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LUCA ACCORSI

DIPENDENTE ALTRO ENTE DI RICERCA
Dipartimento di Ingegneria "Enzo Ferrari"

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Pubblicazioni

2023 - Novel bioprinted 3D model to human fibrosis investigation [Articolo su rivista]
Petrachi, T.; Portone, A.; Arnaud, G. F.; Ganzerli, F.; Bergamini, V.; Resca, E.; Accorsi, L.; Ferrari, A.; Delnevo, A.; Rovati, L.; Marra, C.; Chiavelli, C.; Dominici, M.; Veronesi, E.
abstract

Fibrosis is shared in multiple diseases with progressive tissue stiffening, organ failure and limited therapeutic options. This unmet need is also due to the lack of adequate pre-clinical models to mimic fibrosis and to be challenged novel by anti-fibrotic therapeutic venues. Here using bioprinting, we designed a novel 3D model where normal human healthy fibroblasts have been encapsulated in type I collagen. After stimulation by Transforming Growth factor beta (TGFβ), embedded cells differentiated into myofibroblasts and enhanced the contractile activity, as confirmed by the high level of α − smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and F-actin expression. As functional assays, SEM analysis revealed that after TGFβ stimulus the 3D microarchitecture of the scaffold was dramatically remolded with an increased fibronectin deposition with an abnormal collagen fibrillar pattern. Picrius Sirius Red staining additionally revealed that TGFβ stimulation enhanced of two logarithm the collagen fibrils neoformation in comparison with control. These data indicate that by bioprinting technology, it is possible to generate a reproducible and functional 3D platform to mimic fibrosis as key tool for drug discovery and impacting on animal experimentation and reducing costs and time in addressing fibrosis.

2021 - A Measuring Instrument for In-Line and Real-Time Measurement of Blood- pCO2in Extracorporeal-Circulation [Articolo su rivista]
Cattini, S.; Truzzi, S.; Accorsi, L.; Rovati, L.
abstract

Since the late 1950s, blood $p$ CO2 can be measured by using electrodes and, more recently, also by using point-of-care instruments such as blood gas and chemistry analyzers. Nevertheless, nowadays no measurement method has succeeded in providing an economic, reliable, and accurate estimate of the blood- $p$ CO2 to be routinely used for the monitoring of extracorporeal (blood) circulation (ECC) treatments. Indeed, blood is a very complex biological matrix composed of several different constituents, thus apart from a limited maximum-admitted measurement error (about some mmHg) and a quite wide measuring interval (about [20, 100] mmHg), the measuring systems have to provide significant selectivity taking hemocompatibility and safety for the patient as a primary concern. In this article, we propose and demonstrate a measuring instrument consisting of a low-cost and disposable fluorescent pco-sensor that can be inserted in series with the bloodline, and a nondisposable optical head that contactless reads the sensor. The proposed measuring system is intrinsically safe for the patient, has adequate metrological performance, avoids blood sampling and the related issues, and may allow to comply with cost requirements. Preliminary tests, conducted simulating a 6-h ECC treatment by using bovine blood, revealed deviations from the reference measuring instrument of less than ±4 mmHg, while the blood- $p$ CO2 was varied in the range [20, 100] mmHg.

2021 - A preliminary investigation of the robustness of a measuring instrument for blood-pCO2 measurement during ECC [Abstract in Atti di Convegno]
Cattini, Stefano; Accorsi, Luca; Truzzi, Stefano; Ferrari, Alberto; Rovati, Luigi
abstract

2021 - Assessing biocompatibility of face mask materials during covid-19 pandemic by a rapid multi-assays strategy [Articolo su rivista]
Petrachi, T.; Ganzerli, F.; Cuoghi, A.; Ferrari, A.; Resca, E.; Bergamini, V.; Accorsi, L.; Burini, F.; Pasini, D.; Arnaud, G. F.; Piccini, M.; Aldrovandi, L.; Mari, G.; Tomasi, A.; Rovati, L.; Dominici, M.; Veronesi, E.
abstract

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, scientific authorities strongly suggested the use of face masks (FMs). FM materials (FMMs) have to satisfy the medical device biocompatibility requirements as indicated in the technical standard EN ISO 10993-1:2018. The biologic evaluation must be confirmed by in vivo tests to verify cytotoxicity, sensitisation, and skin irritation. Some of these tests require an extensive period of time for their execution, which is incompatible with an emergency situation. In this study, we propose to verify the safety of FMMs combining the assessment of 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) with quantification of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as predictive markers of skin sensitisation or irritation based on human primary fibroblasts. Two hundred and forty-two FMMs were collected and classified according to spectrometer IR in polypropylene, paper, cotton, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, 3-dimensional printing, and viscose. Of all FMMs tested, 50.8% passed all the assays, 48% failed at least one, and only 1.2% failed all. By a low cost, rapid and highly sensitive multi assays strategy tested on human skin fibroblasts against a large variety of FMMs, we propose a strategy to promptly evaluate biocompatibility in wearable materials.

