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The Unripe Carob Extract (Ceratonia siliqua L.) as a Potential Therapeutic Strategy to Fight Oxaliplatin-Induced Neuropathy
Get PDFBackground: Oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy (OIN) is a severe painful condition that strongly affects the patient’s quality of life and cannot be counteracted by the available drugs or adjuvants. Thus, several efforts are devoted to discovering substances that can revert or reduce OIN, including natural compounds. The carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua L., possesses several beneficial properties. However, its antalgic properties have not been substantially investigated and only a few investigations have been conducted on the unripe carob (up-CS) pods. Thus, the aims of this study were to evaluate for the first time the unripe variety of Apulian carob, chemically characterized and profiled as antioxidant potential of polyphenolic compounds as well as to investigate the ability of up-CS to reduce the neurotoxicity in a mouse model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain. Methods: By UHPLC-HRMS/MS analyses, 50 phenolic compounds, belonging mainly to n-galloylated glucoses and flavonoids were detected. Results: In a mouse model of oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity (2.4 mg/kg, 10 injections over two weeks), acute per os treatment with up-CS provoked a dose-dependent pain-relieving effect that completely counteracted oxaliplatin hypersensitivity at the dose of 200 mg/kg. Repeated oral administration of up-CS (100 mg/kg), concomitantly with oxaliplatin injection, exerted a protective effect against the development of thermal and mechanical allodynia. In addition, up-CS exerted a neuroprotective role against oxaliplatin-induced astrocytes activation in the spinal cord measured as GFAP-fluorescence intensity. Conclusions: Overall, our study contributes to the knowledge on up-CS properties by highlighting its protective activity in the painful condition related to the administration of oxaliplatin. © 2024 by the authors
«Qualis palma humiles inter procera myricae»: Felice Della Rovere, Colocci, Borgia
No full textIl saggio raccoglie alcune riflessioni preliminari sull'ecloga "Felix" di Girolamo Borgia, dedicata a Felice Della Rovere, figlia di papa Giulio II
Use of an off the Shelf Inner Branch Thoraco-abdominal Endograft for the Treatment of Juxtarenal and Pararenal Aortic Aneurysms
Get PDFObjective: To investigate outcomes obtained using an off the shelf pre-loaded inner branched endograft (E-nside) for the treatment of juxtarenal and pararenal aortic aneurysms (J-PRAA). Methods: Data from a multicentre registry (INBREED), including patients treated with E-nside endograft, were prospectively collected and analysed. Patients treated for J-PRAA were included. Pre-operative clinical and anatomical characteristics, procedural data, 30 day, and one year outcomes were recorded. Endpoints were technical success, 30 day mortality, major adverse events (MAE), and one year freedom from target vessel instability. Results: Of 185 consecutive treated patients, 47 (25.0%) had a J-PRAA (juxtarenal n = 10, 21.0%; pararenal n = 37, 79.0%) and were included; 183 target vessels were incorporated through an inner branch. Procedural setting was emergent or urgent in 18 patients (38.0%) owing to a contained aortic rupture (n = 2, 4.0%), symptomatic aneurysm (n = 4, 9.0%), or aneurysm > 70 mm (n = 12, 87.0%). Mean length of aortic coverage above the coeliac trunk was 116 ± 7 mm. Technical success was 100%, and 30 day mortality was 4.0% (n = 2 urgent cases). The thirty day cumulative MAE rate was 26.0% (n = 12): two stroke (4.0%); seven spinal cord ischaemia (15.0%); six in an elective setting (20.0%) and one in an urgent setting (6.0%), and five leading to permanent paraplegia/paraparesis (10.0%). Freedom from target vessel instability was 99.0% after 30 days and 97.0 ± 3.0% after one year. Conclusion: Use of an off the shelf inner branched device for treating J-PRAA was feasible in urgent and elective settings, with high technical success and satisfactory target vessel stability at one year. In the treatment of J-PRAA, stroke and spinal cord ischaemia may be associated with arm access and increased aortic coverage that the design brings
The synergetic effect of selenium or zinc oxide nanoparticles with chromium on mitigating thermal stress for sustainable production and improving antioxidant capacity and inflammatory cytokines of growing rabbits
