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“Il demone della gara”. Note sulla rappresentazione letteraria del recordman
No full text“La demolizione degli eroi è già cominciata”, scriveva Alfredo Panzini nel 1894. Pensava
al “guerriero”, al “fondatore di civiltà” e certo anche al poeta-vate: tutti costoro,
doveva ammettere, “già furono”. Di sicuro Panzini non aveva previsto che un’altra
tipologia di eroe si stesse già imponendo, meno nobile probabilmente, ma benedetta
dalle folle e presto consacrata dagli stessi scrittori. Chi sul punto ebbe un ruolo fondamentale
fu certo Mario Morasso, che elesse il recordman a figura chiave, ideologicamente
connotata, di molti dei suoi interventi saggistico-narrativi
Soluble Aβ pathology predicts neurodegeneration and cognitive decline independently on p-tau in the earliest Alzheimer's continuum: Evidence across two independent cohorts
No full textINTRODUCTION: Identifying the link between early Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathological changes and neurodegeneration in asymptomatic individuals may lead to the discovery of preventive strategies. We assessed longitudinal brain atrophy and cognitive decline as a function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers in two independent cohorts of cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals. METHODS: We used longitudinal voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in combination with hippocampal subfield segmentation. Changes in neuroimaging and cognitive variables were inspected using general linear models (GLMs) adjusting by age, sex, apolipoprotein E (APOE) status, follow-up time, and years of education. RESULTS: In both cohorts, baseline CSF amyloid beta (Aβ) biomarkers significantly predicted medial temporal lobe (MTL) atrophy rates and episodic memory (EM) decline independently of CSF phosphorylated tau (p-tau). DISCUSSION: Our data suggest that soluble Aβ dyshomeostasis triggers MTL longitudinal atrophy and EM decline independently of CSF p-tau. Our data underscore the need for secondary preventive strategies at the earliest stages of the AD pathological cascade. Highlights: We assessed brain atrophy and cognitive decline in asymptomatic individuals. Aβ biomarkers predicted MTL atrophy independently of p-tau. Our results underscore the importance of undertaking Alzheimer's preclinical trials
Outcome of hepatic resection for HCC in ideal and non-ideal candidates
No full textBackground: The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system considers, among patients with HCC, "ideal candidates" (ICs) for hepatic resection (HR) those with a single lesion, normal bilirubin, and without clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). We compared the outcome of HR between ICs and non-ICs. Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on Child-Pugh A patients. CSPH was defined by the presence of gastroesophageal varices and/or platelet count <100,000/mm3. Hyperbilirubinemia was accepted up to 2 mg/dL. The selected 1057 patients were distributed in 3 calendar periods (2000-2022). Results: In all calendar periods, non-ICs were more prevalent than ICs. Among non-ICs, the proportion of patients with isolated CSPH did not change over time (from 22.6% to 30.3%; p=0.359), while patients with multinodular HCC (mHCC) increased (from 35.5% to 50.2%; p=0.042). Patients with hyperbilirubinemia decreased (from 20.4% to 10.1%; p=0.036), likewise those with hyperbilirubinemia+CSPH (from 21.5% to 9.4%; p=0.005). Over a median follow-up of 41.0 months, median overall survival was higher in ICs compared to non-ICs (104.9 vs. 75.3 months; p<0.001). However, compared to ICs, median overall survival did not differ in patients with isolated CSPH (93.1 mo; p=0.432) or isolated hyperbilirubinemia (86.0 mo; p=0.356), while it was lower in those with hyperbilirubinemia+CSPH (60.0 mo; p<0.001) or mHCC (61.9 mo; p<0.001). Compared to ICs, only hyperbilirubinemia+CSPH patients showed a higher perioperative mortality. Conclusions: In real-world practice, among resected patients, the proportion of non-ICs has remained constantly higher than that of non-ICs since 2000. HR can be offered to Child-Pugh A patients with CSPH or modest hyperbilirubinemia without compromising its outcome. For patients with 2 of these features or mHCC, which generate a poorer prognosis, studies comparing HR versus non-surgical therapies are warranted
Exploring Aneurysmal Bone Cysts of the Skull: Insights from a Review of the Literature and a Case Report
No full textBackground/Objectives: Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are rare bone tumors that can occur in the skull, leading to extensive bone destruction and compression of surrounding tissues. Due to the rarity of these lesions, there are limited data available in the literature, which primarily consists of case reports. We aimed to collect and analyze the available data to summarize the current state of knowledge on this rare pathology, while also conducting a statistical analysis to identify potential risk factors and management strategies. Methods: A review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, covering studies published from January 1950 to December 2023. A total of 60 articles and 74 case reports were included. