Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca- Università degli Studi di Foggia
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Evaluation of Vitamin D and of Some Biomarkers of Bone Remodelling (CTX-1, Osteocalcin, BALP) in Subjects with Periapical Inflammatory Cysts: An Observational Study
No full textObjectives: The aim of this observational study was to evaluate whether the presence of periapical inflammatory cysts (PIC) is accompanied by a state of vitamin D (25OHD) 25(OH)D insufficiency or deficiency and biochemical variations in biomarkers of bone metabolism such as osteocalcin (OC), isoenzyme of bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX). Methods: A total of 56 patients (group P), 36 males and 20 females, of which 42 had one cyst (group P1) and 14 had multiple periapical cysts (group P2), alongside 56 healthy subjects (group H) were recruited. Rx-OPT and clinical evaluation were used to evaluate the presence of PIC. At the first visit, all subjects underwent venous sampling (group P and H) to measure bone biomarkers by the chemiluminescence method. The Mann–Whitney test was used to compare the different biomarkers in the H vs. P, H vs. P1, H vs. P2, and P1 vs. P2 groups. The Mann–Whitney test was used to compare biomarker levels between the study groups. ROC curves were used to search for the concentration of the different biomarkers in which the best sensitivity and specificity were found. Results: 25OHD and CTX showed a difference between H vs. P, H vs. P1, H vs. P2, and P1 vs. P1 groups (p < 0.05). The study of the ROC curves with a comparison between concentrations in the H vs. P group showed the best sensitivity and specificity for 25OHD at a concentration <19 ng/mL, highlighting a picture of 25OHD deficiency. Conclusions: The presence of apical cysts could be indicative of a vitamin D deficiency that should be appropriately treated. The findings suggest that vitamin D deficiency, given its role in bone metabolism and mineralisation, may contribute to a biological environment that favours the development or persistence of periapical cystic lesions
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Modulated by Genistein in Cancer.
No full textGenistein (4',5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone) is a phytoestrogen belonging to a subclass of natural flavonoids that exhibits a wide range of pharmacological functions, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics make genistein a valuable phytochemical compound for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer. Genistein effectively inhibits tumor growth and dissemination by modulating key cellular mechanisms. This includes the suppression of angiogenesis, the inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and the regulation of cancer stem cell proliferation. These effects are mediated through pivotal signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin. Moreover, genistein interferes with the function of specific cyclin/CDK complexes and modulates the activation of Bcl-2/Bax and caspases, playing a critical role in halting tumor cell division and promoting apoptosis. The aim of this review is to discuss in detail the key cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pleiotropic anticancer effects of this flavonoid
La sentenza «Diarra» della Corte di Giustizia: nihil sub sole novum nei trasferimenti internazionali dei calciatori
No full textAn efficient approach to probe bioactive components of herbal patches by 2D-carbon microfiber fractionation and multi-chamber membrane separation electrophoresis: Spatholobus suberectus Dunn as a case
No full textHerbal patches are widely used in clinics for their good curative effects. However, due to the complexity of plant matrices and the extremely low content of transdermal components, the individuation of their effective bioactive compounds represents a challenge: there is then a great need for an efficient method to reveal the bioactive ingredients of herbal patches. In this work, a wide-screening approach is proposed to an individuation of transdermal bioactive components in herbal patches obtained by Spatholobus suberectus Dunn (S. suberectus). Using a two-dimensional microscale carbon fiber/active carbon fiber system combined with a quadrupole time-of-flight high-resolution mass spectrometry (2DμCFs-QTOF-HRMS), a rapid and comprehensive analysis, lasting only 5 min, allowed the identification of 45 distinct polar components within S. suberectus extracts. Among these, 30 components exhibited a transdermal penetration estimated at values higher than 10 %. The key target, predicted by bioinformatics, was prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2). From the transdermal components of S. suberectus, four potential inhibitors of PTGS2 (protocatechuic acid, isoliquiritigenin, medicarpin, and catechin) were screened by multi-chamber membrane separation electrophoresis (MCMSE). The presence of binding pockets and action sites for medicarpin, isoliquiritigenin, and catechin determines higher binding energy towards PTGS2, with lower IC50 values (12.27, 9.08, and 41.68 μM, respectively). The high-throughput and high-sensitivity analysis by 2DμCFs-QTOF-HRMS, combined with a high-accuracy screening of MCMSE, provides strong technical support for the discovery of trace transdermal bioactive components of herbal patches. The integration of the two technologies could accelerate the study of action mechanisms, quality control, and product improvement of herbal patches
Psychiatry at crossroads yet again: social policies must lead the way
No full textThe global burden of mental and substance use disorders is rising at an unprecedented rate worldwide, driven by a complex and evolving network of social determinants. Mental health policies are predominantly rooted in biomedical frameworks and interventions, partially considering the crucial social, economic, and political factors that fundamentally shape mental health outcomes. Thus, policy responses often emphasize individualized, symptom-focused treatments, primarily psychopharmacological, while overlooking structural inequities. A paradigm shift is imperative: mental health policies must integrate social justice, equity, and community empowerment as foundational, evidence-based components of psychiatric care. And if psychiatry is to survive, then psychiatrists must be at the forefront of this revolution, as advocates and campaigners, alongside patients and their care partners. Embedding social determinants into psychiatric training, service design, and policymaking is not merely contextual enhancement, it is a moral and scientific necessity. Participation of people with lived experience, transparent governance, ring-fenced funding, and regular rights compliance audits are all crucial for a socially- oriented mental health plan
Generative knowing: intuizione, social wisdom e “disapprendimento” per le trasformazioni individuali e delle organizzazioni
No full textOltre all’intuizione, alla social wisdom e alla capacità di “disimparare”, l’agency riveste una funzione determinante nei processi trasformativi. Secondo la prospettiva fenomelogica di Green (2022a), l’agency rappresenta la forza trainante della trasformazione e della risposta a un dilemma disorientativo. L’agency, per Green (2002b) è fondamentalmente un processo creativo volto e diretto a un preciso obiettivo, alla ricerca di una soluzione al disorientamento. Una condizione quella del disorientamento considerata indispensabile per poter dare avvio a qualsiasi
forma di trasformazione
The twin innovation-renewable energy production of Italian provinces: New evidence from spatial panel analysis
No full textWhile previous research has explored the determinants of renewable energy generation, this analysis is the first
to jointly investigate the specific impact of technological innovation and digital infrastructure across multiple
renewable sources within a spatial framework. Focusing on Italian provinces between 2016 and 2021, the study
explores the role of innovation and ultra-wideband (UWB) infrastructure in shaping renewable energy generation.
Using a granular dataset covering 106 provinces, we apply spatial econometrics to estimate the impact of innovation-related variables on four types of renewable energy: photovoltaic, hydropower, wind, and bioenergy.
This study also captures spillover effects between neighboring provinces to assess interdependencies. Findings
indicate a significant spillover effect across provinces, with innovation variables positively influencing energy
generation when significant. However, UWB infrastructure, when statistically significant, exhibits a sharp negative
impact. These results suggest that while digital technologies may optimize energy consumption, they could
inadvertently reduce production levels—possibly due to inadequate storage devices
