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Evaluating the impact of renewable energy, agriculture, and livestock on CO2 and GDP in OECD countries using an extended STIRPAT framework
No full textThis study examines how renewable energy, agriculture, and livestock affect CO2 emissions and economic growth in 26 OECD countries between 1970 and 2021. Using an extended STIRPAT (Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology) framework, the analysis applies a broad set of panel estimators, including CS-ARDL, CS-DL, AMG, CCEMG, FMOLS, DOLS, CCR, and GMM-based PVAR, to ensure robustness and test for causality. Results show that renewable energy and agriculture are significantly associated with lower CO2 emissions, while GDP, coal use, and energy intensity increase emissions. At the same time, renewable energy, agriculture, and livestock contribute positively to GDP growth, whereas energy intensity has a negative effect. Granger causality tests reveal unidirectional causality running from renewable energy and agriculture to CO2 emissions and GDP, and bidirectional causality between livestock and GDP. Overall, the findings indicate that (i) the agricultural sector is more effective than the livestock sector in reducing CO2 emissions, while both contribute equally to economic growth in OECD countries, and (ii) renewable energy not only reduces emissions but also plays a significant role in supporting long-term economic growth. These insights support the case for integrated policies that scale up investment in renewable energy and agriculture to accelerate the transition toward sustainability in high-income economies
E. Coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor-1 promotes colorectal carcinogenesis by causing oxidative stress, DNA damage and intestinal permeability alteration
No full textBackground: Bacterial toxins are emerging as promising hallmarks of colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis. In particular, Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor 1 (CNF1) from E. coli deserves special consideration due to the significantly higher prevalence of this toxin gene in CRC patients with respect to healthy subjects, and to the numerous tumor-promoting effects that have been ascribed to the toxin in vitro. Despite this evidence, a definitive causal link between CNF1 and CRC was missing. Here we investigated whether CNF1 plays an active role in CRC onset by analyzing pro-carcinogenic key effects specifically induced by the toxin in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Viability assays, confocal microscopy of γH2AX and 53BP1 molecules and cytogenetic analysis were carried out to assess CNF1-induced genotoxicity on non-neoplastic intestinal epithelial cells. Caco-2 monolayers and 3D Caco-2 spheroids were used to evaluate permeability alterations specifically induced by CNF1, either in the presence or in the absence of inflammation. In vivo, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) model was exploited to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of CNF1. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence stainings of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) colon tissue were carried out as well as fecal microbiota composition analysis by 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: CNF1 induces the release of reactive oxidizing species and chromosomal instability in non-neoplastic intestinal epithelial cells. In addition, CNF1 modifies intestinal permeability by directly altering tight junctions’ distribution in 2D Caco-2 monolayers, and by hindering the differentiation of 3D Caco-2 spheroids with an irregular arrangement of these junctions. In vivo, repeated intrarectal administration of CNF1 induces the formation of dysplastic aberrant crypt foci (ACF), and produces the formation of colorectal adenomas in an IBD model. These effects are accompanied by the increased neutrophilic infiltration in colonic tissue, by a mixed pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine milieu, and by the pro-tumoral modulation of the fecal microbiota. Conclusions: Taken together, our results support the hypothesis that the CNF1 toxin from E. coli plays an active role in colorectal carcinogenesis. Altogether, these findings not only add new knowledge to the contribution of bacterial toxins to CRC, but also pave the way to the implementation of current screening programs and preventive strategies
Is adult-onset separation anxiety disorder a trauma-stress-related disorder? A preliminary report
No full textBackground The DSM-5 recognized that the separation anxiety disorder (SEPAD) may span the entire life course or have an adult-onset. Epidemiological data indicated a 23%-69% prevalence of SEPAD in clinical settings and a high comorbidity with both prolonged grief disorder (PGD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some authors hypothesize that while life threat represents the key trigger of PTSD, disruptions or threats to interpersonal bonds lead to PGD and SEPAD. This study aims to test the hypothesis that adult-onset SEPAD might be a trauma-related disorder, triggered by events threatening to interpersonal bonds. Methods The sample included 106 consecutive adult outpatients with anxiety and/or mood disorders. SEPAD was diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for Separation Anxiety Symptoms (SCI-SAS). The Adult Separation Anxiety Checklist (ASA-27) was used to assess symptoms severity. To assess exposure to trauma, the SCID-5 criterion A form for PTSD was administered. Traumatic events were coded as directly experienced (self) or involving close ones (others). Lifetime exposure to separation events was also assessed. Results 60.4% of participants were categorized as not having SEPAD in adulthood or in childhood (NO-SEPAD), 18.9% as childhood-onset SEPAD, and 20.8% as adult-onset SEPAD. Controlling for comorbid disorders, lifetime traumatic events involving self and separation events, traumatic events involving others significantly predicted adult-onset SEPAD. A significant correlation between the age at trauma exposure and the age of SEPAD onset was found. Conclusions Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that adult-onset SEPAD may represent an event-related disorder
Novel Fabrication-Tolerant Resonator Design for mm-Wave Chipless RFID and Its Analytical Model
