University of Bologna

Isothermal titration calorimetry measures heat flow released or absorbed in chemical reactions. This method can be used to quantify enzyme-catalysis. In this paper, the protocol for instrumental setup, experiment running, and data analysis is generally described, and applied to the characterization of enzymatic urea hydrolysis by jack bean urease.

Protein co-expression is a powerful alternative to the reconstitution in vitro of protein complexes, and is of help in performing biochemical and genetic tests in vivo. Here we report on the use of protein co-expression in Escherichia coli to obtain protein complexes, and to tune the mutation frequency of cells.

We show the preparation and address the feasibility of cellular vehicles containing gold nanorods for the photoacoustic imaging of cancer.

A sensitive and accurate method for cell-free microRNAs quantification using a dye-based chemistry and droplet digital PCR technology is described.

Glaucoma is a chronic disease with progressive degeneration of optic nerve fibers resulting in decreased visual field. Elevated intraocular pressure is considered the most important and the only treatable risk factor. This manuscript describes a simple, surgeon-friendly, non-incisional technique, named Ultrasound Cyclo Plasty, for reducing intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

The goal of this study is to assess whether the suprachoroidal graft of adipose-derived stem cells included in the stromal vascular fraction and platelets derived from platelet-rich plasma by the Limoli Retinal Restoration Technique can improve visual acuity and retinal sensitivity responses in eyes affected by dry age-related macular degeneration.

Dry eye disease is an increasingly common condition, which strongly impair patients' life quality. Recently, a new device employing intense pulsed light, specifically designed for the periocular area, has been shown to improve tear film stability and ocular discomfort symptoms in dry eye disease owing to meibomian gland dysfunction.

We present a protocol to integrate diffusion MRI tractography in patient work-up to endoscopic endonasal surgery for a skull base tumor. The methods for adopting these neuroimaging studies in the pre- and intra-operative phases are described.

The aim of this protocol is to provide a time efficient way to segment volumes of interest on high-resolution CT scans to use for further radiomics analysis.

We describe the production of mixed cultures of astrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursor cells derived from fetal or adult neural stem cells differentiating into mature oligodendrocytes, and in vitro modeling of noxious stimuli. The coupling with a cell-based high-content screening technique builds a reliable and robust drug screening system.

We present a method for mounting a porcine aortic valve on a pulse duplicator to test its hydrodynamic properties. This method can be used to determine the change in hydrodynamics after the application of an experimental procedure or novel medical device prior to use in a large animal model.