No full textThis study was conducted to evaluate the impacts of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), and a combination of SeNPs and chromium (Cr) or ZnONPs and Cr on growth, caecal microbiota, antioxidant capacity in blood and liver tissue, and inflammatory cytokines in heat-stressed rabbits. A total of 100 newly weaned APRI rabbits were randomly divided into five homogeneous groups. A basal diet containing no feed additives (0 g per kg diet) was given to the first group, and the second, third, fourth, and fifth groups were given a diet supplemented with 0.3 mg SeNPs, 20 mg ZnONPs, 0.3 mg SeNPs and 1.5 mg Cr, and 20 mg ZnONPs and 1.5 mg Cr per kg diet, respectively. At 10 and 14 weeks of age, the live body weight (LBW) of rabbits was higher (P < 0.05) in all treatments, while LBW at 10 weeks of age was higher (P < 0.05) in combination groups. All treatments increased daily body weight gain in the age intervals of 6-10 and 6-14 weeks (P<0.05). Daily body weight gain was increased (P < 0.05) in combination groups at the age interval of 6-10 weeks. Feed intake was only increased for rabbits in the ZnONP-Cr group at age intervals of 10-14 weeks. The feed conversion ratio was significantly improved in all treatments at 6-10 and 6-14 weeks of age compared to the control. Haemoglobin was increased (P<0.05) in diets supplemented with ZnONPs and SeNP-Cr or ZnONP-Cr combinations. The platelet count was only increased (P < 0.05) by the ZnONP-Cr combination compared to other groups. Serum total proteins, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, IgA, IgM, nitric oxide, and lysozyme were increased, while serum total cholesterol and triglycerides, alanine transaminase, malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), and interleukin 4 (IL-4) were reduced by all treatments. The total antioxidant capacity in liver tissue was higher, and malondialdehyde was lower in all treatment groups. Albumin was significantly increased, while glucose, creatinine, and urea were significantly decreased in response to ZnONPs and SeNP-Cr or ZnONP-Cr combinations compared with the other groups. Dietary addition of SeNPs-Cr or ZnONPs-Cr significantly reduced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) concentration. The caecal activity was increased, while the Escherichia coli (E. coli) count decreased considerably in all treatments compared to the control. In conclusion, SeNPs or ZnONPs with chromium as trace elements of growing rabbits can be recommended as an effective intervention to mitigate the negative impacts of heat stress (HS) by enhancing growth performance, promoting metabolic processes, and boosting immunity
Characterizing the agroecological transition of Italian farming systems using FADN database
No full textThe Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027 encourages the transition towards sustainable agriculture in line
with the goals of the European Green Deal. Agroecology is gaining recognition as a valuable approach to enhance
the sustainability of faming systems. However, there is limited understanding of the status quo of the farming
systems and their readiness for transition, especially at large scales such as the national one. This paper in-
vestigates the current uptake of agroecology across the Italian farming systems, by adapting the Tool for Ag-
roecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) methodology to use secondary data from the Farm Accountancy Data
Network (FADN). Besides, a panel between-variance regression was estimated to identify the key determinants of
the transition degree. The results indicate that agroecology has not yet been widely adopted by the Italian farms.
Additionally, factors such as the type of farming, farm management, farm economic and physical size, farm
location, and farmer’s socio-demographics play a significant role in explaining the variation in the transition
intensity towards an agroecological production system. The findings provide a knowledgebase for developing
targeted policies and monitoring progress in agroecological transition. The study confirms the viability of using
the FADN to evaluate the degree of agroecological transition, while also revealing information gaps. Although
essential environmental and social information will be included in the forthcoming Farm Sustainability Data
Network, further integrative sources should be explored to capture multifaced aspects of agroecological transi-
tion within broader agri-food systems, while in-depth studies based on primary data collection could offer more
detailed and nuanced insights
Valore pubblico e performance nei Piani Integrati di Attività ed Organizzazione delle Città Metropolitane
No full textThe Integrated Plan of Activities and Organization (PAIO), as outlined in Article 6 of Legislative Decree No. 80/202 and governed by the decree issued by the Department of Public Function on June 30, 2022 (No. 132), represents a systematic endeavor to structure the planning and organization of Italian public administrations through the lens of public value. This study, following a comprehensive examination of the scholarly discourse on the definition and quantification of public value, undertakes a meticulous documentary analysis of the PAIO 2023/2025 documents generated by Metropolitan Cities. This analysis places particular emphasis on the subsections devoted to Public Value and Performance. The primary objective is to empirically scrutinize the quality and coherence of the processes involved in the generation and measurement of Public Value. The study's outcomes aspire to make a substantive contribution to the ongoing discourse surrounding public value added and its associated metrics. Furthermore, the study endeavors to provide actionable insights for policymakers, offering guidance in the development of tools for long-term planning that is intricately aligned with institutional boundaries and the mission of the specific administration under consideration. In addition to its academic contributions, this study underscores managerial implications designed to enhance the alignment between administrative initiatives and the overarching objectives of public value. These insights are intended to inform strategic decision-making processes and foster coherence in the pursuit of public value objectives within the administrative framework
Immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae viable cells for electrochemical biosensing of Cu(II)
No full textElectrodes functionalised with weak electroactive microorganisms offer a viable alternative to conventional chemical sensors for detecting priority pollutants in bioremediation processes. Biofilm-based biosensors have been proposed for this purpose. However, biofilm formation and maturation require 24-48 h, and the microstructure and coverage of the electrode surface cannot be controlled, leading to poorly reproducible signal and sensitivity. Alternatively, semiconductive biocompatible coatings can be used for viable cell immobilization, achieving reproducible coverage and resulting in a stable biosensor response. In this work, we use a polydopamine (PDA)-based coating to immobilize Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast viable cells on carbon screen printed electrodes (SPE) for Cu(II) detection, with potassium ferricyanide (K3[Fe (CN)6]) as a redox mediator. Under these conditions, the current output correlates with Cu (II) concentration, reaching a limit of detection of 2.2 mu M, as calculated from the chronoamperometric response. The bioelectrochemical results are supported by standard viability assays, microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The PDA coatings can be functionalised with different mutant strains, thus expanding the toolbox for biosensor design in bioremediation
Rappresentanza degli interessi e rappresentanza politica: tra moti confluenti e profili d’inversione sostanziale
No full textIl tema della decisione pubblica pone un duplice interrogativo: chi decide e come decide. Nell’era post-globalizzata questi due aspetti sono mutati rispetto al passato a causa delle parallele evoluzioni del circuito rappresentativo e del mercato. Mentre i decisori pubblici, e nella specie i partiti, hanno subito una profonda crisi che ha creato vuoti di potere, i poteri economici, occupando questo spazio, hanno acquisito una posizione tale da incidere in modo sempre più netto sulla sfera pubblica. Il tema del ruolo degli attori privati e della relazione tra essi ed il decisore pubblico si è infatti arricchito di nuovi elementi, andando ben oltre il sempre attuale tema della rappresentanza di interessi e giungendo alla capacità di condizionamento dell’opinione pubblica attraverso i mezzi di comunicazione. In tale contesto, è compito dello studioso analizzare i punti di contatto tra pubblico e privato e tentare di indicare la via affinché nessun decisore agisca lontano dai confini dello
Stato costituzionale
LA CULTURA DEL SOSPETTO E IL METODO DELLA GIURISDIZIONE. I LIMITI DELL’AUTONOMIA NEL PROCEDIMENTO DI PREVENZIONE
No full textPrima di informarsi se tra processo penale e procedimento di prevenzione ci possano essere interferenze o interazioni, se sussiste una vera e propria autonomia o sarebbe utile un ritorno alla pregiudizialità, occorre valutare se
quella che è stata definita come “propensione espansiva” dell’archetipo preventivo
possa delineare i confini, alquanto labili, e, viceversa, rivelare, nella modernità la
propensione per una giustizia preventiva e, probabilmente, “una trasformazione
del diritto penale in una protezione contro i pericoli del nemico. In altri termini, siamo di fronte ad una liaison dangerous che innerva dimensioni processuali
non più inquadrabili nello schema della pregiudizialità e, tuttavia, si subiscono
le distorsioni di un sistema che non appare inalveato in una effettiva autonomia,
con conseguenze sul piano operativo. Tale metamorfosi, ha inciso su alcuni punti
nevralgici del processo penale, comportando un ripensamento terminologico sulla
nozione tradizionale di prova e dei criteri di ammissibilità e valutazione poiché,
gli elementi acquisiti nel procedimento di prevenzione acquistano il crisma di prova, mediante il fenomeno del “travaso probatorio” tra i due sistemi e plasmano la
fase decisoria
Search for H→cc at CMS in VBF production with Run-3 data
Get PDFThe Higgs boson discovery represents a milestone in particle physics and the ATLAS and CMS experiments at CERN have dedicated a great effort to the investigation of its properties. However, the Higgs boson couplings to second generation quarks and first generation fermions are still statistically out of reach at the present experiments. The measurement of the Higgs boson coupling with charm quarks is one of the highest priority goals of the CMS physics program, as it could provide valuable insights on new physics.
In this thesis, for the first time, the search for the Higgs boson decay into a charm quark-antiquark pair in VBF production at the CMS experiment is performed. Data collected during the 2023 of the Run-3 of the LHC proton-proton collision program are investigated. This search is particularly challenging because of the small branching ratio of the Higgs boson decay into charm quarks and the overwhelming QCD multijet background. The final result of this study is an upper limit at 95% confidence level on the Higgs production cross section times its decay branching ratio