24663 research outputs found
Sort by
Regional models and health outcomes: the Italian National Health Service in the post-pandemic period
No full textZEBRAFISH PLATFORM FOR ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUG DISCOVERY
No full textTomato and Olive Bioactive Compounds (TOBC) are a patented nutraceutical formulation derived
from tomato and olive mill wastewater extracts. In this study, through integrated in vivo and in vitro
approaches, we demonstrate the strong ability of TOBC to promote tissue regeneration by finely
modulating early and late inflammatory responses. In the in vivo zebrafish model, caudal fin
amputation was performed at 72 hours post fertilization (hpf), and larvae were treated with TOBC
at 1 or 2 mg/mL. Using the Tg(mpx:GFP) transgenic line, we evaluated how these concentrations
influenced neutrophil behaviour following injury. Neutrophil counts, quantitative fluorescence
imaging and RT-PCR analyses revealed that TOBC at 1 mg/mL enhanced neutrophil recruitment
and increased interleukin 1 beta (il1β) and interferon regulatory factor 8 (irf8) expression at 6 hours
post amputation (hpa), along with an early rise of the active Il1β form at 2 hpa, indicating an
amplified early inflammatory activation. We further examined TOBC during later stages of
epimorphic regeneration (24 and 48 hpa). TOBC promoted a pro-regenerative environment by
modulating macrophage recruitment to the wound site and increasing both tumor necrosis factor
alpha (tnfa) mRNA expression together with Tnfa protein levels at 24 hpa. At 48 hpa, TOBC
enhanced proliferative activity and fin regrowth, as demonstrated by elevated proliferating cell
nuclear antigen (PCNA) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (Tgfβ1) protein levels. Co-treatment
with the caspase-1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CMK (N-acetyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-chloromethyl ketone)
completely abolished TOBC-induced effects, indicating that its regenerative activity strictly
depends on caspase-1 mediated Il1β maturation and inflammasome activation. These in vivo
findings were complemented by in vitro experiments performed using the human bronchial
epithelial BEAS-2B cell line, a widely used and well-established non-tumorigenic epithelial model
for studying inflammatory and oxidative stress responses. Human bronchial epithelial cells play a
key role in orchestrating inflammatory signalling and tissue homeostasis through the release of
cytokines, growth factors and redox mediators, processes that are critically involved in
inflammation-driven tissue repair. For this reason, BEAS-2B cells were selected as a human
epithelial model to assess whether TOBC-mediated immunomodulatory and pro-regenerative
effects observed in vivo are conserved at the epithelial level in a mammalian system. In this context,
TOBC at 1 mg/mL increased cell viability and proliferation, as confirmed by accelerated
progression through the S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle. Scratch assays revealed faster wound
closure in TOBC-treated cultures, and TOBC additionally stimulated IL-1β and epidermal growth
factor (EGF) secretion, supporting the establishment of a pro-regenerative microenvironment. In
conclusion, the use of BEAS-2B cells provided complementary mechanistic insight into conserved
epithelial responses relevant to inflammation-driven tissue repair and airway remodelling, thereby
strengthening the translational relevance of the zebrafish model. Together, these results identify
TOBC as a promising candidate for therapeutic applications in tissue repair and inflammation
control. Its combined ability to modulate Tnfα-dependent inflammatory pathways, rely on caspase-1
mediated Il1β activation, and directly stimulate cellular proliferation and remodelling highlights its
dual regenerative and immunoregulatory potential
Immuno-Instructive 3D Tendon Biomimetic Scaffolds Functionalized with Amniotic Epithelial Stem Cell Secretome for Controlled Inflammation and Targeted Macrophage Polarization
