University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
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Treatment of pemphigus and other neglected skin conditions with PC111, a human anti-Fas Ligand monoclonal antibody: a potential disease modifier
Get PDFBackground: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic autoimmune blistering disease with high morbidity and mortality, treated mainly with long-term immunosuppressants. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (SJS/TEN) is an acute, life-threatening drug reaction with severe skin and mucosal involvement. No approved therapies currently exist for SJS/TEN. Aim: To demonstrate that the soluble form of Fas ligand (sFasL) is a relevant therapeutic target in both PV and SJS/TEN, and to provide evidence that PC111, a fully human monoclonal antibody against sFasL, is effective in both conditions. Evidence review: In PV, autoantibodies (PVIgG) target desmogleins, leading to blistering via signaling cascades. sFasL, released upon PVIgG binding, contributes to this process by promoting desmoglein degradation and acantholysis. In SJS/TEN, elevated sFasL induces keratinocyte apoptosis, contributing to epidermal detachment. Findings: PC111 blocks acantholysis and blister formation in PV through a local, rapid mechanism, downstream of the immune system, thus differentiating from the currently used immunosuppressive treatments. In SJS/TEN, PC111 prevents keratinocyte apoptosis induced by patient serum and improves ocular symptoms in a mouse model. Its fast action suggests potential for early intervention to halt disease progression. Conclusions: PC111 may act as a disease-modifying agent, promoting long-term remission in PV and preventing progression in early-stage SJS/TEN
Greenwashing, greenhushing, and the path to green banking
Get PDFThis study investigates how governance characteristics, specifically gender diversity, and bank business models influence the transition from greenwashing and greenhushing to becoming green banks. A balanced panel of 150 listed banks worldwide from 2015 to 2021 is used. Latent Markov models are applied as a methodology capable of explaining the evolution of a group of banks and the characteristics that may affect their transition over time. Key findings reveal a positive correlation between having a female CEO with at least 30 % female board representation and the likelihood of a bank shifting from greenwashing to a green stance. Conversely, a higher proportion of women on the board appears to reduce the likelihood of transitioning from greenhushing to a vocal green position, suggesting a more risk-averse and conservative approach. Additionally, investment-oriented banks are more likely to evolve toward vocal green banking than retail and universal banks. The research advances the literature on greenwashing and greenhushing by highlighting the importance of governance characteristics in supporting environmentally responsible practices
Il questionario “Innovative and Inclusive Academia” dell’Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia
No full textModelling and simulation of a vibrating membrane for the acquisition of lung sounds
No full textThe lack of general doctors and physicians represents the main problem for most of the modern national health systems. The high operating and maintenance costs of hospitals and clinics complete the critical picture. The development of new diagnostic tools can play a fundamental role in tackling these challenges. Recent studies have shown that electronic stethoscopes can raise the diagnostic suspicion of several pulmonary diseases, for instance interstitial lung diseases. The vibrating membrane, or diaphragm, is a fundamental component of the stethoscope that significantly affects its performance. Despite several theoretical and experimental studies are available about membrane vibration, the exact role of the diaphragm in a stethoscope for the acoustic coupling is still mostly unclear. In this paper we investigate the effect of the diaphragm on the sensibility and bandwidth of electronic stethoscopes. We setup a 1D numerical simulation of the system composed by the lung, human body, vibrating membrane and microphone. The parameters are devised from breathing mechanics and from the datasheets of a commercial diaphragm and microphone. The performance predicted by numerical simulations have been compared to experimental measurements on our prototype of electronic stethoscope. In particular, the predicted pressure at the input of the microphone is very close to that experimentally measured during outpatient visits at the University Hospital of Modena (Italy)
Bounded variation spaces with generalized Orlicz growth related to image denoising
No full textMotivated by the image denoising problem and the undesirable stair-casing effect of the total variation method, we introduce bounded variation spaces with generalized Orlicz growth. Our setup covers earlier variable exponent and double phase models. We study the norm and modular of the new space and derive a formula for the modular in terms of the Lebesgue decomposition of the derivative measure and a location dependent recession function. We also show that the modular can be obtained as the Γ-limit of uniformly convex approximating energies
La variabile religiosa nei Peace Studies
