University of Bari Aldo Moro
Archivio istituzionale della ricerca - Università di BariNot a member yet
151277 research outputs found
Sort by
Greenhouse Gases Detection Exploiting a Multi-Wavelength Interband Cascade Laser Source in a Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Sensor
No full textThis study presents the performance of a multi-gas sensor for greenhouse detection based on quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS). The QEPAS sensor exploits an innovative, compact three-wavelength laser module as excitation source. The module integrates three interband cascade laser chips with a beam combining system, all enclosed in a compact metallic package with sizes of 40 × 52 × 17 mm to generate a single output beam. The multi-gas QEPAS sensor was tested in a laboratory environment for the sequential detection of two greenhouse gases, methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), and a precursor greenhouse gas, carbon monoxide (CO). At an integration time of 100 ms, minimum detection limits of 21 ppb, 363 ppb, and 156 ppb, were estimated for CH4, CO2, and CO detection, respectively, all well below their natural abundance in air
Observation of the Very Rare Σ^{+}→pμ^{+}μ^{-} Decay
No full textThe first observation of the Σ^{+}→pμ^{+}μ^{-} decay is reported with high significance using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4 fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. A yield of 237±16 Σ^{+}→pμ^{+}μ^{-} decays is obtained, where the uncertainty is statistical only. A branching fraction of (1.08±0.17)×10^{-8} is measured, where the uncertainty includes statistical and systematic sources. No evidence of resonant structures is found in the dimuon invariant-mass distribution. All results are compatible with standard model expectations. This represents the rarest decay of a baryon ever observed
Type II diabetes in systemic sclerosis patients: insights from an observational, multicenter study of GIRRCS (Gruppo Italiano di Ricerca in Reumatologia Clinica e Sperimentale)
No full textObjective: To assess the contribution of Systemic sclerosis (SSc)-specific features on type II diabetes mellitus (T2D) in a large cohort of Italian SSc patients.
Methods: A total of 613 SSc patients from 11 tertiary Rheumatology Units across Italy were included. All patients underwent full history taking, clinical examination, and relevant laboratory and radiological evaluations. Demographic, socioeconomic, and disease-specific factors were compared between SSc patients with and without T2D.
Results: The prevalence of T2D in the study cohort was 7.6%. SSc patients with T2D were significantly older (P < 0.007) and exhibited: higher prevalence of late-stage capillaroscopic pattern (P < 0.001), severe reduction in forced vital capacity (FVC < 50%; P < 0.000), moderate reduction in total lung capacity (TLC 50-69%; P < 0.011), electrocardiographic signs of right ventricular hypertrophy (P < 0.018), higher prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) confirmed by right heart catheterization (RHC) (P < 0.037) and higher prevalence scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) (P < 0.001); elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (P < 0.022), and ANA positivity. These patients more frequently assumed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) (P < 0.005) when compared to their non-T2D counterparts, while the use of immunosuppressive therapies was similar between groups. Multivariate analysis identified older age, SRC, and reductions in both TLC and FVC as independent SSc-specific associated factors of T2D.
Conclusion: Although the prevalence of T2D in SSc patients is lower than the global estimates reported by the International Federation of Diabetes (IFD), a distinct subgroup of SSc patients with T2D is characterized by unique disease manifestations and complications, including SRC and impaired lung function. These findings underscore the importance of tailored screening and management approaches to address the intersecting metabolic and vascular risks in this population
Association of TORCH Pathogens With Spontaneous Pregnancy Loss: A Prospective Study From Pakistan
No full textThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of TORCH infections (Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus [CMV], and herpes simplex virus [HSV]) among pregnant women reported at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Pakistan. The study was conducted at PIMS from May 2021 to September 2022. This prospective study analyzed 8000 samples submitted to the pathology laboratory for routine testing. The ELISA method was employed to detect immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS (version 23.0). TORCH agent infections during pregnancy account for 19.82% of cases. T. gondii is responsible for 5.1% of complete abortions, 6.6% of incomplete abortions, 4.8% of missed abortions, and 2.8% of threatened abortions. Rubella is another pathogen that can lead to abortion in pregnant women, contributing to 7.8% of complete abortions, 19.7% of incomplete abortions, 5.7% of missed abortions, and 5.5% of threatened abortions. CMV and HSV are also implicated in abortion. CMV accounts for 6.2% of complete abortions, 9.1% of incomplete abortions, 4.8% of missed abortions, and 5.2% of threatened abortions. HSV plays a significant role in abortion as well, causing 4.2% of complete abortions, 7.1% of incomplete abortions, 1.5% of missed abortions, and 4.0% of threatened abortions. Data with a p value of less than 0.001 indicate strong statistical significance. The findings suggest that TORCH agents and abortion are significantly correlated, with TORCH agent infections being a major cause of abortion