No full text: Tendon healing is often hindered by unresolved inflammation and dysregulated immune responses, highlighting the need for innovative regenerative strategies. This study developed an immune-informed platform by functionalizing validated 3D tendon-mimetic poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds with immunomodulatory conditioned media (CM), referred to as CMINF to emphasize its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, derived from ovine amniotic epithelial stem cells (AECs), offering a potential cell-free therapeutic solution. Three functionalization methods were compared: physical adsorption, and hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) pre-treatments. FT-IR spectroscopy and protein adsorption analyses identified NaOH as the most effective method, enhancing retention and release of Amphiregulin (AREG), an AEC key immunomodulatory protein. Kinetic studies revealed a sustained, controlled release of AREG over 7 days (d) from CMINF-functionalized scaffolds (3D-CMINF), preserving bioactivity. Functionally, 3D-CMINF scaffolds significantly suppressed T-cell activation and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation. The released CM from 3D-CMINF (CMR) exhibited time-dependent immunomodulatory effects: early T-cell inhibition (6-72 h) and delayed suppression of PBMC proliferation (48 h-7 d). Macrophage polarization analysis revealed a shift towards the pro-regenerative M2 phenotype, with increased expression of M2 over M1 markers in 3D-CMINF-adherent cells. Flow cytometry confirmed a preferential induction of regulatory M2b macrophages alongside reductions in pro-inflammatory M1 and pro-fibrotic M2a subsets. These results demonstrate that 3D-CMINF scaffolds can finely modulate immune responses, balancing inflammatory and reparative cues relevant to early tendon healing processes. This platform, integrating structural and immunomodulatory elements, presents a promising, cell-free, and translational immunoengineering strategy to control inflammation and support tendon repair
I semi di Pinocchio. Qualità mitiche del burattino di Collodi
No full textIl Pinocchio di Collodi ha molti tratti fiabeschi ed è possibile ritrovarvi diverse funzioni tra quelle descritte da Propp: la storia inizia con un allontanamento a cui segue subito la mancanza del padre, quindi rispetto al Pinocchio-eroe abbiamo la partenza (abbandono della casa), il trasferimento in un altro spazio che avviene a dorso di un uccello (il Colombo), la lotta con alcuni antagonisti, la vittoria, la rimozione della mancanza con il ritrovamento del babbo, il ritorno sulla terraferma (dopo un altro trasferimento spaziale che avviene nel ventre del Pesce-cane), lo svolgimento di un compito difficile (il lavoro) e infine la ricompensa che si realizza nella metamorfosi tanto agognata in essere umano. Tuttavia, come ha sostenuto Paolo Fabbri, Pinocchio ha anche le caratteristiche del mito così come le ha descritte Lévi-Strauss perché vi coesistono significati e percorsi narrativi che sono in contrasto tra loro, dando luogo a contraddizioni che vengono raccontate senza essere risolte.
In questo volume le qualità mitiche del Pinocchio vengono analizzate nei tre livelli del Percorso Generativo del senso teorizzato da Greimas: nel livello narrativo profondo con l’analisi di categorie quali “natura” vs “cultura”, “caso” vs “necessità”, “morte” vs “vita”; nel livello narrativo di superficie con l’ipotesi che vi siano due Pinocchi che convivono in modo polemico e conflittuale: un Pinocchio1 Soggetto che persegue uno stato di cultura e un Pinocchio2 Anti-Soggetto che persegue uno stato di natura; nel livello discorsivo con la descrizione della qualità mitica degli attori, degli spazi, dei tempi, dei temi principali e delle figure a essi correlate. Infine ci si sofferma su alcune trasposizioni cinematografiche per vedere se e come i mitismi del Pinocchio sono stati mantenuti, modificati, rivisitati
On the proper enumeration of all finite length strings for source coding
No full textIn the proper enumeration of the binary words, the sequence is arranged as {X1,X2,X3,X4,X5,X6,X7,X8,X9,...}:={0,1,00,01,10,11,000,001,010,...}.
