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Strong heart, fit brainCardiac impact on brain development in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A prospective cohort study
No full textPurpose CDH fetuses may present with abnormal brain volume and cerebral fissures. Since cardiac function and size may also be altered, we hypothesized that abnormal cardiac function may contribute to the impaired brain development in these fetuses. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether cardiac dimensions and function correlate with brain development in CDH fetuses. Materials and Methods All fetuses with left CDH who underwent ultrasound evaluation of cardiac function and brain development between 2018 and 2023 were included. We analyzed the correlation between cardiac size and function parameters with the parieto-occipital (POF) and Sylvian (SF) fissures and insular depth (ID) in 2 gestational periods (GP). Cardiac and brain anatomical measures were corrected for head circumference, and cardiac function parameters were corrected for estimated fetal weight or GA. Correlations were analyzed using the Pearson test. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results 24 fetuses with left CDH were included. Between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation, POF, SF, and ID were significantly correlated with aortic flow. Right ventricle E/A was significantly correlated with POF and SF, with a trend toward a correlation with ID, approaching the threshold of significance. In this GP, the ID was also significantly correlated with the left ventricle area, E/A, and E', S' and A'. Most correlations were lost in the next GP. Conclusion Between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation, brain development in fetuses with CDH is significantly correlated with cardiac function. Most of these correlations were lost at 25-28 weeks of gestation. Further studies are needed to confirm our results and to evaluate whether these findings have postnatal clinical significance
Review of Christine Frank and Sugi Shindo (ed.), Konstellationen österreichischer Literatur: Ilse Aichinger
No full textRecensione del volume intitolato "Konstellationen österreichischer Literatur: Ilse Aichinger" (2024), curato da Christine Frank e Sugi Shindo
Il monumento sepolcrale di Jacopa Di Vico Tomacelli in Santa Maria in Aracoeli: alleanze politiche e topografie del potere nella Roma di fine Trecento
No full textIntegrating Creative Approaches to Dementia Care Into Nursing Programmes: Findings From an International Qualitative Study
No full textIntroduction: The literature suggests that the use of creative methods (e.g., art, theatre, and music) in the care of older people can promote interactions and positive experiences. However, there are no studies that have explored the perspectives of nursing programmes internationally regarding their inclusion in the curriculum. Therefore, to expand knowledge from a multinational perspective, this study explored (a) the views and perceptions and (b) the potential barriers to the inclusion of creative approaches in nursing education in the development of competences for the care of people with dementia. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study according to the Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative research checklist. Semi-structured face-to-face and focus group interviews with a purposive sample of 79 participants in four countries (Finland, Greece, Italy, and the Netherlands). Participants were nursing students (n = 32), educators/professors (n = 17), healthcare professionals (n = 13), family members (n = 8), policy makers (n = 6), and people with dementia (n = 3). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Views, perceptions, and barriers/advantages related to creative approaches were summarised into four themes: (a) Being already familiar with creative approaches; (b) Perceiving their potentialities; (c) Bolstering the personalised approach in nursing education; and (d) Ensuring preparedness and support. Conclusions: The inclusion of creative approaches in nursing education appears to be both mature and desired by stakeholders at the international level, given their diverse potentialities. These approaches are also seen as an excellent way to improve the teaching of personalised care. However, resources as well as a particular attitude and the ability of professors to act as role models are required
Blood-derived NK cells modulate the calcification process in primary cultured human fibroblasts