Visiones di parricidio. Lo sguardo della mente e la complicità tra declamatore e uditorio ([Quint.] Decl. min. 314)
No full textIl contributo concentra l’attenzione sulle tecniche retoriche utilizzate in Ps. Quint. decl. min. 314 per rendere visibile all’uditorio, ovvero ai giudici, e, di conseguenza, credibile il crimen parricidi. Particolare centralità è riservata all’ operazione di rottura della «quarta parete» con cui l’uditorio è chiamato a cooperare all’illusione del testo: l’invito diretto all’attività immaginifica del pubblico si configura come presupposto dell’idolopea del fantasma del padre che appare al figlio colpevole, inchiodandolo alle proprie responsabilità. Tale allucinazione prodotta da una coscienza turbata, oltre a suscitare pathos, consente di visualizzare quel processo di razionalizzazione e di interiorizzazione delle Furie come personificazione del senso di colpa dei parricidi teorizzato da Cicerone nella Pro Roscio Amerino che costituisce l’ipotesto di questa declamazione
Efficacy and retention rate of secukinumab in psoriatic arthritis across different clinical phenotypes: insights from the Italian GISEA Registry
No full textBackground: Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of secukinumab (SECU) in reducing disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), while real-world studies prove a broader perspective on SECU’s usefulness in everyday clinical practice. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of SECU by evaluating drug survival and identifying potential predictors of clinical response and treatment discontinuation in patients with moderate-to-severe PsA, using real-world data from the Italian Group for the Study of Early Arthritis (GISEA) registry. Design: This longitudinal retrospective study included PsA patients treated with SECU, spanning from May 2016 to November 2023. Methods: Data from 1045 PsA patients, including 783 with peripheral-only PsA (perPsA) and 262 with peripheral and axial involvement (mixed PsA) were analyzed. Drug survival was estimated by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Clinical outcomes, including Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS, C-Reactive Protein (CRP)-based), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) measures, were evaluated at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for discontinuing SECU were determined using multivariate Cox regression models. Results: SECU survival at 24 months was 63.24%, significantly higher in mixed PsA compared to perPsA (p = 0.036). In the overall PsA population, DAPSA scores decreased significantly at 6 months, and further at 24 months (all p < 0.0001). In mixed PsA, ASDAS-CRP scores were significantly reduced at 6 months and remained stable through 24 months (all p < 0.0001). VAS pain scores also improved already at 6 months and continued to improve at 24 months (all p < 0.0001). Higher age (aHR = 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.96–0.99, p = 0.007) and lower baseline DAPSA scores (aHR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03, p = 0.014) were associated with greater persistence of SECU treatment. SECU was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events. Conclusion: SECU showed sustained clinical improvements in both peripheral and axial involvement of PsA patients over 24 months, with higher persistence observed in mixed PsA patients. Our findings highlight the favorable clinical and safety profile of SECU in real world
COSMETICS INDUSTRY AS A PROMISING OPPORTUNITY FOR DONKEY BREEDING: CONSUMER ACCEPTABILITY OF A COSMETIC CREAM BASED ON MILK FROM THE MARTINA FRANCA BREED
No full textDonkey milk is a valuable product due to its uses that range from feeding newborns and heart and hypercholesterolemic patients to making dairy products, cosmetics, active biomolecules, and soaps. Although the use of donkey milk for cos-metic applications has a long history, there is little knowledge about its perceived quality in cosmetics. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the perception of untrained consumers regarding the sensory aspects of a donkey milk-based face cream. The consumer test was carried out by 110 randomly recruited women who evaluated two formulations of the cosmetic with or without donkey milk. On the 7th and 15th day of use, the following sensory aspects were evaluated: appearance, fragrance, effectiveness, and overall satisfaction. ANOVA test demonstrated the effect of cosmetics and skin type on judgement. In both periods, the donkey milk-added cream reached a good rating in most of the parameters. Con-sumers with dry skin appreciated this product more than consumers with normal and oily skin and gave significantly higher ratings for moisturization and smoothness of the skin in both periods