No full textThis paper presents a class of novel fabrication-tolerant resonator design for high-capacity chipless RFID tags. The proposed resonator is based on a high-quality-factor grounded dipole with a single etched slot of variable length. By controlling the slot length, the resonant frequency can be adjusted while exhibiting much lower sensitivity to design variables compared to conventional dipole resonators. This makes the design resilient to fabrication tolerances, a critical requirement for mm-wave frequency bands. This feature enables a two-step fabrication process: first, producing high-precision master tags (e.g., via roll-to-roll fabrication), and second, customizing them by etching slots using a flexible method like laser etching. The presence of a ground plane provides isolation from the tagged object, enabling application to diverse materials and geometries. An analytical model is derived to establish the relationship between slot length changes and resonant frequency shifts, enabling efficient design optimization. Sensitivity analysis shows the proposed resonator has a single parameter sensitivity of 0.008 (feasibility), and overall sensitivity of 0.04 (stability) under ± 50μm fabrication tolerance, over two orders of magnitude and half lower than the sensitivity of 1 for conventional dipoles. The resonator design is validated through simulations and experiments, demonstrating its potential for high-capacity, fabrication-tolerant chipless RFID tags
TRAP1 expression elicits pro-tumoral functions in macrophages associated to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor cells
No full textBackground: Metabolic adaptations can sustain the pro-neoplastic functions exerted by macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), aggressive and incurable sarcomas that develop either sporadically or in the context of the genetic syndrome Neurofibromatosis type 1, are highly infiltrated by macrophages, whose contribution to MPNST growth remains poorly characterized. Here, we analyze the role played by the molecular chaperone TRAP1, a regulator of mitochondrial metabolic pathways, in shaping the pro-tumoral activity of macrophages associated to MPNST cells. Methods: We have studied the phenotypic changes elicited by a MPNST cell-conditioned medium in macrophages with or without TRAP1, and their subsequent ability to support MPNST cell growth and migration and endothelial cell angiogenesis. Results: The presence of TRAP1 is required in both naive and M2-like macrophages for eliciting phenotypic changes that lead to the acquisition of pro-neoplastic features. TRAP1-expressing macrophages become able to sustain MPNST cell growth and migration and to exert pro-angiogenic properties on endothelial cells through accumulation of the metabolite succinate and the ensuing activation of a HIF-1α-dependent transcriptional program. Conclusions: Our data provide evidence of a molecular crosstalk between MPNST cellular components, in which soluble factors released by cancer cells drive phenotypic changes in macrophages that in turn enhance pro-tumoral biological routines in both MPNST and endothelial cells. TRAP1-dependent metabolic rewiring in macrophages is mandatory for sustaining this interplay, as a TRAP1-succinate-HIF-1α signaling axis orchestrates their acquisition of tumor-promoting features
Is colonic lavage an effective tool for left-sided colonic oncological emergencies?
No full textThe management of left-sided colonic oncological emergencies remains challenging, especially in choosing the optimal approach to control fecal contamination while minimizing surgical risks. This retrospective study evaluates intraoperative colonic lavage (IOCL) versus manual decompression (MD) in emergency left-sided colonic resections with primary anastomosis. Data from 70 patients who underwent emergency colorectal surgery at Pisa University Hospital between 2010 and 2022 were divided into two groups: IOCL (Group A, n = 23) and MD (Group B, n = 47). Primary endpoint was the rate of anastomotic leakage while secondary endpoints included incisional surgical site infections (SSI), overall morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Although IOCL significantly increased operative time (p < 0.0001), it was associated with a shorter ICU stay (p < 0.0001). No significant differences were observed between groups regarding anastomotic leakage, incisional SSI rates, overall morbidity, or LOS. These results align with previous studies suggesting that while IOCL may offer benefits in reducing ICU stays, it does not significantly impact overall morbidity or infection risk compared to MD. Our findings suggest that IOCL could be advantageous in selected, hemodynamically stable patients; however, further research is needed to confirm its efficacy. Given the similar morbidity and infection rates, MD remains a viable alternative. Future multicenter randomized studies could further clarify IOCL’s clinical benefits in left-sided colonic emergencies, helping to establish guidelines for its use in routine practice
Vasi cinerari pisani di età arcaica e classica. Una nota di aggiornamento
No full textIn recent years, research on Etruscan Pisa has greatly increased our understanding of the urban and territorial funerary landscape. This has been achieved through new excavations, revision of ancient data, and a systematic census of burials and necropolises from the Iron Age to the 2nd century BC.
Since the Villanovan period, the dominant practice has been cremation, with bones collected in jars or dolia made of local clay. These were often covered with impasto vases or stone slabs. Inhumations are rarer and are mainly attested in limited numbers between the 7th and 6th centuries BC. During this period, necropolises were usually organized by family groups around prestigious tombs.
In the 6th century, there was a growing interest in marble markers (semata) and cinerary vases. In this regard, alongside traditional forms made of local clay, precious vases were imported from Greece, particularly Attic and Laconic kraters, which were often used as ossuaries. This was the result of commercial and cultural contacts with the Hellenic world. The krater, which was associated with symposia and aristocratic values, also appears to have been used as a cinerary urn in the territory as well, demonstrating the integration between Pisa and its outlying areas. This is demonstrated by some significant finds, including the recently explored site of Coltano, near Pisa, including a cinerary krater attributed to the circle of the Antimenes Painter or the Golvol Group.
At the same time, local imitations of the Greek krater in marble and common ceramics were produced, adapting its shape to the Pisan tradition. Overall, therefore, there was strong ritual continuity, integrated, however, by external cultural influences affecting funerary symbols and practices both in the city and its surrounding area
Electrifying P(V): Access to Polar and Radical Reactivity
No full textElectrochemical, fully stereoselective P(V)-radical hydrophosphorylation of olefins and carbonyl compounds using a P(V) reagent is disclosed. By strategically selecting the anode material, radical reactivity is accessible for alkene hydrophosphorylation whereas a polar pathway operates for ketone hydrophosphorylation. The mechanistic intricacies of these chemoselective transformations were explored in-depth