Archivio istituzionale della ricerca - Università dell'Insubria
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Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed multicomponent reactions
Get PDFThis review reports the achievements in copper(II) triflate-catalyzed processes concerning the multicomponent reactions, applied to the synthesis of acyclic and cyclic compounds. In particular, for the heteropolycyclic systems mechanistic insights were outlined as well as cycloaddition and aza-Diels–Alder reactions were included. These strategies have gained attention due to their highly atom- and step-economy, one-step multi-bond forming, mild reaction conditions, low cost and easy handling
Exploring Torque Teno Virus-Host Immune Interactions
Get PDFBackground: Torque Teno Virus (TTV) is a ubiquitous component of human virome, not associated with any disease. TTV ability to establish persistent replication without overt clinical symptoms suggests a complex interaction with the host immune system.
Aims & Objectives: As its load increases when the immune system is compromised, such as in kidney transplant (KT) recipients, TTV load monitoring has been proposed as a method to assess immunosuppression. Simultaneously to investigate the interaction between TTV and host immune responses in the context of cytokine production may help to understand complex interaction with the host immune system.
Methodology: In this prospective study, TTV load was measured in plasma and urine samples from 42 KT recipients, immediately before KT and in the first 150 days after it. Furthermore, respiratory samples were also collected from 97 patients with respiratory changes caused by viruses to see the trend of TTV viral load and compare it with the cytokine expression also to see the trend across different age demographics.
Results: Data obtained suggest that TTV could be a relevant marker for evaluating immune status and could be used as a guide to predict the onset of infectious complications in the follow-up of KT recipients. Nevertheless, the study on cytokine profiling showed a significant positive correlation between TTV and the expression levels of key cytokines such as IFNL1 (p = 0.0416) and IFNL2 (p = 0.0007).
Conclusions: Since we observed no differences considering distance from transplantation, while we found a changing trend in days before viral infections, we suggest to consider changes over time in the same subjects, irrespective of time distance from transplantation. Other the other hand the nature of interaction between TTV and cytokines expression is at the moment unknown, this upregulation could contribute to the body defence against other pathogens by priming the immune system.Background: Torque Teno Virus (TTV) is a ubiquitous component of human virome, not associated with any disease. TTV ability to establish persistent replication without overt clinical symptoms suggests a complex interaction with the host immune system.
Aims & Objectives: As its load increases when the immune system is compromised, such as in kidney transplant (KT) recipients, TTV load monitoring has been proposed as a method to assess immunosuppression. Simultaneously to investigate the interaction between TTV and host immune responses in the context of cytokine production may help to understand complex interaction with the host immune system.
Methodology: In this prospective study, TTV load was measured in plasma and urine samples from 42 KT recipients, immediately before KT and in the first 150 days after it. Furthermore, respiratory samples were also collected from 97 patients with respiratory changes caused by viruses to see the trend of TTV viral load and compare it with the cytokine expression also to see the trend across different age demographics.
Results: Data obtained suggest that TTV could be a relevant marker for evaluating immune status and could be used as a guide to predict the onset of infectious complications in the follow-up of KT recipients. Nevertheless, the study on cytokine profiling showed a significant positive correlation between TTV and the expression levels of key cytokines such as IFNL1 (p = 0.0416) and IFNL2 (p = 0.0007).
Conclusions: Since we observed no differences considering distance from transplantation, while we found a changing trend in days before viral infections, we suggest to consider changes over time in the same subjects, irrespective of time distance from transplantation. Other the other hand the nature of interaction between TTV and cytokines expression is at the moment unknown, this upregulation could contribute to the body defence against other pathogens by priming the immune system
La violenza nei confronti delle donne: quale efficacia della “Legge sul femminicidio” e del “Codice Rosso”?
