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Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Defenses in Huntington’s Disease: Roles of NRF2 and PGC-1α, and Therapeutic Strategies
No full textHuntington’s disease (HD) is a detrimental neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of a CAG triplet in the HTT gene. This mutation leads to the production of mutant Huntingtin (Htt) protein with toxic gain-of-function. The mHtt is responsible in several ways for the establishment of an intricate pathogenetic scenario in affected cells, particularly in HD neurons. Among the features of HD, oxidative stress plays a relevant role in the progression of the disease at the cellular level. Mitochondrial dysfunction, bioenergetic deficits, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production, neuroinflammation, and general reduction of antioxidant levels are all involved in the promotion of a toxic oxidative environment, eventually causing cell death. Nonetheless, neuronal cells exert antioxidant molecules to build up defense mechanisms. Key components of these defensive mechanisms are the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 α (PGC-1α). Thus, this review aims to describe the involvement of oxidative stress in HD by exploring the roles of NRF2 and PGC-1α, crucial actors in this play. Finally, antioxidant therapeutic strategies targeting such markers are discussed
Food products with a protein-related nutrition claim: a cross-sectional analysis in the Italian market
No full text: Products carrying protein-related claims have substantially grown in popularity in Italy, also due to the perception that protein-foods support weight management and improve physical performance. This study surveyed the Italian market of pre-packaged foods bearing protein claims. Product selection was conducted across major retailers, and the nutritional profile of the items was analysed considering the information reported in the food labelling. Snack bars (n = 100), yogurt (n = 68), and mousse (n = 43) were the main representatives among the 418 identified products. Heterogeneity of nutritional profiles was observed for all the items, particularly regarding the percentage of total energy provided by protein, ranging from median ∼16% in crackers to ∼70% in processed meat, with a co-occurrence of different other nutrition claims. Findings underline the wide availability, in the Italian market, of products with protein-related claims, yet not informative of their actual protein content. Continuous monitoring of this trend is warranted to assess its nutritional implications and to evaluate the overall impact of these products when incorporated into habitual dietary patterns
AhR and STAT3: A Dangerous Duo in Chemical Carcinogenesis
No full textHuman chemical carcinogenesis is a multistage process where chemicals or their metabolites cause irreversible changes in normal cell physiology, eventually leading to uncontrolled proliferation, transforming a normal cell into a cancerous one. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a cytoplasmic transcription factor that regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, inflammation, and immune responses. Its aberrant activation triggers tumor progression by promoting the expression of oncogenic genes; thus, STAT3 is classified as an oncoprotein. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that responds to a wide variety of chemicals, including carcinogens like dioxins, inducing genes associated with detoxification, proliferation, and immune regulation. Recent reports show that AhR plays a critical role in cancer development and maintenance. AhR may interact with signaling pathways, like the STAT3 pathway, which mediates the carcinogenic effects of several pollutants. Various chemical agents, such as industrial waste and hydrocarbon compounds, can alter the expression or signaling activity of AhR and STAT3 pathways, leading to different types of cancers. Understanding the complex STAT3-AhR network in the regulation of chemical carcinogenesis could open new avenues for cancer prevention or treatment, particularly in personalized medicine, aiming to improve life expectancy and achieving a complete cure
Mapping Yield and Fusarium Wilt on Green Bean Combining Vegetation Indices in Different Management Zones
No full textLegumes are sensitive to soil heterogeneity and disease pressure, particularly from Fusarium oxysporum, which causes severe yield losses worldwide. This study examined the relationships between soil properties, disease incidence, and yield variability within management unit zones (MUZs) to support site-specific management strategies. Two field experiments
were conducted in central Italy, in two different growing seasons, using synthetic images of bare soil and clusters to delineate MUZs. Soil samples were analyzed for texture, organic carbon, and nitrogen content, while disease incidence and severity were assessed in relation to symptoms on foliar, root, and hypocotyl tissues. Furthermore, pathogen isolations were carried out from the altered hypocotyl and root tissue. Vegetation indices, including NDVI and PRI derived from Sentinel-2 images, were integrated with field observations to mapdisease and yields spatially. The results highlighted the almost exclusive presence of F. oxysporum on the altered tissues. MUZ-3, characterized by lower organic carbon content and higher sand content, consistently exhibited the highest incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt. In contrast, MUZ-1, richer in clay and organic carbon, supported healthier plant growth and higher productivity. The integration of vegetation indices with field data proved effective in detecting spatial variability, allowing the delimitation of productivity zones and supporting precision farming strategies aimed at mitigating Fusarium-related yield losses
Reducing Methane Emissions using Unconventional Feed Ingredients and Bioactive Compounds in the Diet: In Vitro Studies
No full textThe growing human population is increasing the demand for food, particularly animal-based products like meat and milk, leading to a need for more livestock production. This growth creates competition for feed resources and farmland, putting additional pressure on the environment. A major environmental issue from livestock, especially cattle and sheep, is the emission of methane, which significantly contributes to climate change. At the same time, increased human populations are producing more agro-industrial waste, posing further environmental risks. Using these agro-industrial by-products, which contain beneficial bioactive compounds, as animal’s feed could offers a practical way to reduce methane emissions from ruminants, lessen competition for human food resources, and lower environmental pollution from waste disposal. This thesis investigates innovative dietary strategies specifically aimed at reducing methane emissions from ruminants through dietary modifications, the use of feed additives and advanced feeding technologies.
