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Alfinito E, Beccaria M, Cesaria M. Cooperation in bioluminescence: understanding the role of autoinducers by a stochastic random resistor model. Eur Phys J E Soft Matter 2023; 46:94. [PMID: 37812340 PMCID: PMC10562348 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-023-00352-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Quorum sensing is a communication mechanism adopted by different bacterial strains for the regulation of gene transcription. It takes place through the exchange of molecules called autoinducers. Bioluminescence is an emergent threshold phenomenon shown by some bacteria strains. Its precise relationship to quorum sensing is a debated topic, particularly regarding the role of the different autoinducers used by bacteria. In this paper, assuming a direct relationship between bioluminescence and quorum sensing, we investigate the role of multiple autoinducers in the bioluminescence response of Vibrio harveyi, considered as a model bioluminescent strain, due to its quorum sensing circuitry involving an array of three different autoinducers. Experiments on mutants of this bacterium, obtained by suppression of one or more autoinducers, reveal their relative non-trivial relevance and cooperative interaction patterns. The proposed analysis is implemented on a regular lattice, whose nodes represent microbial entities equipped with charges, which represent the ability to up/down regulate the gene expression. Quorum sensing results from a Coulomb-type field, produced by the charges. In analogy with random resistor network models, the lattice is permeated by an effective current which accounts for the amount and distribution of the charges. We propose that the presence of different autoinducers correspond to a different up/down regulation of gene expression, i.e., to a different way to account for the charges. Then, by introducing a modulation of the charge dependence into the current flowing within the network, we show that it is able to describe the bioluminescence exhibited by V. harveyi mutants. Furthermore, modulation of the charge dependence allows the interactions between the different autoinducers to be taken into account, providing a prediction regarding the data obtainable under specific growth conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Alfinito
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica 'Ennio De Giorgi', Università del Salento, Via Arnesano, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
| | - Matteo Beccaria
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica 'Ennio De Giorgi', Università del Salento, Via Arnesano, 73100, Lecce, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare - Sezione di Lecce, Via Arnesano, 73100, Lecce, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maura Cesaria
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica 'Ennio De Giorgi', Università del Salento, Via Arnesano, 73100, Lecce, Italy
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Conte L, De Nunzio G, Lupo R, Mieli M, Lezzi A, Vitale E, Carriero MC, Calabrò A, Carvello M, Rubbi I, Federico M. Breast Cancer Prevention: The Key Role of Population Screening, Breast Self-Examination (BSE) and Technological Tools. Survey of Italian Women. J Cancer Educ 2023; 38:1728-1742. [PMID: 37400725 PMCID: PMC10509132 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-023-02327-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common tumor among women worldwide and still remains the leading cause of death in women in Italy. Although survival from this pathology has increased, this disease and its treatment can have lasting or delayed effects that can greatly affect a woman's quality of life. Primary and secondary prevention are currently the best strategies to combat this cancer: improved lifestyle, early adherence to screening, Breast Self-Examination (BSE), and even now the use of technology, have become among the most important tools to ensure increasingly early diagnosis of this disease, which is a major cause of suffering and premature mortality in women. Indeed, early diagnosis of the disease can lead to a good prognosis and a high survival rate. This study investigates the attitude of Italian women to perform clinical checkups aimed at cancer prevention, particularly adherence to free screening programs offered by the National Health Service (NHS) for women in the 50-69 age group. The knowledge, use and emotional approach toward BSE as a screening tool and the use of dedicated apps for this purpose are also investigated. Low adherence to screening programs, lack of BSE practice, and nonuse of dedicated apps are just some of the results observed in this study. Therefore, it becomes essential to spread the culture of prevention, cancer awareness and the importance of screening throughout life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Conte
- Laboratory of Biomedical Physics and Environment, Department of Mathematics and Physics "E. De Giorgi", University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
- Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research Applied to Medicine, University of Salento, Local Health Authority, Lecce, Italy
| | - Giorgio De Nunzio
- Laboratory of Biomedical Physics and Environment, Department of Mathematics and Physics "E. De Giorgi", University of Salento, Lecce, Italy.
- Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research Applied to Medicine, University of Salento, Local Health Authority, Lecce, Italy.
| | - Roberto Lupo
- "San Giuseppe da Copertino" Hospital, Local Health Authority, Lecce, Italy
| | - Matilde Mieli
- C.R.A.P. Comunità Riabilitativa Assistenziale Psichiatrica, Taurisano, Italy
| | - Alessia Lezzi
- ANT Italia ONLUS Foundation (National Cancer Association), Lecce, Italy
| | - Elsa Vitale
- Department of Mental Health, Local Health Authority, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Calabrò
- "Nuovo Ospedale Degli Infermi" Hospital, Local Health Authority, Biella, Italy
| | - Maicol Carvello
- Brisighella Community Hospital, Local Health Authority, Romagna, Italy
| | - Ivan Rubbi
- School of Nursing, University of Bologna, Faenza, Italy
| | - Massimo Federico
- Breast Unit City of Lecce Hospital, Gruppo Villa Maria (GVM) Care & Research, Lecce, Italy
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Mazzotta E, Di Giulio T, Mastronardi V, Brescia R, Pompa PP, Moglianetti M, Malitesta C. Nanozymes based on octahedral platinum nanocrystals with {111} surface facets: glucose oxidase mimicking activity in electrochemical sensors. Mikrochim Acta 2023; 190:425. [PMID: 37776360 PMCID: PMC10543470 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-023-05992-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
The ability of shape-controlled octahedral Pt nanoparticles to act as nanozyme mimicking glucose oxidase enzyme is reported. Extended {111} particle surface facets coupled with a size comparable to natural enzymes and easy-to-remove citrate coating give high affinity for glucose, comparable to the enzyme as proven by the steady-state kinetics of glucose electrooxidation. The easy and thorough removal of the citrate coating, demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, allows a highly stable deposition of the nanozymes on the electrode. The glucose electrochemical detection (at -0.2 V vs SCE) shows a linear response between 0.36 and 17 mM with a limit of detection of 110 μM. A good reproducibility has been achieved, with an average relative standard deviation (RSD) value of 9.1% (n = 3). Similarly, a low intra-sensor variability has been observed, with a RSD of 6.6% (n = 3). Moreover, the sensor shows a long-term stability with reproducible performances for at least 2 months (RSD: 7.8%). Tests in saliva samples show the applicability of Pt nanozymes to commercial systems for non-invasive monitoring of hyperglycemia in saliva, with recoveries ranging from 92 to 98%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Mazzotta
- Laboratorio di Chimica Analitica, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (Di.S.Te.B.A.), Università del Salento, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
| | - Tiziano Di Giulio
- Laboratorio di Chimica Analitica, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (Di.S.Te.B.A.), Università del Salento, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Valentina Mastronardi
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Nanobiointeractions & Nanodiagnostics, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Rosaria Brescia
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Pompa
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Nanobiointeractions & Nanodiagnostics, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Mauro Moglianetti
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Nanobiointeractions & Nanodiagnostics, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy.
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Centre for Cultural Heritage Technology (CCHT@Ca' Foscari), Via Torino 155, 30172, Venice, Italy.
- HiQ-Nano srl, Via Barsanti, 1, 73010, Arnesano (LE), Italy.
| | - Cosimino Malitesta
- Laboratorio di Chimica Analitica, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (Di.S.Te.B.A.), Università del Salento, 73100, Lecce, Italy
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Lezzi P, Lupo R, Cimarelli N, Conte L, De Nunzio G, Botti S, Calcagnile A, Del Coco C, Calabro A, Rubbi I, Carvello M, Vitale E. Clinical Features of Takotsubo Syndrome and Its Differential Diagnostic Criteria in Clinical Nursing Practice: A Review of the Literature. Curr Cardiol Rep 2023; 25:841-850. [PMID: 37466761 PMCID: PMC10403421 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01905-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a heart disease that mimics the symptoms of a myocardial infarction (MI). The exact cause of TCM is unknown, but the main theory is that the syndrome is triggered by an excessive release of catecholamines, a consequence of factors related to stress or severe emotional distress. The aim of this review is to summarize the various scientific journal articles on the nursing differential diagnosis of TCM, on the specific nurse training (particularly the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse, APN), and on the nursing educational support for the patient after hospital discharge. RECENT FINDINGS A literature review was conducted on Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Relevant indexed articles that investigated the elements characterizing TCM in nursing differential diagnosis and the role of the APN were identified. RESULTS Sixteen studies were included in the review; they highlighted the role of the nurse in identifying and educating patients with TCM. Nurses must have a thorough understanding of the syndrome, the onset symptoms, the unusual characteristics, and the probable etiology of TCM in order to recognize and promptly treat patients affected by this syndrome and have the opportunity to educate them after hospital discharge to reduce the possibility of recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierluigi Lezzi
- 'Veris Delli Ponti' Hospital, ASL (Local Health Authority), Scorrano, Italy
| | - Roberto Lupo
- San Giuseppe da Copertino Hospital', Local Health Authority Lecce, Lecce, Italy
| | | | - Luana Conte
- Laboratory of Biomedical Physics and Environment, Department of Mathematics and Physics "E. De Giorgi", University of Salento, Lecce, Lecce, Italy
- Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research Applied to Medicine (DReAM), University of Salento and ASL (Local Health Authority) Lecce, Lecce, Italy
| | - Giorgio De Nunzio
- Laboratory of Biomedical Physics and Environment, Department of Mathematics and Physics "E. De Giorgi", University of Salento, Lecce, Lecce, Italy.
- Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research Applied to Medicine (DReAM), University of Salento and ASL (Local Health Authority) Lecce, Lecce, Italy.
| | - Stefano Botti
- Hematology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Ciro Del Coco
- San Giuseppe da Copertino Hospital', Local Health Authority Lecce, Lecce, Italy
| | - Antonino Calabro
- Nuovo Ospedale Degli Infermi' Hospital, ASL (Local Health Authority), Biella, Italy
| | - Ivan Rubbi
- School of Nursing, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maicol Carvello
- Community Hospital', ASL (Local Health Authority) of Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Elsa Vitale
- Department of Mental Health, ASL (Local Health Authority), Bari, Italy
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Longo M, Lorubbio V. Ecosystem Vulnerability. New Semantics for International Law. Int J Semiot Law 2023; 36:1-18. [PMID: 37362074 PMCID: PMC10140698 DOI: 10.1007/s11196-023-09998-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The effects of climate change and increasing environmental pollution have clearly shown the vulnerability of individuals, local communities, and the natural environment, even in the Western context. However, despite such unquestionable data, International Law is still struggling to find adequate, unambiguous, effective solutions to the issue. Even the 'human right to a healthy environment', recognised by the UN General Assembly in 2022, is permeated by an anthropocentric idea of the world, which prevents it from fully dealing with ecosystem issues so as to protect any living and non-living being. The paper starts by exploring the historical relevance of the concept of limit and the lack of boundaries in contemporary society, aiming to show that new semantics are needed, in order to overcome contemporary extractivism. An analysis of international legislation and jurisprudence will investigate the role that the concept of ecosystem vulnerability might play in the implementation of both human rights and the rights of nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Longo
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Lorubbio
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
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Perrone MR, Romano S, De Maria G, Tundo P, Bruno AR, Tagliaferro L, Maffia M, Fragola M. Simultaneous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial profiles from the air of hospital environments with COVID-19-affected patients. Aerobiologia (Bologna) 2022; 38:391-412. [PMID: 36097443 PMCID: PMC9453715 DOI: 10.1007/s10453-022-09754-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The SARS-CoV-2 presence and the bacterial community profile in air samples collected at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Operational Unit of Infectious Diseases of Santa Caterina Novella Hospital in Galatina (Lecce, Italy) have been evaluated in this study. Air samplings were performed in different rooms of the ICU ward with and without COVID-19 patients. No sample was found positive to SARS-CoV-2, according to Allplex 2019-nCoV Assay. The airborne bacterial community profiles determined by the 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach up to the species level were characterized by richness and biodiversity indices, Spearman correlation coefficients, and Principal Coordinate Analysis. Pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacterial species, also detected in outdoor air samples, were found in all collected indoor samples. Staphylococcus pettenkoferi, Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum, and others coagulase-negative staphylococci, detected at high relative abundances in all the patients' rooms, were the most abundant pathogenic species. The highest mean relative abundance of S. pettenkoferi and C. tuberculostearicum suggested that they were likely the main pathogens of COVID-19 patients at the ICU ward of this study. The identification of nosocomial pathogens representing potential patients' risks in ICU COVID-19 rooms and the still controversial airborne transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 are the main contributions of this study. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10453-022-09754-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rita Perrone
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Salvatore Romano
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Maria
- Presidio Ospedaliero Santa Caterina Novella, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Lecce, 73013 Galatina, Lecce, Italy
| | - Paolo Tundo
- Presidio Ospedaliero Santa Caterina Novella, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Lecce, 73013 Galatina, Lecce, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Bruno
- Presidio Ospedaliero Santa Caterina Novella, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Lecce, 73013 Galatina, Lecce, Italy
| | - Luigi Tagliaferro
- Presidio Ospedaliero Santa Caterina Novella, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Lecce, 73013 Galatina, Lecce, Italy
| | - Michele Maffia
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Mattia Fragola
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
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Goldoni R, Thomaz DV, Di Giulio T, Malitesta C, Mazzotta E. An insight into polyscopoletin electrosynthesis by a quality-by-design approach. J Mater Sci 2022; 57:12161-12175. [PMID: 35755421 PMCID: PMC9215150 DOI: 10.1007/s10853-022-07349-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Scopoletin (SP) as a functional monomer for electropolymerization has recently been investigated in the context of molecularly imprinted polymers for biosensing applications. Herein we describe an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms involved in the electropolymerization of SP toward the optimization of the experimental conditions for applications in sensor studies. PolySP films have been in situ synthesized on a standard glassy carbon electrodes by varying three independent experimental parameters, and the output of the analysis has been evaluated in terms of the resulting electroactive area and surface coverage. A quality-by-design approach including design-of-experiments principles and response surface methodology produced unbiased observations on the most relevant parameters to be controlled during the electropolymerization of SP. By combining the output of electroactive area and surface overage, we highlighted a strong dependence on the monomer concentration and scan rate. Thus, an appropriate selection of these two parameters should be sought to have an optimal electropolymerization process, leading to uniform films and homogeneous surface behavior. This study shows that the application of multi-factorial analysis in a comprehensive design of experiments allows the systematic study of polymer electrosynthesis. Therefore, this research is expected to guide further efforts in the electropolymerization of several functional monomers. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10853-022-07349-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Goldoni