No full textNatural killer (NK) cells are lymphoid cells that exert cytotoxic activity against virally infected or malignant cells. Although NK cells have been identified within mineralized tissues,1,2 their potential pathophysiological or compensatory role in calcification remains largely unclear. Using validated pro-calcific models,3 peripheral blood-derived human NK cells were previously found neither to undergo calcification, as demonstrated by ultrastructural analyses, nor to exhibit significant phenotypic changes, as revealed by flow cytometric assays, even when exposed to high, metastatic-like concentrations of inorganic phosphate. To assess whether NK cells might influence cell calcification, primary co-cultures of blood-derived human NK cells and human fibroblasts isolated from abdominal connective tissue were established and treated for up to 8 days with a pro-calcific medium simulating metastatic calcification. Two different co-culture conditions were tested: one in which NK cells were added only at the beginning of stimulation, and another in which NK cells were added every three days, coinciding with medium renewal. Additional pro-calcific cultures of fibroblasts alone, as well as untreated cultures of both fibroblasts and NK cells alone, were also prepared. Cultures were analysed by transmission electron microscopy to evaluate the extent of calcification, alongside flow cytometric analyses to assess the phenotypic features of NK cells. Compared to fibroblasts cultured alone in pro-calcific conditions, those co-cultured with NK cells exhibited fewer degenerative changes, with some cells showing features similar to untreated fibroblasts. The protective effects of co-culturing were more pronounced when NK cells were added repeatedly throughout the treatment period. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that, in pro-calcific co-cultures, a higher proportion of NK cells retained elevated expression of the activating receptor CD16 and upregulated NKp46, one of the main receptors triggering NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity, compared to control conditions. These preliminary data suggest that, in vivo, blood NK cells might exert a protective effect against cell calcification, as previously observed for mineralized vascular smooth muscle cells in a mouse model of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.4
1) Morishima T, et al. Eur J Neurol 2002; 9:521-5.
2) Bobryshev YV and Lord RSA. Atherosclerosis 2005; 180:423-7.
3) Bonetti A, et al. Anat. Rec 2012; 295:1117-27.
4) Mao M, et al. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:221
Tillage regime shapes ground beetle distribution and their potential for weed control under drought conditions
No full textTillage affects soil invertebrates such as ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), with potential repercussions on the pest and weed control services they provide. Knowledge about the effects of tillage on weed control through seed predation is particularly important in the context of climate change-induced drought, which may exacerbate weed problems. In this study, we investigated the effects of tillage (conservation vs. conventional) on the abundance, diversity and in-field distribution of ground beetles in 9 pairs of annual crop fields in Northern Italy. We also tested the effect of tillage, artificially induced drought (-50 % precipitation) and arthropod seed predator exclusion on weed biomass and diversity within the same fields. We expected conservation tillage to increase ground beetle abundance and richness, and seed predator presence to buffer the projected increased weed incidence in conservation tillage and drought conditions. In conservation tillage fields, ground beetle activity density was overall higher, and decreased from field margin to field center, while in conventional tillage it was lower and had an opposite spatial trend. This pattern, reflected also in the in-field distribution of the dominant species Pterostichus melas, is likely caused by differential distribution of habitat and food resources in the two management systems. Conservation tillage also positively affected species richness, further underlying its importance in ground beetle conservation. Unexpectedly, seed predator exclusion reduced weed biomass in conservation tillage. This may be linked to higher seed density, a situation in which the removal of competing seeds can trigger compensatory mechanisms in the remaining seed bank. As drought also increased weed incidence, strategies such as thick mulching, sowing density manipulation, crop rotations and cover cropping might become increasingly necessary in order to limit weeds to a level at which seed predation can efficiently contribute to weed control in climate change scenarios
Review to Sigmund Probst: "The edition of Leibniz’s mathematical writings: past, present and future" in "Historia Mathematica", 72, pp. 39-45.