Simple methods for finding the index of a given word in this proper enumeration are presented and analyzed. Additionally, methods for determining the corresponding word from a given index in this enumeration are described. These methods are extended to any radix-r word system
Role of proteins in the microstructure, rheology, tribology and sensory perception of plant-based custards
No full textCustard is a dairy dessert typically composed of milk, egg yolk, starch and sugars. In recent years, the food market has shown an increased demand for plant-based dairy alternatives. This study evaluated the role of plant-protein isolates (namely pea, potato and soy) in the physicochemical, rheological and microstructural characteristics of plant-based (no-dairy, no-egg) custards and in their sensory perception. The protein isolates were selected based on differences in gelling behaviour and were tested at three different concentrations (2.5, 4 and 10 %) under the same process conditions. The results were compared to both a conventional dairy-based custard with egg yolk and a plant-based formulation without proteins. In general, custards were characterized by a microstructure of swollen starch granules and a protein network. Increasing protein concentration enhanced the continuity of the protein network, which increased viscosity and exerted a space limiting effect on the swollen starch granules. The viscosity of the custards positively correlated to mouth-coating, compactness and stickiness perception. Melting rate perception was negatively related to thickness and compactness. The particle size of the protein aggregates was positively related to graininess perception and negatively with creaminess. Potato proteins formed a dominant network already at low concentrations and the substantial enhancement in elastic behaviour and viscosity had negative effects on texture perception of the plant-based custards compared to the animal-based reference. On the contrary, soy and pea protein formed at low concentrations less extensive networks compared to potato, resulting in rheological properties most closely resembling those of the reference custard. However, pea protein showed a tendency to form a less homogeneous protein network with large aggregates, that negatively affected creaminess. Overall, under the conditions of this study, matching particle size of the protein aggregates, viscosity, G’ and critical strain led to plant based samples with mouthfeel attributes similar to those of the animal-based reference
“Unravelling the mystery” of Marine eDNA: A Comparative Metabarcoding Analysis and Protocols Validation
No full textMonitoring environmental changes in aquatic habitats – such as biodiversity loss, shifts in distribution and migratory patterns, spread of invasive species – has
become an urgent task in the context of climate change. In this framework, the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) – as the DNA released by organisms in the environment and extracted from water and sediments - appears as an innovative and cost-effective tool for gathering useful data for monitoring biodiversity profiles, searching for target species, and emerging pathogens. Although this technique has
been extensively used for several purposes and in different environments – for
instance, in oceans, rivers, and lakes – its application remains limited by the lack
of standardized methods and a fragmentary understanding of the variables
influencing detection and data interpretation. This multi-phase project investigates
how sampling design, laboratory protocols, and environmental conditions affect eDNA metabarcoding in marine ecosystems.
In the first phase, protocols of DNA extraction, sequencing, and bioinformatic
analysis were tested in controlled settings using fish mock communities. After
adjusting the protocols under laboratory conditions, they were implemented in a semi-controlled environment (Atlantic salmon fish farm) to assess eDNA transport and the influence of water temperature, currents, and fish biological activity on the detectability rate. Data were compared with results from a species-specific qPCR assay to explore the limits of sensitivity for the metabarcoding approach. Finally, the entire eDNA workflow is applied to natural marine environments for monitoring a local population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and their feeding preferences, providing also a local snapshot of biodiversity. After delving into eDNA
dynamics and exploring factors influencing its detectability, the eDNA speciesspecific approach is assessed for the detection of the invasive Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis).
Overall, this thesis project expands the knowledge on the applicability of the eDNA
workflow in aquatic ecosystems. Sampling methods (active vs. passive), primer set choice, and hydrodynamic conditions emerged as major drivers in eDNA detection. Metabarcoding provides useful low-cost multi-species data but still requires
17
considering all the influencing methodological and environmental variables during data interpretation. The implementation of eDNA into the monitoring of invasive species represents an efficient approach for an early warning system; however, the sensitivity of the method has to be investigated deeply
L’arma dello stupro. Violenza politica e aggressioni sessuali nei casi di brigantaggio
No full textIl contributo analizza l’uso della violenza sessuale come strumento di conflitto politico nel brigantaggio postunitario, mostrando come lo stupro, lungi dall’essere un atto episodico, si configuri come pratica punitiva e simbolica volta a colpire comunità, onore familiare e legittimità dello Stato nelle province meridionali