Effect of the Arg16Gly β2-Adrenergic Receptor Polymorphism on Long-Term Mepolizumab Response and Clinical Remission in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma: A Genotype-Stratified, Multicenter Study
No full textBackground: β2-adrenergic signaling promotes airway smooth muscle relaxation and limits the release of pro-inflammatory mediators by immune cells. The rs1042713 polymorphism encodes a glycine-to-arginine substitution (Arg16Gly) that enhances β2-receptor downregulation. We investigated the association of this polymorphism with the risk of severe eosinophilic asthma and its impact on the long-term effectiveness of mepolizumab and clinical remission. Methods: Genotypes from 102 patients with severe eosinophilic asthma receiving mepolizumab were compared with those from 31 individuals with mild asthma and 20 healthy controls. The severe-asthma cohort was followed for up to 24 months, and clinical data were collected at baseline and after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of treatment. Analyses were stratified by Arg/Arg, Arg/Gly, and Gly/Gly genotypes. Results: Each additional Arg16 allele increased the odds of severe eosinophilic asthma by 2.61-fold (95% CI 1.48–4.59; p = 0.0001) relative to mild asthma and by 3.61-fold (95% CI 1.78–7.35; p < 0.0001) relative to healthy controls. Over 24 months of mepolizumab treatment, Arg/Arg patients had an increased risk of exacerbations (HR 2.3 [95% CI 1.03–5.20]; p = 0.0414) and poorer asthma control compared with Gly/Gly patients (ACT ≥ 20: 72.4% vs. 100%, p = 0.0308). Gly/Gly patients also experienced less decline in lung function. By month 24, each additional Gly16 allele increased the odds of achieving clinical remission by 2.86-fold (95% CI 1.20–6.81; p = 0.0170), defined as no annual exacerbations, no OCS, and ACT ≥ 20, and by 3.06-fold (95% CI 1.34–6.96; p = 0.0080) when including an FEV1 decline ≤ 5% from baseline. Conclusions: The Arg16 allele of the rs1042713 polymorphism increases the risk of severe eosinophilic asthma and may reduce the long-term efficacy of mepolizumab, whereas the Gly16 allele appears to confer better outcomes and higher remission rates
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of post-traumatic osteomyelitis: A case series of 11 patients and long-term outcomes
No full textAim
Osteomyelitis is a rare but serious complication of bone fractures, often requiring complex and prolonged treatment. If not properly managed, it can lead to severe disability and chronic infection. This study evaluates the effectiveness of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in chronic post-traumatic osteomyelitis, including refractory cases (6/11) and chronic non-refractory cases (5/11) with relevant comorbidities.
Materials and Methods
We conducted a single-center case series of 11 consecutive patients with chronic post-traumatic osteomyelitis treated with combined surgical debridement, antibiotic therapy and adjunctive HBOT between 2014 and 2024. Five cases (N. 5, 6, 7, 9, 11) did not fulfill criteria for “refractory” disease (no documented failure after ≥6 weeks of targeted antibiotics plus indicated debridement) and were classified as chronic, non-refractory osteomyelitis at baseline. Patients were selected based on clinical urgency and comorbidities. Outcomes were assessed based on infection resolution, wound healing, and absence of recurrence during a minimum follow-up of 12 months.
Results
All 11 patients achieved complete infection resolution and wound healing without recurrence. The adjunctive use of HBOT was well tolerated and appeared particularly effective in patients with diabetes or cardiovascular disease. These results may be attributed to HBOT's known mechanisms: enhanced oxygen delivery to hypoxic tissue, improved neutrophil-mediated bacterial clearance, and disruption of biofilms. Conclusions: HBOT, when integrated into a multidisciplinary treatment strategy, may significantly improve outcomes in patients with complex osteomyelitis. In this mixed cohort of chronic (refractory and non-refractory) post-traumatic osteomyelitis, adjunctive HBOT within a multidisciplinary strategy was associated with infection control at ≥12-month follow-up, with benefits particularly evident in patients with comorbidities. Its benefits were most evident in patients with systemic comorbidities, suggesting a valuable role for HBOT in high-risk clinical scenarios. All patients achieved clinical healing without recurrence, suggesting a possible association between HBOT and favorable outcomes
La domus nell'area del Battistero di San Giovanni
No full textNell'ambito dell’imponente aggiornamento sulle ricerche a Canosa a trenta anni dalla mostra ‘Principi imperatori vescovi. Duemila anni di storia a Canosa’, nel quadro della rilettura aggiornata della pianificazione urbana, il contributo presenta per la prima volta in forma sistematica la domus di età imperiale evidenziata tra il 2001 e il 2006 tra le preesistenze del Battistero di San Giovanni, nell’ambito dello scavo che ha accompagnato il restauro e che è stato coordinato sul campo dall’autore. La sequenza stratigrafica letta in riferimento ai materiali permette di ricostruire le trasformazioni della casa in relazione alla vicenda del settore urbano nord-occidentale della città, finora tra i meno noti