No full textEfficient Implementation of a Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy Program in a Naïve Centre Experienced in Open Radical Cystectomy and Other Robot-Assisted Surgeries: A Comparative Analysis of Perioperative Outcomes and Complications
No full textBackground/Objectives: While robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) has shown potential benefits over open radical cystectomy (ORC), such as reduced blood loss and quicker recovery, its adoption has been limited because of its complexity and long learning curve, especially for urinary diversion. We assessed whether a RARC program with fully intracorporeal urinary diversion could be safely implemented in a hospital with no prior experience in RARC, but with expertise in ORC and other robotic surgeries. We also compared perioperative outcomes and complications between RARC and ORC during the implementation phase. Methods: This retrospective comparative study included 50 consecutive patients who underwent RARC between June 2023 and January 2025 and 50 patients previously treated with ORC. All RARC cases were performed with intracorporeal urinary diversion. A structured proctoring program guided two surgeons through a stepwise training approach by an expert RARC surgeon. Perioperative outcomes and 90-day complications were compared. Results: All RARC procedures were completed fully intracorporeally with no conversions to open surgery. Compared with ORC, RARC was associated with significantly shorter operative times (for ileal conduit diversion) and hospital stays, lower estimated blood loss, and fewer postoperative complications. There were no differences in intraoperative complications. Worst single grade ≥ 3 complications were significantly less frequent in the RARC than the ORC group (11 [11%] versus 21 [21%], p = 0.045). On multivariable analysis, the robotic approach independently predicted fewer any-grade complications (odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence intervals 0.65–0.95, p = 0.01). Conclusions: A RARC program can be safely and effectively implemented in a previously RARC-naïve centre with existing surgical expertise. The robotic approach offers clear perioperative benefits and may represent a favourable alternative to open surgery
Steroid-sparing strategies for managing ICI-induced arthritis: safety and oncological outcomes
No full textOBJECTIVES: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionised cancer therapy but often cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including ICI-induced arthritis. Managing these rheumatic irAEs (R-irAEs) frequently requires prolonged glucocorticoid (GC) use, potentially compromising cancer outcomes. This study evaluates the use of conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cs-DMARDs) and biologic DMARDs (b-DMARDs) as steroid-sparing agents in ICI-induced arthritis, focusing on their safety and efficacy. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed patients with ICI-induced arthritis treated at our centre (January 2019-January 2024). Demographic, oncologic, and treatment data were collected. Patients were grouped into GC-only and GC+DMARD (cs- or bDMARDs) groups. The primary endpoint was the steroid-sparing effect of DMARDs, with secondary endpoints evaluating time to cancer progression. RESULTS: Among 31 patients (68% male, mean age 69.5 years), the most common cancers were non-small cell lung cancer (35%) and melanoma (19%). Arthritis presentations included arthralgias, mono/oligoarthritis, polyarthritis, and polymyalgia rheumatica-like syndrome. Eighteen patients were treated with cs- or b-DMARDs, of whom 61% within 2 months and 72% within 4 months from the onset of ICI-induced arthritis. DMARD-treated patients had significantly lower cumulative steroid use (p=0.047) with no adverse impact on time to cancer progression (p=0.27). IL-6 inhibitors showed particular promise in managing chronic arthritis without compromising oncologic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: DMARDs offer a safe and effective steroid-sparing strategy for ICI-induced arthritis, preserving cancer treatment efficacy. Early DMARD initiation could benefit patients needing long-term management of R-irAEs. Prospective studies are needed to refine treatment protocols, balancing immune modulation with oncological outcomes
«Inventare un intero sistema linguistico». Pasolini traduttore di Stefan George
No full textA partire dall’Ottocento, la prassi della traduzione è stata un canale formidabile per arricchire la lingua e la letteratura friulana di nuove espressioni. Se a cavallo fra i due secoli gli scrittori soprattutto goriziani si impegnarono ad allargare il ventaglio degli autori, nel tentativo di trasporre fedelmente il testo poetico di partenza, più avanti, con Pasolini e l’Academiuta di lenga furlana, si mirò invece alla libera ricreazione poetica, mediante la ricerca dei valori musicali e simbolici di una varietà marginale e non scritta. Pasolini sceglie di prendere le distanze dalle precedenti esperienze di traduzione, ritenute degradanti, e di lavorare su un piano di equivalenza tra lingue, innestando il friulano in una tradizione letteraria di respiro europeo. Le sue traduzioni, che insistono su un delicato sforzo di sostituzioni foniche e melodiche, interessano una decina di lingue e numerosi autori; tra questi spicca Stefan George, il quale probabilmente ha suscitato l’attenzione del giovane Pasolini anche per aver condotto esperimenti poetici in una lingua letteraria di propria invenzione