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 14.8 ± 12.5 years, with slightly higher male gender predominance. Regarding the different skull bones, a statistically significant higher growth trend of ABCs was found at the parietal bone in the male population (p = 0.025). At the occipital bone, a significant correlation was observed with the age of incidence for symptomatic lesions (p = 0.007) and development from fibrous dysplasia (p = 0.019). Secondary lesions showed a higher frequency of complications within the first months post-surgery (p = 0.041). Conclusions: No significant correlation was found between ABCs and fibrous dysplasia (FD) or head trauma. Male patients with FD showed a higher tendency to develop an aneurysmal cyst at the occipital bone at an older age and a higher tendency for growth in ABCs at the parietal bone. However, to date, no molecular or genetic correlation with male hormones has been reported in the literature. Surgery remains the only effective treatment, but complications should be carefully considered, particularly in patients with pre-existing pathological conditions
Abitare luoghi ostili
No full textLa sessione intitolata Abitare luoghi ostili che ha aperto il convegno Sulle tracce della Miseria, tenutosi a Genova il 27 e 28 giugno 2024, ha arontato questo tema da diverse prospettive, rivelando le tensioni tra architettura, urbanistica e società. I con- tributi presentati hanno messo in luce come luoghi apparente- mente destinati alla protezione, all’abitare o alla rigenerazione urbana possano, in realtà, divenire simboli di emarginazione e degrado, restituendo immagini di una miseria invisibile, ma pro- fondamente radicata.
La questione del controllo politico sul corpo è trasversale a molti dei contributi presentati, connessa all’esigenza di libera- re le potenzialità relazionali degli stessi corpi attraverso eventi, performance e momenti di condivisione spontanea
Fertility and ovarian function preservation in young women with breast cancer: A joint analysis of the Joven & Fuerte and PREFER prospective studies
No full textBackground: Potential infertility and premature ovarian insufficiency represent notable concerns for young women with breast cancer (YWBC) undergoing chemotherapy. Cryopreservation techniques and temporary ovarian suppression with GnRH agonists (GnRHa) can be offered for fertility preservation (FP) and/or ovarian protection. This joint analysis of the Joven & Fuerte and PREFER multicenter prospective studies compared the uptake of these strategies and associated factors among Mexican and Italian YWBC. Methods: Females ≤40 years diagnosed with non-metastatic BC from 2014 to 2019, who were offered FP strategies before (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy were included. Uptake of GnRHa for ovarian protection and cryopreservation procedures and reasons for their non-utilization were examined. Results: Among 485 patients (74 % from Mexico; 26 % from Italy), cryopreservation techniques were used in 8 % of Mexican patients and 25 % of Italian patients (p < 0.001). Methods in Mexico and Italy, respectively, comprised oocyte (50 % and 87 %), embryo (53 % and 0 %), and ovarian tissue (0 % and 16 %) cryopreservation. GnRHa were used in 98 % of Italian patients and 6 % of Mexican patients. Cryopreservation uptake was associated with younger age (OR 1.2, 95 %CI 1.1–1.2), childlessness (OR 21.8, 95 %CI 10.0–47.6), stage I-II BC (OR 3.1, 95 %CI 1.5–6.3), private healthcare in Mexico (OR 3.0, 95 %CI 1.1–8.1), and unpartnered status in Italy (OR 5.4, 95 %CI 2.2–13.2). Conclusion: FP and ovarian protection uptake were markedly higher in Italy than Mexico, possibly reflecting divergent social and healthcare contexts, though cryopreservation remained underutilized in both countries. Improved access to oncofertility services is warranted to provide comprehensive care aligned with the personal needs and life plans of YWBC
Scientists’ warning on sustainability: the ecologist point of view, with examples from marine ecosystems
No full textIn recent years, the urgency of achieving sustainability has become a central focus across various scientific disciplines due to the escalating impacts of human activities on the environment in the Anthropocene. In this contribution to the scientists' warning series, we review key ecological insights essential for shaping sustainability strategies to mitigate environmental degradation, and we issue a warning on how sustainability should be pursued in response to these challenges. Drawing on the expertise of ecologists, who understand the complex interactions that underpin natural systems, we explore the balance between ecological, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability, providing examples of case studies on marine ecosystems. Fundamental ecological principles-such as biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, resilience, and disturbance-are examined to highlight their role as the foundations of sustainable development. This review also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing sustainability practices that are both ecologically sound and socially viable. By identifying gaps in current knowledge and advocating for a paradigm shift toward prioritizing ecological integrity, we emphasize the urgent need for science-based policies to address today's environmental issues. Ultimately, this work frames the human-nature relationship as central to sustainable development, calling for enhanced ecological awareness to combat global change, decelerate biodiversity loss, and promote environmental protection