2021 - Preliminary investigation of the robustness of a fluorescent measuring system for in-line and real-time monitoring of blood-pH in extracorporeal circulation [Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Cattini, S.; Accorsi, L.; Truzzi, S.; Ferrari, A.; Rovati, L.
abstract

The possibility to monitor blood-pH has long been acknowledged to provide significant information for the diagnosis, management and treatment of a variety of diseases and it would be of considerable support for the administration of several treatments such as, for example, extracorporeal (blood) circulation (ECC). During ECC, the patient’s blood flows outside the body in disposable bloodlines and devices for treatments such as blood purification or circulation/ventilation/oxygenation support. Although blood-pH can be measured since the early twentieth century by using ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) and, more recently, also by using point-of-care testing (POCT) instruments, nowadays no measurement method has fully succeeded in providing a cost-effective, reliable and accurate estimate of the blood-pH to be routinely used for its real-time monitoring. In a recent paper, we have proposed and demonstrated a measuring instrument for the in-line and real-time monitoring of blood-pH during ECC. Such a measuring system consists of a low-cost fluorescent disposable sensor that can be integrated into the bloodline and, of a non-disposable reading system that interrogates the sensor without contacting the patient’s blood. In this paper, we investigated the robustness of such a measuring system to variations of blood parameters such as blood flow and hematocrit. The obtained results demonstrate that, although during the tests the pH, flow, and hematocrit values were significantly varied — pH from ≈ 6.8 pH, to ≈ 7.4 pH; hematocrit from 32%, to 40%; flow from 250 ml/min, to 400 ml/min, — the measuring system continued to guarantee a measurement error inferior to ±0.04 pH, thus complying with the metrological requirements for in-line and real-time monitoring of blood-pH during ECC.

2021 - Testing surgical face masks in an emergency context: The experience of italian laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis [Articolo su rivista]
Tessarolo, F.; Nollo, G.; Maniglio, D.; Rigoni, M.; Benedetti, L.; Helfer, F.; Corradi, I.; Rovati, L.; Ferrari, A.; Piccini, M.; Accorsi, L.; Veronesi, E.; Cuoghi, A.; Baglio, S.; Tuccitto, N.; Stefani, S.; Stracquadanio, S.; Caraci, F.; Terrasi, A.; Tricomi, A.; Musumeci, M.; Miraglia, A.; Cuttone, G.; Cosentino, S.; Muscas, C.; Vitali, L. A.; Petrelli, D.; Angrisani, L.; Colicchio, R.; D'Anna, A.; Iavicoli, I.; De Falco, G.; Di Natale, F.; Di Maio, E.; Salvatore, P.; Quaglia, F.; Mingoia, M.; Castellini, P.; Chiariotti, P.; Simoni, S.; Montalto, L.; Baleani, A.; Paone, N.
abstract

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a broader use of masks by both professionals and the general population. This resulted in a severe worldwide shortage of devices and the need to increase import and activate production of safe and effective surgical masks at the national level. In order to support the demand for testing surgical masks in the Italian context, Universities provided their contribution by setting up laboratories for testing mask performance before releasing products into the national market. This paper reports the effort of seven Italian university laboratories who set up facilities for testing face masks during the emergency period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Measurement set-ups were built, adapting the methods specified in the EN 14683:2019+AC. Data on differential pressure (DP) and bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) of 120 masks, including different materials and designs, were collected over three months. More than 60% of the masks satisfied requirements for DP and BFE set by the standard. Masks made of nonwoven polypropylene with at least three layers (spunbonded–meltblown–spunbonded) showed the best results, ensuring both good breathability and high filtration efficiency. The majority of the masks created with alternative materials and designs did not comply with both standard requirements, resulting in suitability only as community masks. The effective partnering between universities and industries to meet a public need in an emergency context represented a fruitful example of the so-called university “third-mission”.

2020 - On the development of an instrument for in-line and real-time monitoring of blood-pH in extracorporeal-circulation [Articolo su rivista]
Cattini, Stefano; Accorsi, Luca; Truzzi, Stefano; Rovati, Luigi
abstract

The possibility of real-time monitor critical care analytes such as pH is recognized to provide relevant information for the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of disorders and would be of considerable support for the management of extracorporeal circulation (ECC). However, despite blood pH can be measured from a long time by using electrodes or point-of-care instruments such as blood-gas analyzers, costs and complications associated with such measurement methods limit their use, thus blood pH is generally not monitored during routinary ECC. In this paper, we propose to exploit the tubing composing the ECC line to realize a low-cost and disposable pH-sensor and to interrogate such fluorescent sensor by using optical radiations. The proposed measuring system avoids complications related to blood sampling and may allow achieving single-patient cost requirements. Preliminary tests performed on a real ECC bloodline demonstrate that the system can operate with blood in ECC. Indeed, a 6 hours ECC treatment simulated using bovine blood revealed a deviation with respect to the reference pH-meter typically of about a few thousandths pH and with a maximum of about 0.01 pH.