The first study was based on a review that we published earlier, which explored the potential of various fruits and vegetable by-products as alternative feed sources for ruminants. Through this review, we identified a gap in the literature concerning the use of mango and avocado by-products. Given their high bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, we decided to investigate these by-products as potential feed ingredients and feed additives for ruminants.
In this study, we examined mango and avocado by-products as feed ingredients and supplements through two experiments. The first experiment evaluated the nutritional composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and fermentation characteristics to assess their suitability as ruminant feed. The second experiment tested the effects of micro encapsulated phenolic extracts from these by-products, assessing their potential to optimize rumen function and reduce methane emissions. Results indicated that mango peel, mango seed kernel, and avocado seed were particularly promising due to their high digestibility and fermentation efficiency. Furthermore, microencapsulated fruit peel by-products showed potential as feed supplements for reducing in vitro methane production.
The third study assessed the effects of L-Carvone, an essential oil active compound, on rumen fermentation, dry matter digestibility, and methane production. At a medium dose of 250 μL/L, L-Carvone significantly reduced methane production without compromising in vitro dry matter digestibility. Higher doses (500 μL/L) were more effective in reducing methane, though they negatively impacted digestibility.
In the fourth study, the effects of bakery by-products on rumen degradability, fermentation characteristics, and methane yield were evaluated. The results showed that feeding bakery by-products significantly reduced methane production without affecting digestibility, suggesting their potential as an effective strategy for mitigating methane emissions from ruminants.
Together, these in vitro studies studies demonstrate that by-products from various industries, often considered waste, can be repurposed as valuable feed ingredients for livestock. By utilizing these by-products, which contain bioactive compounds, and incorporating pure essential oil compounds such as L-Carvone, we can potentially reduce methane emissions, alleviate food-feed competition, and minimize environmental pollution, offering sustainable solutions to the environmental challenges posed by livestock production
Accertamento pregiudiziale dei contratti e accordi collettivi. Commento sub art. 420-bis c.p.c.
No full textIntroduction
No full textAt the heart of this work is an attempt to unveil the mechanisms of
“government by consensus”, a concept that has become essential in political
systems increasingly characterised by constitutional and democratic aspirations,
which require the political class to engage in dialogue with citizens, who are
called upon to legitimise the ruling classes through their approval. Alongside
consensus is knowledge, and it is on this pairing that the research group outlined
its premises and invited authors to reflect
Raccontare il conflitto. Alcune considerazioni su l' Histoires Générales de Conjurations, Conspirations et Révolutions Célèbres tant Anciennes que Modernes di François-Joachim Duport Du Tertre (1762)
No full textIl termine rivoluzione comincia ad essere affiancato, a metà '700, accanto ai più tradizionali lemmi congiura e cospirazione, finendo per assumere un suo spazio tra i termini che definiscono il conflitto politico, anche se ancora in maniera poco definita e chiaramente riconosciuta. Il testo di Duport Du Tertre è uno dei primi a tentare di dare una definizione e una specificità al termine "rivoluzione", pur non riuscendoci
Ancora qualche dubbio sulle liberalità indirette
No full textLa tassazione delle liberalità indirette si precisa attraverso la giurisprudenza ma restano punti da chiarir