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico Di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
- National Research Council, Institute of Electronics, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering (CNR-IEIIT), 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Douglas Vieira Thomaz
- Laboratorio di Chimica Analitica, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (Di.S.Te.B.A.), Università del Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Tiziano Di Giulio
- Laboratorio di Chimica Analitica, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (Di.S.Te.B.A.), Università del Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Cosimino Malitesta
- Laboratorio di Chimica Analitica, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (Di.S.Te.B.A.), Università del Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Mazzotta
- Laboratorio di Chimica Analitica, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (Di.S.Te.B.A.), Università del Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
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Agliari E, Sáez PJ, Barra A, Piel M, Vargas P, Castellana M. A statistical inference approach to reconstruct intercellular interactions in cell migration experiments. Sci Adv 2020; 6:eaay2103. [PMID: 32195344 PMCID: PMC7065881 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay2103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Migration of cells can be characterized by two prototypical types of motion: individual and collective migration. We propose a statistical inference approach designed to detect the presence of cell-cell interactions that give rise to collective behaviors in cell motility experiments. This inference method has been first successfully tested on synthetic motional data and then applied to two experiments. In the first experiment, cells migrate in a wound-healing model: When applied to this experiment, the inference method predicts the existence of cell-cell interactions, correctly mirroring the strong intercellular contacts that are present in the experiment. In the second experiment, dendritic cells migrate in a chemokine gradient. Our inference analysis does not provide evidence for interactions, indicating that cells migrate by sensing independently the chemokine source. According to this prediction, we speculate that mature dendritic cells disregard intercellular signals that could otherwise delay their arrival to lymph vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Agliari
- Dipartimento di Matematica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Adriano Barra
- Dipartimento di Matematica & Fisica ‘Ennio De Giorgi’, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | | | | | - Michele Castellana
- Laboratoire Physico-Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 168, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, Paris, France
- Corresponding author.
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Invitto S, Mazzatenta A. Olfactory Event-Related Potentials and Exhaled Organic Volatile Compounds: The Slow Link Between Olfactory Perception and Breath Metabolic Response. A Pilot Study on Phenylethyl Alcohol and Vaseline Oil. Brain Sci 2019; 9:E84. [PMID: 30991670 PMCID: PMC6523942 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9040084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfactory processing starts with the breath and elicits neuronal, metabolic and cortical responses. This process can be investigated centrally via the Olfactory Event-Related Potentials (OERPs) and peripherally via exhaled Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Despite this, the relationship between OERPs (i.e., N1 and Late Positive Component LPC) and exhaled VOCs has not been investigated enough. The aim of this research is to study OERPs and VOCs connection to two different stimuli: phenylethyl alcohol (PEA) and Vaseline Oil (VO). Fifteen healthy subjects performed a perceptual olfactory task with PEA as a smell target stimulus and VO as a neutral stimulus. The results suggest that OERPs and VOCs distributions follow the same amplitude trend and that PEA is highly arousing in both psychophysiological measures. PEA shows ampler and faster N1, a component related to the sensorial aspect of the stimulus. The N1 topographic localization is different between PEA and VO: PEA stimulus evokes greater N1 in the left centroparietal site. LPC, a component elicited by the perceptual characteristic of the stimulus, shows faster latency in the Frontal lobe and decreased amplitude in the Central and Parietal lobe elicited by the PEA smell. Moreover, the delayed time between the onset of N1-LPC and the onset of VOCs seems to be about 3 s. This delay could be identified as the internal metabolic time in which the odorous stimulus, once perceived at the cortical level, is metabolized and subsequently exhaled. Furthermore, the VO stimulus does not allocate the attentive, perceptive and metabolic resource as with PEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Invitto
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies, University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
- DReAM Laboratory of InterDisciplinary Research Applied to Medicine, University of Salento-Vito Fazzi Hospital, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
| | - Andrea Mazzatenta
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Imaging e Scienze Cliniche, Università "d'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
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