expansion. Therapeutical approach is discussed (treatment or no treatment) on the base of literature data.