No full textThe patriarchal culture of our societies has always influenced the legal systems of different countries, bringing into the world of law prejudices and limitations, which have hindered the progress of women’s rights as well. The paper intends to analyse two initiatives adopted in the Italian legal landscape, Law No. 119 of 2013 and Law No. 69 of 2019, known respectively as the “Legge sul femmincidio” and the “Codice Rosso”, which, on the one hand, have intensified the punitive measures for certain crimes and,
on the other hand, have introduced new criminal offences –
some of which can be considered as sentinel crimes, which
can sometimes also result in feminicide. The paper therefore proposes to reason on the effectiveness of the two aforementioned normative acts, understood as the “capacity of norms to produce, in fact, the effects to which the norms are directed”, starting from the analysis of the most recent data on the subject
Impact of -OH surface defects on the electronic and structural properties of nickel oxide thin films
No full textNickel oxide-based thin films and nanomaterials are a current focus of intense research efforts due to the broad range of end uses in a variety of applications. While the chemico-physical properties of bulk NiO crystals, characterized by a wide band gap (4.0-4.3 eV), antiferromagnetic ordering and p-type character, have been extensively studied, for NiO films/nanomaterials the microscopic-level relationships between the surface defect structure and electronic properties are far from being completely elucidated. In the present work, we show that, by using density functional theory with the Hubbard correction (DFT+U), -OH surface defects, almost ubiquitous on oxide surfaces, can directly influence the electronic structure of NiO(100) model slabs. Depending on the exact defect chemical structure and surface defect density, the energy gap of the -OH bearing NiO(100) system can be engineered, and its behaviour can be modulated from p-type to n-type. The insights provided herein may be of importance for the modulation of NiO nanosystem properties as a function of specific applications, an important issue for their eventual real-world utilization
Ectopic olfactory neuroblastoma is associated with increased frequency of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion and reduced disease control: Case series with systematic review and pooled analysis
Get PDFIntroduction: Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare malignant tumor originating from the olfactory neuroepithelium, typically within the sinonasal cavity. Cases of ONB originating outside of the olfactory cleft area are extremely rare and are referred to as “ectopic” (eONB), in contrast to “orthotopic” tumors (oONB). ONB has been associated with paraneoplastic syndromes (PNSs), including the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). This study investigate the association between eONB and SIADH and compared the prognosis of eONB to oONB. Methods: A systematic literature review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted, focusing on studies reporting eONB and oONB associated with SIADH. Data from four newly identified eONB cases were reported and a pooled analysis was performed. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the prevalence of SIADH in eONB and oONB and to compare clinical outcomes in the two groups. Results: eONB had a significantly higher prevalence of SIADH (18.3%) compared to oONB (2.0%; p < 0.0001). Patients with eONB were younger, with a slight predominance of females. Recurrence-free survival and time-to-recurrence of eONB were worse than oONB, independently of other prognosticators. Conclusions: eONB is associated with a significantly higher incidence of SIADH than oONB, suggesting distinct biological characteristics. Moreover, patients with eONB had worse prognostic outcomes. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and improve management strategies for eONB
Digital Nudging and Cookie Rejection: An Experiment
No full textWhen browsing the Internet, web users tend to accept all cookies even though this may threaten their online security. We apply a salience nudge and a framing nudge to the design of a cookie banner and test their individual and combined effectiveness in fostering rejection of unnecessary cookies in an online experiment (N = 358). The salience nudge makes the rejection button more visible, and the framing nudge phrases button labels as negations. Compared to the control with no nudges, which elicited a rejection rate of 27%, the salience nudge increased rejection rate by 7 percentage points (but p = 0.305), the framing nudge by 18pp (p = 0.009), and the combination of the two by 53pp (p < 0.0001). We also find that, when users are offered a customization option rather than the rejection button, only 3% of them select the option and reject non-necessary cookies. Finally, we explore how cookie rejection is related to the time users spend making the decision and to their personality traits. Our findings suggest that cookie rejection can indeed be fostered by an appropriate design of cookie banners and that legislation for protecting the online security of users should introduce specific design guidelines
Eosinophilic esophagitis in children and adolescents: a clinical practice guideline
No full textEosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune-mediated condition that affects the esophagus and is marked by the presence of eosinophils. This disease is becoming more common in children and adolescents and can result in symptoms like swallowing difficulties, food impaction and abdominal pain. Managing pediatric EoE requires a team effort including gastroenterologists, allergists and dietitians. Medical treatments may include topical corticosteroids, proton pump inhibitors, and elimination diets. Endoscopy plays a key role in the diagnosis, management and monitoring of the condition. The management of pediatric EoE is distinct from that of adult EoE, due to differences in anatomy, physiology and treatment options. Thus, it is recommended that children with EoE see a pediatric gastroenterologist when possible. However, adult gastroenterologists can also contribute to the management of pediatric EoE when a pediatric gastroenterologist is not accessible. A guideline for the management of pediatric EoE in Italy has been created by Italian Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (SIGENP) to encourage collaboration between adult gastroenterologists and pediatricians, and it has been endorsed by major adult gastroenterology Italian societies including AIGO, SIGE and SIED, highlighting the importance of collaboration in the diagnosis and management of pediatric EoE
Predictive value of tumoral and peritumoral radiomic features in neoadjuvant chemotherapy response for breast cancer: a retrospective study
No full textBackground: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) improves surgical outcomes for breast cancer patients, with pathologic complete response (pCR) correlated with enhanced survival. The role of radiomics, particularly from peritumoral tissue, in predicting pCR remains under investigation. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed radiomic features from pretreatment dynamic contrast-enhanced breast MRI scans of 150 patients undergoing NACT. A proportional approach was used to define peritumoral zones, assessed both with a 10% and 30% extension, allowing more standardized assessments relative to the tumor size. Radiomic features were evaluated alongside clinical and biological data to predict pCR. The association of clinical/biological and radiomic features with pCR to NACT was evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis, logistic regression, and a random forest model. A clinical/biological model, a radiomic model, and a combined clinical/biological and 4 radiomic models for predicting the response to NACT were constructed. Area under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the performance of the models. Results: Ninety-five patients (average age 47 years) were finally included. HER2 +, basal-like molecular subtypes, and a high level of Ki67 (≥ 20%) were associated with a higher likelihood of pCR to NACT. The combined clinical–biological–radiomic model, especially with a 10% peritumoral extension, showed improved predictive accuracy (AUC 0.76, CI 0.65–0.85) compared to models using clinical–biological data alone (AUC 0.73, CI 0.63–0.83). Conclusions: Integrating peritumoral radiomic features with clinical and biological data enhances the prediction of pCR to NACT, underscoring the potential of a multifaceted approach in treatment personalization