Get PDFIl contributo analizza l’evoluzione del ruolo della religione nei Peace Studies, da ‘elemento integrato’ e marginale a variabile autonoma e strategica nei processi di analisi, gestione e trasformazione dei conflitti. Muovendo dal paradigma del ‘conflitto costruttivo’, si evidenzia il potenziale ambivalente della religione, capace tanto di alimentare dinamiche di radicalizzazione e polarizzazione quanto di favorire percorsi di riconciliazione. Attraverso un approccio multidisciplinare, si esamina il ruolo delle retoriche religiose, intese come dispositivi comunicativi interni alle organizzazioni, nella loro funzione propedeutica al prosieguo del conflitto e alla risoluzione di problematiche di varia natura; successivamente, si propone una riflessione sugli strumenti di ‘religious diplomacy’, evidenziando e valorizzando come il dialogo interreligioso e l’alfabetizzazione religiosa possano rafforzare i processi di peacebuilding. In questa prospettiva, la variabile religiosa emerge come elemento chiave per comprendere e trasformare le dinamiche di conflitto, contribuendo alla costruzione di una pace inclusiva, stabile e duratura.The article explores the evolving role of religion within Peace Studies, highlighting its shift from a marginal and ‘integrated presence’ to an autonomous and strategic variable in the analysis, management and transformation of conflicts. Adopting the paradigm of ‘constructive conflict’, it explores the ambivalent role of religion, which may serve either to intensify dynamics of radicalization and polarization or to foster reconciliation and social cohesion. Through a multidisciplinary approach, this study investigates the role of religious rhetoric as an internal communicative device within organizations, functioning both as a catalyst for conflicts and as a means of managing different challenges; furthermore, the paper reflects on the tools of ‘religious diplomacy’, emphasizing how interreligious dialogue and religious literacy can reinforce peacebuilding efforts. In this perspective, the religious variable emerges as a key factor for interpreting and transforming conflict dynamics, ultimately contributing to the establishment of an inclusive and lasting peace
Risk of Cancer in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Experiencing Varying Degrees of Immune Recovery With Sustained Virological Suppression on Antiretroviral Treatment for More Than 2 Years: An International, Multicenter, Observational Cohort
Get PDFBackground: The impact of long-term virological suppression and CD4 count recovery on non-AIDS defining cancers (NADC) is unclear. We determined whether poor immune recovery was associated with incident cancer risk in people with HIV with virological suppression (VS). Methods: Participants from the D:A:D and RESPOND collaborations in Europe and Australia who achieved ≥2 years of VS on ART between Dec 1999 and Dec 2022 were included. Follow-up was from baseline (date of VS for two years) until the earliest of a first cancer event, virological failure, final follow-up, or administrative censoring date. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to assess associations between cancer incidence (overall, AIDS-defining cancer (ADC), NADC, infection-related, infection-unrelated) and time-updated CD4 count stratified by pre-ART nadir CD4 counts. Results: Overall, 48,343 people with VS were included (median [IQR] baseline age 43 years [37-50], CD4 count 540 cells/μL [380-730], nadir CD4 count 245 cells/μL [121-394], 74% male). There were 1,933 incident cancers, median 6.2 years [2.9-9.5] (incidence rate (IR): 6.43 [95%CI 6.15-6.73]/1000 person-years). Higher time-updated CD4 count was associated with a reduced risk of overall cancer (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] for time-updated CD4 350-499: 0.45 [95%CI 0.39-0.51]; 500-749: 0.30 [0.27-0.34], and ≥750: 0.26 [0.23-0.30] vs. <350 cells/μL, p<0.0001). There was a significant reduction in all cancers risk by higher time-updated CD4 count regardless of nadir CD4 count, with higher pre-ART nadir CD4 count exhibiting lower risk. Conclusions: Despite VS on ART for more than two years, people with poorer immune recovery experience a significantly higher incidence of cancer
Tracking enterovirus and poliovirus circulation in Parma: Environmental surveillance from 2019 to 2024
Get PDFBackground and aim: Environmental Surveillance (ES), which gained renewed interest during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its effectiveness in the early detection of viral spread, has long been recognized as a critical component of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. This approach has historically played a fun-damental role in the early identification of poliovirus transmission and remains an essential tool for monitor-ing the circulation of enteroviruses, underscoring its enduring significance in public health surveillance. This study aims to present six years ES data on poliovirus and enterovirus in Parma, Italy. Methods: The samples were collected every two weeks at the inlet of two sewage treatment plants and underwent a WHO protocol analysis. We detailed the temporal and spatial distribution of non-polio enterovirus (NPEV ) and poliovirus based on the virus cultures algorithm from 2019 to 2024. Results: A total of 228 sewage samples were col-lected, a median of 44 samples per year. 68.9% resulted in positive cell cultures, without significant differ-ences among the two treatment plants. The year 2023 had the highest percentage of NPEV isolates (97.7%), followed by 2024 and 2022 (87% and 70.5% respectively). 2021 had the overall lowest positive (35.6%). One Sabin-like strain type 3 was detected in 2022. Seasonal time trends were observed. Conclusions: This study contributes to a better understanding of NPEV circulation patterns in a pandemic and post-pandemic period, underlining the importance of ES as a tool in the assessment of the epidemiological spreading of enterovi-ruses and significantly poliovirus