Salvatore Patanè

Artifact-free Near Field Optical Imaging by Apertureless Microscopy

A method for optical near field discrimination, leading to drastic artifact reduction in superresolved imaging by scanning interference apertureless microscopy is presented. The method relies on second harmonic detection of the modulated optical signal scattered by a vibrating silicon tip. An edge resolution of 15 nm, or 7 nm Rayleigh-type resolution, with optical contrast as high as 50%, has been obtained on aluminum projection pattern samples in the constant gap width mode. Our method has been determined not to be affected by topographical artifacts by constant height mode scans.

A dark side of the cardio-oncology: the bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis.

technique of renal sympathetic denervation by using a standard EP catheter offers the opportunity to use the standard equipment of the electrophysiology laboratory (e.g. standard RF generator), which provides an excellent condition to perform larger multicenter trials. Furthermore, even in our small group we observed substantial lowering in BP. In conclusion, the results of our study show for the first time that sympathetic denervation of the renal artery with a standard EP catheter is feasible, safe, and effective in the 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring up to 12 months of FU. Randomized, controlled clinical trials with larger participants are required to make a final judgement, whether RF ablation of the renal artery with a standard EP catheter for sympathetic denervation is as effective as the Simplicity catheter. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare. The authors of this manuscript have certified that they comply with the Principles of Ethical Publishing in the International Journal of Cardiology [9].

Organoboron Polymers for Photovoltaic Bulk Heterojunctions

We report on the application of three-coordinate organoboron polymers, inherently strong electron acceptors, in flexible photovoltaic (PV) cells. Poly[(1,4-divinylenephenylene)(2,4,6-triisopropylphenylborane)] (PDB) has been blended with poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) to form a thin film bulk heterojunction (BHJ) on PET/ITO substrates. Morphology may be modulated to give a high percentage of domains (10-20 nm in size) allowing exciton separation. The photoelectric properties of the BHJs in devices with aluminium back electrodes were imaged by light beam induced current (LBIC) and light beam induced voltage (LBIV) techniques. Open circuit voltages, short circuit currents and overall external quantum efficiencies obtained are among the highest reported for all-polymer PV cells.

A challenge in cardiology: The oncosurgery

Patients requiring assessment for oncosurgery encounter a complex series of steps in their cancer journey [1–18]. Oncosurgery represents a challenge for cardiologist [19]. Several problems occur due to the extent and traumatic interventions in reflexogenic zones in patients with nutritive deficiency, hypovolaemia, anemia, electrolyte imbalance [20,21], metabolic complications and tumor lysis syndrome [21–24]. Increasing evidence focuses on perioperative arrhythmias [20,26–31], infective endocarditis and hospital-acquired infection prevention [32– 35], massive intraoperative blood loss treatment [35,36], thromboembolic event prevention [37–44], comorbidities and organ failure occurrence [25]. Arrhythmia is a common complication during the perioperative period [27] and various causes have been called in cause: age, cardiovascular history, heart rate variability fluctuation, sympathetic/parasympathetic imbalance [29], pulmonary dysfunction, pneumonectomy, extent/stage/time of surgery [27], inflammatory response [27] phosphorylation-dependent loss of acid-sensitive potassium channel TASK-1 (ITASK) current [31], and metabolic alterations [25]. Increased vigilance for perioperative QTc interval prolongation may be also warranted [30]. The majority of postoperative atrial fibrillation is uncomplicated and transient but one-third of the cases lead to persistence or major intervention [27]. Moreover, increasing infective endocarditis in cancer patients complicating previous chemotherapy is not uncommon and it is strongly associated with neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, immunosuppression, frequent bacteremia and cardiovascular toxicities [32–34,43–46] and research suggest that there is a need for hospital-acquired infection prevention and bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis in cancer patients to avoid serious consequences [32– 34]. The increased thromboembolism risk in cancer patients [38,40] is influenced by the type of cancer, its stage and histology, the presence of thrombophilia, concomitant treatments, metastatic-stage malignancy [45], vascular catheter presence [37], and paraneoplastic hypercoagulability [38,40,44]. Cardiovascular toxicities due to previous chemotherapy also increase the heavy burden of cancer patients represented by the concomitant risk factors [38,44–55]. Preoperative cardiological assessment is the cornerstone of themodern oncosurgery aswell as efficacious anesthesiological evaluation [28]. Cardiological risk estimation [46], identification of frail patients [37], optimalization of perioperative and also therapeutic strategies [39] associated with an efficacious anesthesiological and resuscitation care [35] can permit to decrease perioperativemorbidity andmortality [39–49] aswell as operative choice [55–57]. Patient-, cancer-, and treatment-related factors should be considered [39,44]. It is crucial that the lesson learned from each patient informs clinical decision making for the next patient care [58]. The author of this manuscript has certified that he adheres to the statement of ethical publishing as what appears in the International Journal of Cardiology.

Prostate-specific antigen kallikrein: from prostate cancer to cardiovascular system

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), considered only an established marker for the detection of prostate cancer, has been identified as a member (hK3) of the human kallikrein family of serine proteases and now, it is known that PSA is not specific to prostate, semen, and gender. Increased PSA serum levels have been reported also in cardiovascular patients and both elevated as well as diminished PSA have been reported during acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Preliminary observations have concluded that when elevation of prostate-specific antigen occurs during AMI, it seems to relate to a higher occurrence of major adverse cardiac events and that coronary lesions are frequent and often more severe than when a diminution of PSA occurs. Large studies need to be done to confirm these preliminary results but the journey of PSA could be longer than expected.

Paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation associated with subclinical hyperthyroidism, chronic renal failure and elevation of prostate-specific antigen during acute myocardial infarction.

Subclinical hyperthyroidism is an increasingly recognized entity that is defined as a normal serum free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine levels with a thyroid-stimulating hormone level suppressed below the normal range and usually undetectable. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is a frequent complication of acute myocardial infarction. It has been reported that subclinical hyperthyroidism is not associated with coronary heart disease or mortality from cardiovascular causes but it is sufficient to induce arrhythmias including an increase in atrial fibrillation rate. It has also been reported that increased factor X activity in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism represents a potential hypercoagulable state. Moreover chronic renal failure presents an increased arrhythmic risk. Apparently spurious result has been reported in a work about mean serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration during acute myocardial infarction with mean serum PSA concentration significantly lower on day 2 than either day 1 or day 3 and it has been reported that these preliminary results could reflect several factors, such as antiinfarctual treatment, reduced physical activity or an acute-phase response. We present a case of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation associated with subclinical hyperthyroidism, chronic renal failure and elevation of serum PSA concentration in a 90-year-old Italian man during acute myocardial infarction. Also this case focuses attention on the importance of a correct evaluation of subclinical hyperthyroidism and of chronic renal failure. Moreover, our report also confirms previous findings and extends the evaluation of PSA during acute myocardial infarction.

Humidity sensing properties of Li–iron oxide based thin films

Abstract Li-doped iron oxide thin films deposited on a porous ceramic substrate by a liquid-phase method (LPD) were investigated as humidity sensors. Large variations in the resistance, up to about 4–5 order of magnitude, were observed by changing the relative humidity (RH) between 10 and 90%. The investigated sensors show a quick and reversible response to cyclic variations in the RH. The effects of pretreatment and Li content were investigated. The role of Li on the response to water vapour of iron oxide thin films is discussed.

Contrast-enhancing right atrial thrombus in cancer patient

The progress in cancer knowledge and treatment has led to a new frontier: the cardio-oncology [1–11]. Cancer patients can benefit from an open dialogue between both cardiologists and oncologists [1] for the optimal effective patient care. Increasing evidence suggests that the role of IE antibiotic prophylaxis remains a dark side of the cardio-oncology prevention [12,13] as well as the role of the thromboembolism prophylaxis [14–24]. The increased thromboembolism risk in cancer patients [19,20] is influenced by the type of cancer, its stage and histology, the presence of thrombophilia, concomitant and previous treatments, metastatic-stage malignancy [25], vascular catheter presence [15], and paraneoplastic hypercoagulability [17,18,20,25]. Patient-, cancer-, and treatment-related factors should be taken under consideration in the assessment of individual venous thromboembolism risk [25]. We present a case of a right atrial mass in a 57-year-old Italian woman. She reported a history of diabetes mellitus, a history of smoking, a sotalol treatment and a lymphoma chemotherapy treatment. Echocardiographic evaluation revealed a right atrial mass (Fig. 1) [26,27]. The discovery of a mass in the right atrium obliges the clinician to perform a broad differential diagnosis among a tumour, vegetations on the tricuspid valve, an atrial thrombus and Chiari network [26]. Cardiac magnetic resonance [27,28] identified right atrial mass as an atrial thrombus

Changing axis deviation, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and elevation of prostate-specific antigen during acute myocardial infarction.

It has been rarely reported left bundle branch block with changing axis deviation also during acute myocardial infarction. It has also been rarely reported changing axis deviation with changing bundle branch block during acute myocardial infarction. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an established tool in detecting prostate cancer. Immediately after 15 min of exercise on a bicycle ergometer, serum PSA concentrations increased by as much as threefold. Apparently spurious result has been reported in a work about mean serum PSA concentration during acute myocardial infarction with mean serum PSA concentration significantly lower on day 2 than either day 1 or day 3 and it has been reported that these preliminary results could reflect several factors, such as antiinfarctual treatment, reduced physical activity or an acute-phase response. We present a case of changing axis deviation with onset of atrial fibrillation and elevation of serum PSA concentration in an 88-year-old Italian man during acute myocardial infarction. Our report confirms previous findings and extends the evaluation of PSA during acute myocardial infarction.

Prostate-specific antigen kallikrein and acute myocardial infarction: where we are. Where are we going?

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an established marker for the detection of prostate cancer. Both elevated and diminished PSA have been reported during acute myocardial infarction. It seems that when elevation of PSA occurs during acute myocardial infarction (AMI), coronary lesions are frequent and often more severe than when a diminution of PSA occurs. PSA has been identified as a member of the human kallikrein family of serine proteases. In recent years, numerous observations have suggested that the activity of the kallikrein-kinin system is related to inflammation and to cardiovascular diseases. PSA kallikrein, however, does not seem to have kinin-generating activity. The inactive precursor form of PSA, proPSA, is converted rapidly to active PSA by Human kallikrein 2 (hK2), suggesting an important in vivo regulatory function byhK2 on PSA activity. However, it has been reported that hK2 might not alone be able to activate proPSA in vivo, but there are also other protease/proteases involved in this event. Moreover, it seems that when elevation of prostate-specific antigen occurs during AMI, it seems to relate to a higher occurrence of major adverse cardiac events in the first 8 days after AMI than when a diminution of PSA occurs. It confirms a possible new intriguing scenario of the role of the PSA in AMI. Although these preliminary observations are suggestive, large studies need to be done to confirm these preliminary results.